BASSMAN1301599783

-Name: Wilton (Wil) Houchens II -Age: 16 -Location: Western Kentucky -Job: High School Student (Junior) Piano Instructor and Accompanist in a Major Creative Arts Center Accompanist for High School Choir Wedding Pianist Semi - Concert Pianist -Former Employment: 4 years mowing House Sitting KBF Observer -Objective: To fish in the BASS Pro Circuit -Tournament Fishing Past 2004: Adult Club Tournament Opens 2005: President of Western Kentucky Jr. Bassmaster Chapter 2005: 5th Place in Jr. KBF Qualifier Tournament at Rough River 2005: 2nd Place in Jr. KBF Qualifier Tournament at Cave Run 2005: 4th Place in Jr. KBF Qualifier Tournament at Barkley Lake 2005: Big Fish Finish in Jr. KBF Qualifier Tournament at Barkley Lake 2005: 3rd Place Angler Of the Year ~ State of Kentucky WHY? Growing up in Western KY, I have been fortunate to have the Kentucky and Barkley Lakes to my availability. Two great fisheries, known for their abilities to produce HUGE limits. I started fishing in tournaments heavily when I was 15, but already had some experience in fishing the adult tournament, I knew what I was up against and stood ready to take the blow, entering into the world of competitive bass fishing. In fishing with the Western KY Jr. Bassmasters, I have learned a lot. Starting with no teachers, and little help, I quickly was able to climb from last, to the high end of the food chain. Since I do live a pretty good drive from the lakes, I have learned to spend at least a little of every day, in a farm pond or cattle pond, to learn new and develop my prior fishing techniques. This, I believe, has been the major key to my success. After witnessing my rise to the top, some companies have already taken the opportunity to enlist me as a company member. As of this year I have decided to really pursue fishing, and by choosing to do so, I have decided to fish the KBF as a non-boater. As a non-boater I believe I will have the most opprotunity to learn, expand, and become known more than I ever have before. I have learned not to become comfortable sitting near the top. I have witnessed many people take the plunge after becoming comfortable with their position, and mentally becoming cocky. For all of my sponsors, I wear their logos, and promote them in anyway I can, whether it be suggesting their product in a Forum, standing in a Wal-mart isle telling my success stories to other fisherman, or speaking on stage after a tournament. I definitely try my best to make my sponsors happy by using what I have available. I am tring hard to make a good/ well known name for myself in the fishing world. What? 1. I don't ask for money to help me with my tournaments. 2. I look for new and old products to try, and the ability to be able to contact my sponsorer to review and comment on their product(s). 3. I'm not looking to have a free ride or to get in over my head. I would rather be upgraded with time based on my performance. If you would like more information you can email me at wphouchens@juno.com. Thank You -Wil Houchens

She aint as pretty as all your boats but I can still haul em in from her ;D ...oh and if you are wondering what powers this mighty sea hog through high wakes of the weekend lake lice..... its a 2.3hp evinrude :

Those are some nice fish Its amazing the different kinds of fish that people catch from all around the world. Very cool.

You can buy a "Second Rod" stamp for the back of your licence for ten bucks. I only go to the lakes that are fishing only.... Sutherland, Henshaw, Jennings, Cuyamaca, Poway.... to name a few. Its always quiet and 90% of the other boaters have as much respect and consideration as you give to them.

It has a 2.5 hp Evinrude that runs good and an older Humminbird Fishfinder. Keep in mind I am in Southern California and everything is more expensive. Thanks. http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/1/6/81057516.htm

Thanks, Sound like some really great post have been made, I will definately consider them. Yeah, other anglers are pretty much always weighting in pretty good stingers. I would consider the money stringer for this lake to be about 15lbs. You can have all the spots you want for 12in. a piece. Then Larrys and Sallys are 15in. a piece with the exception of one that can be 12in. Maybe this will help Thanks Everyone!

What would you do in this situation, that might result in upgrading your catch? This weekend I prefished a tournament on Nolin River here in KY. The lake is really deep and has lots of standing timber. At the end of the day I had 4 keepers in the boat weighting about 6.5lbs. after culling my slot fish about half a dozen times. I caught plenty of 14 in. fish, but I never had one cross that magic 15in. mark. I caught most of my fish, cranking a crankbait through vertical timber over about 20ft. of water. I was using a 300series bandit. After finding plenty of fish, I began scouting the lake for other ways to maybe upgrade my catch. I worked jig-n-pigs around rip-rap rock points and still managed only the smaller slot fish. Boat docks didn't produce anything either. The water up the lake was kinda clear (visibility about 2ft). Toward the dam visibility increased to about 8ft. Topwater, spinnerbaits, and texas rig, all produced about the same, with the crankbait far out fishing the rest. In the morning, fish were easily caught throwing a sinko to individual trees. What would you do to increase your chances of possibly filling the livewell with some bigger fish? -Thanks

Hey, Got a question about spinnerbaits. When do you fish them with silver blades and when with gold? Also if you were to fish a spinnerbait in clear water, at this time of the year, with the current water conditions of about 80 degrees, with a high dissolved oxygen rate near the surface. Around vertical timber about 20ft. deep, how would you fish it? Sorry for the complex question, but would you burn it through the trees, slowly swim it through the trees, knocking it off of as many trees as possible, or kinda let it flutter to the bottom, slowly wind it back to the boat, and present in a similar manner near like fish holding cover? Thanks a lot for the help!

I like it. Keepin it simple. I hate casual wear that has a buch of crap on it. Are you going to come out with a hooded version at all?

Good luck with the upcoming tourneys and WELCOME ;D

First of all, Welcome to the forums! ;D On to your question. A catfish only has three "stingers" they are at the end of both side fins (Pectoral I belive) and one on the dorsal fin. The way I take a hook out is grab them from under the belly and put your finger and thumb behind the right and left fin. Get some pliars and pull the hook out. They are really slimey so sometimes you may need a towel. Or if they are big enough you can grab the bottom jaw and hold it while you work the hook out. Hope this helps. ;D Or you could pick up something like this... http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=25080&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=shad&fr=FP-tab-img-t&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8

Welcome. The grass is definitely greener on this side of the lake ;D

If i am shore fishing for bass on beds in a really clear lake I will try to wear light colors. I think it helps because the fish has a harder time distinguishing my silhouette from the sky behind me. In a boat im not sure if it matters as much. Its kind of obvious pulling up in a boat. Ya know?

Ya'll sure are. :'(

I thaught thats what the pull cord kill switch does. Kill the motor if you fly out.

Anybody have suggestions for fishing vertial timber? The timber I will be fishing looks like a bare forest. There are NO branches on any of the trees, above nor below the water. There timber is all about the same diameter, about 6-8in. through. The water depth around ALL of the trees that I can find on this lake are in the 13-30ft. depth range, and are usually anywhere from the mouth to about the last 1/3rd of the creek/bay/pocket. I will be fishing this area in the 1st and 2nd of October, so the bass will probably be starting into their fall patterns. Thanks for any suggestions! -Bassman

My weakness is ruling out unproductive water. I am geting better at by using the things posted here that give me a guidline to follow.

Great post Chris. Thanks for all the info ;D

oh. Thanks ;D

Whats a Hotfoot ???

Welcome aboard ;D

"Poaching Rod" LOL!! ;D Thats great.

I got it. ;D Nick at Night reruns :

Listning to other anglers. This site as well as talking to other fishermen around here has helped me become a more productive bass angler.