From One Angler To Another

How to Fish for Bass in the Fall

October 30, 2020 By DeDee

The days are shorter and colder. However, there will still be days full of sunshine where you are just itching to get your boat in the water one more time.

It turns out autumn is still a good time to bass fish. Here are the five most common questions about it, as it’s different than spring or summer fishing.

Is fall a good time to bass fish?

Yes, however, you have to think like a fish to be the most successful. First, remember they are feeding all the time, filling up their bellies for a long winter. Second, they are continually moving, so you have to as well.

How do you fish for bass in the fall?

Use spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and top-water baits. Vibrating, rattling lures like a crankbait are productive when water temperatures are falling. Spinnerbaits work well in the wind. Top-water baits work when you are fishing along the shoreline without a boat.

For more the lures, check out this YouTube video.

Provided by Wired2Fish

What do bass feed on in the fall?

They feed on anything that resembles a shad or shiner.

Where do bass go in the fall?

Boat docks can also be a great place to target bass this time of year. Look for wood docks, on which algae grows below the waterline. Other areas include coves, bays, and creek arms. But remember, they are continually moving, so you must do so as well.

What is the best tip?

Autumn is a time when patience wins out. You will have to try several baits. What works one day might not work the next. Be ready to fish fast, and by all means, please be versatile!

Brought to you by Sarasota Quality Products

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters keep their boats safe and achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you by calling us at 440-899-9820, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm EST.

The 4 Best Bass Boats of the Year

September 29, 2020 By DeDee

Now is the best time to start shopping for bass boats as the 2020 models are being retired, and the 2021 ones are making their introductions. Here are the four bass boats in 2020, as ranked by TripSavvy.

Please remember if you want to install The Key Captain remote locking system on your boat while at the dealership, we’ll coordinate your installation with your dealer.

Here are the best bass boats.

Best Overall: The Puma FTD

The Puma FTD continues its legacy as one of the most popular models in the Bass Cat Premium category. At 20’4″ in length, it carries the necessary footprint for maneuverability in tight areas. The forward recessed foot pedal positions anglers for pinpoint accuracy and efficiency at all times. When it’s time to head offshore, the 94″ beam will give you the confidence to span waves without sacrificing stability. Twin 26-gallon fuel tanks provide the range to make it out there and back with no worries.

Price: $69,000

Runner Up: Nitro Z21

Bred to be a champion, the NITRO® Z21 is our most advanced bass boat, designed with Bassmaster Classic Champions Kevin VanDam and Edwin Evers. The Z21 is our biggest performance bass boat, but doesn’t it doesn’t sacrifice speed and performance for size. It’s got room at the console and the bow for flush-mounting 12″ fishfinders, plus a heavily-insulated cooler under the step up to the bow deck. Low-profile gunnels feature integrated nav lights, and advanced deck drainage keeps your gear dry in the roughest conditions.

Price: $45,600

Best Under $30,000: Ranger Z175

The Z175’s tournament-inspired design is evident from bow to stern and is complemented by spirited, economic performance. An 8-foot rod box and gel-coat-lined, insulated step cooler, massive starboard storage, and integrated tool holders highlight the front deck. At the same time, power is provided by 115 horses hung on an integrated setback for peak performance. The cockpit features premium seats covered in marine-grade vinyl for sharp looks and all-around comfort, while the cantilevered console delivers more space and houses standard Lowrance® electronics. The timed, aerated livewell is flanked by a pair of oversized storage boxes in front of easy-to-reach battery access. Complementing the on-water performance of the Z175 is a hand-built Ranger Trail® trailer that’s custom made for years of peace of mind off the water. The swing-away trailer tongue makes this compact rig even shorter for more storage options. Each time you back it down the ramp, the Z175 boasts prominent features and a big attitude.

Price: $30, 500

Best Aluminum: Crestliner 1750 Bass Hawk

Whether you’re angling walleye, muskie, or bass, this multispecies Deep-V hull fishing boat can take you where you want to go. You can easily navigate from the dock to the main lake basin, and then over to your favorite shallow water fishing hole from the new, premium console, which features multifunction chrome gauges, space for 12″ flush mount electronics, and much more.

The all-welded wide beam hull adds extra stability, and the variable degree deadrise allows you to make tighter turns and still feel in control. In addition to massive casting decks at the bow and stern, the amount of accessible storage is incredible. The 1750 Bass Hawk comes standard with a large 28-gallon livewell and an illuminated center rod locker that can hold up to 15 rods up to 8′. It all adds up to a zero-compromise, multispecies-catching machine.

Price: $30,700

About Sarasota Quality Products

Your boat is more than a hobby. It’s an expression of who you are. And you want to keep it secure. We understand. We’ve been helping boaters achieve greater peace of mind for 35+ years. Let us know how we can help you by calling 440-899-9820 today!

The Differences Between Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

August 27, 2020 By DeDee

When anglers head for their respective tournaments, it is essential to know what type of bass they will likely run into in the waterways. It turns out, even though smallmouth and largemouth bass can live in the same freshwater waterway and they can often be the same size, they are quite different species.

Let us take a closer look at each.

Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth bass is in the sunfish family. They are often known as “Brown Bass.” It is a popular game fish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America.

Smallmouth does not get large, often topping out around ten pounds.

They are usually more acrobatic in the water, often seen trying to throw a hook when caught.

You can find smallmouth bass in cold, northern waters like the Great Lakes. They like the cover, hunting around it. However, they swim in clear waters and are found in challenging currents.

They stick to shallow water during the spring and fall. When the weather turns hot, they migrate to deeper waters. They are rarely in groups.

Largemouth Bass

The largemouth bass is a carnivorous freshwater gamefish in the sunfish family, generally native to eastern and central United States and northern Mexico. They are often referred to as a “Green Bass.”

They have a large mouth with an upper jaw that extends past the eye and can weigh in at twice the poundage of their smallmouth cousin.

They are not jumpers and prefer warmer waters, like Lake Okeechobee.

Largemouth bass loves the thick cover, making it optimal to fish for them in murky water. They avoid strong currents.

Largemouthers spend their summers in shallow bays and creeks.

Brought to You by Sarasota Quality Products

Whether you are fishing for smallmouth or largemouth bass, it’s essential to have the right reels, rods, and lures on board. And of course, you want to make sure everything is locked and secure in your boat. For the best remote locking system around, order the Key Captain!

High Speed Reel versus Low-Speed Reel: What’s the Difference?

July 31, 2020 By DeDee

Pro Angler Gary Klein recently used a high-speed reel at a tournament on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, and he loved it. “My whole key that week at Heavy Hitters was to fish as far away from the boat as I could, so I made long casts and speed reeled as fast as I could,” said Klein.

He did two casts per minute, physically working as hard as he could.

The results? He put 22 fish for almost 68 pounds on SCORETRACKER to advance to the Championship Round.

“Speed reeling is something I’ve always really loved to do. You have to have relatively clear water – you can’t pull the fish to you in dirty water,” Klein noted.

With his success, doesn’t it make sense that every bass fisher should go to a faster reel?

The answer is it depends on the fisherman’s goals and the conditions they are fishing in. The speed of the reel is all about gear ratio; in other words, how many times a spool will spin per crank of the handle.

Here’s a good comparison of high- versus low-speed reels.

High-Speed Reel

Anything above 5-to-1 is considered high speed for spinning reels. There are reels on the market that offer faster gears, up to 8-to-1, but most of those high-gear reels have a smaller spool.

This is an excellent reel when the water is clear, and you want to:

Cast quickly and far away from your boat
Retrieve your lure fast
Hook into a fish close to a structure; you can get them away from it quicker

Low-Speed Reel

Low-speed reels lend themselves towards heavy jigging, surface casting, or where pulling power comes as a priority to line retrieval.

If you want to retrieve your lure slowly and the water conditions are not excellent, slow reeling is a better option, especially if you are not in a tournament or are teaching your family members to fish.

Brought to you by Sarasota Quality Products

Great Father’s Day Gifts for Your Fisherman

June 18, 2020 By DeDee

If you are still struggling with what to get your angler this Father’s Day, don’t sweat it! There will be at least one item below that meets your price point, from the least expensive line cutter to the most expensive watch. Take a look and remember – these items are fishermen approved!

Remote Boat Locking System

The Key Captain Is A State Of The Art Electronic Locking System Ideal For Bass Boats and Other Fishing Boats. If You Need Someone To Walk You Through The Options, simply call us at 1-440-899-9820. Or let us know if you’d like to have it installed on a new boat or retrofitted onto your boat through a dealer near you.

Line Cutter

Designed to snip a fishing line with a clean and smooth cut, the Boomerang Tool has a spring-loaded retractable leash that attaches to a belt loop or boat. The 420 stainless steel blades and heavy-duty body and resist rust over time.

Fish Finder

Easily find fish in the water with the Striker 4 dual-beam transducer from Garmin. It has a high-sensitivity GPS that finds fish with a sonar transducer and features a built-in flasher and swivel mount that can attach to the side of a boat.

Folding Knife

This Bubba knife is easy-to-store go-anywhere folding fillet knife with a 7-inch Tempered Flex blade of titanium-nitride coated high-carbon stainless steel. It will last a lifetime.

Fishing Rod

The lightest Ugly Stik ever made the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Carbon Casting Rods pair legendary durability with supreme sensitivity. The rods are made from 24-ton graphite to produce crisp actions. They have Fuji Soft-Touch reel seats, and Winn split grips. Check lengths from 6.5 to 7.5 feet in actions from medium-light to heavy.

Deck Grippers

XTRATUF, famous for deck boots and other marine footwear, has lowered the line on their fashionable ankle deck boots to create a Men’s Waterproof Slip-On Deck Shoe, that’s waterproof (neoprene and rubber upper) and comfortable, with a slip-resistant chevron outsole. A unique liner keeps feet cool and dry. Weight is about 1.9 pounds.

GPS Super Smartwatches

The Garmin Quatix 6 Marine Smartwatches have dozens of features for anglers, including comprehensive connectivity with compatible chartplotters and other marine electronics for autopilot control and data streaming to include speed, depth, temperature, wind, and more. Two versions, including the Quatix 6 and Quatix 6 Titanium.

Tackle Box Storage

A revolution in tackle box storage, four different Plano EDGE boxes are built for storage in standard, thin, or deep-box configurations. Additional boxes are designed for specific lure styles, such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Super sturdy, with clear lids, Rustrictor infusion to eliminate rust, and many more features, including a Water Wick system for water absorption.

Catch and Release Tool

Bogo Grip tool can be operated with one hand and provides the user with a simple way to catch and release without harming the fish. It’s made with stainless steel and is designed for continued use in fresh or saltwater. The rubberized clamp fits around the jawbone of most fish species and won’t rub off the fish’s protective slime layer.

Enjoy your Father’s Day with Dad!