The Dean : Fishing Forum Posts

Hey Tony, Current is usually the key to catching both largemouth and small mouth. Usually the more current the better. However, there are many times when too much current will drive fish to eddies or parts of the rivers that have slightly less current. If the heavy current is also stained or muddy, this will also change the bite in a negative way. I can't give you an exact mph on the current, but the fish will tell you. Look for areas that are the farthest away from the main river current and you can often find slightly less current. These areas can be goldmines for concentrating bait and bass.

Great question Adam. Below is a seminar where I tackle some of my most successful summertime patterns.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/hot-summertime-techniques-pete-gluszek

When the water temps get hot, the bass can often be found in deep water. However, there are always some shallow fish to be found no matter how hot it gets. If you put "summer" in the search bar will find a ton of excellent Summer time strategies that can point you in the right direction.

Charlie Brewer's Spider Classic Pro Darter Head is the most weedless and effective jig head I have found. Its from Charlie Brewer and I use it for fishing a shakey head worm around brush piles, grass, moss and any other habitat that needs a true weedless jig head.

I have fished the Ohio in the summer and one of the keys I found was fishing shallow in the morning. The morning topwater bite was key for me. Once the topwater bite faded, I would look for areas that had extra current. The bass of spillways were also key for me on the Ohio. Good luck.

The main difference between a swim jig and a grass jig is the hook. A good swim jig has a lighter wire hook than a standard flipping jig or grass jig. This is required due to the long casts required with a swim jig. With all that line out, you need a lighter wire hook to get good hook penetration. Great referral Derek on the Bill Lowen seminar. I agree that his swim jig seminar is one of our best and is also one of our most viewed. D&L Tackle Swim Jigs is the best swim jig I've found and I use it almost everyday I'm on the water.

There are always a few things I look for in the heat of the summer. The first is cooler water. Sometimes feeder creeks can run a littler cooler than the main lake in the summer if they are spring fed or they come through wooded or rocky areas. I also look for current and shade when the weather at its hottest. Unfortunately I have never fished Alan Henry. Below is link to some of my best summertime strategies. You can also search "summer" in our search bar and a lot of great seminars on the topic can get you pointed in the right direction.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/hot-summertime-techniques-pete-gluszek

Great question Ashley. Multi day tournaments are very challenging to prepare for. A lot of things need to be taken into account. If conditions remain stable, its likely that the fish you find on Monday will be available on Thursday. If there has been a change in conditions Monday's patters are likely to change dramatically. I will also caution you that fish don't do the same thing for very long. So even if conditions remain stable, its likely that the fish will have made some kind of change. I always try to predict where the fish may go if things change-Deeper, shallower or change from moving baits to flipping baits. The patterns you find on Tuesday and Wednesday are more important than those you found on Monday.

Moon phase can affect things in a bunch of ways. Here are some of the top ways I see it impacting things. It drives the tides if you fish rivers. That is the most obvious impact. It can drive fish to begin the spawn. The most important factors during the spawn are the season and water temperature. If both of those things are in place the full moon can drive fish to start bedding. I have seen the full moon create feeding at night. This sometimes explains why fish don't bite as well during the day. I know a lot guys that follow the lunar table to predict major and minor periods. They try to position themselves in their best areas on the major periods.

Hey Guys, Fall is my favorite time to fish, especially on tidal rivers. Below are two tidal river seminars that discuss the fall. Generally speaking the grass begins to die as the days get shorter and the water temp begins to drop. This really starts to move baitfish around. I will fish the grass patterns until they disappear. Depending on where you are fishing in the country this is probably starting to happen now. Grass patterns on the Chesapeake are really starting to fade. Grass patterns on the Delaware River are hanging on right now. The patterns I've been successful with this past week are cranking, chatterbaits, jigs and shaky heads. The water temps are hanging around 60 degrees and all the tools i n your tackle box can be effective. When the grass bite goes away, look for things like rock and wood habitat to dominate the bite. Also look for areas that have less current than the main river flow. Things like harbors, deep creeks or creeks with low flow. These are the wintering areas. Everything in the food chain will be there soon.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/tidal-water-fishing-pete-gluszek
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/seasonal-tidal-water-tactics-mike-iaconelli

Hi Linda, When the wind is strong against the current, it really slows the flow down on the river. This can kill the bite. I think they suspend or just find other areas to feed. One of the things i do is look for a shallow bite. Fish up cruising the flats aren't quite as current dependent. I can't wait to get up there to fish again soon. There are a lot of smallmouth videos on the site, but these are two key instructors that really understand how to fishing the great lakes.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/dropshot-fishing-for-smallmouth-joe-balog
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/smallmouth-bass-on-offshore-structure-pipkens

Hi Linda, When the wind is strong against the current, it really slows the flow down on the river. This can kill the bite. I think they suspend or just find other areas to feed. One of the things i do is look for a shallow bite. Fish up cruising the flats aren't quite as current dependent. I can't wait to get up there to fish again soon. There are a lot of smallmouth videos on the site, but these are two key instructors that really understand how to fishing the great lakes.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/dropshot-fishing-for-smallmouth-joe-balog
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/smallmouth-bass-on-offshore-structure-pipkens

Hi Jesse, It's common to catch fish in the same areas in the fall as you do in the spring but now always the case. I would guess the bait isn't in the area and therefore the bass aren't there yet. I don't think its a technique that is the problem. I would recommend trying the area again as the water temp falls.

Great questions Zahreed. Great video suggestions Jason. Pattern fishing is so important. Every time I get a bite, I note everything I can think of regarding the habitat, water conditions, depth. Lets say, I get a bite on a jig on a fallen tree. Identify if the tree was in a creek or on the main lake/river. Was it in deep water or in shallow water? Was the water clear, stained or muddy? Once you have identified as many of the conditions as possible, you can now try to find that exact condition in another area. That's pattern fishing.

How long do you stay in an area depends on a ton of factors. If the conditions are stable the fish should be biting. If you are not catching them in an area, I don't stay very long. I feel they are biting somewhere when things are stable so I move fast. Sometimes only 15 minutes per stop.

Setups are always Cashion. Medium 7' spinning rod, Medium heavy 7' baitcasting. Meduim 7' cranking rod, 7'6" flipping rod

Smith lake is a spotted bass paradise. On of the easiest places to get started is right at the launch ramp by the dam. An abundance of fish live in this area of the lake and tournaments are often won in this part of the lake. Docks, docks, docks!! Shallow docks, mid depth and deep docks can all hold fish on smith. I love to fish finesse swimbaits around the docks. The spots can sometimes suspend as deep as 30 feet under the docks. There can also be good largemouth fishing on the lake. I like the backs of creeks and areas where the clear water changes to stained/muddy.

Good Luck!

Thanks so much for the compliment! We have some amazing content coming your way the rest of the year and in 2020. Thanks for subscribing.

Thanks Dave. We have some big plans for the co-angler show. People really liked the topic.

As far as the "Nah Hampsher" rig goes, lol. I have never tried it. However, John Cox loves that rig. We filmed him using it. Look for that to be released within the next few weeks. Great rig. I can't wait to try it.

Hey Dave, I've answered your questions below with my experiences. I hope this helps. Good luck with all your upgrades!!

Hi guys,
I am setting up my new to me 2016 tracker pt175txw and have some questions on best practices for type and locations of electronics. I will be running 360 imaging on the bow. Looking at the helix 8 9 or 10. One at the bow and one at the helm. Also upgrading the trolling motor to a minnkota ultrex

Congrats on the upgrade!! I will be setting up my new rig for 2020 that same way.

1. I assume you run a SI at the steering wheel and if possible a thru hull transducer so you can go faster than idle when using SI? I assume the skimmer on the stern will only work at slow speed?

Yes. I want the SI transducer in the stern for idling around searching for key cover. A through hull transducer is needed for high speed sonar.

2. If you are running 360 at the bow what unit is best match. The Down imaging only or a side imaging ?

I will be running down imaging on the trolling motor. The 360 will give you a better image of things all around you than side imaging will. I can't recommend which unit for you yet as I've not gotten mine set up yet. If you like touch screen go Solix.

3. The new ultrex will be available with a DI and SI built in transducer. Does the 360 do the job of the SI?

Yes, you will be blown away by 360

4. If you were going to buy one smaller unit and one larger unit. were would you want the bigger unit? the bow or steering wheel?

I prefer the smaller unit at the console. The reason for this is that I am right on top of the unit when I'm idling. When I'm on the trolling motor I'm about 6' away from the unit and the larger screen really helps me there.

5. Trolling motor selection: the boat currently has a 45” shaft. Will a 52” shaft be overkill. Will a 80lb 24v have enough power to chop through heavy vegetation?

I fish in the big waves with my current boat. BassCat Cougar FTD. I went with the 52" shaft because on the giant waves I fish in sometimes. It is cumbersome to use in the shallow water. I have to raise it all the way up and it sits almost waist high. I think the 42" shaft on that boat should be the best choice. In addition, you should be OK with 80# of thrust. I always like the error with more power if you can. I don't know if upgrading to the 112 is an option, but thats what I use. I'm always looking for more power.

Should I be concerned about battery life with this size boat most lakes I fish are 4000 acres or less in NH although I want to make trips to Winnipessaukee and Champlain

This is really a question on how you like to fish. I am standing on my trolling motor all day at higher speeds than normal. A 24 volt system is not enough for me. For most people that will be fine.

6.finally. In you opinion is the 360 a game changer? as 2 lowrance ti2 tied to a i5 motoguide would be Like $2500 less
Thanks for your time and opinions

360 is game changer. I've seen this over and over. Check out Carl Jocumsen's training videos. The importance of 360 can't be measured. Its off the charts.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/electronics-break-down-a-new-lake-fast-jocumsen
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/total-boat-control-with-electronics-jocumsen

Dave

Billy, That's the toughest condition there is. Congratulations on taking it on! There are a few things I do when I have deal with this condition. The first thing I look for is the clearest water there is. The clearest water will often be the warmest water too. Chasing the warm water is the most importing in most cases. When you there I want to use lures that the fish will be able to find. Big jig, chatter baits, Colorado bladed spinner baits, thumping wide wobble crank baits. Another thing that can really help is scents in this situation. You will also have to fish slow when the temperature is falling. Chase that warm water and good luck!

Hi Phil, You moved onto a great body of water. Lake Hartwell is a great fishery. There are blue back herring in the lake. In addition to the Largemouth there are spotted bass in the lake. Below are two interviews about Hartwell for you to check out on the site. I would say that points on the river would be considered main lake points as well as the points down toward the dam. The ones up the river will typically fish shallower than those on the lower end of the lake. Good luck down there. I'll be down there to visit the lake next fall for a Bassmaster Open. Can't wait to fish there again.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/2018-bassmaster-classic-spotted-bass-fish-head-jigs-rob-jordan
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/blueback-herring-spawn-brandon-cobb-live

Hey Randy. We want all the pros to talk about the products they use to catch'em and develop patterns. Sometimes the limits are pushed a bit on sales. Thanks for the heads up and we will continue to look out for all you guys. Keep in mind that our site is commercial free.

I don't have any experience with this unit yet. I would have to refer you to the Garmin site for help. This forward-looking sonar technology is really changing things. I'm going with Humminbird 360 this year. After spending some time in the boat with Brian Thrift, I'm sold on its ability to see not only in front of the boat but on all sides around the boat. Check it out. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/electronics-master-class-bryan-thrift

Great question. I like to start in the spawning areas and work my way out to deeper water when the fronts hit. Targeting secondary points and primary points on the way. The fronts will push the bait and the bass into these areas. Some of my favorite baits to use during spring cold fronts are lipless cranks, jerkbaits and chatterbaits. Try these seminars for some more detail.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/adjusting-to-condtions-pete-gluszek
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/cold-water-spring-time-cranking-pete-gluszek

Those are really big baits. The best heads that I've seen are those made by Ryan Salzman of True Swimbaits. They are the true lock style and are well designed. Sometimes, I'll use a stinger hook if I'm using a really large swimbait. Good Luck.

https://trueswimbaits.com/collections/all

I like to start looking in the spawning areas and move out to deep water this time of year. If I don't see them on in the shallow spawning areas, I move to secondary points, channel swings. If I'm still not encountering any bites, I'll move further out to the primary points and channel swings near the main lake. Below are some great seminars on finding and catching pre-spawn bass.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/pre-spawn-power-tactics-jason-christie
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/prespawn-cranking-for-largemouth-bass-latimer
https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/how-to-fish-for-big-prespawn-bass-on-the-water-gluszek

I know its hard to keep up with drop baits when your boats is zipping down the bank cranking. It takes practice, but you can really do well with jigs, shakey head and senkos behind a cranker. I will usually fish the senko with a nail weight for efficiency in getting the bait down. The key I have found is to find a good target like a stump, rock or tree on the bank. Cast just beyond the target, work the bait up to the target, impact the target and drop on the other side. By this time the boat will be well past the target. Reel in and look for the next target. Check out this co-angler live show we did. Some really great tips for fishing from the back of the boat.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/winning-as-a-co-angler-with-justin-kimmel-november-2019