The Dean : Fishing Forum Posts

That's a great question! For me, every situation is a little different. Mostly I allow the jig to fall on a slackline so it moves quickly through the water column on its fall back down. This can trigger a lot of strikes. If I'm fishing a drop-off, I will feather the line as it falls down the break. Matt Arey is a master at this technique. Listen to this interview I had with him about Stroking a jig.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/stroking-jigs-matt-arey

You know, it happens in a few different ways. Braid and fluoro line really helps with strike detection on a slack or semi slackline. Most of the time, you'll feel a "pop" as the jig falls. Many times I don't feel the strike and when I go to stroke the jig again, the bass is there and I just roll into a sweeping set and even double set the hook if I feel I didn't get a good hook in the fish.

Great question. I track Bassmaster.com tournament results and https://majorleaguefishing.com/results/. I review the tournament reports from each tournament and pic up water temps, lures, patterns, and anything else I can find. I find tournament results to be the most valuable information to work with. The guys are so excited when they win the tournament, they usually give up the goods. These are a great place to start. Dam websites also are a good source for flow and water temps. Good luck.

Hey Rich,

I live the Strikemaster gloves on the Rapala site. You get a monster discount and they have light, medium, and heavy gloves. I use all three. Great gloves.
https://www.rapala.com/rapala/clothing/winter-gloves/

If you haven't yet signed up for the Rapala VIP discount here is the link. All bass U subscribers get access to Rapala VIP pricing.
https://bassu.tv/special-offers

Hi Steven,
Clabion's information on Bream was exceptional. I've reached out to him for more details to help answer your questions and I'll keep you posted here.

I have fished Eufaula a couple of times and I think you will still have some fish in the shallows in May. They really start making their mover to the ledges and brush piles as you get closer to June. One of the interesting patterns I've found is main lake docks when the current is running. Bream beds are also a great way to target big fish this time of year. Best of luck.

Hey Chris,

I found this one. They look awesome.

https://discounttackle.com/products/sunline-rod-bands-line-reminder?variant=14148344053815&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpshopify_US_1620309606455_14148344053815&sc_intid=shopify_US_1620309606455_14148344053815&gclid=CjwKCAjwjtOTBhAvEiwASG4bCBrtGvfw_ENknqRg5CV3_79CEnI69jUSch-Odaw18ItuX3vmGk5uDBoCBygQAvD_BwE

I'm gonna order some.

I love my Hobie glasses. The sightmaster+ lens is outstanding.

The costs are very high. A new bassboat with all the top gear will cost around $80k. He is something that is very interesting. Guys like John Cox, Bill Lowan and Jason Christy are all competing and winning from aluminum boats. Greg Hackney has a great quote that I have adopted. There has never been a better time to be a shallow water angler. All the advanced electronics have pulled the fisherman off the bank to catch suspended and offshore fish. This can leave the shallow fish under pressured. Used boats are another great opportunity to cut some expenses. bassboat4sale.com has a lot of quality boats for sale.

There are a ton of anglers with very expensive gear that don't catch them in tournaments. Study here at Bass U and Concentrate on your strengths and you can compete no mater what gear you have.

I don't currently use or have BFS reels. I've focused on spinning reels when I drop down that small. I love the concept and need to get some in my cart.

Hahaha. I'm glad you are studying Jondoe67! I like your comment about survival mode. I have experienced bass burying their bellies in the mud when conditions get extreme in order to survive.

This is the rod I use for all my lightweight cranking. iC66MMF - Cashion Icon. https://www.tackledirect.com/cashion-icon-casting-rods.html. I will sometimes go to a spinning rod for the number 5 Shad Rap or other extremely light baits. In this case, I use this rod - Cashion - iAP7MFS

A lot of guys are going to the BFS system for ultra-light cranking. Something worth checking out. https://www.cashionrods.com/shop/freshwater-fishing-rods/icon/icon-bfs/

I have heard of guys selecting shirts that camouflage with the sky to aid in stealth. I haven't paid much attention to that, but I think there is merit here. When I fish from the bank, I often hide behind a bush or tree to get close to fish in shallow water.

My top five techniques that are always on the ready are;
1-Jig - I use a Keitech 1/2 ounce most of the time. A moderately sized jig that is extremely versatile.
2-5" tail-weighted Senko
3-Wiggle Wart crankbait. So versatile in depths up to 8'
4-3/8 ounce Terminator spinnerbait, white with silver blades
5-Chatterbait 1/2ounce black with black blade.
These are my top five.

Hobie makes amazing high-quality polarized glasses. I've been using them for a couple of seasons now and I want to double down on the sightmaster plus lens. It's incredible in low light and I use a reflective lens for bright light. I've been using the new Huntington model that offers three lens choices that pop in and out in seconds so you can change with conditions. Make sure to use your member benefits. 25% off Hobie. https://bassu.tv/special-offers

They also make a great magnetic clip-on that people love that require a prescription.

Hey Greener, I'm sure you are frozen up north by now. I love that part of the country! Here are a few tips that I've used to catch a larger fish in the clear water up north. Speed and rate of descent is a key factor to get the bigger bites. Check out Cliff's "Speed Kills" seminar. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/speed-kills-crochet. I learned that rate of decent is a big factor for big fish too. I often use heavy weighted senkos and jigs to get a fast fall. 1/2 oz to 1oz. The bigger fish are often triggered this way for me. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/soft-plastic-stick-baits-senkos. Check out this seminar. about 25min in, I discuss flipping and punching with a senko. Killer technique for big fish!!

Sounds like an awesome trip, Dave. Wish I was going with you. Blade baits and umbrella rigs are key for me when fishing for winter smallies. I crush them on Silver Buddy-style blade baits this time of year. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/winter-blade-bait-bass-fishing. You may want to scale up the size of the blade to match the large bait they feed on in your area. Here are some other seminars you might find helpful about spoon fishing and wintertime spoon fishing. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/spoon-jacking-james-watson. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/locate-catch-winter-bass-on-a-jigging-spoon-brian-latimer

kjack_74, That's a great observation about the Dam Water Temp readings being a bit lower than the rest of the lake. I guess that's because the lower end of the lake is usually the last to warm up, or maybe the temps are measured deeper than the surface temps our boats read. Either way, I think you are dead right on that one.