A Man With a Vivid Imagination

Skip: Just came by West Neck Marina, and as I was there, a helicopter flew over, and two guys rapelled down to your boat. They hooked it up to the helicopter, then flew off with it.

Ken: Nice try, but I haven't been hiding under rocks.

Skip: Oops! The boat just fell out of the straps. I'm going to swim out and get it. Then I'll put it in your boat shed.

Ken: You've been smoking too much dope, or is it your meds?

That's the gist of a text exchange that took place between Skip (the fella on the front pedestal in the above picture) and me this past Friday. Now ya gotta admit that the guy who started this exchange either has a vivid imagination or perhaps is--dare I say--a little deranged.

In all seriousness, I don't for even five minutes think my good friend, Skip, is deranged. He just likes to kid around, and I'm here to tell you that no one does it better. Before I learned what a jokester he is, I have to admit that, more than once, he had the opportunity to give me a big smile and say, "Gotcha!"

That in no way makes him a bad guy, as far as I'm concerned. I've just learned to expect him to yank my chain every chance he gets, and I'm always ready to respond in kind.

This much I tell you in all seriousness, though, there's not a better friend I'd rather have when I need a helping hand. One such occasion came up just yesterday, and Skip didn't waste any time in answering my call for help.

The tournament day had ended, and I just had finished taking care of my final responsibilities as tournament director. Climbed into my ol' van and hit the starter, only to get nothing more than some solenoid clicks. Didn't take rocket science to know I needed a jump start. Unfortunately, all the tourney anglers had gone, and the marina manager had also secured for the day.

As I was standing there at the marina, weighing my options, I remembered that Skip doesn't live very far away and decided to give him a call. He was on scene in a little bit of no time, had me started, and was offering to follow me home if I wanted. I simply thanked him, though, and said I was sure I could make it home OK on my own.

Now that's the kind of guy Skip is and why I don't mind his penchant for pulling my leg at every turn. They just don't make human beings any better than him.

Everyone Weighs Fish in Final 2019 Qualifier

You might say all 20 anglers in 13 boats went out with a bang this final tourney of the current season. They collectively weighed a total of 58 bass with a total weight of 128.70 lbs., an average weight per fish of 2.21 lbs., and an average weight per boat of 9.90 lbs.

Those who excelled today and took home a little extra change in their pockets included the following:

(From left) The team of Andrew Gonzalez and Cody Wilson claimed 1st place with a five-fish limit weighing 12.73 lbs. Their big fish weighed 3.09 lbs.

(From left) The team of Richard Hall and David Dozier weighed a five-fish limit that tipped the scales at 12.21 lbs., which earned them 2nd place. They didn't have a big fish.

(From left) The team of Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore came in 3rd, with a five-fish limit that weighed 12.15 lbs. Their big fish weighed 2.94 lbs. Steve also earned bragging rights as the 2019 Angler of the Year, with a grand total weight of 178.13 lbs. Well done! Steve.

(From left) This team of Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig won big fish  honors today, with a bass weighing 4.41 lbs. Their five-fish limit came in at 12.03 lbs.

(From left) This duo of Eric Killian and Jim Crist finished with four bass, weighing 6.61 lbs., which was closest to the mystery weight that was drawn: 2.55 lbs.






Here is how everyone else lined up at the end of the day:

     * Red Bruun, five fish, 12.02 lbs. total weight, 3.55-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Dave Anderson and Ken Testorff, five fish, 11.94 lbs. total weight, 3.98-lb. big fish.
     * Chris Napier, five fish, 11.49 lbs. total weight, 3.64-lb. big fish.
     * Rob Peppers, five fish, 10.58 lbs. total weight, 3.41-lb. big fish.
     * Gary Coderre, five fish, 10.27 lbs. total weight (after 0.25 penalty for one dead fish), 2.93-lb. big fish.
     * Wayne Hayes, four fish, 9.66 lbs. total weight, 3.95-lb. big fish.
     * The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath, five fish, 7.01 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * Stan Krason was disqualified for failure to make it back on time for weigh-in.

Two more anglers joined the list of those qualified to fish our season-ending two-day Classic on Oct. 12 and 13. A total of 21 now are qualified, but I know for a fact that at least two do not plan to participate...and there very well may be more.

Congratulations to all of today's winners, as well as those for the entire year. I also offer my sincere appreciation to all those who helped throughout the year to put on these events. I assure you that your efforts didn't go unnoticed.

One Last Cast

With today's tournament in the record books, I'm left with only the two-day Classic remaining on my "to do" list before I bring my 7-year tenure as tournament director for the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series to an end. I plan to continue as a participant in this series, but only as a fisherman. I'm turning over control of the events to someone else.

Surprisingly, this decision wasn't nearly as difficult to make as I once thought it would be. I simply applied the same philosophy to this decision as I did to my Navy and Civil Service careers. That philosophy was: When I quit having fun, it's time to call a halt to things.

Having not heard anyone say, "Let me do it now," I'm left to figure I'll have to "enlist" someone. After gathering some input from the old regulars today, I have a pretty good idea what I'm going to do, but I'm going to reserve any announcements until I've had some further discussions. Don't want to jump the gun, so to speak. Stay tuned, 'cause when I lock something in, I'll post it here for general consumption.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019

Sept. 24 (from Ron)...Was just too nice of an evening to not wet a line. Fished Beggars Bridge area from 5:30 to 7 p.m. First one hit a micro spinner but threw the hook. Went on to catch two bass each at 2 lbs. 1 oz. and 16 inches. Caught them a few hundred yards apart, so pretty sure they were not the same fish. Both fell to SwimSenkos. Tried topwater as the sun set, but couldn't get a single strike. Murky high water. Sure was nice to be out this evening after such a long break.

Sept. 25 (from Ron)...Fished Milldam Creek this evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m., even though I shouldn't have. After tweaking my back while cleaning house exterior and windows, kayaking was not a good idea. Caught one 6-inch dink to avoid the skunk. Should have stayed home. Threw a variety of lures, and the water was very clear...just couldn't find a bite.

A Tough Day of Bass Fishing

I feel pretty sure the majority of today's 20 anglers in 12 boats would agree with that statement. Our collective totals amounted to 45 bass caught, for a total weight of 76.28 lbs., an average weight of 1.69 lbs. per fish, and 6.35 lbs. average weight per boat.

The day started with an abundance of thick fog, which prompted a large number of anglers to start in West Neck Creek, only heading to their favorite spots once the sun had burned off most of the fog. I can't speak for everyone else, but both Dave and I wished we had stayed put in West Neck, given the condition of the water nearly everywhere else we visited. By far, West Neck offered the best looking water.

While some of us struggled to find a few fish, others came up with a limit and respectable weights. Here are those who took home some additional spending money today:

Eddie Sapp, 1st place, five fish, 13.97 lbs. total weight, 3.57-lb. big bass.

Wayne Hayes, 2nd place, five fish, 9.65 lbs. total weight, 3.27-lb. big bass.

The brothers team of  (from left) Chris and Allen Napier, 3rd place, five fish, 8.45 lbs. total weight, 2.69-lb. big bass.

The team of Richard and Bill (not pictured) Hall, the tourney lunker weighing 3.73 lbs. They also claimed the mystery-weight award with three fish weighing 7 lbs. even, which was the exact weight drawn.







Here is how all the other competitors finished the day:

     * The team of Rob Peppers and Don Carter, five fish, 8.31 lbs. total weight, 2.46-lb. big bass.
     * The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath, five fish, 7.81 lbs. total weight, 2.23-lb big bass.
     * The team of David Dozier and Nelson Anderson, five fish, 6.77 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Bobby Moore and Steve Bailey, four fish, 4.58 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Dave Anderson and Ken Testorff, four fish, 4.48 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * Stan Krason, three fish, 3.99 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * Skip Schaible, one fish, 1.27 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig didn't weigh any fish.

Three more anglers became eligible to participate in our season-ending two-day tournament. For planning purposes, those whose names joined the others are David Dozier and the team of Allen and Chris Napier.

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event, the season's final qualifier, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, from safe light (about 6:30) to 2:30 p.m.

One Last Cast

The 2019 race for Angler of the Year stands as follows:

Steve Bailey - 165.98

Bobby Moore - 151.45

Ken Testorff - 148.66

Gary Coderre - 143.10

Dave Anderson - 140.52

Rob Peppers - 137.65

As we near the season's final competition, our Classic two-day tournament, I've found myself thinking back on past Classics--in particular, locations where I've had the most success. Remembered one spot where my young partner at the time and I burst into the lead on Day 1, only to be overtaken by multiple other teams on Day 2, when we mistakenly went back to the same spot we had fished on Day 1. The bite on that day had been so aggressive that we figured we could return there on Day 2 and milk the area for a second nice limit.

That thinking, however, proved to be our downfall, and we wasted too much time trying to force the issue. As a result, we fell from the lead on Day 1 to well out of the money on Day 2.

I remembered today that it has been three or four years now since I've fished that area and suddenly found myself yearning for a return trip to see if it holds some of the same quality fish that propelled us into that Day 1 lead. Suffice it to say I plan to share that location with my current partner, and we'll hopefully have an opportunity to check it out before the 2019 Classic gets underway. This much I assure you, though: If, by chance, we should fish this spot on Day 1, we won't repeat my bad headwork of the past. Instead, we'll invoke a different game plan for Day 2.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019

Tuesday, Sept. 17 (from Ron)...Fished upper North Landing in an effort to avoid the wind. Between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., caught nine bass, including a 1-5, 1-7, 1-9, and 6 wee dinks. Was really good to be back on freshwater for a change. Zoom U Vibes caught the first half, then Pop-R caught the rest. As it started to get dark, threw to shoreline and got a snag on what I thought was a low-lying twig. A few yanks and tugs later, though, the "branch" broke loose, and I recovered the remains:  an old hollow-body frog and line.

Two More Qualifiers, the Classic, and the Books Will Close on Another Season

This year's tournaments are all coming down to the finish line, but the enthusiasm continues, as evidenced by those 11 boats with 19 anglers who participated in today's event. The overall final tallies today were 54 bass caught, with a combined total weight of 109.51 lbs., for an average weight per fish of 2.02 lbs. and an average weight per boat of 9.95 lbs.

Here are those anglers who found themselves at the top of today's leaderboard:

The team of (from left) Mike McCluskey and Rob Peppers, 1st Place, with a five-fish limit weighing 14.58 lbs., and a 3.28-lb. big fish.

The team of (from left) Cody Wilson and Ranny Sitideth, 2nd Place, with a five-fish limit weighing 13.92 lbs., and a 3.34-lb. big fish.

The team of (from left) Bobby Moore and Steve Bailey, 3rd Place, with a five-fish limit weighing 12.70 lbs., and a 3.35-lb. big fish.

The team of (from left) Jim Crist and Eric Killian, Big Fish, with a 3.48-lb. bass and a five-fish limit weighing 11.98 lbs.

The team of (from left) Andy and his wife, Diana, Morath won the Mystery Weight Award. They had a five-fish limit weighing 6.24 lbs., which was closest to the drawn weight of 4.20. They didn't have a big fish.






Here is how all the other contestants finished today:

     * The team of Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig, five-fish limit weighing 10.32 lbs., and a 2.52-lb. big fish.
     * Stan Krason, five-fish limit weighing 9.67 lbs., no big fish.
     * The team of Dave Anderson and Ken Testorff, five-fish limit weighing 9.49 lbs., no big fish.
     * Wayne Hayes, five-fish limit weighing 7.65 lbs., 2.18-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Eric Laufer and Kevin Hardy, four fish weighing 6.52 lbs., no big fish.
     * Gary Coderre, five-fish limit weighing 6.44 lbs., no big fish.

One more contestant became eligible to participate in our season-ending two-day Classic. That brings the number qualified to 16.

Congrats to all of today's winners. Let me also say thanks to everyone who came out to participate, as well as those who helped me orchestrate the event. For planning purposes, our next tournament is scheduled for next Saturday, Sept. 21, from safe light (about 6:30) to weigh-in at 2:30. Hope you can join us.

One Last Cast

The race for Angler of the Year stands as follows:

Steve Bailey - 161.40

Bobby Moore - 146.87

Ken Testorff - 144.18

Gary Coderre - 143.10

Dave Anderson - 136.04

Rob Peppers - 129.34

On a different note, there really must be something to the statement about leaving fish to find more fish. Dave and I took that gamble today, and once again, it proved to be a mistake. We ended up finding a few more fish. However, they were smaller than what we had been putting in the boat. Reckon that's one lesson we all forget or choose to ignore from time to time, and it nearly always comes back to bite you in the behind.

Tight Lines!

For the Week Ending Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019

Tuesday, Sept. 10 (from Dave and Ken)...Given our performance this past Sunday, it was time to go looking for some productive water today. After about 7.5 hours, we had boated a total of 11 keeper bass, plus some bream and a striper...definitely an improvement over last Sunday's tournament. There's no way of knowing if the fish still will be there again this Saturday, but at least we have some place to start, and that's a far cry from last Sunday. All in all, it was a good day, and we were both satisfied when we came off the water about 2 o'clock. Ran into some friends at the launch ramp this morning, namely Rob, Tom and Joe. Never saw any of them again after we all motored away this morning, so don't have a clue how any of them did.

Wednesday, Sept. 11 (from Skip)...Was at West Neck when Skip returned from his day on the water, and he was quick to note that his day was anything but usual. Seems he didn't have so much as a smell until his last hour, and then he boated four bass, three of which were keepers. Thankfully, this kind of day is the exception instead of the rule. Still, it makes for a long day.

Friday, Sept. 13 (from Ron)...Not a freshwater report. Had to travel to San Diego for work. Brother of mine took me out in his boat, and I caught five different species (halibut, calico bass, California scorpion fish, sand bass, and spotted bay bass). The 24.5-inch halibut gave a really good fight. They are all firsts for me, technically, all personal bests!

Saturday, Sept. 14 (from Ron)...After that halibut, I really wanted some tacos. Fished Rudee Inlet and found what I was looking for:  a 17-inch flounder and a nice speckled trout. Yum!

What's With All the "No Fishing" Signs?

That's the comment I received in an email about a week and a half ago:

"It seems like No Fishing signs pop up everywhere, seemingly out of thin air. Can someone own the water and make it private property if that water continually flows in and out with the tides?

"I launched out of Centerville Marina and saw that Atlantic Yacht Basin/Virginia Yacht Brokers had one posted at the mouth of what seemed to be a normal creek on the left, while the marina was on the right. I also saw a post on social media where two men had resorted to ramming their johnboat into the side of a bass boat because the fisherman refused to leave a marina he had been fishing."

A VDGIF official subsequently offered the following explanation:

"Each specific location may have a unique scenario. For example, canals surrounded by someone's private property can be privately owned. And while the landowner may choose not to enforce that and allow people to fish or boat there for many years, he/she always, for whatever reason, is entitled to change their mind and decide to post No Trespassing signs. Then the water becomes off-limits again. It really doesn't have anything to do with whether or not water covers the bottom or 'flows in or out.' Instead, it comes down to what is state-owned bottom and what is private-owned bottom."

Anyone interested in seeing the video of two men ramming their johnboat into the side of a bass boat, as described in the original email I received, simply has to click on the following link:

https://www.wired2fish.com/news/craziest-fishing-confrontation-weve-ever-seen/.

Lots of Funky-Colored Water...Courtesy of Hurricane Dorian

That's what greeted the 15 anglers in 11 boats that fished today's tournament out of West Neck Marina. At day's end, the final tally was 39 fish weighed, for a combined total weight of 78.93 lbs., an average weight per fish of 2.02 lbs., and an average weight per boat of 7.17 lbs.

Those anglers who went home with a pay envelope included the following:

The team of (from left) Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore, 1st place, with a five-fish total weight of 12.52 lbs. They also captured the big-fish money with a bass weighing 5.38 lbs.

Stan Krason, 2nd place, with a five-fish total weight of 11.66 lbs. He didn't have a big fish.

The team of (from left) Wayne Hayes and Jim Crist, 3rd place, with a five-fish total weight of 11.51 lbs. Their big fish weighed 3.61 lbs.

Craig Jones claimed the mystery-weight award with a two-fish total weight of 4.20 lbs., which was closest to the drawn weight of 2.15. He didn't have a big fish.








Here is how everyone else finished the competition:

     * Gary Coderre, five fish, 10.99 lbs. total weight, 3-lb. big fish.
     * Andy Morath, five fish, 8.87 lbs. total weight, 3.91-lb. big fish.
     * Rob Peppers, five fish, 6.51 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Dave Anderson and Ken Testorff, three fish, 6.44 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * Skip Schaible, four fish, 6.23 lbs. total weight, 2.07-lb. big fish.
     * Eddie Sapp and the team of Bob Glass and J. P. Twohig didn't weigh any fish.

Two more anglers joined the group of those now eligible to fish our two-day season-ending Classic tournament. To date, 15 anglers comprise this group, with three qualifying tournaments remaining.

Congratulations to all of today's winners, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. My hat's also off to those who assisted me in making everything possible. For planning purposes, our next scheduled event is next Saturday, Sept. 14. We will launch at safe light (about 6:30), with weigh-in at 2:30. I hope you can join us.

One Last Cast

The chase for Angler of the Year looks like this after adding today's final tallies to the mix:

Steve Bailey - 148.70

Gary Coderre - 136.66

Ken Testorff - 134.69

Bobby Moore - 134.17

Dave Anderson - 126.55

With only two hours left of today's competition, I had reached the end of my patience with all the grass and duckweed that Dave and I had encountered all day long. I had one bait in my box that I knew would handle these ingredients without my having to clean it constantly. That bait, of course, was a hollow-bodied frog. I'm probably the worst frog fisherman on planet Earth, so I approached my decision to bring one out and tie it on only after very careful consideration.

For about 30 minutes or so, I kept tossing the frog, knowing full well that if a fish attacked it, I likely would swing and miss. Those self-doubts were running rampant in my head when, all of a sudden, a fish smacked the frog with authority, and as soon as I felt him, I reared back with a hookset. No one was more surprised than me when I subsequently saw the hooked fish take off with my bait. Moments later, Dave slid the net under him, and I felt a small degree of satisfaction and confidence. Reckon I'll now have to try improving on my frog fishing.

A Bonanza That Seems to Have Dodged Us

After considerable online research over the last week, I've been led to believe that the vast majority of anglers who fish in the days immediately preceding a hurricane or other strong storm enjoy nothing short of a bassin' bonanza. I've even watched some videos that supported those claims.

Having talked to different anglers locally who were on the water since last Sunday, up through this past Wednesday, I didn't find a single one who echoed anything remotely similar. Everyone managed to find some fish, including some small limits, but no one I talked to was bragging about big fish or large numbers.

In most cases, the anglers were talking about slow fishing, missing strikes, losing fish at the boat, and tails nipped off worms. I watched my tournament partner miss a couple of fish Wednesday, even though they had walked off a good distance with his worm. Subsequent inspection revealed the bite had been so exceptionally light that the hook hadn't even penetrated the skin of the worm.

Perhaps there is just a very small window prior to a storm's arrival in which one can expect to encounter a bassin' bonanza, and none of us were on the water during that window. Or maybe it's just that the fish around here haven't gotten the right memo yet. In any event, we've all been left scratching our heads and/or wondering what we might have done wrong.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019

Monday, Sept. 2 (from Ron)...Got back on the water Saturday evening,  but only for an hour, and fished upper North Landing. Ended with a skunk. Tried the saltwater Sunday morning but only managed one 4-inch black sea bass. It's too early for puppy drum and speckled trout. October can't come soon enough for me. Went out again Sunday evening to Milldam. Was getting very strange bites while throwing flukes and worms. I was getting nibbles and assumed small panfish were toying with me. When I finally got a hookset, it was a 1-5 bass. A lot different from the "usual" strike, which involves waiting for line to move and setting the hook. Lost three to poor hooksets alongside the kayak...probably 2 to 2.5 pounders. Caught two sunfish on the Pop R at sunset.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 (from Dave & Ken)...With Dorian waiting in the wings to deliver whatever is our destiny, Dave and I figured we had better get our licks in while we still can. There certainly are no guarantees we'll be able to hold the tournament scheduled for this coming weekend; however, you can be certain we will try to do so. That aside, though, we were challenged just to find and boat six keepers between us today, with not the first big fish. It was another one of those days with absolutely no concentrations...just one here and one there, with no discernible pattern, and sometimes 1 to 2 hours in between fish. One thing is certain: If we are able to fish the tournament this weekend, Dave nor I have a clue where to start or what bait(s) to throw. Of course, we very well may have a lot of company in that regard.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 (from Skip)...I managed to put four fish in the boat today. Also dropped two while trying to lift them into the boat on my slider rod. I further lost three or four that simply came unbuttoned. I had a bunch of short strikes on my fluke today also. It got a little toasty about 1 o'clock (both Dave and I will second that). Thank God it was overcast...and a slight breeze finally materialized, too...or it would have been brutal.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 (from Ron)...Fished Ashville Bridge Creek this evening for about 2.5 hours. Had one bite and one catch. Didn't even measure or weigh. Humidity was a bear, and the bugs didn't improve the experience. Not sure when I will get out again, with this weather.

Saturday, Sept. 7 (from Ron)...Fished this morning from 7 to 11 o'clock. Had something on about 0800 but lost it. Then, just prior to recovery, about 100 yards from launch site, I found a lone 2-0 to avoid the skunk. He hit a Zoom U Vibe worm.

Sunday, Sept. 8 (from Ron)...A repeat of yesterday. Fished from 0630 to 1130. Caught one bass at about 1045. A 1-9 hit the Pop ShadZ. Getting frustrating, but no skunk. One of those mornings where if it could go wrong, it did.  Murphy was all over me.

Bass Fishing After a Hurricane

There appears to be a general consensus that bass fishing will slow significantly for the first few days after a hurricane comes through an area. However, it then usually starts picking back up a little bit each day as the muddy water begins to dissipate, thus allowing the fish to better locate baits. After all, the fish still are there, and they still need to feed.

How fish adapt to the changed conditions, according to a bass guide I read about, "will depend on the usual clarity on the body of water before the storm. If it was clear, fish may have a tough time adjusting because they aren't used to hunting with senses such as sound and their lateral line. On the other hand, if the water clarity already was murky before the storm, they may not be affected much at all. With the water temperatures likely dropping from the rain, the fish should become more active after things calm down, and many may even start schooling, even in muddy water."

"So how do I fish and tackle the challenges laid before me from a storm?" you may be asking.

According to the guide, "The first thing you do is to look for the least muddy water possible that the fish were holding in before the storm. Those fish will be able to find your baits easier.

"With muddy water, the fish will move shallow and will hold very tight to cover. Think of it as if you were in a room, and the lights are turned off. You're going to feel around for walls and stay close to them, so you know where you're at. Similarly, the bass will move shallow where they can see the bottom and surface, while simultaneously holding tight to cover where possible.

"Higher water levels also will make bass move shallow, and the lower water temperatures will increase bass activity only after the water clarity improves. In most cases, the muddy water should last no more than about a week.

"Once you find an area where you believe there may be bass," noted the guide, "work baits that are big, give off a lot of vibration, and displace a lot of water. Use colors that are easier for bass to see in muddy water, such as a chartreuse or black/blue Colorado-bladed spinnerbait, a dark colored Rat-L-Trap, a chartreuse or black/blue chatterbait, or for topwater, something like a prop bait. Work these lures slowly and as close to cover as you can get, so the bass have a chance to find and hit them.

"Another great bait," said the guide, "is a bulky jig in black/blue, pitched or flipped tight to cover, such as wood, weeds, grass, or bushes. Attach a bulky trailer with big water-catching appendages to slow the fall, and give it a few small subtle twitches after it hits bottom to give the fish a chance to strike."

It's entirely possible we could escape any effects whatsoever from Hurricane Dorian, but in the event we don't, perhaps this guide's advice will help you catch a few more fish than you might otherwise. To borrow his words, "Bass wishes!"