— by Steve vonBrandt

Today's soft plastic lure market is booming with new styles and colors of baits, but when you are looking for the biggest bite of the day, the fish that consistently win tournaments; then anglers in the know go to the bait that has been proven over time to catch the biggest bass; the venerable jig-and-pig.

20 years ago, this bait was reserved for the sluggish bass, or for fishing in the heaviest cover, or for bottom fishing techniques. Today, this bait is being used at all

times of the year, in a variety of different fashions.

This bait has remained relatively the same over the past 30 years. It has gone through some cosmetic changes, such as better hooks, livelier skirts, and a broader spectrum of colors and sizes, along with plastic trailers, which enable a wider variety of color options, but this bait, dressed with either plastic or pork, continues to catch bigger bass when other baits fail. Because of the popularity of the flipping technique used by most of the veteran anglers today, the jig has remained among the most popular baits in many anglers tackle boxes. Because of so many recreational anglers concentrating on the flipping technique, the jig's universal effectiveness has been overlooked.

By Jeremiah T. Bagwell

Arguably one of the most productive baits on the planet is the plastic worm. Whether you fish it on a Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, Florida Rig or on a Split Shot Rig you can almost always catch bass on a plastic worm. The plastic worm is a very simple bait to learn to master and hopefully after reading this article you will feel more comfortable and confident in your ability to produce a limit while using it. Since this is designed to be a basic instructional guide for the plastic worm I am only going to get into basic rigs and techniques.

The most popular rig used when fishing the plastic worm is the Texas Rig. To use this rig you simply place a bullet weight on the line above 4/O worm hook. (hook size will be dependant on the size of worm you are using) The weight will slide freely on the line. Cast the worm towards some sort of shoreline cover or structure and let it fall to the bottom. You will be able to tell when it has reached the bottom when the line goes slack. Pay

Chuck Bauer

Human dynamics are very interesting. Coming from a background in public speaking I have seen through the years the application and implementation of a few in each audience who really grasp the content and apply it to their everyday lives and career. Same thing in the fishin’ industry. I provide Big Bass Seminars to bass clubs throughout Texas and the rest of the country yet in observing those in each audience, only a few get that certain "gleam" or "spark" in their eyes. Chances are only a few of those really implement what they learn.

Yet, every so often a success story shows up. Be it Robin Crest who after applying a goal setting program reached further than ever before in her personal life, to Les Pratt, who after sitting in a Big Bass Seminar went out and caught a 7 pound bass on a swimbait, or to the latest success story of a young six year old boy who really has become quite serious in this wonderful sport of fishin’.

(Basic Techniques for the LV Series of Lures from Lucky Craft)
By Jeremiah T. Bagwell

If you have never thrown an LV Series lure from Lucky Craft then chances are you have missed tons of bass. The LV Series is one of the most productive bait lines on the market. With its baitfish looking design and extremely loud rattles the LV Series lures can call bass from the depths of any lake. LV which stands for "Lipless Vibrator" is an understatement. I think this lure should be called the "Lipless Louder than a Dump Truck Driving Over Speed Bumps at 70mph Lure". This lure contains glass and brass rattles that produce a very unique fish attracting sound.

— by Steve vonBrandt

There are thousands of small ponds, lakes, and rivers that hold "Huge Bass" from Maine to Florida. Over the last 10 years of maintaining records, and having caught and released over 500 bass between 5 and 10 pounds, from small waters on the East Coast, and 1 over 10 pounds from Delaware, here are the tactics I have found that produce consistent trophies each year.
LOCATION

Even in small bodies of water (under 1000 acres), there will be only a small portion of the water that will hold the biggest bass. The most important features to look for are the areas where more

By Ken Warren

Have you ever thought about becoming a bass tournament fisherman? Ok, well if you fish for bass that is probably a dumb question. With all of the fishing shows we grew-up watching, and with the increasing TV coverage of pro tournaments it is fair to say, all bass fishermen have thought about competing. With some the daydream stops, however, when perceived reality hits home. One of the following things may stop you. Perhaps you don t have a boat, or maybe it is not what you think of as a tournament boat. Or it could be that entry fees seem too expensive. Also, daunting is the idea that some of the fishermen live on that body of water and I don t have a chance. Ok, well chances are that one of those ideas has stopped you if you have not given tournament fishing a try. Let s examine each of them and see if it is really a concern.

— by Steve vonBrandt

The state of Maryland has a river called the Sassafras located in Georgetown, and connects with several other rivers, the Northeast, the Bohemia, and then to the Chesapeake Bay. From Wilmington, Delaware, take I-95 south, until you see the Route 1 exit, by the Christina mall,(exit4), follow Route 1 south over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal bridge, and exit at the bottom of the bridge before the toll gate. Follow route 13 south to Boyd's Corner, and turn right on route 301 south,

follow the road 3 miles to the intersection of 301 and 71, Summit Bridge Road, and turn left at the light. Follow 301 south, towards the Bay Bridge. Follow this all the way to exit 290, Chestertown-Galena exit. Turn right on 290, and follow it about 4 miles into the town of Galena. Make a right at the light onto 213 north, by the Citgo gas station. Go about 2 miles down the road, and cross the drawbridge in Georgetown, at the Georgetown Yacht Basin marina. As soon! n as you cross the drawbridge, make your first left at George Street. Follow George Street past the Marina towards the Granary Restaurant. The launching ramp is open to the public and accommodates about 10-12 vehicles with trailers. It is on the left hand side of Sassafras Street, right before the restaurant. The ramp is good, but shallow at low tide.

By Vic Carrao

When you mention using spinners, the first thing that comes to mind is standing on the edge of your favorite lake, pond or river casting and retrieving spinners. There are several alternative methods that work well too. Traditional float fishing rigs consist of a float, pencil lead or splitshot and your choice of lure. Most common choice of lure would be cured roe, wool combinations , or corkies and small spin n' glo's.

Over the last few years, the rivers edge is getting more & more crowded, as fishing

pressure increases so does the amount of lures the fish will see in a day. Trying new methods of fishing can sometimes prove to be rewarding.

By: Vic Carrao

The Fraser Valley offers many unique fishing opportunities, river fishing for Salmon and Sturgeon, Carp fishing in our local sloughs and fly fishing for Trout and Whitefish in lakes and rivers. All these fisheries provide excellent opportunities for those willing to put in the time to learn, how, when, where to fish them. The angling opportunities the Fraser Valley offers are world class. I spend most of my time guiding anglers from around the world. I have never yet heard someone say where they live the

fishing is better or the scenery more beautiful. You soon realize what we have is very special, even on a slow day; our quality of angling is much higher than most places in the world. Could you image spending 5 days fishing to catch 2 fish and then say that's was great fishing. I can't, but many places in this world it is considered normal and even above average.

If you love the sport of fishing, at one time or another you are going to venture out to a body of water you are not familiar with. You maybe going on vacation or pre-fishing for an up coming tournament event. It doesn't matter what species of fish you are targeting. It could be Bass, Trout, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, Cats, Pan fish or others. If you have a basic understanding of the fish, then you are going to be fine. The habit's of the fish do not very that much from one body of water to the next. The same tackle you are presently using will be just fine. Before you venture to a new body of water, I suggest that you purchase a topographical map of the new location. Spend some time reviewing it. It is just as important for you to spend time in your living room, as it is on the water. The more time you spend in preparation reviewing the new water, the more success you well have. After you review the map and see the layout of the new water, you need to mark some areas on the map you feel will be promising. Once you show up at the new location, have your map in hand, and talk to the tackle store and boat rental personnel, ask for their advice. They are more than happy to help you out. Ask how the fishing has been? Ask them about the species you are after, and where to go? Review the areas you have marked on your map and see if you have chosen some of the same areas. Find out what type of bait has been working the best for the fish you are after. If you don't have a lot of time to spend at the new water, you may want to hire a guide that specializes in your species.