The Truth About Trophies... by Jim Comer
Curwensville Lake holds more trophy fish per acre than any other small lake that I know of and, believe me, I have fished
many small lakes over the years. BUT, if you think that you are going to go out and start catching huge fish ya better think
again! Trophy fishing is a skill which takes years to develop. You must outsmart very smart fish! Trophies didn't get huge
being stupid. Survival in a small lake takes a special instinct that only few fish are born with. To survive, this special instinct
takes them to the very deepest parts of the lake where they establish a safe sanctuary far from the lures being thrown by
everyday fishermen. To help you find, intimidate and land these big fish please read my articles below, "Bass Habits" and
"Night Stalking". For those who don't believe that Curwensville has an abundance of BIG fish, believe me, they're in there...
......................................................................................................................................................... Ya just gotta find 'em!
many small lakes over the years. BUT, if you think that you are going to go out and start catching huge fish ya better think
again! Trophy fishing is a skill which takes years to develop. You must outsmart very smart fish! Trophies didn't get huge
being stupid. Survival in a small lake takes a special instinct that only few fish are born with. To survive, this special instinct
takes them to the very deepest parts of the lake where they establish a safe sanctuary far from the lures being thrown by
everyday fishermen. To help you find, intimidate and land these big fish please read my articles below, "Bass Habits" and
"Night Stalking". For those who don't believe that Curwensville has an abundance of BIG fish, believe me, they're in there...
......................................................................................................................................................... Ya just gotta find 'em!
BASS HABITS... things you should know when seeking BIG bass... by Jim Comer
Before you can catch BIG bass you must know where to find them. Every species of fish has a certain type of biological make-
up that causes them to behave in certain ways. To find BIG bass all you need to learn are their daily movement patterns and
their daily feeding patterns. Big bass, in particular, have well defined habits (and moods) that make them easy to find. I will ex-
plain those habits and moods as best I can but the catching part is up to you. Also, as you continue to read, you will begin to
understand what I mean by Big bass- this is what this article is all about. To better explain this logic, I have broken down each
habit in a numerical order. The habits of small bass are not important but they should be learned. You can start catching BIG
bass now!
up that causes them to behave in certain ways. To find BIG bass all you need to learn are their daily movement patterns and
their daily feeding patterns. Big bass, in particular, have well defined habits (and moods) that make them easy to find. I will ex-
plain those habits and moods as best I can but the catching part is up to you. Also, as you continue to read, you will begin to
understand what I mean by Big bass- this is what this article is all about. To better explain this logic, I have broken down each
habit in a numerical order. The habits of small bass are not important but they should be learned. You can start catching BIG
bass now!
Night Stalking... by Jim Comer
Night stalking (as I call it) is my favorite type of fishing -- here's why...
Only the very biggest fish feed at night, under the cover of darkness. Big bass, walleye and musky must feed at night be-
cause their size makes it impossible for them to cruise the shallows or ambush prey during sunlight hours. I use big lures
such as musky-size Jitterbugs and huge egg-beater baits. When fishing on top, the lure should be black because fish use
the moon to 'silhouette' what is above them at night. Let me explain... When fish look up to see what is swimming on top of
the water, they see a 'silhouette' of that object outlined against the light of the moon. If your lure is white or light in color,
the fish will hear it passing over him but he will have a hard time zoning in on it because he can't see it. A trick that I used
Only the very biggest fish feed at night, under the cover of darkness. Big bass, walleye and musky must feed at night be-
cause their size makes it impossible for them to cruise the shallows or ambush prey during sunlight hours. I use big lures
such as musky-size Jitterbugs and huge egg-beater baits. When fishing on top, the lure should be black because fish use
the moon to 'silhouette' what is above them at night. Let me explain... When fish look up to see what is swimming on top of
the water, they see a 'silhouette' of that object outlined against the light of the moon. If your lure is white or light in color,
the fish will hear it passing over him but he will have a hard time zoning in on it because he can't see it. A trick that I used
Smallmouth Seasonal Secrets... by Tom Ashmore
Probably the most logical way to monitor the habits of the smallmouth bass is by season.
PRE-SPAWN -- By late March Curwensville Lake has a surface temperature of 45 degrees. Big smallmouth are deep and slug-
gish, but unseasonably warm days and tepid rains may quickly warm the water. When this happens, the big smallmouth move
out of the deeper water, making their way to the shallows by way of long, tapering points and ledges that connect to main-lake
flats. Fast rising, murky water, such as usually occurs after a day or two of hard rain may often trigger movements to shallow
water. Smallmouth will hang around stumps rock piles usually close to a deep drop-off.
PRE-SPAWN -- By late March Curwensville Lake has a surface temperature of 45 degrees. Big smallmouth are deep and slug-
gish, but unseasonably warm days and tepid rains may quickly warm the water. When this happens, the big smallmouth move
out of the deeper water, making their way to the shallows by way of long, tapering points and ledges that connect to main-lake
flats. Fast rising, murky water, such as usually occurs after a day or two of hard rain may often trigger movements to shallow
water. Smallmouth will hang around stumps rock piles usually close to a deep drop-off.
Shore Fishing... by Steve Meier
Just because you don't own a boat doesn't mean you can't enjoy great fishing. Modern anglers have become so enamored
with their fancy high-performance boats, they've forgotten about shore fishing. That's too bad because there are certain
times of year we'd all be better off leaving the boat at the house and early spring can be one of those times. It seems that
the biggest difference between bank fishing and fishing from a boat is that shoreline anglers aren't as aggressive. They
tend to get locked into one place and one presentation. It doesn't have to be that way. With a little effort and versatility
anglers can increase the odds of catching big fish from the bank of any river or lake. Fan casting large areas of water and
moving often are the key to this.
with their fancy high-performance boats, they've forgotten about shore fishing. That's too bad because there are certain
times of year we'd all be better off leaving the boat at the house and early spring can be one of those times. It seems that
the biggest difference between bank fishing and fishing from a boat is that shoreline anglers aren't as aggressive. They
tend to get locked into one place and one presentation. It doesn't have to be that way. With a little effort and versatility
anglers can increase the odds of catching big fish from the bank of any river or lake. Fan casting large areas of water and
moving often are the key to this.
Spinnerbaits Take Big Crappie... by Jack Barnhart
Live minnows and jigs are far and away the most popular enticements for crappie. Crappie fishermen, like all sorts of people,
are inclined to stick with the tried-and-true. And when it comes to crappie catchers, there's nothing as tried-and-true as jigs
and minnows. I'd be the last one to suggest you quit fishing with jigs and minnows. But if you're innovative and experimental,
if you like to try new tackle and tactics that produce big slabs, allow me to suggest you try spinnerbaits for crappie. Properly
presented, spinners are irresistible to these feisty panfish. Tie one on and you'll not only spice up your fishing fun, chances
are you'll catch much bigger crappie. Live minnows and jigs are far and away the most popular enticements for crappie, and
it's a rare occasion when you'll see a died-in-the-wool crappier using a bait or lure other than these. Crappie fishermen, like
are inclined to stick with the tried-and-true. And when it comes to crappie catchers, there's nothing as tried-and-true as jigs
and minnows. I'd be the last one to suggest you quit fishing with jigs and minnows. But if you're innovative and experimental,
if you like to try new tackle and tactics that produce big slabs, allow me to suggest you try spinnerbaits for crappie. Properly
presented, spinners are irresistible to these feisty panfish. Tie one on and you'll not only spice up your fishing fun, chances
are you'll catch much bigger crappie. Live minnows and jigs are far and away the most popular enticements for crappie, and
it's a rare occasion when you'll see a died-in-the-wool crappier using a bait or lure other than these. Crappie fishermen, like
BIG Musky Methods by Jim Comer
Rough Weather
I tell everyone that the best time to catch big muskies is just before a bad storm. I pay attention to weather reports and
if there’s a front approaching, I’m on the water, particularly if we’ve had an extended period of hot weather.A cloudy day
or a wind that puts a 'chop' on the water is also a good time for BIG musky. These are predator fish that feel more com-
fortable under cover. Locating muskies is all about identifying habitat. If I wanted to fish an ideal spot it would be a large
weed bed that ends just below the surface.That allows me to work not only the edges, but the top. Most big musky will
orient toward weedbeds adjacent to deep water. And of course, any time you can add other structure, deep water, like
I tell everyone that the best time to catch big muskies is just before a bad storm. I pay attention to weather reports and
if there’s a front approaching, I’m on the water, particularly if we’ve had an extended period of hot weather.A cloudy day
or a wind that puts a 'chop' on the water is also a good time for BIG musky. These are predator fish that feel more com-
fortable under cover. Locating muskies is all about identifying habitat. If I wanted to fish an ideal spot it would be a large
weed bed that ends just below the surface.That allows me to work not only the edges, but the top. Most big musky will
orient toward weedbeds adjacent to deep water. And of course, any time you can add other structure, deep water, like
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Promises To Wife:
Four married guys go fishing. After an hour, the following conversation
took place. First guy: " You have no idea what I had to do to be able to
come out fishing this weekend. I had to promise my wife that I will paint
every room in the house next weekend." Second guy: " that's nothing, I
had to promise my wife that I will build her a new deck for the pool." Third
guy: " Man, you both have it easy! I had to promise my wife that I will
remodel the kitchen for her." They continue to fish when they realized that
the fourth guy has not said a word. So they asked him. You haven't said
anything about what you had to do to be able to come fishing this
weekend. " What's the deal?" Fourth guy: " I just set my alarm for 5:30 am.
When it went off, I shut off my alarm, gave the wife a nudge and said, "
Fishing or Sex" and she said, " Wear a Sweater."
Four married guys go fishing. After an hour, the following conversation
took place. First guy: " You have no idea what I had to do to be able to
come out fishing this weekend. I had to promise my wife that I will paint
every room in the house next weekend." Second guy: " that's nothing, I
had to promise my wife that I will build her a new deck for the pool." Third
guy: " Man, you both have it easy! I had to promise my wife that I will
remodel the kitchen for her." They continue to fish when they realized that
the fourth guy has not said a word. So they asked him. You haven't said
anything about what you had to do to be able to come fishing this
weekend. " What's the deal?" Fourth guy: " I just set my alarm for 5:30 am.
When it went off, I shut off my alarm, gave the wife a nudge and said, "
Fishing or Sex" and she said, " Wear a Sweater."
Stacy Bressler with a 52" musky
Stacy Bressler with a huge musky