Lady Bass Angler Article Archives

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ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1269b3a0.gif" border=0 width="155" height="58" ALT="Keel Shield Hull Protectors" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>  <script type="text/javascript" src="http://optimizedby.rmxads.com/st?ad_type=ad&ad_size=120x600&section=200706"></script>   </B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC WIDTH="711"><bR> <div> <A HREF="#secret_weapons_being_deployed__" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Secret Weapons Being Deployed?</B></A><A HREF="#secret_weapons_being_deployed__" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"> </A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#boyd_duckett__on_unfamiliar_waters__" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Boyd Duckett “On Unfamiliar Waters”</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#lake_huites_mexico" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Lake Huites Mexico</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#tough_guy_talk_about_bass_fishing_in" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Tough guy talk about Bass fishing in Mexico</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#sponsor_loyalty" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Sponsor Loyalty</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#in_memory_of_tiffany_duncan" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>A message from Tiffany's mother</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#boat_builders_beware_women_at_work" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>BOAT BUILDERS BEWARE: Women at Work</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#a_family_affair_" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>A Family Affair</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#sponsorship___it_s_not_about_you" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Sponsorship - It's not about YOU!</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#a_mini_seminar_of_sorts" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>A Mini Seminar, of Sorts</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#caught_in_the_mouth" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>"Caught in the Mouth"</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#have_you_thought_about_entering_a" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Have you thought about entering a tournament as a non-boater or joining a local club, but felt too intimidated?</B></A><A HREF="#have_you_thought_about_entering_a" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"> </A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#what_to_do_when_things_go_wrong__" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>What to do when things go wrong</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#dealing_with_summer_heat" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Dealing with Summer Heat</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#bass_caddy_association_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Bass Caddy Association</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#thoughts_on_scents" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>THOUGHTS ON SCENTS</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#fish_attractants" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Fish Attractants--Are They Really Worth It?</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#jig_fishing_from_" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Jig Fishing From December Through February</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#forget_what_you_know" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Forget What You Know (About Sponsorship)</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#sponsors_the_good_and_the_bad__1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Sponsors, the good and the bad</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#confidence_is_a_funny_thing" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Confidence is a funny thing</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#i_didn_t_get_the_trophy_but_in_many" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>I didn't get the trophy, but in many ways, I'm a winner!</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#fizzing_bass_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Fizzing Bass--A guide to the proper technique for deflating black bass swim bladders</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#kelley_shepherd_pro_angler_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Got Milk?</B></A><A HREF="#kelley_shepherd_pro_angler_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B> </B></A><A HREF="#kelley_shepherd_pro_angler_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Kelley Shepherd, Pro Angler </B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#fifty_eight_ways_to_save_money_along" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Fifty-Eight Ways to Save Money Along the WBT Trail </B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#tournament_etiquette" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Tournament Etiquette--</B></A><A HREF="#tournament_etiquette" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Unwritten rules of the game</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#gosh_you_ought_to_be_a_guide_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>"GOSH, YOU OUGHT TO BE A GUIDE!"</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#unlocking_the_secrets_of_weather_systems_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Unlocking The Secrets Of Weather Systems</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#one_time_trip" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>O</B></A><A HREF="#one_time_trip" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>ne-</B></A><A HREF="#one_time_trip" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Time Trip!</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#conquering_the_carolina_rig_1_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Conquering The Carolina Rig!</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#ladies_____how_do_you_spell_r_e_l_i_e_f_" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Ladies.... How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#reality_check" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>REALITY CHECK:WHAT KIND OF INFLUENCE ARE YOU?</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#mize_fails_in_bid_to_become_first" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Mize Fails In Bid to Become First Female in Elite Series</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#companions" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>COMPANIONS</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#fishing_resumes_versus_proposals" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Fishing Resumes Versus Proposals</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#tow_your_boat_safely" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Tow Your Boat Safely!</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#definition_of_hero_is_a_person" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>Patriot's Day</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#one_strike_you_re_out" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>One strike you're out</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#what_you_need_to_know_about_e_10_1" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT E-10 ETHANOL FUEL AND WINTER BOAT LAYUP</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#fishing_after_cold_fronts" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>FISHING AFTER COLD FRONTS</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#10_rules_for_cold_weather_fishing_" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"><B>10 Rules for Cold Weather Fishing</B></A><A HREF="#10_rules_for_cold_weather_fishing_" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives"> </A></div> <div> <B>_____________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="ways_to_look_professional_at_the"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Ways to look Professional at the Weigh-in:</U></B></div> <div> <B>by Conny Jenkins, Pro Angler</B></div> <bR> <div> One angler writes: “When fishing tournaments I try to represent The Women's Bassmaster Tour and my sponsors in a professional manner.  No matter what I do, by weigh-in time I am still sun-burned, wind blown, hot and sweaty, or drenched.  What do I need to do to look good at the weigh-in.”<IMG SRC="b1047860.jpg" border=0 width="71" height="134" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> You've' been out all day in the heat, wind, rain or cold and look around at the other anglers.  Some look like they have been farming in a field all day while others look like they just arrived ready for a photo shoot.  </div> <bR> <div> You never know who is going to be in the audience or taking a picture of you so it is always important to look professional.  It only takes a bit of preparation in the morning to pack what you need to freshen up in the afternoon. </div> <bR> <div> If you'd like to be prepared for the cameras here's a few tips from other pro anglers on how to look good at the weigh-in. </div> <bR> <div> “Make sure you carry a clean pressed tournament jersey in your boat to slip on before getting on stage, brush your hair and gloss your lips. And take off those sunglasses - folks want to see your beautiful eyes.”  Debra Hengst</div> <div>  </div> <div> “I keep a beauty kit in my boat at all times. It contains a brush, small mirror, and lip gloss. I also will wear my tournament shirt at the beginning of the day and once I reach my first stop I take it off and put it in one of my compartments.  This keeps it clean all day. At my <IMG SRC="b0f74740.jpg" border=0 width="116" height="116" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">last stop I put my shirt back on so it is fresh and clean for weigh in. Now if I know I will have a camera boat on me I keep my tournament shirt on since I want my sponsors to be seen on camera.”  Laura Gober</div> <bR> <div> Some other quick tips include the following suggestions that anglers do at their last stop before they come into the weigh-in.  </div> <div> A light brush of powder makeup foundation will get rid of the oily shine some of us get.  </div> <div> Use wet wipes to wash up a bit and reapply at least mascara, lipstick and blush.</div> <div> Slip on an attractive pair of earrings.</div> <div> Make sure your shirt is buttoned up and the collar is straightened.</div> <div> A portable curling iron for a quick touch up for longer hair. </div> <div> In the morning pin your hair up under your hat with bobby pins, then take them out for a fresh curled look. </div> <div> Place your shirt in a dry cleaner plastic bag for help prevent wrinkles.</div> <div> Use a light mist spritz throughout the day to stay refreshed. </div> <bR> <div> It may help to feel a little more refreshed if you pop in a stick of gum to freshen your breath, as well.  Take time to gather your thoughts before you go up to the weigh-in, whether you have fish or, you might be asked a question by a reporter or have a photographer take your photo so you need to look your best. </div> <bR> <div> So plan ahead and develop a routine to present yourself and your sponsors in the best possible light. </div> <div> <B>_____________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="boyd_duckett__on_unfamiliar_waters__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Boyd Duckett “On Unfamiliar Waters”</B> </div> <div> <I>FISHING UNFAMILIAR WATER</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="11" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Bass tournament season will shift into high gear later next month when the Bassmaster Classic kicks off the Elite Series season at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Hartwell is a great fishery that most pros have quite a bit of experience fishing. These days, it’s pretty rare when for the pros to get a chance to wet a line in a body of water that they have never fished before, though it still happens to vets and rookies alike. Though we may fish for a living, we still find ourselves from time to time in the same position many of you find yourselves in on a regular basis: on the verge of fishing a lake that they know nothing about.</div> <bR> <div> Hiring a guide is not an option come tournament time, and the same bodes true for a lot of people whose budget just doesn’t allow for the added expense. Left to fend for yourself, there are a few tried-and-true tricks that can make your first trip to a lake more successful and efficient.</div> <bR> <div> First of all, get a good map of the lake. There are even lake maps on CD that you can use on your computer. Even an old map from the local marina can be a good start. Lake maps can help you locate some general fishing areas, as well as advising you of potentially dangerous rock bars and stump fields. Also, scour the Internet: there’s sure to be a message board for the area you are going to fish where locals and out-of-towners alike will be posting where and what they’re biting. And don’t be afraid to ask other people at the marina and boat ramp.</div> <bR> <div> If you are like me and bass is the species you are after, the first place that I always look is the classic spots. Deep, rocky points, humps and bars will probably have a resident population of fish. If you can find some trees that have fallen into water that's deeper than five feet, there’s a good chance that the area is holding fish – especially if the area offers quick and easy access for the fish to reach deep water. </div> <bR> <div> Once you’ve found your area, set some limits for yourself. Even if you think the fishing might be better 30 miles away, limit yourself to the reasonably sized area that offers the characteristics you are looking for. It is much easier to manage your fishing in a pond-sized area than if you are trying to cover 50,000 acres of lake.</div> <bR> <div> If your chosen spot has some weedbeds that grow below the surface, start with a spinnerbait or buzzbait on some medium-heavy tackle. By doing this, you are trying to entice those fish that hang out on the edges of the vegetation to feed. If the weedbeds are deeper, try a shallow-running crankbait. These baits, in addition to enticing strikes, allow you to cover a lot of area quickly to determine the presence and behavior of the fish. If you find an area with more trees and stumps than vegetation and the bass aren’t responding to the quickly retrieved buzz, spinner and crankbaits, slow down your presentation with a Berkley PowerBait Classic Jig and a PowerBait Chigger Craw trailer or a Texas-rigged Berkley PowerBait Power Worm. And don’t give up on a bait too quickly, otherwise you will set yourself into a pattern of switching rigs every other cast. Just like running to different spots on the lake every 15 minutes, constantly switching baits makes for a frustrating day on the water.</div> <bR> <div> Being able to size up a body of water in a short amount of time under varied conditions is what makes or breaks a professional angler. It takes practice and patience so don’t expect to fill your livewell with a bushel basket full of 8- and 10-pounders the first time out. But if you pay attention and take the time to record some simple notes for yourself, your next trips are bound to be even better.</div> <bR> <div> <I>--- Boyd Duckett</I></div> <bR> <div> Boyd Duckett, from Demopolis, Ala., is the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion and currently fishes the BASS Elite Series. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Reprinted courtesy of </B><I><B>The Fishing Wire</B></I></div> <div> <B>____________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="secret_weapons_being_deployed__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Secret Weapons Being Deployed?</B> </div> <bR> <div> Although most of us don’t think about it, we probably inherently realize that the equipment professional athletes use in competition really aren’t the same as the “identical product” we buy in stores. They might not all be as radically different as a NASCAR ride, but the pros get equipment well in advance of the rest of us.</div> <bR> <div> Last year, fellow Alabamian Boyd Duckett won the Bassmaster Classic using a new bait developed just for the event. It was the Berkley Chigger Craw and Duckett said straight out that it was responsible for most of his catches. The “Chigger” was a hot performer <IMG SRC="b026f590.jpg" border=0 width="111" height="89" ALT="Chigger Craw" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">throughout the rest of the 2007 Elite Series.</div> <bR> <div> This year, it seems the secret laboratories are once again cranking out baits that have, in essence, been tuned to perform in South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. The Berkley pro team will be using some pretty interesting gear. </div> <bR> <div> Earlier this week, we received a plain brown package that contained the “consumer-ized” versions of most of those products. Consumerization, incidentally, is nothing more than packing the baits in retail packaging. We say “most” because one came in packaging that had none of the usual marketing and informational material, but more on that in a minute.</div> <bR> <div> Our informational package included, for instance, the Hank Parker Football Jig. This jig head features “3-D Angry Eyes” and they look every bit as angry as promised. It may look a bit cartoonish, but Parker’s accompanying tip says it will trigger more strikes when bass are clinging to rocks. It comes with a pair of three-inch double-tail grub trailers and an optional skirt. The skirt is one of those options where the pro anglers employ their personal touches, modifying their individual baits until they are, well, individual.</div> <bR> <div> Other rigs include a Finesse rig Mike Iaconelli says is deadly (it, of course, has angry eyes, it is Ike’s remember) when given the right presentation ( he recommends light line and a drag, hop and shake presentation to attract inactive fish in clear water) and a Flippin’ rig by Jay Yelas. Yelas says his Flippin rig is good in clear or stained water and recommends using the Chigger chunk trailer and jig skirt to coax bass out of heavy cover. These jig rigs come with double tail grubs (Parker/Iaconelli) or Chigger Chunk trailers (Yelas)</div> <bR> <div> Worms and Swim baits go from heavy to hollow, respectively. <IMG SRC="b0379620.jpg" border=0 width="121" height="98" ALT="Swimbaits" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> New five-inch “Hollow Bellies” are swimmers with an oversized paddle tail designed to add additional wobble. Another interesting feature of these baits is the clear coat finish. Berkley says that finish helps magnify the natural image. The three-bait package includes 6/0 3/32oz. Weighted hook (for Texas Rigs) and a size 2 Treble hook, 3/32 oz. Bullet weight, size 5 swivel and split ring for open water rigging. </div> <bR> <div> Heavy weight worms, on the other hand, use weight to give the lures a sinking sensation. The new SinkWorks (these are 5”) are versatile to allow the worm to be used in a Texas rig, on a small jig head, weedless or wacky rigged. It sinks faster than traditional worms, adding to the action and is available in ten colors with a slightly smaller profile than the Fat Sink Worm.</div> <bR> <div> 2007 Bass Elite Series Angler of the Year Skeet Reese says the weighted worm gives him the ability to “slow down my presentation for fish that have been highly pressured.” He also says it’s one of his favorites when fishing solely around thick cover.</div> <bR> <div> But it’s the unmarked and unadorned clear plastic bag that’s gotten my attention. Inside a clear bag is a jig head that has the apparently obligatory angry eyes, but looks like something ripped off a Mardi Gras parade outfit or an LSU fan’s best party clothes. It’s purple and gold, a color ensemble called “Joker” on the simple label. It comes with a three-inch double tail grub (in watermelon) and looks like it just may be this year’s semi-secret weapon. </div> <bR> <div> No promises, but at the first opportunity I’m going to take my 1/2 ounce Gripper Jig (Joker), attach my watermelon double tail grub, and see if I can’t rustle up some cold water bass. If nothing else, I’ll give them a color splash to brighten up their day.</div> <bR> <div> After all, it may be the same gear, but the guys on the packages are the pros. </div> <bR> <div> That’s probably the biggest difference, right?</div> <bR> <div> <I>--Jim Shepherd</I> </div> <bR> <div> <B>__________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="10_rules_for_cold_weather_fishing_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>10 Rules for Cold Weather Fishing</B> </div> <div> <I><B>TOP TEN TIPS FOR WINTER FISHING FROM BOATU.S. ANGLER</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Stay Safe on the Water and Catch More Fish</I></div> <bR> <div> The pleasure boats are gone and the water is now all yours. But don't venture out for your next winter fishing trip without following these top ten tips from BoatU.S. Angler, a membership program that offers services, fishing tips and safety information just for trailer boat anglers: </div> <bR> <div> 1. Check the bellies of fish you bring up and if you find silt, that's an indication that the fish has been glued to the bottom. So take your time presenting the bait or lure, stay in one spot for a longer time and use presentations with smaller baits like drop shot or shaky heads. Find the deepest water close to shore and fish more vertically than horizontally.</div> <bR> <div> 2. With the pleasure boating season over there are fewer potential rescuers to assist you in an emergency, so never fish alone. Leave a float plan behind with your spouse, friend, or anyone else who is willing to call authorities if you haven't checked back in at a predetermined time.</div> <bR> <div> 3. A spray of line conditioner, such as Reel Magic, will help keep your lines ice-free. Use a smaller line size so you can get better hooksets with less line resistance. Low stretch line is best in the winter as well. </div> <bR> <div> 4. Wear layers of clothing - preferably synthetic or wool - but never cotton. It's a poor insulator when wet.</div> <bR> <div> 5. Use attractants such as Jack's Juice, which can sprayed on a soft plastic lures. Fish are sluggish and attractants encourage them to hold on longer. </div> <bR> <div> 6. Bring along high-energy foods such as granola bars and warm drinks. It's important to keep hydrated in winter's dry air. Stay away from alcohol, which dilates blood vessels and cools your body's core.</div> <bR> <div> 7. Cold water drains energy and body heat rapidly. If you fall overboard, a life jacket can give you the time you need to pull yourself back in the boat before the effects of hypothermia set in. Vest styles can provide warmth both in and out of the water while automatically inflating life jackets allow great freedom of movement and fit over bulky winter clothing. Also, make sure you have a method to get back in the boat, such as a built-in boarding ladder or a short length of rope with loops for footholds that is firmly attached to a cleat or other fixed object. </div> <bR> <div> 8. According to U.S. Coast Guard boating fatality statistics, January's and February's cold weather represent the greatest fatality risk. Always check the weather before you go. With hypothermia a very real threat, sudden squalls can be deadly. </div> <bR> <div> 9. Now is the time to disconnect water pressure and speed hoses behind the helm gauges to prevent freeze damage.</div> <bR> <div> 10. When you're done fishing and before you leave the launch ramp, trim the outboard motor all the way down, remove the kill switch and turn the engine over for a just a second to pump out any water that may still be inside the motor. Remove any mud or plant debris from the boat or equipment and thoroughly drain livewells or anywhere else water may have pooled to stop the spread of invasive species. Storing the boat high and dry for two days before fishing a different body of water can also help. Remember, it's your fishery.</div> <bR> <div> BoatU.S. Angler is a program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. For more information, go to <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>http://www.BoatUSAngler.com</U></FONT> or call (866) 906-0013. </div> <bR> <div> ___________________________________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="fishing_after_cold_fronts"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>FISHING AFTER COLD FRONTS</B><I><IMG SRC="af36c6c0.jpg" border=0 width="108" height="108" ALT="Scott Suggs" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="11" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <I>With Scott Suggs as reported by The Fishing Wire</I></div> <bR> <div> First, let me say that as an angler I understand that bass fishing after a cold front can be very frustrating. Especially if you fish in areas with Florida-strain largemouth bass, cold fronts can pretty much be the excuse you need to park the boat and head to a deer stand or sit in the house and watch football.</div> <bR> <div> But cold fronts are just a fact of life for most of the country from about October through April. That's a long period of time to simply give up on bass fishing. Those fish have to eat at some point during this six-month stretch; fish are going to be caught by someone somewhere. I figure that might as well be me. So learning to deal with the effects of cold fronts as it relates to bass fishing is the first step towards keeping my days on the water successful when everyone else has packed it in for the year, leaving you on the water with cold air temperatures and bluebird skies.</div> <bR> <div> As the air temperature cools from a cold front, the surface temperature of the water will also begin to cool. This will force bass in shallow water to seek holding areas in deeper water where the temperature will be warmer. I use my electronics to find brush piles in deep water or deep-water ledges near channel swings or secondary points. Once I find them I do like to use a jig or a drop shot, something with a vertical presentation. A ¾-ounce football jig tipped with a Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw and dragged slowly through these areas can be very effective. Drop shotting a Berkley Gulp! Sinking Minnow can be effective, too. Just shake the rod tip, trying not to move the bait too far.</div> <bR> <div> Sometimes smaller baits can be they key, too. If you normally catch fish on a 10-inch Berkley PowerBait Power Worm, try a 6-inch worm; same goes for stick- and creature-style baits. Being cold blooded the body temperature of a bass is regulated by its environment. When the water cools, they become lethargic and their metabolism slows. Big meals aren't needed, but a easy meal - one that won't require much work to capture or consume - is always welcome.</div> <bR> <div> Don't overlook tight cover, either. Bushes, root balls, dock pilings, logs and rock can sometimes draw in large numbers of bass. They will huddle in these protected areas where the water temps are move stable. Trying pitching jigs or wacky rigged soft plastics like a PowerBait Fat Dover Crawler in these areas and let them sink. It might take some time, but you can catch these fish.</div> <bR> <div> More than anything, fishing after a cold front requires anglers to slow down. The bass are going to be moving and reacting slowly, so your presentation should not be fast. Bait like Gulp! are ideal for slow presentations because the scent and flavor that are built into the baits works even better when fished slowly. The scent clouds will fill the area and actually draw in fish - even lethargic ones - in search of an easy meal.</div> <bR> <div> Fishing after cold fronts isn't ideal, but don't let low air temperatures keep you off the water. This time of the year can yield some very big fish that have been gorging on the shad that spawn in the backs of coves. Plus, there won't be much boat traffic. Just change your tactics a little and go catch some big bass while everyone else is sitting around the house.</div> <bR> <div> Scott Suggs is the 2007 FLW Champion and the first angler in professional bass fishing to win $1 million in a single tournament.</div> <div> <I>_______________________________________________________________________________________</I></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="what_you_need_to_know_about_e_10_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT E-10 ETHANOL FUEL AND WINTER BOAT LAYUP </B></div> <bR> <div> Last year recreational boaters in most parts of the country were introduced to gasoline containing higher concentrations of ethanol, a corn-based additive that replaced a known carcinogen, MTBE. The new fuel, dubbed "E-10" for its 10% ethanol content, unfortunately has the ability to attract greater amounts of water and "phase separate," or form two separate solutions in the gas tank, usually over a long period of time. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur.</div> <bR> <div> With the lengthy winter lay up period again upon us, many boaters and anglers are asking how they can avoid winter fuel problems. BoatUS has these recommendations, some of which were gleaned from midwestern marina owners where E-10 has been in use for over a decade:</div> <bR> <div>  The best practical recommendation is to continue to top off a boat's fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel. Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat's gasoline tanks between outings to prevent condensation.  Read More >></div> <bR> <div> Note that some mechanics mistakenly advise that leaving a tank partially filled allows you to "freshen" the old fuel by topping off the tank in the spring. Leaving a tank partially filled with E-10 invites phase separation, which cannot be remedied by adding fresh gasoline. Once E-10 phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank. Midwest marina owners report that phase separation typically occurs when boats were stored with tanks only one-quarter to one-half full.</div> <bR> <div> Draining fuel tanks of E-10 gas, while completely eliminating any chances of phase separation, is potentially dangerous and not recommended.</div> <bR> <div> Once phase separation occurs in E-10 gasoline, additives and water separators can't help. The only remedy is to have the gas and ethanol/water professionally removed from the tank.</div> <bR> <div> Ethanol is known to chemically react with fiberglass fuel tanks, which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. This is most common with tanks built before the mid-1980s. Unless your boat's manufacturer can confirm that your tank was built to withstand ethanol, the only remedy is to not use E-10 gas (which may not be possible) or to replace the tank with a non-reactive material such as aluminum.</div> <bR> <div> While ethanol does attract moisture, never try to plug up a fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system components.</div> <bR> <div> With any fuel that sits in a tank for a long time, it's important to add a stabilizer. But understand that stabilizers do not prevent phase separation.</div> <bR> <div> Get ready for winter, but get out and enjoy your time on the water if possible.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>__________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="one_strike_you_re_out"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B> You're Out!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Read the Rules</B></div> <bR> <div> By Conny Jenkins</div> <bR> <div> It was about an hour before daylight.  A vehicle was sitting in an all night restaurant parking lot.  A single man sits behind the wheel with the engine running.  A few minutes later another vehicle pulls in and a man gets out with a small brown paper bag.  Slowly the first man gets out, looking around apprehensively to see if anyone is watching. Quickly the brown paper bag exchanges hands while both men look around making sure the transaction has not caught the attention of anyone.  Both leave, driving off in opposite directions. </div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately, clandestine meetings like this are all too common.  For the some this might appear to be a drug deal going down.  It was nothing so sinister. This was simply a husband pickling up baits from a local angler before his wife starts a practice day.  Maybe not sinister, but what about a tournament rule violation?</div> <bR> <div> Picture these scenarios: </div> <div> •     The Women’s Bassmaster Tour will begin in a few days.  A tournament is weighing in at a launch ramp.  Several women gather to watch the weigh-in.  One woman follows a man to his boat.  He is parked in a slip so she stands on the dock and watches while he busies himself putting his rods and reels away.  His actions are methodical, taking his time.  The woman is able to see each rod and reel, surmising the line size based on the type of reel, each lure turns slowly in front of her. </div> <bR> <div> •     A woman goes to a local tackle shop to purchase her license.  Customers mill about as she gives the information needed on the application.  It is evident she will be fishing the upcoming tournament.  A customer begins telling her how he has been catching fish.  She politely explains she can not receive information; it is during the dead water time.  Not to be dissuaded the man says something to the effect, ‘Well, I am not talking to you, I’m telling Joe, and I can’t help it if you hear our conversation”.  Everyone laughs and the man proceeds to tell “Joe” the bait, technique and depth that he caught fish during the past week as the woman listens in. </div> <bR> <div> •     The first day of practice is over and the women competitor is tired.  Her day is not finished yet, she must change the line on a couple reels.  She sends her husband to the local tackle shop to pick out the line she needs. </div> <bR> <div> •     There is a man fishing out of a pontoon boat.  Several boats approach intending to fish that same point but move on when they see a boat on the ‘hole’.  Then one boat approaches and stops just short of the point.  The man picks up the anchor and leaves the area.  Later the man is at the weigh-in and it is learned he is related to the women in the last boat. </div> <bR> <div> What transpired in each of these scenarios could possibly be against rules – the Women’s Bassmaster Tournament Rules.  </div> <bR> <div> I drew a partner one time that told me how he was disqualified two weeks after a tournament was over.  Although he had not won any money in the tournament, all of his points for that tournament were taken away.  The scenario:  As he and his paired partner approach a small boat fishing the same bank, he says, “How ya’ll doing”, using the phrase many of us use as a simple greeting.  The people in the small boat had been crappie fishing and had caught several; they also mentioned they caught a nice keeper bass.  He moves on around them and continued to fish.  Two weeks later the tournament director calls</div> <div> and asks him to recall the situation.  His partner had written a letter stating he felt when the question was asked “How ya’ll doing?” the man had knowingly violated the rule about seeking information.  The decision was to disqualify him.</div> <bR> <div> Know your rules.  Read them one rule at a time.  Don’t miss any words.  Think as you are reading them what scenario each one might apply to.  There is no gray area when it comes to interpretation – what the words say is what they mean.  </div> <bR> <div> I admit that I have been around so long that I can remember when some of the rules were added and the controversy over a situation that caused the inclusion.      </div> <bR> <div> Dead water, off- limits, no help after the cut-off period – these are all particular rules you must be familiar with whether you are a pro angler or co angler.  You are responsible for your own actions.  </div> <bR> <div> You have invested a large amount of money into having a great experience fishing the Women’s Bassmaster Tour.  Do not be disqualified because you did not take the time to study the rules.  Do not have others view you as ethically challenged.  </div> <bR> <div> If you have any doubt, have the tournament director clarify a rule for you before you run the risk of disqualification.  Always do the right thing.</div> <div> <I>______________________________________________________________________________________</I></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="whale_of_a_tale___or_a_world_record__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Whale of a tale - or a world record?</B> </div> <bR> <div> Claiming a world record isn't as easy or pleasant as it would appear. When you present what you feel is a record accomplishment, you might feel yourself puff up with pride, but if you have the same experience as Neptune, New Jersey resident Monica Oswald, you may have second thoughts about submitting your second record.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="11" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="16" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> The off duty nurse was fishing off the Monmouth County, New Jersey coast two weeks ago when she landed what some have called the Holy Grail of record fish - at least for the eastern seaboard. Oswald landed a 24.3 pound summer flounder - more commonly known as a fluke.</div> <bR> <div> What should have been a wonderful experience for any angler has been anything but for Oswald. But the blame's at least partially hers. She, it should be pointed out, is an amateur angler - not a charter boat veteran. So, she didn't take appropriate care of what might still be a world-record fish.</div> <bR> <div> She didn't even manage to keep the fish in one piece, but I'll explain that later.</div> <bR> <div> When the guys at Scott's Bait and Tackle in Bradley Beach, NJ weighed her fish, it wasn't in the "optimum condition" one would expect from a potential world-record catch. She was fishing with a friend in a 23-foot boat when she hooked what she says she at first thought was a ray. After a long fight, she got the big fish to the surface - and the comedy of errors that has led to her being savaged on internet chat rooms and fishing forums across the country began.</div> <bR> <div> First, the fish was too-darned big for her net. It slipped out and got a bit marked up. Then, it fought on the deck causing Oswald to damage the tail while standing on it to work the hook out. </div> <bR> <div> It gets worse. </div> <bR> <div> The fish was too-big for the cooler on board and both the head and tail stuck out. More damage. When it finally arrived at Scott's, owner Scott Christensen says it looked a bit "beat up." That's an understatement - the fish's head was nearly severed from the body, and its tale is, indeed, ratty with scales missing.</div> <bR> <div> OK, Scott admits, he's seen better-looking fish, but he's willing to swear the fish was fresh when it arrived in his shop. Neither, he says, was it caught as a by-product of a commercial dragging net. That would have disqualified the fish from the International Game and Fish Association records - the world records are all hook and line, not commercial catches.</div> <bR> <div> A word on IGFA records - they're normally set by anglers who are seeking to set new records - and have the experience to present pristine fish to the certified weighing stations. Most record-fish only have a mark from the single embedded hook.</div> <bR> <div> Oswald's fluke, unfortunately, appears to have looked more like it had been in a prize fight. And that damage is why angler forums have questioned everything from Oswald's honesty to her physical appearance. Anglers, it appears, don't like to have records broken by amateur anglers or women. </div> <bR> <div> Christensen also says he can produce a number of other people who came in to see the big fish.</div> <bR> <div> The largest mistake of the whole affair appears to have been Monica Oswald's excitement. Christensen offered to keep the fluke in his cooler - but she wanted to take it home to show her family.</div> <bR> <div> She did - and after showing it off discovered it wouldn't fit in her refrigerator. She put it in a cooler in her garage, expecting an officer from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to come and check out the fish the following day.</div> <bR> <div> When he arrived, the cooler was open - and the fish was gone. They found part of the fish in the yard, but the head and part of the body was missing - apparently the victim of a wandering raccoon.</div> <bR> <div> Now, the only tangible evidence are photographs taken at the bait shop of Oswald with her fish - and the IGFA record application. A decision on those records, incidentally, normally takes about two months.</div> <bR> <div> But Oswald's determined to see the whole deal through. Although she's not talking to the media until after an IGFA determination, she is going to be talking to a polygraph examiner later this week. It seems she is now qualified for a boat worth $50,000 in The Fisherman magazine's "Dream Boat" contest. One stipulation says that the magazine has the right to polygraph all any contestant. </div> <bR> <div> Executive editor Jim Hutchinson Jr. says he's not "saying she's guilty" but says with the controversy online, feels he "owes it to his 55,000 readers to resolve the issue." </div> <bR> <div> In the meantime Monica Oswald's not saying anything and her husband says she's a bit overwhelmed by the controversy, but she'll be able to handle it.</div> <bR> <div> After all, he says, "Monica doesn't have to answer to anyone but God and the IGFA."</div> <bR> <div> In the meantime, the online anglers are having a field day - at her expense.</div> <bR> <div> Reprinted from the Fishing Wire</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>###</I></div> <bR> <div> <I> <A NAME="definition_of_hero_is_a_person"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></I><I>Definition of hero is a person distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility and</I></div> <div> <I>strength, a champion, someone who fights for a cause, celebrated for bold exploits.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FIREMEN</B></div> <bR> <div> Hero, such a small word for such a big person.  </div> <bR> <div> After Sept. 11, 2001 many of us began to redefine what a hero truly is or should be.  Are athletes, actors and national figureheads heroes?  Are anglers competing on the national tournament trails heroes?  Maybe, maybe not.  </div> <bR> <div> I'd like to share my feelings about my personal hero, a man who was my hero as a small child, teenager and still today.  My hero was not athletic, on TV or elected to any office.  </div> <bR> <div> Billy Vern Jennings was sixteen when I was born.  My oldest brother always had my heart, my trust and my adoration.  As a teenager Billy moved in with our grandparents when Grandpa had a stroke and was cared for at home.  He took on the farm chores in addition to playing basketball and homework.  Then as a young man, he served his nation in the military. </div> <bR> <div> One of my earliest memories was when he brought his future bride, Nancy, home to meet us.  We loved her like a sister from that day on.  Billy and Nancy settled in Kansas City where he became a firefighter.  I loved to visit their home, spending many nights and weeks there.  There was always a smiling face, loving and encouraging words and hugs.  Lots of hugs - that's probably why I'm a hugger today. </div> <bR> <div> Billy often told me how proud he was of me.  As a teenager I joined the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.  As I approached 20 years old, the age of majority for Rainbow Girls, I was disappointed I would not be able to continue on into Eastern Star because you had to have an immediate family member as a Mason, which I did not.  Billy questioned me several times about it because he knew how much the structure and friendships of the organization meant to me.  Just before my 20<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> birthday Billy surprised me, he had become a Mason.  This was an incredible gift.  My hero had come through again for me. </div> <bR> <div> Firemen were often called on during their shift, at that time, if there was a need for blood in an emergency and an immediate transfusion was needed.  Having a rare blood type, Billy willing rushed several different times to the hospital to help save another person's life.  Good Samaritan, another description for Billy. </div> <bR> <div> Billy loved his job as a firefighter and he enjoyed the men he worked with.  We've heard about how colleagues become `family', even as anglers we often refer to other competitors as family.  As a fireman you live, sleep, eat, work and play together for days at a time.  You help each other out, cover for each other, party together and even work with each other on part-time jobs to make ends meet, when off duty form the fire station.  You share your happiness and sadness; you laugh and cry with each other.  You truly become a `brotherhood', a family.</div> <bR> <div> In the prime of his life, blessed with beautiful children and a promising future, Billy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.   By that time it had already ravaged his body.  From a cane to a wheelchair to a hospital bed it progressed very aggressively.  </div> <bR> <div> His firemen `family' would take him fishing.  Long before the days of wheelchair accessible ramps, they would carry him, a strapping 6'3” man, and his wheelchair down the banks and into an aluminum boat.  Times he thoroughly enjoyed. </div> <bR> <div> As his condition worsened and his body weakened it was Billy who kept encouraging me, pushing me, always smiling no matter what life was dealing him.  As we gathered for a Thanksgiving, with Billy in the hospital yet again, we had a family decision to make.  His heart was too weak to pump to all of his body.  His legs would have to be removed or he would eventually die a death involving gangrene.  </div> <bR> <div> The decision was made and I dreaded facing him, dreaded the sorrow and hopelessness he would feel.  It was again my hero who smiled when I entered the hospital room.  Who told me not to worry because they made prosthetic legs and he had told the doctor his little sister would buy him a new set of legs.  He had so much love and faith in me he never doubted that I would come through for him.  </div> <bR> <div> When I learned of the devastation on September 11<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>, learned of the thousands dead and the heroic effort of so many, saw how the media focused on the firefighters, I thought of my hero and knew without a doubt he would have been one of the first ones in if he could.  I thought of his fire station and his family there and knew they would have all gone in together, just like they always stuck together. </div> <bR> <div> Billy would have been my hero even if he had chosen a different profession, but being a fireman just made him a hero to more people. </div> <bR> <div> As we approach Patriots Day I encourage you to send a note to your personal heroes, let them know how important they are to you.  Hug them if you can.  </div> <bR> <div> Send a note of thanks to your local firefighters, law enforcement, military personnel and other public servants in your area, whether they be volunteer or paid, thank them for their dedication on behalf of you and your community.   </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>###</U></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="tow_your_boat_safely"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Tow Your Boat Safely!</B></div> <div> By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="696" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 1841 WIDTH="692"><div> Much is written for anglers on what to do to catch fish when they reach the water. We’ve certainly added our share to that library of information over the years. <IMG SRC="9a43bfe0.png" border=0 width="315" height="254" ALT="Photo by Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> But little is written on a topic that can literally wreck a fishing trip before it begins. </div> <bR> <div> "Towing Troubles: Danger on America’s Road," a two-year study released in 2006, noted that towing problems led to more than 400 deaths and nearly 30,000 injuries in 2004, the latest year examined. </div> <bR> <div> The main reason: many motorists lack knowledge or the proper equipment to safely tow boats and other equipment. The trend: accidents related to towing are becoming more common, as more people invest in boats and trailers. </div> <bR> <div> Though the online survey focused on people who tow boats, travel trailers and the like, only one-third felt they were ‘very’ knowledgeable about proper towing practices and safety. The vast majority of those surveyed (71 percent) admitted to being only ‘somewhat’ to ‘not’ knowledgeable. And, incredibly, about one-third said they had no knowledge on the topic at all. </div> <bR> <div> "Too many people are inexperienced with towing, shifting loads and the knowledge you need," said Dan Williams, truck field manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA, based in Chicago. "You run into safety issues with that." </div> <bR> <div> The research revealed many people don’t know even the most basic information. For example, more than half did not know or were unsure of their trailer’s gross weight, which is critical to know what kind of vehicle and hitch you need. More than half the people questioned didn’t know or were unsure of the class of hitch already on their vehicle, a rating which determines how much weight can be towed without problems.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Only one in 10 were given towing information from their boat or trailer dealer. In some cases, the fault rested with the drivers themselves. Less than one in four bothered to open the owner’s manual for directions. Three out of four said they learned by trial-and-error, a dangerous classroom at best. </div> <bR> <div> Ignorance, it would seem in many cases, is allowed to rule the day. Nearly two-thirds said they didn’t think they needed more information on safe towing procedures. More specifically, only one in 10 cared to know more about weight distribution. One in 20 wanted to know more about leveling a trailer, a key safety issue, because an improperly-leveled trailer can lead to fishtailing and loss of control. </div> <bR> <div> Williams said Toyota hopes potential customers research what they need before arriving at a dealership. When they don’t, Toyota sales representatives are prepared to walk people through the selection process so they wind up with the vehicle they need. In Toyota’s case, that’s the new, full-sized Tundra. </div> <bR> <div> Apparently, the company is doing it right. Toyota claimed the status of number one in vehicle sales worldwide earlier this year. To meet growing demand for Tundras, a second truck plant was opened recently in San Antonio, Texas. That adds to the plant in Princeton, Ind., where Tundras – the most "American-built in the USA" pickup on the market – have been assembled for several years. </div> <div> Williams said that, too often, people are only concerned with horsepower, payload and towing capacity. While important, he said people should also consider factors like spring ratings, stopping power and handling. </div> <bR> <div> Having enough horsepower and towing capacity are not issues with trucks like the Tundra. Equipped with a V-8, the 2007 Tundra can pull up to 10,000 pounds and handle a payload of 2,000 pounds in the bed. Using a six-speed transmission and gearing designed to provide added muscle, the vehicle has the most torque and horsepower in its class, yet gets 19 miles to a gallon on the highway.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Many pickups have heavy-duty shocks to do the job when loaded. But, take away the boat or travel trailer and they ride "like a rock," Williams said. "Tundra has special springs to handle that." </div> <div> Tongue weight is a measure of what the back bumper or hitch can handle. A good rule of thumb is to have 10 percent of what the total trailer weight is, he said. </div> <bR> <div> "Four-wheel drive is great to have and makes a difference even on dry pavement when pulling a heavy load or a boat out of water on a slippery ramp," Williams said. </div> <div> Still, Tundra comes standard with computer-controlled Auto Limited Slip Traction Control so even a two-wheel-drive version gets excellent traction. </div> <bR> <div> And, ask about brakes. "It’s great to brag about towing capacity and horsepower," says Williams, "but if you can’t stop it, you’re going to have issues." </div> <bR> <div> The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute offers a checklist of safety issues regarding tow vehicles. Many of the points echo Williams’s take on the subject. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Before buying a vehicle, check the owner’s manual to be sure the vehicle can tow your trailer and boat. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Make sure you have the right hitch, especially if you have one installed after-market. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A towing package should include a heavy duty radiator, battery, flasher system, alternator, suspension, and brakes, as well as an engine-oil cooler, transmission-oil cooler and wiring harness. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Towing packages rarely include the draw bar, an assembly on which the hitch ball is mounted; the ball mount; or the hitch ball. Make sure you buy the right ones for the job. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Before leaving home, make certain your vehicle and trailer are well maintained. Tires should be inflated to the proper pressure. Take wheel chocks and jack stands along just in case. The wheel lug nuts should be tightened. Be sure the hitch, coupler, draw bar, and other equipment that connect the trailer and the tow vehicle are correct. Check all lights, including running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights. Check the brakes. Use all available safety gear, including the break-away switch to stop the trailer in the event it comes loose. Cross safety chains below the hitch to help keep the tongue elevated off the road if it slips free. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Once underway, use the right driving gear. Feel trailer hubs after a short distance. If hot, bearings need to be greased in a hurry. Drive at moderate speeds to avoid stressing your vehicle or trailer. Trailers are more likely to sway at higher speeds or if the tongue weight is incorrectly balanced. Tandem-axle trailers follow the truck more smoothly and are less apt to sway. Don’t stop or swerve suddenly in either case. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Here’s a good trick when backing: put your hand (or hands) at the bottom of the steering wheel. When you want to go left, move your hand left. Turn right by moving your hand right. Go slowly. Have someone at the rear to help guide you. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Avoid parking on grades if you can. Block your wheels. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Before unhitching, put wheel chocks at the front and rear of the trailer tires. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73006f00c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">One of the features on the new Tundra is a rear backup camera. This nifty device allows you to line up your ball and hitch without assistance from someone else.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="9a659070.png" border=0 width="345" height="263" ALT="Photo by Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Take care when choosing a tow vehicle and towing your boat. It can mean the difference between having a fun day on the water or possibly courting disaster.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>______________________________________________________________________________________________________________</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="fishing_resumes_versus_proposals"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Fishing Resumes Versus Proposals</U></B></div> <div> By Scott Rauber*</div> <bR> <div> Over the years, it has become commonplace for anglers to prepare a fishing resume for potential sponsors that highlights their accomplishments and involvements over their fishing career.</div> <bR> <div> Recently in an interview with John Kushnerick of <I>Quantum Fishing</I>, he indicated that they receive about ten contacts per day from anglers for sponsorship (and that doesn't include clubs, organizations, and charities). Requests for sponsorship have skyrocketed as tournament trails pop up like hit records for every species of fish.</div> <bR> <div> Because the fishing industry has led anglers into developing fishing resumes in hopes of gaining sponsorship, it has created a measure of complacency. An angler may think that a resume, and a good resume to boot, will greatly increase his chances for landing sponsorship. However résumés, long or short, are being replaced by marketing proposals. And with good reason.</div> <bR> <div> Anglers who can bring a plan of attack (Proposal) for marketing, advertising and promoting a company actually position themselves as one who is looking ahead to ways that will help the sponsor land new customers while retaining their current client base.</div> <bR> <div> Now, preparing a proposal takes thought and planning.  It requires the angler to prepare and consider marketing avenues of all angles that will assist the potential sponsor in obtaining what they're interested in - leads, sales, and revenue. A resume describes things the individual angler has accomplished and essentially says to a potential sponsor, “Look at what I've done; look at me!”  The proposal on the other hand says, “Here is what I propose to do to help you bring in more business. Here is what I can do for you!” </div> <bR> <div> In preparing a sponsorship proposal, all avenues for marketing, advertising, exposing, and promoting the sponsor should be calculated, whether they are derived from:</div> <div> Internet </div> <div> Mail </div> <div> E-Mail</div> <div> Print Media (Newspapers, Magazines, Circulars, etc.) </div> <div> Personal Contact </div> <bR> <div> Simply stating that you'll proudly display their logo on your tournament shirt, truck and boat is expected if you are approaching tackle companies and is considered ho-hum in the fishing industry. However this type of exposure may very well assist you in preparing a sponsorship/marketing proposal for a business that is <I>outside</I> of the industry. </div> <bR> <div> The bottom line is that the key to a successful proposal is concerning yourself with the success of your sponsor(s).  If you plan and strategize to help them become successful, you'll become successful.</div> <bR> <div> Bass wishes in getting sponsored!</div> <bR> <div> *Author of <I>How To get Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments </I>Volume 1 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.FishForFREE.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.FishForFREE.com"><U>www.FishForFREE.com</U></A></FONT> and Volume 2 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.FishForFREE2.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.FishForFREE2.com"><U>www.FishForFREE2.com</U></A></FONT> . Publisher - The Sponsorship Newsletter <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.FishingSponsorship.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.FishingSponsorship.com"><U>www.FishingSponsorship.com</U></A></FONT> </div> <div> Scott can be reached at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:scott@fishingsponsorship.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:scott@fishingsponsorship.com"><U>scott@fishingsponsorship.com</U></A></FONT> </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.bassgifts.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bassgifts.com"><IMG SRC="2dad43c0.gif" border=0 width="468" height="60" ALT="BassGifts.com "The only online gift store featuring the black bass."" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="companions"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Companions</B></div> <div> By Conny Jenkins</div> <bR> <div> Most of our marriage we have had a pet as a companion. Each has carried its' own personality and charmed us in different ways. They have enriched our lives. Most have come to us as strays. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="8b3768e0.gif" border=0 width="118" height="142" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Wallace was not in favor of an animal in the house but was swayed when our first pet came into the marriage with me. It had been my mothers Shih Tzu and when my mother died my father asked me to care for it. Miss Tibbs lived with us through four moves and finally succumbed to old age. She was a real trooper, who traveled everywhere with us. Miss Tibbs loved sleeping in the boat as we fished. When she died, she left a great void.</div> <div>  </div> <div> We had a few other companions through the years. Some we rescued but kept only long enough to find another home and others quickly became masters of the house! </div> <bR> <div> Sonny and Samantha were a brother and sister who came to us from a farm family, whose children had already named them. I went to the house to pick up Samantha, and while waiting, Sonny curled up on my lap and fell asleep. Oh heck, might as well take them both. All of our pets have ruled the house but lived indoors and outdoors, moving in and out at their pleasure. Samantha was caught outside and killed by two dogs who lived two blocks away and had jumped their fence. I worried for a<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="8b576760.jpg" border=0 width="118" height="118" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT> long time that Sonny might have watched his sister die. When the owner of the dogs went to court we were successful in getting a monetary fine assessed and having the dogs put to sleep. Besides the tragic loss of my beloved friend I felt a great concern of what would happen if the dogs jumped the fence again and a child was nearby. </div> <bR> <div> Sonny lived alone with us for a few years before an abandoned full blood boxer moved in with us. From the very beginning Duchess made it her mission to adopt Sonny as her buddy. It took a few years but Sonny finally came around. People would tell us how cute it was to drive by our house and see a dog and cat sleep together at the front door. Duchess truly cared for Sonny and would not go to sleep at night until she made sure Sonny was in the house before we went to bed. They were amusing, this tiny cat and big dog. Sonny took to sleeping on Wallace's lap so Duchess would have to curl up as close as possible to his chair. Sonny was about fourteen years old when we had to euthanize him due to diabetes. On hindsight we should have brought Sonny home and showed his body to Duchess so she would know what happened to her little buddy. Duchess had mothered Sonny for so long, about ten years, that she simply did not understand where he disappeared to. The first week she searched the house and yard. By the second week she stopped eating and had to be fed morsel by morsel. We took her to the doctor and other than arthritis and elderly she seemed healthy. She laid at the door waiting and hoping for Sonny to come home. When we would coax her outside so she could relieve herself she walked back and forth in front of the house. After four visits in as many weeks she had lost all hope and no longer wanted to live. Nothing could cheer her up. After consulting with the doctor we let Duchess join Sonny, it was the only place she wanted be. As much as she loved us she loved Sonny more. </div> <bR> <div> When Wallace became ill the grandchildren thought he needed company so when their barn cat had a litter we adopted Sam and Mitsy. From the very beginning they chose sides. Sam would be my cat and Mitsy would sleep for hours on Wallace's legs. On days when he was feeling particularly bad they would both sleep with him, loving and nurturing him back to health. For three years we found joy in watching their antics. </div> <bR> <div> Sam and Mitsy would come and go in and out. During one trip outside Sam got into a cat fight and had to spend five days at the hospital being nursed back to health. Mitsy did not miss him much because we fed her treats and made sure she was treated especially well during his absence. She even got to go to the hospital to pick him up. Of course, while there she had her checkup and received her annual shots. When Sam came home we continued the antibiotics and both our babies received special food. Sam had recovered just before we left for the Women's Bassmaster Championship. </div> <bR> <div> While on our trip we received word Mitsy had died. We had made them stay inside and were being checked on by my sister-in-law, Linda. We had no idea what could have happened, she had just been to the doctor and was fine less than two weeks earlier. A few days later the national news unfolded telling us the special food we gave her was tainted. She did not stand a chance. Sam on the other hand had been taking antibiotics and eating dry food. </div> <bR> <div> We said we would not get anymore pets, we could not handle the loss. Sam would be our only companion and that was it. Little did we know that another cat had already been staking out our home and had big plans of moving in. This sleuth had slipped in a time or two before Mitsy died and we shooed him out. We did not see it for a few weeks, then one day it was <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="8af2ce10.png" border=0 width="300" height="225" ALT="Misty and the squirell" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT>begging to be let in. We have tried to make it stay out but Wallace and I neither one have any resistance. We had a cold spell and just could not bear for him (or her) to shiver outside our door. On closer inspection this little friend has been taken well care of, his front claws have been removed, is healthy, knows how to use a litter box, and comes when fingers are snapped. After a few tries at a variety of names we settled on Raven. When I tried to give the cat away one lady, not knowing we were calling him by name, told me "if you name him he is yours." I came home and told Wallace what she said and that seem to settle it, Raven would join our family as the newest member. </div> <bR> <div> This is Wallace's buddy, Mitsy. The squirrel kept knocking on the</div> <div>  window and running back and forth. We weren't sure if the squirrel wanted in the house or wanted Mitsy to come out and play, we were</div> <div>  glad a glass separated them. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="tough_guy_talk_about_bass_fishing_in"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Tough guy talk about Bass fishing in Mexico</B></div> <bR> <div> Ok here is the pep talk and I only give it once. Let's start with what to bring and not to bring.</div> <bR> <div> Passport or a <B>notarized copy</B> of your birth certificate. </div> <bR> <div> If you are a women <U>you need a copy of your marriage license too</U>. </div> <bR> <div> <B>A picture ID like a drivers license too.</B></div> <bR> <div> Money for tips. Tips are one dollar and you can bring about 20 or 30 of them. Then you should plan on tipping the boat guide a total of $20 per day ($10 per person) if he doesn't do a good job don't tip him. After that you don't need money for licenses, drinks, food, lodging or anything else. These people in the camp will work like crazy with or without a tip. We like to give them tips. We also bring down our old T shirts, hat, jeans etc in any size after we have our bag packed. (For children, women, boys men) Then we give them the extra cloths, clean out your closet, these people will appreciate it. </div> <bR> <div> You only have to bring like 2-3 pairs of jeans, use one clean pair for the airplane to and back. One clean shirt for the airplane to and back. Then you ware your dirty, stinky cloths fishing and we all smell the same. Don't over pack. You will need a light jacket for the boat rides in the AM and PM. You will need a hat or two, maybe one long sleeve, light shirt material if you find yourself sunburned. Bring suntan lotion. There is nothing to buy at the camp. It is at the end of a very, very, very long dirt road.</div> <bR> <div>  If you don't bring a toothbrush you can't buy one. </div> <bR> <div> Ok let's talk about a day in the life. </div> <bR> <div> Sunrise you are woken up, you take a shower etc and come into a full sit-down breakfast. Then your gear that you have left outside your door, is carried to a truck and the guides take the truck and your gear to the boats. When you get done eating you go to the nice truck and ride down to the lake. 2 people and one guide get in a boat and if you are smart you smile at the guide and shut up. Don’t try and tell him where to go like I always do. He will have a full ice chest of what ever you have told them to pack. If you drink beer at 6 am it will have beer, if it is coke, or bottled water, no problem. You fish to noon. The guides unhook all your fish, they will fix your worm and net the fish etc. You come back at lunch and you get a full sit down lunch. You lounge around and swap stories or take a quick nap and off you go again. The fish do NOT bite between noon and 2 PM, don’t ask me why.</div> <bR> <div> So off you go again with a full tank of gas, more ice chest stuff and more fishing until sunset. Then you come in, have a full sit down meal. Free margaritas, beer, steak, or whatever the cooks are cooking. After you get done eating it is already 8pm and you need to get up at about 5:30 so it is time for bed. Then off you go again in the morning.</div> <div> Ok, what kind of gear? </div> <bR> <div> I’m going to tell you and you had better listen. Rod and line. Rods should be 6 to 7 foot, Medium to medium heavy. Line should be 17 to 25 # test. If you show up with a spinning outfit with 12 # test and think you are going to catch fish you are mentally sick. These fish are very strong, very big and very aggressive. They live in the worst parts of the Ironwood, Mesquite, Buckbrush, Cactus and any other thing that has been flooded by the upcoming water. Remember they pull the lake down to irrigate. The trees grow fast, then the water rises and the fish move into the jungle. You are not getting them out with 12 or 14 # test. You will lose your lure, you will look stupid and you will not have any fun. This goes for women and children. My wife will be fishing two MH 6 ½ spinning rods with 17# test. She will loose fish she cannot turn. But she will have a fair chance with the ones under 5-6 pounds. I will be using 20 # test mono on a 6 ½ MH stick. Nothing fancy no real overkill. I will have one rod with 17 # test in case I want to play around a little. Bring your rods in a tube case for the airport. </div> <bR> <div> Tackle box. All this stuff about 14 inch worms is bunk. They love 7 inch worms. They like tequila shad, (red shad) they like blue with any color tail and they love <B><U>watermelon with a chartreuse tail</U></B><U>.</U> I will have 7 inch worms, 9 inch and a bunch of 11 inch. They do like the 7 inch worm, but you can throw a 9 inch and they will eat it just as quick. So I bring nothing but big stuff, I can always bite the head off. All my worms start at 9 inch and go to 11 inches. They love a floating worm or a fluke with a 5/0 hook thrown on 17# spinning gear reeled as fast as you can. They will come up in packs of 4 or 5 and slam the worm or the fluke. I would bring 50 of the worms in the brightest colors and I would bring 75 fluke in 5 inch in silver shad. These fish love color. </div> <bR> <div> Lures. Everything, but they like chuggers, Zara spooks, some buzz baits, etc. They love topwater in the AM, then you go to spinnerbaits, white, chartreuse . Then you go to worms, then lunch, then worms, then sunset back to the spinnerbaits and topwater. Some guys throw a lot of fat free shads etc.</div> <bR> <div> Hook size should be 4/0 to 5/0 forget that little 1/0 stuff, you are not fishing for dinks. No hook should be less then a 3/0, no worm less then 7 inches. And that about does it. Bring an extra spool of line with you (No Stores!!!!). Pack your pocket knife in your check in luggage, nail clippers, sunglasses etc. The boats are roomy and dry. But still take care of your camera etc. </div> <bR> <div> The guide’s don’t speak English, neither do I, so I pack a little toilet paper with me and wave it at him if nature calls me. Some times I call back. </div> <bR> <div> Plan on having the time of you life. You can be 600 years old and they will put you on fish. So just plan on a beautiful trip. Bring some tip money and everyone will be smiling all the time. It’s great and you will love it. Any questions e mail me at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>kicknbass@earthlink.net</U></FONT> And don’t show up with any sissy equipment because I am not going to lend you one of the 12-15 complete outfits I am bringing. I come ready to break rods, strip reels and just reach down and pick up another one. You had better be ready to do the same too. Love you all. Cosmic></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Reprinted courtesy of Kick'n Bass</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> </B><B> <A NAME="mize_fails_in_bid_to_become_first"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Mize Fails In Bid to Become First Female in Elite Series</B></div> <bR> <div> On the eve of the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series Wildcard tournament held in Leesburg, Fla., last week, angler Lucy Mize stood on the verge of making BASS history.</div> <bR> <div> After a successful season on the Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Triton Boats where she qualified for the inaugural Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship in February on Lake Mitchell- Mize found herself in position to earn her tour card for the 2007 Elite Series via the second-chance Wildcard tournament. She qualified for the Wildcard by finishing 35th in CITGO Bassmaster Northern Tour points.</div> <bR> <div> With a top-10 performance in the Wildcard event, Mize would have became the first female pro to qualify for BASS’ highest level of competition. And the possible distinction was not lost on the 45-year-old Arkansas angler.</div> <bR> <div> “Isn’t that neat?” Mize said when the feat was mentioned. “I’ve thought about it quite a bit, actually. It would be a dream come true, but I know there are other anglers out there that want that same dream. It’s going to be hard to accomplish.</div> <bR> <div> “I’ve been trying to get to this level seven or eight years. I’ve had some chances in the past and it’s my own fault that I didn’t do it.”</div> <bR> <div> Mize joked that she and husband Jimmy, who already qualified for the 2007 Elite Series, would have bought a double-decker boat trailer to travel together on the Elite Series next year. </div> <bR> <div> “He told me that if I made it he would kick my tail next year,” she said, laughing.</div> <div> But as the Wildcard event unfolded, it was quickly apparent that Mize’s dream would have to wait at least another year before materializing. She finished 49th with just 5 pounds, 11 ounces after two days of fishing on the Harris Chain.</div> <bR> <div> “It was tough on me in practice and it just got tougher,” Mize lamented.</div> <bR> <div> <B>More Mize news... </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >You might recall that budding BASS angler Melinda Mize, daughter of Jimmy and Lucy, had her tournament plans put on hold due to National Guard duty she started last June. According to her mom, Melinda is enjoying a two-week break at home in Arkansas before she returns to the Middle East. </FONT></div> <bR> <div> “She got to come home and we met in Orlando where we spent a couple of days together,” Lucy said. “She goes back in two weeks [and will serve] until the end of June. That is a long time. It’s going to be really hard to let her go this time.”</div> <div> <B>__________________________________________________________________________________</B><B>________________</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="i_didn_t_get_the_trophy_but_in_many"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>I didn't get the trophy, but in many ways, I'm a winner!</B></div> <bR> <div> By Sylvia Graham<IMG SRC="5849b2e0.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="302" ALT="Sylvia Graham" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> I do miss all of you. You know I had surgery on my hand which kept me from starting the season last year in the spring----then, my mom (96) started to really go downhill--she died and then I was approached by a dear friend who happens to be a county commissioner and I found myself running for a state office. It was almost like a "calling" to me. I just had to do it. I don't fancy myself a politican, but I began to enjoy knocking on doors and meeting people. With the help of the democratic party, my family, many friends and volunteers, I really had a campaign going.</div> <div>  </div> <div> My state district covered 3 counties and was 63% republican. The gentleman I challenged had been in office 26 years and three weeks after I filed, he retired. I was unchallenged for a month. The republican party chose a very wealthy, retired United Airlines pilot to run against me. He had won a purple heart in the Vietnam war. </div> <bR> <div> I held my own and ,infact, lead most of the way through the race. The last 7 days were pretty ugly from their side. They couldn't find any dirt on me so they just flat out-lied about things I said. To make a long story short---I lost by 567 votes. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="588f70f0.jpg" border=0 width="247" height="271" ALT="2000 World Woman's Bass Fishing Champion Sylvia Graham" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I have recieved thank you notes for running from everyone from the elderly, school teachers to business people. I even recieved a note from the republican mayor stating he was impressed with the campaign I ran. </div> <bR> <div> I'm packing all kinds of political walking lists, etc in boxes and have been threatened to not destroy a thing from the county democratic chairman. </div> <bR> <div> What an experience this was, not only for me, but my family and my grandchildren. I am not sorry I chose to run. </div> <bR> <div> More good people need to get involved. As soon as your state party becomes aware that you are a viable candidate, they will immediately jump on board!! </div> <bR> <div> I didn't get the trophy, but in many ways, I'm a winner!</div> <bR> <div> About the author: <I>Sylvia Graham, veteran angler and world title holder, is semi-retired from professional bass fishing.</I></div> <div> <B>_______________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="55488730.jpg" border=0 width="136" height="115" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="reality_check"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>REALITY CHECK:</B></div> <div> <B>WHAT KIND OF INFLUENCE ARE YOU?</B></div> <bR> <div> By Carol Boykin</div> <bR> <div> What kind of presentation do you project when practicing and fishing the WBT?</div> <bR> <div> I don't mean how spiffy you might look in your sponsor's shirt, or what neon color your latest pair of Crocs are.  Let's face it, we hardly ever see a female angler that isn't dressed to the nines.  Clean, pressed, capped jauntily, and neat as a pin --- right down to her manicured finger nails.</div> <bR> <div> And, when you come off the water, do you sound as good as you look?  </div> <div> Listen to yourself!</div> <bR> <div> Are you supportive to someone else who might have had a bad day?  Do you have a smile in your voice as you encourage the newcomer to the tour?  Are you on guard against "the rumor of the day?"</div> <bR> <div> Are you aware this is a test?</div> <bR> <div> It's natural for other people to judge you by how you look or act but it's more important to be aware of the example you set by what comes out of your mouth.</div> <bR> <div> Do you quietly go to "the horse's mouth" to express your concerns over the rumor and get the correct answers?  Or do you jump to conclusions when a doubt arises regarding the legality of another angler's actions?</div> <bR> <div> Do you question another angler's actions without knowing the full story?  Or,  do you sit in the boat slip while working on your rods, mouth off across the walkway, and spread rumors through idle (but loud) conversations with your friends?</div> <bR> <div> The reality is we all hear rumors, we all discuss them with our friends, and we all deal with them in our own way.  Whether we are trying to or not, we influence others by the way we react to what has been said.  Today we live in a world of rapid communication -- and nothing moves faster than a good rumor.  When this happens, let's ask ourselves, "If the whole world followed me, would it be a better world?"  Please consider what you are doing.  Reputations can be ruined by your example and through your influence.</div> <bR> <div> What kind of influence do you have?  How do you use it?  It's something we all need to assess, if we haven't already, before the 2007 season starts in February.</div> <bR> <div> <I>About the author: Carol Boykin competes as a Co-angler on the Woman's Bassmaster Tour.  She is a veteran angler and former Director of the Bass'N Gals Affiliated Clubs.</I></div> <div> <B>_________________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="sponsor_loyalty"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Sponsor Loyalty</B></div> <div> <B>A look inside the businesses of bass fishing, and why you should support </B></div> <div> <B>the businesses that support the fishermen, period.</B></div> <bR> <div> By Jerry Drazer</div> <div> Sponsors come in many different capacities, to both the host tournament organizations as well as to tournament anglers. No matter what capacity the sponsor and their sponsorship package may contribute, the bottom line here is that <U>sponsor</U> <U>loyalty</U> <U>begins</U> <U>with</U> <U>you</U>, the bass angler.</div> <bR> <div> In the past year or so, and in the foreseeable future, there may be fewer sponsors as well as a lot less sponsor dollars allocated due to budget cuts. This isn’t good for anyone because these cuts are usually in direct relation to sales volumes. When times are tough, and sales are down, one needs to remember that advertising and promotional budgets are the easiest to reevaluate and/or in some cases simply cut out all together. Therefore, many of the little extra’s anglers have come to expect (or taken for granted) will be eliminated for awhile, some may be permanently it’s hard to tell.</div> <bR> <div> One of the main reasons sponsors come on board with a host tournament organization is because they want your business. Let’s not neglect to remember why the sponsor or anyone else is in business in the first place, <U>to make money</U>. Sure, there are a few sponsors that lend their support because they like the sport, or a particular organization, or person. But, in most cases, sponsor dollars are a derived percentage directly from their promotional and advertising budgets.</div> <bR> <div> A sponsor might view the organization and its distinction as "very good and reputable". Realizing that any organization is only as strong as its membership they try to appeal to these potential customers through the sponsorship package and use of their allocated promotional and advertising dollars. If a sponsor doesn't get a return on their investment through the exposure or through sales they're gone, often never to return.</div> <bR> <div> Welcome, to the business side of bass fishing.</div> <bR> <div> Now, let's analyze four different types of sponsors, their relationship to you, the angler. The four different types of sponsors are pretty straightforward in the name classification I have assigned to them they are: Industry sponsors, Industry/Service sponsors, Non Industry sponsors, and Community Business sponsors.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>INDUSTRY SPONSORS</U></B></div> <div> An Industry sponsor is a business that may be selling a customer specific product or service. This type of sponsor is self explanatory, but here’s an example of a customer specific product to clear things up: <I>If the XYZ Company manufactures Bass Widgets, it’s in their best interest to expose the Bass Widget product line to as many bass fishermen as possible. Every household in the United States won’t use a Bass Widget, not every fisherman will either, but the company truly believes every bass fisherman could use one</I>.</div> <bR> <div> So, rather than waste advertising dollars with a blanket advertising campaign, they advertise by contracting a sponsorship/advertising program with the host tournament organization, and/or some of its anglers. This is essentially called "target marketing", and it eliminates wasted advertising dollars, appeals to the "target market population", and helps keep some of their costs down.</div> <bR> <div> Here’s a very quick and simple example of how "target marketing" might work: <I>The XYZ Company has specifically identified bass fishermen as their "target market". So rather than purchasing advertising in the "ABCD Outdoor News", they come on board as a sponsor of the "DCBA National Bass Trail". Their sponsorship of this organization and the two guys on their pro-staff from this circuit gets their name out at tournaments, includes a one year full page ad in The DCBA Trail Magazine, and on the DCBA Trail Internet site.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>INDUSTRY / SERVICE SPONSORS</U></B></div> <div> Industry Service sponsors would include marinas, tackle shops etc… They utilize target marketing as well in many cases. Sometimes they sponsor fishermen, purchase ads, or sponsor a circuit. Or any combination of the three.</div> <bR> <div> They sell industry-related products, as well as provide service and product expertise to you the angler. It’s very important to remember that these businesses don’t just sell product, they also sell service. A marina for example, may handle other boat lines, but wants you the bass fisherman to buy your bass boat from them.</div> <bR> <div> Very often, the same marinas that aggressively pursue the bass fishermen provide outstanding service to anglers after the sale. While you may find a little bit better deal in another state, you may pay above and beyond that difference when it comes to service in years to come. Let’s say you have a problem with your boat during a Tuesday night jackpot tournament, and have a big money tournament coming up on Saturday. They’ll usually find a way to work you in the schedule and get your boat fixed before your Saturday event. Why? Because you’re "their customer".</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NON-INDUSTRY SPONSORS</U></B></div> <div> Non-Industry sponsors products and services usually have nothing to do with the sport of bass fishing. Non-Industry sponsors aren’t usually looking to target just the bass fishermen, but they actually hope to expand their business horizons and support/business in a new market perhaps. They usually sponsor an event, individual, or organization because of the potential to draw in business from a different segment of the market population. This market segment may not be in their existing customer base, but may need their products or services from time to time.</div> <bR> <div> A non-industry sponsor might also sponsor an organization to further an awareness of their business in the local, regional, or national arenas. We all like to bass fish, but our everyday jobs are very diverse. Some bass fishermen are farmers, contractors, carpenters, factory workers, industrial buyers, engineers, as well as high profile business people. Many Non-Industry sponsors get a lot for their dollar, because bass fishing crosses over and appeals to such diverse segments and cross sections of the market population, and the common link is bass fishing.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>COMMUNITY BUSINESS SPONSORS</U></B></div> <div> The community business sponsors may not be official tournament sponsors but they have been pre-selected, and pre-solicited "exclusively" by the host tournament organization to provide you with the very best products and services at discounted rates while you're in town.</div> <bR> <div> They provide these discounted rates in hopes of getting the majority of the market share during weekend of the tournament. Community business sponsors would include but not be limited to: hotels, motels, restaurants, and other businesses in a community that are offering discounts to the tournament fishermen while they're in town. They actively want the tournament angler's to shop at their business.</div> <bR> <div> Community business sponsors like hotels/motels usually give a sizable discount in their rates to get you to stay with them. They actually cut their profit margins in hopes that you’ll stay with them and use their facilities exclusively, they are hoping to make up some of this margin though by filling the block of rooms all weekend. You should stay with them, because they provide many "extras" along with the discount. They accommodate the needs of the host tournament organization and to <U>you</U> the angler. These little added "extras" are usually very convenient, and people don't give much thought to them until they're needed.</div> <div> <I>(An example of a " added extra" would be a free meeting room for the tournament meeting. This gets anglers out of the weather if its pouring rain and windy, and allows them to hear the briefing and visit with friends. Normally, this community sponsor would get upwards of $200-$300 room rental for the evening, but they give it to the organization because they want their fishermen to stay with them.)</I></div> <bR> <div> Sure it might cost less to pile 4 people in a room and stay at the "Roach Motel", and eat down the road at "The Greasy Spoon", but you need to remember, the community business sponsor supports <U>you</U>, they accommodate <U>you</U>, and do the extra's for <U>you</U>. Like beefing up security in the parking lot to eliminate theft for example. Now, think about it for a second. If theft occurs, or your boat gets vandalized, you won’t be able to fish, equipment wise or mentally. Your whole weekend has been ruined, because you wanted to save a couple bucks.</div> <bR> <div> Now take a look at the sponsors and advertisers within your organization. If you’re in need of a particular product or service <U>you</U> should <U>always</U> give sponsors and advertisers the first shot at your business. Sponsor loyalty begins with <U>you</U>, the bass angler. Shop their shop. Buy their products and services, and while your at it, tell them "thanks".</div> <bR> <div> <B>After all, they’re supporting you, shouldn’t you support them? It’s a two way street…</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Reprinted with permission of Kick'N Bass</I></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5568d320.gif" border=0 width="397" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">___________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="boat_builders_beware_women_at_work"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>BOAT BUILDERS BEWARE: Women at Work</B></div> <bR> <div> By Carol Boykin</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="34972bb0.jpg" border=0 width="370" height="187" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>J</B><B>aunita Robinson--Robin Babb--Rhonda Pope</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Have you ever tried to interview three different women with three entirely different personalities, asking them the same questions and trying to get a concensus of opinion from them?</div> <bR> <div> Well, forget it!  It can't be done!  I thought it started off as a great idea.  What it ended with was something else again.  One was thoughtful, serious, and smiling.  The second one was thankful, cautious, and smiling.</div> <div> And, the third one was jovial, as full of ____ as a Christmas turkey, and grinning.  For a minute, I thought I had a consensus - the smile .....</div> <bR> <div> I love them all!  And, when you know them, you will too.  Over the years, they have all had the time and inclination to enjoy, to dissect, and to dream about what bass fishing COULD be.  All the while hoping, wishing, and dreaming of "the big time", of turning dreams into realities and thus into memories.  These three anglers are friendly, they are all good anglers, and have repeatedly enjoyed successes - and helped others to do the same.  They are good role models.</div> <bR> <div> If I were to choose two words that most describe all three anglers, I would first choose "integrity" - they have it and it allows others to trust them.</div> <div> My second choice would be "respect" - they value and respect themselves and others - both personally and professionally.</div> <bR> <div> I spoke with Robin Babb, of Livingston, Texas, Rhonda Pope of Waco, Georgia, and Juanita Robinson of Highlands, Texas.   I enjoyed their answers, and hope you do to.</div> <bR> <div> Here they are:</div> <bR> <div> (1)  What is the number one problem women anglers on tour face in the world today?</div> <div> (Juanita)  Getting sponsors and the backing like the men do that fish the tour events.</div> <div> (Rhonda)  I feel the #1 problem women anglers face on tour is probably safety on land.  Many women travel alone and can be easily targeted by certain groups as easy prey.</div> <div> (Robin)  I believe a big problem is within the anglers themselves.  We need to realize how much we truly have to offer, and that everything we do and say is being scrutinized.  We are no longer just "the girls", we are professionals with a rare opportunity to make a difference in other peoples'</div> <div> lives as well as our own.</div> <bR> <div> (2)  If you could change the fishing world, what would you do?</div> <div> (Rhonda)  If I could change the fishing world today, I would stop "sight fishing."  This process removes bass from their habitat during the bedding process, probably never to return, therefore reducing the future bass population.</div> <div> (Juanita)  Women that fish the tour events would get as much TV coverage and publicity as the men do - or the "named fish" do - when they tag a fish and follow it around a lake.  If tagging would get me more publicity, they could tag me and follow me around a lake that I fish.</div> <div> (Robin)  I'm not going to elaborate on this, because needless to say, "We"</div> <div> would be taking over!</div> <bR> <div> (3)  Are you a tortoise or a hare?</div> <div> (Rhonda)  I consider myself somewhere between a tortoise and a hare.  </div> <div> Sometimes I may move slower than I should, but I am quick to learn new things.</div> <div> (Robin)  Hare (with hair on fire!)</div> <div> (Juanita)  I am a hare.  When something needs to be done, I get right on it and "Get'r" done.</div> <bR> <div> (4)  Who or what in your fishing career has been your greatest inspiration?</div> <div> How?</div> <div> (Juanita)  My husband has been the inspiration in my fishing career.  </div> <div> We have been fishing tournaments from the first time we met in a bass club.</div> <div> He has encouraged me, believes in me, and has helped me become the great angler that I am today.  He once told someone that he would rather fish team tournaments with me than any man that fishes the East Texas tournament trails.</div> <bR> <div> (Rhonda)  First of all, I wish my Dad could hear me say "thanks" to him for teaching me to be the person (tomboy) that I am and to love the outdoors. However, my greatest inspiration to my fishing career has been David Pope, my husband.  He has been beside me every step of the way for 25 years.  He introduced me to a boat and strongly encourages me in everything that I do.</div> <div> Without him, I would not be where I am right now.  And last, thanks to the Lord for giving me the opportunity!   "Where there is a will, there is a way" is my strongest motto.</div> <bR> <div> (Robin)  At a young age, I would say my Grandmother and Aunt - for making sure I learned how to fish at a very young age and giving me the opportunity to spend summers at Lake Texoma.  Most recently, without hesitation, it is Kathy Magers.  Her tenacity, business sense, and desire has given us a gift of opportunity that is immeasurable.  I hope we can make her proud!</div> <bR> <div> (5)  If you were designing a bass boat, what feature would you add?</div> <div> (Robin)  A sight deck.</div> <bR> <div> (Rhonda)  If I were designing a bass boat, I would add retractable mirrors.</div> <div> This concept would allow you to see what is coming behind you, as in an automobile.  So many times boaters do not take that extra moment to make sure they are a safe distance away before getting on plane in front of another boat that may be running at full speed.</div> <bR> <div> (Juanita)  If I were designing a bass boat, I would first ask some of the touring Pros (men and women),  "What could I do to improve my boats?"  Then, I would use their answers to design a boat to fit their needs, not mine.</div> <bR> <div> I would make the back deck more fishable.  All the boat builders put too much time into making the front deck bigger and better.  They need to look at the back deck and make it where your rods are more accessible.  Your rod butts should be on the back deck so you can reach down and just pick one up, not where you have to get down, untangle them, and then get back up on the back deck and go back to fishing.</div> <bR> <div> I would put a rubber padding under the carpet on the front and back decks so it would be better to stand on all day.</div> <bR> <div> I would make more of a "plain Jane" boat - so more people could afford to buy one.  You don't need all those bells and whistles to catch fish. The price of boats has gotten way out of hand.</div> <bR> <div> I would put better latches on all of the boxes and beef up the fiber glass, and put a piece of stainless steel in those places where the latches are.  I would put rod box alarms just like they put into cars on every boat I made.</div> <div> I would make an ice chest so you could have room for what you need and insulate it so your ice doesn't melt half way through the day.</div> <bR> <div> (6)  What amuses you in the fishing/tournament world?</div> <bR> <div> (Rhonda)  The most amusing thing for me in the fishing/tournament world is the faces of some men when a woman weighs in a big sack of fish.  </div> <div> Also, the women who must fix their hair and makeup before a weigh-in.  </div> <div> Get real, we have been fishing all day!</div> <bR> <div> (Robin)  That people think fishing for a living is so easy!</div> <bR> <div> (Juanita)  It amuses me that ESPN thinks IKE and the rest of his screaming idiots are so great and put them on TV more than some of the great fishermen like Rick Clunn, Zell Rowland, Davey Hite, and Jay Yelas - just to name a few.</div> <bR> <div> It amuses me that they are trying to get the women's tour going and don't want to publicize it more.  It seems to me that if they want more women to get interested in WBT, they would televise it more.</div> <bR> <div> (7)  What has been your most satisfying "win" or event on the water?</div> <bR> <div> (Juanita)  My most satisfying "win" was when my husband and I won the Angler's Choice Amateur Team Championship on Sam Rayburn.  That was the greatest day!  It was a 2-day competition.  The first day we didn't have much and Donnie made a statement at weigh-in that all we needed to catch the next day was 20 lbs., and WE DID!  I caught a 7 lb'er and had Big Bass of the tournament also.  We beat some of the best fishermen in Texas and Louisiana.  I gained a lot of respect from the rest of the men anglers that year.  It didn't make too many of them happy that a woman beat them - but - who gives a rat's ___?</div> <bR> <div> There was one other very satisfying event that I placed high in.  That was the Skeeter Jamboree in 1997 on Sam Rayburn.  I placed 6th over all - fishing out of the back of the boat.  Skeeter Boats holds a Jamboree for it's team members only.  You fish against all of the other team members such as Todd Faircloth, Jay Yelas, Zell Rowland, and many more.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  There has been a lot of other satisfying moments in fishing for me, but, I won't list them all. </div> <bR> <div> (Rhonda)  My most satisfying moment on the water was the weigh-in at Neely Henry, Alabama, when I realized that I was leading the first day of the first ever Women's Bassmaster Tour event!</div> <bR> <div> (Robin)  The WBFA C0-Angler win on the Appalachicola River in Mexico Beach, Florida!  Why can't they all be that easy?  That was a dream event beginning with an incredible practice session with Judy Wong, then keeping Sheri Glasgow busy on net detail the first day, and having Pam Martin-Wells follow-up the detail on the final day!</div> <bR> <div> There they are ... three extraordinary WBT anglers. If you don't know them, you're missing a big smile and a lot of encouragement on your road to success.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>####</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="in_memory_of_tiffany_duncan"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>In Memory of Tiffany Duncan</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Join me in the fight against breast cancer</B></div> <bR> <div> A few short years ago, or so it seems, a blonde haired little girl came into the world and my life. Though she had her terrible two’s and some troubled teen years, she, as most children do, became a responsible, loving adult. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="4a0ded60.jpg" border=0 width="222" height="214" ALT="Tiffany with Trey Reed of Bass Center Judith Hart Photo" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Tiffany was always the life of the party, keeping everyone entertained with her quick wit, one-liners and contagious personality. This happiness was too soon overshadowed by a diagnosis that would shortly claim her life.</div> <bR> <div> In May of 2004, two months prior to her 37th birthday, Tiffany was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer. On July 1, 2004, Tiff had a mastectomy and was found to have massive wide-spread disease. She spent her birthday in the hospital and followed with a course of treatment that consumed not only her body, but her laughter, tearing away the beautiful smile that she always wore. </div> <bR> <div> Brief periods of wellness found Tiffany living to the fullest. She let no moment go unused. An avid “fisher woman”, Tiffany began to spend as much time as possible on the lakes, with her bass fishing friends, her nephew or brothers, and at the coast with her long time friend and love of her life, Kenny. Tiffany loved to fish the Gulf Coast waters of Texas and deep sea fishing in Hawaii. Always with a big smile, a cap to cover what was once long and beautiful blonde hair, and a “great big fish” in her hands, she again wore that beautiful smile.</div> <bR> <div> On February the 4th, 2006, Tiffany lost her battle with cancer. She will always remain in our hearts and bring forth fond memories, and hopefully a big smile to our faces.</div> <bR> <div> Please join me in the fight against this terrible disease that claims so many lives, by supporting me and the Susan G. Komen “3 day” walk in Dallas, Ft. Worth this October, 2006.</div> <bR> <div> Mary Stone Reed</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>We will walk 20 miles a day for three consecutive days in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. Those of you who know me are aware that I am not a "camper", so sleeping in a tent on the ground for 3 nights in late October, will be more challenging for me than walking the 60 miles. I have been training for the past 2 months to prepare for the walk, achieving a pace of about 4 miles an hour. A snails pace I'm sure compared to the younger generation, but I am determined to do this so I can help to fight the disease that claims so many lives. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>As you all know, my own daughter, Tiffany, passed away this year from breast cancer. It is in her memory that I will dedicate myself to this walk, and many other fund-raising events in the future.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Please join me in this endeavor by making a donation to my team.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I have pledged to raise the minimum of $2200.00, so I need your help.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>With love and much thanks,</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Mary Wayne Stone Reed</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=131565&supid=135851820" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/don"><I>Mary's personal donation site</I></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>####</B></div> <bR> <div> <B></B><B>A Family Affair</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="affair"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT></div> <div> Sammie Jo Denyes`  <IMG SRC="49b3db90.jpg" border=0 width="317" height="185" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Fishing isn't just a way of life for us; it is a family affair. My Mother JoNell Whitstine, My Sister Carla Whitstine and myself took to the water on the Women's Bassmaster Tour preview event in Lewisville Texas in October. It made an already historical event more personal to each of us.</div> <bR> <div>  Fishing was introduced to Carla and I at a very early age by our parents Buddy and JoNell. When we were younger and growing up, we lived on Iatt lake in Louisiana, we thought nothing of walking in the back yard, getting in a boat and going fishing, looking back now I see how lucky we truly were. Friends called us Tomboys, but we were Pro Anglers in the making. Both of our parents also had the love of fishing instilled in them at an early age by their parents.</div> <bR> <div>  As a fishing trio on the tour, we are as supportive as we are competitive of one another; we share information prior to the tournament, during the tournament as well as the tournament water hotspots. It reminded me at times during practice of the mother duck and her ducklings as 3 Nitro boats were running across the water in a row. We want each other to do well, but we also want to top one another in the standings. It is our own personal competition as well. In a phone conversation with Hank Parker, He laughed as he said he would be watching for a cat fight out on the water, It won't come to that, But the competition definitely will be evident. </div> <bR> <div> The three of us are anxious to kick off the 2006 season on the Women's Bassmaster tour and of course are already talking smack to one another. But our mom is our fishing Mentor and we know even if we top her in the standings, we did so because of her. This truly shows what Take A kid Fishing stands for, granted it created three fishing monsters, but my parents never had to worry about either of us doing drugs as teenagers or as adults. The three of us together on and off the water are a laugh as well, when we do get together as I live in Florida and they are in Louisiana, we aren't found at the Mall or getting our nails done together, we are at the Tackle stores and BassPro shop</div> <div> .</div> <div>  We have some of the same sponsors whom are very supportive of us Bill Lewis Lures, Eagle Claw hooks, Sufix Line, BassPro Shops, V&M Lures and Nitro Boats.  My Dad Buddy and Husband Jerry are also part of the family affair, they are the official Bass Caddies of the trio, however my husband tries to land claim to Coach. Their support is crucial in our success as well.</div> <div>  We are focusing hard on the 2006 season and our goal is to take over three positions in the top 6 when that happens it's going to make history yet again and ole Hank may be on to something. BASS/ESPN has opened the doors for Women Anglers, and we intend to make a Grand entrance .  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Sammie Jo Denyes`</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>####</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.kicknbass.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kicknbass.com"><I><IMG SRC="45a6f250.png" border=0 width="367" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></A></div> <div> Ken "Cosmic" Kross</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="lake_huites_mexico"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Lake Huites Mexico</B></div> <div>  <IMG SRC="45c94d30.png" border=0 width="148" height="211" ALT="Ken "Cosmic" KrossKick'N Bass--World's Greatest Fish AttractantsFirst Lady Bass Angler Website Sponsor!" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> As we go through our magazines, newspaper articles and other media information we hear about lakes in Mexico and how incredible the bass fishing is and how we must go there. Then we start to look into airfare, cost of the lodge etc. and we begin to think "Boy is that a lot of money to go fishing." What if I am being lied to, what if it is all just hype and I get there and there are no fish? Well let me tell you a story and you decide.</div> <bR> <div> I have been to Mexico quite a few times now, both on guided trips and with my own boat. I have taken my wife, gone with groups and went with my partner Greg. We have been to different outfitters and we have gone at different times of the year to different lakes. I am not an expert on Mexico, nor do I profess to be one, I just have a little more experience than someone who has just read about it and never wet a line their. The fishing can be good or it can be poor. When I say poor I mean that you will probably catch more fish on that poor day than you do on one of your best days in the USA on an average bass lake. I know there are some private ponds all around the states where you can go and get 5 pound fish, but let's just talk public water with the jet skiers.</div> <bR> <div> What can you expect? Well let's start with the flight. Depending on where you come from and where you are going, you are either going to be on a regular size jet, or a small turbo prop. The first thing you notice is that the directions and signs are in Spanish first and Gringo second. The flight attendant tells you your seat is a floating seat cushion in Spanish first, then with an accent you can hardly understand she says it in English. OK we land and you go through customs, dragging your rod box, too many cloths and a giant tackle box. You can tell the first timers, they try and carry it all themselves. The frequent Mexican visitor just waves his hand, steps aside and his bags are whisked away for a mere dollar. You can also tell the frequent flyer by his fat wallet. Not big $100 dollar bills, but lots of one-dollar bills. You never have to carry a thing and if you do, you just are not in the spirit of things and should just turn around and go home. At the curb you meet your host and get in a large Chevy Suburban or other big, clean type of transportation with everyone else. The group is friendly and of good sprits. There is usually an ice chest right their with beer and soda and bottled water. Your bags, rods etc. are all taken care of and you don't have a thing to do but sit back and enjoy the trip. You drive out of town and begin to understand why driving in Mexico is best left up to the Mexicans. Even stoplights don't get everyone to stop and speed limits are what you can get away with. You hit the dreaded dirt road to Lake Huites. If you are from Arizona you just sit back and drink another cool one, if you are from a city you hang on and get the ride of your life, switch back, gullies, creek crossing, cows and horses running around your truck. If you are from Arizona you don't even see this, but you hear the cameras going off and you realize that all of this is quite new to some folks.</div> <bR> <div> You arrive at the lodge and while your bags are unpacked you are assigned a room. Everything is well though out. The outfitter knows how many people are coming and has everything arranged. You walk into your room and are just blown away. Boy this is great! Air, lights, sheets, soft beds...and hey come look at this clean toilet! My last room at a camp was cleaner than my own house, but then they weren't reloading 45 caliber bullets, running a computer, printer, scanner, fax machine and sharing if all with three cats and two Rottweilers. You unpack all your stuff, rods, reels, cloths and then go out to the dinning area and meet your fellow fishermen, guides, cooks, maids and camp dogs. This is great. You have a big dinner, a few drinks, go to your room and rig your rods and get to bed early because reveille is at 5 AM and the knock on the door comes awfully early.</div> <bR> <div> Reveille and you stumble around looking for the light in a strange room. You take a look outside and find out it is December and you are warm standing there in your shorts. Well so much for the heavy winter jacket. You take a shower, go to breakfast and then it's back to the truck for a 3-minute ride down to the lake. The guides are already there and they grab your tackle, smile and load the ice chest into the boat. Shelley and I don't drink beer at 6 AM but the two other guys in our party did. We asked for bottled water and coke in our ice chest, the other group wanted all beer. You guessed it; the guides switched ice chests by mistake and we all left camp in the first rays of a beautiful day with the wrong ice chest.</div> <bR> <div> The guides are the owners of the land that was displaced before the dam was built. This is a nice little system. The people who would have been deprived of a living can now guide and still earn a living even though their land is underwater. So these guides know the lake and if you are smart enough to just keep quite while they past by miles of the best looking structure you have ever seen in your life, they will finally stop and point and same something like "Worm" or Spinnerbait". At this time it is usually a good time to go with the guides advice. You see he just had a group here for 4 days and before that another group and before that.... So he kind of knows the lake, if you get my drift. If you are not into fish in 10-15 minutes he will say let's go and off you go for a five-minute ride to another honey hole.</div> <div> Shelley and I ran up an arroyo and we stopped within shouting distance of another boat from our camp. These guys were yelling and screaming and had fish on one after another. We threw our top water and our spinnerbaits into the massive brush that was sticking out from the rock walls, nothing. So after 5 minutes of hearing these two guys yelling "another 4 pounder!" I finally yelled what are you doing? The reply was "They aren't in that brush, they are within one foot of the rock walls." So our guide moved us to a section of wall that didn't have the heavy growth of brush blocking us and on our first casts up against the rock walls we were into fish. The fish were right on the wall and all you had to do was throw a Pop'r, a Zarra Spook, a spinnerbait or a plastic worm and instant hookup. Now here we come to the part of how good was it and how many fish. Well I would say the morning bite produced about one fish on every five casts. The afternoon was about one fish on every ten casts. Then you get to the exceptions. How is this for an exception? We pulled up to one deep drop-off and the guide tired the front rope up to a branch and told us to cast out this way. We did. We did for one and half-hours. For one and a half-hours we caught a fish on every single cast but two. We caught so many fish that my wife's arm got tired. I tried to slow roll a spinnerbait, bamm. I tried to hit bottom with a bass assassin, bamm. I tried different colors, bamm. It was like being in heaven. I gave my guide a worm outfit and he sat in the back of the boat casting out into nowhere and he was killing them. Then it was time to go and we had to leave that little honey hole.</div> <bR> <div> So how many fish did I catch? I really don't know. One reason was that on that first day we pulled into this quite cove that was like a little jungle, Shelley and I got in their with worms and the bass killed us. Four to five pound bass on almost every cast. Trees and stickups and more dead trees, bass under ever limb. They would hit your worm so fast that if you waited one second you were broken off in a deadfall. You had to be fast. Well here it is 8 AM and we now have about 20 fish all caught and released and this is the first few hours of the first day. We reach in the ice chest for a cold water and find only beer. Now you have to realize that we are on a Christmas vacation, miles from camp, thirsty and wanting to celebrate the release of huge 5-pound fighting fish. Well it's a tough life but someone has to do it, so we each opened a Crevasse and toasted our good fortune. Then back to camp for a full Mexican lunch. After lunch we headed back to the same cove but this time we had on our spinnerbaits and topwater. The results were even better. These bass had a sense of humor and wanted to play. Matter of fact they wanted to play rough. Well that was just fine with us. From there it was up the river and then down the river. Just floating and casting, casting and floating. Fish on spinnerbaits, topwater, doubles, worms and everything else you could throw. We caught fish all day up until dark. The biggest fish were on the points at sunset and they just ripped your spinnerbait. You have to see it to believe it. Then it was back to the lodge for more Margarita's and a steak dinner. You then talk fishing with your friends and get to sleep early, ready for the battle of tomorrow morning.</div> <bR> <div> The question then comes up as to how many fish did you catch? Why doesn't someone ask me how many eagles I saw that I couldn't identify? How many different types of birds? What color was the sunrise with the fog on the water? How did I feel as I looked to the front of the boat and saw my happy wife grunt and set the hook in yet another bass? Yes we caught more fish in three days then I average in a whole year of fishing. Yes I caught a fish on every single cast for over an hour straight. But is that the only way you measure the value of something? I got it from the joy of doing something once in my life, that is hard to put into words. For those few days I never thought of my job, my bills or my problems. All I thought of was where was that lunker hiding? Share this with someone and you will never forget it. It was worth every penny and I want to go again and again and again....</div> <div> Ken (Cosmic) Kross</div> <div> President. Kick'n Bass® Fish Attractants</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.kicknbass.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kicknbass.com"><U>http://www.kicknbass.com</U></A>   </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>####</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="sponsorship___it_s_not_about_you"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Sponsorship - It's not about YOU!</B></div> <div> By Scott Rauber</div> <bR> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="45d64750.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="117" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> <div> The more I read and discover about sponsorship-as it pertains to the fishing industry-the more information I see online, in books, and in magazines. Most of it is on the subject of helping <I><B>you</B></I> prepare for more sponsors.  That's good, because I've written two e-books on that exact subject!</div> <bR> <div> However, it's imperative to keep one thing in mind when it comes to sponsorship.  <I><B>It's not about YOU! </B></I> It's about <I>your potential sponsors</I>.  What do the sponsors want?  What benefits would they receive if they were to venture into a relationship with you, be it sponsorship, marketing, and/or advertising? How would they profit from the deal besides a decal on your boat? </div> <bR> <div> Have you really devised a plan that will help your sponsors accomplish what they want?  Do you know what they want?  Are they interested in more sales of their products now or in the very near future? Or are they attempting to gain more of a presence in a particular area by simply exposing their companies' names?</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Something else to consider…</I></div> <bR> <div> Are you aware that there exists a difference between <I><B>exposure</B></I> and <I><B>direct response advertising</B></I>?  </div> <div> If your sponsor is interested in both,</div> <div>  can you accommodate him?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The reason I ask these questions is because consumers have grown accustomed to exposure advertising as the main means of promoting and marketing. Why? <I>Because that's how the pros do it!</I>  We see logos on their trucks, on their boats, and on their shirts. Have you ever stopped to think that the reason why those logos are there in the first place is because those anglers provide what the <I>sponsors want</I>.  In this case, it's exposure to the masses.  And advertisers make it their business to know that by sponsoring a pro angler they guarantee exposure for their business in multiple venues: on television, in magazines and newspapers, on the Internet, at outdoor expos, etc. And the exposure is not just locally, but potentially internationally.  If what they want is <I>monstrous</I> exposure, the pro angler can provide it. That said, 99% of us weekend warriors aren't pros…<I>yet</I>. Next time instead of approaching potential sponsors with your career list of accomplishments and personal highlights, ask this question: <I><B>“What can I do to bring you more business and customers?”</B></I>  Then listen. Determine if you can help them achieve what they want, and if you can, you'll get the sponsorships you want!  It's a win-win situation.</div> <bR> <div> Keep in mind…it's not about <I>you</I> - it's about <I>them</I>.</div> <bR> <div> Scott Rauber</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Author - How To Get Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments Volumes 1 & 2 (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.fishforfree.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fishforfree.com/"><U>http://www.fishforfree.com</U></A></FONT> & <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.fishforfree2.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fishforfree2.com/"><U>http://www.fishforfree2.com</U></A></FONT> </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> ####</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="a_mini_seminar_of_sorts"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>A Mini Seminar, of sorts</B></div> <div> By Betty Stahl</div> <div> <IMG SRC="45f5a6c0.jpg" border=0 width="90" height="108" ALT="Betty StahlWBT Pro Angler" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> B.A.S.S. has been very helpful in setting up seminars at the WBT tournaments. These seminars are designed to help us gain knowledge on how to conduct ourselves at tournaments, give interviews, and solicit prospective sponsors. The seminars that were presented at the Lake Lewisville Tournament were both informative and entertaining, thanks to Janet Bell and Angie Thompson.</div> <bR> <div> One of the main points Ms. Bell made was that we need to brand ourselves. I don’t mind telling you, my first thought was, “ouchy that’s gonna hurt”, until I realized she was talking about name recognition.</div> <bR> <div> In this mini seminar, I want to expand on that topic. Name Recognition.</div> <bR> <div> Back when Bill was Bill, Jimmy was Jimmy, Roland was Roland and Hank was Hank, professional lady anglers went by Burnin Burma Thomas, Lucky Lucy Mize, Cindy Buzz Saw Caperton, Kathryn Pepto Bismal Stewart, Emily Auntie Em Shaffer, Shara Stumpy Joyner and Denise The Sesco Kid, just to name a few.</div> <div> In times past a persons name was enough. Rick, Denny, Penny, we all know who they are, but now that “The Big Boys” have caught on to this name recognition thing, everyone’s got to have a handle, a stage name, a nickname, a persona. It’s good to see some have already given this thought and have come up with some excellent choices. Take Greg The Hack Attack Hackney for example. Robin Babb to the Bone Babb has used her name in much the same way.</div> <div> Some think it’s cool just to use their initials. G and KVD are an example of this. It won’t work for me, B.S., no one would ever take me seriously but Mary DiVincenti might want to consider it or Pam Martin Wells. Seems three letters are better than two but one isn’t bad if you add something behind it, like Man as in G-Man. Does anyone have the initials, I.M.? They could use IM-Woman. </div> <div> Then there’s Lady Di, Diana Mason and Gentleman George Cochran. Some names reflect personality traits but then some do not. </div> <div> Some have found it easier to shorten a given name. Iaconelli is now just Ike. But we’ve had our very own Bru, Sherrie Brubaker for some time now. I’ve heard it tell that she was also known as Ms. Motion by Big Daddy. Ike has also been known as other things but there not suitable to put in print.</div> <div> There are those that have cool names and don’t need another one. Take Skeet for example. That is just a really great name. But the one with the absolute coolest name is Secret. No, it’s not a secret, it’s Secret. SecretYork. How cool is that?</div> <div> Hope you enjoyed this mini seminar and are busy working on your own nickname. I already have mine, Betty Boop, the Fishing Diva, Kimberly Striker gave it to me.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>###</B></I></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="have_you_thought_about_entering_a"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Have you thought about entering a tournament as a non-boater or joining a local club, but felt too intimidated?</B> </div> <div> <I>By Christiana Bradley</I> </div> <bR> <div> I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a female friend or co-worker tell me a story about how she used to fish or about the time she went out with her father/husband/friends and caught more and or bigger fish than any of the guys. Women have a natural knack for fishing. I’m still trying to convince my high-maintenance younger sister to go fishing with me one time. I know she would be good at it. Maybe one of these days (if I can find a Hilton hotel where she can cast a line from the balcony… that’s probably about my only hope). I have had a few friends really excited about the concept of fishing competitively though. I hear things like “that sounds really cool” or “If I had a boat” or “I wish I could do something like that”. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" ><I><IMG SRC="461f1d60.jpg" border=0 width="241" height="214" ALT="Christiana BradleyWBT Pro Angler" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> I’ve read a few articles in the past year and a half, where some women said they felt that men in the small, weekend bass clubs don’t readily accept them. Maybe it has to do with the perception some women have. Maybe they go into it with a preconceived notion. If you believe men won’t accept you, you will likely leave with the <I>feeling</I> they didn’t. Personally, I’ve joined 5 clubs with anywhere from 10 to 80 members (99.9% male) over the years. I’ve gotten nothing but a positive feeling from the guys in those clubs. Sure there are some that look a little confused when I back the boat into the water or when they see me running the trolling motor… or when I carry a huge bag of fish to the scales, but seeing that confusion on their faces makes me feel good. Just like any other situation, if you go into it with a positive attitude, you will likely have a positive experience. </div> <bR> <div> I’ve fished against over 100 different men. Only two of them have given me a negative vibe (I remember them well). The overwhelming majority just go about their business- it’s no big deal to them. Some say things like “I wish I could get my wife out here!” or “Do you have any single sisters?”. Both of the negative guys tried to make me feel uncomfortable. When I was first learning to run a foot-controlled trolling motor, this one guy was literally heckling me from the bank- in front of everyone. Turns out this guy is just a jerk in general. I just did my best to ignore him (although part of me wanted to cuss him out). I had more than one guy come up to me afterwards and tell me to just ignore him and not worry about it. One guy said I did a better job than he did the first time. That probably wasn’t true, but it did make me feel better. One guy even offered me tips on running the foot control. I’ve always found that guys are encouraging and more than willing to help. They <B>want</B> to see me do well. </div> <bR> <div> If you have even the slightest desire to fish in a tournament, find a small club that fishes tournaments on a reservoir where they rent jon boats. Rent yourself a boat and practice. When the tournament comes around, enter it and just fish. Don’t worry about anyone around you or something going wrong (like not catching any fish or having problems with the trolling motor). Don’t worry about embarrassing yourself. I’ve got news for you- the guys are just as worried about embarrassing themselves as you are. I’ve seen MANY embarrassing things happen to guys on the water (about as many as my own embarrassments). It just comes with the territory. If you want to be concerned with something, be concerned with keeping your fish alive and staying safe. </div> <bR> <div> The bottom line is that these guys like having more competition. It doesn’t matter to them whether you are a man or a woman. Of course, they are going to be intrigued at first. Imagine how you would feel if a guy came into the nail salon and got a French pedicure beside you… okay, that’s not a good comparison and it goes into a <B>whole</B> different territory, but you get the point! </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>####</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="caught_in_the_mouth"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>"Caught in the Mouth"</B></div> <bR> <div> Joan Craig met her husband, Les, in 1980 and their dates consisted of going fishing. Les would fish and Joan would get comfortable on the back of the boat sunbathing while she read a book. The fishing and sunbathing routine continued throughout their courtship.</div> <bR> <div> However, when they got married things changed. Les started to go fishing with his male friends. This didn't set too well and she didn't like being left home, but as a newly wed wife, she continued to be supportive of his fishing.</div> <bR> <div> One day, after they had been married for about three months, Les and his buddy came in from a day of fishing. Joan asked Les how and where he caught his fish. The other fellow said, “In the mouth”. Joan didn't say another word, turned around and went into the house.</div> <bR> <div> When Les came into the house, Joan asked him to sit down. Surprised, he said, “What is wrong?”</div> <bR> <div> Joan said, “You have three choices! Number one, we're getting a divorce!”  His mouth dropped and he said, “What?” </div> <bR> <div> Joan said, “OK, if you do not like that, then you can quit fishing period!” His mouth dropped and he again said, “What?”</div> <bR> <div> It was then that Joan said, “The third choice is that you can teach me about fishing and I don't want to hear any more about fish being caught in the mouth. I want to learn everything there is to know about fishing.”  This time Les didn't say, “What” and quickly responded with, “I would love to teach you about fishing”.  Joan said in affirmation, “I did not marry you to sit home while you and the guys go fishing. And furthermore, “I did not do that while we were dating and I am not going to do it now!” It was then that their fishing camaraderie of more than twenty five years began and continues.</div> <bR> <div> As the months went by, their idyllic fishing relationship was tested to the limit on many of their outings. The couple began to argue about where to fish, what to throw, and how fast or slow to fish. It came to the point that Les said to Joan, “I think that you need to start fishing with other people to learn other techniques and places to fish.” Shortly thereafter Joan joined the local ladies club, Lake Dardanelle Lady Anglers, and embarked on a long fishing odyssey that continues until this day.  And yes, she and Les do fish together without arguing and he is her number one supporter. These days Les pretty much stays in Arkansas for his fishing, but Joan is on the road traveling to the ladies tournaments and is poised for a first place finish on the new Women's Bassmaster Tour.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="589" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 226 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="4680fda0.jpg" border=0 width="271" height="218" ALT="Joan Craig" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="46a0adc0.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="220" ALT="Joan Craig" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Joan Craig with couples fishing partner Aubrey Johnson </div> <bR> <div> <B>______________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="what_to_do_when_things_go_wrong__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>What to do when things go wrong..</B></div> <div> By Caroline “Sunny” Carpenter</div> <bR> <div> Inevitably, if you are a serious angler or fish only on the weekends at some point something is bound to go wrong. The situation may be as simple as a dead crank battery or a more painful such as hooking yourself or your fishing partner.  Most of us haven't thought of how to handle a situation until it happens and then we are faced with making a decision on an unknown subject.  My articles will address many of the problems that you could face and how to overcome these obstacles.  I have learned the hard way and experienced most of them myself on at least one occasion.    <B><IMG SRC="4635ae50.jpg" border=0 width="346" height="229" ALT="Sunny and Shawn Carpenter" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> At the Neely Henry tournament I was faced with a situation that I hadn't experienced before and had to find a quick solution or not make it back to the weigh in with my fish and the full bag of my non-boaters fish.  I earned my reputation from my husband as being hard headed honestly, so the later wasn't an option in my book.  </div> <bR> <div> After a wonderful day of catching bass way back down river in Beaver Creek, Susan Wild and I had allowed plenty of time to get back to the weigh in on time, so we thought.  We knew that it would take approximately 30 minutes to get back and allowed 45 just to be safe.  We were casting just a few more times in a couple of locations before leaving for the glorious weigh in feeling good that we had caught some nice bass.  How shocking it was when I went to crank the motor and heard only a faint “click”.  I immediately thought that there was no way possible that this boat wasn't going to crank, click.. click… click.. reality set in and I realized that the boat was not going to crank.   For a moment I thought about throwing a fit and jumping up and down but came to my senses quickly with the realization that the live well was no longer operating either.  OH NO, it was only moments before that we were discussing the big bass that I had caught who Susan had affectionately named “Goliath”, and that Susan had a full bag and could possibly make it into the final six.  Were we going to troll in two hours late with a bunch of belly up floaters we thought?  OH GOD please help me figure this out I silently prayed in my head.  </div> <bR> <div> Before this occurred, I never knew that a simple set of jumper cables in your boat would allow you to connect the trolling motor battery to the crank motor battery to get the boat up and running did you?  Of course now there is a nice set of jumper cables in my boat, but at that time there wasn't.  My mind was reeling in the first couple of minutes of this possible disaster while I wiggled and banged on the battery connectors trying to spark a connection with no luck.  I wasn't sure if it would work, but it came to me to pull the trolling motor battery and put it in the place of the crank battery to see if it would crank.  Well… for any of you that have met me before, you will concur that I am not exactly a tiny girl and working my way around the open battery compartments on the back of the boat while floating in the rough waters was a sight to be seen (on Americas funniest home videos) but somehow by the grace of God I was able to pull batteries and switch their places.  In a total time of less than ten minutes we were back in the seats, life jackets on, the fish safely swimming around in the live wells and flying as fast as we safely could back to the weigh-in!  </div> <bR> <div> The key to any situation is to stay calm.  Our instincts are to panic and think of the worst-case scenario, but that will never help you solve the problem.  If you stop the madness for a moment, keep calm and make a decision that you are going to solve the problem, the odds will be in your favor.  </div> <bR> <div> In this situation, the following items would have been very helpful and are now in my boat ready for use if needed:  </div> <bR> <div> 1.  Jumper Cables </div> <div> 2.  Pliers - since we didn't have jumper cables, we had to remove the wing nuts from the battery connectors with needle nose pliers, it would have been very helpful and faster had we used a pair of sturdy general use adjustable pliers.  </div> <bR> <div> Keep on fishin' and believe in yourself!  </div> <bR> <div> <B>About the author:</B> My name is Caroline “Sunny” Carpenter and I live in Summerfield, Florida.  I have loved to fish since I was a little girl and have fished tournaments since marrying my husband Shawn in 1988.  I have three children, Erica 26, Cory 21 and Danielle 20.  </div> <bR> <div> I am on Team Skeeter and my main sponsors are Moss Bluff Bait & Tackle, Woodland Outfitters, Southern Marine, Audio Obsessions, US Professional Title and Woodland Home Financing.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> _______________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="dealing_with_summer_heat"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Dealing with Summer Heat</B></div> <div> Ken Nance</div> <bR> <div> Summer is upon us and like most of you I’ll be spending the majority of my time on the water. What I want to discuss with you in this article is how to avoid becoming a victim of this summer’s heat wave. First off we need to point out and be able to quickly recognize the signs and symptoms of summer heat related illness.</div> <bR> <div> The human body functions within a very small temperature range. The body temperature of the deep tissues, commonly called the core body temperature, does not vary by more than a few degrees from 98.6 F. Hypothermia simply means an unusually high body temperature. Hypothermia is an increase in the body temperature caused by heat transfer from the environment. It will present as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, water cramps, or heat stroke. I’ll discuss each of these rather briefly as it would be quite extensive to go in-depth into each.</div> <bR> <div> Heat cramps are painful spasms of voluntary muscles, usually caused by working in a hot environment without adequate fluid and sodium intake. Treatment of heat cramps consists of removing yourself or the person affected by the heat cramps from the hot environment and increasing your fluid and sodium intake. For severe cases of heat cramps, consult your physician.</div> <bR> <div> Heat exhaustion is by far the most common of all heat related illness. It is caused when blood pools in the body’s vessels as the body attempts to give off excessive heat. Some of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are an increased heart rate, decreased urine output, history of low-fluid intake, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and headache. A person spending all day in the summer heat can lose 1 to 2 liters of water an hour. Each liter contains 20 to 50 mq of sodium. This is why it is so important to replace lost body fluids through out the day as you lose them. If possible, a person should try to replace lost body fluids with an electrolyte replacement fluid that contains sodium. A good replacement fluid for example would be Gatorade, or another similar sports drink. If a person replaces lost body fluids with water alone and does not replace the lost sodium it can lead to a condition known as water intoxication. We’ll discuss water intoxication shortly. Once you experience the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion you need to remove yourself from the hot environment immediately. You will need to seek medical treatment as well. Heat exhaustion left untreated can lead to heat stroke, which is a life threatening illness.</div> <bR> <div> Water intoxication, as we talked about earlier, is when a person replaces lost body fluids with water alone, not replacing the lost sodium. Common signs of water intoxication are similar to those of heat exhaustion. You will have nausea, vomiting, headache and possible an altered mental status. Treatment for water intoxication is rather simple. You will need to eat foods high in sodium and restrict further water intake. If a person with water intoxication begins to have an altered mental status then they should seek medical attention immediately.</div> <bR> <div> Heat stroke is an ominous and deadly illness if not treated immediately by a physician in an emergency department. Heat stroke is generally characterized by a body temperature of 105 degrees F, cessation of sweating, an increased heart rate followed by a decreased heart rate, and confusion. Other signs and symptoms of heat stroke are disorientation, seizures, rapid shallow respirations that may slow later and coma. The stop of sweating has another factor that needs to be brought forward as well. If you have been exercising you may have profuse sweating. If you have not been exercising then your skin will be dry. If you or someone with you begins to exhibit signs of heat exhaustion you need to act quickly. The first thing you will need to do is to remove the person from the hot environment and call 911. While waiting for the Paramedics to arrive try to cool the person by placing them in an air-conditioned environment. Again I want to stress that heat exhaustion left untreated can lead to heat stroke.</div> <bR> <div> In summary, if a person uses their head and they realize that they are going to be out in a hot environment for a prolonged period of time, they should make preparations to have plenty of appropriate fluids with them to replace lost body fluids. Eat a good lunch while out on the water as this will help to replace some of the lost sodium. When I’m out on the water I carry 6 liters of water, 4 liters of Gatorade, and a lunch that almost always consists of a ham sandwich. If you take the time to replace lost body fluids as well as the lost sodium you will safely be able to enjoy the thrills of summer time fishing without any fears of a heat related illness. A few other hints to make your day on the water more enjoyable is to remain cool. If you feel like swimming then beach the boat next to a swimming area and have yourself an enjoyable swim. At a recent BFL tournament my father introduced me to a new product that he purchased at Wal-Mart for fewer than 5 dollars that is called the Aqua-cool. These things are great! You soak them in ice water for about 5 minutes and when they swell up you tie them around your neck and they provide you with a cool wrap all day. So, the next time your out on the river all day, drink plenty of water and Gatorade, eat a good lunch, and stay cool. Until next time remember CPR! Catch, Photo, and Release! Tight lines, Ken Nance.</div> <div> Ken Nance is sponsored by Triton Boats, Mason Dixon Marine and Polaris, Sliding Weight Company, Kick'n Bass® Fish Attractants, Silverbuddy, Eat-em-up Bait Company, J.R.s Custom Rods, Caps Tackle, Susky Bugs, Bonzai Bait Company, Cabin Creek Bait Company and Nichols Bait Company. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Article re-printed from Kick'N Bass (LBA Website sponsor) with permission from Ken Nance from his web site. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>_____________________________________________________________________________________________________</B></I></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="bass_caddy_association_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330066" FACE="Arial" ><I><B><IMG SRC="4655d3a0.png" border=0 width="93" height="58" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></FONT></div> <div> <B>Bass Caddy Association</B></div> <div> by Betty Stahl </div> <bR> <div> <B>Brief History:</B> The Bass Caddy Association or BCA was created around the year 2002 by a very patient gentleman who’s name is Jack Graham. After following Sylvia from tournament to tournament for several years and performing numerous duties and tasks in hopes of helping the Object of His Affections, or OHA, reach the pinnacle of her success, Jack came up with the name Bass Caddy in reference to himself as well as others like him. He appointed himself President of the Association and never hesitated to reprimand a member who was not performing or functioning at the best of their ability. After all if he was expected to maintain a certain level of excellence by the OHA, then he expected no less from the other members as well. He therefore developed a set of rules or guidelines for his fellow Caddy’s to go by and they are as follows:</div> <bR> <div> <B>BCA Motto:</B> YES DEAR! </div> <div> This motto is simple and to the point. If you will remember these two words, your life as a Caddy will be more rewarding than you could possibly imagine. You’re welcome to print out this motto in big bold letters and hang it in different places. It will not only help you as a Bass Caddy but in all phases of your life. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Mission Statement and Rules:</B></div> <div> Before ever leaving home, make sure everything is in proper working order, check tire pressure, batteries, gas up boat and tow vehicle, wash and wax boat and tow vehicle and clean carpet in the boat. While you’re at it, wouldn’t hurt to check the carpet in the house, do a few dishes, maybe the laundry, all the while remembering with a cheerful attitude your motto. YES DEAR!</div> <div> Help the Object of Your Affections or OYA find accommodations and make reservations in advance. You don’t want her to have to frantically search for a place to stay once you get to your destination. She needs her mind free to focus on the tournament. </div> <div> Once on tournament waters, help her have a productive practice by only offering advice if it’s asked for. Don’t sit in the back of the boat and boss, bully or demand to go here or go there, do this or do that. You won’t be in the boat with her on tournament day and she just might have a good idea of what to do on her own. If help is requested however it’s perfectly permissible to give it.</div> <div> When leaving tournament waters, strap the tie downs, secure the motor totter and wipe all the scum off of the boat. You want the OYA’s equipment to always look good and presentable for the next trip out.</div> <div> After several days on the lake, don’t grumble or complain about having to fuel the boat……again. Don’t insist that the OYA only fish within sight of the ramp (unless there’s good fish there) because you’re too tight to put gas in the boat. Just quietly take out your charge card and promise yourself to look for a second job when you get home.</div> <div> Always be present at take-off on tournament days to take pictures, be available in case of a last minute emergency (blown fuses, etc.) blow kisses or whatever you can do to show the OYA your full support.</div> <div> After a long day on the water when the OYA returns to check-in and you meet her on the dock and raise your fingers to gesture how many fish were caught, 0 meaning none and 5 meaning a limit. If the 0 gesture is held up don’t under any circumstance show your disappointment and scorn or you may get a finger gesture you weren’t expecting. </div> <div> When helping the OYA get her rods ready for the next day of competition and you notice that 5 of her 6 reels have a Professional Overrun (commonly known as Bird’s Nest), quietly pick, pull or in extreme cases cut out the offending mess. You may be asked to re-spool a reel or two or five. It is perfectly acceptable to suggest that the OYA seek a line sponsor at first opportunity however.</div> <div> This rule is one of the most important. When the OYA wins a tournament or places in the Top 6 always give her full credit. Don’t under any circumstance say things like, “I put her on those fish,” or “I taught her everything she knows,” or “if it wasn’t for me, yada, yada, yada.” Be proud of her, knowing that she would rather be fishing than at the mall spending all your hard earned money. But come to think of it, the mall might be cheaper.</div> <div> This rule IS the most important. After a tough tournament where the OYA had a poor finish, on the trip home never, ever say, “If I was fishing that tournament I woulda done this or you shoulda done that.” The OYA could give a rat’s patooty what you woulda, coulda, shoulda done. The OYA feels bad enough without any added stress. A few examples of phrases you could use for this situation would be, “that’s alright honey, you’ll get them next time,” or “ I don’t mind getting that second job, really I don’t.” Feel free to be creative here, just remember to be kind, compassionate, considerate and generous and the OYA will love ya forever. </div> <bR> <div> In closing, it’s only appropriate to honor the founding father of this elite group. Since Sylvia retired from tournament fishing, Jack has found other Caddy interests on the home front. That leaves a vacancy in the highest position of the Association. Jack could never be replaced but a good alternate choice would be Harvey Clark. He was seen recently wearing a fine black T-shirt with the words BASS CADDY in bold, bright pink letters. It also had the logo FISHERGIRL on it. Was Harvey insulted, degraded or worried in anyway about being called a “girly man”? Not at all, he wore that shirt proudly, performed his duties graciously and helped the Object of His Affections, OHA, achieve one of her dreams, winning the second Women’s Bassmaster Tour event on Lake Lewisville. Congratulations to Diana Clark, Professional Angler and Harvey Clark, "Bass Caddie Extraordinaire". </div> <bR> <div> There is one final issue we need to examine. When a Bass Caddy does an exemplary job, they need to be rewarded and that comes in the form of a new title. Only a very few will qualify for this, they are the best of the best, the cream of the crop, the Top Gun, the Elite. Harvey Clark has cheerfully performed all his duties and showed he has what it takes. He is thus rewarded the title of: Caddy Lackey. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> _______________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="899" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 25688 WIDTH="683"><bR> <div>  <A NAME="thoughts_on_scents"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>THOUGHTS ON SCENTS</B></div> <bR> <div> The idea of attracting fish through their senses of smell is age old and well documented. It is a well known fact that sharks can pick up and follow a blood trail for miles, always making adjustments, as they perceive a minute difference in intensity level. The same goes for catfish, they have been caught with stink baits for years. Salmon have the ability to smell the chemicals given off by a human hand placed in the water upstream of them, causing them to stop using a fish ladder until all of the smell has dissipated. It is therefore very interesting to me as a chemist, to hear of fishermen that don’t believe in the use of fish scents or attractants. When I made perfume for one of the worlds leading fragrance houses, articles were always coming across my desk about the use of pheromones. Pheromones are secreted by almost every animal (deer, elk, dogs), bugs (moths etc.), and even man and women. So smell plays an important part of all creatures on earth either in feed, fear, flight or sexual response.</div> <bR> <div> In dealing with fish, especially bass, smell plays a very important role. Bass normally find their prey by sight or sound first. The last sense to come into play is smell. Although it may be one of the last senses to come into play, it still serves a very important part of a bass’s life. In order to reach a fish's olfactory organs, a smell must be carried by water. Oil and water don’t mix, therefore scents that are oil based tend to form large (hydrophobic) water resistant molecules. Although these oil molecules don’t disperse readily on their own, they do spread out in water, normally growing smaller and smaller due to different factors such as water current, temperature, or movement of a lure.</div> <bR> <div> When a bass hears or feels the presence of a plastic worm or jig and pig he comes over to investigate the movement. The attractant that is applied to the bait has already started to give up some of its molecules of oil into the water. As the bass moves to the new food source that his other senses have told him is there, he is expecting the final stimulus, smell, to be emanating from his prey. This may be a crawfish or it may be a shiner or bluegill, but in the final seconds of his attack he is use to confirming the kill with his olfactory senses. As he crushes his prey with his hard teeth lined, bony mouth, the flavor of his prey is released to him. Smell and taste flow through his nostrils and reach his taste glands. This scenario has taken place with him since he was a fry or fingerling, it is an important final stimulus.</div> <bR> <div> In 1980 I left my home state of New Jersey and moved to Arizona. The difference in fishing was more than I could have ever imagined. While still a novice at bass fishing I tried to learn everything I could from every source available. I read books, talked to other fishermen and went fishing very chance I got. I would catch a few fish now and then on some form of crankbait, which was the only lure I had confidence in. Plastic worms were very foreign to me and quite frankly didn’t instill any confidence in me at all. Yet time after time I would hear how good the bite was on a red or blue lizard or worm. It was inevitable that I finally started to fish plastics. One day after having fished plastic worms for about 3 hours straight and not getting a single hit, I put on some fish oil I had brought from my laboratory. On the very first cast I had a strike and caught a bass. I went crazy! I knew that it was the smell that had caused the strike. From that moment on my life as a bass fisherman has never been the same. I went back to my laboratory and started to order fish oils, amino acids, fruit juice concentrates and anything I had heard of that would catch or attract bass.</div> <bR> <div> Over many years of experiments in the lab and on the lakes all over the US and Mexico, I have found out what works and what doesn't. First off truly water-soluble scent (hydrophilic), disperses from a given bait so rapidly that you must apply them often, almost every cast. If you do not dry off your bait and apply a water-soluble attractant, it normally contacts the water-wet lure or bait and literally flies off on your back-cast. Whatever is left will be washed off as the bait hits the water; so much for water-soluble (hydrophilic) scents.</div> <div> The other end of the spectrum is a hydrophobic attractant: oil. As we all know oil and water don’t readily want to mix. </div> <div> We have all taken salad dressing and shook it up, the oil droplets will keep getting smaller and smaller but upon sitting they will go back to two phases. You may now be thinking what good is an oil based fish attractant if it is not water-soluble? The answer is "it’s very important."</div> <bR> <div> When placed on a dry worm or crankbait the oil of course, forms a heavy covering. When a bass gets near to his prey, either worm or hard bait, he can pick up with his nostrils the minute droplets of oil that are slowly dispersing into the water. When he mouths the worm or lure, his mouth virtually explodes with the taste that is still on the lure. I have let bass run 20-30 feet or even longer after they have picked up a worm treated with our fish-oil based scent, Kick'n Bass®.</div> <bR> <div> Now if you want to have the best of both worlds you have to turn to chemistry to give you a little help. The best scent that I could ever envision was one that had the ability to stick to a lure (hydrophobic) and yet spread a water soluble scent area around it (hydrophilic). Picture it is spring spawn and the bass have moved up to the stickups and brush. You know the bass are in the bushes so you load up with 25# test a jig or plastic worm and with a quiet flip you drop your bait right next to the base of that cover where Mr. Largemouth is guarding his nest. The bait sits there ......... nothing. You jig it a few times... Mr. Bass swims over, turns away and you pull your bait out and repeat the action a thousand times behind a thousand other boats. What went wrong?</div> <div> When that bass swam up on your bait there was no water born molecular scent to attract him. Maybe he actually smelt some foreign human odor from your hand or tackle box. The ideal situation would be a strong smelling fish-oil based scent that was slightly altered to allow some water miscibility. The curious bass swims up, smells food, gently draws nearer, picks up even more scent and sucks in your bait. At that instant his mouth explodes with flavor and he turns and swims off with his prey.</div> <bR> <div> It is my contention that many times most fishermen don’t even know that they have had a bite. Bass can swim down a fast moving crankbait mouth it and spit it out, treble hooks and all. This has been documented by underwater photography in places like Silver Springs Florida where the water is crystal clear. I believe that many worm fishermen don’t have a clue as to when they are bit. That’s why Pro’s talk about a mush bite or the line "Just feeling different". Bass will swim up and mouth a plastic bait taste nothing and spit it out, with most of us never feeling a thing. But with a quality attractant applied to that same bait a bass will try and swim off with his prize, just like your dog runs off when given a bone. Bass want to pick up there prize and swim off with it. They don't have hands so everything they are curious about goes into their mouth. I’ve watched them do it a million times since religiously using Kick'n Bass® fish-oil attractant.</div> <bR> <div> One cold spring day in Arizona my wife and I went out at sunrise with a friend of mine and his father. Both of us knew the lake, both of us knew what color worm to use and the depth the fish were biting at. The four of us left camp at the same time in our two boats and agreed to meet back at 9:30-10 o’clock. A cold front had moved in and after catching a bunch of bass on the shallow brushy flats we went up on shore and built a small fire to warm up. After getting rid of the morning chill we went out and tried for some hogs down by the dam. It’s always fun to throw a worm up towards a rock wall and see your line just head out to deep water with the chance that it’s a big cow and not just a dink guarding the nest. Even though the wall mounter wasn't stuck, we did catch and release over 40 bass by actual count by 10 A.M. We left and ran into my friend and his father at camp. We couldn’t believe it.... They said because of the cold and "poor" conditionings, they had <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" >one</FONT> bass in the boat. We of course rubbed it in that we had caught and released over 40 bass. We then led them back to one of the hot shorelines we had just fished. Fishing <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" >behind them</FONT>, we continued to catch bass out of their used water. We did this for about an hour and then left. That night I called and asked how the bite had gone? They had caught a total of 3 fish between the two of them in another 5 continuous hours of fishing, using the same brand worm as us and fishing the same shoreline.</div> <bR> <div> At this point you are probably asking why wasn’t my friend using some of my fish attractant? The truth? <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" >He said he didn’t believe in it and he could do just fine without it.</FONT> Since that trip and a few more just like it, that gentlemen and I have parted fishing company. I learned something very important from him and I hope you learn from it too. Whether bass are active or inactive, in an aggressive mood or a passive mood, put the odds in your favor. Use a quality fish oil attractant and use it often. Don’t be fooled by all the claims made in today’s big business fishing industry. You don’t need a $25,000, 70 mph bass boat to catch a bass. You don’t need the most sensitive rod in the world to feel a strike. But believe me, you do need a quality bass attractant (Kick'n Bass®) to provide that extra stimulus when a bass gets within smelling and tasting distance of your bait.</div> <div> Remember, a bottle of our quality attractant cost about the same as one crankbait. It cost 75% less than one of the new foreign, hand made lures that seem to be the rage. Before you spend another $5.00 on some new plug or bag of worms, first buy a bottle of Kick'n Bass® fish attractant and use it on all the stuff you already own. Our attractant gives you the best of both worlds. A heavy fish oil base, yet slightly water soluble. Then use it, use it, use it! Don’t let it sit in your tackle box because you’re on a spinnerbait bite and getting bit. Remember, you don’t want to be the one saying "I saw this monster following my lure, then she just turned away."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Scent is the final frontier. Good luck and tight lines.</div> <div> Ken Kross</div> <div> President \ Chemist</div> <div> Scientific Bass Products, Inc®.</div> <div> 1 800 605 BASS</div> <div> _________________________________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="fish_attractants"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Fish Attractants</B></div> <div> <B>Are They Really Worth It?</B></div> <bR> <div> By Roger Lee Brown (The Bass Coach)</div> <bR> <div> There has been a lot of controversy over "Fish Attractants" or otherwise known as "Fish Scents". </div> <bR> <div> In the past, I've noticed that many of my former bass angling students as well as my bass guide clients have always come prepared with plenty of "Fish Attractant", and wow! Do they ever use it!</div> <bR> <div> They will grab that particular bait they are using, hold it over the edge of the boat, and really pour it on. Is that method really practical? </div> <bR> <div> I'll explain that in a moment, but first let me explain a few things about "Fish Attractants". There are several different types of "Fish Attractants" on the market today in the multi-billion dollar bass fishing industry, and the marketing is very costly! Somewhere the companies have to sell, sell, and</div> <div> sell to make up for the high cost of marketing. Many commercials, whether it be TV, Radio, Magazines, Outdoor Shows, etc., have to get the anglers to buy this stuff! </div> <bR> <div> First of all let me explain the importance of "Fish Attractant". A freshwater black bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, or Spotted) will usually spit out a bait within 2 or 3 seconds if the bass</div> <div> doesn't accept the taste (if it picks up the bait at all). On the other side of the coin, if a bass likes the scent or attractant, it can hold the bait up to 30 seconds or more before it spits the bait out.</div> <bR> <div> Fish Attractant does not really "Attract" fish, but your odds on setting the hook will be greater by using it rather than not. </div> <div> Now, let's get back to marketing once again. The companies that manufacture "Fish Attractants" or Scents want the anglers to "Use it by dousing the bait with it." Well, if you have lots of money, go right ahead! Most tackle shops that I've been to have a variety of Attractants and Scents, and they cost the angler anywhere from $1.99 up to $10.00. When an angler "Douses the Bait" several times, He or She is ready for another bottle soon, and that can get expensive after awhile. </div> <bR> <div> Now, most plastic baits on the market today are manufactured with a "Scent" already put in the bait. So why would you want to douse this same bait with additional "Fish Attractant"? </div> <div> However, there is a reason why one would want to buy and use "Fish Attractant". Just think of this; a freshwater black bass can sense 1-200th of a drop of a substance in about 100 gallons of water. Wow, what an accurate sense of taste! This just goes to say that whenever you go fishing in the morning, "Gas-Up" the night before! </div> <bR> <div> Now, let's get right to the point, and hopefully this point can and will save you some of your hard-earned cash. When you go fishing, the first thing that you should do before you hit the water is to wash your hands with soap and water, this will "hopefully" clean any foreign scents off of your hands that may get on your baits when you handle them. Second, take that bottle of "Fish Attractant" and pour a little bit on your hands and rub them together, like a hand lotion. Now you're</div> <div> ready for action because any bait you touch will have this "Fish Attractant" scent added to it. Just think of the money you will save from just pouring the formula over the bait. A bottle of "Fish Attractant" should now last you about 20 times as long as it did before. </div> <bR> <div> I will not tell you which ones to buy, but I use only "Natural Scents" like crawfish or Shad. Remember the angler pays for</div> <div> the High Cost of marketing of a product, so of course they want you to use lots of that product!  So, "Fish Attractants" are they really worth it? Yes! But use it as a hand lotion and you will find</div> <div> yourselves saving money and getting the same results as if you were dousing the bait with this "Fish Attractant"! </div> <bR> <div> Remember, the Presentation of the Bait is the MOST IMPORTANT! </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Courtesy of Kick'n Bass</I></div> <div> <I>Strongest Fish Attractants in the World!</I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="626" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 16 ><NOBR><div> ________________________________________________________________________________________</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 1374 WIDTH="622"><bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="jig_fishing_from_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Jig Fishing From </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>December Through February <IMG SRC="46c8dc70.jpg" border=0 width="141" height="199" ALT="John Gorman Professional Angler" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <I>                                        By John Gorman.</I></div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.midamericaoutdoors.com</U></FONT> and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.maout.com/johngorman.htm</U></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>John is sponsored by Terminator, Mid-America Outdoors, Mustad, Jack's Juice, Power Pro, and Ozark Outfitters in St. Roberts, Mo. </I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> There is no doubt that fishing in the winter months can be extremely tough. Some days on the water are considered successful by just catching a few shorts and a keeper or two, and I have been on the lake when just thinking you might be getting a bite is a good sign. There are days when catching a nice limit is possible, and it can actually be a lot easier than most people think. In the following paragraphs I will go over ways that I have found to be successful in the winter months using a jig as a primary lure. </div> <bR> <div> December usually brings the beginning of winter jig fishing. The fish are moving out of the creeks and toward the main lake after feeding heavily on shad during the fall. A good way to start is by getting a topo map of the lake you are fishing and following the creek channel as it moves from the backends of major creeks out toward the main lake. Any place the creek bends into the bank and moves off is a good place to start. Cover available such as standing timber, boat docks, or brushpiles are extra bonuses, but baitfish need to be present on your graph. This is critical because bass follow the shad as they migrate, and if they are not showing up on your depth finder you are fighting a losing battle. Once I locate the baitfish, I usually start by fishing the last channel swing in the back of a major creek with my lure of choice being a Terminator Pro's Top Secret Jig in green pumpkin or black and blue with matching craw trailers. This jig is very well known for being a big fish catcher (Brent Chapman won the 2005 BassFan Top Gun Championship using it). The water temperatures usually range from 45-55 degrees and I like a bigger jig like this one this time of year because some of the fish are still in a feeding mode associated with late fall and want a bigger lure. This jig fits the bill perfectly. </div> <bR> <div> I usually make a pass with the jig fishing where the creek channel swings in to the bank, going from shallow to deep. Usually the fish are on the transition areas where the rock changes from say, pea gravel to chunk rock, or chunk rock to a bluff type bank. If I don't get bit, I will fish the actual channel bank until it swings off and then I follow it to another area of the creek and start the process all over again. I usually cast or pitch the jig up to the bank and work it back in a hopping motion. I try to concentrate on every little piece of structure and cover the jig comes over. This is a very good way to locate fish in the creeks that are still migrating out toward the main lake. </div> <bR> <div> By the time January rolls around, most the fish are out on the main lake or very close to the main lake just inside the mouths of creeks. My primary jig choice now is a 3/16 oz. Terminator Tiny T jig or a 1/4 oz. Terminator Finesse Jig with green pumpkin colored skirts. If the water is clear, I use a Zoom Critter Craw trailer in a green pumpkin color, but if the water is dirty, I'll use the same jig except I'll use some chartreuse Spike It on the pinchers to make it stand out some. I usually target main lake channel swings and bluffs this time of year. If they have brush piles on them, they are usually even better. I try to make longer casts and work the jig very slow down each drop off. You always hear people preach, "When you think you are slowing down, slow down some more". This is definitely true this time of year. I don't hop my jig in colder water (anything under 45 degrees) hardly at all. I will try and crawl it over rocks or other cover a few inches at a time, often letting it sit for 5 or 6 seconds before moving it again. Again, shad need to be present on your graph to be successful. </div> <bR> <div> February is when the bite will start to get better for most anglers. There are periodic warming spells that move the fish up shallower later in the day making them easier to catch. I still fish on the main lake most of the time, but if the weather gets warm for a few days in a row I will check some channel swings in the major creeks that are close to the main lake. The smaller jigs once again get the call during most outings, but if a warming trend hits I'll switch to a ½ oz Pro's Top Secret Jig to catch those bigger fish that move shallow to feed. </div> <bR> <div> This scenario played out on myself and Matt Eisenbacher in a Superbass tournament on Pomme de Terre in the late winter. We were fishing jigs on channel banks at the mouths of creeks. We had been catching a lot of limits throughout the winter fishing around 10-15 feet deep and cashing a lot of checks. This tournament was the same and we had a limit in an hour, but it only weighed about 8 lbs or so. Sure enough, the weather had been nice for several days in a row and when the sun popped out and warmed up the shallow dirty water on those channel banks, the fish moved up to 1-3 feet of water! We ended up culling up to about 12 lbs and getting 3rd and a decent check. We had followed the fish all winter and knew where they lived, and made the adjustment according to the weather to work over the shallows for bigger fish. </div> <bR> <div> Some small things I do during the winter seem to help out a lot. I always use Jack's Juice Spray Attractant on my jigs. Fish bite so lightly that most of the time all you feel is something heavy on the end of your rod. With some attractant on the jig, the fish will hold on longer and you won't lose fish that feel you before you have time to set the hook. Another thing I do is use heavy line. I know a lot of people like 10 line, but I always use 14 or 15 lb test this time of year. I want the jig to travel slowly and fall even slower, and the bigger line helps. That, and setting the hook on a big winter-time bass with 10 lb test doesn't sound too promising, though a lot of anglers do it year in and year out without any problems. That, and I like to be able to pull my jigs out of rocks or other hang-ups without breaking a lot of them off! </div> <bR> <div> Winter fishing doesn't have to be a dreaded chore. If you pay attention to the baitfish, seasonal patterns of bass, and the weather you can have a successful outing. Another key feature that can really help is the Mid America Outdoors Archives. This is a valuable tool that details all the past tournaments and fishing reports submitted year round. This is a perfect starting place to plan your trip to the lake. For more information on the products used go to <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.terminatorlures.com</U></FONT> for the jigs, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.jacksjuice.com</U></FONT> , and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.mwbtarchives.com</U></FONT> for the archives. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>_______________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="forget_what_you_know"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Forget What You Know</B></div> <div> I'm a thinker.  On a daily basis I come up with ideas.  “<I>What now</I>?” is what I hear from my wife on a regular basis after I tell her of my new ideas.  </div> <bR> <div> Why do I say I'm a thinker and why did I title this topic - <I>Forget What You Know</I>?  I should have added a little more and said - <I>Forget What You Know About Sponsorship</I>.  Yep, forget what you know.</div> <bR> <div> When I fished tournaments and had sponsors, I never even considered accepting free or highly discounted tackle in </div> <div> exchange for sponsorship - I needed <B><U>cash </U></B>to pay entry fees.  Discounted worms, rods, reels, etc. was only going to cost me money--which</div> <div> I already didn't have--to pay my entry fees.  I guess the reason I </div> <div> did it this way is because I didn't know any better.  I didn't know </div> <div> that discounts on tackle were considered sponsorship.  I didn't know that companies wouldn't just give you cash to cover your fishing expenses, so I asked them to, and lo and behold - </div> <div> <I>They did</I>!</div> <bR> <div> So…...I thought.  I thought about how I could raise cash.  How I could raise enough cash to pay to fish.  I sat and thought.  That's why I say - forget what you know about sponsorship and the </div> <div> fishing industry.  Completely remove those thoughts from your</div> <div> mind and focus, really focus, think of ways to obtain FUNDS.  </div> <bR> <div> So, now that you've forgotten everything you know about getting free worms and discounts off your tackle - now what?  </div> <bR> <div> Pretend you are writing your senior paper and it has to be on the subject:</div> <div> Finding Sponsors That Will Provide Cash.  <I>And</I> you have to find companies that can provide enough to cover <I>all</I> your expenses.</div> <bR> <div> Now I know most people will agree with me that it's a pretty good way to look at obtaining cash sponsors.  However, most people won't sit down, put pen to paper, and start the assignment.  But YOU aren't `most people.' You have a choice that some people don't realize: to believe in yourself or to disbelieve in your abilities. Know that you can do this. If you force yourself to sit down, do some research like you had to do for your senior paper, and actually write, research, THINK and finish the project, you'll </div> <div> actually accomplish it. Take charge and never surrender to mediocrity. If you persevere, you'll find a cash sponsor because</div> <div>  you are looking for it. </div> <bR> <div> In reality we only look for discounts and free tackle as far as sponsorship is concerned because that's what everybody else in the fishing industry does.  Now, obviously there are the big-time pros that are way past discounts.  They get free products and</div> <div> cash to promote and endorse products.  However, that only affects a handful of people. </div> <bR> <div> I challenge you to sit down and think, uncover, search for ways to obtain cash for sponsorship. Commit to finding a sponsor and </div> <div> stick with it. <B><U>Forget what you know</U></B> about the fishing industry</div> <div> and sponsorship.  Look at it differently.  Look at it like I did. </div> <bR> <div> Scott Rauber - Author - How To Get Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments Volume I & II <B><IMG SRC="46ed49f0.jpg" border=0 width="212" height="159" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.fishforfree.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fishforfree.com"><U>www.fishforfree.com</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.fishforfree2.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fishforfree2.com"><U>www.fishforfree2.com</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>____________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="sponsors_the_good_and_the_bad__1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Sponsors, the good and the bad.</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>by Ken Nance</B></div> <bR> <div> Of all relationships you will encounter while trying to pursue a career as a professional tournament angler, sponsors and potential sponsors are quite possibly the most important. I have been blessed with some of the best sponsors in the sport. These sponsors didn’t come easy and they didn’t seek me out and beg me to represent them. I did a lot of hard work, hard “FREE” work for them to prove myself. My father taught me about saving money and said when you save money it would begin to “snowball”. Sponsors will do this as well. What I want to discuss is some sure fire ways to get sponsors, keep them, and make yourself an integral part of their team. </div> <bR> <div> The first thing you need to realize is that there are 2 distinct sides to the fishing industry. The fishing side, and the business side. The sooner a tournament angler realizes this the better off he will be. Both sides are equally important and both work together, with good time management and organizational skills, they both can exist together in harmony for the competitive tournament angler. This is a huge industry with literally thousands of potential professional anglers willing to work for these companies for free. Lets talk about how to obtain that first sponsor. I suggest you spend some time looking in your boat at your tackle. Look at what products you buy the most of and what you feel your confidence baits are. For an example we will use Sliding Weight Crawfish baits. I love the Sliding Weight Crawfish and use it quite a bit. I am confident it is a bait that the fish have not seen and its life like in its action. I am currently sponsored by this company so for the sake of an example we will assume that I am not. The first thing to do would be to look for a local tackle dealer that does not stock the baits. Approach the dealer and sell him on the bait and once he agrees to order tell him you will try to contact the company and do the legwork for him. Now you have an order for the baits in your pocket and some proof that you can sell the bait. Now you need to contact Sliding Weight and ask to speak with whomever is in charge of their marketing and pro-staff. When you get this person on the phone introduce yourself and ask for a moment of their time and if this is a good time for you to call. If not make an appointment to contact them and make sure you call them back promptly on the agreed time. Once you are on the phone with the correct person, explain to them what your plans, goals, and accomplishments are. Explain to them that you use their baits and have confidence in them, which will allow you to aggressively and confidently sell the products. Now is when you lay your cards out on the table. Tell him you wish to prove yourself to them and that you already have a tackle store set up that you have sold their product to. Even if the company has no pro-staff positions available you can still give them the order and ask them to notify you when they have an open position. For your efforts you have set up a local tackle dealer with a product you use and have proven to yourself that you can do this. Continuing with our example lets imagine that Sliding Weight is impressed with what you have done and agrees to offer you a sponsorship. Most of the time they will offer a large discount on their products and possibly free product. Free product is tough to get sometimes as most companies have been “ripped off” by so many pro-staffers who take all the free product and do nothing in return for the company. Once you have your foot in the door here is where the real work begins. You need to realize that this is quite possibly the most important sponsor you will ever have. You have just begun to form your reputation as a professional angler and the image you present will stick with you for a long time. You need to really work hard at setting up stores for this company and promoting them as much as possible. Tournament shirts, stickers, patches, and tow-vehicle stickers are advertising tools that allow you to promote your sponsors product, if they don’t offer them ask for their digitized logo and spend the 50 dollars and make them yourself.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Now that you have your first sponsor lets fast forward your tournament career some. Its now 6 months or a year later and you have set up 14 stores for your sponsor and sold a lot of product to individual fisherman. Sliding Weight has sent you a couple of tournament shirts with your name embroidered on the pocket right above “Pro-Staff”, you have hats, stickers, and are receiving free product. Life is good. Now you realize that you want to help promote another product and decide to contact another company. When you contact this company things will be a little different. You have a proven track record with Sliding Weight and Sliding Weight will give you a positive reference for your potential new sponsor. You contact this company and follow the same steps, they contact Sliding Weight and POOF, you now have another sponsor. When you contact the dealers that you set up with Sliding Weight to check on how much product they need you can tell them about this new product you have to offer. Another great thing companies do is offer their pro-staffers the ability to set up dealers with their products at a cheaper price than they can get from a middle man. Basically you can set up a dealer with a wholesale, factory direct price, without them having to go through a middleman which means more profit for the dealer. Do you see the snowball effect here we talked about earlier? The next product you want to promote will have 2 positive references and so on and so on. Eventually your reputation will get out and your sponsors will start recommending you for other sponsorships. </div> <bR> <div> One thing a person being sponsored by a company needs to realize is that they don’t only represent the company and its product. As someone who is sponsored by a company you represent the company, product, that companies employees, their families, and everything that company stands for. You need to remember this when you are dealing with the public and remain the professional you are. Avoid confrontations and putting yourself in less than ideal environments. Once you have proven yourself to these companies you can expect to do more things with these companies and actually become an integral part of that company. They will contact you and ask your advice on company related topics, new product development, field testing, as well as ask you to do seminars and promotional events for them. This is where the sponsorship really starts to pay off. When you do promotional events for them, either by going to shows or doing videos etc., you will be gaining exposure for yourself. This is the level where the company that is sponsoring you realizes what an asset you are to them and will begin to help you with tournament expenses and entry fees. It’s a give give situation and you have to give first. </div> <bR> <div> Once you get to this level you may wish to start looking for a boat sponsor. Boat sponsors are totally different from tackle sponsors. The stakes are much higher and the sponsorships are much more difficult to get and keep. You need a proven tournament record as well as a proven sponsor record most of the time to get a boat sponsorship. Don’t plan on getting a free boat. Unless your name is Kevin Van Dam, Rick Clunn, or Bill Chapman (my friend that fishes FLW gets a free boat every year), you will be buying a new boat as your first sponsorship. Don’t get me wrong, the deal is still phenomenal. There are several forms of boat sponsorships which include, memo boats, demonstrators, factory level sponsorships, and dealer level sponsorships. There may be some additional types but these are the ones I am familiar with. The most common deal that is offered is the dealer level sponsorship. With a dealer level sponsorship you get a large discount on the boat, motor and trailer, dealer support, and free tournament clothes. This is the foot in the door to the next level and again one that needs your full attention. Offer to go to boat shows and watch how the boat dealership’s sales people sell boats and learn from watching them. When you are ready to sell boats ask your dealer to instruct you how he wants you to sell the boats and then go at it. Selling a boat you believe in is easy. Be knowledgeable and truthful about the boat. Study how the boat is built and manufactured. Know the warranty and how to break in the boat. More times than not the customer you are talking to about the boat knows just as much if not more about the boat than you do. The most common misconception I see boat salesman do is misrepresent the speed of the boat. If the boat will run 65mph gps then tell them the gps speed. Remember, your reputation is everything and you don’t want customers walking around telling other customers and salesmen at other boat dealerships that your 18-foot boat will run 90 mph. Memo boats are deals that are also common. Some people may call memo boats by a different name other than what I do but this is how I interpret them. Once you have been sponsored by a boat dealer he turns in a credit application to the boat manufacturer. The boat company many have their own finance company or use a financial company they work close with to finance their team members. The large discount on the boat puts you well below dealer cost of the boat. Once the finance company approves your loan you will sign a 1-year contract with payments of $0.00. You use the boat, insure the boat, and maintain it. When the year is getting close to being up you sell the boat for about what you paid for it and then order a new one. The down side to this is if you don’t sell the boat, the interest rate is higher than a normal loan, which is a bad thing. What most guys do is finance the boat at a lower interest rate for 15 years, which also gives the a really low monthly payment, and then sell the boat leisurely. With the deal that you receive on the boat it is usually fairly easy to sell the boat. The third form of sponsorship is a demonstrator. This is actually a rare occurrence as the dealer assumes liability for the boat and its occupants. They carry the insurance thru the dealer on the pro-staff and insure them on the events they fish. With today’s society of sue happy people this deal is about extinct. The last and possibly most rare form of boat sponsorship is the factory level sponsorship. This is when you get a free boat from the factory. It doesn’t cost you a penny and if you tear it up they fix it free or give you another boat. Like I stated earlier, these deals are usually reserved for the elite top names of the sport. There is another sponsorship out there that is quite a bit better than a factory level sponsorship. This is a marketing sponsorship. The deal is phenomenal and I know several guys on this plan. This plan is possibly the best deal going but it is tough to get and even harder to keep. You have to be a proven producer and a people person. This plan requires you to do out of town promotions for several weeks a year. You receive a boat, tow vehicle, salary, expense account, and a few bonuses like having your entry fees paid. You have events that are mandatory to attend, sales routes for you to do publicity stunts on, product promotions, and pretty much anything else they want you to do. They make provisions for you to be able to pre-fish your tournament and have plenty of family time but you may be gone for long periods of time when you are working. I am currently working on a deal like this and hope to hear something back from the firm soon. </div> <div> An angler can make himself more desirable to a sponsor when competing for a pro-staff position by covering all the bases of the sport. He can be a public speaker, free-lance outdoor writer, and do things that other potential sponsors don’t do like put on charity tournaments, scuba dive, and teach safety courses etc. Anything an angler can do to make himself stand out in a crowd is a good thing. ]</div> <bR> <div> There are some down sides and warnings that one must heed when dealing with sponsors also. One of them being to make sure you don’t over-sponsor yourself. If you have too many sponsors with similar products you are not doing yourself or your sponsor justice. It is ok to have several different soft plastic sponsors as long as they are different products. If one sponsor has a crawfish bait, one has a tube bait, one has finesse and hand pour baits, the difference between the products is different and there shouldn’t be a conflict. The last thing you want is to have 4 sponsors that all sell the same thing. One last bit of advice is you need to keep an eye on your sponsor. I call this checking the sponsors pulse. If you feel that they are neglecting customers, pro-staffers, or advertising then this may be the first sign of problems. You need to talk to the company and discuss how you can help to make things better. You have to remember that a lot of good companies just go out of business and there is nothing you can do about it. Keep in contact with your sponsors on at least a monthly basis. If the time comes that you feel it benefits both you and your sponsor to go separate ways then do it in a professional way and don’t burn your bridges. Ship back any un-used product that you can so they may pass it to other pro-staffers or customers as sample packs. All in all if you are honest, hard working, and motivated you can make it far in the world of professional tournament angling. Feel free to contact me at anytime with questions or comments. Tight lines, Ken Nance.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Ken Nance is sponsored by Triton Boats, Mason Dixon Marine and Polaris, Sliding Weight Company, Kick'n Bass® Fish Attractants, Silverbuddy, Eat-em-up Bait Company, J.R.s Custom Rods, Caps Tackle, Susky Bugs, Bonzai Bait Company, Cabin Creek Bait Company and Nichols Bait Company. </div> <bR> <div> <I>Re-printed with permission from Kick'N Bass, World's Greatest fishing Attractant. </I></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>_____________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="confidence_is_a_funny_thing"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Confidence is a funny thing</B></div> <div> By Deitz Dittrich of Minnesota</div> <div> <IMG SRC="47188b00.png" border=0 width="136" height="176" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Have you ever wondered why a favorite angler you have watched over the years has finished so differently? I don't want to mention any names, but I was sitting here this morning could come up with dozens that were on top of the fishing world and now are just average anglers on the pro circuit (which is still way better than the rest of us.) I think that confidence has a lot to do with it. The mind is a very powerful thing. I am sure we, as humans, have not even begun to grasp its powers yet. </div> <bR> <div> I have been asked to write more technical articles, like how to fish a Carolina rig and how to fish a Texas rig, much like my jerkbait article, and I promise that I will. However, I needed to write this article for myself. You see, I am suffering much of this problem right now. So, unfortunately, I can consider myself an expert on the subject. I feel myself second guessing, not concentrating as much,</div> <div> and even not enjoying the competition as much. </div> <bR> <div> With that in mind, I would like to write a few lines on what I think confidence can do for you: </div> <bR> <div> At the beginning of this fishing season, I had some really good tournaments. Granted, I didn't win any, but I was happy with how I finished. I usually don't do as well during the mid summer tournaments, but I still usually manage to do well enough. This year I had done so well in the first few that I was beginning to think that I had a chance in the angler of the year contest or at least better than my thirteenth place last year. So, I started to worry about how I was going to do during the mid-summer months and let my mind dwell on my faults rather than my strengths. I didn't think about how I had finished in the top ten in every tournament so far this year, I was thinking about how I was going to fall in the points. What I managed to do was talk myself right out of any contention. I finished in the lower half of the next five tournaments. What happened to me was a direct result of lack of confidence. I hope I can turn things around with four tournaments left, but regardless, I have found it helpful to reflect upon the mental messages I have been giving myself most recently. </div> <bR> <div> When you do not believe in yourself, you question your judgment. You're not sure if you are making the right decision, and you think about moving or staying in the place you are fishing rather than thinking about the task at hand, and that is fish THAT cast. If you are thinking about if you should be moving to a different spot, are you thinking about how your lure is crawling along the bottom, did you feel that your lure is now hitting a stiffer weed or larger rocks, unless a fish hits really hard, you probably missed it. Concentration is such a large part of fishing. If you are thinking about other things you may be missing some weather change that could help you figure out where the fish are, and what changes you should be</div> <div> making. I could feel myself panicking if I didn't catch a fish on my first spot or I got a bad draw for blast off. When I started to panic, I could feel my retrieve become more rapid. I would make casts knowing that a fish was not going to hit, and in my head I was wondering how everyone else was catching their fish. The snowball would just get bigger and my confidence was gone and so went my</div> <div> ability and everything I had learned. </div> <bR> <div> The thing I needed to remember was, I know how to fish. I know how to make the correct adjustments to weather, time of day, time of year. I know to not make a cast if I don't think I can get a fish on it. I know that I need to have everything working to outwit the fish, and I definitely know that I am not against the other competitors. I could care less how they are catching them, it's me against the fish.When I fish, I almost need a cocky attitude. I need to tell myself that I am throwing the right thing in the right spot and making the right decisions. </div> <bR> <div> I need to be there again! </div> <bR> <div> <I>Reprinted courtesy of Kick'N Bass --World's Greatest Fish Attractant</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>_____________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="fizzing_bass_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <div> <B>Fizzing Bass</B></div> <div> <B>A guide to the proper technique for deflating black bass swim bladders</B></div> <bR> <div> By Eric Prey</div> <div> Sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Bill's Marine, Jewel Bait Co., Table Rock Tackle, Angler's Tackle Box and K.A.S.T.</div> <bR> <div>      With the advent of more powerful, easy to use and affordable electronics many anglers have started fishing for bass in depths that most thought fish couldn't survive in a few years ago. Many of these anglers are finding success on a much more consistent basis than their counterparts beating the banks with traditional methods. Unfortunately, while many have learned the proper techniques to catch these fish most have not learned how to properly release them. Please note; if you are immediately releasing fish caught over 25' deep there are rarely any adverse effects on the fish from being caught. Simply release the fish back into the lake as soon as possible and it will return to the depth it was caught unharmed. On the other hand if you are placing the fish into a livewell for a tournament, future photographs or any other reason and plan to release it later you must learn the proper technique for deflating the fish's air bladder or it will not survive. With this in mind I would like to go over the proper deflation or “fizzing” technique, tools and tips so you will be able to release these fish back to the lake unharmed. </div> <bR> <div> First off it helps to know a little bass physiology.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="47287cc0.png" border=0 width="391" height="204" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> In the above illustration you can see the location of the swim bladder, when a fish is rapidly depressurized by being brought to the surface this bladder becomes enlarged and must be deflated if the fish is to survive. This deflation is done with a 16 - 20 gage 3” - 5” long hypodermic needle, available at most pharmacies, veterinary supply and some tackle stores. Make sure you do not use a needle larger than 16 gage. The key to the procedure is to deflate the bladder without injuring or damaging any other organs so take note of where the swim bladder is in relationship to the other organs.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Step By Step Deflation:</B></div> <bR> <div> Step 1: Lay the fish on its side on a firm wet surface.</div> <div> Step 2: Locate the dorsal notch or area where the dorsal fins meet</div> <div> Step 3: Draw an imaginary line from that notch to the lateral line</div> <div> Step 4: Mark a spot approximately 1” below the lateral line, in line with the dorsal notch and remove one scale with the tip of the needle.</div> <div> Step 5: Insert the needle at a 45 degree angle toward the fish's head, you may or may not hear a release of air at this time.</div> <div> Step 6: Place the fish under the waters surface and watch for air bubbles, if there is air coning out of the end allow the air to flow naturally but do not remove all of the air from the fish. If there is no air flow, remove the fish from the water, remove the needle and check for any blockage then repeat step 5 & 6.</div> <div> Step 7: Place the fish back into the livewell if it still cannot right itself repeat the procedure, if it can right itself, it is ready to be released.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="474ab950.jpg" border=0 width="427" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> This illustration shows the approximate location for needle insertion.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Fizzing Tools</B></div> <div>       </div> <div> The tools are pretty simple and can be kept in your pocket, the lid of you livewell or any other convenient place.</div> <bR> <div> 16-20 gage 3” - 5” hypodermic needle</div> <div> A piece of wire to clean the needle with, I use an old mojo rig tool, insert it into the needle and clean it out after every fish.</div> <bR> <div> That's all you will need.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Deep fishing pioneer Don Iovino offers a fizzing kit for $5.00, it includes a needle, wire all in a compact case. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="47621ad0.jpg" border=0 width="289" height="173" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Don Iovino's Fizzing kit contact <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.iovino.com/fizzkit.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.iovino.com/fizzkit.htm"><U>http://www.iovino.com/fizzkit.htm</U></A></FONT> to purchase.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Tips</B></div> <div>      The first couple of time you attempt to fizz a bass may be difficult: </div> <div> Remember that you will likely need to exert more pressure than you think to puncture the air bladder.</div> <div>  The air bladder is going to be oversized so it will fairly easy to hit if you line everything up right. </div> <div> The fish will die if you don't release the air out of it so you need to try. </div> <div> The most common cause of no air coming out of the needle is blockage so make sure your needle is clear of debris. </div> <div> In the late winter / early spring the air bladder may be pushed upward on females by their egg sac so you may need to aim a little higher. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Closing Comments</B></div> <bR> <div>      While difficult at first the technique of Fizzing a bass is not hard to master, take your time, follow the instructions and you will be successful. If you are going to fish you owe it to the future of angling to learn and practice safe and effective catch and release which includes having the tools and the knowledge of fizzing if you plan on fishing deeper than 25' deep. If you have any questions or would like further information feel free to contact me at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:eric@focusedfishing.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:eric@focusedfishing.com"><U>eric@focusedfishing.com</U></A></FONT> and I will be glad to help out.<B> </B></div> <bR> <div> Author,  Eric Prey </div> <div> <B>Focused Fishing Professional Guide Service</B>   </div> <div> www.focusedfishing.com</div> <bR> <div> Sponsors include: Ranger Boats, Bill's Marine, Jewel Bait Co.,</div> <div> Table Rock Tackle, Angler's Tackle Box and K.A.S.T.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="4778c7f0.jpg" border=0 width="140" height="127" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> ____________________________________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="kelley_shepherd_pro_angler_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Kelley Shepherd, Pro Angler                                      <IMG SRC="47981b20.jpg" border=0 width="129" height="178" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> As told to Carol Boykin</div> <bR> <div> <B>GOT MILK?                    </B></div> <bR> <div> Kelley Shepherd does -- and she carries it in the boat with her when she's bass fishing.  "It comforts and energizes me," she said.  And this gal is a bundle of energy.</div> <bR> <div> That energy brought her to Lake Lewisville for the Women's Bassmaster Tour Inaugural Event and her thoughts follow:  "When I came to this event, I expected to find a group of ladies coming together for a group activity with the same interests and goals - to catch a lot of bass and to make a good showing at this inaugural tournament.  I was very surprised at the number of ladies who arrived - from 29 states, Canada, and Japan - and I have met some awesome women.  I'm proud of each and every one of them for the time and effort they have taken to be here and be a part of this history making event.  They each bring different skills to the event and each has something different to offer the rest of us."</div> <bR> <div> Kelley grew up just ten miles from Colorado's 50,000 acre Mesa Verde National Park and was taught to fish by her Grandmother and Grandfather, as a youngster, on Lake Powell.  She knew in her heart that some day she was going to fish competitively, to put all her efforts into it and make it all that it could be.  Her desire was, and still is, to compete in events that have the biggest paybacks and the advantages of fishing all the different fisheries.  She is looking upon it all as "The Great Adventure" and loves that part of it.</div> <bR> <div> Kelley started fishing in 2001, as most contenders do, with a partner in her local bass club, Cortez Bassmasters and Four Corners Team Bass - and won a couple of local events.  She then tried U.S. Anglers Choice, mostly on Western lakes.  Traveling to Clear Lake in Northern California, she qualified three times for the Regional Championships - all of these as the only female boater.  She has always fished as a boater and feels she can fish with the best of them.  She was paired with a Pro to fish the Citgo Pro-Am Event (where she placed in the</div> <div> money) and feels she learned a lot from that trip.</div> <bR> <div> Plastics remain her favorite baits and she is a supporter of the "no net" rule.  A nice 7 pounder took one look at her on the first day of the WBT event, gave one last lunge, and was gone.  With a net, she feels she might have been able to get that fish into the boat but the challenge still calls to her.</div> <bR> <div> "I have met some women that I had only read about before coming to Texas.  Such as Penny Berryman.   As I grew up and began to take fishing more seriously, I idolized her.  I followed her career and am very honored to be in her presence at this inaugural event - and where I finally met her.  I did tell her that, after the weighin was completed today and she, not knowing yet,  asked me, "Where did you place?"  I said "fourteenth" and she said, "Well, I placed fifteenth."   And, I said, "Yes, I know"  -- and we got a good chuckle out of it.  She's still my idol."</div> <bR> <div> Kelly went on to say "I admire her very much.  She is a very good speaker, she's down to earth, she shows femininity and maintains that, she represents women very well - all of us - in many ways.  She is an excellent angler and yet can "look good and kick it up" out there on the lake as well.  I'm very proud of that!"</div> <bR> <div> Kelley has been on the job with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indiana Affairs, in law enforcement for 21 years and is beginning to think about doing something else with her life - like competitively fishing.  However, most of the expense of her fishing comes out of her back pocket. She does have a friend who owns Blonde's Pub & Grub of Cortez who helps with the gas money and Pepper's Hawgs & Jigs of Grand Junction supplies her with product.  Hopefully, they will be there for her in the future.</div> <bR> <div> In 1998, Kelley was nominated as one of the Top 10 Women in Federal Government for the work she has done nationally.  Working at Mesa Verde National Park enabled her to develop a mounted-patrol program aimed at safeguarding artifacts and archaeological sites in otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas.  She was recognized at the U.S. Capital by Good Housekeeping Magazine, Ford Foundation & Rutgers University and received a cash award after being chosen from a field of over 300, which included astronauts, scientists, and politicians.  While in Washington, her award  was presented by the Foundations & Robert Stanton, the Director of the National Park Service, who she worked for at that time as a Park Ranger.  During the visit, Kelley toured everything:  the White House, the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery.  "It was quite an honor and I am very proud of the work I did. I was glad to be a part of that and it also was an "inaugural event."</div> <bR> <div> As I sat at the table, looking at this tiny little woman with the gentle eyes, I couldn't help but wonder how many of the 176 women gathered here on Lake Lewisville have the same pride in what they do, the same fire, the same desire to see women participate competitively in a venue that supports their independence and to do it in a way that will honor them and the fishing industry.  As she expressed her hopes and dreams, I related to the struggles that women have had over the past years.  She understood - and she shares the hopes of the pioneers in women's fishing.  I struggled to keep my composure as she talked.  I found myself thinking, "Here is a woman from Colorado who has the same dreams I have."  Being at this event was a dream come true for all of  us.  Women coming together to support each other and the industry.   We spoke of the future and the opportunities that BASS has made available to all of us. It's something worthwhile - investing in women's fishing and the industry.</div> <bR> <div> Kelley can see herself returning to fish with the Women's Bassmaster Tour and when asked, "What do you hope to be doing within the next few years?"  Her quick reply was, "I hope to be crossing that stage down there in First Place, "Kickin' it up with the ladies!"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="368" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 156 WIDTH="196"><div> <I>About the author:Carol Boykin is a free-lance writer and competitive angler from Indiana . Several of her feature stories have appeared on Lady Bass Angler.</I></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="161"><div> <B><IMG SRC="47b618f0.jpg" border=0 width="97" height="143" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>___________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="fifty_eight_ways_to_save_money_along"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Fifty-Eight Ways to Save Money Along the WBT Trail    </B></div> <bR> <div> By Carol Boykin</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1.</B>  Don't buy any new lures/baits upon arrival at the tournament </div> <div>       site.  If you visit tackle shops, shop with a list or with cash only.  </div> <div>       Don't forget, it's not always the bait.  Sometimes it's the technique </div> <div>       you use.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2.</B>   Stay with good friends who own a weekend place there.</div> <bR> <div> <B>3.</B>   Use your worms until there isn't anything left of them.</div> <bR> <div> <B>4.</B>   As a non-boater, borrow a boat at the site to practice fish.</div> <bR> <div> <B>5.</B>  Take your microwave oven & a small refrigerator with you and cook </div> <div>        in your hotel room.</div> <bR> <div> <B>6.</B>   Become a great Poker player and encourage a game at least one </div> <div>        time during the week.</div> <bR> <div> <B>7.   </B>Leave your boat at home and go as a non-boater.</div> <bR> <div> <B>8.</B>   Refrigerate today the drinks you will need tomorrow.  Bring </div> <div>       permanent ice-packs with you & re-freeze them in the refrigerator each </div> <div>       night.  This way you don't have to buy ice every morning.</div> <bR> <div> <B>9.</B>   Go on a Diet for a week.</div> <bR> <div> <B>10</B>.  Mooch tackle from friends, relatives, & manufacturers.</div> <bR> <div> <B>11.</B>  Do not buy a lake map.  Just guess your way around. (Don't tell </div> <div>       your non-boater!)</div> <bR> <div> Lunch on peanut butter & jelly sandwiches in the boat all week</div> <bR> <div> Drink water, not expensive sodas or energy drinks.</div> <bR> <div> <B>14. </B> Bring your camper or motor home and invite someone to stay with </div> <div>        you and share the expenses.</div> <bR> <div> <B>15.</B>  Fish close to the ramp so that you don't have to buy any gas for </div> <div>       the boat.</div> <bR> <div> <B>16</B>.  Carry a $100.00 bill and keep saying, "I don't have any change."  </div> <bR> <div> <B>17.</B>  Charge everything and worry about it later.</div> <bR> <div> <B>18.</B>  Take your husband with you and let him worry about it.</div> <bR> <div> <B>19</B>.  Use a push pole on shallow lakes so you don't have to start the </div> <div>        big motor.</div> <bR> <div> <B>20.</B> Travel with someone else in their vehicle and share the expenses.</div> <bR> <div> <B>21.</B>  Camp out in a tent during practice days and bathe in the lake.  Go </div> <div>        to a motel on tournament days when you're tired and have to stay off </div> <div>       (out of) the water.</div> <bR> <div> <B>22.</B>   Leave your husband at home and share expenses with another </div> <div>        contender.  As a practice partner, husbands come off the lake </div> <div>        "starving to death", and want to go out for a full (expensive) meal.</div> <bR> <div> <B>23.</B>   Stay where they have kitchenette arrangements and have meals in </div> <div>         your hotel room.</div> <bR> <div> <B> 24.</B>  Don't live in Washington State and fish tournaments in Texas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>25.</B>  Start using all those shampoo and soap samples you get in </div> <div>        hotels/motels during the year.</div> <bR> <div> <B>26</B>. Buy a vehicle that affords gas economy.</div> <bR> <div> <B>27</B>. Stay in your own weekend home on the lake.</div> <bR> <div> <B>28.</B>  Don't spend money on boat security at night.  Take a chance that </div> <div>        nothing will be stolen.  (Duh!)</div> <bR> <div> <B>29.</B>   Build your own sure-fire baits.</div> <bR> <div> <B>30.</B>  Bring your groceries, cokes, & cigarettes from home (and your </div> <div>       local discount store).  Stock up on needed items during the year when </div> <div>       they are on sale.</div> <bR> <div> <B>31.</B>  Don't take extra money with you.  If you take it, you spend it. </div> <div>       Set a certain amount of money aside for each day.  If it is $20, then </div> <div>       take your spending money with you in $20 bills.  Stay on your budget!</div> <bR> <div> <B>32</B>.   Bring the oil for the boat with you.</div> <bR> <div> <B>33.</B>   Don't call home everyday.  Wait until the end of the first </div> <div>         tournament day to call.</div> <bR> <div> <B>34</B>.  Work hard to get sponsors, from you own hometown, and let them pay </div> <div>        your way.</div> <bR> <div> <B>35</B>. Have your Premarin prescription refilled before you leave home.  </div> <div>       Take all your medications with you, plus a First Aid Kit in the boat.  </div> <div>       Don't forget your insurance cards in case of an accident.</div> <bR> <div> <B>36.</B> Practice hard during the day and then be too tired to eat at night.</div> <bR> <div> <B>37.</B>  Rent a house and stay together with a group - with each person </div> <div>       cooking (and paying for) one evening meal during the week.</div> <bR> <div> <B>38.</B> Move further South.</div> <bR> <div> <B>39.</B>  By receiving graciously.  If a long time friend is glad to see you </div> <div>       again and wants to take you to dinner one night.  Go, enjoy, and say </div> <div>      "Thank you!"</div> <bR> <div> <B>40.</B>  Put your winnings into a savings account and allow them to grow </div> <div>       during the off season.</div> <bR> <div> <B>41.</B>  Shop garage sales for fishing or camping items you will utilize at </div> <div>        tournaments.  Buy used if at all possible.</div> <bR> <div> <B>42.</B>   Utilize discount food coupons when traveling or buying groceries. </div> <div>        Every town uses them.</div> <bR> <div> <B>43.</B>   Keep a spending record - to realize how you spent your money.  </div> <div>        Plan better next time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>44.</B>  Take care of your needs on the way to the ramp or returning from </div> <div>         it.  Don't make extra trips in your vehicle.  Utilize your time and </div> <div>        money by consolidating your errands.</div> <bR> <div> <B>45.</B>  Keep your vehicle and boat in good repair - at home and at your </div> <div>        favorite dealerships where they know you.   Repairs are costly on the </div> <div>        road.</div> <bR> <div> <B>46.</B>  Get in the habit of using the hotel/motel's safe for valuables </div> <div>         instead of leaving them in your car, boat or room.</div> <bR> <div> <B>47.</B>  Buy a state's Annual Fishing License if you will be returning for </div> <div>        another tournament within the year.</div> <bR> <div> <B>48.</B>  Take small appliances with you into your hotel room.   Cook and </div> <div>        freeze meals at home prior to the tournament, then use small </div> <div>        appliances, such as a crock pot, that will have your evening meal </div> <div>        ready for you after a long day on the water.</div> <bR> <div> <B>49.</B>  Graciously accept the non-boater's fee when it is offered to you.  </div> <div>        It may not always be as much as you hoped for, but remember, you are </div> <div>       the Pro, she is the Amateur - and may not know the going rate.</div> <bR> <div> <B>50.</B>  Save the two gallon bags you pack your clothes in for each day and </div> <div>        use them again.  Pack your clothes/uniforms in separate bags before </div> <div>        leaving home.  Each bag should contain your underwear, shirt, shorts,</div> <div>        or jeans, and sox.  Pack one bag for each day - with everything you </div> <div>        will need.  It minimizes the time it takes to get organized for the </div> <div>        next day and the bags keep your folded clothes from wrinkling.</div> <bR> <div> <B>51.</B>   Utilize your cellular phone when calling home from the </div> <div>         tournament.  Activate service that provides free time when calling </div> <div>         like phones - such as Verizon to Verizon.</div> <bR> <div> <B>52.</B>  Take your small pet with you when staying at a "pet friendly" </div> <div>        hotel/motel and avoid paying boarding fees at home while away. </div> <div>        If it is a dog, it will also serve as a warning system in case of a break-in</div> <div> .</div> <div> <B>53.</B>  Make use of your computer while still at home to enlist </div> <div>       information about the lake, instead of hiring a guide when you get </div> <div>       there.  Normally, anglers living in the vicinity of the tournament </div> <div>       site enjoy helping with information.  Buy a lake map ahead of time so </div> <div>       you can work out the details of what they have to offer and know where </div> <div>       you want to start prefishing before you get there.</div> <bR> <div> <B>54.</B>  Have a regular exercise program prior to fishing a circuit.  Good </div> <div>       health is mandatory for standing on the front of a bass boat for 5 or </div> <div>       6 days.  Good health care may be hard to find at the tournament site.  </div> <div>       Plan ahead and save yourself some trouble and some joint pain that </div> <div>       might need to be treated.</div> <bR> <div> <B>55.</B>  Stop trying to impress or control everyone.  Don't volunteer to </div> <div>        drive your car to dinner every night.</div> <bR> <div> <B>56.</B>  Get sponsorships from your tackle and boat manufacturers.  If </div> <div>        you do, be prepared to give more than you receive.</div> <bR> <div> <B>57.</B>  Make your housing reservations via the your computer.  </div> <div>       Sometimes, it's cheaper.  And, don't forget to ask for "tournament site",</div> <div>       AARP, or AAA discounts.</div> <bR> <div> <B>58. </B> And, last but not least.  The one suggestion we don't want to </div> <div>         hear, "Stay at home."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>####</B></div> <div> <B>__________________________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="confidence"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Confidence, A Competitive Edge</B></div> <bR> <div> By Jerry Drazer</div> <bR> <div> As tournament anglers, most of us are always looking for an edge on the competition. </div> <div> For some anglers the edge is in horsepower and boat length. There's no doubt that a longer boat with a wide beam, handles big water much better, and is much safer than a smaller version. However, in order to propel that big boat efficiently you’ll need an outboard that can handle that boat, and at the same time cut down your running time between point A and point B. Thus, the emergence of the 20' boat and 200 + horsepower outboards. While rigging that 20' boat you'll also need a trolling motor that has enough muscle to maneuver that twenty footer easily, and you might as well invest in some high-tech electronics and a GPS system. The total cost of this edge is probably well over $30,000 and some change. This is a very good investment, if you have the money.</div> <bR> <div> For other anglers the edge is in getting the best information available before they even get on the water. Most all of us have solicited information for a tournament at some point and time in our careers from someone, but some go above and beyond simply soliciting a little information. One touring pro I know, has over 30 contacts for each lake he fishes, and gets information from them all before he even leaves the driveway. </div> <div> Others find an edge in hiring 3-4 top-notch guides, and gaining their sole confidentiality or use the Internet and other information systems. The total cost of these edges can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars depending on the extreme. They are all good investments, and give you an edge, if you have the money and make the time. </div> <div> Another tournament edge, and probably the toughest to attain is sponsorship. If you have several great paying sponsors you can easily have access to all of the above, and more.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Confidence As An Edge</U></B></div> <div> Now, let's look at an edge that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg, and that edge is confidence. Some anglers may have confidence in certain areas or creeks of the tournament waters. Others have extreme confidence in a certain lure or technique, and they’ll fish it regardless of the conditions. Yeah, they'll get burned off and on, but contrary to popular belief, and conventional bass fishing wisdom, these "one lure" anglers can inflict a lot of damage to a standings board. How? Confidence, in their own style, technique, and abilities. While fishing, they won't play around changing lures, they simply keep their line wet. </div> <div> They 're true masters of their technique, and are very aware of all subtleties that their technique employs. They're also keenly alert to any changes in vibration, feel, or sound. When ideal conditions for their lure or technique prevail, you had better be ready to "weather the storm", because they’ll catch their share and might even get on a roll. I can think of several anglers just in Indiana, who fish in this manner. Examples of this type of confidence are further illustrated time and again on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail. </div> <bR> <div> Here are a few examples, see if they revive your memory: <I><B>Kevin VanDam</B></I><I> with the Sluggo and jerkbaits, </I><I><B>Tommy Biffle and</B></I><I> </I><I><B>Denny Brauer</B></I><I> with jigs, </I><I><B>Hank Parker and Jimmy Houston</B></I><I> with spinnerbaits, </I><I><B>Larry Nixon and Woo Daves</B></I><I> with plastic worms, </I><I><B>Guido and Dion Hibdon</B></I><I> with finesse baits</I><I><B>, Fish Fishburne and Shaw Grigsby</B></I><I> with sightfishing, </I><I><B>David Fritts</B></I><I> with crankbaits.</I></div> <div> There is absolutely no substitute for confidence. When conditions put bass in a very negative mood, where nothing seems to produce a strike to help formulate a pattern many of the top touring pro's rely heavily on their pet lures or techniques. Some refer to this tactic as "fishing their strength" or you'll here them refer to this as fishing their "confidence bait". Most tournament anglers have developed at least one "strength technique", in which they have a lot of confidence. </div> <bR> <div> One of the greatest attributes about confidence in my opinion is that you can’t buy it, and the fact that it’s not readily visible to the competition. Now you may be asking; How does an angler get confidence? It's simple really, practice, practice, practice. You can read all the books and magazines in the world, to build your foundation skills, but there is no substitute for time on the water. Confidence, will ultimately come with experience. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Developing Your Confidence </U></B></div> <div> If you desire to develop your confidence and have a trademark strength, one of the most important parts of the puzzle, is to simply enjoy fishing with that particular technique or lure, and having success with it. I've never heard anyone say; "My strength is jerkbaits, but I hate to fish them". Time on the water will ultimately be the best teacher, for all the subtleties. Most of the top pros on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail have little subtleties that they employ whenever they fish their "strength technique". </div> <bR> <div> My former bass fishing mentor, and retired touring pro, Dusty Pine, once told me many years ago: "It’s the little things that make the big difference". He’s so right. No two anglers can work a lure identically to one another. They can come very close, but there are still variations above and below the water. Some are conscious variations others may remain unconscious variations. </div> <bR> <div> Time on the water, and trial and error are very good teachers. After you have put your time in, and reaped the rewards from using your confidence, your confidence will become stronger with every cast and/or fish. </div> <div> So, before you go out and "plunk down" your hard earned cash for an expensive edge on the competition, try increasing your confidence in a technique, lure, or even a new area of the lake.</div> <bR> <div> Once your confidence is fully developed, success will be more frequent, and your bank account might increase a little too. But, more importantly, you’ll have fun using it.</div> <bR> <div> By Jerry Drazer</div> <div> Reprinted courtesy of Kick"N Bass  <A HREF="http://www.kicknbass.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kicknbass.com/"><IMG SRC="48849410.png" border=0 width="73" height="65" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>_____________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="tournament_etiquette"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><B>Tournament Etiquette--</B><I><B>Unwritten rules of the game</B></I></div> <div> <I>By Jerry Drazer</I></div> <div> <I>(</I><I>E</I><I>dito</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0033FF" FACE="Arial" ><I>rs note: some of this information may not be applicable to WBT tournaments)</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Through the years we’ve all had a variety of partners in tournaments, some good and some not so </div> <div> good. But, whether you fish team tournaments or draw tournaments, one common denominator that would apply to both formats would be etiquette. As boaters and/or non-boaters it’s our responsibility to enforce the "unwritten rules" or "code of ethics" of the sport, on and off the water. These "unwritten rules" apply to ALL boaters, non-boaters, and tournament fishermen. Rules involving tournament etiquette aren’t mentioned in the rules that govern the tournament usually. Tournament directors don’t enforce most rules concerning tournament etiquette so it’s up to the anglers to know the dos and don’ts.  </div> <bR> <div> Tournament etiquette is pretty straightforward, but let’s put the "unwritten rules" in writing to create awareness for people new to the sport and as a refresher for the veterans.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>RULES FOR BOATERS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Rules for boaters? Even though you own the boat you aren’t exempt from the "unwritten rules".</div> <div>  </div> <div> Be on time, when meeting your partner.</div> <bR> <div> Start the day by making your cooler, storage, and other conveniences available to your non-boater/partner, and make them feel comfortable in your boat. </div> <bR> <div> Think about your partner when running. Boat drivers have a steering wheel to hold onto and can brace for rough water. Non-boaters are unable to brace and absorb the shocks as well as a boat driver.</div> <bR> <div> Next is boat positioning. You have to give the guy in the back of the boat fair treatment, don’t attempt to tournament block him/her. Either keep the boat parallel to the bank or have your partner come up front with you. This is the nice thing about fishing expansive grass beds, because the advantage of boat position isn’t as critical to catching.</div> <bR> <div> Even as a boater, listen to your non-boating partner and give them some time on their water if they want it. Don’t forget they’re entitled to equal time on their water and time in the front, if they invoke the privilege. If you feel you’re on "dead-water" you still need to be congenial and work together with a give and take approach, even though the catch is separated at the end of the day.</div> <bR> <div> <B>RULES FOR NON-BOATERS</B></div> <bR> <div> Be on time when meeting your partner.</div> <bR> <div> Try to agree on some reasonable compensation for fuel expenses and pay your partner by the end of the day. Anymore, being a boater is extremely expensive. </div> <bR> <div> Treat the boat like it was your own "brand new boat" and try to avoid getting mud, spilling pop, fish scents, etc… on the interior of the boat. Be mindful of visible objects that could scratch the exterior of the boat like piers, standing trees, etc… try to prevent the boat from touching these objects if you when possible.</div> <bR> <div> If the boater has a big deck and invites you up front to fish do it, this is the easiest and fairest way to maneuver the boat and at the same time catch fish. Get up there!</div> <bR> <div> Try to downsize extremely bulky tackle boxes and use tackle boxes that fit into storage compartments easier. This helps both of you, because the boxes won’t be underfoot while battling and/or netting fish.</div> <div>  </div> <div> At the end of the day clean up. Don’t leave line, discarded plastic worms, food wrappers, or cans in the boat. Take them to the trash.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>TOURNAMENT FISHING ETHICS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> These apply to ALL tournament fishermen. There are a lot of these "unwritten rules" involving tournament etiquette, let’s look at just a few.</div> <bR> <div> If you’re fishing in a tournament and your partner misses a fish on a plastic worm don’t throw in immediately where he missed the fish and attempt to catch it. Let your partner adjust his/her plastic worm, and allow them to cast back at the fish a second time. </div> <bR> <div> When using a net don’t take wild jabs into the water at the fish, most fishermen prefer to lead the fish to the net. While other anglers would rather net or lip the fish themselves. Try to come to an agreement on net handling and lipping fish before you take-off in the morning. </div> <bR> <div> If your previous day’s partner caught fish from an area don’t go back to his areas trying to catch the fish he’d located. Maybe fish their pattern, but find a new area of the lake.</div> <bR> <div> When someone takes you out practicing don’t tell other competitors what, where, and how the fish were caught. </div> <bR> <div> When someone invokes the anchor rule, tied rule, or any distance rule respect it. However, if they allow another competitor to fish inside the distance, all bets are off.</div> <bR> <div> When sight-fishing for bedding bass try to <U>mutually</U> agree on a set a number of casts per angler then alternate these casts to the bed. </div> <bR> <div> Don’t cut off another competitor by pulling in on a bank and fishing in front of them.</div> <bR> <div> Lastly, if you’re leaving an area to go to another area, don’t prop wash and/or disturb the area in an attempt to mess up another competitor. </div> <bR> <div> Communication and a little mutual respect can go a long way in most situations involving etiquette or the "unwritten rules" of the game. </div> <bR> <div> If you’re concerned about violating tournament etiquette? You can test the situation, before you act. How? Simply ask yourself: Would I like for that to be done to me? </div> <bR> <div> You’ll have your answer.</div> <bR> <div> Reprinted courtesy of Kick"N Bas  <A HREF="http://www.kicknbass.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kicknbass.com/"><IMG SRC="48a49410.png" border=0 width="73" height="65" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>______________________________________________________________________________</B></div> <div>  <A NAME="gosh_you_ought_to_be_a_guide_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"GOSH, YOU OUGHT TO BE A GUIDE!"</B></FONT></div> <div>      By:  Carol Boykin</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="48c58630.png" border=0 width="88" height="99" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Have you ever taken someone fishing because they thought of you as a "pro"?  They picked their favorite lake and brought the map to you.  </div> <bR> <div> "Show me how you do it", were their next words.  After studying the map and picking what you hoped were some honey holes, you hit the water at the right time, picked a lure, and then -- "a good plan came together"  as if it was planned by earlier television's A Team.</div> <bR> <div> They thought you were pretty good, didn't they?  If you caught LOTS of fish, they probably said, "Gosh, you ought to be a guide!"</div> <bR> <div> I'll bet you were a little flattered by that --- and it's funny how that crosses your mind every once in a while.  "You ought to be a guide!" --- Hmm.</div> <bR> <div> But have you ever given it any serious thought?  Have you thought about what that would really mean to you?  To your family?  To your social life?  To your religion?  Let's think about this just a minute --- because my guess is that it would test all of them!</div> <bR> <div> Any guide will tell you right away, "You had better like people."  Like them enough to be locked in the bathroom all day with them, or at least a space about the same size (and maybe even used for the same purpose).   You better have thick skin because the wind, sun, rain, and all the other weather changes are going to freeze, burn, and dampen you -- and your enthusiasm.  You're going to have to be patient, tolerant, and understanding - thats Job, Gandhi, and your Mother all rolled into one! </div> <bR> <div> A guide not only has to put up with the weather and the client, but outrageous equipment costs and breakdowns with no time in the schedule for repairs.  There will be last minute cancellations (with no dollar replacements), big talkers, heavy eaters, and loud drinkers over dinner.  When you get that kind of client, you can almost bet that if you return to the dock at the end of the day without any fish, that's the one who will cuss and raise cane.  You can bet there will be no good word-of-mouth advertising from that one.  That is why guides pick their clients VERY CAREFULLY!.</div> <bR> <div> When searching for a guide, each client has a different way to do it.  One guide I knew said, "Reputation is the number one quality that I would look for in a bass fishing guide.  Is the guide reputable, does she guide full time, and is she known around the lake?"  Don't just get a guide's telephone number and call.  Talk to the people that live around the lake - at the drive-in groceries, the marinas, and at the tackle shops.  The operators know which guides are on the lake every day and who is catching fish.  Research and find out:  Is she a "weekend warrior" or does she make her living as a guide?"  Is she on the water every day, revisiting old honey holes and finding new ones, even if she doesn't have a party?  She may not fish as long as if she had a client but she needs to note the ever-changing conditions of the lake daily.</div> <bR> <div> Word of mouth advertising is your best bet to picking a good guide.  Most guides don't hang around long enough to get in the yellow pages.  </div> <div> I've never looked in the yellow pages for a fishing guide -- there probably are some there.  But guides get most of their trips by word of mouth advertising.  If you have five trips in a row and you can't put them on fish, you won't get too many recommendations from clients.</div> <bR> <div> I can't think of any advantages to being a guide.  You'd have to love fishing better than anything in the world.  You feel drained after 8 - 10 hours on the water, there are no company benefits such as insurance, sick pay or paid vacations,  and no assurance of a steady income.  Some days, the fish just will not bite.  What if it's the day you have your favorite client with you?  Then, you come off the water feeling like you've failed.  And with all other things considered, you're still at the mercy of the weather every day.</div> <bR> <div> To gain the most from a guide trip, the client should, in preliminary discussions, tell you how experienced she is.  If she doesn't, you should ask.  This factor could set the tone of the whole trip.  Just hope the client is being honest -- because it sure is going to be hard for her to fake it all day!  These preliminary discussions should include such specifics as the amount of time involved and spent fishing, the services provided, references if desired by the potential client, and what costs she will incur.  Clarify at this point if the client has any health problems that will have to be given consideration.  Once you get past these discussions, it's hard to turn back so find out all you need to know early.</div> <bR> <div> The guide should also determine if the customer wants a great day in the sun relaxing and fishing, is looking for a wall hanger, or is taking a crash course on the lake in preparation for an upcoming tournament.  If your client is preparing for an upcoming tournament, the guide should be told in advance and discussion should be held in regards to returning to any of the visited areas.  In all honesty, it's better on both if these questions are answered up-front.</div> <bR> <div> You will, of course, want to remember that guiding is not an 8 to 5 job.  Part of the secret to being a good guide is spending time on the lake in all seasons and in all types of weather, having a good knowledge of bass habitat, building brush piles, researching areas that will produce best, and studying the water with its changing levels and colors.</div> <bR> <div> Clients expect a guide to treat them in an honest and forthright manner, one they would both appreciate if the roles were reversed.  </div> <div> They can then approach the lake the same way.  Being a good guide means being an instructor -- whether it's telling the customer that you're fishing an old road bed, a drop off at this location, a channel at the next, or a depth and structure that varies from her home lake.  If the lake is much different from the client's home lake, the lure selections will also be an important factor in the success of the day and your client may need your expertise here.</div> <bR> <div> The guide is enlisted to find fish because the customer can't, therefore, you must be knowledgeable.  You must be willing to divulge all the secrets that you have learned over the years.  Customers do not pay $300 a day to be entertained with last year's jokes.  At least, not a second time.  You must be able to find fish consistently, day after day.  That is what most customers are looking for.  You must be able to proficiently use all the tools of a guide's trade:  the topographical maps, the seasonal patterns, the electronic equipment, the signs of the moon, the rising and falling tides, and all the old wives' tales you ever heard because the secret to being a good guide is finding fish - whatever it takes.  The guide who consistently finds fish will come in day after day with the heaviest stringers.  And that, my friend, is word-of-mouth advertising!</div> <bR> <div> I've asked tournament anglers what they expect from a guide and consistently they say these three things:  "Full effort - a guide that doesn't just go through the motions.  Even though a guide is out every day and can become stale and tired, she must remember that the day's trip is a singular highlight for those being guided.  Instruction and Insight - the guide must keep the clients informed of why and how to fish the areas and the reasons for using a particular bait.  Honest Effort - the guide shouldn't mislead clients as what to expect from a day's fishing, or a specific place being fished."</div> <bR> <div> As a bass fishing guide, you can also look forward to an exciting and enjoyable day on the lake with your client, who obviously likes the outdoors and enjoys the challenge of bass fishing.  If they are willing to engage the services of a guide, they are earnest about bass fishing and are due your best efforts at helping them to catch fish.  In turn, from them, you should expect common courtesy, respect for your profession, and respect for your equipment.</div> <bR> <div> We all know that nobody ever gets rich guiding - BUT - if you love fishing and can adjust priorities in life, then someone - back in your memory - was probably right.  "Gosh, you ought to be a guide!" </div> <bR> <div> Carol Boykin is a retired nurse, retired vice president of the former Bass'n Gal Tournament Trail (she also owned the clothing division), retired Texas Outdoor Writer, retired Outdoor Writer's of America member, and soon to be a retired bass angler and full time supporter. She is the mother of two grown children. Her son Jim lives in Seattle, Washington and her daughter Tracey lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.</div> <div> ______________________________________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="unlocking_the_secrets_of_weather_systems_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Unlocking The Secrets Of Weather Systems</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Answer Is Blowing In The Wind.</div> <bR> <div> Courtesy of <A HREF="http://www.kicknbass.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kicknbass.com">Kick'n Bass</A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="48ef7320.png" border=0 width="247" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Keith Nighswonger's</div> <div> Western Fishing Network</div> <bR> <div> Perhaps the one thing that eludes us in our quest for bass fishing intelligence is what really happens to bass when weather systems push through an area. One thing we do know for sure is that bass are affected by changes in the weather that is above their watery domains. Over the years I have noticed a number of tendencies exhibited by bass when it comes to weather, and these tendencies seem to center around two major factors: Water temperature and light penetration. </div> <bR> <div> Water Temperature plays a major role in what a bass does. Remembering that a bass is a cold-blooded creature, sudden changes, especially sudden drops in water temperature can have drastic effects on what a bass needs and wants to do. Warmer water causes a bass' metabolism to increase, which would explain why bass chase shad to the surface all over the lake during the hottest times of the year. Cold water slows a bass' metabolism which would account for the inactivity bass demonstrate during the year's colder months. </div> <bR> <div> Of course water temperature is also the triggering factor for the Spring migrations into shallow water that many anglers look forward to. In different areas of the country, water temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees will set bass into a spawning mode that will change the whole complexion of the lake we are fishing. </div> <div> Water temperature should also play a role in lure selection. Remembering that certain lures play on a bass' aggressive nature while others provide a subtle, non threatening presentation that trigger strikes from non aggressive fish, I can begin to put together lure systems that will work under varying temperature ranges. Speed of retrieve is also very important. Burning a crank bait in 52 degree water may look very unnatural in the "slowed down world" of cold water, kind of like a crawdad on caffeine. Understanding which lures relate best to different temperature ranges is very helpful, and can provide us with a starting point in our quest for the little green fish. As a rule, I use the following temperature table to help in lure selection: </div> <bR> <div> (F)=Finesse Offering </div> <div> (R)=Reaction Offering </div> <div> Keith Nighswonger's Temperature/Lure Selection Table</div> <div> Water Temp, Lures Of Choice, Speed Of Retrieve</div> <bR> <div> 49-51 degrees </div> <div> 1. 3/8 jig and pig (F)</div> <div> 2. 1/2 Silverbuddy spoon (F)</div> <div> Dead Stick-SLOW</div> <div> Shake on bottom near baitfish.</div> <bR> <div> 52-54 degrees </div> <div> 1. 3/8 jig and pig (F)</div> <div> 2. 1/2 Silverbuddy spoon (F)</div> <div> 3. Split shot grub (F)</div> <div> Shake slowly</div> <div> Slow vertical (near bait fish)</div> <div> Slowly pulled over rock.</div> <bR> <div> 55-57 degrees </div> <div> 1. 3/8 jig and pig (F)</div> <div> 2. Deep-diving crankbait (R)</div> <div> 3. Split shot grub (F)</div> <div> Shake slowly up hill</div> <div> Slow crank, pull, stop-repeat</div> <div> Slowly pulled over rock.</div> <bR> <div> 58-60 degrees </div> <div> 1. 3/8 jig and pig (F)</div> <div> 2. Texas Rigged Strait-tail worm (4") (F)</div> <div> 3. "Look Alive" Soft plastic Rip bait. (F) </div> <div> 4. Deep-diving crank bait(R)</div> <div> 5. 1/2 Spinner bait (R) </div> <div> Crawled slowly, up hill</div> <div> Shake slowly up hill</div> <div> Dead stick</div> <div> Slow, start-stop-pause</div> <div> Slow</div> <bR> <div> 61-64 degrees </div> <div> 1. 1/2 Spinner bait (R)</div> <div> 2. Suspending Rip bait (R)</div> <div> 3. "Look Alive" Soft plastic Rip bait. (F) </div> <div> 4. Texas Rigged Strait-tail worm (4") (F)</div> <div> Medium</div> <div> Medium Start-stop-pause</div> <div> Slow twitch</div> <div> Shaken slowly, up hill</div> <bR> <div> 65-68 degrees </div> <div> 1. 1/2 Spinner bait (R)</div> <div> 2. Suspending Rip bait (R)</div> <div> 3. Top water (R) </div> <div> 4. Look Alive Soft Plastic Twitch Bait (F)</div> <div> Medium</div> <div> Medium Start-stop-pause</div> <div> Slow cadence, 1-2-3-pause</div> <div> Quick, erratic retrieve</div> <bR> <div> 69-72 degrees </div> <div> 1. 1/2 Spinner bait (R)</div> <div> 2. Suspending Rip bait (R)</div> <div> 3. Top water (R) </div> <div> 4. Silverbuddy (F)</div> <div> Medium-Fast</div> <div> Fast Start-stop-pause</div> <div> Fast cadence, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-pause</div> <div> Ripped through schools of baitfish on the surface</div> <bR> <div> This table should serve as a guide for using water temperature in selecting lures. These are my preferred lures, others may be substituted, however, the trend is what is important. The colder the water, the more finesse (F) presentations are effective. As the water warms, (and a bass' metabolism increases,) the emphasis on reaction (R) lures increases. </div> <bR> <div> It should also be noted that the amount of light penetration will play a major role in whether I will use a finesse approach or reaction lures. Light penetration does some interesting things to bass, especially in their positioning related to cover. My experience has demonstrated that under bright conditions, shallow water bass will seek heavy cover or shade much in the same way you or I might decide to move indoors during the extreme part of the day. There are many theories as to why this is true, sensitive eyes, fear of predators, ability to surprise-attack. To me it boils down to one word: Comfort. Bass that do not live in the shallows will tend to move into deeper water when bright conditions are dominant. In both conditions, one thing is for sure, the more light penetration, the more difficult it is to get bass to bite. </div> <bR> <div> When light penetration is low, it tends to position bass next to or on the edge of cover. For what ever reason, under low light conditions, bass tend to come out of hiding places and they tend to become more aggressive. Bass that are deeper, will move up on points and also become more aggressive. Aggressive bass require aggressive presentations, thus, reaction lures become the better choice in these situations. </div> <bR> <div> Reaction lures work best with some wind. (TL) Silverbuddy, Excalibur Minnow Nichols Pulsator Spinnerbait. (BL) Excalibur Fat Free Shad-deep diver, Excalibur Fat Free Shad-medium diver, Nichols Lightening Shad </div> <bR> <div> What Causes Low Light Conditions? Low light conditions are caused by a number of things: </div> <div> Darkness-All right, this is very obvious, but anywhere you go in this country, the very best bass fishing occurs at night! For a most exciting experience, try fishing a night tournament at Lake Casitas during the Summer where a three fish limit can weigh 27 to 30 pounds! Get the point? </div> <div> Early Morning, Late Afternoon-Any time the Sun is not directly overhead, low light conditions are created. </div> <div> Storm Fronts-Cloud cover or fog, tends to block light penetration creating low light conditions. </div> <div> Shade-Caused by high canyon walls, logs or brush piles, shade is often craved by bass as a source of comfort. </div> <div> Wind-On bright, sunny days, wind causes a choppy surface which breaks up light penetration. Often in tournament situations, you hear pros begging for a breeze to make skittish bass "turn on." </div> <div> Lures For Light Penetration As a rule, when light penetration is at its brightest, finesse presentations tend to be more effective. Small, subtle finesse baits can fool leery bass into biting because these baits offer a non-threatening action, which represents an easy meal.</div> <bR> <div> Under calm conditions in clear water, finesse lures are the best bet. (TR) R & R Stroker worms, (LL) Skinnybear jig, Nichols Salty Mother Tube jigs, Nichols Impact jig and "Looks Alive" Soft Plastic Twitch bait. </div> <div> During periods of low light, reaction lures become a better choice because of the bass' natural aggressive tendencies. Being positioned next to cover, the bass is in better position to intercept a passing crank bait or spinner bait. It should also be noted that under some low light conditions, such as those caused by wind, the bass may have a difficult time finding a very subtle, actionless lure like a small worm. </div> <bR> <div> Weather Patterns</div> <div> Having discussed the effects of water temperature and light penetration, we now shift our focus to the effects of weather patterns. When barometric pressure is stable, lake conditions also begin to stabilize. Warm, calm days will cause water temperature to rise, which will cause bass metabolism to increase, which should increase a bass' aggressiveness. However, under these stable conditions remember, we will likely not have any wind, or cloud cover, which means light penetration will be extreme, which means that we will likely face slow fishing during the hours of the day when the Sun is at its highest point. On days like this, I like to take advantage of the low light morning hours. Typically, if the water temperature is right, I will start off with a top water lure and fish as much low light as possible. On lakes like Southern Nevada's Lake Mead, I can fish my top water patterns well into mid morning by "running and gunning," moving from one shady area to another, fishing tight to steep canyon walls that still have shade on them. </div> <bR> <div> By mid day, however, I will begin to run out of shade, and if the barometer is stable, the lack of wind will force me to abandon my reaction patterns and opt for a finesse presentation. Under stable conditions, I will be comfortable, but the high light penetration will force the bass to seek more comfortable surroundings, which forces me to change my approach. If I had my way, I would like to see a little bit of barometric change take place during the day. A slight change in barometric pressure is usually enough to cause a breeze which is what I need to get the bass positioned next to cover or up on points where I can catch them on a reaction bait like a spinner bait or crank bait.</div> <bR> <div>  A falling barometer seems to be better than a rising barometer.  Falling barometric pressure indicates that a front is passing through. A front can be slight or extreme, but for whatever reason, bass tend to let go and get active as a front approaches. Cold Fronts If you can fish ahead of a cold front, this can sometimes be the best fishing possible. The sudden drop in barometric pressure can really turn the bass on. As the wind comes up, the bass reposition, bait fish get stirred up and the reaction bite can really be there, (it should be noted that wind does not push bait fish, wind blows above the water not below it. What wind does is churn up water, dispersing micro organisms, which attract bait fish and generally gets the food chain active, including Mr. Bass.) As a front passes through however, we often experience a drop in water temperature. This drop in water temperature can be extreme and very often shuts off any good reaction fishing that we may have been experiencing. Fish that were on points may pull off and suspend, shallow fish may also shut down. Sudden drops in water temperature often ruin what were good fishing conditions. </div> <bR> <div> When the bite shuts down due to the passing of a front, we may need to turn to our finesse lures. Split shotting, down shotting, doodling or vertically jigging a spoon my not seem all that glamorous, but these techniques will help us get those fish that do decide to bite. </div> <div> After the front moves through the area, we experience a rise in barometric pressure. This pressure rise is what "blows the storm front through." Here again we get the wind and clearing conditions develop. The sudden brightness will again make fishing difficult, however the wind may help us get a few crank bait fish. </div> <bR> <div> As the weather again begins to stabilize, things will again start to return to normal. The water will warm up, the fish will become more active and I will hope for a slight breeze to position the bass next to</div> <div> cover so I can get them with my reaction lures. </div> <div> When it comes to unlocking the mysteries of weather patterns, the answer may indeed be blowing in the wind. </div> <div> *Blowing in the wind is a Bob Dylan song. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>####</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="631" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000066 HEIGHT= 16 WIDTH="625"><div> <B>Bass Fishing Articles</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2954 WIDTH="625"><div>  <A NAME="this_is_the_first_in_a_series_of_1_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>This is the first in a series of articles written by </div> <div> <B>Marylou VandeRiet</B>,  The Lady Rod Builder</div> <div> Cross Timbers Custom Rods,</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="483de9c0.jpg" border=0 width="222" height="156" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>                                           Photo by Darren Wolfe</div> <bR> <div> <B> </B><B> <A NAME="one_time_trip"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>One-Time Trip!</B></div> <div>                                                                 </div> <div>  When I donated my last riding horse to the Dallas Police Department for their Inner City Program, it left a huge void in my life!! I had been in riding horses for almost twenty years and realized between taking care of a home and working full-time, I could not devote enough time to my riding horse, so I reluctantly looked to finding a good home for my horse, and the Inner City Program was the solution!!</div> <bR> <div> I have a son who lives in Rusk, Texas close to the Louisiana border and every time I go visit him, I would travel on Hwy.287, which went right over the Richland Chambers Lake. I would see anglers out there in their boats and I would often think, what do people see in fishing?? Well, I was soon to find out!! I would stop at Oak Cove Marina on the lake for lunch and soon was inquiring about a guide and a bass fishing trip...well, I picked a good one!! Darren Wolf would not only be my first bass guide, but still remains a good friend to this day!! And, this was supposed to be a " One-Time Trip “!! </div> <div>     </div> <div>  The day finally came!! I could hardly wait, I was armed with a 7-foot rod and a Zebco 33, and I just knew I had the makings for landing a trophy bass!! Well, Darren tied on a spinnerbait, which started an obsession with spinnerbaits, and then he taught me to cast. My first cast was a bit too high for it landed in the top of a tree!! The second cast, landed on the shore, and Darren told me that was a bit too shallow!! And how, we laughed!!</div> <div>  </div> <div> We were out in the middle of Richland Chambers and a storm was brewing to our west, we were too far out to head for shore or a cove, so we sat it out in the middle of the lake, the rain, came down so hard, it hit us like bullets!! Was I scared!! Heck NO!! I should have been, but I thought it was the greatest experience since being on top of a runaway horse!! The waves were rolling around us, at least five feet in height and Darren's Ranger Comanche took them on like they were ripples!! I then realized why I decided to hire a professional guide for my first trip, well worth the money for a safe trip.</div> <bR> <div> After the storm, we got down to bass fishing again, and I landed my very first bass on a Mann's Baby Minnow, and yes, I still have it, in my room of mementoes!!</div> <bR> <div>  Unfortunately, it was time to go in, but I had eight wonderful hours of bass fishing and I was the one, who was hooked, not the bass!! What a wonderful experience it was!! I was not off the boat five minutes and I was already planning another bass trip, in my head, with a local guide Stan Lawhon, who was to be my fishing buddy for six years...he taught me, the art of the Carolina Rig, and named me The Carolina Momma!! </div> <div>   </div> <div> Darren Wolf does not guide on Richland Chambers any longer, but he was with me on my first trip to Lake Fork where I caught my first seven pounder...but that's another story!!</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.rdlwebs.com/ladyrodbuilder/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rdlwebs.com/ladyrodbuilder/"><IMG SRC="4849a580.png" border=0 width="154" height="88" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <div> ###</div> <bR> <div>  MaryLouVandeRiet...</div> <div>  Copyright 2005</div> <div> <B>Second Article of three</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="conquering_the_carolina_rig_1_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Conquering The Carolina Rig!!!</B></div> <div>      </div> <div> After the trip with Darren Wolf, I found another great bass guide, Stan Lawhon from Corsicana that I would fish with for the next six years!!  I guess you would not call him a guide after all those years, but a fishing buddy!! </div> <bR> <div> Stan, on our first trip, started me out on the Carolina Rig; we headed for the northern part of Richland Chambers, where it was noted for its deep structure fishing. So Stan, rigs up a Carolina Rig for me, with a Zoom Centipede in Watermelon Seed, I then, cast/sling it into the lake, and I think, O.K. now what?? So Stan, is explaining to me, what I should be doing and what the bite should feel like, and I am thinking, Gosh!! This is boring!! I want more action!! Well, the action, was about to begin, felt a thump, and Stan said, SET THE HOOK!! And SET THE HOOK!! I did!! I reeled that mama in and ended up with a nice four-pounder, what a way to start the morning. I was thinking that the Carolina Rig did have some promise!</div> <bR> <div> When the bite gave out, we headed south to Jones Branch to visit Wanda the resident alligator, and proceeded to Carolina Rig the area, this time with a Zoom Lizard. Being a rookie at this, I reeled the lizard in and Stan turned to me and said " You have the fastest lizard on Richard Chambers”!! So I slowed that lizard down, and later, was able to hook, some nice two and three pounders...</div> <bR> <div> Stan and I have fished Richland Chambers, Purtis Creek, great place for a Zara Spooks, Fairfield Lake, my favorite times, are October, November and December...Cedar Creek, great place for flippin' and pitchin' docks, with the Texas Rig and a Zoom Chartreuse Pepper Centipede.</div> <bR> <div> I went on to fish with other bass guides, always learning something new from each one, and each one, letting me do my own thing, whether it was right or wrong, but I was getting to the point in my bass fishing where I wanted to experiment!  I was definitely growing in my bass fishing education; I wanted more and more knowledge!</div> <bR> <div> Several years went by and in the back of my mind, was the infamous Lake Fork, which gave me visions of trophy bass, and started to figure out how to afford the trip. Well, I normally don't play the Texas Lottery, but I did, one time and won 112.00 dollars, and I figured this was the start of my Lake Fork trip, I then contacted Darren Wolf and made arrangements for a trip on July 24, this trip would be a birthday present to myself, and what a birthday present it would be!!</div> <bR> <div> Darren and I met at the motel and had breakfast and talked about the trip and before you know it, we were on the water, my heart was racing, I was finally on Fork, the shrine of the trophy bass!!   We talked about what the plan was, so we headed for the 515 bridge area, I then took a few photos of Darren, and then, he handed me a rod that was Carolina rigged with a Lake Fork Baby Ring Fry, in Watermelon Seed, oh...how deadly it was!</div> <bR> <div> I was getting ready to do a few practice casts before I got really serious, and on the very first practice cast, I told Darren, I think, I hooked a log!! Well, that log started to move and I set the hook and that log came flying out of the water, what excitement!</div> <bR> <div> Darren was maneuvering the boat, and we finally netted her and I could not believe the size!! We weighed her and was a total of 7lbs.6oz...I was so excited I could hardly hold still for the photos!! I was almost in tears, I was so happy, what a birthday present!</div> <bR> <div> So this being my first trip to Fork, my first time to fish Fork with Darren Wolf, catch my first seven pounder on the very first cast of the morning, that is hard to beat!! We went on to fish the southern part of Fork the rest of the day and caught 3 to 5 pounders, and by noon, the bite had turned off!</div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately on my return trips to Fork, I have been totally skunked!! The last trip, I was up there, we could not fish the lake because the lake was so rough, it looked like the North Sea!!  But that won't stop me from retuning to Fork...</div> <div>      </div> <div>      MaryLouVandeRiet</div> <div>      Copyright 2005</div> <div>     </div> <div> ####</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>This is the </B></I><I><B><U>third</U></B></I><I><B> in a series of articles written by </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Marylou VandeRiet,  The Lady Rod Builder</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Cross Timbers Custom Rods,</B></I></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="ladies_____how_do_you_spell_r_e_l_i_e_f_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Ladies.... How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?</B></div> <div> Photo<B>: </B>MaryLou and running buddies <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="486b4cf0.jpg" border=0 width="180" height="207" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <bR> <div>  About a year after I retired, I finally got up the nerve to step on a scale, and to see, just how much I weighed!! What I saw, brought tears to my eyes, and my next thought, was I'd be hitting three hundred pounds, if I don't nip this weight issue in the bud!!</div> <bR> <div> But, the next question was...how am I going to control food, and stop food from controlling me?? Well, just about that time, Dr. Phil, introduced the Dr.Phil Weight Loss Challenge...and I thought, yep!! Another diet and another failure!! But I was wrong!! This was not a diet, but a total lifestyle change and I decided to give it a try, so I bought all his books and started reading them!!</div> <div> Well, before you know it, I was still eating some of my favorite foods, in less quantity, and enjoying adding new ones to my list, the pounds started to come off, I could not believe this, and I was not hungry!</div> <bR> <div> I realized years ago, that I was a stress eater, having a lot of stress from my job, surely did not help the cause, and totally disliking my job and the people I worked did not help matters either!! So when the chance to retire presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity and never looked back, but I surely was not a happy camper, because of the weight I gained in ten years.</div> <div> Besides changing my eating habits, I made sure everything in my house, kitchen and fridge was on the recommended foods to eat, I was setting myself up for success not failure.... I am not going to tell you it was easy, but it took hard work and a lot of self-discipline, but my health was also at risk!</div> <bR> <div> Besides being overweight, my blood pressure was going out of control, my cholesterol level was unspeakable and my confidence level had gone down the drain...</div> <div> I still had some family issues in my life that were stressful, but I was controlling the stress by walking at least four to eight miles a day, and cycling close to 20 to 40 miles, it was helping but I still was looking for another exercise to cross train with...then I just happened to watch The biggest Loser, and a 300 pound man ran two miles without stopping, and I thought " I can do that”!</div> <bR> <div> So I went and bought the best running shoes I could afford, and called a buddy who had been running for 30 years and we went running, well, I thought I was going to die!! Good Lord!! Do I really want to do this?? I thought, why am I torturing myself like this?? Well, I dumped this guy in a hurry!! I found a wonderful book on running by Jeff Galloway He said " To set yourself up for success “!! So I did, " No huffing and puffing allowed “!! I was walking for ten minutes and running for 20 seconds, walking for ten minutes and running for 20 seconds, repeating that, until I felt comfortable...Gosh!! I was running and enjoying it!! I wanted to run and run and run!!</div> <div> I started to realize the pounds were also disappearing along with the miles!! Woo-Hooo !! It was wonderful and the stress, what Stress??  It was left behind with the miles; I sure was gaining confidence as a runner!</div> <bR> <div> I was getting braver and braver and decided to join the Ft.Worth Runner Club and enter my first race!! I did win my age division, only because I was the only runner in that age group, but I felt I was a winner, because of reaching the level of fitness to compete!!</div> <div> Then I started to eye bigger and better races!! With the help of my friends, I was training for my first half-marathon, and I chose the Grizzly Hal-Marathon in Choteau, Montana. The trip itself was a reward to myself for reaching another fitness goal, it was a drive of 1800 miles one-way, but what an adventure it was!</div> <bR> <div> Years and years ago, I always had a secret wish to be so physically fit, I could run a marathon, well, I am half way there, come August 2006, I will heading up to Choteau, Montana for the full marathon...I can hardly wait!!</div> <bR> <div> So you might say, I spell R-E-L-I-E-F...R-U-N-N-I-N-G!!</div> <bR> <div> MaryLou VandeRiet</div> <div> Copyright 2005</div> <div>                 </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="205"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="25688" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="205" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="#_article_archives" TITLE="Lady Bass Angler Article Archives">Back to top of page</A></div> <bR> <div> © Copyright Lady Bass Angler 2006 All Rights Reserved</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.bassgifts.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bassgifts.com"><IMG SRC="2dad43c0.gif" border=0 width="468" height="60" ALT="BassGifts.com "The only online gift store featuring the black bass."" 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