Lynx

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA ANYTHING UNDER 5LBS IS A "OK FISH" 5LBS IS CONSIDERED A "GOOD FISH" 6-8LBS IS CONSIDERED A "BIG FISH" 9+LBS IS CONSIDERED A "HAWG OR BIG KAHUNA" THERE'S A BIRD SANCTUARY ABOUT 2 MILES FROM MY HOME, W/ A POND THAT REALLY SHOULD BE CONSIDER A MINI LAKE. (TAKES ABOUT 9 HOURS TO FLOAT TUBE THE WHOLE POND) IN THIS POND ITS A COMMON DAY THING TO LAND LARGEMOUTH THAT ARE 4-7+LBS. (DON'T GET ME WRONG THERE'S LITTLE GUYS IN THERE TO) NOT TO MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS POND OR FISH IT AT THAT. THE BIGGEST ONE I HAVE SEEN THERE WAS LANDED BY A FRIEND OF MINE, TUBING NEXT TO ME. 10LBS 7OZS. USING A YAMAMOTO SENKO (WATERMELON) ON A TEXAS RIG. (TAKLE: SHIMANO "CURADO E," 7'6" SHIMANO CARBON POLE, 15LBS FLUOROCARBON) "HAWG," YEA I WOULD HAVE TO SAY SO. GOOD LUCKS TO YOU ALL IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA WHEN I AM CATFISHING ALOT OF THE TIME I WILL USE PRO-CURES OCTOPUS BABY BAIT, ALL BEEF HOTDOGS (YEA THEY WORK BETTER THEN MOST OTHER BAIT), ANCHOVIES, OR CHICKEN LIVERS. BUT I AM SURE THAT THEY'LL TAKE THE TONGUE, I MEAN THESE FISH WILL EAT ANYTHING. I HAVE EVEN CAUGHT THEM USING POWER BAIT BEFORE. GOOD LUCKS TO YOU IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA Your going to find an assortment of fish in these waters that run from the ocean up through your bays & river delta's. (Striped Bass, Sturgeon, Salmon (NOT LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA), Etc.) HERE ARE A FEW BAITS THAT I USE WHEN FISHING BRACKISH WATERS: 1. SHRIMP (GHOST, GRASS, MUD) THEY ALL WORK. -HERE'S A BONUS TRICK: 1. YOU CAN GO CATCH A BUNCH OF CRAWDADS (I FLOAT A PIECE OF SALAME OF THE TOP OF THE WATER, THIS CAUSES THE OILS TO RUN & A CRAWDAD FRENZY) 2. SCOOP, GRAB, NET, OR WHATEVER INTO A BUCKET WITH WATER. 3. TAKE HOME 4. ADD OATMEAL INTO THE WATER (1 CUP PER GALLON) NOW LET THE CRAWDADS SIT FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS. WHAT THIS DOES IS SOFTEN UP THERE SHELLS, GIVING THEM THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SHRIMP (SOFT SHELL). (THIS IS WHAT I DO & USE FOR STRUGEON WHEN THEY STOP SHIPPING GHOST SHRIMP FROM WASHINGTON TO CALIFORNIA FROM APRIL THROUGH NOVEMBER) 2. MACKERAL, HERRING, ANCHOVIES, SARDINES, SHAD. (THESE ARE ALL BAIT FISH IN WHICH ARE USED IN FRESHWATER, BRACKISH WATER, & SALT WATER) 3. LIVE BAIT. (SUCH AS GIANT MINNOWS.) (THESE WORK MUCH BETTER THEN YOUR AVERAGE FROZEN BAITS) 4. SQUID OR OCTOPUS (THESE WORK GREAT FOR ALL BOTTOM FISH & OCEAN MIGRATING FISH THAT MIGHT BE MAKING A JOURNEY INTO THESE TYPES OF WATERS)(PRO-CURE MAKES AN EXCELLENT BAIT) I HOPE THIS HELPS IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA Here's a couple of tips that might help you out. I live in Sacramento, California, right now the Bass are in a suspended state: Which Means: AT THIS TIME OF YEAR ON THE WEST COAST, BASS ARE IN SPAWN & POST SPAWN MODE: WHICH MEANS THEY ARE GOING TO BE ON REACTION STRIKES. THE BEST THING TO DO IN THIS CASE IS TO SET YOUR LURE IN FRONT OF THE BASS & BRING IT TO THEM. LESS EFFORT FOR THE BASS MEANS MORE FISH. THIS TIME OF YEAR ITS ALL ABOUT SENKOS, & SPINNER BAITS. (MATCH THE COLOR OF YOUR BAITS TO THE CLEARITY OF THE WATER). SPAWNING (POST) = SHALLOW WATERS & HEAVY COVER. AN OFF-SET HOOK RIGGED WEEDLESS W/ A WATERMELON SENKO (DEAD-STICKING) WORKS GREAT. 2 MORE TIPS: LARGEMOUTH BASS LIKE SHALLOW WATER W/ HEAVY COVER (BANKS, TREE'S, LILYS). SMALLMOUTH BASS LIKE DEEPER WATER W/ DROP OFF'S, ROCK BEDS, SLOPS. SPOTTED (BLACK) BASS LIKE DEEPER WATER YET (CENTER OF A POND, LAKE, ETC), W/ COVER SUCH AS GRASS & ROCKS. FISH ARE LIKE US WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE & THE SUN IS DIRECTLY ABOVE, WE FIND COVER, SO DO THEY. THEY'LL ALSO WILL DO THIS BY GOING INTO DEEPER WATERS. YOU CAN CATCH BASS WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE, 75% OF THE TIME THERE NOT GOING TO CHASE IT (BAITS) (WHEN IT'S LIKE A DESERT OUTSIDE) IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN YOUR BAIT OR LURE SUSPENDS. REMEMBER: LOCATION, PRESENTATION, & CONDITIONS ARE ALL A FACTOR. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA There's always scents in your home that work great for fishing. Here's one for you... *WHAT YOU'LL NEED: 1.Unscented plastic baits (Yamamoto Senko, Berkley Prower Worms, Worms bought in bulk from your local bait shop, etc.). 2.Glad Zip Lock sandwich bag. 3. 1/2 Teaspoon of minced garlic. *WHAT YOU DO: Put the plastic's in your Zip lock bag, add you minced garlic, seal the bag & store in the fridge til the next morning. Go fishing! BEWARE! THESE SOFT PLASTIC'S WILL USUALLY NOT LAST MUCH LONGER THEN THE DAY YOU CHOOSE TO FISH. I hope this helps you a bit. GOOD LUCKS TO YOU IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA BaitCasters are not for the faint of heart. They do take several man hours to master. My best advice for you is to do some dry casting in your yard or at a park. By doing this it helps to dial in the reel. On a typical BaitCaster there are 3 setting (this includes the drag dial & both brake dials(1 to the side & other behind drag dial)), if you have to much reel play the your line is going to over spin, causing a "Bird's Nest." I usually have 4-5 poles on the boat, which each are all dialed into 1 specific lure, plastic, jig, etc., depending on wieght, crankbait, spinnerbait, swimbait, etc. Something to always remeber is when you dial in your tackle, make sure its dialed into the size of fish that your targeting. GOOD LUCKS TO YOU IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."

SACRAMNETO, CALIFORNIA I have a rant about a habit, & annoyance. Everyone has a habit from time to time that they would like to break. Mine happens to be, being picky about who I would like to be on the water w/. I get overly annoyed w/ those that I take fishing who think that they know what they are doing but in reality don't. Meaning that they think, they know it all. Example: Why would you throw a 15' diver in 3' of water. Wow. Always getting tied up, losing lures they just paid way to much money for, not producing fish. I must say that everyone has to start somewhere and learn, but learning something the right way the first time should be the only way to go. Advice though can sometimes determine the way the day goes, specially if they are not opened to structured criticism. I am not as old as most, but have been on the water since I could remember. Thanks to a great father w/ lots of patience, a family friend being a Pro Angler, I myself have a few Bass Derby Ribbons under my belt. With fewer mistakes, habits, & mishaps, I myself enjoy Bass Fishing that much more & am always looking forward to that next time on the water. GOOD LUCKS TO YOU IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA."