Jerkbait tips from Hillary Hughes!

Fall fishing can be one of the most fun season’s to fish. Big bass are chasing the shad and loading up for the cold months ahead. Many people know that jerkbait fishing can catch big fish throughout the cold winter months; what about when the water temperature is in the high 50’s to low 60’s and you can’t seem to get a bite on anything else? Match the hatch, find a windy point, and pick up a jerkbait!

There are a couple tricks to fishing a jerkbait. The Vision 110 is a great bait that comes in many colors, but Ozark Shad particularly stands out for this time of year. Change the front and back treble hooks to Round Bend Gamakatsu. Make the front one red while keeping the back treble hooks black to create an injured appearance, which can trigger strikes. This set up will also point the nose down at about a 45 degree angle, which is KEY! To finish the bait off apply a coat of UV. This will help to reflect sunlight the way shad do naturally. When retrieving your lure, remember you're trying to imitate a dying shad—don't rush the pauses between each jerk and always jerk on a slack line.

This is also where a great rod comes into play and I would recommend a 684 Champion Series Dobyns casting rod. Using a 6’8 rod is key for me because I was not blessed with being tall so it’s more comfortable to have a shorter rod and my rod tip won’t hit the water during retrieval. I usually use 8-10 pound fluorocarbon line because it sinks, which helps when trying to catch those deeper fish. If you find yourself in really clear water, downsize to a smaller line, from 10 to 8, or 8 to 6. Now go tie on your favorite jerkbait, and catch some pigs!

PS Don't tell Hank Cherry I shared this info with you! haha

Dog Days of Summer

Since I began writing this blog I've started to get emails from people asking me what I would do in certain climates or weather conditions, and asking if there are presentations other than the ones I've suggested that are also an option to someone who might not feel that what I've suggested is something that they're really comfortable doing. So with that in mind, this week I'm going to address a question that I received last week, and I'm going to have several of my friends offer their opinions as well.

To begin with, the hottest days of the year can be brutal for fishing. Sometimes it feels like there are two suns in the sky when you're faced with glaring reflections off the water. For many people, largemouth and smallmouth both can seem to just disappear this time of year, leaving you feeling burned by the sun and the fish. As I've said before, I don't like fishing docks. So I'm going to focus on other transitional areas and what I use to target them.

Click here to read the rest!

Trick or Treat!

A special 5 In The Box Halloween edition with the lovely Kate Dattilo.

How long have you been fishing?

I've actually been fishing as long as I can remember.  It's been a part of my life so long I couldn't tell you the first time I went.

How were you introduced to it?

My Dad has always loved it.  When I was a kid growing up he always had the newest lures and gear, and our basement was like a tackle shop.  If needed anything at all, I could just go downstairs and get it.

Do you have brothers and sisters that share the same love for it that you do?

I have a sister, an older brother who has a daughter, and we all love it.

Why do you love it?  I mean, do you love it?

LOL, YES!  I'm on the water as much as I can be and I still get out with my dad at least once or twice a week.  

Does he still teach you things?

Absolutely.  My Dad fishes very slow, patiently.  He's not the type of person to run all over the lake hitting as many spots as he can for like 5 minutes before running to the next spot and the next and the next.  He takes his time, finds the fish, finds what they want to eat, and is really great at taking his time through it all.  I love that the most about fishing with him.  

Traditionally, most men would not look at a woman of your beauty and say "yeah, sure she baits her own hook".  Have you found it to be difficult for you to gain any sort of respect among men and even women for that matter, and if so how do you deal with that?

Yeah I have found it difficult but only with men; not all men, it seems like it's 50/50.  I feel like men either don't take me seriously at all, or are like "WOW!  She's a badass!".  But the people that I meet and interact with through social media have all been (for the most part) really positive and supportive.  

When guys think of female anglers right now they immediately think of like, Allison Shaw, Trait Crist, Claire Ansley, Stephanie Hemphill, Hillary Hughes, or like a Callie Shumway.  Do you find yourself able to identify with any of them or anyone like them, and do you have anyone like that who is also trying to accomplish the same things you are that you can reach out and talk to?

I don't talk to any of them, but for sure I think we all can identify with each other even if it's just because we all love to fish.  

What's your favorite way to fish?

God, I don't know.  Whatever they're eating.  lol.  Seriously though, that's really hard.  I love flippin a jig.  But I also really like a good topwater bite, or cranking when fish are active.  And who doesn't like throwin a Sick Stick or any old soft plastic Texas rigged?  

You're the first female angler to join Power Team Lures.  Congratulations!  How awesome was that?!?

Amazing!  It's a HUGE honor.  I'm so lucky to be a part of a company that I can honestly say "I was using this stuff before I joined the team" and to trust their baits and believe in them.  And to be the first woman is great, and gives me the opportunity to hopefully pave the way for other women as well.  I don't use any other soft plastics when I'm fishing.

What's the biggest bass you've ever caught?

You're lookin at her!

That's a great fish!

Thanks!  She was 6 lbs.

What's your favorite lake?

Lake Winnipesaukee.

Wait...Lake What?!!??

LOL...Winnipesaukee.  It's ok, everybody calls it Winni.

Least favorite?

Don't have one.

OK...let's get down to the nitty gritty!

1.  What's it like on a Sunday at your house when you're not fishing?

I'm always fishing, but if I'm not I'm probably watching the Packers!

Gross.

HAHAHA!  Shut up you know you love them!  

2.  Do you have any rituals or superstitions other than kissing every fish?

(Laughing) I organize all my tackle, it has to be all nice and neat.  By the end of the day everything is thrown everywhere.  I also pray to my grampa (he passed away two years ago) that he'll guide me through the day (and help me catch a toad)!

3.  What was the best day you had this year?

It was in May or early June.  My father and I went out and every fish I caught was like 3 lbs or bigger.  All chunks!  What a blast!

4.  What's the one place you're looking forward to fishing in 2014?

Lake Okeechobee.  There are just so many big fish there and I'm DIEING to go after them and try to catch my first 10 plus!

5.  What's one thing nobody knows about you?

I actually caught my face on fire when I was a little girl.  Thankfully I don't have any scars!  Other than that, I'm an open book!

5 In The Box: 2013 Year in Review/Outtakes

It's true, the end of the 2013 fishing season is fast approaching.  New licenses will go into effect soon, people up north begin preparing for winterizations, and the focus turns to 2014.  So rather than look back in sadness, I wanted to share some of the more comical moments from 2014.  The highs, the lows, the moments I shared with each of the people who were kind enough to share their time with me that either didn't make the article for one reason or another, or that stick out to me.  So here you are, my 2013 Year and Review, and 5 In The Box Outtakes, in no particular order, done "Jim-Root" style.  ;)


Tyler Mohr
My friend Tyler posts his new address as he officially begins his freshman year in college in a Facebook status "...in case anyone wants to send me food, money, fishing stuff...or money...lol".  Claire Ansley and I agree that she'll use that address as her own when she's asked by creepy guys where she lives.  Cheers, Tyler.

A swim in the cold water of Smith Mountain Lake in April

It's Friday night.  Tyler Meadows and I make a bet with his brother Zach and roommate Josh Wilson, that the team with the smallest weight after two days will have to go in the water.  Josh and Zach left Saturday night without saying goodbye.  Moral of the story here boys, is that guys our age would never risk going in the water like that if we weren't betting on a sure thing.  They owe us a swim.  #OlderAndWiser

Pictured left to right:  Tim Hawley, Josh Wilson, Zach Meadows, Tyler Meadows, Jim Root.

Cliff Pace

Less than a month after winning The Bassmaster Classic, Cliff Pace is talking to me on the phone Sunday Morning while I'm eating breakfast.  It's incredibly kind of him.  I can't tell you how many people I reached out to asking to do this and didn't hear back from.  It meant a lot to me that he did that.  Thanks, Cliff.

I join the team at Quantum

I sent out over 400 letters last year.  FOUR HUNDRED.  Ya know how many I got responses from?  Five.  But one of them happened to be from John Kushnerick at Quantum, offering me an opportunity to join them.  It's been an incredible opportunity to be a part of their team.

Randall Tharp

I fished with Randal Tharp at Lake Oneida.  During the day he tells me how much it would mean to him to win the Forest Wood Cup.  I say something like "maybe this is your year".  Then he goes out and wins it.  Congrats, Randall.

Pictured left to right:  Greg Pugh, Jim Root, Randall Tharp

Allison Shaw

My first ever "5 In The Box" interview is published.  Thanks to Allison Shaw for spending the day on the phone with me.  I had over an hour of phone conversation recorded where Allison talked to me about everything from paintings to guys she dated who turned out to be horrible.  She was actually really sick before her first tournament of the year and was limited in her practice.  Thankfully I didn't get blamed for that.  She's really great to talk to.  An hour will fly by.

Brandon Palaniuk

I meet Brandon and we fish together on the James River in Virginia.  Our day begins at 70+ mph in his Skeeter.  We come into a corner of the river and he spots a guy in the water and quickly stops to see if everyone is ok.  Somehow the man in the water had been thrown from his boat while driving.  This stands out to me because as we stop, slowly motor over to offer help, and wait to be sure everyone is ok, no less than 25 other boats speed by, and nobody even slows down.

He's extremely funny, full of energy, and an incredible angler.  "I'm about to show these fools right here how to throw a square-bill" and with that, he throws his Arashi prototype underhanded, into a space about a foot wide between two trees, 20 feet away.  He tells me about a saying he and his friends utter just before they tackle each other off of the boat.  I remind him of that phrase when I see him in August at Oneida.  He grins "Hey man that's cool, just make sure you call it out".  I'm looking forward to fishing with him again.  

The Potomac River

Little good came out of my FLW EverStart Event at the Potomac, but I was able to take my son on stage with me for the first time, and I met John McGoey, who's since become one of my best friends on the Tour.  I got to fish with him at Oneida for 3 days, and he is without a doubt one of the nicest and most giving people you will ever meet.

Callie Shumway

Because of time constraints this interview took quite a while to complete, and it was all done over chat through Facebook.  I've seen her pictures, I knew she could fish, but I didn't know she had a cummulative GPA of 3.78 while earning her Bachelor's Degree.  What I remember most was that she's the only one who wasn't aspiring to fish as a Pro on Tour.  Her main goal was just to be able to fish out of her kayak and documenting and photography were her main focus.  She, like Allison Shaw, got really sick shortly after this interview.  Is 5ITB contagious?!?

Gary Dobyns

I get a phone call at 9:40 pm from a number I don't recognize, but it shows up as a California number.  At first I'm shocked to hear from him, but it's refreshing, and after 20 minutes or so, I see that he's someone I can relate to, and it means a lot to me to hear him say certain things.  My friend Timmy said to me that this sport is full of people coming and going all the time and that switching teams is a part of the business, but that's not been the kind of experience I've wanted.  Gary presented me with an opportunity to be with one rod company for my entire career.  I can't thank him enough.  He, his family (yes, even you, Miranda), and the rest of the team at Dobyns Rods have been incredibly kind to me.  Loyalty, appreciation, trust, these are not things you find in every company in this industry and the longer you're in this industry you'll learn that.  So when you find it, cherish it.  Just don't ask Miranda to pick out the color of your son's Jr. Pro Staff shirt for you...

John McGoey
I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason.  John and I fished together at the Potomac river.  While it wasn't a day we could both celebrate on stage, we did find we had a lot of similarities; not the least of which being that we each lost our Dad within the last year due to similar illnesses.  Even if I never fish again I know he and I will remain great friends.

Bridget Allen
I had been Facebook friends with Bridget for awhile but hadn't talked to her, and then one day I read that she was freezing in Upstate NY!  I spent more time on the water with her this year than I did with anyone else.  We had some great times at Oneida, and I'm sure we'll keep fishing together in 2014.  There's even a little friendly competition that's starting to brew between her and I, and rumors of a title belt in the works...

Bass Snax

I join the team at Bass Attacker Lures in March, and by the end of June we have my first product I help to design completed.  We run a promotion on Facebook to name it, and settle on "Bass Snax".  Within a year this deadly little finesse worm has already won three tournaments.  Oh, and most importantly, I smoked my mouthy little brother with it!  :)

Claire Ansley

The most fun I've had doing any of the interviews that I did.  She's not what I expected.  She's a lot funnier and kinder than I think a lot of people would expect.  At one point she says to me "It is sad that your little Yankee butt recognized rudeness rather than a "southern gentleman"."  I didn't tell her she lost 5 points for hating on us Yanks.  I'll be sure to send that along.  Oh, and FYI, to this day her interview is the most read thing I've ever written.  But just because she's beautiful and loves to hunt and fish does NOT mean guys should show up at her work or send her creepy stuff.  Besides, we already know it's gonna end up delivered to a teenage boy's dorm room anyhow.  ;)

Rahfish

Oddly enough it's Tim Hine, owner of RahFish, that I have to thank for the opportunity to join Dobyns.  I inquired about joining the team of writers at RahFish and Tim asks me to send him a review of Cashion Rods.  At that time I'd been with Cashion for almost 3 years, and I felt really confident with my ability to write that article.  Not only did it land me the place with Rah, it also delivered me into the land of Orange.

Teresa DePalma

This was the first, and to this point, only interview I have done with someone who's primarily not an angler.  Teresa's main focus is hunting, and while a lot of the questions were easy enough to reword, the interview itself was different because of the change of focus.  She's also the only fellow New Yorker I've (as of yet) had the opportunity to interview, and that was also really exciting for me as I felt it gave me an opportunity to share parts of this great state with the rest of the world.  The thing I remember most about this piece was that she asked me to change one of the pictures that I used.  Everyone I interview always sends me pics, gives me permission to take any I want from facebook, or does both, Teresa included.  But when she viewed the finished product there was one picture I used that she felt didn't fit with her vision for this interview.  She sent me a different one, pictured below, but I chose to go with a different photo of her rather than this one (at the time).  I don't mind doing that at all.  I want the people I interview to feel they're portrayed fairly.  With the women I've interviewed this year, it's been really important that they not be objectified in a negative way.  I've wanted to demonstrate that women can compete with men in sports and be sexy simultaneously.  Hopefully that has been conveyed.

Casey Martin

Casey was the only one I interviewed twice (I'll finish up part two and get it posted next week).  I wish I could just post a recording of my conversations with him, because they're really funny when they happen, but sadly some of that humor just won't translate onto type.  The thing that I admire the most about him, is that nothing that happened to him this year; Circuit Breaker, fishing in his first Forest Wood Cup, winning his first FLW Major as a pro, changed who he is or how he relates to people.  If you watch, he responds to every tweet, every facebook post, and he's getting TONS!  That's really not easy to do.  I mentioned that to him and he said "I was a fan first, I will always be a fan, and I will always try to do my best to be grateful and friendly to people who reach out and support me."  Amen.

My first youth fishing clinic

I was very fortunate to have had an opportunity to partner with Citizens Bank to provide a youth fishing clinic in my hometown.  My goal was to eliminate all cost, so no child would be denied an opportunity to participate and learn an alternative to drugs, violence, or crime.  Because of Citizens Bank, Roma's Pizzeria, Friendly's Ice Cream, and the staff at Cook Park, we were able to provide all the kids with gear, bait, free entry, pizza, ice cream, and coupons.  It was an amazing day and I hope we can do it every year.

Hillary Hughes

Hillary was another interview that took a couple days to complete over the internet.  I was trying to wrap up Claire Ansley, Teresa DePalma, Callie Shumway, and Hillary all in the same two weeks.  I remember thinking at one point "I should just combine them all into one", but I didn't want them to lose any of their individuality or for one to overshadow another.  But to be honest, interviewing those 4 women at one time, was more than I bargained for.  Thankfully they're all very patient, a necessary trait for anyone who thinks they want to make hunting or fishing more than just a "hobby".

Navionics and Drop Shotting

I write two reviews that are posted on corporate websites.  The first is a how-to about Drop Shot, which is a technique that many people are unfamiliar with.  The other was about the Navionics App for iPhone and Droid.  I know this seems like a bit trivial to some people, but this more than anything else is something that my Dad would have really been proud of.  If he can see it wherever he is now I know he's smiling.

The world says goodbye to BBH

After a lot of bickering and bad blood, my best friend and co-owner of Big Bass Heaven and I decide it's best that we dissolve the partnership, effectively leaving BBH in an unknown state.  While I retain the rights to the store, the branding, and the website, it's more than I want to handle on my own at this point.  Who knows what's in store for BBH in the future.  But for now, all things Big Bass Heaven are put on hold, indefinitely.  

Stephanie Hemphill

Steph was really great when we did the interview.  One time I tried her "eat pickles before you fish for good luck" trick and I ended up hanging over the side of the boat.  Never again.  But I do think she's a sweet gal and I hope those pickles bring her happiness all around.

I guess what I'll remember most when I think of this year is that it was my worst year ever in terms of my overall finishes in the tournaments I competed in, but I met guys like Charlie Evans, and Greg Pugh.  I got to spend time with my great friends Zach, Tyler, Timmy, T-Live, and "Bassin Bill" at Smith Mountain Lake.  I fished with some incredible people, made new friendships that will last my entire life, shared my knowledge and love for the sport with young kids, saw some of the most breathtaking places in the country, and learned some valuable lessons about this business.  John McGoey told me "you can fish, buddy".  On an otherwise uneventful night in August I got an alert on my phone from Twitter "Brandon Palaniuk is now following you".  I held my son on stage while my fish were weighed in.  My brother, Mike, said "I'm proud of you".

I feel like the luckiest man in the whole world.  And I didn't win anything.  I can't wait to see what 2014 will bring.  

Be safe, be kind, and smash 'em!

Me and my son, JJ.

Smith Mountain Lake, FLW EverStart

This is how your hair looks after a full day of 70 mph if you lose your hat.  

On stage at Oneida Lake, Bassmaster Northern Open #2.

The James River, Virginia.

5 In The Box with Hillary Hughes!

While the fishing industry continues to grow bigger and bigger, Hillary Hughes is determined to show the world that some of the best things in life still come in small packages!

Why do you fish?

It wasn't something I got drug out (of me) by my dad or grandpa to do...I found the love of fishing by standing on the bank of the pond everyday. I love it. It has become the biggest part of my life.

Are you fishing competitively now?

Yes, nothing too major yet. Some college flw tournaments and local tournaments.

Who taught you?

Funny story actually, it was my boyfriend at the time about 3 years ago in Wisconsin. We always had competition with everything we did. I wanted to catch bigger fish than he did!

Does adding the competitive side of it change it for you now or are you still able to go out and have fun even if you don't catch 20 pounds?

I find myself needing to slow down a bit during tournaments but I am still able to go down to the pond or the lake and have a blast. Even if we don't catch much, its just being on the water that can make any mood better!

I call it my therapy!

What's your favorite technique?

Oh that's a hard choice! I love frogging and throwing a spinnerbait.

Do you hunt too?

Ohh no!! lol

Do you think guys underestimate your ability to fish and compete because you're a woman?

Oh yes! Most men see a young lady fishing and they don't take me seriously. They don't find it funny though when I'm weighing in bigger fish than they are!

What's your favorite lake? And what's your least favorite?

Most people may not know it because it's a smaller lake but my favorite is Mozingo Lake here in Northwest Missouri. My least favorite is Beaver Lake in Arkansas.

Let's get to the big 5!

1. Are you dating anyone, and if so, what's it like on a sunday when you're both together and not fishing or working?

Or are you both fishing together?

I'm not sure if you would call it dating but we are always fishing together every weekend! We fish most of our local tournaments together.

2. Do you have any pre-tournament rituals or superstitions?

Not really any rituals, but I always make sure I have my dirty old pink john deere hat on or with me!

3. Where was your best finish in 2013, and where did you struggle the most?

My best finish was at Mozingo Lake and my biggest struggle was on Kentucky Lake. We flat out got skunked. I haven't had a lot of experience fishing those deep ledges and neither did my partner. I saw shallow brush and wanted to flip that all day and it produced nothing bigger than 12 inchers.

4. What's the one body of water you would pick to fish in 2013 if you had your choice?

My choice of water would be Falcon lake. I will catch a double digit and it will be there!

5. What's one thing nobody knows about you?

The one thing nobody knows about me would have to be my fear of the dark. I still sleep with the tv on or a small light lol. Embarrassing, I know but I can't help it! My dad checked under my bed and in my closet until I was at least 14-15 years old :/ lol.