Questions for Gordon

We at Inside Bass Fishing are always trying to find new ways to help our reader’s better anglers.  We have a new section for Inside Bass Fishing called “Questions for Gordon”.  Each week submit questions for Gordon by emailing Insidebassfishing@gmail.com.  They will be answered by Gordon.

Inside Bass Fishing Video

Simple color customization of your top water baits for smallmouth bass

I’m a huge fan of top water baits; All kinds of top water baits such as poppers, prop baits and walk-the-dog baits. If there’s a good top water bite on, you can be rest assured that I’ll be tossing one of these baits. In particular, prop baits and walk-the-dog baits are among my favorite lures. I typically don’t like to take a lot of time to customize top water baits because many are great right out of the box. That being said, I’m certainly not apposed to making simple modifications that will increase effectiveness.

Over the years, I’ve observed that some of my most effective top water color patterns have one thing in common. Regardless of the type of bait, the best producers have some shade of red on the underside of the lure. When shopping for top water baits, this has led to some frustrations. Sometimes the color patterns with red are sold out. Other times there’s a color pattern that I like but it has no red in it. Still other times I find a great top water bait with a unique action but the manufacturer does not offer a color pattern with red in it.

My solution? It’s pretty simple. When I get a new top water lure that I want to modify, I take a red sharpie and color a dot under the head of the bait. I always put the dot under the head. Smallmouth seem to lock in on the red dot and this results in more front treble hookups.

It is best to color the baits well in advance of fishing to allow for drying time. Sharpies work but the color eventually does come off. This is particularly true with plastic baits. Wood baits, on the other hand, hold the color much better. Another rather inexpensive option for coloring your baits is Do-It Quick Coat Pain Markers. This is definitely a more durable, permanent solution.

I don’t color all my top water baits. If I have 3 baits with the same pattern, I’ll usually only “red dot” one of the baits. Just in case, however, I have a red sharpie stowed in my gear for water-side modifications or in the event I need to touch up a bait. Remember to dry the bait thoroughly before touching it up.

Making simple color modifications to baits is certainly nothing new but I’m surprised a lot more anglers don’t do it. It only takes a few seconds and can help you put more smallmouth in the boat. In my mind, that’s a great trade off!

By: Gordon Holman

Skeet Reese Bait Caster Product Review

The Wright & McGill Victory Skeet Reese reel is the newest product in the line of Skeet Reese products.  The reel itself is the same kind that Skeet Reese himself uses when fishing tournaments.  They are affordably priced so the average angler can use the same reels that pros use.

The bait casters come in two gear ratios 6.2:1 and 7.0:1.  All the reels have 9+1 bearings and weigh 7.76 ounces.  They did this by giving the reel an aluminum frame which gives it durability.  Every Victory reel comes with a neoprene reel case. 

The reel itself is incredibly light, when I held it in my hand for the first time it almost felt like there was nothing there.  I matched the reel with a Skeet Reese 7ft crankbait rod.  I immediately noticed how much lighter the rod felt in my hand.  I used the rod all summer with a big name reel on it and it was slightly unbalanced and I felt it more and more as the day went on.  The Victory reel paired with the Skeet Reese rod was perfectly balanced and after using it for six straight hours I felt no arm fatigue. 

The reels are rated for 120 YDS/12 lb.  I spooled 12 pound fluorocarbon on the reel.  Each cast was smooth and I was surprised that I got more distance from each cast with the Victory reel than I had all summer.  The reel made smooth casts.  The oversized handle helped in reeling in the lure, it also came in handy when I landed a five pound bass that tried to hide under the rocks.  The handle gave me more torque for pulling the bass out of its hiding spot.

The only thing I disliked about the reel was the braking system.  It is housed inside the left side panel of the reel (Right handed models).  To adjust the brakes you had to open the panel.  Once you set the breaks on the reel for the lure you are fishing it’s not a big deal.  Also the more I used the reel the more I got used to the breaking system.

The Skeet Reese Victory reel retails for between 99.99 and 119.99.  The reels are priced right and perform well.  You cannot go wrong with these reels.  

BY: Chris McDonald