Back to Bass

Wow, I cannot believe it has been a year since we moved back to Jacksonville. Although our time in Ocala was relatively short, sometimes it felt like we were there for ten years. In that time I think my wife and I learned a lot about ourselves and each other. That time in our lives was not always easy but we fought through it and came out much better people for having lived the experience. 

Now where does fishing fit into this story? I believe it was the time spent in Ocala that brought me back to my first true love of fishing, bass fishing. Granted, there was saltwater access from Ocala but it was a world of difference from the east coast and what I really loved about saltwater fishing and fly fishing. So, as all fishermen tend to do, we adapt. I started fishing the local lakes of Orange, Rousseau and Lochloosa which were fisheries that I visited for the first time almost 20 years ago.  

Summer of '88 at 5 years old.

Quick flashback. Growing up I was very lucky to have a father and an uncle who were die hard fisherman and I got to tag along at a very young age. Whether they knew it or not, I remember them pushing me to get better. At the age of five I was asking for an Ambassadeur baitcasting reel rather than my zebco or a spinning reel because it was cool and I wanted to be like them. Now that I think about it, maybe that is why I am excellent at getting out knots or a backlash because that was all I did for a month after finally getting my new reel. I was out at my grandparents’ lake every day afterschool for countless hours throwing a red shad soft plastic. With dad building houses and mom running the office it allowed me to spend my afternoons and summer days fishing. During most of my elementary years mom or dad would pick me up from school and drop me off at my grandparents’ house to fish. During the longer days of spring and summer dad would come by and spend the last hour or so of daylight out on that lake fishing with me before coming inside for dinner. The summer after second grade they bought me an 8ft bass hunter with a 30lb thrust motorguide trolling motor. I thought I was the next Bill Dance and a big shot for an 8 year old. Each morning I fished, I would get everything ready and Bubba, my grandpa, would help me put the battery in the boat and I was off. I would fish two hours before coming in from breakfast then back on the water till lunch and then out till dinner. This was the life for an 8 year old and many summers after until I picked up a baseball for the first time at age 12.

Ok now back to Ocala. I felt alienated in central Florida, not really knowing anyone and working all the time, so my fishing time really took a hit. Then one day just by chance on facebook, a college buddy of mine noticed I changed my town to Ocala and dropped me a line. Turns out he was living in the neighborhood behind us with his wife and made the comment “we should go fishin’ sometime”. Thank god, I was working at a place I disliked and living in a small apartment. I needed to get out. Our wives hit it off instantly but I think it was mainly because they get a kick out of making fun of Scott and I for our silly fishing obsession. Whatever it may be, they have become some of our closest friends and we were lucky to have them in Ocala then and now.

Rodman Reservoir March 2011

From my time spent in Ocala until now I have rekindled my love for bass fishing and remember the times from my youth when all I had to think about was fishing. Now, grown up, married, working and all the other stresses that come along with life I still feel like I did when I was eight years old every time I get out on the water and lip a bass.  

Welcome to AdamsFishing and I hope you enjoy this blog on my bass and tournament fishing experiences. I still keep up with my flyfishing blog, theadamsproject so you can click over and check that out as well. Also, check out the company links to the right because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't get to do as much as I do.