08-24-2014, 12:44 AM
Just got back from Bountiful Pond for the first time. I brought two of my boys: Jacob (age 5) and Hyrum (age 12). Along with the tackle box, I brought a bunch of worms from the backyard. Thank goodness, because the fished loved them some worms.
We first caught a baby bass; and I was hoping they wouldn't all be that small.
Throughout the 2 hours, we caught (and released) about 8 bluegill. At least that's what I think they are. With that black dot (patch) just near their gill. It was fun for my boys to have their worms stolen, lose a fish, and then be determined to hook it the next time. They had a lot of action, and it made for a fun time.
Hyrum hooked into a huge fish, and we weren't sure what it was. As we got to landing it, we realized it was a huge catfish (at least huge by our standards, as we've never caught a cat before). Didn't have a tape, but I'm guessing it was at least 18 inches, maybe 20. All three of us were excited. I coached Hyrum on letting out some line and work the fish a bit.
Hyrum really expressed interest in learning some fishing knots. "Dad, what knots do I need to know so I can just be dropped off alone at a pond to fish?" Makes me happy that this past time is turning out to be enjoyable for him. And we want to get Jacob a junior-sized rod and reel. During today's trip, Hyrum and I would cast it out, then hand the pole to Jacob so he could reel it in. Jacob caught a small bluegill today (all but the casting, that is). He was excited to see the bobber go crazy, and feel the tugging on the line.
I'm happy to know there's a place for easy fish and great times just 30 minutes from my house.
I tried my luck at some bigger bass by fishing a Shim-E-Stick texas rigged for a while, and then I tried a jig head with a tube. No luck, but I wasn't really fishing any cover or rocks, as my boys didn't want to walk very far. And I'm still too cautious to try to cast within a foot of the bank. I probably need to get over my fear of snags and just start learning to cast better. Perhaps Bountiful Pond isn't the place to target bass (at least not between 3:30 and 5:30 PM).
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We first caught a baby bass; and I was hoping they wouldn't all be that small.
Throughout the 2 hours, we caught (and released) about 8 bluegill. At least that's what I think they are. With that black dot (patch) just near their gill. It was fun for my boys to have their worms stolen, lose a fish, and then be determined to hook it the next time. They had a lot of action, and it made for a fun time.
Hyrum hooked into a huge fish, and we weren't sure what it was. As we got to landing it, we realized it was a huge catfish (at least huge by our standards, as we've never caught a cat before). Didn't have a tape, but I'm guessing it was at least 18 inches, maybe 20. All three of us were excited. I coached Hyrum on letting out some line and work the fish a bit.
Hyrum really expressed interest in learning some fishing knots. "Dad, what knots do I need to know so I can just be dropped off alone at a pond to fish?" Makes me happy that this past time is turning out to be enjoyable for him. And we want to get Jacob a junior-sized rod and reel. During today's trip, Hyrum and I would cast it out, then hand the pole to Jacob so he could reel it in. Jacob caught a small bluegill today (all but the casting, that is). He was excited to see the bobber go crazy, and feel the tugging on the line.
I'm happy to know there's a place for easy fish and great times just 30 minutes from my house.
I tried my luck at some bigger bass by fishing a Shim-E-Stick texas rigged for a while, and then I tried a jig head with a tube. No luck, but I wasn't really fishing any cover or rocks, as my boys didn't want to walk very far. And I'm still too cautious to try to cast within a foot of the bank. I probably need to get over my fear of snags and just start learning to cast better. Perhaps Bountiful Pond isn't the place to target bass (at least not between 3:30 and 5:30 PM).
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