Thanks for all the emails during these past couple of months. Lots of great questions and comments from all over the world! While I read them all, there is no way I could answer all of them here, so I have picked a few common ones to answer this month:

Thank you,
Jay Yelas

Now on to all Jay's email questions:

Jay answers: Tidal rivers are unique from other types of bass water, and they require a different approach. One of the most important things I look for is an area that has a combination of shallow grass with deeper wood and rock cover nearby. Places like this will hold bass all year. There are a number of areas on the Potomac like this, and I assume the upper Chesapeake offers similar cover. I have only fished there once, in the 1991 Bassmasters Classic.

On tidal rivers, the big fish come off hard cover (wood,rock) most all year long. But having grass beds in an area just adds to the cover available to hold more fish. Tidal bass are usually taken less than 5 feet deep, so that helps eliminate a lot of water to begin with. Fishing is usually best the last two hours of the outgoing tide and the first two hours of an incoming tide. If you want to know if an area has bass in a tidal river, you have to fish it during these times. I have found that you can fish right through a big school of fish at the wrong tide and not get a bite. The same area can produce a huge string of fish a few hours later when the tide is right.

(06/08/2002)Fred Hogan writes: What is the best way to fish a huge lake that has many coves?

Jay answers: I fish huge lakes all the time, and I have learned over the years that you have to simply forget about 70% of the lake and concentrate your efforts on 30% of the lake. Don't worry about what is happening in the area you are not fishing. Simply concentrate on finding the bass in the area you have chosen to fish. Most big lakes have a number of different areas that are known for producing good bass. Just pick one of these areas and let your challenge be figuring out those fish, instead of running all over the lake like a wild man.

(06/08/2002)David Rider writes: What percentage of successful fishermen fish shallow in the summer?

Jay answers: I am faced with the question of fishing deep or shallow every summer in the Classic. Both areas can be good, and a lot of it has to do with the present water conditions. If it is a cool, wet summer the shallow bite will be good. Conversly, a hot, dry summer makes for good deep water fishing. The answer to this question also depends on what type of lake you are on. If the lake has lots of shallow cover, and or current, the shallow bite will be better. Lakes void of shallow cover and current will have better deep water fishing. Fishing pressure is another variable to consider. If everyone is fishing deep, the shallow fish, though fewer in number, may be easier to catch.

I always find myself jumping back and forth between deep and shallow in summer. I have learned that it is difficult to be really good at both styles of fishing. Most anglers pick the style that suites them best, and they dont worry about the other fish.

(06/08/2002)Andrew Gibson writes: Do you use your sonar units to find fish or depth? I cant always catch the fish I see on my screen.

Jay answers: This is a great question. For years, sonar units were not good enough to show bass, so we just used them as depthfinders. But nowadays, the new liquid crystal Lowrance units have so much resolution that you can see bass as plain as day under the boat. So I use my sonar to find both depth and bass.

There are many gimmicky types of sonar out there that claim to be showing you bass, but they really are not. Dont buy into these gimmick sonar units. You get what you pay for in sonar just like anything else. On my Skeeter, I use the Lowrance X15 both on my bow and on my console. This is the best unit on the market. It shows everything. It also costs around $1500. If that is too much money, I would suggest the Lowrance X91. If the X91 is out of your price range, buy the Lowrance X71, but nothing inferior to it. A serious bass fisherman is majorly handicapped if he is using anything less than a Lowrance X71.

I dont use the sonar to show me fish in water less than 7-8 feet deep. I figure the boat may spook any fish this shallow, so it's not a good indicator of the presence of fish. However, in any water deeper than 10' I keep a constant eye on my X15 to see if there are any fish about. With experience, you will learn the difference between bass and smaller fish like bluegill, crappie, and perch. You need to know what other large gamefish exist in your lake, because 5 pound stripers or hybrids look just like largemouth on the sonar.

(04/03/2002)BJ Laster writes: In our Oklahoma lakes, for prespawn fish, I ususally do best on Rogues and Carolina-rigs. Do you have any other suggestions?

Jay answers: Most Oklahoma lakes I am familiar with don't have grass. They mostly offer rocky shorelines, with some boat docks, and willows if the water is high. If the water is in the willows, there will be jig and spinnerbait fish available shallow. If the water is normal pool or low, it will be a crankbait-rouge-Carolina rig bite. Try a 3/8 deep Frenzy diver in Firetiger on points on windy days. Also the Frenzy Rattler in Chrome/blue could work well in the backs of coves in the afternoons on warm days.

(04/03/2002)Kevin Griffin writes: How do you make a career out of bass fishing?

Jay answers: Again, I get asked this question more than any other. I have addresed it in three other answered emails (dated 12/6/2001, 12/15/2000, and 7/30/2000). In each of these, I have addresed how to make a living fishing tournaments and aquiring sponsorships. You can also read how I got started in the 'About Jay' section of the website.

However, there are other ways to make a career out of bass fishing besides tournament fishing. You can guide, run a marina, become a manufacturers representative, design or sell baits, go to work for a fishing industry manufacturer, work for a tournament organization, become an outdoor writer, or start a website like www.bassfan.com. Or dream up something else. There are many ways to make a career out of bass fishing.

I am not an expert at any of these other than touranment fishing. And nothing has changed for someone desiring to fish tournaments for a living. You have to win regularly and excel at your local level, or regional level before moving up to a pro level.

I know some guys who are excellent promoters and salesmen and who fish on a local level. You can get a few sponsors this way. But, ultimately, if you want to turn it from a hobby into a career, you have to catch the fish in the pro tournaments. This is what attracts the quality endorsement opportunities that allow you to make a living at tournament fishing.

(04/03/2002)Jose' David from Estoril, Portugal writes: Here in Portugal we have deep, canyon type lakes. What are the seasonal patterns on these type lakes? There are no creek channels to fish. How would you catch a quick limit? How do bass relate to our Cyprinid forage, we don't have any shad in Portugal.

Jay answers: Well, Jose', I have never fished in Portugal, but I have fished quite a few canyon type resevoirs here in America. We have quite a few deep, clear, rocky lakes that offer little or no wood or grass cover. Creek channels are not a factor in this type of lake, only in lowland resevoirs.

In canyon lakes, my favorite baits in the winter and spring are jigs. A 3/4 oz. football head with a spider jig like a Berkley Skirtgrub is a favorite. You can cover a lot of water in a hurry with this bait. Look for rockslides on walls, or fish the shade of large broken rocks. Once you get to the spawn, it is hard to beat a tube on a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jighead. Use 6 lb. Berkley Vanish flourocarbon line, and fish it around any shallow shade. Topwaters will be the best bet in the summer. Try buzzbaits or Frenzy Poppers around the flatest banks you can find with cover. There will also be plenty of deep fish in the summer. Crankbaits will work well on windy days in summer and fall. Look for the local baitfish to move to the backs of coves in the fall. If they do, the bass will follow them. In the fall, the key is to stay around the baitfish, and use crankbaits or Carolina rigged worms or lizards.

Good fishing!!

(04/03/2002)Billy Wilson writes: What kind of rainsuit do you wear?

Jay answers: A great question. A basic necessity for bass fishing, to be sure, but if you get this one wrong, it will definately ruin your whole day. The best rainsuit available is the Cabelas Guidewear. They make it in both an insulated version, and a non-insulated version. I wear the insulated version all year except for during the summer months. Cabelas Guidewear lasts forever, too, so it is worth the extra money.

As far as logos go, the small Cabelas logo on the rainsuit has not been an issue with the FLW Tour so far.

(04/03/2002)Jon Rath writes: How do you mentally prepare for a tournament?

Jay answers: The mental part of fishing is huge. I find it to be a delicate balance between confidence and humility. You need both of these mindsets. If you lack either one, you will be in trouble.

Confidence needs to be real, not artificial or made up. Nothing builds confidence like experience. Knowing you have done something before helps you believe it can be done again. Another form of confidence comes from believing that your way is the right way. For some , this comes naturally, for most this takes time to develop. Just remember there are always many different ways to catch bass on any given day. Find a style of fishing that works for you...and believe it will work for you!

Humility is also important because we sometimes have to admit we were wrong, and change strategies. You have to listen to the fish. As a Christian, I am always listening for direction from the Holy Spirit, as well. Humbly yielding from my plans to His is often hard to do, but always opens the door to a great, peaceful day.

It is an interesting paradox, this confidence vs. humility.

(01/14/2002)Billy Boothe writes: What rod, line and colors do you use in fishing the larger 7 1/2" to 10" plastic worms?

Jay answers: I designed a rod for Daiwa just for this type of fishing. It is the Team Daiwa 6 1/2' heavy worm and jig rod. It is perfect for fishing big worms. I use anywhere from 8-20 pound Trilene XT for my worm fishing. It all depends on how heavy the cover is and how clear the water is.

The colors of Berkley Power Worms I carry are: red shad,red shad/green glitter, blue fleck, pumpkinseed, june bug and black.

(01/14/2002)Robert Lowe writes: What rod do you use for spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and tubes?

Jay answers: I use the Team Daiwa 7' spinnerbait rod for all my spinnerbait and lipless crankbait fishing. It is perfect for each. I use the Team Daiwa crankbait rod for all other types of crankbait fishing, but have found the stiffer spinnerbait rod ideal for throwing lipless crankbaits like the Berkley Frenzy Rattler on monofilament line. I tend to make longer casts with lipless crankbaits,and I like the extra backbone of the spinnerbait rod for a hookset at the end of a long cast.

For tubes in open water, I use the Team Daiwa 6'3" finesse spinning rod, and I team it with a Team Daiwa-S 3000 spinning reel. It is a perfect combo for tubes.

(01/14/2002)Jack Wright writes: What rod and reel do you use for flipping? Also, what colors of jigs, worms and crankbaits are good all-around colors so I don't have to carry so much tackle with me?

Jay answers: I use the Team Daiwa Flippin'-Pitchin' rod designed by Dennny Brauer for all my flipping and pitching. I use a TD-X baitcaster loaded with clear 20 lb Trilene XT. This rod covers all my needs for this type of fishing.

I am a big fan of the small tackle box, and I have really cut back on colors over the years. For jigs I carry 5 colors: black/blue, black/chartreuse, brown, pumpkin green/black/chartreuse, and pumpkin green. My worms for flipping and pitching include 7 1/2" Berkley Power Worms in Red Shad/green glitter, Blue Fleck, and black. I also carry the 6" Berkley Power Flipping Tail worm in black/charteuse, red shad and green pumpkin.

As far as crankbait colors, I like the Berkley Frenzy crankbaits in firetiger and hot tiger(chartreuse/brown back) in dingy water, chartreuse/blue back in stained water, and Tennessee shad in clear water.

Sure, there are times when you need other colors besides those mentioned here, but these colors will take care of most situations you may encounter.

(01/14/2002)Arron Snatic writes: What battery system do you use for your boat? What type of batteries and charger?

Jay answers: I run a 36 volt Motorguide Tour Edition trollling motor, so I always run 4 batteries in my boat. I run three 31 group bateries for my trolling motor, and a cranking battery. I have found Evercell, Trolling Thunder, Exide, and Interstate to be the best batteries out there. My Skeeter comes with an onboard charging system made by Dual-Pro that really is convenient. You just plug in your extension cord at the end of the day, no messing with hooking up chargers. It is important to always charge your batteries immediately after using them. And keep an eye open for any weakness in your batteries. One bad battery, if not immediately replaced, will ruin the other batteries.

(01/14/2002)Michael Little writes: I know a rising or falling barometer affects bass. What barometric pressure range do you hope for, and if it is not what you like, how does that affect your approach?

Jay answers: In my experience, high pressure makes for slow fishing, and low pressure is good but not great. The best fishing is found during falling barometric pressure. But I don't worry about what the barometer is doing when I am fishing. There are many other variables that are more important.

(01/14/2002)David Rider writes: My home lake in Louisiana has a 10-18' deep stump flat where big bass school in the summer. How can I catch those same fish in early spring?

Jay answers: Chances are, those fish live in that area all year long. Most places with deep flats like that also have shallower flats closer to shore where the bass will spawn in the spring. I would look for a channel, ditch or depression that cuts through that deep flat and leads up to shallow water. These contour changes are migration routes for bass from shallow to deep water. Prespawn fish are usually caught much shallower than summertime fish. Try a Frenzy Rattler around the edges of that channel in shallow water.

(12/06/2001)Steve Frump writes: What are the steps you take to find out if the area you have selected has a good population of bass? Do you turn the hooks down on your lures when prefishing? Do you take the time in practice to determine what colors and sizes of baits the fish prefer?

Jay answers: First of all, a "good population of bass" is relative to where you are fishing. On some lakes 3 keepers a day is good, on other lakes 20 pounds a day is good. You need to determine what you are looking for first. If it is a super tough lake, 3 or 4 good bites in an area in a day would constitute a good population of bass, relatively speaking. On a lake I know is fishing tough, I definately bend the hooks down and attempt to shake the bites I get in practice off. You can bend the hooks down on everything but crankbaits. I can't feel my crankbaits well enough to fish them without hooks.

On a good lake, I go out to catch a few in practice. I need to see how big my bites are to know if I am on the right fish. If I can catch a 20 pound stringer on a good lake, then I know I am on the right fish. Or perhaps if I catch 2 or 3 four pounders, then I will attempt to shake the rest off. Always remember that what you catch in pactice does not count.

I never worry about finding just the right color or size of bait the bass prefer during practice. I would have to burn too many fish to determine this. This is something I try to figure out as my 3 or 4 day tournament progreses. If I were preparing for a one day event, then I would take more time, if I had it, to determine the subtleties of the bite.

(12/06/2001)Ron Owen Jr. writes: Do you fish braided lines on spinning reels?

Jay answers: The only time I fish with braided line on a spinning reel, is when I load my spinning reels with 20# Fireline to throw a floating worm. For all other baits and techniques with spinning equipment, I use Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon line.

There are two reasons for the fluorocarbon while using spinning gear. First of all, it is virtually invisible underwater, a real asset in clear water lakes. Secondly, fluorocarbons like Berkley Vanish have about half as much stretch as monofilament fishing lines like Trilene XT or XL. Typically, anglers make long casts in finesse situations, so less stretch makes for a better hookset.

The problem with braided lines on spinning equipment is that in clear water they are highly visible and the fish don't bite them as well. Braids offer even less stretch than fluorocarbon lines which is good, but the fish can see them too well. I know guys who tie a mono leader to their braided line with a uni knot. This seems to work O.K. But I don't ever do it. I stick with the Vanish in 6, 8, or 10 for my spin fishing. Never go above 10.

(12/06/2001)William Robinson writes: How do you go about finding a good pattern or area on lakes like the ones in Florida where there is no bottom contour change?

Jay answers: An excellent question. The key to finding fish on these lakes lies in interpreting weedlines and bottom composition. Down in Florida, I look for places where the hydrilla thins out into patchy, scattered clumps. I stay away from the thick hydrilla beds. Bass prefer hydrilla that is not too thick. If you know how to interpret a good Lowrance sonar unit like the X15 or even the X85, you will be able to find areas of the bottom that are harder than others. Some of these hard bottom spots are shell beds. Bass always prefer a hard bottom. Hard bottom areas adjacent to the outside edge of hydrilla are very good.

There are many other types of vegetation besides hydrilla down in Florida, however. Bass love to spawn in the lily pads, if available. Edges or boatlanes through the Kissimmee grass can be good, as well as the bullrushes. Flippers always look for the thick mats of vegetation laying on the surface. These mats can be mud mats, or just dead weeds that the wind has pushed together. Water hyacynth mats are also great places to flip. The key to these lakes is learning to read the vegetation. Many times bass will be found around distinct edges of vegetation, or in places where 2 or more types of vegetation are growing in the same area. A good example of this is the spot where I caught the 36 pound stringer at Lake Toho in the January, 2001 BASS Tour event. These bass were bedding in an area that had scattered hydrilla and scattered Kissimmee grass mixed together with sandy, clean holes on the bottom.

(12/06/2001)Jason Denkman, Gary Lindgren, and David Rider writes: I am considering becoming a pro fisherman. What steps do I need to take to get sponsorships?

Jay answers: I get asked this question way more than any other question. I have addressed this question three other times on the website. Click on the "Jay answers email" icon and scroll down to emails dated 12/15/2000 and 7/30/2000 for further explanation on this subject.

The neat part about fishing is that there are many different ways to make a living at this game. If you want to try to make a living as a pro tournament fisherman, you will need to either be very wealthy or get yourself some good endorsement deals. This sport still isn't to the point where a guy can make a living just off his winnings in tournaments. You might have a great year and win $200,000, but the next year you might only win $30,000 and have expenses of $50,000.

There are a lot of different levels of sponsorships out there. There are a lot of fishermen who make a little from a sponsor, say $2500/year or less. There are a few fishermen who can make $5,000/year from a single sponsor. There are fewer still who can make $10,000 from an endorsement. And there are just a handful of anglers who make $20,000 or more a year from an endorsement in the fishing industry. A graph of this would look like a triangle with just a very few at the top making good money from endorsements. There is an unbelievable amount of competition for these few endorsements in the fishing industry.

The best way to get endorsements is to excel in tournaments. That gets the attention of a potential sponsor. One you get their attention, you need to impress them as a person. You need to be the type of person they want representing their company. Clean-cut, well dressed, poilte, well spoken, hardworking, etc...Endorsements are just business deals. You are going to work representing a manufacturer to the public. So you need to both catch lots of fish, and be a good promoter.

You create the demand for yourself through your tournament performance, so that is all you should worry about early in your career. If you can catch bass really well and be a good promoter, everything will take care of itself, and sponsors will come knocking on your door.

Right now the timing is bad to get a sponsor because of the recession our economy is in. Sales are off at most fishing related businesses in 2001, so marketing budgets are being cut. Things should turn around in a year or two with the rest of the economy.

(09/05/2001)Harold Range writes: In the summer, my home lake turns to a thick green pea soup. What are the best lures and techniques to use during these heavy algae blooms?

Jay answers: I have seen water like that a few times over the years, and in those situations the fish still are catchable. Don't let that funky water discourage you. Use the same lures and techniques you usually do.

I will say, however, if it is possible, go to another part of the lake where the water looks better. That is usually where the best fishing will be.

(09/05/2001)Tommy Mendoza writes: When fishing humps in 15-25' of water, what are the prime things to look for? How long should I fish a hump before giving up on it?

Jay answers: Humps, ledges, and any kind of offshore structure are best fished with the one-two punch of deep crankbaits and Carolia-rigs. I always use the cranks first to catch aggressive bass, then follow up with the worm, lizard or whatever.

Keys to look for are baitfish and bass on your electronics. The newer Lowrance units like the X15 show in unbelievable detail all that is swimming below your boat. Often you will see bass in the area, close to the bottom. Look for the shad to be close to the bottom as well. It seems like when the shad are up close to the surface, the bass don't bite as well.

You will know in 15 minutes if the bass want your crankbaits. If not, I would move to find some aggressive bass. If you catch a few cranking, I would not leave the spot until I threw a few casts with the rig.

(09/05/2001)Eric Danis writes: What is the best way to read topo maps?

Jay answers: I'll bet I have at least 100 topo maps in my office. I have been to just about every big body of water in the country. I always get a good map of every place I go.

The best topo maps are the ones drawn in a small scale, say 5' per contour line. They show the most detail. I just use maps to show the general lay of the land. I never use them to find hidden structures because there are no hidden structures anymore. There are no more secret spots, at least not something so obvious it will show up on a map.

Maps are good for a reference after a long day on the water. They make it easy to relive your day, and put the whole playing field in perspective.

(09/05/2001)David Rider writes: I was out on a big fish lake recently and caught a big one right off the bat in the morning. I caught plenty of fish the rest of the day, but never caught another bass over 2 1/2# the rest of the day. What happened to the big fish?

Jay answers: Many times, big fish patterns will change during the course of one day. The same is true for small fish patterns. It sounds to me like you had the right technique for small fish that day, but the big bass changed course on you after the early morning bite. Big fish and little fish often lead different lives, so they are not always found in the same areas.

I cant sit here and tell you where the big fish went that day, other than the fact that they were doing something other than what you were doing. If you are after a big bite, don't be distracted by fish under 3 pounds. They can lead you in a totally opposite direction of where you need to be for a big bite.

(09/05/2001)Ron Owen Jr. writes: On Lake Shasta I can catch a quick limit of small spotted bass drop-shotting each morning, but what do I need to do to cull up with biggger bass? I catch fish all day long on my drop-shot rig, but they are all the same size.

Jay answers: A tricky question. I have been on Shasta, and the answer may vary with the seasons. If you are in a season when the largemouth are catchable, switching to a largemouth pattern may be your best option. In the summer and fall, the answer is usually to find the bigger spotted bass. Many tournaments are won there in the fall drop-shotting. Dont hesitate to look in really deep water there in the fall and winter. Look for the bait.

Then again, the answer may just depend on the daily weather you have. If you get some wind and rain, quality spots can be taken on topwaters, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits.

There is no easy, simple answer. You will learn in time what to do. Nothing beats experience for learning, especially tournament experience.

(09/05/2001)Joey Outlaw writes: I read in BASS Times that at this years Megabucks tournament in Tennessee some of the pros were modifying Manns 30+ crankbaits to get them to run deeper. How do the pros accomplish this? Do you modify crankbaits?

Jay answers: The plugs you are referring to that a few pros threw at Douglass Lake were given to them by a local fisherman who specilaizes in weighting those deep plugs. Those baits were not modifyed by the pros.

Traveling like I do, I need to crank that deep about once every 3 years. Hence, I don't modify my own crankbaits. I use my Berkley Frenzys and others right out of the box. However, I am not an expert at deep cranking. I shallow crank quite a bit, but even then, I don't ever modify my plugs.

Deep cranking is really lake specific. It sure doesn't work everywhere. If you live around some good deep cranking lakes, take the time to search out some of those specialized plugs, it will be worth your while.

(07/16/2001)Billy Sanders writes: In the Bassmaster Invitationals (now called Opens), what is the proper etiquette for two competitors in the same boat? How do you agree on whose boat to use and on which areas to fish?

Jay answers: There is definately a common etiquette among the pros that applies to fishing these type of tournaments where two guys are paired together. It is always best when the two anglers try to work together instead of arguing and bickering with each other. When you get paired with someone the night before the first day of the tournament, the best thing to do is sit down and talk and be totally honest with each other about what kind of fish you are on. If one guy is truthfully on more fish than the other, then you generally want to start on his water. The boat chosen for use on the first day of a tournament is often determined by a coin toss. The exception to this is if you are paired with a big name pro, and the proper etiquette there is to go with the big name pro in his boat. By "big name" I am referring to a veteran of multiple Bassmasters Classics.

You are always entitled to 1/2 day on your water, but you kind of have to feel this out as the day progresses. If you are catching fish on your partners water, there is no need to move. After the first days weigh-in, the proper etiquette from here forward has to do with whoever has the most weight. If Joe caught 12 pounds on day 1 and Bill caught 6 pounds on day 1 and they get paired up for day 2, Joe and Bill should go in Joes boat to Joes fish for at least the first half of the day. The etiquette for a big name draw changes after day 1 as well. If a big name caught 10 pounds on day 1 and a no name caught 15 pounds on day 1 and they draw each other, the no name gets to call the shots as to where they start fishing on day 2. The no name at this point has no obligation to honor the big name and go in his boat. But neither is it wrong for the big name to take his boat since he is on fish. In this situation they might flip a coin for the boat. If the no name had 15 pounds and the big name had 5 pounds, they should definately take the no names boat. If the big name and the no name both had 15 pounds, they should definately take the big name boat.

On the final day, if one guy is in the money and the other guy is not, then both guys should take the "in the money" guys boat and go to his water. If both guys are in the money, say Fred is in 11th and Ron is in 28th, they should go to Freds water in Freds boat because Fred has an outside chance to win.

If you are ever in doubt, don't be afraid to ask a veteran what the proper thing to do is. You always want to play by the rules, both the written and the unwritten rules.

(07/16/2001)L.J. Miller writes: I have fish Sam Rayburn for years. I fish the same areas the pros do, but I don't seem to catch as many fish. What can I do to catch more fish?

Jay answers: Every now and then I get to play golf on one of the courses that the PGA Tour holds golf tournaments on. I never do as well as the pros do on those courses either, L.J.!! So first of all, we have to keep realistic expectations about what we can do as amateurs. I couldn't shoot a 69 at Pebble Beach in my wildest dreams, but I don't care. As long as I am enjoying myself and having fun that is all that matters.

But, just as I wish to improve at my golf game, I know you want to improve at your fishing. Here is my tip for fishing Big Sam: Since it is so big, I recommend that you pick one area and dont fish anywhere else for a couple of years. That way you can figure out those fish that live in that part of the lake. Learn all you can about that area, and fish it from top to bottom. Be versatile and try a few different lures until you find the fish. Fish the inside weedline, the outide weedline, up in the grass, etc...

Now when I say pick an area, I am referring to a large area, like Veach, or Coleman or Farmers or Harvey or the Black Forrest or Buck Bay. Those are some really good areas that are full of fish year-round.

One final tip is to learn to fish a wacky worm and a carolina rig. These two techniques consistently catch more fish than other lures or techniques. They are great for numbers of fish. If you want big bass and fewer bites, go with jigs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.

(07/13/2001)Randy Tate writes: Beginnning from scratch, how would you advise me to build a sufficient tackle box? I don't tournament fish, but do fish lots of lakes and ponds.

Jay answers: A well rounded tackle box should include a variety of baits. I dont carry one large box, but rather small plastic boxes of hardbaits, and a small duffle bag or two full of plastics.

A guy needs the following for a basic, well-rounded tackle box:

Spinnerbaits: 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 oz models in charteuse and white, and shad colors

Crankbaits: Deep divers: Berkley Frenzy 7/8 oz. model in Fire Tiger,Medium divers: Berkley Frenzy 3/8 oz model in Shad and Fire Tiger colors, Shallow divers Frenzy in shad and Fire Tiger colors

Topwater: Berkley Frenzy Poppers and Walkers in shad colors

Worms: 7" and 10" Power Worms in Blue Fleck and Red Shad/Green Glitter, 4" finesse worms in green pumpkin

jigs: 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 oz jigs in Black/blue,and Pumpkin green with matching 4" Power Craw trailers.

Terminal tackle: 10, 14 and 20 lb Trilene XT clear, and 8 lb Vanish for finesse baits in clear water, 3/0 and 5/0 Owner worm hooks, and 3/16/, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 oz bullet weights.

(05/23/2001)Jef Nelson writes: What is the best all around Trilene?

Jay answers: Trilene makes a lot of good lines, but you must realize that each is for a specific purpose.

I use Trilene XT for flipping shallow wood, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater, etc... I use Vanish for finesse spinning situations, and I use Fireline for flipping deep grass, and some topwater like floating worms and flukes and buzzbaits.

(05/23/2001)Jason Flood writes: How do I go about getting in a Bassmaster Top 150 as an amateur? I heard that young people are at a disadvantage to older amateurs, is tha true?

Jay answers: To sign up as an amateur, keep your eye on Bassmaster magazine, they have an entry form in the May issue. Fill out the entry form, and mail it along with your deposit to BASS sometime after June 1st. They are accepting entry forms during the whole month of June, but if it gets to them in the month of May, they will return it to you.

Secondly, no there is no age advantage as an amateur.

(05/23/2001)Harold Moore writes: How about some advice on a really good fish finder.

Jay answers: I use the Lowrance X85 for the bow of my boat, and I mount the transducer on my trolling motor. At the console I use the Lowrance X15. The Lowrance X75 will do a good job, too, for a little less money. The more pixels a unit has, the more resolution the unit will offer.

(05/23/2001)Jim Hall writes: What is the major difference between baitcasting and spinning outfits? Is using Fireline on a spinning rod just as effective?

Jay answers: Most pros only use spinning gear for light line, small bait finesse applications. I use baitcasting gear for everything else. I use spinning tackle with Fireline for floating worms. If you are not trying to make a living fishing, use any tackle combination that is comfortable to you. In your case, you are just trying to have fun, so go with what you feel comfortable with.

(05/23/2001)Darin Newcomb and Russ Van Lengen writes: What GPS Unit do you recommend for boating and handheld applications.

Jay answers: The Lowrance X15 is the state of the art GPS/sonar combination unit. You can spend less money on another unit and get less resolution and detail. The Eagle Status is a good GPS product for a boat. The Lowrance handheld units offer the best quality and accuracy of any handheld unit. If you buy any GPS or sonar unit with the name Lowrance on it, you are buying the best there is.

(03/16/2001)Jim Ebarb writes: In a tournament last weekend at Toledo Bend, we caught 16 lbs. the first day on a spinnerbait in shallow water, and on day 2 we went to the same area and blanked. What happened?

Jay answers: I'd say the weather or water conditions must have changed, causing the fish to either move or become unagressive. When bass get off a spinnerbait, they will often hit a floating worm or wacky worm in the same areas. Or you can flip them out of nearby wood cover. They may have pulled back to a creek channel in deeper water, or gone to the hydrilla where a crankbait of some sort or a carolina-rig would work.

(03/16/2001)Paul Nettles writes: What about the up and down cycles of winning and losing tournaments? I've had good and bad years like everyone else. And how much does a mans age affect his fishing?

Jay answers: While a good novel could be written on this subject, I will attempt to hit the high points. Performance is the outcome of a lot of different factors. Talent, focus, and desire being three big ones. I also believe that there is a spiritual side to fishing (and life). If I am in a proper relationship with God, allowing His Holy Spirit to lead, things seem to go my way in tournaments and in life in general. By His Grace, at times God directly intervenes in our lives during tournaments, making the fish bite (or not bite),but not very often. Most of the time He leaves the fishing up to us.

Up and down cycles do occur in everyones performance, and in all sports. There are some common denominators that occur in up and down performance, but honestly nobody really knows how to stay "in the zone". If they did, they would stay there. The best we can do is try and keep the valleys from being too low, and, of course, let the good times roll.

Talent doesn't come and go in a persons life for fishing. So if performance is changing, it must be related to a lack of focus or a lack of desire. I've seen this in my own fishing. As the seasons of life change, things come along to change our focus and desire. It is a rare competitor who can keep the focus and desire of youth up for 30 years. That is the biggest challenge in fishing to most of us.

The fish have changed little over the years, our focus and desire change a lot.

Before I got to know Jesus, fishing was my God. It was my sole focus, and my desire to be #1 raged within as I chased my idol of fishing stardom. When you get to know the Lord, He changes you from the inside out. He changed all my priorities. He became my God, and He insists that a man value Jesus, his wife, and kids more than his career (or hobby).

Has my tournament performance slipped due to my new set of priorities? Maybe. Am I full of joy, peace, and love, content with the life God has blessed me with? You bet!

Hey, I've found something that is way better than winning bass tournaments: relationships that will last an eternity!!

(03/16/2001)Jody Browning writes: What about mudlines? I hear they can be good ambush places for bass.

Jay answers: Mudlines are formed either from runoff or wind. Mudlines are good in the summer in clear water lakes. Agressive bass will use the clarity change as an ambush spot. And a mudline will bring the fish up shallow in the clear water.

Stay away from mudlines in the winter and spring.

(03/16/2001)Erin Gomia writes: Why are most crankbait lips clear, while a few are not?

Jay answers: The only crankbait I use that does not have a clear lip is a Wiggle Wart. Some guys really like the Mud Bug crankbaits and their metal lip which reflects a lot of sunlight. I like the looks of a plastic lip myself, the bait looks more natural. If you have not tried the new Berkley Frenzy yet, do yourself a favor. My favorite is the 3/8 model that dives 8-10 feet.

(03/16/2001)Bryce Odom and John Salazar writes: What are the best lines for fipping and pitching, and for crankbaits?

Jay answers: For flippin/pitchin' shallow water around wood I like 25# Trilene XT or 30# Trilene Big Game. I like the stretch mono offers for short range presentations, and these two offer outstanding abrasion resistance.

For pitching jigs and worms in deep vegetation, or casting to bushes in clear water, I like 20 or 30# Fireline because it has no stretch.

For crankbaits, I use Trilene XT for cranking shallow, and Berkley Vanish, a new flourocarbon line, for deep cranking. The flourocarbon has less stretch than mono, but more than Fireline.

(03/16/2001)Josh Harrison writes: I'm 16 years old and fish a lot of tournaments out of the back of the boat.I think I can do better if I take my own boat. What can I do to get a jump on tournament fishing?

Jay answers: At your age, it is still not a bad idea to fish out of the back seat in another good fishermans boat simply because you can learn so much. I'd say by the time you are 17 or 18 you should start fishing out of your own boat. This will force you to start learning to make your own decisions about finding and catching bass.

When I was your age, all I had was a 14' alluminum boat and I would go around and practice for the tournaments in my boat, then fish the actual tournament in my partners big bass boat. At your age the biggest thing is to learn as much as you can, no matter whose boat you are in!

(01/09/2001)Dustin Daggett writes: How does a guy step up to the next level in tournament fishing in trying to become a pro? I want to fish the BASS Invitationals, but I am concerned about their format. Does a newcomer ever get to fish his own water?

Jay answers: First of all, anyone with a desire to fish professionaly needs to fish the Bassmaster tournaments. They have been the standard in pro fishing for years. So fishing the BASS Invitationals is a good place to start. Yes, a newcomer is at a slight disadvantage in these draw tournaments. But the disadvantage is nothing that can't be made up with talent and desire. Remember, every single pro has had to work his way up through the BASS Invitationals sometime during their career.

To specifically answer your question, by rule each angler is allowed 1/2 day on his own water, running the trolling motor. This doesn't always occur, as sometimes one guy is on more fish than the other. As tournaments progrees it is pretty obvious which guys are on fish and which are not.

(01/09/2001)Bob Preble and Bobby Nelson writes: How about some tips for catching winter largemouth in deep clear lakes with little cover?

Jay answers: I grew up fishing Western lakes in the winter time. I learned pretty fast that the bass go deep in winter in lakes that are clear and have little cover. I can remember catching bass on jigging spoons as deep as 65' in Lake Cachuma, CA. The whole food chain goes deep in winter in this type of lake. I would target depths of 30-60 feet, depending on what lake I was on. My favorite winter lure has alkways been the spider jig. Today I use Berkleys Skirtgrub in smoke/black glitter or pumpkinseed. I like a football jig head with an exposed hook. My preference is a 3/4 oz. model, but will use a 1/2 and 1 oz. as well. Fish the jig on or near the bottom, close to vertical breaks. Look for deep flats that top out at 30-60 feet then plummet to 100' and beyond. Fish the jig on top of that ledge.
Jigging spoons will work well some days as well, especally when shad are around. My favotie spoon has always been a 3/4 oz. Hopkins.

Deep diving crawdad colored crankbaits like the Berkley Frenzy will work some days on big bass. Target banks laden with river rock. Big prespawn females will come shallow looking for a crawdad on the river rock banks every now and then. The crank bite is not consistent in winter. For steady action, go deep with the football head jig.

(01/09/2001)Jamie Camden writes: I always hear that bass like to be close to deep water. How close? A few feet? A few yards? Hndreds of yards?

Jay answers: Big bass in particular enjoy the security that comes from having deep water nearby. Deep water gives fish a sense of security and a reprive from extreme temperature fluctuations in shallow water which normally come in the winter and summer. Deep water, is of course, relative to the fishery. In lowland resevoirs, deep water is in the from of a creek channel, river channel, or a "drain" that is only slightly deeper than everything else. In highland resevoirs, deep water is everywhere, but it's in the from of a steep sloping bank. In natural lakes deep water may be a subtle ledge or depression. As a general rule, the biggest bass are always close to the deep water except during the spawn. Juvenille bass will wander a lot farther from their santuaries. Current weather plays a big role in how far bass are from deep water. The colder or hotter it is, the closer they are to the deep. On benign spring and fall days, small bass may roam a long ways up on shallow flats.

(12/15/2000)Aaron Flint writes: What are your suggestions for getting sponsors? How should I approach a potential sponsor?

Jay answers: First of all, I think it would be helpful to understand the parameters of sponsorships in the fishing industry. I meet so many fishermen that have unrealistic expectations of a sponsor. Fishermen must realize that manufactorers hire fishermen to endorse their products to help drive sales. The pro endorsement is just one facet of an overall marketing plan of a manufactorer. What is your worth to a potential sponsor? How much product are they going to sell as the direct result of your endorsement? That is the bottom line.

With that in mind, only approach potential sponsors if you really believe in their product. Nobody likes a hypocrite. So if you really like a manufactorers product and you think you can help them sell more of it, then simply approach the right individual in their marketing department(the person who handles the field promotions/pro-staff business) with your proposal on how you can help them sell more stuff.

Typically, you would present them with a resume, and your ideas on how you can help them. There are many creative ways to present this information. As far as what a fisherman can expect in return for his services, most manufactorers already have a compensation scale set in place. The manufactorer will determine where you fit on the scale of things(in relation to your peers), and they will offer you that. I don't recommend pushing too hard, too fast. You will have to prove your worth as a salesman before you can custom tailor an endorsement package with a large manufactorer.

Once you get a working agreement, the key becomes communication. Quarterly reports are a great way to keep the manufactorer abreast of what you have been doing to promote their stuff. Communication is everything. Remember that.

(12/15/2000)Tom Townsend writes: How do you stay in shape for fishing tournaments? What type of exercises do you do?

Jay answers: The best way to stay in shape for fishing is to fish. Fishing is such a unique activity. It is basically an endurance contest, especially in the summer heat.

As I get older (35) I am seeing the value of staying in good shape. You are less prone to injury, which could hurt your fishing. My injuries usually come off the water when I attempt something my body is not ready for. So I run and stretch regularly to help ensure my wellness.

(12/15/2000)Jamie Camden writes: How do pros put patterns together so quickly? When determining a pattern, how do you figure out which factors are most impoartant after only 1 or 2 fish?

Jay answers: Figuring out the fish in a hurry is something the pros do well. Sometimes you can figure them out in just a couple of hours, other times it takes a couple of days. Bear in mind going in that there are probably a variety of patterns working. You just need one, preferable one that can produce some big fish.

I don't just focus on one or two factors in trying to figure out the fish, rather I like to take everything into account. The season of the year and current water and weather conditions are of paramount importance. If factored correctly, you should be able to put yourself in an area that has some catchable fish. Then it just becomes a matter of dropping your trolling motor and going to work.

One or two fish do not a pattern make. Unless it is really tough, and they are quality fish. Remember, there is usually a number of ways to catch the bass. It helps to focus on a technique that can produce quality fish. Go with your confidence baits, and find your own fish.

(12/15/2000)Darrell Hanks writes: What colors do you like in muddy, stained, and clear water?

Jay answers: Color is about 1% of the bass catching equation in muddy water, 5% in stained water and 10% in clear water. Bass feed more by sight in clear water, and they get a better look at your bait so color is more important in clear water than muddy water.

Lets talk jigs and plastics first. In muddy water just about any old dark color will do on a cloudy day. Sometimes you have to go to lighter colors, or flashier clors on sunny days. In stained water, I like a broad range of colors, with green pumpkin and black/blue being to long time favorites. In clear water, your more translucent colors are best, stuff like watermelon and pumpkinseed and smoke.

In crankbaits, I prefer chartreuse patterns in muddy and stained water and shad or crawdad patterns in clear water.

With spinners, I use char/white in muddy water, char/white or white in stained water, and shad patterns in clear water.

(12/15/2000)Josh Harrison writes: I am 15 years old and want to be a pro. What is the best way to work up to that level?

Jay answers: You can read my story in the 'about Jay' section of my web site. I started by fishing team tournaments in my home state for three years, then I fished regional draw and Pro-Am events for 3 years in a three state regional area. The Lord blessed me with much success at these two levels. I then moved up to the Bassmaster trail.

Take your time, and don't feel like you have to rush into the pro ranks. It is crucial that you excel on the pro level your first couple of years if you want to get sponsors and make a career out of fishing. Make sure you are ready before entering the pro events as a pro. First impressions mean a lot on the pro level.

(11/18/2000)Terry Bellan writes: I am buying a new ZX225 Skeeter. What is the best system for tackle organization in that boat? 

Jay answers: The ZX225 has so much storage, that really any system of tackle organization will work.

I have plenty of room for all my tackle in the two forward compartments. I carry my rods in the port rod locker. In the starboard rod locker, I carry a spare trolling motor, my raingear, a spare X75, a throw cusion, a paddle, a fire extinguisher, and spare trolling motor props. Under the drivers seat I carry a spare prop, under the passengers seat a tow rope and two empty weigh-in bags(just in case). In the small compartment left of the passengers seat I carry jumper cables and a first aid kit. I carry my tool box, culling scale, and gloves in the rear starboard box. Finally, I leave the rear port box empty for my partners stuff.

Back to tackle organization. I carry all my plastics in small bags inside two larger duffle bags. My jigs, hardbaits, and tubes have their own boxes. My spinnerbaits are in Tackle Logic bags, sorted by weight. I also have one box for lead and hooks. Enjoy that new Skeeter!

(11/18/2000)Jason Flood asks: writes: What kind of jig trailer do you use?

Jay answers: I love a jig and have tried about every trailer imaginable. My favorites are frog types like the 2" or 3" Berkley Power Frog, or a chunk of pork rind. I use this trailer the most, especially when making horizontal presentations like crawling the jig along a rock bottom or while fishing docks. I also like a 3" or 4" Berkley Power Craw. I use this trailer most while making vertical presentaions in grass or brush.

Finally, I use a double tail style trailer at times when the bite is tough. I like Berkleys Power Skirtgrub for a double tail trialer. I pinch the skirt off the Skirtgrub, of course.

(11/18/2000)Kelly Salmans, David Westbrook, Angel Sierra, and Tony Richards all ask: writes: How do you approach going to a new lake you have never been to before for a tournament? How do you come up with a game plan, and how do you stay focused when nothing seems to work? 

Jay answers: Pros are confronted with this challenge all the time. Over the years I have come up with a series of issues that I find must be addressed to succeed on a new lake.

First, an angler must learn the fishery. This may require lots of research, probing, practicing, thought, and hard work. All fisheries are different. There are many different types of water throughout the U.S. including tidal rivers, natural rivers, natural lakes, highland and lowland resevoirs, etc...These different types of water require distictly seperate approaches. But even similar bodies of water can have their own personalities.

An example would be Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. Both are lowland resevoirs and would appear on the surface to be quite similar. But the water level fluctuates way more at Rayburn than Toledo, often causing great disparities in the depths of the hydrilla. This often has the fish doing different things on these two lakes.


The key point I'm making is that each fishery is unique. It takes years to become intimate with a fishery. The more we know a fishery, the more fish we catch. I encourage you to learn as much as possible about the new lake you are about to fish. There is so much info out there these days, it is easier than ever to learn a lake.

Learning a fishery allows the angler to target the right fish. This is so important. To win, you must be fishing for the big ones, relative, of course, to the fishery.

On most lakes there are sections of water that traditionally produce the bigger fish. Once you know enough about the fishery to choose an area to fish, the next step is to figure out what the fish are doing in that area of choice. This requires dropping the trolling motor and going to work. This is where your skill as an angler comes in to play.

Many times I will figure the fish out in practice, only to have conditions change in the tournament. I suppose this is the most challenging part of fishing. Environmental conditions are never static, and neither are the bass. As their world changes, they adapt. Savy anglers adapt with them. Rain, wind, water temperature, sun, current, baitfish, and fishing pressure are all factors that can change overnight. Be forward looking as you develop your game plan. Ask yourself what could change.

Note that I have said nothing about lures or techniques. Each angler is different, and has his own lures and techniques of confidence. You fill in those blanks yourself. Just remember that flippin/pitching, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the three winngest techniques of all time. Keep that in mind.

Get in a good area, and figure them out. It sounds pretty simple. Quite often, when reflecting after a good day on the water, I am amazed at how simple this game can be.

One final note. I seldom seek local information about a new fishery. If I do, it will be from a trusted friend, in an effort to learn the fishery, where the traditionally good areas are. I am not concerned about how the fish were being caught two weeks ago, as I know the bass will be up to something new this week.

(11/18/2000)Darin Newcomb writes: Does a college degree help with sponsors. Is a communications degree best?

Jay answers: A college degree is a wonderful thing in any business. The better educated we are, the more effective we will be in the workplace. I have a B.S. in Resource Recreation Management from Oregon State University. Go Beavers!!

Sponsors don't necessarily look to see if you have a degree as an employer would. They just want to know if you can help them sell more product. They look at you, the person. Not you on paper. I would say the best degree to get would be in marketing or communications. If you can't stand that stuff, you could be like me and just find some subject that you enjoy.

(11/18/2000)Ernie Keel asks: writes:   If you could have just one bait for February, July, and November, and only that one bait, what would it be?

Jay answers: Wow, what a question! Three totally different times of year. I guess to properly answer that question I need to be specific about an area. Since I live in Texas, we will assume Ernie was referring to fishing in the Lone Star state.

I would choose a spinnerbait, and a big one at that. A spinnerbait is my favorite in February and November, and I could probably catch enough big fish on it in those two months to make up for not catching anything on it in July. Unless, of course, Ernie would let me fish at night in July!!

(07/30/2000)John Porter, Jonathan Hankins, and Terry Wallace writes: How did you go about getting sponsors and starting a career as a professional bass fisherman?

Jay answers: I started fishing local tournaments in my home state while attending college at Oregon State in the mid-1980s. I had no sponsors at this time. I fished this local level for 3 years, and had a considerable amount of success, winning many tournaments.

Then I jumped to the next level, which is fishing regional tournaments in a 3 or 4 state area. When I began at this level I had no sponsors. I had 3 very successfull years at this regional level, winning many tournaments and Angler-of-the-Year titles on major regional circuits like WON Bass and Red Man. I began to aquire sponsors during these years of excelling on regional circuits. Mostly small sponsorships, stuff like $100-$200 a month and free product from tackle manufacturers, 10% off dealer cost on a boat and motor, etc...

Then it was on tho the national level, the Bassmaster Tournament Trail. Major sponsorships only came after making multiple Bassmasters Classics and winning multiple Bassmaster tournaments.

(07/29/2000)Rob Burns writes: When you are selecting a tube lure, what qualities do you consider important?

Jay answers: Tube fishing began in the early 1980s out West, when Bobby Garland of Utah invented the original Fat Gitzit. I started fishing the Fat Gitzit back in the mid-'80s. The lure type was referred to as a Gitzit for many years, but now is genericly referred to as a tube.

Tubes have always been great lures. Once designated by the masses as a spring time finnesse bait for clear water and spawning bass, tubes ramped in popularity as a lure for all seasons when Denny Brauer won the Bassmasters Classic in August of 1998 by flipping a tube in dingy water.

I use tubes three ways. I fish tubes on a jighead in open water with light line and a spinning rod, I use tubes to catch spawning bass, and I flip tubes into heavy cover with 20-25 pound line and a flipping stick.

I've done great with 4" tubes on a jighead in open water at places like Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Lake Ontario, and Lake Powell. I like thin bodied tubes like the Berkley Power Tube for this type of fishing. Translucent colors are best. Pumpkinseed and Watermelon are my favorites.

I use the same thin walled 4" tubes for sightfishing, only I Texas-rig them with a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. bullet weight, pegged. I Texas-rig to kill the spiral that a jighead offers when I want a bait to go straight down on a bed. Sometimes your brighter colors are better for sightfishing because you can see them better.

I use Daiwas' 6'3" spinning rod with an Emblem-Z spinning reel loaded with 6-10 pound Vanish flourocarbon for both these tube applications, but sometimes will go to heavier line when sightfishing around heavy cover.

For Flipping a tube in heavy cover I use the Berkley Fathead Tube, which has much thicker plastic to displace more water. I Texas-rig it and use a 5/0 offset Owner worm hook. Its an oversize hook, but I just stick the point up in the hollow bottom of the tube. Your darker colors like green pumpkin, and black work well for flipping. Pearl or white can be a good choice when shad are present. I rig for flipping with 20-25 pound clear Trilene XT.

(07/29/2000)Mark Pearson writes: What effect does the full moon have on bass fishing, especially in the spring, summer, and fall?

Jay answers: The full moon definately affects bass behavior and catchability. In my experiences during the spring, the bass become very active from about 5 days prior to the full moon to 2 days after it. This period offers some of the best fishing of the year. Later in the spring the bass spawn big time around the full moon, weather permitting.

In the summer and fall, my experiences tell me that the bass fishing is again good around the full moon. Often the night bite is better than the day bite, if you are up for nighttime fishing. My mentor Bill Sedar of Lake Cachuma, CA always used to tell me that the only people that fish at night are the ones who can't catch them during the day! Spinnerbaits and Power Worms are my favorite nighttime lures.

If you can only fish 3 days per month, try scheduling your trips during the full moon. There are plenty of other factors that influence bass activity, but all else being equal, the full moon will help the bite.

(07/28/2000)Geary Bane writes: I am currently in the market for a new bass boat. Can you compare Skeeter, Ranger, and Triton for me. I know you have ridden in all three, and how do they compare?

Jay answers: While all three manufactorers make fine boats, you will find the Skeeter offers the best combibation of ride and fishability. My 202ZX Skeeter powered by a Yamaha 225 VMAX is the best buy in the marketplace. It offers a superb soft, dry ride on windy days, yet is still one of fastest boats out there. You will also be most impressed with it's stability and fishibility. It's the total package, and has the best overall combination of qualities you will be looking for in a bass boat.

When preparing to purchase a new boat consider these factors:

* ride; smoothness and dryness?
* stability; is the boat stable while shifting weight around?
* storage
* speed; if you need it
* resale value
* price
* looks; buy something you'll be proud of
* dealer; a quality dealer can make a huge difference in your satisfaction (I recommend Dawson Marine in Beaumont, TX or Dales Marine in Tyler, TX)