Swimbaits part 2: When to Fish

While you may be the exception to the rule, most anglers don’t get a single bite on their first outing with big baits. After surviving a day of drudgery (let’s face it, those first days are tough) a plethora of new questions have probably arisen. Most of those question revolve around doubt and fear that you’re doing it wrong.
Chief among the questions of doubt is whether you’re even fishing when the bass are biting. Let’s get this one out of the way as quickly as possible. First off, there is never a wrong time to throw a swimbait. That said, there are certain times when the odds of you being successful are much higher than other times.

My suggestion to you is to pay attention to the little details as you continue on your journey. Each fish you catch can be a memory soon forgotten or provide you with tidbits and clues that will lead to future success. The difference is simply whether or not you choose to pay attention.
I recommend you begin logging your significant catches. Don’t spend hours journaling but jotting a few lines about a successful (or brutally tough) day can provide insights down the road. You will begin to see patterns develop and soon you will see when the best times to fish your local fisheries really are.

Swimbaits Part 1: Getting Started

For some anglers swimbaits are nothing new but for many, its still a mystery. Sure, if you live near a trout-infested Southern California fishery you have been seeing swimbaits fly for 20+ years. What about the guy in Arkansas or Tennessee, in some of these places the bass have yet to see a single swimbait. For years anglers have believed that swimbaits simply wouldn’t work in their local lakes.
Using such a big bait was surely reserved for Texas, California, or Mexico. Time (and tournament results) are quickly proving that this simply isn’t true.
For those of you who still have yet to see great success with a swimbait these next few videos are for you. We’re going to take it from the ground up. This first video discusses the mindset you will need and the equipment you should take out on your first day. For step 1 (getting the bait in the water and gaining some confidence) I really don’t recommend buying new equipment. Use what you currently have available to you for the time being.

As this week rolls on check the website regularly for the next few videos in the series. I’ll be discussing where to fish, when to fish, and how to take care of the fish once you get them in your hands.
There are still a handful of videos to be filmed in this series so if you have questions that you would like addressed please offer your suggestions. Afterall, the purpose of this site is to answer YOUR questions and to help YOU catch more and bigger bass on your next trip to the lake.

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.