Blog: The First Time
(Editor’s note: This begins a series of blogs by Walmart FLW Tour co-angler Jaime Luengo of Mexico City. He joined the circuit in 2005 and has three top-10 finishes to his credit. Luengo is the author of La Magia de la Lobina Tecnicas Avanzadas, a book on bass fishing techniques, and is host and producer of Nuestra Pesca, a television series available on all cable stations in Mexico. The weekly program reaches fishermen throughout the country.)
Everybody remembers most of the first times of their lives – the first time they kissed a loved one, the first job, the first day in college, and so on.
As fisherman we all remember that first shot of adrenaline provoked by the first bass that tugged at the end of our line. That moment generated in us a difficult-to-describe bunch of emotions that hooked us forever in this wonderful sport.
Just as everyone else, I have some unforgettable “First Time” events in my life that came about when bass fishing captivated me. For instance, I remember as if it were yesterday the first bass club tournament I ever attended, and the first fishing seminar I conducted in my hometown of Mexico City, down here in old Mexico.
A long-lasting tie that binds came about during that period: the first time I ever participated as a co-angler in a Walmart FLW Tour tournament. Clearly I remember arriving in Washington, D.C., driving around town a bit to take in the sights before going to the pre-tournament meeting and seeing some of my fishing heroes face to face for the first time.
It still thrills me and give me some chills – that moment when I saw Larry Nixon, Jimmy Houston and a lot of the great pros and fishing personalities; wow, priceless!
For three nights I couldn’t sleep, but I wasn’t tired at all. The rush of the competition and fishing the famous Potomac River didn’t allow me to grow tired. On the contrary, my sense of awareness was at its highest level. I’ll never forget those tides and the challenge they presented. Here was another “First Time,” an experience that was different from any other.
Today is a new “First Time” for me; those others pass by in a parade of memories as I write these sentences. As you might guess, this is my first collaboration with FLW: a blog from a fisherman from a different country, yet as passionate and involved as any hard-core bass pro.
From this day on, I want to share with you a perspective of bass fishing from a different point of view. My perspective is that of many international anglers who have the same goals in mind as you and a passion for the sport that constantly drives them to follow the news and keep up with the latest innovations. I will tell you of different tactics and tricks that have worked in different places and just might work in your home waters.
I guess we’ve all heard the saying: “A bass is a bass and will always be the same no matter where you go.”
Honestly, I don’t think so. For instance, if I told you that wintertime is the prime time for topwater fishing in many of our lakes just south of the border, would you believe it? Well, it’s a fact, and not just another fisherman’s tale.
Bass adapt to different climates, altitudes and type of food available in their ecosystem. We all know that bass live in many countries, all of them in the main continents of the world, Africa, North America, Asia and Europe.
Maybe a lot of you will start scratching your heads wondering if what I’m saying is true or not, but perhaps I will be able to convince you. The theme for my next blog is that a bass is a bass, but it does not always behave like a bass.
There is always a first time for everything in life and for everybody. Today I also celebrate the first time ever that a prestigious bass fishing tournament organization includes an international angler to write about his experiences and observations. Congratulations to FLW for becoming a true Fishing League Worldwide by including other points of views and opinions.
Last but not least, thank you for giving me this honor – the honor of this latest “First Time.”
Gracias.