Little Guys win again

[c4charlie]

Decided to take my two little ones aged 3 and 5 to Round Valley today for some fishing. We were out to find some sunfish in our usual hotspots. Prepared with out size 6 or 8 long shank hooks, 4lb test and worms, we get to the first spot. No sunnies, we realize that they are warmer water spots and not going to be easy to find.

So we decide to look in the edges of RV where they are usually found in the summer. The little guys decide that we are going to have a tournament (Dad vs both little guys).

Get to a spot and older one catches a small largemouth. Then we continue drifting along the edge and both boys get a double hookup. Two more bass. My older son had a fish he said was big but the fish broke his line. Re-rigged and they were back at it with a couple more bass. I still have a big zero and they are up to 5.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, I look over and my three year old's rod is double bent over. I thought he got bottom until I started hearing the drag screaming and watching him fight a decent size fish. I was thinking, trout for sure. Then he got him closer to the boat and fish took off under the boat with the drag screaming once again. He managed to finally get him up and near the boat but still a bit deep. I looked over and thought because of the size, catfish maybe. As he neared the surface, I could see it was a largemouth bass. I grab the net and we got him. My little guy caught a 3.25-3.5lb slightly over 18" Largemouth Bass. Hook in the corner of the lip and guess what, fish had two hooks in his lip. My little guy's hook and also my older son's hook same exact aberdeen hook with a crushed barb, just like my younger son. It was 100% sure the same exact fish that my son lost a half hour ago.

Kids were so excited, I was so excited. We took some pictures, recorded the length and weight and set the beautiful fish free. Everyone knew that there is no way that the day would ever get any better than that and we packed up all the rods and reels, high fives all around, a big group hug and we set off for home! One of the best days ever for all of us! A proud dad and his two little guys!

The little guy reeled it in like an absolute pro, 4lb test, no barb, he knew not to reel when the fish took line and knew when to get him up and did not apply too much pressure. Still can't believe it. For RV, a bass like that in the day is pretty hard to find. For a 3 year old to hook up and land on a worm on such a flimsy small hook, that is incredible!

Check out the photos!