Crankbaits vs. the “Others”
By Gunner
A few weeks ago an old friend of mine who I have not seen in over 30 years when I lived in Shadyside, Ohio stopped by. He quit fishing 2 years ago as he had been fishing tourneys since the early 1970’s. I wish I would have had the chance to be around him more over the past 30 years to get on the tourney trails he fished, but life has a strange way of dealing with things and it was not meant to be…
During our visit he was in my “Fishing Room” and we went through the tackle boxes, rods, reels, just about everything you can imagine. He does not fish for anything but bass so a lot of my cat gear and muskie gear just did not interests him but when we got to the bass gear it all changed!
While going through the literary thousands of baits we started talking fishing styles, and mine has always been crankbaits. His has been pitchin in cover for most of his tourney time on the water. He made a comment that struck me funny and got me to thinking. He said well almost anyone can catch fish on crankbaits… At the time he said it; it was just part of the talk but struck a chord. It was not till the next day that it really hit me. There is a skill to crankbaits and it takes practice to acquire!
True you can buy the bait, open the box, tie it on cast it and reel it in and some times you might catch one that way. There are many times that open box style will not work. You have to be able to “work” the bait just as you have to learn and work any other bait in your box, which is where I am going to go with this article.
After watching crankbait masters Rick Clunn & David Frits plus reading every article I could find on crankbaits I have over the years developed a good style that has helped me boat many bass both in tourneys and just for fun!
What I did have to do was force myself to learn and use the “other” baits. It got to the point that I could catch bass on crankbaits every time I went on the water. Now I am not saying I got 5+ pounders or high numbers of bass each time, but I can honestly say I at least got one every trip, it may not have been a big one, but at least one bass on every outing.
I know a lot of people would say ok, so what is the problem? If you think about even though I was able to get at least one fish, most time one fish will not win a tourney. So I had to learn the other baits… You have to picture in your mind I have 823 different crankbaits, so learning something else was not easy.
I started by reading and watching shows, talking to people and just going to the store and buying different types of baits. The hardest part for me was on the water, I had to take 4 or 5 different poles rigged with the different baits and “NO” crankbaits at all either in the boat or on a rig.
I had to do that to myself because I became accustomed to my confidence bait and technique. Knowing I had to do it was just a start. So the days on the water at times seemed long and dragging but I can say now, 10 tackle boxes later loaded with everything you can think of has made me a better all around fisherman.
There is an old saying that goes; Change always comes with resistance, now I know what that truly meant. I resisted as much and as long as one person could do! Although flipping is one of my styles I have learned now a few years back, about 15 to be exact, along with every other style, crankbaits along with the others have helped make many more fun filled days on the water, so if you are stuck in the one or even two styles, take my advice and force yourself to learn and use the “other” baits, it will pay off in the end and make you a better fisherman!
There will be days that one type of bait will not work all day or even at all. I hope it is not on a tournament day for you! You will wish you had taken the time to try and learn the “other” baits. Now that I am in my 40’s I have learned two key things, it is never too late to learn something new and never stop learning! I try to pick up on something each and every time I go fishing with someone. I truly believe that everyone can show you something new, and yes there have been times when I learned by watching someone else how “Not” to do this or that. I have to admit sometimes that is the most enjoyable type of lesson.
The meat of this article is simple, if you have a confidence bait that you fish more the 50 percent of the time, take the time to learn a new style, force yourself I f you have too, I will be a benefit to you and worth the time and effort you put into it.
Be safe and I really hope to see you out there, Godspeed to all…
Ron “Gunner”
Showing posts with label Fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fishing. Show all posts
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Camping
Camping
by gunner
Spring and then summer is not that far away to not think about it. I mean come on, who reading this has not looked out a window and pictured green trees, blue skies, and the smell of fresh pines? I know I have many times already.
Camper vs Tent:
We all our idea of a perfect camping trip. Some with a big 40 foot Winnebago with all the luxuries of home. Shower, bed, HEAT, etc… For some of us that is right. Then there are the others. I fall into that bunch. Give me a tent, sleeping bag, big ol’ fire and corn and potato’s then I am ready.
Let’s look at the difference between the two. RV, true you have heat, shower and all the comforts of home. But see that is just it, comforts of home. Why leave the house? I am not knocking this style in no way. But to me it is a great way to travel across country. Not go to your local lake and camp out every weekend.
The tent, that is camping. No shower, TV or heat coming from vents. Sleeping bag that is cold when you first get into it at night. The whole idea of camping is getting out and roughing it for however long. At least what I was taught camping was. To get away from it all and just relax. Now there will be some who will say they are relaxed in the big house on wheels, and I am sure they are. But are they camping, I mean really camping? Bacon and eggs in a cast iron skillet over an open fire with the smell & sounds of the wood popping as it burns…. Now that is camping.
Things that are good to have no matter how you camp:
Flashlights & extra batteries
First-Aid kit
Bottle of insect repellent
Cell Phone
(I put my cell phone and radio in bag and forget about them…unless I need to use them for an emergency)
Good Knife
Rope
Some cases a good weather radio
Flares to start a fire in an emergency
Water proof matches
Compass ( I have went to a handheld GPS)
Extra Clothes
Snap-lites
Whistle
Good two way radios
Advil or whatever you may take for pain
The list can go on and on. Use common sense when packing for a trip and make sure you have what YOU need to be safe and have fun. Being prepared for a trip can make the difference between having a great time or never wanting to do it again. The extra time it takes to check and check again, is really worth it.
Be safe, have fun and come back!
by gunner
Spring and then summer is not that far away to not think about it. I mean come on, who reading this has not looked out a window and pictured green trees, blue skies, and the smell of fresh pines? I know I have many times already.
Camper vs Tent:
We all our idea of a perfect camping trip. Some with a big 40 foot Winnebago with all the luxuries of home. Shower, bed, HEAT, etc… For some of us that is right. Then there are the others. I fall into that bunch. Give me a tent, sleeping bag, big ol’ fire and corn and potato’s then I am ready.
Let’s look at the difference between the two. RV, true you have heat, shower and all the comforts of home. But see that is just it, comforts of home. Why leave the house? I am not knocking this style in no way. But to me it is a great way to travel across country. Not go to your local lake and camp out every weekend.
The tent, that is camping. No shower, TV or heat coming from vents. Sleeping bag that is cold when you first get into it at night. The whole idea of camping is getting out and roughing it for however long. At least what I was taught camping was. To get away from it all and just relax. Now there will be some who will say they are relaxed in the big house on wheels, and I am sure they are. But are they camping, I mean really camping? Bacon and eggs in a cast iron skillet over an open fire with the smell & sounds of the wood popping as it burns…. Now that is camping.
Things that are good to have no matter how you camp:
Flashlights & extra batteries
First-Aid kit
Bottle of insect repellent
Cell Phone
(I put my cell phone and radio in bag and forget about them…unless I need to use them for an emergency)
Good Knife
Rope
Some cases a good weather radio
Flares to start a fire in an emergency
Water proof matches
Compass ( I have went to a handheld GPS)
Extra Clothes
Snap-lites
Whistle
Good two way radios
Advil or whatever you may take for pain
The list can go on and on. Use common sense when packing for a trip and make sure you have what YOU need to be safe and have fun. Being prepared for a trip can make the difference between having a great time or never wanting to do it again. The extra time it takes to check and check again, is really worth it.
Be safe, have fun and come back!
Open Fire cooking
Open Fire cooking
by gunner
Ok, you have the tent all set up, everything is placed right where you want it to be. The table is set over there, the cooler is right next to it. You have your chair set up looking at a breathtaking view (no TV tonight, you have natures big screen) and the coleman lanterns are ready and waiting for darkness…
You now have the fire pit dug and surrounded by baseball size rocks. The logs are set in a tee-pee fashion and the fire is burning just right. You place the grill over the flame and now it is time to start the cooking.
You can cook so many ways while out camping there is not enough space on this site to cover them all. So I will just touch on a few of my favorites. Two ways to cook corn over a fire and both are great tasting. Leave the corn in the husk and place in aluminum foil with some water and butter. Wrap tight and toss them in the bottom of the fire on the hot embers. This way is I would say the most popular among campsite cooks.
But there is another way. Remove the husk and cut the corn cob in two parts. Smear with butter and then place directly over the fire on the grill. You get a flame grilled flavor and ad seasoning to taste.
At this point I also slice onion and peppers and place them over the flame on the grill also. I like the crisp flame kissed taste to these. You can also wrap the onion whole in aluminum foil with a little water and lots of butter and place it in the embers also. Now I do the aluminum wrapped potatoes. (Hard to beat these)
And as far as the main dish, it can be anything of your liking such as fresh caught fish or hamburgers or my personal favorite thick steaks! When I pack for the trip I will place steaks in a big freezer bag marinating in either Italian dressing, or homemade seasoning with some sort of marinara . Nothing taste better than a true flame cooked steak.
When cooking the fish I do not add much to it. I will splash lemon juice on it and maybe a few spices but not much. I am a big fan of fresh parsley… Oh and I forgot to mention, when cooking in a skillet, it IS cast iron… Nothing like home fries and bacon and eggs in the morning before you go out on the fishing trip for the day!!!
See you out there, and remember.. put out all unattended fires!
gunner
by gunner
Ok, you have the tent all set up, everything is placed right where you want it to be. The table is set over there, the cooler is right next to it. You have your chair set up looking at a breathtaking view (no TV tonight, you have natures big screen) and the coleman lanterns are ready and waiting for darkness…
You now have the fire pit dug and surrounded by baseball size rocks. The logs are set in a tee-pee fashion and the fire is burning just right. You place the grill over the flame and now it is time to start the cooking.
You can cook so many ways while out camping there is not enough space on this site to cover them all. So I will just touch on a few of my favorites. Two ways to cook corn over a fire and both are great tasting. Leave the corn in the husk and place in aluminum foil with some water and butter. Wrap tight and toss them in the bottom of the fire on the hot embers. This way is I would say the most popular among campsite cooks.
But there is another way. Remove the husk and cut the corn cob in two parts. Smear with butter and then place directly over the fire on the grill. You get a flame grilled flavor and ad seasoning to taste.
At this point I also slice onion and peppers and place them over the flame on the grill also. I like the crisp flame kissed taste to these. You can also wrap the onion whole in aluminum foil with a little water and lots of butter and place it in the embers also. Now I do the aluminum wrapped potatoes. (Hard to beat these)
And as far as the main dish, it can be anything of your liking such as fresh caught fish or hamburgers or my personal favorite thick steaks! When I pack for the trip I will place steaks in a big freezer bag marinating in either Italian dressing, or homemade seasoning with some sort of marinara . Nothing taste better than a true flame cooked steak.
When cooking the fish I do not add much to it. I will splash lemon juice on it and maybe a few spices but not much. I am a big fan of fresh parsley… Oh and I forgot to mention, when cooking in a skillet, it IS cast iron… Nothing like home fries and bacon and eggs in the morning before you go out on the fishing trip for the day!!!
See you out there, and remember.. put out all unattended fires!
gunner
Catfish Rigging
Catfish Rigging
by gunner
Let’s talk about rigging for catfish. There are a few different ways and in different situations each has it purpose. There is the slip rig, the three way rig and the tie rig to name a few. These are the three I use most. From a boat the three way rig is best if there is any current at all. From the bank the slip rig and the tie rig work best. Let’s look at these one at a time…
Three way rig:
A number of ways to set this rig up. One of the most common is to have a lighter line for the weighted end. This way if you would happen to get a snag, you can put your line free without losing the entire rig. That is always a great idea. 10 pound test is in my opinion the best test for this. It is strong enough for casting and yet will break if you need it to without too much strain. Then all you lose is the sinker. The length of this line from swivel to sinker depends on where the fish are. Watch the fish finder/depth finder, if the fish are suspending a foot or two off the bottom, you have your length. You want to put the bait right in front of them. I still am a firm believer that no catfish will pass up a meal if it right in front of their mouth.
The hook end, a lot of arguments have gone on over the pound test and the length this needs to be. Some think that it should also be a lighter line for snag purpose’s also. I disagree with that. I think it should be the same pound test as the test on the reel. It does no good to have a heavier line on this part, the main line will break and you will lose the whole rig or worse yet, the fish. But going lighter is also just as bad for the hook line can break and you will have a three way swivel and sinker but no fish. So I go with the pound test I have on the reel, and the LEAST pound test I use for catfishing is 17. Most times it is 30. You can get away with a lighter line if catfishing from a boat. You will need the heavier line if fishing from the bank, at least if you are going after the BIG fish. As far as the length, I like it to be at least 18 inches from the swivel, sometimes longer if there is a lighter current.
One more thing I do on the hook end that I don’t see to many people doing is I slide a nice size piece of cork over the knot on the hook. Just to help keep the bait up. I also do the same on the Tie rig.
Tie Rig:
This is a simple way for bank fishing. Tie the sinker on the end of the line and come up about 18 inches from the singer and tie the hook and a short leader on there. Most times for this I will buy the snelled hooks already with the 8 to 10 inch of line and loop and just loop them through the line and hold them in place. Because you are using this from shore you will want the shorter hook line length. That way it will not get tangled up around the main line. And again, a little piece of cork by the hook tie works wonders.
Slip Rig:
This is the rig my grandfather showed me years ago. Slide the line through the sinker, tie on a swivel and then your leader and hook. Cast out and fish off the bottom. You need to make sure you use enough weight to keep the bait where you want in current. Flat sinkers seem to be better for this, they will not roll around and snag up as easy. To be completely honest, I never caught a “big” fish this way. It was always the smaller channel cats and bull cats with this rig. Now any catfish is worth the fight it puts up, but I still am a flathead cat man myself. Nothing like the fight of a 40 pounder on 17 pound test in the middle of the night!!! That will get you going anytime…
Good Luck, good fishing
gunner
by gunner
Let’s talk about rigging for catfish. There are a few different ways and in different situations each has it purpose. There is the slip rig, the three way rig and the tie rig to name a few. These are the three I use most. From a boat the three way rig is best if there is any current at all. From the bank the slip rig and the tie rig work best. Let’s look at these one at a time…
Three way rig:
A number of ways to set this rig up. One of the most common is to have a lighter line for the weighted end. This way if you would happen to get a snag, you can put your line free without losing the entire rig. That is always a great idea. 10 pound test is in my opinion the best test for this. It is strong enough for casting and yet will break if you need it to without too much strain. Then all you lose is the sinker. The length of this line from swivel to sinker depends on where the fish are. Watch the fish finder/depth finder, if the fish are suspending a foot or two off the bottom, you have your length. You want to put the bait right in front of them. I still am a firm believer that no catfish will pass up a meal if it right in front of their mouth.
The hook end, a lot of arguments have gone on over the pound test and the length this needs to be. Some think that it should also be a lighter line for snag purpose’s also. I disagree with that. I think it should be the same pound test as the test on the reel. It does no good to have a heavier line on this part, the main line will break and you will lose the whole rig or worse yet, the fish. But going lighter is also just as bad for the hook line can break and you will have a three way swivel and sinker but no fish. So I go with the pound test I have on the reel, and the LEAST pound test I use for catfishing is 17. Most times it is 30. You can get away with a lighter line if catfishing from a boat. You will need the heavier line if fishing from the bank, at least if you are going after the BIG fish. As far as the length, I like it to be at least 18 inches from the swivel, sometimes longer if there is a lighter current.
One more thing I do on the hook end that I don’t see to many people doing is I slide a nice size piece of cork over the knot on the hook. Just to help keep the bait up. I also do the same on the Tie rig.
Tie Rig:
This is a simple way for bank fishing. Tie the sinker on the end of the line and come up about 18 inches from the singer and tie the hook and a short leader on there. Most times for this I will buy the snelled hooks already with the 8 to 10 inch of line and loop and just loop them through the line and hold them in place. Because you are using this from shore you will want the shorter hook line length. That way it will not get tangled up around the main line. And again, a little piece of cork by the hook tie works wonders.
Slip Rig:
This is the rig my grandfather showed me years ago. Slide the line through the sinker, tie on a swivel and then your leader and hook. Cast out and fish off the bottom. You need to make sure you use enough weight to keep the bait where you want in current. Flat sinkers seem to be better for this, they will not roll around and snag up as easy. To be completely honest, I never caught a “big” fish this way. It was always the smaller channel cats and bull cats with this rig. Now any catfish is worth the fight it puts up, but I still am a flathead cat man myself. Nothing like the fight of a 40 pounder on 17 pound test in the middle of the night!!! That will get you going anytime…
Good Luck, good fishing
gunner
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Welcome the the NEW Reel Fishing with Gunner
We have changed the name to Reel Fishing and Shooting with Gunner... I was told by a good source that "Blogs" are in and websites are out... So with that I am going to see how this works. I have a temp website still for Reel Fishing at: http://gunner-fisherman.webs.com/ that you can visit also.
Over the next few days I will be posting articles and photos and all kinds of info... I was able to get the sponsor list up so welcome and thank you for following us into the future...!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)