CONTENTS FEATURED ANGLER:
PG.3
JASON LAMBERT
Lucky Tackle Box and FLW Tour Pro Jason Lambert has built a solid reputation as one of the best in the business of bass fishing.
TIPS & TECHNQUES:
PG.5
THREE STAGES OF THE SPAWN
No matter where you live, during the month of April you can almost guarantee that bass in your local body of water will be in one of these spawning stages.
FISHHOUND BREAKDOWN:
PG.7
THE BENEFITS OF BALSA Balsa crankbaits are as old school as it comes, but the top anglers in the country know the reasons why they are still in high demand.
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:
PG.11
TEAM LUCKY 6 social media feeds you need to follow!
PG.12
LUNAR CHARTS Find out the best dates and times to get out on the water this month!
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JASON LAMBERT:
LTB’S TOP GUN ON THE WATER by Fishhound Staff
To say 2016 was a good year for Jason Lambert might be a bit of an understatement. The Lucky Tackle Box FLW Tour Pro started off winning $105,000 in the first tournament of the season, the FLW Costa Series on Lake Okeechobee. He followed that up with another $125,000 win on Kentucky Lake. If that wasn’t enough, Lambert also became the host of the nationally syndicated TV show, the Bass Dr. which airs on WFN (World Fishing Network), as well as Fox Sports. Known as a Tennessee River expert, Lambert is always dangerous at places like Pickwick, Kentucky and Wheeler. Breaking onto the FLW Tour in 2014, he didn’t waste any time making his presence known, landing two top ten finishes and being named Rookie of the Year. He is now considered one of the top professional anglers in the sport and has definitely shown that he belongs there.
FUN FACTS: •
Got his start fishing for crappie and catfish. He didn’t start bass fishing until his early teens.
•
Won his first major tournament in 2003, the Bass Federation Regional on Wheeler Lake.
•
As host of The Bass Dr., Lambert filmed shows everywhere from Florida to California
•
While filming an episode on Clear Lake, CA with LTB’s Travis Moran, they combined to catch a limit of bass over 35 pounds.
Travis Moran Says….
“It is not very often that everything works out perfectly when you’re filming a TV show, but our day on the water at Clear Lake was by far one of my best fishing experiences ever. Jason is a great guy and an amazing fisherman. Watch out for more big wins from him in the future!”
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TIPS & TECHNIQUES:
3 STAGES OF THE SPAWN by Andrew Schadegg
No matter where you are in the country, chances are that in the month of April you’re going to have bass in your local water that are in one or more stages of the spawn. In fact, many times you’ll actually have bass that are in all three stages of the spawn at the same time. Some will be in pre-spawn, some in the spawn and others recovering in the post-spawn period. Here are some tips to locating bass in all stages of the spawn (and how to catch them!):
STAGE 1: Pre-Spawn The few weeks before bass make their bed to lay their eggs can be some of the best fishing of the year. Typically, bass aggressively feed as they leave their deep winter spots and start moving to shallower water. This is a great time to throw reaction lures like jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits (like the Vicious Extreme Vibe in this month’s box), swimbaits and even topwater. Target main points and secondary points leading into large cuts or coves and keep moving until you find those active feeders.
STAGE 2: Spawn When bass pair up with their mates and start hanging around in the shallow water, you know it’s spawning time. Bass like to make their beds in the very back of coves or small bays, near structure like a rock pile, dock piling, submerged stump or other structure for protection. When you see the dark circle of a spawning bed and bass holding on it, cast brighter colored plastics like craw-style baits (like the Mister Twister Buzz Bug in this month’s box), creature baits, or senkos in and around the bed. When you see that bait disappear, set the hook!
STAGE 3: Post-Spawn Fishing can be tough for a couple weeks after the spawning period, so if you can still fish for pre-spawn or spawning bass, they might be easier to pattern. When bass are recovering after the spawn, they typically start to head towards deeper water for the remaining summer months. Targeting post-spawn fish can be effective with deeper crankbaits or plastics (like the Lake Lunker Finesse Worm in this month’s box) on the first drop-off outside of a spawning bay. You can also catch them shallow in the morning and evening on faster moving reaction baits and topwater.
FH | 7
FISHHOUND BREAKDOWN:
BAGLEY BAITS
THE BENEFITS OF BALSA Written by Andrew Schadegg
Like many other trends in fishing that revert back to vintage techniques, cranking with balsa wood baits has the benefits of an older approach that is still extremely effective. Lure manufacturers like Bagley Baits are well-known for making their crankbaits out of balsa wood (such as the Balsa Shad in the April Lucky Tackle Box). Those who use them, swear they outperform the more common plastic baits, particularly in certain types of conditions and situations. The excitement surrounding baits made of this material is primarily due to a handful of characteristics that make it very unique.
Balsa’s Buoyancy One of the primary benefits of balsa is that it is extremely buoyant, much more so than a comparably sized plastic bait. This allows for better castability. The overall density of the balsa makes super-accurate, bullet-like casts possible, so getting into those hard-to-reach places is easier.
Most importantly, however, is how balsa baits deflect off of cover. You can cast it right into the thickest stuff and it’s going to bounce off of every branch, around dock pilings and over every stump. This is due to the fact that it quickly rises or floats up when paused, much faster than plastic crankbaits. Wherever you would throw a spinnerbait or a vibrating jig, you can throw a balsa crankbait without fear of getting hung up. If it does, just make sure to not set the hook, but jiggle or pop the bait out and most of the time it will come through unscathed.
Travis Moran Says…. “When I’m targeting laydowns and man-made structure, I don’t worry about getting a balsa crankbait stuck. I’ll fire targeted casts deep into wood cover, around branches and right under docks and pilings. The added buoyancy allows it to bounce right over and around anything in it’s path.”
Balsa’s Best Times of the Year Though many swear by balsa year round, there is no doubt that the peak times are during the hottest months of the summer and the coldest times of the winter. In the summer, bass get lethargic and don’t commit to baits as readily as they do other times of the year. Often, they follow behind a bait as you retrieve it, but will turn away before striking. With a balsa crankbait, you can implement a stop-andgo retrieve and with the fast rise rate of the bait, many times you have the ability to trigger a bass to attack. Similarly, in the coldest water temps of the winter, a balsa bait will deflect more easily than a plastic bait. As the water gets colder, it also gets denser, and the increased buoyancy of the balsa gives it more action than a plastic bait would have.
Quick Warnings Balsa is much more fragile than plastic, so keep it off the rocks and pay extra attention to your casts to avoid banging it off of docks or other structure when you cast. When you get some weeds on your bait, don’t slap it on the surface of the water like you do with a plastic crankbait. Pick the salad off the hooks or you’ll end up with a bait that’s split in half. Other than those few limitations, your balsa bait should be putting fish in the boat in no time and might just end up being a permanent fixture in your tackle box.
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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
6 SOCIAL FEEDS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW! by Fishhound Staff
Since it was founded, Lucky Tackle Box has been partnering with some of the biggest and best social media influencers in the fishing industry. The game is changing and anglers around the world are using their online platforms to post amazing pictures, talk about new products and discuss all things fishing. Whether it’s anglers catching giant bass in Florida, walleye in Wisconsin or a flycaught Rainbow from a river in Idaho, each month the Fishhound Magazine will be introducing you to the best of the best Instagram pages and YouTube channels that you should already be following and if you’re not, you better start!
Filthy Angler
Laura Cason
Age: 35 From: Westford, MA How did you get into fishing? My Dad would always take my brothers and I fishing at the local “duck pond” for sunfish. Fun Facts: I don’t eat fish. I have twin daughters, Lexi and Lucy (Age 6). I never bought or owned a music cd or tape growing up. I will put ketchup on almost anything. I played college baseball.
Age: 22 From: Tampa, Fl How did you get into fishing? My dad had an offshore boat that we went out on every weekend fishing. I really fell in love with the ocean. Fun Facts: I love to bow hunt. I love a challenge. I’m a fitness enthusiast. I have my aquatic pesticide applicator license I love seeing other women enjoy the outdoors the way I do.
Follow Filthy Angler on Social Media! @filthyanglers
Follow Laura on Social Media! @lauracasonoutdoors
Tall Fisherman J
Heidi Hill
Age: 24 From: South Florida How did you get into fishing? Got into fishing from my Dad and older brother around 7 or 8. Fun Facts: I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute. I enjoy skateboarding but I gave it up ‘cus it’s not for tall people. I love art. I was really into cars and used to go to the drag strip for race competitions. My accurate height is exactly 6’5”.
Age: 22 From: Cape Canaveral, FL How did you get into fishing? I’ve fished since I had the strength to hold a pole and have been in love with it ever since, thanks to my parents. Fun Facts: I’m a Pre-Veterinary Student. I’m a Certified Level II Nitrox Scuba Diver. I have a Schutzhund trained German Shepard. I have about 50 bikinis. I am half Norwegian.
Follow TFJ on Social Media! @Tallfishermanj /tallfishermanj15
Follow Catch Em All on Social Media! @Heidi_M_Hill
Megan Helms
Catch Em All
Age: 24 From: Charlotte, NC How did you get into fishing? I was recommended to try fly fishing as therapy while I was dealing with a chronic illness. Fun Facts: I’m a makeup artist, I’ve only been fly fishing for 1 year, my favorite fly is Wooly Bugger, Classic rock is what I’m always jamming to and catching musky on the fly is my goal for the year.
Age: 26 From: Pembroke Pines, FL How did you get into fishing? I started fishing in diapers & fell in love with the water after visiting Miami Seaquarium. Fun Facts: I ran track in College. I’m extremely athletic. I’m a freak about Dental Hygiene. I love working out. I will make everyone around me laugh or at least smile with a few kind words and will make a great time out of a dull empty situation.
Follow Megan on Social Media! @Barbieonthefly
Follow Catch Em All on Social Media! @Catch_Em_All_Fishing
FOLLOW US: @LuckyTackleBox
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SHOP&SAVE
Promo Code: LTBSAVESQ1 www.fishhound.com/tw $10 minimum purchase required.
BETTER FISHING TIMES USING THE SUN/MOON TO CATCH MORE FISH What are Astro tables and how does it work? Astro Tables are far more effective than moon tables because they take into account critical solar energies as well as lunar. PrimeTime data is based on solar/lunar research at a leading college of astrophysics and our own research pond/wildlife area. Annual data is supplied by the U.S. Naval Observatory. All lunar times are adjusted to the center of your time zone and for Daylight Saving Time.
VALUE
2017
LUNAR PERIODS
BEST DAYS POOR FAIR GOOD EXCL
MAY
TIMES OCCURRING AT NIGHT ARE SHADED MOON RISE
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
59 67 54 46 43 40
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
47 55 64 66 54 43 33
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
29 30 31 39 51 44 42
11:25 pm
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
46 59 72 86 95 85 75
3:24 am
Sun Mon Tue Wed
28 29 30 31
63 56 53 56
25 50 75
AVERAGE
For more, visit primetimes2.com
11:17 am
12:19 pm 1:21 pm 2:21 pm 3:20 pm 4:18 pm 5:14 pm 6:09 pm
7:04 pm 7:59 pm 8:53 pm 9:45 pm
10:36 pm
12:10 am 12:53 am 1:33 am 2:11 am
2:48 am
4:01 am 4:40 am 5:22 am
6:09 am 7:02 am 8:00 am 9:02 am
10:06 am 11:10 am
10:28 pm 12:13
PRIMARY
MOON OVERHEAD
MOON SET
4:51 pm - 8:032pm 5:49 pm - 8:55 pm 6:45 pm - 9:41 pm 7:41 pm - 10:23 pm 8:34 pm - 11:04 pm 9:25 pm - 11:41 pm
12:40 am
10:16 pm - 12:18 am 11:07 pm - Midnight Midnight - 12:55 am 12:01 am - 1:33 am 12:47 am - 2:13 am 1:37 am - 2:53 am 2:26 am - 3:38 am
4:43 am
3:16 am - 4:24 am 4:04 am - 5:12 am 4:50 am - 6:02 am 5:35 am - 6:53 am 6:19 am - 7:45 am 7:01 am - 8:39 am 7:42 am - 9:34 am 8:24 am - 10:32 am 9:08 am - 11:30 am 9:53 am - 12:33 pm 10:41 am - 1:37 pm 11:36 am - 2:42 pm 12:33 pm - 3:49 pm 1:33 pm - 4:53 pm 2:36 pm - 5:52 pm 3:38 pm - 6:48 pm 4:38 pm - 7:38 pm 5:34 pm - 8:24 pm
1:33 am 2:19 am 3:00 am 3:36 am 4:10 am
5:15 am 5:47 am
6:21 am 6:57 am 7:35 am 8:17 am 9:02 am 9:51 am
10:43 am 11:38 am
12:35 pm 1:34 pm 2:35 pm 3:39 pm 4:45 pm 5:53 pm
7:03 pm 8:14 pm 9:23 pm
10:27 pm 11:25 pm 12:15 am 12:59 am
PRIMARY
MOON UNDERFOOT
4:14 am - 7:34 am 5:16 am - 8:28 am 6:14 am - 9:20 am 7:10 am - 10:06 am 8:06 am - 10:48 am 8:59 am - 11:29 am
9:50 am - 12:06 pm 10:41 am - 12:43 pm 11:32 am - 1:20 pm 12:22 pm - 1:58 pm 1:12 pm - 2:38 pm 2:02 pm - 3:18 pm 2:51 pm - 4:03 pm 3:41 pm - 4:49 pm 4:29 pm - 5:37 pm 5:15 pm - 6:27 pm 6:00 pm - 7:18 pm 6:44 pm - 8:10 pm 7:26 pm - 9:04 pm 8:07 pm - 9:59 pm 8:49 pm - 10:57 pm 9:33 pm - 11:55 pm 10:18 pm - 12:58 am 11:06 pm - Midnight Midnight - 2:02 am 12:01 am - 3:07 am 12:58 am - 4:14 am 1:58 am - 5:18 am 3:01 am - 6:17 am 4:03 am - 7:13 am 5:03 am - 8:03 am
ANY LUNAR PERIOD IS ENHANCED WHEN IT OVERLAPS A KEY SOLAR PERIOD. THE BEST OF THESE OVERLAPS ARE DESIGNATED BY THE SUN SYMBOLS: = HIGH NOON = DAWN = DUSK
WHILE THE LESSER MOONRISE AND -SET OVERLAPS (ABOUT 30 MIN. BEFORE AND AFTER THE LISTED TIME) ARE DESIGNATED BY BOLD BLACK TYPE.
For more information and samples of PrimeTimes products, visit www.primetimes2.com
HALF
FULL Apogee
LOW
HALF
NEW & PERIGEE
HIGH
NEW