Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2023 - 37

I
pulled into the dock of our weekly rental after a
productive morning of solo fishing. I was met by
my daughter and son, who wanted to see if I took
any photos while fishing. On our walk to the cabin, my
4-year-old son asked, " Dad, when can I catch a big bass? "
I told him once we ate breakfast, we could give it a try.
He no sooner finished his breakfast, threw on his life
jacket, grabbed his fishing rod, and proclaimed he was
ready to go. I gathered my gear and we made our way
out on the lake.
We arrived at my favorite spot. I tipped both of our
rods with different colored 4-inch plastic sinking worms
for visual ease of the line when a fish grabbed the bait. It
did not take long before my son was scooping the first
10-inch bass of the outing and insisted on being the one
to release it and every fish that day. We used the wind to
drift us from spot to spot, and the bass were more than
cooperative. I enjoyed watching his face light up with each
fish that hit the net, even more than the fishing itself.
He had plenty of questions, laughter, and goofiness, but
soon the bite slowed down. I told my son that we would do
one last drift across the creek channel in hopes of picking
up one last fish before making the journey back to the
cabin. As we approached the weedline, neither one of us
really wanted to quit, so I said, " One more cast. " He agreed,
Cast & Caught
and with a little assistance, his bait found its mark in the center
of a deep, winding creek channel. I packed up the boat and
prepared the motor as the words, " I got one! " came shrieking out
of his mouth.
As he had insisted with most of his catches on this day, he
claimed this was a big one and asked me to keep one hand
on the rod in case the fish fought more than he could handle.
The bass dove for the thick grass on bottom, so I applied extra
pressure and hoped the 12-pound-test line would hold. We
avoided the grass before feeling the line rise towards the surface.
The large bass launched out of the water and landed with a
thunderous splash. For the first time all day, he was right. This
was a big fish. And, the battle was on to bring it in. With extra
pressure applied to the rod and the net in hand, the fish was
now making headshakes just under the surface. As soon as I felt
it was close enough, I extended my reach with the net, which
found its mark on the 5-pound, 23-inch Largemouth Bass.
The pure joy and excitement of that moment cannot be
matched. We admired the large fish before taking several photos
and measurements. Yet again, he insisted on being the one to
return it to the water. It was everything he could do to even
lift the net, but the fish escaped after being submerged a few
seconds and vanished into the depths of the lake as giggles of joy
continued. " Hey, Bennett " , I said, " I guess today is the day that
you are going to catch a big bass. "
Austin Moyle, age 17, caught and released
this Muskellunge while fishing at Bald
Eagle State Park, Centre County.
For the " Cast & Caught " column, send
only prints (no larger than 8 " x10 " ) and a
completed " Model Release form " available at
fishandboat.com. Click on " About Us " , then
" Angler & Boater " . Include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope if you want your
photograph returned. People aboard boats
must be wearing properly fitted and buckled
life jackets. Mail to:
Editor, Pennsylvania Angler & Boater,
P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
Derek Lengyel, Bellefonte, caught this
Largemouth Bass while fishing on Black
Moshannon Lake, Centre County.
Gianna Krivanek, age 11, caught this
5-pound, 5-ounce, 251/4-inch Walleye
while fishing on Cross Creek Lake,
Washington County.
Nicholas Warriner, Phoenixville, caught
this 8.45-pound Largemouth Bass while
fishing with his wife Maria on Green
Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County.
Jeannine and Lee Jones caught and
released this 25-inch golden Rainbow
Trout while fishing Kettle Creek,
Clinton County.
July/August 2023
37
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2023

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