A TOUGH TRAVIS—HOOAH!

th 2011 found ArmyBassAnglers

Pros Randy Sitz and Ron Seevers on Lake

Travis fishing the 1

st Central Bass Champs

tournament of the year. Randy and Ron

had a decent practice two weeks before

and were excited that the weather

forecast for the tournament was nearly

the same during practice. The team had

a 30 min run down to the main lake,

where they had success during practice,

in their

Returning Heroes Home

wrapped

excited not see any other competitors in

the area. As they eased into their fishing

area they noticed a lot of bait fish surface activity, even a few blow ups now and

then. They were both throwing a

Skeeter ZX250. Both wereVictory Tackle (Thumper) vibrating jig with a

Lake Fork Tackle Live Magic shad

technique was loading the boat 2 weeks earlier. The 733 is an awesome all

around rod for spinner baits and vibrating jigs; sensitive with a fast tip but meaty

backbone. They would only catch one two pounder in two hours in this area.

They decided to switch to spinner baits (Travis special) and picked up another 2

pounder. Both fish came out of 4 to 6 feet of water with deeper water very nearby.

After another couple of hours, they went to a deep rocky point and Randy

caught a nice two and half pounder on a drop shot rig with a

Hyper finesse worm

has,” stated Randy. The team spent the rest of their time trying to put two more

bass in the boat but ran out of time. They would end up with a little over six and

½ lbs on a very tough Lake Travis. “The fish didn’t respond today like they did 2

weeks ago. The sun never really came out today and I think that really hurt our

as a trailer on a 733 Dobyns Rods. ThisLake Fork Tackle. “You can’t beat the action that the hyper finesse worms

bite,” stated Ron. The team had great time fishing and spreading the

Support.Defend.Fish mission statement for ArmyBassAnglers.

185 Teams would compete with $48,100.00 paid out. Total number of fish

brought to the scales was 486 with an avg weight of 2.18 lbs. 55 Team would

bring in a limit with 54 teams competing for the conservation bonus. For

individual standings visit

http://www.blogger.com/goog_1499124118

=team&yearSelected=2011

HOOAH!

Jan 29

Punching Mats

Over the last few years punch skirts have come into the bass fishing world with a vengeance.  The punch skirt is designed so you can cast into the heavy cover bass like to hide in during the summer months.  The punch skirt has swept across America from California where they are used to punch through the heavy mats on the California Delta.

The Anatomy of a punch rig

The punch skirt is really part of a punch rig.  The rig starts with a bobber stopper or weight peg.  Then comes a large bullet weight, the weight is usually 1 once or more, followed by your punch skirt, then a flipping hook.  Beaver style bait is usually Texas rigged.  I use an Atomic Tackle Company punch bomb which comes with your bullet weight and skirt.  I use a Trokar flipping hook.  The hook has a keeper barb at the top which helps keep the plastic in place and saves you plastics.  The surgically sharpened hook gives me better hook ups with less force.  I top it off with a Biffle Bug.

Gear

When using a punch skirt rig you want a strong rod.  One problem anglers find is that there flipping rod does not work effectively for punching heavy mats.  The Bub's Punch Rod by iRod is made for punching mats.  The rod has a fast tip but the straight of a flipping stick.  I use a Quantum Code Baitcaster with a 7:1 gear ratio.  I like the 7:1 it helps me get the fish out of the heavy cover quickly.  Some guys like a lower gear ratio, but I stick with the 7:1 for the quick line retrieve.  I use 65 pound Vicious braid.  Braid has no stretch so when you set the hook you have no worries of damaging the line plus braided line will help cut thru those thick mats.

How it works

Punch skirts are designed to make any soft plastic a jig.  The punch skirt gives a Texas rigged soft plastic more bulk.  The punch skirt being separate from the hook makes the action different from a jig in the fact that the hook, weight and skirt are separate.  When the bait falls you get more action from your soft plastic because it can move side to side unlike a jig.  Also because you can Texas rig your soft plastic it makes the rig weed less so you can put the rig in any kind of grass mats.   

How to fish it

When fishing the Atomic Tackle Company punch bomb I flip or better yet toss the bait into the air.  The idea behind the rig is that you toss it up and when it comes down it punches thru the matted grass you are fishing.  So I flip the bait into the grass mats.  You want to let the punch bomb fall on a controlled slack line.  This way you can feel if a bass picks it up on the fall.  If this happens you want to reel down and set the hook.  If you do not get a bite on the fall let the bait hit the bottom.  Hope the bait once or twice.  Because the rig is weed less you can work it back thru the grass, hopping it as you come or you can work it like you a pitching your bait.  If you work the bait as if you are pitching it pull the bait from the grass and make another cast.

Where to fish

When look for a place to start on a lake with a large amount of matted grass one came feel over whelmed.  I start by first looking for points or inside turns (which is opposite of a point) in the grass.  You want to look for irregular features within the grass beds.  Another productive spot to look for is where to different types of grass meet.  Some of the best grass beds are close to deep water.  Matted grass produces bass more during the middle of the day.  Wear as the weed edge produces bass better early and late in the day.

Other Options

The punch rig also makes a great follow up bait when fishing a hollow belly frog over matted grass of lily pads.  If you get a short strike on a frog, quickly reel in the frog and pitch the punch rig to the spot of the blow up and let the punch rig sink.  A lot of times a bass will try and stun or kill a frog and circle back to eat its prey as it sinks to the bottom.  The Punch rig gives you a big profile like your hollow belly frog.  If you get to the bottom with no strike, hope the punch rig once or twice.  If there is still no bite reel in the punch rig and continue throwing the frog.

So the next time you are out fishing think about fishing that matted grass.  With the right tackle and gear you might just be able to pull a hog from that stuff.  Remember the tips I have shared with you and you should have a hog in no time.

Mental successis the road to being the best!

When we experience the results we desire, we feel happy and good about ourselves. However, the tendency becomes that we fail to replicate that success when we set our next goal. The reason for this is due to inconsistency in that the same power and drive to achieve the first goal is not present in the second goal. This signifies a lack of mastery.

Therefore, in order to achieve the best every time, we need to put the same amount of resources into the goal, in terms of intention and the correct way of "doing and acting". This will make winning not a one time event, but an all time event and occurrence. Below you will find some guidelines that will help you to become a champion in whatever you do, to thus stand above everyone as a genius:

1. The reason why we fail to replicate our mental success, is because we are not sure of the factors that have created that success in the first place.

Therefore, we must educate ourselves as to what creates mental success. When we are not sure, we live in uncertainty and can never have maximum faith. When we are sure, we simply need to follow the correct sequence and success is therefore guaranteed.

2. You must learn from all of your successes and all of your failures.

When you look back at what you did right or wrong in a situation, you will know what works and what doesn't. From here, you can begin to replace your old habits with habits which are in tune with the successful way of doing things. So you need to learn to cut down the elements of an event and see what was right and what was wrong in it, and learn from those elements.

3. You need to set the intention that you will realise that the best is already within you.

The best that you can be is the best. In relation to other people, this will be the best in the world. And this realisation will become apparent to you, when you have acquired the knowledge of why you are the best with exact magnitude. You can achieve anything you want, but you first must be open minded to that possibility. Simply being open-minded to this thinking will put your life in a completely different trajectory which will allow your dreams to come true.

4. A genius intends to win in every situation.

You must therefore intend to be a winner that wins everytime. As you intend, so shall it become. So keep that intention up. Eventually, you will know every factor that creates or holds back success and be able to use them with elegance and ease. This will allow you to create a win simply on your intention, and it is indicative of true mental mastery

5. You will become what you intend.

What you intend, is what you have planted on firm soil through the power of intention. (see Using The Power of Intention)

6. You need to believe that you already have it.

Having is receiving. Achieving mastery is not about chasing after the goal and trying to reach it, as this will lead to failure. It is not you who is in charge of your life. It is the unconscious mind which sets the foundation for your life. You need to allow It to come through and give you what you want, and this is through believing that you already have it.

7. When you believe that you are the best that you can be, you think and create the best.

We simply need to access it by connecting with its nature. The unconscious mind holds the key to all mental powers you need and is the best, and therefore you must believe that you are the best as well, because you have an unconscious mind within you too. This will allow us to connect with the unconscious mind and use its power. The result will be that you will be able to think and create the best.

What To Expect

When you are on the road to mastery, you will have a greater impression and realisation of what these secrets truly mean. Until them, simply acting and doing things in the way above will pave the road to allow you to properly understand it. Only then can you begin to truly refine your mindset towards mastery. Apply these steps now and reap the rewards in your life.

If your goal is to become the greatest Bass Angler in the World, it is only attainable threw these tried and true steps of unleashing your subconscious mind and doing so we must understand in the realm world of the linguistics that is rapidly accelerating in Pro sports of any kind and especially Bass Angling we must not rely on one scenario of Bass angling but have a solid foundation and the skills to fall back on if such one scenario fails and without a solid foundation of these skills one is dead in the water!... So think of these step day in and day out and with the burning desire to win and become one of the best there ever was within your Sport of Bass Angling! I know i am!....So Tight Lines, Bent Rods, and Ripping Drags and See You on the water!

P.S. You won't ever catch me when i have my game on, Dock Talking...It only shows lack of confidence and abilities of
my coveted goal, of becoming one of the best there ever was!

BY: Gordon Holman

Follow up to "Was the Classic Unsafe" and Dave Wolak's Take

I had a post yesterday called “Was the Classic unsafe?”  I talked about the anglers using the new Lowrance Radar, and perhaps relying on it far too much.  My friend Tyler weighed in on the subject as well with his post “A Foggy Situation”. 

I had the chance today to talk with an angler who was in the Classic and made those long runs to Venice on day one and two.  Dave Wolak was one of the anglers without the radar.  He runs Humminbird electronics and did not have the option, like those running Lowrance products. 

Dave told me he trusted his eye over the radar, even if he had the radar he would not have blown thru the fog.  When he got to fog he either idled thru it or went at plowing speed (10 to 12 mph).  When he came to a clearing he would take off until he reached a spot covered in fog again.

Dave told me: “long runs are always a calculated risk. That being said, I knew I may encounter fog and have to go slow. It’s the subjectivity of the call in the morning. If I am released and encounter fog that is unsafe to travel in anyway, then what is the difference....the difference is that I could have idles half way to Venice in that time. Also, that the area the winner was in would not have been beaten by Venice in that particular window of time no matter what time I or other competitors had down in Venice.... and how the stars alligned for the winning location and strategy was just unbeatable.....it’s just a different caliber and strain of fish there and when they are biting it's hard to beat from the river northern strain of Venice fish. But, total 8 hours of time in a tournament with the magnitude of the Classic I feel is essential. You have people qualifying from all over the world with complex strategies and all the competitors want is fairness across the board and objective rules that are not subject to "a call".

The biggest problem Dave pointed out with the fog delay was loss of time on the water.  On day two he had 40 minutes to fish and got five fish in that time.  Dave said as soon as number five hit the live well he was headed back.  He told me about day two more in-depth.  When he hit Venice the fog was so thick he didn’t think he could make it back for the weigh-in.  He told his marshal that if the fog did not lift he was going to make a call for his truck and pick him up there in Venice and call it a day.  He and the marshal with him could just fish for fun until his ride got there.  Soon things changed and fog began to lift, he got five keepers and though he could make it back.  The rest is history, he made it back didn’t make the cut and never got to fish day three.

Dave had some suggestions about what could have been done.  Everyone knew that fog is inevitable in the delta this time of year.  B.A.S.S. could have made take off time at 9:00 am when most of the fog burns off, moved the weigh-in time back which would have leveled the playing field for those making the long run. 

The time issue was a big deal this year.  I think Dave makes a great point.  What would have happened if the take off time had been moved back?   I want to leave you with this.  Radar is not the answer for  anglers to run fast down any body of water in fog.  Dave told me even if he had ten radars on his boat he would not have done that.  He would have used common sense and ran at a safe speed through the fog.  All anglers need to use are heads.

Anthony Smith lost his boat over the weekend on a body of water he knows very well when a log floating down stream struck his boat.  Radar would not have picked that up.  If fog had been added to the equation thing may have been worse.  Anthony may have lost his life not just a boat.

No matter how good the technology gets we need to make sure we use common sense and not always rely on the machines……I would hate to have to fight terminators someday!   

DROP SHOT RIG

Drop shot is an awesome technique for inshore, nearshore and the bays!
Probably the most popular freshwater technique in bass fishing today this is taking our local bays and nearshore areas by storm. It's a question we see a lot more of now than ever. Drop shotting is easy, fast and a great way to pick up multiple fish from a single area, it's also a way to find fish on tricky days when lockjaw seems to have infected the water around you.
The dropshot action drives bass wild and they are helpless to avoid attacking your baits. We recommend either a stick bait like the Senko or SaltShaker worm or something more fishy such as a fluke or minnow bait. Anything between 3" and 10" is fair game for the rig - just make sure to match your hook size and style to the bait. For small 3" baits an octopus wire hook will do the job, size 4 or so, but for larger or longer baits we shift to an extra wide gap Gamakatsu or similar in any size between 2/0 to 6/0. Generally fished on lighter tackle this is an excellent opportunity to dig out the spinning reels and use 6 lb or 8 lb test. In extreme situations you can up it to 10 lb but only if you really need to. Also, the bottom weight can be anywhere between 3/8oz to 5 or 6 oz depending on your depth, current and tides. Experiment! Practice!

The object of the game is to keep your weight on the bottom and your line tight while you provide jiggly jiggly action to the bait. You accomplish this by twitching your rod tip up and down, putting the slightest amount of slack into the line and snapping it back very quickly. If your weight isn't staying on the bottom easily or if it the current is pushing it around size up your weights. Local celebrity angler Scott "Fishtricks" Johnson will also advise you to stand up, put one hand on your hip, lean back and jiggle away while pretending to focus on something else. Eventually you'll reach down to grab a soda or move your gaff to another location and that's when you'll get bit. Works every time.

Kayaks provide a great opportunity to deadstick a dropshot bait as well. Because of our smaller hulls and lighter weight we move around a good deal more on the surface of the water than traditional boats. Tighten up a line and drop it in a rod holder and let the action of the swell and drift do the work. Saltwater bass aren't as picky or wily as their freshwater cousins and will pounce on this presentation quite readily. Just be ready to snatch up the rod and drive the hook home when it goes bendo!

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:
1.Decide on yoru hook size, bait and lead size
2.Tie your hook onto your line with a Palomar knot but leave a long tag end - 36" is safe
3.After you draw your Palomar knot tight your hook should point out and up as in the picture. If it does not (or even if it does) take the tag end and run it through the eye of the hook one more time from the front, pull down and this will put your hook into proper alignment.
4.Tie your weight onto the tag end at the desired length. It's better to start long and short the distance between the hook and the weight as you'll find yourself in trouble trying to go the other way. :)
5.Thread your bait on the hook with whichever method is appropriate (depending on hook style).
6.Catch fish.

BY: Anthony Smith

Double whammy!

There are some bass fishing techniques that people really seem to enjoy. I believe that one of those is topwater fishing. There is just something about a big bass exploding on your topwater bait that get your adrenalin going.  Topwater fishing is my favorite type of fishing. I  am sure that when the bass are biting that many anglers would agree that topwater fishing can be very exciting. One of my favorite lures to use on topwater is the Lucky Craft Sammy. I know that there are other brands that make very similar baits that can do the same trick, but I prefer the Lucky Craft Sammy for the action, the sound, and the reaction I get from the bass.

A couple of years ago I bought my first Sammy, it was ghost minnow color and a one knocker. I really did not know how to "walk the dog," but I had heard a lot about it. I needed and wanted to learn how to "walk the dog" and I really thought that it would be rewarding.
You need to have a decent rod, with good length and a fast tip. I use a 6'8" rod with a fast tip for my Sammy and walk the dog technique. The ideal size depends alot on you. The longer the rod, the better help you will have in tightening the line quickly when the bass hit, mostly needed for longer casts. Too long of a rod and you might have trouble trying to get the right motion on the rod and the bait for walking the dog.
I like to use monofilament line for topwater, since it floats on water and has more stretch to counter act my all to often quick reaction hooksets. I believe it is really important to use floating line to keep the action of the lure walking properly.
Once you have made a nice long cast, you can start making short twitches of the rod tip to make the bait walk. I prefer pointing the rod down toward the water when I twitch. Once you establish a nice rhythm with your twitches, make sure they are big enough movements to allow enough slack for the bait's nose to go side to side. Try not to get discouraged, this took me many hours of practice to master.
One cold fall morning, on the river near where I live, (Three Rivers, MI) I was working on this technique in particular. My oldest son came with me, and after about two hours of casting and reeling he decided he has had enough. He put his poles away and curled up on the bench seats to get out of the wind. Two and a half hours of trying to learn walk the dog with nothing to show for it.  Sure, I threw some crankbaits here and there. I happened to notice a spot of calm water, nestled next to some brush, protected by wind and current so I made a cast there when I twitched it once and boom, he hit it. The bass took it down and was tangled in a log. I had to maneuver my boat and position my rod to work him out. When he finally came up I realized that not just one, but TWO bass on my Sammy! My son woke up quickly, (with my sceaming, of course.) and grabbed the net and he netted the bass. That net must have weighed around eight or nine pounds with those bass in it!
Maybe A double hit doesn't happen very often, but you can learn to be successful while walking the dog. I was using a slow rhythm when I caught those bass, I have since learned to use a real fast rhythm, that would mimic fleeing baitfish. One should try different speeds and retrieves until you find what the bass are telling you. Keep lines tight. Fish with fury.
By:Joe Minor
Inside bass fishing
Pro staff

Product Review: Talon Lures Shibui Yana

Every so often, I do a review of a product and find an amazing lure I would almost rather keep a secret. One such bait is the Shibui Yana by Talon Lures.  The idea behind it is pretty cool, it's basically a swim jig and spinnerbait combined, with the biggest difference being the type of blade. It is a propeller type blade that is rigged like an inline spinner.  This is something very unique and I can honestly say I have never fished a bait like this.  

This type of design is popular in Japan, but until Talon lures released the Shibui Yana a few months ago, bass in America have been safe.  The design of the bait is what really makes it all come together.  The head is weighed with an offset design and the propeller blade creates flash and vibration.  I have had my best luck with the bait on a stop and go type retrieve.  When stopped, it slowly flashes as it falls.  When you start back with a fast retrieve it will dart side to side as it rights itself and picks up speed.  From my experience, this bait won't roll over no matter how fast you reel it.  I have also had success burning it just under the surface.

The components that make up the Shibui Yana are a complete package.  The hook is big (6/0) and very strong.  I was also very impressed with the lifelike head of the entire Shibui lineup (they also make a swim jig). There are some other small additions that I think are pretty cool, a V-Claw trailer keeper and wire wrapped skirt. While both of these things are minor, they are crucial to keep your trailer in place and to prevent the skirt from sliding down the hook.  It comes in 14 colors and in both 1/2 and 3/4 oz sizes.  So far my favorite has been a 1/2oz in the Sexy Shad color.  

To see the entire Talon Lures lineup, check out their website.

Also, don't forget to check them out on Facebook.

By: Tyler Brinks