Fishing News From Crazy Fisherman

College Bass National Championship Begins Soon

2009-07-05T23:18:00.003-05:00

The College Bass National Championship sponsored by Under Armour will take place on the Arkansas River Friday, July 10-Sunday, July 12. More than 142 collegiate anglers from 71 colleges and universities across the country will be making their way to North Little Rock, Ark. for the fifth annual tournament considered the most prestigious collegiate tournament. They will compete for a chance at more than $15,000 in scholarship monies and prizes. Tournament waters will be restricted to Arkansas River Pools 5-7.

This has traditionally been an exciting tournament and I'm sure this year will be no different. Competitors will arrive and practice throughout the week. We'll keep you up to date on results.

New World Record Bass

2009-07-03T14:43:00.005-05:00

There is now a new world record bass which was caught in Japan and reportedly weighs approximately 22 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 73.5 centimeters (nearly 29 inches). It was caught by Manabu Kurita on Lake Biwa which is the largest lake in Japan. Although it is the largest ever caught on record, it will go down in the record books as a tie for the world record because it does not exceed the old record by at least two ounces. I have been unable to find out what it was caught on. (Continue)

Fish React To Flash And Vibration

2009-07-01T22:23:00.006-05:00

Generally fishing lures either emulate natural forage or they entice a bite with their flash and/or vibration. I can't remember the last time I fished without throwing a Steelshad or spinner of some kind, both of which have a lot of flash and vibration. I am not even sure the color matters as long as those two qualities come out in the lure. Mepps, long time manufacturer of spinner baits, has now captured the sound of spinners and you can listen to them on their website. It is fascinating. Click on the link to listen to the spinner bait sounds.

Recycled Fish

2009-06-28T19:49:00.003-05:00

The non-profit organization Recycled Fish, founded in 2004, is an organization of anglers dedicated to living a lifestyle of environmental stewardship both on and off the water. The organization began by just promoting catch and release; however now teaches and encourages anglers to have good stewardship in all aspects of life because "lifestyle runs downstream." Learn more by visiting Recycled Fish. The website has some valuable information that will help all of us preserve the earth for future generations. You should check out and take the Sportsman's Stewardship Pledge today.

Learn About Custom Baits

2009-06-17T06:33:00.004-05:00

I wanted to learn more about the value of custom made and painted fishing lures so I reached out to Bill Polyniak, one of the founders of MOAB Custom Baits.

How did you get into making custom baits?
My partner, Rob Jones, and I decided to start this business because we were always looking for something different, lifelike. We believe that having a lure that truly mimics the foragebase would allow fisherman better opportunities at catching better fish. Tournament pros have been using custom painted crankbaits for some time now. We believe all tournament fisherman should be afforded that opportunity. After searching, we realized that there was no one place where anglers could chose from a wide selection of quality painted, in stock baits. Also, we guarantee our lures are painted by some of the best painters in the U.S. On other sites, you have no idea whether the painter has been painting for 2 years or 2 days. Our painters use products and techniques that have been proven to give the angler the best possible look.

What makes a custom lure better than store bought?
With the extreme pressures on today's lakes and the increasing competition during tournament time, we offer the competitive angler something new and effective. You truly have to see one of our lures in person to appreciate the quality and how lifelike they are. Pictures can not capture the irredesence they have - just like the real bait fish. Feedback from our customers has been more than positive. Our lures have helped several win tournaments this season. MOAB has been the secret weapon in their arsenal. Great news for us!!

What's next for MOAB?
Within the next few weeks, we will start the release of our own line of crankbaits - all which will be custom painted. We are VERY excited about this next step. We will also continue to grow our relationships with our professional anglers, as well. Additionally, we are assembling a Pro Staff. Currently on our Pro Staff we have- Dave Stewart, Bass Buster Guide Service, KY Lake and Alex Davis "Spinner Bait Kid", Gunthersville, AL. Our custom lures will soon include special selections designed specifically by these gentlemen.

These look like great products. I look for to following their progress and using some of their lures as they release new additions to their line. Visit their website at www.moabcustombaits.com.

Iowa's Clear Lake Carp Clean-Up

2009-06-14T08:13:00.005-05:00

Carp were introduced in our fisheries in the 1800s with good intentions, they are wreaking havoc on the ecosystem today. One example is Clear Lake Iowa where previous carp clean-up efforts have failed. Carp uproot and destroy aquatic plant life, reduce water clarity, and eat native gamefish and forage. They also greatly contribute to increased phosphorus levels which is responsible for algae growth. Basically they are just bad news when they get out of hand and they are out of hand at many of our fisheries.

After many failed efforts to reduce the carp population in Clear Lake, Iowa's DNR and Iowa State University researchers are much closer to finding the answer. The first step was to capture and mark as many carp as they could. Over a period of about a year they were able to estimate the population at 180 pounds per surface acre of water. After marking the carp, they came back a year later and netted and removed 20 tons of carp from a marsh adjacent to Clear Lake known as Ventura Marsh. Within days of the carp removal, the water became crystal clear while the adjacent Clear Lake remained very turbid.

This is not an easy problem to deal with, but research has now shown that to affect the carp population you need to quickly physically remove at least 50 percent of the carp and then also stifle reproduction. Young carp need to be suppressed by predators. Thanks to these researchers we are finally coming up with the answer on how to impact the serious issue of carp over population.

Shore Fishing Licenses Required In Florida

2009-06-09T20:06:00.003-05:00

Beginning August 1st people who fish from the shore will now be required to have a license in Florida. The no license requirement for shore fishing has been staple for Florida tourists, but that is soon to come to an end. So far the reaction has been mixed. The cost of a shore license will only be $7.50 per year and people who possess a saltwater licenses are covered; however, now there is one more fee to pay in this down economy. Supporters of the change are counting on the fees generated going back to support the fishing industry in Florida. Only time will tell if this actually happens. There are also costs associated with enforcing the new law.

FYI - The NOAA will require all saltwater fishermen to register with their state or with NOAA by Jan. 1, 2010. If anglers are not licensed or registered by a state that has been exempted and want to fish in federal waters, they will be required to register with NOAA. They must also register if they fish in tidal waters for migratory fish such as striped bass and salmon that spawn in rivers and spend their adult lives in estuaries and oceans. However, those who fish recreationally for these migratory species inland of tidal waters need not register, according to the final rule.

The purpose of the registry is to gather data to ensure sustainable fisheries built on the best available science. More information will be distributed prior to next January.

What Color Fishing Lure Should I Use

2009-06-06T20:22:00.005-05:00

Fishing lures come in a multitude of colors. And, each year tackle manufacturers produce more. Making a selection can become overwhelming if you do not have a little understanding of the basics.

First and foremost, select a lure color that matches the color of the natural baitfish or forage where you are fishing. This applies to both hard and soft plastic baits. A bait that has a shading pattern should be darker on the top and lighter on the bottom to emulate the natural patterns of baitfish. This is the place to start.

If that doesn't get results, try a bait with a little more contrast such as a worm with a different color tail, or a red and white spinner bait. If you still do not get results, then try something with bright obnoxious colors. I have a bright orange Rattletrap that I have caught several bass on when nothing else has worked.

Staying with natural colors is more important in clear or lightly stained water. Dark, and sometimes very bright, colors can be effective in darker or dirty water with low visibility. In dark water baits with sound, vibration, or smell will be more effective.

More information on lure colors can be found at Crazy Fisherman in the resources section.

Of course the type of lure is just as important as the color such as a spinner, a jerk bait, crank bait, or soft plastic. Try a variety and you'll find something that works for you in a given situation. My personal favorites are a gold or trout Steelshad or a Kelly's Pier Boy plastic worm that are pictured below.

I have caught hundreds of fish with these two baits. If I could have just two baits in my tackle box, this is it.

MURRAY STATE WINS COLLEGIATE BASS FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP

2009-05-31T08:19:00.006-05:00

With over 140 teams from more than 70 schools registered this year, Murray State University edges out North Texas State to take the 2009 Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship title. The week long event sanctioned by the Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) was held at Sneaky Pete's on Lake Lewisville, Texas and wrapped up with an exciting weigh-in on May 29th. Rounding out the top five were Northwestern State University, Eastern Kentucky, and Louisiana Tech.

It's great to see this sport growing in popularity for college students. Hopefully, at some point in the future it will be recognized by the NCAA as an official sport. One of the uniqueness's of bass fishing is that it doesn't matter whether you are from a large or small school, you are all on the same playing field and have an equal chance to win. (Of course importantly to me is that it is just fun!) View more information.

Catfishing In Northeast Ohio

2009-05-24T22:31:00.003-05:00

Participation in catfishng tournaments has grown significantly in the last couple of years and the NEOCATS (Northeast Ohio Catfishing) Tournament Trail is one of the most active. Their last tournament took place on May 16th on Seneca Lake. Twenty eight teams launched in search of the best catfish. The weigh-in saw the highest number of teams, 22, catch their 6-fish limit, but the common thing among all was size. Small Channels were the norm. A total of 134 Channels were caught weighing in at 352.25 pounds. However the highlight was a 34 pound flathead caught by Nathan Torres (pictured below).

Pass On Your Passion For Fishing

2009-05-18T21:27:00.004-05:00

I love taking kids fishing and watching their face when they catch a fish. For kids, it really doesn't matter what size or species, they just like to catch something. My ten year old son has got the fever like me. He just enjoys fishing with his dad. It is a great sport and an excellent family activity which can be very economical. I've never seen a kid catch a fish that they didn't have a big smile on his or her face. The Crazy Fisherman Company has now created a t-shirt to encourage anglers to "pass it on."

Go to Crazy Fisherman to learn more.

First High Scool Bass Tournament In History Books

2009-05-10T07:31:00.006-05:00

West Frankfort High School won the first high school bass fishing tournament in the country. The two day championships were held May 8 and 9 on Carlyle Lake located just east of St. Louis. They weighed in 16 pounds, 4 ounces over the two-day tournament to win. This was a historic event for the sport of fishing since it was the first time high school students were able to compete for their school. Participation numbers and excitement about this high school competition exceeded everyone's expectations.

Hopefully other states will see the success Illinois experienced and do the same thing. (Just think about the implications for conservation down the road these high school kids can bring us.)

Illinios High School Bass Fishing Tournament Debut

2009-05-02T08:19:00.005-05:00

April 24th, 2009 was a historic day in the fishing world. It was the first ever high school sponsored bass fishing competition. I applaud the Illinois High School Association for approving bass fishing as a sport. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and participation has been excellent.

On April 24th regional tournaments were held throughout the state. The winners of the regional tournaments advance to the state championships which will be held on Carlyle Lake May 8-9. Each team could weigh up to five largemouth or smallmouth bass of 12 inches or longer. Adult coaches were in each boat, for safety and to provide instruction if needed. The adults could not fish in any way.

See coverage in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Trout Unlimited Turns 50

2009-04-25T13:12:00.005-05:00

Trout Unlimited turns 50 this year. The organization was originally formed by a group of Michigan fishermen who simply wanted to protect their local waters. As a grass-roots organization, it has grown and evolved over the last 50 years to become a key player in conservation and protecting our cold water fisheries. Take a look at this interview with one of its charter members.

Longtime Trout Unlimited member Wes Cooper

From the beginning, TU was guided by the principle that if we "take care of the fish, then the fishing will take care of itself." And that principle was grounded in science. "One of our most important objectives is to develop programs and recommendations based on the very best information and thinking available," said TU's first president, Dr. Casey E. Westell Jr. Learn more about TU's 50 Anniversary Celebration.

Catch And Release Tips

2009-04-25T13:06:00.003-05:00

Practicing "catch and release" has become popular with most fishermen today. A good rule of thumb is to keep no more than two fish per fisherman. The results have been very positive resulting in increased numbers of gamefish in our fisheries.

When practicing catch and release follow these simple tips to improve the survival and health of the released fish:

Return the fish to the water as quickly as possible.
When holding a fish or removing the hook use lip grips to reduce contact with the fish.
Contact with a fish will damage its protective coating. If you do need to make contact with a fish, use your bare hands; a glove or towel has a greater impact on their protective coating than your bare hands.
Do not put your fingers in the gills of a fish, this can cause permanent and fatal damage.
Place the fish back in the water gently.
If a fish has swallowed the hook, just cut your line and release the fish. Attempting to remove the hook will damage the fish's internal organs; however a fish has chemicals in its digestive system that will dissolve the hook in a couple of weeks.

Practice these tips and we'll keep our fisheries healthy for years to come.

New Lindy Jig System

2009-04-22T21:28:00.004-05:00

Last weekend I purchased my first set of the new Lindy X-Change jigs and I can't wait to use them. It is so simple I am wondering why it hadn't been developed before; generally the best ideas are relatively simple. The concept is great. You just rig the hook on your line, and the jig head snaps on or off without re-tying the hook.

The jig heads are available in different colors and sizes, so if you need a heavier or lighter jig or if you want to try a different color just make the change quickly without untying. This really comes in handy on those cold mornings when your fingers have trouble cooperating. See Lindy Fishing Tackle for more details. Lindy Fishing Tackle has come up with another winner.

Site Selected For Junior World Bass Fishing Tournament

2009-04-15T19:01:00.003-05:00

Beautiful Kittanning, PA (located northeast of Pittsburgh) has been selected to host the 2009 annual FLW National Guard Junior World Bass Fishing Championship. The tournament will take place July 29 - August 2. They are expecting 80 young anglers from all over the U.S. for the event which will be held on the Allegheny River. The young anglers will have an opportunity to win more than $30,000 in scholarships and $12,000 in youth-program grants.

The tournament will be nationally televised on Versus Country, and will include two youth entrant qualifiers from the Pennsylvania Bass Federation from each of 40 states in two age groups, 11-14 and 15-18, along with their families. Wal-Mart and the Pennsylvania National Guard are co-sponsors for the event.

How To Use A Hollow Swimbait

2009-04-11T07:13:00.007-05:00

Hollow swimbaits became popular 2 to 3 years ago. I remember when I first learned about them and couldn't find anyone who had them in stock to purchase. In the beginning there was only one company that made them and they couldn't keep up with the demand. Today, there are numerous manufacturers who make them in every size and color.

What makes the hollow swimbait so effective is that it looks and feels so realistic. It swims like to real baitfish and when a fish puts one in its mouth, it feels like a real baitfish. A gamefish will hold onto something that feels real longer to allow you to set the hook.

There are many variations of hooks that you can use to rig the swimbait including jig-style lead heads. There are even ways to use the swimbait with a spinner. If you are unsure of how to rig it, I suggest you buy a package (available from Berkley) that includes the hook and very detailed instructions.

One important factor to keep in mind is that swimbaits work best in clear water. They normally do not work very well in murky water because they do not rattle or create strong vibrations that can be picked up through a fish's lateral lines. The rule of thumb is use swimbaits when the visibility is 4 feet or more. If you want to use them in water of less visibility, you should at least rig them with a spinner.

Hollow swimbaits are an excellent choice in many situations and every freshwater fisherman should keep a supply in his or her tackle box. I hope these tips have been helpful.

New Tackle Box Combines Tackle And Cooler

2009-04-05T13:48:00.004-05:00

The new "Chill Box" from Plano is a practical but revolutionary design combining a cooler and a tackle box. Since fishermen need both, it is a great idea. One of those that you probably say, "Why didn't I think of that?" There is a removable soft-sided cooler inside a plastic molded tackle box. To improve on the design even more, the plastic box has pockets on the outside to take advantage of the flexibility of a soft tackle bag. Learn more by clicking on the image below.

Learn To Rig A Tube For Bass Fishing

2009-04-02T20:57:00.003-05:00

Fishing with a tube can be one of the most effective baits for both large and small mouth bass. This video presents a great way to rig a tube.

The Sasquatch Legend Has Come To An End

2009-04-01T06:14:00.003-05:00

For those of you who never really believed in Sasquatch, also known as "Big Foot", the legend has been solved. Yes he was real. He was found in hills of the Pacific Northwest and was shot by a hunter from Texas. This person from Texas also owns a company that makes and sells various kinds of jerky. So, he did what he usually does with some of the meat from his game and he made him into jerky, Sasquatch Jerky. Last week I received a sample and it tasted remarkably good, some of the best jerky I've ever had. I could only sample a few bites because obviously it is premium priced since there is such a limited quantity. Check it out for yourself at Jerky.com.

Shimano Has New Fishing Shoe

2009-03-28T08:11:00.002-05:00

Shimano isn't really known for clothing or shoes, but they are developing more accessories for the fisherman. The latest is a comfortable fishing shoe. It is very light weight, water proof, non-slip, and comfortable. They have covered everything that is important to a fisherman. And, the shoes are reasonably priced. You can learn more at the Shimano Fishing Store.

Best Days To Fish In April 2009

2009-03-26T20:03:00.002-05:00

Fishing is best within a couple of days either side of a "new moon" or a "full moon". In the month of April 2009 the full moon will take place on April 9th, and the new moon will take place on April 25th. Keep this in mind as you plan your fishing schedule for April.

Shore Fishing In Florida

2009-03-23T20:25:00.001-05:00

This was my second trip to Florida and my second opportunity to saltwater fish in 3 weeks; a real treat for me since I live in Iowa. The first fishing trip was with a guide which resulted in trophy size redfish for me and my son. This trip was more of a family vacation trip. However, if I am close to water I am going to throw a line in the water. We stayed at a resort hotel in Treasure Island, Florida just north of St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Mexico.

The first day I fished with artificial bait, an Exude white shrimp and a Berkley Gulp moulton shrimp. The fish were all over the Berkley Gulp, but only small fish that ate the legs off of it. I only managed to land one small fish. I have to say the fish did like the Gulp. I got into a very large fish with the Exude shrimp. It set my drag off, I fought it for a while then it let go. This isn't a fish story, I have the teeth marks in the shrimp to prove it.

The next morning I walked to a local bait shop and bought some live shrimp. This is when the real fun began. I got my first bite within 30 seconds of the bait hitting the water and I pulled in a small Spanish Mackerel. Although we didn't catch anything really large, there were a few keepers if we wanted to have a fish fry. We caught five different species of fish, which was fun to see (especially the puffer fish).

Shore fishing can be a very inexpensive alternative to a charter or a guide if that works best for you. Kids really don't care as long as they catch something and they are with the people they love. I have never seen a kid reel in a fish without a smile on his or her face regardless of the size. A small travel rod, a spinning reel, a jig, a few live shrimp, and you are good to go. By the way shore fishing in Florida does not require a license, another plus. Don't miss out next time you travel to Florida or another coastal state. Give shore fishing a try.

What's The Value Of A Fishing Guide

2009-03-15T21:14:00.003-05:00

The fishing trip I took with my son a couple of weeks ago was a prime example of the great value of a fishing guide, especially when you are fishing in unfamiliar waters. If you are like me you enjoy checking out new fisheries from time to time. There is a sense of adventure to it. I also have more fun on a fishing trip when I catch fish and a guide can certainly improve your chances.

Most fishermen will eventually figure out where the fish are by using some of the tools of the trade like electronics and/or a lake map. They will have a few patterns they'll try throughout the day to find out what works and what doesn't. Even the best pro-fishermen in the world fish a couple of days in the fishery where their tournament will take place to learn the ropes. In unfamiliar waters, unless you have several days on your hands, a guide can be an excellent investment at least on the first day.

I am not suggesting using a guide for every trip, but from time to time in my estimation hiring a fishing guide can be well worth the money. A good guide can put you on fish in almost any condition. I also find that guides are great teachers to the rest of us and help us understand a little more about this passion we call fishing.