Welcome to the BassBlaster, your daily email about all things bassin’. Hey – forward this Blaster to a bassin’ bud, willya?
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Today’s Top 3
His nickname’s “ardilla” – Spanish for “squirrel” – and the Mex authorities say he’s responsible for all kinds of bad stuff including the 2010 shooting of an American jet skiier on Falcon Lake. Just in case there’s any doubt this is a bad dude:
> A spokesman for the Mexican Navy said Escobedo, 31, is suspected of killing 50 people “with his own hands,†and ordering the murders of hundreds more — including American David Hartley.
> According to authorities, the Zeta leader also ordered the beheading of the Mexican police investigator handling the Hartley case, and Escobedo is the suspected mastermind in the murders of 72 migrants found on a ranch in San Fernando.
> Escobedo is also suspected of ordering the murders of 200 people, mostly migrants traveling through Tamaulipas, found in a mass grave in the border state.
Awful.
2. Classic Wild Card tourney announced.
In brief: Starting December 2013, 175-boat field, Elite pros who didn’t make the Classic first, then Open anglers who fish all 3 Opens, $2K entry fee. I like it. What Elite pro Charlie Hartley thinks:
> I couldn’t be happier with what they’re doing.
> I hope I don’t qualify for the Bassmaster Classic Wild Card Tournament next December but if I do you can bet your last dollar I’ll be there.
> Fishing the Elites is a life changing decision. Fishing all three Opens in one division may not be life changing but it’s still a serious financial and personal commitment. What’s wrong with B.A.S.S. giving those of us who do that another, last chance shot at a Classic?
> It creates a real incentive to join B.A.S.S. and become active in our sport. There’s nothing like a shot at the Classic to make a guy get up early in the morning and go fishing. And the entry fee is more than reasonable.
3. Bass Champs goes to 3-fish limits.
One of the best team trails in the country is going to a 3-fish limit next year. If that sounds like a huge change, it is – and isn’t. Remember that limits used to be more than 5 fish, and what changed?
I’ll opine on this hopefully tomorrow or later in the week. Either way, props to them for trying something new…and of course, ducking the negative comments that come with ANYTHING new in bassin’!
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Tip of the Day
> I’ve found that southern bass don’t chase spinnerbaits the same way northern bass do. In Michigan, the fish want the bait moving fast – in the south, they want it a tad slower.
> I use a medium retrieve with big spinnerbaits for fall reservoir fishing. The shad are larger and the bass are targeting bigger baitfish, so a big spinnerbait moving at a medium pace is an irresistible target.
> I prefer to throw 1/2- or 3/4-ounce spinnerbaits with willowleaf blades but will upsize the rear blade to a No. 5 instead of the standard 4 1/2.
> I will put a plastic trailer on the bait, or use a full-size skirt with a trailer built into it.
> I’ll look for those grass beds on flats or points that are reasonably close to deep water. On lakes without grass, I still fish points on the main lake and the secondary points of major creeks.
> I like to reel the spinnerbait with a medium retrieve and pop the rod every 10 feet or so. If I have a fish following, I’ll snap the rod to trigger them to bite.
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Quote of the Day
The fish were there. You just had to fish for them a little differently.
– Smith Lake Open winner Hank Cherry on using 5-lb line and 3″ swimbaits. He also said: “Everybody else was running 30 or 40 miles. I never did that. I stayed pretty close because I noticed I had nobody around me.”
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Shot of the Day
This kid stole my fish! (Lol – nice bass, wish it was mine!)
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