What did I miss?

[Guest]

I was debating on fishing the FLW as a co angler in April. But I've changed my mind. That money would be better spent hiring a guide. Or going on a fishing vacation to another lake. 

[J-Doc]

2 hours ago, Sore Thumbs said:

They just found the right places. Those guys are consistent though. Cudos to anyone that does that on Beaver.

Yep. Seems there is a group that stays dialed in and knows the lake better than anyone.  I recognize names on various tournaments and folks are fairly consistent.  So a weekend angler with little tournament experience like myself..  I'm just donating to the winnings.  You have to start somewhere yes.  But to do it all the time and never place? No thanks.  I spend enough money on my fishing hobbit as it is. ;-) 

 

That and my ADHD just can't stay focused long enough to stay on a pattern.  Lol!

 

I probably overstated my opinion on this already.  I'll leave now.  Lol!

[Champ188]

4 hours ago, Stump bumper said:

I heard of poor results flipping brush, did anyone try throwing flukes in the brush around those flipping shad? I was netting shad on the second looking for big gizzards and came up with more bass than gizzards. Every time I would see a big shad flip, I would throw the net and get a bass and tons of threadfin.

They were throwing "winding baits" ... not flipping ... up in the flooded stuff.

[dtrs5kprs]

13 minutes ago, Champ188 said:

They were throwing "winding baits" ... not flipping ... up in the flooded stuff.

Pretty well narrows it down.

[jolicious]

43 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Pretty well narrows it down.

The ol' "Ma Bell Special"

[J-Doc]

1 hour ago, Champ188 said:

They were throwing "winding baits" ... not flipping ... up in the flooded stuff.

I admire folks that can master crankbaits (assuming thats what it was).  I have plenty of cranks. I am just not that confident in them nor successful with them. THere are guys that can catch them all day long on those. I just don't have the physical endurance to chunk and wind cranks all day (deep divers especially).  I'm a worm or jig guy myself.  :-)

Efficient "winders" can really catch a good batch. 

[Guest]

I failed to fish the crankbait long enough. Nor did I try cranking the flooded trees & brush. I quickly ditched it for the Ned.

I can crank all day long, if that's what they're wanting. Its a good way to cover lots of water & evaluate the fish in those areas. 

[Champ188]

4 hours ago, J-Doc said:

I admire folks that can master crankbaits (assuming thats what it was).  I have plenty of cranks. I am just not that confident in them nor successful with them. THere are guys that can catch them all day long on those. I just don't have the physical endurance to chunk and wind cranks all day (deep divers especially).  I'm a worm or jig guy myself.  :-)

Efficient "winders" can really catch a good batch. 

J-Doc, always keep in mind that a crank bait needs to stay in contact with the bottom as much as possible throughout your cast. And once you get it there, good crankers "pull" the bait with their rod more than actually winding it. If it's a square bill, you want to keep the bait in contact with cover (logs, rocks, dock supports, etc.) as much as possible.

The following link is to a Wiggle Wart video filmed by Dave Barker, one of the all-time winningest tournament fishermen in the MIdwest and one heckuva nice guy. Although the Wart is his lure for this video, the concept is much the same for all crank baits.

 

 

[J-Doc]

Yeah I've seen that one.  I have applied this but, if I don't get bites in 30mins, I pick up a plastic and get a hit.  Then the wart stays on the deck.  It's just a matter of leaving things that work at the house and dedicating a day to one or two presentations and saying you're not leaving till uou catch one on it and figure it out. 

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, Champ188 said:

J-Doc, always keep in mind that a crank bait needs to stay in contact with the bottom as much as possible throughout your cast. And once you get it there, good crankers "pull" the bait with their rod more than actually winding it. If it's a square bill, you want to keep the bait in contact with cover (logs, rocks, dock supports, etc.) as much as possible.

The following link is to a Wiggle Wart video filmed by Dave Barker, one of the all-time winningest tournament fishermen in the MIdwest and one heckuva nice guy. Although the Wart is his lure for this video, the concept is much the same for all crank baits.

 

 

Still one of the most useful fishing videos ever. If you have an eye for what to look for, as well as for what you are watching, he shows just about everything you need to know about warts. Weather to retrieve, banks to boat position.