"Chuck, there is obviously a message here.
What you say also applies to us in the business world.
What a great article!!" -- Mason & Betty Emanuel
Daylight Savings Time came and went..., again.
It was here for a season, the longer days gave way for more time on
the water and then, before we knew it, it was gone. Walking outside my
back porch, I am once again reminded about fall. The leaves are
turning, and wind is starting to come from the north and east, and the
bass are changing with the season. Watching the fish in my
private pond, I see that the bass are now cruising together in groups,
they are herding (Texas slang for "gathering") up
bluegill and minnows, fully expecting to put on some weight. The water
is ultra clear right now and in some places I can see through
eight-feet of water -- what an experience it is to watch a big bass
cut a swath right through a school of bluegill!
Yet, as I reset my clocks, I fall back on a moment
that left me feeling a little blue, a little depressed. Many years I
have felt this same feeling during the fall, yet the moment leaves
quickly as this next year is going to be different than most.
For this fall and winter, unlike others that have
gone before, I am going to do things differently. I have vowed
to continue on the climb of catching bigger bass. I have to learn
more. Practice harder. Study. Be on the water. Be very focused.
This fall and winter is going to be different. I'm changing my
tactics...
I believe that there is a definite reason
why 10-pound bass make it to 10 pounds and bigger. One reason is,
through the use of their lateral line, they sense danger and
avoid it. Take engine noise. When was the last time you went swimming
under the surface of the water? Remember hearing the spinning of the
propeller of a boat over a mile away? What about the constant barrage
of bass fishermen who do a "grid" search in hopes of
finding that favorite drop-off, point, or depth? With their big
engine on no less!!! Well, this fall and winter I am going to use
new tactics in regards to stealth. I am going to size down the boat I
use, I'm going to drift with the wind, I am going to use a 20-foot
extension pole to move the boat, I am going to anchor off three places
and use pulleys to secure the boat from any movement. I'm changing
my tactics...
I am going to use satellite photos (that's
right, satellite photos!) and topo maps to help establish holding
areas for big bass. Like a 25-foot island with drop-offs to 40-60 feet
on all sides, loaded up with bait fish; that sounds like a place that
big bass would congregate at. I'm changing my tactics...
You can guarantee that there will be almost no
boats on the lake in fall and winter. Less traffic, less noise, less
people, less usage of the lateral line, big bass defensive systems
will be at their lowest point for the year. I'm changing my
tactics...
I'm a HUGE wimp when is comes to being cold.
Home for me is 85-degrees, sandals, shorts, a tank top, a baseball hat
on backwards. So, I have invested in a Bass Pro Shops, 100-Mile-An-Hour
Cold Weather Suit. For the first time I am REALLY prepared to take on
the winter cold. I'm changing my tactics...
Paradigms for humans and patterns for
big bass. The bank-beaters I know say that bass don't bite in the late
fall or in the dead of winter. I say they don't bite because no one
is out there fishin' for them. They have to eat, right? Beyond that, 10
of the top 50 largemouth bass in Texas were caught in midwinter. A
14.75 pound bass was entered into the Texas Share-A-Lunker program
last year. That fish was caught on January 10th by John Deckard. The
Texas State Record of 18.18 pounds was caught on January 24, 1992. I'm
changing my tactics...
Speaking of human paradigms, they say Lake
Fork is dead because of a fish die-off. I say the fish die-off has
helped the lake. It will bring back trophy bass more frequently
than ever. A fish die-off means there is less competition in
the grocery store -- yippee! I'm changing my tactics...
I will choose my fishin' partners carefully. It
takes methodical planning, persistence, and a true vision of hunting
for a trophy that will bring ultimate success. Hand me a HAWG
versus 30 days of runnin' and gunnin'. Instead of running out
24-gallons of gas in a day, let's try two point four gallons
instead. 500 milligrams of patience and sitting silently for hours
is a pathway to accomplishing my goals. I'm changing my tactics...
Resources such as books, videos, and web-sites
about hunting down big bass are going to be part of my preparations.
Books like "The Quest for the World Record Bass"
by Bart Crabb, "In Pursuit of Giant Bass" by
Bill Murphy. Videos like "Bodacious Bass" by
Bob Crupi and Danny Kadota. Top notch web-sites like
trophybassonly.com, bigfishtackle.com, probass.com, recordbass.com,
and fishingnotebook.com. I'm changing my tactics...
10 POUND CLUB
Last but not least,
Big Bass Freaks are as rare as a 10-pound bass. I am going to
continue to search out and find more freaks. Like Mike Long in
Poway, California; Chris "Fish" Wolfgram in Vacaville,
California; or John Deckard here in Dallas, Texas. I am going to
develop friendships with them and ask them to teach me more about
out-of-the-box bass thinkin'. I'm changing my tactics...
So, I fall back and change the clock with a smile.
I face fall and winter with anticipation. This year will be
different because... I'm changing my tactics.
About the Author
Chuck Bauer is a noted Big Bass Specialist. Since 1997
he has caught, certified and released 137 Bass over 22 inches in
length. He has been recognized many times by various organizations,
including Bassin' Magazine, Texas Fish
& Game, North American Fisherman Magazine, Outdoor Life, Texas
Hunting and Fishing News, Big Bass Record Club, Bass Pro Shops
and The Dallas Morning News.
Chuck is a Professional Member of the National
Speakers Association, he gives monthly "Big
Fish" seminars at Bass Pro Shops and he
is on Pro Staff for Kick-n-Bass. He is a
featured outdoor writer for Bass Fishing Home Pages,
ProBass.com, BassResources.com, BigFishTackle.com, All Angler.com,
OklahomaBassFishing.com and FishingNotebook.com.
Chuck does FREE fishin' seminars
in and around the Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex. You may find out more
information about Chuck at www.chuckbauer.com
or www.worldrecordbass.com.
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Profishin'l Seminars &
Workshops
2810 E. Trinity Mills Rd., #209 • Carrollton, TX 75006
E-Mail: chuck@chuckbauer.com
• Voicemail: 1-888-877-0263
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