basspro48

Well, depending on the region you live in, the bass should be spawning soon. The farther south you are the earlier they will spawn, ex. the bass in south Florida right now are spawning already but where I live in south/central Virginia the bass won't spawn until probably late march or april. But then again it all depends on the water temperature, bass will start to stage in the shallows when the water reaches 52-54 degrees and when it reaches 56-57 degrees they really start spawning. Most fishing during the spawn is done while looking at bedding fish, "sight fishing", which can take a lot of patience. For baits I mostly use bright colors like white or bubblegum so you can see the fish take the bait. I use white trickworms weightless with a spining rig, white tubes, white sweet beavers, and GYCB Kreature baits. Just pitch the bait on the bed and shake it, don't move it to much because you're just trying to make the fish mad so he or hopefully she will go over and grab it, when she does set that hook as hard as you possibly can!!!

I catch loads of 'em in the Pamunky River on LC Pointer 78's, Slender Pointer 95's, and Norman Little N crankbaits. For the river I only use Table rock shad, Mat Pumpkin, and Peacock for the LC baits. For the Norman Little N I only use Chart./white. And I fish both of the LC baits on Light casting rigs with 10lb. fluorocarbon and I use a Medium Spinning rig with 8lb. fluorocarbon with the Norman.

I used to have a 6-horse Yamaha stick-steer on my 12ft. jon boat, but since I got a 14 footer a couple years ago I decided to sell it and just get a powerful trolling motor.

Well, if they get bored easily I would suggest taking him/her bream or crappie fishing, because you can find and catch them all day long. But, if you really want to take the child bass fishing I would suggest taking them to an area where you know they're very likely to catch lots of fish. Kudos to you for passing down one of America's greatest past times.

Man I SUCK at winter fishing, so this coming winter I am definetly gonna spend more time on the water. Also I have to work on Carolina rigging, I haven't thrown one in over a year and I've really lost my feel for it.

It all depends on the water temperature, when it hits about 53 degrees they will start to move in and when it hits 57 degrees they will really start spawning. So I would also say around april.

Welcome to the forum ARCHER, one real good modification for rat-l-traps is if you are fishing extremely cold water or pressured fish and need more of a "finess-trap" drill a small hole in the bottom of it, near the head, and squirt some super glue in there to secure all of the bb's. Then seal and epoxy the hole. Now you must be wondering "why in the world would you do this?" Well, it helps to give the fish a different look and sound, the glue holds all of the bb's together so you have an almost non-rattling trap, and the fish just pick up the vibration of the bait. I picked this up from Randy Howell at Bassmaster University.

Now that's hardcore, but I guess that's Swindle fer ya .

Gerald Swindle, heck of a fisherman and you gotta root for the good'ole southern boys .

TUBES, TUBES, and more TUBES!!! . Also don't forget to look at the new Rapala DT-Flats and all the new X-Calibur baits. But be careful, I went to a BPS 3 weeks ago and spent every dime I had, but hey don't look at the money lost just look at the savings .

I prefer to fish before a front or storm system comes through, but you have to go fishing every time you get the chance don't pass up the experience just because you don't THINK you'll catch anything.

Don't forget pallets, you can A-frame 'em and sink 'em.

This is the primetime to look for old Christmas trees people have thrown out, tie a cinder block; or in my case a piston head from a MAC truck ; to em and toss em around vital areas like spawining coves, drop-offs, and points. Also be sure to mark them so you know where they are.

When cold fronts come around fish tight to the thickest cover you can find, also try fishing slightly deeper than you would normally. I normally use suspending jerkbaits, small jigs and tubes, and spinnerbaits slow rolled near thick cover.

Awewsome article, I look forward to subscribing.

I'm a member of the Chester Jr. Bassmasters, we meet out in Chester VA near Castaways tackle shop. Try this link http://www.vabass.com/

Patterning bass is, IMO, not that much different on a big lake than it is on a pond. The only difference is on a big lake it can be harder to pinpoint exactly where the bass are. Just remember when confronted with a big 1,000+ acre lake that 90% of the bass are in 10% of the water.

I watch that show just about every monday mornig. I think it is a lot more informative and entertaining than most other fishing shows out there. The best thing about it though, is that you get to see how pro anglers adapt in a tournament situation.

Here's to RW, I know I've become a better angler by listening to him.

I've fished through severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and even tropical storms. But if there is lots of close lightning you better get off the water FAST!!! I've had waaaay to many close calls.

Woo showed us that same thing at Bassmaster U last weekend. Mike Iaconelli does the same thing with a french fry style bait.

I'm with Phisher_d on this one, get a starter kit from BPS and once you learn all the basics, like the whip finish, basic wraps, and how to use different materials, then you can begin to create some of your own masterpieces

I think a lot of the vendors are just calling it quits, because of the packing up, setting up, lodging and food costs, and travel expenses. I guess they're just not making that much of a profit, it is really a shame to see it go down like this.

I went to the bass-a-rama show today, if you live in VA you probably know what bass-a-rama is, I picked up a SWEEEET new Pfleuger Supreme casting reel and a couple bags of sweet beavers, also got to meet and talk to Guy Eaker and Bernie Schultz. But overall I was kinda dissappointed, compared to last year it was really small, seems like there's fewer venders every year :'(. Anyone else go to bass-a-rama?

Hey New_Bass_Man and Matt_Fly, if you'll pm me with your e-mail addresses I will be happy to get the notes to you. Thanks. and Matt, I would probably choose a group picture with all the guys in it. Priceless