Phoenix Bass Masters, Inc.phoenixbassmasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/... · Phoenix Bass...

ATTENTION PBM ANGLERS: Having received the customary zero response to last month's request for comment about the content and style of this Newsletter, I thank you all for empowering me to continue doing as I please. So, at least a few trial-balloon changes lie ahead:

1. Beginning with the August post-Open Newsletter, the inimitable and Michener-esque (in length, not style) Vince "Goonie" Borrego will write the report on each of our tournaments. Thx to Vince for agreeing to do this. His approach will be quite different from mine and I look forward to the results.

2. Beginning with this issue, if I can round up enough articles, a Testing the Waters Guest Column will highlight a member's personal approach to some aspect of tournament fishing. As with Vince, Scott Brown jumped on my request for an article on Tournament Strategies and Tips. Yes, the jump was not very high but keep in mind the man has a very bad back. In addition to Scott's fine article appearing in this Newsletter, I will post it on the Chatterbait page on our vastly under-visited website. Yes, we have a website: phoenixbassmasters.com. I will also search out other folks to follow Scott's lead, perhaps with tips on fishing the next lake in our tournament series. Alamo is our September Lake; I know a couple guys who claim to know that lake very well.

3. I will continue to include photos depicting the dangers of bass fishing, if I can find more of them. However, I plan to keep my personal favorite at the tag end of our Tournament Photos section. These kinds of photos seem to entertain as well as educate, and apparently the gorier the better. If you have suitably instructive photos to add to my archives, especially if they involve your blood, please send them to me ASAP. As usual, no financial or other incentives are associated with this request.

4. Our PBM Podcast Fishing Arizona will launch on the K-LIB Radio Network on September 31. The pilot episode will focus on why some bass clubs succeed while others fail. Guests will include renowned local anglers A. Pathy and Prim Adonna.

BIG, BIG FREAKING NEWS

Gentleman Jim "Jimbo" Sandy just made the AZ State Team of the FLW-affiliated Arizona Chapter of The Bass Federation. This is not Jim's first time around this block but as he gets older and older and older, each time is probably sweeter than the last. Regardless, congratulations to Jim and to his long-suffering wife, Bobbie Jo Klimas Sandy, for this accomplishment. In case you don't know, the new Arizona State Team will compete with the California State Team in a National Semi-Final tournament on Lake Shasta, CA, on November 14-15. When Jim wins that one, he will move on to the next step in an adventure that could end with winning the TBF National Championship and a "Living YOUR Dream" prize package that includes a significant cash prize, a preset amount of paid entry fees as a Pro in an FLW circuit of his choice, a new and fully rigged Ranger Z520Ls, "multiple advancement opportunities and much more!" The man is going to have expenses, so, if your house needs to be painted, inside or out, please give Jim a call and support his quest for the Holy Grail of Bass Fishing. Well, except for that MLF thing. And that BASS deal.

Phoenix Bass Masters, Inc. (phoenixbassmasters.com)

([email protected]) (602.377.1694)

Monthly Newsletter

June 2020

Editor: Terry B. Johnson

Phoenix Bass Masters, Inc. June 2020 Newsletter of 13

FileName PBM Newsletter.202006.Final.docx

On behalf of the PBM Board of Directors, here is an update of our update about the status of our meetings and tournaments. [Note: if you are bored by this information, feel free to skip to the next...oh, you already did!]

Fishing clubs and anglers remain confounded by chaos surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic. Phoenix Bass Masters is no different. Aside from sincere concern for the health and safety of all who are, have been or might be affected by Coronavirus, we are concerned about our club meetings and tournaments. We are also worried about cabin fever and rampant rumors of angler cannibalism in sequestered homes.

Even now, questions still outnumber answers to basic questions about what is safe and what is legal to do. Although most of Arizona and all public boat ramps are now considered Open Territory in which neither a Coronavirus Mask nor Safe Social Distancing is required, despite our State's June ascendancy to a rousing #2 on the List of States in Which Urgent Care Hospitalization for COVID-19 Victims is Booming, we are still concerned about the health of anglers, their families and our mainstay, the fishing tackle and boating industry.

However, now is neither the time nor the place to debate individual perspectives on these issues or to speculate. Please do that elsewhere! PBM still relies on verified (written) information from agencies responsible for managing the facilities and waters we use. So, we remain on this path for the near term:

For May 15 - August 31, 2020, the Board of Directors has decided (subject to change as needed):

1. Regular Club Meetings: We are not scheduled to meet as a club in June, July or August. Our next regular club meeting will be at Sportsman's Warehouse on September 21, at 1800. Come at 1730 to pay your dues and/or entries. BUT that meeting will be held IF AND ONLY IF AZ/CDC Safe Sheltering and Social Distancing guidelines and Sportsman's Warehouse policy allow us to meet at Sportsman's.

2. Regular Tournaments: PBM held its last Spring tournament on Roosevelt Lake, on May 9. Aside from our 2020 Open (see below), we will not hold another tournament until September 26, on Alamo Lake. Instructions on the Draw and a Fact Sheet for Alamo will be included in future emails to the club, as well in announcements on our website, our Members-Only Facebook Group page, our public Facebook page and bathroom stalls around the State.

3. Spontaneous non-club team tournaments: President Figueroa has asked the Tournament Committee to decide whether more of these events might be held.

4. Open Tournament: The PBM/MBC Open Tournament WILL BE HELD on August 1, Bartlett Lake, Jojoba Ramp. Registration may submitted and paid in advance, by using the form available on our website. Registration at the lake begins at --oh, sweet Jesus -- 0300 and continues through the launch. Boat release will begin at 0500 (in Groups of 15) and they must be back at the dock by 1100 (add 15 minutes each for Groups 2-4). Weigh-in will begin with Group 1 at 1500, proceed in 15-minute increments and be completed in an hour or less. Winners will be announced and paid when the results are approved. Then, the raffles and/or auctions (more than $6000 worth of prizes!) will occur. There is more to say, plan and do for the Open, so Open Director Curtis DeLaGrange will hold an Open Committee meeting on June 29 and then communicate with one and all as the event draws closer. Meanwhile, please remember that ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK THE OPEN, whether or not they fish it. Check the By-Laws and contact President Figueroa about "Member in Good Standing" if you are considering not working the event. If you have "special needs" with regard to doing your fair share, please contact Curtis directly.

5. Tournament Director Dan Wolters and his Tournament Committee will decide whether temporary changes in regular PBM tournament rules are necessary for the fall tournaments. Dan will inform the Board about his ideas before announcing them, but per the By-Laws it is his game to run.

6. Tournament Fact Sheets: I will update our Fact Sheets and Lake Maps for the Fall tournaments over the Summer. I will include, as I have been doing, relevant information on lake, launch and camping restrictions and fees. I will update each sheet to keep up with governmental or other changes. These sheets are posted on our website; please make use of them. If you have suggestions for Fact Sheets, talk with me! But please don't ask me for information that is on the Fact Sheets.



Please get in touch with me (Terry B. Johnson) if you have questions or concerns about this "guidance." I'm accessible most days and nights by phone, email and messaging, especially in the morning (pre-nap!). My contact information is on the PBM Members List, which, by members' request, is emailed to members and prospective members but is NOT publicly posted. Our sponsors also have a list of members' names but it does NOT include specific contact information. Stay tuned and ever hopeful. The Open is going to be fantastic! A DISCOUNT FROM PBM SPONSOR AZ BARBEQUE CATERING!!

Mike Reimann, at AZ Barbeque Catering, gives PBM dues-paid members a smoking deal on food purchases made at the store, where Social Distancing precautions are available for loading your order in your trunk. Ok, in your car's trunk. Check out the belt-loosening menu in one of Dan Wolter's posts on our members-only website. Give the lunch specials a try and break bread with local firemen, policemen and other miscreants. This is one of the friendliest places that I have found for great food. Also, Mike is donating a $500 grill for our Open raffle and has offered to host fundraiser lunches or dinners for the club, with a 50:50 split of the profits! Kudos to Mike and his crew and thx to Dan Wolters for bringing AZ Barbeque Catering aboard as a sponsor. A DISCOUNT FROM PBM SPONSOR 5150 PLASTICS!!

Dave Hernandez, at 5150 Plastics, is giving PBM dues-paid members a 10% discount on online purchases made at the 5150 website, https://5150plastics.com/. The discount code is phxbass and Dave has a current list of our members to make sure the discount has been earned. Stock up on all the baits you want and need. Jump online, spend megabucks and say a big thanks to Dave for 5150's support of the Phoenix Bass Masters! A DISCOUNT FROM PBM SPONSOR BIG FISH BULLIES!!

Josh Daniels and Justin Seay, at Big Fish Bullies, are giving PBM dues-paid members a 15% discount on online apparel purchases at: https://www.bigfishbullies.com/. Their stuff is very high quality and designed by the award-winning Sarah -- a gifted angler in her own right! The discount code FOR MEMBERS ONLY is phoenixbassmasters and Josh and Justin have a current list of our members to make sure the discount has been earned. Stock up on quality sun protection apparel and hats for those non-PBM tmx days and for your nocturnal strutting at local bars, darts clubs and online dating sites. Jump online, spend some bucks and say a big thanks to Josh and Justin for Big Fish Bullies' support of the Phoenix Bass Masters! Also, if you want to pick up new tricks for fishing Arizona waters, try a guided trip with Josh or Justin on your next tournament's water. LEARN how to find and catch fish better! You can go the trophy bass route or the dinks galore route, or practice Goon Fishing so you can kick Vince Borrego's butt next time around. And with the 5-lber Side-Pot sitting at $770, you might want to take a guided trip to Alamo in early September so Josh or Justin can show you where the big ones are. Their clients have had fantastic results fishing that lake. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Phoenix Bass Masters, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting Summary

Date: June 9, 2020 Location: Manuel's Mexican Restaurant, 1111 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023 The meeting was scheduled to begin at 1700 but did not begin until nearly 1730, due to late arrivals. The meeting adjourned about 1930. Attending were: Mark Figueroa, Scott Brown, Curtis DeLaGrange, Dan Wolters, Terry B. Johnson, Corey Cottew, Daniel J. Wolters and Monty Siren. Absent were Mike Miles and Clayton Sikes.



Review comments on a draft of this document were solicited from all meeting participants but only Curtis, Dan, Mark and Scott responded. The order of Agenda items was adjusted as necessary to cope with late arrivals. However, this summary retains the sequence of the original Agenda. Agenda Items (times listed are the scheduled discussion times, not the actual times) 1700 President:

(a) 2020-2021 By-Laws: Mark reinforced the importance of every member and especially every officer (i.e. Board members and Committee chairs) being very familiar with the By-Laws. The club spent several long meetings and countless hours between meetings drafting, redrafting, discussing and finalizing the By-Laws before they were unanimously adopted, in October 2019. Along the way, every member was afforded ample opportunity to provide verbal and written comment on the drafts and the final version. If members now believe there is sufficient cause to propose changes in the By-Laws, they will have that opportunity in 2021. Mark will reinforce this at our next club meeting, which will hopefully be in September.

(b) 2020-2021 TMX Rules: Pretty much a replay of the By-Laws discussion, as both guidance documents were developed over roughly the same timeline and through the same participatory process. The TMX Rules were also approved unanimously, in October 2019. Recently, however, a few members have expressed concern about specific elements of the TMX Rules. In at least one case, the complaining individual was a member throughout the rules development and approval process but apparently did not pay enough attention to the content. Mark again reinforced the importance of every member and especially every officer being very familiar with the Rules. As Curtis said, "The first responsibility of every tournament angler is to know the tournament rules!" If members now believe there is sufficient cause to propose changes in the Rules, they will have that opportunity (per the By-Laws) through the Tournament Committee in 2021. Mark will reinforce this at our next club meeting, which will hopefully be in September. Meanwhile, any questions or concerns about the TMX Rules should be referred ONLY to Tournament Director Dan Wolters.

(c) Sponsors: In the absence of Monty Siren, this topic was deferred to later in the Agenda. (d) Payouts: This was a subplot of the TMX Rules discussion. The payouts are described in the TMX

Rules and all members should be familiar with them and ensure that winnings are paid out as appropriate under the rules.

(e) Side-pots: This was also a subplot of the TMX Rules discussion. The side-pot payouts are also described in the TMX Rules. All members should be familiar with them and help ensure that winnings are paid out as appropriate under the rules. At least one deviation occurred recently, in the Goon Fish Side-Pot. In that case, the Boater member who caught the winning fish learned several days after the tournament that the winnings perhaps should have been shared with his Nonboater, who was also entered in the Goon Fish Side-Pot. He contacted a Board Member, who verified that the rules dictated sharing the winnings in those circumstances. He then promptly rectified his oversight.

1730 All: Member responses to PBM Status Update for May 15-August 31, 2020. There was no discussion of

this item. 1740 Treasurer: report on PBM financial status and other financial issues.



Curtis distributed a copy of the most recent accounting of the club's treasury. The bottom line is the club is in good financial shape, with a current balance of just under $3000. Curtis also noted that he has filed ($10 fee) the required annual report with the State of Arizona.

1750 Marketing Committee Chair: report on Committee activities (e.g. sponsorship documents). Monty summarized the standing of each current club sponsor and a few outliers that are still in the

prospect stage. As of today, total contributions of products, services, discounts and cash donations from sponsors are approximately $6000, above and beyond what is in the club's checking account. Monty also listed six tasks that he just asked members of the Marketing Committee to handle:

1. New Sponsorship Coordinator: Unassigned. Terry Johnson had volunteered to handle this one, but after the meeting he withdrew his offer and resigned from the Marketing Committee.

2. Sponsor Promotion Coordinator: Monty will handle this. 3. Banner Design Coordinator: Chris Smith has volunteered to handle this. 4. Jersey Design Coordinator: Chris Smith has volunteered to handle this one, too. 5. Guest Speaker Coordinator: Tim Rafferty will handle this one. 6. Club Merchandise Coordinator: Curtis and Dan will handle this. Curtis will place the

orders and Dan will store and distribute the merchandise. Finally, Dan Wolters presented two documents developed by the Marketing Committee for Board

discussion and approval: Sponsorship Guidance and Sponsorship Forms. Both documents were approved for use.

1805 Social Media: reports on the PBM website and on the Facebook and Instagram pages. In the absence of Clayton, Terry gave a brief rundown on the website. He also covered the club's public

Facebook page. Basically, considerable work went into reconstructing both and both are being lightly used, at best. No member activity is evident on either. Even posts on the club's members-only Facebook page attract only 16-19 members at best and often less than half that. Half our members are not even on Facebook! On the public Facebook page, the posted information is so far out of date as to be worthless. Mark committed to asking members at our next meeting to step it up, so our sponsors get the traffic they want. Cory addressed Instagram. He pointed out that Instagram is a visual medium and is not useful in communicating text-heavy information. He does try to give all sponsors coverage there, though. Cory was advised to consult with the club steward for each sponsor before posting information, to ensure that the wishes of the sponsor are respected.

1820 Open Director: report on planning the 2020 PBM Open. Curtis said that things are under control. In the next week or so, he will convene an Open Committee

meeting to focus on ensuring that all tasks are covered. Mark reminded all that every club member is supposed to work the Open, per the By-Laws. He will make this clear to all members but expects there will be some folks who have work or vacation conflicts, etc. Terry pointed out that members who cannot be at the Open itself can always do tasks that must be completed before the Open. Finally, Dan was asked to speak with AZ Barbeque Catering about possibly providing (for sale) breakfast burritos at the Open.



1840 PPTG: working the Open is required of all members; see By-Laws re: Criteria for Being a Member in Good Standing. See above. Apparently, we are not ready to enforce this, or even provide a mechanism that would allow members to opt out of working the Open.

1850: Tournament Director: report on:

(a) Tournament Committee members (b) Weigh-in: equipment needs, delivery logistics, task assignments, winners' speeches (c) SOP for announcing results and payouts (d) Sep-Nov PBM tournaments and Dec non-tmx (e) Proposed tournament schedule for 2021 All topics above were deferred to a Tournament Committee meeting, which Committee Chair Dan Wolters said would be as soon as he can find a date.

1910: PPTG: reconvening PBM in Sep: Alamo Cookout with 1.5 day tmx, camp in Group Area? Mark suggested that, because of the anticipated high ambient temperatures, the cookout be

postponed to the November tournament on Bartlett Lake. All present agreed. It was also agreed that Dan would speak with AZ Barbeque Catering about attending to provide samples of their delicious food. The possibility of a 1.5 day tournament on Alamo and Group Area camping were not discussed.

1920 PPTG: Ad Hoc Full Moon Night Tmxs in June, July and/or late August at Alamo, Apache,

Bartlett, Canyon, Pleasant, Roosevelt and/or Saguaro? Mark asked that this topic be left to the Tournament Committee to handle. If anyone wants to coordinate an informal event, it will be just that: informal, not club sanctioned.

1930 PPTG: are we getting tmx and event photos that members want? What might make it easier

for the photographer to do his job? All present agreed that all members should be encouraged to take and post photographs on the water and off. The Tournament Committee needs to ensure that any resources (e.g. banner stands, shade structures) are available to facilitate Daniel J. Wolters' efforts as club photographer. It was also suggested that Daniel's Boater and the Weigh-in Team for each tournament be allowed to launch 15 or 30 minutes early and return an equal number of minutes early, to enable them to set up for the weigh in. Presumably the Tournament Committee will consider this and any other relevant ideas.

1940 PPTG: suggestion for an annual 2020 PBM Charitable Contribution. Terry recommended the club make an annual contribution of $250 to Fisher House, a charitable

organization focused entirely on meeting the needs of veterans receiving prolonged medical care and their families. Fisher House has a long history of success in helping veterans. It is by far the highest rated charity in that arena. Terry is a long-time donor and has watched them closely over the years. He is totally satisfied with the wonderful job they do. After a brief discussion, all present endorsed the proposal. Terry also suggested the club look into getting permission from Fisher House and CAST for Kids to use their logos on club promotional materials, to promote the good work they do and reflect our sponsorship. Terry was approved to do that for Fisher House and Curtis will do it for CAST for Kids.

1955 President: meeting adjourned.



JUNE CLUB MEETING Due to Coronavirus issues, we did not meet, so there is nothing to report. OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING AND GUEST SPEAKER Nobody knows who will be our Guest Speaker on September 21 but we do hope to meet then, if Dr. Anthony Fauci and Governor Doug Ducey allow us to. See the August Newsletter for more information, or not. AN OVERVIEW OF PBM PAYOUTS (REPEATED FROM MAY BECAUSE IT IS DAMNED IMPORTANT) Please see the PBM Tournament Rules if you want more detailed information than is provided here. Note also that rules and payouts for PBM Opens are different than they are for our regular tournaments. PBM Tournament Entry Fees are $50 per angler. However, Guests can fish 1 tournament per calendar year without becoming members and may decline to pay the Entry Fee. However, if they decline to pay the Entry Fee, they are not eligible to share in their Team's winnings although their fish weight adds to that of their co-angler. Solo anglers (1-person Teams) currently pay only the $50 individual entry, rather than a Team total of $100. This approach is intended to offset the disadvantage of fishing solo against teams of 2 anglers. The $50 Entry Fee has 2 components: $45 is for the actual entry and $5 is for the dedicated Big Fish Pot. Of the $45 entry, 20% is detained by the club for its operating budget and 80% is awarded to the Total weight winners, per the Tournament Rules. 100% of the $5/entry Big Fish monies are paid out to the Big Fish winners, again consistent with the Tournament Rules. So, for example, 14 boats and 27 anglers participated in the May 8 tournament at Roosevelt. 24 anglers were PBM members and 3 were PAYING Guests. So, with 27 paid entries, the overall pool was 27 x $50 = $1350. The PBM administrative rake was 20% of (27 x $45) = $243. The Total Weight pool was 80% of (27 x $45) = $972. The Big Fish pool was 100% of 27 x $5 - $135. With 14 boats, per the Tournament Rules we paid 1st and 2nd places for Total weight and 1st and 2nd places for Big Fish. The rules prescribe a 70% cut for 1st place Total Weight which was 70% of $972 = $680. They also prescribed a 30% cut for 2nd place, which was 30% of $972 = $292. For Big Fish, the rules prescribed cuts of 70% for 1st place ($94.50) and 30% for 2nd place (40.50). If 1 more boat/team had been entered, we would have paid 3 places for Total Weight and Big Fish. The percentages allocated to each of the first 2 places would have been reduced (per the Tournament Rules) to provide for paying 3rd place monies. This was a conscious decision by PBM when we adopted the rules, because our intent was to spread the money around rather than make a bigger payday for fewer anglers. THE JUNE-JULY-AND-AUGUST PBM CLUB TOURNAMENTS We don't do PBM club tournaments in the summer, so everyone is a winner! FISHING TIPS • Pre-Monsoon Nights are here! Enjoy them, now that at least some Arizona lakes are open again for night

fishing. If nothing else, your ice chest and the drinks inside will stay cool a little longer. Cans or plastic



bottles only, please! And be sure your running lights are working because the darkness seems to bring out the idiot in a lot of folks, not all of whom have California registration numbers on their hulls.

• Up-and-comer B.A.S.S. Elite Series Pro Wes Logan says, in the June 2020 issue of B.A.S.S. Digest, that these

three baits are on his line in June so he can bounce back and forth between fishing shallow and off-shore: 3/8 oz Dirty Jigs Compact Pitchin' Jig, Zoom Mag II Worm and Strike King 5XD Crankbait.

• Elite Series Pro Yusuke Miyazaki says, also in the June 2020 issue of B.A.S.S. Digest, the best tournament

decision that he has ever made was when he won the 2005 Basser Allstar Classic, in Japan. "The water turned muddy and nasty. I was fishing a worm at first but switched to a crankbait. I won the tournament."

• Major League Fishing star Bobby Lane says, in the Summer issue of Bass Angler Magazine, that in summer

he does not targets bass "with baits that mimic the ever-vulnerable and always abundant bluegill" that bass love to eat. He favors popping frogs and big prop baits like the Berkley Choppo. "You've got to cover a lot of water, but always remember to come back after an hour or so to any piece of cover where you catch a god one. When you catch a good fish, it stirs the bream {bluegill in AZ] up and pushes other fish away, so make a mental note not to forget that spot." Also, he advocates covering water in the morning and looking for shade in the afternoon. Maybe he does not fish Arizona in Summer, but he knows how to do it!

• Fishing legend Mark Menendez, another Elite Series Pro, in the June 2020 issue of BASMASTER, says that

he "does not necessarily move to deeper water during the summer months. Rather, he concentrates on the cleanest, most well-defined outside edges of vegetation in about 5 to 8 feet of water," where he throws a slow-sinking 3/4 oz Red Eye Shad. The red-eye sinks slowly because he removes about 1/4 oz of BBs from it, so he can take advantage of the larger 3/4 oz profile than a 1/2 oz shad would give.

TESTING THE WATERS Tournament Strategies & Tips. Scott Brown A lot of thought and work go into fishing a tournament, especially for the boater. The boater's primary job, aside from a safe day on the water, is to find fish. Preferably good fish, and lots of them. Catching them is up to the nonboater as well as the boater. The first thing to work on is where to go on the lake or river that you will be fishing. Some things pertinent to those decisions are very predictable, like structure and even some forms of cover. Ambush points are also crucial to identify. If you keep fishing notes, study your previous experiences on that water and in that season. Also, study topographic lake maps and check out fishing websites for pertinent information. But, some conditions change constantly. Often, last minute adjustments must be made, even right at launch time. Because of that, I tend not to look too far ahead before a tournament. I know that in most seasons the weather is subject to change; sometimes, seemingly from minute-to-minute. Wind direction and magnitude, bluebird skies, cloud cover, rain, thunderstorms and barometric pressure changes are all among the factors that anglers must consider. Wave amplitude and action, mud lines, shadow and shadow lines, wind-blown points and shorelines and areas of calm water all come into play. And those factors must all be reconsidered constantly through the fishing day. Truthfully, the list of conditions to consider goes on and on. Prefish too early and on tournament day you might well find condition changes that destroy even the best game plan. Flexibility is key! So, I generally prefer just 2 days of prefishing, right before a tournament. On the first day, I use electronics to look for good



structure, like shallow or deep humps, drop-offs into river channels, balls of baitfish, primary and secondary points, spawning flats. I look for places that fish tend to haunt at that time of year on that body of water. The fish could be outside, suspended in the main lake over deep water, or moving to main lake points or secondary points in coves, or creeks in the backs of coves. I always look to places I have fished successfully in previous years at the same time of year, before looking elsewhere. One big thing for me over the years is that I have learned not to get caught up in the Dock Talk that is always going on. You might hear that the bite is only on jigs or slow-rolled spinnerbaits, or that a Texas-rigged 7” Power Worm in a specific color is killing them. Nothing else will get bitten. The problem is, maybe that technique worked for that person on that day but that does not mean it will work for you on another day! The other angler(s) might retrieve that bait differently than you do: they might drag it instead of popping it; they might deadstick it or fish it on a reel with a faster retrieve than yours has. So, keep my mind focused on what works for me, not what everyone else is supposedly doing. I emphasize supposedly because you must also consider that -- believe it or not --fishermen sometimes lie! Ok, I usually spend the first prefishing day searching to locate spots that I want to fish on game day. Sometimes I find them fast enough that I can start fishing a little to eliminate water, but this does not always happen till Day 2. Sometimes, it doesn't even happen at all! On Day 2, my approach is dictated by the conditions that day, the results of Day 1 and my own strengths and confidences. I consider myself a power fisherman; I fish fast and have a hard time slowing down. Primarily, I start fishing a spot by using a crankbait to search for active fish. I do not care whether it is snowing or a hot day in the middle of summer; I start with a crankbaits. If I need to slow down, I might run bigger crankbaits. In shallow water, crankbaits baits with bigger bills will help me fish slower. As I run areas, I watch for feeding activity and watch the graph to see what's under me. Sometimes I stop and throw a dropshot or a Senko to see if I get something; this is also good for when I see something fishy on the graph. In prefishing, I do not fish to catch numbers; I fish to locate fish. If I do get some action, I will leave and go to the next spot and follow the same steps to eliminate unproductive areas. Once that is done, to fine tune things I will often go back and see if an area still holding fish, so I can dial in more closely on what I want to do on tournament day. But, I am always in search mode, not catching mode. Nobody ever won a tournament by filling the livewell while prefishing and fishing a spot out. Dialing-in is where I try different colors, sizes, retrieves, etc. to, literally, dial in what catches fish. My first focus is always on putting 5 fish in the boat to give me limit. I do not even care whether they are small or big. Well, bigger is always better but I fish much better when I have 5 alive in the livewell and I am not under as much pressure. Once I have those 5, I focus on going for bigger bites. This is when I might get out on the main edge or a point or over a channel and run bigger baits, like a jig or a Carolina rig, or even use the slow, boring process of dropping Senkos, to look for bigger fish. With so many colors and options in the lure and bait industry anymore, you must use what you have confidence in: baits that make you think, when you tie them on, that you are going to catch fish. Good fish! Choices in rods, reels, lines, hooks, baits and presentations all play a part in what works for you. I use DD26 Fishing Rods in their premium Post Series and in their top-of-the-line Seam Series. Well under $200/rod, they are by far the lightest rods that I have ever used. When you are on the water, casting and twitching your rod all day, some rods just wear you down. The weight of the rod, the configuration of the



handle and how the reel sits on the handle relative to your hands can make a rod a pleasure to use or a candidate for your next garage sale. The fit is very personal and another good place to let test drives substitute for Dock Talk advice. I can use these DD26 rods for days, with minimal fatigue. All rods that I use are from 7’ to 7’11” in length. Most of my crank rods are 7’ medium heavy. Most my top water, spinner bait or jerk bait rods are 7’1”to 7’3” medium fast. My jig rod is 7’5” heavy. I use a 7’ medium heavy spinning rod for Senko or split-shot fishing. DD26 has a precision dropshot rod that hands down has made me a better dropshot fisherman. In Arizona waters, dropshotting is an essential skill on tournament day! I am far from a good fisherman. I consider myself average. I would rather go out and find my own areas to fish, use baits that I want to use and win or fail, than be a follower and copy other people. In the end, this makes me feel better about what I’ve done. I think this approach helps you learn and grow as an angler. There is a sense of real satisfaction when you can go to lake that you might have fished forever, or never, and break-down water to find fish and come to the scales with fish. When that happens for me, I know that I did it myself, not by copying everyone else. Some specifics:

1. My crankbaits of choice have always been Bomber cranks. I also use some Norman and 6th Sense cranks.

2. My lines of choice are Power Pro Braid and P-line Fluorocarbon. I still use Monofilament for topwater and Carolina rigs because it floats.

3. 5150 Plastics makes great dropshot worms that, with a great DD26 rod, have helped me a lot. 5150 Plastics also makes my Carolina rig baits, as they have a floatant additive and the action is amazing.

4. For fishing reels, I like Abu Garcia, although I have used a variety of other brands over the years. I use middle-of-the-road or lower-end reels. I do not think the reel is as important to me as the rod or the line. In my opinion, the only element of the reel that matters is gear ratio.

This is just little bit about how I go about preparing for and fishing each tournament and some of the equipment that I use. I hope you think of it as "Scott's Way," not "The Right Way." Most anglers will eventually develop their own preferences, or take up bowling. One last thing that I think helps is, when you find what baits work for you, put them all in the same area on the boat. You do not want to waste time scrambling around the boat, looking for baits, during the tournament. Tournament time seems to pass at least twice as quickly as normal time does. That's why I like to get my lures and other baits together for the event; some anglers do this by building a Day Box (maybe a Plano 3700) specifically for their next event. Then, after the tournament, I will separate them and put each one back where it belongs. This just saves time when minutes and seconds can count. TOURNAMENT RESULTS: THE WINNING WAYS Note: We did not have a tournament in June, so there is nothing to say. This section will return again in August, with the 2020 Open results. Here is hoping that we see YOUR name listed among the Total Weight, Big Fish, 50/50 and Prize Raffle winners. Vince says he has already locked in the Goon Fish Side-Pot. He knows exactly where to find his 1/4 oz bluegill from earlier this year.



A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Unfortunately, no June tournament means no June tournament pictures, so we will just go with this one:

This could be YOU, at Clear Lake in December 2020. Matt Allen is on the left, with a Lucky Craft jerkbait bass that weighed 12.3 lb on Terry Johnson's Brecknell ElectroSamson Digital Scale. Yep, that's my boat. It was my Loomis GLX jerkbait rod, too. The skill involved was pure Matt Allen. What an awesome angler and terrific person he is and Tactical Bassin' is a PBM sponsor! Terry's big one that trip was a paltry 8.75 lb jig fish. The decoration on Terry's nose is a remnant from Mohs' surgery a month earlier that removed a malignant skin cancer from his previously-unprotected schnoz. Don't be a Sun Dummy! Wear sun-protective clothing from PBM Sponsors like Big Fish Bullies, DD26 Fishing, Voodoo ActiveWear, Sportsman's Warehouse, or even non-sponsor AFTCO, and ALWAYS use Zinc Oxide on any areas of skin that are shamefully left exposed on your hands, ears, neck, face, feet and/or ankles. Skin cancer sucks! CLASSIFIEDS (MEMBERS: SEND IN YOUR ADS!) M&D Baits! Owners and primary bait pourers Monty Siren and Dan Wolters make some of the finest soft-plastic baits in town. Craws, worms, Ned rig baits and a host of other things are available. You can also work with them to get a special mold for your special baits. Their colors run very true and flashy pincers make their craws especially attractive. It's late for bedbaits but you could always stock up for next year. Prices are very reasonable and PBM members get a discount. Fishing Trips to Mexico! Fish for giants as well as numbers. Post-Coronavirus trips to lodges on Lake El Salto (January 24-31, 2021) and Lake Baccarac (November 1-8) are filling right now. Two spots are left for Baccarac and 7 for El Salto. They are available on a first-come, first-in basis, for ca. $3500 total cost per angler with a $1000 down payment. This all-inclusive cost covers EVERYTHING: food, beverages, boats, guides, lodging, tips and air travel from Sky Harbor back to Sky Harbor. The Pro Bass Adventures lodges have wireless, A/C, open-air dining and excellent food, drink and other services. Most of the guides and kodge staff speak Spanglish well; some are fluent in English. Contact PBM member and tour coordinator Terry Johnson for more details.



Fishing Tackle for Sale! Yep, it's early in the Summer Doldrums and time to stock up for summer night fishing, the PBM Open on August 1, 2020 and that PBM September return to Alamo Lake. PBM has a number of great sponsors from which members can buy new tackle, sometimes at a members-only discount. First and foremost, please check them out! But you can also flesh out your tackle box with some high-quality used and sometimes unused tackle from PBM Secretary Terry B. Johnson (me!). I don't maintain a running list of available lures, rods or reels but if you are looking for something special above the cheap end of the scale, give me a holler. Among the stiff I typically have available, at relatively reasonable prices, are G Loomis GLX rods, high-end Shimano baitcasters and all kinds of soft plastics, hard plastics (jerkbaits, crankbaits, swimbaits) and other stuff. Between now and August 31, I am giving a 15 percent discount to PBM Members in Good Standing who are committed to working the 2020 PBM Open. For members who don't work the Open, I will offer "my asking price plus 25%." My tackle is available for inspection on request but Rigorous Libertard Social Distancing Guidelines are strictly followed in or around my office (garage). STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE A SWING! A WORD FOR OUR SPONSORS We all have lots of options for where we buy fishing tackle but right at the top of our lists should be our wonderful PBM Sponsors, which include, in alphabetical order: 5150 Plastics; A&M Graphics; AZ Barbeque Catering; Big Fish Bullies; DD26 Fishing; ES Advisement, LLC; Home Depot; Monterey Bass Company; OHSO Brewery; Robo Junkie Boat Detail, LLC; Sportsman’s

Warehouse; and Voodoo ActiveWear. If you use a premium rod from DD26 Fishing, you might catch big fish like that nice smallmouth that Scott Brown caught on Havasu last year! Ok, maybe you can’t buy fishing tackle or angler apparel from a few of our Sponsors but you can still get great deals on many other things that anglers use. Like great barbeque!

PBM does not run on air. Not even on Pedro 2020’s hot air. Or even on beer. It runs on the energy of its members. If you are not putting something in the PBM tank, other than paying your dues and showing your smiling face on the water and occasionally in meetings, you are coasting on the energy of others. Less than 20% of our membership does virtually all the behind-the-scenes work. So, please join in the work as well as in the fun. Come to meetings and participate. Work at our weigh-ins. Shuttle fish back to the lake. Chair or participate in a committee. The Marketing and Tournament committees need members right now. Help plan club activities and elevate our role and impacts in the angling community. Work our special events, especially including but not limited to, the annual PBM Open. Donate products for the Open raffle. Secure sponsors to help keep public participation in fishing up and our membership costs down. Figure out what PBM needs are best matched to your skills and volunteer for something, today. Then, do the work. Every member really is essential to club success! Even the young and the quick.



IN CLOSING Help us make 2020 a great year for Phoenix Bass Masters! Join the best club in Arizona and bring a friend or 2 with you. Boaters, nonboaters and guests are welcome BUT every boat in our tournaments MUST have at least 1 club member aboard. Adults (16 and older) may only guest fish in 1 tournament per tournament year.

For more information on Phoenix Bass Masters go to www.phoenixbassmasters.com Our public Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/phoenixbassmasters/

For information on Phoenix Junior Bassmasters go to https://www.phxjuniorbassmasters.com/

Bass Fishing Clubs are all about Youth, Conservation, Tournaments and Fun!

AMERICA IS THE LAND OF THE FREE ------ BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE SUPPORT the TROOPS and FIRST RESPONDERS who protect us

Hey, PBM anglers, let's be safe out there!

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