Beneath the surface of summer bass
Written by drbob on August 7, 2011 – 7:39 pm -As seen in the July/August issue of Bassmaster Magazine In summer, moving water and bass go together. If you can find moving water, you’re well on your way to finding and catching bass. By Glen Lau as told to Ken Duke Aug 5, 2011 More than any other season, summer has its good and bad sides. For the good side, summer is the most predictable of all the seasons, and bass patterns are the most stable. On the bad side, bass can become lethargic and difficult to catch at times. The best thing you can do is spend lots of time on the water and tune in to what the fish are doing and, just as importantly, when they’re doing it. After the spawn, individual bass establish themselves in one of two groups: ambush feeders or schoolers. Ambush feeders... more
Posted in Bass Fishing | No Comments »
Spring Jigging Tactics for Bass
Written by drbob on May 28, 2011 – 9:28 am -By Scott M. Petersen When you are talking about springtime jig tactics for bass, for many of us in the Midwest this is what kicks off the new bass season. Bass that have spent the winter months under hard water are now starting to make their ways into the shallows first to eat and build up energy then second to get ready for the upcoming spawn. Knowing that the bass are on the move what are you fishing for springtime bass? If I was limited to just one choice of lures when it comes to the spring bass bite, my choice would have to be a jig and pig combo. In fact to narrow it down even more, I would pick an Outkast RT Jig tipped with a few different plastics as a trailer. As bass start their ways into the shallows they will make a few stops on... more
Tags: bass fishing
Posted in Bass Fishing, Fishing Tips | No Comments »
Fish Tournament Will Lure National Exposure to Lauderdale County, AL
Written by drbob on March 19, 2011 – 2:18 pm -Florence/Lauderdale Tourism is reeling in a big one this year with seven major bass fish tournaments coming to the area. "Bass fishing is really exciting," said Beth Agee with the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism. Just as exciting is the collective collaboration that's going into putting the Northwest Alabama area, in the national spotlight. And now through the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, there's also support from the entire UNA fishing team and pro-anglers like Lauderdale County native Jonathan Newton--who's proud to show off the Shoals. "This area is what taught us to do what we do," said Newton. "Everything we have to offer here for people to come here and see it." The tourism department is hoping to see and feel the financial impact from this... more
Posted in Bass Fishing, Events, Tournaments | No Comments »
Use Crankbaits to Catch Pre-Spawn Bass
Written by drbob on February 11, 2011 – 3:47 pm -by Mark Hicks. When water temperatures range from about 40 to 55 degrees, bass will snatch a speeding shallow-running crankbait, yet ignore just about anything else retrieved at the same pace. These crankbaits let you quickly probe lots of water to locate largemouths that have moved from deep winter haunts to shallow prespawn staging cover, including submerged wood, rocky banks, and early-season grassbeds. This illustrated guide tells you how to choose the right shallow-running crankbait for each type of cover and how to make it irresistible to the spring lunkers lurking there. All you have to do is follow the instructions and keep the net handy. KNOCK ON WOOD SHALLOW WOOD COVER, especially if it's close to the deeper water of a creek channel... more
Tags: bass fishing, crankbaits for bass
Posted in Bass Fishing, Tips | No Comments »
Best Crankbaits for Spring Bass
Written by drbob on February 11, 2011 – 2:34 pm -by Mark Hicks SEASON AND LOCATION KEY •EARLY SPRING Water Temperature: 40°—55° Time of Year: February—March in the South; March—April in the North •SPRING Water Temperature: 55°—70° Time of Year: March—April in the South; April—May in the North 1. POINTS Fan your casts to the points of creek mouths on the main lake and points within the first one-quarter of creek arms with the Rapala SR7 Shad Rap in silver and the Cordell Grappler Shad in pearl cisco. The Shad Rap has a subtle, yet lively, action. You may have to use spinning tackle to cast this lightweight balsa bait, but it's worth the hassle. The plastic Grappler Shad has a similar action, casts better for distance, and (unlike the Shad Rap) has rattles, which could help... more
Tags: crankbaits for bass
Posted in Bass Fishing, Tips | No Comments »
Bass Fishing in Texas Tips
Written by drbob on November 24, 2010 – 7:00 pm -by Larry Anderson, Demand Media Bass are one of the most frequently targeted fish species in the United States, and Texas is among the most popular bass-fishing destinations. That is for good reason. Anglers in that state can catch many bass during a day-long outing, and the potential exists for them to tie into an exceptionally large bass--one that weighs more than 10 or 12 lb. Consider the CoverBass in Texas often are around some kind of cover, whether that is vegetation like hydrilla, timber that has fallen or is standing in the water, or boat docks. On sunny days when there is little wind, the bass seek the shade that is created by such cover. As a result, under sunny skies it is best to fish very near or in cover. Pitching or flipping a... more
Tags: bass fishing
Posted in Bass Fishing | No Comments »
Bass Boat Fishing Tips
Written by drbob on November 24, 2010 – 6:57 pm -by Isaiah David, Demand Media Bass boat fishing is a much different activity than the slow, patient, methodical game of shore fishing. A bass boat fisherman can quickly cover a whole shoreline, offshore structures and other likely bass hideouts, using just a few casts to try out each one. By scouring the lake for strikes, a bass boat angler can quickly find the best structures and then drift or anchor at the perfect spot. • Bass Boat Safety Be a safe and considerate boater to ensure that you and your passengers enjoy your boating trip. When you are on the water, motor slowly and carefully, giving other boaters plenty of room. Be especially cautious in no wake zones and areas where other anglers are casting. Store all tackle, clothing and other... more
Tags: bass fishing
Posted in Bass Fishing | No Comments »
Big bass, big event on Lake Murray Saturday
Written by drbob on September 28, 2010 – 9:02 pm -By JOHN DEVLIN - Special to The State Lake Murray event will have $18,000 in prizes for amateurs Columbia-based Pure Fishing Inc. has been putting on well-received tournaments for years in places such as California and Texas. The company now is running an event locally, with the inaugural Berkeley Big Bass Challenge set for Saturday at Dreher Island State Park on Lake Murray. BIG BASS CHALLENGE WHEN: 6 a.m. launch Saturday WHERE: Dreher Island State Park, Lake Murray WHAT: Six one-hour competitions where anglers weigh in their biggest fish with more than $18,000 in cash and prizes awarded. “We’ve had our corporate world headquarters in Columbia for more than a year now, and we feel like it’s time... more
Tags: bass tournament, Events
Posted in Bass Fishing, Events | No Comments »
Late-Summer Bass Fishing Tips
Written by drbob on September 5, 2010 – 2:10 pm -Late-Summer Bass Fishing Tips: Where and How to Catch Largemouths by Steve Price When it comes to summer fishing, pros pay attention to vegetation, bridges, and current By late summer, bass fishing is not for the faint of heart. Largemouths are often deep and lethargic, and they’re also frequently starting to relocate and suspend at middepth ranges as forage begins to move. This is when professional anglers start following the ABCs of summer fishing. • “The ABCs stand for aquatic vegetation, bridges, and current, three shortcuts to finding fish,” says veteran tournament pro and Lake Fork guide James Niggemeyer. “In summer, bass need shade, cover, oxygen, and food, and the ABCs always provide that. In addition, aquatic vegetation and... more
Tags: bass fishing, fall bass fishing
Posted in Bass Fishing, Tips | 1 Comment »
Fall Bass Fishing: Enjoying The Fall Outdoors
Written by drbob on September 5, 2010 – 1:22 pm -By: Jack Mitchell The great outdoors, its natural splendor beckons mans natural instincts. As men have grown accustomed to living in high rises and suburban haven, they could not still shrug off the call of the wilds. Man has started off as natural hunters even with the convenience of department stores and groceries, there is still nothing quite like the natural high of catching your own food. From necessity, fishing has evolved into a sport, now hordes of fishermen are now sportsmen because of these and bass fishing is one of the greatest challenges this sport offers. Just try to look at its development and you will really see the diversity. Before, fish is only considered as part of our everyday needs, but as time goes by it was later transformed... more
Tags: bass fishing, fall bass fishing
Posted in Bass Fishing | No Comments »