KICKIN' BASS (an all-out enemy assault!!!) -------- SWAT style
I’m a private and a new recruit on the attack team. I’m enthusiastic and eager for action. Sometimes though this can be my downfall – patience and proper techniques are important for success on the battlefield.Fortunately the SWAT command knows this. So often I am paired with one of the senior team members in order to speed my training along and further educate me in the ancient art of war (fishing
For today’s field operation, I would be paired with the SWAT Lieutenant Mike code named “bones”. My code name is “anchor3n1”. This is my recollection of the events (a tongue-in-cheek report - I hope you enjoy it)!
"Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move."
Sun Tzu - The Art of War
In order to overwhelm the enemy, secrecy is essential. We knew that that conditions were right. The tide, swell even the water temp were in our favor. So we met at our Area of operation (AO) at the standard zero dark thirty hoping to obtain the element of surprise.
Before we started the Lieutenant (I’ll call him bones from now on) handed me a new soldier in the secret color (an LC metallic Ayu) that has proven itself in battle (Thank you for the LC bones). I tied it on and then we started our long hike down to the battlefield (Location: classified – somewhere North of San Pedro).
"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." Sun Tzu - The Art of War
As we walked the long path towards the battlefield, bones explained many things to me like, “change your hooks often” and “never start a session out with old knots. Always retie before engaging in battle”. Sound advice which I soaked up eagerly. It was then he noticed baitfish jumping as though chased by enemy combatants. We threw our soldiers at em’ and immediately hooked up – barracuda and smelt. We quickly moved on as they were not today’s target.
sorry bout the grainy pic - cuda with metallic ayu LC
The plan today was to use LCs. Slow roll and “dead stick” to engage with enemy calico bass who had invaded the territory.
“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys.
Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!” Sun Tzu - The Art of War
We finally arrived at the AO. Bones advised me to be bold and “fish like I stole it.”I soon started slinging my new soldier (LC) at the enemy stronghold with abandon. But after only four casts, I lost my soldier to a battlefield hazard – the dreaded mussel encrusted boiler rock. I mourned for the lost soldier if only for a moment (no time as the battle was soon to begin) then I tied another soldier (LC calico bass pattern) and wished him godspeed. This decision soon proved to be right.
Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men.
Sun Tzu - The Art of War
At first things were tough, lots of weeds and boilers to contend with. And no enemy had yet showed himself. Soon though the enemy came out and attacked – the battle was on HOOYA!It was all-out calico action. Bones drew first blood…and second…and third before I got my first taste but then it started for me. It took precision and proper technique to capture the enemy. A constant retrieve would not get it done. Sticking to the slow retrieve - pause caused "them" calicos to attack with vengeance.
Ok so here is the morning tally:
Bones – 5 calicos
Anchor3n1 – 8 calicos (one rat, 5 corporals/legals and 2 colonels/17-18” ers)
Notice the calico pattern LC
To be honest, I was pretty puffed-up thinking I had bested my trainer LT. Bones on the enemy count. So much so, that I suggested we go out again the same day for a sundowner assault. However, things turned out different. We chose a completely different AO for one. I arrived early and spent the first 30 minutes with only one grab but no hookup. Bones arrives and proceeded to put me in my place. First he lands a pancake, then a cuda. I’m sitting there watching this and my confidence from the morning is quickly disappearing. He lands something else and I’m sitting there thinking maybe I should just sit and watch the master show me how it’s done.
But bones, the gentlemen that he is, says, "hey here’s a swimbait to use I think this will work for ya". He ties it on for me (that was humbling). He was right cuz quickly I get bit and land my very first WSB (a shorty) RIGHT ON!!!
Now it’s just about dark and I suggest we change AOs. Bones is kinda sketchy and would rather call it but gives in to this here recruit’s wish. We arrive and it’s dark, we can’t see much, can’t tell where structure is, we fish anyways. We get nothing, not even a lil’ grab. “Do calicos feed at night”, I say? “Yes”, bones tells me. (I’m skeptical cuz we haven’t gotten a thing) Finally, I say lets go (I’m thinking this bites and I’m tired). That’s when the Lt. says, let's just randomly cast as we walk back to the cars." That’s when all heck breaks loose. I look over and bones is in full fight mode with a rod going major bendo and line peeling. We're thinking a big ole’ WSB.
The fish finally comes to sand and bones says what is it? It's so dark I have to run down to the fish to figure it out. It was a 2 foot fat calico bass.
The Lt. handed landed the enemy’s commanding general. Good job Lt.Bones. You captured the enemy’s leader and showed this recruit “what for”. I guess calicos do feed at night.
No longer will I ever question my superiors abilities nor their experience(not that I ever did actually).
Last thoughts
So I learned many things from my teacher that would benefit me much in future enemy engagements. I saw field justice as we captured, photographed and released enemy combatants, but most of all I learned humility when I am in the presence of my betters. For that I am grateful.
Bonus pics form earlier operations at another location a few days before:
lots of pelagic in the water chasing bait.
YFC can be found in the AM chasing the bait around.
Take care and good luck out there,
Nick
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Looking forward to your new PBs which are sure to be around the next corner!
Originally Posted by City Dad
