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THE CALLIS CHRONICLES

Football Season is Here! Ready, Set Hike by Bruce Callis Jr

Football Season is Here! Ready, Set Hike by Bruce Callis Jr

Football season is in full bloom. No, not the NFL, but real football! Youth football! While I am in the stands watching my grandson play defense, my mind is thinking about going fishing and enjoying this amazing weather. Hopefully, he doesn’t catch me going without him.

While I am not the greatest jig angler, it is a bait I really enjoy fishing. There is something about that full-contact impact! Feeling those little changes on the bottom as you drag and hop it along. Waiting for that sudden strike that explodes up the line and into the rod you are holding. As prepared as we are, it still takes us by surprise. And then the sound of the line as you set the hook hard!

For me, it's going to be a Missile Baits jig, and there are plenty of choices for sure. And plenty of choices for the trailer as well. The bass are up shallow chasing bait fish. And that is where I love to fish! But what jig to throw?

Do I throw a full Head Banger or Flip Out jig? Or do I downsize to a Mini Flip? Or do I go small with an Ike’s Micro or Micro Football jig? The answer is yes! You can't go wrong with any of them. It really depends on the weather, time of the day, fishing pressure, water conditions, etc. A lot to really think about. I will actually have them all tied on a rod, ready to find out what the bass wants at that moment.

Early morning may find them very aggressive and it almost doesn't matter what you throw. We all have that perfect size, and we love to throw too. Depending on the bottom, I like to start with an ⅜ ounce of Ike’s Mini Flip Out jig paired with a D Bomb or Chunky D trailer. I like the Bluegill color for clearer water and Bruiser for more stained. I like to match up my trailers, but sometimes I dip the claw tips.

But right now is a great time to go smaller. And 1/4 ounce is the right size! While I love a 1/4 ounce Mini Flip Out jig with a Baby D Bomb, I have learned that going to Ike’s Micro jig can have much better results with a Micro D Bomb on it. I love the Dill Pickle for cleaner water and go with Straight Black for dirtier water. I do prefer to put the weed guard in so I don’t get hung up as much. The bank can get mighty nasty with sticks and I don’t like reeling in stick fish. And don’t be afraid to go really shallow for those big bass.

Of course, your rod, reel, and line are an extension of you. Make sure to not overpower your bait. While a full-size jig can handle a medium heavy rod and heavier line, a medium rod with 10-12 pound Seaguar Abraz fluorocarbon is the way to go with the smaller jig. You can also use a 20-pound Smackdown braid, but I don’t want the bass to see my line. I think it gets me more bites!

Fall is football season! Get out there and watch the kids play, but don’t miss your opportunity to get into the game yourself. You will thank me later. Are you ready? Set, Hike!!

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Bass Cast Radio News

Should the Hydrowave Be Banned? Plus, More Bass Fishing Talk

On the latest episode of Bass Cast Radio Brian, Thomas & Bass Geek discussed recent events and updates in bass fishing. They discussed a successful Hopewell event and upcoming championships, including the 5 Alive Championship on Kerr Lake.  

Brian shared his conversation with Richmond Marine's owner about the history of Smith Mountain Lake. BassGeek talked about underwater finds and fishing tips, while they all expressed frustrations about certain fishing tools and equipment costs. They discussed the need for innovation in the fishing industry and shared their thoughts on different fishing techniques.

The team also addressed rule changes in bass fishing, challenges faced by professional fishing leagues, and the impact of the economic recession on tournament participation.

Finally, Thomas introduced his nonprofit organization, "Casting for Conservation" to help stock fish in less affluent areas and improve boat ramps.

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THE WEEK AHEAD

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Three Phases of Fall Fishing

Oh it is that time of year! The pumpkin spice and everything nice is flowing and the crowds and the smell of tailgates are filling the air. That's right everyone fall is here and that means cooler weather and hungry bass. Are you ready to talk about fall fishing? I will take you one a journey of where fish go in the fall and what you need to catch some finicky fall bass. Let’s get started!

Did you know that fall can have three different stages? The three stages are early fall, the fall feed, and the end of fall. Early fall is considered when the temperatures just begin to fall and we begin to get cooler nights. You will begin to see your lake’s water temperature and air temperature begin to drop. This can happen as early as September for the fisherman up north and in the south it can start happening in November or December. So how do you know when it starts? Well, all summer you have been waking up and wearing shorts right? When you have to put on a jacket for that morning boat ride fall is here. What was fishing doing during this period?

Fish are beginning to move from their summer homes up to where they wanna be during the second phase of fall. Fish are going to move from the main lake points and main river channels, and they will be moving back into the creeks. Especially the creeks that have a run or drain. What this means is that if you look at a map and the creek has fresh water flowing into it those are the ones you want. Places that do not have pockets or coves will begin to move up on humps, shoals, and tops of the points. This movement will take time, usually around 2-4 weeks. It's a gradual movement. What baits do we use? You want to use baits that cover water and mimic forage. My first choice during this period would be an ½ ounce double willow leaf spinnerbait. The next bait I will pick up and no this bait is not just for the spring a lipless crankbait. Lastly, who doesn't love a topwater strike? My choice would be a buzzbait. Well, what if this doesn't work? The bass may be at our next stage of the fall feed.

The fall feed is one of the best times to catch a bass. All the bass are looking to do is eat, so what this means is they are going to be aggressive. During this time the fish have already moved to the back of their pockets, and they are feeding like wolves. During this phase, the forage will focus on the creeks and pockets that have fresh water flowing into the backs. In this phase, you have found the fish just run to the back of pockets and look for activity. If there is no activity, move to the next creek or pocket. During this phase pay attention to the leaves and air temperature. All of your leaves should have already turned and every morning you wake up you are putting on a sweatshirt. Look at your water temperature; it should be in the 60’s. The first lure I am trying is a fluke in a shad color and if the fish are finicky go with a chartreuse color fluke to look different if they are keying on the bait fish. The next bait would be a swimbait whether it be a boot tail or a pre-rigged swimbait. The last bait of choice is a walking-style topwater something you can work slow and stop if needed. What happens when it gets super cold out and we are approaching winter?

The late fall is when the weather is cold and the bibs and jackets come out. During this phase bass follow the same route that they took at the beginning of fall and make their way back out to the make lake points and deep water for the winter. Before making out to the main lake the bass will stop and feed on any structure that is broken in the normal flow of the contour lines. Whether this be a dock, tree or some other form of structure make sure you check these abnormalities during this phase. Some baits I would use during this phase would be a tight wobble crankbait of your choice I perfer the Rapala DT 8. Another bait would be a jig I personally like a Missile baits mini flip jig that matches a crawdad because in this phase the bass begin to feed toward the bottom again. As short as fall seems it can be a really fun and challenging time to fish. Take some of these thoughts try them and see if you have success. 

Is Bass Fishing a Real Sport?

By Carson Maddux

Minus a few events, the 2024 professional fishing season has come to an end. For those who follow along, this season has been a wild one to say the least. From forward facing sonar debates to cheating controversies, this season has raised plenty of questions for fans and insiders alike. As soon as one topic seemed to have started to die down, it seems like another was brought up. The use of social media definitely helped keep the argumentative rhetoric alive, but whether we want to admit it or not, bass fishing this year has been full of a bunch of drama queens. So much so that it makes me wonder about the legitimacy of the “sport” we have all grown to love. With several different “professional” tours and the lack of consistency between each league’s rulebook, I believe we are swaying further from a true sport than ever before.

When Ray Scott founded B.A.S.S. he took on the great challenge of creating a sport out of a common recreational activity. It has blossomed into the spectacle we see today and is growing each and every year. The Bassmaster Classic, often referred to as the “Super Bowl” of bass fishing, is a big reason the sport has grown to what it has. It brings fans from all over to watch as anglers compete for the iconic trophy and all the glory that goes with it. While most will never get the opportunity to compete in the classic, I think every fan has dreamed of being on that stage. Part of what makes fishing so unique is that an ordinary guy can work his way to the top. Unlike football, basketball, or other traditional sports, you do not have to be genetically gifted to become a champion angler. We have seen pros from all different backgrounds, shapes, and sizes excel because honestly, the bass does not know who is fishing for them. So what is the problem? If this platform exists why would it not be considered a “real” sport?

In my opinion, it isn't the lack of an athletic barrier that sets our sport back, but the lack of finances that are distributed to the “pros”. This topic has been lost in the circus of debates spiraling around our community over the past few years, but I think it needs to be discussed. BASS Elites, MLF BPT anglers, and members of The NPFL are all required to pay an average of $5k in entry fees per event. This number has been steadily increasing since the early 2000s, but the payouts have either stayed the same or decreased. The cost to travel, boat prices, tackle expenses, and entry fees have all increased, but somehow the payout has not flinched. This is an issue.

Every year we see leagues boast about record viewership numbers but where does that increased revenue go? Certainly not back to the anglers. I think for our sport to regain its validity, anglers should be able to see a return on their investment based on their performance. Anglers at the professional level should not have to rely solely on outside sponsorship dollars to make a living. In no other sport are the athletes buying their way into competition. This simple fact has deferred many great anglers and subsequently allowed others with the fiscal means to make their way into a “professional” tour. While I could go into further detail, I wanted this piece to spark the curiosity of the readers and give them a second to evaluate what they think about the state of the industry. All this said I am very grateful for the opportunity that all the leagues provide to showcase your talent on a professional platform because I think we can all agree that there is no better dream than to be able to fish for a living!

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