November Article Contest Entries

[Mike Noble]

Please post your entries for the November Contest Article here, between 12:01 a.m. on November 1 and midnight on November 30.

[lipjurker]

  nice fish

[LoonyToon]

  Nice fish Mike and your not totally worthless as you say. I usually refer to myself as a "Work In Progress/Subject to Retrofitting"...........I'll see what i can come up with as we have 2 tournaments and some rivers to cross here shortly along with a trip to the James for a qualifier. I'll do what i can................Thanks you guys for everything, I know I'll be readin alot of great advice/knowledge in the future

[ronalddipietro]

This should be fun.  Its hard to teach an old dog new tricks as the saying goes and I must agree.
But if you aint old, and r just starting to bass fish but not having much luck there are reasons why.
All you have to do is identify, identify, identify them..Thats not too difficult..If you fish the plastic worm for example, you can fish all day and not detect a strike!!!But in REALITY...you had many strikes but did not FEEL them...It has happened to me!! I felt the bumps,,but never set the hook because i thought it was the grass and timber underwater...after several hours on toledo bend (tennesee bay) I was re-tieing my knot and noticed the old dull lead weight had been scrapped shiney by the teeth of the fish...YES SIR...I felt like an idiot that day...but things began to change after that...if I even CONSIDERED I had a strike...SWOOSH...I SET THE HOOK..
INSTANTLY....So: Tip #1 for improving your skills.....SET THE HOOK, SET THE HOOK, SET THE HOOK....
Tip #2. Allways payattention to Tip #1..Just had to do it..Seriously now, another good idea is line watching..Especially texas rig fishing..This is more difficult to do on windy days but the point here is often time you will not feel the strike...but you may detect it by a twitch of line as it lies on the water..One thing in Bass Fishing is certain...nothing is certain...In 5 minutes you can limit out....I try not to run my boat too much..I will choose a couple of locations and spend my time on them..I may move back and forth between them but seldom do I crank up and go a running.  I routinely start off with the same bait early in the morning and fish it without chnaging baits..I may change color but I allways toss a plastic.  If you like spinner baits..toss em...top water baits..toss em..but be fexible enough to change. My favorite is the Carolina Rig..Its heavy so you can toss it a mile, its heavy so it stays on the bottom easier and without a doubt genrerate strikes..Wind is an interesting topic:  My rule is allways fish downwind, let the wind be your trolling motor. I have caught lots of fish on Toledo Bend using the wind instead of it kicking my but and killing my trolling motor battery. Which brings us to maintenance:  If you are deligent on this one you will save yourself lots of heartache on the water..If its going to break, its going to break while you are fishing and nothing ruins the day any worse than this..So I clean battery terminals, check connections, grease or oil movable parts, look at fuses (Know where they are before you get on the water), check bow rope, anchor line, bielge and live well pumps and lights. takes about 15 minutes..Lots of information to know about bass fishing..Those I have mentioned will positively improve you chances of catching fish and having a good day. Yes this is an entry..Thank You


ADMINISTRATOR NOTE: QUALIFIED ENTRY

[Jerry Holston Jr]

A Fishing Story!
In all of our busy lives with work and fishing and tournaments we tend to forget the little things from time to time.   I took a Saturday left my poles at home and the boat and ventured down to the local lake.   The fishing was sure to be good the weather all looked right and I just knew it would be a great day to be out slaying some bass.  There I sat on the bank no pole in my hand no fish in my live well.  When all the sudden I hear the distinct yell.  I GOT ANOTHER ONE!  Can you take it off daddy.  My little girls first fish a little catfish.  The look on her face said it all.  Then another yell dad help help.  My littlest boy had a big one on low and behold his first bass a nice 13" beauty.  And a grin from ear to ear.  Then again my other boy gets him a nice cat and the oldest boy gets him a bluegill.  The look on those 4 kids face catching those fish and spending that time with mom and dad was worth more than any tournament pot or day on the lake.  And reminded me why I love fishing and the out doors so much and to pass it on to the kids.
Lesson: Take a kid or your kids fishing they will love it and remember it forever.

NOTE FROM ADMIN...THIS NEEDS TO BE LENGTHENED, ONLY 241 WORDS.  THANKS.

[Lipripper]

ronalddipietro this is me for sure  and r just starting to bass fish but not having much luck   and thanks for the tips 

FishermanOH   how right on you are there's just somerhing about that look on their face when they hook that fish.

[MotherNature]

Looks good guys.... Remember that you are working for a $50 gift pack of tackle and goodies from the site for the winning article

[Jerry Holston Jr]

I will get that fixed i miss read the rules thought it had to be keep less than 500 so i made it short and sweet i will get that fixed.

[YellowBear]

It is now generally agreed that between 15,000 and 12,800 years ago more than 40 tremendous deluges of almost inconceivable force and dimensions swept across large parts of the Columbia River drainage.they were the greatest scientifically documented floods known to have occurred in North America.Nearly 16,000 square miles were inundated to depths of hundreds of feet.Swollen by the flood waters,the Columbia grew to contain ten times the flow of all the rivers in the world today and 60 times the flow of the Amazon River.
  Potholes Reservoir was scoured out by these floods.
This is a very diverse eco system with more than 20,000 surface acres and many miles of shoreline.The Northern part of this impoundment is flooded sand dunes and Willow trees.The black sand of the dunes warms into the 50s in February giving us a head start on the rest of the State for our Bass fishing.Once hailed as the number 1 Bass lake in Washington State,Potholes is now known more for its large population of Walleyes.One of the main structures of the dunes are the Beaver huts,find them and you will find Bass.Largemouth of 9 lbs are possible.Spinnerbaits and plastics are the top producers in the spring but in the hot summer months topwater baits are the ticket.The depths of the dunes very from around 30 feet to a couple of inches.Largemouth,Walleyes and Panfish are most often found in this area.
On the West end of the lake is were the Winchester waistway pours into the lake.This is a small creek that brings in water from more than 15 miles away.This area is like the dunes but not as vast,this is a good spot for Largemouth,Panfish and Channel Cats.It also is a good location for fishing those windy days.
The South bank of the main lake is three and a half miles of riprap.This has a steep drop to 50 feet.Fishing Curlytail grubs,tubes and Crankbaits along the riprap can and does produce some Smallmouth to 7 lbs.There is a big flat that runs out into the main lake about a half mile or so.This is good for big Smallmouth and Walleyes in the winter months.Blaidbaits and the ole jig and pig work well for these deeper fish.
The Lind coulee comes into the lake from the East.This is a spring fed creek that starts 20 miles from the lake.Smallmouth,Walleyes,Channel cats and panfish hold in the coulee.Long steep points and deep water abound in this area of the lake.
On the North shore of the main lake is Medicare beach.Around 4 miles long this beach gets allot of bank fishers.They can drive there motorhomes to within a stones through from the water.Most set up there lawn chairs at the waters edge and catch Smallmouth,Walleyes Cats and some dandy Rainbows to 6 lbs.
May 18th 1980 was a bad day for this area.Mount St Hellens dropped 6 inches of ash in the lake.Spawning beds where covered and the panfish seem to have taken it the worst.Before 1980 2lb Crappies drew folks from all over the State now we are starting to see them again but there was a 5 year period that we did not see a single Crappie.Our Perch seem to be having a harder time of it.Since 1980 we have more predators in the area than we did then.Cormorants,Pelicans and the Walleyes have moved in and every time they start getting a good population,humans wipe them out again.There is a habitat enhancement project that has started putting in artificial reefs into the lake in hopes of rectifying this problem.
There are two resorts on the lake,one is at Perch point.There is not much there some tackle and cold drinks and a trail to the lake.This is on the North side.The other one is on the South.It has all the goodies.Cabins,camper spots and a tent area.A tackleshop,Groceries,Restaurant and a Laundromat,boat ramp and docks.This resort also has a net pen project that they have been doing for some time now.They are given several thousand Rainbow fingerlings in the fall and raise them up to around 10 inches or so by release date in the spring.Many of these fish are just food for the Walleyes but some do survive to become wallhangers.
Potholes is located 17 miles South of Moses lake WA.Take I-90 to hi way 17 South then East on hi way 262.There are many camping spots all around the lake.You can go to the resort for what I call soft camping or you can rough it and camp away from the crowds at one of the many primitive sites.
Pheasants,Quail,Ducks,Geese and Deer can be found all around Potholes.Most of it is open land.
There are guides that work out of the big resort for those who wish to hire one for fishing,hunting and bird watching.

This is my entry and I thank you.

ADMINISTRATOR NOTE: QUALIFIED ENTRY

[ronalddipietro]

Thanks for your comments....

[Creel Limit Zero]

Well, it's about 3 years ago today, just a little past 6:00 AM.  Just rented a small row boat at Loch Raven Reservoir, threw my trolling motor on, two batteries, 5 rods, already rigged up, cooler, tackle box, everything is loaded up.  So now I go back to my car to get my fishing buddy.  My 70 pound German Shepherd.  She always goes fishing with me when no one else will.  She loves being out on the water, and she especially enjoys watching the ducks.  She never gets in the water, but they always interest her.

Take off from the dock with the trolling motor going.  I grab one of my rods with a deep driving lure on it, figure I might as well troll while I head over to one of my favorite coves to hit up. 

So here's the setting, I am in the back of the Jon boat, coffee in one hand, rod I'm trolling in the other, the other four rods leaning over one of the seats, with all the hooks secure and hanging over the side of the  boat.  And Bronwyn standing on the front of the Jon boat, that's my shepherd's name, not my choice but when you rescue a dog with a name they already respond to, you keep it.  She sees a flock of ducks flying in and landing in the water on the right side of the boat.  She jumps over to that side of the boat to get as close as possible without touching the water.  I spill my hot coffee on my pants, and the four rods fall over, the Zara spook comes unsecured and lands on the grounds behind my shepherd.  She then steps back as the boat is rocking and steps right on the Zara spook, gives out a yelp and starts pulling her back leg away from the lure.  Of course it is hooked up to the rod so as she pulls, it pulls back on her and she keeps yelping.  Here I am in the back, spilt coffee all over myself with another rod I'm trolling in my hand.  I finally calm her down so she'll stay without pulling and I cut the line from the rod.  I then pick up her back paw to examine how deep the hook is and if the barb is in her.  It barely looks like it is in, so I decide to see if I can just slip it right off.  Well, this was the dumbest thing I could have did.  You guessed it, she felt the hook move, gave a yelp and pulled her paw.  The lure then snaps out of my fingers and right into my thumb. 

At this point we have managed to start going in circles, because all the while my trolling motor was still going.  Everyone else is watching and hearing because every 15 seconds, she yelps, pulls, and I scream as the hook in my thumb goes deeper, all the while we are travelling in circles.  At this point, I somehow manage to get in the back to stop the boat.  Another boat rolls up to us, probably more curious to see what kind of idiot could have gotten himself into this predicament.  I look at him and his son with this sad look.

I can not get to my tackle box, so he hands me some clippers.  I manage to cut the hook off the Zara spook on my side of the lure.  Now we are free from each other.  That was a relief, because I was starting to think we were going to be attached for life.  Because of all the pulling, the hook in my thumb had gone in the front and out of the side.  I could now push the barb out the side of my thumb, cut the barb off and take it out.  I then clip the rest of the hooks off the Zara spook on my dog, so all that is sticking out is one hook.  Unfortunately, the clippers I had and the nice father and son that came to my help, we not strong enough to clip the one in my dog.  I have to go to shore and get another pair to get it out of the dog. 

Well, you guessed it, the lure I was trolling has now got tangled up in the trolling motor.  I never got the chance to pull that in.  Well, to prevent from dragging on anymore, I managed to untangle it, get to shore and get the last hook out of the Bronwyn's leg.  I was too angry to be embarrassed, but I could feel the eyes from everyone at the dock staring.  Well the heck with them I figured.  Dog's leg was fine, my thumb hurt, but who cares.  I'm catching some fish.  Did manage to land a few bass, but the biggest thing I caught that day was a 70 pound German Shepherd...

ADMINISTRATOR NOTE:  QUALIFIED ENTRY

[Creel Limit Zero]

Question, can you have multiple submissions.  Also says it'll be a random drawing, will you increase your chances of winning with more submissions?

[Mike Noble]

Question, can you have multiple submissions.  Also says it'll be a random drawing, will you increase your chances of winning with more submissions?

To answer your question...YES you can have multiple entries.   Each entry will count in the drawing so it would increase your chances.

[Creel Limit Zero]

Thanks Mike.  Thinking of a couple more entries, hopefully not as sad as me hooking my dog with a large treble hook.   

[SWL_Justin]

A Fishing Trip With A Good Friend




I called a good buddy of mine Joe Haubenreich from TN, and asked him if we could get together for a trip to Lake Barkley, KY. As it turned out Joe was able to free up some time in his busy schedule to spend a full night and half a day of fishing with me. We made the arrangements on a time and place to meet up. I was very happy, to get a chance to fish with a intelligent, experienced, angler, and good friend. Not to mention the president of Secret Weapon Lures, who sponsors me!

When ever Joe and I go fishing, I always learn something, catch some fish and have a great time!

I headed down early before we were to meet to locate some fish, and get a general idea of what the fish were doing. I arrived around 8pm on Wednesday night about an hour and a half before dark. After launching the boat, I dropped the trolling motor, unlatched the rods, and checked the water temp. I found out the water in the shallows was in the upper 80's, the water was up a half a foot over summer pool. I dropped a lure in the water to measure the water clarity. I found out the water clarity was around 1 1/2 foot visibility. This is common, but I perfer around 3 foot to 3 1/2 foot visibility. As I sat there I noticed with no wind the boat was drifting backwards. I figured the water was being pulled, down to normal level. I later found out this was the case. After this I eyed the area, then the lake looking for any bait fish breaking the surface.

I trolled a bit to an area to start my search for some bitting fish. I started fishing a 7" Berkley ribbon tail worm around deep rocky bank. In about 5 minutes I landed a 1 1/2 fish to start. After that I missed a few and landed some short fish. I started the motor and ran to a shallow area.

Just before dark I started fishing a Secret Weapon Buzzbait in black-n-blue with a #2 gold colorado blade attached to the end of the buzz blade arm. A few moments later I landed a 2.09lb LM. I then proseeded to catch some short fish and missed a few. After the top water bite was over, I switched over to a S.W.L. Moonlight Snack in 3/8oz with a single #5 gold colorado blade, and a black 7" Berkley worm. I took a few hits from the worm, but the next hour and half didn't produce much.

Between 11:30 and 4:30am I only managed a few smallies and Largemouth in the 12-14" range.

Around 4am the 3/4 moon was over the trees shinning bright. I contuned to throw my spinnerbait. I pulled up on a rocky point where the moon was shinning over the water that looked like glass. I threw over the point with the S.W.L. spinnerbait in Moonlight Snack color; retrieved it back about 4 foot and the fish struck it hard.

The fight was on. After a lifetime it felt, I netted the fish. I turned on my light and a big smile came across my face. I got out my Normark digital scale, set it to zero and weighted the Largemouth at 5.03lbs. I put it in the live well to take it's picture in the morning, and let it go later.

After checking my line and re-tied, I started casting again. I decided to fish the point completely from every angle. After doing this for an half hour or so with only a few small bites, I decided to move to the next point.

I stopped on the next rock point and started casting my spinnerbait again. About ten minutes later, I landed a 2.09lb LM. I then moved from point to point until sun rise without much luck.

Just before sun rise I contuned to use the spinnerbait and also tried a buzzbait with only a few takers.

I moved over to a rocky wall and started throwing a 7" Black and Red Berkley worm. After several small ones, I finally set the hook in to a 4.0lb LM. I put it in the livewell for a picture and I released it later. I contuned to fish for another couple of hours with only a few small fish.

I decided I was tired out, and drove to the campsite. I asked the owner to take some pictures of the fish I caught. He do so happily.

After some sleep and meal I headed back out on the water. Not long after returning to the water my buddy Joe called on the cell. I met him at the ramp, and told him how the fishing was over the course of the night and early morning. I asked him if he brought enough Secret Weapon spinnerbaits; knowing his answer. I told him the bass were hitting the spinnerbaits, and worms in the morning.

We started fishing and talking. We fished the buzzbait before dark and caught a few and missed a few. After dark we both switched to a SWL spinnerbait. I fished with the Moonlight Snack with a  single #5 gold colorado blade. Joe followed suit, but used a #5 black colorado blade.

As we talked for a few hours, the fish didn't seem to be bitting. I told Joe that the fishing was the same the night before; the good fishing didn't start until later in the night.

I was ready to catch some fish, but was also enjoying our time together to catchup on things.

Around Midnight the bite started.

We started fishing rocky banks around docks, and the fish started bitting. We both started catching fish. For the next hour we proceeded to catch many short fish and some decent fish.

We would fish up a bank, and when we came upon a dock there would be a fish or two around either or both corners of the dock. But, when we fished across the point under the moonlight nothing would bite. We soon figured out that fishing around docks was the key to catching them. After this discovery, we started fishing around docks. For the most part catching a lot of fish, but no big ones.

On one of the docks, Joe hooked into a nice fish maybe 3 or so pounds. It thrashed on top of the water and proceeded to get off. We catching many fish or hooking and missing a lot of fish.

We started to joke that if we didn't get bit after a few minutes, we were fishing a dead area and needed to move on.

We came up to an interesting dock that was on a corner of the bank in a pocket. There was a light shinning on the bank (a homemade light house)
and it looked very interesting. I made a cast up beside the dock and hooked a nice 2.09lb LM. Joe took a picture of it for me with the spinnerbait in it's mouth. Joe a little later hooked a nice 2lb LM.

By sun up we had caught over 50 LM and a few smallies. I told Joe I wish the night wasn't over.

When the sun came up, I contuned to fish the spinnerbait. Joe switched to the buzzbait and worm. We caught some more fish, but only about every half hour or hour. We were both tired out, but I wasn't ready to get off the water.

Around 12:30pm I caught a 2 1/2 pound LM on a 7" Redshad Berkley worm. After getting it in, Joe said he had enough. I agreed, we were very tired.

Joe, was kind enough to take me to a steak house and treat me to a good meal. We sat and talked about the fishing. We both figured up we had caught right around 70 fish between us, and missed several others. Although we didn't catch any large fish, it was a fun trip indeed!

Thanks, Joe for the friendship, fun and memories. 

Justin Hires

ADMINISTRATOR NOTE:  QUALIFIED ENTRY

[SWL_Justin]

Thank you Mike for the "qualified entry"

With the help of my log book, I was able to recall most all the details of my trip. It's very valuable to have a log book!

This story was from this past July. Man I wish I could relive it!

Thanks again

-Justin

[Mike Cork]

SWL_Justin great idea on a good resource for an article, your log book

[SWL_Justin]

SWL_Justin great idea on a good resource for an article, your log book

Yea, thanks Mike I started a log book (Fishing journal paper book) since 1999. I wish I would have started it even earier. I don't know how many times, it has helped me out! Even if you have a "No or little catch day" you still have learned something. I can refer back to it to find what worked or didn't work, water level, water temp. etc.

It is also interesting to see where I was fishing in years past per month, and how I did for the overall year. It also keeps ya honest! We sometimes remember thinking a fish was bigger or the number caught was more! I try to be as honest as I can about anything. The log book helps me do that!

I would like to now check into a computer log book program. Would be very nice for over the winter, logging all my info from years past 

[ronalddipietro]

Hello again.  In an effort to win that $50.00 prize I am submitting another helpful article about SAVING MONEY..when you Bass Fish.  This will be focused on plastic baits like worms, frys grubs etc..After I go fishing..I find that I have few used worms(plastics) on the bottom of my deck. This used pile grows and grows as I go fishing. It may contain an assortment of plastic baits that I have thrown either not getting a bite or the fish are eating em up and you cant keep a worm on.
At any rate, I usually drop them in the boat and put on a new one. At 3 to 4 bucks a pack for plastic baits you can go broke just buying baits.  I save and save these old, torn pieces of worms and after I have a good many, 30 to 50 or less, I bring them in my kitchen sink, soak them in soapy water and wash them.  Keep in mind all these baits are proven fish catching baits. Why throw them away? Now What? I put these plastics all together (not seperated) and return them to my boat.  The next time I go fishing, I start off with a new, clean and fresh, out of the package selection.  Once I start getting bites on a particular color or type, I just look in the recycled bag, match the bait and color and begin using the old, torn plastics. Well it works for me
and I am so broke I cant pay attention.  While we are on this subject of plastic worms I would be remiss if I did not include hooks!  LAZER SHARP hooks are expensive!  5 for #4.00.  Thats too much for me because I break off alot. If I am in an area that I know holds fish and snag on the bottm. I just break off..I do not go over with the boat and try to save my hook and weight.  I simply retie and keep fishing..Mustad make a great barbed shank hook.  I use 2,3,or 4 ought hooks. They cost around $3.00 for 25.  Makes more sense (cents) too me!  And as for the weights..Your state may be regulating the use of lead .  Alternative weights are brass and steel.
Brass and Steel are more expensive in my state and the state has not outlawed the use of lead as weights so if you can opt for lead.  And last but not least, If you fish the Carolina Rig, by all means do not buy those pre-riged rigs..All you need is 3/4 oz bullet weights, or barrel weights, and the swivals.the swivals cost .98 for 10...You really do not need the beads!!!!!!!..I just pull off about 24 to 36 inches of line, cut it, put my weight on my main line and tie it to the swival, tie the extra piece to the swival then to the hook...this method is of carolina rigging is an awful lot cheaper than buying those pre-rigged things..Anyway..If you got lots of bucks..forget these ideas...but if you fish on a budget such as many of us do,,these few simple ideas will absolutely save you money..til next time....lay low,,be cool  and catch fish.. 

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE:  QUALIFIED ENTRY

[DAWG]

Justin,there is just what you are looking for available here on the site.Fishing Log orginizer http://mcmsoftware.tripod.com/fol2002add.htm FOL2002 Software Look over on the left side bar 

[kickinbass]

Watching And Learning

Late in May i was watching Largemouth Bass on their beds. The water was very clear due to the lack of rain so it offered a great view of the bedding fish. I watched for several hrs so I could learn how bass moved and how they defend their beds.It was truly amazing to see! I positioned my boat about 4 ft from a largemouths bed. I had to remain very still! I watched as bluegill after bluegill would swim toward the bed, but the bass would chase them and the bluegill would swim away quickly. The Bass would always postion itself in the same way after chasing off the bluegill. After watching for about an hour I decided to do a little experiment. I took out my fly rod and caught a small bluegill. I took  a hook with some line on it and threaded it through the bluegill back fin so it could still swim. I removed the hook and tied a knot so the gill couldn't come loose. Next step was to attach the line to a long pole and gently set it in the water near the bass bed. At first the bass would come after it just to spook it off. The bass would open its mouth but would only bump it in an attempt to scare it off. But after a few times the bass would become mad and would pick up the bluegill and move it about 10 ft and then let it go. Each time the bass would go back to its original postion to guard the bed. It would face the open water with the bank to its back. The bass had a good postion to see the 3 sides ( left ,right, front) with the back being protected by the bank. The one thing i did notice once the bluegills found the bed they would gain up on the bass. A bluegill on the left would charge in and the bass would chase it off but while that was happening the bluegill from the right would attack the bed. This happened  about every 5 minutes. This taught me allot about bedding bass and what they do and how they defend their beds. Here is a pick of the bedding bass.



After doing this for several hrs i decided to do a little fishing in deeper water and as i was on my way there i heard 2 guys screaming in a boat so i decided to see if they needed help. I got to where they were at and they said there was a bald eagle sitting in a tree and they pointed it out to me so i pulled out my binoculars and low and behold there was an eagle drying its feathers perch atop a dead tree. I tried to get as close as i could and snapped a few shots before i spooked it. This is very rare to see in northern Indiana and the first time i have ever seen one on the kankakee River in all my yrs of fishing it. It was a sight to behold.  I never did pick up my poles the rest of the day instead i just went sight seeing and exploring the river the rest of the day. This was probably my most enjoyable day on the river i had in 2005!

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE:  QUALIFIED ENTRY.  SORRY FOR THE DELAY.

[kickinbass]

no response interesting

[MotherNature]

That is because the staff is all in Ventrilo and must not be paying attention

[Mike Cork]

Handn't seen your article post yet there kickinbass. Excellent information about how bass respond to nest preditors

[Mike Noble]

I'm not in ventrillo...just trying to keep up. 

Got it qualified.  Thanks kickinbass.