I was fishing a small lake in central California back in 1980, I think it was that year. I had been fishing for a couple of hours and doing ok, catching some 1-2 pound fish and in a far I was fishing a small lake in central California back in 1980, I think it was that year. I had been fishing for a couple of hours and doing ok, catching some 1-2 pound fish and in a far distance I could see this man walking up with a bright red jacket. The closer he got, the more I noticed his jacket and all the patches on it, one said 1978 World Top Water Bass Fishing Champion, along with about 20 other patches. We began to talk, of course, I wanted to know all about him and he began to tell me about how he became champion. Now, I do want to say one thing here, I forget what he told me and I don't even know for sure if there is such a tournament for the World Top Water Championship but I watched this guy fish.
He was probably in his 50's or early 60's at the time and fished this lure different than I have seen before so I paid special attention. Finally, after seeing him catch a half dozen fish while I caught two I asked him what he was doing and what bait he was using that he was doing so well. He said he only used one kind of bait and opened up his tackle box. Can you imagine my surprise when the only lure he had in there was Rapalas. I mean bunches of Rapalas, every color and size you could imagine. I said where's the rest of your lures, he smiled and said this is all I use. By the way, at the time I was fishing with a Rapala, that was ironic to me. I said "that is what I'm using now".
He said "yeah, I see that but you're not fishing it right". Well, I had fished for bass for about 25 or so years then and wondered what in the world he was talking about, me not fishing it right. I had fished Rapalas for as long as I can remember. So, I said "what are you talking about not fishing it right?". He said "well, all you're doing is throwing the lure in and reeling it back. I said "yeah". He said" have you ever noticed a minnow or shad or whatever, he said they never go very far, they usually move a few inches at a time and they dart." He said "that lure of yours is supposed to imitate the baitfish the bass is after so make it act like one." Then he showed me and guess what? He was right!
His acted just like a baitfish and even looked like one swimming the way he did it. As he stood there twitching the end of his rod and letting it sit every two or three twitches then twitch it two or three times more and let it sit, I seen his point. I also seen him catch another bass, which made me a believer. Now I don't know if this man was the top water champion or not but I do know one thing.........his technique works.
I have used it on most of my retrieves anytime I fish top water and it works. Cast the lure, let it sit, twitch the end of your rod two or three times and let it set again. The only thing I have done is add one additional move. I throw the lure out and let it sit, twitch the rod two or three times and let it sit and then I move the lure so slow it barely cause a ripple and that is when I get most of my hits. Try this techniques the next time you fish your favorite top water lure and see the results.
Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass. It is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass in his lifetime. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce bass that hangs on his office wall. Charles has fished with people who have never fished before and taught them to become successful anglers and has also fished with the pros in Florida. His new website is at: http://www.bassfishingweekly.com
The true Angler Fish lives in both shallow and deep... Read More
Good Fly PresentationObviously, the goal when casting a fly is... Read More
Fish do indeed perceive color. Every fly fisher knows that... Read More
Small stream nymphing is a very productive form of fly... Read More
An angler should therefore become familiar with the three main... Read More
Have you ever been on a lake and thought to... Read More
Have you ever fished with a Heddon Meadow Mouse? How... Read More
For those of you that don't know, Alaska trout fishing... Read More
Steelhead GearLike many things in fly fishing you can ask... Read More
Some of the baits I have used for used for... Read More
The visibility of the line was good. As we were... Read More
There is a craze going on that produces big bass,... Read More
The ubiquitous Woolly Bugger, never quite spelled correctly to my... Read More
All the books written on fly fishing all mention the... Read More
When you are going fishing, whether nearby your home or... Read More
Brook trout are one of the most popular game fish... Read More
Want To Catch More Fish At Night, Watch the Moon!Sounds... Read More
Just when you thought you had seen it all. Just... Read More
When it comes to catch and release lakes, it is... Read More
With the excitement of my first trip to Alaska still... Read More
The thrill of trout fishing! It is the best, isn't... Read More
The Garmin Fishfinder 250 is Garmin's latest addition to their... Read More
Finally you've caught the perfect fish. Now, do you know... Read More
What lures are 4-13" long, been used regularly on the... Read More
In order to better understand why swordfish concentrate their feeding... Read More
This aint exactly rocket scientry boys...I picked up a copy... Read More
Class Is In Session.... Baitfish 101Okay.So you would think that... Read More
Try doing a web search on the words "fishing lodge"... Read More
Have you ever noticed some people have all the luck... Read More
If you're coming to experience Hawaii sport fishing, you have... Read More
There are several elements that go into creating the ideal... Read More
Everyone's an Expert, So Who Has The Right Answers?Have you... Read More
Fish is one of earth's natural wonders and has satisfied... Read More
Jack Karpawack here.Well, as I suspected, there was no high... Read More
Every River Tells a StoryThe next time you begin a... Read More
The thrill of trout fishing! It is the best, isn't... Read More
Fly fishing is addictive. Once you start, you'll never stop.... Read More
Talk to a professional angler like Kevin Schweder(2003 PWT Rookie... Read More
Preparation is the Key To Successful Night Fishing, You Better... Read More
For those who are interested in speckled trout, you will... Read More
Generally an oceanic species, the swordfish is primarily a midwater... Read More
I was laying down on the bow of the boat... Read More
There is a craze going on that produces big bass,... Read More
Why Night Fishing Beats Day Fishing Any Day of the... Read More
5 Things To Be Careful of When Night FishingNight fishing... Read More
Some of the baits I have used for used for... Read More
For the most part, I am an advocate for catch... Read More
Garmin 240 Fish Finder Depthfinder with Transducer - a reviewThe... Read More
It's getting near the time bass will be on their... Read More
Method 1EquipmentI fish baits at all depths, not just the... Read More
Fishing Fishing |