We’ve touched on some of the most recent science concerning fishing for bedders before, and by and large, for most of the lakes throughout the country, the studies suggest it’s likely not an issue, at least for largemouth and spotted bass. The spawn is getting into full swing in many areas already, thanks to the warmer than normal year many of us are experiencing. As such, many of the recent tourneys have been won sight fishing, or that particular technique has played a big part for some of the top finishers. This week’s FLW Tour Major over on Table Rock Lake was no different.
Now, I’m no pro angler, but I also haven’t been locked in the proverbial fishing closet, either. I know about most of the bed fishing techniques, even to the point of running your bait over a bass, and/or getting your line to bump him and get him ticked off enough to take a swipe at your bait. Jay even recently posted a J. Todd Tucker piece of bed fishing wisdom in case you missed it. All fine and good. But my jaw about dropped when I listened to Ish Monroe on stage during the day 2 weigh-in talking about one particular fish he was trying to catch. Perhaps you were watching the live weigh-in show, too?
This 2.5 pound fish was locked on a bed and not going anywhere, but it sounds like all the usual bed fishing trickery wasn’t working. So as I understood it, Ish takes his 8′ rod and starts poking the fish, rolling it over on it’s side a couple times until it finally got ticked enough to eat his bait. Tactic worked – but I couldn’t believe he said that on stage. Never heard that one before; don’t know how common it is; can’t say I’d have ever have even thought of doing it in a million years.
Did I actually hear what I thought I heard? Am I the only one a bit surprised by this tactic? Any other “off-the-wall” techniques you’ve heard of?
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BryanT
April 2, 2012 at 8:23 am
I had a smallie up on Sturgeon Bay head but and nip at the trolling motor trying to tell to me to get out of his yard. At least I think that is what he is trying to say. So yeah, I believe it. Fish do weird things this time of the year. If you can find a fish locked on enough to hit it with an 8′ pole, go for it.
Flip'N'Pitch
April 2, 2012 at 8:24 am
Ewww, yeah, I agree that may have been better left unsaid and probably won’t go unnoticed by the “Powers that Be”. Under the category of “Tackle and Equipment”, the Elite Series rules state among other things that “…All bass must be caught live and in a conventional sporting manner…”. It then goes on to talk about snatching and snagging and “no foul hooking” visible bass. So his 8′ rod is right at the rules limit and he admits to physically agitating/harassing/assaulting a bass with it. More importantly, a bass that he self admittedly would not have been able to catch either as quickly or at all. When some competitors spend multiple hours working a single fish then the concept of being at a “competitive disadvantage” gets dusted off after such an admission. Time will tell if new rules are added next year.
Tumblebug
April 2, 2012 at 10:24 am
Yeah, I think it may not be long before we have an Ish rule.
Jeff Hahn
April 3, 2012 at 7:22 am
As far as I know, there’s no rule against poking a fish to irritate them into biting, unless this is interpreted as falling under an “unsporting” method of catching a bass. I commend Ish for thinking outside the box. But, somehow this method rubs me the wrong way. To me, this is kinda like a pro golfer using his club to improve his lie before hitting a shot. On the other hand, the last thing we need is more rules.
Flip'N'Pitch
April 3, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Sure, if it’s just regular dudes such as ourselves fishing for fun then it’s no issue at all from my perspective. It would only be an issue if Trip Weldon (Elite Series Tournament Director) made it one with respect to the high standards of competition and skill expected of the top tournament series of B.A.S.S. For example, they don’t allow dip nets except for culling. Although, the state of Florida does not allow sportfish to be gigged, noodled, or physically harassed in addition to the usual illegal methods such as “telephoning”, dynamite, etc. So they might possibly have something to say about Ish’s tactics as well but I doubt it. Sort of like in California where no “foul hooking” is allowed at all, whether the fish was visible beforehand or not.
Jeff
April 3, 2012 at 12:15 pm
After hearing his rant about Kevin Worth a few weeks ago, I lost all respect for Ish Monroe. I won’t be buying any lures or tackle with Ish’s name on it for certain. I don’t see this as being sporting so I am not surprised to hear Ish did the deed. Hopefully a rule will be forthcoming to address this unsporting method.
MattBass
April 3, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Troubling, indeed.