Matt Fly

There are some bodies of water that just turn off completely. I think fish go into survival mode. A lot of lakes this year prove that theory. I look at tourny results in years past with relation to water levels on drought stricken lakes. Amistad, Choke Canyon, Falcon to name some good lakes. The tournament weights were very sub-par as to eachs history. 2004 filled such lakes, in 2005, the same fish that was there 3 years prior, more 20 lb + stringers came from the same lakes that had very few limits over 20 lb in the past years. The fish didn't pack and go on vacation, they weren't stocked, they had to be there. You would say, lake has shrank 50% in size, so fish should be easier to locate and catch. Not so. Only after the rains did the bite pick up. falcon didn't produce a share lunker in the last 4-5 years during the drought. She coughed up the largest bass that went to the sharelunker program, over 14 lbs.

clear to slight stain. Stained water, 3 ft vis. Different lingo comes from all around the country, maybe a good thread starter. Terms used all around. Clear, stained, slight stain, cloudy, murky, mud-lines, muddy, off color, off colored, In other regions, these terms or how they are defined might be different in meaning. Like clear in Cal, may be you can see 20ft, where in Tx, clear may be define with visibility up to 10ft. Place your lure in the water, let if fall until out of sight, pull up line. If its 6ft, my report is simple, visibility up to 6 ft. This gives everybody an idea of the water clarity no matter where your from. To me, 6ft vis is clear to slight stain, stained is 3ft vis

There has to be something to color, whether its the sun has moved from 11am to 2pm. Some times its a water melon redflake, and nothing else, or watermelon candy. But not both. Two chrome traps, one with blue, one black back, One will out fish the other almost every time, yes, each may catch some, but the other will be the killer choice. Whats the deal, most strikes are coming up to hit. Red trap, firetiger, and chrome trap on clear water, blue-bird day in the winter. Why is the red so dominat in the winter? My only answer to most is the time of the year, position of the sun in accordance with distance to the earth. Spring brings warmth, bright days, longer daylight. The spring brings the sun closer to earth, which at that time of the year, the sun gives off a blue spectrum of light which is not detectable with the human eye. As the months progress, the sun gets the closeest to earth as the middle of summer comes. This makes for intense brightness, but the spectrum is now bluish/green. As fall approaches and days start to cool, because the sun is getting further from our hemisphere on earth, the light spectrum is now in an orange/yellow color. These same spectrums are seen in the rainbows. Clouds at 50,000 ft, the name I can't recall, sometimes are there, white and fluffy, act as a filter on the sunny days, not noticable to say its a cloud covered day, since it appears to be bright and sunny, it just acts like a filter not seen. The amount of light penatration, where the sun is located, the time of the year are just a few items to mention, amount of wind the past few days that stirs up the plankton in the water, even though clear to us, the plankton is stacked up on wind blown points after 3 solid days of wind on the points filters some light penatration out. There are days in the summer with high pressure systems the norm, that for weeks, watermelon redflake is the ticket, the next day, after catching 35 the day before, red won't get one bite, but gold flake is the one, and maybe for one day, or a week. All of this came from studing plant life, mainly aquatic plants. Knowing what plant gives off the most oxygen in the heat of the summer is nice to know, not all plants are created equal. Some provide better shade, but use more oxygen which is in competition with fish who hang out under some of these plants. We all have a base color and go to bait, and yes we caught 7 on a tough day, tough maybe because of that subtle change in light that isn't noticed by the human eye and the subtle change from watermelon gold flake to orange flake would have put 20 in the boat. That is one good thing about 2 fishing buddies working as a team, one throws a variation slightly different to find the solid pattern.

I learned the most, the basics from my Dad. That gave me the passion. When I was young, younger, in the 70's, lots of this was new to me, now days, I really don't get anything new from watching, maybe a bait I haven't seen yet, like the sweet beaver, saw it over a year before I found any baits. I just like seeing the pros catching fish, and if I watched to learn a new tip thats gonna give me a leg up on my competion, not happening very often. I did learn from David Fritts the "kneel and reel" technique by watching, which made a difference, considering cranks didn't get as deep, and the extra 5' depth put fish in the boat. I did learn from Rick Clunn, that catching is only small part of the game, you must be mentally ready to meet any conditions that occurs. Those changes that occur below the water. By watching 100 pros on the weekend, like this years first event on TOHO, that there is always more than one pattern going. Most sight fished, while Tak was fishing open water with lipless baits and won. This years E 50 on Lewisville had the final six, throwing all kinds of baits to get the job done. Guido didn't teach me tubes or skipping, but he showed me a weakness or a method that 80% of the anglers wasn't doing. I thought about all the water not hit by others under docks and decided I needed that in my arsenol. Moving into another state, Ca, taught me, the old Texas rigged worm doesn't catch as many bass as it used to, or at least in SoCal. it didn't. What, a spinning rod and light line with a split shot. So for the young or in-experienced anglers, there is lots of baits and patterns that pros use, it may not teach them the hidden subtleties that make them so deadly, but gives them new ideas on baits and techniques. I will agree with earthworm 77 to an extent. It has been commented on BassCenter before about pros plugging baits that they didn't even use, and don't blame them, I wouldn't want to tell everybody on days one and two or three the color or the bait that has put me in contention to win. I watched early in life to gain knowledge, now, I'm not a know it all, but rarely does the shows teach me anything that hasn't been discussed here already. I would say experience dictates what you can learn from others, others being Dads, uncles, moms, friends and young forum members too! I read alot of posts, rarley do I look at his number of posts. Tak might not of taught us that attitude about "never giving up", but he showed you can still win a tournament with minutes to go by not giving up, and so did Ike the year before. They may not teach some of us, but they do show us or re-inforce somethings we already believe.

Hookem Being from Austin, you have some great winter fishing, Fayette County power plant lake which should be spawning pretty soon. Lake Austin has produced its share of sharelunkers, Hit the grass up from the Dam, pig/jig blk/blu. For Lake Travis, your backyard, those 40 to 50 ft bluffs offer some excellent spooning during winter, they will be suspended around 25-30, but hold steady most winter. Mid afternoon on consecutive warm days, a Bomber long A firetiger crankbait takes lots of fish on the shallow points. Hookem

I concentrate on top waters as soon as fish are spawning, Sounds funny but on long lakes, the spawn starts in the NW side of the lake and progress down towards the dam as water warms. The post-spawn top water bite only gets better as spring passes and summer arrives. I let the water conditions, wind tell me to what type actions is needed, glassed, I like poppers, chuggers, with bait present, a walking the dog action, slight chop to heavy, I like slush baits and buzz baits. Threadfin shad go deep to escape extremely cold temps, but the gizzard shad, the larger of the two, can stand more frigid waters, thus when water temps drops below 50 degrees and a cold front is in the area driving surface temps down, waking a big spinner with a single colorado blade can pay off. For those who have been on the water in conditions like that might have noticed gizzard shad darting 6" beneath the surface. you might only get a handful of bites in a day with this method, but the bites are usually quality bass. My favorite color in the winter to use is a yellow head/skirt, not bright yellow, dull yellow. The object is to keep the spinnerbait just under the surface as for the blade to leave a wake behind it. This is an awesome technique I learned from watching Jim Bitter.

My first bass experience was my dad taking me along the banks of Lake Amistad my first summer from school, I was fixing to be a second grader. My dad tied on a Lucky 13, didn't know that then, and we plugged as he called it all day, This was not my first time to cast, but 8 hrs of casting the same plug all day and not a single bite that I was aware of, was my first bass fishing experience, thats about 37 years ago and it still seems like yesterday. I was bitten by the BaitMonkey that day and didn't know it just yet. I was getting to do what I had seen my dad do for years, keep casting all day long, isn't that what most kids want to do, grab that rod and cast it out like your older brothers and family. Up until then, if casting a long ways was needed, someone would grab your rod from you and do it for you. My dad said later in life on that day, he took me to an area he wouldn't normally walk or fish, but offered a kid a chance to cast without trees on the bank and objects in the water that would keep me hung up. I have had 50 rods and reels, 20 small plano tackleboxes that I never use. About 11 yrs ago, I started cleaning them up. I try to take a new kid fishing, big brother program for awhile, I give them a rod and reel with tackle box that just collected dust. And Yes, since moving to Terrell, I have found another Kid whos father is gonna be away for awhile, to take fishing, he's 7, and casts pretty well, his first trip skunked me 2-0, 2 white bass on a firetiger spinner. I may never win that big tournament, but maybe some kid we turn on to bass fishing will, and that would be as good as it could be.

Ditto, I have painted bullet weights for 20 yrs, makes a difference to me. Have you ever bought a finished jig that wasn't painted. My daughter used to get mad at me for invading her nail polishes. I was desperate a few times. White is a very good bullet color at certain times of the year. Throwing a white tube with a black or lead weight doesn't match too well.

Desert Sunflower, Welcome aboard to one of the friendliest forums around, we look forward to your posts and comments and shared travels. Sounds like the Capt. has found a first rate mate. Matt/Hookem

Two sides to every story, two wrongs doesn't make it right. When fishing lakes with High volume of "recreational boaters", one needs to consider those conditions into the game plan. We never seem to complain about the two babes that came to close, just the other ones. In my boat, I have a say nothing rule, don't invite them to keep passing by. A ticking contest only brings more of them back. Before you know it, its pleasure craft against fishermen, and its usually explained as the fishermen think they own the lake, or the pleasure craft seem to think they own this lake. One word of advice, if we can't live on the water in the same space, and someone gets hurt from it, it will only cause a government agency to step in and regulate speeds all over the lakes or as in San Diego County Ca., because they make more money off a ski boat than fishing boat on park and lake fees, they will split the days, fishing on Mon-thurs, and Skiing only on Fri-sun. Its already in place out there and been doing it since the early 80"s.

I have heard that if hull problem exists, it takes a long time to get them repaired, like needing a new cap. Is the only place a cap can be put on is the factory? Any truth in this. Triton is supposed to add to the package of electronics a BSX this year. Heard that one, any truths?

I place brushpiles of all types out year around. Where I have had great success, I'll scout the travel/migration routes that lead them in and out of areas. All my lakes get serious pressure. A well known lunker hole may see 100 boats in a day. I try to give an escape to the fish, maybe 50 yards off or more or less. I also look for heavy timber, some guys never go in the dense timber, just fish the edges. Hardwoods, like oak for example will last years, were a Holiday tree (Xmas) will only last so long, I mix up cedars and hardwoods, they both offer something to the big and smaller baitfish. I will add to someone elses piles that I have found, by placing a small pile, maybe one large cutting will hold the largest fish by itself 15 yards from the original pile. Someone will find them eventually, but until they do, and you are in fertile waters that bass seem to keep replenishing daily, a pile off from the original can pay dividends with the kicker. My piles are to help pre-spawn and post spawn staging. Summer is one of the easiest pattern to hold, lots of high pressure systems stalled in Tx, you can set your watch to the dinner bell in summer on different locations.

Bust out the corn meal the Forum is coming over for a fish fry at your place. Thanks for letting me invite the rest of the gang. LOL

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1130959191 This is the last thread on pressure we had a coupl of months ago.

Bait Monkey does not discriminate. Good on you for taking your daughter fishing. Look forward to hearing progress on both, the BaitMokey and your daughter.

Just remember, this is my year to claim the BaitMonkey as my dependant on Income Taxes.

I am not familar with this book, but would like to say that what we see on TV is editted. We catch the good stuff and not the boring details. What I do know of Buck, lures and their capabilities have changed. The trolling motor is more powerful now days. He references using the big motor for trolling which is against tournament rules these days. And Sonar are unlimited in what they can show, or what you can down load into them. Most of Mr. Perrys books I have seen are correct, for those times. I think technology of today is why. With his elemental approach, and todays technology, If Buck was a young man, he would be a force to be dealt with on the pro tour. I know he passed away this year. I would recommend alot of his books to beginners, they do seem to be right on target with his approach and methods for prefishing and finding fish.

UpNorth, I myself woud love to fish that lake, maybe we can throw that one in the hat for a BRG lake for next time.

Anyone of these can produce a trophy any time. Any top waters. Slow rolling spinners my own 18 inch plastics swim baits

Come on guys, March 25-29th, come on down to Lake Fork with a few more of the BRG forums guys. The more that comes down, the better. Think about it, and if you guys need a little help, I might be able to assit you. A little forum tourney in the works.

Wow, right under my nose, and have never seen it before. Thanks.

Shad start to die off when water temps drops to 45 blow. If your lakes have major winters and drastic water temps, it made it seem as though some states stock them annually. They reproduce fast, but the northern temps appear to be a lethal problem every year. Does the deeper lakes have a thermal layer down deep that is above 45 degrees? That is something I can't answer. If shad is not the baitfish that is present, what is the primary food source. Your state biologist should be able to tell you what is stocked every year, or what certain lakes favor, as to what bait source is choosen to be stocked because of the fluctuations in water temps. Some types of minnows flourish better in cold water. I know from my days in the Navy in Great lakes Ill. That elyes(sp) which to me looked like shad do real well in lake Michigan. I knew if the winds have been constant the past few days, the wind blown shores would stack up with elwyes, if elwyes present, I could catch the coho every day, the indicator was bait fish being present, no elyes, no coho, that simple. The ticket was to try to catch elyes. A cheap rod and reel with 5-10 gold perch hooks empty, just drop it and jig it, the elyes hit the shinny hooks, if you got bait, you got the coho's, and later in the fall, the schnook would emerge from the deep in the mouth of the creeks to start their annual spawning run. When the elyes disappeared due to temps, I knew the cold drove them down deep, and the big silver salmons would be showing up. Thats a pattern, solid pattern. Know what your bait does is the key.

Thanks Raul, for the time and input. Great thread.

Still Pt III to come.