Lessons learned from 2012, Part 1
Let me start by saying what an awesome year it's been. We have two great champions this year: Chris Lane and Brent Chapman. My family is close with both of their families, and we are very happy for them.
Fall time is the right time
It’s the beginning of fall and so it’s time for me to write my annual column touting the benefits of fall fishing. In my humble opinion, fall is the second best time to be on the water. For a lot of anglers it’s the best time.
Bumpin’ rails
It happens all the time when you’re fishing a tournament. The fish are concentrated or the weather changes, and you find yourself fishing with 30 other boats all piled up in 50 acres of water.
Lessons learned: St. Johns River
I'd like to review my 2012 Elite Series season one tournament at a time to talk about the lessons I learned in each event and how that’ll help all of us catch more fish. We’ll start with the St. Johns River tournament.
Smallmouth and temperature
Sometimes it helps to get technical. Smallmouth bass aren’t largemouth bass. They respond differently to temperature and so does their forage.
Fish your strengths
Fishing on the Bassmaster Elite Series is a tremendous learning experience. The most important thing that I have learned this year is that I have to fish my strengths to be successful.
Tips for flipping and pitching in early fall
Once the days start to shorten and the waters start to cool, you have two basic options if you want to catch bass: Fish the flat side of the lake or fish the backs of the coves and the creeks.
Rainstorms can liven up your fishing
Hurricane Isaac delivered another blow to Louisiana and Mississippi, but its residual effects on the Midwest could be a boon to bass fishing.
A fisherman’s dream
I’ll tell you what, now’s the time to go fishing. Isaac is over but the cool and freshwater he dumped into many of our rivers and lakes has really turned the fish on. This is the beginning of the fall feeding frenzy.
Boat strategy for rough water
Elite Series pro Randy Howell takes extra precautions with his Triton 21X when he knows he'll be boating on rough waters.
