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Danger!!!Danger!
Be aware that the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge pilings, just
north of the new bridge are no longer visible, but are a gnarled mess of rebar
and irregular concrete chunks, just below the surface in many spots! These are
NOT marked in any way…except by the lower units recently lost in this area! They
should be marking this area soon! And they will be removing the hazards as well!
The Spoils Winter patterns…slow and slower!
Keep baits in one spot for as long as you can. Find fish faster with Silver
Buddy lures. Can't find them? Try the
new ones from PoorBoysBaits.com. Once you learn slow, truly learn slow, every
other speed is easy! If you can catch fish now, you will never have any trouble
getting fish in other seasons! This time of the year will give you a great
understanding of bass fishing. Water temps have fallen into the low to mid
40's.
So, you have
decided to take a kid, a spouse or friend fishing. How do you teach them? How
do you teach yourself to cast with the opposite hand? What baits and preventions
are easiest to learn and teach? I'll be giving a complete seminar encompassing
these ideas at the Bass Pro Shops in Hanover, Maryland on March 1 and 2 at
11am! I'll also have some samples of Mann's latest HardNose creations and other
giveaways
and REGISTRATION forms for the 12th annual St Jude Potomac Teams Tournament!
I
use spinning reels this time of the year. They are good for all techniques
an
actually keep your hands warmer than palming a bait caster all day! I really
like the Quantum Energy reels! Great drags, magnetic bail “spring”, titanium
bail wire and a unique system for the line to be trapped” in place to avoid
tangling around the bail arm. I've been demonstrating these at shows and everyone
has
been impressed! For line, I downsize to 6-pound test! Try the new Berkley 100%
Fluorocarbon line. You're fishing deeper and further away from the boat, the
lower stretch better sensitivity and thinner diameter will help you feel the
bite, set the hook and keep the fish from feeling you!
Find fish in deep water
out of the current areas. The Spoils and Smoot Bay are perfect! Oxen Cove is
also a good place. Warm water discharges at Blue Plains and Four Mile Run provide
better action. Next, look for the steepest drop you can find. These are areas
where the fish don't have to travel very far to get to shallow water when they
want. Fish are always shallow. Look there first, but you have to have some
deep water nearby! For the shallow fish, I like the Mann's Baby 1-Minus! This
bait
works year round and can be slowly cranked I shallow water. Also, hair jigs
like the Punisher work in the shallows too. The key this time of the year with
all
baits is to slow down. Stop when you can. For extended periods! This is where
fish attractants come in handy. I like Jack's Juice because it really soaks
into the plastics or into the hair on a Punisher jig! Line diameter is also
key! It
allows baits to get to the bottom fast and stay there in wind and current.
It also allows easier hook sets when far from the boat. Thinner line offers
less
resistance! The reduced resistance also comes in handy when fish pick up a
bait. They won't feel the line either!
If you haven't already, get the blade
baits
out…not many Silver Buddys to be found! Too BAD! But, I have found one that
works very well! It is made by Poor Boys Baits...www.poorboysbaits.com. Check
them
out! Cast, let drop then burp with VERY short pulls! Do not overwork this bait.
The idea is to be a dying or vulnerable baitfish on the bottom! A short burp
of 2-3 inches is perfect! Fish hit on the drop and you feel weight…set the
hook with a pull. Sometimes the fish move on top of the bait and get foul hooked!
Very difficult to land these fish, don't horse them and you might get the biggest
bass of the season!
For soft plastics, I like several presentations. The Mann's
Stingray grub 3 inch in avocado is my favorite, followed by the Mizmo tube
and
then the drop shot. For the drop shot, the Mann's Hardnose green pumpkin finesse
worm is the best. The head on this bait is very tough, while the body is very
soft! The bait stays on the hook and the pencil point tail does a whole lot
of shaking! I also like this worm for the shakey head application. I use the
plain
lead Gerkin jig heads for shaky head fishing…I heat the head and coat with
BROWN vinyl powdered coat available through lurecraft.com. It is also a good
choice
for the split shot rig. For the drop shot and the split shot rigs, I am using
a 2/0 Mustad Ultra Lite Mega Bite hook. I like to use an 8-inch leader on my
drop shot. In either case, I have found the PERFECT drop shot tool! The FISHING
Butler will secure your drop shot weight to your rod when you want to put it
away! No VELCRO or rubber bands! This device is adjustable and can also be
used to secure rods to each other. Fishingbutler.com Smoots and Spoils are
great for
this. The Carolina rig is pretty good now too! In Spoils and Smoots and in
areas close to deep water!
Note that outgoing tides generally bring warmer
water, especially
as you get closer to DC. When that happens, you can be a bit more aggressive.
Also take note of water clarity to determine speed and colors. Around Blue
Plains and other warmer (45-50+) shallow…up to 6 feet…areas with clear water,
I use suspending jerkbaits. The Lucky Craft Pointer is the best around! I like
the
78, but will use the 100 in water that isn't as clear or a bit deeper. Keeping
the bait in one spot for a long time is best! 10-pound test!!!! This allows
the bait to run deeper and to stay in one spot for a while. When I get low
water
near drops and clear water after the water arms a few degrees in the mid day,
I like to toss the Lucky Craft Pointer and let it sit as long as 20 seconds!
Tough to do, but worth the wait. If it's windy, use the spinning rod!!!!
If
the water is warming to 45, try cranking, or spinnerbaits. You need to keep
your
bait in close contact with the bottom. Slow is the key! I do better with cranks
on clear water sunny days and the spinnerbait when the water is stained and
skies are gray and chop on the water. Try slow rolling a Mann's 3/8 Classic
Spinnerbait,
Colorado/Willow blades along the bottom. This bait has gold blades, white skirt.
I cast it, let it fall to the bottom, then reel as slowly as possible to just
keep the bait moving as slowly as possible, in constant contact with the bottom.
Still using 17-pound test. All of the bites, including the cranks have been
light. The fish really aren't even jumping when hooked. Been catching light
colored
bass with a bit of silt on their bellies. For my rods, the Ultra Strike, 2iG
rods are perfect. The med/hvy 6'6” rod is my spinnerbait rod.
For the cranks,
look for tighter wiggle cranks: reds, craws, and chartreuse with a brown back.
Check your hooks on all cranks now! After getting snagged and penetrating many
fish, all hooks get dull! I recommend replacing with Mustad Ultra Point trebles.
BTW!!!! The BEST split ring pliers ever!!!!!from Texas Tackle!!! http://texastackle.com/pliers.htm….none
like it anywhere! For cranks, I like the 7” medium action rod like the 2iG
Ultra Strike, perfect to feel the cover and to set the hook! It is not too
limber or
too stiff to keep you from landing fish.
My new FREE instructional videos are
out! If you are learning to cast, or trying to teach a friend to cast, check
them out! Most of us learn how to cast through a method of “trial and error…and
error, and error, etc!” I have been able to break casting down into small digestible
steps! If you can only cast a bait caster with your dominant hand, then you
need to check out these FREE videos too! http://www.monkeysee.com/channel/show/89
A “casting call” will take place at The Boathouse at Fletcher's Cove…www.fletcherscove.com,
Sunday, April 27, 11:00am - 3:00p. www.nationalcastingcall.com.
Industry experts
will instruct parents and children alike, and give everyone a chance to fish
and learn more about fishing and the environment. Highlights include sturgeon
petting, a Junior Ranger Badge program, fly tying instruction and hands-on
exhibits from participating partners: The American Fly Fishing Trade Association
(AFFTA),
in conjunction with The National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) and Guest
Services, Inc. present an engaging all ages event sponsored by The National
Park Service,
The American Sportfishing Association, Discovery Creek, Discover Fly Fishing,
The Future Fisherman Foundation, Family Tyes, The Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basin, Living Classrooms Foundation, L.L. Bean, Orvis, Patagonia,
Trout Unlimited, and The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
By the
way, there seems to be a lot of confusion over what licenses are required to
guide on the Tidal Potomac River. I worked very closely with the PRFC this
summer
to come up with a grid of requirements to comply with DC, MD, VA and the PRFC
on the Tidal Potomac. If you would like a copy, let me know! I support Capt.
Ken Penrod's efforts to see to it that these rules are enforced!
This is a
good time to pour some great finesse worms and other soft plastics with molds
from
lurecraft.com. They have all of the supplies and plastic mixes for floating
and for softness. Go on-line to find out more! Lure Craft molds 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
can even make a mold for your design! Take a look at some of the baits I have
made on: www.nationalbass.com (articles/lure-craft.htm)…call now to put your
orders in! 1-800-925-9088
I'm the BASS FISHING EXPERT for the Boatus.com website.
I answer fishing questions based on my experience as a guide and with a little
help from my friends: other writers, manufacturers, guides and top pros will
contribute to my responses. Check it out at: http://my.boatus.com/askexperts/
If you are a guide or bass boat owner, call BoatUS to get a free quote. The
coverages are better…designed for bass fishermen!!! And the deductibles are
lower! In fact, in many cases the premiums are lower too! Call now for better
coverage!!!!
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!
My Sportsman's Magazine article will focus on slow deep
spinnerbaiting!
Look for my Tournament Talk column in Woods & Waters. This month I credit the
generosity and genuineness of pro bass anglers! Check www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com.
A limited FREE supply at Belle Haven Marina and at Bowes and Arrows. I use
specific products and mention them in my reports that 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 to demonstrate their benefits.
Nice to wear some of the great cold weather clothes!
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!
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. The Mann's Hardnose bait is
the only bait on the market with a super hard nose and I don't need the glue!
I
have also found a new product that is awesome! Actually, I interviewed the
makers of Hawg Pockets
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
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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