Bass and Me

According to the Bass Pro Shops’ website this is the description of the game.

Drop anchor on your couch and fish the day away as you navigate some of North America’s most entertaining fishing hot spots. Featuring amazing gameplay, realistic physics, and authentic fishing gear used by the pros! Bring the lake into your living room!

• 111 Bass Pro Shops lures
• 11 species of fish
• 10 unique lakes
• 10 tournaments
• 9 awesome boats
• 1 heck of a good time
• Search for legendary fish
• Compete in boat racing and casting challenges
• Gameplay options for seasoned fisherman, first-timers, or hardcore gamers

When I opened up my Christmas presents this year I found my wife had gotten me a Wii, something I was not expecting. We had discussed getting one because I liked to play Wii Bowling. When I opened up the package that contained this game and a controller that looked like a fishing pole I about freaked. My wife knows how much I love to go fishing but never catch anything. As a matter of fact I have a hard time casting. I instantly fell in love with this game.

The Controller

The controller requires not only a Wii Remote but also a Wii Nunchuck. After a few hours of frustration, I failed to read the directions I went over to the website to find out how to use the controller. The first thing that needs to be done is to set the controller to Configuration B. The only draw back is that you cannot save this configuration either to the Wii System memory or to an SD Card. It is important to do this as you cannot control your boat unless you do. The controller has a nice feel to it and is comfortable if you plan on playing for a long period of time.

In Configuration B these are how the buttons work:

• Driving Mode
  • The cross steers the boat
  • The C Button activates the Fish Finder
  • The A Button Enters Casting Mode
  • The B Button activates the Throttle
  • The Minus (-) Button Brings up the Start Menu
  • The Plus (+) Button Brings up your inventory
  • The 2 Button brings up the GPS Map
• Fishing Mode
  • The Z Button Changes your stance and is the quick reel/cut line function
  • The C Button changes the camera
  • The Thumb Stick (joystick) is the Reel In
  • The Cross sets the Casting Reticule
  • The A Button Exits Casting Mode
  • The B Button Initiates and releases the Cast
  • The 1 Button sets the drag level

The best way to play this game is with the controller.

Gameplay

Just like fishing for real, the idea behind the game is wait for the bite. You also have to keep your line tight and set the hook. The physics are almost nearly the same as real life. And just like real life I have a hard time catching anything. The big ones do give you a fight though.

There are two modes of gameplay, Arcade and Bass Pro. The Arcade is the easiest of the two and both offer Career modes. You start by designing your character. You don’t have a whole lot of choice here. Once you have set your character up you can head into the game. In the game you are given a boat a pole, some lures, some line and a reel. Your boat is equipped with a Fish Finder and a GPS system. You enter the Bass Pro Shop and you have the opportunity to buy more lures, lines reels and rods. I bought some 17 pound test line and that was it. In the first lake you get a tutorial and you have to earn 50 points to unlock the tournament. You cannot go to another lake until you win this tournament.

If there was an online component the tournament would be the best place for it, but alas there isn’t one. I haven’t yet won the tournament but I’m still having fun playing the game.

I give this game 3 out of 5 phantoms. The Game play is nice but there should be an online component and more character customization. The game is rated E for everyone. If you have a fisherman in your family then get this game for them.

There are many ways to lure in fish to your boat. Words like rigging, chumming, and luring come to mind. However, there are many varieties when it comes to lures and trying to decipher between all of them can be a confusing process. In addition, knowing when to “chum” as oppose to “lure” can be equally challenging when you are ready to catch the most fish that you can.

When deciding whether you should lure or chum, you should be aware of what type of fish you are trying to catch. Chum is a mess to make, distribute and to store so be sure that you are using it for the right reasons. Lures are used the majority of the time, but if you are dealing with fish who heavily use their sense of smell, lures may be a waste of time. As a general rule of thumb, chum is used in order to bring fish to the boat and lures are generally used for spot fishing.

When you decide to use a lure, what type do you choose? There are many different kinds of lures and they are used in different regions for a variety of purposes. If you learn the basics then you will not have to look like a novice by reading the back of the package will perusing the aisles in the stores.

A lure is defined as an object, often designed to resemble a fish’s prey, and they usually come equipped with one or more hooks that are used to catch fish. You will attach a lure to the end of your fishing line and throw it out into the water until a fish takes a bite. The one exception to the rule is the fly lure, which is used to float on the water’s surface mimicking the movement of an insect. You can also troll lure behind a boat to create the appearance of a living animal in the water. Some of the different types of lures are classified as jigs, wobblers, spinner, spoon lures, plugs, fly lures, and worms.

Jigs are made of weighted metal heads and a tail that is made from animal hair, soft plastic, feathers, or rubber. A minnow can sometimes to be added or a piece of meat can be attached to the end of the hook. Jigs can be used for almost any kind of saltwater or freshwater fishing.

A spoon is a metal lure that looks similar to a bait fish. These lures are meant to be cast or to be trolled behind a moving vessel. The plastic belts are the most commonly thought of baits. They are the plastic worms that are sometimes scented in order to attract more fish. The plastic belts can be used with or without a weight, but a jig head, spinner, or a spinner bait always accompanies them.

Plugs are made from plastic or wood and can be used on top of the water. There is a separate category of plugs called diving plugs that are designed to plunge into a certain depth of the water.

The spinners have blades that spin around a wire shaft, and they are made of plastic or animal hair. The spinner baits are the lures with more than one blade that spin around a safety shaft. They are characterized by ‘skirts’, which are made of animal hair, vinyl, rubber, and other materials.

Lastly are the poppers and flies. These baits are primarily used for panfish, trout, and bass. Fly-tying is a harder concept to learn, making these lures unique.

Lures are tested and decided upon by the individual. Many lures are determined to be useful by trying them out time and time again. When you become comfortable with a certain type of lure, you will be able to expand on its possibilities, making it more individualized for your fishing purposes.

Until next time — “Keep your lines wet and your bait fresh!”

You cannot have success at any sport if you do not have the right equipment. When people think of fishing, they automatically think of rods, reels, and bait. However, you cannot underestimate the power of the tackle box because it plays an important role in the success of your fishing expeditions.

Many people covet their tackle boxes because they represent a lifetime of trials and tribulations regarding what methods work for which fish. If you are a novice in the world of fishing, you could find yourself overwhelmed with the possibilities and choices that are available. Starting your tackle box can seem challenging, but if you stick to the basics, you will be able to get started without a hitch.

The first thing that you need is to pick out a box. A tackle box should be strong and able to handle wear and tear easily. The plastic tackle boxes are usually thick and come with strong handles making it easier to lug back and forth between boat, river, and pier trips. The most important thing when deciding on a box is the latch. Your tackle box must have a sturdy latch because you do not want everything to spill out on the dock or into the water. When you are in a boating store, pull on the latch and test it before you decide on a purchase.

Some essentials to keep in a tackle box are hooks, lines, and sinkers. Hooks are an important part of fishing because without them you will not be catching very much. The larger the number size of the hook, the smaller the hook actually is. When you buy line, make sure that your line fits your reel. Keep an extra spool in your box for just-in-case purposes.

Sinkers are important for helping your bait to catch fish below the surface of the water. In order to get your line to the bottom you are going to need split-shot sinkers. Sinkers are made from different materials, but the safest are the ones that are made from steel, tin, and non-toxic metals. Some of the sinkers are made from lead and they can potentially poison some types of fish.

Lures are going to be the next thing that you add to your tackle box. There are many different types of lures ranging in all colors, shapes, sizes, and material. Different fish are attracted to different types of lures. For instance, a kingfish will be more attracted by a lure with glitter while a bass will be more attracted to a worm shaped lure. Make sure to know what the fish you are trying to catch like to eat before you buy.

Some fun gadgets that may be useful are the leaders, snap swivels, fingernail clippers, needle-nose pliers, practice plugs, stringers, and maps. Maps are obvious because you need to know how to get to your favorite fishing spots. However, the other things may need some greater explanation. A leader is a piece of line with a metal core that will keep a fish from biting off the line and escaping. A snap swivel will prevent tangles in your line and a practice plug is for casting. Lastly, a stringer will help you to keep your catch fresh in the water.

Once you start fishing regularly, you will find out which lures are useful and which one don’t help at all. You will discover the tools that you use the most and the ones that are just collecting dust. Hopefully, you will try new things and maybe put your own spin on some old ones and build the perfect tackle box for you.

Until next time — “Keep your lines wet and your bait fresh!”

Lake Chabot, Castro Valley CA

Surrounded by the Cities of Oakland and Castro Valley California, one would not expect to see a sight like this. In the center of the Urban Squrall known as the East Bay sits this beautiful Lake.  Lake Chabot Reservoir was built in 1874-75 as a primary source of water for the East Bay. The 315-acre lake was closed to recreation for 91 years. Legislation passed in the 1960s opened the lake for controlled recreational uses. Currently, the lake serves as a standby emergency water supply. For this reason, visitors are asked to observe centain neccessary regulations to keep the waters pure.

The 315-acre, well-stocked lake is open for fishing and boating throughout the year. It is a popular Bay Area fishing destination, ideal for kids out for their first fishing experience. The Lake Chabot Marina Cafe offers a well-stocked bait and tackle shop and is open year round (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). It features a restaurant that serves snacks, breakfast, and lunch. Fishing at Lake Chabot requires a current California Fishing License with stamps and an EBRPD Daily Fishing Access Permit for all anglers aged 16 and older. California Fish and Game regulations apply. Fishing licenses and EBRPD permits may be purchased at the Marina Cafe. No live fish may be used as bait. All other legal bait and lures are permitted. Fish may be cleaned only at the cleaning station along the walk near the parking lot. Catch-and-release angling is encouraged for bass, bluegill, and crappie. However, the release of badly hooked game fish and all non-game fish is not allowed. Please bring any unwanted and tagged fish and your completed creel census card (on back of fishing permit) to the Chabot Marina. With your cooperation, they can maintain an effective fish management program to ensure that you will always have good fishing.

Lake Chabot trolling in the Spring is one of the most productive ways to catch trout. There are many different methods and different lures for trolling. One of the most basic, but still very productive ways, is to troll a nightcrawler behind a set of flashers. Use a ball bearing swivel above you flashers and 18 to 20 inches of leader between your flashers and your nightcrawler.

Another productive trout trolling method is to use a rainbow trout patterned lure such as a Rapala. Let your lure out about 75 feet with no weight on the line. If you get a hit, be sure to double back over that spot for a second shot at what could be a school of trout. Top trout trolling sports at Chabot are Half Moon Day, Bass Cove, The Dam, Coot Landing and Alder Point.

Bait fishing is also a popular method for catching trout at Chabot. Use a sliding-sinker-rig with a small treble hook for Power Bait or for nightcrawlers use a size 6 or size 8 snelled hook. This same rig works well for catfish with a much larger hook, try a size 1 or size 2, and chicken liver, anchovies or mackerel. Honker Bay and around the Island are great spots to try for catfish during the summer months.

• Fish early in the morning these months to take advantage of the increasingly good trout fishing. Regular trout plants should help to boost the action.
• Catfish can still be found behind the Island, as well as in coves. Use mackerel or anchovies for best results.
• Dough baits are the best bet for trout fisherman. Experiment with colors
  like chartreuse and white.
• Broken back Rapalas in greenish colors are great for trollers. Use sizes
  that can take you between 15-25 feet.
• Take advantage of limited crowds and boat specials during the week.

GENERAL CONDITIONS AS OF FEBRUARY 3, 2009

Water level remains around 6.5 below full. Water clarity around the lake remains good, some of the shallow areas are a little muddy.  The water temp is in the low 50’s.  Fishing remains good with a lot of limits getting caught, this past week two whoppers were caught over on the shoreline. The Dam and Half Moon Bay area continues to be a hotspot for trolling while the second dock.  Indian cove is a great spot to fish off shore.  With this cool temperature the trout are getting caught near the surface of the water. This past week got a 750 lb trout plant from Mt. Lassen. If you catch a whopper bring it into the marina and get a free whopper hat. No, this is not a typo, Whopper Hats are BACK!

HOURS OF OPERATION

Café & Marina: 6:30am – 5:00pm
Boat rentals available 6:30am – 4:00pm
Boats due in at 5:00pm

TROUT

Trout fishing is great this time of the year, limits are getting caught from both the shore and boat trolling. Most of the fish caught this week were from the island, Half Moon Bay and Dam area. This past week Ausin Naranjo landed a huge 10.75 lbs. trout while bait fishing in Indian Cove with rainbow Powerbait.  Also, a few weeks ago on 1/18 Michael Schmitz of San Jose landed a nice trout weighing in at 6.3 lbs. Michael caught his whopper trolling a Rapala back in Bass Cove. So far we have planted over 26,000 lbs. of trout into Lake Chabot. The average size trout pulled out were in the 2 lbs. range.  The best way to fish for trout right now is using a sliding sinker set up and using Powerbait or Powereggs.  When trolling for trout, the lure to use is a J-7 Rapala.  The current hotspot for trolling is going toward Bass Cove and Half Moon Bay using a J-7 Firetiger. The hotspot for bait fishing is the burner on the west shore trail and Indian cove on the east shore trail. If you have any questions or you’re new to fishing come by the marina and one of our staff will help you out.

BASS

Bass fishing was a little slow this week, no bass were reported caught.  During the hot day do as the bass do and find some shade. Livewells can be provided upon request thanks to Walton’s pond.  Please practice catch and release for bass as they are not stocked into the lake and their population depends on you.

CATFISH

Cat fishing was a little slow this week.  No reports of catfish were reported caught this past week.  Catfish usually bite all day, but the best time to fish is during twilight hours. Some of the best spots to hook catfish are in shallow areas where they have shade.  Try Honker bay, Bass Cove, and Raccoon Point. Catfish tend to eat anything that sinks, but the best bait to use is mackerel. Make sure to use magic thread to hold the bait onto the hook to insure that the bait stays on.  When fishing off a boat there is no need to use any weights whatsoever.  Cat fishing on shore is the only time you want to use a sliding sinker.

The 315-acre Lake Chabot offers a number of activities including fishing, boat rental, a marina and restaurant, and boat tours of the lake.

• Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle, $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
• Boat Launch: There is no boat launch facility. Private watercraft may not be launched except for car-top canoes, kayaks, and scull craft 20 feet or less. Personal watercraft and inflatables are not permitted. Float tubes may be used at Lake Chabot. Persons using float tubes must wear waders or other wetsuit material to prevent body contact with the water in the reservoir.
• Boat Launch Fee: $2 car-top canoes, kayaks, and scull craft only, 20 feet or less.
• Boat Rental: Visit Urban Park Concessionaires’ website for rate and rental information or call (510) 247-2526. Rental boats include row boats, canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, and boats with electric trolling motors. Guided lake tours are also offered. See fees below.
• Lake Tour: Guided lake tours are also offered by Urban Park Concessionaires, visit their website or call (510) 247-2526 for information.

Boat Rentals are based on the type of boat and for how long you want the boat.  The Rowboats are $20.00 an hour and can e rented from 6:30 am and need to be returned by 4:30 PM. Talking to some of the guys that were fishing off the shore they said that it was a rip off. The Trout and catfish were biteing and the bass have started to show up but none have been caught yet. As to bait being used, the monsters in this lake are attacking anything and everything.

So all I can say, if the Bass Brigade makes it out here, then I’m sure some of those monster Bass will be caught this weekend.

Until next time — “Keep your lines wet and your bait fresh!”

Berkley® Portable Line Spooling Station

I bought this spooling station in the hope that I would be able to respool my reels easily and not have the line tangle inside the spool. before I get to my review let me tell you what the Bass Pro Shop has to say about the Berkley® Portable Line Spooling Station:

Fill your fishing reels anywhere, anytime with Berkley’s Portable Line Spooling Station. This convenient spooling device helps ensure level filling with constant line tension on spinning and casting reels. The Portable Line Spooling Station allows you to quickly change tactics and includes line stripper and built-in cutter. Hassle-free sets up and stores easily.

And Berkley has this to say:

Easy to use, transport, and store. Comes complete with line stripper and built-in cutter. Sets up quickly and is easy to operate. Accommodates spinning, baitcasting, and fly reels, and up to 1lb. Bulk spools of fishing line.

It does look nice and it looks like it should work. However, after spending 45 minutes trying to put the thing together and another 2 hours trying to spool an old Daiwa ABS Shock 2500 B spinning reel and giving up in frustration I need to rethink the entire purchase. Let me break the time down with you.

The 45 minutes it took to put it together was due to the fact that the snapin spool rod did not want to fit into it’s slot. Then once I got the spool rod into it’s slot the holding brackets did not want to hold on, I think one of the screws was stripped. The two hours spent on the spinning reel was due to the fact that the spool on the reel would not spin. I took the reel apart and it is complete

Tonight I tried the station with the following items:

1. The Berkley® Portable Line Spooling Station
2. Shakespeare Ugly Cast Spin-casting Reel
3. Shakespeare Cajin Red Lightnin’ Line 20 lb. Test

It took 10 minutes to prep the reel and then another 15 minutes to fill the reel. Part of this was because as you know for a spin-caster to reel in you need to put the hood on it. Once the reel was loaded with line I attached the reel to a 6′ Shakespeare Synergy rod and added a 2 oz. slip-shot weight and took it to the back yard to test the casting. After 10 straight casts the line still did not tangle up.

I’m giving the Berkley® Portable Line Spooling Station 3 out of 5 hooks and would recommend it as something to keep either on the boat or in the camper. For $29.99 this isn’t a bad deal. For a home unit I would suggest one of the powered spooling station.

So until the next time — “Keep your lines wet and your bait fresh.”