Now I've Heard It All

On my last fishing trip to West Neck, my flip cellphone (like the one in this photo) took a mind of its own--the picture-taking function, that is. With absolutely no warning, it went into rapid-fire mode, taking photos one after another at will.

The phenomenon continued off and on for several days following and reached the point where I was giving serious consideration to standing on the point down there at West Neck and seeing how far I could throw it. I'll have to admit I've had the same inclination about my computer from time to time, but its size would make for a pretty awkward toss.

The situation with my phone came to a head this past Friday. I had had all I could stand and decided to visit the local Verizon store. My plan was to go there, explain the problem, and see if they could fix it, and failing that, I would get a new no-frills flip phone.

While waiting for a sales rep to be freed up so he/she could help me, I went looking at their new low-end phones, where I had the whole area to myself--who would have thought, huh? Finally, though, a very short, young lady came bouncing up to where I was standing, asking what she could do to help. In a million years, I never would have guessed the advice I was going to get from this gal.

After explaining the extent of my problem to her, she took my phone and checked a couple of things on it. Then she asked me how often I power the phone down. My response was that I never power it down, instead opting only to shut off all sounds before I go to bed each night.

She then shook her head and said, "That very well could be your problem, sir. You see, cellphones need to rest from time to time, so the batteries can renew themselves."

I know I must have had an incredulous look on my face when she said that. I mean, after all, I know I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but do I really look like I've been hiding under a rock all my life? Nevertheless, I played along with her for a minute, asking, "How often and how long at a time should I let it rest?"

Her response was, "Oh, only for a couple of minutes every other day or so."

By now, I had played this silly game as long as I could keep a semi-straight face, so I thanked the young woman and headed for the exit. It was quite evident that, since I wasn't interested in trading up to a smartphone or other high-tech model, a certain part of my anatomy was "going to be sucking bilge water" before I obtained any satisfaction in this store.

Later that evening, I took out my flip phone, grabbed an old toothbrush, and vigorously scrubbed away some muck buildup I noticed around the picture-taking-function button. And you know what? Ever since then, the phone has worked flawlessly again--and that's without giving it a moment's rest.

Guess maybe I need to throw an old toothbrush in my tacklebox, so I can take care of this problem the next time it happens while I'm on the water. After all, I don't need any distractions out there.

"Game Wardens" in Virginia Are No More

Instead, they're called "conservation police officers," or CPOs, as I learned while reviewing a copy of "The Outdoor Report" yesterday. It's been that way, too, since July 1, 2007, when the Virginia General Assembly approved this name change.

The history of game wardens, as we used to know them, dates back to 1903, when the Virginia General Assembly established a statewide system of them to enforce wildlife laws. In fact, they predated the creation of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), which wasn't established until 1916.

The name change was a result of more and more game-warden work often intersecting with mainstream law enforcement. In the course of performing duties related to the agency mission (e.g., enforcing wildlife, fisheries and boating laws), game wardens were dealing with situations requiring immediate police intervention. These situations included driving under the influence, reckless driving, drug and gang activities, homeland-security issues, and frequent assistance to other law-enforcement agencies.

As noted by the then-chief of the Law Enforcement Division, Col. Mike Bise, "We are on the waters, in the woods, and on the roadways every day, encountering all the same public-safety issues as other police officers. In these situations, the public expects the person with a gun and a badge to act. Frequently, however, VDGIF officers find themselves dealing with people who do not understand their law-enforcement authority."

Bise went on to say, "To the people we routinely interact with, we will be game wardens for the next 25 years, and we think that's great. This name change is so folks who don't know who we are will better understand our law-enforcement role. It does not mean we are changing our mission focus."

The name change from "game warden" to "conservation police officer" only involved changes to badges, uniform patches, and patrol-vehicle door decals.

Perhaps if I had had a personal encounter with one of today's CPOs, I would have noticed the name change. As it is, though, the change came as news to me.

Many years ago, when I was friends with a local agent, she often would come alongside if she saw me on the water and chat a while, but as of this writing, it has been years since I talked to an agent. I occasionally see one around West Neck during the summer months, but that's the extent of it.

I understand there are two regional offices that serve the local area today. One is the headquarters office in Richmond, phone 804-367-1000, and the other is the Charles City office, phone 804-829-6580. Violations are best reported using the VDGIF Wildlife Crime Line at 1-800-237-5712, or email WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov. In cases of an emergency situation, you're urged to contact the local conservation police officer immediately through the local sheriff's office or police department.

It's entirely possible I'm the only one who wasn't aware of the name change discussed here. If so, I apologize to all for boring you with these details.

(Photos and content provided courtesy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.)

Innovative, Yes, But How Much Better (If Any) Is It?

A quick glance at the spinnerbait in this photo might make you think it just had been unwrapped from a prop or removed from the jaws of an ol' grindle. We've all had our share of run-ins with one of those ornery toothy critters and know how they can mangle lures. In this case, though, we're looking at the Death Shimmer Spinnerbait by Law Lures.

A product of the 2011 ICAST show, this bait is the invention of Rich Lau. It represents one of the biggest departures to date from the traditional "safety spin" or overhead-blade-style spinnerbait that was invented in 1951.

The extra bends and turns in the arm create more underwater resistance, which pushes the spinnerbait arm down ever so slightly and causes a side-to-side shimmy. Those who have seen the bait perform underwater say it doesn't really look like it's doing much, but once you feel it working, the added resistance is readily apparent. Some describe the bait as a mix between a spinnerbait and a chatterbait because of the vibration it reportedly creates.

According to the inventor, "The vibration and water displacement is picked up by the lateral line of faraway bass that then zero in for the kill."

Another unique feature of this lure is that it free falls vertically, and the Colorado or willow-leaf blade(s) that come with the Death Shimmer throw out a perfect helicopter rotation on the fall. The bait comes in 1/4-, 3/8- and 1/2-oz. sizes, as well as single and double-blade combinations, and a variety of colors, which should ensure you're able to find one or two that will satisfy almost any fishing conditions.

Yet another plus for the Death Shimmer is that, unlike many other spinnerbaits you find on store shelves, it stays below the surface, even when being retrieved at fast speeds. Whether you're slow rolling or burning it, the bait remains where you want it--in the strike zone.

One detracting factor I found among the comments of folks who have used the Death Shimmer is that it has a tendency to catch weeds rather easily. And a few took exception with the price tag, which generally runs between $8 and $9.

At that price, you won't find me placing an order anytime soon, especially for a bait that likely would just take up more room in my already filled-to-overflowing tackleboxes.

For those who might be interested, though, here's the link to a series of three Death Shimmer Spinnerbait videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsZhaV6cKSw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djh7-OkD3X4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnpwn3ZTCVY

Skunks Stink--Period!

That's true, whether you're talking about those four-legged critters, or what they call it when fishermen come up empty-handed after a whole day on the water.

Mother Nature made those cat-sized members of the American weasel family the way they are, so they, therefore, need no excuses for being themselves. Fishermen, on the other hand, though, often have a wealth of excuses for why they had a "bad day" on the water.

For example, you're likely to hear some say, "They weren't biting today," while others may try to blame a cold front for their woes. And, you even may hear this from a few: "It was just too nice of a day." Yes, fishermen indeed can be "full of excuses"--along with some other things I'm deliberately choosing not to talk about in this forum.

If the truth be told, however, fishermen likely would dodge more skunks if they just changed their pattern and/or used their brain to adapt to changing weather conditions. When fish are biting, there's usually a reason for it--like an incoming storm or front, which turns on the fish. When they aren't biting, it many times is because you're simply on the wrong side of a weather pattern.

A cold front or other weather pattern, however, doesn't mean you should call it quits and go home. All it means is that you should adjust your fishing presentation and/or move to a new location.

Here are some tough fishing conditions I found discussed online, along with suggestions to decrease your chances of ending up skunked because of them.

Cold Fronts

These quickly can turn what you figured would be a great day into a bad one. What you need to remember, though, is that cold fronts don't completely shut off the bite. The fish simply move to a new location and likely become a bit more picky about what they will and won't hit. Look for them on structure and go over the areas thoroughly with smaller baits. Texas-rigged tubes or slow-rolled spinnerbaits often will pick up bass during cold fronts.

Blue-Bird Skies

It's beautiful out--not a cloud in the sky, and there's no wind to be found anywhere. A fisherman's dream--right? Wrong! Blue-bird skies are a bad thing when it comes to fishing, and it can make for a tough day, but the good news is that you still can be successful.

The trend during such conditions is for fish to move out to deeper structure. Focus your efforts on deep-water humps and structure, such as brush piles or submerged trees. Fish move to these areas to escape the bright sunlight and/or to follow baitfish that move deeper during bright days.

Some good bait choices with blue-bird skies are Carolina rigs, deep-diving crankbaits, plastic worms, and tubes.

It's Too Windy!

While that's the way some fishermen feel at times, others see windy days as their favorites.

"It breaks up the top of the water and pushes baitfish to the bank where predator fish lie waiting for an easy meal," says the core of  advocates.

Granted, it's difficult holding the boat in position, and casting can be a bear, but the potential reward makes it all worthwhile.

Some of the best lures to use are crankbaits, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and jerkbaits. Concentrate on areas where the wind is blowing directly onto the bank--the harder, the better. These strong winds usually occur on the front end of a front, such as a storm or cold front, and generally signal aggressive feeding activity.

Based on some recent personal experiences, I have to take exception to this idea of fishing only those banks where the wind is blowing directly on them. I fished such a bank this past Wednesday for two hours without drawing a single strike. On two earlier occasions in the not-too-distant past, however, when the wind was blowing off the same bank, I went there and caught multiple fish each time. Admittedly, the water was muddy this latest trip, whereas it was clear the two earlier times, so that factor could have spelled the difference. I simply can't say for certain.

While I still was formulating my ideas for this article, I did some online research and also asked some friends for their input about what they considered their best go-to lures for avoiding skunks. The following are three results from my online research.

One fella said he used a purple, curly-tail powerbait worm, with a 1/16-oz. screw-in bullet weight to "kill them all day during the summer and winter, alike. I get some good, big fish, mixed in with some smaller ones, so it's always my go-to lure for avoiding a skunk," he said.

Another fella said his go-to lure to avoid skunks is a bubble-gum super fluke.

"The Strike King tour-grade football jig is great for working both rocks and pulling it through submerged weeds," said yet another angler. "It comes in great color combinations and easily pairs up with a huge variety of trailers--the XCite Raptor chunks or Rage baby craws are perfect. This jig will keep your next fishing trip skunk-free, guaranteed."

Here is what I got from friends:

Charlie said: "My year-round go-to is the Yo-Zuri SS Minnow--a shallow-water wonder. Spring through fall, when the water is above 60 degrees, my go-to is a Berkley Chigger Craw in green pumpkin, with a 1/8-oz. pegged bullet weight, one for 2 to 3 feet deep, and one for bottom structure. When I find the depth that works, I pretty much stick with that scenario for the rest of the day."

Skip said: "My go-to lure is a Strike King 3X Zulu. It's like a fluke but has a little more action. It can work like a popper, swim like a fluke, or you can work it like a jerkbait. I also have crimped a split shot and fished the bait Carolina style."

Jim said: "When the chips are down, you'll usually find me with a worm rod and a Charlie Brewer slider worm. No matter what else I toss, I always seem to come back to that. Of course, I've been known to grab a Pop-R if the weather is ripe for topwater. Those two baits seem to work around here. If I'm down on Gaston, my go-to is a Zoom centipede (French fry)--that bait always gets it done."

Rob said: "A small finesse worm is my normal go-to bait."

And last, we come to yours truly, who, as anyone who knows me readily will attest, is a crankbait kind of guy. I love 'em year-round and have two tackleboxes crammed full to prove it. I have many favorites among the collection, but when push comes to shove, there's only one with which I'm willing to go down in a ball of fire at day's end. And that bait, my friends, is a Bomber Square A in firetiger or lemon/lime. I had another occasion just this past Wednesday when the lemon/lime saved my day.

I used to consider flat-sided crankbaits, especially the Bill Norman Thin N, as my go-to winter choice, but experience the past couple of years has shown me that the Bomber Square A is a better performer, regardless of the time of year. I have enough confidence in it that I wouldn't hesitate to choose it if I were limited to only one bait. I would want a selection of both 1/4- and 3/8-oz. sizes, because there are occasions when one size seems to work better than the other, most notably in early spring, when the 1/4-oz. models frequently outshine the bigger ones.

The intended take-away from this discussion isn't as I saw one fella suggest online, and that is just to "stop fishing" in order to avoid skunks. Rather, what you need to do is adjust your presentation and/or move to a different location. Tight Lines!

Be "Odd" to Catch More Bass

By Marc Marcantonio

(Reprinted from http://www.westernbass.com with permission of the author.)

I'll bet you have a favorite fishing spot, or maybe a favorite lure. You know, like that old rickety dock on your "secret" lake that always kicks out a bass or two, or that just-released special finish Lucky Craft Pointer Minnow that has been on fire every time you throw it.

Well, I have a favorite, too, and I bet it will help you catch more bass than your favorite lure. The catch is that my "favorite" isn't a fishing spot or a lure; it's a theory.

The theory that I am about to describe is called the "Odd Man Theory," and I first learned of it in my biological studies in college (which means I have had many years to test this theory). The odd-man theory describes predator and prey relationships, and if you apply it, you will surely net more and bigger bass. Best of all, you can apply this theory by changing how you fish ANY lure. But first, let me describe the theory.

Nature isn't perfect, and every species in nature has its sick, lame and lazy individuals. If these imperfect specimens were to reproduce, their substandard genes could be proliferated and eventually cause the extinction of the species. Predators play a very important role in nature by consuming the less fit specimens. Take the wolf, for instance. Working in an organized pack, wolves will run a group of deer back and forth until one of the deer lags behind the others because it is sick, injured, or just generally weaker. This deer becomes the "odd man" of the herd. The end result is that the weakest become food, and the strong survive.

Bass are predators, and they make their living by eating prey. To survive and gain weight, a bass must consume more calories than it expends when trying to catch its meal. If a largemouth bass tried to chase down healthy shad all day long, it would waste away and ultimately die. Consequently, bass have evolved into ambush-style predators. Their body shape and temperament is better suited to hanging out next to a stump or rock and patiently wait for dinner to come to them.

So Mama Pesce claims the best ambush spot in the lake, and when a school of baitfish comes swimming too close, she eyes the school and quickly looks for the "odd man," which is the sick, lame or lazy of the school. Her trained eye and sensitive lateral line quickly focuses on the baitfish that is struggling to swim, which is evident by its erratic movement and unusual frequency. The big girl locks onto this odd man like a heat-seeking missile, and dinner is served.

Now that you understand the theory, think of the ways in which you can increase the attractiveness of your artificial lures. When I retrieve a crankbait, I greatly increase its attractiveness by making the fake prey look like the "odd man." This is easily achieved by using an erratic retrieve, with quick starts and sudden stops. Everyone has heard top bass pros suggest that it is important to bounce your crankbait off objects during the retrieve, such as the bottom, stumps or rocks. This tactic works because you are causing your lure to look like the odd man, which is nature's way of ringing the dinner bell to bass. What many don't realize is that you can create similar success, even when there are no objects to bounce off, just by using an erratic retrieve.

Visualize how your lure is swimming and make it look sick or injured. When I'm fishing a Sammy with the typical walk-the-dog action, I always use a stop-and-go retrieve, which produces bone-jarring strikes. I will make a long cast and wait a minute before starting to retrieve. Once the water has calmed down, I mentally visualize a large bass or two below my lure, eyeing it to see if it is going to try and escape. Then I start twitching the Sammy back and forth for about 3 feet and then pause my retrieve, as if the lure is testing whether the bass have spotted it. Then I start to retrieve once again, and this time, I may move the lure a daring 4 or 5 feet before once again pausing. Usually by now, the bass have seen all they need to realize that the Sammy is trying to escape but is injured and consequently is an easy meal. At this point, you see the surface flush in a whirlpool, and your Sammy is heading underwater in the maw of Mama Pesce.

How about that favorite spinnerbait of yours, like that _-ounce white and chartreuse number with gold willow-leaf blades? The smallmouth bass will be tearing your lure up all summer when you make it look like the "odd man" by repeatedly causing the skirt to flare in and out with twitches of your rod tip, or momentary stops of the crank during the retrieve.

As the big smallies and spotted bass move into the rocky depths during the summer, the dropshot rig comes into its own. Ever wonder why this rig is so popular with tournament pros? A dropshot rig perfectly imitates injured prey. This rig allows you to make a worm dance in one place until a bass can no longer refuse the easy meal. Jerkbaits, like the popular Pointer Minnow, were created specifically to take advantage of the odd-man theory. They are fished by ripping them through the water with short bursts of speed, followed by pauses and subsequent rips. Alternatively, they are fished by walking the dog under the water's surface. Either way, they excel by imitating injured prey.

Even a Gamakatsu football-head jig with a Yamamoto grub can be improved by applying the odd-man theory. As you drag this tempting morsel along the bottom and feel it come to a rock pile, stop the grub for a few moments. Again, I visualize that a couple of big smallies are eyeing my grub, and then I rip it off the bottom, as if it is making a last-ditch effort to escape but quickly let it fall back to the bottom like it ran out of energy. If a bass is within a Skeeter boat length, it will suck up that Yammie grub before it ever hits the bottom.

For many years, we have fished lures that didn't resemble actual prey in appearance, such as chartreuse crankbaits in clear water. They have probably worked in part due to the odd-man theory, but the latest trend is to make artificial lures as realistic in appearance and action as possible. Crankbaits today typically sport three-dimensional eyes, profiles that are shaped like actual baitfish, and even raised scales that reflect light like the real thing. This attention to detail includes showing red gills beneath flared gill plates and metallic paint schemes that rival nature in realism. Their diving lips are carefully placed in the perfect aspect to create a realistic swimming action.

The idea that lure manufacturers are selling is that your lure will look and act like a real baitfish with minimum skill on the angler's part. Sure, you can take many of these top-quality lures and simply cast them out and reel them back, and you will catch some fish. They are a top-quality product worth the money, but to get the real value of these fake minnows, you have to be sure to apply the odd-man theory. Ciao! (You can reach me at LimitBy9@aol.com.)

The 1's Had It Today

1 bite, 1 bass, at 1 o'clock, weight 1-11--that was my tally for today. As you might imagine, it didn't take much effort to remember those numbers without even the hint of a note to myself.

With the water temp at a tick under 46 degrees when I launched at 9:45 this morning, coupled with muddy water everywhere I looked, I honestly had a fair amount of doubt I would dodge a skunk today. Those conditions, along with a fairly stiff and cold wind, left me second-guessing why I hadn't just rolled over, shut off the alarm, and grabbed a few more z-z-z-z this morning.

My first stop was the point where I've been collecting some fish for a spell now. If any members of the gang were there, they were thumbing their nose at me. The wind was blowing straight on the point, instead of away as it had been the previous two times when I boated fish there, so I can't say I was surprised at the results. After working the area for two hours with a series of different crankbaits without even a smell, I fired up the outboard and came back down the creek to another point my friend, Charlie, often finds fish on. That proved to be a bust, too.

By this time, the clouds were thickening and getting darker, which made me start thinking about throwing in the towel. In another 15 or so minutes, however, the clouds didn't look so bad, and I even was seeing a few blue patches, so I decided to grab another cup of coffee and keep on chunking.

I was moving along a stretch of shoreline close to the channel that leads to the ramp when I suddenly felt a strike and set the hook but then felt nothing, so just kept on winding until I saw the line moving sideways. It was only then I realized I actually had hooked the fish in the first place. By this time, he had sucked my crankbait halfway to his belly button, which left me the unpleasant task of doing some crude surgery. He swam off when I released him over the side, even though it took all of 10 minutes to get him unhooked.

I fished another hour and 45 minutes without feeling another fish, so battened down and headed for the ramp. As I turned into the channel, I saw four fellas in a small craft thrashing the water with everything they had in the boat, also trying to reach the ramp, but all to no avail. I stopped and asked if I could help 'em, and they quickly obliged by passing me a rope. After guiding the four to the ramp, I waited for them to recover their boat, then drove mine on the trailer, and called it a day.

The water at day's end was the same 46 degrees that had greeted me this morning, and the wind still was blowing, too. I wasted no time getting everything cleaned up and put away, so I could head home and get warmed up.

Another Mistaken Assumption on My Part

I've had boat insurance ever since I first owned a rig--always figured that was the law. Guess what, though. Turns out I've been wrong all these many years, dating clear back to the '60s.

As it stands, "The vehicle towing a trailer has to be insured"--that's the official word according to www.dmv.virginia.gov. And if you finance a boat or use it as collateral for a loan, the lending institution likely will require you to have insurance. Also, you may be required to have boat insurance in order to dock your boat in certain marinas or harbors. But that's the extent of it.

According to http://www.dmv.org, a privately owned website that is not owned or operated by any state-government agency, there are only two states (Arkansas and Utah) that have clear boat-insurance requirements.

However, not being required to have boat insurance doesn't necessarily mean you should be without it. One reason some people forego boat insurance is their thinking that boats are covered under their home-insurance policy. A home-insurance policy may provide very limited coverage for a smaller boat parked on your property. But the general rule of thumb is most large items that have their own specific type of insurance available only can be covered by that specific insurance. So, if you have a boat, your best bet is to have boat insurance.

Because boat insurance typically is optional, your policy can be highly customizable. Generally speaking, boat-insurance coverage includes the following categories:

     * Liability. As careful as you may be while operating your boat, the fact remains that accidents happen. If you are found to be at fault for an accident, you can be held responsible for certain costs associated with that accident. Boat-liability insurance can cover costs related to bodily injury and property damage suffered by others in a boating accident you cause.

     * Boat Coverage. There is no denying that your boat faces a lot of risks, and repairs can be costly. Fortunately, there are boat-insurance coverages that can help you get your boat fixed after it has been damaged. Common types of coverages include:
          Collision - This will help with repairs to your boat after it is damaged in a collision.
          Comprehensive - This can help get your boat repaired if it is damaged in several types of non-collision-related incidents. For example, if your boat is damaged in a fire, this coverage can help cover the repairs.
          On-Water Towing - If your boat breaks down on the water, this coverage can help get you back to the dock.

     * Medical Coverages. Along with the risks your boat faces, your body also faces some risks when operating a boat. Boat-insurance medical coverages can help with costs related to injuries you may suffer in a boat crash. (Note: Consider your health insurance before purchasing medical coverages. You may find that your health insurance provides more than adequate coverage for boat-related injuries.)

Several boat-insurance companies offer even more types of coverages, so before you purchase a policy, consider what exactly you need. Keep in mind that not all companies offer the same types of coverages. You also may find some companies with limitations as to what boat they will cover. These limitations can involve the size of your boat, its age, and the type you have.

Here's something else to keep in mind, too, if/when you go looking for boat insurance. If you've already completed an approved boater-education course and have the card to prove it, the insurance company likely will give you a discount. My company (Allstate) cut me some slack.

Incidentally, if you're not familiar with the requirements for having one of these cards, I highly recommend you get familiar by checking out the information found on this link: https://www.boat-ed.com/virginia/boating_law.html.

Do I need boat insurance? Technically, the answer to that question is no. But you may wish you had some if you're ever involved in a mishap on the water or become the victim of a fire or natural disaster. Boats and boat repairs aren't cheap. Consider, too, that if you're ever in a boat collision, your assets can be put at risk in a potential lawsuit. Liability boat insurance can help ease those risks.

Like a lot of other things in life, it all comes down to a matter of choices and personal priorities. Choose wisely.

Cold, Muddy Water Makes It Tough But Not Impossible

When I stopped by West Neck Marina for a few minutes yesterday and saw the muddy, low-water conditions at the ramp, I had a sneaking suspicion the fishing report I would get later from my buddy, Charlie, wouldn't be very good. I knew he was out, because his vehicle was parked in its usual spot beside the one catwalk.

As it turns out, I was right--and please don't mistake me for being smug here, because that's simply not the case. I have nothing but the utmost respect for my kayaker friend and "coffee mate," and, therefore, never would wish him anything but the best of luck.

I merely know from my own experiences, combined with what I've heard or read from many of the pros, that cold water or muddy fishing conditions (angler in upper right photo is on cold, muddy Lake Pickwick) by themselves usually are tough. And together, they nearly always spell bad news. In Charlie's case yesterday, it amounted to one pickerel that spit the hook right at the boat and a lone bass that tipped the scales at 1-8. The latter fell for a crystal minnow.

Charlie's report included the fact he had been throwing a variety of crankbaits and jigs yesterday, which most will readily agree are good choices for the conditions he faced.

One person who would do things a bit differently, though, is Greg Hackney, the 2014 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. He advocates using something that will aggravate the cold, muddy-water fish into biting.

His choice is a safety-pin-style spinnerbait made by Strike King, called the redfish magic (pictured left), which, according to him, "has twice as much vibration as any single-spin Colorado blade out there today. You can reel it at a really slow speed... it's made for cold, muddy water," he says.

Hackney's preferred color pattern is a black-and-chartreuse skirt, and he usually reels the bait steadily, making repeated casts to the same isolated pieces of cover. The objective, of course, is to aggravate the fish into biting. In using this tactic, he urges you to remember that "you're often fishing for just three to five bites a day."

North Carolina pro Dustin Wilks agrees that the first step anglers should take in cold, muddy-water conditions is to adjust their expectations. "If you hit the water expecting bass to slam your baits like they did last summer, you're setting yourself up for disappointment," he says. "Mentally prepare yourself by accepting the fact the bite is going to be much slower than normal." Instead of setting a goal of limiting out quickly, like you might under better conditions, he suggests that you "tell yourself you're going to try coaxing one or two big fish into hitting."

Wilks' approach to cold, muddy-water fishing is to flip or pitch compact, weedless jigs and Texas-rigged creature baits. As he explains, "Muddy conditions allow you to move close to stumps, logs and other targets without spooking bass. I try to drop my lure into the thickest part of a brush pile or log jam and work it very slowly. Often a strike is so light, it feels like you've hooked a leaf."

One other lure Wilks uses is the squarebill crankbait. He urges anglers to "try banging shallow stumps and rocks with a crawfish-colored squarebill (like the one pictured at right) beginning about noon, after the sun has warmed up the muddy water a few degrees."

Some anglers also use a black crankbait, which offers a sharp contrast in muddy water. Regardless of color, a slow retrieve is the order of the day.

It's likely doubtful that cold, muddy water is anyone's preference. But then, what we prefer and what we're often forced to fish aren't always the same, especially for anglers who have to work for a living. Saturday frequently is your only available day to fish, and if that happens to be a tournament day, you can be fairly certain the tournament director isn't going to reschedule the event just because there's a cold front and muddy water on hand.

As Greg Hackney describes it, "This is one situation where it's possible to take lemons and make lemonade. Fishing cold, muddy water is not a desirable situation to find yourself in, but it's no reason to throw in the towel, either," he says. "Pick up the big stick, head shallow, and thump some bass."

Charlie may have thumped only one bass yesterday, but that's one more than I, or anyone else who stayed home, can claim. As he related in his blog post, "I really needed to get out. I've been sitting in the garage staring at my gear and TV-13 weather for far too long, hoping for a break. Today, it was a go." ...and he went.

Can't blame a man for wanting to do something to break that cabin fever.

Now's a Good Time to Get Ready for the New Season

I know some fellas hunt this time of year. I also know others continue fishing, and some do both those things, as well as a host of others. My curiosity yesterday, though, when I went rooting around the Internet, was to find out how many spend this time of year cleaning up their fishing gear from last season and getting ready for the one that lies ahead.

Not surprisingly, I learned there are a fair number who do just that.

I discovered one fella who starts his annual cleaning regimen with his boat. "I try to keep it clean during the season," he said, "but that doesn't always happen. I go through all the storage lockers and take everything out, then clean the compartments so they basically look brand new. I wipe out all the little nooks and crannies. They can get gunked up pretty bad after a season of fishing," he explained.

"A clean boat not only makes fishing easier," he continued, "it (the boat) will sell for more money when the time comes for a trade-in." This angler estimated he fishes about 75 days a year--in tournaments and fun outings with friends--and trades in his old boat for a newer model about every three years.

While I didn't find many who appeared to start the yearly cleanup with their boats, I did find several who are into inventorying, cleaning, organizing, and replacing (as necessary) such things as rods, reels, lures, soft plastics, and all manner of other objects you find in the average angler's tackle bags.

According to one angler, "It's a good idea to clean rods with a damp rag and inspect the wrappings on guides. Also run a piece of yarn (some guys prefer using cotton balls or swabs) through the guides to check for rough places and cracks, especially on ceramic guides. Those kinds of places can cut your line, and it seems to always happen when you're fighting a big fish. The wrappings can fail at the worst possible moment, too, so replace all bad guides."

This same angler went on to urge checking the reel seats and making sure they are holding the reels tight. "Oil any threads and bolts that tighten to clamp the reel," he said. "And make sure handles still are tight on the rod and that they don't have any bad places that need work."

Reels, meanwhile, need to be washed on the outside and taken apart to clean and lightly oil the parts inside. "During this process, look for worn or broken parts that need replacing," he continued.

"At the same time, it's a good idea to remove all the old fishing line. Don't respool, though, unless you plan to go fishing soon, because cold weather makes a lot of line stiff, and it goes bad quickly. If you use backing, it's OK to leave it on the reel but make sure it's tight."

When it comes to cleaning out your tackle bags, the first order of business is to find some place with enough room to spread out all the stuff. A home's living room--or for that matter, any room in the home--likely isn't a good choice unless you live alone. Once you find an acceptable area, start sorting the tackle into piles of hard baits and soft baits, then break down everything according to categories: jigs, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc. This is also a good time to replace rusty hooks.

The logical next step is to inventory what you have, making a list as you go along of things you need to replenish and/or replace. Be specific about such things on your list as soft plastics, e.g., indicate styles, as well as colors. Be equally specific about hooks and weights--if you need any. And when you're ready to go out and buy everything on your list, don't forget to take along any gift cards you may have received for Christmas.

Finally, organize all the stuff. Put soft baits in plastic bags according to similar types and colors. Use utility boxes for hard baits, separating them by type, body profile, running depth, etc. Store spinnerbaits in tackle folders with ring binders and removable plastic sleeves.

As one angler remarked, "I like having everything organized so I don't have to go digging for it come tournament day. The less time I spend looking for something, the more time I have to fish."

Keep a trash can handy while you're doing all this cleaning, and ask yourself these questions: Did I use this last year? Did it help me catch any fish? If the answer is "no," get rid of it.

Fishing season may be a ways off yet, but now's a good time to start thinking about that first trip of the year. Winter may seem to be creeping along, but before you know it, the numbing cold will be but a distant memory, and the fish will be biting. If you don't take care of your equipment now, you might end up spending most of that first trip fixing things that break, searching for missing lures and tools, and doing everything but catching any fish.

Been There, Done That, Have the T-Shirt, Too

My first full read in the new January/February 2015 Bassmaster magazine that arrived in my mailbox yesterday was editor James Hall's article titled "Dumb and Dumber." It was refreshing to find out that it isn't just old duffers like myself who make the kind of shortsighted mistakes he admitted to in his article.

Like James, I've had my share of unhappy experiences with light line. Most of 'em came the year when I dedicated the whole season to fishing a custom-made slider rod with a whole bunch of Charlie Brewer soft plastics, along with a 5-and-a-half-foot ultralight spinning rod, on which I was tossing hardly anything but a wide assortment of beetlespins.

I had hold of some monster fish (not always sure what kind) that year, but the best I ever got to the boat was a 6-pound bass that nearly put me into cardiac arrest with all the leaps he made before I managed to bring him alongside the boat. Let's face it--you usually aren't afforded too many mistakes with 4- and 6-lb.-test mono and still be able to claim victory. Most of the time, I'd only get to feel the fish for a brief spell after hookup, maybe survive a couple of hard runs and a leap or two, then kiss the prize goodbye as he either spit the hook or broke my line.

As for launching a boat without the plug being in, I've done that trick more times than I care to count--none recently, though (knock on wood). The most vivid account in my memory bank is of a trip I made one winter to Lake Anna with a Navy buddy. I just had parked the car and gotten out when my buddy hollered to tell me that tackle boxes were floating in the boat. So I hurriedly drove back down to the ramp and saved my sinking boat, but not before we both were wet and freezing. Even though we neither one had a change of clothing, we still went fishing but didn't stay long, because a cold wind made the situation unbearable.

And while throwing a few lures over the side after clipping the wrong part of my line during a retie, I've been lucky in that, as best I can remember, the lures involved always have been topwaters or floater-divers, so I never lost any.

Then, of course, there was the incident this past year when my partner, Rob, was scoring one fish after the other with a Pop R, while I simply kept thrashing the water. When I finally wised up, changed to a Pop R, and started catching fish, Rob's comment was, "I wondered how long it was going to take you to get the message."

I've also been guilty of beginning a run without first tying down my rods, but to date, I've managed to stop in time to prevent losing any over the side in that scenario. Instead, I've had to watch a few drop into the drink as I was trying to sort out a tangled cluster of them, and I also have "gracefully" kicked some over the side.

On more than one occasion, too, I have been known to be digging through a two-sided tackle box quickly and flip one side over without remembering to latch it first... well, you know the rest.

The one thing James talked about that I hope I never duplicate was the time he was running across the lake when he saw bass breaking the surface and decided to shut down immediately. He then ran up front and threw the trolling motor over without checking the speed. The still hefty forward movement of his boat, coupled with the trolling motor's speed when he hit the power button, sent him flying into the lake--under the watchful eyes of a host of onlookers.

I feel pretty certain that the natural first reaction of any angler who just has had such a moment is to look around and find out if anybody was watching. That's definitely true of me. If no one is looking, I more times than not will burst out laughing at myself.

There's just something different, though, when someone else is doing the laughing. That's why, whenever I've been a witness to someone else's misfortune, on the water or otherwise, I always try to avoid even smiling... when they can see me, at least.

James is safe in saying he hopes "I'm not the only fisherman to make these types of mistakes." It seems a relatively safe bet to me, based on my own experiences, that all of us who spend time on the water have had our share of moments when dumb things happened to us. If you've never had such a moment, you're truly blessed.

On Days When You Can't Fish...

You always can find a local Starbucks or two with their doors wide open for business. That's where yesterday afternoon found my buddy, Charlie, and me... and it wasn't the first time, either. For a long while now, we've been getting together in this setting from time to time throughout the year.

Our fishin' successes and failures continue to be a mainstay of the conversations, but nothing is off the table. Yesterday, for example, we couldn't avoid taking note of the fact that, as we sat in our chairs looking out the window, bay-effect snowflakes kept falling off and on. That factor, coupled with the steadily falling temperatures, made us both glad we had spent the previous day on the water.

Charlie's one wish yesterday, as he explained, was that northerly winds would keep sucking the water out of West Neck. He thoroughly enjoys having that "playground" all to himself, as he usually does when the water level is at its lowest. While others only can stand by and watch from shore, Charlie sits out there putting one fish after another in the kayak. That's a fact--as anyone who reads his blog regularly will attest.

After a couple hours of our normal banter yesterday, we split and went our separate ways, leaving open the date for our next "coffee break." It wasn't until I was in my van and headed home that my thoughts flashed back to another article I published on this blog here recently. It was the one in which I talked about catching a double limit... on my Radica: Bass Fishin' game, that is. I couldn't help wondering what it would be like to maybe add a new twist to these Starbucks encounters--a tournament using that game.

Incidentally, since running that earlier article about Radica:, I've heard from a couple friends who have told me they pulled out their models of the game and are trying to improve their armchair expertise.

Granted, having a couple hours to meet up at Starbucks on a weekday isn't for everyone, but for retired folks like Charlie and me, it's the perfect way to spend an afternoon when you can't fish.

Found 'Em on the Point Again Today

After checking out the weather forecast for the rest of this week, it didn't take much motivation for me to get my fanny in gear this morning and head to West Neck for a few hours on the water.

Given the way my morning started, though, I will admit I had a few reservations. On Saturday, I had checked over both cars and found that all the tires needed a little air, so I had hooked up my 12-volt pump and topped 'em off. Everything was great--or so I thought--until I was loading my van this morning. Suddenly, I noticed that the right rear tire on my wife's car was, to borrow an old phrase, "flatter than a flitter."

My first thought was that the seal between the tire and rim might have been broken, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the tire quickly taking air and holding it after I had tightened up the valve core. In no time, the tire was full of air, and it passed the old saliva test, so I finished loading my van and headed to the marina.

Given the fact it had been more than a month since I ran the SX-170, I decided to fish from it today. It seems a pretty safe bet that I'll have to alternate between it and the SX-190 until someone hopefully takes the former off my hands. I'll just have to keep a record on my calendar when I run each one, because history has proven I can't trust my memory that far.

Once on the water and clear of the channel out to the main creek, I turned and headed for the point where I had made my last trip of 2014--the same one where I had recorded one of my best days for the whole year. With all the gear out of my old boat, it popped on step in the blink of an eye, and I was off and running.

It was almost as though I never had left the spot a month earlier. Using the same firetiger Bomber Square A that had produced for me then, I soon was catching fish again. My best of the day was the one pictured above, which weighed in at 1-10. I also caught a 1-7, 1-0, and a 0-14. Everything, even down to the feel of the bites, was the same. And, like the earlier trip, I again missed a few because I failed to distinguish the difference between a stump and a bump. I also missed one that had picked up my ultra slow-moving crankbait and was swimming with it before I realized that's what was happening.

On a day when I would have been perfectly content just not to record a skunk on my first outing of the new year, I got that one, plus a bonus of three more. For that reason, I didn't hesitate to pull the plug after only three-and-a-half hours on the water. The bite had quieted down, and the coffee no longer was working very efficiently in keeping my innards warm, so I headed to the ramp, recovered, wiped everything down, stowed it, and came home.

The weather will dictate my next trip, which, from the looks of the forecast, won't be for several days. In the meantime, my only concern is going to be keeping my tootsies cozy. 

Some No-Nonsense Tips to Keep You Boating Safely for a Long Time to Come

A boat running 60 mph travels about 88 feet in a second and more than a hundred yards in four seconds. With unlimited visibility, that fact alone doesn't mean much. But when conditions restrict your visibility, especially on a busy lake or river, that same fact can spell the difference between safe passage and a collision or allision.

If you don't know what "allision" means, don't feel badly. I didn't either until I looked it up today. As I learned, some folks mistakenly use collision and allision interchangeably. However, a collision occurs when two vessels hit each other, and an allision occurs when a vessel hits a stationary object, such as a bridge or dock.

Years of experience on the water give you a leg up on boating safety, but it in no way ensures you won't one day have an accident. With that being the case, here's a list of tips I happened across earlier today while rootin' around the Internet:

     * Never leave the ramp without visibility of at least 200 yards.

     * Keep GPS in perspective--it's not radar. It shows shoreline and navigation marks but not other boats or objects in the water.

     * Don't get distracted by your electronics or something else or someone in your boat while running. It's risky to tweak the gps or take a cellphone call while operating a boat on step.

     * Never start the outboard without wearing your PFD and having the safety lanyard on the kill switch attached.

     * If the bow seat obstructs your vision, take it down every time you run.

     * If you can't be sure of the intentions of an approaching boat, slow down and give way.

     * Anytime fog or rain is present, use your running lights--even in daylight or when you're stopped and fishing.

     * Never make a turn without checking behind you for overtaking boats.

     * Never approach another boat at high speed from behind or head-to-head at such close quarters you can't evade him if he makes a sudden turn.

     * Remember that you usually lose forward vision in most bass rigs as you come out of the hole.

     * It's illegal and stupid to operate a high-speed boat under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

     * Make all passengers stay seated anytime you're running on step.

     * Keep a sharp eye out for wakes from tugs, barges and yachts. They can send a 60-mph boat airborne.

     * Slow down around bridges and restricted channels where boat traffic is heavy.

     * Though your boat has no brakes, you can use the trim control to quickly slow it down. Run the lower unit all the way down as you cut power, and the boat will quickly come to a stop.

Follow these rules and you stand a better-than-average chance of not becoming just another boating statistic.

As for Me, I'll Fish Through the Pain



Spend a day on the water with me, especially a tournament day, and I promise you'll likely detect some indications of pain before all is said and done. If you have any doubts, just talk to my usual tourney partner, Rob.

Whether it's because of my sciatic nerve putting a crimp in my git-along, the arthritis in my hands causing my fingers to lock up, or any other run-of-the-mill age-related problems that torment me, you're apt to hear some audible sounds. I even groan nearly every time I reach for the front pedestal seat to pull myself up on the casting platform.

But you know what? I'm not alone here. I have a couple friends in my age bracket who share the same or similar experiences every time they hit the water. One's even on a first-name basis with everyone who works in a local chiropractor's office--it's been that way for a lot of years, too. And, as I learned from some online research for this article, we're "in good company," so to speak, with the likes of Larry Nixon, Mark Davis, and Denny Brauer, all of whom know what it feels like to have Father Time catch up with you. Those three veteran pros' problems even required surgery--multiple times--Nixon for a torn tendon in his elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome, Davis for a torn elbow tendon and shoulder injury, and Brauer for back issues.

There are many other injuries and medical ailments reported among the pro anglers' ranks today, too, most notably affecting such body parts as the rotator cuff, back, neck, and hands. You also can find instances of skin cancer, hernias, and at least one lightning strike--David Fritts was a victim of the latter.

As some pros are quick to point out, things today are much different from 20 or 30 years ago when they fished fewer events and supplemented their income by guiding and making appearances at sports shows. The norm now is to fish 250, and in some cases, 300 or more days a year, and that kind of repetition puts a strain on body parts.

Just what kind of repetition are we talking about here? I found an account by Takahiro Omori in which he said he probably averages 3,000 to 4,000 casts a day during a tournament--and the same during prefishing. "So in any given event, I'm probably making 15,000 casts or more," he asserted. Couple that statement with the fact he fishes the Elite Series, as well as the FLW and PAA Tours, and you quickly recognize the gravity of what he's saying. (Food for thought: If Takahiro makes that many casts, imagine how many a noted power fisherman like KVD must make.)

Professional bass fishing, from what I can tell, didn't have any kind of medical help available until Troy Lindner, son of angling legend Al Lindner, came along. A nationally certified health and fitness practitioner, as well as a competitive angler, Troy decided to do something after watching his dad and uncle struggle with fishing-related injuries, as well as fellas he fishes against.

Troy first studied the problem, then published two booklets titled "Fit 4 Fishing" (download both from this site: http://www.fit4fishing.com/products). Both booklets and a series of video tips he developed illustrate fishing movements that may create injuries, along with simple stretches that can mitigate or prevent damage. The "Fit 4 Fishing" series also is available by clicking on these links:
http://www.bassfan.com/tips_article.asp?id=285 and http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=3781#.VKcZAPso6M8.

Then, in early 2008, Strike King Lure Company teamed up with The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) and Huntsville Hospital to provide Strike King's pro staff a world-class certified staff of athletic trainers and sports-medicine doctors--the first of its kind. In the years since, TOC sports physicians have cared for several of the elite team members who suffer muscular and skeletal ailments.

My research for this article revealed one angler who evidently feels that the effects of fishing generally begins in earnest with the middle-aged. According to him, "Every angler I know who is 40 years old or more has pain. If you're not in pain now," he continued, "don't wait. Build a stretching program, and use it... .

"Learn from what all the anglers around the country are saying: Bass fishing has injuries. However, most of these injuries are preventable if you start early. When you're 25 years of age, it's hard to believe that, by the time you're 40, a simple pitch to an overhanging tree can hurt, but it will if you don't take preventive measures now."

The same angler went on to say that when he was 20, he could fish all day and be only slightly tired. When he was 30, he would get tired but was ready to go again after a short nap. At his current age of 40, though, he says he needs a healing process, along with recovery time. What's the answer? For him, it's "stretching, exercising and staying hydrated."

Given that progression, I can't help but wonder what he'll be saying he needs when he reaches the 70 plateau where I find myself today. Perhaps he'll just resign himself to going the route of old race horses that have passed their prime. I, however, am not prepared to accept such a judgment. I'll just keep grunting and groaning while I'm chunking and winding, for as long as possible.

Taking a Look Back... And Hoping for Better in 2015

I was checking out the classy latest blog entry of my good friend, Charlie Bruggemann, this morning, and decided that, even though I really don't "have much to write home about" when it comes to the year 2014, I'd better at least try to assemble some kind of wrap-up story.

It truly wasn't a "lost cause," in that I did manage, with my partner Rob's help, to put a 5.26-lb. bass in the boat. That happened back during the Saturday, Sept. 13 Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney. Unfortunately, our "best effort" of the whole year gleaned us big-fish honors for the day but fell a tad shy of winning the 2nd-place purse. We needed 11.63 lbs. for that but only had 11.55.

Just a week earlier, in another tourney from the same series, I had found the winner's circle with a 4th-place finish while fishing solo. My tally that day was 9.83. And, too, I was lucky enough to claim the mystery-weight prize on four occasions this past year--twice with Rob and twice solo.

When it comes to my overall totals for the whole year, I simply fade out of sight when comparing myself to Charlie. He caught a total of 625 bass, while I only boated a total of 192. I've said many times--and I truly believe it--Charlie is a "fishing machine." Not only is he good--he makes it look easy. I find myself sometimes drawing parallels between him and the pied piper of nursery-rhyme fame. He seemingly mesmerizes the bass. It's plain and simple, folks--Charlie's a tough act to follow.

I seem to have surprised a few folks by finishing the year 2014 with a Christmas present to myself--a different boat. I intentionally hadn't been saying anything to anyone about even wanting one because, quite honestly, I wasn't sure it ever would happen. It wasn't long, though, after buying my Skeeter SX-170 in 2002 that I began wishing I had gotten a 19-footer with a bit more giddy-up-go, which is exactly what I have with the 2002 Skeeter SX-190 that I just purchased a couple weeks ago.

And while I didn't gain anything in age, this SX-190 comes with many upgrades over what I had with the SX-170, most notably in added storage space, the onboard electronics, all-new upholstery, and a trailer that's only 2 years old. It's everything--plus some--that I had been wanting and watching for. And I didn't hesitate when I saw it pop in an ad on Craig's list.

Like several friends in recent years, however, I now find myself in the unenviable position of owning two boats... and having two insurance payments, two storage fees... I think you get the picture. So, if any of my readers know someone looking for a boat with a very reliable and well-maintained 115 Yamaha, be sure to have 'em call me at 651-2990. For all the pertinent details about this boat, refer to the ad in the upper right corner of my blog's homepage.

In closing, let me wish everyone a safe, healthy, prosperous, and Happy New Year. May all your troubles be small ones and your fortunes ten times ten.

I learned just today that friend and fellow tourney angler, Gary Coderre, is laid up for a spell. In an email, he said his left wrist is fractured, and three tendons in his left shoulder are separated. He further told me that he's awaiting surgery on his left bicep muscle--all the result of a workplace mishap that occurred several weeks ago.

"I'll be down for 6 to 8 weeks, with 4 to 6 months of therapy," said Gary, before adding, "I hope I can fish by the end of March."

Not one to be kept down, Gary still is working. However, he's on "sedentary duty," which, as he explained, simply means he's restricted to working behind a desk.

I feel certain I speak for all the guys when I say, "Get well soon, shipmate. We enjoy your company."