Fishing Tips and Tricks

[Bobby Bass]

With this cold Spring and lots of rain I am thinking of a near by lake that has a shoreline with a lot of tall bullrushes. The bullrushes are standing in about four feet of water and extend back as much as sixty yards from open water. A few years ago I fished in these same kind of conditions and used big 10" worms on 5/0 hooks to flip right up next to the bullrushes and just shake the worm in place.  I caught several 18 plus inch Bass but was only able to do it twice as I discovered the spot on the lake a few weeks after the season had started. With the weather warming up the area was quickly filled with pads and I lost my chance to fish it anymore. That and trying to find 10 inch worms in these parts is hard to do. No one stocks anything that big so I had to go online.

I have a supply of big worms so I have that lake shore on my go to early fishing lakes this season. So anyone else have a tactic they want to share? Thought it might be nice to start a string about fishing tactics with no smack talk, Just ideas that have worked for you.. Bobby

[DDSBYDAY]

    Pitching under shore line cover.  If you happen to hang up on a small branch don't crank it out right away.  If you can drop your lure just to the surface of the water just bounce it up and down using the tree branch.  I have caught many bass this way.  The fish hits and pulls the line free.  I have tried to do it on purpose but am much better at doing it by accident.   

[Bobby Bass]

Spring fishing for bass is a lot like late fall fishing for bass, look for warmer water! In the fall a difference of just a few degrees can mean finding fish or catching nothing. In the spring the same holds true. Search out the northern bays that are catching sun all day long and when you are in them bays search out the even smaller little crooks for even warmer water. I look for early green in the shallows and often am rewarded by bass and northerns in water so thin you don't know how they can swim. Having a boat that draws very little water helps and also a good push pole to move you along. Here is one kind of fishing that a trolling motor is not needed. A few lakes that I fish allow me to just get out and wade, but I like warmer summer water to be doing that

[Bobby Bass]

I saw this tip and it is one to pass on. Always looking for some place to put that broken line or sandwich wrappers in the boat? Take a plastic coffee can and cut a X in the lid. Now you can push wrappers and bags, old line and any other little garbage that you don't want blowing around in the boat inside. Add a short piece of rope and a snap hook and you can secure it anywhere in the boat. Another purpose, it works as a bailer, just in case.

[Bobby Bass]

So you are all ready for the fishing season and the boat has the cover off, trailer lights all work and the motor has been ran. Try this little trick, get up in your boat and pretend to fish. Sure some of the neighbors might look at you a little funny but if you have been practicing casting what difference is it going to make. Anyway sit in your seat and imagine you just hooked into that big walleye! Is your net handy, how about it's a northern and you need that jaw spreader, It's a good spot where are them buoys. Life vest? Minnow bucket, net. Leech box, lunch box, dang Northern nicked your finger, first aid kit... Now is a good time to make sure you have everything in the boat and it is all where it is suppose to be.

[Bobby Bass]

The extra huge Zip Lock storage bags make great dry bags to keep in the boat. Rain gear or a change of clothes is always a good idea to have on board. In the Tahoe I keep extra warm clothes in one of them vacuum storage bags, does not take up hardly any room but is there when you need it.

[Bobby Bass]

First Aid Kit, I know we all talk about having them around but when is the last time you inspected yours? Did you replace them Band-Aids you used or how about them aspirin? One of those things you never think about till it is time to use it.