Mike L

Always white with the same dip. Mike

@sllymz I don’t own a boat and don’t want one. I’ve been a tournament co angler for years either with friends in team tournaments or in a blind draw but the “rules” are always the same for me. 1) Talk to your boater before you go. Confirm your meet up time and place and don’t be late. *Ask about how he expects to attack the day. If he pre fished he probably has a pattern or 2 in a few areas that he will hit first. If not what you bring will be a little different. *I always offer to buy ice, drinks and a sandwich for him. But that’s just me! *Offer to launch the boat. If you’re not comfortable doing it tell him up front. It’s usually no big deal. 2) Personally I always bring 6.. If the boater has a plan or not I only pre rig 5 combos. One for each level of the water column plus an extra bottom contact with a heavier weight and larger bait and a top water frog. One rod I purposely leave empty, that for me is the most versatile one I have. That way I can just tie something on quick if you’re on a pattern he didn’t expect. 3) Don’t bring everything you own. You don’t need a duffel bag either. I use a small bag that fits between my legs when we’re running and will fit on my seat when fishing. 4) Tie your rods down against the gunnel next to your seat. I have a small bungee cord (Newer boats have some type of apparatus but older ones may not) 5) Have your PDF on EVERY TIME the big motor is on regardless of what he does. It’s your life! 6) Never cast in front of or over his line. “Your area” is from the steering wheel back. The front deck is his. Some boaters will offer to switch, some will not. Some tournament rules specify that a co angler should be given the option. 7) Always start with something different than what he’s throwing until a pattern emerges. Here is where it can get tricky.. Some boaters don’t like his back seater using the same baits, I don’t care. If he’s on a frog bite, there will be some he missed or didn’t present it right that you can pick off as long as you cast away from him in water you’ve passed. 8) Ask about netting his fish. Some won’t want you too, some will. Just be sure it’s understood. 9) Be ready to pack up on a moments notice. Try to be in your seat by the time he gets to his ready to run with your PDF ON and secured. 10) Always offer to pay for fuel or reimburse him for anything he gives you during the day. How much is up to you. What I do is always add 10.00 more than what I think is fair. We may fish again sometime or he may know your next boater. Again that’s just me!! Notes… * If you smoke ask permission. Be prepared to repair his carpet if you burn a hole in it, flick ashes down wind. * NEVER use dye inside the boat! Always dip or apply over the water * Keep an eye on the fish in the live well if that kind of tournament. * Check them once in awhile always listening to be sure the pump didn’t shut off unexpectedly. * Be careful when opening as some fish may try to jump out, then you have a problem!! Just crack it open enough to make sure thier gills are moving Anyway, these are just some of things I do every ones different. I know it’s a lot and there are more but I tried to give you some things just from my perspective. You already got good advise from others. Above all have fun, enjoy yourself. Don’t give yourself added pressure because there really isn’t any. Just go fishin and don’t worry about procedure too much. Most boaters were co anglers at one time too, they understand. I’ve struggled and been embarrassed more times that I’d like to remember. It happens. But I’ve also been fortunate and lucky enough to win a lot of money and a few accolades Just remember you’re just 2 guys in a boat who just met doing the same thing. Just be sure to be respectful of his time, and his property when you’re in his house. I’ve never had a problem keeping that in mind. Best of luck to you and report back. Mike

Thats him! I’m sure we all know him very well Mike

I’ve never hired a guide but my son-in-law is a local salt water guide down here so I asked him. He said “I get paid to put them on fish” Mike

I don’t throw them a lot but when the conditions are right and they won’t take a Big EZ or a Skinny Dipper the double jointed Sebile Magic Swimmer is my go to. In addition of an erratic hard turn on slack line, if stopped after a hard pull it will turn completely around. The rattle’s are balanced in such a way that it will sink with a slight head down angle. Mike

I don’t The only counting I’ll do is to keep track of how many are caught on a particular pattern in different areas remembering what the conditions were and go from there. It’s hard for me as I’m strictly a co angler and sometimes I have to convince the boater to move or change. It’s his boat so all I can do is suggest. Fortunately a lot of them will ask me first. Mike

Agree Dont think it’ll pass for next season but should by the next. Mike

No Sir, you’re not wrong at all at least from my experience. Theres 2 reasons why pads are a magnet for Bass. Number one of course is food, all kinds of food.. insects, bugs, prey of all kinds and sizes. Second is cover..Cooler, darker water and one of its best ambush environments Mike

Ditto! Why wouldn’t I? I will almost always start with a Devils Horse or a Sebile depending on clarity and the area but clean up with a Big Spook also. Edit…. There are times that I won’t put the frog down at all. Mike

Yep totally agree. I talked to a few cousins in Chicago last night and they’re all freaking out!! Took me awhile to settle them down. The kid was sacked 7 times, hit 11 and hurried 36! All in just his 2nd game as a pro. The O line had no answers for picking up the blitz which everybody should have known they were gonna do all night trying to rattle him, which they did. He wasn’t the problem, they just got in his head all night. Plus after all that it was still only a 1 score game. He’ll be fine..If he survives Mike

Keep the faith brother Looks like they’re still having line call problems. I don’t like the play calling at all. Nagy was bad but this guy has no creativity at all. Seems like Houston knows what’s coming on almost every play and they aren’t anything special. At least Williams is trying but Shelton the center and the right guard look like a revolving door on every blitz. Williams doesnt have a chance At least it’s only the 2nd game Mike

Even tho it looks intimidating, it isn’t. In addition to pitching into any hole you can as @Catt said, don’t let that be the only way to fish that stuff. First, no need to make a silent entry into those holes as you normally would when fishing vegetation. It’s stuff like this that you can “punch” right through as @Zcoker mentioned making as much noise as you can. But you gotta have the equipment to handle it. I’d grab the big stick with 80# braid keeping in mind you won’t need any weight heavier than an 1/2oz and cover as much water as you can fan casting right into it. You may be surprised Mike

Traps are most effective when ripping free from submerged grasses of all kinds. I never had much faith in or success using a straight line or even an erratic retrieve. There always seems to be a better choice Mike

I make no specific bait choices based solely on the seasons as others may. Since the weather is fairly stable year round, my only consideration is down and upsizing, fast or slow presentations in shallow or deep water. My choices are based on the details year round Mike

Sure! If the correct weight is used for the conditions and placed at the right place and presented appropriately they can be more deadly than used weightless every time. Mike

Ron You responded to a 14yr old thread. You’d have a better chance of receiving the information you want by started a new one in the Northeast Bass Fishing section found in the Fishing Locations sub section. Mike

Weightless Punch Rod And one for everything in between Mike

@Kevin Ryder You probably didn’t notice but you answered a post from 17 yrs ago. Just wanted to let you know that you may not get a reply Mike

Outstanding!!!! Mike

Theres a little bit of luck involved sure, but there are no short cuts. It takes time on task in your waters. Learn how changes in water clarity, depth, wind direction, cover and structure effect your fishery. It’s just as important to eliminate water as it is to fit all the pieces together to increase your chances. Taking that time then you can fine tune your presentations and bait selection in the most likely areas to fit all the pieces together to increase your opportunities Mike

‘65

Very well written. In my 14 yrs on this site he has been one of the constants. Enjoy your retirement Just sit and watch a sunrise Take frequent naps Eat what you want Go to bed and wake up when you want. Make today’s and tomorrow’s better than yesterday and today. Be Well Mike

Being a co angler, the vast majority of the time I fish tournaments from September to May. Most of my friends are either salt water guys or co anglers like myself. I fish the BFL and Bass Nation circuit and a few invitationals. Considering entry fees, fuel for my boaters, big bass and total weight side pots and required club dues to fish, I average a little more than $3,000 a season. Doesn’t include lodging and travel expenses for tournaments in Central or North Florida or out of State if fortunate enough to qualify Mike

Another effective way to use a nail weight in the back You can make the Fluke rise with each twitch by rigging with the hook eye below the nose. To make it dive rig with the hook eye above. Mike