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!

Top Water in November

This past Wednesday I had the opportunity to fish with my friend Gary Weissenberger. Gary has spent the last 20 some years in California. It was a joy to watch his reaction on seeing someone catch bass in the middle of the day on top water.

The key to it is really simple, granted the fish were not large, the biggest about 2 1/2 lbs., but they were fun. If the water temprature is over 55 you can get them on top. The main thing that day was wood and cloud cover. Every fish came from a solitary peice of wood. The wood was located in a small main lake pocket and all of it had deep water next to it. You can not use a fast moving bait this late in the year so remember to keep it slow and focus on these points.

1.) Use a slow bait, something like a popper or prop bait that you can keep in the strike zone.

2.) Work the bait next to cover, even a small single solitary branch can hold a hawg.

3.) When it comes to wood more is not always merrier.

4.) Fish main lake pockets, go to the windy side if possible.

5.) Make sure there is some deep water near by. They will not travel far this time of year.

6.) Last but not least have fun!

I hope this helps you put more fish in the boat so get off the couch and get out there and have some fun.