2009 State Team Co-Anglers

The Pennsylvania Bass Federation held its annual Classic Tournament on Raystown Lake this past Friday and Saturday.  The Classic Tournament is where the Pennsylvania Bass Federation members fish the two day tournament in order to select the “State Team”. The top 7 Anglers (boat owners) and the top 6 Co-Anglers (riders) that will represent the State of Pennsylvania and fish against the other Mid-Atlantic Federation members at the Mid-Atlantic Divisional tournament which will be held on the Susquehanna Flats next October.

Scott Laukhuff

Tight lines…..Scott

(the other blind squirrel made it happen) LOL !

Centre Sportsman's Scott Laukhuf and Greg Hughes catch coldwater smallmouths

The chill in the air reminds me of fishing for coldwater smallmouth bass.  I can’t wait until I get the chance to fish for BIG smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna River again. My nephew Greg Hughes and I had a ball catching those big hungry bronze backs, just north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The water temperature has to be just right to make the smallies stack up and go on the feed.

Greg phoned me a said Uncle Scott get your butt down here now, the smallies are biting. So Dave Welch(producer of the Centre Sportsman TV Show) and I packed up the camera gear and tackle and headed to meet Greg at the launch.

The water level was dangerously low and we scuffed our way up the river to the honey hole. It didn’t take long until we started catching fish. Greg started twitching a lucky craft pointer and WAM a big smallie smashed the lure. I started to twitch my pointer and BAM…a big smallie hit my lure too. I couldn’t believe how hard they hit in such coldwater.

The secret was the lure presentation…..twich…twitch..pause…. was the right action you wanted to give the bait. I actually had my hands in my pockets and allowed the bait to drift down stream without giving the lure any action, when the bass would hit. 

When the weather turns cold…..don’t put your fishing gear away, but try for some coldwater smallmouths, you’ll have a ball. ” That’s quaranteed!”

Tight lines, Scott

Watch the show for more tips!

Check out this clip from the Coldwater Smallmouth Show

Float Tube

This is the most important weapon in your night fishing arsenal. You want one that lets you sit up high above the water, is comfortable, and maneuvers easily. As long as it does this and stays afloat, you’re in good shape. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good float tube. Don’t let fly shops and outfitters tell you differently. And don’t worry; the “what lies beneath” concerns go away very quickly. Only the bottom or your legs actually touch the water.

Fins

In order to get around with some pace, you’ll need fins. Generally, the bigger the better, although you don’t want to be scraping the bottom in the shallows. You’ll learn to lean back in the raft to maximize speed. With only one night’s practice, you’ll be whipping around and turning on a dime in no-time. Without fins, it will take forever to get from A to B. Use them to steer the battle with a fish as well. For instance, kick away if trying to keep a running fish from finding the shoreline weeds.

Long Fishing Rod

It’s very important that the rod be nine feet or longer. You need this length to provide clearance above the water for your backcasts. As your casts grow longer, it will become increasingly more difficult to keep the entire line off the water as you cast. A stiff rod will help in this capacity. Also, a long rod held high will help steer the fight with a hooked fish.

Net

There’s no point in struggling with a fish in the darkness. Scoop it up with the net, keep it in the water and take your time. Without a net, you’re sure to have tangled mess of line in front of you after the release, that is, if the fish didn’t break the line with its thrashing. A net also allows for pictures. Fasten it to the boat and it will be out of your way.

If you’re up for it, there are some big fish to be caught at night. The weather’s cool, the fish are biting, and you’ll probably have the whole lake to yourself. Some things to watch out for: bats, mosquitoes, and the boogeyman.

I can personally attest to the difficulty of trying to teach somehow how, and why, to fish. I find that getting them there isn’t a problem, keeping them there is the real dilemma. Particularly to young people, fishing is boring. They just don’t understand why we’d want to stand in a stream for hours at a time, throwing bait at something that may or may not be there. If you plan to take on the difficult task of introducing someone to fishing, here are some tips:

• Explain why and where – Even before you go, be sure to tell them why you have a good chance at catching fish that day. Maybe mention the time you caught 10 fish in an hour where you’re going, or how it’s your favorite all-time spot.
• Keep it moving – Do not, under any circumstances, stay in one spot longer than a half hour if nothing is biting. Not only will they want to leave, but they’ll probably never want to go back.
• Keep it fun – There’s a place for seriousness in angling, and it’s not when a beginner is standing next to you. Play the fun angle at all times. Even during snags and break-offs, laugh it off and keep it fun.
• Put the rod in their hand – One of the oldest sales techniques is to “put it in their hand”. Let them try to cast and reel. Show them that the rod, reel, and line are all working in tandem, thus the difficulty, thus the fun. Be lenient and understanding when they hook the telephone wire above you, twice!
• Don’t show off – You want to look like you know what you’re doing but don’t act like you’re the best ever. Keep the technical jargon to a minimum as they won’t understand it anyway. Be humble even during constant success.
• Catch a fish – Easier said than done, but if you can hook on to a fish, they will get to see what it’s all about. Give them the rod and let them feel the pull. Instead of constant direction, turn away advice when they ask for help. Say, “It’s up to you now. Try to get him in and I’ll land him.” If/when they successfully reel it in, they’ll probably feel happy, proud, and ready to do it again.

Fishing can be fun for all ages and genders. And it really is fun to share the experience with someone else. So give a try, and maybe you’ll end up with a new fishing buddy.