Carl Svebek III discusses sight fishing, soft-plastic baits and the intricacies of fishing reservoirs
OperationBass.com is pleased to present the second installment of Ask the Pro. If you are interested in participating in future columns, submit questions via email to: [email protected]
Q&A with Carl Svebek III
Q: What is the one fishing-related question you have been asked most often since turning pro?
– OperationBass.com staff
A:The most popular questions are probably: “How did you become a professional fisherman?” and “How can someone become a professional fisherman?” The truth is that it takes a lot of time, effort, dedication, determination and money. And it doesn’t happen overnight. By the time that most people see the “big name” fishermen on television programs and in news articles, that fisherman has probably already been around a few years, struggling to make his way to the top.
I began fishing competitively at 9 years old, which is when I joined my first bass club with my dad. By the time I was 16, I realized that I wanted to fish professionally so I began to fish the Red Man Tournament Trail.
The key is to start with local circuits as you usually have more success locally. Then, as you get more comfortable, you can begin fishing the larger, regional tournaments. The Red Man Tournament Trail and the Everstart Series are great circuits to fish because you can begin to hone your fishing skills. These tournaments are also set up in a pro and no-boater format, so you can fish either side. It is wise for an inexperienced tournament fisherman to start on the no-boater side and then work up to paying the bigger entry fees for the pro side.
Q: When I watch fishing shows on TV, I hear the pros talk about the success they have sight fishing. Whenever I try it, it spooks the fish. What are the secrets to this technique?
– Joel Saxen, Mesa, Ariz.
A: Well, Joel, it is a tough technique to master. Part of the technique is learning the stages that the fish are going through during the spawning process. I try to determine whether the fish are in the pre-spawn, spawning or post-spawning phase. While the fish are in the pre-spawn stage, when they are just starting to move up to make their beds, they are more apt to be “spooked.”
To be successful at this stage, locate the fish, and then back off a bit. You should throw real subtle type of baits, like a wacky worm. Try to make long casts with finesse baits or soft jerkbaits, throwing the lure past the fish, and then working it back towards the boat.
When the fish are actually on the bed, they are “locked down”; if you spook them, back off and wait, and chances are that the fish will come back. Sometimes fishermen spook the fish and then just leave, thinking they are gone for good. But if the fish are up on the bed, then they’ll more than likely come back. Position the boat far enough from the bed so it doesn’t disturb the fish. Rely on your casting skills, not boat position, to put the bait in front of the fish. Use small tube baits, small finesse or small jigs. I prefer to use a small Gambler tube.
During post-spawn, you may see bass that are guarding the fry. These fish are sometimes difficult to catch as they are typically just “cruising.” As if you are fishing for pre-spawn bass, position the boat far enough from the fish and make long casts. You will typically find reaction-type strikes – the fish will hit the bait out of aggravation more than anything.
At this stage, topwater and spinnerbaits work well. I would suggest practicing these techniques in small ponds that are relatively clear. Be sure you have a good pair of polarized sunglasses – it makes it much easier to see the fish. It really takes a lot of practice and experience to master this technique, but it definitely pays off!
Q: I’ve fished natural waters my entire life and just moved to an area of the country where the only bodies of water are reservoirs. I’m finding the standing timber a bit intimidating. Can you give me any tips on locating bass and what tackle I should use?
– G. Skubal, Muskogee, Okla.
A: Learning to fish the timber is very important in reservoirs, and can be a key to success on such bodies of water. To try to locate the bass, look for shallow areas in the timber, especially in the fall. Look for sloughs and rivers and areas near creek channels. Typically in the fall, fish will move into the creeks to ambush their food. So that is a good place to begin to locate these fish.
Using baits with non-exposed hooks, such as Texas-rigged worms, craw-worms or lizards can greatly increase your chances of success. Spinnerbaits are a good bet as well if you run them close to the surface of the water.
Don’t let the timber intimidate you. Don’t hesitate to throw it into thick timber – you are going to get hung up, but you’ll also be putting your bait where the fish are. Of course, make sure you have plenty of baits – I’ve lost more than my share in timber. Also, look for larger trees that have bigger root systems, because a lot of times the fish will hold in the roots. Look for fallen timber, too, that provides ambush areas for bass (areas that bass will hold in, waiting for crawfish or baitfish). Once you’ve caught a bass or two off of a particular piece of brush or tree, look for similar trees or bushes for your next stop.
Q: When fishing soft plastics, how do you decide when to use a crawfish, lizard or a worm pattern?
– Jon Andersen, Hattiesburg, Miss.
A: I typically throw a lizard or craw-worms in the springtime when the bass move up into the shallow water. All three baits are very productive baits year-round; however, I’ve had better success in the springtime with them. A lot of it depends on personal preference and experience.
I love to fish with a wacky worm when I’m bed fishing, but I will switch to a lizard or crawfish when flipping shallow brush. In the summer, I typically throw a 7-inch Texas-rigged worm. In the fall, I’ll usually throw a craw-worm. In the winter, I like to throw a craw-worm on the back of a jig.
Living on Lake Sam Rayburn, which also has a lot of hydrilla, I use the worm in the summer because it seems to penetrate the grass better and the fish love it. A lot of times, you really just have to go out there and spend some time working the different soft baits and see which ones work best for you. Keep in mind that it is helpful to know the bass’ food source. If you know what the fish are feeding on in the area (ex: crawfish), then begin with a crawfish pattern.
Carl Svebek III of Sam Rayburn, Texas, is a rising star on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour. A popular angler among fans and fellow competitors alike, he saw his rank rocket up to seventh place for the 2000 season, which included two top-10 finishes and a strong sixth-place finish at the FLW Tour Championship. He was also chosen to compete in the high-profile 2000 ESPN Great Outdoor Games. For his career, Svebek has 10 top-10 tournament appearances and one win, a 1998 EverStart Central Division victory on his home lake at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. His FLW Tour sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude and Land O’Lakes.
Next week in Ask the Pro, Marty Stone will discuss children’s fishing equipment, the difficulties of fishing in the hot summer months and the important distinctions between different types of underwater vegetation.