Reed: Standing timber
Standing timber and bass fishing go together like peanut butter and jelly. However, that idyllic vision of bass nirvana can become skewed as winter approaches, given that many anglers abandon timber in favor of more typical wintertime haunts.
McClelland: Hook Sets
Elite Series pro Mike McClelland's name has become synonymous with dragging a Carolina rig or football jig around the bottom for bass. In fact, you might say that the Arkansas pro wrote the book (or at least a chapter) on deepwater structure fishing.
Menendez: Targeting Larger Bass
For the tournament bass angler, a successful day on the water is measured by the total weight of the best five bass and not the number of bass caught. Culling through scores of smaller bass means more time spent unhooking and re-rigging, and less time with the bait in the water. Even the causal weekend bass angler can appreciate a pair of 4-pound largemouth compared to a dozen "dinks."
Niggemeyer: Subtle Color Changes
A trip to the local tackle retailer will reveal a plethora of color options in similar swirls, laminates, flecks and hues. It leaves one wondering if such subtle color differences really matter that much when it comes to catching bass. Elite Series pro James Niggemeyer has developed a loose system to help simplify his color selection.
Ponds: Subsurface crankbaits
Have you ever had one of those days when conditions were perfect for throwing a buzzbait, but for whatever reason the fish would barely show any interest? Elite Series pro Pete Ponds has the solution.
Pace: Spinning Tackle
Up until a few years ago, pro angler Cliff Pace didn't even own a spinning rod. The Mississippi resident relied on tried-and-true "bubba" tactics to excel in tournaments. But once he started to compete against the best of the best in the Bassmaster Elite Series, he realized that he needed to integrate finesse tactics into his arsenal, and that called for spinning tackle.
Howell: Full Arsenal of Baits
Whether you fish at the Elite Series level or just for weekend enjoyment, maximizing your success on the water depends on the ability to wring every last ounce of fish out of a given area. Even if you've found the ultimate school, no one wants to leave any fish behind.
Reehm: Spots off the Beaten Path
Elite Angler Clark Reehm may not look particularly buff, but under duress he's been known to perform superhuman feats of strength, lifting boats off mudflats and push poling those same boats down hundreds of yards of what often turn out to be dead end canals. He doesn't do it for the health benefits; it's all about finding populations of fish that the competition overlooks.
Roumbanis: Learning from Each Bite
Not many of us weekend anglers pay very much attention to how a bass is hooked. We land it, admire it and let it go.
Grigsby: Finding the right cast
Catching a nice bass on a tough day is one of the most satisfying feelings in bass fishing. The event is often followed with a high-five, a photo op, or in a tournament; a trip to the livewell. Many anglers fail to realize that with a little diligence, that single bite could lead to a memorable day on the water.
