bass fishing

Skill and technique plays very important parts in bass fishing.

2008-10-31T02:05:00.000-07:00

During summer and in the afternoon time my friend who had a fishing boat will invited my friend and I to go bass fishing as it was the best time and the best season. During this time when the water is warm the fish will come out for their bait and you will surely go home with some fish in your hand.

Fishing equipment play some part in bass fishing but skill and technique plays very important parts in bass fishing. Knowing the area where you expected to had more catch, the water and the seasons. If you are beginners in bass fishing my advise for you is to joint clubs and knows people who are very skilled in bass fishing. Bass fishing is quite an expensive hobby but a very exciting hobby and every year there had a fishing competition on.

When out doing bass fishing take it as a sports

2008-06-27T02:45:00.000-07:00

If you are a beginners it is best to follow some one to guild and teach you the knowledge of fishing. If you follow someone who is professional in fishing you will find it fun and definate enjoy great fishing trips. When I first learned go bass fishing, the first things that my friends teach me is the equipment. Equipment plays a important role in bass fishing. Choosing the right size of sturdy rod and reel including the line if you want to catch the right size of bass. It is hard and difficult to catch more then a ten pound of largemouth with a five pound mono.

Second things I learned is the weather as bass fishing has it peak time and it was during this weather time around the middle of spring and in the beginning of summer. The best time of bass fishing are in the afternoon and late in the evening where the water is warm and is the time the fish comes out to eat their baits and also at this time it attracted many big fish.

When out doing bass fishing take it as a sports, and you won't feel disappointment if you don't get a catch. keep learning the skilled of bass fishing, you will enjoy bass fishing everytime out.

getting the right lure when bass fishing

2008-04-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

When bass fishing lets face some facts thats its take skill and knowledge in bass fishing. Choosing the right bass fishing lure, to catch the right bass at the right time requires a lots of experience and it quite to do for amateur person. With hundreds of difference and color lures to choose the right lures to do bass fishing needs many years of fishing and learning.

Sometimes a very experience bass fishing person might used the wrong bass lure to do their bass fishing. A wrong calculation might cost him the bass or the price winning contest. For a experience bass fishing person their will used more rods to fish or get ready more rods for their fishing trips. For instance using spinnerbaits is quite easy and a fast ways to do your bass fishing as its cover different depths of water. Crankbaits it might not be that fast then spinnerbaits but it is another fast and easy to do bass fishing.

If luck is not very good on that day, change to another lure till you get the right lure when doing your bass fishing or change your fishing spots to another spots as the water might not be right at that time.

Bass fishing has been become a favorite sports

2008-02-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

Bass fishing has been become a favorite sports to many people because of its bass fishing tournaments held every years. Price money is one of the main attraction to the tournaments and besides there are many bass fishing tournaments show on the television which attracted many people to the sports. More and more people started to join bass fishing clubs just to get tips and information abouts bass fishing technique, some joined as a hobby while others joined for the tournaments or to knows more people.

Bass fishing has its peak time and it was during middle or late spring and in the mid afternoon through the late evening where at this time the water warm which attracted many fish to the water. If you are a newcomers you won't get wrong as you will notice many fisherman in small and big boats doing their bass fishing. Just drive your boat to the lake and drop your lines in the water, very soon you will have a good catch. Joined the old timers when out for bass fishing if you are a beginners because you will find it more enjoyable as you will learn many skills about bass fishing from them.

Fishing can be a hobby and a sports

2007-10-31T23:56:00.000-07:00

Fishing can be a hobby and a sports, to me is a sports and a hobby. Whenever I am free I will go out with friends and family to have bass fishing and during bass fishing compitition I will in. In bass fishing all you had to know is some basis skill. In bass fishing what you had to know is the depth of the water and the temperature as big fish like to stay in shallow area which is near to water of deeper depths and area where there can finds alots of food. Big bass like to swim and in groups.

Learning the style and behavior of fish in the water is an add to become a successful bass fishing. The rods, reels, lines and lures will vary depending on the environment you are doing your bass fishing. The right time of places to do your bass fishing as temperatures changes. Lastly you need some skill level to catch big bass.

Bass fishing in Lke Fork

2007-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Bass fishing is a of a best form of past time and a hobby in country like USA. I remmember Lake Fork is a very good destination for bass fishing. January to March is the best season to fish as claim by many proffectional amd amateaur. It the best time to catch the monster bass as the bass are in pre-spawn mode and are moving up to the shallows.

Lake Fork offers the best bass fishing because the structure of this lake gives a prefect enviroment for bass. The main food source for bass on lake fork is gizzard shad, perch (sunfish), craw fish and smaller bass. If you are bass fishing in Lake Fork you had to follow the regulation for example all bass has to be released into the water if you catch the bass between 16 to 24 inches long. A limit of less than 5 bass is allowed to keep. It was known that during the early 1980 the state released about 700,000. Every year there is a contest of bass fishing in USA>

Bass fishing a hobby and a pastime

2007-07-13T01:30:00.000-07:00

Bass fishing is one of the many popular sports enjoy by human being. The sports are very famous in America whereby two majoy bass fishing competition is held annualy in the United States and this compitition its now spread to other countries like Japan, Australian, south Africa countries and some small Asian countries like Malaysian.

In Penang there is a compitition on bass fishing last week end which attracted over two hundred anglers who took parts in the bass fishing compition where price money was given to the champion, runners up, the third palacing and six consulation. The compitition is about who caught the heaviest catch and eventually was won by a veteran angle. I joined in the compitition as a hobby and a pastime.

Location and skill when doing bass fishing

2007-06-20T01:39:00.000-07:00

Fishing is one of the popular sports and hobby to many people in the world. I love bass fishing very much but I am not very good in fishing only after I learned a few step froms some my friends and read books on how to catch a good and big bass. There are some few step that we must take when thinking of catching a big bass.

Bass fishing is just not when and where you want to catch big bass, it is where and when you need to know and go to have your bass fishing. Secondly you have to know the depth of the water and the temperature of the water as the temperature needs to be right for the fish and if you are not very familar with the tenperature it is best to check with the lacal fishing authority so that you are doing your bass fishing at the right time.

Location and skill are very important in doing bass fishing as big fish like to stay in shallow very close deeper depths of water, places where there can find alots of food as big bass like to groud and stay around the area in groups.

Bass fishing a popular pastime

2007-05-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

Bass fishing has become more popular to most people nowadays as most people knows how to enjoy life. These people knows how to separated works and relax and a incredibly popular pastime. There are many ways and techniques to do bass fishing. It can be done by fishing plastic worms, spinner baits, crank baits, large jigs, and even live bait.

When doing bass fishing one must knows the types of bass fishing. There are few types of bass fising such as largemouth and smallmouth which is most popular used by people doing bass fishing. Largemouth Bass are found mostly in lakes and large rivers while smallmouth can be found in the same waters that trout swim in. Smallmouth bass are also found it fast flowing rivers and streams. People can earn their living working with largemouth bass.

Needs basic skill for bass fishing

2007-04-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

Having some basic skill of bass fishing can help you catching more and bigger bass fish. You will find it not very difficult and enjoying day doing your bass fishing.
Having the best and wide selection of fishing gear is not so important if you don't even have the basic ideals of bass fishing and lately you will be wondering why other peoples can have a big catch and you don't even had a catch and will slowly lost your hobby in bass fishing.

To become successful at bass fishing, there are a variety of things you need to know. First and foremost, you must learned the behavior of the fish in the water, water temperatures as when the temperature in the lake drops the better change of landing the big catch. Your rods, reels, lines and lures will vary depending on the environment you are doing your bass fishing. The right time of places to do your bass fishing as temperatures changes. Lastly you need some skill level to catch big bass.

Fly fishing

2006-12-12T19:49:00.000-08:00

Bass fishing is one of the best sports and becoming popular in the world. The best times for bass fishing is early morning and evening. Warm months is the month for bass fishing as bass prefer warm water.

Fly fishing is another popular sports but you needs to buy good fishing equipment
and finding good places for fishing as you needs alot of time to travel to find best location where you can get the a good catch. Fly fishing has two types methods of fishing. one is the dry fishing where the fly stays on the surface of the water. the other is wet fishing where the fly sink down into the water.

Step to take when doing bass fishing

2006-11-05T21:06:00.000-08:00

Few step to take when you are thinking or talking about big bass fishing. Bass fishing is just not where or when you want to catch big bass, you just can't go anywhere to catch big bass. You need to know where to go or when to go. The first point to know about big bass fishing is where to actually find the fish. Then of course once you've found them the next point to learn is how to catch them. When you want to go bass fishing make sure you know the location to catch or do your bass fishing. Knowing what the water depth and the tenperature of the water will help greatly in bass fishing. It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of bass fishing is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about bass fishing.

The temperature needs to be right, so check with the local fishing authority to make sure you are going to do your bass fishing at the right time. Location is another points to look for as big bass like to stay in shallow water and close to deeper depths of water. Vegetation area is another place as the big bass like to groud and stay around there.

Catching just one kind of Bass in bass fishing

2006-10-10T22:54:00.000-07:00

To become successful at bass fishing, there are a variety of things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, the biology and behavior of the fish are extremely critical factors. Different environments and water temperatures have varying affects on the way that bass behave, influencing your methodology and techniques in different ways. The other factor is your equipments. Your rods, reels, lines and lures will vary depending on the environment, the nature of the particular bass fish, and your skill level.

There are certain things which you can do to help catch more Bass. Perhaps the most important thing is to set out to catch just one kind of Bass, as I'm sure you know there are several different varieties for instance the Small Mouth Bass, the White Bass, the Large Mouth Bass, and many more. Having decided which particular type of Bass you are trying to catch you can then decide on the appropriate bait and tackle.
The next important thing to decide is where to go fishing for your Bass, in the case of Large Mouth Bass there is a very wide choice, as you will find this fish in both rivers or lakes, they are usually found quite close to shore, hiding under low foliage perhaps or near rocks waiting for suitable prey. If you decide to try the jig and pig bait, it will work well in both these situations.

Bass fishing is an enthralling sport

2006-10-03T01:31:00.000-07:00

Bass fishing is an enthralling sport. Every one will aspire to come out successfully in any sport or game. To be a good angler one should know the information that is discussed below.

When you spend more and more time bass fishing you will obtain more knowledge for the right techniques, and choosing the right lures at the right location. Asking for tips from anglers familiar with the location is the best way to examine the fishing conditions. Knowing the temperature will helps, as we knows the bass fish prefers comfortable temperature. Take your time to experiment with many different lures and bass-fishing techniques until you discover what is the most effective on catching bass.

Bass fish prefers comfortable temperature. Hence in hot weather condition the bass fish will remain in the deep layer as it will be cold. During cold weather condition the bass fish will try to remain in the middle or top layer.
When the temperature of the water becomes cold the movement of the bass fish is getting slower. This piece of information will help the anglers immensely to get big booty of bass fish.

Bass fishes are highly sensitive to vibration and noises. Hence you need to keep the place as quite as possible. Any kind of noise will scare away the bass fish. It is better to reach the selected place without much of disturbance to the water and stay put and goes for deep water bass fishing.
If you are fishing in very cold or very warm temperatures, then the bass won't be as healthy or plentiful, but at the same time, catching them will be much easier due to their physical weakness. On the other hand, moderate temperatures are prime environments in which bass flourish, giving them the physical strength to fight being caught.

fall bass fishing

2006-09-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

When it comes to fall bass fishing, there are many key elements to the lake conditions that allow for the bass to be readily available. First and foremost one of the most prominent changes would have to be the temperature of the water when it comes to fall fishing. The temperature of the water in the fall can drop quite drastically lending to more oxygen in the water itself. When this happens in fall fishing season, you will find more bass schooled together resulting in far more hits on your line.

When the temperature in the lake drops, the activity of the bass increases, making fall fishing an ideal time to cast and a better chance of landing the big catch. Fall bass fishing allows for the angler to receive more hits on their line as during this time period bass will more often than not strike at just about anything that looks like a meal. When it comes to fall fishing, you must keep in mind that due to the cooler temperatures in the lake, the bass will be far more active and will feed more often. We all know during the summer when the water gets hot, bass are less likely to be in the shallows except in the early morning and toward evening. The same isn’t true in the fall. Once the water temperatures drop, the bass can be in shallow water any time of day. This makes for a little easier fishing.

There's no doubt that bass fishing can be very enjoyable and fascinating.

bass fishing : Bass fishes are highly sensitive to vibration

2006-09-13T00:47:00.000-07:00

Along the coast of muka head is a good area to do our bass fishing.

The most successful method of catching bass is the crankbait. The throwing and retrieving method can be done with varying speed and its depth can be determined by the speed of the reeling and by the pole.

Bass fishes are highly sensitive to vibration and noises. Hence you need to keep the place as quite as possible. Any kind of noise will scare away the bass fish. It is better to reach the selected place without much of disturbance to the water and stay put and goes for deep water bass fishing.

The noon time is not at all suited for bass fishing because the bass stop feeding and go deep in the water in search of cooler place.

bass fishing : Bass Fishing Fever

2006-09-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

I am writing this article more towards the Jr. Bass Anglers as well as the young adults that have been bitten by the bug. You must know the one I'm talking about, right? It's the one thing that gives a person what they call "Bass Fever", (don't worry, it's nothing like the Beaver Fever that one would get from drinking contaminated spring water.) When I say that this article is geared more towards the younger generation, believe me, the middle-aged and the more matured (slightly older) generation of anglers already know what I'm talking about, because they have already been bitten some time ago.
Let's face it, once you hook into your first quality bass, you're done for. Yep! Now it's all over for many of the other things in your life because you have been bitten by the bug, and for most of the ones that are bitten, it seems like the "Bass Fever" just gets worse and keeps on spreading.
Let me tell you a little story on how I got "bitten by the bug" many years ago. Back in the early seventies while serving my Country in the U.S. Navy I had a very good friend that had asked me one weekend if I would like to go fishing with him and his brother over the weekend. Now, being a part time (about a twice a year) "Worm, Hook & Bobber" angler, I didn't even know much about what a bass was and hadn't the foggiest on how to catch one so I said, "sure, I'd love to go." Well that weekend my life as a twice-a-year-angler had changed me forever.
Jim, who was the friend that asked me to go, told me not to bring anything but myself. So I showed up at his home (which was very close to the California Delta) on Saturday morning ready to go sit and bob worms for fish. Boy, was I wrong! When we got to the delta, he launched his boat, which was an older wooden boat that must have been made during World War I, and we jumped in the boat and went up river a bit. A few minutes later, Jim stopped the boat and dropped his anchor, and there we sat for a moment.
I picked up a rod and reel that he had loaned me, asking him where the bobbers, hooks, and worms were. He started to smile at me and told me that he forgot to stop and buy (live) worms on the way to the river. I really didn't know what to think now because that's the only way I had ever fished before. Then, Jim reached in a leather bag, pulls out a tackle box, and opens it up.
I was puzzled now, because as I was looking in his tackle box all I saw were some hooks, sinkers, and a few bags of these purple rubber worms (for you older anglers, these were some of the first artificial worms that were made by Tom Mann called Jelly Worms.) Jim told me to hand him my rod so he could set it up for me, so I just kept my eyes glued on what the heck he was doing. Next, Jim hands me the rod with the Jelly Worm (Texas Rigged) and tells me to cast it over by a bunch of lily pads that were about 20 yards from us.
After I made my cast (like bobber fishing) I set my rod down and immediately Jim told me to pick it up and to hold it slightly, keeping the slack out of the line, so I did. Then, all of a sudden something grabbed my line and my pole bent way over. My line was peeling off my reel (shoot, I didn't even know how to set a drag back in those days), so Jim reaches over and tightens my drag and tells me not to give it any slack. Well the rest is history! A whopping five and a half pound largemouth bass. From then on I went every chance I could, and yes! I definitely now had "Bass Fever."

bass fishing : Why Bass Fishing

2006-09-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

Everyday it seems that more and more of the general public (men, women, boys, and girls) are starting to take notice that there may be just a bit more to bass fishing that meets the eye than just the Sunday morning bass fishing shows they see on TV. Why is this so? They see bass fishing in regular TV commercials. I'm sure that you have seen the commercial where three men are in a boat, fishing with artificial lures, and one of them throws his lure around a tree branch, and the spokesman says "even the fish are comfortable". This advertisement is about clothing! "Jeans." How about in the grocery stores? Yes, even in food stores you will find a picture of a famous Bass Pro on a box of Wheaties. Or, turn on a sports outdoors network anytime during the week and you will find many TV fishing shows geared towards bass fishing. Almost any swamp, lake, river, pond, or sloughs if accessible by boats, you will find bass anglers. Or, how about all the bass boats constantly going up and down our highways behind tow rigs. It's just about everywhere we look!
Bass fishing at the present is considered to be America's #1 freshwater sport, in fact the bass fishing industry is grown to be 70% higher than any other types of fresh water fishing.
Try this for example: if you go to most of the Internet search engines and type in the words "bass fishing," 90 % of the search engines will list many different types of bass fishing related sites. In the past 25 years bass fishing has grown from a million-dollar industry to an estimated 4.8 billion-dollar industry in today's world and still growing each and every day.
So what's so great about it? Let's start by saying this is one outdoor sport that just about anyone who dedicates and disciplines himself or herself can equally compete on a pro level. Not like other types of professional sports such as football, soccer, basketball, and tennis where you have to be a top athlete and prove extraordinary abilities to become a successful pro. With bass fishing it's quite different. Yes, the more time you spend on the water, the more you practice, and the more you learn the "How-To's" of bass angling you can't help but to be more successful at catching bass. Especially if you have a coach or someone as a mentor to teach you patterns, conditions, presentations, techniques, colors, proper equipment and so on. There is a lot to learn when it comes to competitive bass fishing, but if you want to be serious about it you can compete on a pro level. I have taught several anglers that just couldn't seem to excel when it came to fishing bass tournaments until I was able to teach them several of the "How-To's" used by many of the Pro's. Now these same anglers are consistent money winners and much more successful at catching bass.
The bass fishing industry also offers a wide variety of careers: Guiding (charters), Sales (the retail industry connected with bass fishing is a giant in itself), Tournament Competition, Lecturing, Advertising, Promotional Opportunities, and on and on!
I feel that one of the best traits of bass fishing is it offers closer relationships and bonding with loved ones. I've noticed that when married couples enroll in my bass fishing school, after the time spent together on the water along with the excitement of catching bass together and the laughs and enjoyment they share, it seems that they all conclude they should have done this years ago! I have experienced all this and much more with father and sons, mother and daughters, father and daughters, mother and sons, boyfriends and girlfriends, brothers and brothers, sisters and sisters. It is truly an outdoor sport that literally just about anybody would enjoy. I especially enjoy the time spent on the water with my wife when we have a chance to get out on the water for a few hours of bass fishing. And guess what? Women actually make better anglers than men! Sorry guys, and please don't take this wrong, but this is probably due of the level of their patience. I don't know this for sure but I have noticed that a female can work a plastic worm or different presentations with certain baits with the patience needed to catch bass, where sometimes the men have the tendency to over work a bait. Try it and see for yourself!
More and more females each season are starting to book into my school to learn how to fish just to be able to show their husbands or boyfriends that they can do it to. Well, why not? It's a sport that's been enjoyed for many, many years by mostly the guys. Now that the women are getting a taste of it, they love it just as much as the guys do.
Kid's even seem to go "nuts" over this sport even probably more so than we do! I know this because of the clients that bring their children when they book a fishing trip or enroll in my school. Just seeing their expressions on their faces when they catch a bass seems to be worth it all! Along with the many E-mails and letters I receive from boys and girls from all over the nation, the kids are wanting to know more and more about how to fish for bass, where can they go to learn, or who might be able teach them. The age of most of these boys and girls that write me range anywhere from 12 years to 18 years old, as well as many college students.
The slogan that says, "Get Kids Hooked On Fishing Instead Of Drugs" makes a lot of sense to me. What better way to get closer to your children than by spending quality time together outdoors having fun? But that's only part of it! It also allows them to focus on something more than parties and getting into trouble.

So "Why Bass Fishing?" Well, all I can say is "Try it and see for yourself."

By Roger Lee Brown

bass fishing : Peak fishing periods

2006-09-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Peak fishing periods for bass fishing

Peak Days
The sun and the moon are the two major sources of astral energies that daily bombard the earth and all her lifeforms. The closer they are to you at any given moment, the stronger the influence. The day of a NEW or FULL MOON will provide the strongest influence in each month.

Peak Month
June always has more combined sun-moon influence than any other month. During the FULL MOON the sun and moon are nearly opposite each other and very few minutes pass without one or the other being in our sky. During a NEW MOON, both bodies are in near-perfect rhythm traveling the skies together with their forces combined. Because of the interaction between the many lunar and solar cycles, no two days, months or years are ever identical.

Peak Times
When a SOLUNAR PERIOD falls within 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset (weather permitting) you can anticipate very good fishing.

Length of Periods
Fish do not feed all the time. They feed most actively during a SOLUNAR PERIOD. Fish usually feed actively at sunrise and sunset, but generally the real fishing of the day is at the odd hour feeding periods.

bass fishing : Bass Fishing Legend Ray Scott to be Honored

2006-09-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

CELEBRATION, Fla. - Ray Wilson Scott, Jr. did not invent bass fishing, but for millions of avid anglers all around the world, he might as well have.
Scott was a Montgomery, Ala., insurance salesman on a business trip to Jackson, Miss., on March 11, 1967, when the idea for professional bass fishing struck him. He was watching a basketball game in his motel room when he started to wonder why competitive fishing wasn't on television like baseball, basketball and football.
"In a microsecond I saw it all," Scott recalled in his biography, BASS Boss. "I saw a hundred bass fishermen competing, tournament-style. It just came to me. I knew it would work."
Later that year, Scott conducted the first modern bass tournament, the All-American on Arkansas' Beaver Lake, June 5-7, 1967. A year after that, Scott created the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.
That he founded BASS and created the modern tournament format would have been enough to cement Scott's place in fishing history, but he was just getting started.
In the early 1970s, Scott and other BASS pioneers formed the BASS Chapter Federation, a group of BASS-affiliated clubs across the country and the world. These anglers were the grass roots of BASS and have been instrumental in effecting positive change through legislation, activism and local conservation and youth projects.
In 1972, Scott brought catch-and-release to bass tournaments with his "Don't Kill Your Catch" program. Over the years, it has caught on around the world. Because of Scott's vision of the sport, bass are considered a renewable resource.
In the mid-70s, Scott and BASS began working for the passage of the Sport Fishing Restoration Act, also known as Wallop-Breaux. Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the act established a federal excise tax on fishing and boating equipment with proceeds used for restoration and access programs by state fisheries agencies.
In 1986, Scott sold BASS to a group of investors, but he has continued to serve as a spokesman and ambassador for the organization. His tireless devotion to sportfishing, conservation, youth and the multibillion dollar industry he helped to create serves as an inspiration to all who know him.
Apart from his induction into numerous fishing and sporting halls of fame, Scott has been named one of the 20 greatest outdoor Americans of the 20th century. There's no doubt that he's been the most influential person in BASS and the world of bass fishing.

©1997-2006 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide

bass fishing : Janousek and Johnson Win International Falls Bass Fishing Tournament

2006-08-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

John Janousek of Nisswa, Minnesota and Chad Johnson of Rogers, Minnesota clinched the top spot at the 2nd Annual International Falls Bass Fishing Championship today. Janousek and Johnson delivered two consistent days of fishing. The duo brought in a record breaking combined weight of 30.75 pounds for the tournament. The two anglers have been fishing together for the past ten years.
"I think it was a combination of perseverance and experience," said Janousek. "We knew coming into the competition this morning we had a good shot at it, but everybody here could win." Janousek and Johnson have won a number of tournaments on Rainy Lake. Johnson commented he fished a total of 20 days on Rainy Lake so far this year.
Canadians Dale Labelle of Devlin, Ontario and Karl Howells of Fort Francis broke the bag record with a combined weight today of 17.01 pounds today. The two anglers sat in the leader position for most of the afternoon until Janousek and Johnson weighed in. "Today was Karl's day to shine," said Labelle, who added Howells brought in the majority of the fish today. Labelle and Howells ended up in second place with a combined weight for the tournament of 28.57 pounds.
The event weigh-in was completed before a packed house in Smokey Bear Park in International Falls. Announcer Chip Leer was enthusiastic about the turnout. "People are finding out about the quality of fish we've got up here, both on the lake and on the river," Leer said. "It was a day of records, from the biggest bag today to the biggest bass yesterday." Leer was referring to the 4.91 pound bass caught yesterday.
"We are ecstatic," said Tournament President Gary Potter when asked for his opinion of the event. "The level of community involvement has been second to none." Potter mentioned plans were already underway for next year's event.
Fishing for the first time on Rainy Lake, Ross Taylor of Burnsville and Brent Carlson of Brainerd ended with a combined weight of 23.29 after a disappointing first day. "We just had no experience on the lake and on the river," said Taylor, considered by many in bass fishing circles to be a rising star in the sport. "We had much better luck on the river today."

By Bonnie Harris

bass fishing : Becker Wins Bass Fishing League

2006-08-31T22:35:00.000-07:00

TRENTON, Mich. (Aug. 28, 2006) - Boater Gary Becker of Saint Marys, Ohio, earned $3,879 Saturday as winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Michigan Division event on the Detroit River. The tournament was the fourth of five regular-season Michigan Division events and earned Becker 200 points in the Boater Division.
Becker's winning catch of five bass weighed 24 pounds, 13 ounces. He was throwing a tube and other soft-plastics to catch his bass.
Becker also took home an additional $1,000 for being the highest placing Ranger Cup participant.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Gary Ginter of Maplewood, Ohio (five bass, 24 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,940); Steve Clapper of Lima, Ohio (five bass, 23 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,293); David Hayward of Sylvania, Ohio (five bass, 22 pounds, 5 ounces, $905) and Joe Balog of Harrison Township, Mich. (five bass, 21 pounds, 13 ounces, $776).
Barrett Moss of Somerset, Ky. won the Boater Division Snickers Big Bass award with a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass earning him $515.
Scott Leo of Grand Rapids, Mich., won the Co-angler Division and earned $1,940 thanks to five bass weighing 23 pounds, 3 ounces. Leo also earned an additional $257 as the co-angler Snickers Big Bass winner with a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Damon Herndon of Reading, Mich. (five bass, 21 pounds, 7 ounces, $970); Steve Furr of Lima, Ohio (five bass, 21 pounds, 4 ounces, $646); Charles Hasty of Toledo, Ohio (five bass, 21 pounds, 3 ounces, $453); and Philip Borsa of Redford, Mich. (five bass, 21 pounds, $388).
The Michigan Division's next event will take place on the Detroit River again near Trenton, Mich., Sept. 9-10 for two-day Super Tournament, the division's fifth and final event.

bass fishing : FLW Bass Fishing Tour

2006-08-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

BENTON, Ky. (Aug. 29, 2006) - FLW Outdoors announced Tuesday that it will replace its championship bracket format with the traditional Wal-Mart FLW Tour cut format beginning with the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 2-5, 2007. The change was necessitated by the fact that anglers from multiple FLW Outdoors tournament trails and the TBF (The Bass Federation) National Championship will qualify for the event for a shot at the sport's first $1 million payday.
"The NCAA-style bracket format has served us well for many years on the FLW Tour," said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. "It created thrilling head-to-head matches and unique story lines that allowed fans to experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat with every pair of anglers to cross the stage. There is, however, no equitable way to pair anglers in head-to-head competition when they qualify through different circuits. But the bracket will not disappear. We will use the format in our East-West fish-off for the FLW Series."
The 2007 Forrest Wood Cup will feature the top 40 pros and 35 co-anglers from the 2007 FLW Tour, the top 30 pros and 25 co-anglers from the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Series, the top pro and co-angler from each of the five Stren Series divisions at the 2006 Stren Series Championship, the 2007 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League All-American boater and co-angler winners, the 2007 TBF National Championship boater and co-angler winners, the winning teams from each of the five 2006 Stratos owners' tournaments held in the United States (both team members fishing the Forrest Wood Cup as co-anglers), and the first- and second-place teams from each of the two Ranger owners' tournaments slated for 2007 (the boaters of each team fishing the Forrest Wood Cup as pros and their partners fishing as co-anglers).
Overall, 81 pros and 81 co-anglers will compete in the 2007 Forrest Wood Cup. The full field will compete for two days and then be cut to the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers based on accumulated weight from days one and two. These 10 pros and 10 co-anglers will start from zero on day three, with the winning co-angler determined by the day's heaviest catch. The pros will carry their weights over to day four, and the winner will be determined based on accumulated weight from days three and four. Weigh-ins all four days will be held at Summit Arena in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup Outdoor Show at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

"The 2007 Forrest Wood Cup represents a defining moment in our sport's history," Evans said. "Never before have so many anglers had the opportunity to compete for a share of $2 million in a no-entry-fee championship. In fact, anglers fishing the Stren Series and BFL will actually qualify for two no-entry-fee championships offering total payouts of $3 million. This is an unprecedented accomplishment in bass-fishing history."

"One thing we take great pride in at FLW Outdoors is the fact that we listen to our anglers, and we are flexible enough to adjust when needed," Evans said. "We make a lot of decisions every day, and our track record is pretty good, but we are not perfect, nor do we claim to be. Occasionally, we miss. We realize that we will never be able to please everyone all of the time, but we feel strongly that this change will contribute to the professionalism of our sport and its continued growth."

Copyright ©1997-2006 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide

bass fishing : Hooking-up with Bass Fishes

2006-08-28T00:37:00.000-07:00

Collect all possible information on Hooking-up with Bass Fishes from this page. It is always better to look before leaping. So read this article on Hooking-up with Bass Fishes before you claim that you know all about Hooking-up with Bass Fishes.
Since three-forth of the world is composed of bodies of water, it's not odd to realize why a great number of people rely most of their lives in fishing, may it be to suffice their economical needs or just for their love of fish catching. There are numerous of fish species swimming under the lakes, seas, ponds, and rivers among others. Some of which are the most sought after among anglers who consider fishing as the delight in their purpose-driven life, a sport, as they say.

Bass fishing, at present, is considered as America's number one freshwater sport, its industry is in fact, seventy percent higher in growth compared to other types of fishing activities. Bass is a fish that belongs to the Serranidae family or sea basses and the Centrarchidae or the black basses. This family of perchlike fishes are of large and oblong sizes with compressed bodies that dwell in warm and temperate seas throughout the world.

Along the Atlantic coast, black or common sea basses with a sluggish bottom fish are found. Its size averages 6 pounds or 2.7 kilograms in weight and 18 inches or 45 centimetres in length. The Pacific Sea basses, on the other hand, are giant fishes with bulky characteristics that reach a weight of 600 pounds or 270 kilograms and a length of 7 feet or 2.1 metres.

There are two things that should be considered in bass fishing, which are, the bass location on the lake or river and bass catching using different techniques, presentations and baits.

In locating bass dwellings, there are lots of different factors that has to be determined like the map-reading, how to locate active bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods, understanding water depth, water clarity, temperatures, seasonal patterns, locating structure areas and finding its vegetation areas.

In map reading, there are two general types of lake maps that most anglers use. These are the Hot Spot maps that shows more fishing spots and the Topographical map which shows more details. This should be experimented first by taking it on shore and looking for areas where fish would most likely be. The next step would be familiarization.

In locating for bass, one element that should be considered is the vegetation or the area where they eat, breath and cover themselves. In other words, its where they could be found in congregation. But if there is no vegetation, other elements like irregular contours, shallow water close to deep-water areas, points and point drops and other types of structure can be an alternative technique.

The rest of the necessities are the selection of a few crankbaits. One needs a shallow diver and a deep diver but two colors of each are fine. A natural looking crankbait, one that resembles baitfish and a shocker bright one should be selected. These represent the two extremes, nonetheless are very effective.

The most successful method of catching bass is the crankbait. The throwing and retrieving method can be done with varying speed and its depth can be determined by the speed of the reeling and by the pole.

Bass love colorful lures and they seem to hit them more often. When fishing with these lures, one should always try to make them look good in the water and make the bass come after them. This can be done by making them swim as real as possible.

Bumping these lures against objects in the water attracts fish, but the chance of getting the lure stuck might be a high risk.

A worm, on the other hand, is a good lure and represents the most edible and tasty meal. Even plastic worms will do.

Before competitions became a part of it, bass fishing was reserved for the seasoned anglers and not much media covered it. It was a recreation mostly practiced in the springtime and mostly early in the mornings and late in the afternoons all over the globe. Now, it has grown tremendously in every way, from effort to gain knowledge to technology to equipment to results.

© 2006 - Copyright BassFishing

bass fishing : Peacock Bass Fishing

2006-08-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

A very useful resource on Peacock Bass Fishing. Never judge a book by its cover. Similarly never think that there is nothing much about Peacock Bass Fishing. Reading this article will tell you what Peacock Bass Fishing actually are.
Peacock bass is known as the peacock cichlid, it is a freshwater fish native to South America and introduced by anglers to Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia as a popular game fish. Peacock bass is an aggressive fish, which preys on smaller native fish. The peacock bass has been identified as a potential cause for ecological imbalance in its adopted habitats.

The peacock bass is not really a bass at all. Although it resembles a largemouth bass in general size and shape but it is actually the largest American member o the cichlid family of fishes. The peacock bass is more commonly known as the pavon in Latin American countries and tucunare in Brazil. The Peacock bass originated and thrives in the South American waters.

The best lures to choose for catching peacock bass usually depends on establishing effective patterns for the size of the fish you are aiming for. Schooling peacock bass are so aggressive that fishing a lure with more than one hook can lead to multiple hookup excitement.

The challenge in some schooling situations is not actually the hooking of a peacock bass but in landing it. If a fish misses the bait, another will hit it. There is little need to use a light tackle since peacock bass are so aggressive.

Top water prop baits with one or two spinners on the rear are effective on peacock bass most of the time, and the most popular surface lure for giants in South America is the Big Game Woodchopper. More 20 plus pound have been taken on this lure than on all other types of lures combined.

The Amazon Ripper and Big Game Jerk n Sam have avid followers and both are also extremely productive on peacock bass. All three huge lures catches large peacock bass when get.They are in their prime when these lures are cast towards the shore, but they are also highly productive when cast toward shore in open water and when trolled.

The smaller peacock bass lure is the Amazon Rippers and Jerk Sams are all very effective rear-spinner surface baits that attracts all sizes of peacocks. The action of these plugs is what attracts the attention of the fish. While, sharp jerk-pause jerk technique, each time moving the bait approximately two feet, is usually effective. Sometimes, a long, hard pull and brief pause can also be effective. At other times, a soft twitch can draw an explosive strike, particularly near cover.

Fish the baits quickly toward wood cover, as you get close to the peacock bass habitat, slow down the plug and work it with a short rip, then pause, and rip it once again. Fish them around the treetops, over points and along channels or beds.

Mid-depth plugs are suitable for submerged operation including spoons and vibrating plugs. The Pet Spoon and the Sugar Shad, both go into the depths to attract the fish. For large peacock bass, a #18 Tony Accetta Pet Spoon is often productive. When the large peacock bass are not on the surface, you can try trolling and when you do this, it will draw strikes.

The best times to catch peacock bass fishing vary with the area where you conduct the fishing. In general, the low water times are the very best. On majority of trips, these occur between September and April.

Most anglers call the peacock bass the world's Greatest Game fish because it is attracted to cover, strikes top water lures regularly, jumps when hooked, never gives up a battle, powerful enough to challenge an angler's skills and tackle, has a physical appearance that looks exciting and obtains an average size of 15 to 25 pounds.

© 2006 - Copyright BassFishing

bass fishing : A Guide for Catching Bass

2006-08-28T00:23:00.000-07:00

When you spend more and more time bass fishing you will obtain more knowledge for the right techniques, and choosing the right lures at the right location. Asking for tips from anglers familiar with the location is the best way to examine the fishing conditions. Take your time to experiment with many different lures and bass-fishing techniques until you discover what is the most effective on catching bass.

There are two different kinds of baits in bass fishing. The soft plastic baits and the hardbaits. Examples for the soft plastic baits are: grubs, tube baits, and soft jerkbaits. For the hardbaits there are: jigs, topwaters, and crankbaits. These different kinds of lures have different uses, different techniques to use, catches different kinds of bass and also depends on the location where you plan to fish.

Soft plastic baits:

Grubs
Grubs are tiny lures that usually attract big smallmouth bass and works just as fine on largemouths. This kind of lure works more effectively on highland reservoirs that lack wide cover. These lures are best used on clear water situations and often used on deep water but are as effective on shallow water. In deep water it is ideal and more effective if an angler uses the lightest grub that tend to fall slowly thus exposed to the fish longer, this is because fishes tend to hit them while they are falling, not when they are already in the water.

Tube Baits
Tube jigs are used preferably on inactive fish and on clear water. When targeting bass this lure is used on structure. This kind of lure is designed to use as drop bait and not designed to work the bottom or swim back. This type of lure is not a feel lure which means that you can give it a slack. The fish won't let go of the lure so you won't have to worry about a quick hookset. This is commonly used in water no deeper than 10 feet.

Soft jerkbaits or Soft Plastic Stickbaits
This bait can be used almost anywhere. You can use it on, over, around, and even through most forms of cover and even on open water. These types of lures are often used on spring and fall when bass move on shallow water and feed on baitfish. Soft jerkbaits are an eye contact lures meaning the bass has to see it to hit it thus this works best in clear water.

Hardbaits:

Jigs
A jig is heavy, lead headed bait with a single hook. These are one of the most productive baits in use today, often used in waters that are slightly murky to clear with water temperatures below the sixty degree mark and when the bass are in an inactive mood and in deep cover. The key to fishing with jigs is to make it look alive as much as possible.

Topwaters
These kinds of bait are one of the most productive and exciting baits for bass fishing. Topwaters can sometimes out-fish other techniques. Effective from warm to cool water, topwaters are often used in the early morning, late evening and during the calm before an approaching storm. In general this works best in the late spring, summer and fall.

Crankbaits
Commonly used by professional tournament fishermen, these baits act as "bird dogs" in their search for bass. They have protruding lips that causes them to dive beneath the surface when retrieved. Lures of this type cover large amount of water and very effective when bass are in a depth of 10 to 20 feet.

Crankbaits tend to work more effectively in places where wood or rocks occur, although they are not well suited on vegetation. This type of bait works best as a contact lure such as knocking them of stumps or bumping them against the bottom. This causes the bait to stop and then dart erratically, causing the bass to strike.

These are some of the hardbaits used when going bass fishing.

© 2006 - Copyright BassFishing

bass fishing How to Catch Bass Fish

2006-08-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

Bass fishing is an enthralling sport. Every one will aspire to come out successfully in any sport or game. To be a good angler one should know the information that is discussed below.

Depth of the water

Any water body will have three layers. They are deep layer, middle layer and surface layer. The surface layer will be warmer than the middle layer and the middle layer will be warmer than the deep layer.

Before heading for the bass fishing you need to know the existence of the three layers and should be able to find out the temperature of the three layers. Thermometers can be used effectively to measure the temperature of the different layers of water.

Bass fish prefers comfortable temperature. Hence in hot weather condition the bass fish will remain in the deep layer as it will be cold. During cold weather condition the bass fish will try to remain in the middle or top layer.

Temperature of the water

The metabolism of the bass fish is influenced by temperature of the water. There is no second opinion that bass fish can withstand temperature fluctuations better.

Bass fishing can be done thorough out the year when the temperature of the water is around 70 -75 degree Celsius. The bass fishing is possible even when the temperature is around 32-39 degree Celsius.

When the temperature of the water becomes cold the movement of the bass fish is getting slower. This piece of information will help the anglers immensely to get big booty of bass fish.

Clarity of the water

Bass can survive well in both clear and murky water. Bass fish tries to remain in the deeper water for most of the time. They tend to come to the top layer only for feeding and reproduction.

Male fish remain near the nest and does the protection job. The male bass fish will enter in to the fight with any intruder who comes near the nest with the aim of destroying or eating.

If the water is clear and calm, good deep water bass fishing is possible. If the water is cloudy which means a lot activity in all three layers, the bass fishing will be difficult.

Noise or vibration or other disturbances

Bass fishes are highly sensitive to vibration and noises. Hence you need to keep the place as quite as possible. Any kind of noise will scare away the bass fish. It is better to reach the selected place without much of disturbance to the water and stay put and goes for deep water bass fishing.

Time of the day, effect of sunlight and color or the prey

Experienced anglers feel that dawn and the dusk are the best time for successful bass fishing. The best feeding time for the bass fish is dawn and dusk. The bass can be lured with the live or artificial bait at this time.

The noon time is not at all suited for bass fishing because the bass stop feeding and go deep in the water in search of cooler place.

The bass fish are more attracted by the light colored fast moving prey. you can use light colored bait that moves fast or create vibrations, your chances of making the bass fish to strike and get hooked is bright.

However bass fishing can go on in other times also. The success depends on your strategy in attracting the bass fish to strike and get caught.

Change of season, time and other things

There are various opinions as far as best season for successful bass fishing is concerned. Some feel that fall of season is the best time for bass fishing.

The season is not going to be the same all through the year. There are so many other things like sun light, water movement, speed of water, direction of the flow etc. also change.

There is no fixed time and season for bass fishing. Bass fishing can be done successfully even during severe cold season [ice fishing] provided you also change your strategy and technique in line with the changes in the season climate and other things

The nature and the habitat of the bass fish

Try and know as much as possible about the nature and habitat of the bass fish. This can be achieved by reading the related articles and discussing with the seasoned anglers.

Once you are thorough with the nature and habitat of the fish you can successfully select the place for bass fishing. Once the place is selected thinking in the lines of bass fish will increase you chance of enjoying a successful bass fishing

By Balajee Bashyaam

bass fishing : Are You Taking Bass Fishing Too Seriously?

2006-08-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

With all the tension and stress in life the last thing you need is more stress when bass fishing. If you’re fishing tournaments, going after that big hawg or just bass fishing with friends and have competition between the few of you that fish together, then maybe it’s time for a break.

What kind of break you ask? A break from bass fishing stress! A laughter break! Yes, they say laughter is the best medicine and if you’re uptight every day you just might find out a truer statement has never been spoken.

If you’re bass fishing is no longer relaxing and no fun anymore then back away for a little while and get a cup of coffee and start reading. What are you going to read, why fishing stories, bass fishing jokes and how about a free bass fishing e-book that is hilarious?

Here is just an outtake of the e-book I’m talking about:

Have you ever tried to catch those little minnows that dart all over the place? It’s not easy is it? I mean even with a casting net in a whole herd of them you still don’t get very many for the effort. Well, you’re in luck I have made a plan that makes it a lot easier.

Here is what you do….First, take your wife along for moral support. That is a main step in this technique. Second, go to your local bait store and get a 10 foot casting net.

Ok, now for the technique itself. Go out in your boat and find some minnows on top swimming. You will know there are millions of them below the surface. Then take your boat and start to go around in circles, this will gather them into a smaller size gathering. Keep going around in circles for maybe a half hour letting the group get into a smaller circle each revolution.

Now, once they are in a circle, give your wife the cast net. You take a quarter stick of dynamite and light it but be sure to have your wife with the catch net and ready beforehand. The next step in crucial in timing. The second the dynamite is lit and thrown in the water have your wife spread out the cast net and jump in the water with it and gather all the minnows she can immediately. This is very important because if the minnows are shocked too much and go all the way to the bottom, then you wife might not be able to hold her breath that long to go all the way to the bottom where the minnows are located.

Believe me, I am talking from experience just last week we had to call the emergency squad for her because she came floating back to the top and can you believe it, she didn’t have one damn minnow in that cast net when she finally surfaced. I guess the EMT’s couldn’t believe it either because I heard them say “you’re not going back and do that again, I guess?” I have to agree with them, I mean they couldn’t believe it either she came back up without one minnow in that net.

You do have to show some sympathy for her though so this is what I do. She comes up usually crying and holding her ears. So, I put my hands over my ears too and throw water on my face so when she surfaces she thinks I am in pain and crying too. Then she will start yelling and I will just point to my ears and say “I can’t hear you sweetheart”. Make sure you have some kind of painful look on your face as I assure you she will when she comes up. I got her some ear………..

By Uncle Ike

bass fishing : Effective Bass Fishing Tips

2006-08-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

If you want to be better at bass fishing, then there are some critical factors that you should be aware of. Bass fishing is one of the most popular sports in America, Canada, and many other countries. As a result, the competition is very intense, and to gain a true advantage, you have to know your fish, their habitat, and your equipment inside out.

Bass is treated as a "sports" fish rather than a meal, although its quite healthy and edible. During tournaments, bass are caught and weighed before being thrown back in the water. There's even a holding tank that is used for providing medical treatment to the bass, if needed.

To become successful at bass fishing, there are a variety of things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost, the biology and behavior of the fish are extremely critical factors. Different environments and water temperatures have varying affects on the way that bass behave, influencing your methodology and techniques in different ways.

If you are fishing in very cold or very warm temperatures, then the bass won't be as healthy or plentiful, but at the same time, catching them will be much easier due to their physical weakness. On the other hand, moderate temperatures are prime environments in which bass flourish, giving them the physical strength to fight being caught.

Typically, bass like to hang out in covered, sheltered areas where they can prey on smaller fish. Knowing this piece of information can help you identify areas where bass are present, as well as the types of lures you should be using.

The second critical factor for successful bass fishing, besides the biology and habitat, is your equipments. Your rods, reels, lines and lures will vary depending on the environment, the nature of the particular bass fish, and your skill level.

Expertise in fishing maps and electronic fish finders can give you a distinct advantage over the competition. More often than not, the first couple of spots you decide to fish in might not produce good results. It is very usual for anglers to move around during fishing tournaments, and if you're handy with the map, then you can quickly locate a better fishing spot before the competition can.

A backdoor trick you can use to quickly learn about a particular fishing area is to visit the local angler stores. As fishing enthusiasts, the owners can give you valuable tips and advice that can give you a head-start.

Outside of tournaments, there are many recreational anglers that would love to share their knowledge with you, especially if you make them feel like the "teacher" and portray yourself as the "student". Hobbyists love nothing more than to be proclaimed as experts in their field.

Online, there are a variety of forums, chat-groups, discussion lists, and e-mail newsletters where you can meet anglers world-wide and share ideas. Consider becoming a moderator at a forum so you can always be the first to receive valuable fishing info.

Although this is a basic article, the tips covered can be explored in further depth. Remember, the number one rule of success is to humble yourself and become a student and observer of fishing.

By Areeb Khatib

bass fishing : Fishing Topwater Baits

2006-08-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Bass fishing with topwater baits is without a doubt the most fun you can have fishing for large or smallmouth bass. People watch these bass tournaments on the tube and see all these pros using plastic and spinner baits jigs and crankbaits, forget about the fun and excitement you get with topwater baits. Topwater baits create great action and stories to pass on to family and fishing friends.

Bass fishing with topwater baits is without a doubt the most fun you can have fishing for large or smallmouth bass. People watch these bass tournaments on the tube and see all these pros using plastic and spinner baits jigs and crankbaits, forget about the fun and excitement you get with topwater baits. Topwater baits create great action and stories to pass on to family and fishing friends.

The best time I find for topwater bass fishing is in summer, the colder the water the slower the response, and the more you have to work that bait. Early morning and evening are best for topwater bass fishing.

Of course weather effects your choice of lures also, on a bright sunny day it is better to have a light wind to go with it, a bit of a chop makes the bass less spooky. On a calm sunny day use a heavier lure and lighter line for longer casts. Bass tend to become real spooky in calm and clear water, so the further the cast from you the better off you'll be.

Wind can also change the type of topwater bait you can use I believe that when the wind comes up you should use a smaller bait that makes a lot of noise. The larger baits just plow through the chop, while the smaller baits ride the chop and still make that enticing noise to get the strike you want. Also try to fish through the troughs created by the wind.

Bass fishing topwater baits has some of it's own quirks you want to be able to make pinpoint casts to cover areas and make a clear retrieve. Most of your topwater bass fishing will be done in shallow water over weed beds, flats and around objects and shoreline cover. The majority of bass population remains in shallow water all summer.

To fish bass with topwater baits cast about a foot or two past your target and bring it as close to the cover as possible. If you do not get a strike after the first few feet reel in and try again and make another cast. Fishing cover like this there is no need to reel the bait all the way to the boat. Work the bait slowly to get that strike from the bass that is hiding in the shadows and under cover. Have patience when fishing topwater baits, let the ripples disapear, and let the bait sit a few seconds before you make you retrieve.

When the bass strikes a topwater bait, wait till you feel the fish before you set the hook. If you try to set that hook when you first see the strike you'll miss more than you will catch. I can't count the times that lure has been nocked back towards me by the bass striking that topwater bait.

Now for some of the most popular baits, Poppers are among the oldest of topwater bass fishing lures. They have the dished out face with the line tie in the middle. When retrieved they make a slash noise or "bloop" when popped. Poppers work best in warm, calm, shallow, clear water. You get your action from the rod tip not reeling. The harder you snap the bait the more noise and commotion created.

Stickbaits are rounded, hot-dog shaped lures usually plastic or wood. weighted to float nose up. The only action they have is what the angler ads to make them work. These baits have appeal for big bass, just using the jerk, then real up slack and jerking again produces a good eratic side to side motion that gets lots of attention from bass.

Propbaits are cigar shaped and fitted with propellers on one or both ends. Propbaits can be worked fast or slow, quiet or loud, but stop and go retrieves are best. The bass will let you know what is best so vary your retrieve. Be sure to experiment, propbaits are dynamite around sunken logs, lily pads, and shallow cover. Be sure the blades on the lure run freely,

Wobblers and Crawlers, these baits are particularly best at night or early morning, Examples of these are the Jitterbug or the Crazy Crawler. They make a loud plopping sound when retrieved steadily. Use a steady slow retrieve for the best results with this bass bait.

Buzzbaits are a little like spinnerbaits desingned to be fished on the surface. There are two types, the opposite wire types, with the blade above the hook, and the inline type with everything on one shaft. Excellent for clear water, and pick up less weeds. Again experiment with your working of this bait, twitching and vary speeds to create different noises.

Weedless Spoons are also in this category, designed to be fished in dense cover, either through the thickest weeds, lily pads, or grass. They go through the toughest cover you can find. Fishing with weedless spoons for bass you will want to be using heavy fishing tackle, rods and reels. I like to point my rod tip at the lure on my retrieve, and again here be patient and allow the bass to take the lure.

Now just remember, get out there enjoy nature, fresh air and let's go fishing. When using these tips you will improve your results and of course have more fun.

by Jack Phillips

bass fishing : The Right Technique

2006-08-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

When I was a lot younger about 25 years ago, I was fishing a lake and not having a whole lot of luck. Even so, I was one of those "kids" who knew almost everything about bass fishing since I had already done it for 25 years.

I seen this older gentleman walk up to the shore about 20 feet away and seen he had the exact same lure on that I was using. I kind of chuckled to myself just knowing he wasn't going to catch anything since I didn't and I had been using this lure most of my life. Well, after watching him for about 5 minutes I seen he had caught one. I said to myself "the lucky bum" and didn't think any more about it, just went my way fishing as nothing happened.

Of course, I kept watch on him out of the corner of my eye. Pretty soon he had caught another one to my amazement. Again, I said to myself "what a lucky bum" and kept on fishing knowing he wouldn't catch anymore but keeping an eye on him just the same. Again he caught another bass and then another and then another and I said to myself, "Let’s see how this lucky bum is doing this".

So, I was on my way walking towards him to talk to him. This man was one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I said, "I have fished that lure most of the day and never caught one thing and you have caught all these bass just within a short time, how did you do that?" He said, "Technique!" I said "technique?" He said, "yep, technique". I went on to tell him I had my own technique and that I fished this lure for over 25 years and usually with pretty good results. Well, what he said next about floored me. "He said "you're using it wrong". I thought, "What the hell is he talking about, me using it wrong?". After all I was young and still had 25 years of bass fishing experience. Who was this guy anyway to tell me I was using one of my favorite lure's wrong?

I got looking at this pretty jacket he was wearing, I was in California at the time and I noticed a couple of things about the jacket. The main thing I noticed was this one patch that said "World's Topwater Bass Fishing Champion" among lot of other sponsor patches. I said to myself "Um...maybe, I better listen to this man". I can just say I am glad I did. He taught me what he was doing different, what I had been doing wrong and a technique that I incorporated from his and my technique that I use on almost on all my topwater bass fishing retrieves even to this day.

I was fishing with my son several years ago at a little lake we fish in Ohio. We were using the exact same rod, reel, line and lure and even the same lure color. I had caught about 15 fish and he hadn't even had a strike and we were only standing about 10 feet apart. He said "Why are you catching all the bass and I haven't caught any?" I said, John, you're not holding you mouth right. He said "How are you supposed to hold it?" I said like this and made the worst face I could think of to make.

Several months later he went to California to visit his grandparents and he was fishing in a river for trout there. His grandfather came along and said "John, are you not feeling well?" John said, "No, I'm fine Grandpa". His grandpa said, "We'll John, what is the matter with your face?" John said, "Well, Grandpa, Dad said I had to hold my face like this to catch fish". John's grandpa couldn't wait to go back to the house to tell his grandma who told my wife who told me. The funny part was I had forgot all about the other incident and me telling him to hold his face like that.

So, what do both of these stories have in common? Even though the older gentleman and I was using the same lure, fishing the same water, he was catching bass and I wasn't because he knew the "technique" to use. On the same hand when John and I was fishing, we were both using the same kind of rod, reel, line, and lure and I was catching fish and he wasn't because I knew the "technique" to use in that situation and John didn't.

It's not only important to know what lure to use when you're fishing but you have to know the technique to use with the lure you choose to fish. It can make all the difference in the world between a great bass fishing day and a not so good bad fishing day, to say the least.

By Charles White

bass fishing : Getting Hooked

2006-08-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

For years businesses have rode on the vast interest Bass fishing has generated. Many people are hooked, pardon the pun, on this hobby and have elevated it to a sport and a passion. Resorts, sports gears and lines have been built and many more aspects have benefited from these interest.

Today, there are more and more people trying to learn and find out what the buzz is all about. Bass fishing is more than just catching a fish. Its now about getting those prized big bass and having the opportunity to show it off. For beginners there are lots more to bass fishing that meets the eye.

First, try to know the lures that you must have to enjoy bass fishing.

And do you know what the top 3 lures for catching Bass are? Although there was no particular gauge that was presented by the researchers, a survey was performed among the pro bass fishermen and it was found that plastic worms was the most patronized and ranking on the second and third place were the spinner bait and then the crank bait.

However, picking one of these 3 is not enough. Some factors are still needed to be considered. Primarily, you must consider if it is better to cover a smaller segment of water thoroughly or skim across a larger area as quickly as possible to find fish. Using a worm is slower, but absolutely effective and is very seductive to Bass. They do best when the fish are schooled over a particular structure.

The problem that usually arise with fishing with a worm is the inability to sense strikes. Usually the inability to sense them is due to a sinker that is too heavy and a line that is too thick.

To help you to overcome this predicament you are advised to use a variable buoyancy worm using lead strip sinkers. Here are some of its advantages:

• No moving lead on the line to dampen the feel of a gentle pickup

• You can apply the precise amount of lead to deliver the worm action needed

• It makes it easier for a bass to inhale the worm

• It aids in hook setting

• It's easier to shake loose from snags

• You can cause the worm to hang virtually suspended over the bottom when fishing shallow water.

To tell how much lead strip is needed, wrap one strip around the hook and bury the barb in the worm. Ease it into the water and watch it sink, it should barely settle toward the bottom. If it sinks to fast, take some off, etc. Make sure to use no heavier than 8-pound mono line - preferably 6 pound.

On the other hand, a Spinner bait can be moved more quickly across the surface and can be bounced on the bottom, sent against a tree limb and moved in many different ways in order to stimulate strikes. It is a great probing lure for the shoreline because of its tangle-free construction.

Lastly, Crank baits cover a lot of water in a hurry. Using them, you can check out a spot without wasting too much time. You can use them for locating fish that may be scattered.

The most important thing is, no matter what lure you select for the particular lake that you are fishing on, you need to make it as easy for the Bass to get at it as possible. Drop that lure right in front of them. Scientists have proven that Bass calculate the amount of energy it will take them to go after the prey.

Discover and learn to use one of those lures that you preferred to use for you to really find enjoyment in bass fishing!

Aside from considering the lures, it is also important to determine the accurate time in going for bass fishing.

Dawn and dusk are definitely when the biggest bass can be brought in. First, remember that bass love ambush spots offering lots of cover from the baitfish. They like to hid, and pounce on their prey.

These bait fish are most active in the early morning or evening. When they feed, bass follow because the baitfish is less aware of threats when they feed. Go out fishing during these times for the best success.

When retrieving an underwater lure in poor light, keep it coming at a steady pace once it is set in motion. This will make it easier for bass to locate and grab it.

The last thing is, don't bother going out in the dawn/dusk when water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature wipes out certain aquatics and terrestrials, which nullifies the food chain feeding.

Lures and proper time of going on bass fishing are ample factors only that must be taken into account because other aspects such as water quality considerations and weather conditions are also necessary for you to win the game on bass fishing!

by Mike Long

bass fishing : Fishing Games

2006-08-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

A tranquil lake. The sound of rippling water. Waves lulling you to sleep as they slap against the sides of your small boat. The sound of leaves rustling in some far off distance. The smell of damp earth. A moment later, a sharp tug at the end of the pole is felt. Man then pits his strength and cunning against one of nature's most slippery creatures. Ah, the joys of fishing.

But then, not all people have the time nor the inclination to travel a long way to experience said joys. Fear not. I present to you, computer fishing games!

With the vast technological advancements we are enjoying right now, the world of the computer fishing game has become more fun, more exciting and more challenging.

Change is brought about by the advent of such features such as a wide variety of fishes to choose from, realistic actions and events, cool underwater scenes and beautiful color displays. The player is introduced to lifelike sound effects and an interesting assortment of game equipment.

The appearance of the life like fishing rod used as the game controller revolutionized the scene. With sensors mounted on the ends, the player can actually feel the vibrations and forces acting upon his line as the virtual fishes struggle to break loose from his hook's trap.

Indeed, virtual fishing has come from a long way. From the old DOS discs to the dynamic game consoles we have today, the industry of computer fishing games may have faltered a few times but for now, it's still going strong.

Let's take a look back at the path virtual fishing has taken.

1. Gone Fishing by William Engel
Made by Radio shack in 1977 for the TRS 80 Model I, Gone fishing is the first of its kind.

2. Fishing Derby by David Crane
This game was next as Atari launched the first fishing game with any hint of realism. Using a color display and blocks, the Fishing Derby was played using an Atari Joystick.

3. Fishing by Gakken
LCD/LED was introduced to the scene by Japan. In 1981, Gakken released it's small, electronic, hand held fishing game.

4. Virtual Fishing (1997)
In the middle of the 1990's, computer monitors leveled up. They became bigger, clearer and more colorful. Graphics became more and more realistic and appealing. Fishing games, of course, upped their standards by producing better quality games for the DOS interface.

5. TNN Tournament of Champions
Made for the consoles Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, the TNN Tournament of Champions was made using help from various professional fishermen and manufacturers of tackles.

6. Sega Bass Fishing Duel
With the release of Playstation 2, Sega launched the Sega Bass Fishing Duel last 2002. The use of joysticks heightened the fun as vibrations and shakes were included in the features.

7. Wireless Fishing Games
Using their cell phone, the player can choose of lure and a location anywhere in Japan and try to catch the fishes. A ring or a vibration of his phone would signal a catch.

The arrival of newer and more sophisticated game consoles would probably never end. Thus, the market for games such as fishing games will always be open for developers as the market demands more from them. The evolution of computer games therefore, from the ancient Gone Fishing to high end virtual simulators, will continue and will still be enjoyed by adult and youngsters alike for a long time to come.

By Landreau Donovan

bass fishing : A New World Record Bass

2006-08-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Many people go to Florida to fish for that trophy bass but did you know that 4 other states have a bigger state record than Florida? Not only that but one of the states is said to have produced a new world record. Florida's record bass is 17.27 pounds, but others often cite an uncertified fish of 20.125 pounds (a fisheries biologist did not physically see the fish to certify it). Leaha Trew supposely caught a new world record largemouth in California. It weighed 22 pounds, 8 ounces, beating George Perry's 1932 record catch by 4 ounces. The problem is there was only one picture taken of it and it wasn't certified by a biologist or a California state fish and game offical.

Where is the next world record coming from? Florida, Georgia, Mississippi or Texas? More than likely it will be from California. Gregg Silks has already caught 2 bass over twenty pounds and says he has lost a world record fish of 24 pounds. Who is to argue with him since he knows what 20 pound plus bass look like? 22 of 25 of the largest bass ever recorded has come from California. The next world record bass in my opinion, is going to be from the lakes of San Diego water system. Just look at the stats:

Dixon: 21 pounds 11 ounce bass

Jennings: 18 pounds plus

Murray: 18 pounds plus

Poway: 18 pound 2 ounce

These are just a few of the lakes, all the lakes holds monster bass. Not only that, there are big bass all over California, Leaha Trew caught her bass in Sonoma County. While I am not taking anything away from Florida, as I have lived there and seen many 10 pound plus bass taken from there, California is growing bigger bass and people are catching them. Just check with the water district before you plan a trip as some have restrictions and are closed at certain times.

Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass from California to Florida. In his lifetime, it is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce that hangs on his wall in his office.

Charles has fished with people who have never fished for bass before and taught them how to become successful anglers and also has fished with the Pros in Florida. His website about fishing for bass is at: http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

By Charles White

bass fishing : What Not To Do When Bass Fishing

2006-08-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of the 7 things you should NOT do when out fishing for bass:

1. Don’t have loud music playing. This vibrates through the boat and rather than attracting the fish, it

scares them away. Leave the tunes at home.

2. Don’t go to the middle of the lake and drop your line and expect to catch something… That is a hit and

miss approach.

3. Don’t spend lots of money on expensive baits and lures. The cheaper ones work just fine, you just

have to now how to use them.

4. Don’t give up! Use the techniques in this e-book to help you improve yourself.

5. Don’t forget your life jacket!

6. Don’t cast your rod until you have practiced on dry land a few times.

7. And lastly, don’t forget to have a good time!

So, now that you know what not to do, how about getting out on the water and doing some fishing!!

Have fun, that is the main thing... also, make sure that you take others with you that enjoy fishing... there is nothing worse than having someone with you on the boat, that after 2 hours of fishing, decides they have had enough and want to go in, just when you are on a roll... this happened to me recently and I was not impressed, I felt like chucking them overboard! So, double check with friends and let them know what they are getting in for when you invite them out for a days fishing...

By Kat Beechum

bass fishing : The Big Bass Fishing Secret

2006-08-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

The biggest Bass fishing secret is that there isn't a real Bass fishing secret at all, there is no secret to catching Bass, no more than there is a secret to catching fish of any type.

Having said that there are certain things which you can do to help himself catch more Bass. Perhaps the most important thing is to set out to catch just one kind of Bass, as I'm sure you know there are several different varieties for instance the Small Mouth Bass, the White Bass, the Large Mouth Bass, and many more. Having decided which particular type of Bass you are trying to catch you can then decide on the appropriate bait and tackle.

In this short article I will deal with catching Large Mouth Bass but the principles discussed apply to any type of Bass,the important thing in trying to catch Large Mouth Bass or any other type of Bass for that matter is to know what their natural prey is. The nice thing about the Large Mouth Bass is it will take almost anything that is floating on the water from flies right up to small birds and chicks.

The thing you have to decide is whether you're going to use live bait or artificial, if you decide to use artificial I have found a correctly used jig and pig combination produces very good results but you do have to give it a far try out. With Bass fishing bait local knowledge is very important and even though some fishermen like to keep these things secret it is surprising what you can learn by listening carefully when other fishermen are talking.

The next important thing to decide is where to go fishing for your Bass, in the case of Large Mouth Bass there is a very wide choice, as you will find this fish in both rivers or lakes, they are usually found quite close to shore, hiding under low foliage perhaps or near rocks waiting for suitable prey. If you decide to try the jig and pig bait, it will work well in both these situations.

The Large Mouth Bass can be fished for at most times of the year, but fall does seem to be the best time because the fish are busy building up reserves for winter and so will take any bait they can.

I suppose the true Bass fishing secret is to acquire experience of fishing in your area and to enjoy yourself while you are acquiring that experience.

By Roger Overanout

bass fishing : Learn How to Be a Professional Bass Angler

2006-08-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy fishing, you’ve probably seen at least one fishing show on television. Have you ever thought, “I would love to have that person’s job, fishing all day”? Well, put some more thought into that idea and you could become a professional bass fisherman/woman!

First things first: if you think that all you need is lots of cash to spend on fancy boats and tackle, you’re headed in the wrong direction. Bass fishing is like any sport – it takes dedication, patience, practice, and skill. If you know someone who seems to know what it takes to catch that beautiful bass, go and visit them! Get as much information out of them that you can, and write it down. During your spare time, get out on the water in a boat, a canoe, or a rubber raft, whatever you have, and try out some of the methods or suggestions they gave you.

You can also research bass fishing information on the Internet or at a library. There are many books on the subject, and there are also magazines you can subscribe to. The most important thing is to practice what you read. If you’ve tried ten different lures and none of them work, keep asking around – eventually you will hit on something that really works to lure those fish in!

Are there any fishing competitions in your area of the country? Make sure to take part in them; nothing helps you hone your skill like a little competition. Plus, you never know who might be at a competition – there could be someone from a local television network or outdoors company looking for a person with your skill at reeling in the bass.

Whether you land a job as a professional bass angler or not, you should always like what you’re doing. If you’re trying so hard to be the best angler in the world that you don’t even enjoy fishing, you should take a step back and take the time to enjoy fishing again. With patience, practice and some tips and secrets from other anglers, you’ll be reeling beautiful bass into your boat and feeling glad that you took the time to learn this excellent sport.

By Lorraine Weston

bass fishing : Six Strategies for a Good Day's Fishing: Largemouth Bass

2006-08-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

The beginner fisherman [or woman] will often ply the more experienced with questions on how to land a fish and why everyone else is on fire, and they are not. Some of us prefer to keep our ignorance of the basics hidden. So, with that in mind, I set about learning a few strategies on how to get a Largemouth Bass out of the water and into my catch bucket.

1. Largemouth Bass like plastic worms. Purchase a variety of colours from clear to bright and in varying shades. If they don't seem to be biting on one colour then switch for something lighter, and if they're still not biting, go for a worm darker than your original. Generally, it will depend on the color of the water, time of day and temperature. Look around you too, if other people's lines have also gone cold, or you're alone, it's a good bet that you need to pack up your fishing gear and plan another trip.

2. Look for man-made or natural structures such as jetty pylons, treefall and rock formations. Largemouth Bass also like lots of weed so keep your eye out for a variety of spots and remember where they are.

3. Largemouth Bass like baitfish. Herons like baitfish too. Look out for flocks of birds diving. Quite often where you find one you'll find the other, but try to catch fish, not birds.

4. Shhhhhhh… Largemouth Bass like it quiet. Find an area away from frenzied activity [road or boat traffic, people talking/playing, etc] or fish at dawn before activities begin. Be aware though that some activity can be a bonus as the wake from passing boats can wash out baitfish from their hiding places in the rocks and, therefore, attract the bass right to you.

5. You've found quiet waters with some structure, you've got the best collection of lures in the country, you've varied your times and suited your lures to the water colour and they're still not biting? Take a look at the depth of the water, and another one at your tackle box. Largemouth Bass fishing like deep water and shallow. Keep a variety of deep-diving lures and surface lures handy as well as all the pretty colors.

6. Largemouth Bass are cool and that's the way they like their water too. Fish early in the day if possible. If the sun is high, aim for shaded areas.

To catch a Largemouth Bass Light tackle with fast-retrieving lures is usually the best, and remember, once the fish is landed, the best method of preparation for cooking is to ice immediately. Now all you need to do is hunt down some great recipes and remember all your "the one that got away" stories to share with family and friends.

Happy fishing, and don't forget to take pictures of your soon-to-be prize-winning catches.

By Trish Anderson

bass fishing : Ontario Bass Fishing

2006-08-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Smallmouth bass are found from Ontario’s Great Lakes shoals to scenic, glacial lakes of the Canadian Shield and in thousands of rivers, creeks, and lakes in between. Largemouth are mainly in warmer waterbodies with shallow cover, whether it be weeds and wood or rocky outcrops. In lakes with varied habitat, largemouth territory overlaps with that of smallmouth, making for diverse angling action.
Smallmouth are usually in more open water, where you can use light to medium-action 6- to 7-foot spinning rods and 6- to 10-pound-test lines. Fly-rodders also find these smallmouth eager to take top-water poppers or minnow-shaped streamers when the fish are in relatively shallow water. In summer, deep underwater points, rocky shoals, submerged islands, and weed edges are the places to catch these hard-fighting, tail-walking fish. Soft-plastic twister-tail, tube, and shad jig bodies on 1/8- to 3/8-ounce heads are the most common smallmouth lures. Good jig colours are black, smoke, purple, amber, yellow, and white. Bounce jigs along bottom, while retrieving or drifting with the wind over potential hotspots. One trick is to allow a tube jig to settle on bottom, then release 20 to 40 yards (18 to 36 m) of line. As the boat drifts, nudge the bait along, as you feel for a strike. This technique is particularly useful in clear, deep water for spooky smallmouth. Smallmouth are particularly fond of crayfish, especially soft-shells that have just moulted.

Largemouth bass fishing tactics that work elsewhere are also effective in Ontario. Fishing varies from flip-and-pitch techniques around shallow, matted weeds, docks, and stumps, to exciting top-water action on jerkbaits, poppers, and floating plastic worms. Crawling spinnerbaits or retriev-ing shallow-running crankbaits along sub-merged weed patches also pay off. Bass of both species in deeper water can be taken with diving crankbaits, Carolina-rigged soft-plastic baits, and jigs. Although some southern lakes or rivers are turbid, clear water is normal in Ontario. Baitcasting tackle spooled with 12- to 20-pound line is ideal around heavy cover for largemouth in stained waters. Light spinning tackle, though, is often necessary to fool largemouths in clear water on sunny days. In these conditions, thin, yet strong, braided or fused line and small plastic worms, grubs, or jigs can jump-start the action, while allowing you to handle fish around cover. Live bait is effective for both species. Leeches, minnows, and juicy nightcrawlers rigged beneath a float or with split-shot on the bottom will draw strikes.

http://www.ontariobassfishing.net/

bass fishing : Good sport for juniors and veterans

2006-08-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

ANGLING: The Bathampton junior carp match. Sponsored by Veals Tackle, was a huge success, with 101 carp being caught by the 22 youngsters taking part at Withy Pool.

The ten-hour match, fished in searing heat, was won by 15-year-old Luke Fotherwill, of Bath, with a 15 fish catch weighing 102lb 5oz. He took his fish on legered sweetcorn fished over pellets to take mirrors to 16lb 5oz, which also won the big fish prize.

Fourteen-year old Ben Zanuddin, from Bristol, took second prize with a catch of 12 carp, topped by a 16lb 4oz mirror, totalling 90lb 12oz, taken alternating with legered plastic sweetcorn and shrimp boilies.

continued...
Joe Jones, aged 12 and from Keynsham, was third with nine carp weighing 81lb 7oz, taken alternating with legered boilies and plastic sweetcorn.

Other placings: 4 Dab Jones, Keynsham, 76lb 8oz; 5 Nick Jerome, Keynsham, 72lb 6oz; 6 Olly Andrews, Keynsham, 66lb 15oz.

The Bathampton over 55s-disabled match fished at Withy Pool again produced excellent sport.

Saltford veteran Tom Coulson carried off top prize with a carp catch weighing 89lb 3oz, taken on waggler-fished pellets. Bob Price, from Bristol, was second with a carp catch weighing 72lb 11oz, taken alternating with pole-fished sweetcorn and pellets.

Brian Sheppard, from Bristol, took third prize with a mixed catch of carp and bream weighing 52lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn. He also took the prize for the top silver fish catch weighing 30lb 6oz.
bass fishing
Other placings: 4 Chris Snow, Bristol, 40lb; 5 Pete Powe, Bristol, 39lb; 6 Bob Warren, Oldland, 35lb 4oz.

© Copyright 2001-2006

bass fishing : Fishing Rivers Under Lakes

2006-08-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

Actually, many lakes we fish are not lakes. They're impoundments. Originally, river drainage systems that have been dammed by humanity.

A golden concept that applies to impoundments year-round but especially each spring is this: Fish impoundments as if they still are the original rivers. This means targeting the locations that were active flowing parts of the original river system before being dammed by man.

Even though their banks may have been overflowed and flooded over decades ago, the age-old creek channels and feeders can still be important to the bass. The creeks and gulches and washes and trickles were the oases of life before being flooded by the dam - and may still be the meccas of motherlodes of fish.

Although buried under water now, the riverine environment is still intact under the impoundment, and the bass still use the impoundment as if it still is a river system.

A river system (and hence an impoundment) is a mesh of countless connecting feeder veins and water flows of the following exemplary types which you should learn to recognize and target. Some of the larger constructs can be recognized from far away, and may extend down into the impoundment from far back on the adjacent land. Some of the smaller constructs often have an additional traipse of garnishy greenery on the way down to the shoreline, which is a surefire cue to a few water veins that fish like gold veins.

However, many original river features may be far offshore underwater now, and spottable only on a map (more on maps later).

Here are some of the key river constructs underneath an impoundment:

MAJOR CONFLUENCES. Where two rivers or streams that rarely dry meet (or would have met if they were not flooded under water by man). Confluences can be great summer and fall staging spots for bass.

PERENNIALS. These are more or less steady creeks that never completely dry up or only stop flowing during the very driest spells. These usually have silty flood plain deltas in the back, and may be marshland or flooded brush basins in the back.

NON-PERENNIALS. These are where an intermittent creek or wash, which may have been dry for most of the season, is now underwater. The confluences where non-perennial or lesser side creek would have met a stream or bigger creek - some of these MINOR CONFLUENCES can be great winter or summer deepwater holding areas for bass.

SEASONAL INFLOWS. Places that don't flow year-round but bring water in predominantly during the snow-melt season and/or only during the rainy or monsoon season. Snow-melt is more "systemic" and runs off from deeply-saturated grounds whereas rainy season inflows can often be but are not necessarily shallower surface ground run-offs. In other words, snow versus rain water may not necessarily journey across the same terrain nor enter the impoundment at the same places.

INCIDENTAL INFLOWS. Places that usually do not flow but only convey excess water as a result of heavy downpour or flash flood incidents. These can come from high ground, and may result in temporary waterfalls or spills. The area may be highly dangerous to approach on rainstorm forecast days or during the wet or flood season, but during dry and stable conditions, you may find a sand or sediment delta and washed-in debris deposits at the base. Sure spots for bass fishing.

SEEPS AND SPRINGS. Water squeezed out of rocks or coming out of the ground. Actually, I don't think such water gets wrung right out of the rocks, but squeezed between the thin space between two layers of rocks. Nevertheless, even such innocuous "drip rocks" seem to have enhanced food chains on and about the drips - more terrestrials, insects, moss, algae - and right on up the food chain that ultimately attracts bass.

SHINING SAND OR WET SPOTS. I'd hardly call these any sort of serious water inflow, but still bass have an uncanny affinity for such areas, especially in the spring. Usually, they're a dimple or depression in the back of a bowl or a teacup-type sand flat. They may be the last spot of shoreline to dry after a rain, or the last spot to stay wet as lake water levels decline. A good way to notice them is simply sun reflection shining off wet sand rimming the shoreline - or a darker, damp tongue of dirt impressed on an otherwise drying shore. Upon closer inspection, the spot may reveal an old channel cut either coming out of or bending in close to the shoreline.
I may have lost many readers here with the drip rocks, shining sand and wet spots - but hopefully at least a few of you are nodding wisely about these heretofore undocumented bass hotspots in every impoundment.

Some of these spots, the smaller ones, are only recognizable from a certain angle, and you really do get better at spotting them with experience. Often times, on a steep shoreline, such spots can be more easily seen far up the land mass, and then traced down to where their journey descends into the impoundment

By Russ Bassdozer

bass fishing : Bass Fishing with Tubes

2006-07-30T01:33:00.000-07:00

We all know how effective tubes fished on internal weighted heads can be. The fact is that if you only use them this way, you are seriously hampering the true potential of this bait and its versatility. I’ve discovered, many years ago that fishing a tube in weed choked waters was a great way to catch fish. The problem I encountered was the open hook continuously and unmercifully getting snagged all day long. To combat this, I simply tried to rig the tube on a Texas rig. Ultimately I settled on a brass and glass type rig that has always scored well for me. This rig mixes sexy tubes, scent and sound to form a complete package of bass grabbing attention.

Equipment: 6-6 medium fast action spinning rod. The best rods for this method are high modulus models with a solid backbone. I use a Kistler Helium LTA 6-6 He66MS. This rod provides me with light overall weight and a soft tip but also the brute gorilla strength to yank larger bass towards the boat. Not finesse fishing you say? Well consider that I normally use 8lb line and occasionally drop that down to lighter 6lb Yo Zuri Hybrid. Even in the thickest cover, I’ve gotten by with the lighter lines. You could utilize a 20lb super line like Sea King’s 20/6 or 14/4. These will help slice through vegetation with ease. I prefer a fairly fast ratio reel. For tubing, I go with Shimano, no surprise, Sustain 2500 FD. This reel is as dependable as they come.

Terminal Tackle: My tube rig works best with brass Weenie Weights. I like 1/16 or 1/8 Top Brass Tackle Weenie Weights painted black. The weenie weight is simply a shorter, wider sliding bullet weight that is made of brass. This produces much better sound amplification and is environmentally friendly. For hooks, I use either Sugoi 3/0, 3/0 Owner Rig n hook or a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG. What sets this method apart from standard Texas rigs is that I use a fire polished faceted glass bead. This accomplishes two things. First the bead reflects light and flashes. I truly believe that this is one of the best attributes of the rig. Secondly, the bead and the weenie weight slap back and forth, thus sometimes attracting fish to its location. The fire polished, faceted glass beads are super hard and will not cut your line.

The Tube: The ONLY tube I use is a Wicked Tube by Micro Munch Tackle. This bait is a thick walled hand dipped tube that holds the hook nicely. The double thick wall gives the tube durability and is necessary in the thick cover to prevent tearing. Fish do not hold on to the bait, they eat it. This tube is dipped in a salt impregnated plastic mix and then Kick N Bass scent is added to the plastic before the tubes are molded. This produces a tube that is noticeably stinky.

This tube rigged on a Sugoi 3/0 hook has figured for me in almost every tournament I’ve fished. If you have been paying attention so far, you will notice that this rig employs sight, scent, taste, and sound to tantalize Mr. Bass. If you’ve ever fished with the Wicked Tube you surely have noticed the oil slick the bait produces in the water. Its odor will have every cat in the neighborhood clawing to get in your dry storage box to get at them. I prefer the standard 4” tube but occasionally I will upgrade to the larger El Gordo style tube. This is a quad dipped tube that is extremely durable and adds insane bulk. It is truly different and I think that is why it works well for me, not too many other anglers throw it regularly. Its size alone may intimidate some. I’ve noticed it catches bigger fish as well.

Colors: I prefer the following colors; Green Pumpkin, Black Grape, Water Melon Magic, June Bug, Smoke Purple Flake, Road Kill Camo, and Black Red Flake. I match the glass bead to the bait. Black, Brown, Purple, or Green beads will match all the previously mentioned colors.

Rigging: This rig can be set up just like the traditional Texas rig. Slide the Weenie Weight up the line followed by the glass bead. It isn’t necessary to peg the weight or the bead. Next tie the hook on with a Palomar knot for strength. Bury the hook point about a 1/4 inch dead center in the head of the tube. Pull the hook through the side of the bait until the hook eye enters the tube head. Next pop the hook back into the side and pull the point through, penetrating through the opposite side of the tube (back out again). The tube should be straight. The point of the hook should be exposed and tight to the fleshy side of the tube. The exposed point allows for easier penetration on the hook set. The hook doesn’t have to penetrate the extra plastic in the tube, thus sticks into the fishes’ mouth with minimal effort.

"With this rig I usually notice one of two things: either I feel the bass chewing on the tube, similar to a plastic worm pick up, or I don't feel the bait at all which means a bass has picked it up and is usually moving off with it."

The Presentation

This tube is very effective in 8ft of water or less. Its light weight won’t allow it to be fished effectively beyond that depth. Because it is weedless, it can be fished just about anywhere and if you add a heavier weight, you can surely probe the depths with it. I prefer docks, boathouses, any overhead cover, inlet points, and flats. Of course the rig will work anywhere provided shallow cover can be found. The rig works when skipped under or through cover. This is what sets the rig apart from conventional tube rigs. The tube itself is weightless. When cast the Weenie weight falls away from the bait and slowly drifts to the bottom. The tube flutters to the bottom even slower. Its slow fall is a crucial trait to its success. Standard tube rigs that are internally weighted spiral to the bottom.

They are directly weighted and fall throughout the strike zone faster then the Texas rig. As the weight of the Texas tube rig slides forward, it slowly pulls the bait along. This is the reason I don’t use bait casting gear. Flipping and pitching are not accurate presentations for this rig. I aim to skip my bait past the target so it slowly falls through cover. After I cast to a piece of cover, I try to maintain a tight line because very often the bait is struck just as it enters the water. If I don’t feel a strike, then I may jiggle the rod tip to get the bead and weight to make some noise. I then let the tube fall on controlled slack line and cover the lower column of the water I’m working.

I don’t fish this bait in open water as I would prefer internally rigged tubes for that. I target specific visible cover and try to pick it apart as best as I can despite the “falling away from cover” action the bait has. Getting the bait to skip is the real art of an accurate presentation with this rig. Sometimes I will try to crash bait through cover so it actually passes by my target. This is because a forceful cast won’t allow the weight to create drag on the cast and keeps the bait on target. The bait will pass through the cover and remain in the strike zone longer. You might also be able to feather a skip cast to put the bait right on the target. The 1/16 oz weight won’t pull the bait as much as a heavier size.

Get the brass weight and glass working to produce some sound. I move the rod tip ever so slightly, perhaps only an inch or two at a time. You do not want to over exaggerate your movements. The slight movements are key because you do not want to physically move the bait while you are attempting to make it sound off.

The Bite: Many tube bites simply feel like a mushy wet rag on the end of the line sensation. With this rig I usually notice one of two things: either I feel the bass chewing on the tube, similar to a plastic worm pick up, or I don’t feel the bait at all which means a bass has picked it up and is usually moving off with it. This happens because the tube is weightless and the bass doesn’t feel resistance in the form of an unnatural internal weight. Normally the line will just start moving off. Polarized sunglasses are a must for this technique. It is important with this and most other jig techniques to “weigh the line”. What this means is to learn what the bait feels like in the water. Usually any lighter or heavier sensation is a strike. When I detect a strike I really like to crank the hook home. Even though I tend to use light line and set my drag tight, I rarely break off on a fish. Normally if I hang a monster, I will disengage the anti-reverse and back reel. I use a sweeping set as this allows me to move more line than the standard over the shoulder jig jerk. I’m not exaggerating when I say that fish don’t spit the tube out. They just don’t. They really do eat it.

Seasons

The Texas rig tube excels during the early spring and through early fall. I simply prefer to fish other baits at different times of the year. It is an excellent big fish attractor because it has a thick profile and doesn’t give off many, if any, negative cues. Rigged with a glass bead, it appeals to all bass senses’ and like I stated earlier, “These tubes get eaten”. The combination of salt and scent are hard for any bass to reject.

Gear Breakdown: Texas Tube Fishing Insanity
Rod: Kislter Helium LTA 6-6 M He66MS
Reel: Shimano Sustain FD 2500
Line: Yo Zuri Hybrid 8lb
Hook: Sugoi or Gamakatsu 2/0 or 3/0 EWG
Tube: Micro Munch Tackle Wicked Tube 4”
Terminal: Top Brass Tackle Brass weight and fire polished faceted Glass bead

Alternatives

The Texas rig tube is a very consistent producer. If by chance bass want a different look, there are several alternatives. I’m a big fan of finesse techniques from the West coast. My sleeper tube rig is the same rig, but with the bead pegged 18 inches above the hook. The sinker is still free to slide and a striking fish won’t feel extra weight. This rig can be crept along the bottom similar to a Carolina rig. This is a noisier presentation as the bead and weight are always in contact.

We all know that tubes are very versatile. I have used these tubes to work bass on inside/outside weed lines with amazing consistency the last few seasons. This is one of those great baits that nobody should be without. It can be especially important to guys who do not prefer to throw a jig.

copyright 2005 Micro Munch Tackle No part of this article may be reproduced without the written permission and consent of the author

Craig DeFronzo has written over 300 articles that are bass fishing related within the past decade for several of the top bass fishing web sites and periodicals. He is the author of over 12 books and eBooks on bass fishing and is the creator of Micro Munch Tackle. He started a small bait company based on the belief that unique custom tackle would be more appealing to bass that are continuously bombarded by the same commercial baits every day. Custom baits and lighter tackle have helped him achieve success in competition. For more information on custom handmade baits and more articles and ebooks visit http://micromunchtackle.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_DeFronzo

bass fishing : How To Catch Largemouth Bass

2006-07-30T01:30:00.000-07:00

Six strategies for a good day's bass fishing

(1) Largemouth Bass like plastic worms. Purchase a variety of colours from clear to bright and in varying shades. If fish don't seem to be biting on one colour then switch for something lighter, and if they're still not biting, go for a worm darker than your original. Generally, it depends on the water colour, time of day and temperature.

(2) Largemouth Bass like man-made or natural structure so look for them around jetty pylons, treefall and rock formations. They also like lots of weed so keep your eye out for a variety of spots.

(3) Largemouth Bass like baitfish. Herons like baitfish too. Look out for flocks of birds diving. Quite often where you find one you'll find the other.

(4) Largemouth Bass like it quiet. Fish in areas away from frenzied activity or at dawn before activities begin. Be aware though that some activity can be a bonus as the wake from passing boats can wash out the baitfish from their hiding places in the rocks and, therefore, attract the bass.

(5) Largemouth Bass like deep water and shallow. Keep a variety of deep-diving lures and surface lures in the tacklebox depending on time of day, currents and water temperature.

(6) Largemouth Bass like it cool. Fish early in the day if possible. If the sun is high, aim for shaded areas.

To catch a Largemouth Bass Light tackle with fast-retrieving lures is usually the best, and remember, once the fish is landed, the best method of preparation for cooking is to ice immediately.

To learn more about tips on catching largemouth bass, please visit http://www.catch-largemouth-bass.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Lee

bass fishing : Planning a Peacock Bass Fishing Trip

2006-07-30T01:28:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to a tropical country? Do you love to fish? Then start planning a trip to the Amazon to catch peacock bass. Sure, peacock bass can be caught off the coast of Florida, but the real adventure is in the jungles of South America. There are many companies that offer peacock bass fishing charters, so the only work you have to do is choose which charter you would like to take!

If you are up for a challenge and a real prize, the peacock bass is the fish you want to catch. This bass is a fighter, so be prepared for a battle. If you win, you will have a great prize: a beautiful fish to photograph or to keep and mount on your wall. The peacock bass, which comes in varieties such as butterfly, black barred, royal peacock, and speckled, grows to be a huge fish, with the world record catch weighing in at twenty-seven pounds!

When fishing in the Amazon, you will be amazed at all the wildlife you will see around you. The country is beautiful, but wild, so be sure to think of your safety at all times. Listen to any advice your guide gives you, and don’t risk injuring yourself just to catch a fish or get a photograph.

Speaking of photographs, don’t forget to bring your camera and lots of film; bring a video camera if you have one, too. If you come well prepared, you will be sure to have lots of photos and video to show your friends and family once you are back home. This will be the trip of a lifetime and you don’t want to forget any details.

In case you are thinking, “What if I go all that way and don’t catch anything?” peacock bass are known to be territorial. This makes it easy for fishermen and guides, because once a good fishing spot is found, you can pretty much guarantee that there will always be peacock bass in that spot.

The peacock bass is a fisherman’s dream: easy to locate, a challenge to land, and a showy trophy to bring home. Start dreaming about catching one for yourself!

For information on peacock bass, visit http://fishing.activitiessite.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorraine_Weston

Revealed Bass Fishing Secrets

2006-07-27T02:01:00.000-07:00

Why is it that so many fishermen are so secretive? Whether they’re bass fisherman, fly fisherman, or trout fisherman, it’s always the same, they’re just keeping all the secrets between them and they’re friends. They very rarely reveal any of their little dirty fishing secrets to anyone else. For years, I was literally out on my little aluminum boat probably developing skin cancer from being out on the lake so long and not catching anything except one fish if I were lucky.

Fishing isn’t easy! At least that’s what I thought during all my fishing trips the past ten or so years. Only recently did I discover I was doing just about everything wrong. About a year ago I came across a fellow who knew just about every bass fishing secret there was in the book. He was a true pro to bass fishing.

I met this fellow while cruising around my favorite fishing lake in Florida. We noticed each other when we saw we had almost identical Alumacraft boats. We had the same red stripe on the side and everything. What a day it was. It was a day which took my little fishing hobby to a whole new level.

Besides trading stories about our little boats, we talked about bass fishing, and how the lake we were on was easy to fish on. There are bass fish just about everywhere in this lake. Shockingly, he told me that the lake we were on had only small amounts of large bass. He only fished here for catching and releasing fish when he wasn’t out competing in and winning fishing tournaments. I was in shock. I didn’t even want to believe what he was saying! Was I really fishing in the darn lake catching small fish? I thought a five pound bass was a great size for dinner for me and my wife! Okay, so he was only joking. He then told me that during this specific time of day was when there were only smaller fish out and about. The bigger fish come out when… oh, wait it’s a secret!

Anyway, meeting this pro was a life changing event. For the wrest of the day on the lake he revealed secret after secret to me. This guy happened to have just about every type of fishing lure you could imagine. I had quiet a collection myself. The weird thing was that he only used about three types of lures, in only a few different colors. These were specifically for bass fishing. This guy really had it down. He had been catching so many fish in his free time he already had found his own secret lures that were guaranteed to catch a bass. These were lures you could buy at any fishing shop, nothing that wasn’t available to the public. By Aaron Brandon

Basic Information For Bass Fishing

2006-07-26T22:52:00.000-07:00

Since three-forth of the world is composed of bodies of water, it’s natural that a great number of people rely on fishing for their livelyhood or just for their recreation needs. There are numerous of fish species swimming under the lakes, seas, ponds, and rivers. Most anglers consider fishing as the delight in their purpose-driven life, a sport, as they say.

Bass fishing, at present, is considered as America’s number one freshwater sport, its industry is in fact seventy percent higher in growth compared to other types of fishing activities. Bass is a fish that belongs to the Serranidae family or sea basses and the Centrarchidae or the black basses. This family of perchlike fishes are large and oblong with compressed bodies that dwell in warm and temperate seas throughout the world.

Along the Atlantic coast, black or common sea basses a sluggish bottom fish are found. Its size averages 6 pounds or 2.7 kilograms in weight and 18 inches or 45 centimetres in length. The Pacific Sea basses, on the other hand, are giant fishes with bulky characteristics that reach a weight of 600 pounds or 270 kilograms and a length of 7 feet or 2.1 metres.

There are two things that should be considered in bass fishing, which are, the bass location on the lake or river and bass catching using different techniques, presentations and baits.

In locating bass dwellings, there are lots of different factors that have to be determined like map-reading, how to locate active bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods, understanding water depth, water clarity, temperatures, seasonal patterns, locating structure areas and finding their vegetation areas.

In map reading, there are two general types of lake maps that most anglers use. These are the Hot Spot maps that show more fishing spots and the Topographical map which shows more details. Experiment first by taking it on shore and looking for areas where fish are most likely be. The next step would be familiarization.

In locating bass one element that should be considered is the vegetation or the area where they eat, breath and cover themselves. In other words, it is where they could be found to congregate. If there is no vegetation, other elements like irregular contours, shallow water close to deep-water areas, points and point drops and other types of structure can require alternative techniques.

The rest of the necessities are the selection of a few crankbaits. One needs a shallow diver and a deep diver but two colors of each are fine. A natural looking crankbait, one that resembles baitfish and a shocker bright one should be selected. These represent the two extremes, nonetheless are very effective.

The most successful method of catching bass is the crankbait. The throwing and retrieving method can be done with varying speed and its depth can be determined by the speed of the reeling and by the pole.

Bass love colorful lures and they seem to hit them more often. When fishing with these lures, one should always try to make them look good in the water and make the bass come after them. This can be done by making them swim as realistically as possible.

Bumping these lures against objects in the water attracts fish, but the chance of getting the lure stuck might be a risk you don't want to take.

A worm, on the other hand, is a good lure and represents the most edible and tasty meal. Even plastic worms will do.

Before competitions became a part of it, bass fishing was reserved for seasoned anglers and did get much media coverage. It was a recreation mostly practiced in the springtime and mostly early in the mornings and late in the afternoons all over the globe. Now, it has grown tremendously in every way, from the effort to gain knowledge to the technology to the equipment used to get the best results. By Alison Symons

9 Tips For Better Bass Fishing

2006-07-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

9 Tips For Better Bass Fishing

Whether you are on a new lake, or on one that you call home, the main purpose is to locate and catch as many fish as possible. Each body of water has an endless supply of different forms of structure and cover in a variety of depths and water conditions. You can use many types of fishing equipments to be able to get a lot of fish in a proper and legal way, so we need to take good care of our equipments used for catching fish.

Here are some bass fishing equipment tips to be remembered:

• Keeping your feet dry. Seal skin sox, a waterproof pair of shoe that can be worn in any shoe. It will help you a lot in putting your boat in a low lake that calls for a need for you to step in the water too push off, by doing this your feet will be dry all day.

• Keeping your rods good as new. It is nice to look at, especially when you always keep your rod clean. Just use a simple prep pad in cleaning the cork handles on the rod. If the cork of your fishing rods is very untidy then it makes your rods look like hundred years older than it really is. Take a very light grade sand paper and sand the cork handles, you will find out that all the dirt will go away leaving you with a brand new looking fishing rod. Plus it will make your rod last longer.

• Hi- tech basin. Handheld computer and organizers such as the palm pilot can be very helpful to the bass angler. You may be able to log conditions, creating your own checklist to avoid forgetting stuffs, and store the numbers of your new friends you’ve met along the way. You can also download map for your destinations and when you reach home you can easily access all the information to your home computer for future purposes.

• Being prepared. Always carry equipment and parts in the boat just in case some failures or problems occur.

• Batteries. Always check if you have a good connection. Take care of your battery. Always bring a spare for emergency purposes.

• Being organized. Instead of using a plastic filing box, and some hanging folders why don’t you just make an article and label them with general bass angling headings and file your articles as you finish them. Subscribing to a lot of fishing magazines and reading a lot of good articles will be able to help you for your future reference. You can put up a mini library that’s all about bass fishing.

• Boat bearings. Many anglers forget to check their wheel bearings on their boat trailers. Every spring when you get your boat out of storage, always have your bearings checked. This could save you from a serious accident with your boat

• Rod basic. The most accurate casting is accomplished when bait casting equipment is cast overhand. Bait casting gear is extremely well suited for "targeted" fishing. On some occasions placing a lure under a boat dock, under over lying limbs or between pontoon boats may be necessary. In this situation skipping a lure is ideal. A spinning outfit is perfect for this chore. Be versatile and be able to use both types of equipment.

• Graphite rods. The biggest killer of graphite rods is impact against a hard object. It may not break in that spot the day it happens but there will be a weak spot at that point. Keep this in mind when stowing rods for travel. If you are keeping them on the deck, strap them flush against the deck so that the parts of the deck aren’t rapping against it during travel.

If you are storing them in a locker, do the same or put them in a horizontal holding system, where they won’t hit the side or floor of the locker. If you are the non boater and your partner doesn’t have room in his locker, try to find the spot that minimizes the repeated bouncing they will take if they are laid over the gunwale. If you have to, lay them over your leg when running the big engine. It's never fun to set the hook on a good fish and end up with a three piece rod.
By Tony Newton