| Question
from Catfishcal: |
I
caught a catfish at Clear Lake, when I was cleaning the
fish, I noticed that the liver was bleeding out, and there
were little round marks on it, what is this? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: The
liver would bleed if it had trauma and the little round
bumps where probably the capillaries branch off around
the outside of the liver. |
| Question
from Daniel: |
Hey
how do you use a rat bait? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: A
rat bait is usually fished over matted grass like milfoil
or hydrillia. However, it can be fished around and/or
over lillypads, shore line grass or just as a topwater
bait. |
| Question
from Paul: |
I
would like to know how to get bass to bite the hook of
a spinnerbait instead of the blades. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Bass
bite the blade on the spinner bait because of the flash
or vibration and I think they do not want to bite the
spinnerbait or the bas are enactive or receiving a whole
lot of fishing pressure. Go to a smaller spinner bait
with smaller blades. Strictly Bass Lure makes a very
good compact little spinner bait with down sized blades. www.strictlybasslures.com |
| Question
from Collin: |
What
is the best way to catch an alligator-gar? I live in Arkansas
by the way |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: One
way is to use a white fluke rigged Texas style with no
weight. Fish the bait right over the top of the gar.
They usually take the bait right before it get to them
or right after it has passed over them. |
| Question
from Chris: |
Hello,
I live in San Antonio Texas and I go bass fishing in very
small lakes maybe 5 to 8 acres big but I was wondering
if there were any real lakes to fish in. The place I fish
most in has alot of grass in it and alot of stuff in the
water like tires, tree stumps, and tons of turtles what
bait do you suggest I use? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Texas
has a lot of BIG Lakes with big bass in those lakes.
Some of the more popular lakes are on the eastern side
of Texas. If I where fishing lakes with the cover and
structure that you are describing then I would fish Berkley
Power Bait worms and/or Strictly Bass Spinner baits. |
| Question
from Michael: |
What
different colors attract different fish like trout or bass? |
Answer: |
Deitz
Dittrich Host of HotSpotOutdoors: Thats
a really good question, but the answer will depend on
a lot of different variables, such as light, and water
clarity. The clearer the water the more natural the color
you would use. Natural colors are browns and greens.
The more stained the water is the more crazy you can
get with color. I have done very well on pink, chartruce
and white. The darker the day, the darker the color you
should use. I hope this helps you catch a few more fish! |
| Question
from Trini: |
Hi
my name is Trini, I am from Firebagh, CA, a small town,
we go fishing in a 10ft canal we catch lots of babies with
nightcrawlers. What other bait or lure can we use to catch
bigger fish. |
Answer: |
Deitz
Dittrich Host of HotSpotOutdoors: You
can try larger lures, maybe try and get your hands on
some larger minnows to use as bait? Shiner maybe? But
keep in mind, when you go to a larger bait you may end
up gettting quite a few less bites, and catch less fish.
Yet the ones you catch may be larger. |
| Question
from Bryan: |
I
am looking at lures, Bomber Lures, this is a suspending
lure. I am looking at ones that red eyes to them. I am
fishing in water that is 1 to 20 feet deep. What is it
with red eyes on the lures. Shouldn't the eyes be the color
black? Also, if you are fishing this water now, and the
water is crystal clear, which lure would you use. Thanks
in advance for your reply. |
Answer: |
Deitz
Dittrich Host of HotSpotOutdoors: There
are 2 thoughts out there on the color red.. Some feel
that it shows weakness and possible hurt prey. The other
is that red disapers more under water sooner, which makes
it a little more subtle. As for what lure you should
be using? A fish on any given day can probably be caught
on 1,000 different lures. Its your job to find the best
one for the area he is in at the time. Unfortunatly I
cant answer that for you as I am not there. Try to look
at where you think the bass is and then do your best
to think of the lure that will best fish that area. |
| Question
from Mike: |
I
am 17 years old. I fish alot in a small creek by my house
cause its the only place I can find....I bought a crawish
trap but I dont know where to catch shad?...can I catch a
shad in a creek?....whats is the best bait?.....will minnows
work for bait for crawfish traps?..Please let me know....Thanks
so much... |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: You
can catch minnows in creeks, but your minnow trap/basket
needs to be closer to the surface than to the bottom
and bread ball or dog food work well for trap food. The
best food for crawfish traps is raw hotdogs and the crawfish
traps need to be on the bottom. |
| Question
from Patrick: |
Can
you catch bass with fake lizards? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Yes,
bass like plastic lizards. Berkley Power Baits make lizards
in 4, 6 and 8 inch sizes and in a number of colors. Lizards
are good year round, but are especially good in springtime. |
| Question
from Patty: |
Will
redear bream nibble on you if you swim in a stocked pond? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Usually,
game fish like bream will not close enough to you to
nibble on you. However, you may run into a fish or bream
while swimming. |
| Question
from Steven: |
I
am 14. I have a tournament this saturday, and I am still
not sure on what baits to use. The lake we are fishing
has a lot of brushpiles, docks and a ton of bridges. I
am not sure if the bass will be spawning yet. If not, what
are some good ways to pull some monsters out in this early
spring. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: If
I were fishing brush piles, docks and bridges anytime of
the year then I would fish a 7/16 oz Strictly Bass Invader
jig (black /blue with blue trailer or Bluegrass with Berkley
greenpumpkin trailer), a 1/4 oz jig head worm with a finesse
worm (Berkley Power Bait 6 inch finesse worm in greenpumpkin,
junebug or watermelon red) and/or a 1/4 oz Texas rigged
Berkley Power Bait 6 inch lizard (greenpunpkin, pumpkinseed,
or junebug- specially in the spring). |
| Question
from Travis: |
Hello
Sir, My name is travis and I began fishing last year in
February when I got my boat. Well the question I was wanting
to ask you is what are the baits you can use to catch bass
with and how you use them? And were to get them. If you
have any good tip for them would you write them to. Thank
you. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Plastic
worms or lizards will catch bass in most places and under
many conditions. You can go to a local tackle store and
find out good colors for your area. I like Berkley Power
Bait worms and lizards in a 6 inch size and I mainly
throw 3 colors: greenpumpkin, watermelon red and junebug.
Fish these baits around brushpiles, trees lying in the
water, grassbeds, and/or around boat docks. |
| Question
from Tristan: |
How
do you set a hook on a spincaster rod and reel? |
| |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: You
set a hook on a spincaster rod and reel by reel in the
slack line so you rod tip is lower than you waist, when
your lines tight and the rod tip is below your waist
then sweep the rod fast from right to left or left to
right above your shoulder and/ or over you head. |
| Question
from Tyler: |
I
have a whole bunch of fake worms and every time I cast
out the fish bite it and let go. What should I do? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: When
the fish bite the plastic worm set the hook. |
| Question
from Wade: |
What
kind of live bait works best when fishing for trout in
a pond? Worms? Minnows? Crickets? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: If
I were fishing for trout in a pond I would use Salmon
eggs or canned whole corn kernels on a #2 bream hook. |
| Question
from Will: |
Where
is the best place to find largemouth bass lures? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: The
best place to find largemouth bass lure are local tackle
stores, and you get information about bass lures for
the manufacturers on the internet (example: www.strictltbasslures.com
or www.purefishing.com ) |
| Question
from John: |
When
bass fishing, how do you know if you have a fish on the
line? I recently went bass fishing and I couldn't for the
life me, tell when I had a fish on my line, it felt like
I had a fish when i didn't. I need help |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: When
bass are not biting your bait hard or take the bait soft
and swim with bait, most fisherman have a hard time detecting
bites. You have to keep fishing and you will get better
at detecting soft biting bass. |
| Question
from John: |
What
do fish bite best when water has risen high? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
like a Strictly Bass spinner bait white/chart or all
chart;but, after water has stabilized for a day or two
or a Berkley power tube jig. |
| Question
from Josh: |
Hi,
I'm from Missouri, I would like to know when the best time
to throw a spinnerbait. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
like to throw one all the time. However, bass bite them
better early or late in the day or on windy days better. |
| Question
from Jordon: |
I
fish a river covered with rocks along the bottom full of
smallmouth? Any tips to catch the bass from shore using
lures? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Small
crank baits in natural colors, small spinner baits, flukes
or top water baits will work well to caught small mouth
in rivers. |
| Question
from Joshua: |
Hi
my name is josh. I've been fishing for about a year. Well,
me and my friend go fishing at our district pond where
there are some good size bass and bluegills. Well my main
question is: What color of mister twisters is best for
the bass |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
have done well on white, yellow and white/chart. |
| Question
from Mark: |
I
live in Easley, South Carolina I was wondering, I fish
tournaments at night on Lake Keowee, and it is about 75
degrees or hotter and I was wondering we fish with a carolina
rig with finess worms but it is like they are just tapping
the back of the worm. Any suggestions on what to
use to catch more, and maybe larger fish? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Fish
with a 4 or 5 inch fluke or take a trick worm and cut
in half and use one half at a time or use centipede type
worm. |
| Question
from Matt: |
How
do you use a fake worm when your on the lake? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
usually fish it Texas
rigged with a 3/16 or 1/4 oz weight, or I fish it
on a Carolina
rig with a 3/4 to 1 oz weight with a 18 to 24 inch
leader. |
| Question
from Michael: |
Hi
I'm 11. I'm somwhat knew to fishing. I live in San Diego
California. There is a lake by my house called Lake Murray
and when I went there this past weekend I was unlucky.
I was fishing by the dock and some rocks. I saw some bass
just sitting there. I threw a spinnerbait but I just scared
them away. Do you have any tips on what lures to use? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: If
the water is very clear then I would fish with soft plastic
worms or flukes in water melon or cotton candy type colors
with on or very light weights. So as not to scare the
fish as much, cast quite a distance past them, then pull
your bait back towards them. |
| Question
from Aaron: |
Message:
what type of bait do you use in cold, murky, and choppy water
for good size bass that aren't biting? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: A
chartreuse & white Strictly Bass spinner bait in 5/16
or 7/16 oz with single or double Colorado blades with
a Berkley grub trailer white or chartreuse in color. |
| Question
from Austin: |
I
go fishing in my aunt's small eight foot pond and I know
that there are huge bass and catfish in there but we don't
know what kinds of baits to use. So, what types of baits
should I use? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Chicken
livers for catfish and live minnows for bass |
| Question
from Austin: |
Message:
Hi,my name is Austin I would like to catch an Alligator
gar but I don't know what to use to catch it? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: A
Berkley 5 inch white fluke weightless rigged Texas-style
and fish it over the top of the alligator gar. You will
have to let the gar swim away from you to get a good
hook set. RRRREmember, gar has sharp teeth and lots of
them. Therefore, be extra careful handling these fish. |
| Question
from Bob: |
I
love going bass fishing and I love buying new stuff but
I do not like to spend that much money. got any where I
can go or anything to help me. I am 11 years old |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Go
to your local tackle store and ask them if they have
used or traded-in tackle. I have purchased some tackle
for less than 1/2 of retail price that I could not it
had much use. |
| Question
from Bobby: |
I
fish in this small pond and there are so many weeds. I
try fogs and I catch them and I was wondering if there
were any other lures that I could use and the bottom is
very mucky and weedy. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Use
a Berkley Power worm 7 or 10 inch in your favorite rigged
Texas-style with a 1/16 to 3/16 ounce weight. |
| Question
from Brian: |
I
am going smallmouth fishing at Dale hollow the first of
May, and if I had to use one or two lures what would be
my best choice and what size and color. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Brian,
(it is past the 1st of may) I would use a Berkley Frenzy
medium diving crank bait in fire tiger or crawfish color
or a 7/16 oz tandem Strictly Bass spinner bait in chartreuse
and white on wind blown points or fish bushes if the
water is up with a Strictly Bass 5/16 oz jig in black
/blue or blue grass color. |
| Question
from Dave: |
I
am taking my 4 year old to an area park in Georgia. Live
bait is no existant in that area. What bait can I use to
catch some perch etc in the park lake? Thanks |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: You
can use white bread and roll it up into small balls placed
on a #2 bream hook. Use a small clamp on weight (1/32
oz or lighter) and bobber. You can also use corns kernels,
or cheese. |
| Question
from Dave: |
I've
been fishing since i could hold a fish pole. I consider
myself a expert angler what I want is to know is how do
you get sponsored? Or what do you have to do to get recognized? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Preach
fishing, teach fishing and/or win and/or place in top
10% of tournaments fished (10 to 20) annually for 4 or
5 years. That will get you sponsors and recognized. |
| Question
from Dave: |
I
have a couple soft and hard plastic bait drawings I've
drawn up. What, or how should I go about getting someone
to make them for me? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: You
can contact the manufactures who make soft plastic baits
and talk to them about making your bait: Zoom, Berkley,
Yum, Edge Lures, Action Plastics, ect. |
| Question
from Derek: |
I
just started fishing about a year ago and have alot of
questions. This is one of them. What is the best way to
fish a plastic frog. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
fish frogs three different ways: 1) like a buzz bait
with a steady retrieve, 2) with a stop and go action
by sweeping my rod sideways and then reeling in the slack
line as I prepare to sweep my rod again and 3) cast to
holes in the grass, to lillypads, or other cover and
let the frog set for several seconds or a minute and
then cast to a different spot. |
| Question
from Dewey: |
I
live in Somerset KY and I want to become a pro fisherman
but not sure how or how to be sponsored. I fished a lot
of tournments on the lakes around here and do pretty good,
but I want to be a pro and make living doing it, there
no other place that I want to be but on the water. Thank
you |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Keep
fishing as many tournaments as you can and keep up with
your finishes in each tournament. When you start having
good luck in the state wide and regional tournaments
you can present these results to companies you would
like to sponsor you. |
| Question
from Dylan: |
Me
and my fishing partner have been fishing together for along
time now and we are starting to fish tournaments and we
are looking for a sponsor! How should we find one...and
do you know anybody who can help us? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Ask
anybody you know that could benefit from helping you.
The local gas station where you buy gas on a regular
basis may sponsor in local tournaments if you put there
store name on your boat or wear there shirt during practice
days and/or at the tournament. Remember, a business or
a company has to reap a positive result from helping
you and partner with a tournament. It is not all about
fishing. |
| Question
from Grant: |
Since
I fish in a canal, what would be the best bait to use to
catch bass? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
like to fish in canals and a plastic worm or spinner bait
would be a starting place. |
| Question
from James: |
I'm
new to bass fishing and my parents dont fish. I dont have
acsses to a boat, so I fish off the docks at Lake Allatuna
in Bartow County, GA. Could you give some tips on catching
the stripers that all the good fishermen catch? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: If
the docks have lights on them then fish for the stripper
at night. It is productive mainly in the summer time. |
| Question
from Rick: |
How
do I become a Pro Angler. You know like Bill Dance, and those
guys on T.V. I've been fishing since I could hold a pole,
and my relatives keep telling me since I like doing it so
much that I should do it as a career. So I thought about
it alot and thought that fishing for the rest of my life
as a career would be pretty cool to do. So what should i
do? |
Answer: |
Fish'nKids
Staff Writer: Becoming a Professional Angler
is the same as becoming a professional in any sport.
Practice, practice, and practice some more. Next you
need to see how well you fair against others anglers
by actively participating in competitions. If you fair
pretty well on your home waters, then you will need to
make the next leap of faith by competing in other areas.
If you follow any of the pro-trails, you realize that these
anglers are fishing on many different bodies of water, under
a variety of weather conditions. You really need to learn more
about what these fish are doing and why under all these different
scenarios. You might want to consider some courses in Biology
and Ecology. You should also see about classes in Business
Management and Advertising as you will need this information
to successfully promote yourself to prospective sponsors.
There is a slight down side that you need to keep in mind.
Competing on a professional level in the national tournament
trail scene is quite costly. It's like starting a business
of which you are the only product that you are selling. You
will need a business plan to be able to support the purchase
of the equipment you will need (boat, tow vehicle, fishing
tackle, electronics, etc.), and also sufficient funds to be
able to travel to these different events (entry fees, fuel
for the boat and vehicle, food, lodging, fishing licenses,
and other expenses). Obtaining sponsors will help to defer
some of these costs, but if you can not offer them anything
else than the fact that you can catch fish, then they will
not be inclined to support you. You need to show them how in
exchange for there commitment, how you will be promoting their
products, or services so they can gain market exposure, consumer
acceptance, and sales. Remember, they are in business also
and need to be wise about where and how they spend there profit
dollars.
As you said, fishing for the rest of your life is pretty cool,
just don't forget, it is a business at the professional level,
and you need to be prepared. Best of luck to you! |
| Question
from Devin: |
I
fish a lot with my dad on the harris chain of lakes in central
Florida. Every time we go out he slays the largemouth bass
I\'m lucky if I catch three. He says he catches more fish
because he is in the front,because I throw the same baits
he does. Is this true and if it is how do I catch more bass.
2. What are good tatics for brushpiles in 15 foot of water |
Answer: |
Capt
Tim Fey HighRoller Lures Pro Staff: This very
well can be true, with your dad at the front of the boat,
the bass he is catching are simply seeing his baits before
they will see yours. I’m sure your dad has more
than one bait that will catch bass in those same areas,
try mixing it up some by tossing one of the other baits.
If your dad is using a senko, try throwing a fluke or
a worm. Throwing something different can spark a hit
from a bass that may have overlooked your dads baits,
or ask him to share the front of the boat. Brush piles
in deep waters can be a lot of fun with a wide range
of ways to catching bass. You can try a drop shot rig,
Carolina rig, crank baits or even allowing a spinner
bait time to sink, and then slow rolling it, allowing
it to bump the brush pile, this can trigger a very aggressive
stike. |
| Question
from Ben: |
Hello
my name is ben and i began fishing a couple months ago a
have millons of questions. My main question is: what a some
tips or tricks on using jigs( mister twister)? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: If
you are using mister twister grubs or sassy shads then
I would suggest swimming the baits back with a varied reel
retrieve speed or use your rod to yo-yo the bait back to
you on the retrieve. |
| Question
from Corey: |
I
fish in this small little pond and there are bass there.
I use all sorts of stuff, and my friend always catches more
fish. How can I beat him? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Get
an in-line spinner (like a Mepps spinner or Rooster-tail),
a H&H spinner bait (chart/white) or a Berkley Gulp sinking
worm (green pumpkin or watermelon red) fished with little
or no weight. |
| Question
from Dave: |
I'm
13 yrs. old and I can't seem to find the fish in the spring.
Can you help me? What baits should I use? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: In
the spring after the water surface temperature reaches
greater than 60 degrees, the fish normally are in the shallow
water, less than 5 feet. Spring lizards, spinnerbaits,
lipless crankbaits and buzzbaits can be very good during
these spring months. |
| Question
from Halston: |
Whats
the best way to rig a pork chunk trailer? Whats the best
way to rig a crawdad trailer and how do you keep them from
sliding down the hook. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: The
best way to rig a pork trailer is through the pre-punched
hole, allowing the pork trailer to ride on the round bend
of the hook and the best way to rig a crawfish trailer
is to thread it on the hook or rig it Texas style when
fishing the crawfish trailer by itself. |
| Question
from Harry: |
Where
would be a good spot for big bass in a 20 acre pond with
no stumps or little rock cover. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: A
good spot on most lakes (man-made ponds) is close to or
on the lakes dam. |
| Question
from Joshua: |
Hi,
my dream is to become a pro fisherman. What do I need and
and how do I go about doing it? Thank you and have a great
day. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: To
become a Professional Bass Fisherman is the same as becoming
a professional in any sport. You need to learn as much
about the sport, the equipment, and the fish as you can,
and then practice, practice, practice! Start competing
in tournaments so you can see how you fair against other
anglers. |
| Question
from Joy: |
I'm
a cub scout leader and were hosting a fishing derby for the
kids. What are some things that we can do to make it exciting to
make the kids more interesting in fishing. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: My
church has an annual fishing rodeo for kids. We give goody
bags to all the children, have trophies for 1st, 2nd, and
3rd place in different age groups for the total weight
of fish caught by each child and a grand prize for the
child that catches the most weight. We normally have more
than 70 kids |
| Question
from Al: |
How
do you find the back bone of a rod blank? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: The
backbone of the rod blank is from the handle to about half
way towards the rod tip. |
| Question
from Andrew: |
I
am fishing for large bigmouth bass in my grandpa's pond with
artifcial bait but the bass always seem to slip off the hook.
Am I doing something wrong or is it something else? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: It
could be one or two things. First, it could be you are
not getting a good enough hook set after the fish take
the bait. Second, it could be you need to use a heavy wire
hook. |
| Question
from Den: |
OK
,Here's a stupid question...I mainly fish from the shore
at a local lake. I have trouble using a baitcasting lure..I
enjoy using spinnerbaits. Can I use them with a spincasting
or spinning reel instead. I know when the spinner baits hit
the water, the make a large and loud splash. Is there a way
to use them with a spinning ot spincast reel and make them
land more gently? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Yes,
you can use a spinning reel (Garcia-Cardinal Series is
a good spinning reel) or a spin-caster (Johnson make a
good spin-caster). Practice casting will help you not make
a large splash. Also, you can lift your rod tip just before
the bait gets to the surface of the water and this helps
to reduce the splash of the bait entering the water. |
| Question
from Doyle: |
I
have seen on TV when the fishermen set the hook and reel
in a bass, that sometimes the rubber worm or other rubber
baits wind up above the hook. Why is that? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Because
the fish has the hook and the worm or plastic bait is pushed
onto the line away from the hook. |
| Question
from Isaac: |
I
live in North Dakota and can't wait untill the ice is off
the lake. What will bite when the water is still cold and
how should I fish? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Fish
will bite in cold weather/colder months of the year.
The fish tend to eat less and less often then in the
warmer months. You tend to have to fish slower and with
smaller baits (example: Berkley 4 inch or 6 inch shacky
worms or 4 inch minnows). |
| Question
from Jordon: |
1.
I'm fifteen and fish a small lake with submergent coontail
any tips to catch a big bass out of the coontail? 2.
I rarely fish from boats. Any tips to catch a big bass
from bank fishing on rivers, and ponds? What kind of
structure, lure, and presentation should I be using?
3. I fish a small pond and recently caught a four lb.
bass out of the creek, any tips to catch bigger bass
out of the lake covered with coontail in about 5 to 10
feet of water?
|
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: 1:Berkley
Power worms, Johnson Silver Minnow Spoon or weedless
frogs 2:Spinnerbaits, worms and top water baits work.
Fish points, small creek bends and trees in the water.
3:Weedless baits- worms, frogs, spoons or any bait that
can be fished weedless.
|
| Question
from Justin: |
What
size hook is the best to use when rubber worm fishing for
bass? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: It
depends on the size of the worm or thickness of the plastic
baits you are fishing. You need to use a smaller hook
for smaller/thinner worms like a 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0 size
and for larger worms like 8 to 12 inch worms use a 4/0
or 5/0 worm hook. |
| Question
from Michael: |
I
live in San Diego California. There is a lake by my house
called Miramar Lake. This lake is known for big bass but
I have never seen any really big. Where are they, and what
would be the best bait for them. Also how do you rig and
use Hula Grubs and Senko worms. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
have never been to Lake Miramar. However, it is most
likely a clear lake. If so, then you will have to fish
deep most of the year, except during the spawn. If your
state has stocked this lake with rainbow trout or lake
trout then use swim baits that look like these trout.
Hula grubs and senko type baits can be fished Texas style,
on a Carolina rig or a jighead. I prefer Hula grubs on
a football weedless jighead and to fish senkos rigged
texas style with a lite weight or weightless. |
| Question
from Nick: |
I
want to know how to catch bass that are not active and
don't bite and how not to get snagged on trees? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: I
wish I could answer this questions consistently. Not
active bass are hard to catch. Reaction type baits are
usually best, like crank baits, jerk baits, spinner baits
or jigs. Crank baits like Berkley’s Frenzy shad
get reaction bites from bouncing the bait into structure
or the bottom. The answer to your second question is
to practice casting around trees and into trees. I still
get hung in trees too. |
| Question
from Rob: |
Hi
I' m Rob I am 14 years old and live in South Carolina.
I was planing on going fishing this weekend at lake Hartwell.
Last week the lake was 9.2 feet down and the water was
clear and 54 degrees. The water was even clear up in creeks
the water that was muddy from the rain hasn't come down
yet, but this week it rained some and the water should
be a little colored. I was wonderind if I should head back
into the creeks were we caught tons of spots last week
were it was clear using a worm, or should I go out to clearer
water? What should I throw if I was back up in the creeks,
and what should I try if I go out to clearer water. I was
thinking about going back into the creeks and trying the
same thing as last week and maybe throwing a jig around
some of the stand up brush for a monster large mouth, or
should I go out to clear water drop shots or a worm out
there . What do you think the best thing to do is. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: Lake
Hartwell is a good lake in early spring/late winter.
I would fish the middle 2/3 of the major creeks that
had stained to lite muddy water. I would start with a
Berkley Frenzy crank bait medium to shallow diver in
blue/chart. back or firetiger colors or #7 Shad Rap in
pearl/chart back. If you want to fish deep then I would
find short deep sloughs/ pockets with water running into
them in the back of the slough/pocket off the major creeks/rivers.
I would use a 3/4 ounce jigging spoon in hammered nickel
or a drop shot rig with a Berkley 4 inch minnow in smelt
color and concentrate in the 18 to 30 foot range. |
| Question
from Shawn: |
Hi
I have a question on what type of rod to buy? I am some
what new at fishing, but do know about reels based on all
that you can find on the internet. But I can't find any
info on rods and what types. I'm fishing right now trout,
bass, and some pick and want to go on fishing them but
also want to get bigger fish. I would like the rod to be
useful for both. |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: It
depends on the size bites and size fishing line you are
using. If you are using light baits and light line then
you need a 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 foot rod in medium/light action.
If you are using heavier baits and line then you may
want to go to a medium action rod in the same length. |
| Question
from TJ: |
How
do you rig a spinnerbait on a baitcaster reeling rod? |
Answer: |
Edward
Guice Ranger/Berkley Trilene/ Evinrude Pro Staff: You
can fish the spinner bait with or with out a trailer
hook or you can fish it with or with a plastic or pork
trailer. I rig my spinner bait sometimes with a plastic
grub (chart. or white in color) and a trailer hook. |
