Hey! That Was My Idea!

The fishing industry has always been an industry that "borrows" ideas from competing companies, and now it seems like they are fighting back with patents and lawsuits. I talked about this a few months ago when I posted about "The Copycat Nature of the Fishing Industry" and how Humminbird was suing Lowrance over the side imaging technology. Then in June, Z-MAN was granted a patent for the Chatterbait and plans to go after companies who infringe on their design. What's next?

Today, Wired2Fish.com reported that Pure Fishing sued Shimano over patent infrigement. The entire story can be seen here. Basically, Pure Fishing(Berkley) is suing Shimano (Power Pro) over infringement for the braided line technology.

What are your thoughts on the copycat nature of the fishing industry?

Read more! Share

Another Cheating Incident in Bass Fishing

I just saw a story of a new cheating incident in a bass tournament. This time it was at a much lower level than the U.S. Open, but nonetheless it was another angler caught cheating. It happened here in Florida during a small night tournament. The accused angler didn't put any weights inside the fish, but instead brought some big fish from another lake. What ever happened to livewell checks? Wouldn't this have prevented this? He is accused of bringing an eight and nine pound bass from another lake in a aerated cooler and then trying to weigh them in again. The story was just posted today in the Lake City Reporter and can be seen here. What's going on with tournament bass fishermen!?

Read more! Share

Baitcaster How To: Trick For Clearing Backlashes

No matter how long we have been fishing, we all still get backlashes. The equipment has come a long way and the reels don't do it as much as they used to, but it still happens. I saw this cool trick on how to remove a backlash and thought I would share it. It's very simple and works almost every time.

Read more! Share

Vintage Bass Fishing Video

Found this great video on thewiredangler's blog. It's a video from 1954 and it's shot on one of my favorite lakes in the West, Lake Mohave. Check out the lures and rods they used to use, it definitely made me laugh, and also showed how far we have come since the 1950's.

Read more! Share

Get Your Punch On With the Miller Punchin' Weight

Since moving to Florida two years ago, I have completely changed how I fish for bass. Previously, I lived in Nevada and Washington State. These two states couldn't have been more different than my new home state of Florida. One technique I had to adapt to was Punchin' the grass. I have really started to like this technique, especially with things like the Paycheck Punch Skirt. In my opinion, there is no better way to get those quality fish that everyone else misses. My new favorite tool is the Miller Punchin Weight. The unique design of the bait was something I had never seen before, but it makes punchin' so easy anybody can do it. The California bass anglers have really started using this on the Delta and have been doing awesome with it. I follow everything they do out there, because it is only a matter of time before it catches fire in the rest of the country, and now it's time for everyone to take notice. This thing works.

I have been playing with the weights for a few weeks now and am really starting to feel comfortable using it. It comes in 3/4 oz, 1oz, 1.5 oz, and the monster 2 oz for the thickest of cover. The weight is made out of brass and comes in unpainted or the "Punchin Green" color. My weight of choice is the 1.5 ounce in the green color. I was able to punch it into the thick mats of hydrilla, the mixed eel grass and all of the hyacinths of Lake Okeechobee.

Like I said earlier, it is so easy to use. All you need to do is pitch on top of the mat, shake it a litle and the weight will do the rest. The pointed end of the weight slices through the mat and sinks right on top of the bass. The inventor of the weight, Danny Miller, wrote an article about how to use it. You can see it posted here.

If you live anywhere that bass live in thick grass mats, this weight will help you catch more bass. The weights can be purchased directly by clicking here.

Read more! Share

Something to Watch: Ban of Lead Fishing Tackle

Lead is everywhere in fishing. Think about all of your equipment and it would be hard to imagine going fishing without lead in jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and weights. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and other agencies have been trying hard to eliminate the use of lead in hunting and fishing. The shooting industry just claimed a major win by petitioning the EPA to remove the proposed ban on lead in ammunition. The EPA claimed it "lacked the authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act to regulate ammunition." The entire article was just posted today on thefishingwire.com and can be seen here.

The thing that scares me, and should scare all fisherman is this: 'Sinkers" -fishing tackle - however are not off the hook: As there are no similar jurisdictional issues relating to the agency's authority over fishing sinkers, EPA - as required by law - will continue formally reviewing a second part of the petition related to fishing sinkers." Now, I have almost completely cut out lead in my fishing weights, as I feel Tungsten is a better option, but what about all of the rest of the tackle we use?

This is an issue I talked about last November when Washington State proposed a ban on lead to save the loons. You can see that topic here. The eventual outcome was no change in law, but this time might be different. I suggest we all do what the shooting industry did and petition the EPA, you can do so make your voice heard by going to this site and making your comments.

Read more! Share

Beware of the Bully Grass Devil

It seems like everyone makes a bait for flipping and pitching. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and types. I have my favorites, but I am always looking for new baits the fish haven't seen. I finally got the chance to use the Bully Grass Devil by Power Team Lures today on Lake Okeechobee and I was really impressed with the bait. The bait is 4.5 inches and full of garlic scent like all of the other lures they make, including the Ribbon Hinge Worm I was using a few weeks ago.

The bait has a sleek profile, but it is still thick enough for the big Paycheck Punch Hooks I love to use. I was pitching and flipping it into reed clumps and holes in the hydrilla today. I was experimenting with different sizes of weights until I found out what they wanted and ended up sticking with a 3/8 oz Eco Pro Tungsten weight. It was the perfect size weight and the fish were hitting it on the fall just like they were supposed to. The bait comes in seven colors, my favorites are Junebug and Black and Blue Swirl. It looks like I have another creature bait to add to my arsenal.

Read more! Share

This is Why I Use Snag Proof Frogs

I have always loved throwing frogs, probably because I always seem to catch above average sized bass. Besides the quality of fish, it's just plain fun. This video I found on the blog for Toads Only Guide Service pretty much sums it up. The slow motion shot of a fish blowing up on a frog makes me want to go fishing right now! I'm headed to Lake Okeechobee tomorrow and you can bet I'll be throwing a Snag Proof Phat Frog. Check out the video.

Read more! Share

Update on BASS Sale

Well there is no real update. But Jerry McKinnis started a blog and he plans to keep us all updated with his posts. Check it out here. I have been reading the comments on his blog and everyone seems to be pretty excited about the news that he might be one of the new owners of BASS. Bassfan.com posted some responses from Elite Series Pros about the pending sale. You can see it here.

Read more! Share

Redneck Fishing Tournament

Sometimes people think I'm a redneck just because I fish bass tournaments, but they are wrong. This is a redneck fishing tournament.

Read more! Share

Conquering Fear in Fishing

I think of fishing lures as just tools to catch fish.  I will cast them anywhere I think fish might be hiding.  I get comments all the time when I cast over limbs, stumps, docks, ropes, grass patches or whatever to get to an open spot.  Most of the time, people ask; "What are you going to do if you hook one way back there?"  My answer is always; "I'll figure that out when I get one."  I know I'm not the only one who does this, but it always surprises me when people don't even try to get into these areas.  Earlier today I read an article that explains exactly how I feel.  It was written by Penny Berryman, who is the Roland Martin of Women's Bass Fishing.  The article is called "Conquering Fear" and can be seen here.  One of the biggest things I took from the article is how she said "learn to conquer that fear of getting hung up.  Besides, you aren't fishing properly, if you aren't losing a few lures along the way."  Think about this next time you are hesitating to pitch into that huge pile of sticks.  That's where the fish are.  Don't be scared.

Read more! Share

What's Your Favorite Lipless Crank?

I have been talking to some of my buddies and hear they are really starting to catch them on a lipless crankbait down here in Florida.  My next two tournaments are on great lakes for throwing a trap, Okeechobee and Walk-in-Water.  I just picked up a few of the Spro Aruku Shad Jr in my secret colors.  I think this bait is probably my favorite, or at least the one I throw the most.  I also really like the Strike King Red Eye Shad and the Lucky Craft LV 500's as well as the Accent Koza Shad.  I'm not partial to any one brand as they all seem to have their place in my arsenal.  What is your favorite lipless crankbait and why?

Read more! Share

A New Way to Shaky

One of my go to techniques is definitely the shaky head.  I throw it anytime I need to get a bite when the fishing is tough.  It always come through for me.  I have used every brand you can think of and haven't found one that's perfect for all applications.  Some have the screw (which I like), some don't.  Some come with a collar, some without.  Some have a thin of a hook, and some the hook are just too small.  I just came across a new brand, Moaner Hooks.  They make a few different types of hooks, but I was really drawn to the Stiffy Jig model.  The hook is much more like the extra wide gap hooks I love, and they have a screw.  The head is a stand-up design but looks like it will do well in grass.  You can read more about the Stiffy Jig and order from the site by clicking here.

Read more! Share

The Forgotten Rico by Lobina Lures

I was just checking the Lobina Lures website and was reminded of how great the Rico was back in the day when I started fishing tournaments on Lake Mead.  This was the bait and everyone was throwing them in the late 90's.  The baits are ultra premium and every thing about them is top quality; the hooks, finish, even the feathered trailer looks like a piece of art.  They cost more than your average popper, but as they always say: you get what you pay for.  I still have two of them, a  Bone colored Rico and an all clear Rio Rico.  The clear worked great when the bass were busting shad. I think I'm going to start throwing them again.  Check out the entire lineup and all of the beautiful colors at lobinalures.com.

Read more! Share

Fisherman Catches a Coyote....Really...I'm Serious

I saw this posted on Facebook and had to check out the whole story.  A Wisconsin man caught a coyote while he was fishing...I'm serious.  Check out the entire story here.  The way he describes it is pretty funny, his buddy "asked what I was smoking when I told him what I caught." I think that would be my reaction too.  He caught it on a Snag Proof Phat Frog.  Like I keep telling everyone, these baits catch EVERYTHING.  

Read more! Share

Why You Need to Start Punchin'

I'm counting down the days until I fish Lake Okeechobee again.  I have a BFL Tournament there on September 11th and I'm really excited for two reasons; one I'm leading the points, and two I have some new Punchin' weights to try out.  The Miller's Punch Weight is taking California Delta bass by storm, and Lake Okeechobee has a bunch of similar water.  The weight has a unique design that will get through any grass you try to punch.  It has a pointed end that drives through anything and brings the bait with it.  This video shows it in action.  By the way, True Bass TV has some great videos.

Read more! Share

Best Bass Lure for Summer?

Summers Best Bass Lure? This Pro Likes Floating Frogs

thefishingwire.com

Twenty years ago when other bass tournament anglers kept beating him regularly by fishing floating plastic frogs, Ish Monroe decided he'd better learn to use one, too, if he wanted to survive in the sport. Today, the Yamaha Pro is considered one of the best frog fishermen in America, and in the process he's changed many of the established "rules" about how and when to fish the popular hollowbodied lures.

"Floating frogs have become my favorite lures, and while I first learned to use them on the California Delta where heavy vegetation is common, I also began using them in tournament competition on different types of water all across the United States," explains Monroe, who in 2010 fished both the FLW® Tour and Bassmaster® Elite Series events, "and the first thing I realized is that these lures are a lot more versatile than we realized.

Read More

Read more! Share

The InvisaSwivel in Action

If you aren't familiar with the InvisaSwivel, check out my video product review I did today. I was able to do a little fishing with it in my backyard canal and it worked great on my drop-shot and Carolina rig. Here it is:

Read more! Share

Making Your Own Lures

I have been doing some research lately on building some of my own baits. I have tied jigs in the past and loved doing it. I am thinking of branching out into pouring lead jigs, making custom plastics and even airbrushing some hardbaits. I found some great sites today. One of them is tackleunderground.com, a forum based site that answers any question you could ever think of for making lures. The other site is called makelure.com, and is hosted by Larry Dahlberg (host of"The Hunt for Big Fish"). With the materials he is using, it looks like you can make anything. Check out this video.

Read more! Share

Bassmaster Northern Open Day Two

Photo: Larry Towell Bassmaster.com

Today was Day 2 of the Bassmaster Northern Open on the Detroit River (and Erie and St. Clair). These guys caught some serious smallmouth today. I badly want to fish up there. The leader has over 47 pounds for his best ten fish. Almost a five pound average is awesome, especially when they are smallies. The field is stacked with a bunch of Elite Series guys (Jeremy Starks 11th, Kevin Short 23rd, Randy Howell 26th, Jason Quinn 29th, Timmy Horton 43rd, Ish 46th, Gerald Swindle 50th...and many more). Alot of FLW names are also fishing (Art Ferguson 4th, Chip Harrison 13th, Brent Ehrler 36th, David Walker 37th, Nate Wellman 39th). I am impressed with the quality of the smallmouths, I wish I was out there in the waves catching these fish. My buddy James Castillo finished 66th, ahead of guys like Fred Roumbanis, Chris Lane, Scott Rook and Forrest Wood Cup winner Kevin Hawk. Good job James!

Read more! Share