This week let’s talk about TRUE FISHERMEN and just what constitutes a true fisherman. I guess there are many ways to describe a fisherman. It could be someone who fishes every day, or once a week, once a month, or maybe even once a year. Is it someone who likes to fish as a hobby but also plays golf, maybe hunts or several other activities? Professional fishing guides would be classified as true fisherman in many people’s minds.

There are many fishermen who fish strictly bass, some fish catfish, while others only fish crappie. In today’s world of fishing there are thousands of tournament bass anglers who love to compete in tournaments. It seems like most of today’s fishermen just fish for one species of fish and try to get good at catching that one species of fish.

However, I have a little different picture of a TRUE FISHERMAN. To me it is a person who just loves to catch fish and they fish for whatever fish is biting. I fit that category to a tee and always have since I was a little boy. I just love to fish a cork for bream or catfish or maybe crappie and watch the cork go under. I don’t care what type fish bites my hook — I just love to catch fish!

Normally I don’t bass fish here in the USA as I have been spoiled in Mexico with those big numbers and big size of easy catch bass. I fish either crappie or catfish as Virginia & I love to eat fish. In fact we eat fried fish once a week, usually after church on Sundays. This spring and summer Ron Jr. and I did some trotlining for yellow cat and we also fished with rod and reel for shallow water channel cat during the spawn. This is great fun and great eating. Every species of fish is a challenge and can be very sporting if you match your equipment to the fish.

If I had a close place to go and catch a stringer of redear bream I would include them in my fishing schedule as they are wonderful table fare. I saw a picture the other day in a lake magazine of a small boy holding a 4 LB redear. Don’t you know he had a ball catching that fish! I hope he got it mounted as he will probably never catch another one that large.

If you are not a TRUE FISHERMAN who enjoys catching lots of different fish then let me recommend that you try it. It will extend your fishing season and you will actually catch more fish in a year because you will always be fishing for the fish that are biting good at that moment.

Good luck with your fishing and wear that lifejacket.

Join us and some other TRUE FISHERMEN for a trip to Mexico or Brazil!

This week let’s talk about summer patterns for bass. Today is the 18th of June and most bass have moved from the shallows and creek channels into deeper water. This is one of my favorite times to fish as the bass school up and when you find them you can usually catch several in one place.

I recommend that you find underwater structures which can be tank dams, old bridges, islands, etc. If there is a creek or river channel close, you may have found the mother lode. Even if there may not be a creek or river it is important that deep water is close.

To find these underwater structures you will need a good topo map of the lake that shows contours and underwater structures. I recommend that you take only your boat while mapping out the summer patterns of a lake. When you have found all the summer structures then you are ready to check these places out. Remember, bass spend most of the time in the summer suspended in deep water, so check your solunar tables for the major and minor feeding times for that day.

The bass will move up on these structures and feed until full, then move back to deep water and suspend. Don’t waste your time on these suspended fish as THEY WILL NOT BITE. You will have to catch them as they move up on structure. It’s a timing thing this time of the year.

The bait I like to use on summer bass is a Carolina rigged lizard with a 2ft leader. Of course you already know my favorite lizard is a zoom in the watermelon color with a dyed chartreuse tail. Really, my favorite lure for this is a Little George in the black & pearl. I love this bait but if there is brush you really have to know how to fish the little George to keep from hanging up. If the island or bridge is deeper than 20 ft then I like the storm swim bait in shad colors. The first 3 times I fished this bait in Lake El Salto in Mexico, I caught a 10lb bass each time in 25 ft of water right on the bottom. Oscar, one of our guides, turned me on to the swimbait and it is great for deep water bass.

Have fun this summer with your fishing and wear that lifejacket.

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