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03/28/2009
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| MARCH / APRIL LAKE FORK REPORT |
You have got to love this Texas weather! One day your in shorts sight fishing, the next your bundled up trying to find where they moved off too.
My report is going to be about the same for both March and April. Mainly concentrating on bed fish, and fish cruising the flats and shallows. The main thing still is "Warm Water" like around 63 degrees. I have noticed in the past couple of weeks, that when the water drops under 59, the bite gets a little tougher. You can pretty much find a consistency all over the lake right now. I fished 3 different parts of the lake just last week alone, and was able to do about the same thing every where I went. Here's what we are doing:
Baits:
I am basically throwing 3 baits right now.
First, is a sight fishing bait. I have been sticking to more natural colors in craws and lizards. I see many boats on the lake flipping white baits on beds, and thats fine. You will get bit on them. But your natural colors will get you bit twice as fast, normally on the first 2 or 3 flips.
It's been pretty simple. When I see a bed, the first thing I do is see what the fish does. If she moves off fast, and doesn't return quick, she will be hard to catch, and you will most likely spend alot of time there. I look for the fish that either just barely move off and come right back, or simply make a quick 360 degree turn. These are fish you can catch pretty fast, and not waste most of your day. Flip or cast your bait PAST the bed and let the bait fall on the top edge of the bed. The reason I say this is because many angler will try to put the bait in the middle of the bed, but then you only have half the bed to work with. Use the whole bed. I am using alittle bit heavier rod this year so I can get them away from the grass and stumps quickly. The new 7'1" Argon by Kistler in a Heavy action has been the ticket. www.kistlerrods.com This rod will absolutely get them out and to the boat immediately!
Second, is a whacky worm set up on a 6'9" MH Kistler Argon rod. On these, Im using a Gamakatsu circular whacky hook 2/0 with the weed guard and 15 lbs. florocarbon line. www.gamakatsu.com The bait of choice has been a GrandeBass Rattlesnake in Watermelon Candy in clearer water, and Trophy Hunter in dingier water. www.grandebass.com I am usually throwing this on the colder days or if Im looking for beds. It's always good to have some kind of bait in the water, even if your just looking around. Make long cast and SLOWLY work this bait back with a twitch, twitch and let it fall.
Third is a drop-shot rig. I am also casting this around the same areas as the whacky worm and using the same presentation with it. On these, I have gone down to a smaller bait, a 4 in. GrandeBass Finesse Worm in Black. I know what many people think, "Why fish Fork with a finesse rig?" Well, in our last tournament, I was fortunate enough to hook into a fish somewhere in the 10 to 14 lbs. range on this rig. I ended up losing the fish right at the boat, on a mistake I made. You can catch some really big fish on lighter rigs on the lake. Not only drop shots, but shaky heads as well.
Location:
The location is pretty simple right now. The backs of creeks is the best place to start looking, then just make your way out. There are fish all over the lake right now on beds. For those that dont believe in sight fishing, you can still catch these fish in the same locations with other presentations.
I would like to take a minute and thank two of my newest sponsors for 2009. Gamakatsu hooks and Black Angel Jigs. Alexander and Townsend brought me on board with Gamakatsu after the Bass Pro Shop Spring Calssic, and I'm more than excited to be representing them. I have been using their hooks since I can remember, and now have a chance to have feedback in products in the field and design process's.
The second is Black Angel Jigs. Gabe makes one of the best jigs I have thrown and flipped. Strong hooks and materials which means no bending hooks, and no skirts falling apart. I used these jigs a bunch last month, and absolutely love them. If you get time, check out Gabe's selection of jigs at www.blackangeljigs.com.
Also remember to those of you coming in from out of town to fish the spawn on Lake Fork, I highly recommend staying at Lake Fork Marina. They will take care of you and make you feel right at home. Give them a call or check out their website at www.lakeforkmarina.com for available dates.
If you are interestd in the Boat Lanes chip for your graph, showing most of the running lanes on the lake, check out www.lakeforkreport.com and buy one today!
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05/28/2008
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| ARTICLE ON SPONSORSHIP AND MARKETING BY DAREN COLE AT SKEETER BOATS |
"We look at several factors when selecting our top pro staff positions. No two pro staffers offer the same things," says Daren Cole, marketing manager for Skeeter Boats.
Talk to Daren Cole, marketing manager for Skeeter Boats, about paid pro staff positions and you'll talk about the total package.
"We look at several factors when selecting our top pro staff positions. No two pro staffers offer the same things. There are, however, several core factors that we take into consideration when making our choices. Obviously, the more of them a pro can offer, the more likely it is we'll use him or her."
The factors and choices he's referring to include the following:
1. Promo-ability — In the language of Skeeter Boats, "pro" stands for promo-ability, not professional.
"National recognition by fishing fans is very important to us. We look at the angler following any potential pro staffer has before making our decision. We like promo-ability. It's important that local anglers view our pro staff as knowledgeable, that they respect their ability to fish and that they like and admire him or her."
A word of caution is in order here. Cole is talking about selling boats, so he uses the term promo-ability rather than professional. That doesn't mean, however, that professionalism in its broader definition isn't important. Looking and acting the part matters.
Not shaving in the morning; wearing filthy, sweat stained shirts; using foul language in public; or conduct that reflects badly on the brand will not be tolerated.
2. Understanding marketing — An understanding of marketing principles is critical.
"We want our pro staff to have a solid working knowledge of marketing, promotions and advertising. And, we expect them to work those principles on their own. Our men and women are expected to bring something to the business that we can't always do on our own or with our existing team. They should add something to Skeeter Boats."
Cole also wants anglers who understand the basics of the industry.
"A basic understanding of boat manufacturing, knowledge of our distribution concepts and solid dealer relationships matter to us. They're part of the overall package we're looking for in a top pro staffer. We want men and women who can answer questions from the buying public in an honest and knowledgeable fashion. That's the way we build a long-term relationship with our customers."
3. An ability to catch fish — After all, this is about fishing.
"Fishing and finishing at the top — or at least near the top — is critical. We want our pros to be successful. That'll keep them and us before the fishing and outdoors public. And, to be blunt, it's the only factor that's not subjective at some level. Either you do catch fish or you don't. It can be measured."
4. Financial stability — Being financially stable and reliable is critical.
"Our top anglers all have the resources to last more than one season. We don't want men or women who are operating on a shoestring or who might not be back next year. Our relationships are designed to be long-term and stable. We want our anglers to be the same way.
"Also, we want our top people to have more than one major sponsor. They cannot — and should not — rely solely on one or two sponsors to pay the bills."
5. Work with the media — An ability to work amicably and effectively with the media is very important.
"Media relationships are important and the best ones are a two-way street. Pro staffers must be able to place our brand in the media and they must be the type of angler who has the media contact them. There's no substitute for that."
As a practical matter, that means doing interviews when you've had a tough day, lost a big one at the boat or simply finished below where you should have. It also means being available for photos when you're tired and would rather get something to eat or go to bed.
And, most important of all it means talking to the media and returning their telephone calls promptly. That's the easiest and quickest way to develop a media presence in the fishing industry. As one writer puts it, "Call me back and I call again. Don't call me back, and I won't call you again."
Developing a top position with a boat company like Skeeter isn't easy. This is a serious company looking for serious men and women.
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