Some of the best tips are those providing a simple approach for creating innovative solutions to problems...
This video on "tricking out your swim jig" shows a very interesting method to modify a standard swim jig using the same technique we do when adding trailer hooks to spinnerbaits and buzzbaits but...
Rather than just adding a hook however, a blade and swivel is added letting you create your own spin jig from materials you have in your box...
Now that you have seen how to make your own swim jig spinner rig, you can adapt it to any jig or even a spinnerbait or chatterbait for that matter ;)
Changing water temperatures and sunlight intensity/duration strongly influence environmental conditions present in all water bodies throughout the year. Since bass as well other game-fish are cold-blooded creatures, evolving environments result in changes to the habitats game-fish and their forage in response to the surrounding environment...
Just think about the changes occurring in your local fishing holes throughout the season. Vegetation growth explodes from spring until late summer then dies off as water temperature and sunlight steadily decreases as winter approaches...
Lots of new anglers get confused when they hear terms thrown about; terms like finesse versus power fishing…
In reality these two approaches are polar opposites requiring different lures and presentations to be successful…
In the following video, B.A.S.S. Elite Series Pro, Mike “Ike” Iaconelli talks about the difference between the two and the types of presentations used by power fishermen…
Fast moving baits like big spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits are often associated with power fishing.
Ike also describes how big, heavy jigs can also be effective due to the fall rate and disturbance when ripped along the bottom!
According to Ike, I guess jigs are for power fishing too!
Many bass fishermen have been throwing minnow baits for instance Rogues and XPS Minnows since their first days of bass fishing. Though initially designed as either a floating or sinking bass bait, many savvy angler almost instantly figured out a little adjustment to these jerkbaits produces a bait that can be more effectively fished at intervening depths.
Once tweaked, the enhanced jerkbaits would then either ascend much more slowly or sometimes suspend at depth (if they were fortunate enough to get the weight balance in-tune).
Even though the alteration gave an answer to the intervening depth suspension issue, it was less than a perfect solution. The modification process was conducted by trial and error. Often times the jerkbait was destroyed during adjustment. Usually a costly undertaking in time and money!
Fishing from a kayak offers all bass anglers a multitude of advantages over other types of fishing. It allows us to first get on the water, even onto water bodies larger rigs can’t get into. Fishing from low profile boats like kayaks, canoes, float tubes, etc., also allows us a stealthy approach to sensitive areas often enabling us to catch bass others miss…
Even with all the advantages kayak fishing provides, there is one area that becomes more difficult when either sitting or even standing in kayak (not to mention other small boats)… casting!
Considering the change to casting mechanics from the sitting position or potential interference issues from gear placement (tackle crates, other rods, etc.), casting from a kayak (or many other small boats) definitely takes some getting used too!
So why not take a moment to watch this video as kayak fishing pro, Chad Hoover provides some great tips to help solve any casting issues you may encounter on your next trip…
A Detailed Guide to Crankbait Fishing For Bass
By Steven Vonbrandt
When it comes to fishing crankbaits, there are always a million questions, with just about as many answers. Some of the common questions of what kind, what colors, when and where to use them, are going to be answered in this guide. There will always be new products and new ideas that may or may not work, but hopefully the following guide will give you the answers to most of the questions that are constantly being asked by the beginner to the advanced angler.
“WHAT ARE CRANKBAITS?”
There are as many manufacturers of crankbaits as there are colors. Some of the more popular makers of crankbaits are Luhr Jensen, Mann’s,Bomber, Storm, Berkley, Bill Lewis, Rapala, Lucky Craft and Rebel. There are of course, many more, including hundreds of custom made crankbaits by individuals and smaller companies.
Crankbaits are minnow imitating lures, that float and/or
Anytime bass are moving from deep water to the shallows, they will stop at key transition areas like secondary points, rock piles or any type of wood along their path to feed…
Since these transitional bass are actively feeding during
