HDS's Finally

Well after fishing the last few years and upgrading tackle etc, I decided to upgrade my electronics. I went from the Lowrance X-15s to new HDS 7's with the Navionics chips. I can already tell its going to make a huge difference. I use my graphs all the time and having all the new upgraded technology will help this year without a doubt. The install was actually very simple, especially since it has already been wired before and I was just replacing all the new power cords with the new blue connector power cords. I programmed them, and they are ready to be used. Hopefully I can get out a little later this week and use them while prefishing at Lake Pleasant. The next upgrade will be Structure Scan but in the meantime I'll be trying to perfect using the HDS and its capabilities.

A Thank You to My 2012 Sponsors

As the new year is finally here I want to thank all my sponsors that are backing me for 2012. I look forward to making our partnerships productive and profitable. I want to thank you for giving me the chance to promote your companies in a very professional and fun manner. Thank you to The Bass College, Quantum Fishing, Mercury Marine, Motorguide, A & M Graphics, Dad's Used Cars, FNO - Failure's No Option, Omega Custom Tackle, Akamai Detail as well as the people behind the scenes that help make it all possible. Thank you all again and I look forward to a great 2012.

New Years Day Road Trip - Bartlett Lake

I decided to start the new year off right by going to the Bartlett Road Trip. It had been gorgeous all week and I was ready to fish! I also wanted to try my new A-Rigs I had just got, I realized the night before that I needed some extra neccessities for them so hit up Bass Pro at the last minute, found out they close early and New Years Eve! I don't think I've ever moved through that store so fast, but at least I knew what I needed (hitchhikers, scrounger heads, and snap swivels). I got home rigged up my A-Rig and had to test it at night in the pool to see how it swam, INCREDIBLE! I was stoked and ready for the morning. The morning was cold and windy! There hadn't been a breeze in a week, but could tell we were in for it. I took off and headed towards Yellow Cliffs and grabbed the A-Rig. Fifth cast and BAM, hooked up a good fish, I played it too long and lost it just under the boat. I happy though to see it work. I threw it off and on throughout the day with only one other hit but not on one of the two hooks. The wind really picked up so I decided to throw Carolina Rig on shallow reefs with deep drops. That was the ticket for me. Each point I went to I caught a few fish and kept a rotation going all day on 3 specific ones, with a few others mixed in. The high winds made it tough to detect some bites at times the Quantum Smoke rod and Sunline FC Sniper fluorocarbon made all the difference as they allowed me that extra sensitivity that I needed. All in all it was a fun day on the water to start off the new year with a bunch on friends, I didn't catch that kicker I needed, lost it early, but I learned alot and am looking forward to the new year.

MBC Seniors Tournament - Alamo Lake

I was fishing this tournament solo, my partner was out of town. He gave me full support and I had a pattern figured out so I was going to stick to my game plan of spinnerbaits, 1.5 crankbait, and drop shot all shallow. Well I learned the hard way of the neccessity of having a trailer hook!!! This is a slot lake so only allowed on slot fish (13-16 inches) per angler in the boat and there was a 12 inch minimum in force as well. It was a cold morning but a little warmer than prefish but the forecast called for breeze all day and scattered clouds, weather out here never listens to what they say! The entire day there was hardly any wind until the very end and cloudy almost entire day and definately never got to 70! I started off the morning on a point and working into a shallow cut with grass in the back. I lost a fish a few casts into the morning on a spinnerbait Kept working to the back and caught one on a dropshot in couple feet of water. I continued back out the opposite side of the cut to another point and lost another one on the spinner bait. This would turn into my lesson of the day that I didn't follow even when I thought about it while on the lake. As the day continued I kept switching back and forth between the two and also throwing the 1.5 in shallow grass. I kept catching and losing fish on the spinner bait while landing nothing but slot fish. It was frustrating but I also knew if I was getting bites I was on the right pattern I just need to execute better. With about 30 minutes to go I hooked up with a very very nice over on the 1.5. As it got to the boat I noticed it was barely hooked on the nack hook. About that time it rolled and headshook and I watched as the treble came free and it took off. It was frustrating especially when it was needed after a day of slots and the weights would be close. I decided to make a move after few casts near the ramp in a deep cut. With a few minuted left I hooked into another nice over on a spinnerbait (different color) and same result, lost it just before the boat. It was the end to a frustrating but lesson filled day. I learned the neccessity of a having a trailer hook and a spinnerbait today, I won't throw one again without it and also the importance of staying clear headed if through adversity on the water because never know what will happen next. The two fish I lost, at the end, could have gave me enough weight to be in the top three or even the lead. I look forward to learning more every day on the water I just hope it's not the hard way as often!

New Sponsor - The Bass College

I just wanted to thank The Bass College for giving me the opportunity to promote them and sign me up on their Pro Staff. They have a great website with massive amounts of information from tips, to fishing reports, to deals when ordering baits online. It truly is a great company that is a must see. They have tons of topics in the forum and the Pro Staff is available if have any specific questions as well. I have a link to my Pro Staff profile listed and the direct link is http://www.thebasscollege.com/.

Alamo Lake 12/11/11 Prefish

I hadn't been to Alamo Lake in nearly a year and decided a prefish for next weeks tournament was a dire neccessity. I went with a friend of mine who also needed to prefish the lake. All I can say is it was a COLD morning for sure! Started out first thing in the 30's at take off and since was practice it was a short slow run across the lake. The fishing definately wasnt on fire but we caught fish from when we first got there until the end of the day. Everything was caught shallow, which surprised me! Clear sunny day, no wind, 52-58 degree water, and the lake level very low, and all fish caught in under 5ft! I know what I will be doing come Saturday. My friend put a hurting on me from the back of the boat throwing a dropshot with variety of baits but I did catch the biggest fish of the day so I'll take it. All the fish came on dropshot or blades, couldn't get a bite on anything else. Lets hope the bite stays like it is even though this weather and rain we are getting right now will probably alter it. Also it was the inaugural run for the HydroWave. Im not sure it how much it helped but I don't think it hurt since caught the fish shallow and kept the volume low and varied it throughout the day. I did notice it drove the ducks insane, since they were diving upder and near the boat all day repeatedly. It was a great sign, and I look forward to dialing this unit in.

New HydoWave

I recently purchased the HydroWave system. I have to say the unit is very easy on install and very simple to use. The hardest part of the install was choosing where I wanted to place the unit. It comes with all the wiring and all the hardware. It will take a little time to figure out all the exacts on the sounds and volumes to use at different times but look forward to using it and seeing the effects it has.