Why is November a good month to catch a big bass and how can you catch them? Captain Mike Gerry explains some beliefs that try to explain why big bass are shallow and feeding this month. He also offers some tips on catching them, especially on Lake Guntersville. His methods should work on your local lake if in the south.

picture (c) Captain Mike Gerry

What Makes November A Good Month For Big Bass?

What Makes November A Good Month For Big Bass? originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 13:58:48.

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If you think you want to fish a bass tournament there are many possibilities, from club fishing to professional trails. Every state has many options in the mid-range, too, where you pay up to $200 and fish as an individual in a draw tournament or as a team with your partner.

Georgia has several kinds of tournaments you can fish. If you don’t live in Georgia, these Georgia tournaments will give you an idea of what is available. And some of the ones listed here, like the ABA, have trails in multiple states.

picture (c) Ronnie Garrison

So You Think You Want To Fish In Bass Tournaments?

So You Think You Want To Fish In Bass Tournaments? originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 10:08:48.

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Anyone can catch bluegill through the ice, but it takes special talent and equipment to catch big bluegill. Tournaments prove who can catch the big ones, and the authors of this article are some of the best.

Do you fish for bluegill through the ice? If so, do you use any of these tactics? Share what you do in the comments section below.

picture (c) Northland Fishing Tackle

You Can Catch Monster Bluegill Through the Ice

You Can Catch Monster Bluegill Through the Ice originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 10:54:21.

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Does color of your bait matter? Sometimes I think it makes no difference, sometimes I think it is critical. Captain Mike Gerry says he is convinced more and more, especially as lakes get more crowded, that color of bass fishing baits does make a difference.
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What do you think? Is color critical or is it more important to the fisherman than to the fish? Share your comments in the section below.

picture (c) Captain Mike Gerry

If I Choose the Wrong Color Bait Can I Still Catch Bass?

If I Choose the Wrong Color Bait Can I Still Catch Bass? originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 10:44:26.

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I love fish cooked in a lot of different ways. Some are more healthy than others, but they all taste good. As the weather turns bad this is a good time to pull out some of those frozen fish and cook them up, bring back the fishing trip when you caught them. Fresh fish are better but even frozen fish are better than no fish at all.

Top Ten Fish Recipes

Top Ten Fish Recipes originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 10:03:43.

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Alabama and Georgia both have programs that compile creel census reports from bass tournaments. The information gathered can help you decide where to go to catch bass in those states. Some of the information may surprise you.

Both the above states post their information on-line where you can access it. Does your state compile such information? Do you use it? Share your comments on these creel census programs in the comments section below.

picture (c) Ronnie Garrison

Creel Census Reports Give You Valuable Information That Will Help You Catch Bass

Creel Census Reports Give You Valuable Information That Will Help You Catch Bass originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 11:32:49.

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Ever have one of those days when the bass just won’t bite? We all do. So how do you cope and find feeding fish?

Captain Mike Gerry has some suggestions to try when you run into that kind of trip. This whole fall has been tough on Guntersville but guides have to find bass every day for their clients. Captain Mike has procedures he follows to figure them out, and his tips will help you.

picture (c) Captain Mike Gerry

Try These Tips When Fall Bass Are Not Biting

Try These Tips When Fall Bass Are Not Biting originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 20:51:51.

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Catch and release bass fishing is the norm now for both tournaments and leisure fishing. Some fishermen will almost go crazy if they kill a bass. But is catch and release always good? What do you think? Check out my comments then share yours in the comment section below.

If you do practice catch and release I have some tips on making sure the bass or other fish released live to be caught again. Do you have any tips to add?

picture (c) Ronnie Garrison

Catch and Release Bass Fishing Is Almost A Religion

Catch and Release Bass Fishing Is Almost A Religion originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 10:39:09.

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Fall fishing time may vary depending on your location, but here in middle Georgia it starts in early October and lasts until Christmas most years. One of the best baits you can use for catching bass in the fall, no matter where you live, is a jig and pig. Rigging one is fairly easy and you can fish them in many different ways.

Do you use a jig and pig? What are your favorite colors? Do you fish them like I do? Share your methods in the comments section below.

picture (c) Ronnie Garrison

You Need To Use A Jig and Pig For Fall Bass

You Need To Use A Jig and Pig For Fall Bass originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 10:52:47.

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Right now, swimbaits are the rage among bass fishermen. It seems every company has at least one model on the market and there are many independent swimbait makers. Some work great, others not so much. Most will catch fish but some work much better then others.

Captain Mike Gerry offers some tips on choosing a swimbait that will catch more fish for you, and also gives a tip specific to Lake Guntersville, where he guides.

picture (c) Captain Mike Gerry

Choose the Right Swimbait To Catch More Bass

Choose the Right Swimbait To Catch More Bass originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:53:54.

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Captain Mike Gerry says you can always catch bass around bridges and tells why. There are many factors that control bass behavior and most of those factors can be found around bridges.

Captain Mike lists baitfish, cover and current as his top reasons bass are around bridges. I would add structure – not only is there rock cover around bridges, their structure offers a long point running out to the deepest water in the area, and also vertical structure and cover with the pilings under the bridge. Add shade under the bridge on bright, sunny days, too.

Do you fish bridges for bass? Are there any other factors that you think make them good?

picture (c) Ronnie Garrison

Bridges Are Forgotten Bass Fishing Hotspots

Bridges Are Forgotten Bass Fishing Hotspots originally appeared on About.com Freshwater Fishing on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 11:10:40.

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Lee McClellan says the smallmouth bite in small streams is great but you have to get in on it fast before it ends. He suggests some good baits to…