Charlie Hartley's Bass Wars
Nov. 25, 2009
Thoughts About the G-Man
This week my anecdote centers on one of the finest human beings in all of professional bass fishing, Gerald Swindle, and why I can honestly tell you I give thanks for knowing him.
Years ago, back in the days of draw tournaments, I drew Swindle for my partner. We were fishing an invitational on Pickwick. I had a shot at the Classic; Gerald had just started, so he was fishing for pride and a little money.
The protocol in those tournaments was to flip for the boat and the first place to fish. Gerald would have none of that. He told me flat-out that he wasn't taking any chances on messing up my shot to compete in my first Classic.
Those of you who know him know that there's no point in arguing with the man. If you don't agree, he'll keep talking until you do, and he can talk a long time. The only rational thing to do is say, "OK." Otherwise you'll wish you did before the day is over.
We fished all that day in my boat and chased my bass. I wish I could tell you that all went well. It didn't. My fish petered out after a good early morning bite. I didn't make the Classic, although as best I can remember I did get a check. I think Swindle did, too, but I can't be sure about that.
His attitude that day was what I've always said I love about the men and women in this sport. He had every right to flip for the boat and to fish for his bass. After all, he was trying to earn a living fishing just like everyone else. He had no reason to sit in the second chair.
Being a professional competitor, however, he knew what a Classic berth meant. He wasn't going to interfere with my chances even if it meant him not getting a check. He considered what was on the line and told me to go for it. In his mind that was the right thing to do, the only thing that made sense.
I'm not embarrassed to say thanks for the G-Man, and the others on the tour just like him. I hope he whacks them on Lay Lake come February. Nothing would make me happier.
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Nov. 18, 2009
Keeping up with the Joneses
I've been reading Alton's blog about the 50-pound, 8-ounce bag of largemouth he caught on Falcon. That's impressive, no doubt about it. I'm here to tell you, however, that we catch some pretty heavy bags in the Buckeye State, too.
Last Saturday I went fishing in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie with a friend of mine, Tom Harbison. He might be the best smallmouth man on the lake; at least he looks that way to most of us mere mortals.
We fished a short stretch of structure, maybe 60 feet long. We caught at least 40 keepers from it. Tom's best five fish weighed 27 pounds, 12 ounces; my best five tipped the scales at 25 pounds even. How's that for a day on the water?
All of them were caught on blade baits ripped off the bottom. Tom attributed his better catch — he caught at least two-thirds of all the keepers — to his line and his rod. He uses nothing but monofilament and a long, soft rod.
His theory is that the stretch in the line allows the bait to accelerate as it gets farther from the bottom, that it picks up speed as it rises because the line is contracting. He also claims his soft rod helps to increase the speed. He theorizes that's what makes the bass strike.
Maybe he's got it right, maybe not. (I prefer to attribute his success to luck. That's easier on my ego.) I do have to admit, however, that his bait was acting different than mine. Part of that difference was distance. His wasn't moving as far off the bottom as mine. To be fair, another difference was speed. His bait was picking up speed as it left the bottom.
I have my doubts about the increase in speed triggering strikes, but there's no doubt about the outcome. He whipped up on me like I was a rented mule.
A lot of you guys are working blade baits at this time of year. You might want to give his technique a try. Maybe it'll work for you. If it does, you'll be spared the humiliation I suffered at the hands of my friend.
But, back to the Joneses: I wonder if a sack of five brown bass weighing over 27 pounds is bigger than a sack of green ones that weigh 50 pounds plus? In my humble opinion the brown bass bag is just as impressive, maybe more so.
Regardless, even if they are a little light, let me give you a couple of other facts about Erie smallmouth that might get your attention: The same day we were fishing, another angler, Steve Clapper, caught a 7-pound, 5-ounce beauty; and last fall Tom and I combined our best five. They weighed 29 pounds, 12 ounces.
You don't have to go to Texas to keep up with the Joneses.
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Nov. 11, 2009
Two words: friend and respect
I'm all signed-up for next year with BASS. I'll be fishing the Elites as well as the Northern and Southern Opens. As much as I love to do it, though, it won't be the same. Something will be missing: Ken Cook. He retired after the end of this past season. And Guy Eaker is retiring after next year.
Guy and Ken were both established pros when I first got started tournament fishing. It's no exaggeration to say I looked up to both of them and, in some ways, tried to mold my career based on what I saw out of them.
Guy is the consummate professional. In all the years I've known him, I've never seen him when he didn't look the part. His shirt is always clean, his pants pressed. He shaves and combs his hair before every weigh-in. The man can spend all day on the water, but when he comes to the stage he looks like he just stepped out of the dry cleaner's.
His professionalism is more than appearance, however. He's always polite, well-mannered and gracious to his fellow competitors and to our fans. I really can't say enough good about him. On a day-to-day basis, he's what we all should be.
And how about that Ken Cook! What a guy. He's fished for years and I don't know anyone who could tell a bad story on him. And his love of the sport is beyond question.
For years he fished the Northern Opens just because he liked to catch smallmouths. He was at the height of his career, had plenty of sponsors and didn't need the extra work. But it wasn't work to him. It was a labor of love.
Did you know that this year when he was up north, he took his wife, Tammy, out on the boat to show her where he won the 1991 Bassmaster Classic on the Chesapeake Bay? With all their traveling and the kids she'd never had a chance to actually see the spot on the water where he caught his fish. How cool is that? It meant that much to him.
Anyway, the sport is losing something. I know it'll go on and new guys will fish in their slots. They won't be Guy and Ken, however, regardless of how many fish they catch or tournaments they win.
I never use the words "friend" and "respect" lightly. Each has a specific meaning, a meaning that doesn't apply to just anyone you happen to know. It has nothing to do with how many fish a man catches. It's about character and integrity, the way he lives his life. Friend and respect are words reserved for the men who earn them.
I'm proud to call Guy Eaker and Ken Cook my friends and tell you that I respect them.
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Nov. 4, 2009
Back to the real world
The tournament in Oklahoma is over. It was a crazy experience. I finished better in the poker part of it than I did in the fishing part, and I've been bass fishing for decades and playing poker for days. Go figure.
We really had a lot of fun. Like I said before, I'm not a poker player so this was my first serious experience at the tables. I think I like it, which is not to say that I'm an expert or anything even approaching that ... or that I'm going to start playing on a regular basis.
The tournament was tough. They let locals buy in to the event. Of course, every wannabe professional gambler within driving distance showed up hoping to take advantage of the rookie card players. Some — maybe most — of them were successful, especially when they played with me.
Apparently it's not good if you wear your emotions on your sleeve while playing. I was at a table with a true expert, and he took my money in one hand. He claimed to be able to see my mounting disappointment every time a card turned over. It was ugly for a while. My bluff didn't work, didn't even come close to working as a matter of fact.
My future as a professional gambler may be in some doubt because of that shortcoming. I've fished for decades without a poker face. When I catch one I smile and laugh; when he gets away I frown and shake my head. That's works in bass fishing. It's a serious handicap as a card player.
I don't think I'll ever be able to change that, so maybe I'd better not spend too much time at the table. Still, I did better at that than I did fishing. That's something.
I did have one experience out there that was worth more than everything else combined, however. I got into my friend's (Byron Velvick) wallet. Yes, it's true; I have some of The Bachelor's money. How sweet is that? It seems like money from a friend is a little crisper, a little greener, than money from a stranger. It just spends better. I don't know why. Ha!
That's over, though, so it's time to get back into the real world. I'll spend some time in Columbus and then head south to get ready for another tournament. After I fish that one, it'll be time to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I have no idea how much time I'll be spending in the South this winter. I'd like to say most all of it, but with things as tough as they are I may have to stay right here in Ohio and tend to business. That has to come first.
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Oct. 28, 2009
Fishing & poker
I'm in Oklahoma fishing Lake of the Arbuckles in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. There's a tournament here that's kind of interesting. We're going to fish for two days (Friday and Saturday) and then play poker for one day (Sunday). It's wild. Not only do we not know anything about the lake, but we don't know anything about playing poker.
Some of us have been watching poker on ESPN trying to get a handle on the rules and maybe a few tips on strategy. We'll see soon enough if that works. Thursday is a day off — we can't fish — but we can use it to hone our card skills. Maybe that'll help.
I'm a little concerned, though. As you may know, I'm somewhat frugal. That means I don't do much gambling. I always thought it was high risk with hard-earned money. This is a new world for me. Sunday could turn ugly.
The trip out here was interesting. The weather was great and the trees are starting to turn. There's no prettier time of the year than fall. The colors and the crisp air put me in a good mood regardless of what else may be happening around me.
I stopped at Muskogee to take a look at the Arkansas River. It was blown-out by heavy rains so that turned out to be a waste of time — didn't even launch my boat. The detour wasn't a complete loss. I did get to add a couple of lakes to my "places I've caught bass" list.
Maybe I haven't said anything about that. I have a big United States map on my wall at the office. I stick a pin in it to mark the location of every body of water I've ever fished and caught a bass. It's a crowded mess that makes me proud every time I look at it.
I added Shawnee and Thunderbird to it last week — or will when I get home — as I drove from Muskogee to here. That's a good deal. Once the tournament starts on Friday I should be able to add Arbuckle. That's three in one week. Ha!
It may sound strange to some of you but that map is one of my most prized possessions. I have fished for decades to turn it into a blend of colors with each pin crowding against another. I love the challenge of finding room for another pin.
One thing's for sure: I may not have caught as many bass as some guys, but there are very few anglers around who have caught them from as many venues as I have. That stands for something.
Next week I'll bring you up-to-date on my poker skills... or lack thereof.
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Oct. 21, 2009
Fall fishing is hot
Tracey and I spent last week fishing the Lifelines Youth & Family Services Inc. charity tournament. We really had a good time. There's nothing — and I do mean nothing — that's as fulfilling as helping someone catch big smallmouth bass.
The water was a little warm — 58 degrees — so the smallies were still deep. Most of them were in the 15- to 18-foot range. Nevertheless, I noticed the trees were starting to turn and that the air had a chill to it. That started me thinking about fall bassin'.
It's my favorite time of year because the fish are predictable and they can be caught in huge numbers. I'm not saying that they'll be as big as the prespawn hawgs that you'll catch in the early spring, because they won't. But, hey, numbers are just as good, most of the time anyway.
Marty Stone was featured in an article last week on Bassmaster.com that I read with great interest. (If you haven't read it you should. He was spot on.) He pointed out that there's an urgency to fall, for both anglers and fish. It's as if everything needs to get done before winter sets in. There's no time to waste.
Like a lot of anglers, my favorite bait at this time of year is a square-billed crankbait. They mimic shad perfectly and move through cover with a minimum of hang-ups. I love the old Rebel Wee-R lure. There's something about it that makes fish slash at it without thinking. They never consider the possibility that it might not be alive.
Another favorite — when I want a little more depth — is the Bomber Model A. It does exactly the same thing. Of course, if the cover's light and you need to search a lot of water, it's hard to beat a 1/4-ounce Rat-L-Trap.
My colors are simple at this time of the year. For my crankbaits, I prefer to throw natural shad finishes and firetiger hues. For my Trap, there's only one color I need — chrome with a blue back. That's the best fall color they ever made.
Mostly I fish in the backs of creeks as the days shorten and the waters cool. There's nothing special about my strategy. I target wood on the deeper side of the bends. That's nearly always where you can find the shad and where you'll find the bass.
Sometimes when I find a canopy of fall leaves mashed up against a stump, a laydown or even the bank, I'll pitch and flip into it, but that's only when my crankbaits aren't producing. I start with crankbaits.
Make sure you get out on the water this fall. It's one of the most productive times you can fish. And, in many parts of the country, you'll have the water all to yourself. That's about as good as it gets.
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Oct. 14, 2009
The eye of the tiger
I received a really nice e-mail the other day from a fellow who wants to be a pro bass fisherman. He was expressing his frustration that he had to work at a job in order to earn a living. My friend felt his time could be better spent on the water learning about bass. He asked me if I often felt the same way when I'm at Signcom working.
My honest answer is yes... and no. It's yes in the sense that I would love to be on the water every day of my life from daylight to dark. It's what I am. Anytime I drive around Columbus, I find my eyes constantly being drawn to the nearest water, no matter if it's a stream, a river, a pond or a lake.
At the same time, however, I have to answer no. If it wasn't for my business success, I wouldn't be able to fish at the level I do.
Back before Signcom — in the days of wooden ships and iron men — I worked at McDonalds and tried to tournament fish at the same time. It was a tough life. Nearly every weekend I'd buy a pound of bologna and a loaf of bread. (Note that I didn't say anything about mustard. It's not that I forgot to mention it. It's that I couldn't afford it.)
I slept in my truck and borrowed electricity from any angler I could find who was rich enough to be able to afford a motel room. Once, I had to take my McDonalds paycheck to a marina to pay for a busted prop. Thankfully, the guy took it.
Now, I'm able to offer other guys electricity from my room. And I only eat bologna if I want it. It's a very different life. That's not because I'm a professional bass angler, though.
My winnings and my sponsor money wouldn't support me for a month on the tour. I'm able to keep fishing because of Signcom, not in spite of it. If I spent every day of the rest of my life on the water, I doubt I could earn big money bass fishing. This is a tough business. I don't claim to be one of the legends.
I will confess, however, that I occasionally think about what it might be like to not be able to eat or make a mortgage payment unless I made a cut. Would that hunger make me a better angler? Would I develop the eye of the tiger? Honestly, I don't know the answer to that question. Maybe, maybe not, is the best I can do today.
What I'm really trying to say is that I view Signcom as a part of Charlie Hartley. It's a part of my life that makes the other parts possible. There's no way I can say that's a bad thing.
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Oct. 7, 2009
They keep us on the water
For some time now, I've wanted to write about the maintenance crews that keep us fishing under the worst possible conditions. It's a topic that's not often discussed, yet it's as important as anything there is for a professional angler.
Every major manufacturer has a trailer and crew at the Elite Series events and at the Opens. They have an abundance of spare parts and the expertise to know what to do with them. They're lifesavers, pure and simple. Regardless of whether it's a blown lower unit, a bent trolling motor shaft or a busted depthfinder, they know how to get you back up and running.
They aren't there to perform routine maintenance or to replace worn parts. As professionals — or anyone who owns an expensive boat and motor — we're expected to take care of our equipment. Most of us do that. We know it's important.
Routine maintenance aside, however, we use our equipment hard. There's an old saying in my neighborhood — if you're going to run with the big dogs you have to get off the porch. Getting off the porch in this business can be tough. Shallow water stumps, quick starts and stops, hard turns, mud flats, rock shoals, waves and weather all take their toll.
It's not that we abuse our equipment. It's that we push it to its maximum potential or, in some cases, beyond that. Anything less virtually guarantees defeat at our level of competition. If we get lucky, everything holds together. If we're not so lucky, something comes apart and we have to cry out for help.
During the past year I've had more than my share of mechanical troubles. That means I've been crying out for help a lot. It seems like those things run in cycles. You'll go a year or two without anything happening, and then, for no particular reason, all heck lets loose. Anything and everything that can break does.
In every single case our maintenance men put me in a position to catch fish. In fact, once the fellow from Mercury — Scotty — actually stayed an extra day after the tournament was over waiting for parts from another Mercury guy who was at another tournament He did this because he knew I had a tournament the next weekend and couldn't fish it if my motor wasn't fixed. That's dedication.
These guys keep us on the water. They don't get nearly as much recognition as they deserve. Thanks, guys!
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Sept. 30, 2009
Three practice rules
Lately I've noticed a lot of discussion on the Web about practicing for a tournament. With all the club championships coming up in the next few weeks, I thought this might be a good time to talk about it.
First, let me say that I agree with what some of the other guys — specifically Frank Scalish — have written about finding your own bass. Don't expect someone else to do your work for you. Most of us have spent years developing information about the lakes and rivers we fish. That's not something we want to give away, and it's unfair — and unsportsmanlike — to ask us to do that.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm more than happy to talk about general patterns and techniques. Most of the other guys are, too. I am not, however, willing to give away my waypoints.
That information probably won't help you much anyway. No two tournaments are won the same way, even when they're fished at the same time of the year. If it were otherwise, the same guy would win every tournament held at the same time of the year on the same body of water.
The bottom line is that you need to find your own fish. None of us fish alike. Not only do we prefer different lures and different techniques, but even when we're throwing the same bait on the same rod, reel and line we don't do it the same way. Something's always different. That difference makes a difference.
Finding fish begins with studying the water. Consider the season, the weather and what's available in your venue. Then make reasoned decisions about where you think the fish are holding, as well as the best way to catch them.
With that approach, you stand a chance of catching a few. When conditions change you'll have some sense of how to change with them. You'll be able to fish the moment, as we say. That's the only way to win.
Second, never listen to dock talk. The worse thing that can happen to you is to be on the dock or in a restaurant the night before a tournament with a jig bite going for you when the guy alongside you mentions he caught a couple of giants on a Zara Spook. It'll mess your head up every time. Go with what you know.
Third, practice isn't about fishing. It's about learning to catch bass when the tournament starts. Don't hook your fish, and don't spend your time catching small fish that won't push you past the cut. Resist the urge to "win" practice. If you don't, that's all you'll ever win.
OK, I'm the first to admit that these rules are easier to write about than to apply. I also admit to being an offender far too often. Regardless, that doesn't make them any less effective.
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Sept. 23, 2009
Work and old friends
I've spent the week in Columbus working on signs. One of my salesmen has been elk hunting for a couple of weeks, so I had to do a lot of what he does around here. I hope he had more fun hunting than I've had covering his responsibilities. If he didn't, he had a mighty miserable trip, I'll tell you that.
The evenings and mornings are starting to get cool up here. It won't be long before the leaves start to turn. As crazy as it sounds, I'm half looking forward to winter.
I heard from an old friend the other day, Steve Daniel. He's a former Elite Series angler and one of the nicest guys on the planet. He's also living and guiding on Lake Okeechobee down in southern Florida. He, along with his wife, Deb, invited Tracey and me down this year to do a little storytelling and fishing. We're really looking forward to the trip.
We've all been hearing that the water in Okeechobee was way down and then it was way up, that the lake was off and the fishing was horrible. Daniel says that's just not true. In fact, he reports an exceptional year-class three or four years ago. They grow fast down there, so they should all be around 6 or 7 pounds.
Even better, he says they're gullible because they haven't had a lot of pressure put on them. That's exactly the kind of bass I like — the ones I can take advantage of day after day with no mercy and no remorse.
He's a topwater guy, so I'm thinking we'll catch a boatload of good ones on top. We should anyway. He knows the lake, he knows the bass and he certainly has the expertise. That just about covers everything we'll need to whack 'em. (That won't put any pressure on him, will it? Ha!)
While I'm there, he's invited me to fish a couple of tournaments and to appear as a guest on their radio show — Hooked Up — on WOKC, Okeechobee's True Country. It airs at 5 a.m. on Saturdays on 100.9 FM and 1570 AM. It also streams live on wokc.com. I'll give you the exact date when I know it so you can call in with any questions you might have.
The show should be a lot of fun. If you can't go fishing, the next best thing is to talk fishing. Until then, however, it's work at the office for the most part — except when I'm fishing, of course.
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Sept. 16, 2009
Patience is a virtue?
We've all heard it, be patient when you're fishing. They'll bite if you just find the right combination of lures and presentation techniques. This is a sport that requires a laid-back attitude. It's a matter of making them bite, they say. Take your time.
That might work with some fish, under some circumstances, but it won't work very well with late summer and early fall smallmouths. In my experience, they're either on or they're off. There's no in between. Before we talk about that in any detail, however, we should talk about how to find them.
Usually summer smallies — especially schools — will be found offshore over structure. Now, don't let the word structure intimidate you. For our purposes it's nothing more than a change in depth.
There are exceptions to the structure rule, though. Our recent Northern Open tournament on Lake Champlain serves as an example. Most of the guys found their fish on relatively shallow flats covered with sparse grass or rock. The smallmouths were up feeding.
Still, you should start your search over offshore structure, and you should search with your electronics. If there are smallies around they'll show on your screen. (If you don't know how to use your electronics to find depth changes and fish, put your rod down and practice until you can. You'll never be a good bass angler without that skill.)
At that point, lower your bait down and watch to see what happens. In many cases you'll actually be able to watch the bass move into position and take your bait. If they're feeding, there'll be no hesitation. They'll take it and run off from the other bass in a matter of seconds.
"A matter of seconds" is the operable concept here. Summer smallies may be reclusive, but they aren't shy. They'll slam your bait in 5-10 minutes or they won't. More than a half-dozen casts without a bite is a waste of time.
You only need three lures to know whether or not they're biting — a drop shot plastic, a tube and a metal blade bait. If they won't bite one of those, don't spend another minute on them. A new lure won't help, neither will more time. What will help is a new school of bass. Moving is your only option.
Enough of that. It's time for a fishing story. I was fighting a fairly big smallmouth last week on Lake Champlain when she made her last run at the boat. She dove under my boat and came up on the other side with a tail-walk. It was spectacular.
What's so special about that, you ask? We've all had that happen. Maybe so, but when's the last time you had one do that and jump into your boat?
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Sept. 8, 2009
Making a difference
I'll be spending some of my time over the next few weeks preparing for the LifeLines Youth & Family Services Inc. "Fish with the Pros" charity event that'll be held Oct. 8-11. It's something I'd like to talk about this week.
LifeLines is a charity organization that basically helps kids who are having trouble with their life. They try to expose those kids to men and women who can help them find a path upward rather than downward. It gives these kids something to do and someone to admire. It's my kind of organization.
One of their fundraising events each year is "Fish with the Pros." Anglers and other interested persons make a contribution to the organization. For that they get to spend a weekend fishing with various pro anglers — at least 18 Elite Series guys have participated in the past — and enjoy other family related activities.
I'll be donating my time at the Michigan event. We'll be staying at the Great Wolf Lodge — a really nice place — in Traverse City, Mich. We'll fish local lakes and have a ball doing it.
At the same time we'll be raising money for LifeLines and, more importantly, creating a positive experience for youngsters who need a little guidance. The importance of this can't be overemphasized. Hooligans and other undesirables are all some kids see these days. We're going to try to change that, one kid at a time.
Don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying we're perfect. We're not. But, we aren't troublemakers and bums either. We earn an honorable living through an honorable sport. Kids need to see that. They need to understand that you can do the right thing and have a lot of fun at the same time. That may be obvious to you and me, but it isn't to them.
Fishing is a natural for that. It's one thing you can do that's wholesome; it can be done by just about anybody, and it can be done on a limited budget.
Think about it: You can sit on the bank with friends with nothing more than a line in the water. Or, you can buy a boat and pursue fishing as a hobby and recreational activity. At the next level — addiction — you can make it your life's passion. No matter what, it's a good deal.
I'm serious about this subject. I urge all my friends out there to get involved. Teach someone to fish, especially kids who are facing troubles. Help them anyway you can. You're more important than you realize.
If possible, consider helping LifeLines. They're a fine organization. They hold "Fish with the Pros" events in Michigan and Texas and maybe other places, as well. I'm not sure about that. They can be contacted at www.lifelineyouth.org. Don't think of this as an obligation. Think of it as a privilege.
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August 21, 2009
Smallmouth bass + no nets = trouble
I got a taste last week of how important the no-net rule can be and what an impact it can have on tournament results. (That's not a criticism, nor is it a complaint. It's just a fact.)
Believe me when I tell you that smallmouths aren't largemouths. They are very different animals. A largemouth will fight for a while and then give up. When they come to the boat they've had it. There's no more fight left in them. You put your thumb in their mouth and hoist them aboard. That's about all there is to it.
Smallmouths see the battle differently. They make a couple of runs, but hold something back. When they come to the boat it's for the purpose of fooling you into thinking they're giving up. They know that's their best chance at escape.
The best way to land them is to keep a little pressure on the line, cup your hand, slip it under their belly and scoop them into the boat.
Not following that rule as closely as I should have — or could have — cost me on Oneida. I lost a couple of good ones at the boat that might have kept me fishing on Saturday. It breaks your heart when that happens.
All was not lost, however. I qualified to return to the Elite Series next year. That's a worry off my mind. I'll have a chance to redeem my record and maybe fish another Classic. Besides, as much as I love Signcom, I don't want to spend all of 2010 in Columbus working there.
On another subject, a crazy thing happened to me last week that I want to talk about. Just when you think you've seen it all, you realize you haven't seen anything.
I saw a dead bass lying on the surface of the water one morning. As I looked at it I noticed something was popping around it. At the same time I noticed it seemed to be moving against the current. The whole thing was strange. I decided to toss a lure around it and see if I could catch anything.
In the process I accidentally hooked the fish. When I got it to the boat I realized there was a stringer attached to it with two keeper bass fastened on the clips. They looked terrible — skinny, very pale and darn near lifeless. I unhooked them and they swam off — sort of. I hope they survived.
Can you imagine the suffering they were going through — hooked to a stringer, towing the dead body of a buddy and unable to catch anything to eat?
Let's talk about something more pleasant. I'm on Lake Champlain getting ready to fish the second Northern Open. Next week I'll talk about a couple of tricks that'll help you catch big smallies during what's left of the summer and on into the fall.
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August 10, 2009
Think Local
I had an experience the other day that I'd like to share with everyone. It reminded me of an important lesson — one we should all think about.
While on my way to Lake Erie I encountered high winds. It was useless to even try to fish. Disappointed, I turned around and headed back the other way. As I was plotting my course I noticed a spot of blue on my GPS. It looked like there was a small lake in the middle of a park.
I decided to stop and see what it was all about. After driving around inside the place for awhile, I came upon a lake of about 500 acres with a sign at the launch ramp that said, Trolling Motors Only! The lake looked good, and I have a trolling motor. I knew where I was going to spend the day.
I don't think the bass in that lake had ever seen a lure. There's no telling how many limits I caught in only a few hours. Basically, I caught bass on every lure in my boat. I'd catch a few on a jig, and then make another pass over the same water with a topwater bait. The bite was just as good the second time around. If things got a little tough I'd toss out a Venom Salty Sling.
One of the neat things about all this is that there was no one else on the lake except for what I call park people — sunbathers, swimmers, sailboaters and kayakers. Basically, I had the fishing all to myself. It was as good a day as I've had in a long, long time.
Another neat thing is that the day didn't cost me much money. The only expense was driving to the park and whatever electricity it takes to recharge my trolling motor batteries. That's pretty cheap when you compare it to a trip of several hundred miles on a reservoir of several thousand acres.
I'm telling this story because I think we sometimes spend too much time looking for the perfect place to go fishing with our checkbooks. We should spend more time looking around our own neighborhoods. I mean here's a place with a great lake that I'd never heard about, much less fished. (I pass through this general area several times a year and have for many years.)
So, if you're looking to save some money this year, but still want an exciting fishing trip, look close to home. There might be a "legendary bass lake" in your backyard.
I know you've heard this before. There was an article on Bassmaster.com about it not too long ago in their Frugal Angler series (Part 2). Still, I wanted to mention it again because it's so important. Look around home before you travel to a faraway destination.
Wish me luck come Thursday on Oneida.
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August 4, 2009
Families, good times and rumors
Next week we'll all be at Oneida. In the meantime, though, I've been a busy guy talking to other pros about what's going on up here. Several of them are combining the Oneida tournament with short family vacations. At the same time they're taking the opportunity to do some fishing on Lake Erie.
You know, when guys talk about great fisheries you often hear about Texas and California. That's true; those states have several good lakes within their borders, as does Alabama.
But don't let anyone kid you. Erie is as good a lake as there is in North America. I don't say that lightly, or because it's only 120 miles from my house. I say it because it's true.
The other day I drove up there early in the morning, caught a limit of smallmouth and another limit of largemouth and was home in time for dinner with Tracey. How many places do you know where that can be done? If you haven't fished it, you should. It should be good for another three or four months, depending on the weather.
The vacation and family thing is what I want to talk about today, though. Mike Wurm, Tommy Biffle, Denny Brauer and Aaron Martens are all bringing their families. Those are only the ones I've talked to and know about. I'm sure there are others.
I'm really looking forward to seeing all of them. Being on tour with these guys gives you a chance to get to know not only them, but also their wives and kids. Of course, the wives and kids all get to know each other, too. It's almost like a big family reunion.
Everyone always has a good time when we get together. We usually don't do anything special, just watch the kids play, eat, tell stories and relive old times. Like I said, a family reunion. This year could be different, however.
I've heard a rumor — I don't usually repeat rumors but this is an exception — that there's going to be an unofficial Bassmaster Elite Series husband and wife team tournament on a local lake in the area. The word is it's going to be scheduled for the Saturday before official practice starts on Monday the 10th.
I'm guessing it'll be a fiercely competitive event. Actually, I'm being polite. With Elite Series anglers involved, how could it be anything other than fiercely competitive?
At this time I can't say any more because I don't want to get killed by any of the wives who are involved in this thing. I promise you, however, that you'll get a full update after Oneida. This thing could go big.
Stay tuned.
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July 28, 2009
The BASS work ethic
A couple of weeks ago I was practicing on Oneida just before it went off-limits, when I noticed something going on around me. Several Elite Series pros were fishing, too. I don't speak for them. Their reasons are their own. Nevertheless, I think I can make a pretty good guess as to what was going on.
Gary Klein was there. He said he traveled 1,590 miles from Texas to practice on the lake. He's currently in 4th place in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings, 194 points behind Kevin VanDam. It's a fair guess that he has his eye on the title and is willing to do whatever it takes to close the gap before the tournaments in September.
Mark Menendez was there fishing from daylight to dark. He's sitting in 11th place and no doubt wants to make sure he finishes in the Top 12 which will give him a shot at AOY. He's only eight points in front of Cliff Pace. That's close, and he knows it.
Tim Horton was fishing just as hard. He's holding down the 39th slot. You know he's looking to move up a few places so he makes the Classic. Horton has a lot of pride. He doesn't want to work a booth in February.
I even saw Vince Fulks, who's in 70th place. He wants to improve his rookie standing and make sure he gets invited back. Maybe more than anyone else on this earth I understand where he's coming from. I'm in 79th place and trying to do the same thing. Last year was even worse for me. For a while I honestly thought they were going to punch my ticket.
In short, we work hard — which is not to say we don't love what we do — to maintain our positions at the top of this very competitive sport. There's no free lunch, and nowhere is that more true than at the highest level of professional bass fishing, the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Being a professional bass angler at this level isn't about having it made. In fact, it's just the opposite. It's about working hard, looking over your shoulder and making sure you do your best at every tournament.
That's worth thinking about. Any angler talented enough to earn a spot with us will work harder than he or she has ever worked before. The competition is so fierce — every man out there can fish — that any letdown will send you home in a state of shock.
Far too many recreational anglers and those with an eye towards the top don't realize the reality of our sport. They think the Elite Series is the end. In fact it's just the beginning, and a tough beginning at that. It makes me proud to say that. I wouldn't want it any other way.
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July 20, 2009
5 ways to keep her happy
OK guys, here are my five ways to keep the wife happy when you're on the road half the time:
1. Leave notes
Whenever I'm in town I leave a written note in the house for her to read when she gets up. It's nothing fancy, just something thanking her for being her and for whatever she did the day before. It only takes a minute of your time and it'll mean the world to her.Warning: This will backfire when you forget to do it. If necessary leave yourself a note to remind you to write a note.
2. Call every day
I call her every day I'm on the road. It isn't always a long, involved conversation. Most days it's just to say hi. The point is to make sure she knows she's as important as your fishing.Warning: Wives are really good at knowing when you're not paying attention to them. Never call when you can't give her your full attention. If you do it'll cost you.
3. Answer the phone
Put a special ring on your cell so that you know it's her when she calls. Always answer that ring unless it's during tournament hours. It'll make her feel she's a special part of your life, which she is.Warning: Watch the silent mode on your phone. It looks bad — like you don't care or don't want to be bothered — when you claim to have accidentally turned the ring off on your phone and couldn't hear it. Believe me, I know all about that.
4. Collect shampoo and soap from the hotel
Tracey likes to donate hotel products to our local VFW chapter for their charity work. I always bring her everything I can from the hotel. She, and more importantly the recipients, appreciates it. Find something to bring home that works for your wife. Then, make sure you follow through.Warning: The hotel won't replace products unless you put them in your suitcase every morning. Only take the shampoo, soap, conditioner and the skin stuff. Leave the towels that say Holiday Inn or Motel 6 in the room!
5. Thank her during the weigh-in
Always thank her during the weigh-in. Lots of them are broadcast live now over the Internet, so she can see it and feel good that you're thinking of her. Calling her your best sponsor will go a long ways when you get home.Warning: Don't call her your best catch. That's tacky. And never, for any reason, talk about her at the same time you're talking about a fat largemouth. It doesn't work no matter how much explaining you do or how much you claim to love fat largemouths.
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July 13, 2009
It's easy to be humble
I had an experience last week that taught me the meaning of being humble. Not that the fish don't take care of that for me, you understand. Nevertheless, it was a sobering reminder of the real world.
As you know from some of my recent blogs I've been having motor problems the last few weeks. The darn thing won't run on plane. That's something that gets old quick.
I decided to take advantage of our break from tournament competition and get it fixed. And, instead of dropping it off and picking it up later, I stayed with it. My intention was to test it on a local river to make sure everything was good to go for Oneida.
Everything went fairly well. By early afternoon we were on the water putting it through its paces. While we were doing that I noticed a group of kids along the bank throwing a cast net for bait.
At the same time I saw them, they saw me in my jersey and wrapped boat. Were they ever excited — jumping up and down, waiving and hollering! Of course, I couldn't pass up that opportunity so I went over to see them.
They asked a couple of the usual questions and then, without batting an eye, they wanted to know if I knew Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli and Dean Rojas. They said that'd be cool to know those guys — to be able to talk to them and everything.
Now, I like Kevin, Ike and Dean. They're great guys and great fishermen. But still, you'd think those kids would want to know something about me and my career. But no; they wanted to know about the other guys.
To rub salt into my wounds, Tracey immediately told Dean's wife, Renee, the story. She immediately told it to Dean. He immediately called me and offered to talk to them. (He said he was trying to do me a favor. Yeah, right he was doing me a favor. He was messing with my head. That's what he was doing.)
It's easy to be humble in this business.
On a different subject: By the time you read this I'll be up north fishing a couple of smaller tournaments before Oneida. I can honestly say I'm excited. I love brown bass and the waters they inhabit. I don't care how many smallies you've caught, each one is a thrill. It's like the first time all over again.
I'm not excited about leaving Tracey, though. I miss her when I'm on the road. She still travels with me, but not as much as she once did. I think next week I'll write about her, our relationship and the things we do to keep it strong with me being gone so much.
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July 7, 2009
Get off the bank!
Last week I said our next topic would be summer bass catching tricks. Well, here they are: Get off the bank. I know ... that's only one trick. It's the most important one, however, and the one that'll get you more bass than all the others combined.
Here's the thing. If you fish along the bank, you'll be a springtime angler. To catch bass when the weather and the water are both hot you've got to go deep. That's where most of the fish are, so that's where we should be fishing. The only exception to that is when you're fishing a river.
I know you're thinking you see the Elites and other professional anglers fishing and we don't always go deep. That's true. The reason for that is simple. We follow the spawn — more or less, anyway. It's prespawn, spawn or postspawn for most of our tournaments.
As an example, I'll be fishing lakes on our northern border for the next few weeks. In some of those waters the fish are just coming off the beds. It'll be a postspawn bite. For most of the country, however, the bass are well into their summer patterns. Don't let our schedule fool you or lead you down the wrong path.
Fishing offshore was tough at one time. That's no longer true. GPS and high-quality electronics have made it fairly simple. Nevertheless, the best equipment in the world is useless unless you know how to use it.
If you don't know how — or if you're technologically challenged like me — spend some time with the instruction manual running around your favorite lake marking places you already know are there. There's no shortcut for this. It's no different than learning to use a new computer or cell phone. A little time practicing will make all the difference in the world in your use and enjoyment of the product.
Next, learn to fish vertical. A drop shot is usually your best bet. Park directly over your favorite spot and lower it down. That way you know you're on the channel swing, drop, ledge or stump. With most modern electronic units you can actually watch your lure as it falls. There's no guesswork involved. You know your lure is where it should be.
Last, get your head right. Twenty feet is not that deep. I know it looks like the Grand Canyon on your depthfinder, and in your mind it's even deeper than that. But if you think of it as the length of your boat you'll have a different perspective. It really isn't that far; seven or eight steps for most of us — no further than an ordinary flip.
So, if you want to catch more bass this summer, turn your back to the bank, learn to use your electronics, fish vertical and discard the idea that 20 feet is deep.
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June 26, 2009
Passing it on
I'm on the Potomac River practicing for another tournament. In between not catching enough fish, I've been thinking about years past. It's something that happens when Mother Nature starts to catch up with you. (If it hasn't happened to you yet, don't worry. It will soon enough.)
Back years ago, when I was just getting started at Signcom, I had an account with the Salvation Army. My contact was Major Crawford. I was doing a fair amount of work for them, so we spent a lot of time together. He's a good man. Over time we developed a friendship — not a business friendship, a real friendship.
Major Crawford has a son, David. At the time, he was about 6 years old. The three of us went fishing off and on for a couple of years. David learned a lot, and ultimately developed an understanding of our sport.
Major Crawford is retired these days and living down South somewhere. We don't talk much anymore. However, David and I have kept in contact over the years. He follows my professional bass fishing career, the blog and even attends some of my tournaments if they're within a reasonable driving distance of his home in New Jersey.
In fact, he sat in the boat with me all day during practice for the Open on the Chesapeake Bay back in the spring. It was raining like the devil, and he stayed in there for the whole day. He wasn't even allowed to fish. All the poor guy could do was watch me.
How cool is that to have friends that stick with you that long? It goes to show you that taking a kid fishing makes a big difference to them and to our sport. It's truly a life changing experience.
And just so you know — David doesn't fish tournaments. He doesn't fish much anymore, period. Nevertheless, he's still a friend of fishing. He follows the sport and has an appreciation for what we do. Maybe more important, he just likes fishing and fishermen. He appreciates it for what it is — a fun thing to do.
I'm not telling this story to toot my own horn. Rather, I want to impress on everyone who fishes the importance of bringing the next generation into what we're doing. Our numbers are threatened, make no mistake about that. We all need to do what we can so that recreational and competitive sportfishing survives into future generations.
That's enough reminiscing. We'll talk summer techniques next week.
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June 18, 2009
Limping in
OK, here's the story...
It's Friday afternoon on the Mississippi, and I'm heading towards the ramp. My motor starts to lose power. There's no reason — no obvious reason anyway. It's just losing power — intermittently — and I'm going slower and slower.
Then, as I looked towards the bank in frustration and panic, I saw Greg Hackney sitting in his boat, dead in the water, frantically waiving his arms in the air. His motor had broken down leaving him with no way to get his fish to the weigh-in.
I stopped and told him he was welcome to get in with me, but that my boat wasn't running very well. He pointed out that was better than his was running and climbed aboard with his fish and his Marshal. We headed towards the ramp as fast as possible.
Within a few minutes my motor went from bad to really bad, and then it got worse than that. The boat started to porpoise. I mean we looked like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies — the four of us desperately trying to hang on while our boat alternates between pointing towards the sky and pointing towards the bottom of the river.
On top of all that we're running out of time. There's no way I'm going to make it. I'm in the first flight, Hackney's in the third. I do NOT want to be late. I know I'm not going to get a check, and I know I'm not going to make the Classic from the Elites. But I need to weigh my fish so I get the points. I want to qualify for the Elites next year.
The situation has turned ugly.
Then, out of the blue, along comes Alton Jones. He sees we're having trouble, makes a big sweep back and stops to see if he can help. He can. We loaded my fish and my Marshal into his boat and headed, petal to the metal, towards the ramp.
Meanwhile, Hackney's back in my boat limping towards home with his Marshal. We thought that was the best plan since he had a few more minutes to get to the ramp. (Remember, he was in the third flight. I don't want anybody to think we abandoned him, or anything.)
Anyway, now we're really short on time. Alton checked his GPS. It doesn't look like we're going to make it. Alton said I should get in the driver's seat with him because that'll make the boat go faster. I did, and it did. Sure enough, we made it with a few seconds to spare. Hackney made it, too.
There's an interesting side to this story. I had boat trouble at Guntersville. Aaron Martens helped me out. He won. I had boat trouble on the Mississippi. Alton Jones helped me out. He didn't win, but he was leading after Friday's weigh-in.
Do you think I should start charging these guys for breaking down?
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May 28, 2009
Time for Questions
A couple of weeks ago I said I'd answer a few questions that I've received from readers. Here goes:
1. I have trouble fishing tidal waters. Do you have any tips that'll help me?
The trick to fishing tidal waters is to fish the right spot at the right time. Mostly, the bass turn on when the tide first starts to move. It doesn't make any difference if the water's rising or falling, just so it's moving.
Finding the right spot is tough. I look for places where they feed, places with structure and cover in shallow water. Once, on the Potomac River, I found a laydown along the shoreline that produced a keeper on every cast. But it was only good for a few minutes when the water first started moving. After that it went dead. You have to fish a lot of spots to find a place like that.
Another trick is to move with the tide. The water will move first near the mouth of a creek or bay. Fish there for a few minutes and then, when the bite drops off, go back further into the tributary and fish another spot as the water starts to move. If you're quick you can fish several places that way every time the tide moves.
2. Why do you fade after the first day in so many tournaments?
To fish competitively at the Elite level you must adapt. What worked today doesn't always work tomorrow. Adapting to changes during a tournament is one of the most important skills a professional angler can acquire.
Unfortunately, that's one of my shortcomings. I tend to go back to the same spots with the same lures and fish harder. That worked in Ohio, but it doesn't work in the Elite Series. I'm trying to improve that part of my game.
3. I struggle on Laurel River Lake in Kentucky. Can you help?
Try hanging out at Backwater Tackle near Lake Cumberland. It's run by former professional angler Bill Smith. Cumberland is much like Laurel. He'll help you.
This advice applies anywhere in the country. If you're having trouble catching bass on your home lake, find the best tackle shop where the best guides and most successful anglers hang out on that lake, or on a similar one. Listen to what they say and note what lures they're buying. Ask questions.
Some will give you more information than others. Always target the shop owner. Most of them want you to be successful. That's how they make their money. You'd be surprised at how many of them will mark maps for you and recommend lures, colors and techniques.
And always pay attention to what they're selling. Stop by a time or two during the week and look around. If the pegs are full of 1/4-ounce green jigs that he's constantly replacing, why are you fishing with a 3/4-ounce black one?
May 21, 2009
Because We Care
I received a letter the other day from an old friend named Garrett Brusco. It brought tears to my eyes. He's retiring after three decades working as an advisor to The Walnut Spring Fishing Club, a middle school club here in central Ohio.
The club was founded in 1974 and, under the leadership of Brusco, was chartered with BASS in 1977. During its 30-year-plus existence, the club has provided positive fishing experiences to more than 1,200 kids. Hopefully, that tradition will continue.
All too often we place too much emphasis on the pro side of our sport when we should be paying more attention to some of the men and women who donate their time and money to keep our sport alive at the grass-roots level where it really counts. That kind of stuff is the future of fishing.
Very few anglers will ever fish professionally. However, lots of today's youth will fish on the weekends and take their kids fishing when they grow up. Over time, they're the ones who will give our sport political muscle, push it forward and make sure it survives.
As adults, those kids will turn back efforts to unreasonably control access to water, stop restrictions on outdoor opportunities and foil efforts to "protect" wildlife by the so-called animal rights movement. Without them the future of fishing will be grim.
Brusco knows that. He spent a good portion of his adult life donating his time, helping to guarantee the future of fishing. Basically it's been his top priority outside of work and family. And note that I said "time." That's something we all have too little of, and yet he gave his willingly and without regret or complaint.
Don't get me wrong. We Elite Series anglers — as well as countless other anglers — work with youth. We write checks and donate product to help the thousands of men and women like Brusco around the country. Many of us freely give our time, too.
But if we're honest we'll admit that it's a lot easier to write a check or donate product we didn't pay for than it is to spend a day teaching kids to appreciate fishing. Money and product are not the same as time. The first two are valuable, the last is precious.
I'm not saying we don't help, or that we don't do what we can. Our contributions are important, no doubt about it. What I am saying, however, is that time at the grass-roots level is what the future is all about and that men like Brusco make it happen.
And I want him to know that his service hasn't gone unnoticed.
Thanks Garrett! Fishing's better off because you were there.
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May 1, 2009
Beds and Bass
I'm back in Columbus working at Signcom for a week or so before the Elite tournament at Guntersville. The economy is a serious thing with me. I want to take care of my business even if I'd rather be fishing. You know the old saying: If you take care of your business, your business will take care of you.
I fished a local tournament on the Scioto River here last Tuesday night with my nephew. Last year he caught his first keeper bass with me. Tuesday he caught another one — our first of the evening — so he's pretty pumped up. He's a freshman in high school here and a really fine young man. It's a privilege to have him in our family and to be able to fish with him.
No matter how much I fish, or at what level, there's nothing that makes me feel better than taking someone fishing and showing them a good time in the outdoors. I absolutely love it.
I'm sure you know by now that Smith Mountain didn't go very well for me. That's two tournaments in a row where I had good, solid first days and then faded. It's discouraging, but I'm keeping a positive attitude. This year is better than last. I'm hoping it improves over the last half of the season.
Anyway, I'm not fishing the Southern Open at Wheeler this week. I didn't want to but I cancelled. I did so poorly in the first one that I can't qualify for the Classic from the Southerns no matter what I do. My best hope now is in the Northerns. I'm going to concentrate on them.
And, like I said, I wanted — actually needed — to spend some time with Signcom. If things are getting better I'm not seeing it on the business side.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a half-empty type of guy. Things will work themselves out, of that I'm sure. This is a great country, we're strong, and we'll ultimately be just fine. But I still have to pay close attention to what's going on.
This is the kind of situation that could get you into trouble if you don't keep your head up and your eyes open. A huge portion of my life is in that business. I have no intention of neglecting it. And besides, it supports much of my fishing.
I've got something special planned for the blog next week. After that I'll answer a few more questions that guys have asked me. If you have any new ones, don't be shy. Post them at the bottom of the blog — I read every comment — and I'll do my best to answer them.
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April 29, 2009
Beds and Bass
Well, the Chesapeake Bay tournament is behind me. I'm a little disappointed. On the first day I caught four bass that weighed 13 pounds. That made me feel good. But, after that, the wheels fell off. It happened to most of the guys so it wasn't like it was just me. Still, that doesn't make it any easier to take.
Anyway, I finished in 31st place. That's not great, but at least I'm still in contention for a top finish and maybe a Classic slot through the Opens. And with the other two tournaments in waters I like to fish, I'm feeling pretty good about everything. It could be a lot worse, you know.
But that was then and this is now.
I just finished prefishing here at Wheeler. It looks like it's going to be a sight fishing event. That's not my idea of fun. I can't see bedding bass the way some guys do, so I'm not as efficient at fishing for them. That's a real disadvantage. It's hard to compete with a guy who can pick and choose which bass he wants to boat.
I did see two mating yesterday, though. It was really neat. The male would rub up against the female and then she'd flop and flutter around all over the place. They carried on for a long time. I finally left to fish another spot. (I thought maybe I shouldn't be looking at stuff like that too long. I don't want to turn into a pervert or anything like you read about in the newspaper or see on TV.)
Anyway, because I have trouble seeing bedding bass I stay back and skip plastics to where I think they might be. A lot of guys don't realize it but they'll bite a lure — sometimes 5 feet from the bed — even when they're on the beds, if you keep your boat back out of their way. It's the boat that makes them finicky and hard to catch.
I'll fish to my strengths this week and try to stay competitive. I think there are enough prespawn bass to keep me in the hunt. I'll try to serve them their last dinner before they go on the beds. I know that's not the best way to fish this thing, but given my sight fishing limitations, it's all I can do.
If I do well in most of the remaining five Elite Series events, I might be able to finish high enough in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings to make the Classic that way. That's what I'm striving for, anyway.
Until next week....
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April 16, 2009
Chesapeake Bay Blues
I'm up here on the Chesapeake Bay getting ready to fish the first Bassmaster Northern Open. It's been the toughest practice I can remember. I mean, miserable isn't the word for it.
Monday was really cold with strong winds. But that was nice compared to Tuesday and Wednesday. It was even worse with rain all day long — both days. I don't care who you are or how much you fish, that's nasty. It's hard to get anything done under those conditions.
I did catch a few bass on Monday, but I didn't catch any on Tuesday or Wednesday. Note what I said — I didn't catch any. I'm not talking about keepers — the minimum size is 15 inches on the Chesapeake Bay — or cull size bass. I'm talking about a bass.
It'll be an interesting tournament. The weather is supposed to improve so the catches should go up. The thing is, though, if the weather changes so will the bass. It'll probably take something different every day to catch them. (That's true in my case for sure. Since I haven't caught any, whatever I do will be different!) It'll be a real test of our bass fishing skills.
On top of everything else, I'm having trouble with my charts and the water. If you look at a chart, it'll tell you that if you idle through shallow water you'll open up into fishable water. But I've done that a couple of times and all I found was blue-green muck. No fish in his or her right mind would live in that stuff. It's nasty.
Anyway, I did find a spot late today — an area with some good looking water and a little grass growing in it. Maybe things will get better on Thursday when the tournament starts.
But hey, it could be worse. I could have a real job and be working for a living instead of fishing. You know the first rule of this sport, don't you? It's that we're supposed to be having fun. And I assure you I am, despite my complaining and whining about the conditions up here. I wouldn't have it any other way.
When this one's over on Saturday, I'll head for Smith Mountain Lake to get ready for the next Elite Series event. I'm really looking forward to it. I want to do well so I can get my standings in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race up and make next year's Classic.
I'll update the blog next week between tournaments.
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April 9, 2009
The Right Spot
The Wheeler tournament is over. I didn't do as well as I had hoped — I finished in 38th place — but I am doing better this year than last year. I've finished in the money twice now. I think if I can continue to improve I'll have a shot at making the Classic for 2010.
My confidence is coming back. That's a good thing. Confidence builds on itself over time. If I can keep my head up and continue to feel good about myself, I should be OK. At some level, professional bass fishing is a mental game. We all have the physical skills to win. It's really a matter of positive thinking and making good decisions under pressure.
Last week helped me a lot with that. I had several things working for me. My basic approach was simple, though. I was able to catch four or five bass every morning on a Red Eye Shad and then I spent the rest of the day up in the river pitching and flipping docks trying to increase my weight.
I had an interesting experience at the docks that I think is worth mentioning. I caught eight, lost two more and had at least 10 additional bites off one dock post. That's not as rare as it sounds. Lots of times it's possible to catch multiple fish from one little piece of cover, be it a post, stickup, small laydown, rock or whatever.
Never get in a hurry to move on after you catch a bass from such a spot. Oftentimes you can get a limit in just a few minutes by tossing your lure into the same exact spot time after time. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. I've seen it happen all over the country.
Bass behave like deer, or at least that's my theory. They have paths in and out of places they like, with stops along the way. They travel that path in large groups — not exactly schools, just groups. When you find one of those spots it's nonstop action.
And those spots will produce year after year for you, so make sure you mark them in your notes. I have several of them in the Ohio River and in the lakes around central Ohio. They've given me bass for at least 20 years.
Anyway, I've said enough about that subject.
I'm fishing another tournament this week, and then it's off to get ready for the Smith Mountain event on the 23rd of this month. I'll have to try to work in some Signcom time before that event, though. I can't afford to neglect my sign business no matter how much I love to fish.
We'll talk next week.
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March 30, 2009
A World of Good
Dardanelle did me a world of good. I can't tell you how pleased I am with my decision making process there. I'm fired up.
As you no doubt know, we had a long fog delay on Thursday morning. When I finally launched I went to where I'd found a few fish in practice. Despite the short day, I slowed down, took my time with every cast and boated three solid keepers.
Then, I had a decision to make. Should I go to a place I knew would fill out my sack with smaller bass, or go to another place with a less reliable bite but bigger bass? I chose the latter.
That's unusual for me. Normally I would go with the sure thing. But not this time. I knew I needed to change my game plan. It was time to make something happen.
I made repeated casts to a small shale corner back in the back of a pocket with a modified single-spin Terminator spinnerbait — a 3/8-ounce model with a No. 5 hammered Colorado blade. (Something I fished in the Ohio River years ago and was reminded about the other day when I read an article about that style of bait by Boyd Duckett on Bassmaster.com.)
Finally, after about 20 casts — slow rolling it with a 5.4:1 Abu Garcia Revo Winch reel right down into the mud — I caught a 3 1/2-pounder. Then, about 10 feet down the bank I caught another one about the same size.
On Friday I only had four bass but they averaged 3 pounds. I caught them fishing laydowns and stumps with a Venom green pumpkin jig dressed with a Venom Sweet Dream trailer.
That's a good sack on Dardanelle. Again, I made a mental decision to go for what would help me win, not what would help me bring a limit to the scales.
I can't tell you how good it feels to do something like that, to have a good tournament in the face of tough conditions. It's breathed new life into my attitude. I have a sense of confidence in my decision making today that I didn't have yesterday. Sometimes you've got to take a chance. You can't win if you're not willing to lose.
I learned something else on Dardanelle, too. I fished Berkley Trilene 100 % Fluorocarbon line last week in 20-pound test. I'm here to tell you that's good stuff. It's very fishable even at the higher test weights, and darn near impossible to break. I mean you'd have to anchor the boat and walk backwards to snap it, and even then you'd break a sweat.
Now, I'm not saying all is perfect, or that a 30th place finish is the be all and end all of my career. It isn't. I am saying, though, that I feel like a different angler as I rig my tackle for the first day of practice on Wheeler.
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March 25, 2009
Questions, Questions
In my last post I said we'd use this week to answer a few questions that I've received recently. Here goes....
1. I want to experience the incredible smallmouth fishing on Lake Erie this year. Where can I launch around the lake other than at Bass Islands?
You can launch from a number of places around the lake. Some are better than others. I personally like the ramps at Lorain, Sheffield Park and the ones on the Huron River. They're some of the best on the lake. But, if they're not convenient or don't meet your needs, check a local map or search the Internet. There must be hundreds of places to launch.2. What's your favorite place to fish in your home state of Ohio?And you're right to pick Lake Erie. It's one of the best smallmouth destinations in the world. But be careful. It's a big body of water and can be treacherous when the wind picks up.
The short answer is Indian Lake, near Russells Point. Actually, it's one of my all time favorites, regardless of what state we're talking about. As a kid, I lived in the city. Acheson's Resort on the lake was my first experience with a true fish camp. They offer several tournaments every year, and until I turned pro I always fished them.3. I'm a pretty good tournament fisherman here in California. How can I develop paying sponsors as my career advances?They had a really interesting big fish pot. At the beginning of the year we put $20 in a pot and were allowed to post our three biggest Indian Lake bass of the year on a public board. We were allowed to cull until the last day. The winner of the pot was determined by total weight.
It was a professional operation. In order to publish a fish weight your fish had to be weighed at the resort or you had to have a weigh slip from a recognized tournament on the lake.
Participating in that big fish pot taught me the importance of fishing towards a goal and the importance of playing by the rules. I absolutely loved to fish Indian Lake out of Acheson's Resort. I'll always treasure those memories.
I wish I could give you a clear and positive answer, but I can't. This is a tough time in our country's economy and there are many more anglers — really good ones — than there are sponsorship positions. Even those of us fishing the Elite Series have been hurt.
My honest and best advice to you is that you should reread my posts from September and October 2008. They're archived here. They detail my thoughts on the subject.
That's enough for now. I'll answer more questions in a couple of weeks. Wish me the best on Dardanelle.
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March 12, 2009
The Big Test
This week's the big test — we fish Amistad for the first Elite Series event of the season. I'm excited about getting started after a long winter. And attending the Classic as a non-competitor made that excitement worse. I want to fish the 2010 Bassmaster Classic!
I've had a respectable practice. It's easy to catch fish here, they're everywhere. But to be competitive on Amistad, you have to do more than catch fish. You've got to catch big fish and I haven't found very many of those this week. I think almost everyone has had the same problem.
This is the year, you know, when I'm going to try to catch winning sacks of bass rather than just sacks of bass. I think I told you before that one of my friends on the tour said I should put down my plastic stickbait and concentrate on winning rather than fishing. Basically, he's right. It's OK to love fishing, but you have to love weight more, especially if you expect to win.
Amistad is where the rubber meets the road with that type of thinking. It'll be a temptation to catch bass all day long. But I have to ignore catching bass and think weight if I expect to get back to the Classic.
Besides, I need to start making money fishing. With the economy going the way it is, it may be that my bass fishing career will have to start supporting Signcom. That's a twist, isn't it? Ha!
Really, it's not funny. I've been doing things in my business that I haven't done for years just to stay viable. It wouldn't hurt a thing if I made a little money fishing. Of course, others have things a lot tougher than I do so I don't want to sound like I'm complaining or crying about my life. I'm not; it's pretty darn good, all things considered.
I've gotten a lot more questions lately from you all. Some of them are really good. They show real insight into fishing and managing a professional career. I'll try to answer a few of them next week. Until then...
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February 18, 2009
Boat Shows, Fishing Clubs and the Classic
This has been a busy week. Over the weekend I made seminar appearances at the Columbus Sport, Vacation & Boat Show. The crowds at the tank were good. I was glad of that with things being the way they are in our economy.
And I have to say the anglers in attendance were enthusiastic. They're ready to go fishing and catch some bass. I am, too. The guys at the tank let me hook a fish or two on the last day of the show. It felt good; I actually enjoyed the smell of fish on my hands.
A number of people told me they read my blog regularly and that they enjoyed it. I could tell by the questions they asked that they were telling the truth. They knew all about my life, my schedule and what's going on. That's really nice.
I wouldn't do this is it wasn't for my fans. They make the work and the effort worthwhile. I don't care who you are, or what your station in life may be, a smile and a compliment mean a lot. We should all remember that in our daily lives.
Tonight I'll be attending the Ohio State University Fishing Club meeting. It's heartening to see so many young people interested in our sport. No doubt they'll have a lot of questions about bass fishing along with some about careers in the fishing industry. I'd like to think I can help them.
Really, I think I can. I know the ins and outs of professional bass fishing and, because of my experience with Signcom, I have some business expertise, too. Maybe if I put those skills together I can answer their questions, or at least point them in the right direction.
I've said this before; professional bass fishing isn't all about catching bass. It's about earning a living in the fishing industry. To do that you have to understand business principles as well as know how to catch bass. That's the one thing I want to get across tonight.
Then, later in the week, Tracey and I will leave for Shreveport and the Classic to help with the ESPN coverage. It's killing me not to be there as a competitor. I've followed every detail of it for the last couple of weeks. This looks like it's going to be a good one. The Red River is a tremendous fishery.
I know most of the reports I've gotten indicate that the fishing's been a little tough. But, you watch, when the Classic starts they'll whack them. They always do, no matter what they say in practice. At that level somebody always gets on them, that's a guarantee.
Well, I need to get back to work. I'm in Columbus trying to sell signs. That's what I do when I'm not fishing, you know.
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February 13, 2009
Classic Bound ... Sort Of
I'm excited! I received a call the other day from Mark Zona. He wants me to come to the Classic next week and do some expert commentary. I'm really thankful that he and the rest of the guys think enough of my professional abilities to ask for my opinion. That's flattering.
I'll do my best to help the viewers understand what's going on out on the water. Oftentimes there are more to things than meet the eye. It helps to get an insider's view.
One of the things I'll probably talk about is pressure. A lot of anglers don't realize what a big role it plays in something like a Bassmaster Classic. If you're in the lead, or maybe you're doing really well as a rookie or first-timer, you're under constant observation and stress.
Your every move is caught on camera for all to see. Your every thought is recorded for all to hear. You never have a moment's privacy. That's more difficult to deal with than many fans realize. If you aren't careful, you'll start thinking more about the press and the fans than you do about catching fish. Once you fall into that trap, it's over.
On the other hand, if you've been in that position before it's not as big a thing. You know what to expect and how to deal with it. That gives the experienced anglers a real advantage. That experience often shows in the final tally.
Of course, we'll talk about other things, too. I hope to offer insight into technique and strategy — maybe offer some food for thought about why a particular angler has made the decisions he or she has made. That isn't always as obvious as you might think.
An example of that might be why a particular angler changes spots or lures after a day or two of success. Is it because they ran out of fish? Did the fish become conditioned to their bait? Did weather force them to make changes to their game plan? Or are they hiding their best areas and lures from the other anglers for as long as is practical?
It's also possible that Zona and the crew have something planned for me that I haven't mentioned. Regardless, I'll try my best to do what they tell me to do and help our fans understand what's happening and why it's happening. It should be an interesting experience for all of us.
I'll see you next week if you're at the Classic. If not, you'll see me on ESPN!
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February 9, 2009
A Little Q&A
I thought we might spend this week reviewing and answering some of the questions you've sent me over the past few months. Most of them have been asked more than once, so the answers should be interesting to everyone.
1. In one of your posts you refer to creating a rhythm with a blade bait in the winter. Does the same advice apply to drop shot rigs?No. When you're fishing a drop shot rig, you should make every effort to hold it steady. There's plenty of bait movement from line twist, waves, wind and current to keep your bait looking alive. Adding more movement does more harm than good.
2. Why is there so little controversy in bass fishing, and why doesn't the press cover it more?
Bass fishing isn't like most other professional sports. The men and women who compete on the water don't act like some of the other athletes. Now, I'm not saying there isn't a dispute or verbal altercation every now and then because there is. For the most part, however, we conduct ourselves appropriately. As a result, there isn't much to cover.
I think the press ignores what little controversy there is because the fans — anglers who watch fishing shows on TV, anglers who read fishing magazines and anglers who search the Web for fishing information — are interested in who's catching fish and how they can catch fish like the pros. They're not interested in who's mad at whom or who's acting like an idiot. There's no market for that stuff, so the press doesn't cover it.
3. I can whack bass in farm ponds, but when I go to public waters I struggle. Some of my friends have the same problem. Why?
Fishing a farm pond is great. But you have to remember that they're small and therefore you're fishing over bass most of the time. Public waters are another matter. The bass could be anywhere. That makes the fishing much tougher.
The great professional anglers are great because they find bass. Almost anyone can catch them if he or she knows where they're hiding. Finding them is the trick, not catching them.
Something that helps me when I'm struggling on a big body of water is to break it down into small pieces and fish it like I would a farm pond. Ask yourself, where and with what would I fish if this small area was my neighborhood pond. Then do it.
4. How can we contact you?
I love my fans and appreciate your support. You're why I write this blog. Because of my travel and fishing schedule, however, I can be hard to reach. The best way to get in touch with me is to post something in the "Conversation" area below the blog. I read every comment and will respond as quickly as possible.
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January 23, 2009
Time After Time
As I write this, the BASS fishing season is underway. The first Open — a Southern on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida — will start next Thursday, January 29. That's fine with me. I'm ready to get going.
I've fished the Harris Chain many times over the years, but this tournament will be a little different. I understand we'll be launching from Lake Dora. That'll be a new experience. We've never done that before, or if we have I can't remember it. It doesn't matter except that over the years you get used to something, and any change from that is another issue to deal with.
Nevertheless, the fishing will be Florida winter bass fishing. Everyone knows that Florida bass are very cold sensitive. A cold front makes them unhappy and they tend to shut down. If a cold front blows through, we'll all be in trouble.
What you might not know, however, is that they have unique wintertime feeding habits. Because the nights are cold, the bass don't bite very well for the first part of the day. As the air and water warm, the bite usually gets better. It's almost always at its best during the last two hours of the day.
That's a problem for tournament anglers. We weigh our bass just when the fishing is getting good. Now, I'm not complaining, I'm stating a fact. Tournament times and rules are the same for everyone. We all have to deal with the same things.
That means I'll need to find an early morning bite that's productive. Where I caught them this afternoon — shortly before dark — doesn't matter.
I think this issue — time of the bite — is something that's more important than many of us realize. Just because you caught a ton of bass the afternoon or evening before a tournament at a specific spot doesn't mean they'll be there the next morning. Some bites, as well as some spots, are time sensitive. They're only good at certain times of the day.
In Florida, this is caused by the overnight temperatures ... or at least we think that's what causes it. In other parts of the country, good bite times might be caused by other factors — current, wind, baitfish movement or something we don't know. But the thing is we don't need to know what causes something to know it's true. All we need to know is that it's true.
So, when you're practicing for a tournament always consider what time you found the bass as well as where you found them. This is something that's important to keep in your log. Over time you'll likely see a pattern developing. After that you can adjust your tournament strategy accordingly.
January 20, 2009
A Day on the Lake
I spent last week in Columbus tending to business. Usually I do it over the phone and via the Internet, but with everything going on I thought it best to handle things personally. I have good people working for me, but it's still my responsibility — something I have to do myself.
As soon as I finished I flew here — Florida — to get ready for another tournament.
In between all that I got some good news. I'll be filming an episode of A Day on the Lake. That's where ESPN puts you on a lake to see how you break it down and how you fish it. The lake's a secret until you get there, so you can't prepare or anything. It's a great learning experience for the viewers as well as for me.
It can be scary, though. It's one thing to not catch them when you're in a crowd of 110 anglers. It's quite another to not catch them when you're the only angler out there and your every move is being filmed.
And if that isn't bad enough there's something else that they're talking about doing that makes it even scarier. They might put two of us on the lake and then compare and contrast our approach at the end of the day. What if I catch two bass and the other guy catches 10 or 12?
That would be embarrassing. It's the kind of thing another pro would never let you live down. But he's probably thinking the same thing: What if Hartley gets on them, and I don't? It'd be the same thing in reverse.
I guess that proves that in the end we're all the same. But as professionals that's what we do. We have no reason to complain. And besides, opportunities like that are hard to come by. We need to take advantage of them. It's a good opportunity to showcase our careers and to showcase our sponsors.
That's always important but never more so than in 2009. None of us can afford to neglect our careers or our sponsors when things are as tough as they are right now. We need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way.
I'll let you know when it's over where we fished, how I did and when the show will air. That's assuming it's not an ESPN secret. Regardless, I'll tell you what I can, when I can.
Along with that I'll be doing a lot of sport and boat shows over the next few weeks. This is the season for them, you know. That makes February a busy month for me. I'm thankful for that, but I can't help but wish my schedule was even more crowded with a Classic appearance. Hopefully I'll correct that next year, and February 2010 will be a real mess.
January 8, 2009
Blade Bait Tips
The holidays are over. It's time to get serious about the 2009 season. Before I do that, however, I want to talk a little about one of my favorite wintertime smallmouth techniques — blade baits for smallmouths.
My choice of lures is a Vibra-Max from Venom Lures. It produces a high-quality, solid vibration, looks like a shad and is reasonably priced.
I like to jig my blade baits in deep water. It's one of the best ways I know to catch a 6-pound smallie between November and March. I start on a point, hump, break or channel that's covered with rock, stumps or some other form of hard cover — somewhere in the 30- to 35-foot depth range is a good place to start — and cast it out.
Once it's on the bottom I jig it up and down in a rhythmic fashion. The importance of a rhythm can't be overstated. Don't pull, snap or jerk it up with an irregular cadence. Pull it slow and smooth with an even speed up and down, and with a set time lapse between pulls. There's something about a steady rhythm that drives big bass wild.
And always allow it to touch the bottom before you pull it back up. This is every bit as important as the rhythm.
Almost all of your bites will come on the fall. The reason for that — so far as we humans know, anyway — is that the bait looks like a dying shad to a feeding predator. When the water starts to chill, the shad start to die. As they die, they struggle up and then flutter to the bottom. That's what you're trying to mimic.
Sometimes you'll be able to detect the bite by watching your line. Often it'll jump or twitch when a bass inhales the lure as it falls. But most of the time you won't see or feel anything until you start pulling the lure back up. Sometimes it'll move sideways, sometimes you'll feel the fish jerking, and sometimes it'll just get heavy. Regardless of what you feel, set the hook quick and hard.
If you hang on the bottom, snap the line between your reel and the first rod guide like a bow and arrow. That'll make the bait jump which is usually enough to free it.
You can throw blade baits on open-faced spinning tackle or baitcasting tackle. A quality line is critical. You're fishing around rock and other forms of line damaging cover. Match your tackle and line to the water clarity and the general fishing conditions you expect to encounter.
A word of caution: There are a lot of blade baits on the market. Vibra-Max is my choice not because they're my sponsor — although I'm proud to say they are — but because they're a high-quality products with good blades, quality snap rings and first-class hooks. Do not fish a cheap, off-brand blade bait. You'll be sorry if you do.
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