BigSkyBasser

I just found out about Mark Daniels through the FLW circuit breaker. The guy looks like a blast to hangout with.

I'd agree with above mentioned method of starting with reaction baits fished slowly and transitioning to downsized finesse presentations depending on the bite.

Montana for both, and for several reasons. Pros Quite possibly one of the most underrated, unpublished bass fishing destinations in the country. Fishing pressure is typically minor, usually replaced by pressure from recreational boat traffic. Not hard to come across 40-50 fish days. It's fairly common for a 25 pound bag to win local tournaments. Most of the lakes and reservoirs are smaller and easier to break down in a day. We have native populations of slow growing trout that bass regularly feed on. Montana is world famous as a fly fishing and trout fishing destination, leaving bass fishing off the radar for most. Post card quality scenery surrounding any and all fishing. Cons We have the greatest temperature range out of all 50 states, and still hold the world record for greatest temperature change in a 24 hour period. Our fishing season usually lasts from about mid March for ice off, and can close up again as early as mid October. This leaves very short windows to identify and successfully fish bass phases. Post spawn is our longest and toughest fishing season. Usually lasting from June until September or early October. Our fall bite rarely lasts 30 days, as the transition from summer to winter is typically very short. The weather changes so frequently and drastically that a pattern very rarely lasts more than a day or two. Most of the lakes are dominated by small schooling smallmouth, who feed almost exclusively on the sunfish and crawfish. These fish are nearly impossible to find for consecutive days. 90% of our lakes are deep and gin clear, with limited structure usually consisting of submerged pines, rock outcroppings, and milfoil mats and eel grass lines. This leaves fish very finicky Very few of the lakes have accurate or current topo maps, or are mapped at all. Seldom accessible from multiple locations and often surround by private property, making bank fishing impossible on some waterways. Lack of diverse forage and a shortened feeding season leads to smaller fish.

A couple come instantly to mind Brent Ehrler (the guy is a finesse fishing prodigy but also one of the most diverse and talented anglers I've ever seen.) Brandon Paulunick (because he's from my neck of the woods and is somewhat of a local hero.) Doug Stange (who wouldn't want to fish with the multi-species king?!?) Scott Martin (Scott has so much fun fishing aside from competing and he let's it show, I bet he'd be blast in the boat.) Aaron Martens (he is and will remain my all time favorite fisherman, and he has so many hilarious compulsions and neuroses that I'd want to witness in person lol)

Given your options I would be fishing point A. It has instant access to deeper water and will probably hold fish for longer throughout the year than some of the others that are more locked by shallower water. Plus it's adjacent to that riffraff next to the dam which will concentrate feeding fish. P Probably the only time I'd imagine really struggling there is during the peak of spawn. My second choice would definitely be C.

We feel your pain over here in Montana! Probably the most frustrating thing about pike is when you're fishing a finesse bait deep and you feel a nice fish load up on your rod. From that deep a pike and a smallmouth fight very similarly, so you get your hopes up and get the crushed by a stupid 3 pound monster. And then you have to retie!!!

I found LakeForkGuy before anybody else. His videos easily win the category for all around best fishing action. And he seems to have experience with a little bit of everything, from Tournaments, to kayak bassin', to tutorials, to cool underwater cinematic shots.

I'm in a similar pickle Brian. I also happen to be new to breaking down lakes, this made harder being a co angler without the freedom to explore the lake as I please My task at hand is trying to break down Lake Mead, NV. It's been overwhelming to say the least The hardest part being the lack of reliable articles on this lake. Though this thread did remind me of the Navionics map for this waterway which is by far the best around.

I guess I'll start the devil's advocacy. I do enjoy music circumstantially with fishing videos, but only certain music that sets or accompanies that atmosphere the video is aiming for. I think the biggest problem with music in fishing and outdoor videos in general is that it's mixed like crap. It's typically too loud and doesn't compliment the video and also is usually inserted during inappropriate spots like important dialogue, and or lacking in spots that would be suitable (like boats racing down a stretch of the reservoir.)

Not a dumb question....and it sounds like a blast! I'd agree that you're probably witnessing the peak of prespawn feeding. What I'd do next you notice this happening is find a way to take note of the primary conditions like water temp, weather (like air temp and atmosphere,) water color, and possibly barometric pressure if you can. There is a combination of these that you'll be able to peg down as the root cause of these fish moving up to feed like this. Would love to see pics of this wonderful madness after an outing!

At least someone see's this as a problem lol. These things are spendy but arguably some of the most realistic craw cranks out there right now .

I do the exact same thing! it's nice because even though they don't have soles specifically designed for traction underwater, they are already broken in and a typically nice and breathable and hold their own in exposed environments like slippery rocks.

It really depends on the waters you're fishing and how those fish respond to threats in their territory. I've grown up fishing gin clear, cold, deep lakes, so I have learned to adjust based on how fish react. My go-to has always been larger crawfish applications, especially floating baits texas rigged. The first time I took by girlfriend fishing on beds, we slayed em' throwing Z Man Lizards on a 3/8 oz bullet sinker on a 3/0 WIde Gap EWG. When you have baits that actually float or suspend it seems to trigger more aggressive bites during spawn.

I found this series this year as well. The Casey martin ones are the most epic! Truly inspiring and makes me want to fish the FLW circuit. It seems like B.A.S.S. doesn't have much concern or support for the grassroots and weekend warrior anglers compared to the FLW. Perhaps that's my jaded view but for example, if I won the National championship this year, They wouldn't pay for me to fish the Elite Series next year and give me a boat and truck. You get to fish the Classic once and "try again next year." Doesn't seem like much incentive to keep investing into Bass Nation Federation when they don't give much back to the anglers that do. But I'm young, perhaps I'm just biased and lacking wisdom/ insight on the matter......

Ok, thanks Lou I appreciate it. I think my dilemma is I don't know whether to apply as a student organization or athletic club. I'll clarify that with someone on campus.

Good idea, it'd be a far reach but I think we could find somebody. and sorry for the double post. I just found another thread like this started by someone else

Bass fishing at the collegiate level is always something that has captivated me and after biding my time I finally have an oppurtunity to do so! The problem being that my school The University of Montana doesn't and never has had a Bass Team/Club. Just curious if anyone has an best approaches to creating a collegiate team or club and generally what all it entails. We will be fishing on the College B.A.S.S. side of things and would like to be an eligible school by the 2017 season.

Ok so circumstantially you guys see very similar weather to us here in Northwestern Montana. I usually find that fish really start their quest for pre spawn feeding when water temps rise around 50 Degrees. But that can vary wildly here. Based on what I understand of your area, the smaller river feeding the larger pool would generally be the place to avoid as it'll be colder for longer and smallies will avoid it when they have access to warmer water before spawn. Bass particularly in pre spawn seem to be especially sensitive to slight differences in water temperature. This can help determine what ledges and secondary/primary points will be holding larger (if any) groups of smallmouth. Hope you post pics if you nail some slabs this year!

It really depends on how fast the water warms up around there. Most prespawn smallies will absolutely crush a jerkbait if you can find the ledges they're moving up on and fish them effectively When I fish rivers I always recommend casting upstream into seems and secondary pools, these are less obvious but preferred ambush spots for most smallmouth during prespawn here. Also, where are you fishing?

Linders Angling Edge is a bit preachy for me so I skip the end......BUT it's incredibly informative and I've always enjoyed watching Al Linder fish, including when he was with In-Fisherman. I still do watch In-Fisherman as they are more bass oriented than they used to be with Doug Stange at the head of the show. MLF is awesome, I also suppliment it was the FLW and Elite Series shows. The one I like the least is "Pro Team Journal." It has never been an entertaining show regardless of who is fishing on it.

Is your spinning outfit a finesse/drop shot oriented set up Glenn? I'm planning on trying it out this year because I have problems with coil memory on Invisx and I'm looking at either Tatsu or P-Line Halo.

I actually switched from Gamma to Seaguar myself. Personally I did not enjoy multiple different gamma lines. They're coil memory is not as advertised and the sensitivity felt dull. Now I prefer InvisiX and Red label.....will likely also be testing out their Tatsu line as well.

Strike King Denny Braur Flippin' tubes Texas rigged on a 3/0 Lazer Trokar Worm Hook with a 3/16 oz Tungsten bullet. I don't have much experience throwing tubes on your traditional lead tube jig, but I know it's a killer for smallies out on sand bars and weed flats!

That's a questions that has a different answer almost every time I go fishing LOL. This girl was caught on a Yamamoto Hula Grub texas rigged. Several others the next day pushing 3 pounds were caught on wacky rigged assorted worms. Just letting them float down in the current, then watch for your line to stop and drag to indicate a bit. With a shallow river I'd be tossing jigs endlessly depending on the composition of the bottom and the time of year. What conditions are you going to be fishing?

The Drop Shot is an awesome presentation to pick up. My usual setup is deadly for any application and is as follows: Hooks: #2 Lazer Trokar Drop Shot Hook or VMC Sure Shot Hook Line: 6-8 pound Seaguar Red Label or Berkely Vanish Flourocarbon Weights Vary depending on application: My favorite when fishing rivers are 3/16 oz and 1-4 oz pencil weights, they seem to be less prone to snagging rocks but will hang in brush and weeds just as easy. Reels and rods come down much more to preference but usually a 7' Medium-Medium Light spinning rod is recommended with a smaller reel like a Shimano Stradic CI4+ or a Pflueger President (my goto.) I don't currently fish with braid to flouro leader but you might want to try it when you get more into drop shotting Baits: Roboworms are a great goto bait for dropshotting. Strike King dream shot is great. Also experiment with 4" senkos and senko like baits hooked wacky rigged. YOU CAN FISH NEARLY ANYTHING ON A DROPSHOT! I tie my weight 6-8 inches when drop shotting shallow water (drop shotting is great for bed and structure fishing, just more prone to snags.) Then when fishing in 10 ft of water or more I'll tie my weight 10-14 inches below bait for those ultra finesse presentations.