BareHook

It happens, try watching Major League Fishing sometime and you'll see some of the best bass fishermen out there getting skunked or struggling to get a bite. When in doubt try something new or different that the bass have not seen and/or downsize line and lures to finesse bites Ken

I'm just getting into flipping and pitching and I'm wondering when to use a jig vs. when to use a punching rig (flipping hook, tungsten locked weight with a TR rigged soft plastic)? seems like either could be used, but the punching rig for really heavy cover?

Sent you a message with info. Also look into Teen angler teams, some affiliated through local high schools Ken

Sorry, too far away for me with work and other commitments, maybe try checking with some local clubs? Good luck!

What is the tournament location?

I haven't tried it but what about melting the rip with a lighter to re-seal it for a fresh skin hook? I've experienced the same thing and do the following in order as the worm wears-out 1. re-hook deeper under skin 2. rotate and re-hook 3. trim off tip 1/4" and re-hook 4. deeper skin hook 5. rotate and hook 6. Discard and replace

Thank you for all the info! I plan to give these techniques a try this Saturday and will post results next week. Ken

Spinner Baits happen to be my lowest confidence bait to use, I've only caught one bass on them, but I know they are much more effective that that and I am determined to learn and gain confidence in their use. I've read several of the articles, but really have a hard time using one for any period of time. What are the deciding factors for using a particular type of spinner bait blade such as Colorado, Willow etc... as well as color, silver, brass, painted? I know it must involve water clarity, time of year and other factors, but is there a simplified general guideline? Thanks! Ken

I've heard of freezing water bottles and adding them periodically to the tank to keep the water cooler really helps Ken

Commercial fishing, supplier to fish markets Word of warning... Taking something you love to do and turning it into a career or profession can sour the joy you get out of just doing it for fun.

If I have a Rapala scale with the hook, how do I zero it out when adding the weight of the fish grip?

I went 5 for 5 using BPS mini stick-O texas rigged weightless last spring, but they were mostly dinks, maybe one was 1+ Ken

Down in Florida around January or February, for this past winter

I've had some luck with soft swim-baits fished really slow and also a chatterbait worked slow along the bottom.

They should stay shallow longer, they move to avoid the sun and heat. with limited data on the terrain I would say Spinnerbait, though color could be a wide variety depending on location, water clarity etc... Remember no tourney is worth your life If you can hear thunder, you can be hit by lightning

I varies depending on the hull design, the only way is with experience and caution. Its a good thing to learn your boats handling capabilities, but you need to be very careful when doing so. Even if the boat will turn on a dime at full throttle, that doesn't mean the passengers will follow, but could easily be launched overboard. If you haven't taken a boater safety coarse, I suggest starting there.

Nice! I agree its just a hot over here on the east coast. I feel like the bass I'm catching are already half cooked, the water feels like a warm bath. Ken

Check out google maps/earth for local bodies of water, there might even be one at the hotel, most will hold bass. I am unfamiliar with that area but you should be able to locate some action. Looking at the google map I notice you will be near clear lake which looks promising. stick to basics Senko or trick worms in junebug or watermelon, top water, spinnerbaits etc. Avoid deep diver plugs most lakes are really shallow especially when bank fishing.

Sounds very similar to the lake I live on. I've had luck recently casting far out and working a swim bait really slow along the bottom as well as senko's or trick worms dead sticked or really slow. yesterday evening around 6pm I got 3 fish on a swim bait 1, 1.5, 2 lb. approx., 2 were relating to hydrilla near shore but in the deeper sections and one was far out.

Interestingly it also sounds like a description of shore fishing vs. from a boat

I enjoy both shows, but I wish they would create an MLF match that drives toward pursuing large fish instead of numbers. Maybe one of the elimination rounds could be for only the top 5 fish and they electronically cull the smaller ones. Ken

Backwoodzboys The next meeting is this Monday at 7pm if interested Ken

I fished a kayak tourney where the wind was a steady 30 gusting up to 50 in a pond. BTW first time fishing in a kayak. Everyone ended up staked out along the shore and basically bank fishing

Or possibly too much competition or bass over population in that particular pond, all the smaller fish may be eating up all the prey.

Fishing pressure, many anglers fishing a small body of water can make it extremely difficult to get the bass to bite.