In the Words of the Accomplished Angler Himself

Nearly every time you see this fella, he has a fish or two--and sometimes more--in his hands. That fact alone should tell you something.

If you already have read the blog post I put up before this one, you undoubtedly recognize the fella at right as Kevin Mills, an accomplished angler who knows how to catch the big 'uns. I asked, and he graciously accepted my invitation to share the story of his day on Northwest River this past Wednesday, Feb. 22. So, here is that story, using his own words. I assure you Kevin knows how to write, because he and I both were journalists in the U.S. Navy.

"In short, it was simply the day we all go to bed dreaming about. You know the one, when the fish are doing exactly what we think they should--and they are...

"I hit my first spot that day and caught seven fish on seven casts. The first three all weighed around 4.5 lbs. The next four all went around 3.5 lbs. I figured that was it; I had a great day already, and even if I didn't catch any more, I had had fun.

"Based on where I got the first ones, I decided to run to another spot that was very similar. I fished about a 100-yard bank and caught two 4.5-lb. fish. In fact, there was a couple of guys anchored on that bank, fishing for crappie/perch, and I asked if they minded my going between them and the bank. They said to go for it, and I caught the first nice one between their boat and the bank. I went about another 20 yards and got the second one. Then I went a bit further, and that's when the 'big girl' ate my jig.

"There was no doubt when she bit. It was one of those bites that will rock your socks. I set the hook, and she didn't move. However, I immediately knew I was hooked up, as I could feel her head shake. I didn't get a good look at her until she came near the surface the first time--she was at the boat. I knew then she was a chunk, so I one-handed the rod and got the net ready. I generally don't use the net when fun fishing, but she changed my mind. The next time she came close, I grabbed the net and stabbed at her.  As you know, that's the cardinal sin of bass fishing, but I didn't want to take a chance. As luck would have it, I got her on that first try.

"When I first looked at the fish, I thought she would go 10 lbs., but when I lifted her from the net, I noticed she wasn't long enough. She was incredibly tall from her belly to her back, and from head to tail, but I didn't think she would make 10. As it turned out, she was only 23" long and weighed 9.35 lbs.! As you well know, a river fish at that length and that weight is rare indeed.

"I consider myself very, very fortunate to have tangled with her...a fish I won't soon forget. I've hooked two fish on that river in almost 20 years that were bigger but never got them in the boat.  It was a pleasure to finally land one there.  

"Overall, I figure I had 28+ lbs. in my top five last Wednesday. Again, simply a day when everything lined up. A person is well aware those days don't happen often. However, it sure is nice when things work out!"

For Week Ending Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017

This post ushers in a new format for the Fishing Report. From this point forward, individual inputs largely will be handled as part of a once-a-week condensed compilation to be published every Sunday. An exception might occur when someone has a banner day and/or more-than-the-usual amount of text is available to provide in-depth details for a featurette. The item that immediately follows is an example that demonstrates the preceding point; I picked up the tip for what you see here from Bob's Fishin' Hole website.

Lunker Magic, or Lunker Magnet?

Whatever mojo Kevin Mills has coursing through his body, one thing is certain: He's had it for a good while, and there are no signs of it slipping away from his firm grasp.

Kevin is no stranger to catching big bass, and he has demonstrated his prowess yet again. His latest crowning achievement came Wednesday, Feb. 22, while on a Northwest River trip out of Bob's Fishin' Hole. This monster fish, pictured at right, tipped the scales at 9.35 lbs.

As solid proof that Kevin is by no means a "flash in the pan," consider a couple other hawgs he has caught over the years. He claimed an 8-14 (left in this combined photo) from Lake Smith on March 8, 2007. The 9.14-lb. largemouth (right in this combined photo) was part of a five-fish, 27.64-lb. sack he caught on Lake Burnt Mills (don't have the date).

It turns out that Kevin wasn't the only angler to snare a big fish from the Northwest this past Wednesday. Josh Clark (right) also caught a braggin'-size beauty, as evidenced by this photo. He estimated the fish at more than 7 lbs., saying, "I have an old set of digital scales that weighed it at 7.09 lbs., and these scales always have weighed light."

I have to admit that James, who runs the store at Bob's, pretty well nailed it with his comment about the events of Feb. 22. He said, "The river is (turned) ON!"

And if you've been following all the other Guestbook entries and Braggin' Rights page additions about nice lunkers being caught out of Bob's this fall and winter, you'll quickly agree with what James said.

Congratulations to all those anglers who seemingly have found the secret to catching big Northwest largemouths.

Wednesday, Feb. 22...After a long trip home from "playing in the snow," Ron A. managed to wet a line for a few fish at Tecumseh. The bass at left fell for the XTS Minnow, and the panfish hit the Beetlespins. He lost an XTS to, in his words, "what I suspect was a chain pickerel." He also caught one little white perch, four dink bass, and three crappie for the skillet. "'Twas nice to get home from the mountains and be back on the water," he said.

Wednesday, Feb. 22...Lenny H. fished both Pocaty and the cut-through into Albright's. He said he caught four bass in the former area and one in the latter, four of which were keepers.

Thursday, Feb. 23...It was a good outing on Milldam this evening for Ron A. and a buddy. The buddy scored with a good deal of panfish, as well as a nice 3-lb. bass. Meanwhile, Ron caught a variety but no bass. Included was a 12-inch white perch on the Whopper Plopper, a crappie on the Beetlespin, and a chain pickerel, as well as a yellow perch, on the XTS. The stringer of panfish was a combined effort, with Ron contributing only a couple.

Thursday, Feb. 23...Yours truly launched the first of two consecutive days of fishing. I stayed in West Neck Creek today and managed to catch three bass, plus four white perch, all on a Strike King shallow-running crankbait. The bass weighed in at 0-15, 1-1 and 2-11 (latter two pictured here). Talked to Ray S., who went to Albright's today and caught a small bass, as well as a couple of bluegill. Swapped emails this evening with Rob P. and Don C., who also fished today and told me they had a real tough outing, catching only one white perch and one crappie.

Friday, Feb. 24...Ron A. went to West Landing Marina today, with plans to fish Cow Creek, but he learned that West Landing is closed (due to sale of the property). He then opted for his backup plan: to launch at Indian River Road and fish upper West Neck Creek. Fishing from 4:15 'till dark, he caught a 3-8 bowfin and an aggressive little bream, both on the XTS Minnow. For the second straight day, though, he couldn't find a bass. Ron mentioned that, right at dark, a bat started attacking his line as he was reeling in the XTS. "Never saw that before," he said. "Luckily, he didn't get tangled." He went on to say there was a lot of surface action and a whole bunch of schools of some very small fish--feeding on bugs, maybe.

Friday, Feb. 24...If yours truly had caught one fish for every turtle I saw coming out to sun themselves today, I easily would have had a hundred fish at day's end. As it was, though, my totals fell far short of that number. I had a grand total of three dink bass (pictured here) and one small white perch, plus a big, ornery chain pickerel and an even bigger, ornerier grindle. The pickerel probably would have gone about 4 lbs., and  the grindle was closer to 5 lbs. As luck would have it, both took my crankbait down to about their belly buttons, which made for some "delicate" hook removals. Was greatly annoyed to have had the pickerel snap one of my medium-light crankbait rods in half with his aggressive antics. Guess I should be happy, though, that I still had my new crankbait--albeit now seriously battle-scarred--when I quit this afternoon. All but one of today's fish came out of Pocaty (my first trip there in a long while), with only my first bass coming out of Albright's. Incidentally, my day wouldn't have been complete if I hadn't been able to watch a lackadaisical couple turn their johnboat into a "stump jumper" before my very eyes while in Pocaty. Both simultaneously looked over their shoulder but must not have been too concerned because they just kept motorin' along. I wonder how many times over the years I've witnessed similar, and in some cases destructive, exploits in Pocaty. Talked to Lenny H. and learned that, besides about a 3-lb. bass I saw him catch in Pocaty, he also picked up another one that would have measured about 12.5 inches, plus four perch and a crappie. Because he's been seeing some topwater action (I've been seeing it, too), Lenny indicated he probably will begin throwing topwater baits more often now.

Saturday, Feb. 25..."Milldam Creek provides no protection from the wind and didn't deliver any decent bass today, either," said Ron A. in the opening line of his email. He caught one 13-inch bass, a few crappie, a white perch, and one sunfish in what turned out to be a "long, windy and sunny day," to borrow his words. Before throwing in the towel, Ron ventured into the southern end of snake creek, where he saw his first snake of the year. Said Ron, "He was far away, so not sure what kind it was. Is it really February?" With cooler temps on tap for Sunday, Ron left the door open to go find out how that might affect the bite.

Sunday, Feb. 26...The day started with a good bite but then tapered of till dark. Before the slowdown, however, Ron managed to catch five yellow perch (biggest about 10 inches), one white perch, three chain pickerel (to 22.5 inches), one crappie (at 12 inches), and 11 bass, including eight dinks, plus a 1-6, a 2-3, and a 2-8 (right). Everything fell for a trolled XTS Minnow. Said Ron, "I replaced yesterday's try-to-stay-cool clothing with today's try-to-stay-warm duds. The wind was a bear until about 4 o'clock, when it finally died off, which seemed to match the bite."

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe--Which Reel Do I Really Need/Want?

That's a question most fishermen ask themselves one time or another. And when you don't know for certain, where do you turn? To the Internet, of course. Now you've just exposed yourself to a whole new dilemma.

I've always understood that opinions are much like belly buttons: Everybody has one. Got no problem with that concept.

What I do have a problem with, though, is when I have a question about a topic in which most or sometimes all the acknowledged experts are saying something different. Thus, you can imagine the misgivings I had when I recently went online, researching opinions of the experts about what gear-ratio of reel to use for different kinds of baits.

I found a little agreement between the chosen two but once again had to face disparity in the answers they afforded. Those two authorities I used for the sake of this particular discussion are Wired2Fish and Bassmaster. Let me say now that it soon became evident I would have to list the recommendations of one group (Wired2Fish) and include "notes" containing the suggested differences of the other group (Bassmaster).

Here's the gist of my research:

(Slow Reels, 5.1:1 thru 5.4:1 and Lower)
Deep-diving crankbaits
Big swimbaits
Deep-water spinnerbaits
(Note: Bassmaster differed in that they recommended use of these reels with ALL crankbaits.)

(Medium Reels, 6.1:1 thru 6.4:1)
Squarebill crankbaits
Medium-depth crankbaits
Shallow spinnerbaits
(Note: Bassmaster differed in that they recommended use of these reels with all spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, swimming jigs, and topwaters.)

(Fast Reels, 7.1:1 thru 8.1:1)
Jigs and big worms
Shaky heads
Texas rigs
Carolina rigs
Topwaters
Jerkbaits
Lipless crankbaits
(Note: Bassmaster differed in that they recommended use of these reels for flipping, pitching and worming applications, as well as anytime you're working a bait for a short stretch, then hurrying the retrieve to make another cast.)

It bears mentioning that there is no requirement to have an assortment of all the reels discussed here. As noted by Bassmaster, "Reels with a gear ratio in the neighborhood of 6:1 are your workhorses. They get the bulk of the duty with most bass-fishing applications, and in a pinch, you could do all the things best served by slower or faster reels just by cranking slower or faster."

Those are the facts of the matter. What, if anything, you do with 'em is your business.

You're Only As Good As Your Trolling Motor

When that TM conks out, and you can't start the gas motor in time, you're "up the creek without a paddle," so to speak. Thus was the predicament a Seymour, IN, couple found themselves in this past Sunday, Feb. 19. They had to be pulled from their disabled Ranger bassboat that afternoon after it became stuck on the Rockford Dam on the East Fork White River, north of Seymour.

Conservation Officer Robert Klakamp said in a news release that the initial investigation showed the couple were fishing north of the dam when their trolling motor lost power. County Officer Dustin Steward, who was sent to the scene at 2:08 p.m., said, when he arrived, the front end of the boat was slamming into the dam and taking on water. Steward and Jackson County reserve officer Joey Francis were able to use a throw bag to reach the boat and pull it ashore, whereupon Carl Dean Bottorff, 52, and Mechelle Elena Bottorff, 43, finally were able to disembark.

Afterward, the Bottorffs were taken to Schneck Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of mild hypothermia by Jackson County Emergency Services personnel. Although life jackets were available onboard the Ranger, neither person was wearing one when this incident occurred.

For the full story, click on the following link: http://www.tribtown.com/2017/02/21/couple_rescued_from_disabled_boat/. I found this abbreviated version in the latest issue of BassBlaster.

Although First Reported by the Press As a Suspicious-Looking Growth...

That report since has been debunked as nothing more than "fake news" in a late-breaking tweet from the White House. That tweet labeled the earlier media reports as "hawgwash." It said the bass in this photo was just part of a paid protest by freshwater fish everywhere against the continued use of artificial baits. Toward that end, they held a hot-dog eating contest, which this bass happened to win.

In all honesty, I have no way of knowing the origin of this photo or why the belly of this bass is so distended. I happened to see it used in the latest issue of BassBlaster, which hit my inbox earlier today, and decided to have a little fun with it.

If your funny bone is still crying for a little attention, you might like to check out the accompanying link that I received from a bassin' buddy this evening: https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSiAnJBGc7w?wmode=transparent&fs=1&hl=en&modestbranding=1&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&rel=0&theme=dark&hd=1&blocked=true.

The Worst. Lure. Ever.

By Ken Duke

Managing Editor

Fishing Tackle Retailer Magazine

I've purchased a lot of lures through the years. Friends and industry relations have given me thousands more. Most of them will catch fish...maybe all of them will. You know the old axiom: The worst lure fished in the best place will catch more fish than the best lure fished in the worst place. Hard to argue with that.

When I look at a lure, I usually can see what it's designed to emulate and how it's supposed to work. A lot goes into a good fishing lure, but the basic concepts usually are pretty straightforward. You build something that looks like forage, add a line-tie, put a hook in it, and you're good to go.

Ultimately, however, even a good lure is only as good as the angler using it. But the bad lures? Now we're talkin'.

A lure is only truly bad when it's consistently unsuccessful in the hands of a talented fisherman. After all, if you gave me the mythical "best lure ever" and gave Kevin Van Dam a tennis shoe with treble hooks in it, the smart money still is on KVD to beat me like a drum.

A lot of the lures that get mentioned when anglers talk about the worst lures ever made really aren't that bad. The Flying Lure, for example, gets a bad rap. If you don't think a jig that glides away from you has value, you've never fished a boat dock.

The Helicopter Lure is practically a punch line in the fishing industry, but I know some terrific fishermen who still slay bedding bass with it during the spawn.

The old Heddon beer-can crankbaits? Well, those were novelty lures--not something anyone was supposed to use. Nevertheless, they'll catch fish if you throw them in the same places and at the same times you'd use a square bill.

Even the Banjo Minnow is little more than a variation of a weightless Fluke or plastic worm, and I've caught more bass on a weightless worm than anything else in my entire life.

None of these legendary bad baits are even close to as bad as the lure I think of when choosing the worst lure of all time. My choice is so bad that some assembly is required. It comes in eight parts that you have to snap together like some piece of junk from IKEA. (Don't get me started!)

My choice is so bad that it doesn't even emulate something you'd commonly think of as a forage item. My choice is so bad that the part of it designed to draw the strike is not even in the water! That's right--no typo there. In fact, the product tagline was "Never Fish Underwater Again." You know...unless you actually want to catch something.

My choice for the Worst. Lure. Ever. is the Hover-Lure. It was the product of some overactive imaginations and underactive intellects. The part of the lure designed to draw a strike is a dragonfly imitation about two inches long. It obscured a little gold hook--get this!--the whole thing "hovered" above a slab of plastic designed to look like a lily pad.

I have a Hover-Lure in my personal collection. I bought it on eBay because I'm fascinated by such monumental misfires. And while I don't want to imply that the Hover-Lure suffered from shoddy craftsmanship, I can tell you that the dragonfly came with spare wings...and bodies...and eyes...and a spare lily pad.

As you can see from the packaging, the Hover-Lure was marketed as "the most unique fishing system on the market today." I would have added, "or ever."

Now I don't know about you and your concepts of good bait design, but I consider actual contact with the water to be a minimum requirement for consistent fishing success. Come into my office and tell me your bait doesn't get wet until after a fish strikes it, and I'm going to tell you I've spotted a flaw in your system. Then I'm going to call the authorities and have you forcibly removed.

If you think I hate the Hover-Lure, however, you are mistaken. I love it!

I love it because it shows one end of the spectrum--though maybe not the good end--of lure design. I love it because someone, somewhere had a dream (nightmare?) and saw it through the design and manufacturing processes, got it packaged, and even distributed a few. I love it because that designer must have been told no--or probably "Hell no!"--a thousand times before ever hearing yes, but he kept right on going. I love it because we should have bass tournaments in which the only bait you're allowed to use is the Hover-Lure. I love it because Homer Circle endorsed it. I love it because the Hover-Lure jingle (click on this link: http://www.hoverlure.com/videoPages/videoLibrary_s1.html) is the worst song since "Betty Davis Eyes." I love it because there never will be another lure like it.

I love it because I have one...and I'll bet you don't!

Jealous much?

About the Author...Before assuming his current duties, Ken Duke served as senior editor of B.A.S.S. Publications (2005-14). Before that, he served as B.A.S.S. senior publicist (2004-05), and as an editor with Game and Fish Publications (1999-2004). He is the author of two books on bass fishing and has been published in more than 50 regional and national outdoor magazines.

Went for a Little Boat Ride Yesterday

To be honest about it, I actually had all my usual gear and fished most of the five-and-a-half hours I was on the water.

My plan when I left the marina was to run south and fish around the Pungo Ferry Bridge. Occupants of a couple other boats, however, had the same idea, and before long, another one had joined us, which was a bit more company than I was willing to contend with. Besides, the water in the area was all stirred up, with a muddy tinge to it.

So about an hour after I had started, I was headed to Albright's, where I felt certain the water color would be fine, and I was proven right. Just one problem: I had neglected to send the fish a memo, telling 'em I was on my way, or so it seemed. It would be an understatement if I were to say I wasn't getting bit--by a white perch, even.

The only certainty I came away with at the end of the day was that there were some fish alive in the place. After all, I did manage to spook one with a cast, and I saw a couple others swirl in the water ahead of the boat. I also eventually ran across a friend, who told me he had managed to catch a couple of small bass, even though that wasn't what he really was after. He was trolling a couple lines with live bait behind his boat, hoping to catch a little tablefare--crappie, to be exact--but said nothing had touched 'em.

With water temperatures running 54 degrees when I threw in the towel around 2 o'clock, I have to admit I was a bit surprised to find that I couldn't draw any interest, other than from a small turtle that decided to tread water just under the surface in one spot and watch my sundry baits come through the water all around him. He acted like he was somewhat mesmerized by what was happening.

'Twould appear the folks down at Bob's had a far better bite going on down there, considering the results I saw online from their tournament yesterday. The day's lunker went better than 7 pounds, and the vast majority of tournament anglers caught fish.

If the predicted local weather for this coming week stays intact, I have to believe that things probably will pick up on all the waterways around here. I have every intention of seeing if I can improve on yesterday's showing. The way I see it--there's only one way to go from here. Gotta head back to the dermatologist mid-week and let him dig a little deeper on a cancerous spot he found during my latest annual check, but that certainly won't interfere with my plans to hit the water a time or two during this stretch of warm weather.

Given the fact another tournament season is scheduled to get underway March 18th, I need to work on getting into "fishin' shape." I'm still having too many aches and pains from just spending five-and-a-half hours on the water, much less eight. Reckon I also ought to try getting out of bed at 0-dark-30 a couple times before the 18th. Haven't had to do that since last October, either.

Seems Like Tecumseh Bass Are Fatter

That was the bottom-line conclusion to an email I received this morning from Ron. He was drawing  a comparison of his trip last evening to Albright's with one he took Tuesday evening to Lake Tecumseh.

Specifically, he talked about the fact he caught a 15-inch bass (his only fish) that weighed 1-10 last night in Albright's (see photo above right). And the night before, he caught a 16.25-inch bass in Tecumseh that tipped the scales at 2-8. "A significant difference for just over an inch," he commented.

Ron went on to say that a trip today wasn't looking too favorable, given the predicted temperature and wind. "Friday should be good, though," he said.

Friday, Feb. 17, 2017...As he promised yesterday, Ron headed back to Tecumseh today. He covered 10.2 miles in his kayak between noon and 5:50 p.m., trolling the XTS Minnow.

One factor he had a hard time understanding was the ever-shifting conditions today. It was in the low 50s, with a west wind, when he started. About 1:30, when he caught his first fish, the wind shifted out of the east and picked up, with a subsequent temperature drop. About 3:30, the wind went from dead calm to a stiff southerly breeze, and the bite slowed way down at the same time.

Ron's tally on the day was four bass [two at 2-1, one at 2-4, and one at 3-11 (above right)]. He also caught three chain pickerel (measuring 19, 20 and 22.5 inches (left), respectively. Rounding out the day was a fat 13-inch crappie (bottom right).

All the fish were found in random spots throughout the middle of the lake, around no structure or holes. Ron said he had one double hook-up, thought the left rod was the bigger and fought him, while losing the one on the right. The one he boated (thinking it was bigger) was weed-covered. "Should have stuck with the other one," he said.

Ron concluded tonight's report by saying he won't fish again 'til next Thursday, weather permitting. Seems he plans to take a trip to "play in the snow" for a few days. "I'm going to miss the good stretch of weather this weekend," he said.

"We've Thrown Everything but the Kitchen Sink"

When a young lad said that to his grandpa, with whom he had gone fishing, the grandpa responded, "You're right. Let's try it."

The young lad then sat there watching his grandpa rummage around in his old tacklebox. Shortly, the elderly gent pulled out his "kitchen sink lure (see photo at right)," put it at the end of a pop-gear rig, and 5 minutes later had a fish.

Incidentally, if you're a dummy like me and don't know what a pop-gear rig is, here's an explanation I found online. "Pop gear is known by many names. Among those names are gang trolls, cow bells, and Christmas trees. Pop gear generally consists of a 2- to 4-foot wire leader, with two to six spinner blades of different shapes, sizes and colors, as well as assorted colored beads to attract fish while trolling."

When his grandpa passed away, the boy's dad let him have his choice of one lure from that old tacklebox. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out which lure the young lad took. A few years later, when the boy had grown up, he proudly displayed the "kitchen sink lure" in his office.

"Everything but the kitchen sink" first appeared in the mid-20th Century--during World War II, to be exact--to describe scrap-metal drives. The only item in the kitchen which could not be recycled was the porcelain kitchen sink. Within a year or two after the war ended, the tackle industry exploded, and so did "novelty" lures, including the "kitchen sink lure."

One collector has assembled more than 50 different "kitchen sink lures (see old ad at left)," and several have been granted patents. Records indicate these lures generally sell between $20 and $30 in good condition.

What I found interesting is that the phrase "everything but the kitchen sink" actually grew out of "everything but the kitchen stove," which was a popular phrase in the late 1800s. The advent of indoor plumbing and sinks precipitated the change.

I gotta be honest here. It doesn't much matter to me whether we call it "everything but the kitchen sink," or "everything but the kitchen stove." All I know is that it's extremely frustrating to have one of those days when you make cast after cast, after more casts, and end up having zilch, nada, or you-name-it to show for the effort. Maybe I'll start checking around to see if I can find one of those "kitchen sink lures" for sale.

You Have a Choice: Whine About "It," or Fight "It" and Probably Win

"The pessimist complains about 'it'; the optimist expects 'it' to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

In case you haven't figured out what the 'it' is in the title and this quote of writer William Arthur Ward, I'll spare you the research. "It" refers to "the wind," which, with another spring coming, is sure to be present in abundance.

Fisheries biologists see wind as a friend, but the average angler? Usually, not so much, especially weekend warriors who have only limited opportunities.

As Don Wirth once wrote in an issue of Bassmaster, "We bass fishermen usually grumble expletives when a stiff breeze blows... . It's a royal pain in the butt to us bassers when our reels are backlashing, and our trolling motors are sucking air."

Wirth went on to note that "BASS pros, on the other hand, know that wind can create some extraordinary fishing opportunities, and they have devised strategies for using it to their advantage."

One pro who certainly subscribes to that philosophy is Jimmy Houston. "Too many times," he said, "fishermen go to the lake and find it covered in rolling waves, or at least a strong wind that makes it uncomfortable to be on the water. They subsequently pack up their gear and head back home to watch fishing shows on TV...and grumble all day long.

"This is really ridiculous," Houston continued. "They are walking away from some very good fishing--I mean, some really GOOD fishing."

You also have some anglers who, while not ready to pack up and go home, really struggle with a windy day. They're ever so sorely tempted just to drift back into the calmer coves and creek arms, where boat control and casting are much easier.

I even read about one angler who admitted to frequently giving in to this temptation. Sometimes in doing so, as he explained, "I stumble onto a new spot I've never fished before...that actually has some fish. That's all well and good," he acknowledged. "However, the better fishing, I know, is always on the windward side of the lake or reservoir."

Here's how Bassmaster Elite Series pro Dustin Wilks explained the "friendship" factor between you and the wind. Incidentally, he has a college degree in fisheries biology. In his words, "The wind sets up a food-chain scenario that's triggered by reduced solar penetration.

"Phytoplankton, or microscopic plant-like organisms in the water, as they're known," said Wilks, "need sunlight for photosynthesis. When the wind creates waves, solar penetration is reduced, causing these microscopic organisms to rise closer to the surface. Zooplankton, or microscopic invertebrate animals, in turn rise to feed on the phytoplankton. Soon baitfish move in to eat the plankton, which attracts top-line predators, including bass. This is a major reason for fishing a bank, point or other structure that the wind is hitting."

Wind also is your friend in that it hides imperfections in your lures and presentations. One thing it doesn't do, though, as Wilks emphasized, is blow baitfish around. "This is one of the most prevalent misconceptions in bass fishing," he said.

Added Bassmaster Open pro Chris Noffsinger, "The wind brings bass that were holding deep into shallower areas, where they're much easier to catch. It also oxygenates the water, which energizes the fish."

Both Wilks and Noffsinger know it takes a seaworthy boat and a powerful trolling motor to handle strong winds. That's why Wilks fishes from a 20-foot Skeeter, and Noffsinger from a 21-foot Tracker Tundra walleye boat. Both pros' rigs are equipped with a 36-volt Minn Kota trolling motor that puts out 101 pounds of thrust. In addition, Wilks' trolling motor has a 50-inch shaft, while Noffsinger's is a whopping 60 inches long (to handle the big waves in Lake Michigan, where he guides).

Neither Wilks, nor Noffsinger, use a traditional lead anchor in deep water, but both occasionally employ drift socks to slow their boats in high winds. "I use drift socks," said Wilks, "when fishing big, weedy flats on windblown Florida lakes. Otherwise, I'd have to keep my trolling motor on high 36 to control my drift, which would put every bass in the area on red alert."

One other piece of equipment used by some bass pros to control the wind is what's called a Power-Pole drift paddle.

This accessory, according to FLW Tour pro Kurt Dove, "works great, is easy to install, and can be adjusted on the fly to slow your drift in current. Just the Power-Poles alone can help a lot...by deploying them part or all the way."

Dove went on to note that if you don't have Power-Poles or the drift paddle, and the current's not too strong, you can use your outboard to slow your drift and even adjust the direction of your drift somewhat. "Just trim the motor down--the stronger the wind, the more motor you want in the water--and turn your steering wheel to alter the direction you are being pushed," he said. "If you turn hard to the right, your boat will be pushed a little to the left, and vice versa."

A couple final pieces of advice for fishing windy days: Drop your rod tip, and use baits that stay in contact with the bottom.

"Remember," concluded Dove, "the wind is your friend...at least, most of the time. Just make sure you use it properly and adjust to the opportunities it presents. And if the wind gets to be too much, get off the water--right away!"

Maybe--Just Maybe--Hat and Gloves Are a Prerequisite

That's the song Ron was singing in his email to me tonight.

Launched at Tecumseh about 4 p.m., trolled the XTS Minnow, and found three bass, a nice chain pickerel, and two decent crappie. The three bass weighed in at 1-13, 2-4, and 2-8 (right). 

Meanwhile, the chain pickerel (below) was a 24.5-inch Virginia length citation (weighing 3-6), and the two crappie came in at 12.5 (bottom right) and 11 inches, respectively.

There also was a fourth bass, caught while trolling a beetlespin on an ultralight rig. "He was a blast," said Ron. That fish tipped the scales at 1-12. "A pretty good evening," concluded Ron, "but a bit chilly." He noted that when the wind picked up toward dark, his toes got cold.

Compared to his trip to upper West Neck Creek on Sunday, today was, far and away, the best outing. Having launched at Indian River Road about noon Sunday, Ron headed south. He wasn't surprised by the amount of traffic he ran into but said he could have done without the jet-skiers. (For that matter, who couldn't?)

When all was said and done, Ron had lost three small bass, landed three dinks to 12 inches, found a small white perch, and caught a 17-inch chain pickerel. He grew tired of fighting the wind and called it quits about 1500.  "Suspect the bite would have improved toward dark," he noted in closing.

Dream About Spring

An angler's blood usually gets to pumping just thinking about it. I'm talking, of course, about one of those mystic, early mornings, with steam rolling off the glass-calm water. The wake of your favorite topwater bait pierces through the surface, and then it happens--the moment that kept you awake last night, tossing and turning in bed, is nigh at hand. "Will this finally be the day I realize my dream?" you wonder. "Will I at long last lay claim to that prized fish of a lifetime?"

You do a double-take as you see that massive wake surging toward your bait. You speed up your cadence, then give it a quick pause. And WHOOSH! Suddenly, it's as though Sasquatch has tossed a Volkswagen on top of your bait. Chaos ensues, and time stands still as you wrestle the behemoth in his element. It's one of those magical moments that drives all of us anglers.

Without a doubt, topwaters are the most exciting way to catch a giant bass. Nothing compares to that huge toilet-flushing sound of a big bass inhaling a topwater lure, followed, of course, by some tail-walking that gets your heart to beating faster than a hummingbird can flap its little wings.

Now that I hopefully have gotten your adrenaline flowing, check out this video of the top 10 bass blow-ups of 2016--and dream about spring. Just click on this link: https://youtu.be/aXxZRkqN3tY.

Here's an added bonus for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMfe92HfoxM.

Maybe I Really Am "A Little Off in the Upper Story"

I'm convinced my dear mom used to think so at times when I was a teenager. I'll never forget one scolding I got from her.

It was a snowy winter weekend in Kansas, along about 1960, and I was bent on getting dual exhausts installed on my old car. Several inches of snow covered the ground, as I lay on my back, working underneath "my wheels" all weekend long.

After watching me come in the house both days, wet and nearly frozen to the bones, my ever-so-wise mom predicted that I was going to come down with "a death of cold" as a result of my bull-headedness, and you know what? She was right. A few days later, I was so sick I hardly could hold up my head. It was a couple weeks later before I finally was well enough to take my car to my best friend's dad (a mechanic) and let him finish what I had started.

Thank God, I've lost a lot of that tenacity over the years, but there's still enough left to make me want to sneak in some fishing trips over the winter months of December, January and February. And, I'm not the only one who feels that way.

A lot of folks would prefer to don an extra layer or two of clothing and head to the river, rather than sit on their duffs all weekend watching TV sports...and only wishing they had gone to the water. As one fella remarked, "Nothing compares to braving the elements for a few hours of solitude and winter-fishing bliss. Personally, I'd rather fish in winter than the middle of summer. There are fewer pleasure boaters, skiers and jet-skiers, and also fewer bass fishermen."

"What can be more simple, calming and refreshing than spending a brisk day on the water in the deep of winter?" lamented another angler.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that winter is the time of year when the way you dress for a fishing trip is as important as any other part of the planning process. A T-shirt, shorts and sandals may be OK for the summer, but you need to layer up for any winter fishing.

Make sure you don't overlook some nice socks and headgear. For warmth purposes, "jeep caps," like "Radar" O'Reilly wore in the MASH hit TV series, are hard to beat. As for gloves, some love 'em, and some hate 'em. For me, a pair of warm, fingerless gloves are a "must have" item; otherwise, I'm dogged with arthritic pain all day. I also wear a good ankle-high, waterproof pair of boots, along with the usual year-round pair of polarized sunglasses.

Once you're properly dressed for the pursuit, the next thing you need to concentrate on is the timing of your trip. The best time to go in winter, by most accounts, is during the middle of a warm front. For at least some I read about, they prefer days when the air temps range from the low 40s into the 50s. Personally, I like the 50s, but if cabin fever is getting me down, I will consider a day in the 40s, especially if low winds are predicted. Incidentally, you always should check the wind forecast before planning a cold-weather fishing trip. Winter wind is brutal and really can mess up a day on the water.

Some people won't hesitate to go, even in freezing temps, but then you have to deal with annoyances like ice freezing in your rod guides, and that ruins it for me. I would do that when I was younger--but that was before I decided to turn the switch "on" in the upper story.

In researching the Internet on this topic, I found one guy who characterized winter fishing as "nothing more than an excuse to drive a long distance on terrible roads to the middle of nowhere, whereupon you will find very few other sensible creatures, besides maybe a few birds and hopefully some fish." Another admitted that his wife is right: His winter-fishing habits "border on insane."

I don't feel like I fall into either one of those categories. I occasionally just like to wrap up, grab a thermos of coffee, and go spend a few hours of the day communing with nature, as I simultaneously try to catch a few fish. If that makes me borderline crazy or insane, then so be it. I'll keep doing it for as long as my health allows.

My dad had the same philosophy, and I unfortunately had to witness how making what he knew was going to be his "last cast" affected him. There's no doubt in my mind I, too, will experience the same emptiness. Just knowing I one day will have to accept the reality of there not being a "next time" is more than I can fully comprehend at the moment. At the very least, it's a truly sobering thought.

Only 2 Fish, But Both Nice Ones

Even though it was a bit chilly, Ron decided to launch at 4 p.m. yesterday and troll around Tecumseh to see what he could find. Twenty-five minutes later, he scored a 2-4 (below), followed about 5 minutes later with a 3-2 (right). He then lost two before finishing at 5:50 without another fish.

All of yesterday's fish came while trolling the XTS Minnow about 100 to 150 feet off the shoreline. "Gotta love that lure," he said, adding, "it has become my go-to." He also had two beetlespins out, but they just got ignored.

The day's colder temperatures left Ron with no choice but to once again don his hat and gloves. The only surprise of the evening was that he didn't find any chain pickerel or panfish.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017...Just received another email from Ron saying he fished Tecumseh again today from 1 to 6 p.m. "Covered nine miles," he said, "but didn't catch a single fish."

Ron went on to say he knows the fish were there, because a buddy of his caught a 2-11 and a 2-0, as well as two chain pickerel. "I just couldn't find 'em," he admitted.

"Sure was a nice day, though a bit windy," he explained. "Sunset was dead calm, beautiful."

Butt-Less? Tail-Less? It's All Pretty Much the Same

Mind you, I have lots of flaws, one of which my wife ascribed unto me shortly after our first meeting. She said then and, for that matter, still says today that I have absolutely no butt, and I reckon, compared to some I see on other people, she's absolutely right. However, I can live with that shortcoming--and evidently, so can some fish, as evidenced by a few photos I stumbled across here recently.

These fish, for all intents and purposes, appear healthy, other than for their tails, of which they have none. They appear to swim, eat and do all the other things fish normally do. (FYI: The photo at left was included in the latest issue of BassBlaster. If you're interested, check out the short video of the last fish shown here at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeSKt2hJ3hY.)

My online research really didn't turn up a lot of information about this phenomenon, but I'll gladly share what little I did learn.

The first thing I found was a fish camp up in Canada, where anglers one year started finding some big pike (the kind my kayaker buddy, Charlie, likes to catch) with large portions of their tails missing. If you looked closely, it was nearly as though the tail pieces had been surgically removed, so everyone went on high alert for the fiendish devil, or maybe a whole gang of 'em, who might be "playing" with these pike anglers' livelihood. This saga continued into the next year, when a conservation fella accidentally stumbled onto the answer. The big pike simply were losing their tails to a run-of-the-mill fin rot.

Whether something that simple accounts for any of the missing tails in the accompanying photos is anyone's guess. It could be the fish got caught with their tail between a rock and a hard place, zigged when they should have zagged (while being chased by a bigger fish), spent a little too much time on the spawning bed, or maybe they're just like me--born without a hind part, so to speak. Truth be known, the possibilities are endless.

This much I do know, thanks to some Duke Medical Center research I discovered: Most fish have the ability to regenerate lost tissue, as long as they don't have any complications from infections, and optimal environmental conditions exist. As we all know, bass often wear a portion of their tail fin away while fanning the nest during spawning season. Within four to six weeks, though, the tail usually is back to normal.

"And when I say normal," explained a research expert, "I mean an exact replica of the original tail, including bony growth, blood vessels, nerves, and even the exact skin pigmentation. It's a pretty fascinating process," he continued. "Even more interesting is that, regardless if 40 percent or just 20 percent of the tissue is lost, the regeneration time is the same. And furthermore," he said, "fish also regenerate new mouth tissue around hook wounds."

I can't speak for everyone, but that's information I never had heard before. The Duke research dude, however, didn't stop there. He went on to describe some other ongoing studies in which they've learned that animals like salamanders can regenerate entire limbs.

And did you know that humans have limited capacity to regenerate tissue? "This is most evident in a human's ability to regenerate blood or liver tissue," said the expert, "but young children even can regenerate fingertips."

So, where is the the line drawn between our abilities and the abilities of animals like bass? Researchers are in the process of finding out. According to the Duke expert, "There is ongoing research in regenerative medicine that could lead to new therapies for humans who have lost limbs, suffered a heart attack, or for those who have had cancerous tissue removed."

Take it from this but-less expert at nothing, I feel sure there's a reasonable explanation for why all the fish in the accompanying photos have no tails. Don't know about any of the rest of you, but I take great consolation in knowing that at least some of them probably have regrown the missing appendages you see here. In my case, however, what you see (or more aptly, what you don't see) is all you get. If it hasn't improved in more than 73 years, I reckon it ain't gonna happen.