Crankbaits for Cool Weather Bass Fishing

Go Deeper with Crankbaits for Largemouth Bass in the Fall

By Chuck Martin

As the weather cools, largemouth bass tend to head for deeper water.  The shallows that were warmed by the summer sun become cooler and bass will go to the mid-depths.  This is the time to change your strategy.

Crankbaits are my favored lure for largemouth bass in the fall of the year.  I like rattling crankbaits because I think the sound helps notify the bass of the lure’s presence.  Working a crankbait in the mid-depths is just the ticket for fall bass.  Remember to vary your retrieve for best results.  A stop and go retrieve will always bring more action.

Sharpen those hooks.  The treble hooks that come on most of today’s crankbaits are pretty sharp, but they can always be sharper.  Touch them up with a hook sharpening stone.  The sharper your hooks the less chance the bass with throw the lure back in your face.

Don’t be afraid to try different colors of crankbaits.  Using different colors and patterns is a good idea when the fishing is slow.  Sometimes a slight change in lure color can make all the different.

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Airsoft Shotguns – the Tough Guys Airsoft

Gun

Every airsoft fan has a favourite type of gun. Regardless of your preferences there’s a certain attraction to shotguns that appeals to us all – to that dark place inside us. Maybe it’s the way they’re portrayed in the movies. The shotgun was always shown as being a real tough guys weapon – you needed to get up close and personal to use it. Shotguns were always shown to be cool and airsoft shotguns are no different in that regard.

There’s a wide variety of shotguns available to the airsoft fan. Everything from the old reliable double barrelled shotguns to far more current styles. The double barrelled model is often sold in a gas variant model and is one of the very few gas powered airsoft shotguns available on the market today.

Some of the most popular airsoft shotguns are the old pump action style (which are spring powered) and these have the advantage of allowing you to fire bbs in rapid succession. The vast majority of airsoft shotguns are spring powered and tend to be the tactical style – used by the police and military although you can get many other styles and models.

There is also the option of choosing from the full stock or cutaway model of airsoft shotgun. The cutaway models have a pistol type grip and no stock to put against your shoulder. There’s an even share of this type of gun available to airsoft fans. What suits you most will depend on the style of shotgun you like and your own personal shooting preferences when it comes to buying your airsoft shotgun.

Despite the fact that many of these guns are spring-powered pump action models they can hold 40 or more rounds. This allows for rapid reloading and for you to get back in the fight quickly. This offers a distinct advantage over an airsoft rifle where you need to cock it from a non-firing position. The shotgun allows you to fire from the hip in a rapid firing pump action style. Airsoft shotguns are probably more suited to close quarters airsoft games – maybe a type of urban combat simulation although they would still be useful in most types of airsoft combat.

So why not try on an airsoft shotgun for size today? You just might like it!

Shotgun Tips – Hitting the Elusive Dove

Dove Hunting Made Easy

By Trapper Bonds

Doves can be aggravating.  Doves offer the shotgunner one of the most challenging targets in the sky.  First of all, doves are small targets.  Second, they are extremely fast.  But most of all they are true aerial acrobats.  Doves can suddenly dart, dip and dive and give the wingshooter fits.

It’s generally acknowledged that more shotshells are fired on the opening day of dove season than all other days combined.  Some of those shots even find their target.

So what is the secret of bagging a limit of doves?  Well, I learned my method from an old grizzled hunter a long time ago.  It’s worked for me and I’ve taught it to many shooters over the years.  I call it my “Spray Paint” method.

You just imagine your shotgun as being a can of spray paint.  You see, the shot that comes from the gun barrel travels in a stream, like water from a garden hose.  Or a spray paint can.  When you see a dove approaching you just start the gun barrel behind the bird, swing to catch up with the bird, and as the barrel passes the dove, you pull the trigger.  But, the most important part of this method is…keep the gun barrel moving.  Do not stop your swing when you pull the trigger.  Follow-through is key to making this method work.  You shoot just as you would spray a can of paint.  You spray the bird.  It’s really that simple.

Again, the follow-through is all important.  If you stop the gun barrel you’ll shoot behind the bird.  It takes a bit of practice, but believe me it’s worth it when you walk out of the dove field with your limit.

Care for Your Deer Hunting Camo

By Bo Edmunds

Deer hunting camo is more than just clothing.  To the avid deer hunter his camo is a major part of his deer hunting strategy.  Although there are many different camo patterns available today, it really doesn’t matter what brand you use.  Since deer are color-blind you just need to break up your outline.

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Fall Bass Fishing in the Grass

By Tram Sutton

Fall is a great time to go chasing some big trophy largemouth bass. As the weather begins to cool and leaves change colors, I love to fish for bass in the fall.
A great way to put lunker bass in your boat is to concentrate on grass beds. Bass tend to bunch up in the grass in the fall. My favorite lure for grass fishing is a plastic worm with little or no weight. I just cast the worm into the grass and crank like crazy. Buzzing the worm over the grass tends to bring vicious strikes. A word to the wise. Don’t be too quick to set the hook. Make sure the bass has the lure before you rear back on him.
Sharp hooks are a must. I’ve lost more grass bass due to dull hooks than any other single reason. You may think your hooks are sharp enough right out of the pack but I carry a small hook hone and use it to touch up my hooks often. It can make the difference between landing a lunker and being skunked.
Vary your retrieve a bit when dragging the plastic worm over grass. Speed up and slow down. Many times an erratic retrieve will pay off big with big bass.