Sam

Yep, This AM I just saw that James has two articles while perusing through my latest copy of BAM. Looking forward to sitting down and reading what James penned about being a guide and getting out of your comfort zone. For you guys out there that have no idea of what "BAM" is, you are missing a great publication. I suggest you inquire about getting a subscription, 877.336.0896 You are welcome!

Great having you with us. Just ask your questions and we are here to give you lots of suggestions.

Yes, how could we ever forget our Avid? Great to have you back. Let's start posting!!!!

Look for the Dogwood Trees. Your Dogwoods should bloom before ours do.

OK gang, the time for the Dogwood Tree Watch has arrived with Daylight Savings Time. For our new members, when the Dogwood Trees bloom the bass are on their beds. Don't' get the Dogwoods confused with the Cherry Blossoms. Cherry Blossoms usually bloom first but they are no match for the Dogwoods. Dogwoods have either white or pink flowers, as shown below. So keep an eye on any Dogwoods in your geographical area and you will know when they bloom the bass are on their beds.

So when are you going to post them?

Good. Did not see any recent posts and was concerned. Sam

Maybe. Lake Gaston water temperature is checking in at 49*. Hope it gets into the 50* this week.

Only saw him one time in Kansas City when I was a kid. Don't remember if he got a hit or not but it was fantastic to see the great Yankee team.

Dixie on My Mind

Hey guys, even the great Mickie Mantel struck out a few times.

Good question. Maybe James will chime in from a pro's perspective.

Yep. SEC and ACC started on the 19th. AAC starts on the 26th. No idea when the other conferences begin. Notre Dame canceled out going to LSU due to virus concerns. Should be a fun SEC season with 5 of the top 10 schools from the SEC and LSU coming in 12th and the Vols are 19th.

Still too cold to play baseball. Bundle up, Tigers, it's gonna be a brisk weekend!

Bass activity is controlled by water temperature, among other variables, but mostly water temperature. When the water temperature is on the cold side, under 40*, the bass' metabolism slows down and they eat very little as they move very little. When the water starts to warm the bass will become active and start to feed. (Remember, the north and western banks heat up the fastest in the mornings from morning sunlight) Here is a simple chart regarding how long it takes for a bass to digest a minnow from the late and great Ken Cook who passed away in 2016. Ken won the 1991 Bassmaster Classic and is one of the top 50 all time BASS pros based on winnings and tournament placements. Ken graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in zoology and his studies of the bass continued during his lifetime. I was fortunate to hear Ken give a fantastic presentation on bass behavior at the old Bassmaster University seminars. Here is what Ken told us: Bass are cold blooded and optimistic predators. With that in mind, here is the Speed of Metabolism chart Ken presented: TEMPERATURE DAYS/HOURS TO DIGEST A MINNOW 40* 8 Days 50* 7 Days 60* 2 and a Half Days 70* 24 Hours 80* and Higher 18 Hours The most efficient temperature is between 73* and 75*. So to directly answer your query: It depends on the water temperature and the amount of forage the bass can eat as the water gets warmer into spring and summer. Add to this the length of time the water temperature was on the "cold side" in January, February, and March and you can figure out how aggressive the bass will be after a "hard winter." The longer and colder the winter the more forage the bass will be seeking to eat. So take this information and parlay it into your spring fishing. Good luck.

Growing up in south Louisiana and fishing the bayous and canals, my uncle told me something that I will always remember that can apply to this thread. "A leaky condom and a water moccasin have one thing in common. You don't ____________ with either." Good lesson that applies to all wild animals, especially those that are guarding their young, their beds, or their territory and are looking for food. I will never forget seeing a big gator laying on the bank that was looking at us as we floated by in our 16-foot skiff. I think he was considering us as a snack. Needless to say, my cousin and I got out of that situation very rapidly. When you enter a wild animal's world, don't be surprised at their negative reaction towards you. They are not sweet and cuddly bunny rabbits.

A-Jay, is it like adding "in bed" to your fortune in those fortune cookies? Give it a try. My wife and I get a kick out of what they say when you add "in bed" at the end.

As a follow up, check out the Virginia BASS Federation youth site: https://www.vabassnation.com/youth/ Jack Babcock runs the show and you need to contact him. I have tried to get in touch with Jack a number of times these past years and never receiveded any return email or phone call. Hopefully you will have better luck. gonefishin567@gmail.com or 804.690.1024

Back in the stone age when I was a teenager, I stayed at my aunt and uncle's home in New Orleans from time to time. I had a set of weights in the third floor finished attic area so I could life weights. There was a TV in the attic and I would watch TV while doing my routine. One evening while working out I saw the Beverly Hillbillies on TV. I never laughed so hard in my short life. But being a dumb teenager, I forgot to remember the day, time and TV station the show came on, plus I did not know the show's name. I told my friends about the show but they had never seen or heard of it. No one in my family had any idea the show existed. Finally, after two weeks had gone by and I was once again doing my weight routine, the show came on. I wrote down the name, TV station, day, and time and I tried never to miss an episode. The Beverly Hillbillies became one of my favorite shows, especially since Donna Douglass who played Eli Mae Clampert was from Zachery, Louisiana. Still like to watch the reruns on TV.

Fish, as far as I know, there are no bass fishing clubs for our youth in the RVA geographical area. You will have to start the club from scratch. If you are 16 you can join a local bass club that is taking nonboaters. Please get in contact with Pam and Mike Bryant and ask them about the formation of a local BASS affiliated youth club. Great people who run the Virginia BASS Federation. 276.634.6039 or email Pam at pam.bfnva@gmail.com FLW has a good program in Virginia, too. Check out their web site and contact them about their Youth Program, https://www.vabass.com/ Had we had the Richmond Fishing Expo in January you could have spoken with the representatives and kids your age at their booths. So put the 2022 show on your calendar for next January and if the Expo is rescheduled for later this year I will post it in the Southeast fishing section of the Forum. Now go to your local pond and catch a big lady and post pictures. Tight Lines, Sam

One hour to Dinwiddie County which is southwest of Richmond and my friend's double secret farm pond.

While in Louisiana....

X2. Guides use live bait and you all will have a fun time.

Welcome. We can always use another SEC guy during football season.

Roadwarrior, we have 4 inches of snow being covered with ice this Saturday morning. State asks people not to drive and we have already had a blip in our power. Expecting to lose electricity sometime today. I must admit that the snow is beautiful but as we all know, it is deadly.