Ameika Father-Son Duo Has Really Good Weekend

I had been wondering when I would hear from Ron and his son, Alex, again with a new report of their exploits on the water. And right on cue, an email hit my inbox this evening, which I will share with you here.

"Said Ron, "We tried Western Branch Reservoir during the day Saturday. Alex found three for the skillet, while I only could muster some tiny ones--seriously, I'm talking 3- and 4-inch yellow perch and sunfish."

The elder Ameika then allowed that he headed to the upper North Landing Saturday evening, where he managed to catch a crappie and white perch to round out the frying pan. Oh, I almost forgot--he also scored a 23-inch chain pickerel.

On Sunday, Ron and Alex loaded up their kayaks and other gear and went to a spot, which Ron has asked me to keep anonymous. And in keeping with my usual practice, I gave him my word I would do as he wanted. This trip proved to be a winner for Alex, as evidenced by the 1-3, 2-6 and 3-7 (see photo above right) he boated in the course of the day. Ron, on the other hand, just "got soaked and skunked," to borrow his own words.

Those results simply lit a fire under Ron to make amends for his dismal Sunday showing. He did so by going back to the same anonymous spot today, and he indeed made up for yesterday in a big way.

"Best day yet!" is how he described today's results. "I found seven bass, including two dinks, a 1-13, 1-15, 2-2, 3-1, and a fat 5-5 (see photo left). My ticket to this success was a mixture of rubber worms and craws," he concluded.

There's nothing wrong with those kinds of numbers, my friends. Keep 'em coming.

Now That I've Had My Daily Laugh...

I can share what got me started in the first place. I've been catching glimpses for a while now of advertising for what they're calling the "Twitching Lure." It wasn't until this morning, though, that I actually took a few minutes and checked this thing out.

As I was reading, I let my mind wander, and it wasn't long before I had my wife thinking I maybe "had lost it." Actually, her exact words to me, after I had explained myself, were thus: "I think you're ready for a straitjacket."

The catalyst for my uncontrolled laughing was when I began considering a couple different possibilities. In short, I found myself questioning whether this electronic fishing gadget was just another con man's clever idea to rip off unsuspecting anglers from one coast to the other, or whether it perhaps was some dude's Plan B for an adult novelty toy that had failed to live up to its original Plan A billing.

After all, the advertising for this product on the Twitching Bait website reads, in part, as follows:

"Patented Vibra-Strike technology triggers fish DNA to instinctively strike at the lure, using the following actions:

     * It vibrates

     * It flashes

     * It buzzes

     * It glows in the dark."

Oh, and the advertising also states, "Recharges in minutes."

All joking aside, however, I learned that the "Twitching Lure" is for real, and it's backed by a real company with real people. They even have a few pretty well-known guides, captains and fishing pros supporting the claims this rechargeable twitch lure actually works. There are numerous pictures and videos of both amateur and pro anglers catching fish with the lure.

Something I found particularly amazing, though, was the fact the first promotional video for this lure contained "a fish on every cast or your money back guarantee." Shortly thereafter, however, this video was redone, minus the guarantee, but they still claim the lure can catch more fish than pretty much any other lure on the market.

And according to what I read, they've also produced some TV infomercials--but, no, they didn't hire Roland Martin to be the host this time. He seems to have had his one and hopefully only shot at infomercial fame with the one he did years ago about the helicopter lure. Let's face it: A person only can stand so many of those trademark "Oh, sons!" before they tune out and turn off--as I did many moons ago. But I digress.

So what's the verdict on this lure that, among its other advertised attributes already listed, also includes the following:

     * Works in freshwater and saltwater for any fish.

     * Comes with a USB charger, so you can charge it from nearly any device or computer.

The jury, in some cases, is still out, but the vast majority of reviews I saw had nothing good to say about the lure. Feelings of being hoodwinked ranked high in most of the reports. Reality just didn't match the company's two catchy slogans:

"Salt or fresh, big or small, the rechargeable Twitch catches them all."

"Fish can't resist the Twitch."

Maybe fish can't resist the "Twitch," but I certainly can. And if you're smart, you, too, will keep the $33.97 it costs on Amazon.com to purchase two of these things in your pocket. Enough said.

If You Could Fish Just One Lure, What Would It Be?

That question popped into my head a little earlier today, and before it disappeared, I decided to do a little online research into the topic.

I initially checked a bunch of different forums, where there was very little agreement at all. As I expanded my research, though, I found a couple of "major league" bass anglers whose choices and reasons expressed for those choices proved to be considerably similar.

The first angler I stumbled across is Babe Winkelman (left), who readily admits his answer to this question has changed over the years. "In my younger days," he said, "my top choice was a purple worm rigged Texas-style. Later, I vowed the jig-worm was the eternal choice. Then, I veered to a tandem, willow-blade, chartreuse spinnerbait, and then back to a jig-worm."

Winkelman's choice changed yet again in February 2012, following a remarkable day he had fishing one bait--a black spinnerbait, with a single, pounded-copper Colorado blade.

Why a spinnerbait? "First and foremost, bass love to hit these baits," he explained. "The beefy profile; flashing, thumping blade; and pulsating skirt team up to create a 1-2-3 punch that triggers both reflexive and feeding strikes.

"Spinnerbaits also are incredibly easy to use. They cast well, swim through heavy cover, and can be fished anywhere in the water column, fast or slow, steady or erratic. You can work them high like a topwater lure, slow-roll them low to bump bottom, and even drop them vertically in and around cover. They simply are one of the most versatile bass baits around."

Why black? "Like all bass fishermen, I have a full spectrum of spinnerbait colors in my arsenal, but black is a go-to color because it silhouettes so well against the sky above. Bass are designed for upward hunting; the positioning of their eyes tells us this. And their affinity to attack topwater targets proves it.

"As Mr. Largemouth lurks at an ambush point in shadowy, heavy cover, he's in tune to potential meals overhead. It's no surprise that baitfish evolved to have white underbellies. The white protects them since it blends in well with the bright sky above (when viewed from below). Black, on the other hand, forms a crisp silhouette that's easily seen."

Why a single blade? "A lot of bass anglers will argue with me on this one. Some guys swear by tandem-blade spinnerbaits. Don't get me wrong; I love them, too. They're superior when running the bait just below the surface because two blades give the lure more lift, so you can keep it higher with a slower retrieve. Two blades also push more water when you're bulging the bait below the surface.

"But a single blade gives you more versatility than a multi-blade spinnerbait. You still can bulge it below the surface. It's better for slow-rolling in deep water. And here's my favorite reason: You can bring the bait to the edge of a weed break, pocket, stump, or other cover, and let it free-fall. The single blade makes the spinnerbait descend like a helicopter, and bass love to pounce on it while it's falling."

Why pounded copper? "Frankly, I can't give you a scientific reason why I prefer copper to silver, gold or painted blades. All I know is that, from years of personal experience, black and copper seem to make a magic combinaiton. As for the pounded texture, each dimple in the blade imparts extra flash, which usually never hurts."

Why a Colorado blade? "Thump, thump, thump--that's why.The Colorado blade's stout shape rings the vibration dinner bell on bass. Indiana blades and willows do a great job, too, but for my money, the Colorado blade tickles a bass' lateral line better than the others... . No bass tacklebox is complete without a simple, black, single-blade spinnerbait," concluded Winkelman.

Another big-time angler who echoes those sentiments is none other than Bill Dance (left). As he once noted, "If I ever were to end up somewhere remote--in the famed Middle of Nowhere--and could have just one lure, it would be a black 3/8-ounce Booyah spinnerbait with a silver No. 5 Colorado blade."

Why black? "That color, or even a shade of it, holds its identity better than any other color, regardless of whether the water is muddy, murky, dingy, or clear. The same is true in bright conditions or low light...day or night. Black always is much more visible to bass. I know because I have caught a ton of bass on these baits in nearly countless conditions."

Also consider this. "Bass sense vibrations and scents in water, both of which attract the fish to its prey, but the final straw is sight. They have got to see the bait or lure. I mean, I may smell a steak on my neighbor's grill. And I may even hear it sizzling, but unless I see it, I am not going to get a bite.

"Seriously, sight is the predominant sense for bass. Believe me, they can see anything pretty good, even in a muddy environment, but I think they can see black best. At least, they see it much better than white, chartreuse or other colors."

Why the 3/8-ounce size? "All the other weights for spinnerbaits have their place, but 3/8 ounce is more universal. It casts better, and you have more control than with the other traditional weights for spinnerbaits."

Why the silver No. 5 Colorado blade? "It provides more flash. Silver reflects more light than any other shade or finish on a blade. And the Colorado design offers more resistance in the water and, therefore, more vibration than a willowleaf or Indiana-style blade.

"You also can work a Colorado blade much slower. You can slow-roll it, free-fall it, etc. You can do many things when working this bait, and all of them slow, and that's often what's needed, especially during tough fishing conditions. Again, I have caught a lot of fish with this bait, including times when there was ice in the water."

Also note, however, that Dance never said this was his "favorite" bait. Instead, he just said, "If I only have one choice, and I need a lure that is most likely to get bit--no matter the conditions--I gotta go with the black Booyah spinnerbait in this one style and weight. Call it Ol' Reliable, if you want."

Many reading this probably are saying, "Both of you are out of your mind. A white tandem willow is much better than a single-bladed black spinnerbait."

Disagreement, though, is one of the things that makes fishing so great. We all have our favorite baits, presentations, species, lakes, etc., as it should be. What really matters in the final analysis, however, is that, regardless of our differences, we all still can wish one another "Tight Lines!" and mean it.

Tips to Help You Stay Alive This Busy and Often Deadly 4th of July Holiday

Partly because of my age, partly because I'm chicken, and partly because I know what routinely happens on the nation's waterways this 4th of July weekend, my Skeeter and I will be taking a break. As I see it, that's my best bet of living to see another fishing day, and the good Lord only knows that's my daily prayer.

When you consider that the 4th of July, along with Memorial Day and Labor Day, typically account for more than one-third of all boating-related accidents and fatalities, I think you'll understand why I choose to quietly sit these events out each year.

However, I realize there are large numbers who don't hesitate to hit the waterways. So, for you, let me offer these tips, provided courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary:

     * Always wear a life jacket. Accidents happen quickly, and often there isn't time to put on a life jacket once an accident has happened. Statistics consistently show that 80 percent of those who perish in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.

     * Make sure your boat is properly equipped and that required equipment is functioning properly. Make sure your navigation lights work if you plan to be on the water before sunrise and/or after dark.

     * Be prepared for emergencies. Take time to familiarize everyone onboard with basic emergency procedures, and ensure they know how to contact authorities by marine radio or cellphone. If you boat in an area that requires flares, make sure they are up to date. NEVER use flares as a form of fireworks. Doing so constitutes a false distress call, which is a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines, plus the cost associated with the false distress.

     * Boating and alcohol don't mix. Along with decreasing the operator's ability to make good judgments, the consumption of alcohol also negatively affects the ability of passengers to respond in case of an emergency on the water. The effects of the sun, wind, waves, and a boat's motion in the water can add up to an operator's impairment. Intoxicated boaters can face both federal and state charges, with penalties of up to one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

     * File a float plan with a friend who will be staying ashore. List everyone who is going with you, where you're going, what the boat looks like, and when you expect to be back. Instruct the friend whom you leave the plan with on what to do if they don't hear from you within a reasonable time of when you expect to return home.

     * Keep a sharp lookout for other boats, the weather, or anything that is unusual. Report any emergencies to local authorities by calling 9-1-1, or using VHF-FM channel 16. Any suspicious activity that might involve terrorism should be reported to America's Waterway Watch at 877-24-WATCH.

   * Practice the 3 Cs: caution, courtesy and common sense. Use caution, especially in close-quarter-maneuvering situations with other boats. In these situations, slow speeds are better. Be courteous to your fellow boaters, and use common sense. Don't cut people off at the launch ramp, and never light fireworks from your boat.

     * And last but certainly not least, if you're a Virginia resident, make sure you have your Boater Education Card with you this weekend. As of today, you must (regardless of age) have one of these cards to operate any motorboat of 10 hp or greater and/or any personal watercraft on public waters in Virginia. The fine for not having one is $100.

By following these simple tips, you could save your own life or that of one or more passengers.

Totals at End of Day Are the Same

Fog was a major player to start the day but quickly burned off and allowed Skip and me to begin our fishing day in earnest.

I ran south; so did Skip, but he ran a little too far on the first pass and had to double back. I watched him from a distance fly south past the cut-through to Albright's, then return about five minutes later. I first thought he might be headed to Blackwater, but as he admitted to me later, he just missed the turn on the first pass. I've similarly missed the turn into Milldam a few times, so I couldn't say anything.

My initial plan was to hit a couple of spots beyond the Pungo Ferry Bridge, but the traffic I had encountered by the time I reached the cut-through persuaded me to spend my day there.

Any thoughts I had of repeating what I accomplished Saturday quickly vanished. The bite was much slower, but I still managed to find five keeper bass--nothing bigger than the 1-3 pictured above, though. And once again, all the fish fell for my INT topwater bait.

Skip's day started even slower than mine, but once he replaced his topwater lure with his remake of a Senko worm (one that he assembled from scraps of original Senkos), the picture changed rapidly. In no time, he had boated a total of five keeper bass, too, all of which resembled the one here that he stopped to photograph.

The high point of Skip's day came when he got hold of a real nice bass with one of those remade Senkos.

As Skip described the situation to me, he had worked the bass beside the boat and was trying to hold tension while reaching for the net when he unintentionally dipped the tip of his rod in the water, which allowed just enough slack to form in the line for the fish to throw the hook.

In Skip's words, "I hadn't seen a fish that big since those infamous bygone days on Back Bay."

Most of us have faced similar circumstances over the years, and it's never any fun to lose a trophy fish, or for that matter, to find out that someone else, especially a good friend like Skip, has lost one. However, I reckon these disappointments are what keeps us going back to the well, hoping to eventually get Bubba in the boat. Here's hoping you get one sooner, rather than later, Skip.

Had some emails waiting for me when I got home today. Ron Ameika had written, letting me know he had landed a personal best today--the 44-inch, 13-lb. 11-oz. gar pictured here.

He said this one was two inches bigger than last year's best, which he caught June 12th. He went on to explain that the weight on this latest "big boy" might have been a bit off because he had a hard time holding it over his head and seeing the display while sitting in the kayak.

"I was slimed, and he was tough to handle," said Ron. This fish is his first citation of the year. He said he hopes to find a 30-inch bowfin next.

Also had another email from Ron and one from Chris Vitovich commenting on the post I put up yesterday about the dream I had of hooking a giant ol' bowfin. Chris thanked me for the good laugh he had to start the workday, and Ron gave me some details of a dream he had recently.

He said he dreamed he had a reel failure and had to hand-over-hand a big bowfin with braid. "I was getting cut, bleeding, and almost losing fingers, while yelling at my son 'not to lose this bowfin,' Ron noted. 

Maybe I've Spent Too Much Time in the Sun

Some fishermen are lucky enough to dream about catching 10-, 15- or 20-pound bass. I, on the other hand, am reduced to dreaming about--you guessed it--none other than an old junkyard fish, in this case, a bowfin.

As I lay there in bed early this morning, I dreamed I had hooked this critter I couldn't budge from the shallow water where he had snatched my lure. I had no choice but to go get him.

The closer I got to this hitherto unseen critter, the clearer the water became. And it ultimately was no problem at all to see that the fish definitely was a big ol' bowfin, but my lure wasn't the only thing in its mouth. There also was what appeared to be the snap from an old-time stringer. As I looked closer, I could see the tell-tale cord attached to the snap.

I remember carefully leaning over the side of my boat and pulling the head of the fish up with my line, far enough to reach down with my long-nose pliers and remove my lure's hook, without having "junkyard" go into one of those thrashing episodes. I also remember it really puzzling me why the fish had been so docile, but I was more than a little content just knowing I had gotten my lure back without losing my hand in the process.

Once I had my lure free, I peered into the water again, watching to see what "junkyard" was going to do. At first, he just lay there, but then he turned and started swimming lazily toward deeper water. And, at this point, I couldn't believe my eyes, because there was all kinds of junk tied to the other snaps on this extra long stringer in his mouth.

Among the more notable items I witnessed gliding along the bottom behind him were some beat-up cooking utensils and an old, rusty muffler, complete with the tailpipe still attached to it, no less.

As I awoke, remembering what I just had dreamed, I couldn't help chuckling to myself. But that was before I realized maybe I just had received a premonition of something real yet to come. I sure hope that's not the case. And, too, I'm left pondering why I ever would have dreamed such a dream in the first place. The only thing I could think of is that I've perhaps spent a little too much time in the sun.

Looks Like Anglers Had a Productive Sunday

Had a couple of emails waiting for me when we returned home this evening. It seems to have been the kind of day that keeps anglers smiling.

From Doc Murdock, I learned that his trip to West Neck Creek today produced five bass and a white perch, all caught on a crankbait. He said all the bass came from the southern end of the creek, with the lone white perch coming from the northern end. His big bass of the day was this 13-inch, 1.4-pounder.

Doc described the water level as low, thus preventing him from getting very far back in the weeds. He said the water temperature was 77 degrees, with winds out of the northeast at 10 mph.

Can't say I'm surprised at that report of low water, 'cause it already was heading out of town during our tournament yesterday.

Meanwhile, the news from the father-son duo of Ron and Alex Ameika appears to continue being a matter of "like father, like son."

Alex started the morning with the fat 4-9 in this photo at right. A little later, Ron put a 2-15 in his kayak. Then Alex came back with a 4-8 he had caught. In no time, Ron countered with a 4-9 of his own (pictured below), and his son caught a 1-14. Ron finished the day with another 2-15.

"Great Sunday morning," said Ron. "Nice to get some quality , as compared to the quantity of dinks I've been finding. Over 18 pounds for five fish.

"Perfect weather, perfect catches!" he concluded.

I can't help wondering what the odds are that a father and son would end up having so many nearly identical catches in a day's time.

That Cool Breeze and the Cloud Cover Was Nice

For a change, the weatherman pretty well nailed today's forecast, and I, for one, truly enjoyed the conditions. And I gotta believe that the vast majority of our 17 anglers in 11 boats would agree with that assessment.

Those competitors who earned money envelopes today included the following:

Claiming 1st Place was Chris Fretard (left), who weighed five fish, with a total weight of 14.78 lbs. He also captured the lunker award with a bass weighing 3.43 lbs.

Finishing in 2nd Place was Jim Bauer (right), who weighed five fish, with a total weight of 9.43 lbs. He didn't have a big fish.

Yours truly (left) surprisingly walked away with 3rd Place. My five fish tipped the scales at 9.19 lbs. I didn't have a big fish.

And winner of the day's Mystery Weight drawing was Paul Celentano (right) and his partner (not pictured), Hal Scott. Their total weight was 6.84 lbs., compared to the drawn weight of 7.05 lbs. They didn't have a big fish. (And for those who attended today's presentation of envelopes, let me just say I made a mistake and awarded this envelope to the wrong team today. However, I've already taken steps to rectify the situation. My apologies to all parties concerned.)




Here is how all the other contestants finished the day:

     * The team of Mitch Portervint and Skip Schaible, five bass, 8.86 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * The team of Gary Coderre and Lenny Hall, five bass, 7.98 lbs. total weight, 2.77-lb. big fish.
     * The team of Jim Wilder and Darryl Dunn, five bass, 6.25 lbs. total weight after 0.25 deduction for one dead fish, no big fish.
     * The team of David Dozier and Nelson Anderson, three bass, 5.10 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
     * Bobby Moore, Steve Bailey, and the team of Bob Glass and Randy Conkle didn't weigh any fish.

Overall, today's anglers weighed a total of 38 bass for a total weight of 68.43 lbs. The average weight was 1.80 lbs.

Two more names were added to the list of those anglers now eligible to fish our season-ending two-day Classic, bringing the total to 20.

Congrats to all the winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate. For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, from safe light (about 5:30) to weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Today marked my sixth consecutive outing in which I've had a limit of bass, thanks to a topwater bite that lasted all day long. And, I'm finally starting to see some improvement on the timing of my hooksets. I boated a total of 13 bass today, nine of which were keepers. I also boated five white perch during the course of the day.

The big producer for me continues to be the lure Dave showed me a modification for a few weeks back. I gain new confidence with it each trip now. The INT bait, as I've dubbed it, has earned a prominent spot in my tacklebox. It has done wonders for my morale.

Again, Dave, thanks for being a friend.

What's Age Got To Do With It?

In some circles today, the popularly held belief is that age is more a matter of attitude than of a birth date. They contend that, as I saw one put it recently, "Young or old, it does not matter. Dream your dreams, and then act on them. Live the life you love."

And when it comes to professional bass anglers, that statement is no better epitomized than by the legendary Rich Clunn (left), who, at the age of 69, turned some heads back in March, when he won a Bassmaster pro event on the St. Johns River in Florida. "All of a sudden," wrote Dave Wolak, "the question of how old is too old to be a successful tourney angler sprung up on the interwebs.

"To set the record straight," continued Wolak, "Rick Clunn is no ordinary 69-year-old guy who casually takes a spin around his favorite cove with a spinnerbait once a week, or plays a slow cart-assisted nine holes at the local golf club on Sunday morning. He's in very good physical and mental shape. I've fished around him numerous times, and he casts enough in 20 minutes to make a 20-year-old tired just watching him. And he'll be the first to tell you that his success stems from the cohesiveness of his mind and body working together. All anglers, regardless of age, can learn something from Clunn.

"In 2007," said Wolak, "I finished second to a then-aging Guido Hibdon (right) in an FLW tournament at Lake Champlain. Not only was the fishing tough, but the lake also was really kicked up. During and after the event, I never thought twice about him being too old to beat me, but I still think about what I could have done differently to take the win. Early on in my career, I realized that tourney anglers are really fishing against the fish, not each other, and with that in mind, bass fishing is a sport where age doesn't matter much, especially when you consider older anglers often know how to fish 'smarter' than the young guys.

"For example, an older angler might take it slow and not beat himself up running 50 miles in sloppy conditions, but he also might know how to catch more bass in a shorter period of time once he gets there. Likewise, his bank of wisdom might help him out-fish the throttle-punching crew by simply staying local because he's put in a lot more time and has a better understanding of using time wisely in a tourney setting. When I was younger, my strategy was to outwork the old guys. Sometimes it worked, but often it didn't.

"Whether you're a tournament angler or just a recreational fisherman, you can't let age hinder your drive. You just have to let it change your approach for the better. Instead of being upset that you don't have it in you to run 50 miles at warp speed, use that to get better at fishing close. If you can't throw a giant swimbait all day anymore, don't. Use that need to slow down to get more effective at fishing a bait you can throw all day, and I promise you'll figure out new patterns and gain edges you never thought you had. Your personal strategy may not be as chiseled physically as Rick Clunn's, but at least you have to believe each day that you're capable of setting a new benchmark." Concluded Wolak, "It's what gets us up at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning."

Another angler in the same boat as Clunn is Larry Nixon (left). Now 65, he's still a dominant gun on the Walmart FLW Tour, and as Randy Blaukat wrote last year, "He shows that age can be an asset, rather than a limitation. I love the fact that Nixon acknowledges his age, but instead of fighting it, has adapted his fishing methods to suit his age, and he's a threat to win each and every event he fishes."

Blaukat put the whole matter in perspective by saying, "Ultimately, the great thing about tournament fishing is that it doesn't really matter how old you are. Where else can you compete on a professional level at 70 years old?" he asked before adding, "That's what makes it the greatest sport on Earth."

A Bit o' Fishing Wisdom for Us Old Codgers

OK, I'll admit it. I don't move as fast or (sometimes) as steady as I used to, I gave up worrying about nonsense like skin and muscle tone years ago, and I wear funny lookin' fishin' hats nowadays. However, every bit of that is all right, 'cause, you see, I've earned the distinction as a "golden angler," or at least that's the sounds-good title used by a writer, whose article "Fishing Tips for Old Men" I was reading earlier today.

Different things influenced me to assemble this blog post, starting with an email swap I had this week with my friend and one-time tourney-fishing partner, Paul Celentano. He asked me how I was doing, and it just so happened that, when he asked, it was the next day after I had been fishing. And, per the standard drill these days, I was paying the price for my day of fun in the sun. To get straight to the point, I told him I was hurting--in so many different places I couldn't decide what to work on first. It's no longer just one day before I bounce back, either. It now takes two days before I return to just the normal aches and pains.

I also was influenced by the fact I've grown tired of lugging around so many heavy tackleboxes. And now that I've decided to concentrate my efforts on topwater fishing, I seized this opportunity to shed a lot of tackle weight. Yesterday, I went into the garage, pulled out all my topwater baits from those heavy boxes, and now have reduced down to one soft-sided container of small Plano boxes, plus my regular hard box of hooks, snaps and so forth. No longer will I have to transport those "dead-man boxes," as my friends Jim Bauer and Skip Schaible often jokingly have called them.

That being said, here are those fishing tips I referred to in the opening paragraph, as presented by the author, J. E. Myers:

"Just because some of us are getting up there in terms of years doesn't mean our enjoyment of fishing has to end. (As I told Paul the other day, "I always have and always will love fishing to my dying day.") Most seniors are still quite capable of enjoying fishing, especially the commune with nature and the opportunity for reflection. Seniors also have an obligation to share their love of fishing and their many decades of fishing knowledge with members of younger generations. Many seniors may need to adjust their game and take special precautions to remain safe and healthy.

Avoid Fishing Alone

"It's not a good idea for seniors to fish alone, at least not in boats, around deep waters, or in remote locations. (I wonder how many times I've heard my wife make remarks along this line.) Always take a fishing buddy with you, especially if you need help getting a boat in and out of the water. This prudent rule has an upside--you'll have the opportunity to pass on your skills and knowledge to younger people if you always take a younger buddy with you.

Lower the Bar

"If you were capable of spending six hours on a bass boat in the past, you may need to tone down your fishing trips to a more reasonable level for your age and physical condition. Consider taking shorter trips, especially if you'll be casting repeatedly, such as during bass fishing. Your throwing arm will thank you the next day that you didn't 'overdo' it. If repeated casting for bass is no longer in the cards, try bobber fishing for crappie and other panfish. The action--and the eating--can be just as fun.

Tailor Access

"Avoid fishing trips that require long treks through rough terrain or climbing up and down steep banks--for obvious reasons. The kind of hiking you used to do may not be safe these days. (Boy! Does that ever bring back my childhood memories of fishing Mozingo Bend on the Neosho River with my dad and brother. The bank was so steep we had to scale a rope tied to the bumper of Pop's old pickup. Mom used to have fits when she knew that's where we were fishing.) Seek good fishing opportunities from easy-access docks, for example. Many public lakes now offer special docks for seniors and wheelchair-bound anglers. 'Serious' fishing in deep water still can be safe for seniors, so long as you don't take the boat out alone.

Special Equipment

"A senior angler's tacklebox needs to include some new gear, including a spare pair of reading glasses and vital medications. A spare sun hat will be handy, in case yours blows away and you no longer can maneuver to retrieve it. A long 'reaching pole' can be handy. (It's a little strange that he mentions such a pole at the same time I was thinking earlier today about getting a "push pole" for my boat. I had an occasion on my latest trip when one would have come in very handy.) A long-handled net also is helpful. A pillow is a good idea for preventing 'boat butt.' Take a stadium seat if you'll be sitting in a boat with backless seats or benches.

Give Up Earlier

"Plan on breaking off snags. Buy cheaper lures so the loss won't be as painful, and you won't be tempted to try dangerous retrievals while perched in a precarious position on the boat. Don't push your luck; a herniated back or the prospect of drowning are not worth the cost of an $8 lure.

Warm Up First

"Before setting out on a day of fishing, take time to warm up your back and throwing arm muscles. Practice casting for 15 minutes each day, in the yard or driveway, for several days before the fishing trip. Do exercises to get your lower back and legs limber. Focus on twisting motions from a sitting position. (I've got just one question here: Who's going to help me up once I sit on the ground?) Find your comfort zone for casting, say 20 feet, and stick to that limit.

Rest

"Take a moment to sit back every half hour and rest your arm, neck and lower back. Soak in the sights and sounds of the lake, stream or pond and just reflect on the other joys of fishing. Don't be pressured to fish until your head falls off, just because younger people in the fishing party may be working the water nonstop. You've earned your moments as a "Golden Angler," (There's that delightful term I gotta remember for future reference.) so take them."

An author and entrepreneur for nearly 40 years, J. E. Myers has a broad and eclectic range of expertise in entrepreneurship, personal-computer maintenance and design, and visual and performing arts. Myers is a self-taught computer expert and owned a computer sales and service company for five years.

I realize I ran another article aimed at us old-timers on Aug. 1, 2015 (titled "Enjoy Those Care-Free Angling Days, 'Cause They Likely Won't Last"). This article, though, provides new info. Hope you enjoy.

What Friends Are Catching and Where

Received emails today from a couple of friends who provided some results of their latest trips to the water. Here's what they had to say.

Ron Ameika shared that he had spent a good day this past Saturday in Oakum, hiding from the wind. He caught a total of nine bass. His best five included a 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-5, which were caught in that order. Said Ron, "The 1-4 threw the hook." The same trip yielded six chain pickerel and a 2-12 bowfin.

On Father's Day, Ron and his son, Alex, made a trip to Stumpy Lake. And just four minutes after launching, Alex put the even 3-pound bass pictured here in the kayak. He added a 2-6 a little later. Meanwhile, dad managed a 1-7 bass and a 2-12 bullhead cat.

Ron went on to note that he's having the exact opposite experience from me with topwater baits. The fish he's catching are coming on plastics and the ol' XTS.

And from Doc Murdock came word that he used a topwater bait this morning to entice this 1-4 bass into hitting.

He started at the West Neck Bridge, where he threw everything but the kitchen sink and came up empty-handed. It wasn't until Doc moved south to the power lines that he caught the 13-inch, 1-4 bass in this photo. He then moved farther south, to red marker 4A, but didn't get another bite.

Doc reported the conditions as clear water, with winds from the south at 15, and water temp 75 to 77 degrees. "The water was up but not too high," he said.

That 77 degrees is down from what I showed yesterday afternoon when I returned to West Neck. Of course, that difference could be due to the fact Doc fished from 6 to 10 a..m. this morning. The water temp when I quit yesterday at 2:30 p.m. read 83 degrees.

Another Limit on an All-Day Topwater Bite

A mixture of topwater baits, including my INT, paved the way to my fifth consecutive outing with a limit of bass. Of the seven I boated today, only four were keepers, with the biggest a 1-13 (pictured here) that nearly smacked the paint off my topwater bait when it hit about 1:30 this afternoon.

I also lost two nice bass this morning when they leaped right beside the boat and spit my lure. And there were some gigantic blowups throughout the day, in which I never felt pressure or anything, so I never attempted a hookset.

I'll readily admit that I suspect at least a couple of those big blowups today were those toothy critters. There were no outward signs--rather, just a gut feeling.

I was back in Albright's today. However, I spent most of my time in the front end because the water was a bit low to do very much prowling in my usual back areas. Also checked out part of my favorite stretch in Pocaty, but didn't get a sniff, so resigned myself to staying in Albright's all day.

Saw Ray Scott on the water today and talked to him briefly. He had boated three bass on soft plastics, plus several bream on assorted baits when we spoke this afternoon. I didn't ask but had the feeling he probably was headed for the dock at the time.

Suffice it to say I'm having a blast with these all-day topwater bites. Don't know how long it will last, but I'm all in for the duration.

Some Guys Just Have No Couth

That was the unmistakable take-away from an incident my friend, Doc, experienced on the water today.

He just had launched at West Neck and was fishing at the bridge when three dudes anchored their boat right on top of the spot where he just had caught a fish. Being the nice guy that he is, rather than say something, Doc moved on and let them have the spot to themselves.

Before he ended his abbreviated day on the water, Doc went on to catch the 1.4-lb., 14-inch bass in the accompanying photo. Both fish came on crankbaits.

The water was low today, following yesterday's northeast winds, but Doc knew it likely would be that way because he had scouted things out at the marina yesterday.

Said my friend, "I'll be going out again Tuesday if there's good weather." Hopefully, Doc, you won't have to put up with any rude dudes again. With all the water there is in West Neck, there's no excuse for that kind of behavior--ever!

Tight Lines!