Flipping, Pitching, and Casting Bass Jigs

Prespawn bass activities generally catch me flipping, pitching, and casting quality largemouth bass jigs on various Texas Lakes.  With female bass moving into spawning areas, usually in creek channels in close proximity to where they will spawn, focusing on stumps, rocky areas, and docks as transition areas, jigs are the supreme method to catch those often sought female bass.  There are few baits that can be used in so many different bass fishing situations.  Well, the prespawn period isn't for several months, but females, like their male counterparts, are currently feeding in 15-30 feet of water on various Texas lakes, fattening up for the cold winter months.  So, I decided to flip, pitch, and cast a new jig that I got from Lunkercatch.com.

All-Terrain Tackle Jigs has a complete series of unique flipping, pitching, and casting jigs: The Rattling Jig.  Lunkercatch.com sells these very jigs and I must say I am very happy with my assortment of ATT bass jigs, especially The 3/4 ounce Green Pumpkin Rattling A. T. Jig.  I used this jig all day long, bounced it off rocky bottoms, hit trees with it, and caught quite a few two-pound largemouth bass.  Most of my catches came off of casting to drop offs, much like I'd do with a football jig, but I did catch two bass by flipping this bass jig under docks on Lake Ray Hubbard.  I added one of my favorite trailers to The Rattling A. T. Jig: Fish Candy Bait Company's Watermelon Seed Flapper Hawg.  

Lunkercatch.com has All-Terrain Tackle Jigs and Fish Candy Bait Company soft baits for purchase.  Considering price and performance, both baits are easily worth every penny.  In fact, try a few different colors so you are prepared for that next tournament full of wild weather conditions.  These are top baits for bass fishing, so load your arsenal with the right bass lures for success.  I am very pleased with both products.

Football Jig: Bass Fishing Lures Greatness

Nothing says power bass fishing like football jigs and when I find a jig color and shape that I like, I will use it repeatedly on different Texas or Oklahoma lakes, in many different bass fishing situations (weather, bass patterns, etc.).  So it was no massive surprise that, when I first came into contact with Krypton Lures football jigs on Lunkercatch.com, I instantly fixed my need for a football jig that, pardon the pun, didn't quite fit the mold of your everyday, commonplace bass fishing lure.

Well, I opted to use the 3/4 ounce Bluegill Krypton Lures Football Jig on Lake Fork (as I was prefishing for bass).  Man, oh man ... Oh, man.  Even though this particular color seems more effective during the spring months on Texas bass lakes, I nailed four slot largemouth bass with this very jig.  (Guess it's a good thing I took pictures first!)  These bass devoured the jig.  I used a Fish Candy Bait Watermelon Seed Flapper Hawg (these trailers are deadly, folks).  Both bass lures are considered top baits for serious anglers, especially when combined.

I fished flats with slight drop offs, but I focused on using this football jig almost like you would a heavy crankbait, swimming it and bouncing the football head off the bottom, which drove the bass nuts.  From time to time, I would stroke it off the bottom and let it sit for a minute or so (for a slower presentation with bursts of activity).  My suggestion is to experiment with both baits to see what will work for you.

The 3/4 ounce Bluegill Football Jig by Krypton Lures and Fish Candy Baits' Watermelon Seed Flapper Hawg are available for purchase on Lunkercatch.com, your primary source for top bass baits and effective largemouth bass lures.  Truly considered pro bass baits for real strikes, you will enjoy each bass bait like no other.  I can't wait to test both bass lures on Lake Grapevine and Joe Pool Lake!

Bass Anglers, The Time Is Now!

Wow!

No, really.  Pay attention to the bass - to those largemouth bass predators calling your name.

Forget about the cold weather and the lengthy cold fronts.

Honestly, this is your moment to test out some great bass fishing lures and top baits for fishing - regardless of whether you have a boat or not.  

Here are a couple of my new favorite bass lures and pro bass baits:

So you said you wanted to bass fish.  

You said, "Hey, what new bass baits - what new top baits - do you have on Lunkercatch.com?  

The two above photos are new products to our bass fishing tackle store.  

Brass n' Blades makes some of the top bladed jigs and buzzbaits in the fishing tackle industry.  They will be available on Lunkercatch.com in one week.  So, if you want to hit that morning bass bite, you definitely need one of those killer buzzbaits.  And if you can't get a bass strike during the day, instead of cranking a hard bait - or a crankbait - give one of these bladed jigs a shot.  

These bass lures are highly effective in catching temperamental, hard to catch bass.  

But if you merely want some new baits, you can visit Lunkercatch.com to purchase and review soft baits, hard baits, jigs, spoons, reels, rods ... any bass fishing essentials you could think of. 

Bass Fishing on Lake Ray Hubbard: Boat Sinks

So I was bass fishing for a few hours, taking a quick break from work, when I witnessed this man towing a boat with three gigantic holes in it.  It took him over an hour to tow it less than a mile.  Since I was fishing from shore, near the rocks, I couldn't offer any assistance, but I watched ten boats run right by him without even asking if this man needed help.  Anyway, it was quite a sight to see.  Hopefully this man will be able to get the boat out of the water, but it currently sits at the Robeson Park public ramp (about 60-70 yards from the ramp).

As to the actual fishing (all 45 minutes of it), it seemed fairly slow.  Normally, I can cast a shaky head or drop shot for a few fish suspending on the rocks, catching 4-5 in a relatively short period; however, the fish weren't there.  Had I been in my bass boat, I would have hit 4-5 spots near the dam.  Lately, the fish have been hitting weightless soft baits on rocky points, which is surprising with the dramatic climate changes we've experienced over the last three weeks.

Bass fishing on Texas lakes and Louisiana lakes is about to take off, so now is the time to get on the water and find those largemouth bass who want to fatten up for the winter months.

Brass n' Blades Spinnerbaits on Lunkercatch.com

I've been testing and reviewing these unique Brass n' Blades Spinnerbaits for about a month. Unbelievable action. They simply do not roll over, even in high wind, long casting situations - either from a bass boat or land.

Check out some of these spinnerbaits on http://lunkercatch.com starting November 1, 2012. I personally bought 2 of each major color and size. The double 2/0 Gamakatsu hook is bad to the bone: you will not lose a fish from side strikes.

Fall Fishing Turned Cold

Bass fishing can be a difficult sport, especially with erratic weather changes and for whatever reason, these major environmental changes keep happening the day before local and regional tournaments in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas - three of my favorite bass fishing areas. Tough bass fishing, no doubt.

One thing is apparent: finesse fishing has been my most consistent way to get my five keepers, though size has been an issue. Five 1.75lb largemouth bass doesn't get the job done! So, to counteract size issues, I've been fishing medium-diving crankbaits in shad patterns near drop offs and on points, especially when the wind picks up.

The shallow bite in 1-8 feet has largely been inconsistent for lengthy periods of time.

Check out Lunkercatch.com to purchase your favorite bass lures for a great price. Happy bass fishing , folks.

Berkley - Bass Champs Tournament on Lake Fork

October 20-21, 2012 - Some of Texas' top fishermen will compete at the Berkley Tournament on Lake Fork, in Emory, Texas (also known as largemouth bass capital of Texas). Now that the fish are moving into their fall patterns, finding those big bass might be slightly easier than during the summer. Top two winners take home a bass boat.

Come buy all of your Berkley bass fishing tackle on my good friend's was awesome fishing site: Lunkercatch.com - my favorite spot to buy swim jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, and soft baits . One thing is certain: if you want to a serious angler you are going to need serious bass lures.

Hopefully I'll win the tournament. I could use a new boat!

Get Jiggy - Weather Change for Bass Fishing

Frequently I switch to finesse fishing techniques when a cold front comes into town, but I've learned over the years, after many disappointing tournament results, that cold fronts don't necessarily mean "cold" bass fishing.

While I do believe finesse techniques come to the rescue on those difficult bass fishing days, power fishing with football jigs can be just as effective. Take, for example, this All Terrain Tackle Football Jig that I bought from Lunkercatch.com, which proved to be effective on Lake Ray Hubbard recently. A cold front moved in and the fishing slowed down, but it didn't die. I stroked this jig in 20 feet on some submerged rock piles, landing several three pound largemouth bass. Though the bass weren't on the bottom, they were suspended close enough to the bottom that this football jig, when violently stroked, caused a reaction strike.

Adjusting to what the weather does ... That's been critical for my bass fishing adventures. With pro bass bait like this, who needs to leave the lake, ever.

Lake Fork and Texas Fall Fishing

Well, the bass fishing moment is upon us - that moment of bass fishing greatness. As I sit in my bass boat and await take off, I am replaying my game plan a thousand times in my head one second a time, but all those fishing lures, all those bass baits ... So many choices, so many fishing options.

And then I have to consider all my fishing spots. Lake Fork can be productive, but certain areas are largely inconsistent. I am ready for that largemouth bass to slam my pro bass baits. Right now!

Thanks to Lunkercatch.com for making this possible. You guys rock, big time.

Bass Fishing News: Mark Howard shakes it up - FLW

Bass Fishing News: Howard shakes it up - FLW: Bass Fishing News: OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – During practice, Mark Howard, of Mesquite, Texas figured out a way to consistently catch good fish off the back of the boat. Fortunately, he was able to employ this technique during the EverStart Central Division on Lake of the Ozarks and it carried him all the way to the winning total of 31 pounds, 8 ounces.

Fantastic job, Mark!

Mark Howard is from Mesquite, Texas, and he owns JC Outdoors, one of the most respected Texas bass tournament series featured in the fall and spring on various Texas lakes.  He is best known for his charity work in conjunction with fishing tournaments.  You deserve the win, my friend.

Now ... take that new boat on Lake Fork and catch an over!

All The Many Fishing Lures

An angler could never have too many fishing lures, especially crankbaits

Game Wardens - Fishing License Renewal

Here's a reminder to all largemouth anglers:  do not forget to renew your fishing license.  I witnessed several people get tickets on multiple Texas lakes and Texas reservoirs last week.  Most Texas fishing licenses expired at the end of August (though some people can purchase year-long, date-of-purchase licenses - like I did last December).  Anyway, allow yourself to enjoy fishing for bass by taking the time to renew your fishing license on time.  Oh, and imagine winning a tournament and realizing, "Oh snap, I just ... Oh no, I didn't renew yesterday!"

Follow the rules, protect our lakes, and cooperate with Game Wardens.

Fishing Rods

When you get a chance check out Vendetta rods, made by Abu Garcia.  I personally own the flipping and pitching rod, but I use it for football jigs, as well.  Nice backbone and easy to use.  Really durable fishing rod, too.

Choosing the right rod for the right price can become a real task for any fishermen, but I have a lot of confidence in Vendetta rods, especially for the price.

Stash Video Games and Grab Your Pole

Too many children and young adults (even adults, too) spend far too much time in front of a lifeless, monotonous television screen, playing video games that add little to nothing to their lives.  What values are learned from pressing buttons and playing games that are, for the most, created with predetermined endings.  Is it any surprise that obesity, underdeveloped critical thinking skills, and delayed gratification are so largely absent from today's youth?  Well, when parents and teachers allow students to literally vegetate in the same place, doing the same exact thing, learning only how to differentiate between different character names in the very same plot lines ... Well, is it a surprise why these same kids struggle to perform in school and at jobs?

Take your son or daughter fishing.  Make yourself leave the house.  Even if you only visit a local pond and spend some quality time with your child, it's far superior to repeating the same events without any real benefit to you, them, or society in general.   Fishing, in contrast, like so many other sports, teaches individuals how to think while on the move, how to analyze and utilize one's environment for success, how to work with other people from different backgrounds, and how to win and lose gracefully.

Go fishing, people.  Include your family members.  Enjoy the moment.

Here's to you or your child catching the fish of your dreams as opposed to catching graphics in some game attempting to replicate actual fishing.

Fishing in the South

Who doesn't enjoy fishing?  Well, fishing in the South might as well be an essential chromosome, as so many people in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and others fish from childhood right on in to retirement age.  While baseball and football might be America's two favorite sports, fishing in the South is easily one of the most important sports that connect family and friends.

Largemouth bass fishing, in particular, is popular in the South, where large and small reservoirs are used for recreational and competitive fishing for anglers of all experience levels.  Competitive fishing, however, is becoming one of the most important cultural additions in the last twenty years.  Some small town economies literally thrive on the migration of financial gains that come with tournament fishing.

This blog is dedicated to entertaining and educating anyone who enjoys fishing, but especially those individuals who appreciate and cherish largemouth bass fishing and the art of mastering fishing techniques and using a variety of artificial baits.  Stay tuned for more information about lakes in the South, and if you want information about specific lures and how to use them, if this blog doesn't answer your questions, please visit Lunkercatch.com for fishing tackle and informative fishing articles and product reviews.

Safe fishing for all!