#fishing patterns

[fishidyblog]

Illini Bass Fishing Club 2nd Annual High School Open Tournament Recap

By Lucas Stoner

The Illini Bass Fishing Club of the University of Illinois hosted our 2nd Annual High School Open tournament on April 7th at Clinton Lake. In our inaugural event, we had 50 teams compete from all over the state of Illinois. We are excited to report that we set the bar even higher, surpassing that mark with participation from 67 teams this year. This tournament was one of the largest high school tournaments in the state, as well as the largest known collegiate ran high school tournament.

 On a tough post-frontal day, the 134 high school anglers competing in this tournament still found ways to catch some finicky Clinton Lake bass. Out of the 67 high school teams in attendance, Dunlap High School topped them all with a five fish limit weighing 17.73 lbs! Monticello High School came up just short with their best five weighing 17.71 lbs landing in second place. Bishop McNamara locked in a third place finish with another fantastic bag of 17.62 lbs. Monticello High School had a great showing, adding a fourth place boat to their runner-up team. The latter team had five fish weighing 14.12 lbs, anchored by a 6.75 lb beast earning big bass of the day. Rounding out the top five was Plainfield Central with a five fish limit weighing 13.32 lbs. On a difficult day of fishing, to have these anglers weigh in limits like these is incredible. The proof is in the pudding, these ‘kids’ can fish! Check out our website for the full results here:

http://www.fightingillinibassclub.com/high-school-open-results.html

  The goal of our tournament is to help promote fishing to the younger generations, and also show high school anglers there is a place for them after Illinois High School Association fishing. Illinois was the first state to implement high school fishing as a sport and it has been a huge success. Since its founding 5 years ago, participation has grown every year throughout the state and several other states have followed Illinois’ lead. We have seen the effects first hand in our club, as we have had more and more members coming in with previous tournament experience.  College fishing is growing every year, and a lot of this growth is due to tournament organizations like B.A.S.S. but also to the high school fishing programs that get anglers started at a younger age. College fishing provides anglers want to take their passion for the sport to the next level a chance to do so. Many collegiate anglers are heading straight into professional fishing after college, such as last years B.A.S.S. Elite Series Rookie of the Year, Brandon Card. He was the first collegiate angler to make it to the Elite rankings and was welcomed with immediate success, winning a prestigious title and qualifying for the Bassmaster’s Classic. Our club has witnessed this transition firsthand, as our current president, Cody Sullivan, is in the process of making the transition to the professional side of bass fishing as well. Cody’s story gives us the unique ability to show these young anglers how they too can rise in from the high school level, to the collegiate level, and eventually to a professional career.

Although the fishing was tough, judging by the reactions from the anglers and coaches alike, the tournament was a success because we were able to get the students out on the water and enjoying the sport they love. The smiles on the faces of each and every high school angler made all the work that went into this tournament more than worth it. The future of competitive bass fishing is something the Illini Bass Fishing Club takes seriously, and we are proud to do our part in developing the future of this amazing sport. This tournament is something that our club looks forward to every year, and we are proud that it has been more successful than we ever could have hoped for. We are all looking forward to running this tournament again next year, hopefully with an even larger field and more prizes to give away to the up-and-comers of our sport.

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Electronic Navigation...The game changer in Fishing

Written by Ryan Ketter, with contributions by Fishing Hot Spots

Anglers today can have an eagle’s eye view of the waters they fish….that is if they own the technology. The most common technology used today is GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS utilizes satellite based transmitters. Its worldwide availability and high level of accuracy has created a significant demand in fishing.  Using GPS applications has allowed anglers to travel easily and directly from one part of a large body of water to another and pinpoint strategic fishing spots, like a weed edge, fish crib, or breakline.

As users enter strategic waypoints, your GPS will keep you on track. It has also allowed anglers to create an invisible, electronic marker than allows you to return to the exact location where fishing success has occurred previously. GPS devices are available to anglers as portable hand-held models, or as units that are mounted on the boat either as a GPS only or combined with a depth finder. Smartphones have also emerged with high accuracy GPS integrated. This technology phenomenon has opened up the “App Markets” for GPS-based fishing apps at a fraction of the cost, like the Fishidy.com Mobile App.  Check out this free mobile app that integrates with your Android or iPhone’s native GPS capabilities and allows anglers to view detailed interactive fishing maps, save the exact locations of your catches, and mark your proven spots. 

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The option to brag...wins big

Written by Ryan Ketter

We recently launched the Fishidy Braggin’ Board that allows anglers to show off their best fishing photos by submitting their prized catches through any of the Fishidy.com mobile apps or online. After submitting, browse the Braggin’ Board gallery and vote for your favorite trophy fish.

A weekly contest will be held and the winners will win a Fishidy prize pack that includes premium memberships, Fishidy.com gear, lures, and a Mike Iaconelli autograph. To increase your chances of winning, enter as many photos as possible. Best of all, entries posted on the Braggin Board will automatically be entered for the grand prize to win an all-expenses paid trip to fish with Bassmaster Classic Champion and world renowned angler Mike Iaconneli on Lake Conroe, TX which is an outstanding fishery at 21,000 acres. The package also includes VIP passes to the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, so start showing off to get entered to win a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

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The Fishidy.com user friendly redesign

Written by Ryan Ketter

 As many of our members have noticed, Fishidy.com, the fishing social network loaded with detailed fishing maps, has launched a new design to the website. The site redesign has been developed with users in mind and was created based on their feedback. With continuous improvements occurring weekly, there has been more emphasis on the fishing maps, improved usability, and a main fishing log that creates awareness.

 As many members have requested, we have improved the interactive fishing maps. The maps have been enlarged to create ease while searching your favorite body of water. As you search that body of water, it is easier to mark your catches or spots, which can be found in the lower right corner of the map, with as much detailed information users would like to provide. The map tools have been simplified to help users take advantage of available layers and features.

  Improved usability means users are able to navigate to different areas of the site and access the great information provided on Fishidy.com with ease. As we continue to improve with user feedback, getting started on the site and becoming interactive is a breeze. The new task bar that extends down the left-hand side contains tabs for rapid navigation along with the getting started with Fishidy section that can be found on the main feed. Members can find productive fishing spots near them by using the discover new fishing spots feature.

When users log in, they are directed to the activity log, which provides them with up to date information about specific bodies of water and/or hot bites. As continuous improvements and information is provided on the main feed, users can “view this spot on the map” to get a precise location of where the bite has been hot.

From more information on continuous improvements that are occurring weekly, check your email newsletters or log on today. 

[fishidyblog]

Fishing Maps: Finding the Fish on a Map

Written by Ryan Ketter, Courtesy of Fishing with Maps by Fishing Hot Spots

A map will help you find all three important fish zones: sanctuaries, travel routes, and feeding areas that are influenced by:

 Light

Weather

Feeding Influences

           Fish spend most of their time in sanctuaries holed up where they are safe and comfortable (adequate oxygen and acceptable temperature).  In most cases, fish sanctuaries are the deepest pockets in a defined area that includes access to food. All species of fish move from their sanctuaries to areas where they actively feed as hunger triggers movement. Once their stomachs are full, they return to their sanctuaries.  A theory states that weather and light activate fish movement. Low pressure storm fronts stimulate fish to move and feed. When the front passes and the weather clears, fish are less active and are found tight to cover. A principle of fish behavior is all movement takes place along defined routes. Fish orient themselves with certain features of their underwater environment and travel set pathways between feeding areas and holding areas. Game fish will often move from deep water into feeding grounds in search of minnows or forage. When looking for game fish, an area with shallow weedbeds or fish attractors will hold minnows or forage.  At the edge of the flat the water drops sharply, eventually to a hole known as a sanctuary and an angler will be able to intercept game fish as they move from their sanctuaries into feeding areas in low light conditions. Top-of-the-line fishing maps on Fishidy.com include a section of proven tips and techniques to enhance your fishing success.  Angling experts put together a list of hot baits and techniques that are helpful in getting you started on the lake or reservoir.  Fishidy maps put you ahead of users of a plain contour map. 

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Fishing Maps: Finding Spawning Fish

Written by Ryan Ketter, Courtesy of Fishing with Maps by Fishing Hot Spots

When looking for that ideal spot for spawning fish, there is no better location to start than near structure. Keep in mind that fish relate to measurable current, wind action, and shallow contours when spawning.  An easy way to find these successful fishing locations is to use an accurate map with marked legends. The lake maps on Fishidy.com, like above, may illustrate stumps or timber in the shallows, two channels labeled in red, and fish attractors in the deeper water with a great break lines.  The current will push food to the fish and the variance of water will allow fish to suspend deeper or shallower depending on sunlight conditions.  These underwater features are magnets for fish.  Study a fishing map to find areas likely to hold the preferred food of the species you seek.  The more you study a map, the more fish you will have the opportunity to meet on the end of your line and you will no longer be fishing blind.