By Trey Butler

2003 is drawing to a close, and with the fall comes the annual parting of the outdoor faithful. This is the time every year when all the "2 sport athletes" go their separate ways, with the hunters heading for the woods and the die hard fishermen heading for the lake. Whether you are a pond fisherman or a tournament addict, fall offers a "second season" and a perfect cure for cabin fever. Many anglers in this region learn that the fishing can be great throughout the fall and winter. With Christmas rapidly approaching, this is also a great time to find out what new goodies to expect for the 2004 season. I know you’ve all been very good this year and your families will race to Mark’s to see Geoff the jolly old elf. (Kinda scary to think about Geoff in green tights and pointy shoes).

Many anglers make the mistake of assuming that because bass move shallow in the fall, they can catch them in the same place, with the same lures they used in the spring. The first thing to realize is that bass are moving shallow for different reasons in the fall and spring. The ol’ green trout has love on the brain in late winter and early spring, and shallow flats are the best place for a hookup. But bass invade the shallows for a different reason in the fall; eating. Cooling water temps signal shad to move into the creeks and up on the flats as part of their annual spawning cycle, and the bass are close behind. Obviously, falling temps rather than shad movement are the primary reason for bass activity in ponds, but regardless of the presence of shad, forage activity will increase in any body of water this time of year.

It is a common belief that bass feed heavily in fall in order to prepare themselves for winter. While it is true that a bass’s metabolism slows as water temps fall, the fall "gorging" theory has much less to do with bass in southern waters as compared to their northern cousins. The fact of the matter is that we are blessed with year round bass fishing opportunities in this part of the country. I’ve caught fish on a buzz bait in January, and one of my best days on Lay Lake came early last February. The water temp was 53-54, and I was slow-rolling a 1/2oz XWire spinner bait through dormant grass. The fish were so cold they didn’t jump when hooked, but they hit the bait so hard it was totally engulfed in their maw! Don’t be mislead by those articles that preach slowing down, downsizing, and going deep for cold weather bites. If you are open-minded and give fall and winter bassin’ a try, you just may experience some of the best (and least crowded) fishing days of your life.

Fall and winter weather varies wildly, and it is certainly no fun to be on the water without the right gear. It is always better to have "more than you need" rather than not enough when it comes to technical clothing. In the southeastern U.S., it isn’t uncommon to see temps as low as the 20’s and highs in the 70’s, even in the dead of winter. Having a water proof, breathable outer layer is mandatory. Choose the bibs over pants with your inclement weather gear; you will be glad you did when making those long runs to your honey holes when the weather is foul. Never compromise on foot wear. Once again, water proof and breathable is a must. Insulation is optional; a high quality boot with a pair of high tech "wicking" socks will handle most conditions around here, but always have sock liners handy. The most important thing to remember is to avoid cotton! While cotton is comfortable and reasonably priced, it is worthless for layering. Who told us southerners that lie about long-johns anyway? Instead of cotton, dress in layers of any of the various man-made materials that will keep you warm and dry. Talk to any of the clothing specialist at Mark’s for a technical wear strategy to fit your needs. And remember; Gore-Tex is no longer the only dog in the hunt!

A great pair of boots and foul weather gear is only part of that perfect Christmas and cool weather bass-chasing; there are a couple of other mandatory items. No high-speed angler who is worth their salt should be without Shimano’s hottest new reel; the Calcutta DC. This is some serious space-age technology with real space-age polymers! Utilizing a computer microchip (seriously), the cast control automatically adjusts to the exact resistance to eliminate backlash and maximize distance. Heard this before? Well, this is real. I’ve spoken to several people who have witnessed this reel being "spooled" on a cast (that means the cast was long enough to take all the line), with no backlash.
On the subject of amazing new technology, don’t miss the new livewell treatment product by Aqua Innovations. The AI unit goes into your livewell and can be powered by a battery or wired to your crank battery. It is rare that a new product comes along that will truly make previous products obsolete, but this one. The AI livewell unit treats the water in the wells by bringing oxygen content up to 100%. The unit operates silently; no motor noises, no sudden gushes of water, and consumes less than 1 amp while operating (as opposed to 3+ amps for pumps). Recirculation and fresh water pumps should not be run, regardless of temp or conditions. The only maintenance required is to remove approximately1/2 of the water in wells every 4 hours, and pump in fresh to replace it (this removes the chemical by-products of fish respiration). Now the only noise coming from your boat will be your partner’s 1/2 oz spinner bait when he whacks your motor on a cast. Skeeter and Ranger are offering the unit as an option on ’04 models; and that’s a strong endorsement. Mark’s carries both the livewell and bait-keeper models at a very reasonable price, and installation is a breeze. Let’s keep ‘em alive and avoid those penalties!

BassCat boats recently went to their dealers and owners and asked a simple and straightforward question: What would it take to build 19 foot bass boat that will not only compete with top 19 foot models, but establish a new standard? Folks like Ken Hollis at Airport Marine responded and BassCat listened. The result is the new Pantera IV or "P4" as it is affectionately known. So what’s different about it? To begin with BC found a way to minimize weight without sacrificing fishing stability or ride and handling. Lighter weight means quicker holeshot and better top-end. There is enough storage in this boat to for you, your partner, and plenty to spare. You may think that this is nothing new, but the storage configuration on this boat is phenomenal, including an ingenious storage compartment for the net. Don’t forget the recessed trolling motor and electronics terminal; what a difference on your back and legs after a long day on the water! Tournament anglers have migrated to the 20+ rigs in recent years, but this changes everything. Don’t make a decision on a boat purchase without seeing the P4 first. This is one hot looking, (and performing) bass boat.
Fall and winter are great times to be on the water. Cool temps, no PWC’s or Ski boats, and hot bassin’ action make for some enjoyable times and full livewells. Staying on the water keeps you in touch with your boat and gear, and gives you a competitive advantage over hunters and seasonal fishermen. With today’s technology there is no excuse for dead fish or being uncomfortable in the great outdoors. Half of the fun in fishing is getting there, but getting there first, dry, comfortable, and locked and loaded with the latest toys makes it that much sweeter.
Trey Butler is sponsored by Sizmic Lures, Davis Baits, Falcon Rods, Minn Kota, Airport Marine, BassCat Boats, and AquaInnovations. Your support of these fine companies is greatly appreciated.