Monday, July 02, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The Forgotten Lure
When most people think of bass fishing, they think of glittering bass boats, high tech rod and reel combos, and modern senkos. Although all of these things are tremendous, the old, proven lures get left in the dust. During the pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn, I use one lure and one lure only: the Johnson Beetle Spin.
You might be thinking, “What in the world is a Beetle Spin? Is that a Lucky Craft brand?” No! The Beetle Spin is made Johnson, known for their spoons. Its components are simple: a jig head, a rubber body in the shape of a fluke, and a “safety pin” spinner. Although they come in larger sizes, I find the smaller sizes to be the most effective.
Seeing these lures, bass immediately hit it with a vengeance. Especially five pounders hit them as if the beetle were a steak from Charleston’s. Be prepared, for you will lose many fish because of ferocious strikes. Fortunately for us, they cost only ninety-nine cents from Wal-Mart. How about that for a bargain?
When you finally hit the lake, fish the beetle spin like a spinnerbait, bumping it along rocky bottom and wood stumps. Personally, my favorite color is yellow, with black stripes running down its back.
So, when your budget makes little room for Strike King, have Johnson fill up the space!
You might be thinking, “What in the world is a Beetle Spin? Is that a Lucky Craft brand?” No! The Beetle Spin is made Johnson, known for their spoons. Its components are simple: a jig head, a rubber body in the shape of a fluke, and a “safety pin” spinner. Although they come in larger sizes, I find the smaller sizes to be the most effective.
Seeing these lures, bass immediately hit it with a vengeance. Especially five pounders hit them as if the beetle were a steak from Charleston’s. Be prepared, for you will lose many fish because of ferocious strikes. Fortunately for us, they cost only ninety-nine cents from Wal-Mart. How about that for a bargain?
When you finally hit the lake, fish the beetle spin like a spinnerbait, bumping it along rocky bottom and wood stumps. Personally, my favorite color is yellow, with black stripes running down its back.
So, when your budget makes little room for Strike King, have Johnson fill up the space!
Making the Big Time
All Outdoors has been linked to by bassresource.com, which is ranked the third best bass fishing website. We are in the Oklahoma Fishing section of the links. Click here to see it (it is at the top of the list).
Prespawn Bass Fishing
The bass are actively moving from deep to shallower water and back, a few times each day to feed.
Prespawn anglers should key-in on areas which provide structure running from 40 to 50 feet of water into shallow areas of 15 feet or less that offer the bass a marked migratory route from the depths into shallow spawning areas. Look for areas that have trees, pilings, stumps, rock piles, or other debris running shallow to deep. With our large number of western man-made impoundments, fence lines and old roads—flooded during the filling of the reservoirs—also make for ideal prespawn migratory routes.
Another key is to become familiar with the forage foods in the lake. Even though you know that the lake may have a good supply of shad or crawfish, try to find out the approximate size and coloration of the bait so that you can match these offerings as closely as possible in your lure selection. Some of the California lakes that stock trout heavily will experience a good bite on giant trout lures during prespawn months, as the larger females try to bulk up for the spawn.
Various baits will catch fish during prespawn months, but without a doubt, the deadly duo tends to be worms and jigs. Early prespawn bass are hungry and are primarily in a feeding mode. As the prespawn progresses into the spawn and postspawn periods, bass will tend to hit more out of a reactionary and aggressive stance. Your overall best bet for prespawners is to appeal to their "feeding mode" with slower-moving lures such as bottom-crawling worms and jigs. Remember, the water is still cold and all that is in it is still moving at a slower pace. Slow your retrieve down!
A final thought about fishing this time of year is that you are catching fish, which soon will be providing the stocking for the future fishery in the lake. So try to keep that in mind as you handle the fish, and hopefully carefully release them so they can go on to the next stage of their life cycle, the spawn.
Prespawn anglers should key-in on areas which provide structure running from 40 to 50 feet of water into shallow areas of 15 feet or less that offer the bass a marked migratory route from the depths into shallow spawning areas. Look for areas that have trees, pilings, stumps, rock piles, or other debris running shallow to deep. With our large number of western man-made impoundments, fence lines and old roads—flooded during the filling of the reservoirs—also make for ideal prespawn migratory routes.
Another key is to become familiar with the forage foods in the lake. Even though you know that the lake may have a good supply of shad or crawfish, try to find out the approximate size and coloration of the bait so that you can match these offerings as closely as possible in your lure selection. Some of the California lakes that stock trout heavily will experience a good bite on giant trout lures during prespawn months, as the larger females try to bulk up for the spawn.
Various baits will catch fish during prespawn months, but without a doubt, the deadly duo tends to be worms and jigs. Early prespawn bass are hungry and are primarily in a feeding mode. As the prespawn progresses into the spawn and postspawn periods, bass will tend to hit more out of a reactionary and aggressive stance. Your overall best bet for prespawners is to appeal to their "feeding mode" with slower-moving lures such as bottom-crawling worms and jigs. Remember, the water is still cold and all that is in it is still moving at a slower pace. Slow your retrieve down!
A final thought about fishing this time of year is that you are catching fish, which soon will be providing the stocking for the future fishery in the lake. So try to keep that in mind as you handle the fish, and hopefully carefully release them so they can go on to the next stage of their life cycle, the spawn.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Monster Fish!
After watching this video, you will want to make a dash for the ocean and leave the freshwater fishing behind.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Positioning Feeders and Blinds
On leases with five or more feeders, wild turkey choose the ones that have the most cover, water, and are nearest to the roost. As you place your feeders, make sure you choose clearings where turkeys can feel secure and see fairly well.
Another good idea is to position the feeders near prime strutting grounds. Keep in mind that turkeys will often call and strut for hens near the roost, so spend a large amount of time simply observing the birds to find both the roost and the strutting fields.
Once you place one of your feeders in the prime location, pay attention to where you place your hunting blind. Although no site is perfect, attempt to place the blind in an area where you can observe turkeys approaching the feeder from a good distance off.
After you have determined this place, erect a wall of sticks near your blind. This will make it appear more natural. Also, if you allow the blind to stay there for several weeks before you hunt, the turkeys will become accustomed to its presence and will not not get spooked by it.
Another good idea is to position the feeders near prime strutting grounds. Keep in mind that turkeys will often call and strut for hens near the roost, so spend a large amount of time simply observing the birds to find both the roost and the strutting fields.
Once you place one of your feeders in the prime location, pay attention to where you place your hunting blind. Although no site is perfect, attempt to place the blind in an area where you can observe turkeys approaching the feeder from a good distance off.
After you have determined this place, erect a wall of sticks near your blind. This will make it appear more natural. Also, if you allow the blind to stay there for several weeks before you hunt, the turkeys will become accustomed to its presence and will not not get spooked by it.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Winter Chills=Icy Thrills
Even though winter is here and the bass aren't biting, there is, as always, another active species. True, you could use a jig or a spoon, but the chances of catching a bass is close to that of having Donald Trump become YOUR apprentice. So for a surefire chance of catching, try what I call "frost-fishing." It's basically the same as ice-fishing, same tactics, same lures, same species, but down south in the Midwest, the pond/lake will get either really cold or some minute frosting over, just enough to still the water. Most of my waters just get really cold, and are shallow, so I use a flashy, small, and dull-colored bait like a Little George. I'll simply cast it out, jig it twice, wait, reel it in a bit, jig it twice, wait, reel in a bit, until I'm out of line. This really lets the flashy blade stand out and flutter. For added attraction, thread some live bait such as a mealworm onto the hook.
Hope this works, those who try!
Hope this works, those who try!
Monday, November 27, 2006
State Record Sunfish Hybrid
When I was 9 years old, I caught a 2 pound sunfish hybrid (left). My papa, who was fishing with me, said it was the biggest sunfish he had ever seen. We snapped a few pictures, and released the fish, which was caught in Bartlesville at the "Perch Pond." I found out recently that it would have been an Oklahoma State Record. Although officially I don't own the record, it is nice, and devastating, to know that I could.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Lure Trailers
Many single-hook lures are commonly fished with a trailer for extra added attraction designed to provide convincing action and that extra something that will make the bass strike. Spinnerbaits, jigs and swimming spoons are among the baits designed for trailer use.
Three main types of trailers are commonly used: pork rind, skirts and soft plastics, such as a craw or a worm. Often, fishermen trim some of the meat off the pork with a sharp knife to provide an increased fluttering action. A bright, contrasting color is often the key to provoking moody bass.
A trailer is a great way to convince a bass to eat your lure.
Three main types of trailers are commonly used: pork rind, skirts and soft plastics, such as a craw or a worm. Often, fishermen trim some of the meat off the pork with a sharp knife to provide an increased fluttering action. A bright, contrasting color is often the key to provoking moody bass.
A trailer is a great way to convince a bass to eat your lure.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Record and Ugly Stik Lite
I received an Abu Garcia Amabassadeur Record baitcasting reel and an Ugly Stik Lite rod for my birthday last Saturday. I love them. I hit the lake Sunday, and was amazed at how smooth the reel is. Backlash is minimal, and it casts great. The bite was slow, however, and I only caught one small bass. But I think I could have fun just casting and reeling in with this great rod and reel.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Great Hula Popper
My favorite lure is the Hula Popper. It is an old topwater popper made by Arbogast that has caught me many 5+ pounders. My two favorite colors are frog and black, but any color works fine. This classic lure is a slow popper that, when fished, should be popped every 6 seconds or so, then set still. Hold on to your rod, though, the strikes are violent. Look at the lure in the mouth of this bass. Hula Popper. No tackle box is complete without a Hula Popper.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Tips and Tactics
Check out these "Tips and Tactics" from bassresource.com. If you don't know how to fish a certain lure, or you want to learn knew techniques, then this is the place to go.
Monday, October 23, 2006
New World Record Bull Elk
This Elk was killed with a bow in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. He green scored 575" and should net out at about 530" non typical. He has and unbelievable outside spread of 79". This is the biggest bull ever taken with any weapon.
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