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BASSARAMA is coming this weekend! Friday, Saturday, Sunday 26-28 January in
Richmond. 2006 Angler of the Year, Michael Iaconelli will be there on FRIDAY! He
gives awesome seminars! Guy Eaker will be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Former Classic Champ Woo Daves will be there Saturday and Sunday. I will be
there all three days to promote our St Jude tournament in July. I will have
registration forms and FREE Grabber My Coal Handwarmers (limited supplies of
Mann’s new Hardnose soft plastics and Water Gremlin BULLSHOT weights)
for anyone who stops by! We also will be selling SealSkinz socks and
gloves, TEVA sandals, Jack’s Juice, Hawg Pockets and more …WHILE
supplies last! We also have two pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses to sell! All
donations are going to St Jude Children’s Hospital! There will
be a lot at this year’s show….I hope to see you there!
Thanks to those who stopped by Bass Pro Shops for my seminars and to the Fish
On Bass Club for having their annual Bass University Seminar! Joining
Elite Series BASSMASTER, John Crews, also 2-Time BASSMASTER Classic and
FLW Championship qualifier, we chatted about the mental aspects of fishing
and the specific baits and techniques used on the Potomac.
Is winter finally here? Water temperatures have dropped from the 50
degree range to the low to mid 40’s. This is really grouping fish on
the drops for some more typical winter fishing on the Potomac. Fish are near
drops on flats, responding to a wide assortment of baits.
Look for hard cover to warm fish and outgoing tides are best. The noon-4pm
bite is the warmest water. Lower tides are good too!
The best shallow presentations are Mann’s Stingray grubs and Mizmo tubes.
The best soft plastic when the water gets cold is the Mann's Stingray grub
on a 1/4 ounce round Gerkin jig head…made with a MUSTAD Ultra Point
hook and a Mizmo tube on a ¼ ounce Gerkin weedless insert tube head.
For the 4” Mizmo tubes, I like the green pumpkin colors and the blue/craw.
The Stingray is a 3” avocado! This is the only size and color I
use. If I am going to get bites on the bigger bait, I like to go back to the
tubes. I also soak all of my soft plastics in Jack's Juice garlic….lots
of it! All of these are cast on 8-pound test Berkley Sensation line. Spinning
tackle with a 6'6” 2iG Ultra Strike rod. Cast and DRAG! Fish very
slowly! The area around the Wilson Bridge, Spoils and Smoots are hot
spots right now! I have been asked a lot at shows about the Mann’s 2-inch
Stingray. I don’t think Mann’s makes this size???? Not sure where
guys are hearing about this. The 3-inch size is the best.
Fish Silver Buddy lures with short hops down the drops to locate and position
fish. I like to use a medium graphite rod, Graphite has enough backbone
with the medium action to handle bigger fish on treble hooks. For line, Berkley
Big Game has the stretch to land fish and to snap free when snagged. Keep the
hooks sharp or replace! I cut the eye of a Mustad Ultra Point treble
and open just a bit, then snap back into place to replace hooks. I don’t
like the split rings as they allow the hooks to catch each other.
I really watch the water temp, wind and clarity to determine what else I can
do. With rising water temps, usually when the tide falls, or near concrete
or other hard cover, at Blue Plains or in clear water 4-5 feet or shallower,
I like suspending jerkbaits in 48-55 degree water. The Pointer 78 or 100 from
Lucky Craft are the best! You also need to have clear calm water! Suspend
these baits over the drops! For colors, I like baby bass and aurora gold. These
baits work best on 10-12 pound test! I like a medium action graphite rod…6'
or 6'6”. Twitch, twitch, twitch, then pause. Vary the length of the pause
until you get the right rhythm. You might have to pause a while. I use this
in water that is no more that 5 feet deep!
Next is the spinnerbait. It is my favorite cool water technique. In fact,
I rely on spinnerbaits when the water is 45-55 more than any other time of
the year! My tackle is important. I like a 6'6” 2iG Ultra Strike
med/hvy casting rod with a slower reel. If you don't have a slower (5:1)
reel, just slightly under-spool your reel. Speed is the key. You must slow
down. I use 14-pound test Berkley XT with a Hank Parker 3/8-ounce willow/Colorado
combo. GOLD BLADES! I can fish up to 6 feet deep. I look for areas with
drops near flats with cover…rock, wood and grass. Cast and let the bait
drop to the bottom. Then, barely move the bait keeping it in touch with the
bottom at all times. If you don't feel the bottom, then stop. Use your rod
to drag the bait to slow it down further. The bite is a tap then pull. The
hookset is critical! You must set the hook right after the tap or they
will spit it out! They don't generally slam this presentation, but will
fight hard! This is producing my better fish!
Of course, Blue Plains is heating up too! Here you can use split shot
rigs, drop shot and Carolina Rigs. Also a shakey head presentation works! For
soft plastics, I like the Mann's Hardnose Finesse Worm in green pumpkin…dip
the tail in chartreuse dye. I also like to use the Punisher hair jigs with
the Punisher chunk and Punisher rattle! I also use the C-Rig in the Spoils
and Smoots. It is best to use a Tru-Tungsten 1 ounce weight. This weight is
smaller and has the sensitivity to offer more bottom feedback. You can find
subtle bottom changes and other cover. Tubes, drop shot and split shot also
are working in other areas along drops.
For crankbaits, I am fishing shallow around warmed surfaces! Rocks, wood,
etc. On a med action graphite 2iG-casting rod, spooled with 12-pound
test Berkley XT, I like the Mann's Baby 4 and 8-Minus baits. Craw patterns
are best. You need to keep this bait on the bottom, pausing when you touch
the bottom. Again, control the speed by dragging the bait with the rod.
I have talked to a bunch of guys who are looking for Silver Buddy lures. I
have a few for sale, but you can only get them now through the silverbuddy.com
website! I would get there early. There are limited supplies in stock!
Make your own baits using molds from Lure Craft that are precise and easy
to use. (www.lurecraft.com 1-800-925-9088 for a free catalog). Make straight
tail finesse worms for shakey head fishing, drop shots, and split shots! They
have a mold for anything and all of the supplies to pour your own custom poured
baits…they can even make a mold for your design! Ask me to take
a look at some of the baits I have made or check them out on: www.nationalbass.com
(articles/lure-craft.htm) check out the NEW Lure Craft website. They have everything
you need to make some super handpours! They also have Poor Boys Gobys! One
of the hottest lures on the market is the Chatterbait. NEW is the GOLD version….silver
in stock too!
Lurecraft.com has a do it yourself chatterbait kit to convert your favorite
jig into a vibrating swimming jig. Check them out! With blade and snap
and split ring assembly turns most jigs into a chatterbait. Supplies are limited
and they are selling off the shelf…call now to put your orders in! 1-800-925-9088. Try
different colors….Under bright conditions, I like the white.
Each time you search the internet, you can support FishAmerica’s efforts
to keep our fish and waters healthy. Just visit www.goodsearch.com, enter
FishAmerica as your charity of choice, and start searching! Just 500
searches, four times a day will raise about $7,300 in a year without anyone
spending a dime! Download the GoodSearch toolbar to your web browser
such as Internet Explorer. Just visit http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/
and click Download Now!
My Sportsman's Magazine article will focus on my small mouth/largemouth fishing
trip to Maine! A great fishery!
I use specific products and mention them in my reports. These are products
I have used extensively and have confidence in. By mentioning product
names, it is easier for you to match up with what I am using. I also detail
the features of many of the products I use to demonstrate their benefits.
Senior BASSMASTER writer, Robert Montgomery has taken his decades of writing
and fishing experience with the best in the fishing business and compiled it
into one huge E-Book. Ratio's KILLER BASS FISHING SECRETS contains nearly 300
VERY specific tips from pros to help you catch more fish! I found a TON
of great tips to help me. You can get your copy of RONTICO's KILLER BASS
FISHING SECRETS here: www.killer-bass-fishing-secrets.com. It's only $19.95…that's
about a nickel a tip! Well worth it! The site has some FREE tips!
There are some great tackle specials this month at Jann's Netcraft! If
you want to be on the email list for these specials, contact me and I'll take
care of it for you! Contact Jann's Netcraft for your free catalog! They
have a great assortment of do-it-yourself supplies, and they have a great line
of soft plastics too! By this time of the year, my rod tips are just
about worn out on my cranking rods. Sometimes the guides take a constant beating
too! What do you do? Toss out the rod that is really still in great shape?
No way! I have learned how to replace guides on some of my favorite rods
and they are ready to go! Check out their rod building and repair supplies. Get
a tip kit, with many sizes for a variety of rods. If you want to learn
how to make repairs or even build your own custom rods, they have a great rod-building
instructional book and all of the tools and parts! I also noticed they have
everything you need to make crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits. You
can start from scratch or assemble the parts to build the baits you like to
your exact specs…and save money too! Jann's Netcraft luremaking, flytying,
rod building, and soft baits! They've been around for a long time and have
a great selection of lure making materials too! Check them out at www.jannsnetcraft.com
or call 1-800-NETCRAFT!
I keep a few Frogg Toggs on board for sudden showers…whenever they
come. The new Elite Series has become my year-round windbreaker and rain suit.
These new Toggs are amazing and they are loaded with pockets and features…and
come with a very reasonable price tag! Stop me and check it out! Frogg
Toggs (www.froggtoggs.com) are always on board. They block the wind and
are breathable! I carry extras for my passengers!
A note on one of my tools. I like to use PRO's Soft Bait Glue. While
a lot of anglers are really impressed by how much money they save gluing Senkos
back together, I really like the time I save! When I skip stickworms
under docks, eventually, baits tear. Rather than stopping and retying
and re-rigging, I just put a drop of glue on the tear and away I go. One
bait will stay rigged nearly all day! I also have started using with
my shakey heads. While the Mann's Hardnose bait is the only bait on the market
with a super hard nose to stay on the hook better, I still put a drop to keep
it from going anywhere on the head!
As most who see me at the ramp know, I drive a 1995 Nissan 4WD truck. This
old truck really tows my Skeeter with ease! I bought this truck from
PASSPORT Nissan and I have been buying my vehicles from the owner since 1978! If
you have any questions about the NISSAN trucks, please forward to me! Right
now is a great time to consider one, as Nissan is running low interest rates
or cash back on Titan, Frontier and Xterra. Bob Gasbarri knows NISSANS and
he knows trucks! Give him a call at 703-461-5279 with any towing questions! I
will demo many of their trucks throughout the year. Let me know if you
would like to set up a test drive! IF YOU CONTACT ME, I WILL GET YOU A BELOW
INVOICE PRICE!
I have also found a new product that is awesome! Actually, I interviewed
the makers of Hawg Pockets last year after they won the ICAST award for the
new product showcase. I had the gadgets in my basement for a while. I
took a fishing trip to West Virginia. My wife started to freak out when I started
to load my rods with crankbaits into her new Passport Nissan Murano. She
didn't want me to hook her leather interior. I remembered the Hawg Pockets
and read the instructions and snapped them into place. They did their
job. I also found out they didn't tangle when I moved them and I could
see my bait thru them! Check out the website. I am using them on
my boat now and it keeps my rods from tangling and I can see the baits on the
rods. This is the best fishing lure guard I have ever seen! Check them
out! www.hawgpockets.com
Also look for my Tournament Talk column in Woods & Waters. This month
the pros talk about the “drive” to success….it's full of
potholes…see how they avoid them! I cover B.A.S.S. and FLW tournament
winners! Also check out www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com. There is a limited
supply of these FREE publications at Belle Haven Marina.
MIZMO tubes, Punisher Jigs, and most of the Lucky Craft and Mann's baits are
now in Bass Pro Shops latest catalog….look for them!
If you want the best polarized sunglasses for fishing, I suggest Maui Jim
HCL (high contrast lens) polarized sunglasses. These are the best for
picking up cover in the water and seeing the fish. Check around, most
of the serious anglers on the Potomac are wearing them. Eye protection
is important!!! Get a quality pair of polarized sunglasses. I recommend
the Maui Jims (www.mauijim.com). Sunglass Huts carry these. If you see
me on the water, I will let you check mine out. I am also trying the
polycarbonate lens Maui Sports….they are light as a feather and the
optics are great.
TEVA sandals are actually sport shoes…especially water sports like
bass fishing! If you do not wear the sport sandals from TEVA, you
should! Just cover your feet with sunscreen and you'll feel better! The
TEVA sandals are perfect for fishing! I have tried other footwear, including
expensive basketball shoes. TEVA's are very comfortable and have boat safe
surfaces along with anti-microbial protection. These sandals are comfortable
and keep me on my feet...no butt seat either! Check out www.teva.com.
If you like to weigh your fish or if you are a tournament angler, you NEED
the XTOOLS Digital fish scale and gripper. It is waterproof, floats,
and it grips the fish so I can weigh all of my clients' fish without having
to punch a hole in their mouth. They are a sponsor of the FLW trail and
just about all of the pros are using them. I love mine. I recently
met the great people associated with the company and they demonstrated some
of XTOOLS other products. Get one of the scales…they also have
one for tournament anglers with a culling system that can't be beat! www.xtools.us
If you are new to the river, get a map from GMCO. It is a pro-quality map
for fishing the Potomac and for other Virginia waters. Check out their site:
www.gmcomaps.com. They list some of the popular locations and some of the hidden
dangers of navigating the Potomac.
Check out the biggest bass ever caught on the Potomac. (www.nationalbass.com,
then REPORTS, then BIG FISH) Gary Kincheloe's record is likely to stand longer
that the previous record of nearly 30 years.
Are your boat batteries sluggish? If you have questions about battery care,
check out www.nationalbass.com, go to ARTICLES and then Boat Batteries. There
is also a discount offer on INTERSTATE Marine batteries.
Have fun, and I would enjoy hearing from you. If you have questions, comments
or would like to book a trip, e-mail: info@nationalbass.com. I have a
lot of articles on various strategies and techniques on my site. If you
have a suggestion for an article, let me know. Check out my website:
www.nationalbass.com. I can't fish the entire river all of the time, so if
you have some information to share, let me know.
Captain Steve Chaconas/National Bass Guide Service/SEOPA
"Take me fishing!"
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