I Should Set the Hook Now...Yes? No? Maybe So?

That's the sort of question I've been dealing with for a few weeks now, ever since I got serious...yes, again...about my worm fishing, specifically, my Senko worm fishing.

Here's my dilemma. I'm getting lots of bites, but on many occasions, it's as though I become hypnotized by the words of that old Ella Fitzgerald tune titled "Undecided." You know the one I'm talking about. It starts off with "first you say you do, and then you don't, and then you say you will, and then you won't, you're undecided now, so what are you gonna do?"

For example, I sometimes just feel a tick in my line as the worm is falling. Other times, I see the line moving off in one direction or another. Still other times, I feel pressure. And on still other occasions, it feels like the fish keeps picking the bait up, then dropping it...repeatedly. Meanwhile, I sit there, trying to decide what to do--above all else, of course, not wanting to snatch the bait away from the fish, 'cause you never know when it might be a big 'un.

When I reel down to remove any slack in my line, I like to have a strong conviction it's time to set the hook. Too often, however, I feel like the fish just doesn't truly have the bait in its mouth yet. I then lapse into a tit-for-tat game until I can't stand it any longer and finally just close my eyes and swing for the fence. And most times, the fish is there.

To my chagrin, however, I sometimes find that my delay in setting the hook simply has resulted in the fish swallowing my Senko (all the way to his belly button), including the 4/0 wide-gap hook embedded in it. Unlike some anglers I've read about online who casually refer to bass fishing as a "blood sport," I instead get a really ugly feeling when I gut-hook a bass. I get the same kind of feeling when a crankbait hook accidentally catches the eyeball of a bass.

Until day before yesterday, I had subscribed to the school of thought that the best thing you can do for a gut-hooked bass is to pull out all the visible soft plastic, clip the line as close as possible to the hook's eye, and release the fish (and hope that he lives to be caught another day). The theory of some is that the hook then will rust out over time, and in bygone days, that theory may have been accurate. But as the late-Doug Hannon once reported (during a conversation with angler, fisheries biologist, and writer Ralph Manns), modern hooks don't rust fast enough, even in salt water. He suggested that the shank of a hook, if pointing up the throat of a bass, will act like a lever or trap door that prevents swallowing.

"Bass can die of starvation while waiting for normal body processes to eject the hook," Hannon said. "Food coming down a bass' throat will bypass a hook shank ONLY IF the shank lies tightly against the side of the throat where the barb is lodged. However, if the shank protrudes into the throat, food coming down can push the shank across the esophagus, blocking it."

Hannon's observations subsequently were scientifically verified by John Foster, recreational fisheries coordinator for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He and a team of researchers held some throat-hooked stripers from Chesapeake Bay between 16 and 28 inches long in half-strength seawater so that the hooks had ample opportunity to rust away. Size 1/0 and 2/0 stainless steel, bronzed, nickel, tin, and tin-cadmium-plated hooks were hooked in the top of each fish's esophagus, with an 18-inch length of line connected to each one.

After four months, 78 percent of the hooks still were embedded. Cadmium-coated hooks poisoned 20 percent of the fish, and production of these hooks was stopped. Bronzed hooks were less likely (70 percent) to be retained than tin-cadmium (80 percent), nickel (83 percent), or stainless steel (100 percent) hooks. In a second test, the line was clipped at the eye of the hook. One-hundred percent of the stainless hooks again were retained, while 56 percent of tin, 76 percent of bronze, 84 percent of tin-cadmium, and 88 percent of nickel hooks remained. Fish mortality was greater when all line was trimmed. Foster suggested that the lengths of line hanging from a fish's mouth kept the hook shank flat against the side of the esophagus, thus allowing food to pass. Without the line, food could move the hook and close the throat.

Hooks rusted slowly in stages, and the bend and barb became smaller very gradually. Stripers formed scar tissue around embedded hook points, a typical reaction of body tissue to foreign matter. Foster noted, however, that once the scar tissue formed, hooks became more, not less, difficult to remove. Months after fish were hooked, infections sometimes developed around points, causing some deaths.

Based on his research, Foster recommended anglers carefully remove even deeply embedded hooks. If the hooks cannot be removed, then it seems better to leave about 18 inches of line attached. "Perhaps, someday, these findings will reach catch-and-release (C&R) anglers, the biologists who are researching C&R and publish C&R guidelines, as well as TV anglers who teach by their example," Foster said.

One option, as he noted, is for anglers to carry strong wire-cutting or needle-nosed pliers to cut off or crush down barbs, so that a hook shank rotates more freely during a removal operation, as depicted in either of the two accompanying videos:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RGTL9RBG2s
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FIJ74-79pk

Another option that I found many anglers supporting is simply to set the hook the moment you first feel a fish, or what you think may be a fish...period. Your hookup and landing to bite ratio may suffer with either option in the process, but most agree that you'll likely have a lot fewer gut-hook issues to deal with by doing so.

For the Week Ending Sunday, July 1, 2018

Tuesday, June 26 (from Ken)...Wasn't about to let the predicted nice weather today go to waste. Launched at West Neck about 7:30 and rode down to Albright's, where I spent roughly seven hours enjoying myself. Didn't see another boat all day long. Used a spinnerbait, chatterbait, crankbait, Whopper Plopper, and a Senko to catch a total of 13 fish, including one white perch, one yellow perch, and six dink bass, plus a 1-0, 1-11, 1-15, 2-6 and 2-9. Also lost five more fish enroute to the boat. Best part of the whole day was when I pulled up to a little laydown tree and boated five bass off it in about 30 minutes. The air temperature was perfect today, and the water temperature wasn't bad, either. Was only showing 79 degrees when I quit about 2:30. With the weather forecast I saw for later this week, today most likely will be my only day on the water for a while, unless I maybe sneak in an early morning venture of four hours or so later this week.

Tuesday, June 26 (from Ron)...Have made three trips to the banks here in Indiana. Weather has not cooperated. Caught a few dink bass and a small sunfish to avoid the skunk. Can't wait to get back on the water this weekend.

Friday, June 29 (from Ron)...Was up at 0330, spent an hour driving to the airport, had an early flight with a busy connection in Atlanta. Found the house empty, so I went fishing...as if I needed an excuse. Nice to get reacquainted with my kayak. Fished Lovitt's from 1830 to 2030, and they were biting pretty good. Managed to land nine, including a 1-0, 1-4, 1-7, and 2-4. The rest were dinks. Caught all on plastics. Lost at least two that would have been the biggest. Tried some different topwater lures, but they drew no interest. They all had bloated bellies and seemed to have been eating well. The 1-7 was only 13 inches. Didn't see much grass in places where there normally is plenty this time of year.

Saturday, June 30 (from Ron)...Took a morning trip to House Cove before the oppressive heat kicked in. Fished from 0700 to 1000, and the bite was OK around 8 a.m. but then died off. Caught all the fish holding very tight to shore. They fell for Senkos. The water in House Cove is murky, and the grass is almost non-existent. This marked my first trip in a long time where I didn't catch any dinks. My day's tally was a 1-9, 1-13, and 3-1 bass, plus a favorite feisty bowfin.

Sunday, July 1 (from Ron)...Fished from 0630 to 0930 this morning. Gauge was down to 2.7, so was able to limbo my way under the bridge and into Milldam. Side creeks are all full of thick grass and ideal for weedless plastics, especially Senkos. Bite was pretty steady from 0730 to 0930, then fell off, but not before I managed 8 bass, including 6 dinks, a 1-15, and a 2-7. Tried a micro spinnerbait in the main creek bends, and the really small white perch loved it. Caught about 8 of them, but none bigger than 7 or 8 inches. Very different from last year when I was getting consistent 11- to near 13-inchers. Dragging Senko over the grass mats enticed some decent blowups but no hookups. 'Tis best when the worm falls into an open pocket or right on the edge. Didn't mind the bite dying down, as it coincided with the heat increase.

Sunday, July 1 (from Ray)...He and a partner (not sure if it was his son or not) went to Blackwater this morning. They managed to land 5 bass, including a couple of keepers. Caught all their fish on worms, which seems to be the ticket for everyone, now that hot weather appears to be here for the long haul.

Some Blasts from the Past

That's right, among those 14 anglers in eight boats that showed up for today's tournament were some faces we hadn't seen in a long time. Included were Bob Glass, J. P. Twohig, and Jared Allbritten. The grand total at weigh-in was 29 bass for a combined total weight of 81.80 lbs., which translates into an average weight of 2.82 lbs.

Those anglers who claimed a payday when all was said and done were the following:

1st Place, (from left) the team of Dave Anderson and Rob Peppers. They weighed a five-fish limit totaling 17.07 lbs., buoyed by a kicker that went 3.18 lbs.

2nd Place, (from left) the team of Al Napier and Chris Napier. They, too, had a five-fish limit, which weighed in at 15.26 lbs. Their big fish tipped the scales at 4.06 lbs.

Tournament-lunker honors went to Jim Wilder, whose 4.22-lb. big fish anchored a five-fish limit that weighed 11.58 lbs. after a 0.25 deduction for one dead fish.

Today's mystery-weight winners were (from left) Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore, who weighed a five-fish limit that went 10.82 lbs. That compares to 7.45 lbs., which was the weight drawn. Their big fish weighed 3.59 lbs.





Here is how everyone else fished today:

     * The team of Eddie Sapp and Jared Allbritten, five fish, 13.96 lbs. total weight, 3.94-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig, five fish, 13.11 lbs. total weight, 3.48-lb. big fish.
     * Wayne Hayes didn't weigh any fish.
     * The team of Zack Rhodes and Eric Laufer weighed one fish, at 3.39 lbs., but were disqualified for being late for weigh-in.

Bobby Moore's name was added to the list of those anglers who have completed the required seven tournaments and thereby are eligible to fish the season-ending two-day Classic in October.

My hearty congratulations to all of today's winners, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate, as well as those non-participants who showed up to observe weigh-in. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 14. Start time will continue being safe light (about 5:30 a.m.) until weigh-in at 2 o'clock. Hope you can join us.

One Last Cast

Although I was cleared to fish the tournament today, I chose not to after looking at the lineup of those competitors who would be vying for all the marbles. It didn't take but a cursory perusal to realize I would be grossly outclassed.

Accordingly, I let all those "good sticks" go at it, and I (a mediocre stick, at best) opted for four hours of fun fishing. Ended up missing a couple of hooksets with worms and lost one bass enroute to the boat, but finally managed to boat a couple of small keepers before my self-imposed noon deadline.

It was good having Al Napier back with us again today, even though it now looks like he has some challenging days and weeks ahead of himself in chemotherapy and, eventually, surgery, starting this coming week. Let's all remember him and the entire Napier family during this time, 'cause there's nothing easy about this new battle Al is facing.

And, finally, check out this photo and email I received from my buddy, Skip, when I arrived home this afternoon:

So I'm here at the pool, trying to decide whether to go to a weigh-in full of sweaty and stinky ol' fishermen, or just relax beside this nice, refreshing pool. Soooooo, the final vote is  pool 1, fishermen 0. Hahahahahahahahahahahhahaha!!!

You truly have to love a guy who is always trying to get the world to laugh. I applaud you, my friend. I can't tell you how many times you've provided the spark I needed to pull myself out of a giant funk. Thanks so very much.

A Boat Ride Like No Other

That's how Texas angler Alton Jones and his marshal likely viewed their accident-marred trip to the north end of the Sabine River Saturday, June 9, during a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Elite event.

According to Jones, "I hit stuff going up there every day, but today the water had gone down, and I hit something extra hard. I didn't think anything about it," he said. "I was coming back for check-in during a thunderstorm, passing a redfish boat. When I hit his wake, my nose dipped, and the boat spun 90 degrees and went into the woods. I had knocked my skeg off when I hit that submerged log, and without that skeg, you have no control. You can turn that wheel all you want, and the boat's going where the boat's going."

Fortunately, neither man was injured. A couple of local fishermen quickly came to their aid, but the ropes they had weren't strong enough to pull the boat back into the water.

When Orange County Sheriff's Department officials arrived, they had a large rope that allowed them to get into deeper water and apply more force.

"First responders arrived on the scene in 20 minutes and had me off the bank in 30 minutes," Jones said.

Jones, who is open about his Christian faith, said he and his marshal paused for a moment of prayer before making the 50-mile run back to the weigh-in. Jones said their prayer was answered when his boat landed softly on the mud bank.

"We threaded the needle right through two cypress trees, with about 6 inches of clearance on each side," he said. "That wasn't anything I did. That was God watching over us."

Remarkably, other than for the damage to his skeg, Jones' boat was unscathed.

He said the incident should serve as a warning to other boaters who might be riding around in boats with skegs that are damaged.

"I've been doing this for 28 years, and I've never had anything like this happen," he said. "But I can't tell you how many bass boats I've owned that had a big chunk out of the skeg, and I never thought anything about it. I won't do that anymore--and no one else should either."

Trying to steer a boat without a skeg is "like trying to drive a car with a flat tire" is how Jones described his eye-opening experience.

Modified from an article that appeared in the June 19, 2018, issue of Jay Kumar's BassBlaster. The author was Bryan Brasher, who is editor of Bass Times and a senior writer for B.A.S.S. publications. Brasher has covered the outdoors since the mid-1990s for three newspapers and was named Best Outdoors Writer four times by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

NMMA Opposes New Recreational-Boating-Industry Tariffs

The National Marine Manufacturers Association is sounding a new and urgent alarm on the Section 301 tariffs announced last week by the Trump Administration. The 25 percent tariffs on approximately $50 billion worth of select Chinese products include nearly 300 marine-related parts.

"The U.S. recreational boating industry--a $39 billion industry that supports 650,000 American jobs--experienced another setback due to the Trump Administration's actions on trade," said NMMA President Thom Dammrich. "The announcement on 301 tariffs once again puts our proud, uniquely American-made industry at the mercy of bad trade policies that are piling up on top of each other. Collectively, these tariffs are causing the price of raw materials and marine parts to rise rapidly and stifling U.S. boat exports.

"The industry also is facing retaliation from our largest trading partners, including the European Union, which formally approved a 25-percent tariff on U.S. boats," Dammrich added. "Canada and Mexico also are applying 10 and 15 percent tariffs on recreational boats, respectively, making ours the only recreational industry singled out by all three jurisdictions."

Canada, the EU, and Mexico account for 69 percent of annual U.S. boat exports. Because of these tariffs, dealers in Canada and the EU already have started canceling orders.

The recreational boating industry has rebounded to pre-recession sales over the past 10 years, Dammrich said. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration's counterproductive policies are jeopardizing the strong, steady growth the industry has been experiencing.

"The marine-manufacturing industry relies on free and fair trade," Dammrich said. "We recognzie the need to deal with unfair trade practices by the Chinese, but the actions undertaken by this administration will hurt U.S. manufacturers more than help them. Nobody wins in a trade war, but U.S. manufacturing--more specifically, the recreational boating industry--will suffer. We need this administration to recognize the harmful effects of its current direction and focus on solving the problems facing Americans, rather than making them worse."

The final list of Chinese products subject to a 25 percent tariff (Section 301) contains nearly 300 marine products, including engines and navigational equipment. These components are incorporated into the majority of recreational boats and will impact the entire industry. For some products, the additional cost to the consumer would be approximately $2,000.

These tariffs are compounded by the Trump Administration's 10 percent tariff on all aluminum imports (Section 232) and countervailing and pending anti-dumping duties on common alloy aluminum sheet. As a result, the global price of aluminum has increased by 20 to 30 percent.

Critically, common alloy aluminum sheet is a primary material used in 44 percent of new boats built in the U.S. These boats represent 117,000 new powerboat sales each year and account for $3 billion in retail sales. Together, the countervailing and anti-dumping duties on this product are expected to total no less than an estimated 31 percent, and potentially in excess of 113 percent.

Canada, Mexico, and the EU already have defined the products that will be the targets of retaliation in response to Section 232 tariffs. All trading partners have included various types of recreational boats on their lists. The retaliatory tariffs on U.S. recreational boats, which already are resulting in order cancellations, are listed below:

     * Canada - 10 percent, takes effect July 1, 2018.
     * Mexico - 15 percent, already in effect.
     * EU - 25 percent, takes effect on July 2, 2018.

Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S., meaning these sales benefit American businesses and workers alike.

This article was published in the latest issue of Jay Kumar's BassBlaster.

EPA Approves Bio-Isobutanol as a Fuel Additive

That's the word from NMMA President Thom Dammrich.

"We applaud...approval of bio-isobutanol as a biofuel additive, which will provide consumers a safe, efficient, and environmentally-friendly E15 alternative that is highly compatible with marine products," said Dammrich. "As Congress continues to discuss potential reforms to the Renewable Fuel Standard, it is absolutely critical that all stakeholders remember the threat posed by fuel blends exceeding 10 percent ethanol."

Following is background data on the new additive decision:

     * According to the NMMA, 95 percent of boats are fueled at retail gas stations. Boat owners depend on safe, reliable and proven fuel choices to be universally available.

     * Misfueling of engines voids warranties, leaving consumers with expensive repair and replacement bills.

     * Bio-isobutanol is a four-carbon alcohol produced from renewable, plant-derived energy sources in a fermentation process similar to beer and wine production.

     * Bio-isobutanol can be produced using existing ethanol feedstocks, such as corn and sugar beets, or advanced feedstocks (cellulosic biomass), such as crop residues, wood residues, dedicated energy crops, and industrial and other wastes.

     * Unlike E15, which causes severe damage to small engines like those used in recreational boating, bio-isobutanol delivers more renewable energy content than ethanol, while remaining compatible with current vehicles, boats and infrastructure.

According to a Harris Poll commissioned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (2018):

     * Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) assume that any gas sold at the gas station is safe for all cars, as well as boats, mowers, chain saws, snowmobiles, generators, and other engine products;

     * As a result, an ever-increasing number of outdoor power-equipment owners are using the wrong type of fuel in their products, including boats. In 2018, 11 percent reported using E15, E30, E50, or E85 to fuel their equipment, up from 7 percent in 2015;

     * The EPA issued a small voluntary label for gas stations to post if they sell fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol. When asked about the label, more than 3 in 5 Americans (63 percent) feel it is inadequate to inform consumers about E15 fuel being illegal to use in outdoor power equipment.

This article appeared in the latest issue of Jay Kumar's BassBlaster.

Fishing Is Supposed To Be Fun...Let's Keep It That Way

An umbrella on a bass boat may not be for everyone, but good friend and fellow angler Skip Schaible can't say enough good things about the one he uses regularly on his Nitro this time of year.

For anyone who hasn't already noticed, we're getting into summer--as of this Thursday, June 21, to be exact. The next two and a half months or longer likely are going to be filled with many days when the temperature will soar to better than 90 degrees. Accordingly, it's in every angler's best interests to focus on personal comfort and safety when they're on the water.

Here are some tips designed to keep you cool during the coming hot fishing days:

Stay Hydrated. Perspiration is one way your body regulates its temperature. In hot and humid conditions, you need to frequently replenish liquids lost to sweating. If you don't take in enough fluids, you run the risk of getting sick with sunstroke. Staying hydrated is simple: Drink a lot of fluids and drink often. It's best to drink plenty of water and not just take a few sips now and then. Drinking before you feel thirsty is another rule of thumb to stay hydrated. When your body sends out a signal for thirst, you're already dehydrated. If you feel thirsty, drink plenty of water to replenish your fluid levels. When it comes to drinks, stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. These will cause you to lose fluids, as both are diuretics. If you do drink these beverages, make sure you have a few extra glasses of water to compensate for lost liquids. A few sport drinks are OK during hot weather; they help replenish salts, sugars and other minerals lost from excessive perspiration. Juices also are good to have on hand.

Protect Your Head. Without a hat, you're tempting fate and a case of sunstroke. A wide-brimmed hat will protect your face, ears and neck from the sun's rays. Other options include ball caps, buffs and bandanas. These don't provide as much protection but are better than nothing.

Protect Your Eyes. Most sunglasses sold today will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. For anglers, polarized lenses will cut down on the sun's glare on the water, letting you spot fish and underwater structure. Wrap-around options are extremely popular, as they hug the face and do an excellent job blocking out the sun. When buying your shades, pick up a floating case and a lanyard to protect your investment from unwanted overboard losses.

Lather on the Sunscreen. Using sunscreen on a regular basis is critical to protecting your skin from UV rays. Not using sunscreen increases your chances of getting skin cancer or may result in other skin damage, like sunburns. Keep in mind that the sun's rays can reflect off the water's surface, and cloudy conditions still call for sunscreen. Adults should use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF-15 rating, and children should use sunscreen with at least an SPF-30 rating. Ensure you apply sunscreen liberally at about 20 minutes before you're in the sun for maximum protection. Consider using sport sunscreens when fishing. These products are fairly waterproof and sweatproof, resulting in better protection. Sunscreen also should be reapplied as necessary. This is especially true if you've gotten wet or have been sweating a lot. Also carry a stick of lip balm with an SPF-15 rating, and use it often. You also may want to consider a sunblock stick to cover your ears and nose.

Get the Right Clothing. Protecting your skin with proper clothing is important. Some sportswear fabric offers sun protection. SPF ratings up to 50 are common today. Often, these clothes feature moisture-wicking and quick-drying features that also will help you keep cool. Look for vented cape backs in shirts for maximum ventilation. Although shorts and short-sleeved shirts are common in hot conditions, it's important to have long-sleeved shirts and pants on hand. If you're standing and fishing all day in sandals, it won't take long for your toes to get burned if you're not prepared. Regularly apply a lot of sunscreen to your feet, and don't be shy putting on some ultralight socks or switching to shoes if your feet get too hot. Also don't neglect your hands. If you're landing and releasing fish all day, sunscreen can wash off quickly, so reapply often. Also consider sun gloves that are specificaly designed to protect hands from UV rays, but allow you to do all things fishing-related, like tie knots, cast and reel, and so on.

Take Cover. If you have an umbrella like the one Skip uses, this suggestion is easy to follow. Without one, especially on tournament days, your best bet is to follow all the previous suggestions. And if you find a stretch of water offering some shade and a decent bite, wear it out.

A Big "Welcome Back, Al!"

It was indeed great to welcome Al Napier back to our group today. For those who don't already know, Al has been battling some serious health issues, and they're not over yet. As he explained to me this morning, everything is getting ready to shift into another gear, so to speak, and before that happens, he wanted one more trip on the water to do what he loves and does so well--put bass in the boat. "I figured if I could cut the grass at home yesterday, I would try to go fishing today" is how he described his decision.

Al and his son, Chris, joined 17 others anglers in a grouping of 12 boats that departed the West Neck Marina boat basin at safe light this morning. After eight-plus hours on the water, they returned with 46 bass, weighing 79.07 lbs. The average weight was 1.71 lbs. per fish.

Here are those anglers who rose to the occasion and left the marina with pay envelopes in their pockets:

1st Place, (from left) the father-son team of Al and Chris Napier, five-fish limit, 12.12 lbs. total weight. They also claimed big-fish honors with a bass that tipped the scales at 4.58 lbs.

2nd Place, (from left) the team of Zack Rhodes and Eric Laufer, five-fish limit, 10.22 lbs. total weight. Their big fish weighed 2.67 lbs.

3rd Place, (from left) the team of Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore, five-fish limit, 10.05 lbs. total weight. Their big fish weighed 2.81 lbs.

Winner of today's mystery-weight award was Dave Anderson, who had a five-fish limit weighing 7.54 lbs., which was closest to the 7.55-lb. tag that was drawn. His big fish weighed 2.22 lbs.








Here is how all the other participants finished the competition:

     * The team of Rob Peppers and Don Carter, five-fish limit, 9.43 lbs. total weight. Their big fish weighed 3.22 lbs.
     * Jim Wilder, five-fish limit, 8.92 lbs. total weight. His big fish weighed 3.03 lbs.
     * The team of Andy Morath and Zach Bubier, five-fish limit, 6.21 lbs. total weight. They had no big fish.
     * Jim Bauer, three fish, 4.84 lbs. total weight. He had no big fish.
     * The team of Gary Coderre and Lenny Hall, three fish, 3.43 lbs. total weight. They had no big fish.
     * The team of Jim Crist and Danny Harris, two fish, 2.72 lbs. total weight. They had no big fish.
     * Wayne Hayes, two fish, 2.50 lbs. total weight. He had no big fish.
     * Skip Schaible, one fish, 1.09 lbs. total weight. He had no big fish.

Gary Coderre joined the list of five other competitors who have qualified to fish our season-ending two-day Classic contest.

Congrats to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for next Saturday, June 23, from safe light (about 5:30) to 2 o'clock. I hope you can join us.

One Last Cast

Having been forced, by way of doctor's orders, to sit on the sidelines today and just run things, I had the pleasure of spending more time than usual interacting with the guys who fished, and I'm here to tell you that I enjoyed every minute of it.

The one thing I always find so interesting is the vast differences in the reports from the fishermen. For instance, I heard some say they had had some pretty decent topwater action this morning, while others bemoaned the fact they couldn't buy even a single strike on topwater. For some, soft plastics made their day, but there were others who caught fish on hard baits. And, too, I learned that some fellas ran rather long distances, with barely anything to show for it, while others stayed within 5 to 10 minutes of the marina and caught fish all day long.

Just goes to show you that, on any given day, there are more than one way to "skin a cat," so to speak. The ticket to success often rests in a series of critical decisions each angler makes...all day long. The single truth that seems to be evident, for tournament after tournament, is that someone, or a select few, always will find fish (and, sometimes, a lot of 'em), even when other anglers will come up empty-handed.

This much I'm certain of: Several people, including yours truly, were happy to see what would appear to be Al's last tournament for a spell finish on a winning note. We all join in wishing you success in whatever medical procedures lay ahead, as well as a speedy recovery. God bless you and your entire family, my good friend. Come back to us soon.

Trying to Regroup After a Back-to-Reality Scare

That's where I'm at this Thursday night, following dismissal from Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. I was admitted there yesterday, after having what is referred to as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. Simply put, it's a mini-stroke, caused by a clot, which temporarily disrupts blood flow in the brain...similar to a stroke. The major difference is that there is no permanent brain-tissue damage with a TIA.

For a week, I can neither drive a car nor operate my boat, which, as far as I'm concerned, isn't bad, considering the bullet I dodged. As I've already told some, I owe my good fortune to my wife, who recognized quickly what was happening to me Wednesday, when I went to her and said, "Honey, something just happened to me." When I then couldn't tell her what day it was, she immediately called the EMTs, and I subsequently landed at SPAH.

The scary part of this event (for me) is that, as related by my wife, I carried on a conversation with her, the EMTs, and my daughter-in-law for about five hours--without missing a beat--but can't remember a single minute of it. And I'm told I likely never will recall those hours. The reality of all this now is that I run the risk of having one or more of these episodes in coming years, any one of which could end up being the "real deal."

How badly does that fact bother me? Let's just say I'm figuring on losing more than a little sleep as I chew on it.

I realize there are some changes in my future--much longer than the week's downtime my doctor ordered. I'm looking at several options, all designed to give my wife the peace of mind she has asked for. The way I see it: I owe her a debt for having honored our marriage vows to the nth degree, and I've given her my word I will set about doing all I possibly can to put her at ease during future fishing trips. That's the very least I can do.

Before bringing this story to a close, please let me share my experience today after being belted in for my second-ever MRI. I had considerable reservations before today's test ever started about 3:30 p.m. I had had a cluster headache since midnight Wednesday, and to get to the heart of the matter--my head was really pounding before they ever strapped me in that noisy contraption. I already was sweating before they handed me that rubber bulb and told me not to hesitate to squeeze it if I felt I couldn't stand any more.

Having endured my first MRI to the bitter end, I thought I might do likewise this time, but on that first occasion, I didn't have a cluster headache. And that proved to be my shortfall today. I stood all I could but finally squeezed the bulb, at which time I heard the operator's voice come through my headphones, asking if I was OK. I responded, "That all depends on what you consider OK."

I then explained that my headache, coupled with all the test noise, was making my head feel as though it was being squashed. Those extremely tight-fitting football-like masks over my face weren't helping any, either. Finally, I asked how much longer I had in the tube, and her response of "4 minutes" sounded like a lifetime. However, I agreed to see if I could hold on. Another two minutes passed, and I had reached my limit. I cried "uncle," the machine shut down, and I was released from what had felt like a torture chamber.

Fortunately, my failure to complete the test wasn't a total bust. Technicians subsequently came to my room and finished the test with an ultrasound. A little while longer, I got the word that I was being released, which made me the happiest person on earth at that moment. My advice to all, however, is "think twice before starting an MRI with a headache--of any kind."

For the Week Ending Sunday, June 17, 2018

Monday, June 11 (from Ron)...The forecast called for "light" rain. When I launched about 5 p.m., there was drizzle and not too bad. The wind was stiff but bearable. Water was crystal clear, and the gauge was at 2.5, just right for Milldam. Arrived at a feeder creek, and on the first cast lost about a 2-pounder. Thought it was going to be good, but alas, it wasn't. Rain increased to "moderate," and as I got soaked, only managed a handful of white perch, with the biggest measuring only 9 inches. Did find one similar sized bass before I got too cold and wet and quit at 6:30. It was my 44th straight day of fishing, but the juice was not worth the squeeze. It's a bad day when the biggest bass puts up a weaker fight than a dink white perch!

Tuesday, June 12 (from Ron)...Launched in the very light drizzle at 5 p.m. The intensity of the rain varied, with some pleasant lulls, but I ended up soaked to the bone by 8 p.m. Finally found some taco fare, with two decent crappie at the 12-inch size and a 10-inch white perch, just enough to make a few tacos. Wish the other eight white perch had been over 6 inches! The panfish were hitting the micro spinnerbait. Had a serious pole-bending drag run on the trolled beetlespin, but never found out what it was. Bass liked the SwimSenko. Lost two but landed two at 2-5 and 2-0. Grass is starting to thicken up. Two of the bass I caught hit the SwimSenko as I dragged it over the grass on the surface.  Have to learn to be more patient and let them take it a bit longer. Because of that, I tried topwater (Pop R and Pop ShadZ) but had no strikes on either.

Wednesday, June 13 (from Ron)...With the gauge high and Milldam not an option, headed for an Indian River Road launch and fished upper North Landing. Did not get a single tap, nibble, strike, bump, swirl, or fish. Serious skunk. Tried everything everywhere and just couldn't elicit a bite. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Thursday, June 14 (from Ron)...Fished Lovitt's from 6 to 8:20 p.m. Very slow start, but as the sun began to set, managed to find a few on the SwimSenki. Caught four dinks to 11 inches. At least I avoided the skunk.

Friday, June 15 (from Ron)...Gauge dropped a bit, and I was able to limbo under the Milldam Creek Bridge. Fished 6 to 8 p.m., and the bite was OK. Caught two dink bass, a 1-4, and 2-6, as well as about five white perch and an 8-inch bluegill that hit the spinnerbait. Panfish were hitting the spinnerbait, and the bass were in the grass, hitting the SwimSenko.

Friday, June 15 (from Charlie)...I actually went out today. Did some bank fishing on Mackay Island. Got 10 in total, including one 3, a couple of 2s, and the rest dinks. Caught everything on plastic craws and a Johnson silver minnow.

Saturday, June 16 (from Ron)...Need a new term to describe the super-dink-sized bass. They were biting in the upper North Landing, but only the kids were out playing. Caught four that all came in under 8 inches on the Spinnerbait and XTS. Tried plastics in search of bowfin, but couldn't find any, as has been the case all year--an odd occurrence, because this used to be my bowfin go-to spot.

Sunday, June 17 (from Ron)...Fished Crystal Lake this morning from 0600 to 1100. Was throwing a chatterbait with a 4-inch swimbait trailer and hooked into what I thought was an 8-lb. bass. The serious drag-screamer, however, turned out to be a 5-8 catfish. Went on to also catch a bluegill, a 1-2 bass, and two chain pickerel at 18 and 20 inches, respectively. The bluegill hit a Rapala Husky that was bigger than the bluegill. Will be on the road for a couple weeks, so any reports will be as the result of bank fishing in KY or IN.

Too Good To Be True

"Charlie" just had bought a new four-stroke motor, and he was so proud of its gas efficiency that he told everyone his new motor made gas, instead of using it. His friends, tired of hearing about his gas-efficient motor, decided to teach him a lesson.

Unbeknownst to "Charlie," they began to top off his gas tank after each trip. The ploy worked, because he raved about the great gas mileage. It was so good, in fact, that he didn't check the gas gauge for days at a time. That's when his buddies stopped adding gas.

The next weekend was the final tournament of the season. "Charlie" was having a great day, with a five-fish limit, including a 9-pound kicker. As he headed back to the weigh-in site, his motor sputtered, smoked and stopped dead in the water.

You guessed it. Upon checking, "Charlie" saw that the gas gauge was on empty. He used his electric trolling motor to limp back to the weigh-in site, but he was disqualified for being late. During the award ceremony, he was presented with a 5-gallon gas can and a bill for a little more than $300, the amount his friends had spent adding gas to his tank.

Not everyone goes to such extremes to make a point, but the wise angler is the one who knows when to shut up and quit rubbing it in someone's face.

In case you're interested, here are some fuel-saving tips I found online that you might find helpful...within reason:

     * Put your boat on a diet. Bass fishermen are notorious for cramming tackle and other gear into all their boats' storage lockers. Lighten the load by taking only what's needed for the body of water you're fishing.

     * Keep your livewells empty until you catch a bass. At 8.33 pounds per gallon, the reduction in water weight will significantly impact fuel consumption.

     * Slow down. Run your boat at its optimum speed for fuel efficiency when fun-fishing and while practicing for tournaments. Save wide-open throttle for tournament days. Maintain the proper trim to reduce hull friction. Your outboard must work harder when the trim is too low or high.

     * Repair damaged props. Even a small ding reduces a prop's efficiency. That means you lose speed at any rpm and burn more gas.

     * Keep your engine tuned and replace old spark plugs. This expense will pay for itself in gas savings.

     * Consider buying a fuel-flow meter. It will tell you when you're running at the most fuel-efficient cruising speed.

Good News! Steve's BBQ Business Back in Operation Again

If you enjoyed Steve's barbecue at West Neck Marina before, you undoubtedly will be happy to hear that he's back in business again--this time in a new mobile facility parked across from the Marina Store. Today--Saturday, June 9th--marks his grand reopening.

This much I know: There are some crusty ol' bass-tournament fishermen who will welcome the return of Steve's barbecue sandwiches with open arms. After eight hours on the water, especially this time of year, they're looking for a pick-me-up, and a barbecue sandwich with a cold drink goes a long way in doing just that.

So, the next time you're out West Neck Marina way, stop in, grab yourself a sandwich, and sit a spell, ya hear?

Just When I Thought It Couldn't Possibly Get Any Worse...

What am I talking about? In short, it's the abuse of the "no wake" zone down in the area of Pungo Ferry.

You see, I just found out yesterday that bigger trouble is waiting in the wings. Seems a local group of recreational boaters and fishermen has filed a petition to lift ALL "no wake" signs from the Pungo Ferry area. That's the word from Sgt. B. K. Ricardo, who supervises the Virginia Beach Police Marine Patrol.

That's right, they (the people in this local group) want to make the current "racetrack conditions" that exist down there even worse. They're not satisfied those big-a**ed, multi-million-dollar yacht owners and their paid accomplices (contracted drivers) get to be the only ones who can--and regularly do--thumb their noses at the signs. They want to join in the fray, making an already difficult situation even worse.

I therefore suggest, if the aforementioned group's petition should be granted, that particular area of the North Landing River will become nothing short of pandemonium, raising the potential for accidents. After all, only a certain number of "brainless wonders" can occupy the same area simultaneously without all hell breaking loose.

I've only become aware of what's happening down there in the vicinity of Pungo Ferry in the last couple of weeks, when I started fishing the oxbow at the mouth of Albright's (or Alton's, as some prefer) Creek. It was hard to keep my concentration on the fishing, what with yacht after yacht plowing through the "no wake" zone on step, sending giant rollers to both sides. "What's going on here?" I wondered.

My subsequent phone discussion with Sgt. Ricardo yesterday indicated that he already has signaled his non-support of the proposed petition to remove all "no wake" signs. And he said he knows the City of Virginia Beach likely also will be a "no" vote, based on the remaining plans they have in store yet for the Pungo Ferry facility. While he sounded optimistic that the petition likely would be voted down, he cautioned against taking it for granted.

Take just a moment and consider the chaos that could be unleashed by allowing unbridled speed through the Pungo Ferry area of North Landing River. Imagine the gruesome mess EMTs might have to deal with if two or more speeding craft were to crash at the bridge. Go ahead and tell me it won't happen, but where are the guarantees?

The indisputable fact--and therefore, the only one that should be considered--in this discussion is simple: "No wake" zones are designed for the protection of everyone and everything. Why would anyone with any common sense whatsoever want to eliminate such a safeguard? Let's keep the blatant irresponsibility confined to the White House and Congress.

Another Part of This Discussion

Not to be forgotten in any discussion of people who blow off local "no wake" zones are jet-skiers. Had a note a couple days ago from my kayaker friend, Ron, who filed this report of his experience with one down at the Blackwater Trading Post launch ramp (which also lies in a "no wake" zone):

"This jet-skier really got my goat. I had the yak three-quarters of the way in the water at the ramp, finishing my loadout, when he screamed in close from the west (posted as 'no wake' all the way to headwaters), throwing a big wake. I had to grab and lift up the yak's stern to protect it from damage and/or getting pulled out, off the ramp. Thankfully, I wasn't parking at the time, or it could have been really bad for my unattended kayak.

"I get it, they can't read," he continued. "Maybe the signs need to be pictures (make that VERY LARGE pictures, Ron, 'cause they may be blind, too). I don't expect these problems on a weekday, and I certainly don't need them. One thing I never will do, though, is to initiate a confrontation. This day and age, ya never know who is packing and may be under the influence. Rather, I just shake my head and give a frown of disapproval."

For the Week Ending Sunday, June 10, 2018

Monday, June 4 (from Ron)...Made an evening trip to Milldam. The water had risen a bit, so struggled to limbo under the bridge, but got out, and the bite was on. A little mud cat, crappie and white perch were interested in the Beetlespin. Bass and bowfin liked the SwimSenko. Found a dink bass, 2-6 and 4-0, as well as a favorite 20-inch bowfin. The grass is starting to come up and had to put away the XTS. Shoreline weedless SwimSenko was the ticket. Lost a few and pretty sure I had some gar strikes. Water was very clear, and the bugs were not too bad. Hopefully soon I can find some panfish for the table.

Tuesday, June 5 (from Ken)...Spent the day fishing grassy shorelines with several different baits. Ended up having six bites and five fish, including a 0-15, two 1-2s, a 1-5, and a 2-6. Three of the fish came on a SwimSenko. One fell for a chatterbait, and another went for my Japanese topwater bait. Didn't see the pools of baitfish today that were evident this past Saturday. The water temp when I left the ramp this morning showed 71 degrees. When I returned this afternoon, it was a tad better than 83. Am looking forward to at least one more trip this week; this weather is just too good to pass up.

Tuesday, June 5 (from Ron)...Tried some "new" spots, and they disappointed. Only managed a dink bass, a 1-1, and 1-2, plus a tangled-up little gar on the Beetlespin. Was a pleasant evening and only had to contend with one idiot jet skier who couldn't read the "No Wake Zone" sign. (Hey, Ron, let's not forget to add those idiot owners who hire other idiots to run their multi-million-dollar yachts up and down the North Landing every year and who also can't read. I lost track of how many of those damn jackasses I saw running the "No Wake Zone" down in the area of Pungo Ferry today on step while I fished the oxbow grassline. I've railed about this for years now--all to no avail. I'm at the point now where I'd feel a tiny amount of justice had been served if I got to see John Law stop just one of their sorry butts and fine the crap out of 'em.)

Wednesday, June 6 (from Ron)...Fished Lovitt's, off Back Bay this evening. Caught 11 dink bass, plus a 2-4. Highlight was a very healthy and pretty bowfin at 3-10 (had a really nice tail spot). An aggressive li'l white perch hit the Pop R. Except for the white perch, all hit the SwimSenko. Really like the SwimSenko, but wish they were more durable.

Thursday, June 7 (from Ken)...I heard the back stretches of Albright's calling this morning, so I hopped out of bed, grabbed my gear, and beat feet for West Neck. Glad I listened, too, cause it turned out to be a pretty decent day--both weather- and fishing-wise. Ended up with seven fish in the boat--an eighth one, however, got too rambunctious for those tiny hooks on a shallow crankbait I was using and threw the hooks as he tail-walked beside the log where I hooked him. Those seven I got to touch included three dink bass, plus a 1-9, 1-11, 2-6, and 3-2. Caught about half of them on a SwimSenko, and the others fell for the shallow crankbait I've already mentioned. Couldn't find a bite on my spinnerbait, chatterbait or Japanese topwater today, though. Even with the cooler day, water temps at about 2:30 still showed better than 80 degrees. Reckon this will be my last trip until next week, when I hope to get in one trip before the tournament on Saturday, the 16th.

Thursday, June 7 (from Skip)...What d'ya think about a guy--a friend no less--who tries to pass off the photo to the left as one of the fish he caught today? I'm tellin' ya--you gotta watch that Skip like a hawk. He's one of those dudes who'll pee on your head and try to convince you it's raining. In this case, he's simply trying to convince me this PBJ sandwich and Coke represent the fish he mistakenly tossed over the side before he remembered to take a picture of it.

Sorry, good buddy, I was only having a little fun at your expense. I, for one, am glad we have the kind of friendship that allows us to rag on each other from time to time, with absolutely no harm whatever intended or taken. What's life without a little clowning around?

All kidding aside, however, here are some of the nine fish Skip boated today on a Fluke and the "Halloween bait."

Incidentally, Skip has a pretty "kool" and "cool" new pedestal seat on the front of his boat that, in Skip's words, has stopped his fishing from being "a giant pain in the back." For two trips now, Skip says he hasn't had to take a single pain pill for his back, and that's a far cry from previous days on the water. I, for one, plan to see about getting one of these seats for my rig, too, 'cause I'll do whatever it takes to get a little relief from my spinal stenosis.

Thursday, June 7 (from Ron)...Launched Lotus Garden for an enjoyable evening trip with the kid and another friend. Caught a dink bass, plus a 1-11, 2-7, and a few small crappie and white perch on the Beetlespin. My productive lure was a SwimSenko, and the kid caught three on a Zoom Fluke (no big fish). We were both throwing weightless tight to shore and structure. Weather was great!

Friday, June 8 (from Ron)...Considered launching from Old Pungo and making a trip to Straight Creek, but then remembered it was Friday, summer and nice weather, so opted to avoid the crowds.  Launched at North Landing and did the long trip to No Name Creek. It wasn't worth the half-hour transit each way. Only caught a micro white perch and a dink bass. As I trolled my way out, though, a 3-11 catfish hit the trolled Beetlespin on the 5-ft.-long ultralight rod. Was a battle to land him and kind of fun. It's amazing how that li'l rod can get doubled over!

Friday, June 8 (from Jim B.)...It was 9:30 when I finally had a rod in my hand this morning. Water temp when I launched was 79.6 and 83.3 when I called it a day about 3:30. The water was at a good level and very dark and clear.I had high hopes for some good action, but it sure didn't turn out that way. If I hadn't messed around and caught about 15 or 20 crappie, most of which were small, you could have counted all my fish on less than one hand. Had a grand total of two super dink bass and one rowdy white perch. Caught all of them on the WP. Kept less than half the crappie. Before the day was over, I had tossed the Halloween bait, chatterbait, Japanese bait, and my old reliable worm. I did have a good fish miss the Jap bait. Had a couple taps on the worm that I am sure were bream. Stayed in the creek, mostly below the bridge.

Saturday, June 9 (from Ron)...With the gauge up over three, decided to launch Munden at 0730, before the crowds (of boats and jet skis) arrived. Headed across to Milldam and fished for a few hours. Water was very murky, and I just couldn't find a bite on plastics. Switched to a micro spinnerbait and started finding them. Problem was that there were way too many micro white perch. Lost count at about 15. I won't keep them below 11 inches and found none for the pan. A dink bass, 1-6 and 2-12 rounded out the morning.

Sunday, June 10 (from Ron)...Got a late start on Back Bay and House Cove. Launched about 11 o'clock and was hoping the clouds would block out the sun. It never happened, and the bite subsequently was non-existent. Did manage four small white perch to avoid the skunk.