Your Best Chance at a Trophy Bass May Be Right Now
It may be January, but big-bass season has already begun in the southern U.S.
January actually rates as one of the best times of the year to target big bass. (Photo by Lynn Burkhead) January 20, 2021 By Lynn Burkhead
You may have noticed that another New Year is upon us. And after the way 2020 treated us, thank goodness!
While it remains to be seen how kind 2021 will be as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on, many of the nation s outdoorsmen are knee-deep in the off-season projects that keep us busy in the dead of winter.
Mullins Big Year Was Bittersweet
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito
Strong showings on the northern swing put David Mullins in the hunt for the 2020 Bassmaster Angler of the Year crown.
By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor (Editors note: In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, a new First Cast story will not appear until Tuesday, Jan. 19.)
After a breakout season in 2019 that saw him qualify for his first Bassmaster Classic, David Mullins made another big leap last year when he finished just 3 points shy of claiming the Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) title. He admits, however, that the conclusion left a bitter aftertaste.
Bertrand Derives Efficiency From Kneel- N-Reel Method
Friday, January 15, 2021
Photo: BassFan
Josh Bertrand frequently employs the kneel- n -reel technique to ensure that his crankbaits deflect off cover.
By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor Major League Fishing pro Josh Bertrand relies on the kneel- n-reel technique frequently when fishing crankbaits. In fact, he s almost always got his rod tip plunged several feet below the water s surface when retrieving his initial cast of the day with a diving plug.
He wants to ensure that his opening presentation features some fish-attracting deflection. Dropping to his haunches and pointing his rod toward the bottom of the lake can get him an additional 4 to 5 feet of depth with the bait.
By Joe Balog
I dont know about you, but I dont get excited sitting around and talking about catching a limit of keeper fish, even though such a catch might earn me more cash than a single 12-pounder.
- Doug Hannon, from his book
Big Bass Magic.
Or are they?
Over the previous few decades, Ive witnessed a change in the overall goal of most bass anglers. Early on, it was recognized that big bass were all the rage. For many, the way to gauge success was with a wall-hanger, signifying some sort of completion of a lifes goal.
Balog: Do trophies still matter? bassfan.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bassfan.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.