Where Have All the Bass Gone?

Ok, I'll admit that title is a take-off on Pete Seeger's old tune: "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?". However, I figured it was a good way to get to the question a lot of local fishermen are asking, as the North Landing River maintains its high water levels.

It now has been days since the river stood at normal full-pool, which is 2.7. Yesterday, the readings still were over 4 feet, and this morning, while the trend is downward, the readings still remain 3 feet-plus. Subsequently, I decided to do some online research and see what the experts have to say about elevated water levels...maybe tell us the likely places to find fish, if you will.

According to pro bass fisherman Wayne Hauser, here is how bass locations are affected by rising water levels on different types of cover/structure:

     * In grass, bass will move to the inside edges and spread out more.
     * In bushes/willows, fish will move to the center of the bush or willow.
     * On docks, bass will move to the walkways and where the docks connect to banks.
     * On points/drops, fish will move up the point or off the drop, often scattering on a nearby flat.
     * In creeks, bass will move to the thickest bank-related cover they can find.
     * In rocks, fish will become more bottom-oriented and move progressively shallower as the water level rises.

Hauser then offers this example of what can and often does happen with rising water levels:

     It's fall, the water is low, and you're catching bass 3 feet deep on stumps midway back in creeks. The next week, you put your boat in and notice the water has risen 10 to 12 inches from the prior week. You go to your stumps, and the bass are gone. Why?

     The water rose far enough to provide the bass with better cover to ambush their prey, and they moved. Generally, the bass will move to the first cover available that is at the same depth or slightly shallower than they were holding at before the water started to rise.

     For example, if there were some laydown trees further back in the creek that were in 3 feet of water, that would be a prime spot to fish.

     The bass usually will not swim completely out of an area when the water level rises. Instead, they will just move to a different type of cover at the same or shallower water depth.

Hauser also urges anglers to consider a few other truths in regard to water-level changes:

     * In some cases, shallow-water bass become spookier and less aggressive as the water level falls. In other instances, they become less spooky and more aggressive as the water level rises.

     * In some cases, deep-water bass become more concentrated and more aggressive as the water level falls. In other instances, they become more scattered and less aggressive as the water level rises.

"Understanding water level is important in helping anglers put the pieces of the bass-fishing puzzle together to find and catch fish," said Hauser.

All the experts generally agree that, when faced with these conditions, it's super important to cover a huge amount of water. Most advise you to use confidence baits that you know work. A 3/8th oz. double-willow-blade spinnerbait and buzz-frog type bait are among the favorites of many.

Follow-Up Casts: A Good Way to Make Up for Missed Strikes

While fishing last Saturday's tournament in the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Series, I had a fish smack at the shallow-running minnow lure I was using like a topwater bait. Unfortunately, the fish missed getting the hook, but my partner, Wayne, was quick to cast a worm to the exact spot where my strike had come. A few turns of the reel handle, and he had hooked up with my missed fish.

As it worked out, this fish was on the smaller side. During an earlier tournament, however, he performed the same magic, and the fish was a decent keeper.

Anglers fishing solo often keep a follow-up lure rigged and ready to cast back to spots where there have been missed strikes. In my case, I always defer to my partner because his marksmanship with a fishing rod in his hands is second to none. He proves that on every trip.

Granted, not every follow-up cast results in a bare-knuckles brawl with a lunker, but every fish you catch during a tournament can mean the difference between cashing a check or just finishing in an "also ran" status.

Read the other day about a guy named Steve, who travels the countryside filming and writing about bass fishing. One of the things he talked about in this particular article is an early lesson he learned about the value of follow-up casts. He was fishing a Bassmaster Open event on Lake Oneida in mid-state New York at the time.

As he explained, "During practice, I had located a vast flat covered with sand grass. Smallmouths were cruising this flat and annihilating baitfish. Every few casts with a walk-the-dog topwater would end in a mean bronzeback taking my lure and running with it.

"Then came competition day. I jetted down the lake to the flat and anxiously started throwing the same topwater. In just a few seconds, a smallie blasted it...but failed to hook up. This happened again and again over the next hour. My nerves were frazzled, and frustration led me to abandon that area and try somewhere else.

"I later learned...too late, of course...that the smallmouth were slashing at the lure, attempting to stun or kill it. Then they would come back and devour the wounded shad.

"Little did I know at that point," said Steve, "that this was the perfect situation for a follow-up lure. As I said, I learned the hard way."

There are many lures that meet the following criteria for a follow-up lure: slow rate-of-fall, have enough bulk to make a decent cast, can be fished around cover, and a natural look. A soft-plastic weightless jerkbait that's heavily impregnated with salt is an excellent option. Other good follow-up baits include weightless stick baits and drop-shot rigs.

Simply toss in an ample amount of casting accuracy, and you'll likely have it "made in the shade."

Douglas R. Moxley: A Life Well-Lived

Douglas R. Moxley (left), or "Mr. Doug," as he affectionately was known, grew up in Valdosta, GA, and lived in various other Georgia cities, as well as Daytona Beach, FL, before eventually returning to Hahira, GA, where he retired from Walmart as manager of the sporting goods department. During his last few years, he enjoyed working part-time at Academy Sports in Valdosta as the "fishing expert consultant."

Moxley was an avid fisherman and loved to take others fishing and to teach kids how to fish and tell fishing stories. One of his favorite times each year while living on Lake Seminole in Donalsonville, GA, was hosting a fishing tournament for area youth. He was a member and president of the Lake Seminole Lions Club, as well as a volunteer fireman.

His favorite time of the year was Christmas. For many years, he lit up his home with thousands of lights and decorations, while hosting Santa Claus to greet area residents and deliver gifts to all the children.

Mr. Doug lived his life to the fullest. He loved to entertain people and make them laugh. He also loved to dance and to play with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Last but not least, he loved to travel with his beloved wife of 36 years, Jackie.

Unfortunately, Doug passed away Oct. 17, 2015, at the age of 73. Just three years earlier, however, he was the subject of a feature by David Rodock in The Valdosta Daily Times. As noted by Rodock in that piece, "Lowndes County resident Doug Moxley has plenty to talk about. He's been married, raised a family, spoken at friends' funerals, traveled the country, and came out victorious from bar fights with self-proclaimed tough guys."

Rodock went on to explain that Moxley's real passion, though, could not be found on any dry land.

"He's in love with the water and the thrill of a largemouth bass struggling for life at the end of a hook. Not the metaphorical fishing trips of buddies going to Captain D's for a big 'catch,' but of Zoom watermelon red salty super flukes, Shakespeare and Carrot Sticks rods, crawfish spray cans, and 90-horsepower outboard engines.

"Magicians and anglers are notorious for keeping trade secrets to themselves," continued Rodock, "and Moxley is no exception. Friends call for tips, hidden fishing holes, and guided tours all the time. He's not opposed to teaching youngsters. He's just a bit guarded."

"A lot of people ask to go fishing, and they're ready to leave after only a couple of hours," said Moxley. "You can't expect to catch anything after a couple of hours. It takes all day."

"Moxley has been fishing his whole life," added Rodock, noting that "he was introduced to bass fishing at the age of 13. It's never been the same since.

"About 30 years ago," continued Rodock, "Moxley was introduced to a man named George Beverly, who was born and raised on the Okefenokee Swamp. He's a legend among South Georgians for his incredible ability to catch fish."

"He's the one who taught me how to fish," explained Moxley (right). "He was awesome and God-gifted with it. He showed me things I never knew and things that no one else in Valdosta ever could teach me."

As reported by Rodock, "This dynamic fishing-duo relationship would continue for the next 22 years, until Beverly passed away in 2006. Just as they had promised each other, Moxley placed Beverly's favorite rod, reel and fishing hat in the coffin before he was buried. He built a $150 wreath, complete with fishing tackle and fishing poles."

Beverly was an amazing angler, by Moxley's account. He knew the best holes, as well as why it was important to fish two days before and after the new moon. Using a cane pole, hook and bits of handkerchief, Moxley said Beverly once caught 20 perch in less than an hour.

"At the funeral, I wanted to put a little spunk into it," said Moxley, who reminisced his final words for Beverly:

"I know where he's going. He's going to see God, and I guarantee that God's going to have him the prettiest lily-pad pond you ever seen in your life, and what upsets me is he's going to have them all caught before I get there."

During his travels across the nation during retirement, Moxley picked up all kinds of fishing memorabilia, including a wooden-boat collectible. He told the manager he wanted it, and the manager said he could have it for $1,000. Moxley said that would be fine. After calling Moxley crazy, though, the manager told him he could have it for $10.

"I just have to have it," Moxley would say about numerous objects on his bookshelf.

According to Rodock, Moxley had all sorts of bass-fishing memorabilia stored in the corner of his living room. Among his treasures were Bass Pro Shops knives, shot glasses, and mock-up Field & Stream Magazine covers. He even had one of those talking bass plaques that sings, "Take Me to the River," by Al Green. Moxley got a kick out of the electronic toy, noting that "the batteries still are going strong."

Also on display in Moxley's double-wide trailer were fishing-tournament trophies, pictures of his deceased son and daughter, plus pictures of Moxley and his brother David, including one showing them with a nice haul of fish. Even though the Moxley brothers told everyone they were twins, Douglas was actually 18 months younger than David.

Douglas also referred to his wife, Jackie, as "ma," and people often believed it for a while because she was eight years his senior. She said she told him before marriage that she'd clean his fish, and since he never had had a woman tell him that before, he knew he had to marry her. In reality, though, she never did clean any of his fish.

Moxley told Rodock a story about how he sat next to a man at a bar one evening. Seems the guy was talking about how he would go home and beat his wife if she hadn't finished her chores and how he wouldn't be paying his child support. After exchanging a few words, Moxley and this guy supposedly stepped outside, where Moxley then sucker-punched him in the ear, knocking him out cold.

"My daddy always told me to get in the first lick," said Moxley. He afterward worried the man might be out for vengeance, but there never was another encounter.

Rodock described Moxley as a "wiry figure, full of sinewy strength and vitality."

Moxley worked 32 years, climbing power poles and trees for electric companies. He said he was involved in every tornado and hurricane in the Southeast during those years.

Another tale he told was that, while at a local gym, a hulking doctor bet him $100 he couldn't bench press 300 pounds 10 times. Moxley said he did it with no problem and got his $100.

Rodock noted that Moxley often invited folks to come out and learn the fishing trade, just like Beverly had taught him over the years.

"When all is said and done, Moxley knows where he'll be," continued Rodock. "On earth, he'll lie quietly, rod and reel in hand before they close the casket. Then he'll be up in the heavens with God and his good buddy, George Beverly, fishing those beautiful lily-pad ponds and snagging those angelic monster bass."

High Water, High Hopes, But a Disappointing Day

Some love it, while others hate it, but high water was the rule today, and it proved to be a force to be reckoned with for the 10 anglers in six boats who showed up for the fifth tournament of the 2023 season in the Dewey Mullins Memorial Series. The fact that these anglers weighed only a grand total of 15 bass for a total weight of 27.55 pounds and an average weight per fish of 1.83 pounds should give you some idea of just how tough the fishing day was for all concerned.

There was only one limit of five bass brought to the scales today, giving (from left) Dave Anderson and Gary Coderre bragging rights for first place. Their sack weighed 10.88 pounds, including a 3.67-pound bass, which was the day's big fish. They further claimed the sole side pot.

Finishing in second place was the team of Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff, who weighed three bass for a total of 5.79 pounds, including a 2.79-pound big bass.

Here is the finishing order and statistics for everyone else:

     * Jim Leavis weighed two bass for a total weight of 4.84 pounds, including a 2.74-pound bass.

     * Jim Crist weighed three bass for a total weight of 3.68 pounds, with no big fish.

     * The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath weighed two bass for a total weight of 2.36 pounds, with no big fish.

     * The team of Steve Bailey and Dennis Dean didn't weigh any fish.

As a result of fishing today's tournament, the following six anglers have completed the requirements for fishing the October 2023 one-day Classic tournament. The list includes Steve Bailey, Dennis Dean, Andy Morath, Gary Coderre, Wayne Hayes, and Ken Testorff.

Congratulations to the day's winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, from safe light to weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Current Overall Statistics

Click anywhere on this chart for an enlarged version.

A Seasoned Angler Who Prefers a Bare-Bones Approach

There are many bass anglers who, for lack of a better way of putting it, "just gotta have all the latest and greatest," whether it's $80,000 bass boats, $500 reels, and/or a boatload of high-dollar lures. One exception to that rule is custom-home builder Tommy Ford (right). He marches to the beat of an entirely different drum.

Simply put, he likes to travel lightly...particularly when it comes to lures...to save time in making a selection. His favorite is the Yamamoto Senko in chartreuse, which he uses about 90 percent of the time. And you know what? He still manages to catch as many or more fish than most of his fishing partners.

Ford first came across this stickworm about 15 years ago. One thing that sold him on it is the fact you can fish it slowly (his preferred style), without a weight, as long as the wind isn't too bad. Only then do you need to rig the worm Texas-style, with a weight.

Speaking of fishing styles, do you happen to know how the Senko came about in the first place? It seems Gary Yamamoto, an FLW touring pro at the time the Slug-Go jerkbait came out in the mid-1980s, didn't like its hardness. It's when he started tweaking the Slug-Go to suit his own fishing style that the Senko evolved.

As is always the case with the soft-bodied Senkos, you have to count on using a bunch of them during a fishing trip. Ford went through 100 of them on one two-day outing and said he routinely goes through at least 500 Senkos a year.

"That's the only bad thing about Senkos," he said. "The fish tear up the soft plastic, and you usually only can catch one fish per worm."

Ford fishes mostly 5-inch Senkos and uses 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks, which are thinner than most worm hooks and does less damage to the worm.

Fishing mostly in shallow water (6 feet deep or shallower), Ford casts his chartreuse Senko close to cover, lets the lure sink ever so slowly, then twitches it in the same manner during the retrieve...good advice, the way I see it.

Not a Normal Guided Fishing Trip

When a fishing guide takes a group of clients fishing, the usual expectations are that the guide will help everyone catch some fish. In this instance, however, the clients...three avid hunters...ended up showing the guide, an avid bass fisherman, a thing or two. The hunters' approach was very different from the guide's...and, at times, admittedly more effective. As a result, the latter spent a bit of time each day analyzing exactly what his clients were doing.

In a couple of days, on a very pressured lake (with a major tournament in town) and so much wind that they were limited to only one creek, the guide watched his clients demonstrate success, utilizing the following tips:

     * Slowing down. Dragging a small worm slowly along the bottom out-produced proven reaction-type presentations on schools of fish that obviously had been fished for regularly. "I would pull out my power offerings, like spinnerbaits, crankbaits and more and get a bite or two," said the guide, "while they would drag worms and drop shots along the bottom, slowly and steadily, and get bit regularly."

     * Focusing on presentation. "Granted, I was on the trolling motor, helping three folks untangle lines, unhook fish, rig up worms, retie lines, and trying to keep us close to the fish in 25-to-30-mph winds," said the guide, "but I quickly realized they were back there focused every second on what their bait was doing." The guide noted that avid anglers usually are guilty of always thinking ahead, keeping up with the wind and current, deciding what waypoint to hit next...all of which takes your mind off the task at hand.

     * Using little lures. Said the guide, "The fish had been slamming big jigs and 12-inch worms on heavy Eco Pro tungsten weights just days prior to our trips. I continued to throw those lures and got out-fished 3 to 1 both afternoons by folks who don't fish near as often as I do on drop shots with 4-to-6-inch straight-tail worms. And they caught just as big or bigger bass than the bigger lures...a sign that pressured bass sometimes need something new, not always something bigger."

     * Working baits with little or no movement. The guide admitted that, in recent years, he has learned that leaving a bait in the strike zone longer actually can have a better result than ripping a bait through there, especially when you're talking about bass grouped up in a small area. "Smaller subtle movements and, more importantly, long pauses seem to produce as well or better than conventional 'chunk and wind' options. This really was driven home," he continued, "when one of the clients reeled in a bass weighing more than 6 pounds (see photo top left) on a minuscule drop-shot worm she just had basically left soaking on one spot for a long while."

     * Being satisfied with catching all sizes. When you fish lakes full of good bass, a fisherman often expects to catch a good bass on every cast. Some might catch 20 smaller bass in a row and be disappointed or even disgusted. As the guide asked, "Why not just be happy catching fish after fish and enjoy the fact you're outsmarting them? Sure, there probably are bigger fish to catch somewhere in the lake, but if we get too focused on what could have been and not what's going on, then we lose our love for fishing...in my opinion."

The guide concluded by saying, "I appreciated a reminder from a few outdoors friends and, hopefully, you will, too, as we all strive to be better bass fishermen and stay out of our normal routines that often lead to ruts."

Where Are the Pictures To Prove It?

That's the question kayak basser and blogger Eric Schrock (left) received from a coworker whom he just had told about catching a nice fish.

"When I told him I had no photographic evidence," said Schrock, "he abruptly ended the conversation with, 'Well, then, it's just a story!'"

From that day forward, the angler and blogger determined he would let his pictures (and later videos) do all the talking for him.

"As I reflect back through the years, I'm thankful for my coworker's 'words of wisdom,'" he said. "Not that I had to prove myself to anyone, I just knew the ol' fisherman's tale didn't hold much water.

"With the memories compiled over time through pictures and videos, I began to see a much bigger story--one that showed my journey as an angler," continued Schrock. "For me, the best part of fishing is the learning curve, whether it be learning a new lake, discovering a new technique, or catching a new species.

"I didn't just pick up a crankbait and immediately start catching 8-pounders. It was a long process, slowly piecing together what worked and...probably more importantly...what didn't work, which most often was the case. It involved countless hours on the water, being disciplined, paying attention to details, and tons of research off the water."

What also evolved, along with his angling skills, was the ability to capture the action on the water. He went from needing someone to snap a quick photo to independently filming nonstop from multiple camera angles simultaneously.

"Some days, I feel more like a cameraman than a fisherman," said Schrock. "Just like fishing, this is a learned process of what works and what doesn't. By capturing the adventures in full (from start to finish), I can relive those memories just as they occurred. I also get to share that exact moment in time with anyone. Perhaps some of my legacy will be left behind with my experiences forever documented."

Another benefit he derived from filming himself was learning from his own actual behaviors. For example, he was able to watch himself not setting the hook correctly, even though he swore he had driven it home. He also saw himself losing fish that could have been landed if it weren't for self-inflicted errors that were evident in review.

"I've even caught myself with poor paddling technique," said Schrock. "Being able to make corrections by literally seeing my own mistakes has helped me improve both my fishing and filming. Let's just say I never stop learning."

In concluding his blog post, Schrock urged others to "get out there and start recording your own legacy. As for me, every cast will be recorded because you never know which cast will result in hooking a new record. I guarantee it won't be 'just a story.'"

Our Numbers Were Small, But We Didn't Lack for Enthusiasm

I don't know many bass fishermen and women who don't get enthused about their fishing, and those 13 anglers in seven boats who fished today's Dewey Mullins Memorial Series Tournament were no exception. In the final analysis, these die-hards boated a total of 25 bass, weighing an aggregate total of 72.77 pounds. The average weight per fish was 2.91 pounds.

At the head of the line for today's payouts was the 1st-place team of Wayne Hayes (holding his two biggest fish from today) and Ken Testorff, who brought a five-fish limit to the scales, weighing 18.74 pounds. Their big fish weighed 5.84 pounds, which was good enough to also claim the day's big-fish honors and usher them into the lead for the season-lunker prize, which always is awarded at the end of the season. They further captured the side pot.

In 2nd place, also with a five-fish limit, was the team of (from left) Gary Coderre and Dave Anderson. Their total weight was 16.27 pounds, and their big fish weighed 4.80 pounds.

Here is how everyone else finished the day's competition:

     * The team of Rob Peppers and Don Carter had five fish, weighing 14.28 pounds, and their big fish weighed 4.29 pounds.
     * The husband-wife team of Andy and Diana Morath had five fish, weighing 11.93 pounds, with no big fish.
     * The team of Jim Leavis and Ken Matthias had five fish, weighing 11.30 pounds after a 0.25-pound deduction for one dead fish. Their big fish weighed 3.17 pounds.
     * The team of Dennis Dean and Steve Bailey, as well as the solo fisherman Jim Crist, didn't weigh any fish.

Congratulations to the winners today and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. I also want to express my thanks to Jim Crist for handling photographic duties today. For planning purposes, our next event in the Dewey Mullins Memorial Series is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, from safe light (about 5:30 a.m.) to weigh-in at 2 p.m. Hope you can join us.

Current Overall Statistics

Click anywhere on this chart for an enlarged version.

The Difference Between Right and Wrong

An 11-year-old boy went fishing every chance he got from the dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake.

The day before bass season opened, the boy and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching sunfish and perch with worms. Then the boy tied on a small silver lure for some practice casting. As the lure struck the water, it caused colored ripples in the sunset, then silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake.

When his pole suddenly doubled over, the boy knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish alongside the dock. Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he ever had seen. There was just one problem: The fish was a bass, and the season didn't open for two more hours.

"You'll have to put it back, son," said the dad. "There will be other fish," he explained.

"But, Dad!" cried the boy, "not as big as this one."

The boy looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were anywhere to be seen in the moonlight. He again looked pleadingly at his father, but he knew from the clarity in his father's voice that the decision wasn't negotiable. So he slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it back into the water.

The creature swished its powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that he never again would see such a great fish.

Thirty-four years later, that boy was a successful architect in New York City. His father still lived on the island in the middle of the lake, and the boy took his own son and daughters there to fish from the same dock.

As the boy suspected, he never again saw such a magnificent fish as the one he had landed that night long ago...except when the subject of ethics arose. As his father had taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It's only the practice of ethics that is difficult.

Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners to get something done on time? Do we always withstand the temptation to be less than honest about all of our dealings? We do if we were taught to do what's right when it comes to something as basic as putting a fish back that had been caught before the season officially opened.

You don't forget something like that. It's a story you proudly tell friends and grandchildren alike...not about how we beat the system but how we did the right thing and forever were strengthened.

As Mark Twain wrote in "A Tramp Abroad," "The most permanent lessons in morals are those which come, not of book teaching, but of experience."

At Least We Have a Starting Point

That's how Wayne and I saw the results of today's scouting trip for the Dewey tournament this coming Saturday. Most times, we are left as much in the dark after one of these trips as we were before it started. Today, however, was different.

Whether what we learned during our morning trip will work again three days from now is anyone's guess. I'm certainly not making any bets.

In 6 hours of fishing apiece, Wayne had five bass to show for his efforts, and I had four...the biggest a 2-9.

Can't say I had much hope early-on today. Started out with two small white perch, followed by a gar that likely would have gone three or four pounds. He didn't initially look that well-hooked, but I ultimately had to break out my lure retriever to make sure I got my bait back before losing it to that toothy critter. Gave him a headache in the process. Figured since I already had one, he ought to share in my misery.

Things then went quiet for a spell before I stumbled onto a presentation that quickly restored my hope for a decent day. Just hope it doesn't let us down come Saturday.

Incidentally, many years ago, I regularly used golden Stren fishing line because of its high visibility. With the passage of time, though, I began using various brands of green braid. After a rash of recent instances in which I lost fish because I wasn't able to clearly see movement in my line, it was suggested that I spool both of my worm rods with some hi-vis yellow Power Pro, instead of the green version.

Today's results made me happy I listened to that advice. Can't remember the last time I went 4 for 4 with a worm rod.

As Usual, "You Da Man!" DMac

After discounting the boat ramps at Coinjock, Bob's, and Chowan River (Pembroke) yesterday because of tournaments happening at each, DMac decided to roll the dice on Halls Creek (Little River).

From 6 'til 8:45 a.m., he had nada to show for his efforts..."not even a tail slap," to use his own words. From 8:45 'til 9:30 a.m., though, it was an altogether different story. He caught a total of seven fish. There was just one problem: His scales were nowhere to be found.

As is always true of any good fisherman, however, DMac had a backup plan. He had an emergency stick-on yardstick...one that he's been meaning to mount on the boat but just hasn't yet found the time to do (probably because he's too busy catching fish most of the time). Anyway, that yardstick revealed that two of those seven fish measured 13 inches, three were 14 inches, one was 19 inches, and the anchor measured 21.5 inches.

Said DMac, "I thought for sure it was gonna be 'that kind of day,' but to my chagrin, it shut off just as fast as it started. From 9:30 'til noonish, I couldn't buy another strike (W-A-A-A-H!). One of my 10,000 frogs on the boat saved my day."

Life Is All About the Choices We Make

My next to last cousin on the maternal side of my family was buried a few weeks ago. As noted in her obituary, Sandy was 83, but I can't help wondering if anyone besides me remembers how close she came to perhaps losing her life much earlier--65 years earlier, to be exact.

Sandy was a senior in high school when her boyfriend at the time invited her to join him and some other mutual friends of theirs for a nighttime ride in his car. She bowed out at the last minute, and later that night, her boyfriend lost his life, and some of those other friends suffered life-altering injuries in a head-on car crash. Her boyfriend had decided to play "chicken" with another car just as they reached opposing ends of a big, steel-girder bridge east of my hometown.

I was reminded about this incident and the choices we make as the result of something I learned online recently. Like my cousin, pro bass angler Ish Monroe (right) was a senior in high school when a bunch of his friends was urging him to go to a party with them. He wanted to go, but there was a fishing tournament the next morning, so he ultimately thanked them but went home instead. Again like my cousin, he lost one of his best friends that night.

Ish (short for Ishama) Monroe grew up in San Francisco, where gangs, violence and drugs were the norm during his high-school days. Fishing kept him out of that scene. As he noted, "It really grounded me."

Fishing was a Monroe family affair. Ish recalled his dad pulling him out of grammar school for "dentist appointments" when the fish were biting. As he explained with his million-dollar smile, the only "pulling" he felt during those appointments was fish pulling on his line.

"Dad would pick me up, and we'd go straight to the lake," he said. "I thank him for giving me that base  and teaching me how to fish."

When Monroe's dad retired from a career as a firefighter, Ish bought him a new Ranger bass boat. It was his way of saying "thank you" for instilling a strong work ethic that always steered him in the right direction.

At the age of 14, Monroe went to work at Hi's Tackle Box in San Francisco. The shop had a bass club called Bass Holes. Monroe fished a couple of their events, and when he was 16, a friend name Derek Crenshaw asked him to fish a team tournament. They came in third. He was hooked on competitive fishing and never looked back. At 18, he was fishing pro-am events as a pro. He was the youngest out there.

Many of the other anglers didn't give the young kid much respect, but he paid close attention to successful anglers like Dee Thomas and Dave Gliebe, who were inventing new styles of fishing.

"I had those guys around me, and they talked to me back in the day," said Monroe. "Dave Gliebe gave me a few little tips that I still remember, and it helped my fishing. Dee Thomas, the grandfather of flipping, showed me that style, and it became my primary method for tournaments."

Monroe admits that "fishing as a professional is a ton of work. The preparation, the travel, the sponsor obligations...it all weighs on you."

When the season wraps up, Monroe switches gears. He puts his bass boat to bed and hitches up his 34-foot Bluefin.

"Saltwater fishing is my getaway," he said. "One thing about bass fishing is you're confined to a small lake. I can't tell you how many times the tuna or yellowtail weren't biting, so we would go chase calicos. That's the great thing about the ocean; you always can find something to chase."

When asked if he fishes any saltwater tournaments, he readily shakes his head no.

"I took my hobby of bass fishing and turned it into a job. I don't want to do that again," he explained.

Monroe's passion for saltwater fishing is undeniable. He lights up when talking about it and pulls out his phone to show photos of big grouper, tuna and wahoo.

"To me, there's nothing like that bite," he concluded.

Winning Bass Tournaments Starts With Having a Positive Attitude...

And keeping it 'til the end. Not my words but those of a pro angler who was getting ready to fish a Pro/Am on Wheeler Lake in Alabama. He never had fished that 68,000-acre lake before this event.

He went there and pre-fished for three days before the cut-off period for the Top 150. During that time, he caught only three keeper 12-inch fish, but he wasn't worried because he didn't expect bass to stay in one spot for two weeks anyway in early spring.

The pro actually arrived at the lake a day before practice started and, along with two other pros, rented a plane to fly over the lake. A bird's-eye view like this provides a better perspective of the body of water you're fishing. What they discovered from the fly-over was that the lake was very muddy for the most part. However, they did see some clear creeks and arms.

"On my first practice day," said this pro, "I fished the lower arm of the lake and a couple of the creeks with the clearest water. That was my confidence factor because the water ranged in temperature from 48 to 53 degrees. The fishing was slow, and I had only four bites all day, and I practiced from daylight to dark.

On the second practice day, the air temperature ranged from 26 to 42 degrees, with winds of 20 to 30 mph. He went far upriver to the Guntersville dam, which was a run of more than 50 miles.

"I only had one bite all day and missed it," he said. "The last day dawned with an air temperature of 22 degrees but with light winds. I caught only four bass all day...some on the main lake on spinnerbaits and a couple in a particularly clean, big creek, where I ended up spending two hours. The water there was 55 degrees, and there was lots of shad activity. Though I only set the hook on two bass, I had about six bites in the last 30 minutes.

"This was where I decided to start fishing for the tournament. It was a rock ledge in six to 10 feet of water, and I caught a limit in less than two hours. My amateur partner also caught a limit.

"To make a long story short, I caught a limit each day from this spot, and so did my partners. In fact, in three days of fishing, we caught 47 keepers from that one spot. It would have been easy for me to get discouraged during practice and go in early, but then I would not have found that school of bass holding in that one spot.

"So, in your next tournament, forget about finding secret lures, spots or getting lucky. The most important thing is to show up at the ramp with a positive attitude and maintain it throughout the event."

Aretha Franklin Sang About It, And the Weather Often Demands It...

I'm talking, of course, about none other than R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Read about a not-so-recent incident the other day concerning an old Redman tournament up on the Potomac River. During that event, participants would witness the incredible power of Mother Nature at her worst.

With a stalled storm over the Atlantic Ocean, wind and high tides caused havoc for the fishermen. During official tournament practice on Saturday, one of the anglers had damaged his boat in only 20 minutes of battling the waves and wind, creating a new non-boater status for himself. Making matters worse was the prospect of more bad weather...perhaps worse than they already had seen...again the following day.

Sunday morning showed no promise of change as competitors waited patiently for the start of the tournament. They could only watch as 200 boats rocked from side to side in the turbulence. How rough would it be? they wondered, as they took off from Nanjamoy Creek.

When boat No. 117 finally was called, it, like all the others before and after, moved out into the main-river channel. Almost immediately, waves hit from both sides, as the angling duo pushed southward on their journey. With each wave, they were thrown upward by the force of the water, only to come crashing back down into their seats. The force of the impact sent a jarring pain, searing through the spine and into the skull like a kick from a steel boot, but they kept going. Suddenly and without warning, a large wave appeared in their path. It was too late to turn or avoid.

The angling duo in boat No. 117 hit the wave full force and watched helplessly as the electronics at the boat's bow were ripped from the mounting and slid along the flat casting platform toward them. Equipment straps began to give way as they pressed on, and rods bounced toward them.

The driver was battling crosswinds and waves with each passing moment. The next large wave ripped the console electronics and windshield from its bolted mount in front of the driver's face. How he wasn't injured still is a mystery. Now without depth, temperature or location electronics and no shoreline in sight, with the waves continually beating them from all sides, they had no choice but to proceed.

After what seemed like an eternity (actually one hour and 40 minutes), the angling duo in boat No. 117 reached their destination. Gathering their thoughts, they began fishing. The creek provided them with some shelter from the wind and current, and soon the journey seemed but a distant memory.

With the size limit on the Potomac at 15 inches, the duo knew they were looking for two-plus-pound fish...a daunting task. They caught and released 40 fish in the 13- and 14-inch range, but the driver finally caught a keeper. Now, though, they were facing an outgoing tide, which brought the fishing to an abrupt halt. They searched for a few more fish in vain before deciding they should begin their journey back to the launch site and weigh in their only legal fish of the day.

The duo tried to be optimistic about the journey back, hoping that the wind would be at their backs and that the turbulence somehow would have subsided. How wrong they were, though!

Once they left the bay, the wind lifted them into the raging river system again. Pressing onward, they hit large waves similar to those they had seen in the morning. The trolling motor was ripped from its gator mount and plunged into the water, causing a large spray to cover both of them from head to toe. The driver cut the engine, and the passenger tied the motor down to protect both of them from the possibility of it breaking free and hitting them in the face.

They noticed water coming into the lower deck area around their feet as they moved on. The driver turned on the bilge, only to find that the unit had failed. They began to fill with water and still had several miles to go before reaching safety.

After nearly two hours, they finally pulled into Mattawoman Creek, opposite the launch site. There they tried to find out what was wrong with the bilge, but there was little they could do with so much water in the boat. With time almost running out, they had to make a final crossing of the river at one of the widest points.

When the driver tried to get the boat on plane, they became lower in the water at the rear of the boat. The only solution was for the passenger to sit on the bow and counterbalance the boat, so that they could attain enough speed. This procedure has to be repeated twice before they got back to shore.

Just when they thought it couldn't get any worse, the wind picked up again and began rocking the boats tied to the moorings. The boat No. 117 duo could not prevent the boat from being pounded into the dock and other vessels tied close by. So great was the force of the wind that the boat cleats were ripped from the bodywork.

The driver went for the truck and trailer while the passenger took the boat out from the area and moved along the shoreline, where some other fishermen had tied their boats. Throwing a line to the shore, the boat was "secured," so the passenger waited for the trailer to arrive on the ramp to load the boat. While waiting, the passenger timed the water coming into the boat as being around an inch every five minutes. They just had made it back in time.

When the duo finally had gotten the boat out of the water, the lower deck area was full. As they raised the boat onto the trailer, the driver turned to the passenger and asked, "Have you ever had worse?" He said "yes," but added that he would tell that story another day.

Lesson Relearned: Things Aren't Always As They Seem at First

The water at the West Neck ramp when I launched this morning reminded me of some distant Navy port calls I made many moons ago...to such "exotic" places like Karachi, Pakistan and Mombasa, Kenya. There was just one way to describe the conditions: scummy! In all honesty, though, I really hadn't expected anything better.

My forever battle plan when I see such nasty water is to make a beeline for Albright's, and if the water there is messed up, too, you might as well go ahead and fish it, 'cause your chances of finding any good-looking water are slim and none...or that has been my experience over the years.

I'll have to admit the water in Albright's was a "little bit" better than West Neck but not much. However, I made the mistake of reading too much into something else I saw happening as I pulled into my first stop there. Despite the water conditions, there were wads of baitfish everywhere you looked, and they weren't just swimming, either. Fish had them jumping all over the place.

My first thought was that today just might turn out to be a red-letter day for topwater baits. Oh, how wrong I was, though.

I had two topwater baits tied on, and they both immediately drew some attention. Unfortunately, however, the fish seemingly were only swatting at them with their tails. After a good 30 minutes of this kind of action, one "better" fish (I felt some weight) got hold of my bait, and I had it (whatever it was) headed toward the boat. About two-thirds of the way there, while I was feeling some serious head-shaking going on, the fish finally shook the hook.

Near the end of this action, I heard and saw some of that crashin' and bashin' we notoriously hear and see this time of year from carp. I also saw several tell-tale gar swirls...even had one try to snatch my topwater bait as I was lifting it out of the water for another cast.

Despite everything that was going on around me, I decided to pull up stakes and head for my planned next stop, where I quickly was met by more of the same. As far as the eye could see, there were wads of baitfish being chased by fish.

For just a few minutes, I went back to work with my topwaters, again with the same results. So, I shifted gears and started throwing a spinnerbait, with absolutely no attention being paid to it. The worm I also was throwing had a couple of pickups but was dropped just as fast. It wasn't until I went to a shallow crankbait that I finally picked up a couple of white perch, but that was lump-sum total of my efforts that spanned about five and a half hours this morning.

Saw Rob and Don on the water in Albright's and waved but didn't stop and find out how they were doing...hopefully better than me.

Fishing the Dog Days Requires a Different Mindset

Ran across the following note online the other day: "Except for those who may be bass fishing in Alaska, what are your favorite 'dog days of summer' bass lures? I'm talking August, with heat indexes in the 100s, water temperature not far behind, and little to no wind. I'm slowly dragging a ribbon-tail worm or a football jig, mainly because I don't have the energy to make multiple casts in this humid Georgia weather. It was so hot yesterday, the few bass in my cooler were fighting over the ice cubes I dumped into their water before heading home."

A lot of folks sing sentiments similar to that during August and September, when anglers notoriously have to fish a lot harder and struggle to find aggressive bass, especially on Southern lakes and reservoirs. The rising thermocline forces bass off deep structure because very little oxygen exists down there then. They get lethargic and roam and suspend more, making them tougher to catch.

As a result, anglers are left with two options: Fish shallow, or if it's a river-fed reservoir, run up the lake where it narrows, and there is more current.

If you look at the results of major bass tournaments held this time of year, you'll notice that nearly all of them were won very shallow or at the top, where the current keeps the water better oxygenated.

Retired bass pro Hank Parker recalled a Bassmaster Classic on Tennessee's Chickamauga Lake, where a competitor located good schools of bass on deep structure three weeks before the event. Parker cautioned him not to count on those fish for the tournament, though.

"Sure enough," he said, "the thermocline had risen within 10 feet of the surface when the tournament began, and that angler never got a bite where he had caught them in practice. The tournament was won by a guy who fished a jerkbait over the grass line in the back of a bay.

"If I'm going to fish on the main lake at this time, I'll head to the shoreline nearest those areas where I caught them on deep structure," continued Parker. "I'll use a lot of shallow crankbaits or bang spinnerbaits around brush to trigger reactionary strikes. I'll cover a lot of shoreline, hitting whatever cover is there and slowing down only when I find the fish.

"I'll also move up the lake toward the river. That area can have more active fish because the current keeps the water cooler. I look for the same kind of structure I fish on the main lake during summer, including ledges, points and cover near the river channel. You also can catch bass around bridge pilings or in eddies of wing dams or rock piles close to the channel."

While some anglers in this situation will run farther upriver to flip shallow brush and trees lying along the bank, Parker noted that largemouth bass will get behind those objects and wait for forage carried by the current. His bait choices are tubes, jigs and creature baits.

"Now, the exception to all of this," said Parker, "is if the lake has a lot of grass. Aquatic vegetation changes everything and makes bass easier to catch. Not only does healthy grass produce oxygen, but the water beneath it is cooler, and there is more food there.

"That's when frogs and other surface-skimming baits worked over the top can create some fun fishing, especially during early-morning and late-evening hours. You also can flip the holes in the grass, which is a pattern that can produce some big fish. The bass will swim around under the matted grass and can become aggressive."

Parker cautioned that the fish won't always be on the bottom. His advice, accordingly, is to check all depths below the weeds until you establish a pattern. If you're not getting a bite on the bottom, lift the lure to where it's just beneath the grass and shake it.

"Sometimes, that's where you'll get strikes," he said.

"Anytime you fish the dog days, you have to maintain a different mindset," added Parker. "Accept the fact that you're probably not going to catch as many fish as you did a couple months earlier and that you have to grind it out. If you find an area holding fish, work it thoroughly. It might be the best spot on the lake that day."

Antique Lures Catch Fish, But Can You Afford to Lose Them?

To a large degree, the vast majority of bass anglers today usually maintain a sharp lookout for the hottest new lure to hit the marketplace, so they can race out and scarf up their fair share ahead of everyone else. There are those, however, who would just as soon take their chances with vintage lures, which time and again have proven themselves to be equally valuable tools in the pursuit of bass.

I recently came across an article by the late outdoors writer Bob Hood, who noted that sometime around 1978, he had happened upon an old tackle-display case in the corner of a small building in his barnyard, located north of Granbury, TX. In that case was an antique Shakespeare lure that he decided to give one last chance to outwit a largemouth bass.

The Swimming Mouse (in the mouth of the fish at right), as this lure was named, was the smallest of a series of wooden mouse baits with glass eyes made by Shakespeare decades earlier. As a matter of fact, Shakespeare first introduced the Swimming Mouse to the fishing world in 1924, and the junior model (No. 6580), which Hood had, was made somewhere between 1929 (when the junior size was introduced) and 1932 (the last year the company used glass eyes on the lure). It measured just under three inches in length.

As Hood noted in his article, "These dates are essential to lure collectors but probably mean little to the casual angler, who isn't interested in nostalgia. Being both a lure collector and a fisherman, though, owning such a fine specimen of historical significance heavily influenced my mind that summer day, as I contemplated taking it down to my stock tank and giving it one last opportunity to show off its stuff."

Hood saw such an event as much of a chance to relive history as it would be a chance to fight and land one of the husky largemouth bass that lurked in the weedy waters of his stock tank.

"And, besides, if I tied a perfect knot, surely I wouldn't lose the thing to a fish," he thought.

To add a degree of authenticity to the occasion, Hood decided to use an antique rod, reel and braided line. After all, that's what the folks had to fish with back when the lure was new in its box.

"I chose a squared-steel True Temper rod with a buggy-whip-like action," he said. "It was the first fishing rod I ever owned, given to me by my father when I was eight years old. The reel was a Langley baitcaster, also my first. The line also was antique but on a spool that never had been used. I tested it as best I possibly could before spooling it onto the Langley and felt satisfied it still was strong enough to use on the bass in my pond."

To add to this reliving-of-history moment, he took along a couple of other oldies: a Creek Chub Wiggle Fish (top photo left), made between 1908 and 1917, and an Al Foss Pork Rind Minnow (bottom photo left), made in about 1920. It was the Swimming Mouse, however, that he wanted to catch a fish on.

"Maybe it was those pleading glass eyes that caught my attention," noted Hood, "or maybe that wagging whip-of-a-tail that seemed to give the little lure new life with every twitch of the True Temper rod's tip. Anyway, I decided to give the Mouse the first chance."

Because a weed patch in one corner of the stock tank always held a bass, that was the target of Hood's first cast. He gave the mouse a heave, and it luckily plunked down exactly where he wanted it, which surprised him a bit, since he had no idea how to cast the thing on such a whippy steel rod.

"The moment now was at hand," said Hood. "I reeled down to take up the slack and gave the little floating mouse a short twitch. At that moment, the water beneath the lure rolled up into one giant swell, then reversed in a volcanic-like vacuum, sucking my little mouse down with it. This, no doubt, was a big bass.

"I set the hook, felt the sudden heaviness of a big fish on the other end of the line, and then my heart sank in disbelief as the little Swimming Mouse came zipping back through the air at me. The bass was gone, but that wasn't the heart-stopper.

"Also gone was the little braided tail on the wooden bait, a seemingly insignificant two-inch piece of string to some folks but a part of the lure, which makes it a valuable keepsake for any lure collector. Owning a wooden, glass-eyed Shakespeare Swimming Mouse without its tail is like owning a rare bottle of wine without the wine," he explained.

Hood, however, didn't sit down and cry. Instead, as he described the situation, "I sat down and bawled," he admitted.

Later, when Hood put the Swimming Mouse back in the display case, he spied another oldie he long had forgotten about. It was a Weezel Sprarrow topwater lure (right), with real mallard-duck feathers that, like the mouse's tail, gave it the looks of the real thing.

"I knew that Weezel Sparrow still would catch bass, but the thought of a fish throwing it back at me without its feathers was just too much to contemplate," he said. "So, I put the lure back on the shelf and then sat down in a chair and faced the chilling thought that there really are some days when it's best not to go fishing," Hood concluded.

Go-To Baits for Big Summer Bass--How Many Do You Have?

Many anglers...perhaps most...have their favorite go-to baits for big summer bass. Virginia DWR Chief of Fisheries Dr. Mike Bednarski is no different. Because he takes notes about all his fishing trips, he has a wealth of information at his fingertips that he can draw upon anytime he wants.

While combing through those notes, for example, he learned that three different baits account for the vast majority of the big fish he has caught to date.

The first bait that showed up is a jig and pig--the classic big-bass bait.

Said Dr. Bednarski, "I have caught more 6-pound fish on a jig and pig than anything else I've thrown. My best largemouth ever came on a black jig and pig, and the biggest fish I ever caught during my tournament days came on a brown jig and pig."

When asked where and when he throws that bait, his response was "almost any time and almost any place."

He went on to note that he really likes a jig and pig around rocks, docks and brush.

"I throw a 3/8-ounce model on a 7-foot medium heavy or heavy baitcasting setup, with 15-pound line, when I'm casting at rip rap or rock piles," he said. "I let the bait get to the bottom and hop it back to the boat. I throw a half-ounce model on a 7-foot heavy baitcasting setup, with 17-pound line, when I'm pitching a jig--short casts--and I like the extra weight because I can get the bait to go further under a dock. Let the bait drop to the bottom, shake it, pick it up, and throw it back out there," he advised. "I prefer copolymer line and select types known for strength and abrasion resistance. The best tip for this bait is to always have one ready to throw, and pick it up throughout the day."

The next go-to bait Dr. Bednarski likes to throw for a big bass is a topwater crawler.

"This is a relatively new addition to my arsenal," he said. "They look ridiculous, but they make a tremendous amount of noise. I've caught more big bass in recent memory on this bait, instead of a jig. This is a great bait for spring through fall, as long as the water is above 60 degrees."

Dr. Bednarski uses 50-pound braided line on a 7-foot medium-heavy baitcasting setup and throws his lure near targets, hydrilla beds, pad fields, and along water-willow lines.

As he explained, "Cast out the crawler, let it hit the water, count to five, and reel it back slowly. No other bait I've ever fished gets the violent strikes that I get on the crawler. Throw this bait morning, evening or night, but don't underestimate the strikes you can get on a hot, flat, calm day in mid-summer."

The third bait in Dr. Bednarski's arsenal that produces the vast majority of big bass is one that he discovered about two years ago. It's a large rat.

"This bait runs shallow and throws a big wake," he said. "I like to use 20-pound copolymer line on an 8-foot heavy-action graphite-composite baitcasting rod. I use the heavy copolymer because of its shock strength. Rats are not cheap, and with braid, you can snap the bait off on a cast. I throw this lure in the same places I throw the crawler and fish it the same way--let it hit the water, count to five, and wind it slowly.

"I like this bait in summer," he continued, "when the water is above 70 degrees, and the fish have an appetite. My biggest Virginia bass came on one of these baits, and I lost another one that was even bigger. If you haven't thrown a rat, it's worth the investment.

"One thing I want to highlight is that these three baits don't limit you to big fish like some very big baits will. I've caught plenty of 15-inch fish on these lures. They are great options for those who want to catch a larger fish but don't want to commit to a giant lure. You will get enough action to stay engaged as you wait for that big bite to come.

"If you happen to run into me on the water this summer, I promise you'll find all three of these baits on the deck of my boat. Good luck fishing!"

Photos by Meghan Marchetti, Department of Wildlife Resources

June 2023 Bass Fishing Forecast

Click anywhere on this chart for a slightly larger version.

Catching Shallow Summer Bass

When you're stuck in a weather pattern like the current local one, with its 60-some-degree daily highs, abundantly strong northerly breezes, and a heapin' helping of that "pissy" rain that I equate to torture treatment, it's just a tad difficult to think that come June 21st, we'll be into summer.

And how much you wanna bet that these 60s will...faster than you can blink...soar into the 80s, 90s and beyond?

When that happens, you can be assured that many bass will head to deeper water...not all, though. As Virginia DWR Chief of Fisheries Dr. Mike Bednarski points out, "There are plenty of bass that stay shallow through the heat of summer, and you can catch them from a boat, kayak or even from shore."

Following are some of the fisheries chief's tips to help you catch more fish.

"The early bird catches the worm. We all know that fish bite well in the morning, and there is no time of year where this is more true than the summer months. I do the best in shallow water between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m., fishing topwater baits, such as buzzbaits, poppers and crawlers around scattered vegetation in 1 to 5 feet of water.

"I look for shallow grass, sticks, docks--anything that could hold a fish--and try to hit as many targets as I can before the sun comes up. Here, nothing covers water like a buzzbait, and if you miss a fish, a quick follow-up with a popper can turn missed strikes into extra fish. I throw a chartreuse-and-white buzzbait and a shad-colored popper. If I'm fishing a place with big fish, like the Chickahominy River, I tend to throw the crawler. This bite usually is over when the sun rises but can last all day if it's raining. I like 40-pound braid for a popper and 50-pound braid for buzzbaits and crawlers. Braid has no stretch and gives you much better hooksets on topwater baits.

"Made in the shade. When it gets bright, bass seek shade. This provides a good ambush point and keeps them safe from predators. When it gets to be about 8 a.m., I start to look deeper into cover for bass. I look for matted vegetation, such as water willow, lily pads, or any vegetation that forms a canopy.

"Frogs and toads really shine here, and you can get some awesome strikes on these baits. When I'm throwing a frog, I throw a big frog, as I can cast it further, and it makes more noise. Frogs and toads work surprisingly well when there is a lot of boat traffic or wind...there's something about the waves and commotion that keeps the bass moving. You can cover a lot of water with this technique, and a simple pattern of moving quickly and throwing along the edge of vegetation can produce some good catches in the middle of the day.

"Another tip: Heavy tackle is a must. I use 50-pound braid and a 7-to-8-foot heavy-action rod. You don't want to doubt your gear when you're pulling a 6-pound largemouth out from the water willow.

"Revved-up metabolism. In the summer, a bass' metabolism is the highest it will get, and these fish need to eat and eat often. When I'm really struggling to get a bite with a frog or flipping in the middle of the day, I'll pick up a buzzbait and just cover water. I throw near cover like docks and weed edges, but I won't worry too much about getting it as close as I can. There are fish that are active and may be 10 or 20 feet away from obvious cover.

"These fish are shallow and can be found toward the back of pockets. For whatever reason, the hotter and calmer it is, the better this bite is. Think 98 degrees, flat calm, and humid. I can't really explain it, but it always puts an extra fish in the boat when I'm struggling. These fish run better than average--think 3 to 5 pounds. So, try a buzzbait in the middle of the day and see what happens.

"A river runs through it. Where you find moving water, you'll find bass. In the summer, your best shallow spots will have moving water. This means explore the headwaters of reservoirs or go one step further and target tidal rivers. Bass orient to cover on the edge of the current, and if you fish where current and cover intersect, you'll find fish. This also applies to old creek channels.

"Even if there is no current, a drop from 2 feet to 4 to 6 feet provides a breakline to which fish will orient. My best spots at either Lake Chesdin or Swift Creek Lake in Pocahontas State Park, which I fish a lot because I live in metro Richmond, either have current or a nearby breakline. And don't overlook small feeder creeks in the backs of coves. There will often be a pocket of deeper water, with cover and current, which will hold a bass or two. Try a small stickworm, wacky-rigged, in these areas."

Photos by Mike Bednarski

In Case You've Been Wondering...

No, I haven't thrown away my computer keyboard, nor have I swapped my fishin' rods for golf clubs. The truth is, this stretch of nasty weather, coupled with something that happened last Sunday, has put a bit of a damper on my usual writing habits.

This past Sunday started out on a very positive note. For the first time in about three years (since the pandemic first reared its ugly head), my wife and I had gone to Moyock to spend the day with the boy and his wife and have dinner with them.

That much of the day was all good, and things stayed that way until we returned home right about sundown. Thirty minutes later, I was following an ambulance carrying my wife to the Sentara Princess Anne Emergency Room.

While I had been outside preparing a bed for a neighborhood kitten that its owner routinely has allowed to roam at will, I suddenly heard a sound coming from just inside our front door. I stopped what I was doing to investigate, and upon opening the front door, found my wife lying in the middle of the floor. She had missed a couple of steps while coming down the stairwell and subsequently slammed into the hardwood floor.

Once at the hospital, the doctor ordered X-rays and a brain scan. Besides banging up her knees and one ankle, the right side of her head also had made solid contact with the floor. Luckily, these tests showed her injuries were limited to bruising, along with all the commensurate aches and pains one would expect from such an incident...but nothing was broken.

So, after a two-hour hospital stay, we both were on the road home...and thankfully without the problem I had incurred when she had gone to the hospital the last time. On that occasion (another night when it was raining), I had absent-mindedly left the front passenger-side window (of her car, no less) rolled down after asking for some help finding a parking place at the hospital. Cleaning up that mess was no walk in the park, but I did manage to get it to pass her inspection.

In any event, I'm letting everyone know I found time for some Internet research yesterday and hope to have the first of two or three new posts ready to publish by the close of today...barring any more accidents, that is.

Update: Sincere thanks to all who have expressed concern for my wife. I'm happy to report that she is doing well now.