Some Bass Pics/Helium MC and a crankbait

[Lightninrod]

I didn't throw a crankbait very often in the swamp pond because of all the underwater snags. I've now gotten over that 'fear' as I found a few cr/baits that are great about avoiding hanging up. Yea, they run right into them but their design makes for an ability to deflect and not hang up.

My 7', MC Helium has been part of this confidence-building as it allows me to feel the difference between a 'hit' and a tree/stump. I was throwing a Bill Dance Fat Free Shad yesterday in 8-9' of water when I felt the lightest of taps(much like EZcue described in his Bass pic post). I set the hook(btw, I set the hook very 'softly'--the 100% f/c line help's) and got the rod tip up as she ran around a stump about 15' away. Ii kept pressure on her but didn't 'horse' her in. She reversed direction and took a little drag. I got her near the boat and down she went--under my little Basshunter . A few seconds later, I was able to lip(very carefully) and land her.

I have to admit that she doesn't look like she weigh's 4.5 lbs in the pics but I weighed her twice on my digital Rapala and once on another digital scale. Both showed 4.5lbs but [-- login to view link --] she doesn't look that heavy. Here [-- login to view link --] she is again. And here is the [-- login to view link --] last pic.

Dan

[Ezcue]

Nice fish LR, I always like to see a good "crankbait" fish.
Gotta love the way that HE70MC will let you feel the smallest ( - - blocked - - ) and then stand up and bring them home ( amazing back-bone to be so sensitive)