Those Pesky Post Spawners!
July 2004

I don't know about you, but I think post spawn bass are pretty hard to keep up with. I have found that after the spawn you can usually find them on or around secondary points back in the major creeks. I like to use a Carolina Rig for this. I rig this with a 1oz. weight and a three foot leader on the average. As for the bait I like to use a Pro Tour Baby Brush Pig, as for the color just match the color of the water. In clear water I like to use the green based colors, (watermelon, green pumpkin), and for more stained water I use the bigger version Brush Pig in a darker color.

Baitfish are a key at this time of year, usually when you find bait on or around a point there will be a bass close by. A lot of the time, in the post spawn, bass will gang up on a point, and so if you catch one, you can sometimes catch several.

Just remember points point out post spawn fish!

Why is it important to use sunscreen?
June 2004

Skin damage from sun exposure can build up over time whether you get burned or not. We all know that constant sunburn can eventually lead to skin cancer, other effects can include wrinkling, premature aging, and in time an almost leathery appearance. Research also suggests that excessive exposure to UV radiation can affect the body's immune system. I strongly suggest the use of a sunscreen. My first choice is Angler Shield SPF 30+, this product was designed specifically for fisherman. You can not rub or sweat it off and it has no scent! It is aloe based with a small amount of zinc oxide to go on smoothly and easily. In addition, wearing a light long sleeve shirt with a collar and a hat with a brim can also help reduce the harmful effects of the sun.

You are not the only thing that can be damaged by the suns rays; your boat could use a sunscreen also. Sun can damage the gel coat over time and I strongly recommend the use of a good wax that will protect the finish. Z wax Plus is my choice. It is very quick and easy to apply, you just wipe on and wipe off! This will add years to the life of your boats appearance and make it much easier to remove scum lines and water deposits.

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Best Equipment for Tube Fishing
March 2004

Have you been losing fish on your tube bait? Here are a couple of tricks I have tried to help cut down on those lost opportunities. First make sure you are using a heavy action rod and low stretch line. Next I have been using a 4" Rite Bite tube with a super line 5/0 Owner rigging hook. This tube is loaded with salt but is still very soft and and pliable. The last item, but certainly not least, is the way I rig the tube. My personal preference is to Texas rig the tube but instead of inserting the hook through the middle of the body, I hook it thru the side, (going all the way thru the side) and then just skin hooking the point back into the bait. I think these three small adjustments have dramatically helped the hookup ratio which in turn has put many more fish in the boat.

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Weight Size VS Fall Rate
February 2004

How to decide how much weight to use on a the Right Bite tube bait or Pro Tour's Brush Pig presentation boils down to one thing, MOOD of the fish. If the fish are very aggressive I will use a lighter weight like 1/8th or 1/4 oz. The reason for this is you can swim or glide the bait through the cover with a slower retrieve, allowing you to cover a lot more water, capitalizing on those aggressive bites. If the fish are not real aggressive I will go up to a 5/16's or 3/8 oz. weight, this allows the bait to penetrate the cover with a little more speed and a more vertical fall, which will trigger more of a reaction bite. So, when you know the fish are there and they just will not cooperate, slow down and fish the cover very deliberately with 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz weight. I know, this sounds like overkill but I have discovered that this flipping technique can be just what those big ones are waiting on to trigger them to strike.