It’s that time of year again when we reflect on the Bass
season that was, taking stock of the highs, the lows, and everything in
between. This season kicked off with an incredible high, one of those moments
every Australian Bass angler dreams of. On opening morning, barely
minutes into the season, I found myself connected to what many would call the fish
of a lifetime—the elusive UNICORN Bass. The excitement was electric.
But as is often the case in fishing, great highs are sometimes followed by
crushing lows. A simple mishap with the brag mat left the moment unfinished,
and it was a tough lesson to swallow.
Despite the setback, I got back on the water and kept
searching. After that dramatic opening night, the bite slowed, with only one
solid fish coming to hand on most nights. Over the next few weeks, Chris and I
fished at least two nights a week, sometimes three, and we were fortunate to
land some incredible trophy Australian Bass along the way. These photos
capture the highlights of that period, showing the reward for persistence,
skill, and using well-crafted handmade fishing lures.
After the first month, fish size started to drop, and the
pressure on the local systems intensified. Chris and I had to adapt, exploring
new waterways and discovering fresh spots—a game-changer for our approach. With
these new locations came new opportunities, and I introduced my young bloke to
the world of nighttime Bass fishing. We started with a few daytime trips
to get him comfortable, then moved to a night session. I’ll never forget the
pride I felt watching him catch his first big Bass on a lure he had made
himself—a true highlight of the season.
As the season progressed, we faced the unpredictability of
nature. Floods came quickly and went just as fast, and many local systems
couldn’t retain the water. While we still found Bass, the numbers were
noticeably lower than in previous years. Alongside these challenges, I also
tested several new lure prototypes. Many of them caught fish, but some
were scrapped as part of the ongoing refinement process in lure design
and timber lure making.
Towards the end of the season, conditions shifted once
again. A significant flood in May revitalized the waterways, putting Bass back
on the move. Chris and I adapted by fishing higher in the system and
experimenting with different techniques—fly fishing and using Cod-size lures
were particularly successful. These adjustments reminded me why versatility,
creativity, and persistence are key in handcrafted fishing gear and why
quality custom lures can make all the difference when chasing trophy
fish.
Overall, this season was a rollercoaster of highs and lows,
lessons learned, and unforgettable moments. It reinforced why carefully crafted
fishing lures Australia anglers can rely on are essential for success
and why sharing these experiences on this blog is so rewarding.
Tags:
#AustralianBass #BassFishing #TrophyBass #NightFishing #HandmadeFishingLures
#CustomLures #LureMaking #TimberLures #LureDesign #HandcraftedFishingGear
#FreshwaterFishing #OpeningDayBass #NightBassing #PrototypeLures #FloodFishing
