Bassmaster U - Review

[Texas Transplant]

Spent the weekend at the Charlotte Bassmaster U. Here is my high level review of the presentations:



Denny Brauer - far and away the best. Very, very good.

Talked on flipping/pitching.



Kevin VanDam - a close second. Also very good.

Spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. Really got into how/when he uses certain spinners. More than what's on his tape/dvd.



Mike Iaconelli - Good solid presentation. Very prepared.

Talked about planning (had some very useful tips), and also what he calls 'extreme soft plastics'.



David Fritts - Good info, not as 'polished a presenter'.

Crankbaits (of course). Really got into rod/casting feeling for the bite and how/where to use certain cb's. If you want to improve your CB techniques/catch ratio, see him.



Mike Auten - Good presenter. Somewhat dry.

Talked about electronics and maps mostly. Planning/theory. Drop shot techniques - pretty standard.



Mark Menendez - Solid. Good presentation skills.

Topwater fishing and seasonal patterns (several pro's talked about this).



It was much better than the one I attended 2 years ago. If you can see/catch this group, do it.



Tex

 

[Texas Transplant]

He has a different view of fishing some soft plastics in what he considers an 'extreme' fashion. One is 'plunking', basically using a soft plastic with a huge weight to penetrate heavy cover. Most use some type of heavy jig, he described using some standard worms and craw bodies/tubes.



Secondly is using some soft plastics to swim. Tied it back to water clarity and swimming/pumping them back in. Control depth with various weights. Also, modifying paddle tail worms to act similar to a buzz bait, but sub-surface (1-2') by the way you cut them.



Tex

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

That is one of the new techniques to use the senko "Creature" as a topwater.



TOXIC

 

[Donnie Matney]

TT Did Mike Ike. go over any of the Manns Dragin Finesse worms? I have used these in the past with lots of success and was courious on what his comments are. I know he is sponsored by Manns, and used the Dragin Swim Worm to win the classic. But I really like those Dragin Finesse worms.



As a side note I have Mike Ike. on my AOL buddy list. I have asked him questions often and he has always responded right away. I think some of his "media attention" may give him a bad rap but he has never failed to stop and answer any of my questions.



Donnie

 

[Mini]

He isnt that bad of a guy one on one.



I like the finesse worms too. Especially drop shotting.



Mini

 

[Texas Transplant]

I don't believe that Mike I. said 'Mann's' one time during his presentations. I'm not sure that I saw Mann's on his sponsor shirt either. Maybe I'm reading something into it that I shouldn't, but . . . .



They were selling some of the stone jigs at the Bassmaster U. store though.



Tex

 

[Donnie Matney]

Mini which ones do you drop shot? 4inch or 6 inch? and which color do you like? I am guessing you drop them for smallies in clear water to right? I have only T-riged the 6 inch worms, and flat out slayed fish. This had been a few years back. Ever since then I could't find them in stores.



Just recently I was going to buy them from the internet for about $3 a pack. But I went to Cabela's while I was in Kansas City last week and found several packs in the bargin cave. Got 'em for .99 each. I think I bought 11 packs. Now Iam good to go.



Donnie

 

[Mini]

I use both. I dont remember the name of the color, but it is purple and silver.



Mini

 

[Donnie Matney]

kinda a natural blue?? I use the kudzu and watermelon seed but I bought several of the blue/silver. I hope they work!



Donnie

 

[Teri C.]

I went to the Bassmaster U in Nashville this weekend. Here were the speakers and topics:



George Cochran on topwater, the plastic worm, and Carolina rig.



Gary Klein on flipping & pitching, bass & cover, boat positioning, crankbaits & jerkbaits.



Mike Auten on reading electronics and the drop shot technique.



Jimmy Houston on spinnerbaits, eliminating unproductive water and seasonal patterns.



Mark Davis on deep water cranking, schooling bass and suspending bass.



Ken Cook on bass behavior, soft plastic jerkbait and the floating worm.



I learned alot and I am very glad I went. I really enjoyed listening to George Cochran and Mark Davis. George is very funny!



I pretty much knew nothing about Jimmy Houston going into the seminar other than watching his show a few times. I walked out of there thinking he is the biggest DORK I have ever met. Made several inappropriate comments and I think I am very liberal. He certainly thinks he is funnier than he really is. And that hair!!!



Overall, I really enjoyed it and certainly learned alot about bass behavior and where to look for them at certain times and certain depths. When to use what bait and how big or how heavy. I can't wait to get out on the water!