If You Have a B-I-I-I-G Boat and Lots of Money Laying Around...

Just look at the kind of new "toys" you can hang on the transom. It appears that Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NTSE: BC), just today introduced this all-new 7.6-liter V12 600-hp Verado outboard engine. The cost? A mere $77K each.

But hey...what's a few bucks when you can have something that'll give you the sensation of "owning the water" each and every time you go out?

Said Chris Dees, Mercury Marine president, "With boats continuing to grow bigger and performance expectations continuing to rise, boaters have been asking for a better, more capable high-horsepower solution to meet their needs. The V12 Verado outboard is Mercury's answer. Using our advanced engineering and design capabilities, we completely redefined outboard performance. The V12 Verado outboard delivers boaters unrivaled freedom, luxury and power to pursue their passions on the water. This is a remarkable engine that will change the future of boating."

Groundbreaking product innovations in this new engine include the following:

     * A naturally aspirated, large-displacement, quad-cam powerhead that generates impressive torque to get heavy boats out of the hole and on plane quickly, and to accelerate up to rated speed rapidly.
     * The industry's first two-speed automatic transmission for an outboard optimizes engine rpm according to workload, facilitating powerful acceleration and highly efficient performance at cruise speeds.
     * The industry's first steerable gearcase on an outboard pivots independently underwater while the engine's powerhead remains in a space-saving fixed position. This feature provides more room for multi-engine configurations and a wider steering angle for agile handling. With help from contra-rotating propellers, it also has better "bite" in the water for docking and other close-quarters maneuvering.
     * Several enhanced Mercury technologies work in conjunction to enable the V12 Verado outboard to deliver exceptional fuel economy and range.

"The V12 Verado outboard delivers everything boaters want and more in a high-horsepower outboard. This engine makes boats easy to maneuver near the dock and provides superior handling at all speeds," said Drees. "It's incredibly fuel-efficient, so boaters can go farther and stay out longer. It's so smooth and quiet that you can have a conversation while the engines are running. It's durable, reliable and easy to maintain. There's nothing else like the V12 Verado outboard in the marketplace today."

The development of the V12 Verado outboard is a product of Mercury's continued commitment to investing in R&D and manufacturing expansion, which includes more than $1.5 billion of investment since 2008.

As noted by Tim Reid, Mercury Marine vice president of development and engineering, "We've dedicated substantial investments and years of effort toward enhancing our ability to turn highly creative ideas into practical, functional and dependable solutions. That work has positioned us well to anticipate and respond to shifts in the marketplace. We listened carefully to boaters' needs and wishes, and we created new product capabilities aimed at exceeding their highest expectations."

The Mercury Marine V12 Verado outboard will be available in late spring. For more information, visit mercurymarine.com/v12. While you're at it, check out the video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y90eo4cU_zM.

Elvis and Ike: Pioneers (of a Kind) for Our Time

Was sitting and musing this morning that Elvis Presley and Mike Iaconelli shared a common bond of sorts: They both knew how to really shake things up...Elvis, of course, in the music industry, and Mike in the world of pro bass fishing. Accordingly, they both likely will be remembered for a long time to come.

By 1956, only two years after beginning his singing career, "Elvis the Pelvis," as he came to be known, already was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and pop culture.

Unfortunately, the life of Elvis was cut short by a heart attack. He died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on Aug. 16, 1977, at the age of 42.

Twenty-nine years later, at the 2006 Citgo Bassmaster Classic, Ike, the original "bad boy of professional bass fishing," got himself disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., using profane language in front of spectators and removing and destroying the stern running light of his boat). To the chagrin of many, his meltdown was captured and aired on national TV.

Let's face it: All anglers have their challenging moments. How they handle them, though, runs the full gamut. For example, I was reading an account this morning by Jay Yelas, in which his Day 2 of a tournament on Kentucky Lake was turning into "a horror show," to use his own words. On Day 1, he had weighed a 19-pound bag.

Despite losing several big fish this second day, Yelas kept fishing and managed to catch another five-fish limit for 15 pounds and finished the tournament in the top 10, which put a nice paycheck in his pocket.

Said Yelas afterward, "There's no rhyme or reason as to why you catch bass one day, then lose one right after another the next. On those bad days, I've seen bass fishermen lose their tempers, break their rods over their knees, and mentally go berserk... . However, that's all a part of bass fishing. So, on those kinds of days, I just reason that at least I'm getting bites. And as long as I keep trying to catch bass, the chances are extremely good that I will have other bass bite that won't get away."

During my research for this post, I also came across an account of a "rising star" who had watched a top competitor disintegrate intellectually, emotionally and behaviorally as his anger slowly got the better of him.

"We were fishing a regional event, and I was a non-boater," recounted the rising star. "Clearly, this guy was under pressure from the get-go. As the morning unfolded, I caught a couple of nice fish, while the guy in the front made a few mistakes and lost some fish.

"Each fish lost, however, made him madder and madder. Eventually, his casting accuracy, his presentation skills, his hook-setting efficiency, and his fish-landing talents went down the tubes, along with his emotional equilibrium.

"Even more amazing was watching this guy's decision-making skills deteriorate as he became progressively more angry. We began frantically running from one area to the next, sometimes only staying for a few moments before he impulsively, angrily pulled the trolling motor and raced off to the next spot.

"At that point, I began to think about how many times I probably have allowed my anger to take control and ruin my day. I guess I'd never noticed it in myself, but it sure was obvious watching it happen to someone else," concluded the rising star.

As explained by psychologist Jay T. McNamara, also known as Dr. Fish, in a paper I found online, "For a number of years, popular psychology championed the the idea that the best way to deal with anger was to 'let it all hang out.' Anger management classes encouraged people to 'get in touch with their anger,' and this often involved yelling, pounding on pillows, and screaming at imaginary people in the guise of 'therapy.'

"We know now that getting angry leads to getting more angry, and the 'let it all hang out' movement thankfully has died away. The best approach to dealing with angry feelings, according to psychology research, is to replace angry feelings with more adaptive emotions. Being angry and being relaxed, for example, are physically incompatible; you can't be angry and relaxed at the same time.

"However, it's pretty hard to avoid an initial angry reaction when your trolling motor fails at 7:30 in the morning, or when the guy you knew was shadowing you in practice jumps your best spot on tournament day. Nearly everyone's first response will include words you won't find in the church bulletin. However, it's not your first reaction that matters most; it's the next three or four reactions," continued McNamara.

"It's like when you set the hook on a big bass. No one--not you, not Larry Nixon, not even Jay Yelas--can stop that fish from jumping the first time. But a great angler almost always will take control and prevent that fish from jumping again, right?

"Same way with anger. If you break the line on a big fish, your initial reaction easily could be an angry-frustrated-emotional outburst. OK, fine. No harm in that. However, after your initial involuntary reaction, you have choices to make.

"Is your next move to get more angry, perhaps to the point where you break your rod, or do you decide to take a few deep breaths, then check your line for weak spots and/or replace it? Do you let yourself stay angry, or do you treat this situation as another problem to be solved in a calm, practical way?

"Angry feelings are universal and unavoidable; they, like bass, come to the surface now and then for everyone. Whether they stay there or get replaced by adaptive feelings and constructive behaviors is what makes all the difference," allowed McNamara.

"The Truth About Being a Bass Fisherman's Wife"

That's the title of a book I stumbled across online today while looking for something related to Valentine's Day to write about.

In one of the chapters, author Aris Whittier takes aim at tournament directors who schedule tournaments on holidays. Her exact words are: "I feel the tournament directors that make the schedule for the tournaments don't know what a holiday is. For if they did, they would perhaps try and plan around these days that are meant to be celebrated.

"Having to spend one holiday alone with my family, I realized that I didn't have to suffer because of the lack of consideration for the festive times by the tournament directors," she continued. "If this type of situation were to repeat itself, I should be compensated for it. It's only fair."

Whittier then went on to describe her idea for a system of categories for each holiday "so my husband will fully understand the repercussion of fishing on one of these days. This system isn't a complex network," she said, "but rather a simple list that contains three categories: minor, major, and the most important holiday of them all."

As described by her, tournaments falling on minor holidays, such as St. Patrick's Day or Groundhog Day, entitled her to a new outfit. Shopping for the perfect accompanying "apparel must take all day and at least five stores to find," so she noted. And of course, "One or more girlfriends must accompany me on this shopping trip. My friends are needed at this time purely for support, because they understand the lonely pain that I must experience as a bass wife."

I imagine any of you fishermen reading this account probably already are starting to get the idea here. In case you're not, though, I'll complete the whole picture.

"Now if it's a major holiday that the tournament falls on, like Easter or Valentine's Day," explained Whittier, "this changes everything. The importance value of the holiday triples in value. This means I'm entitled to purchase precious metals. A gold bracelet usually does the trick. Once again, a girlfriend must go with me to ease the pain of having to spend a holiday alone."

I've intentionally saved the best for last here. I'm speaking, of course, about the biggest holiday of all...the wedding anniversary.

"If the tournament falls on this special day," said Whittier, "my husband has a choice of three Ds: divorce, diamonds, or don't fish the tournament. I'm proud to say that he has picked the right D so far. I'm still married, and I haven't received any diamonds since the day he proposed."

I reckon bass anglers in general have a pretty solid idea about what constitutes a "bridge too far" when it comes to fishing on some holidays. However, I would doubt (make that hope) that few find themselves under the kind of rigid rules laid out by this author.

Anyway, here's wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day!...no matter how, or with whom you choose to celebrate it.

Got a Hitch in My Git-Along...But Otherwise OK

Figured maybe I should explain myself...insofar as why a week has passed without posting a single new entry here on the blog. Had a friend call me this morning, asking if something was wrong because of that very fact.

It would seem that coronavirus isn't the only thing that has exacted a "new normal" on my way of life in the last week. About this time a week ago, the stiffness in my legs, especially my knees, as a result of the stenosis in my spine, decided to hand me a not-so-subtle reminder of how much influence it can have on things I usually take for granted.

For the past week now, I've been forced to either push or pull myself off chairs and/or the john, 'cause my knees temporarily (I hope) isn't capable of doing the job. My walking also leaves a bit to be desired. For about three days, my best effort resembled an imitation of Walter Brennan in the old "The Real McCoys" TV series. Over time, though, I've morphed into a "shuffle," and only the good Lord knows where I'll go from here.

Doesn't matter if I'm shuffling...or whatever...come Tuesday, 'cause I have an appointment that day for my first Covid-19 vaccination, and I'm not about to let anything other than the Lord's will deter me from that.

Thus far in my battle with spinal stenosis, the problem with my legs has been a seasonal thing...limited mostly to the colder winter months. With any degree of luck, this episode will not be an exception to that rule. My goal is to get back to the "old normal" by March, when the next tournament season is scheduled to get underway.

In the meantime, I'll be checking around to see if I can come up with some new blog posts.

Be Careful About Badmouthin' Bowfin to Some Folks

One person who quickly comes to mind is kayak fisherman Ron Ameika, the fella holding the 26-inch, 5-pound 7-ounce "bruiser" in his lap in the photo at right. He caught this fish back on Feb. 28, 2016.

Another is Wisconsin angler, fishing guide, and writer, Andrew Ragas.

"I like these doggies, and so should you," said the latter. "They aren't cute puppies, but they sure fight like hell, are strong and muscular like a bull, and fun to catch..." all points that I feel sure Ron would endorse.

Ragas went on to note that angler sentiment toward these fish in northern Wisconsin is really bad.

"I have visited boat landings where I have seen these fish disposed of on shore," he explained. "I also have seen these fish hung on bulletin boards and signs of sophisticated access sites, as well.

"I severely frown upon anglers who kill and dispose of these fish. Do that, and you're never again welcome aboard my boat," he continued. "They are native species, with ancestry dating back to the prehistoric period. They are more native than any carp species that have invaded and infested most major waterways in North America. They also are more native to North American waters than the Great Lakes' salmon species...believe it."

Bowfin are a highly adaptable species of fish that can tolerate most environments. However, they fare best in eutrophic waters (warm and weedy, less oxygenated), which are habitats commonly found in the large shallow bays and backwaters of lakes and rivers.

"I don't understand what makes people want to eradicate bowfin," said Ragas. "If anglers seriously think these fish are bad for the particular bodies of water they dwell in, they are sadly mistaken. Another common mistake anglers make is their confusion in thinking these fish are the much destructive, invasive snakeheads, rather than innocent bowfins. Both have teeth, but only snakeheads can travel on land and have a darkish black-purple coloration, mixed with white with pink and red tints.

"I am an advocate for all species of fish," continued Ragas, "and I enjoy fishing for most species. There is no reason whatsoever why any species of fish, other than Asian carp, should be killed for fun, or eradicated due to false beliefs.

"Take it for what it's worth, ladies and gentlemen, but no fish is a 'trash fish'," concluded Ragas. (I know one person he never would have convinced of this last statement: that ol' redneck from West Virginia, otherwise known as the late Dewey Mullins.)

The author of the full-length version of this article, Andrew Ragas, has been a fisherman since the day he physically was able to handle a rod and reel. During his youth in the 1990s, when walleye populations were very strong and healthy in Wisconsin's Minocqua area, he grew up as a walleye angler, fishing alongside his father and grandfather. Then, as he reached high-school age and obtained a driver's license, he took up new fishing opportunities. In the 2000s, as bass fisheries were expanding in northern Wisconsin, bass fishing became his passion.

A Case of "I Have Felt Your Pain"

Early one Saturday afternoon, an 11-year-old boy was sitting at the end of a pond that was within walking distance of his house. He had lost his last hook and worm to a snag more than an hour earlier but wasn't ready to go home yet because of the turmoil he knew he would have to endure there.

So the lad instead had been watching a man in his boat for a while and taking note of the fact he wasn't having much luck. He wanted to ask the man if he might have some hooks and bait he could spare, but he lacked the courage just to ask outright.

The boy knew there was a chance he perhaps could find more hooks in the garage if he were to go home, but he also knew if his mom spotted him, she might not let him return to the pond. She often coped with the situation at home by dragging him into her troubles, even though there was no way he could help.

As a result, the lad simply continued sitting there, watching the man drift ever so slowly toward him. 

"Although he doesn't know it," thought the lad, "that man controls my fate. He's my last hope. There's no one else around, and I've already scoured the shoreline, looking for lost or discarded hooks. Will I get to spend the next few hours fishing, or will I be stuck just killing time?" he wondered.

The boy was about to ask the man how we was doing when the latter spoke first. "Caught some bass on the other end of the pond," he said, "but not much for a while now. You doing any good at this end?"

"I caught some nice bluegills earlier," the boy responded.

"How come you're not fishing now?" the man asked.

"I lost my last hook and worm on a snag," replied the lad.

"Well, listen," said the man. Since I'm headed in, you can have the rest of my worms, and I'm sure I have an extra hook or two as well. Walk over to the boat launch, and I'll give them to you when I get there."

At the launch, the man handed the boy a pack of Eagle Claw hooks and a small styrofoam box full of large night crawlers.

"Wow! Thanks, sir," said the boy. Now I can fish for the rest of the day," noted the lad, thinking that he maybe shouldn't have said that last part. 

The man hesitated and looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. His eyebrows furrowed just a little.

"He must be wondering why a boy my age would fish all day by himself," thought the lad.

Then, though, the man smiled and said, with kindness and no judgment, "You're welcome, son. I remember what it's like. Good luck."

Now fast forward more than 40 years. The boy is now a man with his own boat, purposefully drifting into a favorite cove on a nearby lake when a young boy on the shore asks, "You catching anything?"

The lad is sitting on the bank, with his elbows on his knees and his chin resting on one hand. He isn't fishing, but there's a rod on the ground behind him.

As sad as it sounds, the man's first instinct was to pretend he hadn't heard the boy. Why? Because he had a line in the water and was over the targeted hot spot, and partly because of the times we live in.

"I would have to get closer to talk to the boy without yelling, and I could see he was alone," the man thought. "What would people think about a 55-year-old man, barefoot, in shorts and a T-shirt, talking to a young boy without his parents around? Was it really worth the potential trouble?"

The boy was persistent, though. "Can you hear me?" he asked. "I want to know if you're catching anything. You must have caught something."

"A couple of pickerel," the man acknowledged.

"Were they big ones?" asked the boy.

"No, but they get very big in this lake," said the man. "I've caught a couple over 20 inches right in this cove, not far from where you're standing."

"Maybe I'll catch one," said the lad. "I mostly just catch bass and sunfish. I don't think pickerel like worms."

"Nothing wrong with bass and sunfish," said the man. "They get very big here, too."

"I've caught some big ones...well, maybe not real big, but big for me" responded the lad.

"Do you fish here often?" asked the man.

To this point, their conversation had been like a ping-pong game: question and answer after more questions and answers. The boy could talk at an amazing pace, but now he hesitated, looked down at his feet for a moment, and then said, "I fish here all the time. I live just down the road. I easily can walk here."

"Do your parents ever fish with you?" asked the man, who recognized that this question, in the current day and age, might be inappropriate. He asked anyway, though, because, in his heart, he already knew the answer.

After another slight hesitation, the boy said, "It's just me and my mom. She doesn't like to fish. Her new boyfriend is nice enough to me, but he doesn't fish either. He has to work a lot. Sometimes they argue about that. They were arguing this morning, but it's OK, because she let me come here."

The lad was back at his initial pace now and might have gone on, but the man interrupted him by asking, "Why aren't you fishing now?"

"I ran out of hooks," said the boy. "I was about to head home when I saw you."

The man was close to the shore now...close enough to have the lad step aside so he could beach the front end of the boat. "I have plenty of hooks," he said. "Here, take this pack. And you can have these worms, too. I'm not fishing with worms today, so I don't need them."

"Thank you so much," said the lad, with a huge smile on his face.

The man was about to back away when a thought occurred to him. "Hand me your rod for a second, son."

"Why?" asked the boy.

"I'm going to tie a Rapala lure on your line," said the man. "They're great for catching pickerel. Just cast it out and reel it back slowly."

The boy's smile broadened considerably.

Meanwhile, the man went back to the middle of the cove and watched the boy work the Rapala. On his fourth cast, he shouted, "Hey, mister! I got one. It's a pickerel...a big one! Well, not real big but big for me. Thank you so much!"

The man then motored close enough to be sure the lad could hear him. "You're welcome, son," he said. "I remember what it's like. Good luck."

Author Mark Fiorentino has been obsessed with Einstein's Field Theory ever since hearing about it when he was only 10. He worked for many years in the high-tech industry, including for IBM. He penned this article for the Granby Drummer, a community-based nonprofit organization whose goal is to inform and educate Granby, CT residents on local issues. The preceding is a slightly amended version of the original piece.

Remembering Some Dads Who Started It All

What Comes Around Goes Around

Was reading the other day about a fella who was reliving some moments he had spent with his dad.

"We started fishing together when I was only 4," he said. "And I still recall Dad jokingly saying that was the last day of his fishing career...but his best day ever on the water. What he meant by that statement was that he knew he would be spending a lot of time teaching me the basics, tying my knots, taking my fish off, and trying to get my lures out of trees.

"Twenty-nine years later," he continued, "my dad is a healthy 64-year-old. However, his eyes aren't as good as they used to be, so he relies on me to tie his knots. He loves to use very light tackle, nothing bigger than 4-lb. test. Anything bigger," he says, "is cheating (which means I cheat).

"One particular day, while fishing a great bass pond in my area, we were doing pretty good. My father was landing some pretty big fish, so he was asking me to retie numerous times for him. I must have tied 40 Palomars for him that day.

"As a result, I didn't get much fishing of my own done...but that's OK, because it was my best fishing day in 29 years."

A Time to Take a Break, And a Time to Rekindle

Another fella wrote: "I've been fortunate to have a dad and grandfather, both of whom were huge fishermen in my life.

"When Papaw passed away in 1997, I hung up my rods for a spell. He and I had spent every summer on the lake for five years while I was out of school, and I just didn't feel like doing it any more. I had lost my passion for it.

"My dad and I continued to hunt and bowfish together, but it wasn't until 2003, at the coaxing of my brother-in-law, that I again took down my rods and went fishing with him. The passion came back, and I went out and bought a bass boat. Haven't missed a beat since.

"I take Mom and Dad every chance I get. And every once in a while, when I'm out by myself, I feel like there's a special person on the backseat of my boat. There's no better feeling in the whole world.

"It's always nice to take your elders out fishing and help them forget their problems for a while. You also create more memories that will last a lifetime."

Take Advantage of All Your Time With Dad

That's the advice from yet another fella, who went on to divulge that he lost his dad back in 2002 but hasn't let that impact the wealth of great memories he has about him, adding, "my one regret is that Dad passed about eight months before I bought a bass boat and thus never had an opportunity to take him out with me."

This fella went on to describe something he and his dad often talked about until the latter's demise. The story went like this:

"Dad and I were fishing in his 15-foot fiberglass boat, with a 25-horse engine. I was in the front and had foul-hooked a small shad, so decided to put it on a hook and drop it on the bottom for a catfish.

"It was January, I think, and while the water was a little chilly, the air wasn't..and usually isn't...that bad in South Texas. We had one of those old, massive aluminum tackleboxes, with a hip roof and about 20 trays on each side, and as luck would have it, the box was wide open. As I stepped off the deck, my foot went directly into the tacklebox, and I lost my balance.

"While reaching for air, my hand found a swivel seat (the operational word here is swivel). In the process of breaking my fall, however, I swung around and hit my dad from behind, sending him overboard. Moments later, a hand appeared at the side of the boat, followed by Dad's head, with his eyeglasses hanging from one ear. He had this look of disbelief on his face that was so funny I couldn't help but laugh.

"I then asked him the fist thing that came to my mind: 'Hey, Dad, how deep is it?'"

"His response was pretty straightforward: 'I don't give a d*** how deep it is! Just get me out of here!'

"At this point, though, is where I had some trouble. Both Dad and I were laughing so hard, I could barely get him back into the boat. And you know what? I still burst out laughing, even today, every time I remember that incident."

For Week Ending Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021

Tuesday, Jan. 26 (from Ron)...Fished from 3 p.m. 'til sunset. Caught a mixed bag, including a bowfin, three chain picks, and two bass that weighed in at 2-12 and 6-5, respectively. Of all, though, the bowfin was the one that really made my day. The next couple of days aren't looking so good weather-wise.

Wednesday, Jan. 27 (from Ron)...Went in search of panfish in Back Bay. Favorite haunt, favorite lures, and favorite techniques...but nary a panfish did I find. Least I didn't get skunked! Did manage one wee dink bass for the effort.

Saturday, Jan. 30 (from Ron)...Partial sunshine didn't help much, and there was no bite to speak of, either. Did manage to catch one chubby chain pick to avoid the skunk, but that was all.

(Don't mind tellin' ya, Ron, that you're a far better man than me to have gotten on the water today. Get at it while you can, my friend, 'cause if experience has taught me anything, it's that all you can do at my current age is to look back on your youth and smile.)

"Don't Overlook the Tried-and-True"

That was the advice of bass legend Bill Dance back in a 2010 article. He was referring to old-timers...lures, that is, not people.

"Seriously," he said, "I'm talking about 're-discovering' an old lure, one that might have gotten buried in the bottom of a tacklebox or perhaps is hanging in the garage or a workshop. You know...an age-old bait that once was the hottest thing on the market, an absolute must-have to hook hawgs.

"And if you've been around as long as I have," continued Dance, "then you've seen many baits grab their share of the immediate spotlight, only to have others take center stage."

He went on to explain that many worked extremely well and still are on the market. Over time, however, a new fishing fad, technique, tactic, trend, or whatever turned angling attention elsewhere, and that one-time hot-ticket bait was left in the wake. Fishing folks might have forgotten about it as they simply blasted off to the next latest and greatest thing to hit the market.

That fact, though, only means there are many back-burner baits out there that still do a heckuva job putting bass in the boat.

"Sure, some anglers say bass get conditioned to certain lures," said Dance, "but I'm not so sure about that. I've never known a bass to have had a personal one-on-one conversation with an angler. They also don't read websites or magazines, nor do they watch TV fishing shows. That said, all bass do have one thing in common: They eat. And they are aggressive, thank goodness. Further, they will bite a 'tried-and-true thing,' as well as a 'latest thing'."

One such "tried-and-true thing" is the Heddon Sonar, an old-timer that dates back to the 1950s.

Explained Dance, "Now I caught a lot of bass on this lure in the 1960s and '70s. I used it as a 'search bait' when I did a lot of deep, open-water structure fishing. And now, as then, it remains a super bait for locating deep schools quickly. And it works all over the country.

"I'm sure it always will remain an excellent lure. Though many will tell you it's outstanding for when the water cools, it can produce great bass action at other times of the year, too. It's compact, casts like a bullet, and can be fished at a variety of depths. You can cast and retrieve it, jig it vertically, or slow-troll or jig it along the bottom. The lure's flash and vibration makes it hard to pass up, even if it is an 'old-timer'."

A quick tip on using the Heddon Sonar is never to overpower it. According to Dance, "You may work it a little faster in the warmer months, but remember to create the lure action more with the wrist than the arm, and you will get bit more often."

This lure still is available in multiple colors in both 1/2- and 1/4-ounce sizes. And while it's plain-Jane looking and won't win any beauty contests, the lure can catch bass.

So take Dance's final piece of advice and snoop around the bottom of your tackleboxes, in the garage, and any storage buildings to see if there are some "old-timers" just waiting to be pressed back into service. "I'll bet that, like the Sonar, many are still on the market today. Go buy yourself some new 'old friends', tie 'em on, and give 'em a fling," he concluded.

D'Ya Know What Bass Anglers and Real Estate Agents Have in Common?

They share the same key to success: Location is everything. The most successful bass anglers know and understand the migration patterns of largemouth bass. Generally speaking, they can pinpoint fish at any time of year. Their casting skills, equipment selection, and other factors are important, of course, but they mean nothing if you're not concentrating on areas that hold fish.

According to bass pro Jay Yelas, bridges are some of the best places to look for fish throughout the winter months. "Hard, rocky bottoms, adjacent deep water, and vertical habitat combine to offer cold-water bass everything they could possibly need," he said. He offers these four tips to increase your chances of success during all those chilly days on the water:

Avoid stereotypes. Most people think of bridges as giant causeways that span a large area of water. "While these types of bridges certainly offer excellent winter bass fishing," noted Yelas, "spend some time locating older, more overlooked bridges (e.g., such as wooden railroad bridges)."

He encourages anglers to dissect them. "Start by pitching a small, compact jig to the outside pilings, toward the very middle of the bridge," he suggested. "I want to start with what I believe are the deepest posts, because that's usually where the bass will be positioned."

Focus on pilings near large depth changes. "Vertical habitat is an enormous factor in wintertime bass fishing. Everything underwater is basically in slow motion. The baitfish are barely moving, and the bass rarely are eating...in miniscule feeding windows, usually only once every several days.

"Sharp vertical drops give bass the best of both worlds," continued Yelas. "They can suspend off these break lines when they're inactive, but they also have very quick and easy access to shallower water when the need to feed presents itself. In other words, they're able to feed efficiently without exerting too much energy."

In order to capitalize on this lethargic wintertime behavior, Yelas targets bridge pilings positioned on or near a dramatic depth change (like a piling situated in 20 feet of water, just a short distance from a 50-foot-deep river channel that cuts under the bridge).

"I spend a lot of time with my Humminbird Helix, looking for the river or creek channels underneath bridges," he said. "Not only do both the bass and bait use them as major migratory routes, but they're also prone to wash a lot of brush against nearby bridge pilings. Whether it's trees or logs, they'll act as small current breaks and ambush points for coldwater bass."

Timing can be huge. Yelas stresses that winter bass rarely bite all day, adding that "they'll often only bite for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, so you have to be ready to capitalize on it. To increase your chances, target these bridges when there's a fair amount of current. It tends to position the fish on the riprap corners, and you can drag a jig in 20 or 30 feet of water and catch a bunch of them.

"Because bridges often bottleneck bait and bass into a confined area, don't be afraid to fish the same bridge several times throughout any given day of fishing. There usually will be activity in the area, but as is the case with a lot scenarios in fishing, it's all about being at the right place at the right time. If you don't get it right on your first stop, try again in a few hours. It can make a world of difference."

Consider these lures. Yelas uses a select few lures throughout the winter, and they all have one thing in common: small and slow. One is a skirted jig. He sticks with a 1/2-ounce size, as it forces him to fish slowly in order to maintain contact with the bottom. His rule of thumb is simple: "If you can't count each individual rock, you're fishing too fast."

The jigging spoon is another choice. "When I'm fishing pilings near river or creek channels, I'll always have a 3/4-ounce jigging spoon rigged and ready to go," said Yelas. "This bite is at its absolute best when those schools of shad are positioned close to the bottom, within a few feet. That's when you can catch astronomical numbers of bass."

A final choice is the suspending jerkbait. "It can be difficult to beat in cold water," he said. "The long pauses and sudden erratic movements trigger a reactionary instinct that can make even the most stubborn winter bass attack. You'll catch some on the pilings, but it seems the corners are best-suited for the best action. Remember to fish it very slow--sometimes with 15-second pauses--and keep a small bow in your line throughout the pause. You won't always feel the bite, so when you see your line jump, it's time to set the hook."

It's No Secret That Everything Is Big in The Lone Star State

And that includes their fish. Take a gander at this huge 13.02-lb. bass that CJ Oates (right) caught this past Thursday night in Lake Austin. Said the lucky angler, "I was reeling past a wooden dock when I felt the slightest tick." He reared back and immediately suspected he had hooked an enormous largemouth.

"For a moment, I thought I might be hung up," he said, "but then I felt her head shake. At this point, things started getting really serious. During all of this madness, my partner and I didn't have time to turn on our headlamps, so we didn't have much of a gauge of how big she was.

"When I got her to the boat, she started jumping and splashing, and it was hard for my buddy to net her in the darkness," explained Oates. "It wasn't until he picked her up and set her in the boat that we were able to turn on our headlamps and finally see how big she was. We couldn't believe what we had done," he continued.

Oates later would refer to his fish as feeling "like a mini school bus," adding that "she was so massive that I could barely reel her in."

That fish turns out to be the second "Legacy Class" largemouth bass to have been donated live to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department already in 2021, marking a fast start to the department's seasonal Toyota ShareLunker Program.

Several divisions make up this program, but only "Legacy Class" fish--those weighing 13 or more pounds--are used in a selective breeding program that runs during the January-through-March spawning period. Biologists encourage spawning and raise the young for future stocking opportunities throughout the state.

Oates' caught his fish on a football jig less than a week after Travis Moore (above, left) weighed in a 13.44-lb. largemouth that he had caught on a Carolina rig during a tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

As Moore related, "This was one of the best days of my life. I've caught a few 12-pounders and a handful of 10s, but this one is special for me. As a bass fisherman, giants like this is what we fish for every time we go out on the water."

According to the ShareLunker website, "Out of the millions of bass anglers in Texas, only a select few ever have crossed the 13-pound threshold."

Thanks for the tip, Jimmy.

For Week Ending Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021

Monday, Jan. 18 (from Ron)...Launched at 1000, with winds at 8 mph. Recovered at 1300, and the winds had increased to 18.5! Too windy. Managed to land five bass at 1-9, 1-15, 2-3, 2-6, and 2-10 before getting off the lake. I didn't find any chain picks, but a friend I was with caught a few.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 (from Ron)...Just had to get out and enjoy the wind. Made quick trip to Albright's and trolled around the oxbow. Didn't expect much and wasn't disappointed. I did have something on that felt like about a 1-5 but never found out what it was. Avoided the skunk with one dink bass. Was good to be out and about. I guess if I had tried shoreline, points and visible structure, I may have found more, but my elbow is sore, so I just trolled some XTS and enjoyed the sunset. Surprised I didn't find any panfish this time of year.

Thursday, Jan. 21 (from Ron)...'Twas a slow bite this afternoon, but the weather was great. Landed a 1-12 and 1-13 bass, as well as three chain picks between 22 and 23 inches. Tomorrow should be even better weather!

Friday, Jan. 22 (from Ken)...Unlike baseball's homerun king, "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron, I struck out today in my trip to West Neck, but that's OK, 'cause I still enjoyed myself after about a six- or seven-week layoff. Was sad to learn that Hank no longer is with us. According to what I read, he passed in his sleep overnight at age 86. As for my bassin' today, I truly wasn't surprised at the outcome; even told the wife before I left this morning that I expected to register a skunk. Wasn't for a lack of trying. I wore the water out both north and south in the creek with jerkbaits and an assortment of crankbaits, but didn't have nary a strike. Saw two fish today (spooked one with the trolling motor and had one follow my bait to the side of the boat), but that was the extent of it. Talked momentarily with a kayaker when I came in. He already was out when I launched about 10 o'clock. He said he had gotten four bass, of which only one was a keeper, while using a white spinner. When I told him about my skunk, he let me know the two fellas who pulled out just ahead of me had said the same thing about their day. Water temp when I shoved off this morning was 38.5, and the best I saw all day was the low 40s. The breezy conditions made for an all-day cool one, but I stayed comfortable. If nothing else, I've learned how to dress for a fishin' day, even though I still haven't figured out how to put fish in the boat every time. Not sure when I'll get out again, but am hoping it's not quite as long as this most recent layoff.

Friday, Jan. 22 (from Ron)...Because it was "warm," I was hellbent on trying to fish. Wind was brutal, but I managed one chain pick before I called it after only a half-hour. Re-launched at Ashville Bridge Creek, but it was way too shallow. Oddly, the wind was south, but the gauge was falling and falling quickly. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Saturday, Jan. 23 (from Ron)...Just got back from a really good trip on the water. Caught six bass: 1-8, 2-1. 2-12, 3-2, 3-3, and a 6-lb. 6-oz. new personal best ever! Man, what a great fight the latter was! Between 1230 and 2 p.m., caught two chain picks, and then the bass turned on. Wind was blowing about 22 mph and temp was in high 30s, with wind chill in the high 20s, but I tuffed it out until just after 1530, and glad I did. The chain pick had a nice size fish in his belly--I suspect a shad.

(May have been a cold day, Ron, but I have to say that you've certainly had a couple of "hot hands" in recent days. Way to go!!!)

Sunday, Jan. 24 (from Ron)...Was nice to be out with just a very light wind for a change. Tied on an "old school" Cotton Cordell Red Fin for a change, and it landed my only bass of the afternoon. Weighed in at 3-0. Also caught three chain picks on the ol' reliable XTS. I kind of like the larger hooks on the Red Fin; makes it easier to deal with, in my opinion.

One More Step Toward Taking the Sport out of Sportfishing

I'm talking, of course, about the use of drones, armed with cameras, to spot fish from above, so that all the fisherman has to do is cast a bait to that spot, get the fish's attention, and set the hook. Click on the following link to see a demonstration of what I'm talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVlbxkKRP80.

Thus far, this new wrinkle to the sport has been limited to recreational purposes. I, for one, truly hope it stays that way. Incidentally, if you're perhaps giving some thought to trying this way of fishing, here are some other things you should include in your thought process. For openers, a drone must be registered and marked. And, as already noted, you only can use it to fish for recreational purposes. You also cannot fly it higher than 400 feet. The drone must remain in your visible line of sight. And finally, you cannot fly it at night without proper lighting.

There's one other thing I'll add here, too, based on a different video from the one referenced above, which I saw yesterday. It will pay dividends if you take the time to first learn how to confidently fly a drone before you start trying to use it as a fishing aid. That other video I saw showed Scott Martin fishing with Jimmy Houston at the latter's Oklahoma ranch. The two of them are on the water in a bass boat, along with the drone operator, who just has crashed the drone somewhere in the brush. You see them beaching the boat to go looking for their "expensive toy."

Don't know about how the rest of you feel, but when I go fishing, the last thing I want to have is some kind of major distraction, e.g., such as having to go search for a crashed drone. It's bad enough just having to take the time to pick out a major backlash in one of my baitcasters.

Putting that aside, you further will need to check www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/ for more information about recreational flying. There you will find that you also must possess authorization before flying a drone, and you're required to possess the proper pilot license in your state.

If you get past all of this preparation, you may find that it's actually fun to fly a drone, but be advised: There's also an ethical aspect to fishing with one of these "expensive toys." It affords an advantage that no one really should have. Don't you reckon that reason likely accounts for why all the pro fishing networks...thus far, at least...have so much as said, "thanks, but no thanks?"

As subject-matter expert Coty Perry explained, "Drone fishing increases the efficiency of your casting accuracy, which can lead to over-exploitation. We're only in the beginning stages of technology to reach amateur fishermen. What happens, though, in 50 years, when fishing isn't even a sport anymore because it's so simple?

"Anyone with enough money can go out and buy a $1,500 fish finder and a $1,000 drone and catch anything they want," continued Perry, "because the technology is overpowering. It takes some (make that all, as far as I'm concerned) of the fun out of it, if you ask me."

Going to a body of water, trying different rods and reels, fishing in unique locations, and testing out different times and weather patterns--that's all part of the thrill of going sportfishing...whether you catch anything or not. It may be a primitive way of fishing, but it's the only one in which I want to be involved.

I don't ever want to see a day when I drop my boat in the water and know exactly what I'm going to catch before I even leave the dock. That'll be the day...with or without any music...that sportfishing dies.