15 minute read
Bass University
by PETE ROBBINS :: for TF&G and Bass University
Hanselman: Dragonfl ies for Late Summer Bass
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM tells us that when Texas is at its ho est, in the depths of summer when sweat runs down the back of our neck by seven a.m., it pays to go deep for bass. at may mean plying o shore structure with a giant crankbait, a football jig or a Carolina rig. On lakes with verdant elds of grass, it o en means punching “scrapes”— caverns under the thickest hydrilla where the giants gang up.
Legendary Amistad guide and Bassmaster Elite Series competitor Ray Hanselman loves to ip, and he excels at it. However, he admits that “sometimes it can get monotonous,” especially if the bite is not as hot as the weather. When that’s the case, he’ll a ack the opposite end of the water column.
“ ere’s always some sh that go dirt shallow in hot weather,” he said. “I’ve seen it on Amistad, Choke and Rayburn, they’ll be up there in the middle of the day. Go as far back in a creek as you can go, even places where the water looks stagnant. ere will o en be bass back there. Bass will be any place there is food, and there are always some bluegills in places like that.”
Bluegills may be the main draw, but they’re not the only draw. One late summer pa ern that Hanselman has seen repeat itself tme and again is a distinct topwater bite where bass are keyed in on big dragon ies.
He’s not sure whether there’s some evolutionary reason for this. “ ey may be burning more energy that what they can possibly eat.” Still, it’s fun to watch and even more fun to chase.
“It’s especially good if the water has just come up,” he explained. “I like to look for places where there’s not just grass, but also some bushes on the water.
When you nd a place like that, just sit and watch. It’s like a cartoon when you see the sh go a er the dragon ies. It’s like someone throwing sh in the air.” He’ll o en see the sh lying in wait, and key spots are simple sticks in the water where a bass can wait to ambush something that lands.
Besides the visual aspect of this process, another thing that makes it fun is that topwaters are o en the best tool to make these sh bite. Hanselman’s key lures for this pa ern include a black Strike King Sexy Dawg and a small popper like the KVD Splash.
Because the dragon ies’ wings make a buzzing noise on the surface of the water, he also tries to replicate that using tools such as a prop bait or a buzzbait with a Rage Toad on the back. His favorite rod for just about all of these techniques is the ultra-versatile, heavy-action Power Tackle LPC675: “It has the right amount of give for topwaters, and I can use it for a wide range of baits, everything from a small popping bait up to a buzzbait.” e most important thing about this dragon y pa ern,” he said, “is that when you nd sh that are keyed in on it, they’re generally pre y easy to catch: “If you see one blow up and get in the general area, you’ll usually catch him.” He added that while it may not consistently produce the same quality as dropping a big jig or a heavy creature bait into a scrape, “you can catch big sh doing it if the lake has them.” He catches plenty of sh in the ve- to six-pound and larger range every year this way, and he o en has the areas all to himself. at doesn’t mean it’s always easy, though. If it’s not happening, or the sh aren’t in that
“ ere’s always some sh that go dirt shal- zone, you can’t force it to work. low in hot weather,” he said. “I’ve seen It also seems to go away by late September, it on Amistad, Choke and Rayburn, as groups of fronts roll through the Lone Star they’ll be up there in the middle of State and the once-abundant dragon ies disthe day. Go as far back in a creek appear. While it’s in play, however, it can save as you can go, even places where your day or your tournament performance. the water looks stagnant. ere “It’s another tool you can put in will o en be bass back there. your box,” he explained. “Especially Bass will be any place there is when it’s cloudy or the bass are not food, and there are always some grouped up o shore or under the bluegills in places like that.” grass, this is something extra you can
Bluegills may be the main draw, look for.” but they’re not the only bite. Hanselman’s key lures for this pa ern include a black Strike King Sexy Dawg and a small popper like the KVD Splash. zone, you can’t force it to work. It also seems to go away by late September, as groups of fronts roll through the Lone Star State and the once-abundant dragon ies disappear. While it’s in play, however, it can save your day or your tournament performance. “It’s another tool you can put in your box,” he explained. “Especially when it’s cloudy or the bass are not grouped up o shore or under the grass, this is something extra you can look for.” Ray Hanselman Email Pete Robbins at ContactUs@fi shgame.com ContactUs@fi shgame.com
ENÉE THORNTON GREW UP IN rural Canada where hunting and farming are ingrained into the culture. Despite a lifelong awareness of hunting, she never pursued it until a er thinking deeply about how animals were raised in factory farms. at inspired a quest to obtain her meat from the natural world and brought her to the conclusion hunting could be the solution. “I nally decided in 2016 to take the rst step,” she said. “It was not easy, and I sort of fumbled a few times. But, I am tenacious and got involved with the Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta Chapter and other groups and agencies. I was dead set on making this work.”
Although many of our rst successful hunts were for rabbits or doves, Renée’s came in the form of a bear hunt in Northern Alberta in 2017.
Since then, she has taken axis deer in Texas, other game around the continent and has spent lots of time shing. However, her even bigger passion is helping other women to get started hunting.
“I had some de nite challenges ge ing started,” she said. “As I talk to women from all around, I hear the same things. I’m excited to be part of something that will help o er solutions for women who want to hunt and pursue the great outdoors.” ornton holds the chair of Women Hunt™, an outreach of e Wild Sheep Foundation that seeks cu ing-edge solutions to connect women to the great outdoors. One of those solutions is a special project at the FTW Ranch, in the rugged Texas Hill Country near Barksdale.
“With partners such as the FTW Ranch, we’ve created a special opportunity for 12 women from around the country not only to go on their rst hunt, but learn the skills necessary to make it a lifelong pursuit,” ornton said.
A endees were selected through e Wild Sheep Foundation and its regional chapters and a liates such as the Texas Bighorn Society.
Painstaking detail went into the application process, so all women who applied were given a fair shot without their identities known until they were selected.
An even greater level of care went into the project itself. e 12 lucky women provide their own airfare to San Antonio, but the rest is taken care of by WSF. at includes WSF and sponsor swag, a Yeti 65-quart cooler to ship their meat back home in and more. e women will tour the ranch to see game and learn to properly identify each species in the eld.
ABOVE: Renée Thornton bagged this big bear on her fi rst successful hunt in Northern Alberta.
PHOTO COURTESY RENEE THORNTON PHOTO: USFWS
Renee Thornton believes Women Hunt will inspire and empower many women to hunt and become hunter-conservationists.
“We want this to be an experience they will never forget,” ornton said. “ ey will get a detailed course in game identi cation and in this case, will be learning to distinguish whitetails from exotics as part of that. e hunt is for a whitetail doe, which ties in with helping the ranch meet their management goals.” e ladies will go through rearms training and will have an opportunity to use Weatherby ri es, which they will learn to shoot out to 300 yards.
“ e goal is for each lady to harvest a doe,” ornton said, “but if they are not all successful for whatever reason, the meat will be shared. Sharing our wild game is important. WSF and Women Hunt want to inspire the participants to share their game,”
A wild game cooking specialist will come to the ranch to train participants in venison preparation from eld-dressing to being able to properly butcher the meat.
“We want to empower these ladies to have the con dence to be able to hunt, harvest and feed their families as well as share with their community,” ornton said.
An important part of the program is learning the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. It is the proven system that through partnering with hunters and anglers, has seen wildlife populations soar into the 2000s a er the slaughter of the 1800s.
“I saw Becky Humphries, Executive Director of the National Wild Turkey Federation, deliver an incredible speech on the North American Model,” ornton said. “We have her recording one for us so the ladies can hear it articulated by someone who exempli es that model in her work.” e women will also be encouraged to share the story of their rst hunt through outreach back home. at might be speaking for a local civic group, creating a social media presentation or talking with print and broadcast media.
“We’re very excited about this program,” ornton said. “We look forward to heading to the FTW Ranch for a special experience, not only for the 12 ladies but everyone involved in making it happen.” rough WSF’s Women Hunt™ program, women will not only learn to hunt, but learn to stand up for hunting and the conservation work it inspires. For more information visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt or call WSF at 406-404-8750.
12 ladies will get a chance to go on their fi rst hunt at the FTW Ranch near Barksdale courtesy of the WSF and their Women Hunt program. They will have a chance to harvest a whitetail doe and learn how to fi eld dress, process and cook the meat.
The SAAM Program
The Sportsman’s All Terrain All Weather Marksmanship (SAAM) program takes place at the FTW Ranch. This program has three branches, SAAM New Hunter Training, SAAM Precision, and SAAM Safari for sportsmen and women of all interests.
All are designed to help shooters and hunters become highly profi cient under different conditions. In the case of the New Hunter program, it includes wildlife identifi cation and ethics.
For more information on FTW Ranch and the SAAM program, go to ftwsaam. com.
FFSHORE FISHING GETS IN YOUR blood. Hooking up with a hard-hitting king mackerel and connecting with a lifelong angling dream like a blue marlin, does something to a person.
It makes them want to pursue bluewater action, but to do so effectively you need the right kind of gear. Calcuttaoutdoors.com has a huge array of equipment including Sea Striker’s impressive collection of offshore rigs. Let’s take a look at some of the best options for offshore anglers through Calcuttaoutdoors.com.
CEDAR PLUG DAISY CHAIN: Cedar plugs are one of the most effective sport fishing lures. These daisy chains are rigged with 130-pound mono, three four-inch cedar plugs and one six-inch cedar plug with a 10/0 hook. When pulled behind a boat, the daisy chain resembles bait fish which in turn raise the game fish. They’re available in natural wood and painted variations packed in a reusable mesh pouch.
TROLLING PLANERS: The planer takes your lure down deep without heavy sinkers. While in trolling position, the planer runs at a 45¼-degree angle. When a fish is hooked, it returns to the surface. All sizes feature a rugged stainless steel blade and large brass ring to assure a clean trip. Models 4 and 5 are also available braced.
SEA BIRD TEASERS: The Sea Striker Sea Bird is an excellent teaser to use in front of a primary lure. Birds are effective teasers when used individually or in a daisy chain. They feature teddy bear eyes and an epoxy finish. The end connections are made from stainless steel wire and are welded for superior strength.
BALLYHOO LURES-RIGGED: Ballyhoo rigs are made with a 3/8-ounce ballyhoo lure, 7766-7/0 Mustad hook, ½-ounce egg sinker, copper wire, and 12 feet of 100pound mono. ese rigs are professionally tied to work e ectively with a natural ballyhoo. ey’re made with straight nylon.
BALLYHOO RIG: is is a ¼-ounce Sea Bug rigged and ready to sh. It’s professionally rigged on 100-pound mono lament with a 7/0 hook, a bait spring, wire nose tab and chin weight. Just add the ballyhoo. It comes complete with instructions.
EXPLORER TACKLE BAG: Organize your tackle e ciently and securely with the Explorer Tackle Bags. e main storage compartment includes four tackle trays. External pockets provide additional storage. ere’s an exterior pliers holster on a side pocket for easy tool access and easy-grip zipper pulls for e ortless opening, even with wet hands. A padded adjustable shoulder strap allows hands-free transport. Its dimensions: 17.25 x 9.5 inches.
DOUBLE DROP SPOT & KINGFISH RIGS: is is a double drop rig for spots, king sh and other small to medium size sh for the frying pan or for o shore bait. e one-inch uorescent oats keep the bait o the bo om and away from crabs. e rig has #6 plated hooks, a #7 barrel swivel and a large loop for sinker a achment.
ALUMINUM GAFFS: (Gold Anodized) e gold series is designed to match the bluewater sherman’s gold or black color o shore reels. ey feature salt-resistant, bright-gold anodized handles, stainless hook and black grips. Ga s up to three feet have one grip. All ga s four feet and above have two hand grips designed to o er maximum holding power with wet hands. e hook is made from the strongest quality stainless steel available. Each hook is hand sharpened with a knife-edge point. Unlike round points cut on a lathe, the tip of the point will not lay over if a bone is struck while ga ng a sh.
WAHOO TROLLING KIT: is kit includes a yoyo to keep gear spooled on. It also includes a 911storage bag, 24-ounce trolling lead rigged on 150-pound cable, and 25 feet of 150-pound mono leader.
BULBHEAD SQUID: A Bulbhead Squid is popular for rigging spreader bars and daisy chains. It’s available in three sizes and multiple a ractive colors.
Xplorer Tackle Bag
Renegade Fish Cooler
Sea Bird Teaser
Wahoo Trolling Kit
Ballyhoo Lure Rigged
Trolling Planers
WRAP AROUND FIGHTING BELT: Big sh require long ghts and sometimes the only way to get it done is by wearing a ght belt.
WRAP AROUND FIGHTING BELT WITH SWIVEL GIMBAL: is is the perfect ghting belt for any inshore or light o shore application. Built from durable impactresistant materials, these ghting belts o er a quick and easy application system, allowing you to gear up at a moment’s notice. e spring loaded “wrap around” style arms quickly and rmly grab hold of the angler’s waist, eliminating the need to fumble around with adjustable straps or buckles when the sh of a lifetime is on the line. e non-slip, padded backing helps keep the belt securely in place. At the center of the belt is a swiveling gimbal that allows the user to ght from a wide variety of angles that gives the angler the upper hand.
RENEGADE FISH COOLER XL: A good day o shore shing means good eats to bring back home. at means you need a high quality cooler. Renegade sh cooler kill bags feature a high quality waterproof zipper and a wide opening for easy access when loading or unloading ice and sh. ey are also loaded with open cell foam insulation for superior insulating properties to keep your catch cool and fresh. It’s durable, tough and lightweight with carry handles and a padded shoulder strap for easy transport, and it folds down for easy storage. Its dimensions are 68 x 24 inches.
Finding a ordable, quality o shore gear usually isn’t easy, but Calcu aoutdoors.com makes it that way. Check it out, not only for your bluewater needs, but for everything from bay to bass shing
Calcu aoutdoors.com is not only a place to nd gear for shing, but also to learn how to use it. From articles on how to properly spool a reel to tips on lleting sh, there is plenty to explore at the resource center.
Also check out the video section for the latest in product demonstrations from the many product lines available. is includes a category for O shore Gear.
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