Texas Bass Bait Back to Redneck / Back Home
Thanks to Moose for sending this one! The author/photographer is not named, but you should be able to research the guide service and find out. This is cool.
Greetings
to everyone from River Run Guide Service.
In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can honestly say that I
have never encountered a venomous snake (pit viper) within the riverbed.
However, as I tell my clients, go outside the riverbed and that can be a very
different story.
Obviously, just because I have never come across a venomous snake in the river,
does not in any way mean they are not there. In fact, I always remain vigilant
and on the lookout knowing that I'm simply overdue for my first encounter.
The way I look at it, Texas, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go
hand in hand.
So, I wasn't too surprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake headed across
the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig for bass.
I continue
fishing. However, I can't help to notice the rattler has changed its course and
is headed straight for my kayak.
At this
point, I've pretty much quit fishing and have my attention focused on the
intentions of this potentially pesky pit viper.
While tracking the rattler's movement, I couldn't help but think, from a fish's
point of view, how enticing the serpentine motion of this snake looked while in
the water.
Suddenly, I am jolted back to reality by the fact the rattler is now along side
my kayak and is lifting it's head out of the water in an apparent attempt to
come aboard.
No way I'm
having this ill intentioned reptilian hitchhiker nosing around the kayak. So,
with a couple whacks of the paddle, it's now docile as can be.
Now my
mind begins to wonder...Hmmmm.
This rattler looks like mighty good big bass bait!!!
I put him
in one of the footwells on the kayak and paddle over to a series of submerged
river laydowns so I can begin to put my plan into action.
Here is my "Superstar" getting warmed up in the bullpen.
Put me in, Coach!!!
I now
cautiously rig the snake by hooking it through the bottom of the jaw and through
the top of the head onto a weedless black 3/4 oz. jig.
On my sixth cast into the snag infested laydown my jig n snake combo gets
destroyed on the fall as indicated by a telltale "thump" that reverberates all
the way down my rod blank. I set the hook hard and immediately feel stiff
resistance on the other end from what I know is a solid fish.
What happens next is something I'll likely never forget as I watch my bass come
cartwheeling out of the water with the rattler hanging out of it's mouth!
The LMB gave a really good account of itself and I eventually get her alongside
the kayak. I cautiously lip the opposite side of the cavernous mouth where the
fish is hooked.
I now take a moment to pose with my oversize snake eating river bass before
returning her back into the river depths.
I admit,
my curiosity might have gotten the best of me on this one. However, I just
couldn't help it.
In the end...
It was just another Kayak Fishing Adventure on the Brazos River, Tx..
