Donkey Nation Fishing

I've been wanting to do a guided bass fishing trip with James Snipes of DonkeyNationFishing. https://www.donkeynationfishing.com/

Well, yesterday was the day! He had a cancellation and was looking for someone to go out. There was a post on The Villages Freshwater Fishing Club Facebook page, and I said I was interested. I couldn't find anyone else to go on short notice, but he was willing to take me out by myself. I was thrilled to be able to do that and get one-on-one coaching and instruction from James.

We headed out from a boat ramp on the Withlacoochee River in Dunellon, FL at 7:30. Then James threw a cast net a couple of times and caught a nice supply of Shiners.

I had never fished with live Shiners, and I had never used a bait-casting rod that didn't have a reel that said "Zebco". James loves to teach, and he patiently gave me pointers. It wasn't long before I had a 5 lb bass in the boat. Then, I caught a few more in the 3 - 5 lb range. Then, he put on a Shiner that was about six inches long. Back in Kentucky, we would have eaten a fish that size. The big Shiner swam under the mat of vegetation on the edge of the river/lake on an apparent suicide mission. The line went tight, I set the hook, and after a nice fight, I had a monster bass in the boat!

Until I came to The Villages, the largest bass I'd ever caught had been about 3 pounds. Then, a few years ago, I went out on a guided fishing tour here on Lake Sumter with my friend, Kevin. Early in the morning that day, I caught my personal best bass at 5 lbs. Then, near the end of our time on the lake, I hooked into the biggest bass I had ever seen in person. We got it in the boat and weighed it - 11 lbs 8 oz!!! By the time we ended that little excursion and got back to the dock, I was still shaking.

James wanted to know what my personal best Largemouth Bass was, and I told him 11 lb, 8 oz. He was determined to do better than that today. We weighed the huge bass, and I had a new "personal best" at 12 lbs, 12 oz. Wow!!

That's why I wanted to go out with James. He is known for huge bass. He named his guide service Donkey Nation for a reason:

"Big bass are called "donkeys" or "swamp donkeys" primarily because of their immense size, weight, and fighting strength, often compared to the stubborn pulling power of a donkey. The term is specifically used for large Largemouth Bass caught in thick vegetation or "swampy" areas, referencing how they "kick" or fight hard when hooked, similar to an agitated donkey."

As I was continuing to learn, I missed a few, but James was very patient and encouraging. He said I was doing super for someone that had never Shiner-fished before (he probably tells all the rookies that, but he sure seemed sincere). We moved spots, and I caught several more. I caught a couple of big, hard-fighting Bowfins as well. Then, we ran out of Shiners. James asked me if I was ready to call it a day, or if I wanted to get more bait. It was a gorgeous day, the fish were still biting, and it wasn't noon yet. I voted for getting more Shiners and more fishing.

As we moved to the Shiner-getting spot, I noticed a bird struggling in the water. It looked like a young Grackle, and the parents were flying around in a bit of a panic. James rescued the little bird, and we put it in the boat so it could dry its wings. It moved around the boat and stayed with us while we got more Shiners. Eventually, it hopped up into a higher spot on the boat, then took a leap of faith and flew into the marsh vegetation where it landed safely and was joined by the adults. Nice!

About the time the bird left, we anchored up in the same spot we started in the morning. James hooked up one of the biggest Shiners, and we sent it out under the aquatic mat. My training kicked in, the Shiner did what it was supposed to do, I did what I was supposed to do, the line tightened and I set the hook hard. I thought I had another Bowfin for a second, but James knew - "It's a giant!" he shouted. It stripped some line, and I worked hard to keep it from getting back under the think vegetation. It did get caught up, but it was close enough to the boat where James could reach it and scoop it up with the net. Whew! This one was bigger than the first giant!! It weighed 13 lbs, 2 oz!! We said that second one was the reward for rescuing the baby bird.

Wow!! A new "personal best" two hours after my previous "personal best". Two bass in one day over 12 pounds!! Awesome!!

And with that, there was no better way to end the day. James was willing to hook up another Shiner, but we both agreed it was time to head in with that lasting memory and with big smiles on our faces. He fishes every day, but he's still enthusiastic about it, and he loves seeing his new "students" catch on and catch fish.

Again, THAT is why I've been wanting to go out with James. He is known for putting his clients on these huge bass. He expects every cast to produce an 8-pounder or better. He ain't cheap, but he's proven over and over he can provide lifetime fish for his guests. If you've never felt a double-digit-weight bass on your line, or if you want to up your "personal best", give James a call (352-364-7171) and tell him Howard sent you. The only thing I would do differently next time is take my Nikon DSLR camera. There were gators, and eagles, and osprey, and other birds and wildlife to photograph. Yes, there will be a next time, and maybe, just maybe, someone out there might want to go along.

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​Howard P~ The Villages Florida

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I've been out a total of four times with James and every time we've caught big bass and lots of them.  Both my buddy and I got bass over ten pounds and more 6's, 7's & 8's than we could count--and a few 9's.  To top it off, James is fun to fish with.  You would think a guy who fishes every day would grow tired of it.  But James was just as excited as we were--hooping, hollering and high fiving. I can't wait to go again.  --Daryl B.  The Villages, FL.

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I'm still in awe.  I went two times with James and each time we caught dozens of bass with my biggest being nearly 11 pounds. I have never seen a man who knows these fish and these lakes like James. I had two incredible days of fishing and can't wait to go again.  --Tim C.  Anchorage, Alaska.  

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James is a phenomenal guide. I am still new at fishing. But James was patient, he gave good instructions and helped me to land the biggest bass of my life. Prior to going out with James I had never caught a bass. Now I've got two over ten pounds and many others from six pounds on up.  We had a great day and I can't wait to go again.  --Edward D.  The Villages, FL.  

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My son and I went out with James and had one of the best fishing days of my life. We caught several 6's. 7's, 8's and 9's and an 11 pounder. A great day of fishing and great family memories. I've recommended James to several of my friends who have also had exceptional fishing days. I can't wait to go with him again.  Jim S.  The Villages, FL.

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I had one of the greatest day of my life fishing with James Snipes (Donkey Nation). My first cast of the day was a 11 lbs 12oz bass. My last cast of the day was a 14 lbs 8 oz bass. My brother and I caught many other nice bass throughout the day. James knows his stuff and will put you on Fish. I live in the Villages and many of the members from the Fresh water fishing club has fished with James landing the bass of their lives. Can’t wait to go fishing with Donkey Nation again.
Jim S.  The Villages, FL

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James is an outstanding guide! Very knowledgeable about catching big bass a a joy to fish with! Very Reasonably priced.  Tom B.  --Indiana