The Dean : Fishing Forum Posts

Braided line has a weird system of #test rating. I can't say I truly understand it. Gamma Line that has a 40# test rating has an 8# test diameter and about a 55# breaking strength. So I would say that the pound test rating is usually just below its breaking strength. The diameter of the line seems unrelated to its breaking strength.

A lot of techniques can be combined for certain rods. The two rods below are extremely versatile. They are the new Bass U rods we designed for Cashion Rods. The spinning rod can be used for shakey head, senko, drop shot, fluke and finesse jigs. The bait caster is best for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jig and can be used for a lot of other techniques. We designed these rods so they can be used for multiple techniques.

https://cashionrods.com/product/bass-university-best-spinning-rods/
https://cashionrods.com/product/bass-university-casting-series/

This is a very interesting question. I can't say I have all of these different baits completely figured out. Here is what I have learned from some testing I've done over the years. There are two original chatterbaits I use. Weedless and exposed hook. I find that the weedless version is excellent for coming through the cover, but it has less vibration than the exposed hook. I will also say that the trailer you use makes a big difference. The bulkier the bait, the less vibration you will get out of a chatterbait. Both of these chatterbaits vibrate and make a clicking noise. I've found that baits that have a split ring in between the blade and jig head are often silent. That's not a bad thing. Sometimes silence is better than clicking depending on the conditions. The Jack Hammer is also a great vibrating, clicking bait. The Jack Hammer also has a reputation of hunting or being erratic on the retrieve.

The best way to determine the action and sound of a bait is to do testing in a swimming pool. Go under water and listen and watch what each bait does. I've learned a ton doing this.

So glad you battle and won your cancer fight. Here are some things I've learned over the years on becoming a pro. The most importing thing is to focus on your fishing. You are at the right place here at Bass U. I can't tell you how many guys on the Elite tour and MLF use Bass U as a resource to learn. Take these lessons on the water and put your time in. I do recommend fishing as a co-angler or even a marshal. Watching the pros do their thing and adjusting to conditions if invaluable. Don't skip steps. Start competing locally, then regionally and then nationally. Try to improve your skills on each level before you move to the next.

Sponsors are a different animal. JCooley nailed it when he talks about what you can do for sponsors. That's the most important thing you can do is benefit sponsors. Today that mostly comes in the form of social media work. I think its important to focus on your fishing first and sponsorship down the road.

I am a snap guy. I love the versatility that snaps offer when I'm cranking. I can change colors and vibrations whenever I want, super fast. I will say this-If you are bending open a snap multiple times, I will change it. At practice, I'll keep the snap-on even if its been worn out. In a tournament, I change often.

Hey Chad, I like that Carolina rig rod for the Keitech jig and other jigs with a light wire hook. Ike's mini flip has a heavier hook that requires a little more hook driving ability. I use the same rod, but I switch to braid as the mainline. Good luck Chad.

Interference is something that I have wrestled with often over the years. I never really know if they are going to interfere until they get hooked up and try them out. More often than sonar interfering is the trolling motor interfering. The trolling motor foot pedal often has a ground that is key. I also have put rubber between the transducer and the trolling motor head. That has solved my interference problem. I have run different units many times over the years. Humminbird, Garmin, and Lowrance. I didn't have much trouble with interference.

CJ, Check out my Adjusting to Conditions seminar. I tackle all types of changes including clouds/sun. Thanks for the question.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/adjusting-to-condtions-pete-gluszek

I hope you did well down there. I have fished all over Texas but never have made it to Amistad or Falcon. I hope to make it down there sometime soon.

I agree Matt. Those three things; drop shot, shakey head, and seniko are definitely things you to have in your arsenal when fishing the bank or anywhere for that matter. Good luck guys.

A lot of the time I fish braid with a flouro leader. This accomplishes a lot of great stuff. Braid is expensive but lasts a long time. You can usually spool up once and it gets you through the season. Use a flouro leader. One 100 yard spool of flouro will supply you with enough leaders to get through a season in a lot of cases. Have you signed up as a VIP with Rapala? You can get some great discounts on Suffix braid and flouro. As a Bass U subscriber, you have access to this program. The link is below.

https://www.rapala.com/VIP-Register

Basskid77, Bites come in all forms with bass depending on the conditions and mood of the fish. Sometimes they feel like sunnies and sometimes they feel like freight trains. Here is how I handle things. When I'm using lures with exposed hooks I set the hook immediately on the strike. When I'm using lures like worms and jigs, I tend to hesitate a second or two to give the fish time to suck the lure in before I set the hook. Some strikes are so subtle that an angler can't even feel it. This usually happens with soft plastic lures like a shakey head or senko. This is best described as a wet sponge feel on the line. The only way I can tell there is a fish on is that the line is swimming sideways when I try to move the lure. You'll learn to recognize this one after a few bites like this. Reel the slack in and set the hook.

Hey Pat, I sure do remember that fish. That still stands as the biggest fish to ever come in my boat from the flats. I still think it was a 10 pounder. Truely awesome fish. It was a sunny, cold April day.

The VIP process has changed a bit. I see where they are asking for a code now. I'll get this process figured out and post here what the proceedure is.

Be sure you're logged in and go to Bass University's Special Offer Page to get the VIP signup code.

That's a big question, Gary. I have had experience with a lot of different lines and I've settled on Gamma Torque. I use it from 8-50# test depending on the situation.

Hey Steven, Thanks for watching. Usually, when the water temps are 55 degrees and up, the bite is at its best. You have been hampered by the falling water levels. That will always affect fish this time of year. The deeper docks can be a good bet as you tried but I also see fish pulling out to secondary points when the water drops. They will move back up when the water rises or stabilizes. In heavily stained water, I really like the vibrating jig and thumping spinnerbaits and square bills. The moving baits can be really strong in these conditions. I will also fish a jig a lot under these conditions. I hope the fishing has improved for you.

Your gonna want to check out this video we recently filmed with Rob Jorden. The shallow, mid-depth and deep strategies on fishing ditches. Must see.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/spotted-bass-fishing-in-clear-lake-ditches-rob-jordan

Thanks, JigNPig. Great video.

Here are my top pics for targeting bass over ten pounds on Public Lakes. Chickamauga, Santee Cooper, St. Johns River, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Toho, Lake Falcon, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork

Sounds good Pat. Frog bite gets going in mid June through July. We should be up and running by then. Stay in touch.

I have fished several reservoirs in TX and they definitely fish differently than river systems do. Depending on which part of Texas you are the lakes will be in different phases. We just say lake fork in the middle of the spawn while an adjacent lake had moved into the post-spawn during a recent Bassmaster event a couple of weeks ago. During the spawn, look for shallow creeks and coves protected from the north wind. Fish shallow looking for bass on the beds or cruising the shallow areas. The floating worm and senko style baits are very important this time of year. When the fish turn post-spawn look for baitfish to be the key to success. After the spawn, the bass will be looking to feed. Moving baits like crankbaits, bladed jigs, spinnerbaits and topwaters are excellent this time of year. Some reservoirs like lake Travis, near Austin, the fish can get very deep this time of year. Deep cranking and carolina rigs and deep swimbiats are great tools. Listen to my interview with Ott Defoe below. He talks about how he won the Bassmaster in TX on post spawn patterns.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/2020-lake-fork-mlf-champ-ott-defoe-march-2020

Amazing catches. I'm hoping to be able to get out soon. I hope you guys are making out OK through this virus situation. I'm gonna go crazy in this house for another month.

Let me weigh in on this one PatinParkton. You can get a lot more mileage out of fluorocarbon than having to re-spool after every trip. I guide and teach throughout the year and I re-spool only a few times a year. The Gamma line I use is pricey but lasts a long time. I often use 20-pound fluoro when flipping and find that a 20-pound line lasts a very long time without having to re-spool. Like Jason, I use a braid a lot as my main line with a fluorocarbon leader. I find this to be the least expensive option. Braid will almost always last a season for me. I simply exchange the fluoro leader when needed. The most common use of a full spool of fluoro for me is cranking and flipping. Almost all other applications I use braid with a fluoro leader. I do like to use copolymer/mono for topwater because it floats.

The sinking of fluoro can be a real asset and the low stretch can help with hookups. My advice is to use fluoro only when it helps your presentation and opt for braid with a leader in almost all other situations. It will help you catch a bunch more fish and save a pile of money in the process.

Glad you asked this question.   Topwater is considered by most to be the most exciting way to catch a bass.  Depending on where you live, topwater can be an all-year thing.  Where I live, we have a cold winter with ice most years for the coldest months.  Topwater doesn't come into play in places like this until the water temps get into the 60's.  My best advice on fishing topwater is to fish the most prolific topwater season.  In most places, this occurs during the spawn and post-spawn.  When all the fish are in the shallows and the water temps are warm.  This is going to give you the best chance at it.  In my area, topwater can last through the summer and into the fall.  While in other areas, summertime means deep water fishing and the topwater bite goes away and returns in the fall.  

Below are some of my most consistent topwater baits.  The Chug Bug, Buzzbait, Splashit, and frog.  One of my favorite and most consistent ways to catch them is to go small.  1/8 & 1/4oz buzz bait and the smaller size frog.  This will increase the number of bites you get.  To get your feet wet, start with the shad or white colors.  Once you have some success you can expand your color selection.  Once you get more confident in the bite you can expand into the whopper plopper and big walking baits.  Best of luck to you and your daughter.  Keep us posted.  

https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fstorm-rattlin-chug-bug-lures.html
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fbooyah-buzz-baits.html
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Fterminator-walking-frog.html
https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=c1UQEdGla5o&mid=38416&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tackledirect.com%2Frebel-pop-r.html

Westly Strader is from east Tennessee and gives a great seminar on buzzbait fishing. Check this one out.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/buzzbait-fishing-secrets-modification-tips-strader

Booyah makes a great buzzbait but I might recommend getting some in the 1/4 and even 1/8 oz. size to get your feet wet. Ike gives a great three-part series on topwater fishing that I also recommend. Below is the first part.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/fishing-topwater-lures-iaconelli

As I think back, I feel in love with topwater fishing by using the original topwater lure-Rapala floating minnow. This is still Rapala's best selling lure each year. It's a very subtle presentation. Just cast it near the bank or cover and twitch it and let it sit. Its a really great bait to get started with. I just did an interview about this lure with Bernie Shultz. Check this out when you get a chance. It's very close to topwater time in your area. If you are able to get out you can expect the next month or two to be the best topwater action of the spring.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/rapala-original-floater-other-jerkbaits-bernie-schultz