Hello, Anglers. If we are going to get much fishing time in before Santa, we had better get started. There are those who are doing just that as many local anglers were fishing tournaments last weekend on area lakes and rivers. The weather was cold but winds were moderate allowing anglers to move around to desired areas to fish. Even though there were anglers who located and caught bass, numerous tournament teams struggled to put together a decent tournament weight and some were not able to catch a legal bass.
High barometric pressure and falling water temps did make the bass sluggish. In any competitive sport there are always winners and losers.Wise winners do not gloat while in the moment of success and losers should learn from mistakes and consider what they might have done differently. Competition inspires us to do better and is at the basis of what drives most American citizens. As a people, may we never back away from efforts to excel and refine our crafts. Whether it's in a fishing tournament, football game or in a business venture, sometimes getting your rump kicked can be the best thing that can happen. Let's get back in the boat! We'll get'emnext time.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS: I get multiple requests from readers about gift ideas for anglers. My number one suggestion would be a Revo reel from Abu Garcia reels. The Revo Series has been on the market almost two years and has been highly sought out by anglers. I have been using Revos in 90% of my fishing situations for almost 20 months and have not had one failure. New models for 2009 are also available including a low speed model for crankbaits, Revo Winch, which has a 5.4:1 gear ratio.
Other models have 6.4:1 and 7.1:1 ratios. A good, all around Revo would be those with a 6.4:1 gear ratio such as a Revo S ($109 retail) or Revo SX ($159 retail). A saltwater version is also available (Revo Inshore/$229). If your fishermen have all the tackle they need, consider one of our Holiday Gift Certificates for a guided fishing trip. E-mail or call us for details
LAKE CONDITIONS: Toledo's level stands at 168.08 feet with one unit running 2 hours per day from 6 to 8 a.m. weekdays. Surface temperatures are running from 59 to 62 degrees. Most all of the lake has excellent water conditions. The lake is beautiful with a large amounts of waterfowl everywhere with ducks, pelicans and loons. Bald eagles are becoming more and more numerous with sightings every day.
One morning last week we saw six in one area and three of them were together. Indescribable! FISHING REPORTS/BASS: Multiple fishing patterns continue to be the norm and those play out according to weather conditions. In moderate weather conditions, with a stable or slightly falling barometer, patterns can be a little more aggressive where baits fished on top and around grass can be successful. Stanley's Wedge spinnerbait in white/chartruse is a great tool to work through the grass.
Sometimes, as water temps fall, the presentation needs to be slowed down somewhat in order to get the bass to bite. Anglers need to experiment with how fast to fish the spinnerbait and let the bass show you how they want it. It can be a very slow-roll approach or they may want it waked (fast) over the grass. When bass are active, lipless crankbaits such as (Berkley) Frenzy Rattl'r or Rat-L-Trap (Bill Lewis) work great around grass-lines in 2 to 10 feet. Mid-diving crankbaits such as Berkley's Frenzy and DLN (Norman's Deep Little N) also are super worked on outside of grass.
If bass will not hit these moving baits, anglers should consider slowing down with a jig n pig or Texas Rigged soft plastic such as a Power Craw or Brush Hog and work these along the edge of the grass. The third is the deep pattern with deep diving crankbaits (DD22s), football jigs and Carolina rigs from 15 to 25 feet. Even deeper, 25 to 40 feet, there are bass that can be caught on a jigging spoon and drop shot.