TOXIC

As a Guide, when a client tells me they want a "trophy" bass, I do not fish the same way as I do for a client who just wants to catch numbers. Are big bass smarter....No. But they do not act the same a schoolies or smaller fish and they don't live in the same places. That's why you hear the professionals talk about finding the "right" fish. They don't want to catch small bass in a tournament and that's one of the big things that separates them from your average Joe weekend angler, they have the habits and behavior of bigger bass figured out. I have an Elite Series angler stay with me every year and I prefish with him. They don't approach the water the same way most of us do. Bass size is dependent on 2 things. Genetics and habitat.

I'll stop fishing docks as soon as the fish stop hiding under them. As a guide, I have a lot of stories about docks and I have had a lot of conversations with dock owners. Mutual respect goes a long way but just be aware, there are some people who will NEVER be courteous (on both sides of the issue). You can only control you, so don't be one of those people.

Who's wrong about what?

If you are fishing shallow during the spawn, you are more than likely catching spawning fish whether you target them or not. Like the old saying goes...."Fish where the fish are".

Most big bass are caught from February-May as far as records go. That's proven. You are correct that they can be caught off deep structure but not as easy or predictable as during the spawn. There's a lot more deep water structure than most realize and it can be widely spread out. Personally, I like the dog days of summer. I can just pattern them better.

The spawn is special because it's the one time of year when the truly big fish are predictable and catchable. You can catch them on their way in, on the beds, or on the way back out. After that it's harder.

Let me head to the lake and I'll get back to ya!!

Just got checked this weekend on the Potomac River. I put a copy of my current license in all of my buddies boats and keep one on me as well. We got a full safety and livewell check. Funny thing, I go to Wisconsin every year with my boat and stay in a cottage on a chain of lakes. These lakes are patrolled by the local Sheriff's department. Been going there for 20 years. Last year I watched Johnny Law stop and check a dozen boats. I idled up to him and asked why he never checked me. His response: You bass guys always have your act together so I'm just wasting my time.

I was always able to get by without a perscription in my sunglasses but I felt that it was finally getting to the point where I needed it, so I started checking around. We sight fish a lot on St Clair in Michigan. They are very expensive. I have a guy that I work shows with who's day job is making prescription lenses in a lab. Here's what he told me: Poly-carbonate ONLY...No glass lenses. Find a manufacturer who makes there RX in-house. Try on all frames before you buy. Check warranty. Some are better. I ended up with Oakley prescription in Smoke with a blue chrome tint. As my Rx changes, I can upgrade lenses. $500+-

The Senko will end your slump. Texas rig a 5 inch senko on a 4.0 EWG Gamakatsu hook and throw it around the cover. Fish it S_L_O_W.

Being a guide with a distinctive boat, I have had fishermen follow me all day or immediately pull in on me if they saw me fishing with a client.

Had a guide trip got to the ramp and noticed that the boat keys had blown out of the ignition. No spare set. 65 miles to lake.

We normally launch out of Hope Springs in Aquia Creek and stay South of Leeyslvania. Will venture up to Quantico Creek though.

Carry a can of Mountain Dew and pour it in the mouth and over the bleeding gill. It works.

Hitting the Potomac River tomorrow. Chatterbaits and Rattletraps will be thrown a lot.

Having been a guide for 15 years, I could write a book. LOL!! If I were to take off my guide hat and put on my client hat, here are some things I would either ask or pay attention to. Of course, hiring a saltwater guide or hiring a guide for different species may change my answers. For relevance, I guided for Largemouth, Crappie, Striper on a freshwater lake. I also tried to incorporate a lot of different situations. 1. Choosing which Guide. The lake I guide on has a large number of guides. I suggest calling the marinas and inquiring on which guides they recommend. The marina I am sponsored by has a "brag book" that has pictures of my notable catches and when they were caught. 2. Other pertinant questions for the guide are, What year and model of boat do you run? Do you provide all gear? Amount of time that will be spent on the water? Cancellation policy? Live bait or artificials? Items I need to bring? How many people can I bring? Cost options? What time do I need to be dockside? Catch and release or catch and keep? Do you accommodate children, if so what ages? Can I bring my own gear? Can you guide from my boat? Can we have a tag along boat? Do you provide baits/lures? Do you have insurance? Are you a USCG certified Captain? Are you a tournament fisherman on the lake? Now there are things that I as a guide will ask you. What type of fishing do you like to do? What species do you want to target? Do you want numbers or a trophy? What is your fishing experience? Do you want to learn the lake, fish movement, structure, technique or how to use specific gear? Do you want to keep your catch? Do you have any boating experience? Age and skill level of your party? How long will you want to be on the water? What is your goal for this trip? These are just off the top of my head and there are some very involved answers and reasons why I picked these questions. Feel free to ask me about any one and I will be more than happy to elaborate.

Let me just add that the rudeness exhibited by the weekend angler, fun fisherman, and tournament angler is not absent from the highest level of the hobby/sport we all enjoy. I give a pass to anyone who appears not to know that they have crossed an invisible line that most fishermen and women know. If they don't have a clue, then I'll educate them in a nice way so that the next time they know where that line is. I made it a point to educate anyone who was in my boat on a guide trip as well. With that being said, I attribute the general rudeness from those that KNOW where that line is to the example that filters down from the Elite level to those who consider themselves a tournament angler or a fan of the sport. Just look at the televised confrontations in the FLW or Elite Series from the "Professionals". Off the top of my head I can name a host of anglers who have had on the water beefs. VanDam, Iconelli, Scott Martin, Biffle, Ish, that crazy dude that ran circles around anothers boat, Duckett and on and on. I can relate a very personal experience where an Elite Series pro almost got his butt whipped by some personal friends of mine during a confrontation where they were 100% not at fault. What kind of example do they set for those who follow the sport closely like the college anglers (who are super passionate) and the weekend series or open series fishermen? What makes for interesting TV is influencing the lower levels of the sport. Yes, crowded waterways don't help but my point is that it's not just a problem at the lower levels.

Having purchased an older boat, I went through the same. As well as draining and cleaning the tank, replacing all of the filters, I also replaced all of the fuel lines. There are filter baskets in the injectors and on my 250 yamaha a lot more.

Google can be nasty!!LOL!!

Orange construction cone, silicone and a piece of plexi. Many have made their own Floggers.

Had a friend that worked at a nuke power plant. We got to fish the discharge and take a tour of the plant (after a lengthy background check). The pics are speckled trout.

You might be right but I had a buddy film a segment fot a TV shoe on deep bedding smallmouth and he used a gopro on the bottom in 5-7 feet of water and did get a signal in he phone app. I was waiting for someone to ask how he could use the phone app when the phone was on the bottom.

Well of course you are going to catch fish at a ramp used by tournaments, it's where they release their fish. We call them ABC fish already been caught. I take a lot of rods because I can. And if I didn't, they would be biting on the combo I needed to throw that bait. I take 3 rods when I go crappie fishing. I take 4 rods rigged with different senko techniques alone when I go for bass. Boat rods....

Go pro at the end of a long pool net. I have the app where I can watch the video from my phone. Easy Peasy.

Every bait made sponsors someone so somebody has to be telling the truth.