On Tue, 25 May 2004, Steve wrote:

This has been real hard for me because most of sources for bass
fishermen is written from a gearhead perspective.

I think a major source of the problem with regard to the latest literature
and theories on bass fishiing is how much the tournament circuit has
affected the techniques and approaches. These guys are interested in
covering lots of water, targeting the most aggressive fish and getting the
most fish to bite.

As a fly fisherman that is not my idea of fun. I like small ponds where
there is an intimate feeling. I like fishing from canoes in the shallows.
I like float tubing after midnight. I like wading among the reeds.

I've had occasions when the largemouth were keyed in on a mayfly emergence
and would only take a wooly bugger that was allowed to sink to the bottom
and was rapidly heading towards the surface.

Even when throwing hardware one of my favorite techniques is the use of an
unweighted wacky worm. It's a slow technique that requires taking 30 to
120 seconds to cover about a yard of water.

If you are forced into a boat with a hardware guy, consider learning to
fish with an integrated sinking head (like a Cortland QD or Teeny T line).
A laundry basket or wastepaper can at your feet will serve as an effective
line handling accessory. This will usually allow you to engage in a
little more aggressive retrieve.

Mu