BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

By Wayne Hooper March 26, 2012 2:00 AM

The bass fishing tournament season in Maine kicks off with the Mousam Lake Memorial Open on April 22 in Shapleigh/Acton. Hosted by the Northeast Bassmasters of Eliot, this tournament is a memorial — for the last 20 years — to all of the bass fishermen that have passed on to that great lake in the sky.

To qualify to have a name on the plaque, a bass fisherman must have been helped kids to learn to fish, been a strong supporter of laws that protect the bass fishery, worked to better bass fishing or been involved in kids fishing derbies.

Fortunately, they only have added eight names so far. The newest this year is Rod Dixon of Kennebunk, who was a member of their club for many years.

The following week, this same club will hold an open bass tournament on Arrowhead Lake in Waterboro. Arrowhead is one of the more popular lakes in southern Maine for its number of coves, many of which are hidden. It has been said that if you had a 100-boat tournament, they could all have a cove of their own and the lake would appear empty.

Don’t laugh — that’s not much of an exaggeration. this is also one of the mad Fisherman’s (Charlie Moore’s) favorite lakes to fish, as his in-laws live on it in the summertime.

An interesting fact about these two tournaments is that they are the only open bass tournaments in Maine on those weekends. that is unbelievable as in the past every club wants to start the season off with tournaments. these lakes could be swarming with bass boats. Contact me at (207) 439-4968 for information.

In new Hampshire, the first tournament of the season is on Huge Island Pond in Hampstead on April 21, with the meeting at the Sanborn Shores Campground. this tournament is being hosted by the N.H. Bass Hunters. call Reggie Goulet at (603) 234-4488 for information.

Also on the same day, the N.H. Bass Federation Nation will be on Lake Winnipesaukee for its annual open. call John Foster at (617) 253-4211

For those of you that don’t know why there are open bass tournaments, let me clarify. Open bass tournaments are open to anyone that wishes to fish as compared to club tournaments that usually are members only or a few guests. The opens are where the clubs get their money to run the club and donate to charities. for example, the Northeast Bassmasters have donated to the Burn Center, Make a wish, Dream Factory, Point Sebago, Southern Maine Fish and Game Club (for its kids fishing derby), great Works Land Trust, Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW) in both Maine and N.H., and many more deserving organizations.

Did you know your wood-burning fireplace can belch as much pollution as an ancient diesel bus?

Or that your vintage wood stove can contribute to asthma attacks in the neighborhood, or even inside the house.

Wood smoke contains fine particles that can cause health problems. Now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is preparing regulations meant to tighten emissions limits for new residential wood heaters. for the first time, these regulations will cover pellet stoves and outdoor boilers — heat sources that have become popular in Maine. also likely to be included are new indoor furnaces and cook stoves.

But the standards don’t get at the largest sources of wood smoke pollution: thousands of older wood stoves and alternative heaters still in use. An ancient wood stove, for instance, releases four times as many particles as a modern device.

One solution developed is to redirect money from air pollution fines to provide vouchers for residents who forfeit their ancient burners for new ones. a program last year in Keene, N.H., used $106,000 to fund 86 change-outs. Residential wood smoke contributes a quarter of the winter air pollution in the town, which is flanked by mountains.

Steve Hickoff of Kittery, Maine, has been an outdoor writer since the Last Supper. He’s excellent! He’s also a teacher, lecturer, editor, book writer — at least three books that I know of — and now screenwriter. That’s right — he has become a screenwriter for the Pursuit Channel, Avian-X-TV, which will air starting this summer.

He also is a Realtree turkey hunting editor, Outdoor Life contributing writer, and doing outdoor stuff for many others. He told me he is as busy as ever, which is a excellent problem to have!

Maybe an Academy Award in his future? I wouldn’t be surprised.

Wayne Hooper is a member of the new England Outdoor Writers Association and a lifelong Seacoast resident. He can be reached at .

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Local trout fishermen have an additional opportunity to fish for rainbow trout this week as the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) stocks Lake Mendocino for the first time in the history of the lake. According to DFG Environmental Scientist Scott Harris, the trout stocking will open up new opportunities for fishermen.

“There are very few trout fishing opportunities in Mendocino County,” said Harris. “We are pleased that we can add Lake Mendocino to the annual allotment list as a winter trout fishery.”

Whereas this is the first time that Lake Mendocino has been stocked with trout by DFG, the lake has been stocked in the past with striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and sunfish. Historically, only the mill Creek ponds east of Talmage have been stocked with trout during the early winter months in Mendocino County. Upper Blue Lake in Lake County is also stocked with trout on a regular basis.

Harris said that approximately 15,000 pounds of trout will be put into the lake throughout the winter and early spring months, giving anglers an opportunity to delight in one of the state’s most popular activities. In addition to this week’s stocking, the DFG will stock the lake again in March and April. The trout will range in length from 10-14 inches. this week the DFG will stock the lake with 4,500 trout. Harris said the fish will be released at the south ramp near the dam because the water is deeper and clearer there. The stocking will take place Thursday. The trout come from the Darrah Springs Hatchery in Paynes Creek, located near Redding.

Lake Mendocino has long been popular with striped bass fishermen. At one time there was even an organization named “Lake Mendocino Striped Bass Association.” Over the years the organization stocked the lake with thousands of stripers. but the lake hasn’t been stocked with stripers for several years. Harris said several fishermen voiced a concern that the stripers would devour the trout, but he said he doesn’t reckon that will happen.

“The striped bass fishery has been in a steady decline and I don’t see the few stripers left in the lake having any major impact on the trout,” Harris said.

Harris said the stocking is strictly a “place-and-take” operation, meaning that the trout are being put out into the lake strictly to be caught and it’s highly unlikely that any will reproduce. He also said the water gets too warm during the summer months to support a trout fishery, so the stocking is for winter and spring recreational fishing.

Most of the trout will be caught by trollers working near the dam. There lake has limited bank fishing opportunities with the exception of the north and south boat ramps. it will take a couple of weeks for the trout to spread out around the lake. you can bet the lake will be loaded with fishermen this weekend and most of the fishermen will be concentrated near the dam.

Lake Mendocino has an excellent largemouth and smallmouth bass fishery, especially the smallmouths. At one time it held some very large redeared sunfish and there is also a decent crappie fishery.

The DFG also regularly stocks the East Branch of the Russian River, which flows into the lake at the north end, with trout during the spring and summer stream trout season, which opens in April. In the past an occasional trout would migrate downstream into the lake but wouldn’t survived very long. They were either eaten by the bass or just perished.

The 1,800-surface-acre lake is owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There is a campground and boat ramp at the north end just off Highway 20 and another boat ramp at the south end.

There is a small fee to launch a boat.

Local fishermen will have their choice this weekend. The bass fishing at Clear Lake is rated from honest to excellent and there are even a few catfish being caught, and the weather is about as mild as it gets for January. Trout anglers will be headed to Upper Blue Lake to cash in on the trout action as the lake was stocked earlier this week.

The Alabama Rig remains the top bass-catcher at Clear Lake. Local angler bill Timmer fished the north end of the lake near Rocky Point on Tuesday and managed to place six bass into the boat, the largest topping 6 pounds. he caught all his fish on the Alabama Rig with swimbaits. Timmer said the best action came in the afternoon when the water warmed up a few degrees. Dave Church of Sonoma has been crushing the bass using this rig. in two days of fishing he caught more than 60 bass, some weighing as much as 8 pounds.

The latest swimbait that is grabbing the attention of fishermen is the KeithTech in the 4.8-inch model. A package of five costs about $9. most of the fishermen are rigging three swimbaits with hooks and two as teasers (the law states that only three lures can have up to three hooks per lure and only three lures can have any kind of hooks on them). The entire rig is cast and allowed to settle on the bottom. The rig is retrieved slowly. The best cast to use is a lob cast. when a fish strikes, make a sweeping hook set. The excellent news is the price for an Alabama Rig is starting to come down. A few weeks ago one cost nearly $30, but now you can buy models for as small as $15.

Live jumbo minnows continue to catch a lot of bass. most of the successful fishermen are either rigging the minnows on a drop-shot rig or allowing them to swim freestyle with just a split shot to keep them down. Live nightcrawlers are also catching a lot of bass. Fred Williams and Gary Hill of Kelseyville have been catching a excellent number of bass using nightcrawlers. They either rig them on a drop-shot setup or allow them to sit on the bottom.

The areas that have been producing most of the bass are in deeper water in the south end of the lake. Monitor Island and Jago and Konocti bays have been productive as well as Shag Rock. in the north end, bass are starting to bite at the docks in Nice and Lucerne. Rocky Point has been a consistent producer. All the fishermen say the bass are in brilliant condition, which means they have plenty of food.

The Clear Lake Bassmasters are holding a club tournament Saturday and the weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. at Lakeside County Park. both Angler’s choice and American Bass kick off their 2012 season next weekend.

Catfish action is rated honest and some nice catfish are being caught off the docks at the Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven. Catfish are also being caught at Shag Rock and in the deeper water near Rattlesnake Island. Cut bait has been the top fish-catcher. A few bluegill are also being caught but the crappie action has been dead.

Trout fishermen are headed to Upper Blue this weekend as the lake was stocked with trout earlier this week. Trollers using either Kastmasters or Needlefish will be taking most of the trout although the bank fishermen should also have success using either nightcrawlers or salmon eggs.

I finally received a report from Indian Valley Reservoir. One angler said he trolled for trout earlier this week and wasn’t successful. he said there was only one other fisherman at the lake and he was fishing for bass. The lake hasn’t been stocked with trout for several years although there are a few carryovers. Juvenile kokanee were planted two years ago and they should be large enough to catch by this summer. The road going into the lake is a small bit rough but is in overall excellent shape.

Okeechobee was at 13.80 feet above sea level on Monday, 1.17 feet shy of the average, according to the South Florida Water Management District said.

The lake was about 3 1/2 feet below average before the major rain events.

With rising water levels, bass are “wide open,” said Brent Howlett at Stone’s Outhouse.

Howlett said in the Xtreme Series Classic Friday and Saturday, the winner had 62 pounds for two days. another tournament was won with 29 pounds. there were several bass 8-9 pounds and a lot of 5- and 6-pounders in both events.

Bass are already spawning. Top patterns are swim-baits and frogs reeled through thin grass, and flipping cattails and outside grass.

Meanwhile, Lake Kissimmee is still nearly a foot higher than average at 52.19 feet.

The SFWMD said rainfall from June to October across the 16-county district was 4.52 feet above average.

But the dry season has started in November.

Russell, Baker Win Speck Tournament Out of Port

Charlie Russell and mark Baker won the second Chain O’ Lakes Bait and Tackle Speck Tournament on the Kissimmee Chain Saturday with 10 specks totaling 10 pounds, 9 ounces. they also landed the largest speck at 1 pound, 10.5 ounces. Billy Moore, Matt Ingram and Danny Chandler finished second with 10 pounds, 6.5 ounces with a 1-pound, 6.5-ounce perch.

The next tournament is Dec. 10 on the Kissimmee Chain out of Port Hatchineha.

The entry fee is $20 per person, which can include four anglers.

Call Gary or Travis at Chain O’ Lakes Bait and Tackle in Dundee at 863-439-3885.

Polk Fishermen Don’t Fare Well in BFL Regional

Polk County fishermen finished well down in the pack at the Walmart Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina Nov. 3-5.

Winter Haven native Allan Cagle of Lakeland was the top local fisherman, finishing 42nd with 14 pounds, 10 ounces over two days, missing the cut to the top 12 for the final round.

John Dial of Winter Haven placed 108th (4-13) and Jared Dial of Winter Haven was 127th (2-14).

In the co-angler division, Tommy Robinson of Lakeland was 56th (6-12), while Uby Rosell of Davenport was 76th (5-2) and David Bear of Winter Haven was 116th (1-11).

David Williams of Maiden, N.C., won the boater division with 39 pounds, 10 ounces.

Kurt Moser of Max Meadows, Va., won the co-angler division (23-9).

By BILL CHESTNUT Local columinst Published: Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 6:19 a.m. last Modified: Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 6:19 a.m.

Women are invited to explore the finest of fishing at the next “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminar, Nov. 11-13 at the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina in Islamorada.

“Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” is a national organization dedicated to attracting more women to sport fishing and to promoting conservation and responsible angling. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is co-hosting the event through the Sport Fish Restoration Program.

During the three-day, hands-on event, FWC educators will demonstrate ethical angler habits such as safe hook removal, release techniques and more. Local fishing guides will provide instruction on fishing techniques and methods.

“Our Islamorada seminar provides women with a unique experiential vacation getaway where they can learn, network and delight in the fabulous Florida Keys and all of its remarkable fishing,” said Betty Bauman, founder of the series. on the final day of the seminar, women may embark on an optional fishing adventure.

What can I say? This is the best area in the country for offshore and inshore fishing, where you can let your hair down, place your toes in the sand and delight in what the Keys has to offer. again, the best captains in town are ready to share their secret fishing tips.

To learn more, visit ladiesletsgofishing.com, call 954-475-9068 or email info@ladiesletsgofishing.com.

Keeping it cool

As the cooler weather continues, the fishing in the Winter Haven Chain will get better. if you are looking for bass the best places to fish are over eel grass patches, and fish them with shad-imitating lures. Soft plastic lures in Junebug and red shad colors will produce bass around shoreline vegetation. Fish with live wild shiners for the best chance at some big bass over submerged vegetation or around docks. best lakes in the chain for bass are Howard, Eloise, Winterset, Jessie, Hartridge and Roy. Some anglers are fishing at night and catching some nice speckled perch. most are using live minnows but some are being caught on Hal flies. many anglers are making their catches in Cannon and Hartridge. Bluegills and shellcrackers are still being caught on crickets or live wigglers. Catfish can be found in the deeper holes in the lakes. use chicken liver, commercial stinkbaits, and frozen shrimp on the bottom or under a cork.

November excellent month for Lake Kissimmee

Anglers fishing Lake Kissimmee are looking forward to the cooler temperatures as in the past, November has been a very excellent month for specks on the lake. A few specks are being caught while fishing with minnows in the north cove area of the lake. Typically, the two-week period around the full moon phase (one week prior and one week after) will be the best times for anglers to try their luck. Bass fishing has been excellent, with Ralph Johnson of Plant City boating a seven pounder just off of the Philadelphia Point area of the lake. Ralph was using Junebug colored eight inch plastic worms. Bluegills are still being caught while using crickets or fresh water shrimp. Catfish action is honest on cut bait.

A prayer for our outdoors

As I sat writing my column this week I know we owe so much gratitude for what our Lord has done for all of us and we thank Him for the blessing. We especially thank Him for His son Jesus Christ, who so loved fishermen he chose four or more among His 12 Apostles. Thank you, dear Lord for the honey holes ….and a bassin’ buddy to share them with.

I wish all the children and the children in all of us a safe a and fantastic Halloween.

Keep those lines tight and we will see you on the pond next week. Be sure to take a youth with you on your next outdoor outing.

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People often call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission because they want to stock their private ponds or lakes with largemouth bass. Typically, they want to know where they can get them and what kind of largemouth bass they can legally stock.

The kind of bass depends upon where the stocking will take place. last year, the FWC passed a rule making it illegal to possess or release any kind of largemouth bass in peninsular Florida except pure Florida-strain largemouth.

The reason for the rule is to protect the genetically pure Florida-strain largemouth bass, also called Florida largemouth bass. This subspecies of largemouth bass is native only to peninsular Florida (south and east of the Suwannee River) and is the cornerstone of the state’s billion-dollar black bass fishing industry.

Florida residents who live south and east of the Suwannee River, therefore, should purchase largemouth bass only from aquaculturists, or fish farmers, whose fish have been genetically tested and authenticated by the FWC as pure Florida largemouth bass. So far, only two such fish farms in Florida possess authenticated largemouth bass. to date, no out-of-state farms meet the FWC requirements. the two farms in Florida are Florida Fish Farms Inc. (352-793-4224) and Shongaloo Fisheries (352-468-1251). both fish farms are registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and sell authenticated, pure Florida largemouth bass.

Nobody may possess northern largemouth bass or their hybrids south and east of the Suwannee River, so Florida residents should not purchase largemouth bass from the Florida Panhandle or an out-of-state fish farm for transport into peninsular Florida. Panhandle residents (north and west of the Suwannee River) may possess intergrade or hybrid largemouth bass.

The release of nonnative northern largemouth bass and intergrades occurs through stocking private ponds and lakes, but sometimes these fish end up in Florida’s rivers and lakes. the problem is that the two subspecies – northern largemouth bass and Florida largemouth bass – will readily interbreed. That’s why scientists say that stocking the northern largemouth is a real threat to the pure Florida largemouth.

“Florida largemouth bass are adapted to Florida’s subtropical climate and typically spawn earlier in the year than northern largemouth bass. If the northern subspecies or intergrade (hybrid) bass spawn with Florida largemouth, their offspring may inherit genes that reduce growth or survival, and other, less obvious genetic problems,” said Dr. Brandon Barthel, FWC black bass geneticist. “If enough bass with northern genes spawn with Florida bass, the unique characteristics of the Florida subspecies will be lost forever.”

Anglers come to our state from all over the world to catch trophy Florida largemouth bass, so the FWC is doing everything possible to protect the genetic purity of this ecologically and economically vital subspecies of fish.

To help do this, the FWC passed a rule (Florida Administrative Code 68-5.002[r]), which went into effect July 1, 2010, making northern largemouth bass and intergrades (hybrids) of northern largemouth bass “conditional species” south and east of the Suwannee River and banning possession or release in those peninsular areas.

The northern-Florida intergrade cross of largemouth bass can still be stocked in private waters north and west of the Suwannee River, but pure northern largemouth bass cannot be stocked anywhere in Florida. both “gorilla bass” and “tiger bass” are intergrade crosses of the largemouth bass and cannot be stocked south and east of the Suwannee River.

Violation of this rule is a criminal offense and also may result in federal prosecution under the Lacey Act if fish are transported interstate. Civil penalties may be up to $5,000 per fish.

For more information about stocking largemouth bass, contact Rick Stout at 352-732-1225.

The summer sun has come and gone and the shoulder season in Destin is upon us, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.

As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change shades, the month of October heats up as residents prepare for the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo at AJ’s, the Seafood Festival, the Florida State HOG Rally, the Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival and the Destin Festival of the Arts.

“These kinds of events are fantastic for our area,” Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Shane moody told the Log. “They bring in folks from out of town and that pumps money into the local economy.”

HOG Rally Coordinator Bruce Fuller said he is excited to see his rally come back to Destin after the success of last year’s event that saw more than 2,000 bikers and their families descend on Destin. the Emerald Grande will once again host the event.

“We basically had 100 percent of our sponsors come back this year and we were even able to grab a few more,” Fuller said. “That shows how successful we were last year.”

Fuller said that after participants from last year’s event returned home, they couldn’t say enough about the hospitality and how welcome Destin made them feel.

With less than a month until thousands of Harley riders descend on Destin, Fuller said “we pretty much have periods at the ends of each sentence.” there are still a few questions that need answers he says, such as how they are going to coordinate having part of the event in Walton County this year.

Using heavy promotion this year, along with email blasts to former participants, Fuller said registrations sit at about where they were last year, but he fully expects more riders to show up and register on-site.

“You’re never pleased, but it’s looking excellent,” Fuller said of the registration numbers. “I really have no complaints though.”

This year, the rally will have riders from 40 states (as far away as Alaska) and six countries, including Puerto Rico, new Zealand, Germany and England.

The 2011 HOG Rally will be held Oct. 19-22 and will feature a myriad of rides, activities and entertainment for bikers from all over.

Whether you want to take part in one of the more well loved Poker Runs, or just cruise down Scenic U.S. Hwy. 98, Fuller says there is something for everyone.

“the entertainment is better this year, which was hard to beat,” Fuller said.

This year’s lineup will feature “the Monsters of Classic Rock,” which features Chris Slade of AC/DC, the Firm and Asia on drums; Greg Douglass from the Steve Miller Band and Greg Kihn Band on guitar; Mario Cipollina of Huey Lewis and the News on bass; Terry Ilous from XYZ on vocals and Sam McCaslin of the Michael Schenker band of keyboards.

The Saturday night headliner will make sure the riders “Hold on Loosely,” as American rock band .38 Special takes the stage.

With thousands of riders ready to take full advantage of everything Destin has to offer, moody says the financial impact of the rally, and other events throughout the month of October can be felt.

“the chamber would like to see a festival or huge event every weekend,” moody told the Log. “It’s fantastic for our members and fantastic for the long-term viability of our economy.”

As the rally gets closer, Fuller said he is ready to ride and have his feet on the ground in Destin.

“We are excited to be back in Destin again,” Fuller said. “it has everything you are looking for when you pick a location to hold a rally, especially when you see the water and the sugar white beaches.”

TOP 10 have to be Florida Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Toho, Lake Istokpoga, Lake Kissimmee, Johns lake, St Johns River, Rodman, Orange lake, Conway Chain of Lakes and Winter Haven Chain of lakes.

Not necessarily in this order or because of the size of the fish, a combination of both…all listed are just fantastic Florida fisheries!

I'll give you some in North Fla.

Orange Lake- Fantastic Topwater lake w/ big fish
Santa Fe Lake- Well loved Lake with Huge numbers of 8+lb fish mostly found on deep structure and shell beds
Eagle Lake- Man made lake system formed by phosphate mines, HUGE FISH
Beinville Plantation- same as Eagle, world well-known
Rodman Res.- Brilliant fishing
St Johns river- Vast and full of bass

You didn't specify what part of Florida but I reckon Brandon and Bass Online pretty much covered some really excellent spots sure to produce some nice bass. You really can't go wrong with any of the lakes in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. bass-fishing-source.com/bass-…

As many lakes as there are in Florida, and not to mention private ponds, all you have to do is look, point, and choose one.

My fishing career began in Florida by fishing with my mother on the shores of Lake Howard and catching hundreds of bluegill and shellcrackers. my outdoor writing career began in 1953 with the News Chief when I was also working in the composing room laying out the daily newspaper. Here we are in 2011 and still writing for the Chief, what a pleasure this trip has been.

Keep Polk County Gorgeous Tournament starts Saturday

The 2nd Annual “No trashin’ Just Bassin” fishing fundraiser and cleanup is set for Saturday at Camp Mack on Lake Kissimmee. Cash prizes will be awarded the day of the event with the top prize set at $500.00.

There will be special prizes for the largest amounts of trash brought in. The entry fee is $45.00 fee per boat with two adults per boat with children under 12 free. Maximum of four people per boat. The entry fees include ramp fees and t-shirt.

Even though It’s Hot Fishing Is Honest

This week bass fishing has been honest to excellent. we are receiving a lot of evening rains and that is a excellent thing as we need as much rain as possible to help make the canals navigable. Fishing in the early morning hours is your best bet such as sun-up to about 9:30 a.m. as it get dreadful hot after these hours.

On your next outdoor trip be sure to take a young person with you and teach them excellent sportsmanship. I will see you on the pond this week. keep those lines tight.