In spite of the heat Dave and I each managed two bass total, for two ponds fished. Technically I got three since I did touch my bass that spit the jig back at me on the shore's edge. I figured it was fine that I got him as close as I did and lipping him would have been unnecessary. I gave him a push back toward the water and he flipped and swam back to the bottom of the pond.
After dropping Dave off at home I stopped and had a bite to eat. It was noon and 97 degrees and sunny. I had to wrack my brain for spots I could fish but where I could also sit in the shade. I decided to to to a gill pond I know about and try out my new 7'6" Bass Pro $20 ultralight. They still have some left and at $20 it's a nice rod and an OK reel.
I had fun catching gills and I got some beautiful ones but I had something pulling at my insides. I needed, I needed to Hammer some more. I needed to Hammer some more bass!
Off to a different pond where I know there to be biggies. I parked and worked the sides of the pond I can walk without homeowner involvement. Once I rounded the corner I sailed my Big Hammer parallel to shore and settled into the thump-ba-dump-ba-dump-ba-dump I feel through my rod and line when the tail of the Hammer is moving back and forth and making that lateral-line stimulating thud, thud, thud. My making up words for the tail movement on the Big Hammer swimbait was interrupted by a WHAP! I set the hook, reeled in, then boat-lifted this beauty who flat out wouldn't let me lip her.
The length from the butt-cap on my rod to the second wrap for the hook keeper is 17.5". Not a bad bass. That got my need to Hammer out of the way for today. I picked this lovely up and eased her into the water then eased myself into my Subaru. A good time was had by me, my new ultralight, and my Big Hammer.
