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Friday, June 29, 2012
How About 780 bass in 7 days
You probably don't believe the numbers but thats what a trip to Kishkutens Lake in Ontario Canada produced. My fishing partner Ron Jurcy and myself fished about 10 hours a day for seven days and boated 780 small mouth bass and 18 muskies.
This is one of the smaller Muskies that I boated. The thrill was increased by the fact that we were using small crank baits without wire since we were fishing for bass. I lost several cranks but also boated great fish.
This is one of the average smallmouth bass that we caught. They were not all this large, some larger and some smaller.The middle of the day still turned out to be the best fishing times as shown by the chart below which plots all of the fish by the time of day that they were caught.
I learned a couple of new things about the smallmouth bass. They seem to bite best where the shorelines are in the shade and they get a little excited when the wind blows waves up against the rocks. All the bass were caught with crank baits although I tried other lures. I have retired the lure shown below because by itself it caught more than 200 bass.
This is the third time I have fished Kishkutena Lake and every thime it has gotten better. I can't imagine that it can get much better than this.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Striper Absence Causing Lake Transition
I don't know if any of you have noticed lately, but the fish behavior in Lake Norman seems to have changed this spring. The bass are not located in the same places that they traditionally move into in the spring after the spawn, and they seem to be seeking different water depths than normal. Crappie are plentiful but again they seem to be in non traditional places. Catfish are plentiful but due to the sping spawn, the big ones are up river and the small ones are biting hard. During the months of April, May and June, I can normally depend on a bass catch rate of about 4 per hour, but this year its down to less than 2 per hour.
The only unusual occurances this year are the high water and the unusually warm winter, warming the water earlier than normal. I have a theory and it involves the Stripers, or absence of them. Stripers normally raise havoc with the bait fish during the colder fall and winter months, moving up and down the main and side channels on a regular basis each day. Nature has given the small bait fiah and other fish the capability to sense this movement and do whatever is necessary to avoid being caught and eaten. Over the years, these smaller fish have developed the habit of avoiding the Striper whenever possible.
Now, the war is over, there are no more striper schools moving throughout the lake in search of food and the small fish are sensing this and changing their behavior. Small bait fish can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures, but when being chased constantly, they worry more about their location than they do their comfort. Now with no stripers, they can move into the waters that give them the most comfort, so we are finding the bait fish a little deeper than we normally see them, where the water is slightly cooler. All of the predators, of course will follow the food chain and go to the deeper water.
I have also noticed that the bass are not quite as agressive as they have been on their bites. I believe that there is an over abundance of bait fish in the lake and all the other fish are eating at will without having to be very agressive. The fish that we are catching are bigger than usuall, but they seem more willing to avoid a good meal when presented to them with a hook attached.
The high spring water has also had an effect. Much more food has been washed into the lake with all of the associated nutrients that go along with that, and we have also had higher than normal rainfall.
Because of all of this I believe that the lake and all of the fish in it are in transition, waiting for the normal things to happen again. The stripers of course are gone and it will years before they return, Until then us fishermen will have to adjust our fishing techniques and perhaps our appetites, until the agressive fishing returnes again.
I always try to make comparisons to human behavior when studing the fish and there are similarities here. Think about the people who live in parts of the Middle East, Since they were born there has been war of one type or another. They live in that environment and they adjust their daily movements and life style based on what they have known all of their lives. If suddenly there was complete peace there, no more bombs, no more killing etc., don't you think the first thing that would happen would be confusion. Everyone would have to behave differently, they would adopt new habits and perhaps a new culture, but the transition would take time. Many would not be able to adjust and would continue their normal routines, but most, especially the young would start to change and over time a new "normal" would be established and a new daily life style would be created. The time frames might be different but I believe that this is what is happening in Lake Norman.In time we will begin to figure out how the fish behavior has changed and we will adjust to accomodate that change, just in time for the new crop of adult stripers to return. And the cycle of life goes on.
The only unusual occurances this year are the high water and the unusually warm winter, warming the water earlier than normal. I have a theory and it involves the Stripers, or absence of them. Stripers normally raise havoc with the bait fish during the colder fall and winter months, moving up and down the main and side channels on a regular basis each day. Nature has given the small bait fiah and other fish the capability to sense this movement and do whatever is necessary to avoid being caught and eaten. Over the years, these smaller fish have developed the habit of avoiding the Striper whenever possible.
Now, the war is over, there are no more striper schools moving throughout the lake in search of food and the small fish are sensing this and changing their behavior. Small bait fish can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures, but when being chased constantly, they worry more about their location than they do their comfort. Now with no stripers, they can move into the waters that give them the most comfort, so we are finding the bait fish a little deeper than we normally see them, where the water is slightly cooler. All of the predators, of course will follow the food chain and go to the deeper water.
I have also noticed that the bass are not quite as agressive as they have been on their bites. I believe that there is an over abundance of bait fish in the lake and all the other fish are eating at will without having to be very agressive. The fish that we are catching are bigger than usuall, but they seem more willing to avoid a good meal when presented to them with a hook attached.
The high spring water has also had an effect. Much more food has been washed into the lake with all of the associated nutrients that go along with that, and we have also had higher than normal rainfall.
Because of all of this I believe that the lake and all of the fish in it are in transition, waiting for the normal things to happen again. The stripers of course are gone and it will years before they return, Until then us fishermen will have to adjust our fishing techniques and perhaps our appetites, until the agressive fishing returnes again.
I always try to make comparisons to human behavior when studing the fish and there are similarities here. Think about the people who live in parts of the Middle East, Since they were born there has been war of one type or another. They live in that environment and they adjust their daily movements and life style based on what they have known all of their lives. If suddenly there was complete peace there, no more bombs, no more killing etc., don't you think the first thing that would happen would be confusion. Everyone would have to behave differently, they would adopt new habits and perhaps a new culture, but the transition would take time. Many would not be able to adjust and would continue their normal routines, but most, especially the young would start to change and over time a new "normal" would be established and a new daily life style would be created. The time frames might be different but I believe that this is what is happening in Lake Norman.In time we will begin to figure out how the fish behavior has changed and we will adjust to accomodate that change, just in time for the new crop of adult stripers to return. And the cycle of life goes on.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Whats Happening to Common Courtesy?
I spend a lot of time on the water, fishing and gathering information for my books. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't find myself getting irritated by other boaters or personal watercraft operators who seem to feel that when they are operating a craft, everyone else must give way to them. I have learned to tolerate this lack of consideration for others most of the time but on holidays like this one, the level of ignorance reaches dangerous heights. Add to the problem a hot summer day with bright sun and some alcohol and you have the formula for desaster.
What in the world has happened to intelligent people having common courtesy for their fellow man. Has the "me" generation really taken over our national culture? I understand that when I was young I was taught to open doors for women and people older than I was, and that has now dissappeared. Those habits that change with time are understandable to me because they have always been a sign of progress as the generations move forward. But a total lack of consideration for other people, in favor of doing whatever makes one happy, will never settle in my head.
I have had young people speed by my boat while I was fishing, and they actually cheered because they came so close to my boat that they cut my fishing lines. I had one man in a sailboat cut accross the rear of my boat, hooking my lines and pulling my rods overboard, and then claimed that he had the right to do that because he was not under power. Sail boats indeed do have the right of way when not under power, but that does not apply when the sail boat is to your rear.
I have on occasion blamed the problem on the youth of many of the boaters, but I have witnessed many times, a boat load of young people with an adult driving, doing very dangerous things. Showing a bad example in this way is part of the problem. If it's good for the adults then it's good for all the kids.
Unfortunately I do not have the solution to this problem. Requiring safety courses for all boat and watercraft operators would apear to be a partial solution, but then there is the problem of enforcement. On large water bodies, enforcement is nearly impossible. Unfortunately I believe that this is simply an example of the direction that our American society is moving and it is not a direction that I like. I have decided that the only thing that I can do is try to continue to set an example for the young people and try to find ways to make that example stand out so it is noticed. Perhaps if we all try we can make some progress toward a more compassionate future generation.
What in the world has happened to intelligent people having common courtesy for their fellow man. Has the "me" generation really taken over our national culture? I understand that when I was young I was taught to open doors for women and people older than I was, and that has now dissappeared. Those habits that change with time are understandable to me because they have always been a sign of progress as the generations move forward. But a total lack of consideration for other people, in favor of doing whatever makes one happy, will never settle in my head.
I have had young people speed by my boat while I was fishing, and they actually cheered because they came so close to my boat that they cut my fishing lines. I had one man in a sailboat cut accross the rear of my boat, hooking my lines and pulling my rods overboard, and then claimed that he had the right to do that because he was not under power. Sail boats indeed do have the right of way when not under power, but that does not apply when the sail boat is to your rear.
I have on occasion blamed the problem on the youth of many of the boaters, but I have witnessed many times, a boat load of young people with an adult driving, doing very dangerous things. Showing a bad example in this way is part of the problem. If it's good for the adults then it's good for all the kids.
Unfortunately I do not have the solution to this problem. Requiring safety courses for all boat and watercraft operators would apear to be a partial solution, but then there is the problem of enforcement. On large water bodies, enforcement is nearly impossible. Unfortunately I believe that this is simply an example of the direction that our American society is moving and it is not a direction that I like. I have decided that the only thing that I can do is try to continue to set an example for the young people and try to find ways to make that example stand out so it is noticed. Perhaps if we all try we can make some progress toward a more compassionate future generation.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Advice For Beginner Fishermen and Women
There are a growing number of adults and youngsters alike that have never had any exposure to the excitement of freshwater fishing. Each month when I deliver my fishing lectures, someone always appears from the group in attendence, that has had no fishing experience and is lost for a direction to take getting started. "How do I get started" is always their first question.They are often surprised by my answer.
I start by telling them not to start by purchasing a lot of expensive equipment. Fishing can become an expensive sport, but it should not start out that way. My second piece of advice, offered in a joking manner but intended to be serious, buy one of my books and read it cover to cover and see if this is what you would like to try. The third piece of advice sometimes surpises people, invest a small amount of money to hire a fishing guide for a few hours of controlled fishing. This will offer the opportunity to try the various techniques offered by the guide, and also see first hand the type of equipment that he uses for the waters being fished.
If, after all of this, you still want to move forward, buy yourself a spinning rod and reel combination for less than $35. Get a few hooks and bobbers and some worms and try to find a small farm pond where you can sit on the bank and catch some sunfish or an occasional bass. Since these ponds are getting harder to find these days, you may have to go to a public access area of a local lake and try the same fishing technique. As you grow accustomed to this simple fishing technique, you will be in a better position to decide how far you want to dive into the sport of fishing. If you still like it, you can then buy another of my books to take you deeper into the different fishing techniques available to you.
Fishing is a great family participation sport.You don't have to be an athlete to participate, it includes a competitive element that brings fun to all participants, and it gets everyong outdoors and away from the computers and TV for a few hours of constructive fun. Try it you may like it.
I start by telling them not to start by purchasing a lot of expensive equipment. Fishing can become an expensive sport, but it should not start out that way. My second piece of advice, offered in a joking manner but intended to be serious, buy one of my books and read it cover to cover and see if this is what you would like to try. The third piece of advice sometimes surpises people, invest a small amount of money to hire a fishing guide for a few hours of controlled fishing. This will offer the opportunity to try the various techniques offered by the guide, and also see first hand the type of equipment that he uses for the waters being fished.
If, after all of this, you still want to move forward, buy yourself a spinning rod and reel combination for less than $35. Get a few hooks and bobbers and some worms and try to find a small farm pond where you can sit on the bank and catch some sunfish or an occasional bass. Since these ponds are getting harder to find these days, you may have to go to a public access area of a local lake and try the same fishing technique. As you grow accustomed to this simple fishing technique, you will be in a better position to decide how far you want to dive into the sport of fishing. If you still like it, you can then buy another of my books to take you deeper into the different fishing techniques available to you.
Fishing is a great family participation sport.You don't have to be an athlete to participate, it includes a competitive element that brings fun to all participants, and it gets everyong outdoors and away from the computers and TV for a few hours of constructive fun. Try it you may like it.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Alabama Rig--Good or Bad ?
There is a good deal of controversy about the emergence of the Alabama Rig for bass fishing. The configuration of this rig has actually been around for years and was called the Umbrella Rig, a name that still exists for that configuration. The Umbrella Rig was and still is used for deep water trolling and was designed to create an image to the fish, of a small school of bait fish swimming along in unison.The Alabama Rig is simply a smaller version of the Umbrella Rig with shorted rig arms and a resulting lighter weight. This smaller version permits the rig to be used as a casting rig, not just for trolling. One version of the Alabama Rig is shown below.
The controversy that has developed results from the existance of 5 different hooks that have been causing injuries to the fish as they tangle in the rig when attacking it. Some professional fishing organizations are also banning the use of this rig in tournaments because they feel it takes some of the sporting challenge away. Regardless of the controversy, this rig does indeed catch fish.
I have not been a big fan of the Alabama Rig for two main reasons. First, as a casting rig, it is heavy and requires heavier equipment for its use.Repeated use as a casting rig easily tires the fisherman. Also as a casting rig, its weight makes control of the rig difficult, especially in shallow water. My main complaint as a trolling rig is its cost and ease with which it is hooked up and lost. When completely outfitted with jigs and plastic bait attached, the cost is close to $20, which is very expensive for most non-professional fishermen. To help reduce loss of this rig, I have done some testing and constructed a chart that shows the relationship between the boat speed when trolling, and the depth that the rig sinks at different boat speeds. This will help a fisherman keep the rig far enough off the bottom to prevent loss of the rig. There will of course be some variations in the numbers based on the size and type of jigs and plastic bait used. For my tests I used 1/8 ounce jig heads and three inch plastic minnows. The chart that I developed is shown below.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
A Couple of Favorite Stories
You would think that being a writer of four books, I would have a million stories to tell that would be of interest to everyone. The problem is that my books are not stories and usually do not contain stories unless they relate to the instruction that I am giving. A couple do however come to mind.
When Mac Byrum and I were researching for our latest book "The Catfish Hunters", we made a special trip to The James River in Virginia. This was to be a night fishing trip and we were after a big fish, hopefully a personal best for both of us.We used large bait because we didn't want to be bothered by the smaller catfish.We had flown to Richmond in my plane as we had many times before, and by the time we started fishing, Mac was getting a little sleepy. He decided to go up front on the deck of the boat to take a small nap.It was my turn to watch the rods and take the next fish that hit the lines.
Mac was sound asleep when the rod closest to his head suddenly went down hard with a big fish. The bite was so fierce that it woke Mac and he instinctively grabbed the rod and started to retrieve the monster fish.Having caught many big catfish before Mac knew that this was a big one, but the reel was jammng and it was nearly impossible to make an effecient retrieve. Using all of his skills, Mac managed to land the fish and it was indeed his personal best 56.5 pound blue catfish. After the fish was weighed and photografhed, Mac let the fish go and went back to sleep, but not before saying, "Jake you can have the next one"
The other fishing story that I have told many time is short. We had been fishing in a remote lake in Ontario Canada. The fishing was great all week and on the last day of a seven day trip, the fish suddenly stopped biting in both boats at exactly noon. We fished the rest of the day but neither boat got a bite after noon.
We talked about this strange phinominon at dinner that night but never could decide why the fish stopped biting after being active all week. We went to bed about 10pm and no sooner had we rested our heads, when there was a tremendous roar and our remote cabin was struck be a tornado. It all happened so fast that we hardly knew what was going on when about 10 minutes later, the same roar again and a second tornado struck, just a few feet away from the first one. Maybe we didn't understand why the fish stopped biting but the fish must have known something that we didn't know.
Thank God no one was hurt, but we did have a story that we have told over and over again. Nature does funny things.
When Mac Byrum and I were researching for our latest book "The Catfish Hunters", we made a special trip to The James River in Virginia. This was to be a night fishing trip and we were after a big fish, hopefully a personal best for both of us.We used large bait because we didn't want to be bothered by the smaller catfish.We had flown to Richmond in my plane as we had many times before, and by the time we started fishing, Mac was getting a little sleepy. He decided to go up front on the deck of the boat to take a small nap.It was my turn to watch the rods and take the next fish that hit the lines.
Mac was sound asleep when the rod closest to his head suddenly went down hard with a big fish. The bite was so fierce that it woke Mac and he instinctively grabbed the rod and started to retrieve the monster fish.Having caught many big catfish before Mac knew that this was a big one, but the reel was jammng and it was nearly impossible to make an effecient retrieve. Using all of his skills, Mac managed to land the fish and it was indeed his personal best 56.5 pound blue catfish. After the fish was weighed and photografhed, Mac let the fish go and went back to sleep, but not before saying, "Jake you can have the next one"
The other fishing story that I have told many time is short. We had been fishing in a remote lake in Ontario Canada. The fishing was great all week and on the last day of a seven day trip, the fish suddenly stopped biting in both boats at exactly noon. We fished the rest of the day but neither boat got a bite after noon.
We talked about this strange phinominon at dinner that night but never could decide why the fish stopped biting after being active all week. We went to bed about 10pm and no sooner had we rested our heads, when there was a tremendous roar and our remote cabin was struck be a tornado. It all happened so fast that we hardly knew what was going on when about 10 minutes later, the same roar again and a second tornado struck, just a few feet away from the first one. Maybe we didn't understand why the fish stopped biting but the fish must have known something that we didn't know.
Thank God no one was hurt, but we did have a story that we have told over and over again. Nature does funny things.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Watching The Rods..A Guard Dog
I couldn't resist taking this picture the other day while fishing with a relative. The fish were biting and it wasn't long until this pup decided to do his part standing guard over the rods, waiting for a bite. The bite did come but the dogs owner just couldn't resist bringing it in himself.
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