Largemouth Bass Fishing

The Largemouth Bass

Make no mistake the Largemouth Bass is a predator, and as a predator it brings to the game a complex genetic skill set. Honed over generations of environmental conditioning the Bass is neither shy or timid. A solitary hunter or part of a loose school. The Largemouth Bass is always a hunter, always a predator. Disturb his domain and your fly will disappear almost as soon as it arrives. Sometimes never to be seen again.

When Bass fishing with a fly rod it is essential to remember that the Bass is not unlike us humans. It is always seeking food, shelter and comfort. Learning what these mean to a Largemouth Bass will take us a long way to catching this elusive hunter.

Food

When does a mouse top the dinner menu? When it is attached to the end of a fly line. As food goes the largemouth Bass is not that particular. They will attack and eat a variety of foods: insects, popcorn, minnows, amphibians, reptiles, worms, mammals etc. They generally prefer larger foods, but can be taken on smaller offerings as well. Even a size 14 dry fly.

Shelter and Habitat

The Largemouth Bass usually invades the shallows from their winter depths as spring arrives. The exact timing is determined by your location. When the weather warms up and ice-out begins you can expect the Bass to awaken form their winter solace.

Once the water warms up to 60 degrees a Largemouth Bass's thoughts turn to spawning. After spawning, the female leaves the nest and thus begins the male's job of guarding the nest until the eggs hatch and they turn into a school of tiny black fish. It is during this time that the male will savagely defend the nest. The male Bass will not eat until the little ones leave the nest.

During this time they do not eat, but the will defend and attack. It is now that a mouse pattern plopped down next to the nest will attract his attention and his lateral sense line will go into overdrive. A small mammal is no match for this ferocious predator. With lighting speed he will cover the distance to your mouse pattern. In an instant its gone and your fly line leader tightens to the breaking point.

As a predator once the nest is empty certain habits and cycles of the bass are predictable. As a hunter they do things with enough regularity for us to capitalize on them.

Not unlike us they: "hunt", they "feed" and they "defend". Knowing how they do these things will give us an edge on the fight.

The largemouth Bass makes it home in and around structure. Structure is any area that a Bass can take up a position of feeding and ambush superiority. Usually with a backdoor exit to deeper water to escape into. The best structure goes to the largest fish. Such as fallen trees, sunken logs, weed beds, lily pads, piers etc… These are our hunting grounds for the Largemouth Bass.

Early morning Bass fishing is a favorite time. Cooler water and more oxygen. It is now that Bass can be found cruising the shorelines for food. This is when I use a size 2 mouse. Mice often fall into the water from the shore so a mouse isn't a big surprise for a Bass. Casting our mouse next to the shoreline or into the weeds/Lilly pads or a sunken/floating log will often elicit a hit.

Cast the mouse and let it sit for a moment. Bass will often take a few seconds and look at your treat. But sometime the mouse barely hit's the water. A bass will take about a 1/10 of a second to determine if the meal is to his liking before he spits it out so you must be ready for a strike.

The afternoon brings out my streamers and wooly buggers in sizes 2 - 6. I fish these a little deeper and outside a weed bed edge with a slight hesitation retrieve. As if it is a wounded fish. A Dalhburg diver is a good fly for this. The Dalhburg will dive as it is retrieved and come back up to the surface as you let up on the retrieve. This action mimics the action of a wounded bait fish. It's an action few bass can ignore. A little fly float will help this action as well.

The evening brings out the top water flies again. A black or natural mouse size 2, dragon flies size 4, general red and black poppers size 4 even a saltwater white pencil plug with a red tail size 2 can work. Also it is a good time for dry flies. Nothing can beat a 3 lb Bass hitting a size 12 Blue winged olive. Patterns don't mater to the Bass. We are not matching the hatch. Just annoying a hungry fish. Toss it into edge a weed bed and let it sit. Twitch it and stop. Mimic a struggling wet insect. See what happens.

Check out what other Bass fishers are using in your area.

Fly Rods For Bass Fishing

This is an area of much confusion and misunderstanding. A good fly rod for Largemouth Bass fishing is a 8 ½ foot 6 weight medium to fast action rod. A good medium action rod will get your fly out to 20 feet depending on your casting style and skill. Set it up with a 7 foot 2x - 4x leader with a matching 12 - 16 inch length of tippet.

Final thoughts

Knowing the habits of this fish will give you the edge in the contest. Deep/shallow, hot /cold, what kind of structure, passage to deep water, food, oxygen, water clarity, shoreline features. Knowing how Bass relate to these and many more environmental stimulants will make the hunter "par excellence" into the hunted. Good fishing.

why-bass for more information fly rods for Bass fishing.

A lifetime bass fisherman with a passion for fly fishing. For more information on Bass fishing with a fly rod and general tips and tricks please go to http://www.why-bass.blogspot.com

Go Chase The Pike With A Fly..

I moved slowly upstream peering intently into the gin clear water, the bright sunshine allowed me to see every pebble, stick and even the minnows in the bottom of the pool. No breeze ruffled the surface. A shoal of bait fish hung close to a weed bed. Nothing moved as I peered intently into the water. The combination of my long peaked cap, and polarised glasses helped me search deep into the flowing water.

I blinked, and then squinted. Did I see a pike? Yes, there it is, I spotted a fin movement, then a tail moved, enough for me to realise I was looking at a pike. The perfect predator. My eyes move slowly up the length of a fish, it must be thirty inches or more in length. My heart beat a little faster as my brain went into overdrive as I computed the angle of the cast, then distance to target. I launched some line, then realised I needed a bit more. I pulled a few more feet from the reel. All the time I was keeping my eyes on the fish. I was the hunter; the hunted is a fish that goes back a few million years. It probably weighs 14lbs It’s there for catching, if I don’t make a mistake.

The fish is moving slowly upstream, I have just one chance. I shot the line, the fly landed with a slight plop, hardly breaking the water surface. The fish moves its head slightly then slowly turns. This is the moment I have been waiting for all morning. I twitched the line imparting life into the fly - a fly that was created in Northern Canada. It’s tied up on a 3/0 Partridge hook using Polar bear hair and a few strands of crystal flash. It’s some six inches long and comes alive in the water when moved.

I made a six inch strip; the pike was off the starting block moving fast towards my fly, creating a bow wave. I gave another quick strip of some three inches. The big one couldn’t resist it, there was a big swirl, a boil. Then the fly had disappeared as the fish turned for the deep water. The strip strike set the hook, his speed and momentum carried the fish skywards, head shaking, gills flared. For a second, perhaps two, I stand spellbound, watching this fighting fury crash back into the water. It’s like an explosion as the water erupts, the ever increasing circles going across the river. After some minutes the fish is bought to hand. I bend down then take the barbless hook from the scissors of the pike’s mouth then watch it swim off slowly. Below is what I made to catch the pike, go ahead and try it for yourself

If you were to take a look in the fly boxes of a few anglers who target the pike, you will discover hundreds of different fly patterns. Just as today’s anglers fishing for rainbow trout, carry several boxes of fly patterns, but only use a dozen flies. It’s the same with us anglers who target the pike. I have several boxes of flies for pike, but for most of my fishing I probably only use a dozen patterns - but with various colour combinations that dozen probably grows to a hundred or more. Most of my pike flies are tied up on Partridge CS43 2/0 to 4/0 or Cox and Rawle Uptide 1/0 TO 5/0 A few flies have been tied up on Ade Sweider designed hooks.

One of my most successful pike fly patterns is without doubt the Polar fly. It’s tied as follows.

Tail-white Polar bear hair, not synthetic hair, and pearl crystal.

Body- pearl fritz or silver tinsel strip. The wings of white Polar bear hair, again not synthetic hair with pearl crystal hair.

Remarks- Two types of bodies should be tied up, as one will often work when the other doesn’t. I don’t know why this is so but that’s the nature of the beast. This pattern is also excellent for many saltwater species including the bass

Other patterns are the Polar perch with a tail of Polar hair, a body of gold tinsel with 12lb mono rib. The wings are yellow buck with green buck over tying with black silk. You can add purple crystal hair strands to wing, create barring effect on wing with black permanent pen. A fly pattern I really like is the Red tailed rat. There are many occasions when pike ignore a submerged fly, but will savagely hit a surface fished one. The Red tailed rat is quite simple to tie, with a tail of red buck and red crystal hair. The body is black deer hair, wedge shaped, tying silk is black. At one time I had eyes fixed on these mouse and rat type patterns, but I now feel they are a waste of time and money. All the pike will see is an outline of the red tailed rat as it is worked across the surface. Takes are usually very savage.

The tail of this fly comprises two orange marabou left on the quill, with a body of orange marabou with some silver oval, tinsel rib or orange cock hackle, palmered down the body. Wings are four orange cock hackle. Purple crystal hair may be added to the tail and wing. This is a good pattern for coloured water.

Thread-white and chartreuse, Tail-white buck tail, shank length, inside white neck hackles (2 each side), extending one and a half times shank length, Body-silver tinsel with a collar of white buck tail, extending nearly to tip of tail. Topping-is chartreuse buck tail, as long as collar. Throat-several strands of red Krystal Flash. The head-is Chartreuse thread, lacquered. Eyes Applied with Faber-Crystall uni-point marker.

I also have two frog patterns which have proved excellent fish catchers. We all know how pike love weeds, my frog patterns can be fished in the thickest of weeds, without getting caught up. When fishing reed beds I have had pike come a foot out of the water to grab a frog pattern as I pulled the frog up the reed stems..

Rods Reels and Lines

The Tackle Shop stocks a great selection of Fly  Fishing combo’s and rods. In your tackle shop you will find several brands of line which will be suitable for chucking big flies for pike. One line will not cover all aspects of pike fly fishing. To get the best out of the sport, you need at least three lines. Cortland lines are my first choice, the nine weight Ghost tip is probably my most used line. I can fish flies from the surface, down to four or five feet, depending on the speed of retrieve. This line comes with a fifteen foot clear tip, which is then built into a floating line, it will also lift cleanly off the water. Two other Cortland lines I use are both sinkers, a medium and fast sink. It’s surprising how often you will use a fast sink line when fishing the big reservoirs and gravel pits. When fishing with a fast sink line I will often use a leader of three feet, perhaps eighteen inches.

To buy some of the products I have been talking about try The Tackle Shop or for Fly Fishing Books or DVD’s go The Fishing Shop

www.The-Fishing-Shop.com

Flyfishing Tips Made Easy

FlyFishing Tips, Here are some of the best flyfishing tips available from my flyfishing tips .info where there are tons more flyfishing tips to enjoy.

FlyFishing Tips - Everybody knows the fundamentals of fishing. There is a rod, reel, fishing line, hook, bait, you cast the line, wait for a bite, and reel in your dinner. Experienced fishermen know there’s more to it than that, except for lots of us that outline suitably sums it up. However, there are a few sorts of fishing,eg salt water and water, and maybe the most suave of all, fly fishing. Unlike different sorts of fishing, fly fishing does not typically use any kind of organic bait, live or dead. Instead, fly fisherman use man-made flies ribbon, string, hair, feathers as a lure to draw in fish. The artificial flies are attached to the hook and line, and the fisherman draws fish with movement that makes the fly look like an insect that is moving on or above the outside of the water.

FlyFishing Tips - The personality of that manmade bait is the 1st and most critical part to understand when examining fly fishing basics. Other categories of fishing depend on casting a line and enticing fish with the bait, but fly fishing requires a far more skillful system of luring the fish.

FlyFishing Tips - If you understand fly fishing basics, you could wonder what you would like to give it a try.

FlyFishing Tips - The reel used is in generally quite straightforward as it is in typically used only to retrieve the hook and lure and hopefully a fish! Before casting, fly fishermen customarily create slack in the line by pulling some from the reel.

Choosing the correct lure is another side of fly fishing basics that one should understand before setting off to cast their line. The game has developed latterly, and many fly fishermen now select lures and casting systems that mimic the first prey of the fish they attempt to catch.

FlyFishing Tips - Having the ability to tie the right flyfishing knots is intensely crucial to being a useful flyfisherman. Though there are definitely a large amount of different knots employed in flyfishing, the most typical are sometimes pretty simple to tie. The basic ones are the arbor knot, Albright knot, nail knot, double surgeon knot, and also the improved clinch knot.

FlyFishing Tips - An experience of fly fishing basics isn’t enough to prepare one to head off to the nearest lake or stream. If you have an interest in expanding your understanding, or trying fly fishing yourself, spend some time reading on the topic, and if possible seek the tutelage of a professional fly fisherman. Only then are you in a position to start to understand more than fly fishing basics, for example explicit suggestions on rods, reels, line weight, lures, and most critical, the great places where fly fisherman must make a pilgrimage.

We hope you found this useful. Read more flyfishing tips @ www.myflyfishingtips.info.

http://www.myflyfishingtips.info - Flyfishing tips to make fly fishing easy.

Fish Finder for Anglers

Any avid angler has multiple fishing rods and bait. What more does an angler need to catch fish? Bobbers, tackle box, and other tools inside the tackle box for fishing is what most people would be quick to answer. One thing that could be added for an angler is a portable fish finder to locate fish. Normally an angler needs to guess where fish may be located and where they might bite. When fishing on lakes and bays, the portable fish finder locates fish like a global positioning system locates places. For those who fish at lake cabins on a boat or a dock, a portable fish finder is a must-have tool. A fish finder for anglers is a time saving piece of technology. Depth of fish can be calculated for up to 100 foot depth. Guessing games are easily reduced and sometimes patience becomes less necessary because patience does not always pay off when fishing is not successful during unsuccessful stages of fishing trips. Frustration of not catching a fish gets reduced with an angler's fish finder. The portable fish finder is a tool which helps those who fish search for answers where fish could be spotted on a boat or dock in lakes and bays. It is very possible to have a good day without the fish finder. However, a chance of a good day is enhanced with a fish finder that is easy to carry. More fish could get caught when technology is used to take advantage of where fish may bite. A portable fish finder is just that kind of solution. Having good bait and using good fishing technique is the most important part of fishing, but having a portable fish finder optimizes fishing results for anglers. The portable fish finder could be just one missing piece of the puzzle for a successful fishing trip for those who fish.

http://ikozliak-outdoors.blogspot.com
http://anglersfishfinder.totalwarehouse.com

River Fly Fishing : The Complete Guide

There has long been a need for a comprehensive guide to river fly-fishing for trout and grayling in the rivers of the UK. Peter Lapsley, in his masterly treatment of the subject, reveals that, far from being the restricted pleasure of the wealthy, river fly-fishing is widely available throughout the country at reasonable cost, providing anglers with a wonderful variety of opportunities. Armed with this book, both novice and experienced fly-fishers will gain from the author’s clear, concise and handsomely illustrated instructions. The history of river fly-fishing; the types and natures of the streams and rivers in which trout, sea trout and grayling are found; the behaviour of the fish and of the creatures they eat; tackle, equipment, flies and knots; casting techniques and problem-solving; times and seasons; dry fly, nymph and wet fly fishing; and finding inexpensive and readily accessible waters - all these and more make “River Fly-Fishing” a truly complete guide to the sport.

Peter Lapsley has fished for trout, sea trout and grayling in the UK and overseas for over forty-five years. He is a nationally qualified game angling instructor - STANIC and APGAI (’Trout & Sea Trout’ and ‘Fly Tying’), has written, co-written or edited eight previous angling books, including the bestseller, Fly Fishing by J.R. Hartley, to which he was fly-fishing adviser, and has contributed countless articles to a wide range of British and overseas game angling and field sports magazines. He owned and ran a successful trout fishery in Hampshire for several years in the 1980s. Although he now lives and works in London, fishing chiefly on the chalk streams of southern England, Peter retains a passion for the lovely wild-trout waters of Scotland, Wales and Ireland, of the North of England and of the West Country.

Some Reviews of this books from other Anglers:

A well written must have for the fly-fisherman

Click Here to get this book River Fly Fishing : The Complete Guide

For more books and DVD’s on Fly Fishing go to The Fishing Shop

The Fishing Shop was created by a group of friends with an overwhelming passion for the sport of fishing, the great outdoors, exploration of the world around us and doing what makes us happy… Fishing

New Key West Fishing

Fishing is a favorite pastime for many people. What makes it so interesting is the fact that there is always something new to be learned when out at sea. It also engages both the body and the mind thus making it a healthy undertaking. Finding good fishing ground online can be tricky but not when you have information about the Key West Fishing. Key West Fishing is one of the best fishing programs offered online. Run by Key West Captains who know everything there is about fishing, it is comprehensive, offering the best practices in organized fishing charters.

 

Key West offers different types of fisheries with different fish species. Shark fishing for instance is done on flats and channels where the waters are between 4 and 5 feet deep. Shark fishing is an exclusive type of sports and is done using flat boats and/or light tackle boats. Fly rods are used to catch these fish which can be as heavy as 400 lb. Shark fishing is most fruitful between February and July. Another top species is the bonefish. Although bonefish live in tropical waters - which makes it hard to find them - they usually move to shallow flats so as to feed. At Key West Fishing, they are a main highlight as they can be found here in plenty especially during early fall.

 

 Other types of fish that make it worth trying out Key West fishing are Permit, mostly found between March and July; Sailfish which can be found between January and March; Mangrove Grouper between April and August; Blue Marlin best caught during fall just like the Barracuda and the yellow tail snapper. Other types of fish found at Key West include the tuna (both black fin and yellow fin), tarpon, mutton snapper and the Wahoo among others.

 

The Atlantic Ocean offshore provides the best Key West fishing outdoors experience. Here, the widest range of fish can be caught. It is easy to make sure that you do not miss the fun in the sports by observing the waters consistently for signs that fish may be on their way up. You can do this by being on the look out for weed lines, color changes in the water, diving birds among other indicators.   

 

Fishing at Key West can also be done in groups whereby you can join any of the groups going on fishing trips in the various locations. One of these is the Sunset Shark and Tarpon Trip which is normally a nighttime outdoor activity. It is one of the most engaging sports given the number of fishing enthusiasts who attend and the hard task it is trying to catch such big animals. Other trips are the Gulf Shrimp Boat Trips which are an early morning outdoors activity and the Gulf of Mexico Towers Charters which takes fishing to the restricted Gulf Coast Towers waters. The famous Gulf of Mexico Wrecks are a sanctuary to many fish and therefore offer the widest range of fish found in any single place.

Find out more about fishing and sports

Fishing and Earthquakes - Having an Eel of a Time

It was the family summer vacation of 1982 and the Scottish Highlands were enjoying one of its rare blazing hot summers.

My dad had just bought me my first ever fishing rod from the local fishing tackle store, it was a bright shiny yellow which stood out a mile, and perhaps this was a sign of things to come!

I knew nothing about fishing but couldn't wait to test the new rod out in the nearby Loch. My dad assembled the fishing tackle for me and off I set, fully expecting to catch lots of fish, although I hadn't planned as far as what to do with them once I had caught them!

It was a gloriously sunny, warm day and after just a few minutes walk from where we were staying, I reached the bank of the Loch and settled into position. A friendly neighbour from one of the other log cabins was fishing just a little further up the bank and it seemed he was already having great success with his landing net already showing signs of activity!

It would only be a matter of time, I thought naively, before I was reeling in giant trout, carp and bass! I decided I wouldn't sit down because there was sure to be lots of activity and fishing action!

I began to notice that the guy further up the bank was actually making a catch what seemed to me to be every few minutes. I also noticed and the guy confirmed as he cursed, "Another wretched eel!", that all he was hauling in were eels! Nonetheless at least he was catching something.

An hour must have passed and I had long since sat down. The man was still cursing his luck and still reeling in the eels, while I was cursing the fact that he seemed to be stealing them all!

When I had finally given up several hours later, the final results went something like this, "man up the bank, at least 30 eels, and little ole me, 2 pieces of weed and a crisp packet!"

A couple of years later on a holiday in Wales, I went one better! In the midst of one of the most powerful earthquakes in the UK for years, I was net fishing in a stream and caught my first minnow! Hooray! I didn't find out about the earthquake till later because I hadn't felt a thing.

It is fair to say I am no expert fisherman but I have always retained an interest in fishing despite my humble beginnings.

 

For professional and expert fishing tackle for all types of fishing please feel free to visit the online fishing tackle store at trevstackle.com

Alaska Fishing Your Guide to Fishing The Great Land of Alaska

Alaska Fishing is the angler’s dream come true with some of the most incredible fishing in the world. Alaska fishing trips are legend, home to salmon runs so thick you can walk across their backs, halibut so big they’re called barn-doors, and bottom fish so plentiful that fishing for them is called “catching”. Alaska fishing lodges are right on top of the world's best freshwater fishing for multiple types of fish. Alaska fishing trips guarantee an unforgettable fishing adventure set against the spectacular wilderness of the pristine land.

Fishing in Alaska is a great experience because of the many professional and accommodating fishing lodges found in this magnificent state. Fishing enthusiasts from around the world gather every year in Alaska for hope of catching huge fish. Here is the best opportunity to catch some truly monster fish and the land is varied as it is beautiful. Many say some of the best fishing can be done on the Kenai Peninsula. It is there in the emerald green waters of the Kenai River that the largest king salmon in the world return year after year. From the remote wilds of the interior to the well known waters of the Kenai Peninsula, you can experience the best fishing of your life. The Kenai Peninsula offers a visiting fisherman much more than the finest and most accessible fishing in Alaska. You can choose from tasteful Alaskan cabins or lodge-style accommodations with waterfront choices including: a lakefront setting, nestled along the banks of the Kenai River, or overlooking Cook Inlet. Fishing the lower Kenai River offers the ultimate Alaska sportfishing challenge: the chase for the world’s largest Alaska king salmon or hard-fighting silver salmon, depending upon the season. Halibut grow to immense sizes and can be found on the Kenai Peninsula in great numbers.

Many have learned that an Alaska fishing vacation is not just an escape from the daily hustle and bustle of life, but a “reel” adventure with lifelong memories and friendships. If fishing is not for everyone in your group, there are many activities and Alaska wildlife in & around Ninilchik, Soldotna, Kenai and Homer, Alaska that will make a fun and adventurous vacation. A great fishing vacation should be one where the beauty and grandeur of the state can be enjoyed during the brief moments in between reeling in trophy halibut and salmon. The only downside will be tending to your sore arms when your Alaska fishing vacation is over.

Casey Fronczek Deep Sea Game Fishing

Casey Fronczek is a deep sea fishermen from the southern Florida that spends his week days mass net fishing and spends his weekends provinding big game fish adventures. I was lucky to catch up with Casey last weekend and go out on a marlin watch last Saturday. As apposed to most big game fishermen Casey Fronczek never keeps his catches no matter what the size is. If you are ever in southeast Florida on the weekend and want to see some massive aggresive fish, I suggest contacting Casey Fronczek for a big game fishing trip. To see a video of these amazing trips you may go on to youtube and search for “casey fronczek fishing trips”. He also has the record for the largest tiger shark as well.
A fisherman by trade Casey has been hitting the open waters of the gulf since he was six years old with his father, Casey Fronczek, Senior. Casey and his father still take expeditions every weekend to make that magic catch. can remember when his son was just around eight years old and hooked his first marlin, “It was the most exciting thing I have ever seen in my life. Here you got this scrawny eight year old little boy, fighting a 400 pound blue marlin, it was incredible!” From that day on Casey’s father knew he was destined to be a fishermen. “Some may think it’s not a glamorous life or the least bit enjoyable. Some people would rather just fish for closed schools off the dock and some might say we are insane for even attempting to hook these water bullets. It is what I love to do though and I will do it till I can’t do it anymore,” says Casey Fronczek.

Casey Fronczek is an accomplished deep sea fisherman that lives on the southern coast of Florida. An ex fruit farmer for Dole Casey hung up his pestisides and fertilizer to be the deep sea fisherman he has always been destined to be.

3 Tips to Catching More Bass

Did you know that 90% of anglers are making the same mistakes when fishing big bass that prevent them from catching big bass. A few things that anglers are doing wrong are as follows:

1) They are not fishing for big bass in the right spots.

The best places when fishing big bass to fish at is somewhere near structure. Most likely, bass will be found around fallen trees and docks. During the spring,or spawning season. Bass are spawning in the shallows, so they can be found there as well.

2) They are not fishing for bass with the right bait.

You can fish with live bait or fake bait (Lures). Live bait works best, because will lets face it, they are real. But lures work very well too. You also need to know what types of lures and what colors, which depends on the clearness of the water.

3) They are not fishing for bass during the right time.

The absolute best time to be fishing is in the early morning, right before the sun rises. At this time, the bass are very hungry. But note that if there is a full moon, then the bass are least likely to be biting because with the light from the moon they have been feeding all night.

I have struggled for a long time to catch big bass. I had no idea how to catch them. I could not find them, then once I found them, I could not catch them. I knew I was doing something wrong. So I spent a lot of money on special lure kits and gadgets that I thought would help, but it did not.

It was not until I came across, but then I learned the secrets of fishing big bass from CatchBassGuide.com

Read more of my story of how I learned the right way of fishing big bass.

Ryan has been an active fisherman for years. He primarily fishes for largemouth bass.

How to Catch Bass When They Are Spawning

Largemouth bass spawn in the spring. They spawn in the shallows, when the water reaches around 60 degrees. When searching for a spawning location, bass tend to find ones where it is shallow and well protected. Usually within 10 feet of the shore or so, bass will find there spawning area. When fishing largemouth bass be sure to start wishing where the sun hits the shallows the most. The water will be warmer there.

Spotting Nests

When fishing largemouth bass when they are spawning, search in the shallows for their nests. Their nests are usually white or black patches on the bottom. It really all depends on the lake floor itself. Remember to look where there is more sun and about 10 feet out. The bigger largemouth bass will be deeper and usually spawn first.

Baits to Use when Fishing largemouth bass during spawning

The best bait to use are plastic baits, like plastic worms and gitzits (best for when the bass are not striking). Also, good types of baits to use are top water and spinner baits.

When bass are in heavier cover, be sure to use any type of jig bait. I personally love to take a gitzits bait and use the drop shot rigging. It’s a personal preference of mine.

Also, be sure that when you are fishing in heavy cover to weed guard your bait as much as you can. This will save you time, and money as it has caused many anglers to lose their lures.

Fishing largemouth bass during their spawning season is the time to catch them.

Ihave been fishing since I was 5. I have read many books and guides for throughout the years, but I always came up short on the line. The largest bass I ever caught was about maybe 3 lbs or so. Until I found the a bass fishing guide. After reading it, I was applying everything I learned and within a couple days I landed in my first hog! It was amazing! I couldn’t believe it. Everything I was missing and didn’t know, the guide taught me it all.

I have struggled for a long time to catch big bass.I had no idea how to catch them. I could not find them, then once I found them, I could not catch them. I knew I was doing something wrong. So I spent a lot of money on special lure kits and gadgets that I thought would help, but it did not.

It was not until I came across, but then I learned the secrets of fishing big bass from CatchBassGuide.com

Read more of my story of how I learned the right way to catch big bass at Fishing Bis Bass and Catch Big Bass.

Ryan is an avid fisherman, who primarily fishes for largemouth bass.

Largemouth Bass fishing with a fly rod

So you want to go Largemouth Bass fishing with a fly rod. Well put away those trout flies 10 to - whatever. This isn’t spring sipping. No afternoon sunlit hatches. Little Baetis (Blue wing olive) or Heptageniidae (Light Cahill) match the hatch with 14s - 22s.

We’ll be throwing size 2 black deer hair mouse patterns, flashing a hen and peacock tail . Splashing down like an Apollo space capsule. Looking like dinner for a week.

In my Bass years I have found that when top water fishing “Bass like big meals” Although Bass generally hunt by sight they are aided by a unique ability to feel small vibrations through their “lateral line” a sense organ that runs just under their skin down each side of their body.

When fishing a mouse I want this organ to vibrate like my cell phone. Then the Bass will take a look around and see the meal just sitting there looking tasty.

Bass are not timid little fish. I’ve caught little ones no bigger than the mouse almost. Every time I do I tell it “go tell dad your mad”.

The point is be ready. a lot of the time the mouse barely hits the water and “bam” you’ve got a fight. But when this doesn’t happen let the mouse sit there for a moment. Stunned, “what happened”, “gotta get to land”, “I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time”. Short jerks enough to put the water in motion then sit. I call it “jerk, motion and sit”.

This is a big fly and I don’t mind a splash down, but I want a less noisy lift off. So when picking up, lift your rod tip high and get some line off the water. Slowly pull back your rod then life the fly out with a quick back motion. Its a technique but it will allow you to make a quieter exit.

Some of the patterns I use for spring Bassing:

Hook size/Pattern

2 Mouse, black or purple
2-6 Dahlberg strip diver, chartreuse
2-6 Near nuff frog
2-6 Sheep/rabbit streamer
2-6 Bumble bee popper
6 Peacock woolly bugger
2-6 Electric leech
6 Fruit cocktail

2-6 Mickey Finn

There are dozens of patterns. These are the ones that work for me in the North East. But I think they would work almost anywhere.

To get these flies out there you will need to know what kind of water you will be fishing. For Largemouth Bass fishing on medium sized lake or pond. You will want to use 8 foot to 9 foot medium action to fast action fly rod. A 6wt or 7wt will do the trick. These rods will have the power necessary to throw and lift a large fly. Remember will are throwing flies the size of motor homes.

Your fly line should be a matched 6/7 weight, floating, and weight forward. Forget about Bass tapers for now.

For a leader you want 9 foot knotless taper 1x. When you get your leader. Tie on a piece of 1x tippet about 15 inches long to your leader. The added length will give something to tie your fly to without shorting your leader each time you change flies. This also protects your leader because it's the last 12 - 18 inches of leader that takes the most abuse.

For a sinking fly use a 6 foot knotless sinking leader with a 1x tippet. Same deal tie on a piece of 12 inch 1x tippet as well.

With the 1x tippet you are fishing at about 12 pound test and you can fish size 2 - 6 with it. You can also ties on 2x - 3x this will extend your fly size range 2 - 12. A good rule of thumb for tippet size to hook size is divide the hook size by 3 and that's the tippet size to use. So take a hook size 12 divide by 3 and get 4 so 4x is about right for this fly. Take it with a grain of salt and use experience and judgment.

Also remember a knot weakens the line strength and decreases the pound test of the line.

This is a basic setup and will get you started on top water Largemouth Bass fishing.

 

Largemouth Bass fisherman.For basic and advanced information on bass fishing with a fly rod visit:http://www.why-bass.blogspot.com

Succesful Fishing With GPS

Succesful Fishing With GPS     

Being able to find fish on a lake before you even put your boat in the water is key to a successful day on the water. Looking at a map and being able to read the bottom of the lake and determine the migration route the fish will follow to and from the feeding grounds and where the feeding grounds are from a map is important. This way the time you spend fishing will be in the more productive areas of the lake instead of casting blindly and hoping for something to come along.

Remember of course that a map is worth it only if you take the time to learn to read it properly. Tackle shops often carry plastic maps but these often lack true accuracy.

The lines represent the depth breaks with each line showing changes in depth that graduate from shore to the deepest water in the lake. You can find the break or desired depth change on a map just as you can by looking for it on the water. During warm water seasons fish will relate to a more gradual slope or break and during colder water seasons a sharper drop into deeper water will be their choice.

Maps show you if a stream drains south or north facing watersheds or if you face meadows, rapids or waterfalls. Maps also show the easy way back to shore, the best spots to find gas, gear, etc.

Marine Charts
The best specialized maps are Marine Charts. These offer information about shifting shoals, sandbars and such that can be critical for boaters and productive for fishers. Do realize that marine charts change from year to year so get updates so that you don’t run aground due to old charts or get lost.

Once you’ve located the desired place on the map, finding the location on the water becomes the next challenge.

The Benefits of GPS for Fishing.

GPS technology make your fishing expeditions much more rewarding. More accurate than “line of sight” or other navigation methods, a GPS unit tells you where you are and where you’re going to within a few meters. Once considered a luxury, GPS is now an essential item in the fisher’s arsenal.

A GPS is very handy and a good depth finder is useful too. Finding these places still requires some traveling time but good preplanning with a map and GPS means less wasted time. It is especially useful if you fish huge backcountry and featureless waterways.

Combine the benefits of mapping with GPS by getting digital charts or scan in paper maps with GPS mapping software and then enter way points along your planned route.

There are always changes to the bottom that are not on some older maps and these places can sometimes be great fishing spots. Fewer people will know of these places and thus less pressure on the fish stock there. A GPS unit can mark these fishing hot spots so that you can find it again easily.

Sometimes fishermen will share tips on good fishing spots with their buddies and other fishermen. Giving GPS coordinates makes this easy to do.

Finding the right fishing spot isn’t the only consideration - finding your way back home again is another, and your GPS receiver lets you do that easily. It is better to enjoy the peace on the lake and see the fish are biting without worrying about the rigors of navigation. Receivers provide all the navigational information you need, including position, heading, bearing, speed, time to destination and more. For some great offers on Handheld GPS Navigation have a look at The Fishing Shop

I am an absolute nut for fishing.

Fishing mad love everything about it.

So because everyone else I know is sick to death of me talking about fishing I’m going to talk to you.

The lastest equipment cannot live without my lastest high tech buy my Fish Finder don’t know what I would do without it.

So check in ever week for my lastest stories….. Gone Fishing
Check out all my info http://www.the-fishing-shop.com

My Fish Finder Best Thing I Ever Bought!

The Humminbird 323 Fish Finder is a compact, high resolution fishfinder that mounts virtually anywhere.

Features
- High resolution, high contrast 320V x 240H 4″ display
- DualBeam PLUSÖ sonar gives wide coverage and better bottom definition
- Selectable 20? or 60? beams or simultaneous operation
- Powerful 2400w peak to peak power output
- Reliable performance down to 1000ft
- Water temperature included
- Speed capable
- Tilt and swivel quick disconnect mount system or optional in dash mount

Additional features
- Freeze frame display allows more time to see the details
- Digital flasher view delivers real time performance
- Compact design ideal for small spaces
- Convenient tilt and swivel quick disconnect mount included
- Optional in dash mounting easily fits consoles outfitted with a 5.125″H x 5.25″W mounting space
- Real time Sonar instantly captures the action under the boat
- Sonar Echo Enhancement shows the smallest details
- One Touch zoom and bottom lock enhance resolution and separate fish from structures
- TruArch shows actual fish returns or choose selective Fish ID+Ö with target depth
- Precision 2.5″ target separation reveals close hanging fish
- X-Press menus access the most important controls quickly
- Selectable large digital read out view
- Microdynamic transducer slices through water for reliable readings up to 70mph
- Fresh and saltwater options
- Adjustable 2x, 4x, 6x and 8x zoom levels
- Adjustable backlight for night fishing
- Fully gasketed waterproof construction

Buy Now From The Tackle Shop Lowest price I’ve found on the net.

Honestly you won’t know how you got on without it.

I am an absolute nut for fishing.

Fishing mad love everything about it.

So because everyone else I know is sick to death of me talking about fishing I’m going to talk to you.

The lastest piece of equipment I cannot live without, is my lastest high tech buy my Fish Finder I don’t know what I would do without it.

So check in ever week for my lastest stories….. Gone Fishing
Check out all my info and blurb at
http://ukfishingreviews.blogspot.com
Would love all other fishermen worldwide to join in and share tips, recipes, great fishing spots, funny stories, what to buy the wife for our wedding anniversary.. lets talk about everything and anything
Happy Fishing

What Floats Your Boat?

  If you're serious about the fishing game, and I assume you are, there's a very basic reality that needs to be applied. If you cannot get to where the fish are because you have the wrong boat, what good will it do to impress your friends with just a nice boat ride? So many people buy overpriced boats that are basically just status symbols while those small drawers are catching all the fish.
   I am speaking of how much water your boat draws. In what depth will it float and not rub bottom? The problem is this, of a norm; your best fishing is going to be in about 1.5 feet of water. Heat and cold can change this point, but the overall rule is around 2 feet max. This means that your boat cannot draw too much water. 
   Of all the boats I have had in my life, Majek stands out as my choice. These boats draw the least amount of water with the best float and maneuverability. You can load a Majek up with people and gear and still only draw inches of water. Their streamline build, along with their width vs. depth buoyancy, makes these crafts my choice to get where you need to be to catch your limit.
   Now, this is not to downgrade other good manufactures. Majek is just my choice. If you buy any boat, just remember to pay close attention to how much water it will draw when fully loaded. Remember, that little old man in that little old boat may be loaded with fish!

Captain Mike Scott is a retired Texas Gulf fishing guide and commercial fisherman. As Mike puts it “If you really want to catch your limit talk to me.” Please feel free to contact Mike for any fishing questions through AlphaLane.com or by using his site email in the AlphaLane search page. Use Mike’s CID which is 119 or simply search on category ‘fishing’.

Choose Your Saltwater Fly Fishing Reel According To The Place Where You Intend To Do Fly Fishing Will D

Before choosing a particular saltwater fly fishing reel it is decidedly very necessary that you identify the place where you will be doing your saltwater fly fishing. Different saltwater fly fishing reels are available depending on whether you plan to do your fishing close to the shore or out in the deep waters. As a matter of fact companies such as Daiwa have come out with their own line of products known as Steez which provide anglers with special reels which are ideally suited for use only to catch bass fish.

Light Weight Reels

You would of course do well to choose lighter weight saltwater fly fishing reels whenever you plan on angling close to the shore. Otherwise, you will also need to choose from different models of spinning reels including those that weigh about fewer than seven ounces and those that weigh more than seven ounces. A good such saltwater fly fishing reel should also be made of the appropriatecorrect material (preferably magnesium or titanium or composites that are light in weight) and which also incorporates corrosion resistant parts, particularlyits ball bearings which will prevent damage to the reel when the reel is plunged in saltwater.

When looking for different brands of saltwater fly fishing reels you would do well to take a look at those made by Penn Spinfisher. The biggest advantage to choosing these fishing reels is that they are able to totally withstand the uncompromising saltwater conditions and a balance rotor also helps to ensure ideal and steady performance at all times. It is also important to determine how well a saltwater fly fishing reel is able to stay aligned even under intense water pressure and the torque too should be good enough to allow you to reel in your catch without much difficulty.

Saltwater fly fishing reels from Spinfisher are highly regarded by experts and by saltwater fishermen and one of the reasons why this particular reel is so highly thought of is its drag knob that has been specially designed to seal it from contaminants as well as from saltwater. With these kinds of features you can rest assured that your saltwater fly fishing reel will keeps its integrity as well as alignment – both of which are important to get the most out of saltwater fly fishing.

Saltwater fly fishing is something that West Coast fly fishers are finding to be very exciting though in order to get the most out of their fly fishing in saltwater it is necessary to possess the right kind of skills as well as the best saltwater fly fishing equipment. It is for this reason that it is necessary that you know the proper methods to fly fish in saltwater and also have the right equipment to make the task of saltwater fly fishing easy and uncomplicated.

Salt water fishing video compilations

Fly rods for Bass fishing

The fly rod, the symbol of the sport of fly fishing. A fly rod transfers energy and control from the fisherman through the line to the fly. In order for the proper energy and control to be maintained you must use the proper fly rod for your type of fishing.

Fly rods are rated according to the fly line they will cast and must be properly matched to the fly line and leader for optimal performance and casting.

The graphite fly rod will be our rod material of choice for bass fishing.

All fly rods are rated according to their line weight go from 1wt to 15 wt. In fly fishing we are casting the fly line. The byproduct is the fly at the end of our leader being laid out onto the water. The larger the number the heaver the line weight is. Fly lines are measured in grain weight.

A fly rods specifications are usually indicated on the fly rod. 9 foot 3 ½ oz 6wt. So the fly rod is 9 foot long, weighs 3 ½ oz and is rated to cast a 6wt line.

When looking at fly rods I categorize them like this: Weights 1, 13, 14 and 15 are specialized rods. 2, 3, 4 and 5 weights are light and medium trout rods. Weights 6 and 7 are medium bass and heavier trout rods. Weights 8 and 9 for medium and heavy rivers, large trout, bass and steelhead etc. Weights 9 and 10 for heavy lakes, rivers, canals, muskie, pike etc. Weights 9, 10, 11 and 12, tidal rivers, bays and surf, stripped bass, bluefish, channel bass, drum, shad, weakfish etc.

Fly rods also come in 3 basic actions, slow, medium and fast. A slow rod has a progressive energy transfer and flexes from its tip to its butt. It has slower casting action and is very forgiving in its casting accuracy. It is a good rod for a beginning fly fisher. Although it doesn't have the power to set hooks in a heavy fish. A medium action rod flexes from its tip to about its half way point. Its casting action is faster and its power is heaver allowing it to set hooks in larger fish for a given rod weight. A fast action rod flexes from its tip to about the first third of its length. It has a faster casting action and allows a harder hook set.

6wt and 7wt medium action fly rods are the most popular fly rods on the market today. Their fishing range gives you the most flexibly in water choices and species to fish. And will cast comfortably form 20 to 40 feet. Regardless of what you hear the typical cast is about 25 feet.

For Bass fishing on a medium lake I like to use a 6wt medium action 8 foot rod. With this setup I can fish flies form size 2 to 16 on 0x to 4x leader. The medium action means I can get a heavy #2 floating mouse fly out to about 25 feet. Flies in the size range 2 - 6 are my choice for Largemouth Bass. Whether floating or sinking. Lots of feathers and lots of hair.

Set this rod up with a 6wt, weight forward floating fly line on a 6wt single action reel with 50 to 100 yards of Dacron backing.

Use a 7 to 9 foot knotless tapered leader 0x or 1x set up with 12 to 16 inches a 0x or a 1x tippet tied to the end.

These are the basics and with this setup you can cast flies in the range of size 2 - 10. Once you hook that first Bass on a fly rod you will be hooked also.

 

 

Lifetime Bass fisherman with a fly rod. For more information about Bass fishing with a fly rod visit:http://www.why-bass.blogspot.com

When The Water's Flat

  The wind lays and not even a ripple disturbs the surface. I am prone to get very excited when I see this condition. This is because it's floundering time! Gigging flounder, in South Texas, is most definitely not your ordinary fishing experience. There's nothing quite like this!
   It is amazing what comes into shallow water at night. The fish feel protected, under the dark canopy of night. This makes them adventurous and chance taking, something in our favor. They cruise the shallows and somewhat blinded by your floundering lights.
   There's an art to gigging flat fish and this sport I highly recommend. When you spot your prey, be slow to break the water with the gig. This allows no sudden change in pressure, which is a flounder's way of sensing trouble. Let the gig move into position slowly over the fish and then strike. Be ready for a quick response because a five-pound flounder can literally pull the gig right out of your hand!
   Another thing to be aware of, is that not all flat fish are flounders and you may not be able to distinguish between stingray and flounder in the shadows. I have lost gigs to rays as big as a coffee table. The whole bottom seemed to explode when I mistakenly gigged the wrong fish!
   A grand advantage to night gigging is it tells the story of where the big reds are. You see more redfish feeding at night than at any other time and be assured that if they are thick at some bank you are floundering at night, that is where they will be the next day. So, just come back for the second course in your boat and cast into huge schools of redfish. Flounder and redfish for dinner, not bad for a night's work!

Captain Mike Scott is a retired Texas Gulf fishing guide and commercial fisherman. As Mike puts it “If you really want to catch your limit talk to me.” Please feel free to contact Mike for any fishing questions through AlphaLane.com or by using his site email in the AlphaLane search page. Use Mike’s CID which is 119 or simply search on category ‘fishing’.

If You Want to Catch More Fish, Learn To Think Like One

Yes, you can leave your fish catching success to chance, but if you want to catch more fish, you must learn how to think like the fish you are trying to catch. Consistent success and fishing enjoyment is more than just baiting up your hook, casting it out and waiting for the fish to bite. This one basic premise will improve your fish catching ability and will set you apart from the fishing novices. How do you think the fishing pros are able to consistently catch fish when other fishermen do nothing but drown their bait? They use the same fishing tackle, rods and reels, fishing lures and live bait as everyone else, but they always catch more fish.

 

You will catch more fish!

 

That little teaser should have caught your attention. However, learning how to put this technique into practice takes time, patience and persistence.

 

Let us start at the beginning. How do you learn to think like a fish? For starters, pick one of your favorite target fish species and begin to learn everything you can about that fish. It is important to understand things like, how it feeds, how it moves around each day, what are its migratory and breeding patterns, what kind of habitat it prefers, what type of fish or food source it feeds on, just to name a few. Also important to understand is how the current, tides and moon phases effect your target fish species’ activities and habits.

 

One way to start learning how to catch more fish, is to learn how to find your target fish species under any circumstances. Visit your local fishing tackle and bait stores. Get to know these people, because often they will have a broad knowledge of the fishing in that area. They can be a great source of fishing knowledge and how-to tips of not only learning where to fish, but also the why and how of locating fish. Instead of just asking them where the best fishing spots are, also ask questions about your targeted fish species. Try to learn what makes the fish tick, and what are it basics habits and tendencies. You will be amazed at how willing most of these folks are to share their expertise, especially if you are returning the favor and patronizing their store.

 

The next thing to do is to go fishing. Prepare yourself ahead of time with the proper fishing tackle, lures, bait and a notepad. Start in an area known to hold your targeted fish, and make notes about the current conditions; including, the date, time, wind direction and speed, temperature, tidal flow, water conditions and any other specific notes you feel like making. The most important thing is to start thinking like the fish you want to catch. Ask yourself, where would you be hiding and moving to. For example, if it is a real hot summer day, and the current is slack, and a low tide, the fish may not be up on the shallow flats. They may be looking for cooler water, so they may have moved to some deeper pot holes, or slid off a ridge or shallow bank and eased into deeper waters. Keep looking and when you find the fish, make more notes. The old saying that practice makes perfect is certainly true when it comes to catching more fish consistently. 

 

To help you along, learn your local fishing waters and fishing grounds. Locate the ‘fishy’ areas and mark them on your GPS unit. If you do not have a GPS, then buy a nautical chart, or fishing chart. Locate shoreline points, eddys, potholes, sandbars, oyster bars, rock piles and submerged structures, and over time you will learn which places to go to depending upon the current conditions you are faced with, and that will make all the difference in your fishing world.

 

Learning how to think like a fish will make you a more complete and competent fisherman and angler, and will make your fishing outings with friends and family a lot more enjoyable.

Greg Smith is a lifelong fisherman and publisher of the site at http://www.floridafishingspots.com/

Your source for free Florida fishing information on artificial reefs, charters and guides,
tackle, lures, secrets, fly, saltwater, electronics, boats and more.

Crappie Catching Tips: Need To Improve Your Crappie Fishing? Check These Simple Amazing Tips!

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

Has your crappie fishing lack a good consistent catch? Are you a beginner crappie angler and confused on where to start? Well you are not alone. Many crappie fisherman struggle to get a consistent catch. Fishing for crappie is like any other sport you need to practice and you need to follow a set of guidelines and rules. I would like to give you some simple crappie catching tips, that can improve your crappie catch.

#1 Guideline It is very important to develop a fishing pattern quickly after you get on the water. You cannot be satisfied with just catching crappie. You need to identify in detail what made the crappie strike. You then need to duplicate these same techniques when you change locations because chance are the crappie will hit the same at any of the locations you go too. You need to document and take a mental note of all the details. You need to identify such things as: Was the fish hitting when my crappie baits floated downward? What kind of structure were fishing? Were the crappie hits on the windward side of the structure? You get the picture, details are very important to formulate a pattern to fish for the day.

#2 Guideline Have you ever bin on the water getting ready to drop your crappie baits and start crappie fishing some structure and trip over something, or drop something in the boat that id noisy? Guess what if there were any large slab crappie in the area you just scared them off. It is very important that you are quiet when you are on the water. Savvy crappie will almost always move out of the area if the hear, or see anything that looks un-natural too them. If you learn this simple rule you will be surprised how your crappie catch will increase. You will probably will start picking up a few large slab crappie too.

#3 Guideline How many times have you been out crappie fishing and you get hungry and reach down and pull out a handful of chips or eat a sandwich, then you go right back to handling your crappie baits? Well crappie can smell the things that you just ate and the different smell may be just enough to cause them not to bite or move off. Next time you eat out on the water wipe your hands clean then rub them with some commercial crappie scent. You will be surprised how much this tip may increase your crappie catch.

Well , folks that concludes my article today I hope you can use some of the great crappie fishing information above, and I want to wish you luck on your next crappie angling trip. Also visit my site because I will be releasing more great crappie catching tips soon!

Mark is a dedicated fisherman who has published 100’s of fishing articles. Check out his website to get some amazing fishing information and fishing articles loaded with fishing tips about catch more crappies that really work! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” At: http://www.oldfishinghole.com Get Your Free Fishing Tips About crappie fishing secrets Here!

Birds And Watermelon

   This may be what you will see and smell if you happen to be near a large school of trout, commonly called spotted weakfish. They are anything but weak, feeding in frenzy. When the odor of watermelon permeates the air, someone may be having a picnic behind a sand dune or more likely, get ready for some hot action!
   These fish feed so hard that they throw up and then they feed again, much like the ancient Roman empire, so much food so little time. They regurgitate, and when they do, it produces a slick on the water, a veritable oil slick. Unfortunately, the slick will move with the tide and wind and you cannot always pinpoint the fish by it. Do you see seagulls circling and dipping down to the water? It's likely they are feeding on the same bait school as the trout. Use this as a marker to relocate the school.
   Live shrimp is usually what one thinks of with trout. But herein lies a problem and the solution is my tip for you. With shrimp you will catch your limit, but these fish will barely stay legal size because all will be small. There is a way to change this. There are bigger trout in the school. The little ones are so quick to attack the shrimp that the bigger fish don't have much chance, much like a sixty year old in a footrace with a teenager. To get the most from this scenario, take piggy perch with you, sometimes known as grunters, and make sure these are good size perch. These perch are much hardier than shrimp and give the bigger trout the chance to get to the bait. Once the big boys get to the bait, the teenagers get out of the way and the action heats up. Hook your perch about one half inch back from the tail and watch the size of your trout go up.

Captain Mike Scott is a retired Texas Gulf fishing guide and commercial fisherman. As Mike puts it “If you really want to catch your limit talk to me.” Please feel free to contact Mike for any fishing questions through AlphaLane.com or by using his site email in the AlphaLane search page. Use Mike’s CID which is 119 or simply search on category ‘fishing’.