| One of the first things you need to know | | | | stronger line for most of my bass |
| or at least understand is that you will | | | | fishing, even in ultra clear water |
| have slow days on any body of water at | | | | situations. Many of my former students |
| just about any given time. This means | | | | have learned real quick that a 17lb. |
| that just because you may learn | | | | test clear transparent mono line will |
| different patterns & techniques for | | | | catch just as many bass in clear water |
| catching big bass that will work great | | | | as a 6 or 8lb. test will. With the right |
| for you one day don't necessarily mean | | | | equipment I will use 14lb. test clear |
| that they will work the same the next. | | | | transparent mono line (the smallest |
| This could happen for many different | | | | pound test line I will use for bass |
| reasons, but mostly because of the | | | | fishing) for my cranking rod, 17lb. test |
| changing daily conditions such as rain, | | | | clear transparent mono line for just |
| wind, clouds, pressure fronts, clear sky | | | | about everything else except for 20 and |
| situations, water temperatures, just for | | | | 25lb. test which I use for my Jig & Pig |
| an example. I teach a 3-Day Bass Fishing | | | | combos, Carolina Rigs, and some Texas |
| School which is located in upstate New | | | | Rigged baits. |
| York on Lake Champlain and Lake George | | | | Now, here are some of my favorite |
| which are two totally different bodies | | | | TOP-WATER "Big Bass" baits that I |
| of water. Lake George is a ultra clear | | | | strongly recommend to try. |
| lake when on a sunny day you can see the | | | | 1. A "full size" Zara Spook 2. A Buzz |
| bottom in 20' + depths. This lake offers | | | | Bait 3. A "Soft" jerk bait 4. A Torpedo |
| deep bluff type fishing, weedy areas, | | | | (Prop-Bait) 5. A large 6" Gitzit (or |
| many rock areas, different structures in | | | | tube bait) These baits have caught more |
| shallow and deep water, it contains many | | | | larger bass for me and my students and |
| docks, sunken ship structures, and there | | | | charter clients than most top water |
| are some areas you can even find | | | | baits on todays market. |
| current. Lake George is full of | | | | These other baits would be SUB-SURFACE |
| Smallmouth and Largemouth bass and any | | | | "Big Bass" baits that I would use should |
| angler can catch bass in numbers if they | | | | be worked under the waters surface: 1. A |
| know what they are looking for and the | | | | Jig & Pig combo (a jig can be used with |
| "how-to's" of catching them. Many | | | | several different types of trailers) my |
| anglers that I've talked with concerning | | | | personal favorite trailers would be |
| a lake such as this are not sure how to | | | | either a plastic pork chunk or a 4" twin |
| fish it, especially with the lake having | | | | tailed Hula Grub. |
| the ultra gin clear water it offers. | | | | 2. A Carolina Rig (rigging this rig |
| Now, on the other hand Lake Champlain | | | | properly is just as important as what |
| offers just about any type of scenario | | | | type of bait you would use with it.) My |
| an angler could think of as far as bass | | | | 2 favorite baits I usually use with this |
| fishing techniques go. You can find all | | | | rig would be a 6 inch Lizard and a 4" |
| these things that are offered in Lake | | | | Gitzit (or tube bait) 3. A Texas Rigged |
| George in Lake Champlain and much more | | | | twin tailed Hula Grub or a 4" plastic |
| such as; shallow and deep water areas, | | | | Crawl. |
| muddy, semi stained, stained, or clear | | | | I certainly would use these baits |
| water color situations, shallow and deep | | | | anywhere in the world to catch bass |
| thin to thick vegetation areas, | | | | because they have proven themselves time |
| fall-downs, drop-offs, rocky areas, bull | | | | after time to catch the more quality and |
| rush and lily pad areas, channels, | | | | heavier bass. I had a student last |
| rip-rap areas, different bottom | | | | season from Arizona who attended my |
| contours, chestnut weeds (or grass), | | | | 3-Day Bass Fishing School, and this |
| narrow and wide open waters, water | | | | certain fellow had been bass fishing for |
| current, docks, Etc...(truly an anglers | | | | over 10 years. |
| paradise.) Now, the reason I am | | | | He told me before he enrolled in my |
| explaining this is because between these | | | | school that he fished for bass just |
| two lakes, there probably isn't any body | | | | about everywhere in the nation (he's |
| of water in the USA that won't offer at | | | | retired) but he never caught over a 3 1 |
| least some types of these areas except | | | | 2 pound bass. After spending three days |
| for tidal situations. Lake Champlain has | | | | with him, teaching him things he had |
| an over abundance of Largemouth and | | | | never tried, seen, or didn't know how to |
| Smallmouth bass within it. I would | | | | present, he caught 5 bass over 4 pounds |
| definately rank both of these lakes in | | | | in one day! Then, a few weeks later I |
| the top-10 of the bass fishing lakes in | | | | got a e-mail from him letting me know |
| the nation. | | | | that he won his first bass tournament |
| Next, I would like to explain one more | | | | ever, and with a field of over 75 boats, |
| thing before we get started with some of | | | | and, using some of the techniques and |
| the "Bigger Bass" type baits. Although I | | | | baits that he was taught at my 3-day |
| will mention a few of the types of baits | | | | school. |
| that I use as well as teach my students | | | | I'm telling ya, these baits mentioned |
| and charter clients with, I am very | | | | really work! Even when I travel out of |
| sorry but I really can't mention the | | | | state to teach seminars and demonstrate |
| brand or the company that manufactures | | | | baits for bass clubs I will definately |
| these types of baits because of | | | | have these baits with me. |
| conflicts of interest with many | | | | I love to see the look on women, men, |
| sponsored sites, but, I can inform you | | | | boys, and girls faces when they hook |
| of this information by contacting me by | | | | into a bass. It makes it worth it all |
| e-mail, letter, or phone. I have several | | | | just watching people have fun and the |
| sponsors that supply all my baits and | | | | excitement they experience is second to |
| equipment that I use and they all make a | | | | none!..... I hope that this information |
| superior product, that's why I use them | | | | will help many of you beginners, |
| for teaching, chartering, and personal | | | | novices, and even some of the pros by |
| use! "they get results." Now, let's get | | | | trying some of these baits. Sometimes |
| on with it! First, you want to make sure | | | | you may not get as many strikes with |
| you have the proper equipment to use | | | | these baits I mentioned as you would |
| with some of these baits such as rods | | | | with different baits, but when you do |
| (the right size, action, and stregnth), | | | | it's usually a more quality and "Bigger |
| reels (the right speed and style), line, | | | | Bass." |
| weights, colors, Etc. I personally use a | | | | |