Well folks the heat is on and the water temps are up. This means that you can find bass at depths ranging from 1 foot to 30 foot. Wow, talk about an huge area to try and find them in but wait there is good news. No matter what you style you like to fish you can find them this time of year. Better yet this is probably the easiest time of year to "pattern fish".
As water temps climb over 80 most people, me included, will start to look for the fish at the thermoclines. This means deep water structure fishing. This is when you go from point to point or from ledge to ledge and catch fish. They are a bit harder to find but once you do the are generally concentrated. They may be holding on a brush pile, rock pile, or suspended in the top of a lay down sitting in 20 feet of water but they will be there. Once you have discovered if the are holding on wood or rocks it gets easier from there. This is when you can locate 15 to 20 spots on the lake that all fit in the type of cover and depth you originally found them at. All you have to do now is to from spot to spot. Don't get discouraged though as they move on and off these places frequently through the day and it may take several tries to catch them. Just keep going back to them and sooner or later you will be there the same time the school of fish has moved up and BAM it's on like Donkey Kong!
Showing posts with label bass fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bass fishing. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
The Advice is True even if the story is not!
I have received this in an e-mail on more then one occasion. I have always thought that it rings true for today's world and just want to share it in hopes that someone may actually learn from it!
"Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice.
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
If you agree, pass it on.If you can read this - Thank a teacher!
If you are reading it in English -Thank a soldier!!
"Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice.
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
If you agree, pass it on.If you can read this - Thank a teacher!
If you are reading it in English -Thank a soldier!!
Friday, February 09, 2007
To Pay or Not To Pay?
Friends, this blog is going to be more of a question seeking comments and answers from you then my normal writings. It is a subject that keeps popping up over and over and I have been asked by a very good friend of mine to see what everyone thinks about this. I hope that you will take the time to comment directly on the blog. If you do not want to do this you can always shoot me an e-mail with your comments, just put comments in the subject line. bill@billbrendle.com I will then post your comments for you but not your name if this is what you request.
The question is; should co-anglers, non boaters, in tournaments pay the boater for gas? If so how much should they pay them. On average a person on the Pro side of a tournament spends well over $300 in fuel locating fish and putting together a pattern. He has insurance, over $40 K in a boat, truck, etc.
I have heard everything from "you are going to be here anyway" to "wow this is a good way to get a cheap guide and learn the lake so I can fish it next time". While we are on the subject how about the person who when you are on a off shore hump that took you years to find pulls out his handheld GPS and punches it in?
Are the large tournament organizations creating this type of environment by telling the co-anglers that these things are "not in the rules" as they are struggling more and more to fill the field on the non-boater side. Throwing ethics out the window?
Please, we need your comments, the only way these things will ever change is education on both sides and in order for this to happen both sides need to talk!
The question is; should co-anglers, non boaters, in tournaments pay the boater for gas? If so how much should they pay them. On average a person on the Pro side of a tournament spends well over $300 in fuel locating fish and putting together a pattern. He has insurance, over $40 K in a boat, truck, etc.
I have heard everything from "you are going to be here anyway" to "wow this is a good way to get a cheap guide and learn the lake so I can fish it next time". While we are on the subject how about the person who when you are on a off shore hump that took you years to find pulls out his handheld GPS and punches it in?
Are the large tournament organizations creating this type of environment by telling the co-anglers that these things are "not in the rules" as they are struggling more and more to fill the field on the non-boater side. Throwing ethics out the window?
Please, we need your comments, the only way these things will ever change is education on both sides and in order for this to happen both sides need to talk!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Are you the Log?
Well I have just finished with the annual fishing and boat show in Raleigh, NC and I have a question. What has happened? Over several years now I have seen these shows grow smaller and smaller to the point were they have started to become a joke among sportsman. People that I know and others I hear talking complain about such things as no vendors, no deals , nothing to buy, no seminars etc. the list goes on.
Why is this? I think I know part of the reason, it's you the sportsman. You do not come out and support these shows and those that do complain to the wrong people. You need to tell the stores your buying from that you want to see them. Tell the show promoters that you want more seminars and speakers. They will only do this if you attend. Is everyone becoming so busy they have no time to attend these shows? I think not!
It cost the good people selling their products at these shows a lot of money just to rent the space, the Harrisburg show for example is over $2,000 for a booth, not to mention the other associated cost. Just imagine if you will how much one boat dealer has spent in fuel just to haul all of those boats to the show floor.
The problems with the sportsman and boat shows is you! It is like anything else if you do not attend it will die away. So here is your job, attend at least one sportsman show this season and take 2 friends or relatives with you. Have them take 2 friends and so on. If we can keep this trend up then it will not be very long before we are all getting the shows we want! Remember it is up to you. I know that I still enjoy both attending and working these shows. I get the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people from both sides of the venue and all walks of life. Remember, the one on one attention you get at these shows is not something you can buy on-line or from a catalog!
I heard this little saying in my Lodge one day several years ago and it has stuck with me and has so much truth in it that I want to pass it along for you think about. It relates to so many parts of our lives that it should be a lesson we never forget. It does not matter if it is a Lodge, Church or boat show.
There is a Brother that has strayed from the Lodge and has not been attending. The Master goes to his home for a visit and knocks on the door. The man answers the door and welcomes him in. The Master says nothing and just takes a seat in front of the fireplace. After a short bit of time he gets up, walks to the fireplace and removes one burning log and sets it to the side. The log's fire diminishes until it burns out. The Master gets up again, picks the log back up and lays it back in the fire. It lights back up. The Master never speaks and shakes the mans hand and leaves and the brother knows he does not want to be the log.
Why is this? I think I know part of the reason, it's you the sportsman. You do not come out and support these shows and those that do complain to the wrong people. You need to tell the stores your buying from that you want to see them. Tell the show promoters that you want more seminars and speakers. They will only do this if you attend. Is everyone becoming so busy they have no time to attend these shows? I think not!
It cost the good people selling their products at these shows a lot of money just to rent the space, the Harrisburg show for example is over $2,000 for a booth, not to mention the other associated cost. Just imagine if you will how much one boat dealer has spent in fuel just to haul all of those boats to the show floor.
The problems with the sportsman and boat shows is you! It is like anything else if you do not attend it will die away. So here is your job, attend at least one sportsman show this season and take 2 friends or relatives with you. Have them take 2 friends and so on. If we can keep this trend up then it will not be very long before we are all getting the shows we want! Remember it is up to you. I know that I still enjoy both attending and working these shows. I get the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people from both sides of the venue and all walks of life. Remember, the one on one attention you get at these shows is not something you can buy on-line or from a catalog!
I heard this little saying in my Lodge one day several years ago and it has stuck with me and has so much truth in it that I want to pass it along for you think about. It relates to so many parts of our lives that it should be a lesson we never forget. It does not matter if it is a Lodge, Church or boat show.
There is a Brother that has strayed from the Lodge and has not been attending. The Master goes to his home for a visit and knocks on the door. The man answers the door and welcomes him in. The Master says nothing and just takes a seat in front of the fireplace. After a short bit of time he gets up, walks to the fireplace and removes one burning log and sets it to the side. The log's fire diminishes until it burns out. The Master gets up again, picks the log back up and lays it back in the fire. It lights back up. The Master never speaks and shakes the mans hand and leaves and the brother knows he does not want to be the log.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Question # 1...Chris R ask
Chris R from Oxford, NC ask...
"How long is too long...One of the toughest things for my partner Larry and I to figure out during a tournament is "How long is too long?" that is, how long do you stay with a certain lure, technique, color, when the fish just aren't biting? What's your personal belief regarding switching techniques and baits during a tourney that's proven the most successful for you?"
Chris... This is one of the hardest things that I deal with during a tournament. How I break it down is basically like this...
What season of the year is it?....
If it is spring time I will fish a couple of different patterns in a single day based on water temperature. I may start with secondary points early in the day and then move to bedding areas as the water warms up through the day.
Fall and summer are about the same the fish are either there or they are not. This is my two run and gun seasons.
Winter well let's just say really slow. A good example of that was late last winter I had a friend out on Falls Lake. Water temp in the low 40's I trusted what my electronics was telling me and caught one over 7 lbs. It took over 1 1/2 hrs in the same spot.
How many patterns did I put together in practice?....
I will try to fish as few different patterns as I have to. If I found fish on 3 different patterns in practice I will only use all three if I have to. I set my patterns in order by how good the fish are on that particular pattern and fish them accordingly.
How well do I know the lake?....
If I know the lake well and feel confident that I can run here and there to pick up one fish per spot then that is what I will try the last hour to hour and a half. I have saved my day this way many many times.
Am I only spot fishing?....
If I am on a lake that I was not able to put patterns together and only found certain spots then I am there all day. This is mostly on lakes that I have not spent much time on getting to know. You just have figure what they want or were they went. This one is toughest of all as I have never done well in this situation.
Switching baits....
Chris I try and use the 15 minute rule. If I don't get bit on it in 15 then I pick up another rod. Many times you will be on a school of fish and they quit biting all you have to do is pick up a different rod. He he why do you think I have so many of them? LOL
Chris, thanks for your questions I hope I have helped you in your quest to be a better angler and remember "trust your instincts".
Bill
"How long is too long...One of the toughest things for my partner Larry and I to figure out during a tournament is "How long is too long?" that is, how long do you stay with a certain lure, technique, color, when the fish just aren't biting? What's your personal belief regarding switching techniques and baits during a tourney that's proven the most successful for you?"
Chris... This is one of the hardest things that I deal with during a tournament. How I break it down is basically like this...
What season of the year is it?....
If it is spring time I will fish a couple of different patterns in a single day based on water temperature. I may start with secondary points early in the day and then move to bedding areas as the water warms up through the day.
Fall and summer are about the same the fish are either there or they are not. This is my two run and gun seasons.
Winter well let's just say really slow. A good example of that was late last winter I had a friend out on Falls Lake. Water temp in the low 40's I trusted what my electronics was telling me and caught one over 7 lbs. It took over 1 1/2 hrs in the same spot.
How many patterns did I put together in practice?....
I will try to fish as few different patterns as I have to. If I found fish on 3 different patterns in practice I will only use all three if I have to. I set my patterns in order by how good the fish are on that particular pattern and fish them accordingly.
How well do I know the lake?....
If I know the lake well and feel confident that I can run here and there to pick up one fish per spot then that is what I will try the last hour to hour and a half. I have saved my day this way many many times.
Am I only spot fishing?....
If I am on a lake that I was not able to put patterns together and only found certain spots then I am there all day. This is mostly on lakes that I have not spent much time on getting to know. You just have figure what they want or were they went. This one is toughest of all as I have never done well in this situation.
Switching baits....
Chris I try and use the 15 minute rule. If I don't get bit on it in 15 then I pick up another rod. Many times you will be on a school of fish and they quit biting all you have to do is pick up a different rod. He he why do you think I have so many of them? LOL
Chris, thanks for your questions I hope I have helped you in your quest to be a better angler and remember "trust your instincts".
Bill
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Thank You Lord!
Lord, I just want to take a minute more of your time today to say THANK YOU for keeping us in your hands!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Ask Away
You count and are important to me! It is your turn at the wheel. I am starting a tradition that I will do several times through the year. In this I will give you the opportunity to ask whatever fishing related questions you have and I will answer as many as I can here on the blog.
Let's please try to keep them general and please don't ask me for GPS coordinates for particular lakes. You will not get them! Let's have some fun here and try to learn something at the same time. If I do not know the answer to your question I will seek out a qualified individual to answer it. Let's start now and I will cut of the questions 12/27/06.
I will randomly draw one person from all the questions to appear as a special guest on "Fishing Lesson" late in 2007.
Click here to ask questions@billbrendle.com
Let's please try to keep them general and please don't ask me for GPS coordinates for particular lakes. You will not get them! Let's have some fun here and try to learn something at the same time. If I do not know the answer to your question I will seek out a qualified individual to answer it. Let's start now and I will cut of the questions 12/27/06.
I will randomly draw one person from all the questions to appear as a special guest on "Fishing Lesson" late in 2007.
Click here to ask questions@billbrendle.com
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Cold Weather Fishing?
With the water temps dropping into the high to mid 40's it is time to once again change fishing methods. Most anglers will now switch to a well known and one of the most popular techniques for cold weather bassing. It is what I call "couch flipping" and what it consist of is this, you find a very comfortable location on either your couch or favorite easy chair, pick up the remote control and then you "flip" the channels. This method works best and is most popular on weekends but you will also be able to haul in a good catch through the week with the right channels. If you pay close attention to the pattern inside the pattern here you can really pick up some valuable tips from these programs.
One such program that I hope you will pick up information from is one that we are currently trying to get put together. It will be called "Fishing Lessons" and will be hosted by yours truly along with a mixed bag of special guest ranging from local anglers, local kids to some well known pros. The concept behind the show is just a bit different then most of the ones out there. The biggest thing we want to bring to you is the "how to" of what is being done to catch fish. A lot of this will be both seasonal and lake specific. We are planning on including a monthly cooking segment along with product spot lights. The show is scheduled to air on the "PAX Network" and will reach over 1,006,330 homes weekly through air waves and different cable carriers. It will then be picked up by the "Dish Network" for which we do not have figures for. We have shot a small portion of it and have a long way to go. We are hoping to start airing some time towards the end of January 2007.
The one thing we are currently fishing for ourselves is "Title" & "Official" sponsors to be able to bring you the show. These can be either companies or individual persons. This is what is needed to be able to get this entire project put together and on the air by January. We are already working with some terrific companies that will be purchasing advertising and supplying product this coming season and are currently speaking with more. We still have about 3 minutes of commercial time to sell but we are closing the gap.
If you would like to see a good show that will not leave out the vital parts of information on methods and patterns that will make you a better angler, then help us cast this out to prospective sponsors!
One such program that I hope you will pick up information from is one that we are currently trying to get put together. It will be called "Fishing Lessons" and will be hosted by yours truly along with a mixed bag of special guest ranging from local anglers, local kids to some well known pros. The concept behind the show is just a bit different then most of the ones out there. The biggest thing we want to bring to you is the "how to" of what is being done to catch fish. A lot of this will be both seasonal and lake specific. We are planning on including a monthly cooking segment along with product spot lights. The show is scheduled to air on the "PAX Network" and will reach over 1,006,330 homes weekly through air waves and different cable carriers. It will then be picked up by the "Dish Network" for which we do not have figures for. We have shot a small portion of it and have a long way to go. We are hoping to start airing some time towards the end of January 2007.
The one thing we are currently fishing for ourselves is "Title" & "Official" sponsors to be able to bring you the show. These can be either companies or individual persons. This is what is needed to be able to get this entire project put together and on the air by January. We are already working with some terrific companies that will be purchasing advertising and supplying product this coming season and are currently speaking with more. We still have about 3 minutes of commercial time to sell but we are closing the gap.
If you would like to see a good show that will not leave out the vital parts of information on methods and patterns that will make you a better angler, then help us cast this out to prospective sponsors!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Take a Kid Fishing!
We gathered up what rods and tackle we were taking. Packed a small lunch and some snacks and hit the road. The drive out was enjoyable as he was reminiscing about the last time he was at the pond. He was still bragging on the fact that he "out fished" both Dad and our friend Carlos that day. He found a little corner that held several bass and proceeded to whip up on us old guys.
We arrived at the pond and checked in with the owners to make sure it was OK for us to fish. This alone is a very important lesson to teach our children. I of course knew that fishing there was not a problem but we need to teach our kids the proper respect to others, especially property owners who allow us to enjoy the outdoors at their expense. Clean up your trash and carry out more trash then what you carried in!
The fishing that day was just a little slow to say the least. It didn't take more then an hour before I noticed his rod was against a tree and he was just walking around looking at the horses. It was at this time that we both got a great catch! A neighbor has some Beagle dogs that had recently had puppies. Three of them came out to play in the field near the pond. They were, as puppies usually are, full of energy. I then said to my son, why don't you go play with the puppies a little while. He eyes lit up and he said really, I can? He went over to them bent down and of course was mobbed by the puppies. He jumped up came running back over exclaiming that they were biting each other and he does not know how to play with puppies as he has never been around them. His dog was already old when he was born so I guess he was right, he had never been around puppies before. The two of us proceeded to have a "puppy lesson" for the next couple of hours as we enjoyed playing with them way more then fishing that day!
What a memory that will be for me to cherish the rest of my life! Take a kid fishing and keep an open mind. You never know what pleasure you will enjoy or what memories you will create for all until you get out and spend time with a kid. Be a mentor and your enjoyment will last a lifetime.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Giving Thanks
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! It is a day when family & friends will gather, they will eat and rejoice. There will be millions sitting around watching football, going to movies, or just doing whatever it is that they enjoy doing. There will happiness and joy, arguments and sadness. Wars will not stop, crime will not stop, drugs will not stop. The world will continue to rotate on it's axis and the seasons will continue to change. These things we can not change alone. They can only be changed if we all pull together for the common good of man. Too many people today have the me, me, me mentality. The book that the "Grand Artificer" of the universe has provided us with as a guide teaches each of us to not be this way. So as the books tell each and every one of us to do, take just a few minutes to think of your loved ones, neighbors, friends and family and truly give thanks for what you have!
I for one am thankful for so many things, I have struggled with it this past year but I do have my health and I am glad to have another chance. I have two children that have each blessed my life so strongly in their own ways, most of which has taught me to look at things from a different perspective. I do not have as much time with family as I would like, I lost both of my parents and I am so very thankful that I still have so many fond memories of them and the times we had. I have a sister and brother and probably the best in-laws a man could ask for. I am thankful for them. We have a nice home, newer vehicles, boats, and all the nice things but more importantly my wife and I still to this day have a very strong love for each other. We are best friends and I feel blessed beyond words to still be this close to her after all of these years we have spent together. Just the sight of her still drives me wild. I am thankful for having my faith and convictions for they are what makes me the man I am. Thank You Lord for all that you do for us.
May you all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Now will somebody please pass the gravy!
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