Bass Fishing Method: Sweeping

mike, I read a few paragraphs from your book, and like your videos 100 times better. Keep them coming, but don't kill yourself.

mike, I read a few paragraphs from your book, and like your videos 100 times better. Keep them coming, but don't kill yourself.

Joe, elaborate for me. Incidentally, I read about you in VIE and liked it too. How did my book make you like my videos better? You've got me intrigued.

You know, both of my achilles weak right now and it's after I was on some anti-biotics. This has happened before and the doctors said they knew nothing about it. Then yesterday I saw on tv about antibiotics and tendon rupture. It worries me because I'm walking like an old man, hence the fishing video rather than a hiking one.

But, the fishing sure was fun I really want to get over to St. Vincnet island before it gets too hot though. Just waiting for my heels not to feel like they're about to tear.

Thanks Mike. I will be trying that. I loved the control that methods gives over the lure. Not just a straight retrieve, but the ability to follow edges and pads.

Sweeping

Thanks Mike. I will be trying that. I loved the control that methods gives over the lure. Not just a straight retrieve, but the ability to follow edges and pads.

You can also use a minnow and tap the tip of the pole in front of the bait, making it look like something is in pursuit of the minnow. I've used that method before with a 20 foot pole but never imagined I could be successful doing what I'm doing now.

It's as if I'm 'sweeping' the surface of the water and yes, it gives you great control. I think one reason its works is the low profile I am able to maintain in my kayak. I tried it in a canoe, and it may have just been an abberation, but no luck. I think just the added height of teh canoe 'gave me away' to the fish.

I'll say this though... I hope your heart is good if you get blown up on by a big fish. It can be an unbelievable thing. I like having two rods so if my arm/shoulder gets a bit fatigued, I can cast the other.

Maybe I'll get out and shoot some more video soon. I just can't be as effective because I can't steer the boat with the camera in one hand. I normally break my paddle in half once I get to where I want to fish to use it for steering.

Last year I had a coupel fish get on that stripped drag and took me deep into the lillies and got off. I had been catching a number with this method but didn't have a problem with my drag setting up until the big one. I wasn't sure how to set the drag being that virtually no line is out. I worried if I set it too tight there'd be no room for error.

Anyway, good luck with Sweeping. It works best next to tight cover. In fact, I haven't really used it in the open. Not that it can't work there, but I think you're more visible to the fish, whereas next to tight cover they are perhaps concealed, backed up into the junk and just peeking out.

wwbdd?
(what would bill dance do?)

I've seen a paddle that attaches to just one arm at the elbow and then your hand that would allow you to have better control while the rod or camera is in the other hand. Might be an idea for keeping the kayak moving when the wind isn't blowing.

Thanks for sharing. That type of paddle would help, but I like when I don't let off of my rod, constatly injecting life into my bait along the shore. So the paddle ideally needs to be on the other arm, where the camera needs to be. I tried fishing a bit yesterday but with no paddle in my off hand I was blown off target too easily. I did get a few strikes, but below the bait, the fish not fully inhaling it.

Btw, aggieb, on the tube growing up, with only 3 channels, there was Roland Martin and Bill Dance, I believe on Saturdays. Dance was my favorite so that's ironic that you mentioned him. Unless it was just my glasses that brought him to mind