There are countless opportunities throughout North America for anglers to pursue fish in small ponds. Many of these waters are ponds consisting of one acre or less in size. They are located on farms, golf courses and subdivisions that keep the access private, allowing only select individuals to use them. The ponds may have an abundance of fish lurking beneath the surface because of minimal usage. However, the total population of fish is often not as great as it first appears.
Because the ponds hold such aggressive fish the body of water is sometimes over-harvested. A pond of ½ acre of surface water that contains Large Mouth Bass generally only accommodates a small number of harvest-sized bass. An angler who keeps bass on a regular basis can quickly deplete the population and by doing so will allow species such as bluegill to over populate the pond. Without the bass’ presence to control the population of bluegill the pond becomes home to many small, non-harvest sized bluegill. The small bass left behind have to compete with the bluegill for the limited food supply and a popular food source of bluegill is bass eggs. Once this cycle is put into motion it is hard to reverse.
Another detrimental occurrence in small ponds is for the owner to make them easier to fish by removing weed growth along the shoreline. While doing so makes the access to the water much easier, it also eliminates the major source of cover for the fish. Vegetation along the water’s edge produces oxygen for the fish during sunlight hours and allows cover for small fish to hide until they can reach adult size. If chemicals are used to kill off the vegetation, the dying growth consumes oxygen that the fish population need for survival. Removal of vegetation can be just as harmful as over-harvesting for the fish population.
Pond owner should consider keeping records of catch and harvest data to better understand what is happening below the surface in their ponds. Good record keeping is key to knowing the growth and harvest situation in any given small body of water. Owners should record the specie and length of each catch and note if it was consumed or returned to the water. Because pond owners do not generally have access to electro-shocking equipment like state agencies use, this is the next best way of knowing what is happening in their pond. Good record keeping means the fish must be measured exactly. Guessing at the length is not good enough to be successful in this approach.
Ponds generally cannot be managed to produce great size and numbers of several species of fish. The owners should make a decision about what specie they want to produce. Good bass fishing ponds will not have great numbers of big bluegill available as the bass eat most of them prior to reaching a few inches long. The ones that do survive to grow large can quickly be removed with one outing if an angler keeps them for the table.
On the other hand, if big bluegills are abundant bass generally will not reach large sizes because the bigger bluegill will compete with them for the limited food source. Both of these scenarios become clear with good record keeping of the catch from ponds.
Fish can grow bigger and more abundant if supplemental feeding is done in a pond. The drawback is if and when the feeding is discontinued. The extra feeding will produce more fish than the carrying capacity of the water and when the feeding is stopped all of the fish will suffer from malnourishment. When considering supplemental feeding a pond owner must remember the feeding will have to continue indefinitely for this approach to have a lasting effect.
Harvesting fish is a good way to keep a pond healthy and productive. The Missouri Department of Conservation has a great resource for pond management available on their website called the Missouri Pond Handbook by Ken Perry. This publication covers everything from the design and building of ponds to maintaining them as a fishing resource.
Missouri Pond Handbook
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
Bass Fishing Tackle available at MidwestFishingTackle.net
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, All Rights Reserved
Midwest Fishing Tackle, Exclusive retailer of Midwest Custom Tackle
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide
Recently I had the pleasure of reading THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide written by John Neporadny. This book is a very informative guide to catching fish on Lake of the Ozarks and covers several species including bass, crappie, catfish, white bass and spoonbill.
In the book John presents tips and techniques for all of the popular species found in Lake of the Ozarks. The information was gathered from local fishing guides, regional tournament anglers and professional tournament anglers. Also, John possesses extensive knowledge of Lake of the Ozarks due to time spent on the water as a guide and angler.
THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide is a well-written, easy to read book. Any angler planning to fish at Lake of the Ozarks should read this book. The information provided is a great learning experience for any angler, regardless of their experience on the lake.
John’s book is available from his website at http://jnoutdoors.com and http://midwestfishingtackle.net.
In the book John presents tips and techniques for all of the popular species found in Lake of the Ozarks. The information was gathered from local fishing guides, regional tournament anglers and professional tournament anglers. Also, John possesses extensive knowledge of Lake of the Ozarks due to time spent on the water as a guide and angler.
THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide is a well-written, easy to read book. Any angler planning to fish at Lake of the Ozarks should read this book. The information provided is a great learning experience for any angler, regardless of their experience on the lake.
John’s book is available from his website at http://jnoutdoors.com and http://midwestfishingtackle.net.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bass Fishing Indiana's Patoka Lake
Bass Fishing Indiana’s Patoka Lake
By Marc Rogers
The Army Corp of Engineers completed Patoka Lake in 1978. It is the second largest reservoir in Indiana containing 8,880 surface acres of water at normal summer pool. At normal summer pool it has a maximum depth of 52 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. The Army Corp of Engineers controls the lake’s water level with a spillway for flood control purposes. The lake also provides drinking water for the surrounding areas. Patoka Lake is located approximately 10 miles from French Lick, Indiana.
Patoka Lake was formed by the impoundment of the Patoka River and there are 11 named and unnamed tributaries throughout the lake. The dam is located at the west side of the reservoir. The normal summer pool level is 536 feet above mean sea level. This level is normally stable but can fluctuate between 506 and 548 feet above mean level. The Army Corp of Engineers control over 17,000 acres of land surrounding the lake. The land is leased to the State of Indiana and managed for recreational purposes including hiking, hunting, camping and fishing. Most of the shoreline is wooded and there is little development close to the water.
The lake receives heavy fishing and boating pressure. Therefore, some areas are posted with skiing restrictions and speed limits. The areas are clearly marked with buoys. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources close some areas of the lake during waterfowl hunting seasons because they are designated as nesting areas. The areas include portions of the Patoka River arm, Little Patoka River and Lick Creek arms. Bald Eagles have been known to use the area around the lake for nesting and these areas are also posted as restricted areas.
During construction many trees were left uncut around the shoreline in most of the tributaries. This has left many large areas of standing timber in the lake but boat lanes were made for navigation into the main lake area. Patoka Lake is a lowland lake with the bottom consisting of mainly mud and clay. There are areas where the bottom is gravel and rock near some of the channel bends as the wave action has washed away the mud and clay. There are still many areas of deep water where stumps and broken limestone can be found. These are areas where anglers should concentrate when fishing the deeper water of the lake.
The dominant fish specie in Patoka Lake is the Largemouth Bass. The lake also has a good population of Bluegill and Redear sunfish. The sunfish provide good angling opportunities and a good forage base for the Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike and Tiger Muskie were stocked just after the impoundment filled but failed to reproduce.
Bass Fishing in Patoka Lake is popular due to the catch rates and sizes available. There is a 15-inch length limit on Largemouth Bass. This length limit has helped the fishery produce many 3 – 5 pound Largemouth Bass and the catch rates are above the state’s average. I have personally taken many legal size bass from this lake with the largest weighing in at 7.5 pounds.
During the spring (March and April) anglers should concentrate on shallow water first. Many legal size male will be preparing for the spawn during this time and are eager to feed. When the surface water temperatures reach the middle 50-degree range this shallow activity will begin. If shallow water bass are yet active the bigger females can be found preparing for the spawning activity in depths of 8 – 12 feet. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are a good choice for locating these bass. Anglers are advised to use a slow presentation during this season, as the bass will generally not chase a fast moving lure. Once bass are located, a jig is ideal for taking bigger bass. Jigs can be presented in shallow water by flipping and pitching or with a deep slow approach.
As the water temperatures reach the low 60’s anglers should try jerk baits and flukes for shallow water bass. Again, start with a slow presentation and speed up if the bass are active. Site fishing for spawning bass is popular among anglers at Patoka Lake because the water is generally clear in the spring. Anglers should always be looking for nests and bass when fishing in the shallow water along the shoreline. When fishing beds, shaky worms, tubes and lizards are always a good choice. Bass immediately released will generally return to the bed and little harm is done to the fishery.
Bass do not all spawn at the same time. The larger females can still be found in the 8 – 12 feet of water near spawning areas throughout the spawn. With water temperatures in the 60’s slow rolled spinnerbaits and crankbaits are a good lure choice to target these bigger bass.
When the water temperatures reach the middle 70-degree mark, the spawn, for the most part, is over. There may still be some males guarding nests but they will be few and far between. The females have moved off into the deeper water near the spawning areas. Crankbaits running in 10-foot depths are a productive presentation for the post-spawn females. In the clear water of Patoka Lake bluegill pattern crankbaits will be the best producers since the bass rely on the bluegill for a food source. However, if water is heavily stained to muddy fire tiger patters seem to work better. Also, chartreuse spinnerbaits with double gold blade are a great produced in dirty water conditions.
Once the water warms into the 80’s bass will hold in and near deep water. The river and creek channel ledges with deep water in close proximity can hold large schools of bass in tightly concentrated areas under these conditions. The areas most productive are channel swings close to the shoreline. These steep banks allow bass to move up to feed and back down to more comfortable water temperatures and oxygen levels. Anglers should concentrate on the ends of the channel swings where broken rock and timber is often present. The Thermocline in Patoka Lake develops between 20 and 25 feet deep. The area just above this is often the most productive depth for summertime bass fishing. Large plastic worms of 10 – 13 inches will be productive on the larger bass holding near the Thermocline.
Fall fishing on Patoka Lake can be phenomenal. Bass chase the sunfish, shad and golden shiners that are abundant in preparation for the cold winter ahead. The first indication for these circumstances is the large schools of baitfish swimming just below the surface. When the baitfishes start jumping above the surface it is due to predators chasing them. Shallow running crankbaits, flukes and top-water lures are most effective at this time. However, a lipless crankbait left to flutter below the schools of baitfish will produce the bigger bass. The bigger bass will suspend below the baitfish and take the injured baitfish that fall through the water column. Spoons like the Johnson Silver Minnow allowed to slowly descend after the cast is also very effective. The best way to find fall bass is to keep your eyes and ears open for feeding activity while on the water. Also, birds diving at the water will indicate where the baitfish schools are located.
Winter at Patoka Lake is quite slow for bass fishing. There are times when the lake freezes enough to allow ice fishing. When the water falls into the 40-degree range I use a jig and work it slowly along the bottom in and near deep water. My most productive presentation is a slow crawling motion to mimic a crayfish. The water is usually clear during the cold months and crayfish colored jigs are the top producers. The steep shorelines are the most productive during cold conditions.
Anglers that are not familiar with it often overlook Patoka Lake. It is located off the beaten path relative to other popular reservoirs. However, a trip to this lake is well worth the drive for an avid angler.
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
By Marc Rogers
The Army Corp of Engineers completed Patoka Lake in 1978. It is the second largest reservoir in Indiana containing 8,880 surface acres of water at normal summer pool. At normal summer pool it has a maximum depth of 52 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. The Army Corp of Engineers controls the lake’s water level with a spillway for flood control purposes. The lake also provides drinking water for the surrounding areas. Patoka Lake is located approximately 10 miles from French Lick, Indiana.
Patoka Lake was formed by the impoundment of the Patoka River and there are 11 named and unnamed tributaries throughout the lake. The dam is located at the west side of the reservoir. The normal summer pool level is 536 feet above mean sea level. This level is normally stable but can fluctuate between 506 and 548 feet above mean level. The Army Corp of Engineers control over 17,000 acres of land surrounding the lake. The land is leased to the State of Indiana and managed for recreational purposes including hiking, hunting, camping and fishing. Most of the shoreline is wooded and there is little development close to the water.
The lake receives heavy fishing and boating pressure. Therefore, some areas are posted with skiing restrictions and speed limits. The areas are clearly marked with buoys. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources close some areas of the lake during waterfowl hunting seasons because they are designated as nesting areas. The areas include portions of the Patoka River arm, Little Patoka River and Lick Creek arms. Bald Eagles have been known to use the area around the lake for nesting and these areas are also posted as restricted areas.
During construction many trees were left uncut around the shoreline in most of the tributaries. This has left many large areas of standing timber in the lake but boat lanes were made for navigation into the main lake area. Patoka Lake is a lowland lake with the bottom consisting of mainly mud and clay. There are areas where the bottom is gravel and rock near some of the channel bends as the wave action has washed away the mud and clay. There are still many areas of deep water where stumps and broken limestone can be found. These are areas where anglers should concentrate when fishing the deeper water of the lake.
The dominant fish specie in Patoka Lake is the Largemouth Bass. The lake also has a good population of Bluegill and Redear sunfish. The sunfish provide good angling opportunities and a good forage base for the Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike and Tiger Muskie were stocked just after the impoundment filled but failed to reproduce.
Bass Fishing in Patoka Lake is popular due to the catch rates and sizes available. There is a 15-inch length limit on Largemouth Bass. This length limit has helped the fishery produce many 3 – 5 pound Largemouth Bass and the catch rates are above the state’s average. I have personally taken many legal size bass from this lake with the largest weighing in at 7.5 pounds.
During the spring (March and April) anglers should concentrate on shallow water first. Many legal size male will be preparing for the spawn during this time and are eager to feed. When the surface water temperatures reach the middle 50-degree range this shallow activity will begin. If shallow water bass are yet active the bigger females can be found preparing for the spawning activity in depths of 8 – 12 feet. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are a good choice for locating these bass. Anglers are advised to use a slow presentation during this season, as the bass will generally not chase a fast moving lure. Once bass are located, a jig is ideal for taking bigger bass. Jigs can be presented in shallow water by flipping and pitching or with a deep slow approach.
As the water temperatures reach the low 60’s anglers should try jerk baits and flukes for shallow water bass. Again, start with a slow presentation and speed up if the bass are active. Site fishing for spawning bass is popular among anglers at Patoka Lake because the water is generally clear in the spring. Anglers should always be looking for nests and bass when fishing in the shallow water along the shoreline. When fishing beds, shaky worms, tubes and lizards are always a good choice. Bass immediately released will generally return to the bed and little harm is done to the fishery.
Bass do not all spawn at the same time. The larger females can still be found in the 8 – 12 feet of water near spawning areas throughout the spawn. With water temperatures in the 60’s slow rolled spinnerbaits and crankbaits are a good lure choice to target these bigger bass.
When the water temperatures reach the middle 70-degree mark, the spawn, for the most part, is over. There may still be some males guarding nests but they will be few and far between. The females have moved off into the deeper water near the spawning areas. Crankbaits running in 10-foot depths are a productive presentation for the post-spawn females. In the clear water of Patoka Lake bluegill pattern crankbaits will be the best producers since the bass rely on the bluegill for a food source. However, if water is heavily stained to muddy fire tiger patters seem to work better. Also, chartreuse spinnerbaits with double gold blade are a great produced in dirty water conditions.
Once the water warms into the 80’s bass will hold in and near deep water. The river and creek channel ledges with deep water in close proximity can hold large schools of bass in tightly concentrated areas under these conditions. The areas most productive are channel swings close to the shoreline. These steep banks allow bass to move up to feed and back down to more comfortable water temperatures and oxygen levels. Anglers should concentrate on the ends of the channel swings where broken rock and timber is often present. The Thermocline in Patoka Lake develops between 20 and 25 feet deep. The area just above this is often the most productive depth for summertime bass fishing. Large plastic worms of 10 – 13 inches will be productive on the larger bass holding near the Thermocline.
Fall fishing on Patoka Lake can be phenomenal. Bass chase the sunfish, shad and golden shiners that are abundant in preparation for the cold winter ahead. The first indication for these circumstances is the large schools of baitfish swimming just below the surface. When the baitfishes start jumping above the surface it is due to predators chasing them. Shallow running crankbaits, flukes and top-water lures are most effective at this time. However, a lipless crankbait left to flutter below the schools of baitfish will produce the bigger bass. The bigger bass will suspend below the baitfish and take the injured baitfish that fall through the water column. Spoons like the Johnson Silver Minnow allowed to slowly descend after the cast is also very effective. The best way to find fall bass is to keep your eyes and ears open for feeding activity while on the water. Also, birds diving at the water will indicate where the baitfish schools are located.
Winter at Patoka Lake is quite slow for bass fishing. There are times when the lake freezes enough to allow ice fishing. When the water falls into the 40-degree range I use a jig and work it slowly along the bottom in and near deep water. My most productive presentation is a slow crawling motion to mimic a crayfish. The water is usually clear during the cold months and crayfish colored jigs are the top producers. The steep shorelines are the most productive during cold conditions.
Anglers that are not familiar with it often overlook Patoka Lake. It is located off the beaten path relative to other popular reservoirs. However, a trip to this lake is well worth the drive for an avid angler.
Copyright 2009, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved
More articles available at Bass Fishing Midwest
Friday, June 5, 2009
Get The Twist out of Spinning Reel Line
When spooling line onto a spinning reel is it difficult to keep the line from twisting. There are two ways to reduce the twisting of line on these reels.
First, when spooling the reel lay the new line spool on it side and rotate it if twisting occurs during the line installation. Once the reel is full find grassy area to completely stretch out the new line. Grassy areas will keep the line from getting nicks in it during this process. This can be done without assistance by placing the rod in a secure spot and walk the line out. Be sure to tie a good know to the spool so it stay attached when it reaches its limit. Next, lay the line on the ground and wind all of it back onto the spool, while allowing it to un-twist upon retrieval.
Second, remove terminal tackle or lures from the line and pull the line behind a boat. Allow all the line to be pulled off the reel spool and continue pulling it behind the boat. This will allow the twist to straighten. After these steps are complete wind the line back onto the reel spool.
This Tip Brought to you by MidwestFishingTackle.net
First, when spooling the reel lay the new line spool on it side and rotate it if twisting occurs during the line installation. Once the reel is full find grassy area to completely stretch out the new line. Grassy areas will keep the line from getting nicks in it during this process. This can be done without assistance by placing the rod in a secure spot and walk the line out. Be sure to tie a good know to the spool so it stay attached when it reaches its limit. Next, lay the line on the ground and wind all of it back onto the spool, while allowing it to un-twist upon retrieval.
Second, remove terminal tackle or lures from the line and pull the line behind a boat. Allow all the line to be pulled off the reel spool and continue pulling it behind the boat. This will allow the twist to straighten. After these steps are complete wind the line back onto the reel spool.
This Tip Brought to you by MidwestFishingTackle.net
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Fishing Pomme De Terre Lake
Fishing Pomme De Terre Lake
By Marc Rogers
Pomme De Terre Lake is located in South Central Missouri approximately 50 miles north of Springfield Missouri. The impoundment is approximately 7,800 acres at normal pool with over 100 miles of shoreline. Pomme De Terre Lake was created in 1961 when the Army Corp of Engineers completed the dam on the Pomme De Terre River. A major tributary of the lake is Lindley Creek. The normal lake lever is 841 feet above mean sea level but water levels change as needed to control water flow below the dam. It is common to see lake levels from 838 to 852 feet with maximum flood levels of 874 feet above mean sea level. At the full flood control level the lakes expands to over 16,000 acres.
There are many homes and cabins built above the elevation of 879 feet because the Army Corp of Engineers owns the land below this level. However, there is little shoreline development due to fluctuating water levels. Several marinas operate on the lake offering fuel, boat rentals and food service. Floating private docks are allowed with permits required from the Army Corp of Engineers.
The shoreline consists of mostly forested land with irregular features. Shoreline is a mixture of gravel and clay with limestone cliffs and outcroppings in numerous areas. Large boulders and rocks are plentiful close to cliffs and sharp shoreline areas. Along the shoreline there is still standing timber present while the main lake was cleared during lake construction. Also, smaller creek arm coves have numerous areas of standing timber still left in the water. Limited areas of vegetation are present in some areas.
The water is generally clear in the main lake with murky conditions occurring in the upper ends of the river and creek arms during times of rainy conditions. It is not uncommon to see visibility in the main lake of 6 – 8 feet.
There are many local businesses providing services for lake visitors including restaurants, camping supplies, marine service and lodging. Clearlight Inn and Lake View Lodge (417-745-6485) provide ample boat parking and electrical hook-ups for visiting anglers. Both are located near Carson’s Corner with a store, fuel and restaurant located close by.
Pomme De Terre is home to numerous species of fish. The most popular game fish are the bass, crappie and muskie. Muskie stocking began in the lake in 1966 and has continued ever since. Many consider the lake the best muskie fishery in the Midwest. There are several muskie tournaments held each year on Pomme De Terre and a local Chapter of Muskies Inc. (Pomme De Terre Chapter) host most of these events. They have a website that is designed and maintained by the Regional Vice-President, Earle Hammond. The site address is http://www.missourimuskies.org. Earle is also a guide on Pomme De Terre specializing in muskie fishing. His muskie fishing guide service web address is http://www.pommemuskieguideservice.com.
Muskies do not reproduce naturally in the lake and require regular stocking for the fishery to produce trophy fish. Most of the muskie stocking in Missouri is done in Pomme De Terre but several other waters do receive limited stocking of muskie. In fact, the state record came from Lake of the Ozarks in 1981. Up until 1981 the records all came from Pomme De Terre. However, in 1967, 225 muskie were stocked in Lake of the Ozarks and few were ever caught. The state record came from this stocking and was 49 ½ inches long. It tipped the scales at 41 pounds 2 ounces.
Walleye have also been stocked in Pomme De Terre and they have developed a loyal following of anglers. Bass anglers catch most of the walleye accidentally. Walleye are the most active during night in the spring but many anglers drift jigs and live bait in an attempt to catching the walleye that lurk in the lake.
Bass fishing at Pomme De Terre is very popular among anglers. The lake is home to an abundant population of Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Small Mouth Bass. There are many bass tournaments held on the lake each year. From spring through fall an angler can find a tournament to compete in on most weekends. Several tournament circuits have monthly events on Pomme De Terre including Joe Bass Team Trail and Anglers in Action. It is not uncommon for the winning weights of these one-day events to push the scales to 20 pounds or more with a five bass limit.
Bass fishing is good year round for anglers on Pomme De Terre. The largest bass are generally taken in the spring when the females are in the pre-spawn to spawning stage. The largest bass I have taken from Pomme De Terre was just over 6 ½ pounds but there are many bigger ones swimming in the lake. There have been numerous tournaments when the big bass award was won with a fish over eight pounds.
Midwest Fishing Tackle Pro-Staff members Aaron and Alton Hunter are regulars on the lake. They compete in about 20 tournaments each year on Pomme De Terre. They report that spring is the best time to catch a trophy bass but the lake is a productive bass fishery year round. The father/son team has caught numerous trophy bass in Pomme De Terre and report “the best lure for the big bass is the All-Terrain Tackle, Football Jig”. Aaron says, “Jig fishing is a slower presentation but produces the bigger bite.” Alton reports “the textured head design of the All-Terrain Tackle Jigs allow me to feel the bottom better.”
When the bass are aggressive both prefer to fish soft plastic jerk baits like the Zoom Super Fluke. Their color of choice is watermelon and they dye the tail chartreuse. Aaron says, “An off-set worm hook is the best hook for this lure.” “I have tried all the styles of hooks available and this hook gives me better hook-set percentages than any. The most popular hooks are the wide gap style but these cause me to miss more bass because the lure fills the gap of the hook.” This duo once caught over 100 bass per day for two days straight presenting the Zoom Super Fluke in shallow water to aggressive male bass preparing for the spawn.
On an April weekend in 2008 Aaron and Alton won back-to-back tournament on a Saturday and Sunday. During the two days they caught three bass over seven pounds from the same submerged bush. During the two days their combined weights of five bass limits were pushing the 40-pound mark. All of these bass were taken on a football head jig from All-Terrain Tackle. Aaron said “we fish our jigs a little different than most anglers” but he would not elaborate with any further details.
When water temperatures break the 50-degree mark the two best choices for bass are a jig and jerk-bait. Anglers should present the jig slowly to entice bass to bite. As in most bodies of water the jig and trailer will generally produce larger fish. The second choice is a jerk-bait worked slowly beneath the surface. My favorite jerk-baits are the Lucky Craft Staysee 90 in shad colors and the Rapala X-Rap also in shad colors. The Staysee 90 will reach greater depths than the X-Rap and will suspend better in colder water. However, the X-Rap with two Storm Suspend Dots placed just behind the bill makes this lure very comparable to the Lucky Craft lure. Main lake and secondary points are always the first place I look for bass during these conditions.
When the water surface temperatures approach the 60-degree mark the smaller male bass will become very active near the shoreline cover. Again, jerk-baits and jigs will catch these fish. However, the larger females will most likely be found in 6 – 10 feet depths and crankbaits are the most productive. Crawdad colored crankbaits should be the first choice of anglers trying to catch a trophy bass under these conditions.
At approximately 65-degree surface temperatures the bass will start to migrate to the post-spawn areas of the lake. The larger females will be harder to catch during this time while the smaller males may still be abundant in the shallow waters guarding the nests and young fry. Shallow running crankbaits, plastic worms or lizards and top-water lures are productive on the male bass. The larger females can be taken on Carolina rigs and crankbaits running in the 6 – 12 feet deep range.
As summer approaches the bass will move to deeper water near the Thermocline (usually about 20 feet deep) and hold there until the lakes starts its fall turn-over. The larger bass are generally not taken in water less than 10 feet deep during the summer months on Pomme De Terre. There are times when top-water lures will bring them up from the depths during the summer. A slower moving top-water, like the Zara Spook or Pop-R, is my choice for top-water during the summer. The most productive summer time bass lure at Pomme De Terre is a large plastic worm. My choice for big plastic worms is the Gambler 13-inch Ribbon Tail worm.
Once the water temperatures begin to cool in late summer bass can be caught at almost any depth. Anglers are wise to watch for schools of shad on the surface and target the bass following them. Numerous bass can be taken on top-water baits while the bass are feeding on shad but the larger ones are generally located several feet below the shad while feeding. A deep running shad imitator is my lure of choice for the bigger bass during this time. A lipless crankbait is also a good choice for anglers.
As in most lakes in the Midwest the winter season is the least productive for bass fishing. The bass’ metabolism slows with the colder water and they require little food for survival. Winter lure choices should include slow moving baits like the jig and trailer. The presentation should be slow and at depths of 10 feet or greater. Also, a suspending jerk-bait presented very slowly can be productive for Pomme De Terre winter bass.
Pomme De Terre Lake is a great choice for bass anglers because it is located between two very popular lakes that receive most of the tourism and recreational boating traffic. Lake of the Ozarks to the Northeast and Table Rock to the South attract most of the recreational boating traffic. Pomme De Terre Lake is seldom crowded with boat traffic and this makes angling much easier.
Visit Midwest Fishing Tackle for tackle in this article and Bass Fishing Midwest for more news and articles
By Marc Rogers
Pomme De Terre Lake is located in South Central Missouri approximately 50 miles north of Springfield Missouri. The impoundment is approximately 7,800 acres at normal pool with over 100 miles of shoreline. Pomme De Terre Lake was created in 1961 when the Army Corp of Engineers completed the dam on the Pomme De Terre River. A major tributary of the lake is Lindley Creek. The normal lake lever is 841 feet above mean sea level but water levels change as needed to control water flow below the dam. It is common to see lake levels from 838 to 852 feet with maximum flood levels of 874 feet above mean sea level. At the full flood control level the lakes expands to over 16,000 acres.
There are many homes and cabins built above the elevation of 879 feet because the Army Corp of Engineers owns the land below this level. However, there is little shoreline development due to fluctuating water levels. Several marinas operate on the lake offering fuel, boat rentals and food service. Floating private docks are allowed with permits required from the Army Corp of Engineers.
The shoreline consists of mostly forested land with irregular features. Shoreline is a mixture of gravel and clay with limestone cliffs and outcroppings in numerous areas. Large boulders and rocks are plentiful close to cliffs and sharp shoreline areas. Along the shoreline there is still standing timber present while the main lake was cleared during lake construction. Also, smaller creek arm coves have numerous areas of standing timber still left in the water. Limited areas of vegetation are present in some areas.
The water is generally clear in the main lake with murky conditions occurring in the upper ends of the river and creek arms during times of rainy conditions. It is not uncommon to see visibility in the main lake of 6 – 8 feet.
There are many local businesses providing services for lake visitors including restaurants, camping supplies, marine service and lodging. Clearlight Inn and Lake View Lodge (417-745-6485) provide ample boat parking and electrical hook-ups for visiting anglers. Both are located near Carson’s Corner with a store, fuel and restaurant located close by.
Pomme De Terre is home to numerous species of fish. The most popular game fish are the bass, crappie and muskie. Muskie stocking began in the lake in 1966 and has continued ever since. Many consider the lake the best muskie fishery in the Midwest. There are several muskie tournaments held each year on Pomme De Terre and a local Chapter of Muskies Inc. (Pomme De Terre Chapter) host most of these events. They have a website that is designed and maintained by the Regional Vice-President, Earle Hammond. The site address is http://www.missourimuskies.org. Earle is also a guide on Pomme De Terre specializing in muskie fishing. His muskie fishing guide service web address is http://www.pommemuskieguideservice.com.
Muskies do not reproduce naturally in the lake and require regular stocking for the fishery to produce trophy fish. Most of the muskie stocking in Missouri is done in Pomme De Terre but several other waters do receive limited stocking of muskie. In fact, the state record came from Lake of the Ozarks in 1981. Up until 1981 the records all came from Pomme De Terre. However, in 1967, 225 muskie were stocked in Lake of the Ozarks and few were ever caught. The state record came from this stocking and was 49 ½ inches long. It tipped the scales at 41 pounds 2 ounces.
Walleye have also been stocked in Pomme De Terre and they have developed a loyal following of anglers. Bass anglers catch most of the walleye accidentally. Walleye are the most active during night in the spring but many anglers drift jigs and live bait in an attempt to catching the walleye that lurk in the lake.
Bass fishing at Pomme De Terre is very popular among anglers. The lake is home to an abundant population of Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Small Mouth Bass. There are many bass tournaments held on the lake each year. From spring through fall an angler can find a tournament to compete in on most weekends. Several tournament circuits have monthly events on Pomme De Terre including Joe Bass Team Trail and Anglers in Action. It is not uncommon for the winning weights of these one-day events to push the scales to 20 pounds or more with a five bass limit.
Bass fishing is good year round for anglers on Pomme De Terre. The largest bass are generally taken in the spring when the females are in the pre-spawn to spawning stage. The largest bass I have taken from Pomme De Terre was just over 6 ½ pounds but there are many bigger ones swimming in the lake. There have been numerous tournaments when the big bass award was won with a fish over eight pounds.
Midwest Fishing Tackle Pro-Staff members Aaron and Alton Hunter are regulars on the lake. They compete in about 20 tournaments each year on Pomme De Terre. They report that spring is the best time to catch a trophy bass but the lake is a productive bass fishery year round. The father/son team has caught numerous trophy bass in Pomme De Terre and report “the best lure for the big bass is the All-Terrain Tackle, Football Jig”. Aaron says, “Jig fishing is a slower presentation but produces the bigger bite.” Alton reports “the textured head design of the All-Terrain Tackle Jigs allow me to feel the bottom better.”
When the bass are aggressive both prefer to fish soft plastic jerk baits like the Zoom Super Fluke. Their color of choice is watermelon and they dye the tail chartreuse. Aaron says, “An off-set worm hook is the best hook for this lure.” “I have tried all the styles of hooks available and this hook gives me better hook-set percentages than any. The most popular hooks are the wide gap style but these cause me to miss more bass because the lure fills the gap of the hook.” This duo once caught over 100 bass per day for two days straight presenting the Zoom Super Fluke in shallow water to aggressive male bass preparing for the spawn.
On an April weekend in 2008 Aaron and Alton won back-to-back tournament on a Saturday and Sunday. During the two days they caught three bass over seven pounds from the same submerged bush. During the two days their combined weights of five bass limits were pushing the 40-pound mark. All of these bass were taken on a football head jig from All-Terrain Tackle. Aaron said “we fish our jigs a little different than most anglers” but he would not elaborate with any further details.
When water temperatures break the 50-degree mark the two best choices for bass are a jig and jerk-bait. Anglers should present the jig slowly to entice bass to bite. As in most bodies of water the jig and trailer will generally produce larger fish. The second choice is a jerk-bait worked slowly beneath the surface. My favorite jerk-baits are the Lucky Craft Staysee 90 in shad colors and the Rapala X-Rap also in shad colors. The Staysee 90 will reach greater depths than the X-Rap and will suspend better in colder water. However, the X-Rap with two Storm Suspend Dots placed just behind the bill makes this lure very comparable to the Lucky Craft lure. Main lake and secondary points are always the first place I look for bass during these conditions.
When the water surface temperatures approach the 60-degree mark the smaller male bass will become very active near the shoreline cover. Again, jerk-baits and jigs will catch these fish. However, the larger females will most likely be found in 6 – 10 feet depths and crankbaits are the most productive. Crawdad colored crankbaits should be the first choice of anglers trying to catch a trophy bass under these conditions.
At approximately 65-degree surface temperatures the bass will start to migrate to the post-spawn areas of the lake. The larger females will be harder to catch during this time while the smaller males may still be abundant in the shallow waters guarding the nests and young fry. Shallow running crankbaits, plastic worms or lizards and top-water lures are productive on the male bass. The larger females can be taken on Carolina rigs and crankbaits running in the 6 – 12 feet deep range.
As summer approaches the bass will move to deeper water near the Thermocline (usually about 20 feet deep) and hold there until the lakes starts its fall turn-over. The larger bass are generally not taken in water less than 10 feet deep during the summer months on Pomme De Terre. There are times when top-water lures will bring them up from the depths during the summer. A slower moving top-water, like the Zara Spook or Pop-R, is my choice for top-water during the summer. The most productive summer time bass lure at Pomme De Terre is a large plastic worm. My choice for big plastic worms is the Gambler 13-inch Ribbon Tail worm.
Once the water temperatures begin to cool in late summer bass can be caught at almost any depth. Anglers are wise to watch for schools of shad on the surface and target the bass following them. Numerous bass can be taken on top-water baits while the bass are feeding on shad but the larger ones are generally located several feet below the shad while feeding. A deep running shad imitator is my lure of choice for the bigger bass during this time. A lipless crankbait is also a good choice for anglers.
As in most lakes in the Midwest the winter season is the least productive for bass fishing. The bass’ metabolism slows with the colder water and they require little food for survival. Winter lure choices should include slow moving baits like the jig and trailer. The presentation should be slow and at depths of 10 feet or greater. Also, a suspending jerk-bait presented very slowly can be productive for Pomme De Terre winter bass.
Pomme De Terre Lake is a great choice for bass anglers because it is located between two very popular lakes that receive most of the tourism and recreational boating traffic. Lake of the Ozarks to the Northeast and Table Rock to the South attract most of the recreational boating traffic. Pomme De Terre Lake is seldom crowded with boat traffic and this makes angling much easier.
Visit Midwest Fishing Tackle for tackle in this article and Bass Fishing Midwest for more news and articles
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Plastic Worm Basics
Many anglers feel the plastic worm is the most versatile lure available. It can be fished from top to bottom and all depths in between. Plastic worms can be rigged weed-less, with an exposed hook and with or without any weight added. There are countless styles of plastic worms from straight bodies and tails to ribbon style tails for more action. The five major techniques of fishing plastic worms are Texas rig, Carolina rig, Split Shot rig, Shaky Head (fished with a jig head) and floating (top-water).
The Texas rig is generally the most used among anglers. It is a bottom bouncing presentation and can be worked at varying speeds. The rig consists of a hook, sinker and worm. There are special sinkers made for this technique which is bullet shaped and slide on the line above the hook and worm. The rig is fairly inexpensive for the basic components. However, there are specially made sinkers and hooks that do cost more than the basic set-up.
The Texas rig with a bullet slip sinker is great for most applications. However, if the angler wants to present the worm in heavy grass or timber a sinker that is pegged to the top of the worm head is best. This allows the sinker to stay in contact with the worm so the whole rig will fall together. If the sinker isn’t pegged many times the sinker will fall while leaving the hook and worm above the grass or over a tree limb.
There are two popular ways of keeping the sinker attached to the head of the worm. The first is to use a toothpick and insert the point into the hole of sinker “pegging” the link to the sinker. The sinker is then pushed securely against the head of the worm where it will stay. The disadvantage of this technique is it can cause line damage, thus weakening the line.
The alternative to this approach is use a screw in type sinker. This is often called the Florida Rig (Gambler Lures was the first to produce this type of sinker) where the sinker has a small spring molded into the bottom of a bullet sinker. The line slips through the sinker just as the regular slip sinker and then the sinker is screwed onto the head of the worm to secure the whole rig together. There must be about one quarter inch of the worm head above the eye of the hook for this rig to work properly. The disadvantage of the Florida Rig is it causes the head of the worm to be torn up more often due to the spring being inserted into the worm. An angler may go through a few more worms in a day but I feel the advantage is greatly worth the additional cost of a few worms. I use this rig exclusively when fishing the Texas rig worm.
The Carolina rig is a great way to present most any plastic lure and is very similar to the Texas rig at the hook. The difference is in the way the weight is attached to the line. With the Carolina rig the plastic worm (lizards are also a very popular plastic lure with this technique) is attached to the hook the same as the Texas rig. The angler then uses a leader of varying lengths (commonly from 12 inches to 48 inches) and ties it to a barrel swivel. The sinker is slid onto the main line (the line from the reel spool) and ties the other end of the swivel to the main line. The most common sinker for this application is an egg sinker of one quarter to one ounce in weight. My personal choice is generally a three quarter ounce sinker but I will change weights when conditions require. Also, I generally use a 48-inch leader when using this technique.
The Carolina rig is a great way to present soft plastic lures in deep water while allowing for a faster retrieve. The slowest presentation requires the angler to simply drag the sinker along the bottom, which allows the lure to sway behind. Many times the sinker dragging on the bottom will get the fish’s attention and the lure will cause the bites. The sinker kicks up silt from the bottom similar to the way a crawdad does while looking for food or escaping from prey.
If the fish seem to be active and willing to hit a faster moving lure I will use a retrieve where I lift the sinker off the bottom and allow it to fall on a tight line. The tight line is necessary to be able to detect strike when they occur. This retrieve allows me to cover more water and still have the advantage of the plastic worm. It can be worked much faster than a Texas rig worm.
A plastic worm can also be used with a split shot technique. This technique is a modified Carolina rig in that the swivel isn’t commonly used. Also, it is used when smaller plastic worms are called for with light line. It is a plastic worm rigged just like the Texas rig worm and the weight is added above the lure using a split shot sinker. There are now available some slip sinkers that resemble a tube shape and can be pegged at varying lengths above the lure and hook. The pegging can be done with a tooth pick or a special tool similar to a needle thread tool that allow the angler to pull some rubber skirt material through the sinker hole. The advantage to this is the angler can later adjust the length of line between the lure and the sinker.
In recent years the Shaky Head worm presentation has become popular. It is, for the most part, a new style of finesse fishing. However, this technique can be used with heavier equipment as well. Shaky worms are generally a straight worm from four to seven inches long with the most common length about five inches. This approach is a worm on a jig head made especially for the presentation. There are several styles of shaky head jig ranging from football shaped heads to round heads. There is some type of attachment point on the jig head for the head of the worm to attach while the hook point is inserted into the body of the worm to keep it from hanging up on rocks and cover. When using the shaky head presentation the Gambler Giggy Head is my choice due to the worm easily coming loose from the head during the hook set. When the worm comes loose it has less chance of covering the hook point and preventing a good hook set.
The floating worm is a great technique to fish with a top-water approach. Floating worms are nothing more than a worm and a hook usually fished on light line. Some anglers do add a swivel in front of the worm to avoid line twist as the worms does cause this during the retrieve. To avoid line twist while not using a swivel it is best to rig the worm so it lies straight with either an exposed hook or the point inserted into the worm body like a Texas rig.
There are many manufacturers of floating worms and some are made of material that is similar to closed-cell foam. Choose worms made for this technique as they will be the most buoyant and stay on the top of the water. Retrieve speed can be adjusted as needed but I always start with a slow retrieve and change it to a faster retrieve if the fish appear to be more active.
When choosing colors of plastic worms a good approach is for dirty water start with a dark color worm. In clear water an angler should use a lighter color similar to the natural forage. When fishing at night a long (ten inches or longer) worm is a great choice in dark colors. As with all fishing don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and styles of worms. Let the fish tell you what they are most interested in with the current conditions.
Copyright 2008, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved
Midwest Fishing Tackle
The Texas rig is generally the most used among anglers. It is a bottom bouncing presentation and can be worked at varying speeds. The rig consists of a hook, sinker and worm. There are special sinkers made for this technique which is bullet shaped and slide on the line above the hook and worm. The rig is fairly inexpensive for the basic components. However, there are specially made sinkers and hooks that do cost more than the basic set-up.
The Texas rig with a bullet slip sinker is great for most applications. However, if the angler wants to present the worm in heavy grass or timber a sinker that is pegged to the top of the worm head is best. This allows the sinker to stay in contact with the worm so the whole rig will fall together. If the sinker isn’t pegged many times the sinker will fall while leaving the hook and worm above the grass or over a tree limb.
There are two popular ways of keeping the sinker attached to the head of the worm. The first is to use a toothpick and insert the point into the hole of sinker “pegging” the link to the sinker. The sinker is then pushed securely against the head of the worm where it will stay. The disadvantage of this technique is it can cause line damage, thus weakening the line.
The alternative to this approach is use a screw in type sinker. This is often called the Florida Rig (Gambler Lures was the first to produce this type of sinker) where the sinker has a small spring molded into the bottom of a bullet sinker. The line slips through the sinker just as the regular slip sinker and then the sinker is screwed onto the head of the worm to secure the whole rig together. There must be about one quarter inch of the worm head above the eye of the hook for this rig to work properly. The disadvantage of the Florida Rig is it causes the head of the worm to be torn up more often due to the spring being inserted into the worm. An angler may go through a few more worms in a day but I feel the advantage is greatly worth the additional cost of a few worms. I use this rig exclusively when fishing the Texas rig worm.
The Carolina rig is a great way to present most any plastic lure and is very similar to the Texas rig at the hook. The difference is in the way the weight is attached to the line. With the Carolina rig the plastic worm (lizards are also a very popular plastic lure with this technique) is attached to the hook the same as the Texas rig. The angler then uses a leader of varying lengths (commonly from 12 inches to 48 inches) and ties it to a barrel swivel. The sinker is slid onto the main line (the line from the reel spool) and ties the other end of the swivel to the main line. The most common sinker for this application is an egg sinker of one quarter to one ounce in weight. My personal choice is generally a three quarter ounce sinker but I will change weights when conditions require. Also, I generally use a 48-inch leader when using this technique.
The Carolina rig is a great way to present soft plastic lures in deep water while allowing for a faster retrieve. The slowest presentation requires the angler to simply drag the sinker along the bottom, which allows the lure to sway behind. Many times the sinker dragging on the bottom will get the fish’s attention and the lure will cause the bites. The sinker kicks up silt from the bottom similar to the way a crawdad does while looking for food or escaping from prey.
If the fish seem to be active and willing to hit a faster moving lure I will use a retrieve where I lift the sinker off the bottom and allow it to fall on a tight line. The tight line is necessary to be able to detect strike when they occur. This retrieve allows me to cover more water and still have the advantage of the plastic worm. It can be worked much faster than a Texas rig worm.
A plastic worm can also be used with a split shot technique. This technique is a modified Carolina rig in that the swivel isn’t commonly used. Also, it is used when smaller plastic worms are called for with light line. It is a plastic worm rigged just like the Texas rig worm and the weight is added above the lure using a split shot sinker. There are now available some slip sinkers that resemble a tube shape and can be pegged at varying lengths above the lure and hook. The pegging can be done with a tooth pick or a special tool similar to a needle thread tool that allow the angler to pull some rubber skirt material through the sinker hole. The advantage to this is the angler can later adjust the length of line between the lure and the sinker.
In recent years the Shaky Head worm presentation has become popular. It is, for the most part, a new style of finesse fishing. However, this technique can be used with heavier equipment as well. Shaky worms are generally a straight worm from four to seven inches long with the most common length about five inches. This approach is a worm on a jig head made especially for the presentation. There are several styles of shaky head jig ranging from football shaped heads to round heads. There is some type of attachment point on the jig head for the head of the worm to attach while the hook point is inserted into the body of the worm to keep it from hanging up on rocks and cover. When using the shaky head presentation the Gambler Giggy Head is my choice due to the worm easily coming loose from the head during the hook set. When the worm comes loose it has less chance of covering the hook point and preventing a good hook set.
The floating worm is a great technique to fish with a top-water approach. Floating worms are nothing more than a worm and a hook usually fished on light line. Some anglers do add a swivel in front of the worm to avoid line twist as the worms does cause this during the retrieve. To avoid line twist while not using a swivel it is best to rig the worm so it lies straight with either an exposed hook or the point inserted into the worm body like a Texas rig.
There are many manufacturers of floating worms and some are made of material that is similar to closed-cell foam. Choose worms made for this technique as they will be the most buoyant and stay on the top of the water. Retrieve speed can be adjusted as needed but I always start with a slow retrieve and change it to a faster retrieve if the fish appear to be more active.
When choosing colors of plastic worms a good approach is for dirty water start with a dark color worm. In clear water an angler should use a lighter color similar to the natural forage. When fishing at night a long (ten inches or longer) worm is a great choice in dark colors. As with all fishing don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and styles of worms. Let the fish tell you what they are most interested in with the current conditions.
Copyright 2008, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved
Midwest Fishing Tackle
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Fishing Buddies
The Making of Life-Long Fishing Buddies
At the age of ten years old a young boy didn’t realize he was developing a relationship that would last a lifetime. He visited the home of a man who would become a life-long fishing partner while on a family vacation. The visit took place in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia in 1974.
The boy already had shown a strong interest in the outdoors while especially enjoying fishing. He had regularly fished in a small creek near his home happy to catch anything that would bite. Panfish and catfish were the most common catch in this small body of water that most adults could have stepped across in many places.
Fishing equipment wasn’t important as a tree limb and short piece of line were many times his only option. A regular fishing hook was great to have but at times a safety pin had to do. If a bobber was needed his mother would tie a short piece of tree limb to the line several inches above the “hook” for a strike indicator. It was a simple but effective way to catch the eager fish in the small creek.
The man who later became his fishing partner also started fishing with similar equipment about 30 years earlier. He grew up near the shores of the Mississippi River in Southeast Missouri during a time of what many later called rough times. He later joined the United States Air Force and it is rumored he lied about his age as he was too young to have joined. He served his country stationed in New York where he met his wife of over forty years. They moved to Atlanta and called it home for many years where they raised a family together.
The young boy also grew up in the same area of Southeast Missouri while he developed his love of fishing much the same way. On this vacation his family was in route to Florida for a vacation and stopped in to visit the boy’s uncle in Atlanta where the two talked about fishing.
They stayed with his uncle for a couple of days and went fishing together at a local “pay-by-the-pound” trout pond. The young man had such a great time they planned another trip together that was to take place soon. It just so happened the boy’s uncle visited his home in Missouri where the subdivision had a two acre pond and they spent much of the time together on the shore of this pond.
They fished for anything that would accommodate them and enjoyed the time together. The following spring the boy once again visited Atlanta for another trip. However, this time it wasn’t a family vacation. The boy flew to Atlanta alone where his uncle picked him up at the airport gate. They spent time fishing all over the states of Georgia and Alabama together for a whole week.
These annual trips continued for the next several years until the young man was old enough to drive. From that day forward he drove to Atlanta often times taking a friend to fish with his favorite uncle. They would fish any body of water they thought fish might hide.
One memorable trip was to Warm Springs, Georgia where the boy’s uncle had a friend who loaned them a place to stay on a private lake about 60 acres in size. Every trip was an adventure and this one was no exception.
When they arrived at the lake they made a temporary home in a borrowed mobile home on the shores of the lake. The place hadn’t been used in several years and was full of many insects that had also called the place home before their death. Needless to say there were dead bugs everywhere. However, eager to catch some of the big southern large-mouth bass rumored to lurk in the waters, there was no time to do much housekeeping.
They set out in a borrowed johnboat and an electric motor attached to the back. The two could not have been happier spending time together and sharing a boat. Many fish were caught that day and the boy caught his first large-mouth over seven pounds.
When not fishing together the two of them were talking about prior trips and those to come. During the years they fished together from Mark Twain Lake in Northeast Missouri to Lake Okeechobee in Florida and many places in between.
When this friendship began the “old-man” was teaching the young boy about fishing. However, due to these early lessons the young man became much better at fishing and was able to teach his uncle a few things as well. The pair has enjoyed many days on the water together over the last 35 years. They don’t get to fish much together anymore but not a fishing trip goes by that the boy’s uncle isn’t remembered to some degree.
Many stories are told about when the two shared the water together. The boy is now a grown man with a two sons of his own. He takes them fishing every chance they get and passes along the lessons he learned from his uncle. The stories are shared of the “old times” with his uncle and all the big fish they caught together. I know for sure the “boy” has been heard to say that this uncle has had the most influence on his fishing over the years. He always refers to him as his “favorite uncle” and this was no doubt because of the time they spent together on the water.
This story has been written for two reasons. To honor the man who spent much time developing the love of the outdoors and fishing of a young man and to encourage others to take a child fishing. Doing so can form a bond that will last a lifetime.
Special note: This story was inspired by the relationship I had with my mother’s brother. I owe a special thank you to my Uncle Larry for his fishing lessons over the years. While we lived over 600 miles apart he always made time to take me fishing.
Copyright 2008, Marc Rogers, all rights reserved.
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