ben23

I fished in both the BASS and FLW Junior World Championships last year. They were some of the best times I have ever had in my life. I fished with John Crews and got to hang out with Ike, Skeet, KVD, - you name it! For the FLW I got to meet David Dudley, fish with Art Ferguson, talk to Jay Yelas- ANOTHER amazing experience. Needless to say, hearing this news was nothing short of devastating. I know that the mere chance of fishing with KVD or Ike is what gets a lot of kids fired up to fish the JWC. With this change, the experience will not be the same at all. Yes it will be a huge tournament, but in no way comparable to the JWCs of old. I am blessed to have fished the BASS JWC when it was with the pros. I just really hope that FLW does not follow suit- and I do not think they will. The FLW went the extra mile to set up special seminars and parties for all of the junior anglers. I am glad that I only fished the FLW Junior Circuit this year- and look forward to hopefully fishing the FLW Junior World Championships. I hope they keep it up on the Junior level- they certainly better not drop the ball now. Next year I will be fishing in the Collegiate Bass fishing trail, so hopefully things keep running smoothly with that. I hope that somehow BASS does something to help those that got screwed- kids and adults. Unfortunately though, Nothing will be able to heal the wounds of ruining their shot to fish with the "real pros". Ben Dziwulski God Bless

Well, a friend and I went out to Triadelphia Reservoir here in MD to see if we could hook into a bass or two. We started off the day throwing tubes and shad raps along rocky banks in 48 degree water. Right away he had one pop off at the boat, and we boated a few small fish- one keeper largemouth, and a few small northern pike. We continued fishing this pattern for quite some time until finally he whacked a nice 1.5 pound smallmouth on a Standin Yabbie off of a submerged rockpile in 49 degree water off of a point. We then continued up the bank and headed downlake. My friend threw a variety of swimbaits and got to try out my lunker punker for the first time. We went on a dry spell for a while until I missed a nice fish right at the boat off of a small rocky point. On the next point I caught this 2.2 smallmouth on a SR5 in crawfish color. We then continued fishing a caught several dink fish on the same lures. I started to get the feeling that I should have been fishing deeper. I decided to change to a custom painted Luhr Jensen crankbait. It was a bluegill pattern from Jeremy Anderson of Black Dog Bait Company. After a few long casts fishing a drop off close to a flat, I leaned into this nice largemouth that weighed in at 3.9 We fished hard on the drop off to try to catch some more quality fish, but nothing was biting. I contemplated going in due to the low battery from the blowing wind, but I decided to stay out........why would I ever end my fishing day voluntarily? Usually my parents need to call and threaten me to get me off the water Anyway, after my friend had a fish pop off on a rattletrap, I decided to switch to a SWL spinnerbait. I took a chartreuse head, added a clear/chart. skirt and tandem willowleaf blades (#2.5 red front, #4.5 gold back). After a few casts I decided that I wanted more vibration due to the stained water so I switched out to a #2.5 front red colorado, and a #4.5 gold indiana blade. We worked our way up to a flat and worked our way into a small cove. I threw the spinnerbait back into the cove and slow rolled it back to the boat when WHAM! I got hit hard. The split second after she hit I knew what it was........a big northern pike........I had already caught a few that day and remember catching a nice 40+ incher earlier in the spring. I knew it was a northern pike, up until this beauty jumped 3 feet into the air and scared me and my bud to death...... She went 6.1. My friend eddie, and two other boats on the lake are my witnesses, the picture doesn't do the fish justice. It was tempting to keep the fish in a livewell to certify it so that I could get the "biggest smallmouth of the year" award for the lake.......but we decided to let the fish go in order to reduce stress levels. Fun day....back at it again tomorrow! Ben God bless

Thanks BIG-M I'll relay the information to him. I know we are going to tweak the lip angle and change the position of the lip on the lure. I'll post some pictures of the lure once we get the lip changed. I'm sure it will need a little more tweaking other than just the lip being changed/ repositioned. Ben

Hey guys, A friend of mine makes his own jerkbaits for trolling for trout and char. I told him that he would have an excellent bass fishing lure if he could just change the bill in order for the lure to run more erratically. Currently, his lure does not dart side to side when ripped, and has a very conservative action designed for trolling. What factors do you think make Lucky Craft, Megabass, etc. have with such good actions for bass? Where would I be able to purchase some jerkbait bills? Or are they more easily hand made? Thanks guys ben

Thanks for all of the support guys! ben

Hey guys, Saturday I fished in my second ever adult club tournament for Fish On Bass Anglers up on the Susquehanna river- Lapidum Boat ramp. This club has around 54 members. We launched at about 6:45 and weight-in was at 3pm. It was a tough day, and my boater told me that no one could get anything going in pre-fish. I didn't get to pre-fish because I had football. Anyway, the day started slow and there was no topwater bite whatsoever. I started with a clear jr. spook with no success. The grassline we were fishing was absolutely loaded with baitfish, soo much so that the fish must not have been very hungry due to the huge balls of bait swimming freely. Well, instead of sticking with the topwater lures I decided to try something different. Due to the wind and thick cloud cover, I decided to throw a shallow running crankbait along the edges of the grass. I used a shad colored Catching Concepts KC1 crankbait using 8lb HI-SEAS White Lightning, 6'7 E21 Edge Series Spinning Rod, and a Daiwa Capricorn 1500. Within about 20 minutes of switching over I had bagged a few small fish- all non-keepers. My boater stuck with his topwater lures and also got a few small non-keepers. I started to throw the KC1 closer to the grass and ripping it out to see if I could get a reaction strike because the fish obviously were not hungry. I quickly, at about 7:30, landed a 3-1 Largemouth using this technique- I was pumped. I continued with this pattern, changing between the MC2 series and KC1 series cranks; a mid-diver and a shallow diver. At about 9:00 I hooked up with a big fish on the MC2, it gave a couple good head shakes and got my blood pumping- it was a catfish pushing 8 or 9 pounds......bummer. We headed to a few more spots with different types of cover for several hours, only landing dinks under 12" using Picasso Shakedown 3/32 ounce shakey heads and cranks. However, wherever we moved, we couldn't find a concentration of baitfish like our first area. At about 12:45 we headed back to fish the grassline. My boater caught a big cat on a crankbait and a few small fish on a splitshot rig- no keepers. I stuck with what worked before- the KC1. At about 1:15 I leaned into another nice fish- it dove and head shook just like the catfish. I worked her around the back of the boat, hoping it was a bass. Sure enough, the fish surfaced and I saw the bucketmouth. After a tiring fight with the light 8lb test White Lightning, we put her in the net. I was REALLY pumped. We kept fishing the area and landed a few more small fish, and I had one monster largemouth follow my crankbait all the way to the boat and hit it as I pulled it out of the water, missing the hooks. We headed to the launch ramp, and I was pretty satisfied with my day. I knew it was a tough bite and that I would be in contention for big fish. I weighed in my two fish weighing 8-7. My big fish went 5-6 and took the Overall Lunker pot. I ended up as 1st place non-boater. 2nd place NB caught 1 fish for 3-4. It was also nice to learn that I also beat the Boater Division. The winner of the boater division caught 2 fish for 5-4. All in all it was a great day (and a great pay-day) and it was finally nice to get out of this losing streak. Hope you enjoyed the report, Ben GOD BLESS

yeah, those Catching Concepts cranks are pretty awesome. For some reason the Smallmouth CRUSH the KC2 in his splatterback color. My favortie wide wobbler is the KC1, basicaly the same thing, just smaller body style. Another one to check out for wide wobbling from catching concepts is his SB2; it is a rounder body made of balsa instead of cedar- great for cranking laydowns and shallow brushpiles. Ben

Those crappie colored cranks would annihilate the bass on my local reservoirs! If you don't like them that much, get in contact with me and I'll buy them off you! Excellent work dampeoples and BIG M- stellar combination of airbrush and blank crank design! Ben

now thats a swimbait, beautiful work check your PM's they aren't regarding the swimbait though......haha ben

Hahahah yeah, Delainey and I have talked online, she was pretty excited just like me when she won the qualifying tournament. We've decided that we are sitting together on the plane ride home, that is, if Mr. Broggi approves. I wouldn't want him taking me to that pond with big Great Whites that will jump and eat me (refer to my classic report from February to understand that statement ) Oh, and you will get plenty of pics, any requests that I didn't include enough of from the Classic? I'm PUMPED thanks for the support fellas Ben

Hey guys, just wanted to let everyone know that I have been fortunate enough to qualify for my second Junior World Championship of the year. This time, however, it is with FLW not BASS like before. It will be on Lake Hamilton August 4th and 5th. I hope to represent my state well, and will fish as hard as I possibly can! For now, I am practicing learning the techniques that will potentially help me win. If anyone has some good info or tips when it comes to deep cranking brushpiles, let me know! Just wanted to let everyone know, and I will represent the forum well. Ben

These fish were cuaght in Maryland reservoirs, not a river system. I sure love having local smallies without having to go out on the river! The big bass were caught on Zara Spooks and Carolina rigged Crankbaits (Catching Concepts KC1 series). thanks for the support guys! Ben

Gotta love getting out after work!! Here are some pictures from my recent excursions to Triadelphia. Please feel free to ask questions. Most came on spooks, poppers, and c-rigs The bigger smallie went 3-15, the two big largemouth went 5-6 (sorry about dark picture) and 5-3. Ben

If you are in to the Wooden cranks, which have much better action and cover deflection most times, I would recommend looking at Catching Concepts' SSC2, which dives very shallow at 0-2 feet and has a great action. That is a great thin-bodied crank. If you are fishing wood and want even more deflection, check out the SB2 series, which is nice and think- and dives 0 to 3 feet. Ben

Catching Concepts XDC3 or SB2 deep............ I also like the Lure Jehnsen Baby hot lips- it works well for me on the local reservoir, but I prefer wooden over plastic....so that is where Catching Concepts comes into play. I'm not sure if whittler makes any really deep divers.....but I just got some of his shallowere models and they are GREAT looking, I can't wait to fish them more~~~!!! Ben

^^^^ What he said Catching Concepts....check them out on ebay...the craftsmanship and paint jobs are tremendous.....the prices are also a shocker due to the fact that they are hand made/painted. I'm sure Whittler makes a great shallow crankbait as well, I can't wait to try them out.!!!! If you want the big-name brands (they lack the refinement and perfection of the handmades......) I would check out Lee Sisson......slim wille, and also the Skinny P Shallow

Yeah, normans need to be tuned often..... I think alot of the wooden ones need tuning......but that doesn't matter.....once you tune it right they are fish-catching machines

GREAT NEWS!!! My friend with the brain tumor finally was able to go to Johns Hopkins ot get a diagnosis. HE DOESNT HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR. He was mis-diagnosed with a brain tumor, when in actuality it was a small non-cancerous buildup of tissue. He had sugery that will make sure that fluid does not build up. Now he is perfectly fine and will live a normal life, the growth has no health risks!!! He will live a long, healthy, sport-filled life!!!! THANK GOD!!! Thank you all for your prayers and support!!!!!!!!!!!!

^^^ hes one of those crankbait makers I was telling you about.....check him out

Also, another alternative to the upper end Daiwa and LC lures are the handmade cranks. Rarely will you ever have a handmade run crooked. Some handmades actually will not cost you more than the lucky crafts either! Wheck out Whittler, Catching Concepts (ebay), and there are other members on the forum like Big M, and jasone.....all with steallar baits/ prices. Ben

Another Crankbait maker that I found was Catching Concepts.... go to ebay and search catching concepts.......he has some AWESOME crankbaits! Great prices too......he is really a magician with that airbrush.....has a good variety of baits too

I personally feel there is a huge difference between the two. With mass-produced crankbaits, companies are "cranking" out a lot of lures every second, with minimal quality control per lure. Also, mass produced crankbaits usually come with standard finished and normal paint jobs. Custom balsa cranks are made with flat-out better wood and materials. Not to mention almost all custom crankbait manufacturers will custom paint a lure to your standards. With guys like Whittler, you get a hand-made crankbait....assembled by one man from start to finish with the highest amount of quality control anyone could ever ask for. The best components, paint, and quality control, means one heck of a lure....one that you will not find from big manufacturers. i think I just about covered it Ben

no one has any experience with mimic lures crankbaits? I like the look of their stuff, simple- yet an affective design......

I thought it was a funny, but rediculous movie....... "Careful, it bites" "everony knows the ipod mini is for girls!!!" "Very nice, how much?" funny movie....I liked Talledega better though...I can't get enough of Ferrell

I guess it would be easier to post it here for people to veiw and comment on. Please let me know what you think, all comments are welcome, negative/ positive..anything! In the beginning it jumps straight to the point, but I would open with a letter to the company explaining my experiences with their product. _____________________________________________________________________ Dear ________, I am Ben Dziwulski, an honor roll Junior at Glenelg High school in Maryland. Here is what I have to offer to your company: Accomplishments/ Visibility: Two 8.5 Foot, 350lb Sand Tiger sharks caught from beach Jr. Bassmaster tournament- 2006- 4 times- 1st Jr. Bassmaster tournament- 2006-2 times- 2nd Jr. Bassmaster tournament- 2006- 2 times- 3rd Rocky Gorge Classic- Jr. Bassmaster tournament- 2006- 1st Centennial Night Crawler Tournament- 2006- 3rd Junior State Qualifying Tournament- 2006- 1st Junior World Bassmaster Championship Qualifier for 2007 All- Mid Atlantic 2nd Place Non-Fishing Accomplishments: Academic - 4.3 weighted GPA, 3.9 un-weighted - Member of the National Honors Society - 1st place School Science Fair - 1st place County Science Fair Community Service- -3 and 4 year old youth group leader for Grace Community Church - Marched in President Bush's Inaugural Parade for JROTC - Volunteer Basketball Coach for Glenelg Basketball Camp - DNR Electrofishing volunteer - Volunteer Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Sports- -10 Basketball Camp MVP awards (invitational camps) -5 Basketball Camp Sportsmanship Awards (invitational camps) -Varsity Football and Basketball for Glenelg High School Assets/ Visibility: For a young angler, I would consider myself extremely visible for my age: Internet Sources- Not only am I a moderator for a youth fishing website www.jasskids.com (Junior Anglers Sportsman Society), I also am a frequent messenger on many high-profile fishing websites like www.tackletour.com and www.bassresource.com. Maryland DNR work- Along with fishing, I like to understand what makes bass work, and comprehend different aspects of water quality versus fish concentration. I am able to gain this information by working with the MD Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists. In working with them, I get to go electro-fishing, which is where an electrical current causes fish in the area to float to the surface. We collect the fish for length and weight, and then return the revivified fish back into the water unharmed. This experience helps me understand the way that bass live, just like Ken Cook- a fisheries biologist for many years. Mentorship-In school I am working with an FLW tournament pro Frank Ippoliti. Frank is helping me fully understand what it takes to become a professional. I am writing a paper about what it takes to go pro in fishing. In the paper, I will make an outline of the steps that youths need to follow in order to set themselves up for a career in competitive fishing. Ultimately, I am aiming to have this paper published in a bass fishing magazine and many online sources such as tackle tour, bass resource, www.rodsbyairrus.com, and J.A.S.S. Kids website. Marketing- Along with this paper, I have been attending marketing seminars to learn about ways to market myself, and the companies that I represent. Media Coverage- Before my JWC event, I had an entire article in the local paper that focused on my fishing success and goals. It was the Front-Page story and main picture for that issue; my sponsors were clearly visible in the picture. Seminars- I was invited by Bass Pro Shops manager Allan Ellis to do seminars monthly on topics that I choose. This will prepare me for future seminars that focus on other, more advanced topics. The first weekend of every month I also help conduct a seminar for youth fishermen that focuses on the basics of fishing. Overall, I have 2-3 seminars a month. Science Fair- During 2006, I did a school science fair project about fish and color recognition. This project won at the school and county level, sending me to the All- State fair, where I received honorable mention. Future Plans: College- Wake Forest or NC State- NC State has a fishing team involved in the College Bass Circuit. This past year, they won the national event. After they won, their club organizer (also professor at the school), Jonathan Phillips, called me. He saw on BassResource.com that I was interested in fishing while in college. He told me that he would love to help me get into NC State. In college, I plan on majoring in business management and marketing. I also plan to minor in fisheries biology and continue with my DNR volunteer work. Professional- After college, if I have the right sponsorships lined up, and feel confident in my ability to compete, I will continue the pursuit of a professional fishing career. Based on my research and what Frank has told me, I know that it is a career filled with risks, but I know that I am willing to make the sacrifices. With that said, I know that I can offer a great deal of exposure through the ideas mentioned above, and I make sure to promote the products I represent to the best of my ability at my age. I am open to help out in any way possible through fishing shows and other events. I would love to represent your product in all of my fishing activities, and think that I am a valuable candidate because I have large contacts in the youth fishing industry, where many other adults do not have access to. Please take the time to look over this, and let me know what you think- I am very open to criticism because I want to improve. I would love to talk to you, so give me a call at *** *** **** or email at b23ball23fisher@hotmail.com if you have any questions. As a reference, please call Frank Ippoliti (FLW Tour Angler) at *** *** ****. . Thank you for your time, Ben Dziwulski *** *** **** www.secretweaponlures.com/prostaff_dziwulski.htm b23ball23fisher@hotmail.com Currently Representing: Airrus Fishing Rods Cache Custom Lures Niffken.com Tournament plastics Outdoor Contours Custom 3d Mapping JASS Kids Moderator Hi-Seas Fishing Line Secret Weapon Lures