2010....

Average Fisherman wishes everyone a safe and happy New Year! Let's make 2011 one to remember!

Chasing Shad In The Fall

So yesterday I took my buddy Jerry Perry out fishing on the Kentucky Lake - TN river. The weather was perfect, the water temperature was 61 to start out with but warmed to 73. The air temperature mid day was 77 degrees but felt like 80. In the morning the shad where schooling in the mouths of creek channels but as the day warmed they moved to the flat shallow water.
This time of year you have to either crank or topwater. We boated three keepers early in the morning and picked up two more as we worked up river. We ended up with around 12 lbs,  this wouldn't be in the money for a tournament on Kentucky lake but we had a blast.

Almost all the fish we caught were hanging on a ledge on the main channel. Every time we stopped we ended up picking up a couple fish, we ended up running about 50 miles one way to find the shad in the flats near Paris Landing State park they were in the shallow 3 feet water.

While the day was alot of fun, it was nice to fish with someone in the boat, although like always I had my Nitro boat and Fishin Tool Bag near by.

Fall Is Lipless Time

When the leaves start to turn color that means that the shad move back into the shallower water in the back of creeks and pockets of river channel. This is the best time to use something with treble hooks hanging from the belly. While shallow flat bill crank baits work fine, I have found that lipless crank baits are deadly during this time. I always have at least two tied into a spinning reel. There are so many to pick from, but the in that that bass love is the Strike King Red Eye Shad. This lure is a fish catching machine, but you better learn how to get it unstuck when he gets hung on the bottom.

Also I have found that my Fishin Tool Bag comes in real handy to keep my pliers in because the hooks on this lure get stuck into the fish really well.

How to mount your bass boat electronics

There are about hundred places you can mount a fish finder/chart plotter on a bass boat. A industry trend is to mount several of these near the driver. While I have fallen victim to this trend also,  I have found that one unit can server as GPS unit and only show my map in realtime. Another unit is fish finder and now a third can only show side imaging.
While some of these unit are as large a 13" computer monitor, and it seems bigger is better. The problem is still how to mount them. Bass Boat are made of fiberglass and if you have ever drilled a hole in fiberglass after a while it tends to crack and the hole opens. The people from Ram Mounting Systems have solved this issue. They have several mounts that are for bass boats and chart plotters. The one I like to use is their RAM-111U  UNIVERSAL ELECTRONIC MOUNT, with its powder coated marine grade aluminum mount, consists of a double socket arm, one 2.5" diameter round base with 1.5" rubber ball and flat 6.25" x 2" rectangular plate. The rectangular plate contains different combinations of pre-drilled holes which will match up to many Lowrance or Humminbird devices.


While these mounts keep your electronics in one place while you are driving your bass boat. Always remove the electronics when your boat is being stored or at a hotel. I have heard so many stories about people have these stollen from their boat. While the mounts are only about $50 the hardware they hold can cost thousands.

Veritas Rods

Lightweight is all the rage in rod design, yet many rod designers ignore the most important factors of balance and strength. Abu Garcia has done an excellent job at this with the new Abu Garcia Veritas rods. This rod is very light but priced under a $100 which you can't find many rods within this category. It feels like it should cost much more than $100.  The Veritas series of rods provide extreme lightweight design and focus solely on the balance and compression strength anglers must have. The new Nano Technology manipulates graphite on an atomic level for improved compression strength.


Depending on which flavor you like either spinning or bait casting, you can't go wrong with this rod. I happen to use both styles, and like to use Abu Garcia Revo reels with them.

Victory 621 Skeet Reese Reel

At this year’s ICAST show in Vegas, one of the biggest announcements was that Skeet Reese via Wright & McGill would have a whole new line-up of reels that not only had all the characteristics of the high dollar models but would come priced around $100. 
Most premier reels are gauged by smoothness and typically more ball bearings means it will cast further and be smoother on the retrieve. The Victory has 10 stainless steel ball bearings (9 plus 1) and is very smooth operationally. Even with factory settings, out of the box, the reel spins freely and is super quiet.
Another deciding factor is always weight. With the all aluminum frame not only makes it light but aluminum is a tried and true frame technology that is durable as well. A nice add-on feature of the Victory is each reel comes with a neoprene reel cover, handy for storing in the rod box or on the deck.
The 6.2:1 gear ratio is suited for most techniques, and the oversized handle with slick and enlarged paddles gives the feeling of power on the retrieve. An unlimited anti-reverse combined with a Teflon drag systems, brass gears, and centrifugal anti backlash system gives the Victory has added features usually found only on high-dollar reels.

Although what I have found is that with this reel you don't have to go into your Fishin Tool Bag as much for a line pick to undo backlash. This makes fishing much more fun.

Anglers forget about topwater bite

Last week when I was at Table Rock Lake, during the PAA event on the first two days of pratice I found myself relying on what works for me on large river systems. It was until into day two that I realized, this was working. I had seen bass attacking the topwater all around me, and I was catching a few with crank baits. The main reason was these fish were in a feeding frenzy and would bite anything. So I decided to switch to topwater and that is when it turned on. Before an hour had pasted I already had five keepers in the livewell and each one was over 3 lbs.


The bait that worked for me was Bass Pro Shops® XPS® Professional Series Topwater Hardbaits - Walker, this bait was the saving grace for me. I suggest you try it next time, and always remember that you have to try new things to have success.

When Water Levels Are Low

As an avid bass angler when I’m driving and I see a body of water I start to wonder what's in that water, what are the size of the fish, what do they bite on, etc. I live outside of Memphis, TN and for the last two months we’ve been experiencing a major drought. Everyday I drive by the tail waters of the Wolf River, which is a tributary into the Mississippi River. During this time I’ve noticed the water receding and grass has started growing where water one was.

Although we take it for granted most of the time, what water really is to the fish we catch. There’s so much media coverage about clean water conversation acts and the effects on aquatic vegetation and fish that we catch. But when there’s a major drought you don’t hear about the effects on these echo systems due to low water or lack of water.

Today on my daily drive into my office I noticed something that I haven't seen for a least 15 years, dead fish laying on what looks to be no more than 6 inches deep of water. I had noticed that the gray heron had been lurking around the edges of the water for a while now. As a bass angler, this is normally a sign of fish and food source. Although in this case it's alarming because water is the lifeblood to aquatic life and to the angler also.

I stopped to take a few pictures and when I got out of my vehicle. The smell of dead fish was almost enough to make you throw up. Just sight of fish trying to swim amongst the dead fish, and knowing that I couldn’t do anything about it was a sick feeling. If I only could make it rain!

Like other parts of the country the south has been experiencing any major drought. We haven't had significant rain for close to 60 days now. The Mississippi River is at a very low level, creeks and small rivers are drying up. While they will return once the winter rains start, but the fish won’t if they are dead.

While I know there isn’t anything I can about it, I wanted to share my thoughts, and the photos.

Tenkiller & Fort Gibson Lakes

Later this week I'll send updates as I fish these two bodies of water.


Fort Gibson was host to Bass Master Elite series this last month, due to high water on the Arkansa river BASS had to move the event to Fort Gibson lake. Tommy Biffle won the event with a four-day total of 73 pounds, 11 ounces.


Tenkiller is home to Jimmy Huston outdoors host and 2 time AOY winner.

The Oxygenator by O2 Marine Technologies

THE OXYGENATOR separates the water molecules into their elementary parts: Hydrogen and Oxygen. The lighter hydrogen molecule rapidly leaves the water and dissipates into the atmosphere. The heavier oxygen molecule remains suspended until it dissolves in the water. In fact, the Oxygen bubble is so tiny, it cannot break the surface tension of the water. As a result, the percentage of dissolved oxygen increases dramatically!

Fish typically require dissolved Oxygen concentrations over 5 parts per million (ppm) to remain healthy and to reduce catch related stress. Oxygen levels below 5 ppm can cause instant or delayed mortality, or at very least add an additional level of stress to the fish.

Although you should also use their U2 live well formula to help stabilize fish during transportation in boat or any type of fish transportation. Their U2 formulation was developed from over 15 years of research spent in the bait fish, fish hauling, and sport fishing industries. U2 is a convenient, liquid, single phase full functional water conditioner for use in fresh water The average fisherman Darren uses their product and is sponsored by O2 Marine Technologies.

2011 Bassmaster Elite Series schedule

2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule

Date March 10-13 March 17-20 April 6-9* April 14-17 May 5-8 May 12-15 June 9-12 June 16-19

Event Sunshine Showdown Citrus Slam Alabama Charge Battle on the Bayou Pride of Georgia Carolina Clash Diamond Drive Dixie Duel

Fishery Harris Chain St. Johns River Pickwick Lake Toledo Bend West Point Lake Lake Murray Arkansas River Wheeler Lake

Host City Tavares, Fla. Palatka, Fla. Florence, Ala. Many, La. LaGrange, Ga. Columbia, S.C. Little Rock, Ark. Decatur, Ala.

*Wednesday-Saturday event

Cocoons Eyewear

Cocoons OveRx polarized sunglasses are designed to securely and comfortably fit over a wide range of prescription eyewear frame sizes and shapes. The patented frames are constructed from extremely durable ballistic nylon and feature the Polaré lens system that exceeds the highest level in lens quality, the Class 1 European Standard for optical clarity and performance.

Averagefisherman is proud to welcome Cocoons as product sponsor for Darren Chaney and the fishintoolbag family of sponsors.

Summer Fishing

If you fish on a large river system in the south, the water temps are starting to reach the mid 80's by mid day this time of the year. This makes the bass on the move throughout the day. Starting in the early mornings the bass will be in the shallows feeding, but as soon as the sun comes out they will start moving towards the deeper ledges and cooler water. I have been successful with using lipless crank-baits in both the shallows and deep water throughout the day. Although as the water temps rise this will also change your speed in which you fish. In the early morning and cooler water you can pull that crank-bait through the water at a good pace. but as they move deeper you'll need to slow down the speed and go deeper.

Good luck!

Lure Storage

Almost every fisherman that uses hard baits or crank baits, have the same problem. Where do you store them. You can buy hard cases that can be stored in your bait compartments of your boat. But they take up room and add weight.

Some boats have foam made under the lids of the storage compartments of the boat. Most fisherman use this foam to hook their baits into, although after a period of time the foam will rip out from the hooks. The foam also doesn’t hold the baits all the time, they will come loose and fall out.

I have figured out a way to store these baits and they won't giggle loose. I used aluminum so it won't rust and it very light weight. I have one in almost all the lids of storage compartments of my boat. It also makes it easy to keep an inventory of what you have on hand.

Mercury Optimax Engines

When it comes to boat engines, there is really only one name! Mercury Marine has been around for a long time, when you see a bass boat hauling down the lake it's normally a Mercury behind the boat and in most cases its a new OptiMax. I have had one for a while and love it. Mated to my Team Nitro bass boat, its unbeatable. This year I became a member of the Mercury Pro Team, and I am looking forward to promoting their products while on the water. Visit the Mercury website for more info.

Tru-Tungsten Tru Life Swim Baits

With Spawn in full swing, big fish want a big meal. I used to fish the smaller 4 inch swim baits and good success with them. Although this year I became a member of the Tru-Tungsten Pro Staff, and that has turned me into a large swim bait fan. I've had really good success with the 5 inch & 7 inch swim baits. I've found that when the water is moving or a storm front is about to move in, large bass love these things. From what I have learned that most fisherman say "It's so intimidating throwing these larger swim baits that most fisherman just don't throw 'em." You can get a lot more bites throwing the smaller life like swim baits, but you won't get the quality fish, "Big fish want a big meal, and because of the intimidation factor most fish haven't seen a whole lot of them."

So the next time you at Bass Pro Shops, pick one up that matches the bait fish that are in your lake. You won't be unhappy. An always use a Fishin Tool Bag for all your fishing tool needs.

Cuba Landing Marina

I like to fish on the Tennessee river system. Cuba Landing Marina has one of the easiest boat ramps to launch your boat from. They offer a very friendly atmosphere, full service marina and awesome fishing all around the marina. Soon you can purchase Fishin Tool Bag from their bait shop. Visit Cuba Landing Marina Facebook page.

Spring Time Red Eye Shad

When spring time comes, love it in the water for most species of bass. With water temps moving into the 60's most bass are getting ready to spawn. This can mean a hearty appetite while they fatten up for the spawn. I have found that the best mean for these hungry bass is Strike King Red Eye Shad. While these new lures are nothing more than the original rat-l-trap. They have a different look and swim different than the old rat-l-trap.

I have been using one and have had very good luck. The only problem is that you spend more time trying to get the hooks unhooked when you catch something. Although I always have my FishinToolBag near by which makes it easier to get my tools when I need to unhook something.

Mercury Optimax DFI Engine Oil

With Spring right around the corner, a lot of us are getting out onto the water for the first time this year. Since our boats has been sitting for the winter, we sometimes to forget to check things like the engine oil. My Nitro boat has a Mercury Optimax engine, this is a direct fuel injection two stroke engine. Because of this I always carry some extra DFI oil with me. Since it's a two stroke it requires oil to mix with the fuel.
So it was nice day and I went out on the lake with my Fishin Tool Bag, I was running down the lake and the low oil alert sounded on the engine. At that moment I realized that I didn't check the engine oil. I stopped and added some oil. I f I didn't have some extra oil with me, this could have been a bad day. I was about 35 miles from the boat ramp.

So the next time you are buying engine oil get an extra one to stow in the boat.

Crappie Pond Fishing for Jaws

Sunday I took my son and his friend to my father-in-laws pond. This pond was stocked about 25 years ago and has more crappie than one pond should have. On the first cast, I had two crappie on the hook after the same bait. We ended up fishing for about two hours and caught more fish then you would ever imagine catching.



Almost all the crappie were over 15 inches long and very healthy. But one fish that we caught was odd, it had a huge bite mark on its back. This pond only has crappie in it, so what did this? We think that there might be some bass in there too!

Best Kept Secret

For most average fisherman, we all have that favorite spot on the lake we fish at and almost all of us always head towards that favortie spot first thing when we go out on the lake. Most of these favorite spots are because, we have a memory about a large fish we have caught at this spot.

In almost every case we focus on trying to catch that big one again. Before you know it, half of the day has passed by and you haven't caught that big one you had dreamed about. Well, I found myself in this same situation several times before, so a few days ago I went out and forced myself to find new places and was determined to make my new place work for me.

I fish on the Kentucky lake / Tennessee river system, this is very much like the river system that I grew up on Lay Lake in Alabama. On Lay Lake I had a spot near the wilsonville steam plant, I could always go to, to catch fish. My favortie spot was near the water outlets of the steam plant, if they where moving water you could be sure to catch fish.



For the past year I have been going right past the water outlets near the Johnsonville, Tennessee fossil fuel plant. This power plant is like most fossil fuel power plants, they have water discharge pipes that release warm water into the river. I have always avoided the water discharge pipes at the Johnsonville power plant, I have avoided this area mostly because there is a large number of boats in a small area. So on this day the TVA was moving a lot of water on the river due to snow melt up north and to control river flooding.

After about 30 minutes of fishing, I had caught five large mouth bass over 5lbs and had my limit. Although I stayed in this spot for about another two hours and caught 15 fish and had one of the best days in a long time. So the next time you are out on the lake, give that new place a shot. You might be surprised on what you catch.

Pro Staffer

While there are many paths to professional fishing, I believe one path is through becoming a Pro Staffer for a fishing related company. While obtaining sponsors can become a full time job, in most cases this is the part that most fisherman's dreams at becoming a pro are crushed.

While being a good fisherman, learning techniques, spending time on the water are all skills that you must have. I believe that the path to becoming a pro is through pro staff position or pro state team with a national boat manufacture.

Most fisherman never consider their local boat dealers, as a path of becoming a pro. While most boat dealers are aware of the programs that boat manufactures offer, the average fisherman never knows about it. Here are some things to consider when you are interested in buying a new bass boat.

• Ask if they have a State Team, and what is the application process. In most cases what you need to do is create a fishing resume, that list how long you fished, tournaments that you have fished along with stats.
• Salesman ship, while a State Team member is more of rep for the boat dealer, you should have some background information about the line of boats that you are interested in. While part of being a State Team member, is about helping them sell boats.
• Become friends with your local boat dealer, offer to help if they are having an event, this allows them to see how you interact with future customers.
• In almost every case getting onto a state team you need to buy a new boat.

If you understand these basic facts you should be able to make it as pro staffer.

Bass Master Classic

If you are into fishing, this weekend is the grand daddy of all bass fishing tournaments. The 2010 Bass Masters Classic is this weekend in Birmingham. With the crazy weather that south has had this year, the 2010 Bass Master Classic on Lay Lake should be something interesting. If you are interested in attending the 2010 Bass Master Classic remember one thing, its free.

Fishin Tool Bag will be at the Bass Master Classic this weekend.

Tru-Life Swimbaits

Most average fisherman are always looking for something to give them that edge, over the others on the water. Tru-Tungsten swimbaits, are a collaborative design created by Tru-Tungsten® and swimbait kings Ish Monroe and Matt Newman. These swimbaits combine three baits in one: Floater/Wakebait, Slow Sinker, Fast Sinker. Each come with removable Tungsten balls made to fit in the built-in chamber. By changing the tungsten ball you can adjusted the fall rate. The Tru-Life Swimbaits mimic a fish's natural movement utilizing a four segment design and adjustable weight chamber technology. Life like scales, eyes and paint schemes makes this an irresistible for bass and other game fish.

The next time you are at your local bait store check these out. They are pricey but worth it.