INDEX

2009 Season Weigh-in
2010 Bass Cat Puma
2010 Fishing Expo
Bleeding Bait Hooks
Boat Operation Laws
Boat Wrap
CB's Hawg Sauce
Clint King Motorsports
Club Schedules
Corn or Gas
Cull-Buddy
David Wright
Deep Creek Lures
G-Splash Lures
Greensboro Fishing Expo
Highway 40 Sports
Mountain Market
NC Boatshows.com
Practice - Worth it?
Reel Maintenance
Rocky Bottom Bass Club
Rod Building Expo
Sportsmen's Caucus
Strategies & Bites
Tru-Tungsten Weights
Triton Line
Troll-Eze
Uwharrie Marine
Wobblehead Lures


Uwharrie Marine

Clint King Motorsports

Bass Pro Shops

Advertising

 

Reviews & How-To's

LIVETARGET lures LiveTarget Lures 3D Process Sets Them Apart
…A Chat With Tom Chopin, Koppers Fishing & Tackle

By Hal Abshire, Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler & Features Columnist

Abshire: Let's start off by what is the name of the company and where you are located? Tell us who you are and what is your position?

Tom Chopin: The corporation is Koppers Fishing and Tackle Corp. manufacturer’s of LIVETARGET Lures. We have a warehouse in Grand Island, NY and Niagara On The Lake Ontario. My name is Tom Chopin and I joined the company in August 2009 as the Office Manager.

Abshire: Tell the readers about Live Target Lures?

Tom Chopin: LIVETARGET lures were invented by seasoned, fishing guide Grant Koppers. The concept he created is to provide the market with the most realistic and anatomically correct crankbait. Where most manufacturers start with a style of bait and paint it to look like different species, we start with the species, such as the Bluegill, and build the different style of ‘tool’ staying true to the species shape. Each species of fish has a unique shape and so do our baits. A bluegill is a different shape than a crawfish and they are both different than a Blueback Herring. We currently have 292 different models covering Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Golden Shiner, Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad, Frog, Crawfish, Blueback Herring, Smelt, Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass.

Hal Abshire
Hal Abshire

Abshire: I noticed how life-like your lures are and the details that are done with each lure.  Is this something that your company is striving to do with each bait that comes out?

Tom Chopin: I think this is what sets us apart from our competition. We start with a 3-D tooling process and finish with a multi-layered painting process. This process gives a multiple flash point effect in the water. You can’t achieve that with a water slide transfer decal. As good as our baits look the performance is even better. Our baits run true out of the package, have premium Diachii hooks, and in each package there is a detailed tip and instruction sheet specific to the species and tool.

Abshire: Tell us about this year's ICAST? How did Live Target Lure Company fare?

Tom Chopin: ICAST 2010 was incredible for our growing company. We introduced a new hollow-body frog following our life-like concept and it won best new soft bait at the show. It has a really soft body and a custom hook for better hook-ups, incredible details from the paint down to the little frog fingers, and it is one of the easiest frogs to walk on the market. The orders for the frog are going through the roof so it is going to be an exciting year for us.

Abshire: Will we be seeing a new Live Target Lure our soon or will we have to wait for next year's ICAST?

Tom Chopin: We are working on new products now but we will be launching them at ICAST again. It’s a great place to showcase new products and get instant feedback from industry insiders. I’m already excited for next year’s ICAST, with the new concepts we are working on we are hoping to turn some heads once again.

Abshire: Where can anglers purchase your products?  What are the average cost?

Tom Chopin: We have over 1000 retailers in North America and anglers can use the dealer locator on our website to find the one closest to them. Our baits retail in the $12-$14 range with a few exceptions for the jointed baits.

Abshire: I noticed that you are an avid tournament angler as well.  How has Live Target Lures made a difference in your tournament fishing?

Tom Chopin: I love tournament fishing and having cutting edge life-like products is a great advantage on heavily pressured waters. In the north where I’m from the zebra mussels are making the water clearer and clearer and the fish are able to see baits better. Having a life-like bait helps get those hard to get fish to hit. As our company grows our line-up I’m adding more tools to my arsenal. The new hollow frog and walking frog models are definitely going to be on my rods next year.

Abshire: Your company has a strong Pro Staff.  Please let the readers know who they are and some of their accomplishments this year so far?

Tom Chopin: We currently have 3 professional anglers on our Prostaff. Stephening Browning, David Walker and Byron Velvick. We couldn’t have written a better script to start the year off. Stephen was leading the California Delta tournament for the first two days and finished in 6th. Then the following week Byron won the Clear Lake tournament. It was great exposure for our young company. Stephen qualified to fish the Bassmaster Classic in February. David joined us this year and fished the FLW tour, but he also fished the BASS Northern Opens and qualified to fish the Elite Series next year so we will be well represented in 2011 with BASS.

Abshire: Please let our readers know how they can get in touch with your company?

Tom Chopin: Our website is www.livetargetlures.com, we will be launching a new site mid-December. They can find us on our Facebook fan page and we are available by e-mail at info@koppersfishing.com.

Abshire: Is there anything else that you would like to let our readers know about Live Target Lures?

Tom Chopin: We have a big announcement coming mid-December that we are very excited about but you will have wait until then to find out what it is.

Good Reel Maintenance Saves In The Long Run
November, 2010

Wes & Katie Motsinger of Walberg, NC
Wes & Katie Motsinger of Walberg, NC

Anglers know how important it is to clean and maintain all of their fishing gear, and most are pretty good at doing that. As fishing schedules close after classics and championships, many clean up the boat and store it away safely under cover. The tackle box can be a great, wintry inside project in mid-January. Rods are usually tucked inside socks and stored to the side. The one thing too many try to get away with is skipping the total cleaning and maintenance of those reels. One local angler has offered to help.

“I know one of the toughest winter chores to do is breaking down our reels and taking the time to thoroughly clean and re-lube them,” stated Wesley Motsinger, owner of Mots Reel Deal and a member and board member of the Triple H Bass Club. “The average angler is afraid that, if they take the apart, there might be extra parts left on the workbench once the reels are back together.” According to Motsinger, a lack of yearly maintenance means a shorter life for reels.

“We use those reels pretty hard for eight to ten months of the year and then just store them in a corner. That’s even worse than the wear we put on them,” he noted. Motsinger is offering area anglers a professional maintenance service that won’t cost all outdoors. He understands the heavy wear and tear the equipment goes through each season, as he is out fishing nearly every weekend. He also knows how tight funds are.

Motsinger charges just $15 for spinning reels and $20 for the more complicated baitcasters. He provides service for all makes and models. He has been doing this for the past five years and has finally decided to broadcast his efforts more. Reels can be dropped off at David Fritts Outdoors in Lexington. He can be reached at motsspeedshop@gmail.com.

Wobblehead Lures May Provide The Upper Hand

(Update: Prior to publication of this review, I gave Ralph Nolan a Wobblehead Lure to try in a Central Carolina Bassmaster event… he caught Big Fish with it that day!)

Central Carolina Bassmasters Big Fish Winner Ralph Nolan using Wobbleahead Lure

A trip to the local tackle shop can be both exciting and depressing at the same time. We’ve all been there many times… we plan a trip to a favorite shop to pick up the baits that have worked in the past and maybe that new item that will make an outing a dream come true. We walk up and down the aisles looking for the one lure that will win tournaments. Nothing jumps out at us, but we lay down our cash for a few we hope might produce results. Invariably they become more junk in the bottom of our boat.

While covering a Deep Creek Lures event on Badin a month ago, owner Henry Turner was excited. Now Henry can get that way about his plastic baits and fishing in general, and I understand. I prefer his baits to others on the market because of the added flexibility they provide. There’s a lot more action in a bait made from virgin plastic than recycled. But, that wasn’t what he was dancing in the parking lot about.

Wobblehead Lures LLCHenry had come across some lures rejuvenated from an old mold and made by a couple out in Missouri. Various renditions of wobbles have been out there for years, but this one was far superior, he noted. And, he had the baits to make a superior combo. He grabbed a silver Wobblehead made by Wobblehead Lures LLC and hooked up one of his own 12 inch black worms. With rod in hand, he nearly trotted to the water’s edge on Badin.

What I saw as he slowly retrieved the lure about a foot below the surface was a snake. I have never witnessed such realistic action and found my interest climbing rapidly. The lure works best in top-water to four foot depths, depending on how fast it is retrieved. It can be moved along the bottom and seemed to avoid hang-ups during our casts.

Being the skeptic about new lures that I am, I asked him to tie on one of his 8 inch worms. Could we reproduce the same realistic action with  a smaller plastic bait? One cast proved we could… the shorter bait responded with as much enthusiasm as the longer one. Next step… Compare the action of Henry’s Deep Creek Lure with one of the top-name brand plastics. My bias towards Henry’s products was proven. Action was much less attractive.

So, this was my tackle shop aisle. I get excited about something and, most often, am disappointed once I use it on the water. My first test was an Adam & Eve event on stubborn Tillery in August. Everyone knows that, if you can catch fish there during the summer, you have to be doing something right. If the Wobblehead Lures and Deep Creek Lures combo was actually of any value, that would be a good test.

My wife (and Fishbyte webmaster) and I fished the north end of Tillery for the entire tournament. We spent an hour up near the dam around the island on the left and had a few bites, but nothing to get me excited. I steered the boat back down near the shores of Carolina Forest and that’s where we were kept busy for almost the rest of the day. Both of us spent the entire time throwing nothing but the Wobblehead and Deep Creek combinations in different colors.

Bite was steady and we were kept busy with action just off the shoreline and docks. I ran my favorite, a silver Wobblehead and 8 inch worm about four feet deep. As the sun jumped in and out, I switched colors to match the conditions. With an hour to go, we headed back to the cove just off the Swift Island ramps and continued our action there. Finally, as other Adam & Eve competitors began to appear ready for weigh in, we headed to shore.

About a week later, I spent a quiet Sunday morning on the same stretch of Tillery, but tried a number of other environments. The Wobblehead can be rigged with a rubber band for retrieving through grasses, and I wanted to try it with a trailer hook. Neither rigging affected the action and I found plenty of bite for the three hours I spent. A couple of fish came on the trailer hook, showing me the half-hearted bite could be put in the livewell.

I want to spend some time with Henry’s baits geared for striper and catfish hooked on some of the Wobbleheads. I am guessing the will give the same over-the-top action to these baits.

Wobblehead Lures LLC isn’t a big business and you’ll need to call them to order your items. You can see their products and get some good “how-to’s” on the site at www.wobbleheadlures.com. The lures come in a variety of colors and two sizes. Although I thought I could rig my own weedless and trailer hooks, I’ve tried theirs and they fit better and retain the action I like.

Henry’s Deep Creek Lures baits can be found in numerous shops across the state, but you can place an order online at www.deepcreeklures.net.

(Wobblehead Lures LLC and Deep Creek Lures supplied the baits for this field test. Fishbyte.Net has received no remuneration or sponsorship for the printing of this product review. We just like to tell you what we catch fish with!)

NC Wildlife CommissionNC Wildlife Beginning Annual Hearings Next Week
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s annual public hearings begin next week, with the first of nine hearings scheduled for Sept. 7 at Bladen Community College in Dublin. 

All hearings begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled as follows:

Date District City Location
Sept. 7 4 Dublin Bladen Community College
Sept. 8 5 Pittsboro Central Carolina Community College
Sept. 9 6 Norwood South Stanly High School
Sept. 14 8 Morganton Municipal Auditorium
Sept. 15 9 Clyde Haywood Community College
Sept. 16 7 Wilkesboro The John A. Walker Center, Wilkes Community College
Sept. 21 1 Edenton Swain Auditorium
Sept. 22 2 New Bern Courthouse
Sept. 23 3 Rocky Mount Nash Community College; Brown Auditorium

For more information on the Commission’s new public hearing schedule, read “Commission Adjusts Rulemaking Cycle,” at www.ncwildlife.org. For information on the rulemaking process, downloadFrom Proposal to Regulationat www.ncwildlife.org.

Katch-her Lures: Another North Carolina Lure Maker
August 21, 2010
By Hal Abshire, Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler & Columnist

I met Jody Wright and James Dyer when I went up to Greene's Marine for their open house earlier this year. They had their jigs on display for sale. I was told by Andy Greene that I had to see the jigs that these guys were making. Lots of tournament fishermen are using their jigs with great success. After seeing their jigs at the show, I thought then that this could possibly be the jig that I have been looking for! After trying them, I can honestly say, YES! Hopefully after reading more about this product, you too will become a Katch-her Lure fan as well.....

Q - Where are you from and who is your partner?
Jody Wright, Ellenboro,NC, Parks and Rec. Director, town of Forest City, NC and...
James Dyer, Connelly Springs, NC, Foreman, Spake Enterprise, Shelby, NC

Q - How did you get started making jigs and how long have you been doing this? Have you and your partner been making the jigs from the beginning?
Jody - We have been avid tournament fisherman for years, mostly jig fishing. We have had a lot of success whether together or individually.

Winning Jim Ledbetter on Lake Norman, finishing 2nd in Ryan Newman on Lake Norman, winning NBC Winter Trail Fish-Off, winning J & J Winter Trail tournaments, qualifying for Southern Div. of Federation twice, Federation National Championship, winning pts. championship in Fishers of Men Foothills Div. twice, winning Fishers of Men tournament, winning C.A.T.T. tournaments etc. We have a lot knowledge about lures and also use them successfully.

Katch-her Lures
Hal Abshire & wrapped boat, 2010

We started making our own lures because we wanted to modify them to what we wanted and a little hobby (4 years). We started this together.

Q - What makes your lures different from all the other brands?
Jody - I think the difference between our lures is we want them to perform for us when we fish, so they are tournament tested.

We custom make all lures with with quality parts. All jigs hand-tied, all lures have baked paint finish. We have a lot of colors of paint to choose from for the head; we mix colors ourselves to come up with more color options. We try to keep our prices reasonable for return business.

Q - How did you come up with the name of Katch-her Lures?

It hard to start a lure company up as far as names, because most are already taken. Kkatch=catching fish; Her=big female bass; so Katch-her lures.

Q - I noticed that the angler's on the Western part of NC learn to skip a jig more so then on the Eastern part of NC, why do you think this is? Is it because of the docks peppered in most of your lakes?
Jody - I think anglers in the Catawba River system learn to skip docks and pontoons because that’s what normally wins these tournaments. We have an abundance of docks on most of these lakes and when that bite is on it usually wins.

Q - What makes your jig skip? Why is the hand tie better then a rubber collar to hold the skirt together?
Jody - The thing about our flipping jigs is we have two different types of heads, one skips better and is more for swimming or fishing shallow, the other skips good also but is better for working the bottom with more resistance in the water The first one is a bass head, the second is a sparkie head. Our jigs are hand-tied so it keeps the skirt in place when skipping unlike rubber collars. Last, our heads are baked so when you hit the dock, pontoon etc., the paint does not chip off.

Q - What colors work best in different water clarities?
Jody - In clear water all the natural watermelon, green pumpkin, pumpkin combinations work great. We like to incorporate a few strands of red or orange or charteuse to give it some flash. In stained water, black and blue, black and chartreuse, brown and crawdad orange or red work well.

Q - Speaking of colors, what is your favorite and why?
Jody - My favorite colors are crawdad orange and candy apple. The crawdad orange will catch fish in any condition and the candy apple (reddish black head, brown and brown red camo skirt) is just unique. Fish don’t see this a lot and if you look at crawdads they will have a red tint more times than not.

Q - What kind of trailer and size works best on your jigs?
Jody - I use zoom super chunk (greenpumpkin) regular and junior size always. James uses zoom big salty (green pumpkin) mostly. On the ballhead jig we use creature baits as well as on football head jigs.

Q - What size of rod, reel ratio and line size do you recommend to your customers while using Katch-her Lures?
Jody - I prefer a 6’10’ heavy rod with a 7:3:1 gear ratio reel with 15 to 20lb fluourocarbon for skipping.

Q - Where and how can anglers purchase Katch-her Lures? What about tackle stores?
Jody - Anglers can get our lures by calling 828-289-9796 (we hopefully will start getting them in stores in the near future).

Q - Do you make anything other then jigs?
Jody - We also make all different kinds of shakey heads with screw loc or without. Shakey heads: pro series without screw loc, football, round, stand up with screw loc. Jigs: flipping jig, football jig, ballhead jig, slip jig.

Q - Is there anything else that you would like to add about Katch-her Lures?
Jody - I think if anglers give our jigs or shakey heads a try they will never use another brand. We are working on a website and hope to have it up before long, but we are on facebook at katch-her lures.

On a foot note, Jody sent me 15 of his Katch-her lures jigs to try out. I like them so much that I just about emptied out my jig box and put his jigs in. By the way, I emptied out 50 old jigs! Now I have only quality jigs in my box! So if you see me on the water, stop me and take a look at the Katch-her Lures in my Bass Cat! My first bass on a Katch-her Lures was a 3 pounder plus and I had another one that size trying to take it away from her on Badin Lake, NC. 

I have been looking for a jig that I could have confidence in using and I personally believe that Jody Wright and James Dyer have developed that jig!

See you on the water,
Hal Abshire

NC Wildlife CommissionWildlife Commission Changes Venue for District 5 Public Hearing – Announces Dates For All Hearings

The Wildlife Commissioners of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission voted today to change the location for its District 5 public hearing on Sept. 8. The annual public hearing will be held in the auditorium of Central Carolina Community College, 764 West Street, Pittsboro.

Previously, the District 5 hearings had been held in the second floor courtroom in the Civil Courts Building, Graham. District 5 includes Rockingham, Guilford, Randolph, Caswell, Alamance, Chatham, Lee, Person, Orange, Granville and Durham counties
A series of nine public hearings across the state solicits comments on proposed changes to hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. All hearings begin at 7 p.m. After the hearings and a review of all comments, the Wildlife Commissioners then vote whether or not to adopt the proposed rules. This year’s hearings are also the first to be held in September since the Commission adjusted its rulemaking cycle. 

The public can also visit www.ncwildlife.org to comment online or submit comments by mail to 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1701. For more information on the rulemaking process, download “From Proposal to Regulation” at www.ncwildlife.org.

Date District City Location
Sept. 7 4 Dublin Bladen Community College
Sept. 8 5 Pittsboro Central Carolina Community College
Sept. 9 6 Norwood South Stanly High School
Sept. 14 8 Morganton Municipal Auditorium
Sept. 15 9 Clyde Haywood Community College
Sept. 16 7 Wilkesboro The John A. Walker Center, Wilkes Community College
Sept. 21 1 Edenton Swain Auditorium
Sept. 22 2 New Bern Courthouse
Sept. 23 3 Rocky Mount Nash Community College; Brown Auditorium

That's A Wrap…
July, 2010
By Hal Abshire, Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler & Columnist

I have been asked by several people about the wraps that I have done on my bass boat and Chevy Silverados.  The most questions asked are will it hurt the paint when it is removed, who did the design, who did the wrap and, most of all, How Much?

Hal Abshire
Hal Abshire & Wrapped Boat, 2010

Let me first begin by saying if you get your boat or truck wrapped, it will not hurt your paint.  In fact, my wrap protected my last boat from a lot of scratches.  As most of you know, my design was made with water in mind.  So, the entire design was done with waves on the boat and my tow vehicle as well.  This is one of the best ways of promoting your sponsors.  I advertised my sponsors 24/7 on land as well as the water.  Believe me, sponsors love this and if you are looking for one more way to obtain a sponsor then I would highly suggest a wrap.  Just look at NASCAR and why not BASS and FLW do it in a big way to advertise their sponsors.

The price depends a lot of the design and how much they have to do.  This is where you can ask a sponsor to either chip in or have the whole boat dedicated to them and have them to purchase the wrap for you.  An average cost for a bass is $2,500 and up.  I was able to have about ten or more on my wrap.  I always ensured that a picture was always taken with a sponsor in mind and it would get to them sooner or later!

My boat and truck wrap came from Military Wraps.  Their address is: 3400 David Street, Lumberton, NC 28358.  Phone # is 910 671-0008.  The company was founded by Trevor Kracker.  They are located right off of I-95 and located right beside of the Lumberton Airport.  They operate out of a big airplane hanger.  This makes it great knowing that your boat will be in a big building and out of the weather.    My boat was the first boat they had done and since then Trevor and his team has done several boats, both fresh and salt water boats.  Tournament fishermen like Greg Lahr, Jamey Caldwell and Will Blanton have had their boats and trucks done by Military wraps.  If you don't know what design you would like to have, the staff at Military Wraps will sit down with you and help you. 

There is a draw back or two for having a wrapped vehicle and boat.  The first few times when you are at a stop light and you feel like someone is staring at you kinda feeling!  Well you are right, they are staring, but mostly at your wrap, not you.  Don't be surprised how many people will come up to you and want to take pictures. 

I have been very blessed to have Military Wraps as a sponsor.  They are a great graphics company.  Give them a call and tell them Hal sent you!

Hal Abshire

Uwharrie Marine
Uwharrie Marine Building
Uwharrie Marine Provides Boats, Full Service And Parts To Region
June 11, 2010

For anglers and boaters looking for service, accessories, or maybe even a new or used boat, Uwharrie Marine located in Montgomery County provides a pile of options and experience. The marine sales and service operation, located on Highway 24/27 about a half mile away from the Lake Tillery Swift Island Wildlife Access, has top-certified mechanics on site.

Uwharrie Marine
Parts

Ron and Gracie Partridge, owners of the ten-year-old business, moved just a hop and a skip down the road from a first location about five years ago. They first set up shop in buildings behind the log cabin store at the head of River Road and 24/27 in 2000, but quickly outgrew those surroundings. Now they have room to offer a variety of Tahoe pontoons, Polarkraft aluminum, and Clear Water skiffs. Lot improvements and clearing have been ongoing since they erected the new building where they now call home.

Uwharrie Marine
Owners Ron & Gracie Partridge

The shop is certified as a Yamaha and Mercury engine repair and warranty work and they work on all makes and models. Their son, Michael holds a variety of top industry certifications and has been in the boat business for twenty years. “This is a family owned and operated business,” stated Ron. “We’ve grown this bit by bit and now provide service to Lakes Tillery, Badin and even High Rock.” Employees put on some miles as the do full service and even on-the-water services across the region. They employ seven people and can provide in-house financing.

Uwharrie Marine“Our repeat business has always been excellent,” stated the owner. “We give first priority to our new boat sales customers.” Believing in the “buy local” philosophy, the owners are big supporters of local school fund raisers as well as numerous other local organizations. “If we expect folks to buy locally, we need to support locally,” stated Partridge.

“We’ve grown our shelves and store into the largest parts inventory in the area,” noted Ron. “When there’s an issue, it’s important to get folks back out on the water fast.” Being so close to the busiest landing on Lake Tillery, weekends are flat out for the family. To keep up, they maintain business hours of Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Their web site is http://uwharriemarine.com or they can be contacted at 910-439-9900.

Uwharrie Marine is located on 4700 Highway 24/27, Mt. Gilead, NC.

Fishbyte.Net Kicks Off Strategies & Bites
(Where our readers tell us how they catch fish!)
fishbyte logo
June, 2010

We all spend a lot of time pouring over magazine articles and web sites looking for fishing strategy tips and tricks, or looking for a way to fish an old bait in a new way. At Fishbyte.Net, we think the best experts are the ones we chase every weekend on North Carolina’s lakes and we know you’d listen to your fellow anglers! To that end, we are pleased to announce the start of our Strategies & Bites efforts.

Here’s how it will work… send us a short email telling us how you use a bait. What strategy do you like to use while catching fish? If you are on a specific lake, how do you fish it? In other words, tell us how you catch fish! If you can, send us a photo of yourself as well and be sure to give us your name and where you live.

Your email doesn’t have to be fancy… we’ll make it ready for publishing. We will post you and your Strategies & Bites on Fishbyte.Net and make you famous! Be sure to include your mailing address in the email (we won’t publish that) because we will choose the best one each month and send that winner an official Fishbyte.Net hat. Here’s your chance to be an outdoor sports writer!

Andy NixNix Knowledge: One-On-One With David Wright
May, 2010
By Andy Nix, Fishbyte.Net Pro Staff Angler & Columnist


David Wright
1st place, Chris Brown & David Wright

With the bass fishing season in full swing, I had the time to sit down and talk awhile about fishing with on of the true legends of bass fishing, not only locally, but across the country.  David Wright has been in the elite list of bass fisherman to come out of North Carolina and best anglers across the globe.  Think about it, some of the best anglers in the world have come from our state… David Wright, David Fritts, Steve Sink. The list is long.  

Go to any BASS or FLW event, anywhere in the USA, and any of the top anglers know who these Carolina guys are, and respect their ability to catch bass. To be honest with you, I didn't know that much about David, besides the fact that he is one of the best, and can be found at the top in any tournament he competes in. But, after talking with him, I got to know a little more about what drives this bass fishing legend today.

Background: David Wright was born, and still resides, in Lexington, NC. He is 59 years old.  He went to Lexington High School before heading to Appalachian State University.  After completing college, David went on to be a teacher at Central Davidson High School for 30 years. David is now retired, and stated, "…all I do is mow the grass and fish!" David has been married for 37 years, and has one son who lives in Raleigh.

David Wright
1st place, David Wright & Chris Brown with Olivia Breanna Moseley

Nix - How did you get into fishing and at what age?
David - My grandmother took me pond fishing when I was a kid, where we would catch pan fish and just anything that would bite! When I was seven or eight years old, a friend of the family would take me to High Rock fishing. The funny thing about that was, we had a boat to fish out of, but we would drive the boat to a point, get out of the boat, and fish from the bank.  When we would get tired of fishing that point, we would get back in the boat and drive to another point, drop the anchor, get out and fish some more. When I was 15 years old, I started fishing with Homer Viesecker.  He taught me an awful lot about fishing.  We mostly used plastic worms to fish with back then. When I was 16, my grandparent's bought a boat, and I always had the boat.  Homer and I would take the boat fishing all the time. After that, I was finishing high school, and heading off to college, and I made my mind up, that the first thing I wanted to do when I got out of college was to buy a Ranger boat.  When I did finish college, I ended up getting married first, but, while on our honeymoon, I was looking for my new boat! I bought my first Ranger in 1973; it was Ranger TR-10.

Nix - At what age did you start fishing tournaments?
David - I joined the High Rock Bassmasters in 1973 and started fishing club tournaments.

Nix - What is your favorite lake?
David -  High Rock is usually my favorite. In the 80's it was Buggs Island.  Right now, my favorite lake is wherever the fish are biting!

Nix - What is your most memorable tournament win?
David - Stren Series at Lake Gaston. It was a four day tournament, and I caught some good fish the first three days. However, on the final day, I only managed to catch six pounds.  I just knew that I had blown my chances of winning.  However, when it was all said and done, the guy that was in second place, two pounds behind me, only caught four pounds the last day, so I ended up winning!  It was obviously a tough day for everyone.

Nix - What other hobbies do you have besides fishing?
David - When I'm not fishing, I'm usually doing yard work.  I'm also very active in my church, so I spend a lot of time doing things for church as well.

David Wright
Champion David Wright Holds Up Some of His 2nd Day's Catch

Nix - How many days a year would you guess you’re on the water?
David - Since I began fishing tournaments in 1973, I have spent at least 100 days a year on the water.  Since I retired 6 years ago, I would say I average over 200 days a year on the pond.

Nix - What is your favorite time of year to fish and why?
David - For just plain out enjoyment of fishing, I like fishing during the spawn in the spring.  It’s just a fun time to fish, and you can really catch some big fish that time of year. For competition, I prefer summer time when you can pattern the fish better. For me, the deeper the better. Fishing has really changed over the past 15 years. Housing, realtor projects have influenced the water levels, especially at High Rock.  When the water levels change as rapidly as they do, it tends to make the fish stay shallower.

Nix - What is your favorite lure?
David - Crankbait, period!

Nix - What is the hardest thing you had to overcome to get to the level of success that you are at today?
David - Not to history fish! I always have flashbacks of where the fish "used" to be, and where I "used" to catch them. You can’t do that. You have to fish where the fish are now, not where they "used" to be. That's why you see some guys that go to a lake for the first time do really well, because they automatically go to where the fish are supposed to be, not relying on thoughts of years ago that lie in their heads.

David Wright
David Wright, Boater Winner

Nix - Who are your top five pro bass anglers of all time?
David - Kevin Van Dam, Kevin Van Dam, Kevin Van Dam, Kevin Van Dam, and finally, Kevin Van Dam.  That man knows something about fishing that no one else knows, and probably never will know.  I think if you asked him to tell you his secret, he wouldn't, simply because I don't think he knows himself!

Nix - What is the most exciting thing about fishing for you?
David - I just enjoy catching those green fish! The excitement of getting the bite, getting the fish to the boat, and then letting the fish go and watching him swim off. I'm proud to be part of catch and release as well.  If it wasn't for catch and release, fishing would not be anywhere close to what it is today! Also, bass fishing keeps you grounded.  Just when you think you have it all figured out, it will change and bring you back down to reality.

Nix - If you could choose one angler to fish with you in a million dollar tournament, who would it be and why?
David - That's easy, Kevin Van Dam.  Like I said earlier, he knows something about bass that no one else does, and I definitely want to be in the boat with him.  Other anglers don't intimidate me what so ever, but that man has something about him that no one else wants a part of when it comes to competing against him in a tournament.

Nix - What keeps you coming back for more?
David - The challenge of catching fish. You can never know enough about bass fishing. It is always changing, and the bass continue to evolve!

Nix - What is the first thing you look for or take into consideration when you are preparing for a tournament?
David - Time of year, water level, and weather.  Time of year is by far the most important.  You can’t control anything else, but you definitely need to know what time of year it is so you can get a mental picture as to where the fish should be, and go from there.  If I was asleep for years, and woke up to fish, the first thing I would ask is what time of year is it, what month is it!

Nix - How long will you stick with a pattern if it’s not working before you decide it is time to change?
David - A lot of times I will stick with something too long! You have to know what you are fishing, and you must know why you are fishing it!

Nix - Is it better to versatile on the water, or do you think it is better to be the best at your style of fishing?
David - Well that depends. If you want to win the tournament, you need to be the best at your type of fishing, because at some point, the fish will be biting your pattern, and you will do exceptionally well, but you may have to sacrifice several tournaments before you get to "your time".  If you are fishing a series, and your main goal is to finish at the top of the points at the end of the year, you need to be versatile. This way, you can change or adapt to different situations on the water as they present themselves.  You’re not always going to win, but you can definitely be consistent by being versatile.

Nix - What advice would you give any young angler starting out today?
David - Learn all you can about bass fishing. Fish in tournaments as a co-angler. If you fish with different people, you will always learn something from them. Always stay grounded.  No matter how much you think you know about bass or bass fishing, you can always learn more!

There have been very few who have achieved the level of success that David Wright has.  Keep in mind folks, up until 6 years ago, David had a full time job as a teacher, so getting  to the level he is at can be done without being on the water seven days a week.  I'm sure it would be much easier if you could, but it can be done.  David is well-known around the country as one of the premier crankbait fisherman of the sport.  

There are so any things about him that make him so successful on the water.  Just his knowledge alone about bass and bass fishing is second to none. You add that to 37 years of tournament experience… what you come up with is a man who knows bass fishing!  Don't look for David to go away anytime soon. Now that he is retired, that means that much more time on the water, and he still has the desire and drive to become an even better angler, a goal I personally think he will achieve, easily.

See Ya on the water…

Andy Nix, Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler
andynix_dkm@vzw.blackberry.net

Clint King MotorsportsFishbyte.Net Partners with Clint King Motorsports
May, 2010

Some things in life just go together naturally, like salt and pepper, Batman and Robin, or peanut butter and jelly.  Fishing and racing are two of those outdoor sports that just seem to compliment each other.  After all, what angler does not also appreciate the sound of a highly tuned stock car driving by?

Clint King MotorsportsThe father-son team of Fishbyte.Net has partnered with the father-son team of Clint King Motorsports in an effort to strengthen each other’s businesses and overall marketability.  Both fathers, Tom and David have two things in common.  They are working hard to help their son’s succeed and they both love fishing and racing.  Fishbyte.Net and Clint King Motorsports will help publicize and promote each other in a marketing partnership. This will enable sponsors and advertisers a greater array of options and a larger audience across North Carolina.  The 07 car proudly displayed the Fishbyte.Net logos this past weekend at the Ace Speedway, where Clint finished in the top ten.

With the support of his mother and father, Clint began racing at the age of eight.  He quickly amassed a pile of wins and several championships.  By the age of 13 he was winning consistently in his Late-Model-Truck earning him a “Rookie of the Year” title.  This year at the age of 14, he has moved into the highly competitive UARA-Stars Racing Series, which hosts 16 races across North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Clint faces the challenge of competing against several young legacy drivers in the UARA Series, who have close connections to Nascar.  Despite this fact, Clint managed to win in only his third outing of the season.  The King family resides in Davidson County, the heart of fishing and racing country. When time allows, the pair even hits the local waters together for some fishing action.

For more info about Clint King Motorsports, view their web site at www.clintking.com.

Mountain MarketMountain Market Opening Boondocks Grill Wednesday, April 7!
Mountain Market signs on as tournament coverage sponsor
April, 2010

It's wee-4:30 on a Saturday morning and you've got a fishing tournament on a Yadkin Chain Lake. Your faithful alarm clock forgot to wake you on time and you'll have to hustle along Highway 109 without breakfast or the day's supplies to get to your tournament on time. In past years, you've just set up a poor start to what could have been a good day. But now, thanks to a complete make-over of a decades-old business, you can turn your day around... all in one stop.

Mountain MarketAnglers looking for a home made biscuit, a hot cup of coffee, an extra bait and a few new hooks, or maybe just some snacks and cold beverages to take on the boat, can now make one stop to get it all. The Mountain Market and Boondocks Grill, located on Hwy. 109N in Troy at the intersection of River Road, is a natural stop if you're headed to a favorite lake.  And, after a long hot day on the lake, a cold beer at the Boondocks Grill bar might be just the thing to forget about the one that got away.

The Mountain Market has been a popular site in Montgomery County for years and has recently undergone drastic improvements under new management.  Gerald Carter and son-in-law, Casey Bullins, have increased their fishing tackle line-up, broadened the selection of beer and wine, and added a full restaurant and bar onto the general store. Fuel pumps out front, where hungry engines and hauling trucks can be fed, add the final piece to an angler's needs. Breakfast, fishing gear, fuel, snacks, ice and even a some local fishing tips can all be had on your way to an event.

“A lot of hard work and time have gone into this expansion,” stated Bullins this week. The project began well over a year ago with a full re-modeling of the outer shell.  Over the next twelve months, patrons watched as magic happened to the interior. The transformation included adding the Boondocks Grill, an overhaul of the general store's layout, and added extras throughout.

Mountain MarketBullins is an active fisherman himself. He often fishes the local Adam & Eve tournaments on the Yadkin Chain with his wife, but missed the last one as they were busy constructing the new grill.  He also fishes opens and benefits and can be found in an occasional wildcat on the local lakes. Those skills add an ingredient not found at most stops... fishing info that might just add to the livewell. The Mountain Market has sponsored several fishing clubs and tournaments, including the West Side Anglers, and has recently cast support to all clubs by joining the Fishbyte.Net family. This sponsorship helps pay for coverage of all fishing clubs and events across the state.

The family-run business will offer a wide-variety of items on their eat-in or take-out menu.  The grill will feature a salad bar and a small bar serving beer and wine.  An outdoor patio and seating area is also being constructed.  Boondocks Grill will be open from 5 AM to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 5 AM until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Your day is saved and your cheap time piece didn't ruin your day... a quick stop at the Mountain Market gets you stocked up on everything you need for the tournament. The Fishbyte.Net crew will be waiting at the landing thanks to the folks who saved your day AND made it possible for us to be there to take your picture! Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and tell them thanks for supporting the coverage of your club!

Andy NixNix Knowledge: Troll-Eze... It Makes A Body Better
By Fishbyte.net Pro Angler Andy Nix

Editor's Note: We ran a product review on the Troll-Eze recessed trolling pedal box  last spring. After our Pro Angler Andy Nix started using one and gave it a good field test, we felt it worth bringing up again. Here are his thoughts.)


What is one of the most important, if not the most important factor in tournament fishing? I would most definitely have to say comfort! For all of you out there who has a boat that does not have a recessed trolling motor pedal, well there is a new product just for you. I will have to honestly say that, out of all of the accessories I have tried to accommodate fishing, the Troll-Eze (www.trolleze.com) product is by far the best addition I have ever made to my boat or tackle.

NixOn a normal day of fishing, I am completely exhausted after I get done, however, I was shocked at how much better I felt after using this product. I have a history of back issues, two back surgeries to date, and that is always a problem for me when it comes to fishing hard all day. My back is killing me when I get done. Well, I will admit that, after fishing for nine hours straight using the Troll Eze recessed pedal, my back did not hurt a bit.

NixThink about it... normally, you are leaned to one side, with all the weight and pressure of your body concentrated on one foot. Add strong winds that are ever so present in North Carolina this time of year into the equation. So now, you are fighting the wind, balancing yourself on one foot, and also carrying
the weight of your body on that same foot. Trust me, that will completely
tire you out in a days time.

Now, think about this. You have both feet firmly planted on your boat, distributing all your weight evenly between both feet, you're not having to fight to keep your balance, so that makes the wind easier to handle. You're not leaned over on one side, and your back is not stressed. Which scenario sounds better to you?

With all that being said, this is a product that you can install on your boat yourself, without having to take it to a boat mechanic to do. It took me, by myself, about twenty minutes to install and clean up afterward. All you need is, a drill, jigsaw, tape, magic marker, and a shop vac for clean up. It gives your boat a new sleek look.

It doesn't matter if you stand up fishing, or you sit down, this product will surely
benefit you in the long run. Brian Gallimore has a great operation going with this product, and will certainly help you out. Check out the web site to read more about this product, and to contact Brian. I have looked at other products similar to this one, and the quality is just not there. Troll Eze uses metal to manufacture their product, while others use plastic, which will not last in the long haul.

Now for the best part. The Troll Eze product is less than half the price of the competitors price. So, not only are you getting the best quality part, your getting the best price as well. I strongly urge anyone out there who does not have this
feature on their boat, to give Troll Eze a try. You wont be disappointed! Contact Brian at Troll Eze, and he will get you set up!

See Ya on the water,
Andy
andynix_dkm@vzw.blackberry.net

Hwy 49 SportsHighway 49 Sports Offers Anglers Three Day Super Sale
March 19-20-21

Fishing season is underway and Highway 49 Sports is helping anglers get started right. The full-service tackle shop located on NC Highway 49 just beyond the Tuckertown Wildlife Access has pulled the usual price tags off much of its gear and is offering sales of the season.

Known for its quality “hometown service” to fishermen, boaters and hunters, the shop has been providing gear for many years to area outdoor sportsmen. The three-day sale includes select Bomber,Rebel, Heddon and Cordell lures for under $2, Zoom and Daiwa products marked way down, name brand rods below wholesale and even hot dogs and drinks for $2.50.

If you are anywhere near the Yadkin Chain those three days, or need a ride that'll  be worth the gas, drop by Highway 49 Sports and give them a big Fishbyte.Net hello. You can find them at www.49sports.com or call 704-463-7053 for directions. Support Fishbyte.Net and support Highway 49 Sports!

Boating SafetyNew Boat Operation Laws Mean Classes For Under 26-ers
March, 2010

If you haven't reached your 26th birthday by May 1, 2010, you'll need to go back to school. New regulations passed by the NC Legislature last session (G.S. 75A-16.2) require successful completion of boater education courses for those under 26 wanting to operate a boat in North Carolina.

The new law is bound to impact many anglers this season. Fortunately, courses are springing up in most every county. To see where you can enroll in a Boater Education Course, the Wildlife Resources Commission has posted the info in a search-able format by county: http://ncpaws.org/boatingsafety/coursesearch.asp

The new law states: “On or after May 1, 2010 any person under the age of 26 must successfully complete a NASBLA approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater.”

Info about Virginia's new regulations, which will be phased in over a period of years, can be found at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/boating-safety-education-requirement.asp.

Andy NixNix Knowledge: It's That Time of Year Again!

By Andy Nix
Fishbyte.Net Pro Angler & Feature Columnist
February 9, 2010


For all you bass fishing enthusiasts out there, that magical time of year is upon us once again! Fishing season will be in full swing before you know it, and it will be time to hit the water once again for another year of chasing large mouths. But, before that time gets here, have you taken the time to get prepared for the upcoming season? If not, here are a few tips that may help you be more productive on the water this year.

First, set aside a Saturday in the next couple of weeks, and treat it as a normal day... as if you were actually going fishing. Tell the wife or the significant other that you are “fishing” Saturday, and not to bother you. I’m sure she will completely understand, since I’m sure she is looking forward to fishing season as much as you are.

Seriously though, like I said, treat it as a normal day you would spend on the water. Get up, go have breakfast with your buddies, then come back and get busy. I like to start by taking everything completely out of my boat. By doing this, you can organize your tackle and probably eliminate half of it. I’m sure most of you have made several trips to Bass Pro Shops or your favorite tackle shop during the off-season, so you probably have a ton of new lures and accessories to add to your boat. You’re going to need somewhere to put these new, can't fish without, lures. While you have all of your tackle laid out, take the time to sharpen a few hooks here and there. Small things like this could make a big difference while you’re out on the water.

Another thing I make sure I do is take all my reels off the rods and clean them thoroughly. Take this time to remove all of the old line you may still have on your reels. However, don’t put new line on your reels just yet unless you are fishing within the next week or so. One of the worst things you can do for fishing line, is spool it on your reel then let it sit for weeks in cold, damp weather like we are having now. One of the best things I found you can do is add some Hot Sauce to the guide gear. This will dramatically improve the performance of your reel, and get you a few extra years out of it as well.

As you clean and organize your boat and tackle, make a list of what you need and write it down. This way you won’t forget what you actually need by the time you are finished. Most of the time, you will come across half the things on your list before you are done, finding things you thought were lost! Separate and organize your jigs, crank baits, spinner baits, and plastics. Personally, I organize by size, but it may work better for you to organize by color, which ever is more comfortable for you. Go through your hooks' weights. Throw away any hooks that are rusted, dull, or bent. Hooks are very inexpensive, but I see a lot of guys use the same hooks over and over, then scratch their heads when they finally get a
big bite, because they cant figure out why the hook didn’t stick. Don’t risk it, replace it.

Now that you have all of your tackle out of your boat, take the time to give your boat a good cleaning. 3M makes a wonderful product called Finesse It. This cleaner/wax will remove any and all fading, scratches, and swirls you may have on your clear coat, and it’s safe to use on your boat. However, be careful, this is strong stuff. While you are buffing it off, it will cut thru your clear coat if your not careful. But if done right, it is the one product that will actually restore your boat's color. Even though many say it on the bottle, in reality, they do nothing but shine the dull, faded paint on your boat.

Andy NixNow that your boat is clean and the carpet is vacuumed, its time to start putting everything back in place. Put your tackle in your storage box in the order you will use it. For example, if you know you will start out by throwing crank baits, put them in last, so they are the easiest to get to when you get to your favorite spot on the lake. Make sure your life jackets are in place, and fully charged if you use self-inflating jackets. Make sure all your clippers and pliers are lubed up and working properly, and that all your safety equipment is in place, i.e. boat registration, whistle, etc.

Lastly, but most certainly not least, spend some time on your trailer. After all, what good is a nice shiny boat, if you can’t get it to the lake. Check your wheel bearings; make sure they are packed well with grease. Check your spare tire, your wiring for your lights, brake fluid, and tire pressures. I cant stress enough how important it is to take care of your trailer. You cant get to the lake without it, yet it is the most overlooked, taken for granted, piece of equipment you own.

If you will take the time do these few simple things, you will be amazed at how much difference it makes come game time. Now that the hard work is over, you can go to the tackle shop to get the things you have left on your “list”. Fishing Fever in High Point is a great place to pick up those things you need. James has what you need, and it is very convenient as well. So now you can really make your wife happy by buying her that new reel for Valentines Day.  Again, I’m sure she will absolutely love it!!

See Ya on the water... Andy Nix
Andynix_dkm@vzw.blackberry.net

Rod ExpoCustom Rod Building Expo Coming To High Point
February, 2010

Free rod building seminars offered at 2010 International Custom Rod Building Exposition.

The annual International Custom Rod Building Exposition is slated for February 20 and 21 in High Point, North Carolina. The 2010 event will be the largest in the event’s seven-year history with a greater number of vendors and exhibitors on tap than ever before.

The “Expo,” as it has come to be known, is the world’s largest event for the custom rod building craft and features over 70 booths filled with every rod building item imaginable. Over 25,000 rod blanks will be on display and for sale at the 2010 event, most at special show pricing.

Rod ExpoContinuing education is also a mainstay of the “Expo” with over 25 seminars and demonstrations on tap. The seminars are free with daily admission and run the gamut from beginning rod building classes to advanced techniques and methods. The seminar presenters include many of the world's best and most talented rod builders and include industry legends such as Gary Loomis (Founder G.Loomis, North Fork) and Jason Brunner (St. Croix rod designer).

Featured seminars on both Saturday and Sunday mornings will pertain to building your own custom fishing rods. It is geared for the first time or aspiring rod builder and will teach you everything you need to know to successfully build your own custom rod.

In addition to being the premier event for the world’s custom rod builders, the event also serves as the rod building industry’s yearly trade show.

Additional information can be found online at the official “Expo” website at www.rodexpo.com.

Greensboro Fishing ExpoGreensboro Fishing Expo Sees Big Turnout
January, 2010

Greensboro Fishing ExpoIf timing means anything, the Central Carolina Boat and Fishing Expo at the Greensboro Coliseum this past weekend hit it on the nail head. Staged just prior to the start of most clubs' regular seasons and after hunting seasons are done, the event drew large crowds of excited anglers all three days.

The event opened at 10 AM on Friday, January 21st and a large crowd surged through the doors. Vendors stayed busy up until near the first day's closing at 9 PM. The show's exhibits were spread out between two large floor areas with one devoted to mostly boat dealers and another to angling interests. Organized by NC Boat Shows (www.ncboatshows.com), a series of gatherings happens in three of the major cities in North Carolina, as well as Richmond, VA in January and February.

Greensboro Fishing ExpoA combined event, NC Boat Shows brought both recreational boaters and anglers out. Numerous boat vendors and their company reps filled the largest floor area. A variety of pleasure, bass, and saltwater boats were on display. Booths of interest to anglers included a host of tackle shops, custom rod and lure companies, NC Wildlife, NC B.A.S.S. and other vendors.

According to Russell Gray, one of the organizers, even the weather cooperated. A rainy Saturday and blustery winds kept fishermen off the water and in the Coliseum. Large crowds turned out each day. NC Boat Shows moves on to Charlotte Convention Center today and runs through the weekend. One final event is scheduled for the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on February 19 through 21. All events last three days.

For more information, visit the NCBoatShows.com web site listed above.

fishbyte decal
Fishbyte.net decals now available. See us at the show for details!

Fishbyte.Net To Exhibit At Fishing Expo
January 22-24, 2010

Looking to start your 2010 season off right and need some lake tips and bait tricks? Fishbyte.Net will be on exhibit at the Central Carolina Boat & Fishing Expo January 22 through 24 at the Greensboro, NC Coliseum. As a new season of fishing competitions draws nearer, every angler needs an edge and the show will feature the best of vendors from across the state.

fishbyte decal
Fishbyte.net decals now available. See us at the show for details!

One in a series of events, the NC Boat Shows group (www.ncboatshows.com) will roll across the state in January and February, appearing in many of the major cities. A schedule of those events appears on the front page of Fishbyte.net.

Looking for a good luck charm to add to you boat? A limited number of Fishbyte.Net hats and decals will be available for purchase on site. Orders will also be taken. Here's your chance to get an up-close look at the boat that chases you out on the water during tournaments!

Be sure to go to www.ncboatshows.com/discount.php/eventId/5 to print out your coupon for an entry fee discount!

2009 Weigh-inA Weigh-In On The 2009 Season
By Tom Sargent, Editor

2010 is going to be a great season!

If you'd told me back in November of '08 that the upcoming fishing season would have me covering as many as eight tournaments on one Saturday in June, I might have pulled the transom plug, trailered the boat, and slipped off to something quiet and simple. Plans for Fishbyte.net had begun that summer and we were busy researching and making contacts as winter rolled in. Simply put, we had no idea there were so many fishing clubs and wildcat groups out there!

2009 Weigh-inA typical weekend for us begins with our arrival at a boat ramp somewhere in the state at least an hour and a half before a scheduled launch. We need to get there before the first boats arrive so that the colored tape can be given out to every team in the water. What we've come to learn is that if we expect to greet one or two clubs at a landing, there's apt to be one or even three more not on our list. Fishbyte.net has five colors of tape to use and we've often had to have one club tie it to the trolling motor shaft and another to the foot control wiring harness.

2009 Weigh-inRunning around a landing area touching bases with multiple directors sometimes means helping coordinate, like it or not. It's part of my job to collect information, and letting each group know what another's plans are can smooth blast offs and weigh ins. Traffic control on blast offs and weigh in times wasn't something I expected to be doing, but it certainly helps everyone in the tournaments.

When the last boat roars away, I can focus on my own boat. I wait until everyone is well gone before I start hauling gear from the truck to the boat. It's always best to stay out of the way and, well, it's a whole lot easier to slide the boat in when there's no line up to contend with. The day belongs to the anglers and I can't slow them down.

2009 Weigh-inFrom then on, it's chasing boats around a lake, finding anglers tucked away in coves, and slipping in for the photo shoot without running over their fish. Some of them pose; some barely note my presence. Only twice all season did I have someone wave me off. The fish were hitting hard and they wanted no additional impact on the hole.

Plans are usually to be back on land all squared away at least an hour before weigh in. I can usually count on no one coming in before then and I have to reckon with recreational traffic at the ramp. They usually get out of the way when 20 to 50 bass boats roar in, but a single craft is in with the mix.

Jumping from weigh in to weigh in as they happen at a ramp can't be choreographed. Plan it as carefully as I might, a good day slows it down. Some clubs are fast, some take all afternoon. Getting to know the character and process of each helps get me to the next one on time. It's when Fishbyte.net is covering multiple tournaments on different lakes that it gets real interesting. I look forward to the weeknight tournaments when I cover only one event.

2009 Weigh-inGet home, sort out the photos by colored tape, and get them uploaded to each club's Gallery... the day stretches well into the evening. If it's a Saturday, a little sleep before the same process is repeated on Sunday is always nice. Sometimes I just slept on the strange little boat of ours.

2010 will be an exciting one for us at Fishbyte.net. We begin the season so far ahead of where we were a year ago. With over a hundred clubs and groups represented on our site, we know there are more to be found. You all have made us the #1 clearinghouse of fishing information and event coverage in the state. It's your encouragement and support that drives us forward. We know we are delivering something of value to you, and our commitment to supporting our clubs is stronger than ever. This site belongs to each of us and it will make fishing stronger in North Carolina.

We owe so many of you our deepest thanks for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers for our son serving in Iraq this last year. He will arrive home in late January and step into Fishbyte.Net... and probably out-fish his old man on occasion. His presence will mean more coverage, newer ideas, and even more on our web pages this year. This is a family business and the gang will all be here soon.

2010 is going to be a great season!

One-On-One With Steve Sink
By Andy Nix, Fishbyte.Net Feature Columnist

With the bass fishing season for this year basically over except for the few who don’t deer hunt, and are still hitting the water regularly, the action for the most part has tapered off. For some of us who do deer hunt, this season has been either phenomenal, or one of the worst seasons ever. Mine happens to fall into the latter category. With that being said, I personally cannot wait until the bass start chomping once again.

Steve Sink
Steve Sink places second and catches Big Fish in the NC Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Series 2009 State Finals

During this down time, I had the opportunity to sit down with someone I consider to be the best bass fisherman, period.  Steve Sink has not only proven that he is the best by winning numerous tournaments, at High Rock and nationally, but is one of the most respected bass anglers in the country. His reputation is undeniable, and on top of that, he is a super nice guy. This man has more knowledge about bass fishing than most of us will ever come close to having.  I made it a point not to “dig” for information while talking with Steve. I am not a big fan of trying to get information from other anglers. Most of us had to learn on our own. So I asked Steve some general questions about life and fishing.

Q – What age did you start fishing tournaments?
Steve – 35. Before that, I played golf and had a few other hobbies, but mostly, I played golf.

Q – Who are your top five professional anglers?
Steve – Denny Brauer, Kevin Van Dam, Zell Rowland, David Fritts, Timmy Horton

Q – How did you learn to fish?
Steve – Trial and error. I started out pond fishing as a kid, so that’s where I actually learned to fish. Nobody paved the way for me, so I had to learn everything on my own. My brother and I started out fishing tournaments, and I just went from there.

Q – Why haven’t you ever gone “pro” for a living?
Steve – Family. My daughter was born in 1974, so when I started getting serious about tournament fishing, she was still young and I didn’t feel that it was right to leave and be gone all the time while she was growing up. I also wanted to be sure I had a paycheck every week, and I had a good
job, so I knew I was going to get a check every week. (Steve is now Vice President of Salem Electric)

Q – What is your favorite time of year to fish and why?
Steve – Spring time, prior to bedding! This is the best time of year to catch big fish, and it suits the way I fish the best. Mid Summer also, when fish are on a good holding pattern, I feel I can regularly catch them on a jig.

Q – Who has been your biggest influence when it comes to fishing?
Steve – No one really.  I had to learn everything I know about fishing on my own, so there really was no one that I looked up to show me the way.

Q – What are your favorite lakes besides High Rock?
Steve – Jordan, Buggs, and Falls. All of these lakes can produce big fish, especially Jordan. Buggs, however, has really slacked off in the past few years, but it is still a great lake.

Q – What is your favorite lure to use and why?
Steve – Jig. Fish bite a jig differently than other baits, and I feel that after many years of fishing, I can detect a bite on a jig, that other anglers may not notice. I have set the hook before and don’t even know why, but there was a fish on the end on the line when it was said and done.

Q – If you could choose one angler to fish with in a $1,000,0000 dollar tournament, who would it be and why?
Steve – Kevin Van Dam.  Mainly because of his versatility. That man can adapt to any situation, no matter what the scenario is. He can adapt to catch fish on any lake, any time of the year.

Q – What has been your biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are today?
Steve – Lack of time on the water. Nothing is more important than time on the water. Over the years, I have had responsibilities that didn’t let me get to the lake when I wanted to or needed to. Being the Vice President at
Salem Electric, and having 300 employees reporting to me, I have responsibilities that just didn’t allow it.

Q – What is your most memorable tournament win?
Steve – Fishers of Men National Championship on Lake Guntersville in Alabama. We had never been on the lake, and went down there about two weeks before, and got a day and a half of practice in, then one day on the water during tournament practice. We just figured the fish out, and ended up winning the thing. Also, Tarheel Team Tournament, Gaston/Buggs. We had two days of practice, one on Gaston and one on Buggs. We won that one also
with very little time to practice.

Q – Does it ever get old?
Steve – No. I went this past Saturday to High Rock just to go crappie fishing. It was 21 degrees when I got on the water, but I love to fish. So it didn’t bother me at all.

Q – Do you have any other hobbies?
Steve – I still like to play golf. Now, my main hobby is chasing my grandchildren around!

Q – If you had one piece of advice to give to young anglers, what would it be?
Steve – Spend as much time on the water as you possibly can, nothing will beat that. Don’t listen to what everyone says, how they are catching them, or what they are catching them on. Figure it out yourself, and stick to what you know and can do the best.

I have always thought of Steve Sink as one of the best, but after sitting down with him and talking about fishing, I have even more respect for him now. Steve did mention that he was going to work on that problem he has with getting time on the water by semi-retiring by next year to allow him to get more practice time in before tournaments. For all you youngsters out there who are just getting started in the addictive world of bass fishing and want someone to look up to, I would highly suggest Mr. Sink. He is the most consistent angler that I know. You can bet that every time
he goes out, he is coming in to the scales with a hefty sack of fish. With as many people fishing as there are today, that is impressive!

See ya on the water,
Andy

TritonBadin Shop Announces Arrival Of Complete Triton Line
November, 2009

Owning a Triton just got a whole lot simpler for anglers in the central part of the state. According to Tommy Roach, owner of Badin Lake Boating Center (www.badinlakeboatingcenter.com), the full service marine dealer has just added the Triton fiberglass line of boats to their lineup. Already the only dealer in the state to carry the Legend line of bass boats, traffic to the shop just off Highway 49 is bound to get busy.

Triton“I am really excited to offer the full Triton line (www.tritonboats.com) in this area,” stated Roach last week. “Their quality and products are a great addition to our offerings and I know anglers will appreciate having a dealer in this region.” Prior to last week, the dealership offered the aluminum products by Triton.

A rapidly growing dealership. Roach and wife, Danielle, just opened for business last summer. In July, the line up of custom-built, Legend (www.ridewithalegend.com) models out in front of the shop was nothing less than stunning. Prior to the opening, an angler would have traveled hundreds of miles to see such a sight, as the Badin Lake Boating Center folks were the only dealer in NC. Legend models, the only line that comes fully rigged for fishing, boasts custom paint schemes and standard features far above other manufacturers.

TritonHop Chandler, on-site manager for the dealership who has nearly seventeen years experience in the industry, showed off a 2010 Triton 18XZ Tournament model outside the showroom last week. “These bass boats are quality all the way through,” stated Chandler. “We have several more models on the way and I expect it to get even busier here.” The 18XZ was outfitted with a Mercury OptiMax150. “Offering Triton will broaden what we have available to anglers and everyone knows they are a top name in the bass boat business.”

TritonBadin Lakes Boating Center is offering a $300 clothing package for any Triton fiberglass purchased between now and December 31st. According to Chandler, “If they are a Bass Federation Nation member, there is a special package that is up to $700 in cash and clothing for purchasing a new Triton/Mercury boat package.”

Located just off the intersections of Highways 49 and 8 just to the north of Badin Lake (248 Badin Lake Road), the new facility is a full-service boat center with certified mechanics on site. Customers visiting the store will find boating accessories, parts, financing, and even boat detailing available. Pick up and delivery services are also provided. The center also carries the Cypress Cay – Triton (www.discovercypresscay.com) pontoon boat line along with the Triton and Legend boat products.

Hours of operation for the boating center are Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM. Stop by and check out a Triton, Legend bass boat, a Cypress Cay or one of the many used boats on the lot. For more information or to speak with Hop, Tommy, or Danielle personally, call the Boating Center at 336-859-2013 or visit their web site at www.badinlakeboatingcenter.com.

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Launches Governors Sportsmen's Caucus
Reprinted with Permission: www.sportsmenslink.org

July 20, 2009 (Biloxi, MS) - The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation announced Friday the formation of a bipartisan caucus of governors that will work to protect the interest of America's hunters and anglers, and advance sound wildlife management policy.

The Governors Sportsmen's Caucus was launched at the National Governor's Association Annual Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi, and will facilitate communication and information exchange between participating offices in support of policies and regulations that promote and protect hunting and fishing.

At the official launch, members selected Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Gov. Mike Rounds (R-SD) as the inaugural Co-Chairmen and also selected Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) and Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D-WY) as the inaugural Vice-Chairmen.

"The quality of life in this country continues to rely on the outdoors opportunities we provide, and we don't want these rights and freedoms taken away from the next generation," said Gov. Rounds.

"I'm committed to do anything I can with the federal government and all of our state legislators," said Gov. Manchin. "Throughout our various states, we can really help each other work through important hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation issues."

The GSC is patterned after the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and supported by CSF, both of whom have served the interest of outdoorsmen in the halls of Congress and federal land management agencies for 20 years. The GSC will work closely with CSF and state legislators in their home states and through the 38 state legislative caucuses that make up the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses.

"Building upon the success of CSF and the Caucus in Washington and the NASC in state legislatures around the country, the addition of a Governor's Sportsmen's Caucus creates an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials," said CSF President Jeff Crane.
Governors in the GSC represent large outdoor constituencies that include many of America's nearly 40 million hunters and anglers who contribute more than $70 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

"It's part of our culture, our tradition, our economy," said Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont.

Sixteen governors from across the country have joined the caucus as inaugural members, including: Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia; Gov. Mike Rounds, South Dakota; Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming; Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia; Gov. Phil Bredesen, Tennessee; Gov. Rick Perry, Texas; Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi; Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana; Gov. Butch Otter, Idaho; Gov. Mitch Daniels, Indiana; Gov. John Hoeven, North Dakota; Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio; Gov. Brad Henry, Oklahoma; Gov. John Lynch, New Hampshire; Gov. Jim Douglas, Vermont; Gov. John Baldacci, Maine.

"We're from all over the country. This group just goes to show that hunting and fishing, the sportsmen's life, really is America from one side to the other," said Gov. Barbour.

Nix Knowledge: Practice – Is It Worth It?
By Andy Nix

The answer is simple, ABSOLUTELY! In the world of tournament fishing, the one thing you will never be able to overcome is time on the water. Now, with that being said, it obviously comes easier for some than others. A high percentage of the men and women, who fish regularly in bass tournaments, have a full time job, so that makes it more difficult for them to put time in on a lake prior to a tournament.

Nix KnowledgeMany things change overnight when it comes to catching bass, but the one element stays the same is that you will never consistently beat someone who has had two or three days of practice on a lake before a tournament. I see a lot of guys shaking their heads at weigh in, wondering, “How did they catch those fish”? Again, the answer is simple... the guys who “caught those fish” probably found those fish a day or two ago and stayed on them. You can bet there wasn’t a conversation at breakfast that morning trying to figure out where their first run should be; they knew where before you got out of bed the day before.

I have been fortunate enough to have time to practice for most tournaments I fish and, when I do practice, I have one goal, learn something. I know that sounds elementary, but when I say learn something, I don’t mean catching fish. Some of the best practices I have had, I hardly caught anything. I eliminated a majority of areas, so I knew not to waste my time in those areas during the tournament. The most important thing to remember when practicing, or while fishing in a tournament, is to not waste time in dead water.

If you have been fishing for a while, you have a natural sense that will let you know when things just aren’t right. Whether it’s the water temperature, or that the bait fish aren't in the area like you want them to be, you should know. If you are an experienced angler, go with your gut feeling and leave. I can’t tell you how many times I have started in one area and couldn’t put anything together, left , went to a totally different area and pattern, and immediately started catching fish.

Nix KnowledgeMake the best of your practice time! Again, if you have been fishing tournaments for awhile, you have a good idea where you need to fish and where your normally productive areas are, so don’t waste your practice time beating those places to death. Chances are, you will be able to put a few in the boat at your normal spots, so try to figure out new places to fish during practice. Even if you are only able to run down to the lake for a few hours the evening before the tournament, try to find a good top water bite or shallow bite late in the evening. There is a good chance those same fish will be there first thing the next morning before they get gun shy for the better part of the day.

If you only have a few days you can take off work for practice, use them in the spring and fall. Post-spawn bass usually stay on the same pattern through out the summertime and early fall, so if you caught them in a certain spot the weekend before, you should be able to catch them fairly close to the same spot the next weekend. However, fish change like the wind in spring and fall. The lures you use stay the same, but fish are forever changing locations, especially right after they spawn.

I practice more during the time right after the spawn is over than any other time of year. These fish are the most difficult to catch. The females become extremely difficult to catch for a period of about two weeks when they finish laying their eggs, and they normally suspend making them even more difficult to put in the boat. They still have to eat, so at some point they will bite. You just have to know where they are.

Don’t look at practicing the same as you look at a tournament. Try to find the fish during practice, and then start looking for similar places where you can use the same pattern. Practice is not about how many fish you catch, but about locating the fish and eliminating water that just isn’t productive. A lot of guys don’t like to actually “set the hook” during practice. I disagree. I want to know what size fish are in the area. A limit of fourteen inch fish on High Rock isn’t going to do anything for you but get your feelings hurt at weigh in, so you need to make sure you are on bigger fish rather than just “keepers”. If I find a place where I know there are big fish, I will spend all day in that area just to get five bites. You better make the best of those bites when you get them, because you probably won’t get another chance!

So the next time you have a tournament, it might be a good time to “get sick” at work and have to leave that afternoon, only to immediately start feeling better when you get home and get the boat hooked up. Like I said earlier, even if you can only go fishing for an hour or two Friday evening, go. It could make all the difference in the world come tournament time!!

See Ya on the water!

Abshire's Picks: What's In Your Boat?
October, 2009

The first thing that I thought about when I chose this title was the commercial, What's in your wallet.

I recently purchased a new 2010 Bass Cat Puma FTD from Greene Boat & Motor (www.greeneboats.com) in Spindale, NC. Now the task at hand was to try to put everything in the new boat from my old boat. A task indeed. I had an entire tackle shop in my old boat! As I was going through everything, I realized this would be a good subject to write about. It's time to clean up and clean out.

Bass Cat
Abshire Receiving Boat At Greene's

With the cold months coming on, I would suggest you go through your boat and get rid of the things that you haven't used all year. I suggest taking everything out at one time and see how much you have accumulated. Just don't do it in front of your wife! Then she will know how much tackle you have been buying!!! By taking inventory of what you need and instead of getting the shirt and tie from the relatives, why not give them all your fishing or wishing list to shop from? I do it every year.

I emptied 4 Plano trays and combined them with 4 others. I know that I have now saved 30 plus pounds in plastics. This can slow you down on the water and help you on your gas mileage if you think about it. It is unreal what I have not put back in my boat this time. I just hope that I can now keep it this way!

I label all of my boxes and number them as well. I put the label on scotch tape so that, if I need to change what is in the trays, I can always peel the tape off and put another on, writing on them with a Sharpie. The reason I number my boxes is that I will always know what is in them and by numbering them, they are in order and I will always know my 1-4 are hard baits and my 5-9 are plastics and jigs. Believe me if you try this, it can make a big difference when you or your partner are looking for something. You don't have to stop and get them out for your partner now that you have them labeled and numbered.

On the safety side of the house, this is also a great time to check your fire extinguisher and ensure that it is fully charged. Check your throw cushion and life jackets as well. It could save a life or a ticket in the future! I also carry a small Tupperware box with first aid supplies and this is also a great time to ensure that everything is fresh in it.

Hal Abshire
www.liprippin.com

Sauce Lovers Discovering North Carolina's CB's Hawg Sauce
October, 2009

Hawg SauceThis review is only for the guys who use sauces to find the extra bite. If you don't believe all the bass sauces make any difference, this review isn't for you. But, if you've been thinking about trying one out, or already use them, you might be interested in reading on.

From the get-go, I'll be up front. I am one of the ones who had some interest in trying one out, but hadn't stepped to the counter and laid down any cash. There's a lot of reading out there about the olfactory (sniffer) sense of fish, and I had read many of them with interest. It seemed to make sense that predatory fish might use their smell skills to hunt down food. I just hadn't heard tons of guys saying they used it.

Hawg Sauce
Garlic Tube

I got thinking, maybe it was the difference between two different anglers throwing much the same baits in the same locations. Fishermen keep secrets, but they also fish the same holes and throw identical, off-the-shelves lures. Sure presentation is important; it make all the difference. Covering tournaments every week I see good fishermen doing the right things, but coming up empty handed or ending up with a small catch at best. I do hear plenty of guys talking about the bass that spit out their baits. It doesn't take much of a leap to realize what we throw tastes like plastic! We need to mask that taste!

So, who uses bass sauces? I guess you could wander around a landing and sniff boats. Some of the residue has to land on a boat's carpet and it would certainly be noticeable. I guess spending a few dollars to try one would be a safer bet and probably not get those boat owners quite so upset.

I field tested a North Carolina product made by a little company in Olivia, NC that I had heard some chatter about. CB's Hawg Sauce, www.cbshawgsauce.com, seemed to be the right candidate for some field testing. After all, wouldn't an NC company know a little more about NC bass than some outfit thousands of miles away? It was worth a shot, so I contacted the owner, “Crossbow”, and set up some product to review.

Hawg Sauce
Oil Jug

According to the owner, “There is no doubt my products will, in fact, put more fish in your boat. I worked many months, days and hours in my lab to come up with a product that is a lot stronger and will stay on longer than any other products on the market.” The package arrived just a day before I headed to the coast and the Neuse River for a few days rest. I brought it along figuring to do a test or two in salt water just for grins.

Much to my astonishment, fish had no interest in anything I threw unless I used the hawg sauce. I could throw most anything in my armory at them with not even a bump, but when the sauce was applied, I'd get interest and caught a variety of fish. That got me interested in trying it out back home on the local lakes. What I was most impressed with was the fact that the sauce stayed on the bait cast after cast. I wasn't having to reapply it after a dozen or so throws. Most sauces are gone in that amount of time.

My fishing time is few and far between with all the coverage assignments each week. I've had the chance to use the CB's Hawg Sauce on a number of occasions that ranged from just a few minutes to an hour or two at a time. First off I can tell you the catfish love it. Good golly I've caught a pile of catfish with it. Didn't take much “testing” to convince me of that. CB may call it “hawg” sauce, but it's “cat” sauce, too!

Hawg Sauce
Craw Spray

I've caught some bass when using it. The disbelievers would say I might have caught them anyway, and they might be right. I will say that on one day, after not getting a bite for the entire first hour, I began to use CB's Hawg Sauce and did catch a few after that. Again, might have been just a coincidence, and maybe not.

If those who don't believe in using sauces have read this far, I haven't convinced them to buy any brand of sauce. Hopefully, for those interested or already using, they'll consider giving CB's Hawg Sauce a try. If there's a reasonable chance something will give me an advantage over bass, I'll use it until convinced otherwise. A quick look at their web site will show you a number of tournaments won while using the product. If you can jump that one spot from just outside a paying position in a tournament to “in the money”, you've made a big step.

Visit www.cbshawgsauce.com and do some investigating. Send Crossbow an email at crossbow@cbshawgsauce.com and ask him some questions. Do tell him I sent you! You'll see all his offerings for sale via his web site, but there's a good listing of dealers across North Carolina there as well. I think you'll find one of your favorite bait and tackle shops listed.

Abshire's Picks: Take your G-Splash to School
By Hal Abshire

gsplash
Gunfish gsplash

Bass tend to start moving to the shallow areas more in September and October. They are starting to fill their bellies with shad and anything else that gets in their way! This is when I like to start throwing top water baits and watch for the action to start. I just took a guy out on a day-long, fishing trip that he had won with me through a promotion with CC Top Shop in Fayetteville, NC. The promotion took place in July of this year. When I met Mike, the first thing he told me was that he had never caught a fish on a top water plug.

I knew that July would be tougher with the heat the way it is during the summer. So, I told him to be patient and we would go when the top water bite would be better. By the way, Mike got his wish. He caught his first bass on top water plug. He worked hard at it and enjoyed watching a bass come out of nowhere and slam his bait. Not only was the bass hooked, but now Mike knows how and what to do for his topwater fishing!

gsplash
Gunfish 115-238

Now when it comes to top water fishing, the first lures that I think of are made from Lucky Craft. My favorite top water bait is definitely the Lucky Craft G-Splash and my second in line would be the Lucky Craft Gunfish 115. What I like about the G-Splash is that it spits when you pop it, not like other baits where you just hear a popping noise. If you need to work it fast, you can with no problem in case you get into a school. I look for fish schooling up on baitfish, if you are lucky to find them! I put the G-Splash to use in a hurry if I get in a school. The problem is this time of the year your baitfish will move around and the bass that you find in practice will most likely be gone the day of your tournament. Why, because the baitfish are moving, so guess what, Mr. Bass is going to be following his next meal around and he is not waiting for you!!!

My second choice is the Gunfish 115. This bait will make them come to you if you don't have a lot of baitfish around you. Marty Stone, BASS Elite Pro, once told me that the Gunfish was like a top water bait on steroids! I take this bait and walk it like a Sammy top water bait. It is more slender in profile and will twitch up and down and sideways. It will drive the bass crazy. When the bass hit this bait, they will try to kill it!

gsplash
Gunsfish 95-270

Remember, during this time of the year, you have to be willing to move around a lot to look for the baitfish. A lot of times you will see the balls of baitfish moving in and I start looking for either a Wolfpack moving in or a lot of times you will see a v-shape in the water moving around. When you see this, believe me something is getting ready to get eaten! This is when you should pick up the top water bait and help get them stirred up.

Speaking of Wolf Pack, a big congratulations goes out to the NC State Team for winning the 2009 College Bass National Championship on the Arkansas River.

Take a look at the Lucky Craft G-Splash and Gunfish 115 when you go to your favorite tackle store or go to http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/default.htm, and click on USA. Believe me, these baits are worth the extra bucks that you might spend.

Visit me at my revised website at www.liprippin.com and take a look at what I have been doing on the water.

Hal Abshire

Badin-Tillery Evening Groups Field Test Deep Creek Lures Products
August, 2009
By Fishbyte.net Staff

I read a lot of product reviews. Seems there are hundreds of sure-fire gadgets and gizmos out there that guarantee you'll win every tournament you enter, but most take your money and leave you with an empty live well every time. A few seem to live up to their promises. I had heard a bunch about Deep Creek Lures, http://deepcreeklures.net, plastics and decided it was worth a test. But, how do you go about giving a fair test to a product in the middle of the summer?

Deep Creek Lures
6 in. Lizard

Sometimes fishing is fickle. You can take the best product out on the water and sling it all day with no luck. Or, you might happen to hit it right and the lure seems like a miracle. When I do field testing of a product I don't have an entire season to use it; time would be a great way to tell if a bait is worth the cost. For Deep Creek Lures' trial, how was I going to get that time factor in? One simple idea gave me the answer.

Deep Creek Lures sent me a box of their latest plastics. I knew when the box arrived there was something different inside. It smelled funny. I suspect the Post Office was most happy to be rid of that parcel! Inside was a pile of plastic baits of every shape, color, type and smell. Garlic... lots of garlic emanated from the bags. I took the entire lot to the Friday and Saturday Nights on Badin and Tillery clubs and handed them out. This is a crew that hits the same waters every week and includes some real talent. If anyone could judge the worth of a bait, it would be these folks. The event was their all-nighter on August 1st that would have the crews going at it from 11 PM to 7 AM the next day.

The anglers gobbled them up before blast off reading the various bags and sniffing them cautiously. Using something that didn't work meant not finishing in the money, and this group was competitive. I watched boat teams opening the bags and hooking them on their rigs. They'd be brutally honest at the end of the evening and over the next couple weeks. Most of them wanted to try something black, but settled for other colors when that shade ran out.

Deep Creek Lures
7.5 in. Curlytail Worm

The result? It wasn't a good night of fishing for anyone. Bag weights continued to slump and they were on Tillery, not noted to be a good bass lake in summer months. The highlight, however, was when Big Fish was weighed in for the night early the next morning. Steve Dyer of the Southfork Bassmasters, an angler who often slips over from the Concord area, nailed the solo biggy on a Deep Creek Lures bait and finished in second with partner, Frank Arnold, on the night! He caught it on a 7.5 inch Green Pumpkin Curlytail. “I threw it up next to some weeds and that bass took it hard,” stated Dyer. “He was on solid because he wanted all of it.” The Curlytail is noted as a great plastic to be used on a Carolina rig.

Deep Creek Lures
Ronnie Blankenship

A week later, we heard from Ronnie Blankenship, who was thrilled with one particular Deep Creek Lures bait. He had been throwing the Chartreuse Scented Stump Thumper and swore by them. Blankenship has finished in the money nearly every week this season and is considered one of the best on both series. “I'll always have some of the Deep Creek baits on the boat,” he stated. “I've been catching all mine on that Stump Thumper.” He spoke of it in front of many in the group, and he doesn't often speak his mind.

Deep Creek Lures
Stumpthumper

“If Ronnie says it works, you know it works,” stated Todd Street, co-director of both series. “He knows what he's talking about and he can prove what he says.” A number of the other boats continue to use the baits during the weeks when bass seem to have little interest in anything. Each of those anglers know it'll happen once the fish begin to feed in earnest again.

As for our field test... during the worst months of fishing, by some of the best anglers in the area, over a number of weeks... I'm convinced. When I look for plastics off the rack, I'll reach for Deep Creek Lures. The yellow bags will be my pick. If they work for these guys in the worst of conditions, they're a good choice. If you can't wait to get to a fishing tackle shop, go to www.deepcreeklures.net and buy some online. The postman loves the smell... really!

Abshire's Picks: Corn Or Gas At Your Next Fill-Up?
By Hal Abshire
July 31, 2009

The Federal Government mandated the addition of ethanol in gasoline in 2006. We didn't think much of it then, but now boaters are concerned as more outboard motors are breaking down. It does make me think a lot about what I am putting in my 225 outboard at every gas station that I pull into now!

Marine-StabilWhat is ethanol? Ethanol is made from corn or cellulose. This causes engines to run hotter and less efficiently. Ethanol will absorb water. Your boat's fuel tank is vented, this will allow air to continually breath in and out. This is bad if your boat sits for weeks. The ethanol can cause phase separation. This happens when fuel is the top layer, while the ethanol and water are in the bottom of the fuel tank. Well guess what, the fuel is drawn from the bottom of your fuel tank and now your engine has the possibility of getting more than fuel..... You can check with your marine dealer for more information on this.

I have started filling up with 92 or 93% octane fuel to help eliminate problems. Plus I have been adding a fuel additive from Protect All. I talked with Junior Nance owner of Pit Stop Marine. He suggested staying away from the 87% octane and go to 89% octane or higher for the added additives. The 89% octane burns cooler than 87% octane fuel. Nance sells the fuel additive, PRIG and tells me that he purchases it by the cases and can not keep enough of it in stock.

Another fuel additive on the market is Stabil. It is now making an additive to help with the ethanol situation. Each of the major outboard companies offer gas treatments. Again, check with your local boat dealer or contact your outboard manufacturer to see what they suggest you as a boat owner can do to prevent a possible motor breakdown. Nance stated that he is seeing more outboard problems with fuel problems this year. You can contact Junior Nance at his website www.pitstopmarine.com or by phone at 919 639-4869.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has set up an Action Alert link on its website at www.nmma.org. This will allow you to send a prepared opposition e-mail directly to the EPA. Boaters, we all need to be heard or you will soon be seeing the possibility of Ethanol 15 coming to your nearest gas station!!!

Reviewed by Hal Abshire, www.liprippin.com

Bleeding BaitAbshire's Picks: Bleeding Bait Hooks From Tru-Turn Industries
By Hal Abshire
July 25, 2009

Bleeding BaitMy fish see RED..... If you look at most of my crankbaits, you will find a red treble hook on the front of each bait and some will have both hooks in red. I fish Daiichi Hooks from Tru-Turn Industries (www.ttiblakemore.com). I have been associated with Ron and TJ Stallings of TTI for a long time now. In my opinion, they make some of the best hooks on the market today! The red hook that I have been referring to is called The Bleeding Bait Hooks. These hooks do entice the bass into biting my baits. When I first started testing them, I noticed that the bass would have the Bleeding Bait Hook in their mouth. This gives me another advantage, because now the bass has the front trebles in his mouth and the second set of hooks are now grabbing the fish as well.

Bleeding BaitBleeding BaitI have been asked about the red hooks and how come certain lines were red and why they disappeared under the water, but not the Bleeding Bait Hooks. My answer is quite simple. The reason is the lines are transparent and the hooks are metal and won't let light through them. I have done seminars at Bass Pro Shops and showed people how the lines would disappear but you could still see the Bleeding Bait Hooks. Their water is gin clear, so this gives you a good birds-eye view of everything.

One thing you should know is that fish are naturally attracted to blood. They can see red and this means an injured bait to fish. Remember... the weak get eaten really fast in the underwater food chain!

I also use the Bleeding Bait Hooks on my spinnerbaits and buzz baits as well. One tip: When you are using these two baits and you are not in an area where you can get caught up a lot on structure or anything else, try turning the trailer hooks upside down. It will be opposite from your hook on your baits. It will give you an advantage over the fish that you are trying to put in the boat.

Bleeding BaitYou can go to www.ttiblakemore.com for more information on their hooks and other fine products.

Get Ripped,
Hal Abshire

Hal Reviews Tru-Tungsten Weights
By Hal Abshire  www.liprippin.com
July 11, 2009

Tru-TungstenTru-Tungsten... is it worth the extra bucks, or should I say, are Tru-Tungsten products worth the extra fish? I have been associated with Tru-Tungsten (www.tru-tungsten.com) for a good while now and, on that point, I can personally tell you their products are built at the highest level of professionalism.

The design of their weights will allow you to penetrate cover much easier than traditional weights. During a strike, the tungsten's hardness keeps bass from holding onto the weight, causing a better hook-up ratio for you. Their weights are insert free. This maximizes the sensitivity and allows a better pegging on your line as well. How many times have you felt the roughness around your traditional weight and thought, what is this doing to my line?

Tru-Tungsten
43-Worm-Weight_small

Tru-Tungsten weights are composed of 97 percent, pure Tungsten. This is why their weights are so small in profile. They allow you to feel a greater sensitivity while fishing with them. Most of all, I believe that Tru-Tungsten weights have helped me detect more bites than I normally would have felt before.

Tru-Tungsten
33-Worm-Weight_small
Tru-Tungsten
Force Bead Rigged

To me the biggest advantage to using Tru-Tungsten weights is the profile of the weights. By having a smaller profile, I have fewer hang-ups. I can penetrate through grassmats with more ease. I also employ the colors of their weights to my plastics. Whatever advantage I can use to catch another bass in a tournament or when just having fun, I want it!!!

POINTER: When I throw a plastic with a Tru-Tungsten weight on it, I will always try to have a bead on it to attract more bass. I believe that the bead clacking against the weight allows the fish to find the bait faster, plus I believe that it makes the sound of a Crawfish clacking their claws together. Tru-Tungsten makes a fantastic bead called Peter "T" Force Bead. It is coated with Duraseal and is shatter proof when using Tru-Tungsten weights. These beads are a lot of louder than other beads that I have used in the past. Try the Peter "T" Bead along with a Tru-Tungsten weight and see what a difference these two products can make for you on the water.

Cull-buddyA Great Addition To Your Boat And It's Pocket Change
June 23, 2009

When wading through the piles of fishing gear and accessories available these days, I have to work hard to get beyond the glitz and fancy of something. Failing to do that means I end up with worthless junk and less money in my pocket. There are two criteria I keep in mind when looking at possible purchases... will it really catch me more fish, or will it actually save me from an ongoing frustration when fishing. The amount I'll spend is related to the chances of upping my fish catch or how big a frustration it'll make go away.

Cull-buddyDang, I just found a great one! Here's the picture... you are competing in your favorite fishing tournament and luck is on your side. You begin to catch fish, but all the livewell buoy lines you have on your boat are stored upfront and are a tangled mess. You have to take precious fishing time while sorting them all out. You've just found a great hole and now you are floating by while you get your first fish in the livewell. Maybe your buddy caught them all.

Picture two... another good day on the lake. There's five fish in your livewell, but they are all tangled up in the long buoy lines and can't move around. One or two are dead because of this. You just lost out on a competition payday when a few dollars invested would have brought you a win.

Cull-buddyCull-buddyThere's an answer and it's so inexpensive, you'll wonder why you hadn't used it before. The Cull-Buddy system (www.cull-buddy.com) is designed to be attached on the lid of your livewell. Problem number one resolved... you now have more room in your other storage compartment! The rugged rack takes only minutes to install and puts every buoy line where you need it, when you need it... right there in an open livewell. You're back fishing in seconds. You can smile at your fishing partner, knowing he didn't catch all the fish while you battled gear.

Your present lines are often buoyed with Styrofoam, causing the fish to be forced upwards in your livewell. Eventually they fall onto their sides and their health declines rapidly. Your lines are also too long. Fish get tangled and can't move around freely and, again, their health goes belly up.

Spend $34.99 and a few bucks shipping. I'd advise going online and buying one before this company realizes they are charging too little! The units are heavy duty, install simply and will resolve a bunch of issues on your boat immediately. Heck, they could even earn you money when your fish stay healthy for weigh ins. Visit www.cull-buddy.com to see how they work and why they work. You spend a lot of money getting fish in the boat; invest a little to fix some problems once they are there.

fishline