Goals for 2011

The new year is fast approaching. To the average angler its a time to remember a few good days, a few bad days, and to wonder what next year will be like. To the studious angler however, this is a time for great reflection.
Whether you are a business man, an employee, a hunter, or a fisherman the importance of goal setting is universal.
If you are serious about your angling the ending of a year is a time for reflection, change, and renewal. Were you happy with the past season? What went right, wrong, good, or bad and what can you do to improve in the future?
A fisherman without goals is just fun fishing. When you set goals and put them on paper they become concrete. You now have something to weigh yourself against and to measure your progress. This is KEY to growing and developing each year.

After watching the video you get a feel for some of my goals. I want this year to be better than last year. Don’t misunderstand, I’m greatful for every fish I have caught. Every two pounder is appreciated and enjoyed just like the 5 pounders and 10 pounders, but my eye stays on the prize. My goals are not finalized, they’ll be modified over the next week. When they are finalized I will respond back here with them in the comments section.
So, what are you goals for 2011? How do you want it to differ from 2010? Post a comment and share. What species do you pursue and what do you want to catch? Is it a specific size, a specific number, or is it just a species you’ve never caught before? Whatever it is, its important to get it in writing. If that writing is in a public place (tacticalbassin) then you are even more apt to be successful. Note, I’m not sharing my goals in order to brag (I haven’t caught the 15 lber in 2011 yet) but by sharing it with you I become accountable and even more likely to succeed.
On that note, let the goal setting begin. I look forward to reading all of your goals and dreams in the coming weeks.

Jig Trailers Made Easy

Have you ever met one of those people who is a legend in their own mind? My goal is to pass along information without coming across like one of those people. I know a thing or two about jig fishing but let’s face it, there is always someone better. With that said, here are my thoughts on jig trailers.
There are countless jig trailer manufactures in the bass fishing world. From the garage companies to the industry standards it seems that everyone has “the next big thing” in jig trailers. Do you want a trailer that wiggles its claws with the slightest movement? They have it. One that swims, they have that too. What about one that walks, talks and negotiates with the fish for you? Its probably in development as we speak.
The point is, your options are virtually endless. An angler could spend all day changing trailers and never actually have time to wet a line. As with most things, simplicity is your best option. I’m not saying the three trailers discussed in this video are the very best for your specific scenario, but they’re a really good start. If the day comes that you get in my boat and head out on the lake, these are the jig and trailer combinations that you will see me fish with.
Obviously there are a plethora of options not covered but day after day, year after year, these are my key baits. From ledge fishing a football head to working shallow cover with a flipping jig, you can do it all with these three options.

Give it a try. What can it hurt? You never know, your next cast might be the biggest bass of your life! At the least, simplifying your choices will save a dollar or two on your next trip to the tackle shop.

If you disagree with my selections, that’s okay. In fact, I’d love to hear about it. Did I completely ignore your confidence bait? Share with us what you like to use and why.

Showing the Float and Fly in Action

As promised, here is the follow up to the float and fly post. This first video shows exactly how I fish the rig. You can see as I shake the fly then let it sit, shake then sit, shake then BITE! The overall presentation is a little tricky. Casting the rig can be difficult at first but you’ll soon get used to it. Using the long rod can really make a difference. Can you get a way with an 8 foot rod in tournament conditions? Yes. But if you’re just fun fishing a 9 1/2 foot rod will work much better.

In the second video you get a great comparison between the fly and a dropshot. Notice which one is putting more fish in the boat! The dropshot did actually land two fish off camera but its clear that they were targeting the fly.

To recap from the previous post, the equipment used is a Redington 9′ 6″ ultralight steelhead rod. I coupled it with a Shimano Symetre reel and 3 lb flourocarbon line. The bait is a 1/16th ounce hair jig with a Thill bobber set between 15′ and 18′.
These fish were easy to see as they would just pull the bobber under water. Some days all they do is sit there with the bait in their mouth. This is harder to detect but with the properly weighted bobber you can see these bites as well.
It doesn’t matter if you live in California, Tennessee, or Texas, the Float and Fly can work for you. I look forward to your thoughts!

The Neko Rig

Because I am most passionate about catching trophy-class fish I often neglect important techniques for simply putting fish in the boat. At the prompting of a good friend I agreed to start covering some more finesse presentations and other options for putting a solid limit of fish in the boat. I’ll still be covering what I know about big bass but I want to open up the site a little and include the tournament anglers.
The Neko rig is not a brand new technique. If you live on the west coast you’ve probably seen it, used it, or lost to it unknowingly. However, techniques tend to take their time spreading across the country. For those of you unfamiliar with the technique, I present the Neko rig.

It is a great option for catching fish that have been heavily pressured, are lethargic, or when fishing in post-frontal conditions.
I am not a typical finesse fisherman and often don’t fish with as light a line as I should. Personally, I fish this rig on a Dobyns 702 Spinning (7 foot, 2 power) with 10 lb braided mainline and a 6 lb fluorocarbon leader. Don’t be afraid to drop as low as 4 lb line in open-water situations to maximize the number of bites you’ll get throughout the day.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.