Originally posted by: Craig V on 4/15/2005 7:47:28 PM

Are you interested in technique/species specific topics? Or is this primarily regarding member stories?

Originally posted by: BIGmike1 on 4/24/2005 12:43:27 PM

I have a free website (no ads or popups either) that explains how to tie crawler harnesses, how to fish Lower Lake Huron/St. Clair River with them, and even has videos!
You can also see how we clean fish with an electric knife.
http://dns.advnet.net/mkg/index.htm
Good luck out there all this new year,
Mike

Originally posted by: william jarrett on 5/1/2005 5:32:05 PM

i went fishing in georgia at a river and i had a spincaster rod and reel i used a regular hook and a worm i casted out i waited about 5 minutes and i got a nibble i pulled it in and it was a 6 inch 4lbs black perch

Originally posted by: toaopb on 5/2/2005 12:31:09 PM

ok i sould tell you to look in the muskie topics but here it is... long but good.

it all started 2 months ago. i bought rapala for the x box. i learned a few things about rods. about 1 month ago my girlfriend broke my fishing rod. see felt bad and since it was my only one she bought me a new one. from that point on for this season said i would never use live bait this year and only lures. best test of it was when we went up to my parents home. i pulled out a white spinner bait that i bought last year and was tossing it out. took 1/2 hour and finaly got a bass to hit it. well about 2 weeks ago my girlfriend and i were going to go fishing at my parents home. there is a hill somewhat steep and my father "with all good intention" had used astro turf" to help, so you don't slip...well i slipped and broke my right hand " the one i reel with". needless to say i have not fished since then but i the bug was calling and yesterday we went up to see them again and i just could not resist i had to go. with rod and same white spinner in hand "good hand" we headed down to the lake. to make this long story short we got to the dock and started casting out hoping for another bass. i would have to cast with my left hand "right one broke" and turn the rod over to reel in with the left something i can't do to well to start with. i was using some tips i picked up from here..keeping the spinner in sight, slow retreave and so on. after about 4 casts i saw a monster swim out from the dock and WHAM...FISH ON. thought i had landed the grandfather of all bass..sad part is its only catch and release. which i do always but if the bass is this big as i think my mantle needs something over it. well after a few min. of fighting the fish i realized its not a bass its a muskie. then i also realized my net was in the boat house and the keys were in the house..hmmm what to do... there were some fishermen in a little john boat going by and my girlfriend started jumping up and down...."WE NEED A NET!". they were helpfull and came in with net in hand. they could not beleave i could catch something like that off the dock. well after we got it on the land and removed the hook my girlfriend took my pic and we let it go..as for the fishermen who came to help they got a fish story out of the deal and hope to see them again soon. oh and the fish was 38" 12lbs...and yes the biggest fish i ever got. <!--graemlin::)-->

Originally posted by: Mac Daddy on 5/10/2005 12:17:04 PM

I am not sure if this qualifies or not and I don't nomimate myself, but the young heroes that worked tiresly to save my life the year before last. I started out at ice off early season midweek up at Lake Erie. I had my boat Mac Daddy a 26 foot Thompson Santa Cruz 2600 commissioned and tied up at her slip. All that was needed for me to send some time with her alone before the wife Jerry and kids came up for the weekend. Maybe a little cleaning and maintaince, nothing spectacular. In twenty-two years of operating heavy equiptment out of local 18 I am a very safety oriented boater. I had just talked to my wife on the cell phone, when I'm thinking what the heck this is a vacation, go back to sleep. So I wrap back up in my blanket and bunk/sleeping bag in the forward berth to crash for a while. Did I mention I have Sleep Apnea and Diabetes? Well I guess it turns out that its not too cool a combination, certianly if you don't take you shot or eat something, because the next thing I know my 500 lb. self knows is I am wedged mind you on the floor, beside my bunk. Still wrapped up nice and tightly in my blanket and bag , unable to extract myself. Now I'm not a guy without a sense of humor and at any other time this would have been the source of some side spiltting laughter, but right now I knew I might have some problems, I just didn't imagine how many. After several failed attemtps to extract myself, which left me weaker and weaker. I tried to reach my cell phone and hand held VHF radio on the table above me, to no avail. At the times I heard people outside and tried yelling no one could hear me from below decks. Sometime into the first night I could see the light from my cell phone as it rang, but I could not reach it. I started to lose track of time and reality and fought hard to maintain the will to keep going. My body was going into shock and all I could think of was those I was leaving behind. My younger brother had just been killed in the line of duty in Beaufort S.C. on a domestic violence call and now my mother would have to face this... God it seems more than one mother can bear. How could I be so stupid? Then on what I was to find out later was the third day a employee of the marina knocks on the side of the boat and ask if i'm alright. I replied no, I think, he said my wife called the office and asked someone to check on me. By this time I had urinated on myself, several times and was horrified anyone find me that way. Still not fully realizing how critical my situation. My wife was enroute from Columbus a family friend of my Dad who also fishes in the area convinced me to let her call a emergency squad, who then called in the Port Clinton Coast Guard. It was these young people who I don't know the names of and wish that I did, because they laboured in shifts in the heat and rain at times to extract me from the boat, witout damage to her even though I was too weak to help myself. They would not give up even when I might have been ready to, had it not been for their example, like those of those heroes of 9/11, they inspire me to keep going on through my darkest days. To this generation my hat comes off.

Steven Anthony Tate
65071978

Originally posted by: rachael on 5/13/2005 11:51:11 AM

Hi everyone! My name is rachael and i'm a new memeber of NAFC. I just wanted to tell everyone of a trip I went on with 50 or so other kids from my highschool. Every year my highschool, Fairfield Senior High, and the Fairfield Optimist Club sponsors a trip called MH Fishing trip. Its a fishing trip for kids with multiple handicaps to go spend a day with highschool seniors, I one myself, and do whatever they please. On May 10, 2005 we went fishing for catfish and bass in the Optimist Club pond. Not only was there plenty of fishing going on, 150 poles constantly in use, but there was also many other activities for the kids, such as: dancing, soccer, parachute, tag, volleyball, and so much other stuff. It was set up so there were 50 highschool seniors to about 250 MH kids, k-12. There were also aids and teachers there. I have to say, it was one of the funnest times I've had in my life. I was so lucky to have been picked to go on this field trip (about 200 kids signed up to go, only 50 were picked). It was so incredible to know that for that one day, which those kids will probably remember forever, I was there to help them enjoy themselves to the fullest and that I helped them to feel like an equal. It was us students that would make or break the whole trip. I think it was an awesome time. It was really great to see so many of my fellow students, teachers, and elders step outside themselves for a day and treat those kids as equals with respect. The day was a huge success. Some of those kids were catching fish they could barely hold themselves. It was so great to see them light up. These fish weren't just teeny fish either. As the day ended we students and the kids alike were sad to see each other go. It was very emotional, even for the guys. It was a really cool thing and I just thought some of you might like to hear it.

Originally posted by: Mountain Mike on 5/14/2005 10:50:50 AM

On a recent fishing trip to The Columbia River below the McNary dam, 1/4 mile or so west of the Umatilla River on the Oregon side. I got a snag and lost my new NAFC Fishing Club spinning rod & reel that I recieved with my Life Membership!
If anyone finds it, it won't be hard to recognize it because it has my name written on the butt end: MICHAEL CHARBONNEAU.
I am offering a $100 Reward for anyone who can find it. Please notify me at the E-Mail address listed here!
Thanks,
mountain mike
[EMAIL]mjcharby100@silverstar.com

Originally posted by: saugeye on 5/16/2005 9:17:58 PM

I would like to nominate myself, I have been fishing since I was five years old.I have caught three state records in tennessee in the last thirteen years. My first was in 1993 when I caught a 82lb blue cat, My second fish was a saugeye I caught in july 1998 it weighed 10.12lbs it still is the record! My third was a skip jack herring it was caught in feb,2004 it weighed 4lbs it is also a world record by what the tennessee wildlife resource office in nashville has said.I think I'm the only one to ever catch three state records of three species of fish. I'm after a forth!! sincerly,chris vittetoe knoxville,tn

Originally posted by: Shawn Kopinski on 5/20/2005 1:25:25 PM

How about when your old man Hooks you three times in the same day?
Or you run out of gas in your boat 15 miles from the lodge?

Originally posted by: jamie on 5/24/2005 12:21:36 PM

hey you guys i got a tip for you for cats and carp its kinda like a recipe
first you take molassas and breadcrumbs mixed with sugar and cherryjuice make a ball out of the molasses and roll it into the mix. make the ball the size of the hook you want to put it on. but before you go on your fishing trip put them in the freezer the night before so the molassas doesnt ooze everywhere. when youre about to cast out put a weight on your line and let it sink to the bottom THE CATS WILL COME RUNNIN! i cought a 18 pound cat in a little bass pond in shippensburg pa its definetly a great mix <!--graemlin::)-->if you want to know more tips just email me gojumpoffacliff5@yahoo.com

Originally posted by: aubrey on 6/7/2005 8:55:08 PM

While fishing on the holiday at a private pond I was using a topwater lure with the help of my grandsons we brought in 4 largemouth bass with the total weight of 20#'s when we got ready to leave the man who owns the pond told us to take the bass with us he didn't want them in their so we took them next door to my sons property & released them into my sons pond it was a great day for all of the people involed after fishing we had a old fashion cook out serving hamburgers & hotfogs & topping it off with homemade ice cream

Originally posted by: papa_d on 6/8/2005 2:32:07 AM

YUM, YUMMM!

Originally posted by: smallmouthexpert on 6/9/2005 9:39:09 PM

I like to call this story
"The Come Back for More Fish"

Well it all started when my dad and I went fishing with a couple buddies. It was the first day and we just arived at our cabin on the Missouri River near Niobrara, Nebraska. We were going to head out to some farm ponds to try and catch some largemouths, but I, never leaving our cabin without a couple casts, had to go out on our dock and cast a couple of times for some smallmouth bass. I just got down on the dock and i noticed a big pile of trees sitting in the water near the bank. So, knowing that it might hold a fish, I casted into the brush. First cast and nothing. I casted a second time and pow a monster smallie attacks my STORM RATTLIN HOLO GRUB!!! My fishin buddy Justin was also on the dock and he starts yellin "Jesse's got a fish, He's got a monster on!!!!!" So while hes yellin at the top of his lungs I'm realling away at this big smallmouth. I fought him for about a minute and finally got him to the dock. I bent down to grab the monster and he gos wild when I grab his mouth. My fingers slip and he start jumping everywhere, and finally the hook comes out of his mouth. O man was I shaking and I was asking myself why I could land the darn thing. Then finally the other guys come down to the dock and ask whats all the comotion. And we tell them that I had a monster smallie on. But do you think they would believe me. NO! So they started callin me the story teller of the trip and we went fishing the farm ponds.
That night my cousin asked me if there really were smallmouth bass on these banks. I told him yes and we went walkin the banks for a while before dark. I pulled one out right in front of him. About a 15 incher. He said "wow thats awsome now I got to get me one." Eventually he does pull out two small smallies and a crappie.
The next day, convinced that there were smallmouths in this river, my cousin Damon and the rest of us went out on the boat and caught about ten 17-18 inch smallmouth bass and a couple of small ones. We came back about 7 hours later and I casted off of the dock again a couple times. On about the fifth cast I sent that senko into that bruch pile again, and pow that same smallie hits that lure and about ten feet from the dock he spits out the lure. This time the guys saw him and now they believed me. I tried some more for the monster but gave up after about 10 minutes. Later we grilled out.
The next day the rest of the guys left and it was just me and my dad. We went out to the ponds and fished the river and caught some nice ones. When we got back to the cabin I tried for the monster but couldn't find him, and that was the end of the day for me. The next day I woke up before my dad and went out fishin by myself. I came back at about noon. Some of my cousins stopped by and we went out fishing on the ponds again. We caught alot of bluegill and thats about it. So when we got back from the ponds I decided to go out fishing the river again. I tried a GULP! SINKING MINNOW and soon found out that it was a hot lure. I caught a few 14-15 inchers and one 18 inch smallmouth. I also caught a rock bass. When I got back to the cabin I tried for the monster again and sure as heck the first cast he attacked it once again. I let him hold the lure for some time before I set the hook to make sure I would actually get him this time. Finally I set the hook but the hook came out and he took my worm so I quick rigged up another and he hit it again. but no fish. So I decided to switch rods and try the one with a Rapala Skitter Pop on it. The first cast with it he jumped at it and missed. On the second cast he did the same thing. But on the third cast he swallowed it and I realed him in. Man I was proud. I finally caught the 19 inch smallmouth now known as the "Come back for more fish." I got a quick picture with him and now I have proof that I actually caught the monster. I released him and know that someday I may have another great encounter with him....

Originally posted by: kenray on 6/12/2005 8:00:02 AM

I recently discovered a tick in a *sensitive* and hard to reach place on my person, requiring me to seek assistance from my "bug-a-phobic" wife in order to remove it.

Fortunately, I have a neat little gadget called "The Tick Remover" that really helped. The gadget is like a "self-locking tweezer" that allowed my wife to get the little beastie without coming anywhere near touching it, and the gadget also locked the tick in place, so that the Missus could just hand me the gadget with tick in it.

I don't know how uncomfortable this situation would have been without the gadget - don't even want to think about it. I'm glad I had it handy.

The gadget is available over the internet - http://www.thetickremover.com

Originally posted by: catfishbrad on 6/14/2005 2:06:48 PM

Me and my dad were out fishing on norris lake in tennessee we were crusing around looking for some new places to fish because we always fish the same coves. The water was down about 20 ft from what it normaly was and we found a nice looking cove we were both throwing crankbaits he was throwng a rapala (deep diver) and i was throwing a bomber(medium diver) I made a couple cast and then I hooked a 5-pound smallmouth it was not only the first fish of the day but my first smallmouth as we went a little farther back we caught about 8 smallies the smallest was about 2.5 pounds and that is still the best day of fishing me and him ever had.

Originally posted by: mnfisherman1589 on 6/15/2005 3:35:09 PM

I was carp fishing of a dock wih my fluger trion baitcaster and a new $100 rod. I cast out a dough ball and set my rod down. I was looking through my tackle box when I heard my rod scrap across the dock and fly into the water. I quick tied on a daredevil with my other rod and cast i out to try and snag the line. I did this for 15 minutes, then I finally caught my line and pulled up my rod. Then I started to reel in the line and felt a big tug. I reeled in a 20 lbs. carp!

Originally posted by: Mistireo on 6/15/2005 10:44:29 PM

sup
well my story go'ss like this.
I was fishing do at 6mile dam (carlsbad,NM) I had just put chicken liver on my hook and casted it out into the water.when i axadently spilt the chickenlivers all over the place!!! so i had bent over to clean up the chicken livers when my poll slides off the tackel box and almost near into the water!!!!!! so i crab the pole!!!!I set the hook and start reeling it in while trying not to lose the fish!!! And this fish was Fighting like hell!!!!!!It took me a couple minites to get it in!!! Acording to my moms boyfriend!!!! And when I got it in I tryed to lift if out of the water when the line snaped!!! but the fish go caught in the moss!!! and i quickly jumped in the water and grabed the fish !!!! AND TO MY SHOCK IT WAS ONLY A 5 POUND CARP!!!! I WAS USING A DURANGO POLE AND SPIDER LINE!!!!! <!--graemlin::o-->

Originally posted by: okuma500 on 6/27/2005 11:03:52 PM

While fishing in a tournament last month (iwas invited) as the non-boater co-anchor i was paired with a man I'll name jethro. He seemed as though he knew how to fish and things so i thought things were going to go good for the day. Low and behold to my surprise was I wrong............First as i tried to place my diet pepsi in the cooler on the boat I was told no, I don't use the cooler. As he was the starter and was calling boats out to leave i went stern side a lit a cig., he immediately stopped doing his thing and stated NO SMOKING on MY Boat. I put it out immediately. Well after the others had left the starting area we headed out, i opened a pack of crackers, when he slows down and says NO eating on My Boat. I stopped,put them in my pocket, and smiled. We reached his first area of fishing, he went for and I aft. I turned around and upon looking at the consul notice the Lowrance was turned off. I asked if the electronics were working, he replied yeah but that one distracts me with its beeps so I turned it off. On my second cast I landed a 2 1/2 lb largemouth, and placed him in the live well(Thank the Lord he allowed water in there) and returned to fishing. I landed 2 more keepers and placed them in the well also, while my Partner landed his first after 2-3 hrs of fishing--14 in largemouth about a pound. I knew we needed one more for the limit before culling so I broke for lunch. He looked at me as though I was crazy eating on his boat (1995 Ranger) that had seen beter days. I guess he tolerated this cause I had in fact caught over 6 lbs. of our catch. After lunch he piloted over to another area, but kept the bow toward the shore and the stern hung out to dry. About 15 min. into this action I spoted a large tree stump that would only appear when the water would roll over it as the tide came in. It was a long cast but i finally made it real close and allowed the bait to set for about a minute, then I felt the drag, tug and heavy pull only a nice fish could make and I set the hook good. The fish worked me good for 3-4 min. then I took over and brought him close, MY PARTNER grabbed his net a screamed "Bring that Monster over here",. I looked at him, then the lateral line of at least a 20 in Large Mouth. I told Jethro, "You Know;I cant eat, drink use the cooler, or smoke around this boat: so I don't think MY fish could come on board and with that I flicked the pole high, the Bass came out of the water, looked straight at Jethro and spit out that Edge Lure and 4/0 hook right at him............We lost the tournament by 1 lb&9 oz. and I was never any Happier. This really happened on May 1st, 2005 on the Sassafras River in a Bass Federation Tournament

Originally posted by: Anglersradio on 7/1/2005 8:47:04 PM

"You Don't Always Get What You Want"
By Steve vonBrandt





You don't always get what you want, but do you get what you need?

While pre-fishing for a tournament at Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri, we had some of the strangest things happen to us in three days there, than at any other lake we had ever been to then or since.

Now don't get me wrong, we love Missouri, but this tournament and the things that happened were a nightmare. We started our drive from Delaware in 1998, (we decided to go in March to pre-fish), and we stopped at a gas station in Ohio, and not having that much experience with our trailer and new truck yet, and the excitement of the Big Bass World Championship coming up soon, momentarily clouded my perception, and we clipped the side of the pumps and took out the wheel and the whole fender had to be taken off. We arrived at some cabins near Bull Shoals, and low and behold the water was down, I mean REALLY DOWN! We checked in and launched the boat. The mud was so soft that we got stuck while it started to snow. It was freezing the whole time but we made the best of it. The following morning, at 36 degrees, and a good wind, we left the lodge at 8 am. The motor ran for about 45 seconds and quit! We started it up again, several times in the next 2 hours, but finally 100 spouts and spurts later, it quit altogether.

We decided right then and there that we would catch fish before we would leave! We used the new MinnKota trolling motor, that we just got a week before, and slowly maneuvered to the closest point. We started catching some real nice hybrids, and some largemouth, and really starting to develop a pattern for that area, and the trolling motor short circuited, and smoke came out! It was completely broken.

We paddled the bass boat back to the marina where we were staying and told him what happened. The local tournament was out, and so was going more than 100 yards now, but he said, I'll give you my trolling motor so you can still go." We thanked him, and went to the dock where he said it was. It was a transom mount motor with about 28 pounds of thrust! Not exactly standard fare on Table Rock or Bull Shoals in March, with a Nitro. But we were determined. We went out to the point where we were the day before, started catching some more fish, and the trolling motor he lent us broke. Not only did it break, but it actually broke at the shaft, it was a mess! We paid for the trolling motor, checked out of the cabin, (as it started to snow again), and started the 15 hour drive back home. We had fished for about 4 hours, in 7 days! We stopped at a motel on the way back, and my brother said, "I'll bet there's somebody in there that can fix a motor" "look at all the boats in the lot." We pulled in and in the lot after we registered, two older gentlemen were standing out by their rooms talking and my brother say "Do you guys know anything about boat motors?'. The guy says " DO I!", I've fixed motors my whole life" Hey Joe, he says to his friend, "I'll bet I can fix this guys motor faster than you!", his friend and he came over, took off the motor cover, and had it running in less than 10 minutes. We were dumbfounded and overjoyed at the same time. We couldn't thank them enough, and you could tell they were enjoying doing it. I was so excited, I jumped off the bow to the concrete, and broke my ankle.

Many hours later, after the hospital, we went out again, determined to fish somewhere and catch something at this point. We put in the boat, and started flipping the docks with a jig. I hooked into what felt like the World Record Bass on the second flip. It pulled so hard, I was shaking, a few minutes later I landed my 20 pound carp!

After a few choice words, I started to laugh and so did my brother Kurt. We composed ourselves and started casting around the docks again. A few minutes later, he set the hook on a monster. A beautiful 25 pound Carp! We loaded the boat, and headed back home. Sometimes it's just time to quit. We went to these lakes again, and had many great experiences in the Midwest. My brother even won a tournament or two, and he was the Big Bass World Champ/De, in 1999 and 2001, but that one week in March of 1998, was one of those ones that you never forget.

Originally posted by: Anglersradio on 7/10/2005 2:15:07 PM

Winning Tournament Tactics
By Steve vonBrandt




There are certain tactics that give a tournament fisherman an edge over the other competitors, and produce a win. Sometimes just doing a little extra homework and preparation is all it takes. Planning, practice, and confidence are the keys factors that helped us win local, state, club, and regional tournaments consistently while working our way up the ranks of competitive bass fishing. Here are some of the most important things to do to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the challenge.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PREPARATION

Before you even can consider embarking on a tournament trail, or even local, and club events, you must be in good physical condition. This involves being able to lift, bend, twist, and move in a variety of positions, without getting injured. Many people think that fishing is a leisurely sport, but in order to be in top shape for winning tournaments, you must prepare ahead of time. We not only eat and sleep properly, but do regular physical workouts, to get in good shape to lift equipment, jump from the front and back of boats, maintain good balance, have quick reflexes, and be able to go long periods of time, without wasting time eating and drinking. Being able to jump down to your knees quickly, and maneuvering many directions efficiently can mean the difference in winning or losing. One lost fish can mean the difference in first place and last place many times. Not only do we work out physically to prepare, but we practice our techniques in the off season as well. In the winter, and all times of the year in between tournaments, we practice our flipping, pitching, and casting techniques. In the colder months we set up boxes, simulate docks to practice pitching and flipping, and cast to targets in the yard. Knowing your equipment like the back of your hand, and being able to quickly execute a maneuver is critical in a tournament. Practicing all techniques constantly is vital in giving you the confidence that you need to win when you get to the tournament. Being able to control your emotions, and relax in the prior days and nights can give you an edge over the more inexperienced anglers. Most tournament pros even at intermediate levels are at the top of their game, and take it very seriously, so a slight edge can mean a great deal. The people who can maintain their composure and confidence, and can stick to their game plans under pressure, are the ones that consistently place in the rankings.

STUDYING THE COMPETITION SITE

Before we even start to prefish the lakes or rivers, we obtain all the information we can in the way of lake maps, topographical maps, baitfish, and lake conditions from a variety of sources. Talking to anglers at the lake and local tackle shops can sometimes reveal some interesting information. By no means, do what they say dictate what our plans will be, but it is another tool to use in planning a strategy for the lake. Knowing the lake age, composition of the bottom, structure, both natural and manmade, along with water quality, fertility, and oxygen levels, all come into play when deciding how to start pre-fishing the lake. Contacting local guides, and having some experience on the body of water all help, although sometimes this isn't always possible.

When we start to prefish the lake before a tournament, we break the lake down into sections. We eliminate the unproductive water for that time of year, and then section it off on maps. We pick the most likely locations where the fish should be holding for the water temperature and lake conditions, and then make a complete run around the lake to view it physically before fishing.

We start by looking for sandbars, points, humps, structure, laydowns, grass beds, etc., all the time watching the shoreline in the area for contours to indicate dropoffs and other structure. After surveying the lake, we then section off several of the best possible locations, and start fishing there. First starting with a search bait, such as a spinnerbait, buzzbait, and a crankbait for active fish. We mark the locations of where the active fish are on the GPS, and move on to the next spot. We never stick more than two fish in an area. Sometimes we fish the baits without any hooks in them, and when they hit you just pull it away from them. Try to find three good sections of the lake with decent fish first, before exploring further for the kicker fish. You can go back to these areas later the next day, and slow down to find the fish that you need to win. Sometimes early in the year bass will stage on a single piece of cover as small as a stick or blade of grass. It doesn't even have to be real structure sometimes, they just hold next to it. Most of the time, the larger bass, five pounds and up, are alone. They occupy the structure in the area by themselves, rarely schooling with fish of the same size.

UNCONVENTIONAL BAITS

Most pros won't reveal what they really catch the larger fish on. Most of the fish in lakes that are highly pressured by recreational and tournament anglers for years and years, become conditioned to certain baits. There are always fish that can be caught on conventional baits such as spinnerbaits, worms, and jerkbaits, but these generally are the fish that don't win tournaments. You can come in with a decent bag of five fish weighing ten to thirteen pounds, but it generally doesn't get you a check except in some local and club tournaments. The larger fish, the fourm five, and six pound bass, and up, are usually caught on baits such as frogs, prop baits, walking baits, and other types of new freak baits. Jigs will always take some of the better fish, but will not always win. Old style topwaters, such as a Devils Horse, Dying flutters, Nip-A-Dee-Dee's, and others, take many large bass. Let me emphasize though, that i like to get a limit in the boat first before pursuing that big "kicker" fish!

Creek Chubs, Zara Spooks, Jitterbugs, and others, take more quality fish than you can imagine, due to the fact that they are fooled by the baits they just don't see. Of course, there are specific ways to work these baits, that will produce the better fish, even if you are using the same baits as another angler, and that is the trick.

When casting to structure with a topwater bait like this, dead sticking, and casting directly to the target, and not past it, can be critical. Patience and steady nerves are required to do this properly. Deadsticking a bait is an extremely effective way to win a tournament on highly pressured waters such as Table Rock Lake. In colder water, this is extremely important also. You should let a Senko or other bait such as a fluke or "Sizmic Flugo" fall weightless for a long time by the structure, without giving it any movement at all. Suspending jerk baits worked in this manner also produce the bigger bass in pressured waters. Don't give the bait to much action, and let it sit for a long time in between movements. This is the key.

TIME MANAGEMENT

You must learn how to manage your time properly also, as you have to be thorough with the baits, but know when to switch and when to move. Plan this out in advance and be able to adjust to the water conditions and mood of the fish that day, as things can change rapidly from one day to the next on a body of water, especially when a clod front moves through. Practice at all times of the year, when the weather is bad, and cold, odds are, that many tournament days will be in the rain and wind. You need to know how to catch these fish under adverse conditions, not just fair weather. Plan your trips when the weather is poor. It's the only way the learn what to do. You must get practice in real tournament conditions. Make sure you time your run to the spots, and spend your time wisely there. Make as many casts as you can until the very last minute, and then open it up and get back as quickly as you can. You need to practice driving your boat in bad weather, under rough conditions, at high speeds, if you really want to win.

PRACTICE LANDING BIG FISH

You should try to join a private lake and a club, or make trips to Mexico, Texas, Florida, and wherever else you can experience fighting and landing a lot of larger fish. Confidence is the key to success in this business. You must have the confidence in your ability to land big fish without getting overly excited. This is hard to do, so as much practice as you can get doing this before entering major tournaments is a definite plus! A big part of this game is mental. You must learn how to to maintain a high level of concentration also. Don't pay attention to other things other than your line, the lure, and the fish. Ignore other anglers and spectators that are close by. Keep your focus, and stick to your game plan. Don't try to show off. That comes later at the weigh in with a twenty pound bag! Maintain and use the best quality equipment that you can get. This plays a big part in confidence also. It doesn't always have to be the very highest quality equipment, but you must have confidence in it, and in your own ability to use it properly. Sometimes I go through thirty crankbaits and jerkbaits before I find the best ones. Don't neglect the basics either. Learn how to tie all the proper knots for the baits you are using, and use the highest quality hooks available. I can't stress this enough. Follow these guidelines, and get out and practice as much as you can, and your recreational fishing as well as tournament fishing will improve drastically.

member # 90054616 Life NAFC Hall Of Fame