The first area tournament of the season took place at the start of March and although the anglers were ready to go – the fish were not quite so cooperative. Lake Fort Smith is a lake nestled in the Boston Mountains at the southern end of the Ozarks. A truly scenic lake with very little development, it was a great setting for the River Valley Kayak Anglers (RVKA) opener.
RVKA tournament on Lake Fort Smith – Kayakfishingfocus.com
Recent rains had turned the lake muddy and had it up a few feet over normal. Usually this can be good news, but the fish were definitely in a funk. This tournament was a shotgun start from the ramp area which is always fun.
Here Fishy Fishy…
Chances are, if you fished in this tournament you left with a big fat zero. Of the 38 anglers who hit the water that morning, only nine carded a keeper, with 27 (71%) not turning in any fish. No anglers turned in a limit, and the top spot went to Chris Jones with a four fish total of 56.75″ and he also won Big Bass with 18.25″.
Here are the Top Ten finishers:
Chris Jones 56.75″
Toby Bogart 56.75″
Carson McBride 49.25″
John Wofford 16″
Christa Hibbs 14.25″
Braydon Richardson 13.25″
Jason Kincy 11.75″
Jason Stovall 11.5″
Jay Kester 11.25″
Chris Nemeth 11.25″
First place went to Chris Jones based on his 18.25″ Big Bass as the tiebreaker.
Word is that the baits that put the top anglers into the money included a red Spro Little John squarebill and a yellow Strike King KVD 1.5″ squarebill.
Although the fishing was tough, the tournament was well-run for this new club and it was great to have an event where all anglers were in the same location and could visit with one another. Check out the RVKA Facebook page for more scheduled events.
The upper end of Beaver Lake will be home for the first Natural State Kayak Anglers (NSKA) event for 2018, and it’s going to be a challenging one. Beaver Lake is replacing Swepco Lake as the kickoff event, meaning anglers will have to face some stained cold water instead of the hot tub to get the season going.
The boundaries for this NSKA Beaver Lake South tournament are from the War Eagle Mill and Twin Bridges down to the Hwy 12 bridge. This includes some of they key fishing areas of Beaver Shores, Esculapia, Horseshoe Bend, Hickory Creek, War Eagle and Blue Springs.
Beaver Lake – Kayakfishingfocus.com
Anglers should register on the Tourney X page for the event, and should attend the captains meeting will be Friday evening at the Boar’s Nest in Rogers, but there will also be an online attendance option.
Past Beaver Trends
The last time we had an NSKA tournament early in the spring on Beaver was in 2016 and there were 70 anglers who took to the water. Of the 70 entrants, 49 (70%) turned in a keeper, and 15 (21%) turned in a limit. The winning total was 82.5″ and Big Bass was 19.5″ long. Last year the lake performed pretty well in a couple of tournaments, producing good numbers and size of fish.
Kayak tournaments on Beaver since 2015 have yielded the following percentages of anglers with a limit: 21% 22%, 10%, 52% and 15%. So history says that if an angler turns in a limit, they’ve had a good day on the water and are in contention.
Beaver Lake (aka: the Dead Sea) can be a real challenge on some days. With the recent rains and dirty water, it can be daunting, but that actually might help anglers find some bass.
NSKA Roundtable – Beaver Lake South
To help us look ahead to the kickoff tournament, I asked a few NSKA anglers for their take on the event and predictions on the outcome. Had a chance to ask Tim Hotchkin, Jeff Malott and Carson McBride a few questions.
1. Beaver lake has risen dramatically in the past two weeks and is muddy, how do you expect that to impact the tournament?
Tim – I think it will cause more confidence issues than anything. I think the fish will still be there but more spread out as now they have more water to access. Anglers that fish Beaver may not be used to the debris and lower visibility and anglers that do fish dirtier water will not be used to the depth. Should really even the playing field.
Jeff – My first guess would be that the fish will push shallow. With the full moon this week, rising water temps, and rising water level it makes sense that the fish will try and push up. Although, there should still be plenty holding in pre-spawn locations.
Carson – Since the lake has risen I expect that to push the fish shallow, especially with the muddy color that has come with the rising water. I think that it should make for a decent day of fishing. And I expect that to have some of the quality fish biting.
2. First tournament of the season, is your approach any different for a first event than others? How do you approach it differently?
Tim – For me it’s no different. I will not get a chance to pre-fish so I am going to an area that I know has fish year round and stick to what I am good at and grind it out. Focusing on a bite once the sun comes out.
Jeff – For my first event nothing really changes other than making sure all gear is in perfect working order. There is a little extra prep time, but I don’t want to get analysis paralysis either.
Carson – I am going to approach this one differently because the lake has changed so much so I won’t pre-fish at all. I’m just gonna go to my spot and grind it out.
3. For new anglers fishing their first “real” kayak tournament, what’s one key piece of advice?
Tim – Stay calm, just because it’s new to you doesn’t mean you have any less advantage than the other anglers, and stick to your plan not what others are saying will work.
Jeff – For the new guys, come up with a plan and stick to it. Enjoy the day and try not to get to high or too low with your emotions.
Carson – My advice to new anglers fishing their first tournament is to not be afraid of trying something completely different on tournament day because things change and especially on Beaver.
4. What makes fishing Beaver different from other small lakes in the area?
Tim – There is so much more water. It’s completely different than the other lakes and different structure. The small lakes I fish regularly are shallower and have grass. At Beaver it’s about finding the right structure and water for the area. There are sweet spots within a area of the lake that attracts more fish than others.
Jeff – I divide Beaver into almost 3 lakes … The upper end and lower end fish completely different. Mid lake has the best of both worlds a lot of times. Unlike the small lakes, grass plays no factor and you also have a shot at the black bass slam depending on where you’re fishing. A lot of people call it the Dead Sea, I actually really enjoy fishing it.
Carson – Fishing Beaver is different from small lakes because it is different on different parts of the lake. And it doesn’t pattern as well as small lakes. Seems like fish are doing something different all the time.
5. How many inches will win and what will be big bass?
Tim – Realistically I think 81″ could win. Big bass I am going to say will be 21 inches.
Jeff – It will take 85 inches to win in my opinion, something in the 21″ range for big bass. Consistent high water for a few years have lead to some really good spawns. Fish quality on Beaver has really improved because of it.
Carson – I predict 83.50″ inches to win with a 20.75″ inch big bass.
Good luck to all anglers and have a great day on the water for the opening tournament. Wear your PFD and stay safe!
Kayak bass fishing continues to grow in popularity and as a result, more and more glitter rocket anglers have moved into the kayak tournament scene. How does bass boat vs kayak tournament fishing compare? Is there an adjustment to transition from bass boat tournaments to kayak tourneys? Why are boaters moving into the kayak realm? Can kayak anglers compete with bass boat anglers?
Armada of kayak anglers ready to take of at a tournament on SWEPCO Lake.
Experienced bass boat and kayak tournament anglers Cole Sikes, Nathan Henthorn, Bo Sarratt and Carson McBride weighed in on the topic in this roundtable discussion. These anglers have proven their abilities on the water with tournament wins or top finishes in the Natural State Kayak Anglers (NSKA) trail – one of the largest kayak fishing groups in the country.
Why do you participate in kayak bass fishing tournaments after having competed in the bass boat category?
Carson – I always loved fishing the War Eagle Creek and wanted to explore more of it so I really wanted a kayak. Once I finally got one I found out about tournaments and now I love it.
Cole – I still fish both boat and kayak tournaments but i just love to fish because of the challenge. Every day is different and a new puzzle to solve. With kayak fishing, there are more elements to deal with so it is even more of a challenge.
Bo – I do the kayak tournaments because I fish with my uncle out of his boat in team tournaments. I bought a kayak so I could go fish on my own time and doing the kayak tournaments is just a lot of fun for me.
Nathan – I am from Oklahoma City and moved to northeastern Oklahoma after college, away from my dad and his boat. I needed a cheap and accessible way to get on the water, and fell in love with kayak fishing.
What has been the biggest adjustment in moving from big boat tourneys to kayak tourneys?
Cole – The biggest adjustment from moving from bass boat tournaments to kayak tournaments is determining the location you’ll be fishing. The obvious thing is that you can’t cover as much water from a kayak than a bass boat but wind is one of the biggest variables. If you have 10+ mph wind from a certain direction then it typically groups the kayak anglers on one part of the the body of water which decreases the amount of fishable water.
Bo – The big adjustment for me between kayak and big boat fishing is the limited amount of stuff you can bring and not being able to move around. In our big boat tourneys we have 25-30 rods in the boat along with lots of tackle. In my kayak I can take 8 rods and my 8 small boxes I have in my black pack.
Carson – I constantly move back and forth between boat tourneys and kayak tourneys. I would say the biggest adjustment is limiting yourself to not as much water and not having as many rods. In the boat I can take 15 rods out there but in the kayak I normally only take 6 rods. I always bring my tackle crate in the boat so I normally have the same amount of tackle.
Nathan – The biggest adjustment is committing to an area like Carson said. That makes decision making about an area to fish that much more important.
Kayaks ready for a shotgun start on Lake Fort Smith.
Do you prepare any differently for a bass boat vs kayak tournament? How?
Nathan – I prepare by doing much more Google maps research. And if I pre-fish, I might trailer to different locations. I don’t do a lot of actual pre-fishing because I like to have an open mind, and what caught them one day might not catch them the next, especially in the springtime. I will do more paddling around and looking at my graph than anything.
Cole – Overall, I do not prepare any differently for a kayak tournament than a bass boat tournament however you have to be more methodical in the area you’re choosing to fish. Since you’re not able to run and gun as well from a kayak you need to fish high-percentage areas depending on the seasonality and stages of fish. If it’s a new body of water that I’m not familiar with, I like to choose an area that provides a variety of different structure and cover that are relatively close. This gives me the ability to try and determine if fish are shallow, deep, or are they relating to flats, weeds, rocks or wood and then expand on any patterns I might have discovered.
Bo – The only difference in a kayak tourney is that I have to narrow down the one area that I want to fish all day. I never do that in a big boat tourney.
Carson – I do prepare myself differently for a kayak tourney because like I said you are limited to a smaller area. I try to find a place that has a little bit of everything as far as fishing terrain goes. With the boat we have been down at hickory creek on Beaver Lake and weren’t catching them so we motored up to the dam. In the boat your only limited to as much water as you want.
Is there anything that is easier in a kayak tourney than a boat one? Harder?
Nathan – It is easier getting started fishing kayak tourneys than bass boat. Kayaks are much cheaper than bass boats!
Cole – Overall, kayak fishing is much more difficult than fishing from a bass boat. There are only a few instances of where I think fishing from a kayak is easier. One is that you’re able to get to areas that a bass boat might not be able to which means less-pressured fish. Secondly, sometimes it’s easier to skip baits around cover from a kayak because of how close you are to the water’s surface creating a better casting angle.
Bo – I do not think there is anything easier about fishing a kayak tourney. Wind effects more, have to deal with your phone and Hawg Trough are the main things I can think of making kayak tourneys harder.
Carson – One thing that’s easier in most kayak tourneys is length limit is 10 inches for all species but in boat tourneys depending on where your at it’s different. Beaver Lake is 15 inches for Largemouth and Smallmouth and 12 inches for Spots. That’s a lot tougher than trying to catch five 10 inch fish. So, normally it’s easier to get a fast limit in a kayak tourney. One thing harder in a kayak is dealing with wind and conditions and also trying to measure your fish and take a picture and then submitting them rather than sticking your fish in the live well real quick and then getting back to fishing.
Bass boats ready to motor all over Beaver Lake for a big tournament.
“My advice to a boater getting into kayak tournaments is…”
Nathan – … learn how to take and submit photos correctly right off the bat. You also need to learn boat control and position. Casting angles are a little different. The wind is a much bigger factor. A kayak with a rudder is a must-have.
Cole – …just because you get a fish in the boat doesn’t mean she is getting an easy ride back to the weigh-in. There is still work to do. You must practice handling and taking clean photos of your fish because they could flop off your board at any moment and could result in possible loss of winnings.
Bo – …is get you a couple techniques that you have confidence in and take them with you on the kayak. Get a finesse technique for tough days and some good power fishing techniques for when you’ve got wind and clouds or dirtier water and go with those.
Carson – …to learn to fish smaller areas instead of having the mindset to be able to run all over the place. And, to learn to fish slower and more patiently.
Could kayak anglers be competitive vs boaters in the same tourney? Why or why not?
Nathan – Kayak anglers could be competitive if it’s on a lake where that angler is seasoned and has some good spots. But on a trail that has many stops it would be very difficult.
Cole – No doubt, and a few anglers proved that this past year at the Beaver Lake tournament on April 15th. I wasn’t able to fish the kayak tournament because I was fishing the Everett Team Trail bass boat tournament that same day on the same body of water. We had a little more than 150 bass boats in that tournament and it took 17.64 pounds to win. In the kayak tournament, Dwain Batey, Craig Wood and Nathan Henthorn all had just under an 18” average that day which is probably around a 3 pound average. To put this into perspective, their best 5 weighed at least 15 pounds. My dad and I placed 4th with over 16 pounds, however, these kayak guys did it by themselves without a partner. This proves that they can be competitive but on a day to day basis the bass boat guys would have an easy advantage.
Bo – If the tourney started like big boat tourneys all from the same place I don’t think they could compete, but if the kayak people were allowed to put in where they please I think it could be. I know I had an Everett tourney last year the same day there was a kayak tourney on Beaver and Dwain Batey probably would’ve gotten top 10 in our tourney with what he caught that day. I think the body of water would make a difference as well.
Carson – Yes I do think that kayak anglers could compete with boat anglers because in a kayak you fish slower it seems like and you really pick everything apart and catch more fish in a smaller area. In the boat it feels like your fishing faster and you miss fish that you could catch in a kayak. I’ve fished many kayak tourneys while there was other bass boat tourneys going on at the same time and have done as well as I could have if not better than if I was in the boat.
A big shout out and THANK YOU to the various companies and brands who are contributing in some way toward my 2018 tournament season. These are all awesome products I am proud to use in competition on the water. Please consider them for your fishing needs.
Bending Branches – The best kayak fishing paddles available and manufactured here in the U.S.A. I have the Bending Branches Angler Pro and Angler Pro Carbon.
Stormr – Great foul weather gear and sun protection wear. From cold weather outerwear to hot summertime UV protection clothing, Stormr is my go-to for on the water protection.
Popticals – The innovative sunglasses line that folds into a compact case perfect for kayak fishing.
MTI Lifejackets – Wear your PFD! It prevents you from drowning. When choosing a PFD, I like having one that I know is very high quality and made with care in the U.S.A. I have MTI F-Spec, Neptune and Helios models.
Booyah Baits – A big part of my bait arsenal, Booyah makes awesome crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzz baits and jigs.
War Eagle Lures – Spinnerbaits and buzz baits that are made for the Ozark waters. Anglers swear by this brand for local fishing.
Heddon Lures – Makers of the Zara Spook and Super Spook Jr., some of my all-time favorite lures to throw. If I could only throw one hard bait, it would be a spook.
Norman Lures – Some old-school hard baits that still catch a lot of fish. The Deep N, Mad N, DD22 and others have to be in the yak.
YUM – Plastics for every situation at a good price. Dingers, plastic worms, trailers, flippin’ plastics, lizards, drop shot baits, swimbaits and Money Minnows. YUM has everything you need.
Dobyns Rods – Quality rod options at an affordable price. I carry the Fury series rods in my kayak, most of which are in the $109-$119 price range.
Flambeau – These storage tackle boxes are great for kayaks because of the Zerust protection. Our tackle is exposed to the elements at all times and Flambeau boxes provide great protection.
P-Line – This is an affordable fishing line that still is good for battling bass. I use primarily the Floroclear and the CXX line on my reels.
Reins – My tungsten weight source for use with drop-shot, flipping or Texas rigging. Reins slip sinkers are the best because of the insert that protects you from fraying line.
Shimano – The best reels around, period. Shimano reels are the best option on the water for all types of fishing.
Owner Hooks – Owner makes every kind of hook I need when fishing, and they are razor sharp.
Check out these brands on Instagram for a better look at their products:
The new year is upon us in Northwest Arkansas and that means a challenging season ahead for anglers in the NSKA Tournament trail. This year should be big for the Natural State Kayak Anglers with seven events on beautiful Arkansas waters.
For those who have fished in NSKA the past couple of years you will notice a couple of differences for 2018. The warm and cozy waters of SWEPCO Lake are not on the schedule due to the limited parking situation. Additionally, you better get your Beaver Lake maps out, with three events on the premier lake in the area.
Before diving into each tournament on the schedule, here’s a snapshot of the NSKA Tournament events for 2018. Mark them on your calendar now:
March 10 – Beaver Lake South
April 21 – Lake Fort Smith
May 12 – NWA Road Runner
June 16 – Beaver Lake
July 14 – Draw Four
August 4 – Beaver Lake North
September 8 – Table Rock (Beaver Town)
NSKA Tournament Schedule Analysis
Beaver Lake South – As mentioned, in previous years SWEPCO Lake kicked off the season and bass were easy to catch in the warm waters in early March. This year will be a different challenge with Beaver Lake South up first. Water should still be a bit chilly and the bass might still be sluggish. The zone for fishing this event is the Hwy 12 bridge and south. We’ll see what the #deadsea has in store for us this year.
Lake Fort Smith – Back on the schedule for 2018 is Lake Fort Smith, a beautiful mountain lake south of the Bobby Hopper tunnel. April showers bring flowers, but they also can bring muddy waters to this usually clear fishery. One of the great things about this event is it will be a shotgun start from the ramp area which makes for a spectacle. I’m not going to lie, this is a weird lake and I used to dislike it…but really missed it last year. It has a bit of everything from deep bluffs to standing timber to creek run-ins to grass edges. Keep your head on a swivel, there’s a reason some refer to it as Snake Fort Smith.
NWA Road Runner – The glitter boat crossovers had their advantage back on Beaver Lake South, but now the hardcore kayak anglers get their turn. With a true NWA Road Runner, kayaks can be put in almost anywhere in pubic waters. Tiny lakes or rivers with secret spots come into play here as NSKA anglers will scatter across the area to pick the type of water and situation they think will produce on tournament day. That deep brushpile on your favorite body of water that only you know about might be the winning ingredient. Kayak heavy lakes like Lincoln, Siloam Springs, Wilson, Crystal Lake and Elmdale will have a part to play in the outcome. Swepco doesn’t follow the traditional seasonal patterns of the other lakes and will be off-limits for the road runner.
Beaver Lake – Access to the full lake for the June event should really allow anglers to choose how they want to fish the lake. From the clear water and smallmouth central at the dam all the way up to the river will provide a multitude of options. June is a beautiful time of year on Beaver, but is also buzzing with activity from fishermen to the party crowd. Most of the lake will be well into post-spawn time which could make things tough, but I think NSKA anglers will find a way to pull in some big limits. An added bonus to this date is that it coincides with a KBF Open on Beaver Lake same day, so anglers could fish both events should you so choose.
Draw Four – My absolute favorite event of the year is the Draw Four road runner. All participants will draw from one of four area lakes right before tournament time and that will decide where each angler will fish. The Draw Four lakes have not yet been determined, but will be announced well before tournament weekend so people can prepare. Doing well in this event means that you are able to quickly adapt to whatever water luck has chosen for you. Being in July, you better catch’em early in the day…
Beaver Lake North – This one will be the grinder of the season and a good test for anglers. Beaver Lake in August is usually in full #deadsea mode and is an opportunity to see who really can put fish into the kayak. Smallmouth up near the dam area might be the key for this time of year. By this event the Anger of the Year race should be taking shape and the top contenders may be able to seal the deal with a good day on Beaver Lake. Fishing in this one will be limited to the Hwy 12 bridge and the dam.
Beaver Town Arkansas – kayakfishingfocus.com
Table Rock (Beaver Town) – In my opinion the most scenic venue of the year for NSKA Tournaments. If you haven’t kayak fished around Beaver Town, you need to check it out. There are some big fish lurking in these skinny waters between Beaver Lake and Table Rock. This unique area allows you to fish current or find still waters if that’s more to your liking. Another shotgun start, this is a fun final event to bring everyone together. Each year there is also a big camp out at Beaver Town that weekend for anglers to fellowship. Watch for more details.
Looking Forward To The Season
Here’s looking toward a great NSKA season, watch the blog for more individual tournament previews and recaps throughout the year.
A few months ago a friend of mine recommended that I check out an innovative type of sunglasses that seemed tailor made for kayak fishing. With that, I checked out Popticals Sunglasses and was excited at what I found and agreed, these were potentially perfect high-performance options for kayak fishing.
This tournament season I’ll be using the Popticals PopH20 and Popticals Popgun models on the water. I’ll be doing more detailed reviews of each after getting more hours under my belt with them in various conditions.
Popticals Sunglasses for Kayak Fishing
Storage space is at a premium in a kayak, so sunglasses that are extremely high quality but can fold down into a very small storage case is ideal. The storage case is half the size of a regular sunglasses case, and has a clip that can attach to a backpack, seat, life vest, crate, carabiner – or anything else on your kayak.
The case itself is sturdy, strong and will protect your Popticals sunglasses not only from drops, but in the bottom of a dry bag, hatch, backpack or any other storage situation.
This Popticals Sunglasses hard case is a compact and durable way to store glasses when not in use. Photo courtesy of Popticals.
Popticals Sunglasses Lens Technology
The Popticals NYDEF lenses are made of nylon which means they are extremely lightweight. The Popticals NYDEF lenses made of nylon have the same clarity as glass lenses, allowing you to see deep into the water. These high-performance nylon lenses have similar Abbe number and Refraction Index as glass lenses at almost 1/3 of the weight.
Popticals sunglasses are high-performance lenses which fold down to a compact case. Photo courtesy of Popticals.
How Popticals Sunglasses Work
For a brief example of what makes these unique and compact glasses break down for easy and small storage, check out this video:
The fishing world’s premier hollow-body frog manufacturer has launched their spin on a noise producing topwater frog bait – and it looks fantastic. The Booyah ToadRunner is going to be a staple in my tournament boat going forward.
The new Booyah ToadRunner will be available in 10 color choices. Photo courtesy Booyah.
The Booyah ToadRunner is the latest evolution in soft-body frogs with a noise and bubble producing tail. This new bait will remind many of the Teckel Sprinker Frog, but with a few important improvements. First, Booyah is the industry leader in frog design and are using a modified Pad Crasher frog body as the base for the lure. The legs are pre-trimmed the correct length to allow the tail to do its thing without wrapping or spinning. Finally, the tail itself has a couple of key performance features.
The Booyah ToadRunner will be perfect for situations where you want to fish a frog in either the dense grass, vegetation or other cover or can be worked efficiently across open water. Seems to be a perfect blend of a frog and buzzbait.
This promotional video featuring Jason Christie is a great way to learn more about the Booyah ToadRunner. He used a prototype of the bait in a tournament on Lake Rayburn in 2017. Check it out.
Booyah ToadRunner Tail Design
The tail is what makes the Booyah ToadRunner create the bubbles, gurgles and noise that will attract a strike. The wire form molded into the tail gives the angler the ability to shape the tail for multiple sounds and different levels of water displacement. Additionally, the tail itself is a translucent, clear plastic which eliminates a target point so the fish only targets the body. This should make for a better hookup ratio than a white or chartreuse tail.
Booyah ToadRunner Specifications
The new ToadRunner will come in 10 different color options for anglers to choose from. I’m thinking I will stick with the standard dark/black look and a lighter belly color as my primary two baits. The ToadRunner itself is 4.5″ long and weighs 7/8 ounces – compared to 2.5″ and 1/2 ounces for a traditional Booyah Pad Crasher. Booyah representatives report the bait will be available in mid-February and should retail for $9.99, which is a big savings over the Teckel Sprinker Frog which retails for $13.99 on Tackle Warehouse.
Arkansas kayak angler Jason Cossey shares his tips for winter trout fishing in this guest article for Kayak Fishing Focus.
People ask me what I do when I take a break from kayak fishing in the winter time. Sometimes it is deer hunting, but other times I like to fish for trout simply because it’s a sit on the bank and hang out with friends and family kind of fishing and I do not have to worry about a boat or a lot of tackle. Here’s how I like to approach winter trout fishing and have the greatest success!
To find trout in Arkansas, there are rivers below the dams, such as the White River below Beaver Dam which is my favorite place to go. Another place to do winter trout fishing is in the various small lakes that are stocked in the winter months. Check your local game and fish website for trout stocking information.
Winter trout fishing with floating egg baits can be an easy way to make a catch.
Bait and Tackle Setup for Winter Trout Fishing
1. Starting with rod and reel selection, I like a medium-medium light spinning rod with 6# monofilament for a main line. I use my favorite drop shot rod because I like to keep in practice feeling bites, it helps me get ready for the spring drop shot and finesse fishing.
2. Leader line is very important, I use 2# clear monofilament if the water has a little color you can get away with 4# but 2# always gets more bites.
3. Sinker selection, now is the time to use up some of those 1/4oz bullet and egg sinkers that have been rattling around. I also use a #10 or #12 swivel to attach this leader to my main line.
4. Hook selection is simple any #10 or #12 light wire hook. I like a wide gap hook it seems to get me better hookups.
5. Now bait…I am a fan of Berkeley power eggs because they come in their
own jar and unlike dough type baits they don’t get under your fingernails and smell up your fingers all day! Color is just about trying different options until you find a combination that works. I use two eggs of different colors most time like chartreuse and white or orange and bubblegum.
Now you have all of that stuff lined out it’s time to decide on leader length. Trout rarely feed on the bottom this is the reason 90% of all trout bait floats. I always start long on my leader and cut it according to how deep the water is and how deep they are feeding. I find that holes in a river right after a shoal is a good place to start looking for trout to congregate. When you find a school just stay on them for fast and consistent action.
Other Winter Trout Fishing Strategies
So you aren’t really keen on soaking power eggs there are other ways to catch trout, there are an assortment of lures that are old fish catchers. I always carry small rooster tails, they are one of the best ways to catch trout. Small jerkbaits and crank baits are also another way to catch em you just have to figure out how aggressive and what kind of mood they are in! I also keep on hand small marabou jigs, these tiny jigs tipped with a wax worm under a clear float can be deadly on pressured rainbows and can help you fill your limit with nice sized trout.
I hope these tips will help you with those winter time fishing blues, trout can be a fun way to spend the day with your loved ones. Great for kids and an awesome way to pass the time when it’s too cold or you just don’t feel like getting out the boat but need to feel the pull of something on your line.
Some big news in the fishing industry and in the local lure manufacturing front was announced today. PRADCO Outdoor Brands announced they have acquired War Eagle Custom Lures, formerly based in Rogers, Arkansas. War Eagle is a very popular brand with many loyal anglers who love their spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.
PRADCO announces acquisition of War Eagle Custom Lures of Rogers, Arkansas.
When discussing the announcement with a friend, they immediately wondered aloud if the War Eagle name would survive the
acquisition. According to the actual press release distributed by PRADCO for the announcement, War Eagle appears to be remaining as an individual brand as it joins a PRADCO lineup that includes names like Booyah, YUM, Bandit, Bomber, Norman, Smithwick, Rebel and others.
“As part of PRADCO Outdoor Brands, War Eagle Custom Lures will be shipped to customers along with POB’s entire portfolio of brands from PRADCO’s distribution center in Calera, Alabama.”
As a heavy user of both Booyah and War Eagle spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, I’m looking forward to following how this plays out. War Eagle Custom Lures also produces a line of jigs, spoons and jig heads in addition to the famous spinnerbait and buzzbait offerings. This should make it easier in the future when ordering War Eagle lures, which should at some point be available on Lurenet.com along with some of my favorite YUM, Booyah and Norman items.
Although War Eagle Custom Lures has been based in Rogers, Arkansas, the management of the brand is staying local. According to the release:
“All product development, marketing, accounting, manufacturing and purchasing functions will be managed in Fort Smith. Brand Manager Chad Warner will have responsibility for War Eagle.”
Fishing in the fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Bass are getting ready for winter and are feeding up and they can’t resist chasing bait. This makes for some fast-moving, hard-fighting, fall bass fishing action. One of the other reasons I really enjoy fall bass fishing is that the tackle selection gets really narrow – it is easy to tell what works to catch them.
Fall bass fishing out of a kayak can be one of the best times of the year to fish. Photo – www.kayakfishingfocus.com
Fall Bass Fishing Kayak Setup
Being a kayak angler means you have limited space in your boat, so it is important to understand what you will need for a day of one on one combat with some fired up fall bass. For me, this means that the spinning rods go in the garage and all the power fishing gear is in the boat. I use almost exclusively Dobyns Fury series rods and this time of year is where the ones designed for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and crankbaits are featured. Fall bass fishing also calls for an upgrade in line strength, so I’ll put a little heavier P-Line Floroclear on my reels for most cases and will make sure I have 50# PowerPro braid on my spinnerbait and buzzbait reels.
Fall Bass Fishing Lures
Fall bass fishing is all about covering water – unfortunately as a kayak angler you have less ability to do so than a boater. This means you have to really focus on some baits which help you move quickly. the three key types of lures I’m going to throw to chase fall bass are:
Crankbaits – Use shad patterned squarebill crankbaits to bump along natural cover and docks where bass wait to ambush shad. I’m not sure you can reel the bait too fast this time of year, but experiment with your retrieve. Key bait: Booyah Flex II
The Booyah Vibra-Flx spinnerbait is a great fall bass fishing lure.
Spinnerbaits – All year long I probably don’t throw a spinnerbait often enough, but when it comes to fall bass fishing, this is a key tool to catch fish. A spinnerbait works so well because it can mimic baitfish easily and its movement, flash and vibration can trigger a strike from aggressive bass. Key bait: Booyah Vibra-Flx Spinnerbait
Buzzbaits – Throwing a buzzbait can be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. The right rod and line make a big difference in the ability to be successful with this kind of bait. I use a Dobyns Fury 734C when fall bass fishing a buzzbait. Key bait: Booyah Buzz
Go Get’em
Fall bass fishing out of a kayak is a great time to put some fish in the yak. Many anglers have moved on to hunting, the fish are hungry and the bites are big. Get out and make the most of fall bass fishing soon!
