Bassin with Irvine bass guru Don Spencer

[troutdog]

Most of the guys who fish regularily at Irvine know that when it comes to fishing knowledge, few compare to local guide Donnie Spencer. Catfish shudder and trout shake when they hear his name....and the bass get sore lips just hearing the sound of his trolling motor! :Shocked: :Wink: Aside from all that you couldn't meet a nicer guy.

I had the pleasure of jumping on board Don's Ranger this past Sunday for some insane bass fishing at the Vine. I rarely fish the green fish these days, but I like to think I'm a quick learner on the water (okay I know how to copy what someone is doing when their catching fish! :LOL: ) So after a quick debriefing we launched the boat just after 6am....nice to be doing so at the main ramp now!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend044_zps5b7d03cc.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend044_zps5b7d03cc.jpg.html)

It wasn't too long after launching Don got on the board....no surprise there! :LOL:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend047_zpsdea74c23.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend047_zpsdea74c23.jpg.html)

This would become a recurring theme throughout the day as I tried to hold my own as the newbie...

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend049_zps274dcf27.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend049_zps274dcf27.jpg.html)

I knew my time would come with some perserverance, my first fish of the day came less than an hour into the day on a dead sticked senko

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend046_zpsbc1099de.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend046_zpsbc1099de.jpg.html)

Once "we" figured out the pattern, bites came at a fast a furious pace and fish started coming over the rail left and right!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend048_zps85820948.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend048_zps85820948.jpg.html)

Another chunky Irvine bass....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend051_zpsa228c0d3.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend051_zpsa228c0d3.jpg.html)


AND another....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend055_zps31ecc5fa.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend055_zps31ecc5fa.jpg.html)

getting ready for the up and over manuever

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend052_zps247ae335.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend052_zps247ae335.jpg.html)


Oh yeaaaah

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend056_zpsc515c5f6.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend056_zpsc515c5f6.jpg.html)



Sharing a little intel and spreading the love to some fellow bassers....unlike many "pros", Don is willing to share his info and even his hot baits (he passed out quite a few different plastics we were catching them on to guys who weren't doing quite as well, very cool ):Thumbs Up:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend057_zpsafebf113.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend057_zpsafebf113.jpg.html)

Oh and just to show the ramp actually is open for business....

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj285/troutdog_photobucket/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend058_zps34905aa2.jpg (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/troutdog_photobucket/media/Lunkerfest/Bassinweekend058_zps34905aa2.jpg.html)

Our half day trip ended up being almost a full day adventure, total fish count was pushing close to 40 but I honestly lost track after 30 fish :EyePop: Obviously with those kinds of numbers it was a successful day of catching, but the value of this experience went beyond the catching part. I learned a ton of valuable information and was treated to an on the water education that I can put to use for many trips to come.

If you are hardcore into bassing and want to step up your game, or just a beginner trying to get on some fish I would highly reccomend Donnie Spencer's guide service. Here is the link although you can find it here on FNN as well: http://donfishon.com/index.php (http://donfishon.com/index.php)

Donnie thank you again for an awesome day on the water....I had a blast out there! :Thumbs Up:


TD

[5150fishn]

Great report and pics Aaron! Man Donnie can make anyone look like a bass pro!:Secret: Lol
But seriously though, nice job on the piggies bro! Donnie is one of the nicest guys on the lake and you
can't go wrong learning from him. He knows that lake like the back of his hand.

Glad to hear your guide trip was an epic success. A trip full of knowledge and good times for sure!

[Rooster]

Love all those pics BassDog :Thumbs Up: Congrats on the awesome day out bro

[Micropterus salmoides]

Awesome report. Sounds like Don is a great character and a true fisherman. I'm glad to see the water level is up at Irvine and that the main launch ramp is being use again. Congrats to to both of you...

[troutdog]

Great report and pics Aaron! Man Donnie can make anyone look like a bass pro!:Secret: Lol
But seriously though, nice job on the piggies bro! Donnie is one of the nicest guys on the lake and you
can't go wrong learning from him. He knows that lake like the back of his hand.

Glad to hear your guide trip was an epic success. A trip full of knowledge and good times for sure!

Yeah I was feeling like I knew what I was doing pretty quickly with Don at the helm...I definitely suggest anyone who is interested in understanding these fish better to book a trip. The on the water classroom experience while hooking fish was priceless! See you soon Dan.



Love all those pics BassDog :Thumbs Up: Congrats on the awesome day out bro

Thanks Rob, I can see how these fish can get you hooked big time....not ready to have you start looking for a bass boat for me quite yet, but man what a incentive! :Wink:


Awesome report. Sounds like Don is a great character and a true fisherman. I'm glad to see the water level is up at Irvine and that the main launch ramp is being use again. Congrats to to both of you...

Thank you for the kind words...and you definitely nailed it on the nose about Donnie. Thanks for taking a moment to comment on the report and good luck out there when you hit the water!


TD

[Fishingdachronarch201E7]

WTG TD!!! you guys slayed, great report and awesome pics!!!! thanks for sharing!!!

Tony G

[BannedJr]

Thanks Rob, I can see how these fish can get you hooked big time....not ready to have you start looking for a bass boat for me quite yet, but man what a incentive!

By Wednesday Rob will have bought and sold three bass boats, you won't have to wait long.

[JAG107]

Awesome report man, looks like you had a rewarding day on the water!

[crappiemike]

What a trip!!! There's nothing like fishing
With somebody that know's a lake......




Cm

[fongster]

Thanks for the great report--esp the ramp info. I haven't been to the lake since before last summer :-o I'm going tomorrow with my daughter for some bass. Is the water pretty clear there now? Your fish looked chunky, not spawned out yet--correct? Thanks again.

[Brent]

Great report and congrats on the catching!

Don is a great guy. We fished near you guys most of the day with pretty good success as well. Actually in the background of one of your shots and that's me backing down the ramp in my buddies truck on the last ramp shot.
Don actually stopped while we were wiping down the boat and shared some tips with us without even being asked. Great guy and look forward to seeing him out there again.

Brent

[troutdog]

WTG TD!!! you guys slayed, great report and awesome pics!!!! thanks for sharing!!!

Tony G

Thanks Tony...you should give it a try out there, I appeciate the kind words brotha!


Thanks Rob, I can see how these fish can get you hooked big time....not ready to have you start looking for a bass boat for me quite yet, but man what a incentive!

By Wednesday Rob will have bought and sold three bass boats, you won't have to wait long.

Ready to see what BannedJr has left in the bass fuel tank...lets do this! :Wink:


Awesome report man, looks like you had a rewarding day on the water!

Thank you Jag, GREAT day on the water indeed...


What a trip!!! There's nothing like fishing
With somebody that know's a lake......




Cm

I was blown away out there Mike, nothing lke gaining insight from someone with that kind of knowledge...it certainly made my fishing experience an eye opening one. I plan on dipping the crappie lights as soon as summer hours take effect, I'll keep you posted!


Thanks for the great report--esp the ramp info. I haven't been to the lake since before last summer :-o I'm going tomorrow with my daughter for some bass. Is the water pretty clear there now? Your fish looked chunky, not spawned out yet--correct? Thanks again.

WOW even fongster came out of the closet on this report! :Shocked: :Wink: I hope you had a good day of catching....as you probably already know, VERY clear water and yeah these fish are still doing there thing apparently.


Great report and congrats on the catching!

Don is a great guy. We fished near you guys most of the day with pretty good success as well. Actually in the background of one of your shots and that's me backing down the ramp in my buddies truck on the last ramp shot.
Don actually stopped while we were wiping down the boat and shared some tips with us without even being asked. Great guy and look forward to seeing him out there again.

Brent

Glad to hear you did well out there Brent, now doubt Don is a solid guy and great friend to all on the water. See you out there again soon!


TD