There is a new waves of cameras hitting the Bass Pro shelves this month that will be sure to please the hunters who use them.  We will go over three new cameras from Moultrie and discuss why they are a must have for this season.

Moultrie has released three new cameras for the 2013 season.  The first one is the A-5 IR camera.  This 5.0 megapixel, infrared camera is a well designed camera at an affordable price.  At 74.99, hunters can afford to buy several of these cameras to outfit an entire property.  Covering more ground and seeing what game you have on your property is critical in scouting.  It has a night range of up to 50’ and claims to take 8,000 images on just one set of 4 C batteries.

The next Moultrie camera is the M880 IR.  This 8.0 megapixel, infrared camera has less than a half second trigger speed.  Guaranteeing that if an animal walks or runs in front of your setup, it will most definitely have its picture taken.  With an impressive 100’ night range, this camera can reach out and capture images other cameras may miss.  This unit claims to take 9,500+ pictures on just one set of 8 AA batteries. Price of this camera is 159.99

The third camera released by Moultrie is the M-990i.  This new camera features the newest technology in game cameras, it is offers the new No Glow night time illumination.  This camera is undetectable at night because there is no flash, no strobe and zero illumination of LED bulbs.  Meaning, animals do not know they are being watched and scouted.  This also helps for security as well.  Land or homeowners can use these cameras as security cameras because the trespasser is unaware their picture has been taken.  For $199.99, you can get a durable and stealthy game camera that doubles as a security camera.  That is tough to beat!  The M-990i has a nighttime range of 70’ and has a 2” viewing screen for quick photo looks.  This unit claims to take over 9,500+ images on a single set of 8 AA batteries. 

All three of these NEW, great cameras can be picked up at Bass Pro Shops.  The hunting associates are very knowledgeable and if you have any questions please feel free to give us a call or come on in and see us.

     Long before the hunt begins, positioning a game camera or two in the field can give the hunter a huge advantage. A game camera is a full time scout for the hunter. It can save many hours of frustration waiting for game to appear that may never show up in that particular area. The habits of game animals can be viewed later on the cameras’ internal storage or on a SD memory disk.

     The vast majority of game cameras on the market today are a big improvement from just a few years ago. Higher megapixel resolution, faster shutter trigger speeds, longer range motion detection, no glow infrared lens, easy setup, and improved battery life are features these new cameras have and hunters need for their advantage in the field. Some will have a built in viewer to see the pictures in the field, but if not just take the SD card with you and use it in a computer.  There are also some stand alone viewers available no bigger than a regular digital camera.

     When placing the camera in the field, use the landscape to your advantage. Try to keep from placing it directly toward the sun as glare may affect the picture in daylight. Also be aware of limbs and brush being moved by the wind and making the camera take pictures just because it sees something moving. Even birds flying by or squirrels or raccoons are enough for the motion sensor to snap a picture. Putting the camera on worn trails, at feeders, watering holes, and at rubs where bucks hang out are some good places to scout out.

     So if you can spare a few dollars to help give you an advantage in the field on your next hunt, stop by your nearest Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Our friendly associates will be glad to help with your selection to give you that Advantage!

Visit the link below for our assortment of game cameras.

Bass Pro Shops Game Cameras

They say catfish have a face only another catfish could love.  I disagree, even the mother catfish swims off and leaves her young alone as soon as she sees them, but brothers and sisters, they taste so good!

Millions of fishers flock to the waters of Texas to catch catfish, with just about as many different setup and baits to go around, for each one of them.  Today I hope to share a  basic terminal tackle rig with you. Let’s look at the basic slider rig.  It’s called a slider rig because the line slides through the weight when the fish chomps on your bait.  Hopefully the fish does not feel the weight as an ‘unnatural’ item and spit your bait out.  If we tie a knot around the weight the fish may just feel the weight and spit the bait out. Here’s how to rig it!

 Thread your egg sinker, or any weight that is designed to slip up and down the line, onto your fishing line. Make sure the weight is appropriate to cast with your fishing rod, you don’t want to try throwing a boat anchor with a flyswatter.   Then slide a plastic bead up the line right behind the weight.  This little plastic bead keeps the edges of the metal weight from digging against your knot and weakening it.  A little bead may just save that big old Mr. Whiskers you’ve been after so don’t scrimp on them. 

 Next, tie on a barrel swivel to the end of your line.  Make sure the barrel swivel eyes are heavy enough to hold the fish you are after. Also, make sure you get swivels with eyes large enough not to slide over the hole or brass loop in your sinker.

 Once you have the weight, bead and barrel swivel in place tie in a piece of leader.  A leader can be as simple as a piece of the line off your reel, any variation of line. Some folks like fluorocarbon, some monofilament and some still use nylon braids or steel leaders.  The choice is yours, but most freshwater bottom fishers simply use a good strong piece of monofilament about 18 to 24 inches long as a leader.

 So, now we have everything set up except the part that gets the point across (pun intended).  The hook is exactly as critical as the fisherman is serious.  A lot of catfishers are strictly out for a little time outside and if they catch a few well that’s great.  On the other side of the coin there are catfish tournament pros.  These serious-minded souls have put some thought and experimentation into their hook choice.  Here are a few hook ideas and some catfish-brained logic behind them.

 The “J” hook. That’s the hook that looks just like the letter “J”.  It’s been around a long time and everybody already has a few in their tackle box.  Just make sure they are sharp and not rusted, especially around the hook eye.

 There is also the “Kahle” hook.  It has a sweeping gooseneck shaft that allows you to use thicker chunks of bait without having to widen the actual “gap” of the hook.  These were the hook of choice for cut bait fisherman before the “circle hook” came on the scene.

 Last, and surging to the front in popularity is the “circle hook.”  Don’t ask me the physics of the thing, but these engineering marvels always seem to hit the fish right in the corner of the mouth when the fish starts struggling.  There is an upside and downside to the circle hook. The up side is, as I already said, they catch the fish in the corner of the mouth an astounding percentage of the time. They don’t swallow the hook…ever.  You don’t even have to guess when to set the hook, just start reeling when you know the fish is on.  Therein is the only downside.  If you try to “set” the hook with the typical herculean, wide sweeping power set that some folks love so much, the hook doesn’t do it’s magic and you miss a lot of strikes, but some of us just love that hook set so much we don’t want to let the fish have all the fun.

 Some cat catchers prefer a treble hook.  These type hooks are usually employed by fishers using different kinds of “stink baits.”  There are dip baits, dough baits, and just about as many homemade concoctions as the fishing public can imagine.  Treble hooks might also be a good choice if you use chicken livers or some other soft tissue bait like beef or pork liver.

 One more treble hook joins the parade too.  There is the regular treble hook with a spring or wire wrapped around the shaft of the hook.  This added contraption actually gives dough type baits something additional to hold on to when we fling that bad boy out with a lot of gusto.  They sure do help to keep you from unknowingly fishing with a bare hook from slinging your bait off while casting.

 So, there is your basic catfish rig, a few hook ideas, and even a little “how to” on the rigging.  Now it’s up to you to decide the “when to” and come on into Bass Pro Shops, Garland, TX to get your gear! Oh, and make sure you get that frying pan ready!

https://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=catfish+hooks

As summer is fast approaching, so is the time for outdoor activities of all kinds. Along with schools getting out, comes relaxing days of sitting out by the pool, or pulling the boat out and heading to the lakes for fishing and water sports.

However, there is another outdoor activity that has many people getting up and going out on new adventures, seeing things they never have before. This growing new sensation is called Geocaching!

For those unfamiliar with this latest fad, Geocaching started 150 years ago and was called “Letterboxing”. But as times and technology changed so did the name of the game. Geocaching consists of usually a water proof box with a logbook and some sort of item for its contents. The person can then either log that they found the item, or exchange it for another item. The sites or locations of these items are usually found on the internet, and then printed out. 

Now with the technology of handheld GPS devices, Geocaching has become paperless. Handheld GPS devices such as Magellan, Garmin, and Delorme allow you to download these locations straight to your device!

So where does one go to find out how these devices work, and even get hands on training in this latest craze? Why, your greatest outdoors store, Bass Pro Shops of course! Our knowledgeable and friendly associates are well versed in the art of handheld GPS units. Of course the fun doesn’t stop there, so bring the whole family to Bass Pro Shops; where the adventure truly begins!

http://www.geocaching.com/

West Nile virus (WNV) is making headlines again due to recent outbreaks around the country.

WNV is primarily spread by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. But realize, out of 700+ species of mosquitoes in the U.S. (and 74 species in Canada), very few – less than 1% – become infected with WNV.

A vast majority of people (4 out of 5) infected with WNV won’t show any symptoms at all. For those that do, the virus usually causes fever, aches and general discomfort.

Severe cases can cause inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord (meningitis), inflammation of the brain itself (encephalitis) or a polio-like syndrome that can result in loss of function of one or more limbs (WN poliomyelitis or acute flaccid paralysis). These conditions can be life-altering or fatal.

People of all ages could develop serious health effects, but seniors and individuals with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.

Things to watch for…

(Most symptoms appear 2 to 15 days after being bitten)

Mild flu-like symptoms – fever, headache, sick to stomach (nausea) and body aches

Mild skin rash and swollen lymph glands

Severe symptoms – severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, shakes, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, paralysis, meningitis or encephalitis

What to do…

• There is no “cure” other than bodies fighting off the virus naturally – mainly just watch symptoms.

• Consider boosting immune system to help fight virus.

• If mild symptoms appear, keep watching person for a few weeks in case symptoms get worse.

• If severe symptoms appear, get medical attention quickly since it could become deadly.

Things to do to avoid mosquito bites …

• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and early evenings when mosquitoes are most active but realize mosquitoes can bite anytime (including throughout the night).

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

• Spray  exposed skin with repellent containing DEET  the higher % of DEET, the longer you’re protected from bites (6.65% lasts almost 2 hours; 20% lasts about 4 hours, etc.) Another repellent is picaridin

• Don’t put repellent on small children’s hands since it may irritate their mouths or eyes.

• Get rid of “standing water” sources around your yard and home since they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. For example, drill a hole in tire swings so water drains out and dump water out of kiddie pools, buckets, flower pots and other items esp. after rainstorms. And change out water in pet dishes often and bird baths weekly.

Sawyer makes a full line of insect repellant products.

Sawyer Permethrin repellents are specially formulated so not to stain or damage your clothing, other fabrics, gear and equipment, including plastics or finished surfaces. It's odorless after drying, and some formulas are odorless during spray application.  This insect repellent chemically bonds itself to the fabric fibers as a part of the drying process. The fiber bonding allows the Permethrin molecules to keep on working to defend you, even though the roughest days outdoors and with repeated washings.

All cloth gear should be sprayed and coupled with DEET on exposed skin  West Nile will not be a problem.

Here at Bass Pro Shops in Garland, Texas we have had many questions about bow fishing. Questions ranging from when and where to go bow fishing to what is the best equipment to use. I am not an expert but I have learned many expensive lessons in the last two years and if this helps at all I accomplished my goal.

Equipment

I personally own an AMS Retriever, a Muzzy reel, and a Zebco 808 bow fishing reel. All three have handled every fish I've ever shot and I would recommend each of them. There are some differences that I would like to elaborate on. The AMS reels have Zero Drag so when you shoot there is no resistance on the line other than the line's own weight. This will allow the arrow to carry its speed further. To reel in the line on the AMS reels you have to squeeze a lever. The Muzzy and Zebco are simply closed face reels that have a larger reservoir for the line. Before you shoot each time you have to press the release button to allow the line to spool off. This task seems pretty simple but when you get into fish it's easy to forget. For this reason I would suggest the AMS reels to any one who is new to archery and is learning while bow fishing. However the Muzzy and Zebco have more torque as far as reeling in fish fast.

The difference between the AMS Retriever and Retriever Pro is the Pro has a quick detach bracket to take the reel off of the bow without having to remove screws,it also has a single arrow quiver for transport. Both Retriever and Pro Retriever are lined with 200# line. The  AMS Big Game Retriever Pro is as far as I know the same reel as the Retriever Pro but it has 500# line. 

I have shot recurve and compound bows for bow fishing. I have two compounds set at 45# and one set at 30#. I also have a 50# recurve. I've had success shooting fish from 5# carp to 6 ft needle nose gar. Any compound will work however if the bow has a longer length from axle to axle it pinches your fingers less.

We carry the AMS Fish Hawk which has a 30-40# draw weight and has a AMS Retriever Pro reel on it. If you want to get into bow fishing this kit will do the job well.

Where?

I have found that Buffalo Carp like shallows with rocks or sand and Grass Carp like weeds and grassy bottoms.  I have shot gar all over. 

Well good luck. I hope I helped and remember to AIM LOW.

     Opening weekend of turkey season, the most anticipated hunt of spring. I was unsure the hunt was going to be successful this early into spring. Usually the gobblers aren’t very responsive this early, unless it’s the usual shock gobble off the roost.

     Since I was new in camp this year, I had asked the guys the night before where they were planning on hunting, it was the least I could do. I found myself not getting a wink of sleep thinking about where I was going to find that gobbler in the morning, or if I was even going to find it. I woke up feeling extremely tired, but very anxious to hear that first gobble of the spring. I made my way down into a draw and hit my RedHead Reality Series Raspy Cut mouth call a couple times, but no response. I walked down a little further, about three hundred yards, but still no response.

     Disappointed, I began making my way back up to the jeep, I would call, hoping for an answer. Finally, through some of the distant traffic, and wind blowing, I got a response. It was a gobble, but it was a gobble very, very far away. I thought to myself, after burning this hour and a half that my hunt was over. I made a decision to head back to camp to eat a little breakfast and gather up some energy. Coming around the turn for camp, I see something unusual, a lonesome hen wondering around. As I pull forward, she runs off, and I think to myself, “I wonder if she has followers”?

     Uncertain, I hit the mouth call, and wouldn’t you know it, I heard them gobble what sounded like twenty yards away. I grabbed my RedHead Reality Series Lookback Hen decoy out of the back of the jeep, and ran to this small field behind camp. I threw the decoy in the ground twenty yards away from a full cedar tree. I ran as fast as I could and set up right behind the cedar tree, and hit the mouth call one more time. The gobble was close, and before you know it, there he was. He came straight into the decoy and started strutting. Before you know it, one of God’s great creatures was laying there on the ground. It just goes to show you, with the right gear and a little bit of patience, a unsuccessful trip can turn into the hunt of a lifetime.

Yahoo!  Crappie fishermen it's that time of year for those of us who "live for the thunk"  to gear up and start loading our stringers and freezers!

As the water continues to warm above 52 degrees it sets off the spawning trigger in crappie here in north central Texas lakes ,ponds, rivers, and streams.  Bank fisher folks have relatively easy access to hoards of crappie that seem to 'infest' the shallows of our favorite fishing holes.

Male crappies usually leave the larger schools and deeper waters of Winter for the warmer nesting grounds this time of year.  Nesting areas can be found just about anywhere along shorelines on a body of water that has some kind of cover. The female crappie are usually the larger of the sexes and they will lay up or 'stage' in slightly shallow, yet still deeper water than their male counterparts.

Generally speaking . generally that is, the male crappie will ease up into the shoal water and nose around structure like cattails, button willows, fallen trees, tree roots or docks and man-made brush piles and claim a small territory.  When the crappie enthusiast finds one male crappie, they will usually find more than one or two. The male fish will try to fan out an area to try to entice a female to lay her eggs in his nesting area.  They become extremely territorial and will devour anything that looks like a threat.  Minnows are often the victim of the aggression, so use something that resembles a minnow.

The males are little tattle tales. If you catch one or two of these darkly colored fellas it's a good bet that the larger females are not far away in slightly deeper water. To locate the males, look at a map of the lake or river. Locate where creeks feed into the lake and plan a trip to two or three likely looking sloughs, coves or nooks.  Remember shallow cover is the first to look for.  You might catch a big female up in the very shallow cover, but that is the exception rather than the rule.

Trophy female crappies are similar to humans in one aspect.  Humans don't go to the hospital and wait for nine months of gestation, and female crappie don't go to the bed for much longer than it takes to get their eggs laid.  Therefore, they are not on the bed for long. Most of their time is spent 'staging'. Look for the big slab mama's in 5 to 16 feet of water around standing timber, rip rap, stumps, boat docks and bridge pilings near the males.

Some people like to tether a minnow bucket to their belt and wade the area with long Crappie Maxx jigging rods.  Some prefer to use a White River Fly Shop float tube to cover more water on each trip.  Float tubes, obviously, provide a way to reach out deeper than the wade fishers can venture. Some prefer to slip up on crappie in boats, canoes and kayaks, but access to shallow water is the key whichever option you choose.

Bait seems to be 'fisherman's choice'.  Minnows have proven effective over the years, but crappie jigs have a few decided advantages.  The fishers who have jigs in their assortments don't have to wait on the bait shop to open. Jigs are easier to reattach to the line after a break off, you don't have to worry about keeping them alive, plus you can change colors with jigs almost instantly. Come in to Bass Pro shop and choose from our wide selection of jigs and jig heads in various weights and colors.

Fishing jigs under a bobber slowly or without any strike indicator at all can yield amazing results.  If you opt for the jig and bobber approach, fish the rig slowly, and when you think you're retrieving slowly enough, slow down some more.  Fishing jigs with no strike indicator at all is extremely popular.  Just dangle the jig off the bottom near structure while attempting to hold it fairly still.  That's where you just might feel the thunk. That's how the fish gets caught, with you being the one that ends up hooked!

Happy Fishing,

The Thunkmeister

            It is time to get the boat ready and build back up the tackle boxes! Grab your Alabama Rigs and your Watermelon Flukes, because this year is going to be one of the best we have had in a long time. As a lot of us know, last year was one of the worst years in a long time for fishing, and for recreational boating in the whole Dallas/Fort Worth area. This was due to the extreme lack of rain, and such low lake levels, that one couldn’t even launch their boat from once familiar ramps! Although, thanks to a couple of seasons of great rain and warmer than average weather, the level of our lakes and the water temperature is once again ideal for fishing and recreational boating!

            As avid fishermen and even the occasional weekend warrior, we all look to the latest tools that will help us catch that big bass, find catfish holes, or slay some crappie. However, we don’t want to spend more than we have into our boats on rigging our electronics so that we can find them! To this I give my hat off to Lowrance. They have come out with the new Mark and Elite series of fish finders that have allowed even the poor fisherman to be able to put a decent 3 inch screen unit on their boat! But the latest and greatest technology goes hands down to Humminbird. Not only have they pushed the envelope with the “Humminbird 360”, and the amazing “I-Pilot”; but now they have released the “Humminbird I-Link”! The “I-Link” now allows one to link their GPS trolling motor to their fish finder and the newest “Lakemaster” chip. By doing this, all the functions of the Humminbird “I-Pilot”, are now on steroids! The whole game has changed again, and the latest technology has arrived! And anyone without these tools is left in the wake of those who actually possess and understand them. So where does one go to obtain and find out exactly how to interpret this latest and greatest fishing technology?

              Bass Pro Shops has been in business for more thirty years, and has strived to provide  greater customer service than any other outdoor retail store can, by staffing only the best and most knowledgeable associates that actually live and breathe fishing, boating, hunting, and all the outdoor adventures that let us know we are alive! This is why I not only work at Bass Pro Shops, but I enjoy what I do. Because we make it the best place to gain knowledge, get the best customer service, and truly understand who our customers are. Because we are our customers!

http://www.humminbird.com/ipilotlink/

An electric smoker is easy to operate and can add a variety of options to your everyday menus. Just like your slow cooker, an electric smoker can be preset for time and temperature and left alone until the food is ready to eat. It is a no fuss way to cook, and most smokers are easy to clean if you are careful during the cooking process.

These smokers make a tight seal that locks in the heat, moisture and flavor. They produce a consistent quality of food time after time. The even temperature throughout the cooking process makes the outcome predictable each time. Gas and charcoal smokers tend to fluctuate temperature during the cooking process, making it more difficult to have a consistent outcome from one time you use them to the next.

Since electric models have timers that shut them off when the cook time is complete, you do not have to be there waiting when the food is done. You can set it before work or before time for a party and you will not have to worry about it until you are ready to serve the food and eat.

 An electric smoker is usually associated with cooking meat, such as pork, beef, chicken and seafood. There are many vegetable dishes and other foods that are excellent cooked with this process in addition to meats. Recipe books about cooking with these smokers can be found at Bass Pro Shops, and any recipe book for smokers will work well in an electric model.

Most models have a special drawer to place the wood chips in to create the smoky flavor. Be sure to soak the wood chips in water for half an hour prior to putting them in the smoker. You can also add fresh herbs to the smoker for new flavors and aromas. Almost any herb is appropriate for cooking pork. Consult a recipe book for ideas about using herbs with other meats and vegetables.

Electric smoker grills should never be opened during the cooking process. This will let out all of the smoke; heat and moisture that you need to keep locked inside the smoker for optimal cooking and flavor. If you are worried about the doneness of food, use a thermometer to check the temperature during the cooking process.

The Masterbuilt 40” smoker fits all the needs for an electric smoker.

This smoker has 4 shelves with a large capacity that can fit 4 large briskets with ease. Cook time and temperature can be digitally set for accurate cooking. The best feature is the internal temp probe.

This tells you at a glance via the control panel or the remote control the internal temp of the meat, yes guys it comes with a remote.  Also with the electric smokers you can control the amount of smoke flavor by add a little or a lot of chips according to your personal tastes.

There is a large variety of chips available at Bass Pro Shops, Hickory, and mesquite, apple, cherry and newly added is peach and orange.

          March is here and hunters know this means turkey season is right around the corner! If you are a hunter preparing for the season, you will want to check out Bass Pro Shops new line of turkey decoys called the Reality Series.  In thuis new line of decoys you will find different options such as the choice between inflatable, foam, rubber and remote controlled decoys.  These cutting edge designs will not only increase your chances of bagging your gobbler, but it will also give you more convenience and confidence knowing that they you are carrying the best available decoys on the market. 

            The Upright Relaxed Hen and the Look Back Hen are two of the lightweight and durable decoys in the new Reality Series line.  Offered in both rubber and foam, these decoys present a realistic look that is just enough to settle that wary gobbler into coming within shooting range.  The decoys are hi-definition with realistic feather detail and lifelike posturing.  The Semi Feeding Jake is another lifelike decoy that will give this year’s turkey hunter a new advantage.  True taxidermy eyes and the new HD finish gives hunters confidence that allows them to put in the hours on the stand.

            Reality Series Remote Strutter has changed the game completely giving the hunter an advantage by adding movement to the already deadly decoy spread.  With the touch of a button you can get your Strutting Tom decoy to move in circles and bring in those elusive gobblers.  This decoy also has the High Definition finish and lifelike eyes.  The remote is good up to 50 yards.  However, associates have tested the remote beyond 75 yards.  Reality Series also offers the Remote Strut Stake.  This stake will fit with almost any hollowed body decoy.  So if you are satisfied with the decoy you currently own, you can always hook it up to the new rotating stake to add that right amount of movement to your lethal spread.  Come on in and check out the NEW Reality Series turkey decoys.

Spring is upon us and with the long awaited deer season all but gone, it is time to focus on spring hunting. With the coming of spring comes a different breed of hunting. No more thick socks to keep the toes warm, or the insulated jacket to keep the bitter cold sneaking in. Turkey hunting is one of the primary hunts of the spring. 

Turkey decoys are a big part of a successful hunt. Bass pro has rolled out a new decoy that is not only looks realistic, but struts with a touch of a button. Only at Bass Pro will you find the Reality Series strutter decoy system.  The system includes everything you need (excluding the 4 AA batteries) to take that trophy you have always wanted. The kit comes with a life like Tom Turkey that has been painted to mimic a turkey in real life and it has a realistic fan. It has a motor attached to a stake for easy installation. Last but not least a remote that with one push of a button allows the turkey to strut. This package is a hunters dream!

Now that we have the perfect setup all we need is a little luck and a good shot. Click on the link below  to hear some the new RedHead calls and to see this new RedHead Reality Series strutter decoy system.

https://vimeo.com/60424457

 You’ve probably seen folks standing in streams, on the side of ponds, or lakes and even salt water fly fishing and having a grand old time.  Perhaps you thought it looked hard or complicated or like a delicate art form.  Maybe the thought of flinging a hook around on the end of a fast moving fishing line might end up with you looking like the victim of some B-grade spider movie involving webs.  Folks, I promise you it isn’t hard. 

 The associates here at the White River Fly Shop are more than willing to spread the word.  As a matter of fact half the “secret” to fly casting is simply having someone who has a good bit of experience share a few little pieces of information with you.  Every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Bass Pro Shop of Garland’s White River Fly Shop conduct a free hands-on Fly Fishing 101 Seminar.  That’s right, it’s free and you do not need to bring anything with you.  We have all the equipment you will need for the class.  You don’t even have to call ahead or make reservations…see how easy it is already?

 Just a few of the things we cover in the class are the relationship between the line and the rod.  Fly rods are specifically engineered to bend at a certain rate with a certain “Weight” of line.  Fly line is usually made of PVC so it actually weighs a little bit.  The thicker the line the more it’s weight.  Many years ago all this was figured out using math which proved to be complicated.  In an effort to simplify matters, the fly fishing gurus got together and decided that the rating of the rod should be printed right on the rod itself.  So, if you see a #6 or the words 6wt, for example, you should match it with a six weight line.

  Another little bit of info is that we are actually casting the line and not the fly.  Flies rarely weigh enough to get centrifugal force to help with the cast.  If, however, we get that line going in a fairly straight line it will fly like an arrow straight to where you want it.  The fly is simply along for the ride, like the passenger in the back of a cab.  It is the fly that does the work once you get it there, but you have to get it there in order to catch fish.

   Fly casting is a little like a golf swing.  If you do it right it will produce hours of fun and excitement.  Come on in on a Saturday or Sunday and open up a whole new world of fishing adventures.  It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s free so come spend some time with the pros here at The White River Fly Shop inside your Garland Bass Pro Shop!

Kayak fishing is an alternative form of local fishing which numerous anglers are turning to for a more serene and intimate day on the water. With the popularity of kayak fishing increasing as steadily as gas prices, more and more people are finding themselves searching the web for kayak fishing related info.

Many anglers are finding out is that kayak fishing is proving to be more effective than fishing from a motorized boat. Everything that kayaks lacks in terms of speed, it more than makes up with its stealth. Being able to pull up quietly on the fish puts you at great advantage – fish are no fans of that buzz of an outboard over their heads. Kayak will allow you to fish the spots that are impossible, or not easily accessible when fishing from a power boat.

If you are new to kayak fishing, you need to take your time and learn about the sport. You want to gradually work your way up – start fishing in secluded bays or lakes, and work your way up to the open ocean. Do not ever get too relaxed about your own safety! Always wear a life jacket, always carry a communication device (hand held radio, phone), have a navigation device (compass, GPS). Let your family know about the exact location you are planning to fish, and approximate time they can expect you back home. You can also add a small fish finder very easily. The transducer can be epoxied to the inside of the hull and, a small 12 volt battery lashed in and you can sneak right to otherwise inaccessible fish

The web has plenty of information on kayak fishing. Kayak fishing forums/bulletin boards the best place to visit. The chances are – the information you are looking for is already there – the forum search button is your friend. If unable to find what you’re looking for, post your question and other kayak anglers are known to be supportive of the newcomers to the sport; other more experienced folks will help point you in the right direction.

            It is time to get the boat ready and build back up the tackle boxes! Grab your Alabama Rigs and your Watermelon Flukes, because this year is going to be one of the best we have had in a long time. As a lot of us know, last year was one of the worst years in a long time for fishing, and for recreational boating in the whole Dallas/Fort Worth area. This was due to the extreme lack of rain, and such low lake levels, that one couldn’t even launch their boat from once familiar ramps! Thanks to a couple of seasons of great rain and warmer than average weather, the level of our lakes and the water temperature is once again ideal for fishing and recreational boating!

            The start of this year has seen a lot of changes in the equipment and tools we use to find fish and catch the lake records we all live for. The new line of sonar/chart plotting combos is of course, the first and most important. Examples like the new “Humminbird 360” and “Lowrance Structure Scan” are the latest and most cutting edge of fisherman technology! These new tools allow any fisherman to see well beyond the normal parameters of sight, and truly observe fish and structure more than a hundred and fifty feet all the way around them! It can be definitely stated that the whole game has changed, and anyone without these tools is left in the wake of those who actually possess and understand them. So where does one go to obtain and find out exactly how to interpret this latest and greatest fishing technology?

            Bass Pro Shops has been in business for more than forty years, and has strived to provide  greater customer service than any other outdoor retail store can, by staffing only the most knowledgeable associates that truly live and breathe fishing, boating, hunting, and all the outdoor adventures that let us know we are alive! This is why I not only work at Bass Pro Shops, but I enjoy what I do. Because we make it the best place to gain knowledge, get the best customer service, and truly understand who our customers are. Because we are our customers!

    In 2011 Bowtech brought us the Diamond Razor Edge. It was a great bow with good features and proved to be the best seller for 2011 and 2012. Bass Pro Shops Garland is excited to announce the arrival of Bowtechs Diamond Infinite Edge, which is proving to be the best selling bow for 2013 and possibly years to come! The Diamond Infinite Edge is a bow for life!

    The Diamond Razor Edge offered archers the ability to adjust their draw length from 18-29 inches, and to adjust their draw weight from 20-60 pounds. The new Diamond Infinite Edge allows archers greater versatility than any other bow on the market. Draw lengths can be set anywhere among 13-30 inches, and the draw weight can be set anywhere from 5-70 pounds. The range of adjustments makes this an ideal bow for men, women and kids, it is even great for those who have suffered from an injury. Because of the large range of adjustability with this bow, archers are not limited to one particular arrow size anymore. In the past some arrows may have been too heavy or too light. The Diamond Infinite Edge comes fully equipped with an Apex 3-pin easy adjustable sight, a hostage rest, and an Octane quiver. The demand for this bow has been extremely high. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price on this bow is $399.99, but Bass Pro Shops is selling it at an introductory price of $349.99. It comes in Mossy Oak Tree stand or Pink Blaze. The features and benefits of this bow put the Diamond Infinite Edge at the head of its class!

    The Diamond Infinite Edge is the perfect bow for both experienced and inexperienced, male or female, young or old. With its wide range of versatility and coming fully equipped, the Diamond Infinite Edge is truly worth the investment. With proper care and maintenance the Diamond Infinite Edge will be an outstanding bow for Infinity!

For more specs and information visit: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=infinite+edge

Bream, red-ear, bluegills, sunnies, shellcracker, goggle-eye or perch, whatever you call them, the chances are that one of them was the first fish you caught as a kid.  These wonderful little fish don’t get enough credit.  They’re relatively easy to catch, they don’t require a lot of tackle, they fight surprisingly well and they can make excellent table fare if you choose.  Let’s just refer to them as bream for today.

  Larger fish like bass and catfish are sought for their fighting prowess.  I’ll match the fight in a bluegill ounce for ounce with any of the larger species and you don’t have to make excuses if you feel like taking a few home for the dinner table.  If you take a close look at members of the sunfish family you’ll see that they are also as colorful and artistically hued as any wild trout.  The best part is that they are practically in your back yard.

  Bream will usually bite all year if you are in the right spot.  Take some light fishing gear like light or ultra light spinning rods and you’ll have a blueprint for a good day.  Add the right baits and you’ll be surprised how much fun you can have.  Like many other fish they seek, shelter, a comfortable water temperature and food.

 Some good places to hunt in spring include sandy edges of lakes and ponds, and calm pools in rivers or streams.  Take along some wax worms, crickets or small sinking fishing flies to catch a stringer full.  A favorite technique is to employ small bobbers about three feet above your bait and slowly retrieve your offering around brush, sand or rocks to discover their spawning areas.

  In the summer try small in-line spinner like Panther Martins or Rooster Tails.  Small spoons that imitate tiny baitfish are also winners for the spinning reel enthusiast.  You still can’t go wrong with wax worms on cane poles for fun.  If you can find the shade of a bridge, overhanging trees or if you have access to the docks around marinas, you should do well.

  In the fall, as the water starts to cool, try dabbing small worms, crickets or even small crappie jigs like the Bass Pro Shops Pro Lite jigs found in the White River Fly Shop.  The fish are still going to be in the marinas, under bridges and along rocky, brush-laden shorelines, but they tend to hang out just a bit deeper.

  Winter can be a great time for bream if we use just a little logic. We’ve all heard that we need to downsize our bait for other species like bass and crappie in the colder months.  The same holds true, for bream, but for a slightly different reason.

  During the warmer months we see dragonflies, damsel flies and a myriad of different bugs flitting onto the water and dancing around the edges.  These flying versions of the bugs are the adult stage.  They do not live very long.  As a matter of fact, just about the main thing an adult flying insect does is mate and die.  We get to enjoy their mating dances as they reproduce.  Most of the water born, like mayflies, midges, caddis, stone flies and dragonflies’ eggs drop through the water column, and begin their pupae and larval lives in the water or very nearby.  The flying “parents” bugs have long since died, so we don’t see them, but the life cycle continues underwater out of sight of the angler’s eyes.  They also become number one on the menu for bream. 

  You can find some outstanding bream baits in the White River Fly Shop in Bass Pro Shops of Garland.  Try bead headed Squirrel Nymphs, Prince Nymphs, or Wooly Buggers just to start with, I’ve used them on bream with great success for many years. Try trout style nymph flies in size 10, 12, 14 and even smaller. Don’t be put off by the miniscule size, they’re deadly.  While you’re here ask your pro fishing staff what kinds of baits they’ve used!

Whitetail breeding seasons are divided into three separate breeding phases.  The first phase is generally called the pre rut. This pre rut usually is within the summer months and can last two or three months. During these months Whitetail usually travel in larger groups feeding and grazing. Most importantly this is the time bucks begin to “size” up the competition. During this time all the mature bucks begin to set their dominance. Surprisingly it takes the same amount of days for a mature buck to grow his rack, as it would a young buck to grow a significantly smaller set. As autumn arrives so does the rut. Scraping activity will dramatically rise as the days get shorter and cooler. Scrapes are usually round and are about two to three feet in width. Bucks usually choose an area that has low overhanging limbs to leave a scent, and use his foot to create the scrape. This is a very important part of the cycle because does seek out these rubs looking for the dominate buck to mate with. Later in the winter months the post rut begins, usually known as the recovery period. Bucks have been going nonstop day and night and have lost a significant amount of body weight. It’s time for the bucks to start eating and trying to regain body fat and strength to endure the harsh winter.