I Gave A Brand New Rod And Reel To An Alligator For Free

One day a friend and I decided to go fishing in Florida. It was a beautiful day and we were going in my friend's boat, so we got up at 4 AM and was on our way for about an hour's drive. We finally got there and backed the boat into the water, I do want to say one thing, there are some primitive boat ramps in Florida.

First thing I noticed was all the alligators, now I'm not afraid of gators but I do respect them. My friend's boat has one problem, the socket where the trolling motor plugs in didn't work, so, you had to wire it directly to the battery, which was no big deal.

Well, I couldn't wait to get going, I had just bought a brand new rod and reel and this was going to be my first time trying it out. The reel was a new Shamano and the rod was one that I paid more for than I should have at the time. So, I was excited to see how smooth this combination would cast and how easy it would be to use.

I laid my new rod and reel down by the edge of the boat and was ready to sit in the back of the boat and get going. My friend asked if I would grab the battery for the trolling motor and set it up by him so he could wire it up, I said "sure".

Well, I bent over to get the trolling motor and the heel of my shoe went right under the rod and then my brand new fishing rod and reel went in the canal we were fishing.

I tried and tried to get my rod and reel back, I mean how far could it have went, it just went in. I even contemplated on going in after it even though there were hundreds of gators.

After about 30 minutes of trying I came to realize I wasn't going to get it back, the current must have taken it far, far away and I left it for the gators. Mr. Alligator, Merry Christmas To You.

By Charles E. White

My Fishing Trip With The Pro

I was in Southwest Florida and was asked to go fishing by one of the pro bass fisherman there. Thinking I would learn a lot that day, I graciously accepted his kind offer.

So, we begin our trip to Lake Okeechobee about 4 hours away. We put this bass boat in and away we went......full throttle! I soon realized these boats don't have a slow or medium speed, when you hit the key, you're on your way as fast as the boat would go. When you stop, you stop completely. Anyway, here we go about 90 miles an hour down Lake Okeechobee.

Then we began fishing. I was so excited, I mean fishing this lake that is known for big bass and in this bass boat that can go a million miles an hour and with a pro too, what a day! Then I started catching fish, then another, then another and my pro friend hasn't caught one. Well, it didn't matter to me if I caught one or not but it apparently did to him. The next thing I know he has this big old frown on his face and mumbling something. I said "what's wrong?" He said something to the effect......"it's really something when a guy is nice enough to take you fishing with him and then you do him the way you are." I said "what in the world are you talking about?" He said "I mean I take you out in my boat and you catch all the fish and out fish me." I thought he was kidding. I soon found out he wasn't kidding at all. So, now, instead of enjoying myself, I made it a point not to catch any more fish.

We got done that afternoon and got home. I told him thank you for taking me fishing with him but please don't ask me again. I said I still considered him a friend but not a good fishing buddy. I wasn't there to compete with him like the other fishermen he fishes with apparently but went just to enjoy myself and have the experience of fishing Lake Okeechobee.

Needless to say, that was one of the worse experiences I have had fishing for bass.

By Charles E. White

Bass Fishing In The Winter In The North

The next few days in Ohio are supposed to be in the 50's, so, guess what I plan on doing if the lakes thaw out? Yep, go fishing for bass.

As you know the bass are not going to spend a lot of energy going after your bait, so offer them something a little larger than usual. A 10" worm comes to mind, a pig and jig or something to that effect.

Where you might have this in the water for 30 seconds in the summer, now it might take 4 or 5 minutes. Work it slow.......very slow.

Does this work? Well, one day it was so cold outside I never even got out of the truck, my fishing partner wanted to fish this new lake even though the wind was blowing about 20 miles an hour.

Can you imagine my surprise when he came back about 10 minutes later with a bass over 5 pounds? He was working a grape colored worm very, very slow.

I have fished in the winter ever since that day.

Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass from California to Florida. In his lifetime, it is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce that hangs on his wall in his office.

Charles has fished with people who have never fished for bass before and taught them how to become successful anglers and also has fished with the Pros in Florida.

Drop-Shotting For Picky-Overfished Bass

There is a fairly new technique when it comes to bass fishing but it works great especially when bass are under a lot of pressure, it's called drop-shotting. When you see other fishermen using worms and fishing the edges of creek channels, try this and fish the bottom of the channels instead of the edges. It's also good around boat docks and bridges and in shallow water when the bass are bedding.

When fishing the bottom of a channel try a small worm hook with a 3/16 ounce sinker. If you have one already a bullet sinker you are using for worm fishing works great. Don't drag the bait or hop it, shake it, you know jiggle it in place.

When bass are on their beds try flipping a tube with 25 pound test line and a 1/2 ounce weight. This is also an excellent way to fish light line as it lets your lure have more natural action.

Here is what you need to rig a drop shot:

A small worm hook and an 1/8 to 1/2 ounce bullet sinker like you use to worm fish. Tie the hook on your line using a palamar knot and leave enough line after the knot for the depth you want the sinker below it. Tie the bullet weight at the bottom of the line and peg it with a toothpick.

It's that easy.

By Charles E. White

Concentrate on Your Bass Fishing

I was watching a TV Show with Bill Dance and he was talking about concentration. I thought well this is going to be a boring show but of course, it wasn't. Matter of fact it made sense. Bill says Concentration not only makes you a better fishermen but also helps you forget your daily woes.

Learn something from every cast.
When you get a strike.....analyze it.
What was the cover?
What was the lure speed?
What retrieve did you use?
What was the water temperature?
What was the depth of the strike?
What was the oxygen level?
What was the lure color?
What type of lure?
What position was the boat to the cover?
Was the strike a slight bump or hard jerk?

A light bump usually means inactive fish.

If bass strikes shallow.........usually active
If bass strikes mid-depth.......usually semi-active
If bass strikes in deep water...usually inactive.

Why does this information help? Well, if you can imitate the same conditions and elements elsewhere on the lake, then chances are you will catch fish there too. It saves a lot of time and you'll catch more fish instead of the guess where they are method.

By Charles E. White

Are You Holding Your Mouth Right To Catch More Fish?

My young stepson and I was fishing at Rush Creek in Ohio and using the same rod and reel, line and lure. Everything was exactly the same, the problem was I had caught about a dozen bass and he hadn't caught any and we were only standing about 10 feet apart.

He finally asked me why I was catching all the fish and he wasn't. I said "Well John, you're not holding your mouth right". He said "How A I suppose to Hold it?". I said "like this". I made some strange face and had my lip stuck out and my face all messed up. So, I looked over and seen him trying to mimic the face I made and just fishing away. I never thought any more about it.

About 2 months later, he went up to the mountains of California and was fishing for trout at his grandparent's cabin. He was standing by the stream and his grandfather came along to check on him. His grandfather kept watching and talking to him and finally said "John is there something wrong with your face? Are you sick?". So John explained I had told him to make his face like that to catch more fish. His grandfather tried not to laugh and went on his way to tell John's grandmother who told my wife and it got back to me.

By Charles E. White

Orlando Florida Fishing - Redfish Capital of the World

When visitors think of Orlando and Central Florida, they imagine the exciting attractions, breath-taking roller coasters, and swimming with the dolphins. What many people don't know is that fishing in the Orlando, Florida area is just as exciting. The Central Florida East Coast is also named the "Redfish Capital of the World". The area is beautiful, quiet, and relaxing. It offers visitors a different experience of Central Florida and the Orlando area.

Orlando inshore saltwater fishing is in one word, "incredible." Within a short drive from the area attractions, visitors can find some of the best fishing in the state, not to mention the best Redfishing in the World.

Just 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida is a fishing estuary, called Mosquito Lagoon, that is second to none. This area of Central Florida offers both beginners and expert anglers the opportunity to catch record sized Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook, Tarpon and more. You're sure to see "tailing" Redfish, Snook hiding in mangroves, rolling Tarpon, Sea Trout, as well as Dolphins, Manatees and many other animals in their natural environment.

Redfish, one of the more popular fish species in the area, and one that most anglers and fishing guides target, are exceptional fighters and can be caught year round. Also known as Red Drum, these fish can exceed forty plus pounds during the summer when they gather and spawn. During the winter months, Redfish catches normally run in the three to twelve pound range. Fishing guides can catch numerous Redfish per charter, and stories of one hundred Redfish per day is not unheard of. The crystal clear, gin like color of the water during the winter makes sight fishing, and finding fish much easier for the trained eye. Guides on the Lagoon have the ability to spot the fish much faster than an inexperienced angler.

There are many excellent fishing guides in Orlando and Central Florida. Most are very competitive and offer a high quality, exhilarating fishing experience. Hiring a professional guide to take you fishing gives you a several tremendous benefits.

1. Fishing guides are out on the water almost daily and know where and what the fish are biting. Let their expertise help you catch the "big one".

2. A Florida fishing license is not required when you're with a guide. Professional guides have a license that covers up-to four people on their boat.

3. You have use of their shallow water or "flats" boat including tackle, bait, and all the appropriate equipment needed. Most fishing guides will either get bait before launching the boat or they'll throw out their cast net to get bait fish and fill up the live-well. Want to fly fish? They have the gear and know what flies you should use.

4. Fishing guides will help the beginner angler with an instructional charter that covers casting, working the lure and how to spot a fish. Hiring a professional fishing guide will cost anywhere from $150 to $400 with options for a half day charter to an all day fishing excursion. It's worth every penny. It's not just a day fishing, it's a great adventure on the water. Every guide wants you to enjoy your day, and most importantly, catch fish.

By Captain Tom Carver