with howard hughes The Deep - Summer STrucTure

Issue 3, JuNe 2012

Summer LargeMouths a Crazy Kind Post sPawn of fishing to Summer Fishing at Lake Mead “KISS TRADITIONAL SONAR GOODBYE!”

“ After just one day on the water, I’m convinced. DownScan Imaging goes way beyond traditional sonar! When you see a tree, it truly looks like a tree. You can actually see the limbs and the fish suspended in them! You gotta see it to believe it.” – Bill Dance, Host of Bill Dance Outdoors

GO BEYOND SONAR.™

Elite-5 DSI Elite-5x DSI Mark-5x DSI editorial

By Wayne Wasulko

The warm summer months are upon us and so are all the things that this time of year brings. The largest ever Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge on the Calif.D elta just wrapped up and WesternBass.com was happy to try out our new “in-post” video capability at the event. It is our goal to bring more of these instant videos to our site users. WesternBass also underwent a server change to offer our users a bigger bandwidth and increased page load speed. I hope you are enjoying these new features - there is much more to come. Ahead of us, we have one of the other highly-anticipated West Coast events - the Snag Proof Open as well as the world’s largest sportfishing trade showI CAST 2012. WesternBass will travel to the East Coast and return with some of the industry’s newest information. I look forward to the future possibilities of WesternBass and hope you are enjoying the ride as much as I am.

Great fishing! Wayne

EDITORIAL STAFF ADVERTISING 3 Publisher - Wayne Wasulko Sales/Marketing Manager - John Caulfield Content Editor - Jody Only (916) 417-7127 . [email protected] ue

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS/ VIDEOGRAPHERS

2, Iss David Brown, Ken Sauret, Russ Meyer, Jim Novotny, Randy Pringle, ADMINISTRATION e Jen Edgar, Jody Only, Marc Marcantonio, Dan O’Sullivan, Publisher - Wayne Wasulko

m Mike Folkestad, Tami Curtis, Zack Thompson,T yler Brinks (916) 782-9540 . [email protected] u EDITORIAL CONTACT WesternBass.Com® Magazine WesternBass.Com® Magazine P.O. Box 1278 Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2012 Citrus Heights, CA 95610 (916) 782-9540 This is a FREE publication to all internet users. Copyright © 2012 WesternBass.Com® Magazine. Submission requirements: All rights reserved. Unsolicited manuscripts, accepted and, if not used, returned. Unsolicited email Manufactured and presented in and from the United attachments will be deleted without opening. Please submit query letters States of America for all bass anglers worldwide. detailing story ideas. Reader-submitted letters and photos may be published

JUNE 2012 • Vol without notification, and all rights retained by WesternBass.Com Magazine.

Issue 3  June 2012 3

contents

issue #3 JUNE 2012

DELTA FROGGIN’ action abounds giving back with amphibian actors by Dan O’Sullivan 6 by David A. Brown 34 post spawn to summer a look at Lake Lopez fishing at lake mead 8 by Ken Sauret 37 by Mike Folkestad a Crazy kind of fishing summertime success by Russ Meyer on every lake 12 40 by Tami Curtis

maximizing your pre fish the inevitable by Jim Novotny adjustment! 16 42 by Zack Thompson topping off with topwater an introduction to double g is shootin’ for 20 topwater baits the shallow bass by Randy Pringle 46 by Jody Only

college fishing 101 on the boat with by Jen Edgar chris zaldain 24 50 by Tyler Brinks ughes howard h Fishing with TrucTure deep summer structure The Deep - Summer S 2012 Issue 3, JuNe fishing with howard hughes 28 by Jody Only On the Cover: “Double G” Greg Gutierrez reels in a Summer Largemouth pair of Delta giants Tactics in the Pacific from shallow water. 32 Northwest by Marc Marcantonio Photo by Jody Only SummerMouths Large Post sPawn a Crazy Kind to Summer Fishing at Lake Mead of fishing Issue 3  June 2012 5 delta Froggin’ By DAVID A. BROWN

DELTAaction abounds withFROGGIN’ amphibian actors

tule berm anchored in years of peat moss mostly aggressive strikes intended to kill that which accumulation, a dense mat of tangled has shattered the fish’s cherished solitude. However, weeds, a weathered laydown – each as California frog pro Ish Monroe points out, the frog forms a solid fortress for Calif. Delta bass. also represents a protein-packed meal for prespawn ALike castles of old, these piscatorial strongholds fish looking to pack on the poundage. contain numerous passageways, nooks and secret chambers – all guarded by largemouth that get re- That said, you’ll want to keep the amphibian ally offended by intruders like a hollow body frog. imposter handy when working the shallows for bed Bold, audacious and capable of holding directly fish.A mid the flipping, pitching and dropshotting for overhead in a weedless, yet those cranky mamas, running the frog across the emotionally entangling posture maternity ward often does the trick. Amazing Delta of defiance, the frog really flips frog action extends well past the spring spawn period the kill switch on the big green and Ken Mah, of Elk Grove, Calif. recently shared his beasts roaming this central thoughts on drawing those show-stopping strikes. drainage. Indeed, these are

Delta frogging pro Ken Mah likes to target big-fish spots where he can keep his bait in open water, but near promising cover. Photo Credit: David A. Brown

6 Favoring a Spro Bronzeye (standard and Poppin versions), Mah sticks with simple colors like black, natural green and white. He keeps his frog in constant danger by targeting what he calls “big fish spots.” “I spend about 75- to 85-percent of the time throwing the frog in and around open water situations; but I like for my frog to be near some piece of cover – big wood, tule clumps, mats, lay downs etc.,” he said. “I keep my 200E7 spooled percentages high by targeting specific with 65-pound Super pieces of cover/structure. I rarely just go down Slick in Timber Brown. He said a rod with a bank throwing a frog unless it holds the proper type a soft tip is essential for getting the frog to walk back of cover/structure.” and forth like a topwater . Balancing this flexibility “I also like to spend the majority of my frogging is plenty of backbone to pull a big fish from heavy around hard banks. This means thatI have an idea of cover. where the fish are going to position themselves.I try to avoid large expansive mats of grass and tule berms.” Frog Enhancement

Mah said he finds the Delta frog bite heating up Relying on a frog’s inherent bass-angering traits in mid to late April. He has caught some of his biggest will get you plenty of strikes, but maximum effect bass on frogs earlier, but doesn’t usually expect to often hinges on a few bait enhancement tricks. First, catch many in the early spring. For someone that Monroe suggests upping the bait’s audible appeal wants to come to the Delta and catch numbers and by shoving worm rattles into the leg holes. Monroe quality, Mah suggests planning a trip between May enhances his namesake Snag Proof PHAT Frog by and November. crushing the interior rattle chambers. Multiple pieces all clanking, clicking and rattling in unison can draw fish charging through the thickest of mats. Mah describes his ideal Delta Scent gels and waxes make frogs more appealing frogging conditions as: at close range and for those big black eyeballs, Delta 1) Low minus tide sometime in the legend Bobby Barrack uses permanent markers to early afternoon add various stripes, dots and other markings to play up his frog’s visual attraction. To make sure he catches 2) two-three days of warm, stable whatever bites – even those double-digit giants that weather prior to his fishing day don’t play nice – Barrack lashes the twin shanks of his 3) light or no wind. In such scenarios, frog hooks together with braided line. he finds the frog equally effective as a search tool and a primary bait. Ultimately, Mah said it’s important to approach frogging with the right perspective. This is a high- reward bait, he notes, but you have to invest well to “I’ve had events where I wanted to locate fish, but reap the rewards. not catch them in practice,” he said. “You can usually “I consider eight to 12 bites on a frog a good frog tell how big a fish is when they come to the surface bite,” Mah said. “More than 12 and it’s exceptional to eat a frog. Then it’s a bait thatI can pull away from in my book. I have had days where I’ve caught 25+ them or bend the hooks in. It is absolutely a bait that fish on a frog and my best five will push 30-pounds, someone can win a tournament on.” however those days are far and few between. It’s Of course, doing so requires the right gear and also a bait that you need to throw for a considerable let’s just say that frogging demands gear with an amount of time. Thirty minutes to an hour during attitude. Mah throws his frog on a 7-foot, 5-inch the day is not enough. Keep colors simple, if you GLoomis BCFR 893 with a 7:1 Shimano Chronarch put it in the right spot it usually doesn’t matter that much.” Issue 3  June 2012 7 lake lopez Story & Photos By Ken Sauret a look at Lake Lopez drinking water reservoir in San Luis brings with it the consistency of predictable weather Obispo County, Lopez Lake is local favor- and fish movement patterns. ite with nearly 22-miles of shoreline. Lo- TheL ake’s proximity to the PacificO cean means cated approx. 10-miles from the coastal the afternoon breezes will be blowing almost every Acity of Arroyo Grande, the lake is home to healthy day and the influence of the coastal area keeps populations of largemouth and in afternoon temperatures moderated throughout the the lake along with a variety of and catfish year. into the 20-lb range. There have been trout plants You will experience cooler afternoons in the in the past; but those have been halted due to some summer and warmer temps in the winter compared conflict with a “native species”. to the inland lakes like Santa Margarita, Nacimiento As we take a look at Lopez for the current season, and San Antonio. we should note the warmer, summer conditions

8 The only launch ramp is located in the PozoA rm movement of bass into the shallow areas of the lake of the lake. The area is 5-mph and the bridge pilings of to spawn takes place. Huasna Road almost always hold fish. I’ve seen bass on beds in February as days get A right turn, heading west from the ramp you will longer even when the water is in the mid ‘50s. Water find the WittenbergA rm on your right and the main temperature obviously influences spawning activity; lake to the left. Wittenberg has big underwater flats but don’t overlook the hours of daylight needed as a on each side of the creek channel. Submerged brush trigger to the spawn also. is the dominant structure on the flats. With spring comes some of the predictable movements of the bass. The month of March and into Heading out of the Wittenberg Arm toward the April you will find prespawn bass, spawning bass and main lake, you will find my favorite places to fish - the post spawn bass. main lake points. These points hold big largemouth Depending on which area of the lake you are year round. I have cashed many checks throwing YUM fishing you will find yourself fishing for bass in Money Minnows on jig heads on the steep, rocky one of these cycles. You may need to adjust your points of the main lake. presentation to match the cycle that most of the Continuing west past the dam, you will find the bass are in. Lopez Arm. There are a few small coves where small Speaking from experience, my daughter, Kenna feeder creeks come into the lake. The shale rock and I fished a team tournament inL opez in March banks hold an abundance of crawdads and bass can of this year. We prefished the weekend before the be found foraging there in the early morning hours tournament and found it difficult to get many bites. during summer. The few we did get were obviously small buck bass, roaming the shallow areas, looking for a place to make Typical seasonal patterns can be found here a spawning bed. like on any other lake in Calif. Crankbaits, , With this being the case, I told Kenna that we jigs, dart heads, drop rigs and every other would have to change from reaction baits to slower technique have their place. finesse techniques a little further outside of these Fall on Lopez is the typical transition period not shallow, shoreline stretches. We weren’t able to get unlike what you may experience on your local lake. any good bites during the final hours of that practice The crankbait bite is very reliable onL opez Lake and a day; but I was convinced that the next Saturday would great way to find active bass.O nce you find where the find us concentrating on the outside points leading bass are, you can change up your presentation, if you into the spawning areas. aren’t getting those bigger bites. I usually go to a jig. Either a YUM Gonzo Grub or Tournament day came and we were the last a Booyah skirted jig with a YUM F2 Wooly Bullee for boat to take off. With so many fishermen ahead of us a trailer. The kicking action of the legs on the Wooly as we headed to the Wittenberg arm hoping to find an Bullee can be the key to getting those big fish if the open place to start fishing. There was a small cove off Bomber Fat Free Shad only got the smaller fish the left that only had three boats in it and the inside although that crankbait can and does catch the 5 to 7 point was not taken. pound largemouth that inhabit Lopez. We started there and worked our way back to the right side of the cove catching a couple two pounders Winter gets real slow with the bass going deep, on a Smithwick Rattlin Rouge ripbait before we met following the shad to wait out the shorter days. I am one of the other boats. We pulled up the a firm believer that the length of daylight hours is a motor and headed back to our starting point. One major environmental influence on bass movement. of the other boats was fishing the point so we went Short days of winter, bass move deep and slow in behind them and fished the bank out toward the down, knowing that cooler temperatures are a result mouth of the cove that they had just fished. of the lack of sunlight hours. Then as sunlight hours Since they were fishing crankbaits, Kenna andI increase the bass start venturing into the shallows for decided to fish our YUMD ingers to show the bass short feeding periods and as spring arrives a major something different. By fishing out toward the main

Issue 3  June 2012 9 lake lopez

My point in telling this lake we were story is that even though we didn’t catch big concentrating on the outside areas in practice, by paying attention to the bites that we did where we expected to find the pre spawn, female get we were able to put together a plan to give us a bass that would weigh more than the smaller, male chance to get the bigger bites we all look for. bass inside making beds. As we fished down the bank, Springtime can be unpredictable to a certain I noticed my line slowly moving out to deep water. I extent; but Lopez Lake can produce bass over 10-lbs. set the hook. My Dobyns 743 SF spinning rod bowed They can be caught if you listen to what the fish are down to the water as the big bass dove out to the telling you. depths. As summer sets in and the spawn is complete After a couple strong runs I was able to get the the bass will move out to those main lake points that 5-lb bass to Kenna’s waiting net and into the boat. On I like so much and begin the process of recovery, the very next cast not 20-feet from the last cast, I putting back on the they lost spawning. Since felt a bite before my YUM Dinger hit the bottom. I set these bass are in the mood to feed and the warm, the hook on a second 5-lb bass in consecutive casts. consistent days of summer are here the aggressive About five minutes later,I caught another 5-lb bass bass will bite. A Fat Free Shad crankbait and YUM on the other side of this small secondary point. That Money Minnows are baits that you can use to cover meant 15-lbs of bass in less than a half hour; because water to find them.I f they aren’t the big ones you are we were looking for the larger female bass setting up looking for, put the Booyah jig with the Wooly Bullee to move in on the next full moon to spawn with the to work and you may catch the bass of a lifetime here males that were already in the shallows. in Lopez Lake.

10

By Russ Meyer ome may consider that dropshotting suspended bass as a bit unorthodox. Usually you fish a point or a ledge or creek channel with a dropshot, but here is why I think differently. One day I was in a school of shad on Lake Shasta in the Pit SRiver arm, I was spooning and getting a few bass, but not like I usually do when I’m in a school of bass and shad. They had a bit of an attitude; so, I started playing around with a baby Basstrix and a dropshot . At firstI was just trying to get them to hit something, I could clearly see the bass on my electronics. I started shaking the dropshot rig in the school with a couple hits, but not like I’d hoped. I set the rod down and grabbed a bottle of water and kept a eye on my rod. I only was a couple of feet away - good a thing because my rod took off Crazy of fishing kind

12 across the deck, I would have lost it had I been further with a much lighter set up; but now I could yard them away. in and get right back down there for another fish.I t After reeling in a 1.5-lb spot, I dropped ‘er back was as fast as spooning, but more effective at that down and this time I just held it there in a dead stick time. mode. It sat for a minute or so and I got slammed So if they are not eating your spoon very well again. This time a 2-lber. Well, for the next couple try this set up. It’s not only effective, but a lot of fun.I hours I caught a bunch of nice bass dead sticking a have done this for many years now in many situations Baby Basstrix. This was done on my 7-ft medium all with a different twist.O ne of my favorite ways Powell spinning rod with 6-lb Berkley fluorocarbon to fish this set up is to use it as search bait.I use the line and a Shimano spinning reel. 3-inch Basstrix, but many other variations of baits I started experimenting more with these fish that I have tried work. Stick to shad type baits in since I was just fun fishing. That day the water was these patterns. clear and the water temp was 51. The fish were 40- to When you are in areas such as backs of creeks, 65-feet deep with pockets of shad on creek channel say 150-feet or less, use your maps and find the bends. creek channel on your graph and you will find springs Most of the fish were suspended around 40-ft bubbling up. Take your dropshot set up with at least and I got tired of waiting for my ¼ -oz sinker to get 3/8-oz weight and make a long cast, keep a tight line down there, so I changed my setup. and just keep a close eye on your line. You will see a This timeI went for a 7-ft Powell bait rod, light twitch in the line and he is likely there. medium-heavy with 10-lb fluorocarbon line, a 2/0 Funny thing is, if you don’t see the twitch he will dropshot hook and a 5/8-oz pencil dropshot . grab the bait and keep swimming with it and you think When I hit free spool the bait was down to 40-ft in it’s still sinking, but it’s really the bass swimming with less than 20-seconds. it. This gives him time to chew it and spit in and you I was still dead sticking and getting never knew you were hit; so pay attention. the same results as I was The bait falls like a pendulum and

Issue 3  June 2012 13 crazy fishing

see, you can spoon in the trees with a treble hook and when you get hung up you just give it a few shakes and it comes loose unless you bury it on a then looks like a shad skirting it takes longer; but with a through the springs. dropshot the weight is on These bass and other the bottom and the hook fish hide in the springs does not shake loose, so a like a tree and attack weed guard is the only way the shad as they swim to go. Skip the weed guard in through the spring. The open water for those gentle point is though you can bites. cover a lot of open water The next placeI love to until you determine if the fish do the pendulum drop on the are there for you or not. dropshot setup is vertical walls, Once you determine the fish whether it’s vertical walls like in the are there. Then double back and fish the Squaw Creek arm on Lake Shasta or the bridge biggest bubblers first. That is where your biggest piling at Shasta, Oroville or Lake Berryessa. It really bass seem to hang. Just like the biggest tree will works. usually hold the biggest bass. It’s a great pattern to Just adjust your weight accordingly to the depth run. you’re fishing and how aggressive the bass are.I f I am It makes a huge lake much smaller and takes fishing less than 20-feet.I like an 1/8-oz, but if I am in you out of the mix of 50 anglers that are all fishing search of fish,I stick to 5/8-oz to cover a lot of water points or pockets. The same quick, then I will go lighter once I see where they are in technique can be used depth. for fishing trees, bridge The wayI do this pilings or open water on is using the same the creek arms. setup, I just cast I have even tried parallel to the walls using much larger baits and pitch the bait 40- such as Berkley Hollow ft or so as close to the Belly Swimbaits in a wall as I can and tight 6-inch. They don’t line it down all the way seem to care if the to the boat. This way tail is moving or not if I get hit right away I when dead sticking. know to go lighter and They just get a run give them more time to at it and crush it. It hit the bait. If I don’t get blows your mind hit until it is below the how hard they hit boat then I know I have it when it’s just the right weight. Using sitting there. this set up I can fish all day Be sure when with one or two rods on in the trees that the deck and catch a lot you use the weed of fish including huge fish. guard or you will This pattern has little to no be cussing out traffic, because not many your rig. You people fish off shore.

14 C a f é by Jim Novotny maximizing your pre fish

Jim Novotny with a quality spotted bass caught from Folsom on a half day trip. Used mini-swim bait to locate actively feeding fish Photo by Jim Novotny

16 hey are the fortunate few - those an- Of course, overall the advantage still goes to the glers who get to spend days, maybe even locals, all the same; but there is absolutely nothing weeks on a large body of water in anticipa- we can do about that, so don’t even try and compete tion of an upcoming tournament. These “against” them. Don’t let them get into your head. Tare the anglers who are arguably “in the hunt” to Don’t spend too much precious pre fish time looking win a tournament before blast off even begins. for that “secret spot” that even the locals don’t know They know the changing conditions. They know the about. Don’t try to cover the very backs of every water’s color and temperature in different parts of creek channel or spend your time looking in every bay the lake. They have learned where hidden under- or on every point for that magical school of winning water features lie, out of sight of the visiting angler bass. Let the locals have it and focus only on what and saved only for those deep in the “know”. works for you and what is within your area of comfort. Fish for “your” fish. It’s the visiting angler who is at the distinct Of course, your pre-fish should start well before disadvantage here. Or maybe the “local” angler you leave the house for the long drive to the lake. Call who knows the lake well, but just hasn’t had the a buddy. Call a buddy of a buddy. Call a local tackle time to spend on the water getting reacquainted store. Get some type of information regarding how with it. These are the peopleI am writing this article tournaments are usually won this time of year. Find for. These are the peopleI am hoping to reach and out average water temperatures, lake levels and what plant the seed of an idea of where to start and how stage the bass are in- albeit spawn, post spawn, to logically approach these situations maintaining an summer patterns etc. Find out if there are any specific attitude of self- confidence and positive thinking. baits or colors that have been on fire there; so at least I have been traveling around the western United you can show up prepared for conditions all the locals States, mostly Northern Calif., Nev., and Ariz. may know about. competing in Pro-Am’s for the last several years. Even though several of the bodies of water visited Once you have spent some time researching were relatively close to my home town, due to my the lake and gathering information, pull out a busy work and fishing schedule,I rarely - if ever had topographical map and go over it carefully. If it is a the opportunity to pre-fish the lake until just a couple storage reservoir, make sure you are accounting days prior to the start of the tournament. Dealing for current water levels and then look for textbook with this handicap has taught me several things locations that correspond with the seasonal patterns that have benefited me in my search for “money” at the appropriate depth. locations. If it is early spring, focus on northern exposures that get the most sunlight or look for large flats in Lets start with the obvious disadvantage of creeks near deep creek channels where fish might having to compete with the local angler who has stage and even spawn. Mark some of these places been living on the water. Over the years, it has been in different parts of the lake. D on’t go crazy though. proven time and time again that the majority of these Unless you have an excellent topographical map on local anglers will “tank” come tournament time. The your graph, you will need the paper map to search out reasons will vary from having to share the water or under water structure while on the lake and you will fishing community holes to having just too many want to be able to still read it. spots picked out, too far apart that it gets into their It’s actually pretty ironic to note, if people knew heads, they lose focus and fish ineffectively. where most of the tournaments were won, they’d

Issue 3  June 2012 17 maximizing your pre fish learn it’s infrequently won from the “secret” spot no different baits and at several different depths making one else knew about and much more common to win me stress and still trying to decide which way I’m off a “community hole” or commonly known location going to run come blast off. by the angler who found the fish better, found the In order to maximize your efficiency, try to focus right bait combination, or just timed it right. Keep your tournament day in a general location. One or that in mind as you study your map and mark your two river arms, maybe a pattern like running points or locations. just fishing main body areas following the wind. You won’t catch fish running across the water at 70-mph; Now you are ready to hit the road and hit the so the more time spent with your trolling motor in the water. I like to spend at least half a day looking for water and fishing where you know there are fish, the out of the way locations within a few minutes of better chance you have of connecting and cashing the launch ramp. There are usually plenty of fish in that check. the area due to “recycling” () and this gives me an area to start quickly, finish the day Keep listening to the Bassmaster pros or the top on, or go to in the event of unforeseen mechanical echelon of FLW anglers and you will hear time and time problems. It’s always nice to sit on the water awaiting again that they use reaction baits to locate schools of blast off and look out at a set of points or a rock pile fish with limited pre fish.I am in firm agreement with knowing there are quality fish that are close to me. that, if you can get the fish to hit reaction baits, or at least follow the bait and reveal their locations. I have Don’t spread yourself too thin. The problem I found in actuality though, that happens for me, half the have with any more than two days of pre fish is not so time at best. on the waters I visit. much the lack of water I covered, but that I’ve usually The other half of the time,I have to use finesse located fish in several different areas, on several or at least bottom or vertical types of baits - ones that the bass in a more neutral mood will come over and eat. The choice is yours of course; but several of my favorite reaction baits, for locating schools of fish include topwater, rip baits, crankbaits, mini or magnum swimbaits and the trusty Fluke. For the less active fish,I usually reach for a nail- weighted Senko, dart head, drop shot rig and the . Unless there is a lake specific color the fish are really eating,I keep my selection very simple. Natural baitfish or crawdad colors work everywhere. One of the similarities all these baits have in common is their ability to be fished fast as well as extremely slow. Even the dart head which is ultra-finesse, can be fished in a rapid “shake, shake, shake” fashion as it swims down the bank or it can be cast out every 20-feet, left to fall to the bottom, shook a couple times and reeled back in, all the while

18 Now that you have some areas how you adapted to over come it and leave with some to look at, just go fishing. As the winnings. The top-10’s will come with time as things day progresses you will be able to magically fall into place just as the so elusive “wins” will come as you learn, apply and adapt to this sport. determine for yourself if this is going to set up as a pattern tournament As a good friend once explained to me and I’ve or location tournament. There are learned to believe, I start each day knowing I’m going advantages to both, but being that to catch my fish. I may not have any idea where, how or on what bait; but I know that if I keep my head the water is unfamiliar to us, if the down and pay attention to the little details, I will get pattern is less than obvious we are the bites I need to compete. at the disadvantage, because we I hope I have given you some fresh ideas regarding will only know so many “similar” how I go about maximizing my time on the water and I have given you some tools to use to make the most locations in which to run the pattern. of your limited pre-fish days. Good luck and always remember, if a single fishing day goes by that you the boat is covering water at a very moderate to don’t learn something new, you simply aren’t looking rapid pace. hard enough. As a location tournament, having spent all your pre fish time looking to just locate schools of fish, now Tournament pro Jim Novotny is sponsored by Dobyns Rods, you have your whole tournament day to figure out which exclaims is “the best rod built-period”, P-Line and Costa Sunglasses. Novotny notes his Costas help him locate fish and how to get just five of those fish to bite.A s simple as it structure others might miss. sounds, make it a point to fish around big fish and you will be surprised what happens.

Nobody wins every tournament. As a visitor competing against locals, keep your expectations realistic. Unless you have a very strong network of anglers you share with, don’t expect to make the cut every time. Don’t even expect to cash a check every time. Keep at it and you will see that figuring out unfamiliar bodies of water in such a limited time will make you a much more versatile and confident angler. Moving from 4-lb test in crystal clear water in one location to 65-lb braid in murky and stained water at the next is very trying. It makes you have to perform at your best every day. When you start cashing those checks, be proud of your accomplishments. Don’t focus on the one that got away or the guy that cut you off. L ook at the hurdle you had in front of you and

Issue 3  June 2012 19 by Randy Pringle Photo Credits: Jody Only topping off with topwateran introduction to topwater baits

20 t’s all about the blowup. You on anglers know each end. what I am talk- Sun, water ing about. You cast your Iselection out, it sits temperature and on the surface and that big bass blows up all over it. spawning availability There’s nothing better. That’s what top water fishing are just some of the factors is all about. that can affect any given area Casting in the right area can make the difference of a . Some areas are between small fish and large fish. You have to be turning on when other areas are accurate and cause a minimal amount of splash. You turning off. should always cast beyond your target and reel your Top water fishing gets me bait into your target. going just talking about it. There are Selecting the right topwater bait is important. There so many top water baits available, is nothing worse than hearing about a bite, going out I would like to talk about some of my favorite baits and and doing the exact same thing and coming up blank. the elements that it are favorable to fish them in. Dock Talk is good; however keep in mind you may not fish like the person that is sharing the information and WALKING BAITS you may not be fishing where that person is fishing. The body of water that you are fishing may fish Let’s start out with the walking style baits. I use differently. The same body of water can fish different the Ima Big Stik and Ima Skimmer. The Skimmer is a

Issue 3  June 2012 21 topwater baits

small, subtle walking bait. This bait is most effective from $3.50 to $20.00, each one will work. when it is flat calm or there is just a hint of wind as a One of my favorites is the medium-sized Persuader day with increased wind can make the bait difficult to Popping Walker. This bait is very versatile.I t can be be seen and very difficult for the fish to detect. fished in calm or windy conditions. Fishing this bait with To fish this bait, twitch your rod in a downward 15-pound mono will help you walk this bait with a side- motion while picking up the slack at the same time. to-side action, while spitting water in front of it. Make sure you have some pauses and starts while For your retrieve, start out by popping the bait you retrieve it. This will give the bait the illusion that it is and pausing. An example of the cadence would be injured. I recommend 12-pound-test mono. It seems pop, pop, pop, pause pop, pop, pause pop. The pauses to allow the bait to move side-to-side better. A larger between the pops combinations are important as line, will change the action on the bait to a tighter side- the bass will often hit the bait during the pause. The to-side movement. pauses will vary, depending on if the water is warmer TheI ma Big Stik can be fished in all different kinds or colder. If it is cold, slow it down with longer pauses. of water conditions, flat calm or in the wind. This bait If the water is warmer, speed it up. not only walks side-to-side, but will spit the water out in front of it. This gives the bait the look of fish feeding WAKE BAITS on other fish.T here are a couple of ways to work this bait. For a longer side-to-side motion use 20- to 25-pound- Wake baits are unique. They vary in size from test mono because of the stretch it produces during the very large to very small. They are a very effective, twitch motion. This will give the bait a sweeping action, methodical, slow-moving top water bait fished which is good when the body of water you are fishing is typically by throwing the bait out with a slow retrieve calm. that makes a V across the water as it returns to you. For a tighter side-to-side motion, choose braided TheI ma Roumba is one of the smaller choices in line, 50- to 65-pound-test Spider Wire. Braid will allow the wake bait family. Typically, I like to fish this bait the bait to turn on a dime because it has no stretch. In with 12- to 15-pound mono. the wind this will help the bait spit water and make as I like to tip the back of the bait with a hitchhiker much commotion as you need. screw and a straight tail worm or small tail to give it more action. This will allow the bait to buckle POPPERS at the hitchhiker screw, giving the bait a bigger profile, Let’s move on to another top water bait, the popper. making it a small lure that This is one of the most commonly fished baits among is a big fish bait. A anglers. There is a wide price range larger wake bait is the on popper style baits. Optimum OB Minnow You can pur- in a 7-inch size. This chase one is a larger wake bait,

22 typically fished with 20- to 25-pound-test mono. propellers. This will allow the water to push the blades This is definitely a larger profile bait than is a proven in a rotating manner when pulled. Just a note from big fish bait. experience, when using braided line on this bait, the Both the Roumba and the OB Minnow are fished tendency is the braid will get wrapped up in the front similarly. A factor for fishing these lures is the speed prop a lot so mono is a better choice. of the retrieve. If you crank the bait too fast it dives, too slow and the bait doesn’t make the V-pattern on BUZZ BAITS the surface of the water. In both cases it will not give you that side-to-side snake like action, so make sure Last but not least is the buzz bait. There are many to you are working on your retrieve speed. For maximum choose from. I am a Persuader Buzz Bait man, been there performance of these baits, fish them in little wind.I f it for many years now. The philosophy in my mind is to get is too windy, I would suggest a different choice for an the buzz bait to the surface quick and easy. Persuader’s effective topwater lure. Buzz Baits feature a flat head that allows the bait to come to the surface quickly with very little effort. PROP BAITS There are a few factors you need to know before you select the right buzz bait. The first question The bait that very few people talk about and one when selecting your buzz bait is wind or no wind? In I have been using for over 40-years is a prop bait, the the case of a windy day, you need the bass to hear Ace in the Hole made by the Poe’s Company is one of it coming so select a buzz bait that will make a loud my favorites. Prop baits are a bait that has propellers on nose. A couple of suggestions are to pick one with a the front, the back or both. When the bait is moved the clacker or a double blade as you need to make a little propellers will turn and throw water into the air. This will chatter to call Mr. Bass. make the bass think that other fish are being fed upon. In the flat water a lot of the time you will want to be TheA ce in the Hole comes in two sizes - small and more subtle and choose a triple wing, a single blade or large. For the angler that likes lighter line and open a blade in blade. All of these are quiet style buzz baits. style water the smaller of the two should be your pick If you find that the fish are missing your buzz bait, with 12- to 15-pound mono. go to a lighter one or a more winged buzz bait as this If you’re going to fish heavier cover or areas where will keep the buzz bait in the strike zone longer. there is a bigger food source go to the larger of the When you start to break it down, whether it two and go bigger on the line size such as 15- to is cold, hot, windy or flat calm, there is a perfect 20-pound-test. selection of surface plugs available to you. The proper way to fish this bait is a stop and start The color of your bait, comes down to clarity of with downward motion of the rod tip. Sharp pulls in water and food source. Try to match the food source. If combinations of one, two and three should be the water is dingier, go a little brighter and if the water used. Change it up with your combinations and is clearer, go a little lighter. Don’t make it too difficult. have pauses between the pulls. The pauses can Remember as someone once told me, bass have a vary depending on how the bass wants it. brain that is the size of a pea. I think sometimes they If out-of-the-box, the bait propellers don’t are smarter than we are. turn freely, pitch them by turning them more towards the inside like a plane’s

Issue 3  June 2012 23 college fishing By Jen Edgar college fishing ollege fishing is well established and con- down each101 collegiate fishing circuit and help you tinues to get more and more attention. successfully begin your collegiate fishing career. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a current student with a passion for bass GETTING STARTED Cfishing, summer is the time to start your career in college fishing.D oes your school have a fishing In order to fish on a collegiate circuit your team club? Do they compete in any collegiate bass tour- must be formed under your university’s fish club. naments? How do you get involved? This means your first job is to locate your school’s There are over 150 colleges and universities existing club or start a new one. Each university is nationwide with fishing clubs.E ach year more clubs different, but most have a club day where you will are being formed and are entering in collegiate bass have an opportunity to seek out the fishing crew and fishing circuits.I f you run an internet search for make your interest be known. If you are unable to collegiate , you become overwhelmed attend the event, find the club’s office and they can with results and may not be able to make heads get you in touch with the right people. Running a club or tails of it all. In this article I am going to break requires work. Trusted officers are vital and so is an advisor whom is willing to be supportive year round; because bass fishing often goes into the summer and Here is a quick breakdown of collegiate bass fis  BoatUS collegiate Bass Fishing Championship hing circuits: Anglers) and The Bass Federation, was started in -2006. supported Most byof their theA CtournamentsA (Association are of in Collegiate the except forT exas. They provide scholarships, contingency and discount programs. TheyE areastern televised US, on Versus which is incorporated into NBC Sports. Their website is www.collegiatebasschampionship.com

 FLW College Fishing - Supported by the FLW and National Guard, was started in 2009. They have separated the US into different regions, and is one of the few circuits who come to the west coast. They provide boats, travel assistance, scholarships, and incentive programs. The regional and championship rounds are televised on Versus and online at www.flwoutdoors.com . Their website is www.collegefishing.com

 Bassmaster College Series- Supported by B and layout every season. They mainly host tournamentsASS, is a circuit in the whicheastern seems US, towith keep one changing“Western sponsorsWildcard” tournament every year, which is not nearly as supported as the other western events. They televise events on ESPNU and their website is www.bassmaster.com/college

24 during breaks and you will need that good support system to be successful and keep your club going. Always remember you are representing your university and your team’s reputation, because you are! You need to know what collegiate circuits are in existence and choosing which circuits are best for your club to fish is important. Locality is everything, especially to us who are full time students and have to making a living as well. Locality decides time management, success and most importantly support. From these finances.I f a tournament is far away, it will cost more local anglers, you will get in practice time, to participate, you may not have pre-fishing time and experience in tournament situations and support you managing studies is more difficult, which essentially wouldn’t expect. The people in the tackle shops and decreases your possibilities of success. Success is those you bump into fishing local lakes enjoy the sport vital to your club, because the more successful the just as much as you do and are usually willing to help team is the more financial backing there is which out college kids because we are the future of this sport. increases the longevity of the club. A word on getting sponsored. Everybody Basically, if you’re in the western U.S., FLW College wants to be sponsored, yet only about 10 percent is the way to go. They put on awesome tournaments, actually know what it means to have a sponsorship and give your club just as much support and and use it correctly. A sponsorship is a tool, a opportunities as the other circuits if not more. valuable relationship, and is vital to your success and reputation. Don’t go out and get so many INVOLVEMENT sponsors you don’t know what to do with and don’t immediately accept any offer given to you. So now that you’ve got your club set up and Network with people, build relationships and decided which tournaments to participate in, what’s most importantly be smart. I only want to represent next? Well, sponsorships and gaining local support a company and product I use and believe in. I believe is not a must, but it does go a long way. The most strongly in quality over quantity. Sponsorships are hard important piece of information I can provide is to always work, you might as well be putting forth the effort for keep in mind you are the future of this sport. Respect something that benefits both you and your sponsor. this because others will too, don’t take it for granted. This article is written to help you get a successful because bad relationships will ruin your career. start in a collegiate bass fishing career.R emember Local support comes in many forms, it is important it is still a growing sport and every year circuits add to take into consideration all opportunities that something new and improved, so keep a lookout. approach you and always look for ways to return Don’t forget to get out this summer and get ready for the favor. Joining a local bass club is a great form of some good old college fishing!

Issue 3  June 2012 25 SUPPORT.DEFEND.FISH.

Jarheads, Devil Dogs and Navy Flunkies Fight it Out on the Water in New Series: Force on Force Brand New Series Pits Army versus Navy versus Marines versus Air Force in a Platoon Level Operation

New Berlin, Wis. (March XX, 2012) — 12 personnel. Everything you see on the show is G2 Reports, Human Intelligence briefs, rules of exactly how we receive and carry out orders in engagement and after action reviews are jargon the military,” said Major Roberson, host. “If you used in the military – and on Force on Force, a are associated with the military in any way, you’ll new series focused on tournament style fish- appreciate how the fishing competition is set up. ing pitting military branches against each other, The team that fails to carry out their mission is exclusively on Sportsman Channel, the leader eliminated. It’s that simple—achieve mission ac- in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman. Led complish or die tryin (not literally).” by Ground Commander, Major Cody Roberson, each episode will showcase two branches of the But for those who are successful in their military, using fishing rods as their weapons of mission live to fight another day and stay in the choice, as they fight to stay in the competition. tournament, with the final two teams battling it The new series premieres on Saturday, March 31 out during the series season finale in June. at 8:30 pm E/P. “The last episode is the Championship where Each episode begins at the TOC (tactical op- both teams are fishing on behalf of veterans. We erations center) with a briefing where the teams wanted to show how much we appreciate their are given their mission: catch five legal fish within service to our country,” said Major Roberson. six hours on Choke Canyon Lake in southern Texas. They also learn theROE (rules of engage- The first place winner receives a Skeeter ment), human intelligence reports and terrain ZX170 boat with trailer and tackle. Second place analysis. What this really means is they meet wins a filmed hunt withT V show, Veteran Out- their competitors and learn everything they can doors. about their strengths and weaknesses as well as the Lake’s condition for that time of year. “Most fishing shows are set up showing the hosts battling fish on numerous lakes during “This show is set up like a platoon level op- varying times of the year. This is held onO NE lake eration utilizing just like a small squad of six to during the same season. When you keep the fac-

26 tors the same, then it really becomes more about skill and your ability to adapt and overcome and About Sportsman Channel: make mission,” state Major Roberson. Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel, and Sportsman HD, is the only television and To learn more about Force on Force, visit digital media company fully devoted to the www.armybassanglers.com/television/ or if you more than 82 million sportsmen in the United think you got what it takes to go head-to-head States, delivering entertaining and educational and represent your branch of service visit them programming focused exclusively on hunting, at www.armybassanglers.com and join the Coali- shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman tion Pro Staff orT ask Force for your chance to be Channel reaches more than 31 million U.S. on FORCE on FORCE — HOOAH! television households and is available in HD. Visit MEDIA CONTACTS: www.sportsmanhd.com for more information. Michelle Scheuermann, 262.825.7126 ;[email protected] www.thesportsmanchannel.com Ryan Nolan, 262.432.9100 ex 117 [email protected] Mark Braff, Braff Communications www.twitter.com/ www.facebook.com/ [email protected] SPORTSMANchnl sportsmanchannel

Issue 3  June 2012 27 Story & Photos By Jody Only deepsummer structure fishing with howard hughes

28 s the days begin to lengthen and warm, definition explaining there isn’t really any growth fishermen often have their heads turned deeper than 20-feet unless it is flooded trees. from the offerings of the deep water to He continued his description of the deep the shallow banks where the bass can be saying after the structure is discovered a further Afound tucked under the thickest canopy of mats or a investigation must be made to find the “sub shade pocket provided by a bank tree. Veteran tour- structure”. Defining sub structure as the “sweet nament pro Howard Hughes has learned not to be so spot” on the structure, Hughes said, “it is the easily swayed to the shallow end of the casting pool transitions you find on structure - little flats, drops and look to see what the deep water has to offer. offs, ledges, rocky bottom, mud lines - even deflection A summer technique at the heart of the Hughes of a point can be sub structure - any transitions you hunt for big bass is deep water structure fishing and find on your main structure points.” here he shares the basics. Noting that electronics are an absolute essential for a swift and efficient way to locate his target, Hughes TARGETS & TRANSITIONS stated his must-have unit is the Lowrance HDS with StructureScan. “It is possible to visually evaluate With experience that spans over 35-years the shoreline and follow it under the water to assess Hughes said that when he talks about deep water, he submerged structure lines; but electronics make it is talking 25- to 50-feet. He then defined his thoughts quicker and find components that could be missed on structure saying, “It is and other factors such as baitfish and any element that stands the thermocline,” stated Hughes. He out - any things that also suggested the use of paper topo shows a change. It could maps for an even more intense study, be things like rocks, especially in unfamiliar waters. bluffs, points, bridge PATTERNS & TECH- pilings, creek channels NIQUES or even erosion.” He excluded vegetation in his deep water structure Hughes utilizes his Lowrance HDS to find deep structure and transitions on the structure. Issue 3  June 2012 29 deep structure

“Summer fish move horizontally and in weight is always a good choice. I fish a 5-inch Senko winter they move up and down,” stated on a #2 Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hook Hughes. “This is important to keep on 8-lb line. Basically, I stick to green in mind when you are fishing. I f and white when I choose colors. you mark baitfish and feeding Occasionally I will use red.” bass at 30-feet in open water Commenting that even then that is the depth you suspended fish can be enticed to bite want to hit on the points.” in the summer, Hughes said, “One of He mentioned that you can my favorite ways to get them deep determine how well the fish will is a 3/4-oz Shorty Hopkins Spoon. bite by how close they are to the I’ve killed ‘em at Shasta when it was baitfish. 100-degrees outside on the Shorty Hopkins.” “I always have a rod ready for a vertical When fishing the Hopkins Spoon, the setup presentation when I come across them on the meter,” Hughes puts to use starts with 12-lb Berkley Trilene he revealed. “I will immediately drop down on them 100% Fluorocarbon. Adding a ball bearing swivel with and most of the time I will get one to bite; but you’ve a 2-ft leader is a trick that he has learned to lessen got to move quick when you do this. Especially when line twist. An aggressive yo-yo action and a big, you’re fishing spots. They are more like trout - a lot more 4-ftvertical pull and drop down is what Hughes uses migratory. It’s hard to pinpoint them. They move in to attract the attention of his intended catch. large schools of 20 or 30 fish and cover a lot of territory. “One more great summer pattern is a heavy jig,” When you find ‘em - enjoy it, they won’t be there he added. “I’m using a 3/4- to 1-oz brown Rodstrainer tomorrow.” jig with a Yamamoto 5-inch Hula Grub. Fish this Typically, Hughes will start with a dart head as perpendicular to the bank, like a crankbait. Bump and his first choice. I“ like a 1/4 and 1/8-oz head with the hit and with every hit - jerk it up, never letting it settle smallest hook I can get away with,” stated Hughes. anywhere. It is a really good reaction bait, especially “The smaller the hook, the better the action. Some when the water is drawn down or when you’re people don’t know; but the hook size changes and dragging a specific depth, when there is not much limits the action of the worm. A longer hook acts like structure and you want to cover water.” He increases a keel and a smaller hook will allow more action and his line to 12-lb for his jig. present with more wiggle and a roll on a fall. A hook acts to the bait like a fin on a fish; soI always try to use EQUIPMENT the smallest hook I can. I like the Gamakatsu #1 or #2 hook on my dart heads.” His setup for this on the “I’m always going to pick a Fenwick Medium lakes is 6-lb Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon and Action rod for the lighter stuff and for the heavier a 6-inch Berkley Bottom Hopper in green pumpkin or stuff like whenI ’m spoonin’, I will go to a Fenwick shady watermelon. He notes he prefers painted dart Medium Heavy,” shared Hughes. “I use an Abu Garcia head; but they are not an absolute necessity. Revo STX for my baitcaster and a Pflueger Patriarch Another deep water fave for Hughes is the 9540 spinning. I like this because of the light-weight, dropshot. He rigs a 6-inch Berkley Finesse Hand Pour magnesium body and the large spool. A large spool in the color warmouth or a prism shad Roboworm reduces line twist. This reel is super smooth which is on 6-lb Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon with an so important when feeling for the bottom. You don’t exposed Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hook. He want to feel anything that comes from your hand, you advised working this by dropping down and shaking only want to feel what’s on the bottom.” vigorously for maximum jiggle. Howard Hughes is a B.A.S.S. champion and has multiple top-10 Other baits that Hughes reported as all-around finishes to his credit on ClearLake and Shasta in Bassmaster and FLW good choices were a 4-inch Berkley Power Hawg or events. His most recent top-10 came last year at the Clear Lake FLW EverStart event, where using a technique he discussed here, Hughes a Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver. “Shaking a reeled in Big Bass honors with a Clear Lake double-digit from 15-feet worm can always work well,” he continued. “A green of water on 8-lb test. Hughes is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley Fishing, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Phil’s pumpkin or baby bass Senko wacky rigged with a nail Propellers, Rodstrainer Tacke and Redding Yamaha Seadoo.

30 • No more cleaning Hydrilla/ Hyacynth, Sand & Mud off your boat • No more knotted, tangled ropes • No more wearing down your trolling motor • Works along the Coast, on Lakes, in Creeks & Rivers • Eliminates sore back from constant resetting of your anchor

Once you get a Dig IN Shallow Water Anchor, you’ll wonder “Why didn’t I have this sooner?”

FREquENTLy 386•308•7745 ASkED quESTIONS Available at West Marine & Tackle Warehouse largemouth Tactics Story & Photo By Marc Marcantonio Summer Largemouth Tactics in the Pacific Northwest

Mike Matkowski of hen anglers across the country think of bass in the Pacific Kennewick, WA and a Northwest, they envision smallmouths; but speak with 7-lb largemouth from an avid bass angler from Wash., Ore. or Idaho and they Potholes Reservoir. He caught the bass get the most excited about largemouths! Outside of the on a spinning rod with W area, very few people realize how good the braided line (with a fishing is and many are wacky-rigged missing out on a lot of fun. Senko) Sure, bass are bass anywhere in the country, but there are some distinct differences about the habitat in the oligotrophic and colder waters up north. Because the water is typically clear and submerged vegetation can be sparse due to cold, infertile water, minor adjustments to typical tactics can make the difference between success and failure. For example, a grass flat on fertile waters like the Calif. Delta may hold dozens of largemouths willing to stay buried in the grass as long as food and water qualities are favorable. An angler could fish this grass bed for many hours, and continue to catch largemouths while hardly moving the boat. Very few waters in the Pacific Northwest produce numbers of largemouths in a concentrated area. In most cases, both the bass and the successful angler cover more water between bites. Because the water is clear, largemouths here rely more heavily on their sense of sight compared to those living in murky waters. The wise angler adjusts accordingly by using more natural colors and by toning down the vibration and flash. Bright, gaudy colors are reserved for stormy weather, or other periods of low light levels.

32 It is common knowledge that summer largemouths are snappin,’ so quickly-moving lures in largemouths relate to shade everywhere bass live. the clear water draw vicious strikes. One deadly tactic Yet in the Pacific Northwest, shade is probably one below the surface takes the opposite approach of factor that many overlook. When searching for shallow topwaters. Swimming a jig through and around sparse largemouths, shade can be the best “cover” available. vegetation is effective since it appears natural (like Largemouths use the shade for a hunting advantage, a baitfish), and doesn’t over-power with excessive making them less visible to prey and making passing noise or vibration that doesn’t match the highly visible prey more visible. Likewise anglers can be more visible, lure. Add realistic swimming action to your swim jig so using stealthy tactics and subdued colors in your with a soft plastic trailer. clothing and boat improve your success. Exploit every The Yamamoto 4” Swim Senko or the 4.5” Hula bit of shade you find, whether it be from a boulder, log, Swimmer are great choices matched with a Blade dock, anchored boat, or along weed edges. Runner swim jig. If you have any doubts of the Tactics that utilize slowly moving lures should effectiveness of swim jigs in the Pacific Northwest, be natural and convincing. The clear water and slow just ask the swim jig master, Mike Wolsky, who speed allows a bass to stalk and carefully inspect recently nabbed a 7.30 northern-strain largemouth the offering, rather than striking immediately upon during a winning effort at a Northwest Bass detection (typical of largemouths in low-visibility tournament on Lake Washington. Mike’s partner, habitats where snoozing means losing). professional angler Ron Hobbs Jr. added another over 5-lbs as part of their 23+ pound mixed bag of One successful tactic for summertime largemouths and smallmouths. Northwest largemouths is using topwater lures. The Even when largemouths are at their peak activity surface disturbance created by topwater reduces their level, there are days in which active tactics fail to visibility, even in the clear water. Choose a topwater interest them. The Pacific Northwest is no different with a natural size, shape, and color like a Snag Proof and the astute angler switches to more subtle tactics Tournament Frog, and you are ready to fool northern and the use of lures that gracefully flutter as they sink strain largemouths in any shade or weed patch. Not above a waiting largemouth. only is fishing a Snag Proof frog effective, but nothing No lure performs in this tactic better than a is more fun than seeing Mama Pesce blow-up on your Yamamoto Senko rigged weightless on a Gamakatsu frog and pulling against the double 4/0 hook. weedless Wicked Wacky hook. Braided line with a Try skipping a frog under a dock, over a fallen tree, or fluorocarbon leader allows the use of a spinning rod into the most tangled beaver hut you can find. They won’t and reel for long distance casting, without sacrificing snag, and bass eagerly engulf them. Just make sure you line strength. The long cast reduces the chance use heavy braid and a rod with guts. Favorites include the a large bass will first detect your presence and a Lamiglas Certified Pro XC 725 Tournament Frog Rod, or wiggling soft plastic falling to the bottom is too much the Excel XL 735 C matched with 65lb test braid. temptation for even non-active bass to refuse. Hook As mentioned earlier, largemouths often spread sets with this rig are as simple as tightening your line; out in the sparse vegetation. If you want to cover a lot the sharp hook and struggling bass does the rest. of water, the new Snag Proof Bobby’s Perfect Buzz Frog is made to order. The soft body has kicker legs Largemouth bass factories exist across the which churn the surface. Additional disturbance and Pacific Northwest. Some of the most popular lakes noise is created by an in-line buzzbait blade in front include Potholes Reservoir and Silver Lake in Wash., of the frog. This snag proof design allows you to fish Tenmile Lake, Crane Prairie and Lake Dorena in Ore., where other buzzbaits can’t go, and the Gamakatsu and Lake Coeur d’Alene and Hayden Lake in Idaho. double 4/0 hook brings the bass out of heavy cover Many small lakes exist across these states and double and into your boat. You cannot go wrong with the digit largemouths are possible at many. natural colors like Brown Bullfrog. If you think only the smallmouth bass are worthy Summer water temperatures in the Pacific of attention in Pacific Northwest, you are missing out Northwest put largemouths at the peak of their on a lot of action and one of the best kept secrets in metabolism. Water temps of 72-degrees mean the the nation!

Issue 3  June 2012 33 Story & Photos by Dan O’Sullivan

givingI’m always amazed at what the human spirit can do when back motivated.

hile the is a business, it has not lost the realization that it is a business built around a hobby. While there are companies that some people would deem mono- Wlithic in nature, there are those within those brands that continue to invest in the future of the sport. Alongside those behemoth brands are continued evidence that the fishing industry is still driven by passion. It seems that every week a new garage company is launched. Those companies

34 truly are the Research and Development particular, fishing with kids is when their true heart is Department of the industry as a whole. In many put on display. cases, they produce the products that get the There are three examples of that recently that consumer excited about hot new techniques and Elite Series pros have taken part in, or are about to trends. take part in. The point behind all of the above is that even big companies don’t forget that the real magic behind our Most recently, Skeet Reese, from Auburn, Calif. industry is that it is driven by passion for catching fish. just held his second Kids Fishing Day as a fundraiser Whether large or small, the industry knows that the for the Meadow Vista Community Center. In 2011 the key to being successful is to produce something that first event was held. There were around 400 kids that drives people’s passion for fishing. registered to fish and more than $6,000 was raised Professional anglers are the same. All of them, for the cause of helping to complete the community whether it is the upper echelon pros, the journeyman center project. or the rookie, got into this sport because they loved In 2012, the pre-registered kids exceeded the fishing, and while many of them have developed into amount of those that attended the first event, and tremendous businessmen, none of them have lost while we won’t know what the total monies raised their love of the sport. for the project will be for a few more days, it will most When that is truly evident is when they organize likely be significant. fishing days, charity outings and fundraisers. Many Reese’s wife Kim had overseen the organizing of them donate their time and money to charities all of the vendors, permits and volunteers and did a over the globe, but when it comes to fishing; and in masterful job of pulling them all together. While he

Issue 3  June 2012 35 giving back was most certainly proud of how the event went The King’s Home is for abused, abandoned and down, that wasn’t even the most important part of neglected kids. The campus is set up with single the day for Reese. family homes where the kids are given a place Reese said he had thought of doing Kids Day to live amongst a family instead of dorm style events for as much as 10 years before doing the first orphanages. one in 2011. He said that he has always had fond As a part of the program, Howell’s Triton / remembrances of catching his first fish when he was a Mercury package is used as a raffle prize as a child and it was the excitement of that fish that fueled fundraiser for the King’s Home program. Tickets are him to want to do it more. sold at $100 a piece throughout the season and at His desire for the Kids Fishing Days he and his the end of the Elite Series schedule, the boat is raffled family have put on the last two years was about off to a winner and the proceeds are given to King’s the fundraiser, but even more importantly; for him Home. In 2011, the program raised over $90,000. personally, it was about sharing his love of fishing with But, like so many anglers, fishing is at the heart of the kids. In each event, there were reports of multiple kids promotion. that had caught their first fish, and with each mention, Howell organized several fishing rodeos the look of emotion and satisfaction would wash over throughout the year as a part of the program that Reese’s face. To him, the thought of any of those got kids outside and fishing, when they would likely children growing up with fishing as a part of their lives be sitting inside with their hands wrapped around a because of that first fish was more important than instead of a video game controller. any dollar amount earned towards any donation. Another event is happening in 2012 that Randy Howell, an Elite Series pro from involves Kevin VanDam. VanDam has partnered Springville, Ala. has been involved with a ministry with the Detroit Lions professional football team to called The King’s Home for the past two years. put on a charity tournament June 12, 2012. VanDam and the Lions each have their own charities that they will be funding with the event. TheL ions have planned on continuing their work with children and youth throughout the state and VanDam will continue to support youth fishing, the March ofD imes and other child related organizations. But, at the heart of the whole thing is fishing, and while any of these organizations or individuals could have merely sat back and collected money as donations, they decided to share the love of fishing with people in their areas. It goes to show that taking a little time to give something back to the community from your heart can go a long way towards creating a new heartbeat in others. Fishing certainly needs to propagate new members of the family in order to see the family carry on, and there is no better way to do it than to share a day on the water or shore with someone you love, or someone you barely know.

We don’t even have to be top rated anglers to do it, to those kids, we might as well be the best in the world, because when we take a little time to invest in their future, the chances of them having one that involves fishing is much greater.

36 Photo Credit: Jody Only By Mike Folkestad post spawn to summer fishing at lake mead s summer approaches, the water warms, the days warm even more and the fishing is on at Lake Mead. It is a place I’ve Afished often in the summer months and in this article, I’m going to share some of the things that I have learned during my time on Mead. With the start of summer beginning in June, the water temperatures begin to reach the Sammy. high ‘70s as July and August approach the water Start with these by temperatures rise even further into the ‘80s and don’t fishing with all three of these baits to see which begin to cool until the fall. There are a large variety of one the fish are in tune to. This can change from day- lures that can be effective in the heat of the summer to-day and with weather conditions such as wind, months. Here are some that I like most. calm and cloud cover (El Niño’s). Generally, during the morning hours when it’s TOPWATER calm, the bass like a quiet, soft entry such as a Rio Rico and a balsa wood Sammy. I only use the I use a Rio Rico chugger Sammy under calm bait, a and a

Issue 3  June 2012 37 conditions and the cadence I use with it is a soft walking action. With the Rio Rico, I use a slow, walking, spitting cadence. When the sun gets a little higher and there is a little ripple on the water, then the Spook can come into play. At this time the cadence should be faster. Pay attention to the bite, there are certain days during the summer when bass will eat topwater all day long. The morning procedure is just the same as in the evening. Areas to fish include flats, bays and secondary points. If there is cover such as brush and grass in the area, all the better. The biggest key is locating you the areas that have a good amount of and know the that’s where you’ll find the wolf packs. You will largemouth are around, have to spend more time making casts in areas stay off the fish and cast in a wacky rigged Senko with a limited amount of bait fish. Basically, I like on the lightest line you can get away with. I shad colors for the Zara Spook like the silver flash. usually use 6- to 10-lb test. Make your casts by For the Rio Rico, I like the new Klicka Shad and for your targets, with a quiet entry and let it fall on the Sammy, I like silver. slack line. Another Yamamoto product - a grub can be an PLASTICS effective dropshot bait. The Yamamoto Grub and a Roboworm Tubes are another option in the heat of the are summer on Mead. Canyon and Yamamoto are my favorite brands of tubes. I fish them on a 1/8- to ¼-oz dart head buried in the tube on 6-lb Seaguar Fluoro. I always have a tube ready and my favorite thing is to use it for in the summer months as a follow-up bait for short strikes on topwater and followers. As always, Yamamoto Senkos are a must-have. Areas that work for topwater also work for Senkos. you will find quite a few days that the bass will not commit to a topwater lure. This is when a Senko can work best. If

38 top dropshotting choices for me. I use 4 and 5-inch grubs and 4 ½, 6 or 7-inch Roboworms. For my Roboworm selection, I like Oxblood Light, People’s Choice, Aaron’s Magic, MM3, Morning Dawn and like Gary Klein says if you’re not using a Folkestad Special, you’re using the wrong color. When dropshotting in limited cover, I nose hook my baits and in heavier cover I use a Robo rebarb hook. I tend to use the dropshot when the sun is high and the shade is limited. I concentrate on fishing below the light break on structure. The gear I use is a silver Daiwa Drop Shot rod with a Fuego 2000 reel with 6-lb Seaguar. OTHER

There can be a real good jig bite during the summer months at Lake Mead and what I usually use is a ¾- to 1-oz football head with a Yamamoto SNAG RESISTANT • 100% LEAD FREE skirt and trailer. I stay with shad patterns and I like to fish the jig on steep walls, points and drop offs, where I have located clouds of bait with my Lowrance HDS. I use 15- to 20-pound-test Seaguar Invizx and fish the jig fast with a lot of hopping action triggering a reaction bite. • Unique ability to slide and glide over rocks and other When there are heavier winds, I look for the underwater obstructions spinner bait bite and go to the banks that get a mud line on them. I always use a ½- to ¾-oz double • Incredible finesse and great sensitivity willow in shad patterns. I fish the bait quickly, not much deeper than 3- to 4-ft. The chatterbait can also be productive in the • Includes a barrel swivel to prevent line twisting backs of coves and guts that have submerged brush in them in the presence of pan fish. I use • Gives anglers the capability to fish in environments a ½-oz and with a bluegill pattern. The colors, that were previously inaccessible techniques and patterns seem to be never-ending, but the above are good starting points. • Tournament winners #1 of choice

A PERSONAL TIP • Perfect balance between buoyancy and submersion During the warmer months a basic, but extremely important thing to remember at Mead • Weights available in: is staying hydrated. Some tips to ensure health • 1/8 oz and comfort are to stay away from alcohol, wear a • 3/16 oz wide brim hat, drink fluids the night before and the • 1/4 oz morning before you start fishing. If you start getting • 3/8 oz too hot, throw a towel in the water or wrap the towel around you as you drive from spot to spot. It’s like a • 1/2 oz swamp cooler. For more information visit www.salamandersinkers.com Issue 3  June 2012 39 By tami curtis summertime success ami Curtis ami T on every lake Photo Credit: Credit: Photo

The 10-inch Mavrick Tami’s Rock ‘n Roller

40 y favorite method during the summer My favorite Yamamoto Grub colors are the smoke months on any lake across the nation blue pearl, smoke with silver flake, green pumpkin, is dropshotting. You can always catch firecracker (nicknamed CaptainA merica), I fish all fish dropshotting. Sometimes, you these in 4 or 5-inch trying to match the hatch. Mdon’t always get the quality, but you can get quan- When the bass get structured up during the day tity. My favorite outfit is a Folkestad 6’10” silver when the sun is high and they are below the light drop shot rod with a 2000 Daiwa Ballistic reel with break, I have found that a shakey head with a 4 or 6-lb test Fluorocarbon. I use Maverick and Robo- 6-inch Maverick worm works well. worms in a variety of colors. I also like to use a 3/8-oz or ½-oz football head jig My most exciting method is fishing frogs. This with a Yamamoto Double Tail in 4 or 5-inch. Generally works well in the summer on lakes that have lots of a fast hopping retrieve triggers a reaction bite. tule grass and some brush. My favorite cover is tule, will work well during the summertime grass number two, brush number three. The frog when we have windy conditions or mud lines and colors I like are whites, yellows and browns. I like to put cloud cover. I like to fish it quick, casting past the black dots on the white bottom on the right and left available cover and running the as close hand sides. I always cut one tail a little shorter than to cover as possible. Bumping the cover with the the other at an angle. This helps the frogs walk easier. spinnerbait will definitely increase the percentage I use 55-lb Samurai braided line on a Daiwa frog’n rod of bites. Another trick is to run it past fast the cover with a Zillion reel. and stall the bait and let it descend. One of these two Another pattern to look for in early mornings on methods will generally draw the fish out of the cover all lakes with cover is the buzzbait. I like to use a ½-oz or shade, but you need the wind or the mud line or the klacker buzzbait loaded with 55-lb test Samurai braid clouds. If it’s bright skies, don’t waste your time. on a 7-ft medium-heavy Daiwa rod with a Zillion reel. When the fish are suspended and chasing shad, You need to make a lot of casts and cover a lot of I like to use a 4-inch weightless Yamamoto Senko in water, the bites can be exciting and produce bigger shad colors such as smoke pearl blue, milk with silver than average bass. flake, rainbow trout laminate, and smoke with silver Another pattern that works across the country flake. I fish this wacky rigged on aD aiwa spinning is a walking bait such as the Zara spook and a Suave rod with 6-lb test. It is important to fish this with made by Lobina Lures. I also use a chugger type bait a 100 percent slack line and let the natural weight of Rico or a Rio Rico also manufactured by Lobina Lures. I the Senko and wind currents provide the action. You generally use all the above lures in shad patterns such would be pleasantly surprised with how many fish as Silver Flash, Hologram Shad and the Sexy Shad. and decent ones that you can catch with this method. During the summer months, I usually use a fast Last but not least, another method I forgot to retrieve with a few pauses. I like to make my Ricos spit mention earlier is fishing the Maverick 10-inchT ami’s during the summer not chug. Another method that I Rock ‘n Roller on a dropshot. This has produced well had kept quiet about for several years, but is now out on all waters. I fish it with a minimum of 11-inch or in the open is fishing a cut down Yamamoto Swimming more leader length and 3/16- to ¼-oz weight. I Senko on a pyramid head, dart head and dropshot. It violently shake it, then pause, I violently shake it has worked on every lake that I have fished. again then pause. It seems to call the fish out and Another favorite is fishing Yamamoto Grubs on many times when the fish bite it, it is IOLEV NT! One 1/8- to 1/4-oz dart heads and sometimes I dropshot a of my favorite places to fish it is around docks. The Yamamoto Grub on 6-lb test Fluorocarbon. I always fish action of the worm is that of a twisting night crawler the dart heads on a Daiwa spinning rod and reel. I rig them or a crazy snake! a variety of ways. When the fish are suspended and not All the above methods have worked for me on in structure, I like to use an open hook. When they are in every lake I’ve fished. Give these patterns a try andI cover, I fish them weedless, Texas rigged on the dart head. believe you won’t be disappointed.

Professional co angler Tami Curtis is the producer of www.TCsportsReport.com and the TV show Fish’n 4 FUN. Each will feature upcoming information on swimming Senko. Her namesake Maverick worm can be purchased online at www.TackleIt.biz Issue 3  June 2012 41 expect adjustments the inevitable

s bass anglers, we all are faced with the tournament practice, fish are tricky little creatures and adjustment!inevitable adjustment. The small deci- the weather is never static. To stay on top of things sions that are so important during a day there are two rules I try to always follow. on the water. On weigh in stages across Athe country this word is repeated event after event. First rule: Expect change! Sometimes it’s the winner explaining how daily ad- justments helped them stay on the winning fish. The Second rule: Never be unprepared! small alteration he made from his initial game plan This may sound over simplified, but it is really that propelled him to victory. Other times, and most important and is the foundation of my fishing success. often, it’s the adjustments a competitor mentions There is no magic secret and no angler is immune that he would of and should have made during the to failure. Decisions and adjustments separate the course of the event. Often it’s a missed opportunity winners from the others. or a window of changing conditions that were inex- The first rule, whenI ’m smart enough to follow it, plicably missed. Whichever side of the fence you are keeps me thinking and paying attention to the small on, adjustments impact your fishing success. details like the angle of the sun on a specific dock This being said, anglers can only adjust if they are holding fish and where they may be in the morning prepared to do so and that is what this article is about! versus the afternoon. Being prepared to adjust and some good reasons for it. The second rule meansI have maybe up to 15 rods No matter how strong any pattern or stowed in the rod lockers and a small tackle store in group of fish may seem the compartments. I may expect to catch them on during a top-water, but I

42 Photos by Jody Only By Zack Thompson

adjustment!Now as far as always being prepared, no one can carry every lure and bait, but there are a few that I feel should never be left behind. The following is a rough list and will do as a bare bones must have stockpile:

 An assortment of green pumpkin and black  Football jig heads with weed guards from ¼- and blue colored plastics. At least a pack of to ¾-oz and assorted jig skirts. Again like the creature baits, finesse worms, tubes and craws. spinnerbaits, you can make any jig color and I prefer Berkley HAVOC Pit Bosses, HAVOC size you may need for the rest of the day. Bottom Hopper Worms, HAVOC Smash Tubes and PowerBait Chigger Craws. These few  Some 3/8 and ½-oz chatterbaits. You shapes and colors will work in clear water and can use the jig shirts and spinnerbait skirts muddy water and catch bass in any lake. Now to modify colors and any of the plastics I’m not saying to not have other colors; but I mentioned as trailers, depending on what you never leave the dock without these. need.  An assortment of crankbaits from shallow  A very well equipped hook and weight box. squarebills to deep divers. One box with just a This box should NEVER LEAVE THE BOAT and few of each in craw and shad colors will work should ALWAYS be restocked before an event. better than none at all. Always have some There is never a good excuse for using a dull cranks! hook and not having the right weight.  An assortment of scrounger heads from  Filler spools of Trilene 100% fluorocarbon 3/16- to 3/8-oz and shad colored PowerBait in tests from 6- to 20-lbs. Not only for the minnows in 4-inch. These baits will catch fish unexpected change in technique, but to also to in every month of the year and are deadly on rebound from a catastrophic backlash. schooling bass.  An assortment of 5-inch Berkley Hollow  Some ½-oz spinnerbait bodies and an Belly Swimbaits. These are very effective as assortment of loose skirts in different colors. A trailers and stand alone swimbaits. couple bodies mix and matched with different  A bottle of Mend-It soft bait adhesive, a tube skirts can make all the difference and you of super glue, and a chartreuse Spike It bait won’t have the wrong color blades. marker. These will mend broken bait, and allow  A box with an assortment of topwater baits. for on the fly modifications. Spooks, poppers, buzzbaits and frogs, at least.  At least one back up reel. You just never Even in the winter you don’t want to be caught know when one will fail, breaks or will get out without them. stepped on.

Issue 3  June 2012 43 expect adjustmensts

sent another bait into the running water and it happened again. I’m left standing there dumbfounded. I quickly tie on a bait to the heaviest setup I had in the boat, unfortunately it was only 12-lb test. That was the strongest I had with me. As the day progressed I quickly realized I had found a really strong pattern, and hooked some big ones but lost more than I landed. I was disgusted! The fish were not line shy and hadI been prepared with a flippin’ stick, whichI had in the hotel room, I may have made a run at the leader.

The second day I hit the water loaded for don’t leave bear, braided line and big sticks on the deck. Of course the dock unprepared for the big ones were not so eager to bite and I managed finesse. I n my experience I have missed only a few quality bites and I ended the event just more adjustments due to not having followed the missing a check. second rule. That experience served as my epiphany, don’t There were times early in my tournament career leave the dock unprepared for anything. Now I where I was caught out during competition without always have at least one flippin’ stick and at least the necessary tools. Each time I would learn a bit more one spinning rod and something to at least cover until I arrived at a place of clarity. That was realizingI everything in between in the boat every day. had to carry all the baits I may need. This also meant Now this does not mean you have to carry 20 rod having a flippin’ stick even ifI was planning on fishing and reel combos, but at the least carry filler spools of deep and all the tackle associated with it. heavy and light lines for an emergency re-spool. A great example of breaking the second rule was As an example of the first rule,I ’d like to explain an event years ago at Lake Oroville. I was expecting how I came to win my Bassmaster Open title at - like everyone else- to be fishing for spotted bass Clear Lake in the fall of 2004. After days of practicing, with the usual light line and finesse techniques. having found solid groups of shallow bass I readied my boat with numerous spinning rods in the and a few light action reaction bait rods. It was early spring and there had been some serious rain the days prior to the event. I knew the bass would be near the running water in the drains and creeks, but I had not expected what happened next. As I began to fish the running water, I encountered a few drains that had accumulated a bunch of floating wood chinks and debris. I cast at the edge of the junk and hooked a better than average bass. Great news, I found the better ones! So after culling, I made a cast behind the junk, where the water ran into the lake. Immediately, I hooked up with something big and my 6-lb line was no match for it and I got broke off in a bad way.I re tied and

44 north end of the lake eating rattletraps, on the last day of practice I decided to revisit some southern portions of the lake. I did not want to hurt my fish and fully expected to spend the day eliminating water. To even better the story, I equipped myself with some spoons because the dock talk was there were some big biting spoons down south and the thought of catching some slabs excited me. I was by no means a jigging spoon master, far from it. So as I poked around catching some small keeper bass here and there, I looked down on my graph and saw some serious activity in about 20-feet. I and subtleties thought to myself, there are some of those crappie. of each bite and never be unwilling to follow your As my ¾-oz spoon plummeted to the bottom, instincts. I felt a thud. Setting the hook, the weight of the Every successful day is a product of timing, fish immediately let me know this was no crappie! execution and adjustments. Next time you will be sure I landed a 5-lb bass and threw it in the live well and to be ready for anything that may arise. immediately dropped the spoon back down. Thud,I Zack Thompson is sponsored by Construction, set into another big bass, this one just under 5-lbs! CHT Tackle, Berkley, Abu-Garcia, Trilene, Spiderwire, I was staggered and my mind clicked from HAVOC, Ranger Boats and C&C Marine. eliminating water to the realization I may have found the mother lode. I had never fished an event where spooning was my primary big fish pattern butI was about to. I rigged all my rods as I had originally expected to because at this point in my career I knew just because they bit yesterday did not mean they would bite tomorrow, but I was going to try. As we blasted off the next morningI headed straight to the spot. The first few drops yielded a 9-lb bass which ended up as the largest of the event and over the course of the next three days that spot and others I was able to find during the event that had similar bait schools and schools of bass propelled me to win the event. This event was my second epiphany and the tenet of rule number one, always expect change, especially when you think you have it figured out the most.

Use this list as a starting point and you will never be totally caught off guard. This covers something from the surface to the bottom and everything in between. Keep in mind that just having the baits in the boat and rods in the locker will not make the adjustments for you. As an angler, you have to stay focused and observant. Look for the small obscurities

Issue 3  June 2012 45 double G Technique Story & Photos By jody only double is shootin’ for the shallow bass

Ghen I’m going shallow, I’m looking at structure, weather patterns and times of year,” said 2-time qualifier Greg Gutierrez. I“ want areas that heat up the quickest, that have emergent growth and low water levels. I check tule patches, little pockets and backs of creeks. I want to find Wactive fish that are feeding in these areas.I t is a great way to find the big ones.” The B.A.S.S. champion shared some of the specifics he keeps in mind when he’s goin’ shallow. Big bass can make themselves at home in less than 3-feet of water and this is the depth that Gutierrez said he had in mind when he is talking “shallow”. “I don’t call it shallow until I have to raise the motor,” said Gutierrez also known as Double G.

46 PRACTICE YOUR PRESENTATION

“Precision is everything; you cannot cast haphazardly,” explained Gutierrez. “You’ve got to put it in the hole in the canopy, perfectly and quietly. You cannot bomb the fish. You cannot startle the fish. A ccuracy and stealth are even more important when you’re up shallow; because it is so easy to spook them. Boat movements and the noise you create moving in the boat are all part of being stealth.” His best bet for a bait when he is beatin’ the banks is a two prong approach that includes a Skinny Dipper and Sweat Beaver both made by Reaction Innovations. “The Beaver is versatile as you can cast it and work swimbait, next to weed it like a worm - a profile that appeals to any lines, in lanes of grass and by ambush points. appetite,” said Gutierrez. The odds are - the more casts you make, the more He keeps the bait colors simple with green opportunities you have to get a bite. pumpkin type shades in clear water and darkens it up If he finds the fish aren’t going for his first with natural hues like black and red or black and blue presentation or if he is just “getting nudges” he in stained water. “I really like the color Spanish Fly; it will slow down and start flippin’ into pockets. “Get stands out against the grass real well,” he noted. that Skinny Dipper in between the tule lanes, in the pockets - in the sweet spots,” advised Gutierrez. GETTIN’ STARTED “When I flip,I flip excruciatingly slow andI flip everything. I will flip a three foot area over and over, Double G gets his shallow water bass assault reaching every angle until I get it the way they want it. started by swimming a Skinny Dipper. “That’s whatI You have to listen to the fish.” use when I’m feelin’ for a bite,” stated the tournament A cast every 10- to12-feet may be good enough pro. “I use it lookin’ for a reaction bite. I may start with when you’re covering water; but Gutierrez suggested big flats with lots of grass, cover a lot of water and tightening up may be necessary. He shared he may look for reactive fish. You can throw this flip five or 10 times in a 4-foot area; he may run a 20- out and fish it like a yard bank flippin it the length of a fish - every 16- to 18-inches. It all depends on what the fish tell him. “If I believe in the bank or a bush, I will put that kind of time into it,” he explained. “I will put the Power Poles down every 5- to 10-feet, around a bush, or a flat or whatever and I will hit every part. I go to the front, then the sides, then the heart and then the back. It is a meticulous process and you want to work your way in, so not to scare off any fish with a big bomb from the start. This will really test your conviction and like I said, you have to believe in your bush or your bank to do it. Remember - you’re looking for five big bites.”

Issue 3  June 2012 47 double G Technique

“A good way to tell how far apart your rush on it, I casts should be is by how hard the fish are have good hitting your bait,” he continued. “If they bite hookset it hard, then they came from a ways away power.” and ran it down. If the bite feels like it just “For got heavy, then they didn’t move that far flippin’,I like a to get it. When they’re really hammerin’ it, 5/0 Bass Pro they’re moving at least two or three feet Shops round to get it. Listen to them to dictate your bend hook or an casting space” . Owner Thin Wire hook, because GEAR they penetrate easy and don’t “I like the Skinny Dipper on a straighten out,” he Scrounger Head for increased vibration, continued. “ I use a primarily a 5/0, 6/0 or 7/0 hook,” shrink tube barb to explained Gutierrez. I like a big hook preserve my baits, when I’m Texas rigging it, unless I’m time, money and to not using a weight then I want a get more casts in. 5/0. I fish this fast, just flippin’ the For my weight I like tops of grass or sometimes I use a a 1/4- to pause and sink retrieve. I keep my 1/2-oz without the rod at the 10 o’clock position and insert.” when the fish Gutierrez broke down the rod, reel and line he prefers. “I use a heavy action Flippin’ Stick with a fast tip up to 7’11”, sometimes a moderate action rod is better for shock absorption and moving line without overpowering it,” he explained. “As for my reels, I use the Revo STX 6.4:1. It has the strongest drag and is light weight and comfortable. There are timesI will set aside the high speed reel aside and go to a 5:1, when I need to force myself to pick a part an area.” He explained that the SideScan feature on his Lowrance HDS is a tool he puts into action in early spring to locate targets that he uses throughout the season. “Because there are little to no weeds compared to summer, the early spring is a great time to look for and mark rock piles, logs, drop- offs and other shallow water structure that will be hidden by vegetation later,” he continued. “Side imaging is perfect for this.” Following this advice on the basics of targeting shallow water, Double G concluded with one last tip. “Don’t be afraid to go shallow; there are more fish shallow, more often than you think. I t is much easier to fish shallow than to find the little nuggets out deep, which are a lot more work to locate.”

48

a day with an elite

he Bassmaster Elite Series anglers are a calm day. Part of the run was through boat lanes in widely recognized as the best bass anglers between the grass that were barely wide enough to in the world. What makes them so good? fit a boat with the water being less than two feet deep Are they really that much better than your at the time. It was an exhilarating run and was made Taverage tournament angler? That is up to debate, even more exciting as we narrowly passed Kevin but one of the best ways to see for yourself is to VanDam in one of the open areas. sign up as a Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal. I had As we entered a more open area of the lake, the the chance to do this on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee water became much rougher; but Zaldain’s driving this March and was paired with a rookie, California’s skills made it unnoticeable and we were still able to own Chris Zaldain. travel at a high rate of speed towards our first stop. Although he didn’t fare as well as he had hoped, The Monkey Box is an ideal place to fish matted he proved that there is a reason that some are vegetation; because it is very plentiful and consists of considered Elite. From my observations, there are the right mixture of different aquatic species. Hydrilla, several things that separate the elite from the average lily pads, eel grass, pepper grass and hyacinths all tournament - flawless mechanics, an merge together and form mats in specific areas. unmatched intensity and the decision making during Based on his success in practice and confidence the day. gained from fishing the waters in Calif., Zaldain made the decision to punch mats all day. GETTING STARTED I asked him about the differences between punching on both coasts and he said it came down The first morning of anE lite Series event is to the seasons and color selection. In Calif., he relies exciting; anglers and marshals move about and media on punching as a summer and fall pattern, whereas representatives conduct interviews and take photos in Fla. it is almost opposite as the bass seem to and videos of the fishermen. The AB. .S.S. staff makes gravitate towards the mats more in the pre-spawn sure everything is in order and emcee Dave Mercer and post-spawn. Fla. bass prefer darker colors, while entertains the crowd of friends, family members and in other parts of the country, natural colors such as fans of the anglers. It was a relaxing morning, but that watermelons and green pumpkins can be used along was soon to change. with the darker colors. As our boat number was called, it was off to the races in a trail of boat wakes and the sight of brightly UNMATCHED INTENSITY colored wrapped boats going in every direction. Our first run was towards an area known as the “Monkey As a tournament angler myself, I consider myself Box”. The drive from the north end of the lake to “The serious when it comes to fishing tournaments. I am Box”, as it is known, is around 25- to30-minutes on not one to rest or take my time moving from one on the boat with chris zaldain 50 Story & Photos By Tyler Brinks

A Day as an Elite Marshal chris zaldain Issue 3  June 2012 51 a day with an elite location to another. Zaldain and the other Elite Series during the day; locations and timing play a crucial anglers take it to another level and there is no slowing role in the success. It was interesting to observe down. When one location is reached, it is a full sprint someone at this level make decisions based on the to the trolling motor to begin casting. When moving conditions. As the action slowed, the wind changed a shorter distance with the trolling motor, it is on direction or other angler’s moved within site you 100 percent and casts are still being made. At first,I could almost see the wheels turning inside of his thought this intensity was just a result of too much head as he contemplated which direction to head morning coffee or the nerves from the excitement or whether or not to fire up the engine and move of starting the new day; but I was wrong. The locations. intensity lasted until the very end. NO WASTED TIME

There are no wasted minutes during a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament; no lunch breaks, no driving at half throttle and definitely no coming in early. This was evident as everywhere we ran was wide-open throttle, nothing less. We stopped close to FLAWLESS the ramp at the end of MECHANICS the day and fished around several Watching someone other punch mats for eight hours might not seem like your idea of fun, but watching repeated pitches and punches in a rapid fire approach makes one appreciate the art. There is a certain amount of finesse and power required to get competitors. the bait where it needs to be and there were Knowing the lake well and very few, if any, mistakes in his approach. It was realizing how long it takes to get like watching a machine repeatedly assemble back from that point, I began to a product- there were no pauses, hiccups or get nervous as the clock ticked anything that was not in rhythm. and ticked. Marshals are not able to help the anglers out in any DECISION MAKING way, so I sat in the comfortable Skeeter boat seats and waited. It has always been said that tournament When he finally decided to bass fishing is all about the decisions made leave, we were traveling as

52 It’s All about Inventory and We have It !! Whenever you are going to Shasta, be sure to stop by Phil’s for all your fishing needs.

GetGet thethe latestlatest ShastaShasta fishingfishing reports!reports! 3037 Twin View Blvd. Shasta Lake, Ca.96019 PROPELLERS 800-462-3917 530-275-4939 Phil’s www.philsprop.com [email protected]

fast as that engine could go and when we finally arrived, the big digital scale at the check-in read “4:15:46”. We had 14 seconds to spare. Talk about cutting it close, but every second counts in the Elite Series. Riding along during the event was something I never thought I could do. I thought it would be very difficult to sit in a boat all day Lifetime and not make a cast. I won’t lie and say it was easy, but the lessons I learned during the day Memories! more than made up for the inconvenience of Vacations, Weddings, not being able to wet a line. Graduations, Pets, etc. th Zaldain finished the tournament in 78 place A canvas print makes with just under 19-lbs for two days. In an event a great gift! that took eventual winner and fellow West Coaster Ish Monroe over 100-lbs to win, it was not the result Zaldain had hoped for. I talked with Transfer your photo to canvas him after the event and he said he probably would not have done much differently. He had a good and turn any moment into a practice and a solid pattern for the conditions; beautiful memory as if it were it just did not come together for him during this hanging in a gallery. event. www.visionsoncanvas.com

Issue 3  June 2012 53 “You wanna win like me?”

“ I’ve got two days to break down a lake and find the winning pattern. HDS makes me 10 times more efficient on the water. GPS mapping locates potential hotspots, and StructureScan helps me dial it in. I see all around my boat to find the bait and structure others are missing. If you wanna win like me, you better get HDS.” – Skeet Reese, BASS Elite Series Champion, 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion

CHANGE Y O U R VIEW.™