CAPTAIN RYAN’S FISHING TEAM

WORDS FROM THE CAPTAIN
It was a restless night’s sleep as I anticipated a day on the water fishing. As the sun is rising, I am anxious to launch the boat into the water . The steam is slowly rising from the calm, clear water and the smell of the changing season is in the air. I approach the boat launch and carefully glide the boat into the water. The cold outboard motor starts up on the very first try. I idle for a moment, check the gauges, and exit the launch area. Once away from shore, I floor the throttle and the boat jumps up out of the water like it was strapped on to a rocket! I tuck myself behind the windshield and grip the steering wheel as the needle of the speedometer approaches 60 MPH. In no time flat we arrive at our infamous “hot spot”. The trolling motor hit the water and the electronics are turned on. My hand securely grasps the cork handled rod, flips the bale, and casts the line into the water, accurately placing the lure right into the strike zone. Presentation is key as I slowly and methodically retrieve the lure. The first ten minutes are unproductive but I wait patiently. A solid tap at the end of my line triggers my reflexes to set the hook. Keeping my line taunt, I pull the rod tip up into the sky. The fish then begins to drag line from the reel. My heart races as the adrenaline flows throughout my blood stream. As I finesse the fish closer to the boat, I see the flash from the fish’s underbelly. It is a lunker bass and somebody better get the net! Patience pays off and I successfully land old bucket mouth inside the boat. I raise the fish into the sky for a photo op and then quickly release the beauty back to the very same water from which I caught her. It has been a perfect morning, and that is why I fish!

SUGGESTED READINGS
1. Bassmaster Magazine
2. Bass Strategies by Kevin VanDam
3. Secrets of a Champion by Kevin VanDam



 BASS FISHING TIP OF THE SEASON
Summer Time Fishing Patterns - expect tough patterns, roaming fish in shallow and deep water.

• Target points near post-spawn areas that lead to deeper water
• Target schools of baitfish
• Fish will hold tight to cover (docks, bushes, weed beds, wood)
• Locate off-shore structure on the main lake in deep water including weed beds
• Float a frog or rat over mats of vegetation

Summer Time Lure Selection

• Frogs, Poppers, Dog Walkers, and Propellers- top water action
• Finesse Rigs- Carolina-rig, spit-shot, drop-shot
• Spinner baits- slow rolling in deep water
• Crank baits- deep cranking on off-shore structure
• Jig and pig, or tubes- flipping and pitching at high percentage cover
• Texas-rigged soft plastics- swim or drag in deep water

Captains Tip : In the summer, stay on the outside entryways to coves and channels or on the main lake. Summer time bass will less likely be found on the inside of channels and coves.