Page 168 - Cityview_Jan_Feb_2014

2014 Downtown Knoxville boatshow

quite the Catch:

The Beginner’s Guide to Bass Fishing

T

by Damion Huntoon
bass. The large mouth species com-
monly weighs the most of the three,

one of the oldest American gaming while the small mouth and spotted can
traditions, fishing is a sport that can
be real challenges to lure.

be both fun and rewarding. With the Bass usually live in submerged
many species of fish available in North thickets of plant life. Because the bass

America, none is more challenging and is equipped on either side with a nerve
exciting to catch than the freshwater sensory known as a “lateral line,” it is

bass. Bass fishing clubs and tourna- very sensitive to water temperature
ments have bred an entire culture of and movement. It commonly ambushes

fishermen searching out the best pos- its food, striking from a secure hidden
sible recipe in any given condition to area. In spring, bass tend to be territo-

catch an illusive whopper. Fortunately, rial, protecting their nests of newborn
you don’t have to be a diehard pro to fish, while in other seasons they can

enjoy the sport. But before you hang tend to wander a body of water.
that “gone fishing” sign, here are a few Cityview spoke to a few experienced professionally on the Bass Elite Series

tips on what to know when starting any anglers about their best tips and the spots and FLW tours. He currently resides in
bass outing.
they recommend for the new fisherman.
Caryville, Tennessee.

Brandon Card was named 2012 Bass- “East Tennessee is a great place to
Understanding the Bass
master Elite Series Rookie of the Year
learn how to bass fish. The diversity of

The North American freshwater bass at the age of 26. A native of LaFollette, lakes in this region is what makes it so
comes in three common species: the Tennessee, he attended the university special. There are seven fantastic lakes

largemouth, the small mouth (or brown of Kentucky, where he competed on the within an hour’s drive of Knoxville, and
bass), and the spotted (or Kentucky)
collegiate level, and he now competes
they are all very different. We have every-

thing from deep, clear lakes to shallow,
muddy lakes and everything in between.

These lakes teach you how to be a good
shallow fisherman, deep fisherman,

power fisherman, and finesse fisher-
man, making them the perfect training

grounds for up-and-coming anglers.”
Knoxville native Arthur (Ott) De-

Foe started tournament fishing while
still in high school. After winning the

2011 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year
award, DeFoe has gone on to build an

impressive career in the professional
circuits. He was voted 2nd in the Bass-

master Elite Series’ 2012 Angler of the
slows or runs in reverse. Natural colors

and slow retrieves will draw subtle
strikes from many nice fish.”Jansing. “I

can probably talk you through most any
problem you’ve got.”

22 DowntownKnoxvilleboatshow.com march 6-9, 2014