Who Woulda Thunk?

I've been readin' a whole bunch of stuff for days now about bass fishin' in the summertime, and if there's one thing I've learned in this research, it's that the water gets hot nearly everywhere this time of year...even in a place like South Dakota.

Yep, you heard me right. I'm not talkin' out my...ahh...well, you know where I mean...from spendin' too much time out there tryin' to find a bass or two...Scout's honor. No, sir. I'm givin' it to ya just like I read it.

Anyhow, seems there's this smaller lake...about 10 acres...in South Dakota, where the surface temp this time of year gets to be 92 degrees.

Said this one angler, "I generally don't fish it this time of year, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. Usually, early spring, when the ice goes out, I have a heckuva time because this lake warms up faster than others in the area.

"There are cattails all the way around the lake, except for the make-shift ramp area. The water is based on an old valley damned at the other end. It goes from 3 feet to 32 feet...just like that. I know bass are in there, as I've caught quite a few the last several years.

"I've never seen the water this hot anywhere else in South Dakota. I'm wondering what I should do different cause the depthfinder doesn't help me see them. Structures are not working. Water clarity is pea-green soup.

"Temp today was 105, with high humidity. Tried drop-shotting, Senkos, wacky worms, and just about every other soft plastic in every format. Thought about trying some plugs and spinnerbaits, or should I just forget this lake? Looking for some advice."

All this came from a forum guy who said "there are no bad days...but better days spent fishing."

One of the first respondents was a fella in Michigan, who told the South Dakota angler he had what "we in Michigan call a lockjaw lake. If you figure it out, let me know. It might help me out here."

The more reasonable response came from pro angler Mike Cork, who offered the following suggestions to the South Dakota angler:

"A lake of this size, no matter how deep it gets, can be real tough!!! And with the water a pea-green soup, that says there is a large algae bloom going on. That algae bloom will prevent sunlight from getting to the plant life in the lake, which, in turn, will hurt oxygen levels in the water. Another thing you are combatting is the fact that you have steep banks that drop off quickly, which prevents plant life, as well, and without any shallow flats for wind and wave action to stir up the water, it's very hard for oxygen to mix into the water from the air.

"With lower oxygen levels and the extreme heat, these fish are going to be very sluggish, to say the least. As a result, when they do make an attempt to eat, they will want the most bang for their buck. So, larger baits are going to be worth more to their systems, but with that said, you're going to have to work them very slowly.

"Concentrate on areas that have any vegetation on them. The best kind is the nice thick green hydrilla, but any grass you have in the water will help. Lily pads and plants that grow out of the water are not as effective but are better than nothing. Also look for shade. If your banks are steep, though, shade will be hard to find.

"Try to stick with fishing early and late in the day, and use large, slow-moving topwater baits like a Zara Spook. With fish in these conditions, noise-makers sometimes are a turn off (not a solid rule but a personal observation).

"After the sun comes up, I would have thought the Senko would work, but maybe try a very light weighted 10-inch plastic worm in a dark color, like tequila sunrise, and work it very slowly through and over any vegetation you can find.

"Also, this lake sounds like a perfect candidate for a night-fishing trip. It's not for everyone, but night fishing can catch you the biggest bass in the lake if you are up for it. At night, try a 3/8-ounce all black spinnerbait with a Colorado blade. Vary the speed and depth 'til you find the strike zone."

The South Dakota angler took this and some of the other forum suggestions he received to heart and tried them, but his after-action report contained anything but glowing comments.

"After four daytime and two nighttime trips, I'm not getting even a nibble on this small lake," he said. "The water is a constant 85 to 90 degrees. I think I've thrown everything in my tacklebox at them...even tried some live bait. The black spinnerbaits at night didn't change anything.

"The lake down the road from here, where I also fish, has been tough, but I've been catching a few, so think maybe I'll just pass on this other lake 'til later in the fall. Thanks for all the inputs, though."

In conclusion, another forum member chimed in with the following: "I've seen this 'no bite' thing before when it gets really hot. Sometimes, they shut down for days on end, and no matter what you try, you can't seem to put it together. Then, however, all of a sudden, the entire lake/river goes into a mass-feeding frenzy. You gotta keep going, or you'll miss out on a day of fishing that's to die for."

As Winston Churchill once noted, "Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about."

Hurrah for John Law!

Saw a report by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources a little earlier today and have to say I'm happy to see at least one jerk gettin' his come-uppins.

Seems that back on July 11th, Virginia Conservation Police Officer Chris Smith observed a boat being towed toward the Pungo Ferry boat ramp in Virginia Beach. The boat appeared to be very old and had large amounts of vegetation growing out of the hull.

CPO Smith contacted the driver at the boat ramp, and he claimed to be in the process of repairing the boat. CPO Smith subsequently learned that the owner of the vehicle was not licensed, and so he then asked the driver to provide proof of a driver's license.

CPO Smith then confirmed with DWR dispatch that the driver not only wasn't licensed but that he also was wanted for six offenses related to illegally dumping old boats in Accomack County. CPO Smith arrested the suspect and transported him to the Virginia Beach Jail for processing on the following violations: obstruct or contaminate public waterway, and fail to display white navigation light for anchored/aground vessel.

Big Bass May Move Deep in the Summertime...

But don't try to convince Indiana pro bass fisherman Bill Lowen that there aren't still plenty of them to be caught shallow, too.

"Yes, I know the water's over 80 degrees in most parts of the country," he said, "but I just don't care.

"In rivers, I target main river spots where there's a current break," he continued. "I really don't care much what makes it, so long as the bass can get out of the current and have an ambush point. Big laydowns, rock and gravel bars, and even man-made stuff (e.g., boat docks and duck blinds) will all hold the fish we want to catch."

Lowen went on to say that another good place to look in river systems is up in the headwaters of the system itself, or in any major river or creek that's flowing into it.

"When I say the headwaters, I'm talking about going so far back that you run out of water. Don't stop until your trolling motor is fighting mud, and even then, let your boat drift on in a little ways," he explained.

"If your preference is a lake or reservoir, I'd suggest you start in the back of a creek arm or a bay. In most of these places, the water's deep as you go back, then it shallows up, and then it gets deeper just before it turns into dry land."

The Hoosier angler went on to note that "the last of the deep water is almost always good, but so is the shallow flat just before you get to it. My theory is that bass move on those flats from two directions. Some of them come from the main lake after they've spawned, and some of them come from the last patch of deep water after they've spawned. Either way, they're up in skinny water.

"Anytime I've said 'shallow water' here, that's exactly what I meant," continued Lowen. "If it's deep enough to cover their backs, it's deep enough. Largemouth bass like warm water. It's what they're about. They don't need the air conditioning of the 20-foot depths to make them happy.

"Regardless of where I'm fishing, I target these bass with a variety of shallow baits. I like really shallow-running crankbaits. Square-bills are the best option here because you'll be casting into heavy wood most of the time.

"I also like a dark-colored, Texas-rigged 10-inch worm. My preference is for the ones made my Tightlines UV (https://tightlinesuv.com). I weight them with a 1/4-ounce Reins tungsten weight. My thinking here is that not very many anglers will throw a worm that big in shallow water. That gives me an opportunity to show the bass something different."

Lowen also keeps a flipping and pitching rod rigged up on his boat deck at all times, making for endless combinations.

"Fish with whatever you like best," he said. "My favorite bait of all, however, is a Lure Parts Online (https://www.lurepartsonline.com/) buzzbait. Shallow bass, even those in less than a foot of water, will slaughter it if you bring it back just fast enough to stay on top. And I'll tell you there's no better way to catch a bass than with a buzzbait in shallow water. The fight will be on top all the way to the boat."

There's no reason to ignore shallow water just because the water's hot.

"If you don't say anything to the bass, they'll never know they're supposed to be out deep," concluded Lowen.

After-Tournament Report

As usual, I've had discussions with various anglers who fished last Saturday's Dewey's tournament at West Neck Marina, and from those discussions have come a couple or so things I thought I would share in this venue.

The first thing on the laundry list is a reminder that some but perhaps not all of us were privy to last Saturday as we made our way to the tournament site. Skip was kind enough to suggest that I post some notices about the fact that West Neck Road is going to be closed to traffic from July 30th to Aug. 7th for road work. We've all likely seen the work that has been in progress out there in the vicinity of the new housing area and had to have known this ultimately would result in one or more road closures before all was said and done. Be advised that I will be happy to pass along any/all changes to the targeted dates if they arise.

The next item on my list relates to a discussion I had with Skip and Dave following Saturday's weigh-in. It seems that, at some point during the tournament day, Dave had incurred a hang-up with one of his lures. As usual, he got on the trolling motor and headed in the direction of the problem. Before he could reach the hang-up, however, he and Skip witnessed a bit of a surprise. A bass suddenly came out of nowhere and snatched the lure off the stick-up.

I have seen a few similar experiences over the years. The first one that comes to mind was a morning, while fishing a super-shallow area, when I saw a wake heading for a lone stick-up in the middle of the water where a bird just had perched itself. As the wake neared the scene, a hefty bass leaped out of the water, snatched the bird in mid-air, and was gone in the blink of an eye.

On a different occasion, I once watched a bass chase a snake clear up onto the bank. The bass even had to do a couple of flips just to get back into the water...without his prize, I must add.

Item No. 3 on my list came on my last cast of the day Saturday. I just had had a colossal backlash and was busy trying to find the end of my problem. When at last successful, I began taking up all the slack line, only to feel weight as soon as I had wound up everything that had been laying at my feet. Realizing the pressure had to be a fish, I set the hook on what turned out to be my only but our fifth keeper of the day.

The final item on my list was brought to my attention earlier today when Wayne called me. Said he just had covered the boat when he arrived home Saturday from the tournament. And when he went out the next morning to uncover it all and clean things up, there was an unexpected stench surrounding him that he couldn't identify. It didn't take long, though, to trace the odor to one of the livewells, where it seems that one of the fish caught Saturday had left a calling card. Wayne still isn't sure if the remains were that of a small snake or an eel, but regardless, it was odiferous, to say the least.

Tight Lines! to one and all.

Only 3 More Dewey's Classic-Qualifying Tourneys Left This Season

Doesn't seem possible that could be true, but it is. Of course, that fact in no way diminishes the pleasure fishermen derive from this competition.

Those 16 anglers in 10 boats who showed up at West Neck Marina this morning had as good a time as any other day they spend on the water. At day's end, all but one of the boats weighed a limit of bass. Those 45 fish brought to the scales weighed a combined total of 87.02 pounds, for an average weight per fish of 1.93 pounds.

Those anglers who earned pay envelopes started with the team of (from left) Jim Leavis and Ken Matthias, who finished the day in 1st place, with 14.60 pounds, which also garnered them the side pot. In addition, they claimed the big-fish money with a bass weighing 5.80 pounds.

In 2nd place was the team of (from left) Dave Anderson and Skip Schaible, whose limit weighed 12.92 pounds. They didn't weigh a big fish.

Rounding out the winners was Chris Napier, who fished solo and weighed a 10.87-pound sack of fish, which earned him 3rd place. His big fish weighed 3.66 pounds.

Here is how everyone else lined up at the conclusion of the weigh-in:

     * Andy Morath had  9.47 pounds of bass, with no big fish.

     * The team of Craig Jones and Rob Chatham had 8.47 pounds of bass, with a 2.14-pound big fish.

     * The team of Steve Bailey and Dennis Dean had 7.96 pounds of bass, with no big fish.

     * Don Carter had 7.95 pounds of bass, with no big fish.

     * The team of Gary Coderre and Allen Napier had 7.81 pounds of bass, with no big fish.

     * The team of Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff had 6.97 pounds of bass, with no big fish.

     * Wes Warren caught three bass today but chose not to weigh them.

Three more competitors joined the ranks of those who now have completed the requirements for fishing our one-day Classic tournament in October. Added today were Craig Jones, Rob Chatham, and Jim Leavis.

Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next scheduled Dewey's tournament is Saturday, Aug. 12. Be advised, however, that the tournament director has cancelled the open West Neck tournament originally scheduled for Sunday, July 30.

Current Overall Statistics

Click anywhere on this chart for an enlarged version.

Today, A Smart Reel; Tomorrow, Who Knows?

I have a friend who once told me that he buys a new set of KastKing baitcast reels each year to replace the old ones on his rods. I, too, have bought a few of these reels over the years but never have equipped all my rods with them. However, I do have a couple KastKing models from last year on four of my current rods, and I truly like how well all of them work.

Have just read about the new KastKing Bluetooth-equipped iReel that is part of this year's ICAST Show, and while it "represents a new category in intelligent freshwater-fishing reels," I can't say I'll be rushing out to buy a bunch. Why? Cause I've found some new Shimano baitcasters that I've taken a liking to, as well.

Meanwhile, I'll share what I've learned about KastKing's new iReel. According to the advertising, its "radical design initiatives incorporate modern materials and manufacturing technologies to achieve an unprecedented level of casting precision and control. Not one to stand idle, KastKing is poised to transform how the baitcaster interacts with the angler."

Using Bluetooth to pair the iReel with your smartphone and the KastKing App, the initial setup begins with inputting the line type, test and diameter. On the water, the iReel employs highly accurate motion-capture sensors in the spool assembly to provide anglers with precise casting metrics, including the number of casts made, average distance, farthest cast, retrieve speed, and more. By providing real-time access to this valuable information, anglers can enhance their understanding of the fishing environment, analyze their successes and failures, and make necessary adaptations based on the prevailing conditions.

Technology clearly is changing the way we fish. Gone are the days of relying solely on manual adjustments and an educated thumb to prevent backlashes. iReel introduces Intelligent Frequency Control (IFC) to evaluate casting variables, such as spool speed, inertia, and line tension to optimize performance in real-time, mitigating backlash and ensuring smooth and accurate casts, regardless of wind speed or lure weight.

Braking is essential to the baitcasting experience, but not all braking systems are created equal. Unlike any bass reel ever developed, iReel integrates IFC microcontroller sensors within the frame and side plate that analyze spool data and automatically apply or release a sophisticated electromagnetic braking system in a non-linear fashion.

Ushering in a new era of precision and efficiency in fishing, KastKing's iReel allows professionals and weekend warriors alike to fish with confidence, especially when throwing backlash-prone baits like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and skipping around docks and shallow cover with lightweight finesse baits.

During the forward cast, the momentum of the lure's weight pulls line off the spool upward of 550 revolutions per second. With iReel's precise control over spool-rotation speed, anglers can achieve higher line velocity during the cast. Elevated speed translates to longer and more accurate casts, providing a distinct advantage in reaching distant targets.

KastKing's proprietary Axis Eye line guide is yet another innovative mechanism designed to enhance castability by reducing friction as line exits the reel. The uniquely shaped and mobile Axis Eye line guide features a super slick silicon nitride coating that offers excellent heat dissipation, allowing braid, monofilament, and fluorocarbon lines to glide freely across the surface with minimal restriction.

Depressing the spool-release button in advance of a cast rotates the Axis Eye 90 degrees horizontally, presenting a very wide line-out aperture and a straight shot off the reel and through the rod guides. The smooth and efficient delivery provides longer and more consistently accurate casts. When the angler engages the handle, Axis Eye returns to its locked position where it evenly distributes line-lay across the spool during the retrieve.

KastKing's advanced cold-forging technologies provide the framework for smooth performance and impressive durability. iReel has no perceivable friction due to the tight tolerance of the main-gear machining and 11+1 double-sealed stainless-steel bearings. With its sleek and stylish electroplated matte finish, iReel features a low profile, 41.5mm design for ultimate comfort and control in hand. This is especially important for those who palm their reel while twitching jerkbaits or prefer to keep a finger in contact with the line as a lure is falling in deep water. The aerospace aluminum frame renders extreme rigidity for efficient power transmission and incorporates a carbon-fiber side cover to minimize weight. Surprisingly, being so feature-packed with intelligent internal workings, iReel weighs just 6.98 ozs. and is a pleasure to hold all day.

The emergence of KastKing's advanced electromagnetic braking system delivers never-before-seen functionality, helping anglers build their confidence and skillset at a rapid pace. Embracing new technologies and modernizing the angling experience, iReel aims to disrupt the baitcasting category by establishing innovative analytics to support experiential learning through quantitative data, like casting distance, line-release speed, retrieval speed, number of casts made, and duration of a fishing trip.

As the KastKing intelligent fishing ecosystem continues to develop, anglers soon will be able to incorporate a host of exciting functions utilizing wearable tech, ranging from Bluetooth watches to wireless earbuds and FishIQ Eyewear with directional audio and AR-enhanced elements that present data from the iReel to the angler in a hands-free format, allowing interaction in a way that is natural and intuitive without losing focus of the surroundings.

In today's rapidly evolving world, technology can be found at the touch of our blistered fingertips. With this comes convenience and enhanced performance, cascading down to the modern angler with iReel in hand, seeking an immersive experience to gain every edge that technology can provide.

Another Dewey's Tournament Slated for This Saturday, July 22, 2023

 Starts at safe light (about 5:45 a.m.),

with weigh-in at 2 p.m.,

or as announced by tournament director.

Sign in, pay up, launch boat, and proceed

to West Neck Marina boat basin

NO LATER THAN 5:30 P.M.

Following final instructions

from tournament director,

we will proceed out the channel

in no particular order.

Maybe I Was Premature To Give Up on Crankbaits

Ran into my friend "Doc" (right) yesterday morning when I arrived at West Neck for another "hot" (as in temperature only) day of fishing. Seems we both had the same plan...but for the fact my friend made a better choice of baits.

It wasn't until I had gotten home, however, that I saw a report of how "Doc" had done yesterday. As he explained, he started his pursuit in the south end of West Neck Creek, but things didn't exactly get off on the right foot. After finally managing to get hooked up with a fish...a nice 3- or 3-and-a-half pounder...he ended up losing it right at the boat. There was a valuable lesson in that turn of events.

"Always change the hooks on your crankbaits," said "Doc."

With the passage of this moment of disappointment, "Doc" went back to fishing, only to miss some more fish. Just before calling it quits, though, he caught four small bass and a couple of white perch...all with the same shallow-diving crankbait he had lost the other fish on.

"I'm hoping I'll be able to put a big one in the boat the next time," noted "Doc."

As it turned out, his day on the water, despite its setbacks, was better than the one I had. Spent better than two hours in Albright's without a single hit on either of the two worm rods I had rigged up. Decided to run back to West Neck, where I spent another hapless hour before moving to an area that usually produces something. In the remaining hour and a half of my day there, I boated one 12-inch bass and missed a couple other strikes...on the same two worms with which I had started the day.

I would be remiss in this report if I didn't include the fact that my friend, "Doc," is one swell guy. Yesterday morning, as we each were prepping our boats for launch, he looked up and saw that I was backing up toward my boat to get hooked up. "Doc" subsequently dropped what he was doing to come and guide me into position. "Thanks, my friend, for keeping my faith in mankind alive. There still are some good people around, and you're definitely one of them."

Seems There Are Exceptions to Everything

We've all seen the photos of those golden colored bass, but as it turns out, there are some chain pickerel with a mouth that's a shade of vibrant blue. As reported by Molly Kirk of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Caroline County angler John Byrd (left) caught one of those pickerel here recently.

Said the Bowling Green, Virginia angler, "I'd never seen one that color! And I've been fishing in that pond for more than 20 years."

Byrd caught the 11 1/2-inch chain pickerel in a 14-acre private pond in Caroline County on a Whopper Plopper lure (one of my fishin' buddy Skip's favorites). A retired veteran, Byrd kept the fish and contacted Scott Herrmann, a DWR regional fisheries biologist. Herrmann explained that the fish was exhibiting a "wild genetic pigment mutation" but otherwise was normal.

"This coloration is extremely rare," said Herrmann. "It pretty much falls into a one-in-a-lifetime category of catches. The normal coloration expressed in the green of a chain pickerel is from the xanthins of the yellow pigments. Blue pickerel express the rare mutation that is axanthic."

The chain pickerel is a native fish of Virginia, common in rivers and streams and also found in reservoirs and impoundments. With a long, slim body, its typical coloration includes yellowish to greenish (almost black when young) sides overlaid with a reticulated or chain-like pattern of black lines. Pickerels have fully scaled cheeks and gill covers. The blue-mouth mutation has been reported in chain pickerel in Maryland and Pennsylvania, but they're quite rare.

The proud angler kept his "exceptional" catch and, according to reports, is having it mounted.

I will add only this one note of caution: Whether you catch a regular pickerel or one of these exceptional specimens, don't make the mistake I once witnessed an unseasoned angler make. He mistakenly thought he could lip a chain pickerel just like the bass he always had caught. I watched in horror as the "pick" literally skinned this unwitting angler's thumb.

Another Oldie But Goodie That Still Catches Fish

Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally" is an old favorite of the music industry. Hildebrandt, however, has a couple of old favorites from the fishing industry, including the "Snagless Sally" and "Super Sally." 

Both of these lures have snared many a largemouth and smallmouth bass for anglers, especially those throughout the South. While the Snagless Sally lure still has its days, the newer and larger Super Sally puts fish in the boat, too.

Designed by Steve Porter, who lives near the shore of Lake Okeechobee in Florida, the Super Sally is a favorite of bass pro Bernie Schultz of Gainesville, Fla. "It's not something you use every day," he said, "but when the situation's right, there's no better tool."

Schultz fished the Snagless Sally in Taylor Bayou during a 2013 Bassmaster Elite tournament in Orange, TX. Then in 2015, while fishing a Bassmaster Elite tournament on the Calcasieu River, again out of Orange, he used the Super Sally, with a Yamamoto 3.5-inch swimbait as a trailer. As a result, he caught the fish critical to making the cut.

"The Calcasieu River was the perfect scenario for this setup, especially when the water started moving," he said. "They'd come out and kill that thing."

Anytime Schultz fishes tidal waters, he has a Snagless Sally or Super Sally tied on because, as he explained, "With all the flash and vibration, you can throw it just about anywhere and get bit." His favorite of the eight colors available is chartreuse sexy shad, but he also likes smokey shad, pearl and black-red. His ultimate decision each time depends on what type of baitfish the bass are feeding on and the current conditions (e.g., dark colors on dark days and brighter colors on bright days). They come in 1/4-, 3/8- and 1/2-ounce sizes, with No. 3 1/2, 4 and 4 1/2 Colorado blades, respectively. He uses the smaller size until he gets a limit, then switches to a larger size to target bigger bass.

According to Schultz, Porter had a better idea when he made a pitch to beef up the Snagless Sally.

In case you're not familiar with Porter, he pioneered the Okeechobee big blade. He also was a partner in the launch several decades ago of the WeedMaster Trolling Motor Weed Guard, a cone that fits around the lower unit of a trolling motor. When Porter showed that guard at outdoors shows, he always ended up, as fate would have it, next to the Hildebrandt Company booth. In 1972, he befriended Alan and Edie Hildebrandt and told them he wanted to make spinnerbaits with oversized blades in an effort to match the golden shiners--which grow as big as 12 inches--that were so prevalent in Florida lakes. Hildebrandt always responded by saying he was in the spinnerbait business, not the blade business.

To Porter's surprise, though, a box of big blades was delivered a year or two later, and that started the wheels in motion. Porter's initial claim to fame was coming up with the first big-bladed spinnerbait that evolved into the "Okeechobee Special." Hildebrandt blades were the first applied to the new concept for a big-bladed spinnerbait, first with an Indiana blade, then with a willowleaf blade.

Porter began trying out his creation in 1974, and eventually settled on a No. 3 1/2 Colorado blade in the front and a No. 7 willowleaf in the back. While he prefers that combination, he also recommends a No. 3 or 3 1/2 Colorado in front of a No. 6 willowleaf.

That was Porter's beginning with Hildebrandt. Both he and Schultz have been associated for many years with Hildebrandt, which was purchased in 2006 by Yakima Bait Co.

Only 3 Boats Showed, But We Still Fished

Reckon the fact we're in the "dog days" now is stronger motivation than a lot of fishermen and women's desire to spend a day on the water, competing against one another. At least that's my best guess as to why only five fishermen in three boats showed up at West Neck today for the scheduled open tournament. Competitors included Bob Clarkson fishing solo, the team of Andy Morath and Don Armstrong, and the team of Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff. 

Given the small showing, coupled with the weather prediction for today, the tournament director decided to call the weigh-in for 1 p.m., vice 2 p.m., as originally advertised.

We ended the day with a combined total of 14 bass being brought to the scales. The combined weight was 20.52 pounds, which translates into an average weight per fish of 1.46 pounds.

Walking away with "all the marbles" today was Wayne (right) and Ken. Their total weight for a five-fish limit was 9.62 pounds. They also took the sidepot, as well as the big-fish money with a bass weighing 1.97 pounds. Bob finished in second place with five fish weighing 7.40 pounds (after a dead-fish penalty of 0.25 pounds) and a 1.96-pound big bass, and Andy and Don came in third with four fish weighing 3.50 pounds and no big bass.

The highlight of my day was watching the mastery of my partner, as well as perhaps a bit of luck, on two different occasions. I saw him break off on a fish this morning, then could only watch in disbelief as he scanned the vicinity until he found some of his line floating on the surface. He calmly grabbed hold of the line, started winding it around his hand, and ultimately landed the bass without a hitch. I also should point out that he performed the same demonstration just a few tournaments back while fishing with his other partner, Andy Morath.

Then, on what turned out to be his last cast of the day, I saw Wayne set the hook on what he first said was a fish, then clarified that he was just hung up. Moments later, he said, "No, I'm wrong...it's really a fish." While I was trying to decide whether to grab the net or snatch out what little hair I still have left on my head, he then asked me to come forward and take his rod so he could man the net. As I'm holding the rod, I can see the side of a fish flashing by in the water and can feel him pulling on the line.

Wayne explains the fish appears to be wrapped up in something and starts running the net toward where he believes the fish is located. Multiple times he draws the net back without his fish in it. Then I hear him say he just ran the net into the fish. He next handed me the net, took his rod again, and started his usual method of getting a hung hook free. At this point, I'm thinking the fish has escaped. I quickly learn, though, that's not true, 'cause Wayne says, "I really do still have the fish." Almost immediately, I see the fish come to the surface, stick the net under it, and give Wayne his well-deserved prize.

As it turned out, the fish was hooked deep, or Wayne otherwise might have dislodged the bass when he bumped it with the net. In any event, that fish culled a smaller one, and we headed to the marina for weigh-in.

The "dog days" continue to be lean days for catching fish. Wayne was spot on with something he said to me as we were motoring toward the dock this afternoon: "You just have to remain patient." I think the vast majority of us can second that statement without any hesitation.

West Neck Open Tournament This Saturday, July 15, 2023

Starts at safe light (about 5:30 a.m.),

with weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Sign in, pay up, launch boat, and PROCEED

TO WEST NECK BOAT BASIN

NO LATER THAN 5:15 A.M.

Following final instructions

from tournament director,

we will proceed out the channel

in no particular order.

2nd Tough Competition in a Row

Had a decent prefishing day last Sunday and thought we had a game plan that might work to our advantage today, but as is often the case, two different days bring two entirely different sets of conditions, and hence, your best-laid plans often evaporate right before your very eyes. Some of the sting, however, quickly vanishes when, as happened today, you hear all your fellow competitors singing pretty much the same sour song at weigh-in. It's a known fact: Misery loves company.

My fishing stunk so badly today that, during weigh-in, my partner even tried to swap me to another angler for his partner, who just happens to be his wife. I'm joking, of course, but can't say I would blame my partner if he really wanted to swap me for someone else. After boating three 2-plus-pound bass last Sunday, the best I could muster today (when it counted) was one 12-inch bass and a white perch...which is pretty pathetic, I have to admit.

All kidding aside, the final accumulative tally on our tournament day was eight boats, with 15 anglers, who brought a total of 32 bass to the scales, for a combined total weight of 55.96 pounds. That figure equates to an average weight per fish of 1.74 pounds.

Money-winners in today's tournament were as follows:

In 1st place was the team of (from left) Don Carter and Rob Peppers, with a five-fish limit weighing 10.48 pounds. Their big fish weighed 2.46 pounds. They also laid claim to the side pot.

In 2nd place was the team of (from left) Dave Anderson and Skip Schaible, with a five-fish limit weighing 9.93 pounds, and a big fish weighing 3.32 pounds.

In 3rd place was the team of (from left) Wayne Hayes and Ken Testorff, with a five-fish limit weighing 9.02 pounds, and a big fish weighing 2.88 pounds.

Here is how everyone else finished the day:

     * The husband-wife team of (from left) Diana and Andy Morath had five fish weighing 9.01 pounds, and a big fish weighing 4.26 pounds, which earned them today's big-fish pot.
     * Mark Ingram had five fish weighing 7.90 pounds, with no big fish.
     * The team of Bobby Moore and J. P. Twohig had four fish. Their total weight after a 0.50 penalty for two dead fish was 4.94 pounds, with no big fish.
     * The team of Rob Chatham and Craig Jones had three fish weighing 4.18 pounds, with no big fish.
     * The team of Jim Crist and Eric Killian failed to make it back in time for weigh-in and thus were disqualified.

Four more competitors fished their fifth tournament of the current season today and thereby became eligible to fish the one-day Class tournament in October. Today's qualifiers included Dave Anderson, Rob Peppers, Don Carter, and Diana Morath.

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is an open tournament out of West Neck Marina on Saturday, July 15, from safe light (about 5:30 a.m.) to weigh-in at 2 p.m. You will need to have signed in, paid your fees, launched your boat, and be standing by in the boat basin no later than 5:15 a.m.

Current Overall Statistics

Click anywhere on this chart for an enlarged version.

Tournament This Saturday, July 8, 2023

 Starts at safe light (about 5:30 a.m.),

with weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Sign in, pay up, launch boat, and proceed

to West Neck Marina boat basin

no later than 5:15 a.m.

Following final instructions

from tournament director,

we will proceed out the channel

in no particular order.

"Hot Head" Gets Cooled Off in a Hurry

Seems there was this angler who was fishing a 1,500-acre lake in North Carolina, catching spots in 30 feet of water on the stump-covered edge of a main creek channel. Suddenly, a man and a woman in a nice Caymas bass boat came flying by, made a big circle, and stopped about 10 yards from the angler.

The guy fishing for spots subsequently heard the woman say, "We can't fish right next to that man."

Her partner responded, "Shut up, (bad word). I'll fish wherever I want."

About the time the Caymas boater then reached down to deploy the trolling motor, the wake from his own boat hit, and he fell headfirst into 44-degree water. While the woman yelled "quit clowning around," the spot angler went over to render assistance because he knew the man was in trouble. It was all the fella could do just to hang onto the side of his boat. Meanwhile, the woman was seriously panicking.

The angler climbed aboard the Caymas, grabbed the man in the water by his shoulders, and pulled him into the boat. He was shivering and barely could talk. The angler then told the woman that she needed to get him back to the landing. She said she could drive the boat but didn't know how to get to the landing.

As a result, the angler told her to follow him. When they arrived at the landing, the angler helped get the victim out of the Caymas and into their truck. He then backed their trailer down and loaded their boat while the victim sat in the truck with the heater on.

Turns out that these folks happened to meet again a couple weeks later. The victim said he was ok after he got warm. He also said he never had fished right on top of someone before.

"Perhaps the good Lord knew this fella was going to fall in the water," said the angler, "and put him near me so I could get him back in the boat. He wasn't wearing a life jacket. Had he not grabbed the side of his boat, he might have died right there. I don't know how long he could have lasted without my pulling him back into his boat."

After this incident, the angler admitted he also routinely didn't wear a life jacket but said he now wears one anytime it's cold enough to wear a coat.

"I further now leave a rope tied from the bow to the stern cleat with a slip knot in it," he said. "If I fall into the water, I can pull on the rope, making it sag down in the water so I can use it as a step to get back into the boat."

July 2023 Bass Fishing Forecast

 Click anywhere on this chart for a slightly larger version.

Don't You Just Love(?) a Guy Who Thinks He's the Best There Ever Was?

And, no, I'm not talking about the retired Canadian-American pro wrestler Bret "the Hitman" Hart, whose introductions always included this phrase: "the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be."

No, the fella I'm talking about in the title of this blog post shall remain nameless.

The point I want to make up front here is simple. It's that if left to my own devices, I'd just as soon stick a needle in those who think they're "the best there ever was" and deflate them a little. Or as my old boss at the Norfolk Naval Base newspaper office used to say, "I'd like to buy 'em for what they're really worth and sell 'em for what they think they're worth." Either solution would be poetic justice for a "know it all"...in my opinion, at least.

I don't need to tell you that there's a bunch of people running around who fit that description to a T...most of whom have their head buried so far up their A-double-crooked-letter they'd blow their brains out if they f**ted.

Read a few days ago about a Tackle Warehouse worker (wearing a T-shirt advertising his employer) who had gone into a local outdoors store and was confronted immediately by one such individual.

"Once he noticed me," said the TW worker, "he was all over me like white on rice. Followed by a standard 'fisherman's greeting' (a hurried name introduction and firm handshake, followed by a drawn-out description of his boat and fancy new equipment), I quickly realized that this guy wasn't interested in just having a conversation. He didn't care about a single word coming from my mouth. All he really wanted was to let me know he was the best fisherman on Planet Earth. How could I be so lucky?"

Turned out this TW worker simply bit his tongue while politely mollifying the "blow hard" with frequent head nods, animated eyebrow raises, and enthusiastic smiles.

"As he continued to ramble on," said the TW worker, "I found myself frantically thinking of an escape route. I don't wear a watch, so I couldn't use the trusty, 'Well, I gotta run' excuse. I had left my cellphone in the truck, so I couldn't fake a phone call. And to make things even worse, I was by myself, without a comrade to bail me out of the trenches. I was stuck behind enemy lines."

Seems Mr. Gift to the Universe (or so he thought) fishes a local tournament trail that frequents the TW worker's home lake.

"He proceeded to tell me that it's the premier trail in the Southeast," said the worker, "and that I better have my 'you know what' together if I planned to fish any of the events. On top of that, when he learned of my career as a writer at Wired2Fish, he condescendingly shook his head saying, 'Naw man, ain't no money in that. You're wasting your time.'"

"Ok, so let me get this straight," said the worker to himself. "A complete stranger approaches me, and in a single conversation openly doubts my fishing talent, shoots down my hard-fought dream career, and talks to me like a child. Nicely done, sir...nicely done."

After the worker finally weaseled his way out of the store...to save his eardrums from further punishment, he was left with an indescribably sour taste in his mouth. He wasn't mad at the man because that would be a waste of energy. He instead just let it go and kept on trucking. The exchange did, however, make him realize something: "As anglers, we all must realize the disparity between self-belief and egotism.

"Nothing is ever gained from arrogance, regardless of the situation. Instead of spending our energy discrediting fellow anglers, it's important that we use our individual talents and abilities to grow this magnificent sport. Fishing is a brotherhood, and we need to be there to pull each other up, not push others down.

"We must always remember our biggest commonality. We are a special breed of people with a shared respect and reverence for fishing and the creatures we seek. The only person who can fully, 100 percent relate to a fisherman is another fisherman. We're not curing cancer, and most of us never will compete in the Bassmaster Classic. Let's take the time to contribute toward the growth and development of the sport that has had such an enormous impact on our lives.

"When it's all said and done, it really isn't about being 'better' than someone. It doesn't matter who catches the most fish or who catches the 5-pounder in the Saturday tournament. We can't take success to our graves. Instead, let's help one another and enjoy the fellowship with others who share the same passion. Catching fish is great...we all love doing it. As my mom always told me growing up, however, we must never get so caught up in the end result that we forget to enjoy the journey.

"We want everyone to keep this in mind throughout our travels and interactions with fellow anglers, fans, and most importantly, the younger generation. Give the kid at the boat ramp one of your lures, tell him what the fish are eating...try to do something to pay it forward. You never know who may be watching. For the good of our sport, we all need to remember to put our pride aside and wear a smile. Be pleasant. Be polite. Wave back at fellow anglers on the water. In short, treat everyone as your equal, 'cause that's the way God created all of us."