Getting Jiggy

Check out these Krypton Lures bass jigs from Lunkercatch.com.

I can't wait to experiment with these jigs on several different bass lakes: Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Lake Fork, Beaver Lake, Table Rock, and Lake Ray Hubbard. I've become quite the jig enthusiast and these are my new favorites that I am catching fish with.

All of these jigs are available on Lunkercatch.com, so take a few moments to explore the bass tackle site and leave some product reviews.  Lunkercatch will carry a ton of different color varieties for all your fishing needs.  Sizes and styles, too.

Lake Ray Hubbard - Quick Bass Fishing Trip

So, I took an hour or so to visit my favorite land spot on Lake Ray Hubbard. (Currently, my bass boat is in the shop, but I felt like casting some of my new pro bass baits - those amazing bass lures that we all want to try.) Anyway, I felt that urge to bass fish, even if only for a short period.

The lake was incredibly windy, dark clouds spanned across the sky, and bass boats were speeding to the launch ramp. A potential storm approached, and quickly! Because of the recent cold front, rain, and constant high winds, I decided to fish finesse techniques and finesse baits: drop shot and wacky worm baits.

I nailed three fish on the rocks in 2-7 foot of water as the waves came crashing into the discolored, finely shaped pavement rip-rap. All three fish were caught with a Kicker Baits 4 inch Junebug Bubble Fry. Dude: These little baits are durable! They float perfectly, too. I can't wait to use them with a Carolina Rig.

And then to end my brief bass fishing adventure, I used one of these Kicker Baits Bubble Fry with a small wacky rig. I pushed a small nail in the lure to add weight and used a Wicked Gamakatsu Wacky hook. I hook set a 1.5lb bass in 2 foot of water by popping the wacky bait off the bottom.

I wish I could have stayed longer, but the weather deteriorated soon after. I'd like to thank Kicker Bait Company and Lunkercatch.com for the opportunity to test some of these baits.

Take a moment to view these images. The bass, including the one in the picture, were released. Catch-and-Release.  I love experimenting with pro bass baits and top bass baits.  Excelling in the sport of bass fishing is difficult - both financially and with mere success on the tournament scale of challenges.  So, I appreciate all the help I receive.  These bass baits and bass lures, when selected carefully, truly revolutionize catching important bass.  On Lunkercatch.com I have access to these baits at an affordable price.

At The Boat Ramp ... Time For Bass

I'm sitting in my truck, waiting to launch for a Lake Fork bass tournament. Decided to make the most of this down time. There's nothing better than those few minutes before take off during a tournament.

Adrenaline.
Game plan.
Bass baits.
Fishing rods.

Considering everything in a moment, in an instant.

Those largemouth bass want my pro bass baits. And thanks to my pals at Lunkercatch.com I have some ATT Jigs and Kicker baits to test during this tournament.

Time to land those big bass. No excuses. Only wins. Only angler strivings toward greatness. Preparing for the future.

Here we go.
It's my turn to launch.

Shaky Head Jigs

If there is one bait that I know will catch largemouth, even on the toughest of days, is shaky head jigs.  Several years ago, at the urging of a fellow angler (a friend, too), I started investing my money into a nice shaky head jig collection - one of varying sizes, weights, colors, and styles.  An angler can feel overwhelmed at the sight of so many options, even on the most logically organized online tackle store.

I started with independent, small business jig constructionists (a fancy, pretentious way of saying "jig maker"), and by contacting these individuals via email, I was able to learn what kind of shaky head jigs I needed for specific conditions and environments.  Though shaky head fishing is generally considered a finesse technic, it can be used with heavier jig heads and bulkier baits, especially in deep water over bass haven structure.

Tourney Jigs, owned by Carl Boaz, makes superb shaky head jigs.  Lunkercatch.com will carry his fantastic jigs in the coming weeks.  Carl even made a 3/4 9/0 football head-style shaky head jig for Lunkercatch.com, which will be used in several upcoming tournaments.  Most likely in the JC Outdoors Fall tournament series on Lake Fork.   There are many different styles and sizes available to anglers.

I'll discuss other shaky head jigs and the actual fishing technique in the coming weeks.  In addition, I will discuss why to use certain jigs in a particular situation.

Photo: Tourney Jigs

Changing Your Fishing Line

Hello, fellow fishing anglers.

Here's a quick reminder that could be the difference between earning a tournament check and merely spending money on a tournament:  change your fishing line before each and every tournament!  And even if you are in the middle of a tournament and find that your line just isn't holding up, breaking more often and under less pressure than you'd like, take one minute to re-spool your baitcaster or spinning reel.

Nothing is more frustrating that landing a fish and watching largemouth snap the line right as you are leaning over to grab the fish.

Take extra time to do it right.  It will pay off (literally and figuratively).

Mad Dog Moore - Memorial Bass Tournament

I had the pleasure and pain of fishing the Mad Dog Moore Memorial Fishing Tournament on Lake Fork, hosted at Oakridge Marina, in Emory, Texas.  Even as early as 5:20 am, there were 100 boats registered, with two people in each boat.  So, going into this bass fishing event, I knew 8 or 9lbs would win a tournament check.  Tough fishing competition on Fork, that's for sure.

Prior to the tournament, I had pre-fished several areas, but I focused on shallow water as the lake was turning over, and I had some TOAD largemouths the previous three weeks in the same location.  I caught multiple 15.25 inch bass with fat bodies and caught over four 20 inch bass and several in the 22-23 inch realm. However, since Lake Fork is a slot lake, I continued to fall short of 1 inch to .75 inches on an over.  Folks, that is Lake Fork fishing.  Despite falling short on 24 inch or longer fish, I had been catching plenty of 15-16 inch largemouth bass.

Well, we had 20-25 Northern winds that churned the lake and made long distance boat travel difficult.  Despite Mother Nature's insistent winds, my partner and I fished the areas where I pre-fished.  The results, not as hoped.  We managed a meagre 5lbs on five largemouth bass, but some folks barely caught any fish.   My partner and I caught plenty of fish - just the wrong size or weight.

I am glad we supported such an amazing event, even though the fishing wasn't as good as expected.  I highly recommend this tournament to other anglers.  Keep your eye on future dates.





































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Crankbaits and Largemouth Bass

Crankbaits are some of the most productive fishing lures for catching largemouth bass.  These often life-like lures displace water and move similar to local forage.  Replicating bait fish can be a difficult task, but many large companies have done a fantastic job.  You can fish crankbaits in shallow, medium depth, or deep water, depending on the style you choose to purchase.  When largemouth bass are aggressively feeding or highly irritated, these lures will effectively generate powerful hunger strikes or reaction strikes.

Here are just a few crankbaits:

As you can see from the pictures, there are many different styles to choose from.  In the coming weeks, I will write a Crankbait Guide that may help beginning anglers save money, time, and frustration.  Choosing the right crankbait lure for the right conditions is definitely a skill that must be mastered by all fishermen. 

You can find high quality crankbait lures on Lunkercatch.com for a great price.  Check out Lunkercatch.com for general fishing information, too.