ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Mass Bass Association ³ ³ ³ ³ Supporting Bass Fishing Throughout Massachusetts ³ ³ ³ ³ Mass Bass Electronic Newsletter ³ ³ ³ ³ Founded By Mark Linehan ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ ³ ³ Mass Bass Newsletter # 0005 ³ ³ ³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; DESCRIPTION SECTION LURE HINTS & TIPS 1 KEEP THAT LINE TIGHT 2 THUMB GUARDS 3 CASTING TECHNIQUES 4 LAKE CLEAN-UP SCHEDULE FOR 1994 5 LURE HINTS & TIPS THE HULA-POPPER While fishing during that brief warm period in the beginning of november I began using a new approach to using the hula-popper. While reeling in I got a bad tangle in my reel, and proceeded to untangle it. In the process of demystifying the lump of knots on my reel, I had three strikes on the hula popper which was zipping across the water in roughly 6 inch lengths, as I pulled and moved my rod about. So I decided to continue in this fashion once my reel was freed up again. I threw my line out, and let the lure sit until the ripples from its landing had all but subsided. Then I pulled my rod up a few inches, and the hula popper gurgled along the top of the water, wiggling just slightly as it came to a stop. This created a nice sound, and motion from the lure, and a fish broke the water almost immediately! It did not take the lure on that pass though. So I continued with this style and continued receiving strikes for quite a while, being as my hula-popper was given to me by someone else, I was fairly inexperienced with it, and for all I know, this might be the correct way to fish it. I was originally hopping it across the surface, and pausing in between hops. This did not get anywhere near the results I was getting by pulling it gently across the surface in a straight line. KEEP THAT LINE TIGHT Possibly one of the most important aspects to landing a large fish is keeping the line tight. This takes concentration and reflexes. This is where most of the skill in bass fishing is found in my opinion. That fish will sip back and forth, up and down, jumping clear out of the water. Keep that line tight, keep your rod high up if you have to. If the bass manages to get some slack in that line, he'll throw your bait out. Happens to the best of us. Keep them out of the weeds, pull them to the surface and over them if you need to. When the bass makes a turn, that is when you will lose it. During that turn is when he is attempting to create a momentary slack in the line, so he can shake your lure out of his mouth. Treble hooks, in my experience, are the easiest hooks for a fish to throw. So be sure to set your hook hard, and keep your line tight. Don't stop to admire Bubba, until you have him out of the water, or you will lose him. THUMB GUARDS After a long hard day of good large mouthing, have you noticed that soft spot between your thumb and index finger gets red and chaffed. Large mouth bass aren't exactly deadly, as far as their teeth go, but hook enough of them, and they will scrape the heck out of your thumb after a while. I have a solution to this however. Here's what you need. A tight fitting waterproof glove and a 12 inch strip of shoelace. Cut the thumb out of the glove, right along the seam for the thumb if there is one, or roughly an inch past the base of your thumb if there is no seam. Punch two holes, one on each side of the gloves thumb (not yours). Cut the lace in two even pieces, and insert one end of each piece through the holes in the thumb. Tie knots so that the lace does not slip back through. You may have to make large knots depending on how large the holes you made are. That's it! Slip it on your thumb, and tie it around your hand so that it feels tight but comfortable. Don't tie it around your wrist because it will rub and irritate your wrist when you are reeling in. CASTING TECHNIQUES Fliiping, pitching, casting, there are so many various ways you can cast depending on the area you are fishing. I would like to hear from the readers about how they cast, and why they cast that way. If you are interested in submitting an article about casting, or anything else involving bass fishing, submit to the address at the end of this newsletter. LAKE CLEAN-UPS Here are the LAKE CLEAN UP schedule's for next spring. Please make a note of this schedule, and join us, I will supply trash bags, and refreshments if I know how many people are going to show up. 1st SATURDAY, APRIL: Paradise Pond, Paradise Road, Wenham MA. 3rd SATURDAY, MAY: Sluice Pond, Boat Landing Near Senior Center, Lynn MA. 2nd SATURDAY, JUNE: Brown's Pond, Basketball Courts, Peabody MA. All lake clean-up events will begin at about 12:00 noon. So be sure to show up, announce your presence, and get your trashbag(s). Anyone willing to donate SOFT DRINKS, TRASH BAGS, or MONEY to help sponsor these lake clean-ups can send them to the address at the end of this newsletter. THE MASS BASS ASSOCIATION A non-profit organization dedicated to BASS fishing in and around Massachusetts MEMBERSHIP FOR 1994 IS ONLY $5.00 To join the MASS BASS ASSOCIATION: Submit your Name, Address, Phone # to MASS BASS ASSOCIATION 32 Beaver Street Salem, MA 01970 This is a brand new organization, and we don't offer much yet, but that is why membership is $5.00 As we grow and we can offer things for becoming a member we will charge a modest membership fee. All money brought in will be used to FURTHER "The MASS BASS Association", and to sponsor various events involving BASS Fishing such as the following: Lake & Pond Cleanups Tournaments Purchase & Evaluation Of New Fishing Products The collection and distribution of pertinent information We Need Your Help! That's right, we need the help of other bass fishermen in and around Massachusetts who are willing to send us the following: Hints & Tips Lure Reviews Lake & Pond Reviews Information on conventions and seminars and any information that pertains to Bass Fishing in Massachusetts All submissions are done voluntarily and no fees are paid for this information. All information and submissions become the property of The MASS BASS Association. Send submissions to The MASS BASS Association 32 Beaver Street Salem, MA 01970