A Couple of 2Fers

An angler was night-bassin' on Saguaro Lake, AZ, with a Spro Little John MD when he hooked into what felt like a giant fish. Once at the net, it was a lot smaller than originally thought. As the angler subsequently learned, the reason the fish felt so heavy was because it had someone else's crankbait in its mouth, with about 20 yards of fluorocarbon that was wedged and wrapped between some boulders. The line and bait were in pristine condition, so someone had broken the fish off not long before he caught it. Said the angler, "I was able to safely remove the line and bait, and the fish swam away strong."

A Texas angler made one cast with a 130-sized Whopper Plopper and scored this double. As explained by the angler, "I caught 33 in a couple of hours...all on top! Sweet!" And to think that I'm still waiting for the day to come when I catch two bass in a single day on the WP.

These two items appeared in the latest issue of Jay Kumar's BassBlaster.

Reflections of Some Senior Anglers

While "cooling my heels" indoors from those scorching 90-plus-degree temperatures outdoors today, I was touring the Internet when I happened across the thoughts of some anglers with whom I have a lot in common, starting with the fact we're all in the same age bracket. I decided to stop and read a while and am glad I did.

The first entry I happened across was this one:

"I often have wondered just how much longer I will be able to take the boat out fishing. Like many seniors, medical concerns have been in my past, and it makes one stop and think about when it will be time to let the boat go.

"Being in fairly good health at the moment is something I certainly am happy to report, but reality suggests that one day, things could change that may require the termination of some things I do today. The problem is that we don't know when this will happen.

"As a senior citizen, you begin to notice changes. You might have a few aches and pains that seem to appear overnight. Your once sure-footed movement while on the boat is not quite as stable as it was just a few years ago. I also have noticed that my endurance and strength have degraded but are still within reason. Simple things like standing on the deck making cast after cast have become less, too. More often than not, I'm fishing from a seated position and only standing for short periods. I don't like it, but it's my reality. I no longer go out in the boat alone. I like to have someone assist during the launch and recovery of the boat. Currently, my senior-citizen wife handles those chores. She drives the truck during these functions, while I put the boat in the water. We both wipe down the hull and secure the tie-downs when leaving the area.

"This year, I have spent a bunch of money on updating my rig--new trailer, new carpet, and new boat cover. I also have updated all of my rods and reels over the past couple of years and am ready for a few more years of bass fishing. I must admit, however, that this may not have been the most responsible thing I have ever done, since we don't know how much longer we can be boaters. We did these things simply because we are not ready to quit just yet. At least, now we can take the boat on the road without worry of trailer failure.

"Now, as I marvel at how fast the pages of the calendar have turned, my philosophy of life still has not changed. It is so true that I want to wear out and not rust out. I want to keep boating as long as it is safe. I just do things a little slower these days. All I can say, my friends, is to fish on and stay positive for the future and make the most out of each and every day."

From another senior angler who admitted he has fallen over the side a couple of times, I learned that he now stays so close to his PFD he sometimes forgets to take it off. He justifies his actions by saying, "I would rather be safe than sorry." The main thing is that he still enjoys the sport he has known his whole life, and he has no plans of giving it up, as evidenced by the fact he went out and upgraded his bass boat from a 16- to 21-footer. And like the earlier senior angler, he, too, has upgraded all his rods and reels.

And from a third old-timer, I read that he was preparing to head out on his boat with a friend for the first time in three months. He explained that his friend would have to do all the work because he had been in and out of the hospital multiple times during that period and still could not walk more than a few feet. "My legs are so weak that it's scary," he said. He also went on to note that he would be starting cardiac rehab the following week. In the meantime, though, it was all about getting back on the water.

These fellas' collective advice to the younger generation of anglers is to "enjoy it while you can. You are what I was, and you will be what I am."

For the Week Ending Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018

Monday, Aug. 27 (from Ron)...Fished upper North Landing from 6 to 8 p.m. in hopes of finding a bowfin. Wish I knew where they have gone. First fish was a weirdly foul-hooked little catfish on a crankbait. Went on to catch 11 bass, mostly 12 to 14-inchers, with one at 2-1, and they all fell to the U Vibe worm. As the sun set, it was almost every cast. Fun, but nothing heart-pounding. Need a new scale, as mine was acting up again. I miss the old reliable one that rusted out. Some of the 13 and 14-inchers were over a pound, or so I suspect. A while back, I was hell-bent on the Swim Senkos at about $8 a bag, and they would last for one fish at best. But the Zoom U Vibe worms last a lot longer and are half the price. I snip off the nose and get about three or four bass out of each one. Really like 'em!

Wednesday, Aug. 29 (from Ron)...Pretty hot out there, so I waited until 1845 to launch. Fished 'till 2000. Early in the trip, got a 1-0 and thought it might be good, but that was the only one. Skunk avoided.

Thursday, Aug. 30 (from Ron)...Fished upper North Landing River from about 6 until dark. At about 7 p.m., they started biting, and it was nonstop. Caught 14 bass in about a half-hour period but nothing over 13 inches. All dinks, all fun, and most on the U Vibe worm. Experimented with Yum Dinger senko knock-off worm, and they hit that just as readily as long as the landing was tight to shore. It was a bit warm out there, but the pop-up lightning didn't materialize, as the radar was indicating pre-launch.

Friday, Aug. 31 (from Ron)...Fished House Cove with Alex this morning. I caught two dinks, plus a 1-5, 1-8 and a 2-2. Poor kid got skunked, but he had two on the line. Plastics were the ticket. Tried Silver Minnow and caught some dink white perch.

Saturday, Sept. 1 (from Ron)...Launched Horn Point this morning, but instead of heading south, went up to Hell's Point Creek. Took an adventurous turn and ended up at Colechester Road. Didn't find anything back there, but it was an interesting diversion, with plenty of snakes. Near the main creek, found a repeat of Friday's trip, with one dink, a 1-4, and a 2-3. Got too warm by about 1100 and called it quits. Can't get in the double evening trip with these storms. To date this year, my stats stand at 178 trips and 403 bass. Looking forward to a cold front and a return to the saltwater in a month.

Sunday, Sept. 2 (from Ron)...Blackwater was oddly murky, even though the river gauge has been relatively steady. Didn't venture far from Blackwater Trading post and only found one dink to avoid the skunk. Should have trekked to my go-to creek, but too hot for the distance. Hope there are no storms this evening.

A Little Advice About Choosing Lure Colors

I was swapping emails with a buddy the other day when we got to talking about how to choose the color of lures to throw on any given day. After all, there's only like a bazillion of them to choose from any more, or haven't you checked catalogs or the Internet lately? For that matter, just walk into any tackle store.

All I had to offer my buddy was the advice someone had given me oh so many years ago: Use bright colors on bright days, dark colors on dark days. After we ended our email session, I got to thinking about how antiquated that philosophy probably is today and decided to check and see. Sure enough, as I quickly learned, the guidance about choosing lure colors has gotten every bit as sophisticated as everything else in this world. I don't believe there's anything simple left today, except maybe some simple-minded people (all of whom shall remain nameless).

For those of you who like to keep up with the times, here is what I found online about choosing lure colors in the modern era:

Use natural, light-colored lures for clear water/sunny days. Bass have very keen vision. In fact, their eyes are very similar to ours, and they are able to see most of the same colors we can. In clearer water and on bright, sunny days, a lure in a natural color resembling the forage they're feeding on will fool them into biting (or as I've discovered on a few outings, maybe that and a stick of dyn-o-mite). In soft plastic baits, that means natural greens, browns and shad colors; for hard baits, starting with a shad, bluegill, frog, or crawfish-patterned lure is a good choice, depending on the local menu.

Use very bright or very dark lures for dirty water/cloudy days. In dark or muddy water and on overcast days, tie on a brightly colored lure to increase visibility, or use a very dark solid color to maximize profile visibility. A black and blue soft plastic is ideal; a white and chartreuse Glow Blade spinnerbait also will produce. For hard baits, bright chartreuse, green, or dark, solid-colored lures will perform well.

Local baitfish and native forage patterns are go-to colors. A lure mimicking whatever baitfish populate your local waters is indispensable. Whether it's gizzard shad, threadfin shad, golden shiner, or fathead minnows, bass want to eat them, and you can lure them in with chrome, silver, or shad-colored lures of various designs. Spinnerbaits with multiple blades work well to imitate small groups of baitfish (that must be why I found a bag of those stashed in an old tackle box the other day).

Don't be afraid to try something completely different. So what about all those wacky-named colors, like green weenie, puke, margarita mutilator, and merthiolate? There is, in fact, a method to the madness. Experienced bass anglers know that presenting a completely new color to bass that aren't biting can somehow turn them back on, though it's far from settled science as to why. If you look in a pro's tackle box, you'll see, alongside the standard colors, a few colors not seen in nature, such as hot pinks, blues, red chrome, and multi-colored lures--almost anything imaginable. Sometimes, these unusual colors can be the key to success. A great example of this principle is the common lure color "firetiger." You'll rarely find a tackle box without at least one crankbait in this wild, unnatural color--a mix of neon green, chartreuse, hot orange, and black stripes. It certainly looks like nothing you'll find on a bass's menu. Yet, it's been a go-to color for decades, and it produces bass as well as any naturally-colored lure.

The key to becoming a successful bass angler is to experiment with a variety of colors until you find what works best on your local waters. Start with colors that have produced for you in the past, or with colors recommended by locals (a certain degree of trust may be involved here), and then branch out. You'll learn through trial and error, and you'll eventually discover the right pattern that unlocks the bite.

Energetic Anglers Return to Tournament Action

After our Aug. 11 tournament was cancelled because of low oxygen in all the local waterways, we returned to action today in a big way, as evidenced by the fact 24 anglers in 14 boats showed up for today's contest. When the weigh-in was complete, we had brought a total of 56 bass to the scales, weighing a grand total of 131.43 lbs., for an average weight of 2.34 lbs. per fish.

Winners today included the following:

1st Place, the team of (from left) Wayne Hayes and Al Napier. They weighed a five-fish limit that topped out at 19 lbs. even, anchored by a big fish weighing 4.57 lbs.

2nd Place, the team of (from left) Rob Peppers and Don Carter. They weighed a five-fish limit that went 15.16 lbs., including a big fish that weighed 4.49 lbs.

3rd Place, the team of (from left) Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig. They had a five-fish limit weighing 13.61 lbs., including a big fish that weighed 4.26 lbs.

4th Place, the team of (from left) Allen Napier and Chris Napier. They weighed a five-fish limit, which tipped the scales at 12.37 lbs. Their big fish weighed 4.78 lbs., which was good enough to capture the day's lunker pot.

Mystery-Weight Award, the husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath. Their five-fish limit total weight was 7.68 lbs., which was closest to the drawn weight of 6.50 lbs. They didn't weigh a big fish.






Here is how everyone else fared in the competition:

     * The team of Dave Anderson and Ken Testorff, five-fish limit, 11.67 lbs. total weight, 3.04-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Lenny Hall and Gary Coderre, five-fish limit, 10.69 lbs. total weight, 3.36-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore, five-fish limit, 10.55 lbs. total weight, 2.95-lb. big fish.
     * Jim Wilder, five-fish limit, 9.20 lbs. total weight, 4.43-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Eddie Sapp and Stan Krason, five-fish limit, 9.16 lbs. total weight, 3.29-lb. big fish.
     * Chris Fretard, four fish, 8.27 lbs. total weight, 4.51-lb. big fish.
     * Jim Bauer, two fish, 4.07 lbs. total weight, 3.02-lb. big fish.
     * Skip Schaible and the team of Rusty Girard and Josh Fenneman didn't weigh any fish.

Eddie Sapp joined 10 other anglers who now are qualified to fish our season-ending two-day Classic in October.

Congrats to all of the winners, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, from safe light (about 6:30 a.m.) to weigh-in at 2:30. I hope you can join us.

One Last Cast

West Neck Creek was teeming with bass boats this morning, thanks in no small part to our tournament, as well as (I understand it) two club events that launched from the Pungo Ferry ramp this morning. For a while, it nearly was impossible to find a length of shoreline not occupied by at least a couple other boats. As the morning wore on, however, anglers started heading to some of their favorite honey holes, and you easily could find lengthy stretches of unoccupied water.

My partner and I were among those anglers jockeying for positions. Early on, we had a topwater bite--primarily for the first couple of hours. Then, however, the topwater bite died, and for that matter, any bite whatsoever. We finally realized we just were thrashing the water above the bridge and decided to turn around and fish the other side of the bridge for a spell. The dry spell continued for a while, but we kept chunking and winding until we finally stumbled across another stretch of productive water.

When all was said and done, we had boated a combined total of 15 to 20 bass. If we could have located a kicker fish today, we likely would have finished in the money, but that's why it's called fishing. There are no guarantees you're going to catch that one bigger fish that turns your "OK" limit into a good one. We gave it the old college try and had a good time doing it. In the final analysis, I don't think we either one had any regrets.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018

Monday, Aug. 20 (from Ron)...Water was falling at a good clip this evening, and I thought the outflow would make for a good bite, but it didn't. Very murky from last night's rain and the heavy outflow. Hope the gauge drops to low 2s soon. Caught a couple dink bass and a handful of  really small white perch. The biggest dink fell to the micro spinnerbait.

Wednesday, Aug. 22 (from Ron)...My target was bowfin, but I couldn't find any. Bass bite was solid, and I ended up with 11 between 7 and 8 p.m. All fell to either Swim Senko or Zoom U vibe worm. Most were dinks, but a few were over a pound, with the biggest at 1-5. I got it in the yak and unhooked him, ending up with two hooks. I guess he was carrying one around. On the very next cast, I had a big thump and started to reel so I could feel the weight. However, I felt nothing, and when I got to the end, there was no hook, no worm, nothing. Gain one, lose one, I reckon. Must have been a gar or bowfin. Also caught a lone warmouth and lost a decent striper yakside that may have been a keeper. Was a rewarding trip.

Thursday, Aug. 23 (from Ken)...It was a short day (fished from 7 a.m. to 12 noon), but 'twas nevertheless somewhat productive--once I found a lure that would get their attention. Early on, I went through a topwater bait, a spinnerbait, and a worm, with absolutely nothing happening. Because I already had a crankbait tied on, I picked up that rod, and after letting the boat drift within easy casting range of a laydown, tossed the crankbait up beside it, only to have a bass immediately grab it and start taking a little drag. Finally got him in the boat, though, and he weighed 2-5. Went on to catch three more bass and a bluegill, all on the same crankbait. Can't say enough good things about the weather today. While the breeze made for some errant casts, it made for comfortable temperatures, too. Sure hope the forecasters are right about these nice days hanging around throughout the weekend.

Thursday, Aug. 23 (from Ron)...Been a few years since I visited the shallow and stumpy Cow Creek. Did the long haul from North Landing Road since the weather was nice. Caught five dinks and a decent 2-13, as well as a small sunfish. Not too bad. Micro spinnerbait and plastic worms.

Friday, Aug. 24 (from Ron)...With about a foot drop in the river gauge, I was hoping for a good bite. Not so much. Even in my go to (Milldam), just couldn't find the bite. Got two small white perch, and lost something taking drag (bowfin???), but didn't land a bass. At least, the weather was nice! Water was clear and found a bunch of grass, just no bite.

Friday, Aug. 24 (from Ray)... I fished Whitehurst today and was skunked. I tried to catch the fish I saw on the fish finder but didn’t get a single bite. There were fish everywhere on the screen but not interested in what I offered. Met a couple guys who did catch some crappie (on live bait) and bass. Another person said he fished Lake Smith yesterday and caught 10 bass,  with the largest going 3 pounds.

Saturday, Aug. 25 (from Ron)...Fished Milldam this morning with my son from 7 to 11. He was finding bass, while I was settling for dink panfish. Right before we quit, I managed a 1-15. Kid got four, but nothing over 1-5. He had the numbers, but I had the weight.

Sunday, Aug. 26 (from Ron)...Got tired of the same ol same ol, so I went to a "new" spot. Launched Back Bay on a gorgeous morning and had a pretty good trip. Lost count of the floating snakes at about six; they were everywhere but not aggressive. Even saw a couple about 200 yards off shore in the Bay. First fish hit and ran with the worm--it was a real drag screamer and never jumped, so was sure it was a big bowfin. Much to my surprise, it was a beautiful bass weighing in at 5-0. Went on to catch a 1-8 and two dinks. All came on Zoom U Vibe worms. Threw a spinnerbait and caught a few dink white perch. Also lost something of size on a Mann's One-Minus.

Sunday, Aug. 26 (from Ray)...My son, Barry, and I wanted to spend some time together, so we fished Albright's and the North River. We had high pressure, full moon, and high water, but the fish were cooperative. Three bass, three catfish, two bluegills, one nice crappie,  and 22 perch. The perch bite was on. Most were small, but a few were in the midsize range. We released everything. Beetlespins, grubs and chatter baits were the lures of the day.

Just Look at All the Similarities...

In bass fishing, it's all about a lure;

in marriage, it's all about the allure.

In bass fishing, it's all about finding five legal keepers;

in marriage, it's all about finding one legal keeper

(in case you've forgotten, polygamy still is taboo).

In bass fishing, it's all about tying a knot;

in marriage, it's all about tying the knot.

Once you let this happen, though,

All bets are off.

There's a better than average chance

you're in serious trouble,

and it's anyone's guess whether it'll be

'"til death do you part."

(Disclaimer: This post is just meant to give everyone a chuckle.

It in no way reflects my true feelings.)

Trying to Stay Ahead of Emergencies

Let's pretend for a moment that a fisherman is out on the water by himself when, out of the blue, a medical emergency arises. What does a person in this situation do? For that matter, what can he do?

Those are questions I honestly never considered until two months ago, when I suffered an episode of what the doctors diagnosed as "transient global amnesia." The common medical  explanation for this condition is "a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can't be attributed to a more common neurological condition, such as epilepsy or stroke. During an episode of transient global amnesia, your recall of recent events simply vanishes, so you can't remember where you are or how you got there."

It was a little better than five hours before I started remembering things again. The one recurring thought I've had since that event is wondering what would have happened to me had I been on the water alone when that episode hit.

As a result, I have made some changes in what I do to get ready for a fishing trip. The first thing I do is attach names of family and friends to a series of group texts. Then, during the trip, I let everyone know where I'm headed and when I arrive. I repeat that process for each stop throughout the day, and wrap up the trip with another note telling everyone I'm quitting and heading in. The final text lets all know I'm back safely at the marina.

It's not a fool-proof plan, but it's better than no plan at all.

It goes without saying that the best plan would be to find someone who can fish with me every time I head to the water. However, that's easier said than done. Most people have their own set of responsibilities and priorities, and rarely, as I've learned, do two individuals have matching free time on their hands. Thus, I am forced to settle for second best--at least, for the moment.

I realize that some of you may be saying, "That's all well and good for minor emergencies, but what if something major occurs?"

For example, I just recently read about a 70-year-old gent whose body was found near a boat ramp. The subsequent investigation revealed he had had a heart attack and undoubtedly was dead before his body ever hit the water. There also was an account about a man who had a heart attack while launching his boat, but emergency personnel reached him in time to save his life.

In cases like these, I'm guessing your best bet is to have a GPS medical-alert system. With one of these, help is available from your backyard or the "back 40," as long as there is cell service. Call-center operators use the GPS coordinates to pinpoint your position and dispatch the nearest emergency responders. And because they have all your emergency information about pre-existing medical conditions, the responders will arrive on the scene ready to act. In a situation where minutes--or even seconds--count, that degree of preparedness can be a lifesaver.

Given the fact none of us know when our time will come, there's not much else beyond these measures one can do to ensure his/her safety, whether it be at home, at work, or out fishing.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018

Monday, Aug. 13 (from Ron)...Fished Lovitt's this evening with the high water. It was amazingly clear, with sparse grass (unlike last year), and a non-existent bite. Managed one 11-inch bass to avoid the skunk. Really tough out there. Watched a fella who was within view most of the time and didn't see him get any either.

Tuesday, Aug. 14 (from Ron)...Fished Back Bay Tuesday evening from 6 to just about 8. Couldn't get a tap. Then they started to bite as I watched the sun go below the horizon. Was torn between continuing to fish or rushing back to launch site before I required lights,  which I didn't have with me. Decided to leave. Caught a dink, 1-13 and a 2-13.

Wednesday, Aug. 15 (from Ron)...Hadn't been skunked since May 25th, 56 trips (outings) ago. That changed this evening, though. The inevitable caught up with me. Fished from 6 to 8:15 and didn't get a single tap, bite or nibble. Oh well...been a very odd season. The water was extremely murky. Way too hot, but at least, there were no thunderstorms.

Thursday, Aug. 16 (from Ron)...Fished Blackwater this morning from 7 to 11. Bite was pretty steady, and I ended up with 10 bass, mostly around a pound. Biggest was 1-13. Bites were very subtle and therefore hard to detect. All fell to rubber worms of different varieties and colors. Tried Flukes and topwater, but they were not interested. By 1100, it was just too darn hot.



Thursday, Aug. 16 (from Ken)...The older I get the more I realize I have to maintain my fishing momentum. Case in point: Today was my first trip in a couple of weeks, and it was just like starting all over again. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, and every little thing that could go wrong did go wrong. I fished Albright's from about 6:30 to 2 o'clock and ran through a whole assortment of baits, none of which worked. It wasn't until I remembered a friend telling me he fished a spinnerbait his last trip to Albright's and did OK that I, too, broke out a spinnerbait and immediately started drawing some strikes. Lost my only two decent fish today--both would only have gone about a pound and a half. Ended up boating a couple of dinks, though, along with a couple of small white perch on the spinnerbait. The water temp when I started this morning was 79, and by the time I quit, it had jumped up to 90...almost 91. Had an email from the VDGIF biologist Chad Boyce this evening, nothing that his latest oxygen checks at Bob's had revealed continuing bad levels. Although he cautioned the staff down there to hold off on any tournaments for a spell yet, he noted that they held a tournament last night and plan to resume their weekend tournaments, too, this weekend. I tend to believe the problem in North Landing is improving, as evidenced by the fact the gar today were back in their usual location, but exactly what the current levels are, I have no idea.

Friday, Aug. 17 (from Ron)...Fished the lake on base this evening from 6 'til dark and was hoping the wind would turn on the bite, but it didn't. The breeze was refreshing until about 7 p.m., then it died down. The big ball of heat was relentless. Caught one dink bass and a small white perch while trolling a Mann's One-Minus crankbait. It was dreadfully hot.

Saturday, Aug. 18 (from Ron)...Awful morning trip to Lake Whitehurst, with the wind and a slew of "what could go wrong" did (I feel your pain, my friend, as evidenced in my Thursday report). Made about a thousand casts with plastics to shaded areas along the bank where structure was present, as well as lily pads and didn't get a tap between 0630 and 1030. Had a Mann's One-Minus hanging off the back, and a wee dink hit it in an effort to help me avoid a skunk. The wind was abysmal, and the boats were dreadful. Picked the wrong place to fish I guess. Had to try again this evening. Launched at Milldam about 5 p.m. and almost made it to my honey hole before the sky turned black, and the storm moved in from the west. Hightailed it out of there before the thunder and lightning arrived. Didn't get skunked because I tried a Spinnerbait (thanks Ken, with a twinge of sarcasm😉). Caught two "fish". Threw some plastics to the bank and grass, but didn't get a tap.

Sunday, Aug. 19 (from Ron)...Had to try for the big ones, but couldn't find 'em. Fished from 0700 to 1200, catching three dink bass, as well as a 1-3 and a 2-11, plus a bunch of white perch and a bluegill. Lost a keeper crappie. Had one white perch at 11 inches on the stringer but couldn't find anymore over 7 or 8 inches. Not worth keeping them at that size. The bass fell to Zoom U Vibe worms, and the panfish hit the micro spinnerbait.

It's the Right Thing To Do, But How Many Really Do It?

I read something the other day that began like this: "Competitive fishing is all about understanding and respecting boundaries--and respecting your fellow anglers. Integrity on the water is part of the heritage of B.A.S.S. tournaments."

If I were to have taken that introductory statement above at face value, then I would have been aghast when, just a few moments later, I happened upon the following two videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ztuLZC_r3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb_wiIMYfOM

For lack of a nice way of putting it, I submit to you that the above introductory statement is nothing short of being a boldfaced lie. From where I sit, it's abundantly clear that even the pros (some of them, at least) have a tough time "understanding and respecting boundaries," as evidenced in the first video. And the problem isn't just with the big-money-pro competitive anglers, it's with all anglers in general, as evidenced in the second video. Forget money, 'cause none of that was involved in the second video, and still two fishermen couldn't find common ground on a public lake.

A pretty sad commentary, I'd say. But while I'm talking about "respecting others," let me add another example here for your consideration. I found this item online, too.

Seems there was this pro angler fishing a tournament, and he had found a spot that, as he firmly believed, "was good enough to help me win the tournament." As it turns out, however, there was just one problem. For all three tournament days, a wisecracking local fisherman, probably in his 60s, sat on top of the spot.

Said the pro, "He knew I wanted in there. He warned me not to come in, so I stayed back. But I thought he would eventually leave."

That never happened, though. The old-timer just sat right there every day.

"I watched him catch more than 20 fish one day," explained the pro, "and it didn't look like a single one of them was less than 4 lbs. What made it worse was that, after he caught each one, he would hold it up in my direction and yell, 'I'll bet you wish you had this fish!'"

Despite wanting the local out of there in the worst way, this pro was the adult in the situation and stayed back. "I stayed back, hard as it was to swallow, because I knew it was the right thing to do," he said.

For whatever reason, angling etiquette appears to rank right up there with going to the dentist, as far as least favorite topics of discussion go. However, I found one competitive angler/freelance writer who is the exception. He spells out five unwritten rules of bass-fishing etiquette.

Cutting anglers off. Tournament organizations have some specific rules in place regarding this issue (too bad everyone doesn't follow them, as evidenced in the earlier first video). For anglers in general, the rule of thumb is simple: If you find yourself trying to justify it in your mind, you're probably cutting someone off. Furthermore, if you'd get ticked off if another angler did it to you, you probably shouldn't do it to someone else. If you have mapping technology on your boat, try to pay attention to the structure the other angler is fishing. If he's fishing a point, don't get between him and the shoreline. If he's fishing a hump or a bar in the middle of the river channel, hug the steeper side of the channel while passing. Similarly, if you're in a creek and someone is fishing a row of boat docks, don't start fishing three docks ahead of him on the same side of the creek and think you're doing him a favor. Instead, find some different docks.

Check with nearby anglers. If you want to fish a particular spot, but another angler is fishing nearby, slow down to an idle and politely ask permission. If he says no, say "thanks," wish him luck, and move on. You can come back another time.

Talk to the dock owners. Instead of copping the attitude that dock owners don't own the water, it's always a good idea to ask them if they mind your making a few casts, especially if they happen to be sitting on the dock. Avoid a confrontation with a simple smile and short conversation.

It ain't the Daytona 500. There are a lot of gripes about bass anglers driving their boats too fast. While there's nothing wrong with lifting the bow and letting 'er eat when the conditions are safe and you're not breaking any rules of the water, drop it down a notch on busy weekends when the lake is full of recreational boaters. Very few folks are impressed by how fast your boat can go anyway.

Be a helpful guest. Don't be one of those dudes who chase their partner down at the boat ramp to collect $20 in gas money. Granted, it's nice if the partner offers to help, but don't make it an issue if nothing is forthcoming. Maybe the partner will back the trailer down, help wipe down your rig, and/or bring along a few sandwiches. It's not all about the money; just showing a little appreciation of any kind makes a big difference.

It doesn't take rocket science to figure out everything works a lot more smoothly when all the players are on the same page. That's the goal; however, from where I sit, we're still not there yet. Maybe, we never will be.

Blame the High Water!

That's the word from local VDGIF biologist Chad Boyce in answer to my question earlier today about what caused the current low-oxygen levels on our waterways.

As Chad (right) explained it, that stretch of high water we had around here recently pushed far back into areas that depleted the oxygen (specifically, "dissolved oxygen" or DO) content, and when the water level retreated, all that oxygen-depleted water drained back into the main body and its tributaries.

In response, local anglers are being asked to forego their regularly scheduled tournaments at both Bob's Fishing Hole and West Neck Marina for the time being. "We don't want to stress the fish any more than they already are," said Chad in our phone conversation today. Some dead ones already have been turning up, and there likely will be more.

What will it take to remedy this situation? As Chad noted, "Some days with not-so-hot water, certainly no high water, and, ideally, days without much rain." In other words, weather like we haven't seen around here for a fair spell now.

According to information I found online, the generally accepted minimum amount of DO required to support a large population of various fishes is from 4 to 5 mg/L. When the DO drops below 3 mg/L, even hardy fish will die. Following is a sampling of how various fish species differ in their DO requirements (e.g., lowest DO at which they survived for 24 hours in summer):

Northern Pike - 6.0 mg/L

Black Bass - 5.5 mg/L

Common Sunfish - 4.2 mg/L

Yellow Perch - 4.2 mg/L

Black Bullhead - 3.3 mg/L

For the sake of comparison, consider that Chad obtained the following readings in his travels around the local area today: surface DO - 1.18 and just off the the bottom - 0.8. "Both of these are well below the desirable range for most all game fish," he noted. "Having said that, the juvenile fish generally have a much higher tolerance for low-oxygen conditions."

As explained in a paper written by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), "You can't tell by looking at water that there is oxygen in it (unless you remember the chemical makeup of a water molecule is hydrogen and oxygen). But, if you look at a closed bottle of a soft drink, you don't see the carbon dioxide dissolved in that either, until you shake it up and open the top. The oxygen dissolved in lakes, rivers and oceans is crucial for the organisms and creatures living in them. As the amount of dissolved oxygen drops below normal levels in water bodies, the water quality is harmed and, if not rectified, creatures begin to die off.

"Although water molecules contain an oxygen atom, this oxygen is not what is needed by aquatic organisms living in natural waters. A small amount of oxygen, up to about 10 molecules of oxygen per million of water, is actually dissolved in water. Oxygen enters a stream mainly from the atmosphere and, in areas where groundwater discharge into streams is a large portion of streamflow, from groundwater discharge. This dissolved oxygen is breathed by fish and zooplankton and is needed by them to survive.

"Rapidly moving water, such as a mountain stream or large river, tends to contain a lot of dissolved oxygen, whereas stagnant water contains less. Bacteria in water can consume oxygen as organic matter decays. Thus, excess organic material in lakes and rivers can cause eutrophic conditions, which is an oxygen-deficient situation that can cause a water body to die. Aquatic life can have a hard time in stagnant water that has a lot of rotting, organic material in it, especially in summer (the concentration of dissolved oxygen is inversely related to water temperature), when dissolved-oxygen levels are at a seasonal low. Water near the surface of the lake--the epilimnion--is too warm for them, while water near the bottom--the hypolimnion--has too little oxygen. Conditions may become especially serious during a period of hot, calm weather, resulting in the loss of many fish. You may have heard about summertime fish kills in local lakes that likely result from this problem.

"As the accompanying chart shows, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in surface water is controlled by temperature and has both a seasonal and a daily cycle. Cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen than warm water. In winter and early spring, when the water temperature is low, the dissolved-oxygen concentration is high. In summer and fall, when the water temperature is high, the dissolved-oxygen concentration is low.

"Dissolved oxygen in surface water is used by all forms of aquatic life; therefore, this constituent typically is measured to assess the 'health' of lakes and streams. Oxygen enters a stream from the atmosphere and from groundwater discharge. The contribution of oxygen from groundwater discharge is significant, however, only in areas where ground water is a large component of streamflow, such as in areas of glacial deposits. Photosynthesis is the primary process affecting the dissolved-oxygen/temperature relation. Water clarity and strength and duration of sunlight, in turn, affect the rate of photosynthesis. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations fluctuate with water temperature seasonally, as well as daily."

I can only speak for myself, but I have no desire to chase any kind of fish around when they're already having a hard time just finding enough oxygen. The way I see it, Dennis, from down at Bob's, has it right. Let's all concentrate on "preserving our little green buddies."

Little Things Mean a Lot

Admittedly, it's big fish that win bass tournaments, but that fact in no way diminishes the value of the little things that you pick up along the way, which help make you a winner. A tune published in 1953 spells it out for us in simple terms: "Little Things Mean a Lot." All of these little things combine to turn good anglers into great ones.

Let's face it. We've all had a day when the fishing was great. A few days later, though, we go back for more of the same but find something vastly different. The fish are thumbing their nose at us. "So what's wrong?" we wonder. The conditions are the same, we're using the same bait, and we're fishing the same spots.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes we get so boresighted on our fishing that we become oblivious to things going on around us. Oh, we'll notice something obvious like bass busting baitfish, but we tend to overlook smaller stuff.

For example, we may miss those little popping noises coming from shallow water in the late-spring months. Those noises indicate bluegill are feeding near the surface--a good sign for bass anglers. When small panfish are in an area, big bass often are nearby. We need to be looking for nearby cover, such as docks, grass lines, and/or stumps. Then it's a matter of breaking out some bluegill-colored squarebills and jigs, and going to work.

On the other hand, if we hear slurping sounds emanating from shallow vegetation, it's time to move to a new area. Too often, folks mistake those slurping sounds for bass feeding on the surface, when they're actually carp. (I used to hear a lot of those slurping sounds back in those days when I fished the Shenandoah River for smallmouths.) And when carp infiltrate a grass bed, any nearby bass usually scatter and find new places to hide. If we're smart, we'll check out other nearby vegetation.

Small, quiet slaps on the surface also are a good sign for bass anglers, especially during the post-spawn period. These disturbances often mean crappie are nearby. Some surprises may be in store if we fish a light Texas rig or jig in these areas. Drag 'em along the bottom to find out if there are some hidden brush piles around. They're a great hangout for big bass, so be sure to mark the location, even if you don't find any fish on the first visit.

We also need to stay alert for small baitfish flickering on the water's surface throughout the day. Baitfish are largely nomadic, and bass are likely to move with them. Bear in mind, however, that where baitfish were found yesterday doesn't mean they'll be in the same area today. Many anglers will pass up casting into pods of flickering baitfish unless something appears to be spooking them. That can be a mistake, however, because bass often will cruise underneath the schools. Getting a lure below the bait can yield some really nice bites.

Learning to read bird behavior can lead to great bass fishing. Diving seagulls are a telltale sign of heavy feeding activity. Bait balls will get pushed to the surface as game fish feed from below, which is a virtual dinner bell for seagulls. Herons are experts at finding shallow baitfish, so when these tall birds are present in an area, we know the location of bait without even making a cast. Crows, on the other hand, love a good meal of mayflies in the late spring and early summer, so keep an eye peeled for these ugly black birds running around near overhanging bushes and limbs. Bluegill come up to feast on the fallen mayflies, creating a five-star buffet for big bass. This is the time to take out our dark green topwater frogs, bluegill-colored wakebaits, and stick worms...and hang on.

Learning to use the wind to your advantage is yet another very useful "little" tool. When the wind speed increases, change to fast-moving, reaction lures, such as crankbaits and jerkbaits. They shine in windy conditions because the disturbance breaks up their profiles and makes them more realistic to bass. If the wind stops blowing, a slowdown in approach is called for. A good bet is a Texas or Carolina rig dragged slowly over the same areas that were productive in the windy conditions. Remember, too, that calm waters call for natural, slow presentations, so before changing locations, try altering your technique.

Making adjustments to fishing spots based on shade lines is another important factor. Targeting shady areas (e.g. east banks) in the morning is a great idea. Big expanses of shade, though, tend to scatter bass, making them harder to catch, so look for shorelines with 4-to-6-foot-wide strips of shade. And, in the late afternoons and evenings, start targeting west banks.

For what it's worth, learn to focus on this reality: Something as simple as a shad flicker can spell the difference between coming up with a big fat zero and a banner day you'll be talking about for a long time to come.

Tight Lines! to one and all.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018

Monday, Aug. 6 (from Ken)...No longer am I sittin' home only wishin' I had gone fishin'. After a bit more than two-week layup, I finally got back on the water today. Fished from about 6:30 to 1:30, when a second round of rain started moving in. I already had gotten wet when a 15- or 20-minute shower hit about 12:30. The second round looked more ominous, and when it comes to thunder and lightning, I always try to give Mother Nature the benefit of the doubt. It was 11 o'clock before I put the first fish in the boat. In the next hour and a half, I only managed a total of four, including two dink bass, as well as a 1-0 and a 1-6. Two of those fish came on a Senko. Also caught one each on a chatterbait and a shallow-running crankbait. Was a little disappointed I couldn't find a frog bite this morning, but it's probably just as well, given my hooksetting problems with that bait. Tried a Stutter Step, too, but it likewise failed to elicit any strikes. Love the way that bait moves, though. My daily chuckle came on a point when I tossed my chatterbait up to it and got a bit close to a bird that was hiding in the brush. The chatterbait spooked not only the bird, but a hefty fish that perhaps was waiting to see if he could get a free meal. Don't know if I'll get another trip in before Saturday's tourney but plan to try. Incidentally, gar were all over Albright's today, instead of just occupying one area as usual. Have no idea what was up with their increased activity. (8/9/2018 UPDATE: Think I may have figured out why the gar were everywhere Monday. The local VDGIF rep Chad Boyce tells me there are low oxygen levels in all the local waters, and I suspect the gar were looking for water with more oxygen.) 

Friday, Aug. 10 (from Ron)...Got back from my exile today and fished Milldam from 5 until dark. The sun was blazing hot, and the bite was way off. Tried Zoom worms in all the favorite spots without a tap. Shifted to Zoom flukes and found one decent bass in the thick grass. By the time I landed him, he had gathered about three pounds of grass. Didn't get a weight. Threw some topwater but only attracted small white perch. Really good to be home and back on the water.

Saturday, Aug. 11 (from Ron)...I was unaware of the O2 issues until just now. I headed out to Stumpy Lake (aka Skunky Lake) and fished three hours this morning. Chose Stumpy, so I would have an escape plan if lightning developed. The lightning nor the bite ever materialized. Managed one crooked 2-0 bass and lost another to a branch wrap. Zoom U Vibe worm was the ticket. Also tried Craws and Wacky Senko. The Kayak Club is having an online tourney that I missed the first week of. Saw some 22- and 21-inchers posted, so I am way behind the curve. The rules are best two bass, total length. With the O2 and other conditions, I may be out of the running. Oh well, I will at least try. Have about six days left to get 'em. Maybe I'll hit Tecumseh; it shouldn't be affected by this O2 issue???

Sunday, Aug. 12 (from Ron)...Fished three hours, caught four bass, including two dinks, a 2-4, and a 2-8. All fell to worms. Water was very murky, and it was a slow bite.

Sunday, Aug. 12 (from Ray)...My son, Barry, and I spent some fishing time together today in Albright's. We were not targeting any particular species. Ended up with three bass (one was a dink), three very large crappie, and around 20 or so perch. There also were a few perch, some of which were mid-size, but most were small. Spinnerbaits and cranks were the lures of the day. The water was high and very clear.

Should I Share My Secret Fishing Spot?

In many--on second thought, make that most--cases, the answer to that question isn't just no; it's h-e-double hockey sticks no! The first time you tell or show someone else your secret spot, even if you make them promise beforehand to keep it to themselves, you might as well have stood on a mountaintop with a megaphone and announced it to the whole world.

If case you didn't get the word, the days of "being a nice guy" have long since passed. If you think I'm lying to you, there's an easy way to find out. Go ahead and tell a friend about your secret spot and then count the days before you go back to that spot yourself and find an "army" of boats parked on top of one another.

Oh, sure, there's always that one-in-10 person who will honor your request to keep the secret, but he or she indeed is a rarity today. By and large, new fishing spots are the equivalent of celebrity gossip in other circles.

The simple truth is that some people just like to run their gums and couldn't keep a secret if their lives depended on it. Compounding that problem are the new people who take up our sport each year. It's a tough job holding them to the same standards we've spent years learning. Few of them likely will understand nuances such as giving space, asking to fish through, circling around another day, not crowding when catching, and most of all, just because someone throws you a bone and shares a spot, you aren't supposed to post it on forums and tell all your buddies.

Here are a couple things for new folks to think about:

If you aren't sure if a person is telling you about a secret fishing spot, ask. If you forget to ask, don't tell anyone else about the spot. Nobody owns these spots (unless they are on private property), but, after all, they have put in the work and time to locate and pattern the fish. So don't blow the spot for them. Respect their efforts and their trust that you won't share.

If you fish with a guide, and he shows you some spots, make sure to have a conversation about them. Ask if it's OK to share, or if these are "client only" spots.

Should we share spots? The answer to that question is really up to the individual angler. I choose to look at it this way. When friends ask to borrow money, don't do it unless you can afford to never see repayment. Accordingly, never share a secret spot unless you don't mind having lots of company the next time you pay it a visit.

In closing, let me share a lesson both Charlie and I learned the hard way about posting photos of fish catches on our blogs. If you don't want readers to be able to figure out the area where you caught a fish, either make sure you aim the camera directly at the fish and the water, so none of the surroundings are visible, or crop the photo before publishing it.