Sunscreen

We all forget it from time to time and Mother Nature reminds us the next day. Make sure you are taking care of your skin, so you can stay out on the water all weekend long. Seek out a high quality, waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF that works well for you. Reapply regularly. Just remember that fish HATE sunscreen, so you need to make sure to keep your hands clean so no traces of it are on your lure or line.

A Hat

A solid fishing hat is a necessity for all anglers. Luckily there are a variety of different options on the market. One thing they all have in common is that they have sun protection around the perimeter of the hat in the form of brims or a detachable shade. Choosing a hat with ventilation is also a great idea to keep you more comfortable.

Sunglasses

Your choice of the right sunglasses to protect your eyes while you are on the water is largely based on personal preference. The lenses themselves are what you need to pay attention to as the frame is simply esthetic. Consider polarized, high transmission, blue mirror or copper mirror lenses for ultimate protection.

Stocked Tackle Box

You never know when a line will break or the bait you’re using just won’t cut it. A tackle box stocked with lots of extras from hooks, sinkers, tools and bait will keep you fishing long into the day. A tape measure to check that what you’re catching is of legal size is also a good addition to any tackle box. Don’t forget a few first aid items too, especially water-resistant bandages.

Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchor

While a Power-Pole is the most costly item on this list, it is the one item that can transform any kind of day into a good fishing day. Even when it’s windy, these hydraulic anchors keep you where you need to be so you can get the fish you came for.

Plan your next weekend-long fishing expedition soon and make sure you don’t leave without these 5 essentials.

While smaller bass can be found in shallow shoreline cover areas, adult bass typically stay in deep water following spawning season. They avoid the bright sunlight they dislike by staying deep in the water.  However deeper water makes for more challenging fishing, as it is hard to find those sought-after big bass once they move into open water. However, the actual depth big bass enjoy is relative to what is deep for the specific body of water you are fishing. Knowing where they hang out in deep water is priceless knowledge.

Near Docks

Docks that jut out into deep water are a prime spot for bass to hang out. They have the protective cover from the sun’s rays that they crave. While many anglers will cast around the perimeter of docks, casting into the interior of the dock in hard to reach spots will help you find those elusive big ones.

Deep Water Points

As mentioned above deep water is the place for big bass. Points of deep water that jut out from shallower areas are great places for bass to hide. You’ll find them hovering in such areas, that may be found in the middle of a lake, at the mouth of a cove or where creeks trickle into bigger bodies of water.

Under Isolated Cover

Because most bodies of water are large, finding a fish in it randomly is unlikely. However, find isolated cover in that body of water and your chances of finding bass there are greatly increased. That isolated cover could be a rock pile, old appliances or tires that have been dumped into the water, an abandoned dock or a clump of weeds. Cast from a distance for the best results. Try such areas repeatedly.

Near Riprap

Manmade walls or foundations aka riprap is often found bordering most lakes. Because it is haphazardly created, there are lots of places for bass to hide and for the things bass eat to flourish. Work these areas for the best catches.

Transitional Areas

Channel banks or other transitional areas where water is flowing into a body of water from another can be found in coves or the main part of a lake. Abrupt banks are often where bass lurk. Cast your line with practically any kind of bait in these areas, and you are sure to get the big one.

Know where to find big bass and every day on the water will be a good one.

With several bass honors to his name and multiple qualifications under his belt, Marvin is affiliated with The Bass Federation Nation as a former Region 6 officer, the American Bass Association, Bassmaster Weekend Series and the LAPR Potomac River Series. He coordinates and promotes angler participation for a variety of special events.

Marvin Moses takes part annually in a variety of tournaments, as well as charitable events. He promotes the sport of fishing as a public speaker, a local cable television show participant, at demonstrations and product promotion events, and online. He understands not only the sport, sportsmanship and conservation association with bass fishing; he also knows how significantly the sport can impact an individual. His commitment to youth promotion and giving wounded veterans the opportunity to fish in tournaments shows his heart for not only his sport, but for his fellow man.

Marvin is excited to be representing BoatXtreme and Power-Pole. He is confident that his use of the best shallow water anchor in the business is bound to make this his best competitive season ever. As he takes part in master series, open series, charity tournaments and other events, his Power-Pole will be right there to help him do some of his best bass fishing ever.

When you are checking out televised bass fishing season, look out for our new pro staffer Marvin Moses, he’ll be one of the many with the awesome Power-Pole on the back of their boat.

Organizations Perfect for Anglers

The Bass Federation is owned by members and has a special affiliation for youth and conservation. Encouraging young anglers with competitions around the country, the Federation is helping to build a new generation of experienced, knowledgeable anglers. Ongoing conservation projects give all members a way to make a difference to the habitats they fish. State Federations focus on bass fishing and habitats within their own states.

Bass Nation brings you some of the biggest bass fishing tournaments in the country, including the Bassmaster series. As the largest bass fishing organization worldwide, it has clubs throughout the United States that focus on education, conservation and educating young anglers. Being a member gives you eligibility for tournaments and B.A.S.S. Nation.

Army Bass Anglers is specific to those who fight for our country. In addition to their team fishing tournaments, this organization’s mission is support, defend, fish. It supports those who dedicated a portion of their life to our country’s freedom by raising money and awareness for organizations that help our heros. When joining Army Bass Anglers, you can choose from coalitions for army, navy, marine, air force and redfish or bass fishing.

Join More Than One

Being a member of any of the three big bass fishing organizations is a great investment for the serious bass fisherman. Being a member of several of them is genius. It gives you:

-          More tournaments to fish

-          Differing schedules so you can choose the times that work best for you.

-          Different bodies of water to fish, because changing it up makes you a better angler and is more challenging.

-          The opportunity to make a bigger difference in conservation, teach others to fish and support worthwhile organizations.

The JL Marine Systems mail-in rebate gives anglers up to 30% back on the purchase price of a Power-Pole shallow water anchor from their favorite Power-Pole anchor dealer. Choose the tool that will help improve your fishing and save money too with Power-Pole –  the swift, silent and secure shallow water anchor.

Prespawning Season Tips

When largemouth bass are prespawning during the early spring, they are easy to catch. As temperatures hit the 45 degree and higher mark, bass rise up out of the deep waters. You will find them typically in depths of 2 to 12 feet of water.  The Northwest corner of the lake is always your best choice for early spring fishing as it is the warmest spot.

When looking for that perfect spot, look first near known spawning flats, such as rocks, logs, humps and points. Arms of shallow creeks that have wood and weeds providing coverage are also great spots to find prespawning bass. Fishing after a warm rain is always great timing that will generally result in an increased catch.

Spawning Season Tips

During spawning season itself, bass head to shallow areas that are protected. The temperature of the water can give you a clue. If it is between 55 and 65 degrees, spawning has begun for at least some of the lake’s fish. Again, the northwest area of the lake is always a great starting point.

Seek out areas that are lit by the sun. Shallow areas of about 1 to 6 feet in depth and about 10 feet from shore, are ideal for bass spawning and bass fishing. Avoid areas susceptible to rough water. Typically male bass can be found near sunken logs, boulders, or in a cluster of bulrushes protecting the nest.

Once you have found that perfect spot, anchoring quickly and quietly is a must. The Power-Pole shallow water anchor system is critical to keeping you exactly where you need to be during spawning season. You can work your spot systematically, for a better catch. In addition, the Power-Pole doesn’t spook the bass that are busy defending their nests. It is the tool that delivers the stealth that is necessary for successful bass fishing during spawning season.

Guest Blog by Executive Chef and Fishing Aficionado David Morton

Spring time is just around the corner and soon all of our coolers will be loaded with fish.

Today I would to talk about the art of frying those fish. Did you know fish fried properly has less fat than putting oil and vinegar on your salad? There are a few keys points to know on frying correctly.

Use only fresh unused oil:

In fresh oil the molecules are close together and are inactive. Food dropped into fresh hot oil acts like an irritant to the oil, which responds very quick by sealing the breading so the oil can’t get to the product inside. Everything including crumbs, water, salt, heat, and even non breaded foods (like French fries) start making the molecules separate, so shaking off all excess breading  is a must before frying.

Use plenty of oil at the proper temperature:

Make sure you have enough oil to totally submerge the product. 350 degrees in most cases is a good rule of thumb for the temperature. If the oil is not hot enough, it will start to soak into the breading, instead of sealing it up. The result will be a hard and greasy crust. On the flip side, if the oil is too hot, the crust will not stick to the product and it will brown too fast on the outside and be gummy on the inside. Even worse, the food inside will not be cooked all the way through.

Beware of breading and overcrowding:

Do not bread your fish until right before placing each piece into the oil. The longer the breading sits the gummier it gets. In addition, avoid overcrowding your fryer as overcrowding will lower the temperature of the oil resulting in a greasy crust.

If you follow these guidelines, you will have fish cooked correctly with the perfect crust.

When frying fish I like to ice brine my fish first. For about three pounds of fish, you will need ¼ cup of salt to one gallon of water and 2lb ice. Dissolve the salt in water and add the ice. Soak your fish fillets in the ice bath for about 20 minutes. I like the dry, wet, dry procedure myself. Keeping it simple is the key.

Here is my recipe for…

Perfect Fried Fish

Ingredients:

3lbs. of fresh fish fillet (no more than 1 inch thick)

2 cups of flour (plain)

1 cup corn meal (wet ground, white, preferred)

2 eggs

16 oz buttermilk or evaporated milk

3 Tbsp water

Salt and pepper to taste

A couple of drops of hot sauce (your preference)

Procedure:

You will need 3 mixing bowls

Bowl 1: 1 cup flour, seasoned

Bowl 2: Add your 2 eggs, water and hot sauce. Whisk your eggs until smooth.

Bowl 3: Mix 1 cup of flour and 1 cup corn meal together, seasoned

When oil is ready, Pat your fish dry. Then dip fillets in each bowl, in the order above 1 , 2 , 3. Remember, salt is heavier than flour or corn meal and will sink to the bottom of your bowl.

Gently place in hot oil. (Don’t Throw the product in!!) Oil bites!

Enjoy! Hope these tips help you cook the perfect fried fish too.

About Dave Morton: 

We, at Boat Xtreme, are thrilled to have professional chef and experienced fisherman David Morton contributing to our blog. Dave has over 25 years of experience as a chef and has remarkable skill in developing and testing recipes, as well as in food preparation and presentation. Presently the chef at Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill in Grayton Beach, FL, Dave works with a variety of fresh fish daily and knows exactly how to prepare them to perfection. In his blog posts, Dave will share his very best tips with you so you get the kind of results you want when you’re cooking your latest catch. 

Wind from the West, Fish bite the best

Wind from the east, Fish bite the least

Wind from the north, do not go forth

Wind from the south blows bait in their mouth

Luckily, technology is catching up with Mother Nature, and dare I say it, outsmarting her. This is in no small part due to the expertise of the experienced angler.

Be The Fish

Before one deciphers how to find the fish, it is important to understand the food chain. The first thing one must know is how light conditions in the water effect fishing. When the sun is out and the water is crystal clear, there is an abundance of phytoplankton in deep water. Phytoplankton attracts zooplankton. Why? Because zooplankton feed on phytoplankton. This is important because baitfish feed on zooplankton. Of equal importance, baitfish are what every lure in the tackle box are attempting to mimic. When the fish you want to catch are deeper, it’s important to keep this in mind.

When the wind rises, the sun cannot penetrate the choppier water.  This means phytoplankton and the rest of the food chain rise to the top of the water. In fact the phytoplankton is further blown by the wind causing it to mass at the shoreline of the wind break. Low light conditions are advantageous for the fish who hunt and for the fishermen who know how to target. Low light makes it easy for fish to hide in shadows, as they can effectively hunt their prey. For fishermen, low light camouflages less-than-perfect lures and convince fish that the shiny lure is actually a fish worth biting into.

Get The Solution

Staying in one spot so you can work an area can be a challenge in windy weather. Yet smart fishermen know that the right equipment can give them the stealth they need to successfully land their catch. Bass fishermen and other shallow water fishermen gravitate towards the Power-Pole shallow water anchor to help them stay where they want to be, even in windy conditions.

With lengths that range from 4’ to 10’, you can choose the Power-Pole that best suits the areas you fish. It silently deploys thanks to sophisticated hydraulics, and does not disturb the water, the fish, or the lake bottom. Even in windy conditions, the spike at the tip of the anchor keeps you solidly in place.

The Power-Pole Drift Paddle attachment also works beautifully when fishing in deeper water. The easy-to-attach Drift Paddle lets you effortlessly stay in the area you choose so you can work it effectively. It slows your boat down by 50% letting you systematically work the area you choose without disturbing the fish, regardless of wind conditions.

Shallow water anchors are the solution you need to become the master fisherman you want to be. Conquer the wind and anything else Mother Nature sends your way. Doing so will further your ability to land the trophy!

The American Sportfishing Association knows this, and every year they hold an annual convention that showcases the latest and best in fishing and boating innovations. They give out a variety of New Product Showcase Best of Show awards in categories such as fishing accessory, boat, apparel, freshwater rod, saltwater reel and more.

Those awards are one of the reasons the fishing community keeps its eye on ICAST. It’s hard to go wrong with a winner, and many of those winning products are the same things that show up on the boats of the winners at the big tournaments.

One of my personal favorite additions to my boat was an item I discovered because it won the 2011 ICAST Best in Show Boating Accessory award. It is the Blade by Power-Pole®.

My Experience with the Blade

Realistically, I had been dreaming of buying a Power-Pole for a while but the cost kept holding me back. But when I heard about the new Blade, I was sold. I decided to take the plunge.

Installation was the first thing that impressed me. It really did take under an hour just like their ads say. There was no learning curve at all when it came to using it. A click or two is all it takes. The high tech C-Monster control system lets me control it in 4 different ways, from the switch installed on the dash, the wireless foot control, the remote control or from my smartphone. I like options!

One of my first times out with the Blade, I put down the anchor near the mouth of a river and there were some pretty strong currents. I was wondering how the Blade would handle it. I deployed it at high speed and my boat stopped exactly where I wanted it to. Even better, it held, despite the currents. I caught some of the biggest bass I’ve ever caught that day.

The Blade shallow water anchor has made a huge change in my fishing expeditions. I get more time fishing where I want to fish. I spend less time repositioning the boat and trying to find a good spot. I also get the stealth I want when I put down my Power-Pole – no more trolling motor to scare away the fish.

Help Yourself Be A Better Fisherman

Being a great fisherman means having the right gear. Choosing the right gear is a little tricky because there’s so much out there to choose from. My suggestion is to do what the pros do and follow the ICAST awards to learn what’s new and fantastic for fishing. Equip yourself like the pros and get better results each and every time you are out on the water. Check out the award winners from ICAST before you make your next fishing gear purchase!

Choose What the Pros Choose

While there is a lot of skill needed to become a world-class bass fisherman, having the right equipment helps tremendously. Chris Lane not only sports the Power-Pole logo, he uses the latest and best Power-Pole shallow water anchor in the line, the Blade. Any fisherman looking to do better when he heads out to fish would be wise to choose what the pros use and trust in competition – the Power-Pole Blade.

Look To The Winners For Guidance

Realistically, it is the guys like Chris Lane, who fish every day, in a variety of lakes all over the country who really know how to fish bass. The rest of us do it for fun. If you want to fish better and become the Bass Master in your area, take a lesson from the big guys and do what they do.

If I were striving to be a fantastic bass fisherman, I would want to know exactly the type of boat, motor, anchor, rod, reel, lure and technique that the best of the best uses. While I can’t help you with all those other things, I can confidently tell you that the current reigning BASSMaster, Chris Lane who landed a winning catch of 51 lbs, 4 oz of bass over 3 days, uses the Power-Pole Blade anchor to stop at the perfect spot every time.

Get the Blade Power-Pole anchor today for winning catches!

The revolutionary Micro Anchor utilizes a mechanized system that can be remotely operated with C-monster controllers in water up to 8.5’ deep. Now small craft fishing vessels can stop on a dime no matter how fast the wind is blowing or the current is rushing. The natural rubber wheels are made of Water Evacuating Tread (WET) which protects the Micro Anchor’s drive train from getting clogged with mud and seaweed. Other engineering elements include water resistant features like the rim seal and floating wiper which make for a completely impenetrable and watertight shallow water anchor. The motorized components utilize a “Soft Drive” system that delivers ultra-quiet operation. The swift, silent operation and durable design of this small craft anchoring system means that anglers will be able to haul in more fish for many years to come. All things considered, we wouldn’t be surprised if JL Marine Systems, Inc. reels in another ICast award at the 2013 showcase for developing another pioneering anchor system.

What separates this from previous models is that the new shallow water anchoring tool can be easily removed and transferred from one boat to another in no time. The quick release clamp and fully adjustable mounting bracket of the Micro Anchor gives fisherman the freedom to enjoy this anchor on whichever vessel is appropriate for the occasion. So on days when the flats boat is a better fit than the kayak, a simple anchor transfer is all that’s necessary. This means that you don’t have to shell out money for two or three shallow water anchors because ONE will do the trick.

The engineers at Power-Pole truly thought of it all. If you were wondering how this electric-drive Micro Anchor operates on vessels without a battery on board (canoes and kayaks), the answer is the lithium ion battery pack and charger. You can fish on the water all day and then charge the Micro Anchor at night and then head out launch your assault on fish again the next morning. For small vessels with a power source, the Micro Anchor can be powered right from your 12-volt battery. The anchor also comes with a USB connector for downloads and software updates. This feature allows you to connect through Bluetooth and operate the Micro Anchor through a smart phone app.

The benefits that this tool brings to the table make the purchase a no brainer. The revolutionary Micro Anchor for small crafts makes fishing and life much easier. Lifting an anchor can be tough on anyone’s back, but with this affordable model, back pains and strains are no longer an issue. With this product, sportsman don’t have to worry about fighting knots in their anchor line or scaring fish away as the anchor chain clanks against their hull. Traditional anchors drag up mud and sediment that ruins boat finishes when it hardens on the surface. Power-Poles make it so that you don’t have to waste time scraping mud off of your anchor as you move from spot to spot.

This new anchor system allows anglers to drop in on fishing holes quickly, quietly and swiftly. A successful day on the water boils down to having the right equipment. It’s light-weight and portable design make it perfect for smaller fishing vessels as well as canoes and kayaks. Sportsman will love this compact design because the pole can easily be detached for transfers and storage in seconds.

Add this product to your essential list of fishing gear. The new Power-Pole model is made of virtually indestructible material that delivers incredibly fast and reliable anchoring in even the harshest of conditions. Regardless of your fishing experience, the added advantage of a Power-Pole makes for a game changing day on the water.