Small Lakes And Big Bass

by Ken Mcbroom

These days bass fishing is a wildly popular pastime with big boats and fancy reels along with more electronic gadgetry a common man can even learn to use. We do our best, however, to keep up with the onslaught of lures and lines, rods and reels. Sometimes these things can get in the way of fun and isn't that what we are out there for?
I have found over the years that small ponds whether it be an old farm pond or even just a water retention pond in the city these small bodies of water just might be something you want to add to your arsenal and leave a lot of the other things at home and just enjoy some good fishing with much less hassle.
Large impoundments all across America are seeing more and more pressure from anglers as well as boaters. These activities can really affect the fishing on any given lake. While these larger bodies of water are bombarded day in and day out the smaller lakes that dot the American landscape go unmolested. A little tough to use all that gadgetry on a 25 acre farm pond not to mention a 22 foot bass boat would seem a bit out of place that is if you could even get the boat on the pond.
Baits for small lakes can vary just like on a big lakes and a lot depends on the pressure that lake receives. Some small lakes get some pressure especially retention ponds in the city as many kids and grown-ups flock to anywhere that allows for fun in the outdoors. Bait selection in these ponds can be a bit trickier than one that is tucked away on the backside of a 200-acre farm and hasn't been fished in years.
If you visit a popular pond where there are lots of anglers you will notice that a couple baits stand out and these are usually spinners of all shapes, sizes and colors. These bass have been caught many times before and they know those spinners so my favorite bait for these small waters is a plastic worm. Plastic worms are the toughest to learn to fish with and most people just out to have a little fun are not going to take the time to even learn to use this bait so the bass have seen very few plastic baits in their lifetime. I assure you it makes a difference as it has been proven that bass can remember being stuck and what type of bait stuck them. Offer something new and your arm might just be tired at the end of the session.

Many ponds are fairly clear around its bank and offer little in the way of visible structure. Invisible structure on the bottom of the lake can be probed with the plastic worm, rigged Texas style, even without a boat and fish finder. Work the entire pond meticulously as you feel the logs and other bottom structure with the weedless bait and after a few trips you will know the bottom of that particular body of water like the back of your hand helping you locate and land many more fish.
Gadgetry and fancy reels do have their place on small waters as well as big as there is a product line now that targets small water anglers and it can add to the fun. A small boat with electric trolling motor is all you need to get around a small lake. Fish finders can come in handy too in plotting the makeup of a lake and locating either the fish themselves or structure where fish are likely to be. Trolling can also be a very effective way of catching bass in a small lake especially if you are new to that lake. Trolling can point out specific areas of the lake that, for whatever reason, hold fish and then you may want to target those sections and spend a little more time there and catch more fish.
Remember the world record bass came from a small lake in Georgia and the pending world record was caught from Dixon Lake, a 72 acre lake located in California. Bass can grow very large in small lakes as long as the forage is right so don't let the size of a lake fool you into thinking there are no fish in it because you never know, when that retention pond you drive by everyday and never see anyone fishing, might be home to the next world or state record. GOOD LUCK!

Check out my website for some fly fishing info
Authors website
http://www.ramblingangler.com.

Saltwater Flies For Freshwater Fishing And Freshwater Flies For Saltwater Fishing

by Brian Smith

Saltwater Flies for Freshwater Fishing and Freshwater Flies for Saltwater FishingI have been fly fishing for over forty years now and have over the years discovered that some of my saltwater fly fishing flies work well in fresh water and that some of my freshwater flies work well in saltwater. The more fly fishing I do the more I come to realize that both saltwater fish and freshwater have a lot in common.
I have caught trout, bass and pan fish on what are traditionally considered saltwater fishing flies. There are several different saltwater fly patterns that I use to catch freshwater fish. The Clouser's minnow and Lefty's deceiver minnows are a great choice when bass fishing and in the smaller sizes large pan fish. I have come to believe that both of these flies simulate small minnows that are prevalent in all environments where we fish. It is the color choice that is most important, and that choice will be dictated by the clarity of the water and the color of the natural minnows that exist where you are fishing. One of my favorite saltwater flies for large pan fish is the bonefish special tied in a little smaller size. I have also caught large crappie bass using Crazy Charlie flies in yellow and chartreuse colors, and try red, yellow or pink Crazy Charlie flies for large pan fish. In cloudy water on a sunny day try a kryatal Flash Charlie for pan fish and a Kryatal flash for bass and crappie.

You can also catch saltwater species of fish with what are traditionally considered bass flies. In a previous article I chronicle a trip to the N.C. coast when the fishing was unbelievable and I exhausted all of my saltwater flies. I resorted to bass flies and continued to catch fish. I have caught saltwater trout, bluefish, tarpon, redfish and more with flies that are supposed to be for bass fishing. For tarpon, stripers, snook and bluefish try Rabbit Strip Divers, Mega Divers, Zonker and Bass Buggers. If you are after sea trout or redfish you might want to try Woolly Buggers in either a chartreuse or olive color. Again, I think color is most important and I recommend you stick to chartreuse, yellow or olive for redfish and trout. For stripers, and bluefish and tarpon just about any color with some flash will work.
If you fish saltwater and freshwater I would suggest that you take a large variety of you flies with you and do not be afraid to experiment. You will be surprised at what you catch and learn. Thanks and good fishing.

Need To Improve Your Bass Fishing Techniques? Here Are Some Helpful Hints To Do Just That

by Allison Chapmond

Look & Listen. Are the bass chasing bait fish like minnows or shad? Are they hitting top water? If they're chasing bait fish throw a spinner bait or possibly a crankbait such as a rattle trap or wiggle wart. If the top water action is happening, throw a buzzbait or a popper. The top water bite is a great heart pumper. Your casually moving your lure across the top of the water then all of a sudden BAM! that fish ATTACKS your lure. That'll get your adrenaline going.
Remember. When you do catch a fish, try to remember how you did it. How were you working your lure? What type of structure were you fishing? rocks? grass? wood? If you're in a boat what depth of water were you in? What's the water temperature. Sometimes that is the key to catching fish and not catching fish. Especially if your in a tournament. Look for similar locations when your moving from spot to spot and remember your pattern
Change It Up. If your presentation is not working, try something different. Take the weight off your Texas Rig and try it that way. Burn your spinnerbait instead of slow rolling it. But once your have figured out how to present your lure REMEMBER THAT PATTERN!,reproduce it and repeat.

Consider Clarity. Water clarity of course.In clear water conditions bass rely mostly on sight to see what they are eating. Use small spinnerbaits with a single willow type blade. It is a must to real this lure in fast to attract the fish in clear water. In muddy/stained water bass tend to use their lateral lines to feel vibrations so they can tell where a possible morsel may be. Use bright colored lures. The darker the water, the brighter the lure is a good rule of thumb
These are just a few tips and techniques that I feel are important to any bass angler. There are so many aspects of bass fishing to take in to account. The most important thing to remember it to make it fun. Tournament angler or weekend angler, fishing should be enjoyed.

Learning How To Catch Bass -The Difference Between Smallmouth And Largemouth Bass

by J. P. Cooper

Bass of many types can be found all throughout North America. Calico Bass can be found in the Great Lakes and Florida, Largemouth Bass are located in the central United States along with Smallmouth Bass. Lets focus on the latter two in looking at some fundamental differences.
The Smallmouth bass, or White bass, love rocky lakes and streams. During their spawning season, which starts in the month of June, is one of the best times to catch these fighters. Smallmouth bass have certain types of food they love but one of their favorites is crawdads which hide in the rocky areas the smallmouth bass spawns in. If you like to use natural baits crawdads, minnows, hellgrammites, and dragonfly larvae are great to use. If you are using artificial bait try top water lures and jigs that are light in color.

Largemouth bass, or Black bass, can be caught almost year round except in the coldest of months. The largemouth can be fund just about anywhere from lakes to rivers, creeks and ponds. As far as bait it all depends on the area, season, and time of day. Largemouth bass feed on a huge variety of bait but seem to prefer the early mornings and later in the evening for their prime feeding times. Live bait they like includes minnows or small shad, earthworms, crickets, and even small frogs and newts.
Artificial baits for largemouth bass is as varied as the natural baits, Top water lures, spinner baits, plastic worms, and crank bait all have their times and places to be used. The secret to catching the big bass is knowing the secrets of when and where to use what bait and choosing the right location.

Learn all the Bass Fishing Secrets the Pros use at http://www.fishing-secrets.com And be sure and sign up for your free Bass Fishing Secrets newsletter to get all the latest news and fishing tips.

Learn To Fish For Big Bass With 10 Easy Tips

by J. P. Cooper

Catching a big Largemouth Bass is something that you will remember for a lifetime. But it can be tricky. Follow the easy tips that fisherman all over use and you will see a difference.
1. Fish weed edges. Bass use weed beds as cover to ambush their prey. Also the plants give off oxygen that bass require. Weed beds are normally full of bait fish.
2. In the mornings and evenings fish the shadow edges. As the sun comes up or sets bass love to feed around the edge of shadows cast from docks, logs, rocks or the shore. Shadows make it easier for them to ambush food without the food seeing them.
3. Use finesse when using plastic worms. Plastic worms are an excellent bass bait but must be used right. Gently work and twitch the worm so it quivers instead of bouncing all over.
4. Bass rely on sight more during midday. When the sun is up visibility is greater. Bass can see the bait much better. Use more of the realistic looking artificial lures during these times of the day.
5. Bass don't feed as much in very cold water. Under 38 degrees bass become almost totally dormant. Know where the cold water is and avoid it as bass slow way down on feeding in these temperatures.
6. When the wind is up fish the shores in the direction its blowing. The wind blows small plant particles towards the shore and the bait fish follow. Try starting out from shore a bit and fish your way in.

7. If you don't know what color bait to use try green. A good natural color for all year long is green. If you have to choose one try this as it works well in all types of water .
8. Keep your hooks sharp. If you don't like sharpening hooks make sure and buy new ones. If it doesn't catch easily on your finger when tying it on its too dull.
9. Bass will bite during cold weather. As long as its not below 38 degrees they will bite but are slow and sluggish reducing their strike zone. Use jigs and work underwater logs, weed beds, and rocks. Jig up and down as close as possible to get them to strike.
10. Use no perfumed soap before fishing. Your nice smelling soap, perfume, aftershave, or cologne all will transfer to your bait and gear and spook fish. Fish can smell small particles in the water over large distances. The fishier you smell the better.

Learn all the Bass Fishing Secrets the Pros use at http://www.fishing-secrets.com And be sure and sign up for your free Bass Fishing Secrets newsletter to get all the latest news and fishing tips.

Learn How To Catch Big Bass And Impress Your Friends

by J. P. Cooper

Imagine going fishing for bass and landing one after the other while your friends gawk in amazement. They will be asking you how you caught that big bass. Well here's a few tips for doing just that.
1. Know where to find the Big Bass. Fish the edge of cover and shaded areas. Whether this be a dock, weed bed, sunken log, or rocks. No matter where you fish bass love to hang out and hide in these areas ambushing the bait. They hang around these areas in the early morning and in the evening. During the hotter midday bass tend to move to deeper waters.

2. Know which Bait to use. While your friends are using worms and minnows tie on some artificial lures and tear up the big bass. Plastic Worms are the choice of a lot of professional fisherman and can used in almost any type of water. Spinner Baits are another favorite and are great on overcast and cloudy days. Crank Baits often resemble minnows and have a plastic lip that makes them move in a swimming motion and some dive deep to fish the deeper waters.
3. Keep your Hooks sharp and Set them properly. A lot of big bass are missed because of improperly setting the hook or using dull hooks. When you get a strike give it a good quick jerk and set that hook in the bass's mouth. Remember that the inside of a big bass's mouth is not exactly soft. If you think you have a bite set that hook. And if you don't want to manually sharpen your hooks buy new ones and keep in your tackle box.

Learn all the Bass Fishing Secrets the Pros use at http://www.fishing-secrets.com And be sure and sign up for your free Bass Fishing Secrets newsletter to get all the latest news and fishing tips.

Fishing Lake O' The Pines, Texas - Find Cabins For Rent, Plus Fishing Reports & Guides

by J.D. Tatman

Lake O' The Pines, is located in the Cypress River Basin. It covers Camp and Upshur counties Texas, and is approximately 25 miles north of Longview TX. Known for it's good White Bass and white and black Crappie fishing, fisherman love this lake. In addition to good fishing, there are plenty of Large mouth Bass and bluegill.
Impounded in 1956, with a pool level is 228 ft mls with a fluctuation average of 4 to 5 ft annually. The normal lake water is moderately clear. It has a surface area of 16,919 acres with a maximum depth of 49 ft.
There are 22 RV Parks and Marinas covering the lake. Most offer RV spaces with hookups. Many also offer year around rates which is very popular. RV Park rates are from $25 to $30 per night with the off season being somewhat less. It is highly recommended that you call for reservations for your RV Park space in advance.
Parks offer a wide range of prices for Cabins, with $50 to $100 being the price range. Some fishing guides live on the lake and some are offering cabins for rent. This is an good deal for you because in addition to being away from the crowds, you have the guide's experience on Lake O The Pines.

The Predominant Fish Species are: Largemouth bass, Spotted bass, Blue, channel & flathead catfish, White bass, Crappie, Sunfish and Chain pickerel
Vegetation: Coverage is from 15% to 20% of the lake's area. Dominant types are buttonbush, hydrilla, and water primrose. Fish are more active in the fall, winter and spring months due to the much cooler weather. For somewhat active fish, try spinner baits and crank baits. Watermelon Green Plastic worms seems to work well during the hotter months fished in grass. Some morning top water baits are Poppers, Prop Baits, Flukes.
In conclusion: You will have a great time on this popular lake. I can't wait to return next spring.

John Tatman is a avid fisherman who reports on popular Lake O' The Pines fishing. He is also the owner of Great Texas Bass Fishing
http://www.greattexasbassfishing.com.

Crappie Fishing Tips

by Billy Bob Desrouleaux

Crappie aren't hard to catch. The problem is that many fisherman think they only time you can catch them is during the spawn. This far from being true. These Crappie fishing tips are here to help you extend your fishing season to the point you can catch fish year round.
Over the years, I have put a good amount of Crappie filets in my freezer. Not only during the spawn, but all times during the year. My favorite times other than the spawn are the Fall and Winter months. Sometimes if the day heats up after a morning duck hunt, I'll head out into the lake and find a school of Crappie hanging above a submerged creek bank or over submerged timber.
Most times of the year, I'll find the Crappie out in the lake in 12 to 18 feet of water. I have caught them as deep as 25 feet during really cold or really hot spells.
When I'm after deep water fish holding over structure, I'll use a 6 lb test line on a 7 foot light action spinning rod. This can have some obvious drawbacks if you hook into a big Striper or Catfish. Been there, done that!

If the water is a little murky or muddy, I like using a combination of bright and dark jigs. Like a two toned lure with a blaze orange head and black or brown body. Sometimes I'll also add some sound to my baits by using a spinner blade or shot. Don't get to loud with your sound, Crappie are spooky fish. It has something to do with not being at the top of the food chain!
During early Summer mornings, I use a spider rig to find Crappie that aren't schooled up. Once the Sun get's up and the heat turns on, I use my fish locator to find schools of Crappie along deep water channels or over suspended timber.
Another good tactic to find scattered Crappie is suspending a jig from a slip float rig. Set out several rods, I like to use 6 or more, and drift along the lake until you start picking up fish.
Catchng these tasty fish isn't hard. You just have to change tactics and get out of your spawn patterns. Stay tuned as I'll have more Crappie fishing tips to come.

Comparing And Choosing Fly Fishing Rods

by Craig Petersen

Fly fishing rods come in a variety of materials including bamboo, fiberglass and graphite. With fly fishing becoming an increasingly popular pastime it is no wonder that the manufactures of these rods are constantly looking to improve them as those that participate in fly fishing are continuously on the look out for the latest and best fishing rods available.
For those that are just beginning to delve into the world of fly fishing the vast selection of fly rods can be overwhelming as they try to determine the best fly rod for them. The beginner should start with a low priced fishing rod to allow them the opportunity to discover if fly fishing is really for them while those that compete can go a little more expensive while seeking the perfect rods to get the job done. The lower priced fly rods range anywhere from forty to eight dollars in cost.
Those that have been fly fishing for a long time will usually favor bamboo fly rods readily singing their praises. Bamboo rods have advanced to the point that the center is solid having strips of bamboo clued together to fit the outside of them. Amazingly strong bamboo rods are the most expensive fly rod on the market. This is not one a beginner would wish to have due to the cost alone, this rod comes after you have decided the passion you have for fly fishing is unmatched by any other activity in your life.

Then there is the choice between graphite fly rods and fiberglass fly rods. The graphite fly fishing rods are made from graphite materials. These rods tend to be a little on the stiff side and rather strong. The quality of the graphite fly rods that you choose will determine its strength. Most fly fisherman prefer the graphite rods to the fiberglass rods since they are more sensitive and stronger than the fiberglass rods are.
Since the graphite fly rods are stronger giving the fly fisherman added support it is a good choice for the beginner. If you ask an experienced fly fisherman they will gladly give pointers on deciding which of the fly rods available are best suited for your use dependent upon your skill level.
Fiberglass rods come in a wide variety of strong flexible rods which makes them ideal for both the experienced fly fisherman and those that are just beginning to show an interest in the sport. The fiberglass fly fishing rods are durable but heavier than other rods so even with their flexibility the weight is a turn off for a lot of fly fishermen.
These are just a few things to take into consideration when deciding on the purchase of fly fishing rods.

Alabama And Fishing Oil Rigs

by Craig Petersen

If you live in the Heart of Dixie, the great state of Alabama and you happen to like to go fishing, then you have found the place for you, Alabama has many great options to fish on a daily basis. It does not matter what day or even what year, there are fish available for you in Alabama and fishing oil rigs. You will find great fishing from the Tennessee River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. There are many really great fishing places located in the State of Alabama.
You may hear tell of places like the Harris Reservoir producing bass that could easily surpass 15 pounds and you will enjoy the many places where you will find the largemouth bass. You can find these bass in the upper most part of the Tallapoosa River.
You can even catch Crappie if you visit the great Weiss Lake, you will find this great fish simply delicious. It is quite easy to go trolling for these fish; however trolling requires you to have some knowledge about the underwater sizes. You will also find that in Lake Martin is especially great for catching the spotted bass.
Another great place to visit is Holt Lake where you will find the spotted bass and you may also find many crappie swimming around. You may also find some great spotted bass in the Black Warrior River on Alabama and fishing oil rigs. If you want to enter the tournaments on Holt, you may find that some of the spotted bass weighing in at 30 pounds. There are many types of lures, called topwater poppers, crank baits and floating worms you will want to use to catch these fish.

Just a note you may want to fish for the cobia fish during the spring and you will find them on the Gulf Shores beaches.
Knowing what fish to find is the easy part, it is also important to know where the fish are. Lake Martin had bass and crappie. You may also find paper mouths. You may also find them in the Monroe County Lake, and Wilson Lake which produce hybrid bass. If you are a trout fisher or catfish, then you will want to head out to Bank head lake. The best area is along the main part of the channel, here you can find flathead's, and check out the popularity of the reservoir. Another great catfishing spot is also Gorge Steam Plant. So if you are interested in going on a great trip there are many great locations for Alabama and fishing oil rigs.