Good Bassin Weekend! 4-9-12
Fishing in the Seark area is smoking right now! Saturday was fun with lots of bass caught on Lake Chicot. That place has to be a bass factory. This place receives more pressure per acre than any place I know and still produces like a champ. There are so many different patterns working down there that you can probably find one you like! Sunday was a little slower, but I was on the home pond of Lake Monticello. I was some what surprised at how well I caught em on the lake. I went looking for fish to catch, but didn't see enough to mess with. What did I do? I thought, "There's no way there could be any bass out deeper!" I moved out and you guessed it-I caught several decent bass! I have never done that on this pond this early. May-yes, about every year, but April-absolutely not. This is a crazy year as far as temps and weather go. We have have bass on the bed here since late January to early February! I have been waiting on the major influx of bass to the shallows, but I am beginning to think that they came a few at a time since January and we missed the major move. I'm sure someone will say something different, but that's my opinion and what I have seen. There are bass biting just about everywhere around here! As I mentioned, Chicot is a good choice. Dumas and Cane Creek are also good choices right now. I think I'm about ready for another road trip. I'm thinking smallmouths! Thank you for checking out MBB and reading my rambling and as always, I'll see ya'll out there!
Windy Weekend of Bassin'! 3-5-12
This past weekend was right on the heels of a major cold front, but it didn't seem to hurt the fishing. Saturday, I spent the day on Lake Chicot and had a lot of fun catching bass the whole time I was there. There were a lot of vehicles in the parking lot, but I didn't see any boats fishing in my areas. Saturday brought back a lot of fond memories of fishing all of those tournaments down there in the 90s. Some things may have changed, but there are still bass living in the same places. Seemed like I had never left! I did realize that I am completely out of tournament fishing shape! I had to have a nap when I got home! Sunday morning was very brisk and windy. I spent the morning on Lake Monticello running the shallows. There are a few fish cruising and a very few actually locked down. I believe there are big numbers of bass staging and getting ready to come in. The next full moon could be the thing that triggers a major influx of bass to the shallows. Fish seem to be biting just about everywhere, so get out there and wack em'! Btw, we have two new Shooter colors in the 200 Series. They are Threadfin which we test marketed last year and the Pumpkinseed. Both of these are sweet! Thanks for checking out MBB and listening to me ramble! I'll see ya'll out there!
1-3-12 Lots of Winter Time Fishing
My goodness, have any of ya'll seen the stringers that are being caught on the A-Rig and its spinoffs? The whole Diamond Lakes region is being dominated by these umbrella rigs. Lake Hamilton, 25 pounds to win, really? I have one, but have yet to figure out the trick! There are other opportunities a little closer to home to take advantage of. The crappie and white bass on Lake Monticello have been biting some, but the action has been a little spotty. Morgan's Point has had a few bass coming in. There has to be bass biting in the Pine Bluff harbor! As cold as it feels outside, we really haven't had a winter yet, so there are fish to be caught. As I mentioned in my last post, winter is an overlooked time of the year for cranking. Bass still have to eat in the winter months and cranks draw reaction bites. So far this season, the bass are still eating the Shooters! If the water is fairly clear use either a shad pattern, red craw, or chartreuse bait. If the water is dirty use more red or chartreuse. Check the feature page for a couple good articles on winter cranking.
Tournament season is right around the corner! I will be scouting in the coming weeks to get a game plan together for the clearwater lakes. With my work schedule as full as it is, I won't get the prefishing days prior to the events like I normally do. There will be a lot of fishing by the seat of my pants this year! I appreciate ya'll checking out MBB! Hopefully, you will find some useful info. Until next time, I hope all your bass are big and I'll see ya'll out there this weekend!
12-30-11 Warm Weekend
First of all, thanks to everyone who watched me on Sports Nation on channel 42 last night. Big Sarge was nice enough to have me on and I appreciate him and I look forward to being on again!
The weekend is looking great for getting on the water! The temps are supposed to be in the 60s on Sat with lots of sunshine. From what I am hearing, this may be the last pretty weekend for a while. Monday is supposed to be cold. It is just a matter of time before real winter time weather sets in. Around the state, the Alabama Rig seems to be the hottest thing going for bass. I will be trying my hand at it this week! Being a finesse angler who is always worried about line size and that type of thing, I feel kind of stupid rigging this contraption up, but I have to keep an open mind. Hopefully, I will be able to throw the Shooter this weekend. Winter time is a forgotten time for cranking to so many anglers, but it can be one of the hottest times of the year for catching really quality bass on cranks.
On an ending note, the TV experience did teach me a few things. One thing is that I really could stand to lose a pound or two! The second thing is I really need to wear a hat (I'm a hat man. Why didn't I wear one? What a doofus!) Lastly, I probably could stand to not take a pain pill before the show. (I have an elbow injury that I am rehabbing.) Everyone, I would like to take this time to thank all of our viewers and I wish everyone one of you a very happy New Year! Ya'll get out there this weekend and I'll see ya'll out there!
12-24-11 Merry Christmas!
It is that time of year again, when one year ends and we have a few days to think back on the year with great memories and some that are not too great. Right now, I'm thinking more about the things that I am thankful for. I am thankful for a great family, great friends, new business opportunities, good health, great fishing and website sponsors, and most of all, I am thankful for Jesus and the gift that he has given us all!
It has been a tough year on some fronts. The fishing has been anything but easy on the lake, but we had some really good guide trips this year. I lost a grandmother this year. That is always a tough thing to take, but it's part of life. I have really missed the tournaments the last couple years.
Looking forward, I think it will be a great year. There seems to be a lot of positive things happening. Our Shooter Crankbaits are selling and catching bass in more parts of the country. I'm in the process of getting my tournament plans together for 2012. I will be competing when derby season begins! I have really missed the competition and the people! As for Monticellobigbass.com, there will be some changes coming soon. There will be a strong dose of Lake Monticello, but we will be covering a larger area and more things outdoors! We are still getting everything in place. 2012 looks like one of the most exciting years we have seen in several years! To my friends and viewers, have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
