My First 6 Pounder

Jigging with a Hotrod Tube, I landed this beauty in a private lake. My nephew and his friends were down at this place 5 times before me, they ended up with a 19 incher for there biggest catch. My other friend who told me about this lake, has fished it for two years..his biggest was only 22 inches. My 4th cast and I get myself a 23 1/2 inch 6.7 pound PIGGY. It was a private lake, but its still a heck of an accomplishment..some people may never get one this big, I got mine, now going for more!

Tubes, A Rising Favorite

It has been an intersting last few weeks in fishing, and in general..just an interesting last month in life. Being called out on a stage and being graduated was one milestone, ending one chapter and then starting a new one. It's been a rollercoaster, thats for sure, but one thing stands the same..whenever I am free..I gotta fish.

Nothing stops me, even after a hard day of hauling scrap metal to Mcgervich & Sons will not keep me from the water. Its been a different type of fishing season though, taking a new level with tournaments, trying out new waters, and of course..new lures, let me share!

Private ponds can be considered "cheating", because it is an easy way to find good fish, but can also teach you a lot..and what I like most about ponds is that you can use more lures and catch more fish with them. When you are less-confident about using this bait, or that bait, try out a pond..but get permission first. Use a lure that you seldom throw and see what happens, thats what I've been taking time to do. One lure that was on the bottom ofmy tackle box was the tube from Hot Rod Baits. Just about a month ago is when I decided to give them a shot..well, now I can say they are possibly my favorite. What happend to Producto? Well, I have been using them also, but not as much. I've been so confident on these tubes!

It was a cloudy Sunday morning when I used every color of tube I had with me, at a private pond. Doing the same tactic of jigging like a worm has resulted in MORE hits that anything else. Well, I thought to myself, "maybe its just the pond thats good for the hits on tubes". A week or so later, I tried another private water, this time with Strike King and Hot Rod tubes. In just one hour, I brought in 11 Bass, and used a different color each time! Two fish were over the keeping limit, at 16 and 18 inches, but gently released back into its home for future catches! Then, just last week, things went NUTS! Bringing in over 20 Bass in just an hour anda half, and 5 were keeper sized (pic shown--18 inch PIG). My tournaments have brought the same..no keeper sized, but I surely have nailed a few on them, now its just got me wondering..is this now my favorite bait?! I didn't even trust them strongly a month ago, now its my top weapon!

I hope you all enjoyed my first article outside of the classrooms, making time work for these isn't easy with the work I am doing, but I find ways because of this passion I have caught. I hope you learned a little about "tubing" and always give a lure a shot..cause who knows..it may get you some memorable fish along the way..sure did for me!!!

Seeking Time To Try Out New Lures

Thursday, May 3rd, a private water was the place set out for my last fishing article during my senior school year at GMG Jr/Sr High. This was originally supposed to be about a trip to Twin Anchors, in Colo, but I found this day far more interesting to share! My friend Richard was my partner for today (and at Twin Anchors, Sat. May 5th). We fished all the time in 2011, we made about 20 trips last year. This years been different, he’s been more busy with priorities, so I’ve had to find new partners. (which is also a good thing) Till today, he got his chance! 

Right after a day of school, I rounded up my rods and tackle box. My starting lineup for rods included a Berkley AMP with a Producto 7 inch worm, and a Berkley Lightning Rod with a Hot Rod Baits tube. I also brought my Berkley Ultralite Bluegill & Crappie rod, with some jighead hooks. I bought some nightcrawlers at Walmart, its very easy access, I live just 2 blocks from the store. I figured I’ve done enough extreme fishing of late..a competitive tournament (where my partner & I placed 9th, weighed in 1 Bass), practicing with Hot Rod Tubes, using and showing off all my Producto’s..I’ve done a little bit of everything of late, except use live bait. I haven’t used lived bait in over a month, I guess I could go all out and write on this for a change also since I’ve done everything else! 

This was one of those nights where everything goes right, couldn’t ask for a better evening. I’m not all Bass, I also will occasionally go for Bluegill and Crappie. It was hot out at the start, so we did the easy type of angling to tie us over, and keep us busy till it cooled off for the Bass. We put on some live nightcrawlers, (2nd time I used them all year) and soon I landed this nice Gill (pic shown) and my first Crappie! Richard and I totaled 48 Bluegill! After that, we tried for the BASS. I hit 2 right off the bat. Then I thought this would be a great time to brown my horizon and use a brand new lure that I’ve rarely used. Jim Wiegand is a member of the club I am in, and has his own lures “Wigs Jigs”.  I decided to use one, first cast ever on a Wigs Jig..cast, jig, jig, felt the hit, set the hook HARD, showing the fish who’s boss, then reeling it in STRONG!!! Result: A 15 inch bass, BOOYAH! Things went even better, I started throwing spinnerbaits and nailed a couple off that. The great story of the night was when Richard learned how to use my expensive bait-caster. He had a backlash at first, but figured it out and got the hang of it, and nailed 2 good fish off it!  When Richard smarted out a Bass, I promised him a picture in the paper, so we got it done! (pic of him with Bass off a WIGS JIG) 2 1/2 hours..48 Bluegill, a Crappie, and 12 bass together = 61 fish & FUN!  Just a terrific evening and getting him a chance on the water!

Richard is a member of Sea-Cadets, and has been busy dedicating time with this, instead of fishing. I would like to thank him for his courageousness. He doesn’t have to do this, but he dedicates some of his free-times to train on protecting the greatest country on earth. Kudos to you bro!