--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweet Spot
By: Jake (Jake11585@aol.com)
When you are in a tournament on Old Hickory, right after you shove off, hang a sharp left turn like you are going to go back to the dock. When you get back facing the dock, look over to your right side. You will see a small inlet. In the very back of this inlet, and right on the point near it, I have cought some of my biggest Large mouths.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lakes and Tips for Different Times of the Day
By: Hogtank (Hogtank@aol.com)
Old Hickory Lake
Early Morning - In the moring at Old Hickory, stick to the north shore and the shallow water. The game thoughtfully starts you off very close to a particularly hot spot. If you slowly pull up just a bit, plenty of fish should be waiting for you!
Midmorning - The north shore and vicinity are good places to stick around all morning. Stay in the shallows in the a.m. and remember that water over hard and rocky ground is an Old Hickory bass favorite. Any of the tiny inlets might yield some good fishin', so check them out.
Afternoon - Docks, poles, clusters of rocks, sharp drops in depth and similar areas within a lake are referred to as structure. Bass tend to gravitate toward these areas, as they provide cover and often hold plenty of fish food, especially in the afternoon.
Lake Okeechobee
Early Morning - The shallows warm up first in the morning, drawing fish to those waters. Most of the shore is quite shallow and the area around the small islands is shallow as well. The south shore is a good place to start out in the morning.
Midmorning - The three small islands provide the bass with everything they like in the midmorning: structure, cover, vegetation, and shallow water. Over on the north side of the lake, directly opposite those islands, you may also find a good place to drop your line.
Afternoon - Fishing in Lake Okeechobee in the afternoon is no different from other times of day. You'll rarely see a bass on its own. Even if the fish finder indicates only one fish, chances are that once you find the first fish, you will spot several more in the same general area.
Lake Shasta
Early Morning - Shasta has a shallow shoreline, but most of the lake is quite deep. Most of the northern recesses are a good places to start in the morning, although they are a long drive from the dock. The northeast side of the lake, with its muddy shallows, is a good bet.
Midmorning - Seek out the shallow areas with obvious structure as you fish Lake Shasta in the morning. Some of the best structure is found up north. Bass will also hide just beyond the shallows, where a steep drop-off divides the deep water from the shallow.
Afternoon - Shasta is a tough lake to fish and you might have to cruise around with the fish finder on, searching for bass. Stop as soon as you hear the first ping or spot a sign of a fish. Pay attention to the depth readings and choose your lures wisely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retrieving Methods and Tips
By: Hogtank (Hogtank@aol.com)
Steady - Many situations dictate a steady retrieval. In clear water and on sunny days, a calm, even retrieval is a good idea. For a quick survey of the water, a steady retrieval also works well.
Erratic - Jerking the line from side to side will create movement as you reel in a lure. An erratic retrieval coupled with a loud spinnerbait or topwater lure works well in muddy or overcast conditions.
Hopping - Pull back sharply on the line to hop a topwater lure along the surface or to pop a plastic or jig along the bottom of the lake. The motion may attract bass that normally wouldn't strike.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rod & Reel Choosing
By: Hogtank (Hogtank@aol.com)
When you select a rod, a reel comes with it and they vary in length and accuracy of casting. Line choice is based on weight. Lighter line lets lures dive deeper but also break more easily than heavier line. Heavier line won't snap as often but can spook the fish. Experiment with different combinations until you find one that works for you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boat Choosing
By: Hogtank (Hogtank@aol.com)
Choose your boat and its equipment wisely. There aren't many choices at first, so go with an R Series boat for best handling, the most powerful boat motor, the best thrust-producing trolling motor, and the most advanced fish finder. The Tournament adn Exhibtion Modes are both timed, so every advantage counts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lures and Descriptions
By: Hogtank (Hogtank@aol.com)
Topwater - This type of lure floats and can be popped along the surface of the water, creating an eye-catching slpash. Topwater lures are best used when fish are close to the surface, which is likely on an overcast day, in the rain, or in the afternoon.
Crankbait - Crankbait stays close to the surface of the water after it is cast but dives when reeled in. Some crankbaits will go deep, but most stay in relatively shallow water. They can be tricky lures and are most effective in medium depths and in cold water.
Spinnerbait - Fast, noisy, and able to cover a lot of water quickly, Spinnerbait is a good choice when testing the waters. Small, dark spinnerbaits work bets in clear, sunny conditions, while the bigger and heavier spinnerbaits work well in the mud.
Plastic - The most sleek type of lure, plastics are often shaped like the bass's actual chow-worms, lizards, and crawfish. Naturally colored, smaller plastics work best in clear water, while brighter, larger plastics work in stained, muddy, or deeper water.
Spoon - When fishing in heavy vegetation, matted up grass and similar conditions, a spoon is a good bet, since none of its parts will get caught up in the plants. Flip a spoon right into the vegetation then pull it through without fear of entanglement.
Jig - This fair-weather bait is perfect for sunny days and clear water. Jigs are neither flashy nor fast and they don't make any noise, which make them the bait of choice when subtlety is paramount on those hard-to-fish, bright, sunny days.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|