Continuing a Holiday Tradition...

I've enjoyed poetry since I was a kid. And even though I figure I'm in the minority with those feelings, I've never resisted the urge to post some here on my blog, especially during the holiday season. Thus, it should come as no surprise that I'm continuing that tradition this year. Following is another poem by Edgar Allen Guest (1891-1959), whom I also featured last Thanksgiving.

A Boy and His Dad

A boy and his dad on a fishing trip--

There is a glorious fellowship!

Father and son and the open sky

And the white clouds lazily drifting by,

And the laughing stream as it runs along

With the clicking reel like a martial song,
And the father teaching the youngster gay
How to land a fish in the sportsman's way.

I fancy I hear them talking there
In an open boat, and the speech is fair.
And the boy is learning the ways of men
From the finest man in his youthful ken.
Kings, to the youngster, cannot compare
With the gentle father who's with him there.
And the greatest mind of the human race
Not for one minute could take his place.

Which is happier, man or boy?
The soul of the father is steeped in joy,
For he's finding out, to his heart's delight,
That his son is fit for the future fight.
He is learning the glorious depths of him,
And the thoughts he thinks and his every whim;
And he shall discover, when night comes on,
How close he has grown to his little son.

A boy and his dad on a fishing trip--
Builders of life's companionship!
Oh I envy them, as I see them there
Under the sky in the open air,
For out of the old, old long-ago
Come the summer days that I used to know,
When I learned life's truths from my father's lips
As I shared the joy of his fishing trips.

About the author...American poet Edgar Albert Guest became widely known as the People's Poet, a reflection of the optimistic nature of his life's work and his popularity. He was born in Birmingham, England, but came to the U.S. at the age of 10 and, soon after, became a naturalized citizen. A newspaper man by profession, Guest was one of the most prolific poets the world has ever known, writing some 11,000 verses in his 77 years, for which he was made Poet Laureate for Michigan. He was not always popular with his poetry-writing peers, who often thought he was too light of heart to be considered seriously. But his work endures to this day, and he has many fans around the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to One and All!

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

For flowers that bloom about our feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wishing you blessings of health, happiness and success on Thanksgiving and always!

For the Week Ending Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018

Granddad's Old Fishing Trick When Fishing With the Zara Spook

While rummaging around the Internet late last night, I came across this tip that I want to share not only with Ron, but with all Spook fishermen in general. This is one you can try on those stripers you're going after at the HRBT, Ron.

According to the author (not sure who that is), "This awesome trick works." In any event, the advice is as follows:

Drill a BB-sized hole about 1/4-inch or so behind the eyes, directly along the Spook's spine (middle). Put in a teaspoon of cod liver oil, or add enough for it to float, with the head floating upward. Stuff a piece of cotton or cotton string in the hole, so it wicks out the oil. The extra weight will add an extra 20 yards or so of casting distance, and the stripers will blow that Spook completely out of the water.

If anyone decides to try this suggestion, please let me know how it works.

Wednesday, Nov. 14 (from Ron)...After two days without wetting a line, I had to get out before the bad weather arrives. Made a quick trip to upper North Landing. Only had one hit and one catch on the Heddon Spook. Decent little fatty to avoid the skunk. Chilly out there!

Friday, Nov. 16 (from Ron)...Low tide at HRBT was supposed to be at 2153 (nearly 10 p.m.). I launched at 10 to fish the incoming. Current still was going "out" at 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Even though the current didn't cooperate, the striped bass did. Bite picked up around 0100, and I caught seven, including two keepers at 21 inches.

Attention-Getters From the Latest BassBlaster

Jay Kumar often has some really interesting stuff in this publication, and today's issue certainly was no exception. The first item that captured my attention was this account of a couple very lucky dudes. Here's the story, as originally posted in a Texas forum:

"I'll clarify the facts, as I was driving the boat. We were running in a calm cove, and at 99.7 mph, the boat hooked, and we were both ejected. And before anyone starts on the 'I don't own a Bullet because of this...Bullets aren't safe...something is wrong with the boat,' I'll clarify and say that I was running a case with a modified skeg, at an extremely high motor height, and I pushed the envelope. It was my fault, it was in the setup, and I fully raise my hand and take the blame, because that's whom it's on. We are both totally fine, other than being a little bumped up...and freezing cold. We were both wearing lifeline race vests and straps, and I had a helmet on. Killswitch was worn. Because of these pieces of safety equipment, we are both virtually unscathed. With that said, guys, please wear your safety equipment at all times; it can be the difference."

And then there was this video of a guy, presumably from Brazil, handling a rod like I've never seen anyone to date come close to duplicating...with a baitcast reel mounted on it.

To see the video, click on the link below (NOT the arrow in the photo above):
 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp3LEIFBgY5/.

A Peek at What Reportedly Lies Ahead This Winter

(click anywhere on the map for a larger version)

Above-normal temperatures are expected almost everywhere in the United States, except in the Southwest, where predictions call for a colder-than-normal season. It's still going to be wintery, of course, but it won't be an especially frigid year. This milder-than-normal forecast is due to the expected arrival of a weak El Nino, which will prevent cold-air masses from lingering in the North. Despite a decrease in solar activity, other factors that contribute to winter weather are expected to keep temperatures above normal.

For the Week Ending Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018

Thursday, Nov. 8 (from Ron)...Been chasing stripers at the HRBT lately, but weather isn't so good, so decided to wet a line at Lovitt's. Short trip after work, due to daylight savings. Lasted 1 hour 17 minutes from launch to recovery. Threw XTS Minnow and caught a dink and crappie. Switched to Zoom fluke and got two more dinks. Then tied on a Pop-R and caught another dink, as well as the best of the evening. In switching out gear between fresh and saltwater, I forgot my plastics, as well as my scale. My guess is that the best went at least 3 lbs. Sure was a fatty and a pleasant surprise on topwater. 'Twas really nice, even with the wind.

Friday, Nov. 9 (from Ron)...Fished Milldam this evening from 3:30 to 5:30. Spinnerbait wasn't working, so tried some plastics. Very odd...I would get a few taps and thumps, but they were not "taking it." Would get a swirl, a tap, then nothing. Caught two dinks and three bass (all 15-inchers) that weighed in at 1-10, 1-10, and 1-11, as well as a token crappie on the XTS. Never before experienced that weird noncommittal "tap" with no take. Should have caught about 10, but they just were not "swallowing" the plastics. Several of the swirls looked big, but they didn't commit. One bass did take the Whopper Plopper right at dark. Was a beautiful evening...glass calm, no bugs, very relaxing.

Saturday, Nov. 10 (from Ron)...Ken, I saw your post about the Zara Spooks, and it jogged my memory. Haven't tied one on in years. Glad I did! Fished Milldam this morning from about 8 to 11:30. Caught a 1-9 on an XTS en route to a favorite spot. Once there, tied on the Spook and had a few short strikes. Slowed my presentation, along with adding some pauses, and had a classic blow up, followed by a drag scream for a decent 4 lb. 10 oz. near 22-incher. Caught two dinks as well. Wind got a bit too strong (18 mph), so called it a day. Ran into two fellas in a boat (rarity in western Milldam). Think it was Rob and Dave, if I remember correctly. They mentioned you and the West Neck tourneys. Sunday looking good for HRBT and striper chasing.

Sunday, Nov. 11 (a.m.) (from Ron)...Fished PAWMA this morning from 8:30 to 12:00. Was finding bass and pine needles on the Zara Spook. The bass included a 1-1, 1-2, 1-5, 1-6, and an aggressive li'l dink. Because of all the wind, caught more pine needles than I liked. Followed some misses with plastics and got the same tap-tap-but-no-take again. Didn't bring the micro spinner, as it hasn't produced. Spoke with a fella in a boat who was slaying them on a micro spinner. Oh well, live and learn. (There's a lesson to be learned here, and I think it has something to do with following the advice you pass out for the benefit of others in your own blog posts. Another nice day's catch on the old-but-ever-reliable Spook, Ron. Good on ya.--Ken)

(p.m.) (from Ron)...Fished HRBT from 6 to 9 Sunday evening. Conditions were dead calm, and it was a bit chilly. Saw an amazing number of shooting stars. Caught six striped bass, including four shorts between 19 and 20 inches and two 21-inchers. All were fat and healthy and put up great fights. Nice way to round out Veteran's Day. They will be tasty!

A Dose of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis...

As it has worked out, that was my takeaway from our Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Classic held Oct. 13-14, 2018.

After fighting the pain and lack of sleep for the past month, I finally threw in the towel today and went to see my family doctor. It didn't take him very long to figure out what the problem was...or, for that matter, what caused it. He subsequently sent me home with a prescription for a week's worth of methylprednisolone tablets and said I should see considerable relief within two or three days.

"Could have been worse!" was what I learned after getting home and digging around the Internet a little bit. For example, I read about an angler who was chucking frogs for bass on the Potomac when he saw a bass blow up in the distance. He gave his subsequent cast a little extra oomph to reach the spot, tearing his rotator cuff in the process. The surgery and recovery that followed were successful, but it cost him a whole year of fishing time.

When you consider the number of casts an angler makes on any given day, coupled with the weight of a fishing rig and the torque a rod generates during the casting motion, it's easy to understand the formula for shoulder problems that's created if one gets careless.

As the earlier Potomac angler learned, you're well-advised to make some changes in your casting technique. For one thing, he learned how to cast both left- and right-handed. Second, he learned how to use the rod tip to generate more distance when pitching or flipping. And finally, he learned to keep his upper arms close against his upper torso when overhand casting. Keeping elbows close to the body prevents anglers from using their arms and shoulders, forcing the rod to do the work.

Combining these changes allowed that Potomac angler to fish regularly, mostly pain-free, while waiting for surgery. He managed the little aches and pains after each outing with over-the-counter pain-relievers.

Here are some tips for both weekend fishermen and tournament professionals designed to help protect against shoulder injuries:

     * Let the rod do the work. Our arms never can generate as much torque as a fishing rod.

     * Learn how to cast, pitch and flip with a non-dominant hand. Make this a practice priority during the winter.

     * Review line options. A line with less stretch means anglers have to do less work with their arms and the rod.

     * If aches and pains in shoulders from wear and tear already exist, pre-medicate before a tournament or practice day. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever with breakfast, and stay on top of pain management with additional doses throughout the day.

     * Ice is a friend. A few minutes of icing can go a long way to manage pain. Keep some ice packs handy when you're on the water.

     * A simple, focused exercise regime involving light weights and lots of repetitions works wonders to strengthen shoulders and arms, enabling better endurance through the stress of casting. Stretching also should be a part of any routine.

Preventing shoulder injuries is much easier than recovering from them. A few simple adjustments to technique and equipment can save lots of wear and tear. Use the tools and let them do the work. Incorporate some simple exercises into a daily schedule to help prepare for the rigors of fishing. It's another instance where an "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

And in case anyone has been wondering, this tendinitis is what has been limiting my blog posts for the last month. Trying to keep a heating pad in place while using a computer keyboard is an exercise in futility...at best.

It's No Accident This Partnership Clicks

I read here awhile back about a young man who had asked a veteran tournament angler how he should pick a tournament partner. With only a touch of humor in his voice, the veteran replied, "About as carefully as choosing a wife.

"Depending on how many tournaments you plan to fish and how much practice time you plan to devote," he explained, "you may spend almost as much time with your tournament partner in a given season as you do with your life partner. Needless to say, besides looking for someone who is a good angler, you also have to be able to get along with your partner. Remember that you are going to be spending eight or nine hours a day in the boat with this person during tournaments, plus the time you spend prefishing. That is more than enough time and opportunity to clobber each other, especially when the fishing's tough, so choose wisely."

The veteran went on to point out that when it comes to a tournament partnership, "You also need to have 'chemistry.' By that, I mean you should work well together as a team and be able to trust each other... . Come tournament day, each partner must be able to trust the other to only take them to spots where there is a good chance to catch good fish. You need to have as much confidence in your partner's spots as you do your own, or you won't fish effectively, and then you're just wasting your time.

"This chemistry also should involve the way you fish. For example, if both anglers only can cast a certain way or only from the front of the boat, they may find they're constantly getting in each other's way. Ideally, you want a partner who complements your fishing style, rather than mirrors or interferes with it. There is something to be said for a partner whose strengths, when it comes to certain fishing styles or techniques, are somewhat different from yours. This difference adds to your team's versatility, but in the long run, it's better if you both prefer to fish in similar ways, or one of you probably is not going to be very happy a lot of the time."

While some people prefer a partner with less experience than they have, the vast majority agree that the best situation is when partners are of basically similar or equal skill levels and experience. That's the case with Wayne Hayes and Al Napier (see photo above). Both have been fishing for a long time, and they've both had their share of partners over the years. As a result, they are "comfortable" with each other and work well together.

There's no denying that latter statement, even if based only on the success they have enjoyed since May 2017, when they started fishing the Dewey Mullins Memorial Bass Tourney Series as a team. That year, Wayne and Al racked up a total of three first-place finishes in the latter half of the season. And they put the cherry on top of their sundae by walking away with first place in the 2017 Classic, where they amassed a record-setting figure of 32.69 lbs. over the two days of competition. Did I mention they also claimed the seasonal lunker award last year as well? Their prize-winning fish tipped the scales at 6.82 lbs.

Wayne and Al once again proved their competitiveness in 2018 by securing three first-place finishes in a row during the latter half of the year.

Like a fine wine, a good team only gets better with age, and Wayne and Al make that point every time they hit the water together. They're short on dock talk but long on quietly winning.

A Sure-Fired Adrenaline Rush If I Ever Saw One

Let's face it: You just don't land a 7.68-lb. bass like this one every day you pick up your "sticks" and head to your favorite fishing hole. However, back on April 21, 2018, everything lined up just right, and Eric Killian (above) and his partner, Jim Crist (right), put together a game plan that ended up giving them a day neither one will soon forget. This fish not only earned them that tournament day's big-fish pot but also enabled them to walk away with the seasonal-lunker award. In other words, they made money off this fish twice in a single season, and I, for one, congratulate them on their success. A much deserved "Well done!" my friends.

A New Kind of Hoarder???

One easily could get that impression by looking at the front deck of Carl Jocumsen's bass boat.

But, alas, as reported by Jay Kumar in his latest issue of BassBlaster, "If'n yer upgradin' from a 14-foot johnny boat to a 21-foot glass rocket, and you're a fearin' like it'll be like drivin' a Suburban after lotsa years in a dang Corolla, Carl Jocumsen has a solution fer you: Just crowd the front deck with all the gear you can find and--bing bang zoom--it's just like yer a-feeshn outta your little rig!

"Word is Carl plans to install a mini-fridge, wet bar, and filletin' station next... . HAHAHA Carl! Dang, son! Gitcha tap dance on... ."

For the Week Ending Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018

Monday, Oct. 29 (from Ron)...Today's trip to Milldam marks the third trip since Thursday, when I only caught one dink. Will shift efforts back to the salty waters. Was a beautiful evening, but bass had lockjaw, and I haven't caught a panfish in ages.

Tuesday, Oct. 30 (from Ken)...After a couple weeks of recuperation from our Classic tournament, I was ready to get back on the water. Launched about 9 o'clock and fished until about 2 o'clock. I stayed in West Neck and fished the area above the bridge. Hit it with a chatterbait, couple of crankbaits, a topwater, and a jerkbait. Only the latter worked for me, and it even went dead after about 11:30. Managed to catch a couple of bass, the biggest a 1-1. Also lost a fish that hit just a few casts after I started using the jerkbait. It was a quality fish--probably a decent striper, based on the way it acted. Really smacked the jerkbait with authority and then took off on a dead run for open water. The lure eventually pulled out, but it was fun while it lasted. Water temp when I started was a tad over 52, but forgot to check it when I came in. Talked to Rob Peppers and Dave Anderson on the water. They said they had caught a few small ones. Also exchanged info with Ray Scott when I came in. He had two, both about the same size as mine. The gorgeous day more than made up for the lack of bites. Too bad I have commitments for the next two days, or I would be back out there again, trying to improve on today's number.

Wednesday, Oct. 31 (from Ron)...Fished HRBT last night from 2100 to 0100 and didn't get a tap. Shifted gear and went for a quick trip to upper North Landing this evening in hopes of a bowfin or bass. Found a nice striper that was out trick-or-treating. Gave a good fight (treat), and I released him to grow a bit more.


Sunday, Nov. 4 (from Ray)...Fished Albright's today. Caught two small bass in the first half hour, then didn’t get another bite the rest of the day. The water temperature at launch time was 59 degrees, but it had edged up to 62 by quitting time. Thought it would be a good day but was wrong again. White spinnerbait was the lure of the day.

So, What Are Ya' Doin' for Halloween?

If nothing else is on the menu, why not take the advice of Jason Christie to grab a Spook and head for the nearest water?

For this two-tour pro, a Spook comes into play virtually anytime. During the post spawn and again in fall, however, when shad congregate near the surface, it's his go-to lure. Many times during fall, it's his all-day lure. "The Spook often performs best in the middle of the day," he said.

"I think people sometimes make a mistake by fishing a Spook early in the morning and then putting it down," Christie added. "Sometimes, the fish won't hit as well early this time of year. Toward the middle of the day, when things warm up a little, bass really get on that Spook bite."

Christie acknowledges that there are subtle differences in the various Spook models that make one the right lure to maximize your catch for all occasions. Here's his advice on when to use each one:

Zara Spook. Every variation has its own appeal, but sometimes it's tough to top the original. In Spook parlance, it's often referred to as the "sweet size."

Chug'n Spook. When you need a chugging splash to imitate bass running baitfish and a steady walking motion to make fish follow and attack, this model is the only way to go. "I like the Chug'n Spook when it's really windy, creating a chop, and I need that extra splashing to draw the fish," he said.

Super Spook. Use this model when the shad are extra large, or when you know you're fishing around heavyweight bass.

Super Spook Jr. This model comes into play when the forage is smaller, or the fish are a bit fussy.

Feather-Dressed Super Spook Jr. A difference-maker in clear-water settings and when the fish are relating heavily to shad.

One Knocker Spook. Really shines when the topwater bite is strong, and a lot of fishermen are walking Spooks.

Rattlin' Spook. Draws fish from distances and entices strikes from fish that won't attack a silent walker. It's also effective in murkier water.

Wounded Zara Spook. The addition of props fore and aft allow the angler to create a big commotion without the bait moving too far away from the fish or promising cover. Key times to use this lure are the early prespawn, when bass are targeting bedding bluegills, or any time they are holding tight to specific cover or structure.

Zara Puppy. Ideal for fishing a smallmouth stream or fishing small ponds with light tackle.

Super Spook XT. Armed with super-sharp, heavy-duty, saltwater-grade hardware, this bait's primary application is for bass in tidal waters and when any given attack can come from redfish, jack crevalle, or other saltwater fish. Also good for targeting voracious predators, such as muskies and peacock bass.

How Many Calories Do You Burn During a Bass Tournament?

According to one study I found, professional anglers burn 4,300 or more calories during a typical tournament day.

Nutrition coach Scott Herkes thus recommends that anglers eat more regularly. "Eat breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, dinner, and then something right at bedtime (something like cottage cheese). Eat protein and carbs with each snack, and stop the sugary sweets and soda."

Herkes further encourages anglers to make sure the following foods are part of their normal diet: lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. He also suggests trying to reduce simple sugars.

Anglers, particularly those waiting for a tournament to start, often are observed grabbing a bottle of juice to drink. While the juice admittedly has some good vitamin and phytonutrient content, it's almost 100 percent sugar. "You would be better off to eat the raw fruit than to drink the juice," explains Herkes.

Not eating healthy can result in poor performance or even worse. Some experts equate the effects on your body as resembling what happens when you don't charge your batteries or fill the gas/oil tanks on your boat. If you're dehydrated or haven't taken in enough calories, mental acuity is reduced, and, physically, your body will fatigue, leading to physical and mental mistakes. As a minimum, you may miss bites and execute poorly. In severe cases, you even may become dizzy, light-headed, and unstable in the boat.

Healthy eating is only one piece of the puzzle. Exercising is another. Adding some form of daily exercise and a stretching program to your lifestyle is extremely valuable when it comes to improving your ability to fish hard all day long. The most important thing is to do something physical to help your cardiovascular system and overall physical well-being. Just don't get carried away and do more than your body is ready for.

As FLW Tour pro Tom Redington explained, "You don't need to bench press 350 lbs. to cast a 1-lb. rod and reel or set the hook on a 2-lb. fish, but building up your core muscles really helps prevent injuries and fatigue. Most guys concentrate on big arms and chests to look good in the mirror, but abs, back and leg muscles really help the bass fisherman a ton.

"We have to balance in choppy water on one foot, while running the trolling motor, all the time making crazy-angle sidearm and backhand casts to get into the honey hole or bending down to pick up a different rod," Redington continued. "Four-day tourneys, with several days of practice are a grind, especially in the heat. Having a strong core, plus good cardio conditioning, really pay off after a few days.

"You have the extra energy to keep pushing late in the day, plus you keep a better mental outlook because you feel fresher and stronger. Pros in fishing have also caught on to proper nutrition for fishing. With the competition at the pro level being stiffer than ever, guys are looking for every possible edge, and fitness and nutrition are an aspect that most are pursuing."

In conclusion, Redington noted that "you don't have to be ripped like a UFC fighter to be a bass angler, but the better your physical health, the better your body will perform, both on and off the water."