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Struisbaai harbour wall has always been a special place for anglers of all ages coming to this lovely seaside village from all over South Africa. During summer weekends and holiday season the wall is generally packed with anglers of all ages enjoying a wide variety of fishing techniques. The harbour wall is a safe and secure place (most of the times) where a lot of angling wisdom is shared, experience gained and the love for the sport of fishing passed down from one angler to another.

Struisbaai harbour wall is an interesting angling spot as it offers such a wide variety of fish species to target. It is a place where toddlers get their first feel for a rod and reel, and get to touch a puffer fish for the first time. It is also a place where the big boys with the big tackle come to hunt massive stingrays and huge raggies. In between all that you can expect to find elf, garrick, cob, musselcracker, smaller sharks, grunters and kolsterte.

Family Fun
Many a mom, dad or grandparent have taken the young angler to this safe angling spot and introduced them to the sport of rock and surf angling. I wonder how many chilfren have caught their first fish from the harbour wall? Taking a light rod and reel or a handline and using sardine or chokka for bait these youngsters hone their angling skills on puffer fish, strepies, kolsterte, tjor-tjor and maasbankers.

Elf on the Wall!!
Many a summer evening, on the outgoing tide, the wall resembles a porcupine with quills standing erect as the anglers, young and old, gather for the elf run, and also hoping to get a fast swimming garrick. The favourite bait is a whole sardine slowly trawled on the inside of the harbour. With the elf around it normally does not take long for any angler to get their bag limit.

Garrick / Leervis
From January to March you will see quite a few anglers throwing spinners and top water poppers from the rocks in fronth of the harbour wall hoping for a massive strike and a hard fight . Garrick from 5-20kg are normally around early in the morning or late afternoon, feasting on the elf in the sheltered harbour water. Some anglers prefer running a live elf out on the right hand side into the bay, hoping for garrick or a cob.

Other Edibles
Cob, kolsterte and spotted grunters are the other main targeted species during the months of Nov to March, but the odd white musselcracker, galjoen and belman are also landed. The spotted grunters are normally caught in the shallower waters at the 2nd and 3rd lamppole on very light tackle using prawn or sardine tail as the bait.

The average size of the cob are between 2 and 5kg, but quite a few biggies over 20kg are landed on a regular basis. The best time for kob is at night using chokka and / or sardine or running some live mullet or maasbanker. Once a cob is hooked it is best to work the fish towards the sandy beach between the harbour wall and Die Las as the rocks in front of the harbour has ended many a fight with a line parting.

Sharks and Rays
We all know that Struisbaai harbour is home to a few massive black stingrays weighing well over 120 kg’s, but it is the area just in front of the harbour wall and to the right where huge black rays as well as smaller blue rays and duckbill rays are regularly caught. Many an angler has overestimated his own prowess and tackle capabilities only to have a knot come unraveled, a line break, rod snap or reel bust trying to take on these sea bulldozers.

Stingrays are caught during the day and night, and chokka or fish heads seams to work the best for these bottom feeders. Rhe smaller rayus atre awesome fun on light tackle, but for the big black stingrays you would need a rod with a strong backbone, at least .45 line, a decent reel and lots of energy as most of the fights lasts up to 4 hours.

The best time to fish for sharks are at night time. Some anglers target smaller shark species like smooth hounds and spotted gully sharks, or even South Africa’s very own pajama cat shark, while other angler slide out big baits for spotted ragged tooth sharks over 150kg that frequent this area, or hoping for a big bronzie or tope shark to land.

The preferred bait for the smaller sharks are a live mullet or maasbanker, or fish fillets and chokka, but with the latter the small fry normally have a feast and you have to replace bait on a regular basis. For the bigger sharks most of the anglers slide yellowtail or cape salmon heads or half a skipjack, You can also slide a big maasbanker or smaller elf with success.

A Few Rules
1) Remember, you are not allowed to use a throw net inside the harbour at any time. Rather use small baited hooks to catch mullet or maasbankers.
2) Please keep the harbour wall clean. There is a big drum provided for all your rubbish.
3) Watch out for children and other anglers when throwing your bait. No one enjoys a hook in the ear or worse.
4) Be considerate towards other angler. Don’t push in or throw over their lines.
5) Keep to the size and bag limits. If you are not going to eat it or use it for bait, throw it back.
6) The rocks are slippery and dangerous when going to gaff a fish. I don’t think you want to be in the water with a 200kg raggie!
7) Be careful of the water!! Watch the waves.
You are not allowed to drive onto the harbour wall with your car, bakkie or scooter.

Struisbaai harbour wall will provide you with endless hours of pure angling joy, even those times when the fish don’t want to bite. The idea for Overberg Angling was born on that wall one night while waiting for some action, and the harbour wall holds many other great memories for me, my family and friends. Hopefully you too will soon enjoy this very special angling spot at the southern tip of Africa.

So you’ve booked your beginner-friendly guide, practiced your casting for a few weeks, and are finally touching down the day before your first saltwater fly fishing trip. Here’s what should happen next.

Once you’ve unpacked, call to check in with your guide. Ask if all is on schedule and double check what you’ve been expected to bring. Remind him if you have a partner, fishing or non-fishing. Write down the directions to where you’ll meet and the exact time you’re expected there. Chances are it will be early in the morning which means one thing: get some sleep. If you’ve got a Key West tarpon trip at leaving at 6 AM, stay off Duval Street the night before. Fishing with a hangover in the hot sun is pure hell and you should avoid it like the plague. Trust me on this one.

Set your alarm clock early and be at the dock on time. Being late means you’re losing valuable time on the water and guides never like to be kept waiting. Have all your gear with you and completely organized. Let the guide stow everything for you don’t step on the boat until you asked to do so. Your shoes should never have dark soles since these will mark the deck. Most guides are very meticulous about their boats so think about what you may have walked through in the parking lot. Offer to take off your shoes if necessary.

If you have a full day scheduled be sure to have your lunch packed the night before. You won’t be expected to bring food for the guide. Years ago that was the tradition but this has fallen by the wayside. If you do happened to pack an extra sandwich it will be considered a nice gesture and will get eaten. Most guides have extra water but bring more than you think you’ll need for yourself.

Alcohol should be kept to a minimum. Keep in mind that it will actually dehydrate you over the long run and dull your reflexes in the heat. No decent guide will tolerate a drunk angler. This is the ultimate liability and can cost a boat owner dearly. I allow my two anglers to spit a six pack. If you bring beer, don’t offer any to your guide. The Coast Guard considers it highly illegal for a charter captain to drink on the job. Even worse, nothing tastes better than a cold Corona on a hot day. It’s kind of cruel to drink a beer while your guide is working and sweating and can’t have one. Save an extra for back at the dock.

If you brought your own tackle let the guide double check everything. I personally like people to bring their own rods, reels, and flies. I’m a gear junkie and love seeing the new stuff in action. I also like seeing hand tied flies, even if the anger has never been to the salt water before. You never know where the next killer pattern will come from these days. At the same time, be prepared to use whatever the guide tells you. Even if you’ve spent the last month at the vise perfecting your patterns, your guide has been on the water even longer and knows what the tarpon will be eating that day. Always go with local knowledge.

When you finally reach your fishing spot you’ll be asked to make several practice casts. The main reason for this is to allow the guide to size up your abilities in the given conditions. Since you are a beginner, be prepared for a short period of instruction after this. I find this is necessary with nine out of ten first time anglers on my boat. I’ve had guys who were presidents of their Trout Unlimited chapters back home turn into absolute basket cases when faced with a twenty knot wind on a bonefish flat. Freshwater and saltwater can be wildly different, but a decent angler can almost always adjust. The most important thing to do is keep your ears open in order to hear and act on what your guide is saying.

Since Part One of this article has helped you pick out a beginner-friendly and laid back guide, all of your mistakes should be corrected in a calm and constructive manner. The best guides never make a new angler feel bad about missing an easy shot. Your first time in the salt should be considered a learning experience above everything else. It should always be a good time and if your guide does start to slip and get a little too intense, let them know it. As a guide we sometimes forget who we’re working for and can loose our focus. It’s happened to me on both calm and windy days when the fish are everywhere but always three feet further than my anglers can cast. As a guide, your success is my success and sometimes it hurts to see an easy fish swim away. But that’s never an excuse to start yelling at a newcomer. Loosing your temper while guiding actually accomplishes the opposite effect of what you’re trying to do.

At the same time, we really want you to land that fish. Seeing someone with their first tarpon or bonefish is every bit as good as the money you’re paying us. Keep in mind that saltwater fly fishing depends as much on the angler as the guide on most days. Once the fish is spotted and the boat positioned, all the pressure is on the angler’s shoulders at that point.

With most fly trips you should not expect to keep anything you catch, unless you’re fishing offshore. All the great flats species are strictly catch and release, so keep a camera handy to record your hero shots. If you have a sophisticated digital model go over it’s operation with your guide in advance. Most of us are pretty good with cameras but we can’t keep up with everything. The beauty of digital is the ability to take dozens of shots without wasting film If you have a multi-shot or burst setting on your camera then use it.

Your day should end at the agreed time and not before unless weather is a factor. If the have to head in early to dodge thunderstorms a decent guide will offer a partial refund. If you decide to quit early because you’ve had enough don’t expect much or any of a refund. People rarely get sea sick on the flats and the offshore boats consider it a known hazard for the customer.

You’ll settle up back at the dock in the manner and amount agreed to beforehand. This is when you should think about tipping. There have been several very good articles written about tipping guides but I have a few of my own thoughts. If you book an offshore boat you will and should tip the mate. He’s the one working the hardest for the least money. The same goes for any guide working someone else’s boat or working for a fly shop. Some of my colleagues will be upset by this but owner/operators should not always expect a tip. As sole owner of my boat and business I charge $450 for a full day on the water and that’s what I think my time and effort is worth. If you want to toss me an extra $50 for a great catch or great experience I won’t turn it down. You won’t make me angry if you don’t. If I absolutely had to have $500 or my day is ruined then that’s what I’d charge. None of us are getting rich in this business and expenses are going through the roof. If a young, single guide is boasting 300 days a year on the water, he’s not starving. Tip what you can afford. If you’re a nice person we’ll always welcome you back.

One thing that I feel is worth more than a tip these days is a nice follow-up online. I love getting e-mails from happy customers and really appreciate a good write-up on Trip Advisor or one of the dedicated fly fishing forums like . This sends instant business my way and is worth far more than an extra $50 and keeping your experience to yourself. Since you used the internet to find your guide, use it to sell him to others.

Here is a few carp fishing tips to wet your appetite.

The first thing you have to get clear is you cannot go into this with the thought of one bait and presentation. Be prepared with a few different hookbaits be they sweetcorn, maize, chickpeas, boilies, pellets, maggots etc based on carp preferences and circumstances at the time or venue. Do not be afraid to experiment. Be flexible, keep an open mind. Make every approach to the water be like the first and try to put aside any preconceived notions or expectations of the swim or venue or how the carp will behave or what baits they will go for. If fishing more than one rod, bait them differently and at different depth levels, then put both rods at the same distance/depth if you’ve determined that’s where the fish are located. There can be bait and presentation differences (as well as differences in the carp themselves) at each of these and being successful at them will lead to a well rounded carp fishing education.

Realize that catching a whopper carp is everybody’s dream but becoming obsessed with whether or not you catch them each time out will lead to disappointment and cloud your fishing judgment. Enjoy the carp you catch and when you get a 20 or 30…fantastic. Don’t gauge your carp fishing success based on how other anglers do at different venues and swims. Now if they are right next to you, that may be another story…

Even if you’ve never seen a knotless knot, a boilie or a bolt-rig before, you will be showing all your friends what they do very soon. YOU’LL be the one they come running to for carp fishing answers – YOU’LL have the edge over all the other carp anglers.

If you’re looking to catch bass the Carolina Rig should be one of your first choices because it can be used as either a very simple rig or one with a multitude of rigging choices and because it is uncomplicated in nature.

There seems to be a lot of controversy and mystery about this rig but as far as I am concerned as long as it works and catches bass or any fish for that matter I will continue to use it as one of my top choices in rigs.

Now, there are a couple of areas where I would not recommend using this rig because of the difficulty in getting this rig through the cover and along the bottom and they are:

• bottom areas made up a very close boulders
• areas covered with dense brush
• areas of heavy vegetation

Otherwise, the Carolina rig is extremely adaptable for use in all other areas.

The simplest Carolina Rig is a line with a weight and a bead attached to a barrel swivel than a leeder and a hook. Now the fun part is that you can dress it up as much or as little as you like. So let’s take a quick look at the parts.

Line:
The type of line you use will vary depending on where and how you fish, so you should start by using a good quality monofilament line with enough strength to handle the abuse you are going to inflict on it. This could be as little as 8lbs. or up to 15lbs. but in the end it all comes down to personal preference.

Weight:
The whole idea behind the Carolina Rig is to fish the bottom and that the weight should be in constant contact with the bottom. So in order to just generally get your weight to the bottom you’re looking at about 1/4oz. of weight for every 10ft. of water.

The style of weight whether it would be a bullet or egg type will be determined by coverage and type of bottom.

Leeder:
If you are using aand you notice that the fish are 3 to 6ft. off the bottom and you are using a floating worm, mathematics say that an 18in. leeder will not get you into the strike zone. The general recommendation is to use 18in. of leeder for every 10ft. of water.

Beads:
Generally the purpose of the bead it is to protect your knot but some will argue that it also creates noise which will attract bass. The general rule is to use no beads with bullet weights and only one bead if it is an egg weight.

Swivels:
The function of a swivel is three fold, first to reduce line twist, second and of more importance is as a stopper for the weight and third to be as unobtrusive as possible. They should be small and of good quality.

P. S. there are several weights stoppers on the market which are being used in place of the swivel.

Working Your Rig:
It has been my experience that bass or basically any fish have the three types of fishing modes which are aggressive, opportunistic or force fed. Aggressive usually comes into play in the springtime when water temperature rises and shortly after mating season. Opportunistic is when baitfish or food is place in front of them and they have a taste before they actually swallow. Force fed is simply that you have irritated the fish enough for a strike and this usually occurs in very cold water.

So imagine in your mind a somewhat weedy bottom and that you are slowly retrieving your rig. You see the weight being drawn across the bottom while the leeder and the bait float gently above at a preset height. Your weight meets some resistance from a weed and then launches itself left, upward, or forward and in doing so gives your bait some great action. This little dance most likely will make the bass react. However, it cannot be stressed enough that you must give me your fish enough time to react. Slower is better!

So if you’re imagining yourself slowly cranking on your reel as you retrieve than you are doing it WRONG so STOP!

You should be using the rod in a dragging motion from side to side to move your bait. If you get a strike halfway through your drag then return to where you started at the same time keeping the line tight and set the hook.

Got the boat, got the electric trolling motor, now it’s time to learn how to catch those crafty fish. There are some great fishing books available to get you started on the right footing. I believe that being consistent is the key to getting great results.

About a week ago I took a friend out fishing from my boat. Only small, fish were biting on our soft baits so try and entice bigger ones to bite we started introducing different lures. That’s when I noticed my friend was tying them on with a very strange looking knot. When I queried him where he had learnt to tie this knot he replied that it was the only one he knew, but it worked well for him. I soon discovered that this meant that for every 5 fish hooked about 4 would be lost due to his knots unravelling. I had to laugh because he kept blaming the line he was using. That morning he lost the biggest fish of the day. As it leapt out of the water we could see the line come free leaving the hook in its mouth.

When we got back to the dock his excited young son was waiting for us. I saw his huge disappointment when all we could do was tell him about the one that got away.

Decent Knot.

I later gave my friend an old copy of Fisherman’s Ultimate Knot Guide by John E Sherry hoping it will teach him how to tie a decent knot and then some more.

Here are some very popular fishing books that will not only inspire to get out on the water but also teach you how to consistently catch great fish. These books also make great gifts, helping to spread the art of catching fish.

•To find out what makes a champion, Keven Van Dam’s enjoyable book Secrets Of a Champion teaches you tricks and strategies for getting fish to strike and how to do presentations under trying conditions. If you are really passionate about your fishing and want to learn how to get professional results this may be the book for you.

•The Complete Idiots Guide To fishing Basics by Mike Toth, is a good book to have if you are a complete novice and seriously want to encourage your angling ambitions. This book was published in March 2000.

•If Bass fishing is your thing then Roland Martin’s 101 Bass Catching Secrets can fill the spare spot on your bedside table. Reading this before falling asleep will help you dream the night away in La, La Land, catching Bass.

•Another favourite of mine is What Fish Don’t want to Know by Frank Baron. This in-depth freshwater fishing guide will enlighten you how to catch bass, trout, salmon, walleye and lots more. This book is for novice’s and avid anglers and was first published in 2003. Learn from a real professional tournament expert.

My Favourite

•And the best of them all, ie. my, can only be the ever popular Fishing Basics by Gene Kugack. This Informative heavily illustrated guide and reference book is perfect for all ages including the pro and amateur fisherman. It covers lures, baits, rigs, fly tying and so much more, even including ice fishing. You will refer to this book over and over for as long as fishing remains your passion.

So, get the education behind you and go do your thing. Tight lines!

I, like most of you, love to spend my spare time fishing. But nowadays with gas prices high and the economy low, it seems our passion is in danger. This doesn’t have to be the case however; as we can easily keep our lines in the water on a budget.

Step #1 – Scale back where you fish

I am used to an annual week trip to Michigan for smallmouth bass, as well as about a 3 day adventure at AEP (formally Ohio Powers) for some largemouth action. What we all need to remember is that no matter where you live, there are some great creeks, rivers, and lakes close by. These local haunts can be just as rewarding, as they can be fished more often. The only drawback is that sometimes our local fishing holes can be heavily pressured. But this only challenges us to be more creative and out fish the next guy.

Step #2 – Keep your fishing gear simple.

If you’re like me you love new fishing gear. I love to try out the latest in lures, roods, and reels. But basically we can all get by with a quality reel and rod; along with a handful of our “go to” baits. Some of my favorite baits are tubes and grubs which can be had in a wide assortment at very reasonable prices. In my opinion the one place not to go the cheapest is when choosing your fishing line. A good line not only decreasing frustration with less knotting and better cast; but also can save you in hooks and lures when the line strength is at its maximum.

Step #3 – Fish in groups (family and friends)

Fishing trips in groups can be a big money saver. Everything from cabin rental to food and fuel cost can be divided among several people. And not only is the cost reduced, the enjoyment can be ten fold as what better way to share your fishing adventure with nightly fishing stories around the campfire. The bottom line is even in these economically stressful times never let it keep you away from the pastime you love. See you on the water.

Plastic worms are probably the most popular fishing lure on the market today. Soft plastic worms are so popular because they work great for bass and most fishermen enjoy fishing for bass. Let’s talk about some of the different styles as well as some tips on how to use them.

Some of my favorite plastic worms are 7 to 11 inch worms with a long curly-tail at the end. There are many different types of worms, but the worms with a long tail at the end are the easiest to use, especially for beginner anglers. You can use these worms with no weight, a small split shot, Carolina rigged or Texas rigged style. Just cast it out and retrieve it slowly with a lift and fall retrieve.

Most bass will bite on the fall so pay attention. I will use 7 inch worms early in the year and 11 inch worms during the summer. 11 inch worms will work well for bass in the 2 to 3 pound range and big bass love them. Go big in the summer. Use the bigger worms in the summer and you will catch more fish and lots of big fish.

I also have a lot of success using worms that don’t have a tail. Basically, these worms are thin and pencil-like with no curly tail at the end. While these worms will not work as well as the curly tail worms with a basic lift and fall retrieve, they usually have better action with a quick more aggressive jerk then fall retrieve. The body will usually form a u-shape, which is similar to an actual worm falling through the water column. I definitely get more reaction strikes with these worms when I use an aggressive retrieve. These are also the worms that I prefer when I use a drop shot rig.

Drop shot rigs are set up with the hook above the weight. When you tie your knot to the hook, leave some extra line so you can attach a weight to it. With this set up, your weight will hit the bottom and the worm will sit about a foot to a foot and a half above the bottom. Drop shotting plastic worms can work wonders when fish are deep. An aggressive retrieve with a quick jerk and then a fall will produce many strikes.

Over the past year or so, I have had a lot of fun rigging worms wacky style. (This also works well with live worms.) The wacky style rig is where you hook the worm in the middle. For me, this rig works better when bass are more active in warmer water. I’m talking about late spring through the summer. I use a fairly aggressive jerk and fall retrieve with pencil-style worms when I fish wacky style. I have fished with many anglers that do well with a slow lift and fall retrieve as well, so try a few different retrieves with the wacky style and see what works best for you.

If you are new to fishing you might be overwhelmed by the amount of information you are presented with. There are numerous sources of fishing information from books, shops, friends and family, the Internet and many others. Don’t be intimidated by it all. Instead, focus initially on a few simple tips to help make your first fishing trip a success.

1. Fishing with bait.

To get the bait to the fish you will need to use a weight. The weight you need will depend on where you are fishing. A bank sinker and a number 2 hook should be ok to begin with.

Using a swivel will prevent the sinker from sliding. If you want to protect the knot use a lightweight bead positioned between the weight and swivel.

Bait – the most popular and easy to obtain type of bait is worms. Some fishermen also like to use livers or chicken in particular. You must make sure your bait is cold so it does not fall off the hook. However, you should experiment with different types of bait and see what produces the best results.

2. The 3 basic methods to fish.

Drift-fishing. This, as the name suggests, allows the line to drift in the current that you have cast into. You can do this up or down stream.

Plunking. This method uses weights to keep the bait in place after you have cast out. If you would like to use the current to assist you slightly, just use a lighter weight.

Back-bouncing. This method relies on you lifting your rod up 1 or 2 feet and letting the lure settle back down again. While you are doing this, reel your line in slightly allowing it to stay taught.

3. Fishing from a boat. First you need to decide in what location you will be fishing. This allows you choose the weight of your jigheads.

Using a heavy weight and keeping your line straight, you will be able to drift with the current. Slow trolling with a bottom walker is good when boat fishing.

If you follow these quick tips you will be enjoying your first fishing trip with minimal problems. In fact, take a friend or family member with you to share your enjoyment. Just be cautious and carry safety equipment and a first aid kit with you at all times in case of an emergency. It is also a very good idea to take a cell phone along with you.

Fishing is a relaxing sport to enjoy with your family and friends on a relaxing “get-away-from-it-all” weekend. Of course, it is more desirable to do it safely and be aware of safety rules for everyone’s benefit.

It is important to start off a young angler with appropriate fishing gear for their age and size. Most young fishermen find it comfortable to use a 5′ or 5 ½’ light action fishing rod with a spin-cast reel. A 4 or 6 pound test strength line will work well with a small or medium sized bobber. Dad, Mom or Grandparents should stay close by to supervise and help when needed. It has been our experience that they really enjoy “doing it themselves”, until they get tangled up in a line that went the wrong way!

Here are some tips for the young and the more experienced anglers to remember. Be careful how you carry and cast your fishing pole. Sometimes one forgets the pole is longer than you think and can easily strike someone in the face or elsewhere! Be sure you have plenty of open space around you so you can cast safely.

Be sure to throw any tangled or unused fishing line in the trash. Loose line can be dangerous for the water fowl or other wild animals.

Set a good example for the children and DON’T use your mouth to tie a knot around a sinker or to place a split shot on fishing line. You might accidentally swallow it-and ruin your fishing trip!

Be careful with those sharp fishing hooks-handle with extreme care! They are sharp, dangerous and could cause serious injury. You really don’t want to wind up in the local emergency room to have a hook removed from your hand! Been there, done that…and don’t want to do that again!!

Take care with fillet and pocket knives as they can be more dangerous than hooks. Keep them out of reach around young children (and some adults!)

Other equipment to consider, especially if you are fishing from a boat is a personal flotation device (life jacket). Do not fish in rivers or streams when they become flooded. Shore fisherman should also wear life jackets in case they should accidentally fall in.

Sunscreen is a must to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Wear protective clothing and limit exposure to direct sunlight. Also wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Use insect repellant to reduce problems with bugs and insects. Carry a first-aid kit well stocked with items for cuts and other medical needs.

After all of this, remember to have some fun fishing along with remembering all of these safety rules!! We want to remind everyone that you can have fun and be safe at the same time!

1. Fish slowly, providing better action and enabling the fish to have ample eye contact.

2. When the bite seems to slow down, you should slow also down. Work methodically until you find the fish.

3. Always be aware of your weather forecast. Wind, storms, and lightening kill. Safety comes first.

4. If wet feet bother you on rainy days, try a pair of GORE-TEX sox. They are waterproof and can be worn in any shoe or boot.

5. Be alert and watchful. Fish give away their presence 90% of the time through baitfish fleeing; surface action; or vegetation movement.

6.Always look in a bass’ mouth before releasing it. Most of the time, when fighting a lure in his jaw, a bass will try to throw up whatever is in his stomach. You may be able to determine what prey the fish are actively feeding on and choose a lure/presentation to duplicate it.

7.Set the hook on a fish by feel rather than by sight.

8. Regularly check your knot for weakness and hook for sharpness.

9. Bass are not that smart. A swivel does not affect the action of a lure in a negative way and fish don’t really care about it. Use one anytime there is the potential for line twist.

10. If you are using small hooks, don’t jerk hard on the hookset; just tighten up the slack with the rod and reel faster.

11. Check your line just above the lure frequently when fishing crankbaits around rocks, gravel, stumps, and other hard obstructions. They can quickly fray your line.

12. Bass normally respond best to an erratic retrieve and a lot of motion. Keep that lure in front of the fish as long as you can.

13. Hold your rod tip down and to the side for better feel, keeping the angle between rod and line at around 90 degrees.

14. Black buzz baits seem to produce more strikes than bright colors.

15. Since the bass’s metabolism is high, use large crankbaits in warm and hot weather. Switch to smaller baits when the water is cooler.

16. Use a wire cross-locking snap when fishing crank plugs. It allows you to change lures quickly and enables the bait to vibrate more freely.

17. If you notice feeding fish and baitfish movement, the predators are actively after the prey. Switch to a fast moving crankbait and burn it through the area of activity.

18. Protect your eyes with a good pair of plastic polarized sunglasses. They will protect you from the sun’s rays and also provide a shield against a snagged slip sinker or lure flying back when pulled loose.

19. Keep baits fresh and airtight with a food vacuum sealer. You can also store hooks and other terminal tackle this way.

20. Store small quantities of hooks with a few grains of rice and they will never rust.

Using these tips will help you increase your bass catch!