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Fishing the American Bass Angler Kansas division and BASS central opens made 2010 a great year!
Let me start with the 2010 ABA season, fishing the lakes in Kansas can always be a challenge but when you throw a bunch of good friends in, it can’t get any better. I feel the ABA is more about the experience than the money, but any time you can cash a check it makes it that much more enjoyable. The most memorable tournament this year with the ABA was the March tournament; we invited Airmen from McConnell AFB to fish with us pro/am style. My partner was eager to learn and see what tournament fishing is all about. As the boats took off in order we blasted to our first spot; but a boat beat me to it, so plan B. We moved to a shallow bank and fished for a couple hours no bite...MMMM time for change we moved to a few other spots still not a bite...things were looking down but decided to check our first stop maybe the other competitor had moved off..Sure enough as we were going into the spot the other boat was leaving. So I positioned on a grass line in three foot of water, picked up my Classic Destiny flipping stick with 15lbs Vicious and my favorite tube. Made a couple pitches then it happened, a twitch of the line, slammed it back and got her to the boat yes a nice 3lbs...Maybe the other boat didn’t fish this pattern? Needless to say we fished the area until time ran out, putting a couple more together for the day. Now I didn’t think we did all that great and apologized to my co angler for such a hard day...little did I know it was hard for everyone, taking 3rd place and a small check. Lesson learned; always fish hard and stick to a game plan, it saved us this time.
My plan for the 2010 BASS Opens was just make the cut and stay in the top 100 in points, this was my first year as a pro, fishing with the BIG boys.
Amistad was the first Lake, Big BASS Heaven, my travel partners Chris and Robert were as excited as I was...Can you believe it takes twenty pounds a day to make a fifty place...Needless to say that didn’t happen for us, and we came back to Kansas with heads held high with optimism maybe the Red River tournament will be it.
Red River...YES I made the Cut!!!! This was great...my spot produced an 11.5lb for my co angler, who won the non boater side, and produced fish for me...would have or could have; had I gotten the fish to the boat without losing them I might have placed higher. But getting your picture taken, going across the stage at BASS PRO shops, and the names I fished against for the final day made me think ‘man I just saw him/her on TV or read their articles’...HOW COOL IS THIS!!
How cool was the bite on Texoma, I went into this tournament with confidence after the Red not to mention my friend lives on the lake and knows it very well. Three days into practice and no real pattern, only a couple of keepers, that’s ok you don’t want to sore mouth them just find an area. One fish for the tournament! You ask what went wrong. Heck I think about that one every day and still don’t have any fishing excuses.
But at the end of the season I met my goals; made the cut and ended up in 87th for the year...you just never know where you will end up until the fished are all weighed.
As I write this it’s freezing outside, but I can’t wait to see what 2011 brings. New water, new lures, new lessons, and new friends. I would like to say thank you to Jim and Alex at Zeiners Angler Supply, my sponsors Vicious fishing line, Honest Dave Lures, Classic Destiny Custom rods and all my friends for their continued support.
Bass in the Grass and a Frog
  
Click on photos for larger view
June 17, 2009 - Summer means grass in many lakes and ponds in Kansas, and I’ve taken to just one rod, line and lure while out fun fishing. This past week I’ve walked the bank at Buffalo Park, Emery Park, West KDOT and Butler SFL and just hammered them. FROG ON means some of the best summer fishing and the bite can be Vicious.
Concentrate on the outside grass in the morning and the middle of the grass when the sun comes out when the fish move under and tight in the grass; Equipment needed is a heavy to Med Heavy 7 foot rod (I use Classic Destiny Custom rod), 30-60 lbs Vicious braid and any of the Frogs you feel comfortable throwing. I use the SPRO frogs, found them to move side to side easer than any others I’ve thrown; find some grass mats, brush, and any other cover you think there hiding next to and hang on. If there’s a Bass, they’ll eat it. It’s that simple, Just don’t set the hook right away when the bass explodes, remember to wait to you feel them pull. This is some of the most exciting fish you can do.
Don’t have a frog? A great trick is a weightless Snack Daddy tube, floats great and comes through the grass easily and comes in many different colors to match a frog or minnow.
I hope you get out there and try this you won’t be disappointed. And again it’s not just for the morning or evening bite.
Update for start
of 2009
It's been a while since I updated this page of
mine. Like all of you; work has been very demanding.
The 08 season was great. I didn't cash a check
but the knowledge I earned was worth every penny of my entrée
fees, travel, and how to represent my sponsors on stage. Fishing
with Elite pros at the Central Opens was fantastic. I picked
up techniques to use and expanded my own bag of tricks.
One of the techniques I used back here at home
to fish a club tournament brought in 5 fish for 20lbs and won
the tournament. No cash, just bragging rights; but like I said
the knowledge to be a better fisherman.
My Sponsors for '09 have come out with some new
Items: Vicious fishing line has introduced Vicious Braid. I got
a hold of some before it hit the market. I tried it at Sooner
Lake in Oklahoa during the late fall. If you have never been
to Sooner, just imagine milfoil and grass everywhere and big
bass lurking underneath looking for that frog. So I have the
braid on a Pflouger 6.1 reel/ Classic Destiny custom rod 7 ft
MH. The first thing I noticed is the braid is round not flat
like others; the test is 40lb Test,0.0120 Diameter,10lb Mono
Equivalent, I cast gently at first to get the feel (no backlash).
And the next casts just got easier with no issues. Pictures say
more than words
One of my sponsors that I have been with since
2001 is still staying in business, I know a lot of you might
have gotten an email from BILL at Snack Daddy Lures that he was
going to close the doors after 10 years in business, glad to
say it's not happening. You can get those tubes and split stix's
still.
If you haven't heard I also received a new boat
22ZX SKEETER custom colored red, white, and blue. Thank you SKEETER
and Shady Creek Marina for taking care of me. The Boat hauls
bass.
I would like to introduce to my newest sponsors
Christopher BEAN coffee and the NET CLIP
Christopher bean has been on the market since 1996
and offers over 70 different types of flavorful coffee. As fisherman,
we all need the cup of hot coffee on those cool mornings.
The Net Clip is a new and a simple way to keep
your fishing net in the boat without blowing out, running hard
across the water. If you would like one please contact me there
is no web site or store is caring it yet.
See you on the water, and good fishing
Published in 2008 Spring Issue of The Kansas
Angler
Fishing the Snack Daddy Split Stick,
Vicious Fishing Line and Angler Logs
Snack Daddy Split Stick gives
great action, versatility
I would like to share one of my favorite lures
with you, the Snack Daddy Split Stick. What sets the split stick
apart from other cigar type soft plastic lures is the split tails;
it gives this bait far more action and versatility.
I use the lure for flipping, Carolina rigging,
and the most popular, shaky head tactics.
My favorite way to use it is with a number three
wide gap hook on fifteen pound Vicious Fluorocarbon and a seven
foot medium heavy Classic Destiny Rod.
How you rig the lure is very important. If you
look at it, you will notice how the one end is cut into five
small tails.
Rig it Texas style, but the most important aspect
is to rig the number three hook all the way to the end of the
split between the two tails. Watching as you move the lure you
will notice how the lure's tails separate and move with any action
you give it. The same applies with a shaky head or Carolina rig.
If you need it a more subtle, rig it weightless
and hook it so the tails lay against each other. The tails will
create a flutter action as it sinks, and when if you dead stick
it, the tails will move ever so lightly, drawing the fish to
strike.
The Snack Daddy Split Stick comes in all fish catching
colors. My favorites are white for bedding fish, bluegill for
small ponds, and green pumpkin when fishing for smallmouth Bass.
If you live in Kansas you can find the full line
up of Snack Daddy Split Sticks and another great item the Snack
Daddy Pro tubes at Zeiner's Angler Supply or visit the store's web
site www.zeiners.com.
When you go fishing you always want to catch a
big fish. The Snack Daddy Split Stick can defiantly get you that
hog.
For the "Ultimate Strike"
.....choose Vicious
Have you tried Vicious Fishing Line yet? Vicious
line made its debut in 2007 and has made its mark on the fishing
world with Elite Pro Bass fisherman Jason Quinn, Jeff Reynolds
and local Kansas tournament anglers.
Don't think that because the professionals are
using it means it will cost you that new rod and reel you were
looking at. Vicious line is the most cost effective line on the
market, especially if you're looking for a no stretch fluorocarbon
line; Vicious Fluorocarbon is priced competitively with 250 yards
retailing at $9.99.
Vicious is also for all styles of fishing from
off shore, big game cat fishing, to the new pan fish series.
The Pan Fish Series product line has a new "HI-VIS yellow"
line. It is available in 2-8 lb test and has the same great characteristics
of low stretch, low memory, abrasion resistance, affordable price
and great visibility to detect the slightest bites.
The only place in Kansas where you can find it
is at Zeiners Angler Supply in Wichita. Stop by the Wichita Boat
show and visit me at Classic Destiny Custom Rods or the Zeiner's
Bass Booth. If you are interested or have any questions about
the Vicious Fishing line series. I would be happy to answer any
questions you might have.
Advantages of your Kansas Angler
Log
A great tool to help build a relationship with
your sponsors and keep friends and family updated of your fishing
adventures is with the Kansas Angler log, the Kansas Angler log
has helped me receive sponsorship deals and keep friends informed
about my day on the lake.
If you're anything like me, I don't have the knowledge
to start my own Web Page or maintain one at that. Well The Kansas
Angler has taken the guess work out of it.
You send The Angler your pictures with a write
up, it will then be posted on the Kansas Angler website in a
way that give us a virtual website under your name for easy viewing.
With the Angler log you receive space for you sponsor
advertising; a current log that incorporates your pictures with
a short caption of the day's event, even a Résumé
for future sponsors can be placed.
The Kansas Angler website receives a large number
of hits every day, giving you exposure. This in itself is a big
advantage for marketing your sponsors with little effort from
you.
Another great advantage is making friends with
similar interest in what you love to do, and how or what you
like to fish for. I've made many friends with the Angler Log,
sharing information about local lakes or lakes that I might be
traveling to for tournaments.
If you're looking for a great tool to help make
the connection with sponsorship or just a place of your own to
post pictures of your fishing adventures, this is something every
fisherman needs. You can lear more by giving Jim at Zeiner's
Angler Supply a call at 316-265-5551 or Stop by the Kansas Sport
and Travel Show Feb. 21-24 to talk with me on the advantages
of having your very own internet Kansas Angler log.
You can also learn more by going to kansasangler.com
and click on the Angler Logs link on the left side toward the
bottom of the links.
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