Anglers Rarely Tell the Whole Story

Every seasoned angler knows the truth of how they caught their fish, but most hold back a key ingredient in their tales of success.

With GoPro and LIVE tournament videos, the “secrets” are now visible to the angler’s trained eye. 

 Recently, I was able to join the FLW Marshal program near my home on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. I rode with Collegiate Champion Corey Neece on day one. 



Collegiate Pro Corey Neece





My second day angler was FLW Tour Pro David Dudley. David is a seasoned pro who weighed in a 21 pound, 5-bass limit on day one. As his Marshal, I was prepared to gain exclusive knowledge that no one else would know about. I must admit, David Dudley surprised me when he talked directly to his GoPro YouTube followers and explained the “key ingredient” to catching his first bass of the day-two morning. Little did I know, David shares all his practice and tournaments on his YouTube channel. I highly recommend you subscribe to his channel: David Dudley Outdoors Day1 Video

 

FLW Pro David Dudley

Casting a sinko around in the Kissimmee grass is nothing new to bass anglers, but the “secret” was in his observation and reason for making that rewarding cast. He noticed a single stalk of grass that moved and indicated a fish probably chasing baitfish. He shared his entire thought process on his YouTube summary! Check it out: David Dudley Outdoors Day2

Most of the time fishing success doesn’t come exclusively from the bait used, but more importantly, from the reason it was used or how. For example, David cast his sinko into pad clumps on Kissimmee Chain of Lakes during the FLW Tour event. Something I’ve done many times in my own fishing career. However, due to lack of wind he held the rod high, and used the sag in his line to painstakingly pull the bait slowly through the pads. Something I have never done.

Next time you watch a live tournament event, be sure to look for those “secrets” that anglers rarely share but are visible on video.

Be sure to subscribe to David's Instagram @DavidDudleyFish for up to date "how to" postings.

Want to know about aquatic plants or lake conditions on Kissimmee or Okeechobee? Go over to my website and hit the tab "Jeff Holland Fishing - Plant and Lake Info”.

Remember, plants are habitat, no matter if they are newly growing or under a plant control program. The hydrilla and pad field where David Dudley caught his 21 pound bag on day one was on a shallow flat of hydrilla that had been treated and was sparse and dying.

Hope you enjoy this short video on the Marshal experience.

Video Short: Marshal experience on Lake Toho 


Thanks for checking out my blog.
Jeff Holland“Aquatic Biology for Anglers”

JeffHollandFishing.com

Working Through The Kinks

When I prepped my rods for Smith Lake I imaged the different fishing situations I would encounter and tied on lures accordingly. When I arrived, the water was 10 feet higher than the last Southern Open here in the fall of 2012. That through me visually, I did not recognise a lot of areas.

With the water level nearly at full pool, the shorelines I remembered from 2012 are now ten feet under. I fished everything I knew. By 3pm I had not caught a fish, so I cut off all my anticipated lures. Then I tied on lures that I know and have confidence in. 

I started reading the shoreline and fishing more on instinct. I even found three gulls diving on bait that showed me were schoolers had been...waypoint. LOL. 

Being from Florida, deep, clear water lakes can be intimidating. But bass are bass, so don't let a little thing like 100ft of water keep you from fishing that sunken tree you find. 

It's too early to share the baits and techniques I'm using, but I will in the end. I caught one little bass..and I mean little.  

 That fish was key to start my understanding of what the fish wanted. Move around and started catching better fish. 

The homes here are amazing 

This house pictured below had its own water fall under the glass walkway!  

The  natural scenery is spectacular. Speaking of waterfalls, they are everywhere. 

 Hope you enjoyed my first practice day.