Getting Off The Bank: Choosing the Right Option
Getting off the bank and onto the water is one of the oldest wishes or dream. We think about owning a big fancy bass boat, but in reality, it doesn’t matter what we get. We just want to be able to hit those spots where the bass are. I still enjoy fishing from the bank. It’s simple. But it does limit what we can do and when.
Our dreams and hopes lie in getting off the bank and you can find some really great options between new and used. Sometimes used can be a great option, but so many people have boats with no title. If you are only going to paddle around or in a private pond, you could be fine. But no title also means you have no idea about the history of the boat. While most people are honest, there are plenty who would sell you something that doesn’t belong to them.
Let’s talk jonboat first. They are nice and give you more room to hit the water. But depending on how big they are and heavy, you may need to have a trailer. There are plenty out there, new and used for you to chose from. From 10 foot up to 17 foot.
There are two basic types, metal or plastic, and both work great. The metal boats are either welded and riveted. Rivets can leak easily, but with proper maintenance, they are perfect, so both work great. There plastic ones are usually lighter and easier to haul around, especially if you have a truck. Depending on your vehicle, they can be carried on a roof rack.
They are all able to have a trolling motor, but if it is public water, it has to be registered. And to register a boat, you are going to need a title. But they can be paddled. And then you would need to decide on what paddle works for you. Some are made so you can use oars. Everything is about choices and how fast you want to buy everything.
The other option is a kayak. And don’t let anyone tell you you have to buy only one brand. There are two basic type, sit in or sit on. Sit in are nice, but it is more difficult for fishing. I didn’t say impossible, just more difficult. And a sit on style is a better choice for fishing, and even those styles are very different. Some sit low while some sit higher. The thing to consider is you and your abilities. Remember that after a long day of fishing, you are going to be tired. Are you going to be able to get up and out of a sit in.
A sit on is easier, but depending on the actual make, they all act differently. One thing you really need to consider is the tipping point. Some will roll easier, meaning if you lean to far, you are going to go in. Some have a more stable design that allows you to lean over further and the kayak will resist tipping. I recommend trying to test out a few before buying one.
And you also need to thing about how you want to get around. For some, like rivers, a paddle is all you need. Sometimes you may want to have a pedal drive. And there are two types of pedal drive, paddle or impulse. The paddle drive are two flaps or paddles that you move back and forth to move the kayak forward. The impulse drive used a more bicycle style drive that will turn a blade underneath that turns like a motor. Both work great, but the impulse does give you an instant reverse by pedaling backwards.
Depending on how big and how heavy the kayak is, you may carry it in the bed of your truck or on a roof top carrier. The heavier they are, the more difficult to transport, and thus you may need to get a trailer. If you want to add a motor, it will need to be registered and that will require a title as well. Things you have to think about.
And then there is always trying to figure out which kayak fits your needs. If you are just getting started a used kayak is a great choice, but you need to check it out carefully for cracks and wear on the bottom. Look for weak spots on the bottom that can happen from launching, going over rocks and from loading. Depending on your budget, you can look at the lower end kayaks. For someone who isn’t sure that they will enjoy one, borrowing one or buying a budget friendly kayak is ideal. The main thing is getting off the bank.
But don’t skimp with a life jacket, buy one that is made for paddling. And honestly, don’t use an inflatable one. If you fall in, it will be repaired before your next adventure. A rearming kit is not cheap. Those orange ones are cheap, but they really don’t work great for fishing. And make sure the paddle fits you. A universal paddle that can be adjusted for length is a great first option. You don’t need a $300 paddle at first.
If you find you enjoy getting out in a kayak, you can always search around for that special one that fits your needs. But it doesn’t have to happen overnight. Tractor Supply, Bass Pro, or somewhere else, it doesn’t matter what you get, just find one that fits you. And go have fun! Get off the bank safely!
Top tournament hacks by Carson Maddux
Fishing season is in full swing for everyone across the country. The northern waters are thawed out and the lakes here in the south are firing. Bass can be caught on almost anything and in almost any depth. It is a great time to be on the water and probably my personal favorite time of year. There is something nostalgic about the excitement and anticipation of summertime that can not be explained. The lakes get busier and while it can be frustrating, who can blame the masses for wanting to enjoy what we have all year long. This week I want to dive into something a little less technical and talk about some of the “hacks” I’ve learned to make tournaments more enjoyable.
Tournament fishing can be and in most cases is expensive. Especially if you are traveling and staying away from home. Lodging, gas, unnecessary but totally necessary tackle expenses all add up. In my experience, prepping for a tournament beforehand can help alleviate some of these costs. For example, grabbing groceries before leaving for the event can save you a TON. We have all done it; stop at a gas station and buy an energy drink, a few waters for the day, and maybe a snack or two. By the end of it you are dropping $15-20 at this gas station per day on drinks and snacks alone. Buying a case of water/drinks and your favorite snacks in bulk can save you both time and money. Not only this, but being properly fueled with better quality food/drink can help you perform better while on the water.
Now let’s talk a little about the actual fishing side of it. Tackling a new body of water can be intimidating so proper prep helps tremendously. I use tools such as online mapping, historical water levels, and google earth to help me prepare before ever seeing the lake. This allows you to have an idea of what the lake has to offer before sending it blindly down the water. Another tool I use is social media. People post their catches all the time and it can really give you an idea of what the lake has to offer. Tournament results can give you a good gauge on what your expectations should be. For example, if you didn’t know better and showed up to Lake Guntersville with 15lbs in the box thinking you would do well, you would be in a pretty sour mood after weigh in. It is important to find out what kind of forage, tournament trends, and conditions the lake gives you beforehand. Showing up to a new lake is always fun, and the preparation vs reality is what really gets me excited.
Another tip I’d like to give tournament anglers is the importance of fish care. Most tournament organizations stress the need to keep our fish alive. Companies have started to emerge that create products to help with this. This time of year the fish come particularly volatile and super sensitive in the livewells. Having a separate cooler on board filled with ice can help lower the water temperature but also allow more oxygen to be in the water. Livewell treatments used in the proper dosage can also help with your fish’s health. I would advise any angler to learn how to properly fizz a fish as well. Invest in good quality needles and you can save the fish’s life. Fizzing refers to puncturing a fish’s swim bladder when it is experiencing barotrauma. Not only does it help avoid a penalty, but it reduces the amount of delayed mortality after an event. As anglers we should care about our resources and do everything we can to preserve them.
There are a ton of other tricks that I have acquired over time but I figured this would serve as a quick synopsis as we enter the busy season. Fishing tournaments can be so much fun and using these hacks will make them even more enjoyable!
Top Baits for May Bass Fishing by Calvin Herndon
Are you on the lake in May and unsure of how to catch a bass? Like many anglers, I struggle to have success during the times when bass are in transition. May is a perfect example of a transition period, so what is happening during the month of May? I am glad you asked. Let’s dive into it.
May is a weird month because you have bass in all different stages of a transition. Let’s take a northern fishery, you still may have some bass in the spawning face in Ma,y and if you move south, those bass are already done spawning and heading to their post-spawn areas. In May bass become more active and aggressive, seeking out food sources like baitfish, Bluegill, and mayflies. Post Spawn bass become hungry and aggressive and they are ready to eat. Where do you find the bass in May? Bass can be shallow and deep in May it depends on what part of the transition the bass is in and their food source. By the end of the month, some bass will move deeper to recover from the spawn. The million-dollar question What are you going to catch them on in May?
I want to start out with my favorite ways to fish and that is with a reaction bait in my hand. My personal favorite this time of year is a spinnerbait or a chatter bait. This bait I believe shines in May because the bass are aggressive and they want to eat. In my opinion I believe it has to do with the vibration and sound that the spinnerbait and chatter bait gives off while moving through the water it cause the bass to react to the bait. The chatter bait I will have a trailer on the back this time of year to give the bait some more action, my go to be a Hog farmer Spunk Shad.
Let’s talk about another reaction bait that I love to throw this time of year and that is the Shallow crankbait. Nothing sounds better to me than going shallow and cranking and winding a shallow water crankbait all day long. I have had some of the most aggressive bites burning a shallow water crankbait down the bank. There are so many shallow crankbaits on the market that your choices are endless. If you have never thrown a shallow water crankbait go try it out this spring!
My final bait is everyone’s favorite lure, and that is a top water bait. Say you are out on the water in the early morning, and you’re throwing a topwater lure around, and then all of a sudden a fish blows your bait straight out of the water. There is nothing more exciting than watching and fighting that fish to the boat because of the aggressive nature of the bass during the month of May. Some suggested baits include walking style top waters, poppers, and buzz baits. I hope this article finds you well and you go out and catch giants in the month of May.