December Rat Fishing: Stan Kaplun Checks In At Night.

With bass fishing in December usually slowing down, one usually doesn't have high expectations. Yet as dedicated bass anglers, we continue to put in the time, waiting for that one bite that will make all of the countless hours worth it.

The other night, I had a quality tube session with my good friends, Greg LeRoy and Mike Tran. It was an adventurous night to say the least with several unfortunate mishaps, a handful of healthy fish, and many laughs to be had all around.

As usual, I started off throwing the BBZ-1 Rat 50, this time in the white color way. After a solid hour of silence, I decided to slow things down and drag a Senko on a weighted Gamakatsu hook. Shortly after finding the proper depth, I hopped on the board with back to back 4 pounders. Greg started the night off with the first as always, a 6.6lb bass, as soon as he started throwing the "j-rig".

We continued down the bank and picked off a couple more fish when I hear Mike swing on a fish and snap, mishap number one. I was hoping that it was just the line but unfortunately, his MegaBass rod snapped on the hook set. Although he lost 3-4 guides, he continued to fish the rod until I kindly offered him his first rat fish. He took my Cousins 807 PT, Curado 300E, and began chucking the rat towards the shoreline.

I had just started to kick out towards deeper water to work my weighted Senko when I heard a nasty blow up on the rat. I look back to see Mike hooked up to a nice fish. He lands the fish and its a 5 pounder. He continues to throw the rat and no more than 10 minutes after the first 5 pounder, he sticks another that was slightly over 5lb.

Here is where things got interesting. Shortly after the second fish, Mike's MegaBass rod, along with his Daiwa T3, somehow slid out of his tube and into 20ft-25ft of water. The water visibility was not very good and the only thing that we could see with our headlights on was the reel shining. After Mike and Greg both took a shot at it and were unsuccessful, I gave it one final try with a glow in the dark rattle-trap. Somehow, I snagged the line and was able to bring it up.

Mike ended up with 2 fish, two clone 5 pounders. I ended up with 2 fish as well, a 4 lb and another one at 4.5 lb. Greg got another win with 6 fish, and his biggest at 6.6 lb.

All of my fish were caught on the Cousins 704S, and all of Mike's fish were caught onthe Cousins 807PT. The most enjoyable part of my night however, aside from retrieving his rod, was watching Mike try to use my right handed retrieve Curado 300e. He only throws left handed retrieve casting reels so it was definitely challenging for him, yet extremely amusing to me.

Mike credited the rod in him having the ability to bring these chunky fish in without a problem. This was his very first, shortly followed by his second rat fish, and he is officially hooked and a believer! This guy showed me a lot of what I know about Shortfin Corvina, so the least that I could do was get him on a couple rat fish!

The very next day, Mike went and picked up a BBZ-1 Rat 40. If your down here in San Diego, John Cassidy at Anglers Arsenal in La Mesa still has them available in all three sizes. Give him a call or just stop by and let him know I sent you. Get them before they're gone!

Check back in soon for the next report!

Disclaimer; It is not easy to take quality pictures in your float tube, at night, with strong winds, and rough waters.  -Stan Kaplun-