Two young adults of summer job age = one takes the tow vehicle every day. Here's my feelings about it every time I have a couple hours to fish – the struggle's real yo! 😁
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Reminder: If your email program cuts off the bottom of this email, click "View this email in your browser" up top to see the whole thing. Sorry bout that – email programs keep changing stuff.
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Is it instincts vs electronics? Or are electronics bringing out new instincts?
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> Remember that my fishing background includes a lot of spearfishing growing up on the island of Oahu. ...the only technology I employed was a dive computer that told me the length of the dive and the depth. Other than that, I was left to my instincts, and I think that's a big part of what helped my bass fishing career progress so quickly. I worked on the instincts first and the technological part later.
> It's what impresses me so much about John Cox, who goes out there and keeps it simple, yet doesn't take a backseat to anyone. That's because he knows what he does well, and he has acutely developed instincts for finding and catching fish.
[For the record, John has never said he knows what he's doing...lol just messin' John! 😁]
> Unfortunately, when young kids see us on TV, they immediately gravitate to the technological side of things. It makes sense – most of them were effectively born with an iPhone or iPad glued into their hands. That's where they're comfortable. Nevertheless, it still freaks me out when a high school kid comes up and asks about my contrast settings or my distance settings right out of the gate.
> Many of these kids are privileged to have access to tools like forward facing sonar and they're determined to use it, but I'm not sure that's the best path forward for them.
> Bass have an incredible predatory sense, and especially when you're hunting giants with big baits they can sense the sound of the electronics. I don't want to have the electronics on if I don't have to.
> At Chickamauga I turned off my graphs, used the force and sacked a 26-lb bag. That made me feel like everything I'd done since I was 2 years old, holding my bamboo pole with one hand and my dad's pants leg with the other....
2cs:
- Matty hates fish because he used to shoot 'em? Maybe it's just some fish...😁
- He has memories from when he's 2?? Shoot I can't remember what happened last week!
Lol okay:
- In a way it IS electronics vs instincts – BUT some guys are developing instincts with and from electronics. I mean, if that's how you learn how to fish and/or spend a bunch o' time fishing that way, of course you'll develop instincts based on 'em. Pretty sure I've already seen it.
- The question some folks have – "But can they catch 'em without electronics?" – might never matter. That's like asking, "Can they drive a stick?"
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Aka the man who fishes more than any 10 peeps. Is he okay? Is he OCD? Is he using Mike Iaconelli's cloning machine?? Let's find out:
1. What's harder to catch, bass or a conch?
> [Laughs] Oh man, I'll probably say a bass, no doubt, but it depends on what kind of bass. A conch is harder to catch than a summertime largemouth, but a smallmouth is pretty stupid so a smallmouth is probably easier than a conch."
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2. Since you bass fish, saltwater fish and commercial fish, do you ever get burnt out?
> "Not really. It's a change of scenery, you know? I feel like if I put the same amount of hours into just one of them, I'd get burnt out."
3. What's one thing you're doing different this year on the Bass Pro Tour?
> "Changing diapers. I don't have a fishing one, but I've always got a diaper in my back pocket."
[Lol! He has a new daughter.]
4. Be honest: Does Jacob ever tick you off? 😁
> "One time yeah. I can't get into details – brothers fight all the time, and I consider Jacob a brother."
5. Grundens stuff is kinda new to bassin'. Can you give us a couple pieces that are must-haves for you?
> "I'll start with my feet because I'm over here looking at 'em right now. Grundens has a partnership with SeaDek [decking material] and literally make their sandals out of that material, and they're friggin' unbelievable.
> "This material was designed to withstand a lot of impact, but...was designed to not hold moisture...yet to be really soft. They don't hold water at all, and they're really comfortable.
> "Since we're talking about freshwater, over the last 2 seasons I've been wearing the Gambler Jacket and Bib...high-end rain jacket. The thing about Grundens, they're their own company but chose to partner with other companies to create the best of the best. So they partnered with Gore-Tex on this jacket....
> "It has a lot of features...neoprene cuffs which are cool when you're reaching into your livewell and not getting water down your sleeves. There's also neoprene material around your shoulders that allows you to be able to stretch.
> "They're a big saltwater company so they incorporate safety in all of what they make. So there's actually reflective tape [on the clothing] that comes from commercial fishing...if something were to happen, if you fall into the water.... It's just a really good combination."
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Check Carl Jocumsen's "doubled" cinch/clinch knot for fluoro.
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That's basically what it looks like to me but it's called the Improved San Diego Jam Knot – he does a good job showing it and teaching it:
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Fluoro is usually way more finicky than mono so a) start with a good, reliable fluoro and b) make sure that knot is good and doesn't nick or pinch too much...which I've learned the hard way...and sometimes still do! 🤪
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Would you flip this bait?
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The new (not yet out) FishLab Nature Series Flippin' Frog:
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I'll offer 2 things:
1. Don't think I've seen one like it? (please remind me if I'm fergettin'.)
2. You know when frogs dive underwater and burrow in the bottom? That's what this deal makes me think of....
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Here's you the original transducer!
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Dang! Info from a post at sciencehistory org – can't link it:
> The ping sped through the frigid seawater at about 4,800 fps: at 540 Hz it was about the same pitch as a dial tone – but loud. The sound waves hit the iceberg, refracting at different angles. A little more than a second later the echo returned to the oscillator.... Echo-ranging – sonar – was born.
> The next morning the crew tried another experiment and pointed the oscillator at the seafloor to take an echo sounding, a measurement of depth. In the relatively shallow water the echoes returned almost too quickly to record accurately with a stopwatch, but the signals were strong and clear, loud enough for the crew below deck to hear the echo return. The implications were remarkable: the centuries-old practice of laboriously and inaccurately taking depth measurements by lowering weights to the seafloor was on its way out.
How it all started mang!
Word is Jacob Wheeler got the original and has been testing it out...😁
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1. What Dakota Ebare (3rd) fished at Watts Bar.
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> "I'm a big fan of threading plastics on [the hook]. I feel like I get a better hookup ratio, and I can reel fish in and be more efficient that way, with more gap."
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Merc 250 ProXS, Garmins, LiveScope, Force, Blades.
6. BFL happenin's.
3", 17 colors and different than a cut-down Senko – and it's already on TW:
> Brent Ehrler: "In the past, I've always used a Senko that I've cut into smaller pieces for the Ned rig. The problem with that is it didn't perform like it should. The traditional Senko is designed to sink which meant that it wouldn't stand upright. We utilized our new Mega Floater Formula in the design of this bait. That means it floats upright on any jighead."
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8. Yellow Spiderwire DuraBraid is comin'.
Saw this pic, all I know so far:
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DNR looking into it.
Post about SC's Mackenzie Sanders getting a scholly to Erskine College: 👊
> Sanders secured a scholarship to Erskine by keeping her social media updated and professional-looking – like fishing was already her occupation. She kept in communication with recruiters, and with Erskine being close to home also it aided in her decision.
> "I think (earning a bass fishing scholarship) is cool, but I think it also makes other girls want to pursue it. Or hopefully pursue something that they think they can't do."
...on native Colorado River chubs, but leave out dams and water use. C'mon man.
Not bass but:
> Out of 16 large fish, 4 were caught on the day of a full moon or new moon, 5 were landed within 2 days of a full or new moon, and 2 were netted within 3 days of a full or new moon.
> ...looks like 11 super-sized fish out of 16, or 69%, were caught in close approximation to the full and new moons.
Sounds like a good idea!
PSAs
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2. Couple 'lectronics deals on sale on TW:
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On BassBlaster.rocks right now...
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> ...the technique involves targeting offshore bass that are suspended and feeding on shad. It got the name "preacher jig" from a presbyterian minister in LaGrange, GA.... He didn't invent the method, but he refined it, fished it very successfully on West Point Lake and Lake Eufaula, and he tied his own jigs that served as the model for the rest of the industry.
> ...it catches suspended fish more efficiently than anything else on the market. Second, the lure is silent, unlike a crankbait. It's even less disruptive than a swimbait. Finally, it's got a big profile and a single hook, so it draws strikes from big bass and you can get great hooksets.
> I like a shad-patterned 1/2- to 5/8-oz E Series Gospel Jig from Andy's Custom Bass Lures. It's made with saddle hackle, bucktail and flashabou. It's a lighter jig than a lot of guys use with this method, but I believe the slower fall gets me more bites.
https://andyscustombasslures.com/product/e-series-gospel-jig/
> I throw the jig on 12-lb Bass Pro Shops 100% Fluorocarbon line spooled onto a Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Baitcast Reel (8.3:1 gear ratio) on a MH 7' 4" Platinum Signature casting rod.
> Once I've located some suspended fish, I like to back off and make a long cast to them. Then I let the bait fall all the way to the bottom on a slack or semi-slack line. I'm expecting a bite as the jig is falling, so I keep my rod tip pointed at the bait. ...I keep my rod pointed at the lure all throughout the retrieve, too.
> If the jig gets to the bottom without being eaten, I'll give it three or four quick turns of the reel handle to get it up off the bottom and moving. Then I kill it and let it fall back to the bottom. I'll do that all through the area where I've spotted fish....
> The best way to set the hook with the preacher jig is to sweep it hard to the side while you reel as fast as you can. Then just keep pressure on the fish all the way to the boat.
TW doesn't have the Gospel Jig, linked above, but does have the Andy's Custom Bass Lures E Series Synthetic Jig. Edwin used the Gospel Jig to win the 2015 Kentucky Lake Elite, and the Synthetic to win the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament on the St. Lawrence River.
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"The worm works strongly on the big bass that leans against the rocks."
The worm works strongly
On the big bass
That leans against the rocks
Never seen a bass lean on a rock but guess it could happen?
If anyone has seen it, I'd pick Seth Feider...after maybe 2 too many Mountain Dews...😁
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Take a look at what might be the new NY state record smallmouth! 👀 Kicker fish at a tourney!! 💪 Part of a 30+ bag!!! 🤯 Thomas Russell and pard Eric Sullivan were at the Cayuga Lake Finger Lakes Open and Thomas bagged this 8-lb 5.8-oz brown mega melon. No other deets yet but the current state record tie is at 8-04. Congrats man!
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Sounds like a real-life "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" deal?
Wonder if one or both were related to Augustus Gloop:
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Jay Kumar's BassBlaster is a daily-ish roundup of the best (sometimes worst) and funniest stuff in bassin', picked by me – Jay Kumar. I started BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a bunch more in bassin'. The Blaster is the #2 daily read on any given day in the wide world o' bass so thanks for readin'!
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