Amusement and Tournament

Haven’t posted much lately. Been doing lot’s a fun fishing, and catching lots of fish during tourneys, but haven’t been able to score “the big bite” it seems. This past week, my fellow UFCer Rick “R2″ Raives invited me to join him out on lake Casitas for a morning of Bass battles. I was ready and willing since reports had the fish biting on both real and artificial baits.

When we arrived under cloudy, slightly breezy, 60° conditions I had hopes it would continue to be a hot bite. But, when we began to see big schools of Shad everywhere I knew it would be tough to catch them on lures … which is all we use. After getting no topwater or plastic bait love, I decided to tie on a small Shad-imitating hardbait. That was the ticket, as my third cast with it got absolutely crushed. After a nice tussle that had me thinking 4-5 pounder, I was able to lip, pic, and release this stout 3+ pounder.

We cruised around to some other likely spots and I actually missed another biter on the same bait. Then, we hit an area that Rick said would definitely produce a fish. Boy, was he right! I casted the hardbait parallel to the bank and, about halfway home, my bait came to a sudden stop. Another fish that decided to fight above his weight-class annihilated the bait. A sporting battle ensued before we stopped for this meet and greet.

Meanwhile, Rick was only able to manage a couple of non-committal bites before he was able to score his lone skunk-buster that he wouldn’t let me photograph. I still say it was big enough for a pic, Rick! I nailed one more that was truly too small for photographic fame before we finally had to call it a day. Turns out, after talking to a few folks who were out there that day, it was a nearly non-existent bite and that we should have been proud of getting three keepers.

As I headed home, that thought was going to have to keep me satisfied, as I lamented that my tourney partner for the American Bass Anglers (ABA) Piru Summer Nights Series, that was set to start the next evening, had recently bowed out. However, the next morning I was surprised to see that a last minute response to my plea for a new teammate had been answered on the Wester Bass website. I quickly called and made plans with my new-found friend, Randy “Tiny” Brandes, a veteran of the So Cal tourney scene.

My tourney partner Randy “Tiny” Brandes with our first fish of the competition.

We launched around 6:30PM, the last of 37 boats to hit the lake which is about 60 feet below normal water levels. Neither of us had had the chance to pre-fish the lake which was obviously not the same body of water we were used to fishing. However, he had a spot that he was convinced would hold fish. We motored over there and it wasn’t long before Randy was leaning back into a hookset with a Carolina-rig. Unfortunately, he came up empty … and even more unfortunately, it was far from the last time that would happen for the big guy. However, two swings later, he was able to connect on our first fish of the day with a nice 2.87 pounder (pictured here).

Not too much time passed before I was able to get off the schnied with a 2 pound crankbait fish. I soon followed that up with a modified Carolina-rig skinny fish that was clearly recovering from the spawn. Meanwhile, Randy continued to have problems getting fish to stick with several that missed the hookset, and a couple that came unbuttoned soon after the battle began. Soon, the “missitis” became contagious as I had a couple come unbuttoned and a few that missed the hook completely. Finally, I nailed a nice 2.75 pounder on a spinnerbait and another decent fish on a crankbait. From there, our disease continued to rear it’s ugly head as I had a nice fish on the crank break free near the boat and we both missed a few more fish.

We did weigh-in a 5 fish limit and only missed a check by less than a pound. Which had us both wondering what could have been if a few more fish stuck … but, that’s fishing. It did give us confidence that we should improve as we come to know each other better, as well as learn the new terrain we will be fishing on this water-starved lake. All in all, a couple of fun days fishing … and, best of all, I’m in the Piru Nights Series with a fun new partner!

Castaic Pre-Fish

With our National Bass West team tournament coming up on Saturday, my partner Jeff “Fishin’ Man” Grossman and I decided to hit Castaic Lake for a little pre-fish action. We were one of the first out on the water under mostly cloudy skies (burned off around noon), a 7-10 MPH breeze that was with us all day, and mostly clear water that ranged from 59° on the main lake to 63° in the coves.

With the wind and overcast, we both tried several different reaction baits, to start. Jeff got some blow-ups on a jerkbait while I got two huge noncommittal followers on a swimbait. Finally, after missing a blow-up a short time before, I got a small keeper that broke the ice on a top-water pencil bait. It didn’t take long for Jeff to follow up with this nice 3.5+ pounder on a jig.

Once the darker conditions of the morning wore off, we started fishing small plastic baits and began slamming fish. Most were in the 2 pound range before I was able to nail a nice 3+ pound fish along a cove bank. Unfortunately, it was gut hooked, and after utilizing the “gut-hook trick” she required a quick release – so, no pic.

When we got to the back of that cove we saw our first bedding fish of the day. We both took our shots at it and were about to give up. But, first, I picked up a rod with a Gambler BB Cricket on a Cave Custom jighead and finally got this stout 3 pound-class bed-guard to inhale it. After a quick tussle, we posed for this pic and then went our separate ways.

We got one more spawning fish and then spent the rest of our day whacking the 2+ pounders on small soft plastics. We ended the day with well over 20 fish between us and stopped counting after 16. Our best 5 came in at a respectable 14.5 pounds … not bad considering that the day before, a big tourney was won with about 13.5 pounds. If we can recreate some of the magic we found, we might be able to have a good finish come Saturday. We’ll see!

First Buzzbait Bass Of 2013

First two of four buzzbait Bass on the year using a Booyah Buzz. First fish was 4 pounds even, while the second was 3-3 (the other two were 3 pound class fish). Nailed 10 overall, with the others coming on Gambler Fat Aces and 4″ Senkos. Love that topwater bite!

Spawn Is On!

It was time! The days have been getting noticeably longer. The weather has been increasingly warmer … especially at night. And, I had that Neandethal gut feeling that the SPAWN IS ON! As soon as my co-softball coach and buddy, Bob “BassHuntin” Kazmirski, and I hit the shores of Westlake it was clear that this was indeed the case.

We arrived to mostly cloudy skies, a slight breeze, 60° temps and clear water. Immediately we found numerous fish either on beds or setting them up. I was primed to try something new as a “teaser” bait … my new favorite hardbait, the Yo-Zuri Sashimi Suspending Jerkbait. I have been thinking all Winter long that it would be the ideal set-up bait to drive the Bass crazy before closing the deal with something more finesse-esque. Fortunately, I was wrong … turns out it is also a great “closer” bait!

On one of my first casts to a big bedding pair, this nearly four pound male couldn’t stand having a Skeleton Perch version of the jerkbait hovering over his nest, feathered tail pulsing, quivering from the occasional subtle twitch. He inhaled it and gave me a tough battle before surrendering to a lip and pic. Great markings, don’t you think?

I quickly walked him down the bank a bit for the release, and then returned to target the bigger female. It only took one attempt to get her to attack the bait. She promptly tore off several yards of line and dogged me hard until I could get her turned. I was making great strides when she suddenly turned for another run – I suddenly heard a very loud “SNAP”. Yep, she broke my beloved big-fish-catching BPS Bionic Blade clean in half. Fortunately, the Yo-Zuri 10# Hybrid line held up and I was able to get a grip on this 5-5 beast. While I am smiling about the fish in the picture, my heart is breaking on the inside, as I have caught everything from a 7.5 pound Rainbow Trout, to a 5+ pound Spotted Bay Bass, to several 6+ pound Largemouth bass on that rod … and, you’re correct in thinking that I’ve already ordered a replacement. (Note to Cavewoman: They’re on sale right now, honey! ).

I tied this new killer spawn-bait onto a rod that was still in one piece and nailed another 2.5 pound chunker that was guarding his lair. Shortly thereafter, Bob got ahold of his first fish of the day with this nice 3+ pounder that eluded him on the hookset several times. By the way, for size perspective, Bob is 6′ 4″.

The rest of the day, I used the Yo-Zuri Sashimi Suspending Jerkbait to rile up bedding bass. If they didn’t hit it directly, it got them charged up enough to quickly strike a drop-shot soft plastic bait when thrown to close the deal as a follow-up bait. All of the fish who committed to it fully inhaled the bait, making the concern of hooking site-fished bass inside the mouth irrelevant. It’s going to take a few more successful outings on other bodies of water before I can say this is a reliable technique. However, if today was any indication, it could become a major part of my spawn-fishing arsenal.

I picked up several more in the 3+ pound range before enticing this 4 pound classer with a Roboworm in Oxblood Light Red Flake. We finished our 3.5 hour session with 23 fish between us, with nearly all of the fish coming in over 3 pounds. Best part of all, the spawn is just in it’s earliest stages. The coming days, especially with the full moon next Wednesday, should provide even better action … which is what this time of year is all about! If you want your best shot at some large Bass, perhaps even the fish of a lifetime, this is the time to get get it done. Don’t let this one pass you by … it’s setting up to be epic. If you aren’t well versed in bed-fishing techniques, be sure to check out my bed-fishing primer “Wake Up! It’s Bedtime!!“.

2013 Fred Hall Show

As usual, the 2013 edition of the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, CA truly lived up to it’s billing as “The ultimate outdoor experience”. From the moment my fishing buddy and travel partner for the day, Mark “Chief” Torrez, and I walked in the door of this massive show that inhabits every single inch of the Long Beach Convention Center, we were immersed in a sportsman’s nirvana. From hunting, to camping, to travel, to boating, and of course fishing, there were countless opportunities to indulge one’s outdoor passions. Whether you want how-to seminars, new equipment displays, incredible bargain shopping, or quality entertainment, you will find plenty to pique your interest.

Caveman with saltwater rock star Jimmy Decker

We strolled the myriad aisles of fishing equipment manufacturers, distributors and vendors checking out the latest wares, picking up needed (ie wanted) items as we went, and chatting with many of the familiar faces that we encountered … saltwater legend Capt. Mike Gardner, Ronnie Kovach sidekick Sergio Fainsztein , and Pure Fishing mainstay Bob Hoose, to name a few. Then we came across an old friend from Fred Hall Shows past, a guy I refer to as the So Cal Saltwater Rock Star, Abu Garcia Pro and guide Capt. Jimmy Decker. If you ever want the lowdown on the ocean action south of Pt. Mugu, this is the guy you want to talk to. Needless to say, if you are ever in the Newport Beach area and want to catch some fish, jump on board Jimmy’s vessel for a guaranteed good time.

Caveman and Yo-Zuri Regional Manager Christopher Bishop

I had just finished reacquainting with Jimmy when I turned around to see the Yo-Zuri booth, manned by regional manager Christopher Bishop. Being a part of their Pro Staff, I was very interested to hear what the near future had in store for Yo-Zuri fans. You’ll be happy to know that several new additions are in the works for both their lure and line offerings. I also lamented with Chris that the color offerings really could use something akin to the Threadfin Shad that inhabit most of California’s famous reservoirs. That’s when he showed me the latest color combination added to the Rattl’n Vibe line … Ghost Pearl Blue (GSPB). While not an exact Threadfin representation, my initial results are very encouraging. He also promised to pass along the Threadfin suggestion to the “proper authorities” … and since So Cal is a big target for the company, we can expect it not to fall upon deaf ears!

(L to R) Mark “Chief” Torrez, Jarrett Edwards, Bobby Barrack, Mark “Caveman” Avery

Chief and I didn’t walk much further before happening upon our mutual friend, the nicest guy in fishing and the host and namesake of the Jarrett Edwards Outdoors fishing show, as seen on WFN and the Sportsman Channel. While hearing about his new baby boy and updating each other on our fishing and personal lives, another Fred Hall regular popped over to join the fray after one of his seminars on the tank … Bobby “Frog King” Barrack.

After an intensive discussion regarding the tenuous California water situation, we made a few more quick stops, including one with finesse fishing Godfather Don Iovino (who we almost didn’t recognized clean shaven and minus about 50 pounds!), and the obligatory stop at Rick Grover’s Angler’s Marine display. Unfortunately, time constraints didn’t allow us to stick around for the Fishing Hall of Fame induction presentation to the legendary Mike Folkestad. Nor were we able to cover the entire show in our allotted time. But, that’s just how huge the Fred Hall Show truly is.

For those of you saying, “Sounds great, Cave. But, now we have to wait until March 5-9 2014 to check out this incredible show!”, I remind you that the the San Diego edition runs this Thursday through Sunday (March 21-24) at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds. And, yes, it is well worth the trip!

Biting The Snake Back

My big Bass buddy, Mark “Chief” Torrez, and I decided that the last afternoon/evening of January would be a good time to extract some revenge from Lake Sherwood. After all, the last time he was there he wore the stripe. While my last Sherwood excursion found me “snake bit” as out of the 6 fish I had on the line, I could only manage to land two – Two spit the hook, one broke the hook, and one broke the line … all 4 to 5 pounders, and all right at the bank.
We couldn’t have asked for a nicer Winter’s day: sunny, 79°, slight breeze, and water temps that were still cold but on the rise. Chief got things going with a wacky rigged Senko that enticed 3 dock fish in the 2-3 pound range. I missed one bite on the split shot and couldn’t manage any other love until seconds after sunset. I placed a Malibu-rigged Mad Melon Kinami flash into a small cut at the edge of a tulie line. After one little twitch the line went tight and I reared back on this battling 4+ pounder.
A return cast after the pic & release nailed another one around 3 pounds. Shortly thereafter, Chief got a nice 3 pounder hanging under a dredger on a crankbait. I added another small one pounder at the point of another tulie bed, before Chief joined me and nailed another 2+ pounder on his Senko. I ended the session with an amorous 2 pounder and a chunky 2.75 pounder.
We each ended up getting our limits, both right around 12.5 pounds. Though, our best five combined would have approached 16 pounds! Best of all, we got to enjoy the sweet taste of revenge – which, for me, had the distinct flavor of snake.

Winter Withdrawals (From The Bank)

It had been a while since I had fished with my Bassin’ buddy Mark “Chief” Torrez. So, the other day, we got our lines wet together for the first time in 2013 when we hit up Lake Sherwood for some shoreline action. It was clear, sunny, 75°, and just a slight breeze. In other words, typical So Cal weather in January … NOT!

Despite the nice uptick in temps, the water was quite cold and clear. Which usually makes it a very difficult proposition to try and make some LMB withdrawals from the bank. But, being the 12-step fishing-addict-program dropouts that we are, we didn’t care. We threw everything from traps to spoons, jigs to split-shots, and jerkbaits to chatterbaits but couldn’t find even a bump to show us that there were indeed fish in the area. Finally, after nearly an hour of pounding the area, I flung the new Gambler Fat Ace in Watermelon Red, Malibu-rigged of course, to the edge of some tullies. Not only got a soft tap, but a complete pick-up, hook-set, and meet-n-greet from this healthy 3-pound class fish.

We spent another 45 minutes working the entire area of shoreline and docks but couldn’t entice any other interest. We moved to another portion of the lake and began the same process all over again. The bite was, again, nearly non-existent. Save for a lone 12″ dink I got on a split-shot Roboworm. Unfortunately for Chief (or, possibly fortunately, since it was getting butt-cold), he had to head to his monthly meeting of the Ventura County Bass Club shortly after sunset. Though, he was just happy to have gotten out on the water for the first time in the New Year. So, I escorted him back to his truck and returned to the lake to make a few more casts.

I switched up to a Fat Ace in my favorite after-dark color, X-mas. Launching it out to a buoy that was indicating a submerged hump was the ticket as the bait got slammed before beginning my retrieve. It ended up being a great fight from another 3-pound classer. Two more cookie-cutters came off that same spot before the action subsided.

With my hands beginning to numb up from the temps that, by now, had dropped about 30°, I decided to give one more nearby spot a quick try before calling it. I downsized to the original Gambler Ace in the same color and, on the first flip to a tullie covered point, felt a fish deftly inhale the lure. Driving the hook home induced a nice battle from this 4-pound class Largemouth.

The fact that I now had a five fish limit was a major factor in deciding that perhaps the numbness, that had now spread to my feet, was probably a sign to get in the truck and head home with the heat set on “HIGH”. Though, I vowed to come better prepared for the elements the next time I’m looking to make some more Winter withdrawals.