Summer patterns that really work
July 2010
Summer brings on unique fishing challenges — increased boat traffic, oxygen-level problems and just plain hot temperatures. It can be uncomfortable to be out there, but we are bass fishermen, so we take it, trying to catch just one more. The thrill of the bite and the anticipation keeps us casting. There are many ways to catch bass in the summer, and three of the best are topwater baits, big worms and flipping.
Covering water is key to finding fish
May 2010
I just returned from a marathon trip across the country to California to fish back-to-back Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments. One was on the California Delta and one on Clear Lake. I finished eighth at the Delta and 85th at Clear Lake — Ouch! I learned a great deal from both events and reaffirmed what I’ve always known — but sometimes don’t do.
What are hot baits for bass in March?
February 2010
Nothing gets you fired up like the anticipation of bass fishing in March. There is no better opportunity to get on lots of giant pre-spawners and catch them on a variety of lures.
Start the year off with a January bass
January 2010
Are you the kind of angler who wants to catch the first bass of the year? Or at least be the first to catch one among your buddies.
How to survive a tough tournament
November 2009
Nothing is more mentally challenging than fishing a tournament when fish and bites are just plain hard to come by and it doesn’t take much weight to win. You just can’t get enough bites in an area or on a certain bait to gain any confidence. Worrying about what to throw and where to go can take a lot out of you.
A clean boat means bass
September 2009
Most bass fishermen have fiberglass boats that can be torn up by virtually anything they touch. Rocks, trees, stumps and docks all tend to put a few scratches on our boats every year. I have found several things that help.
In August, grass can mean bass
August 2009
If you’re not a structure fisherman, this article is for you. The ability to catch bass in August can be as simple as finding the green grass.
Staying one step ahead can be great
June 2009
Fishermen are so good these days, it’s harder every year to stay competitive. One thing I always look for especially in tournaments, is where the fish are going to go — not where are they now, but where will they be a few days from now. Being the first to discover a pattern is like having the lake to yourself.
Special tactics are needed for giants
May 2009
I must confess, I’m addicted to trying to catch the biggest fish in the pond — the “Giant.” In 2003, I went to California for a couple of Bassmaster events, and what I brought back was troubling to my bank account but effective on giant bass — big swimbaits.
Will any rod do? Not necessarily
March 2009
For a bass fisherman, the right rod and reel is as important as the correct lure or line. Personal preference is involved, but there are some general rules to follow when selecting the best equipment for the job at hand.
Fish Like A Pro
February 2009
There’s no disputing who is the best crankbait fisherman in the world — fellow Sportsman columnist and professional fisherman David Fritts.