Captain Grady Maynard, a multiple award winning professional fisherman, US Coast Guard Certified Captain, and owner and operator of Central Florida Bass Charters, was the guest speaker our December meeting.
Captain Grady Maynard
As we all know, new baits are hitting the market constantly and in some cases they appeal more to the angler than they do the fish. Occasionaly a bait comes along that checks all the boxes and becomes an instant winner. Back in 2004 the ChatterBait made its debut.
ChatterBaitChatterBait vs Spinnerbait
The design was unusual and unproven so things got off to a slow start. That quickly changed and by 2006 the ChatterBait became a favorite with the Pros.
Grady described in detail the design and action of this bait. Although it is not designed to be weedless its unique design, having the blade in front, it pulls easily through weeds. Another advantage of the blade being located in the front is that there are fewer missed strikes. Bass go after the flash and unlike a spinnerbait with the flash above the hook the ChatterBaits front blade makes for a easy hook set.
Grady also suggested adding a trailer to make this bait even more appealing and mixing up colors in clear and stained water. He also noted that there are lots of knock offs out there and although they may look similar they do not maintain a constant depth when retrieved.
The raffle for a five hour guided fishing trip with Captain Grady was won by FFC members Terry Kimmel and Mike Haessly.
Got a message from FFC member Jamie Fowler early this afternoon. Seem he couldn’t wait to try out the ChatterBait and he hit a local pond Wednesday evening.
The Loch Ness Monster or Nessie is a creature in Scottish folklore. It is said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands and seen by very few. Bigfoot is a creature that is said to inhabit the forests of North america and again seen by very few. Well it seems that The Villages has a creature seen by very few that deserves to be named. On November 22nd, FFC member Jim Jones posted this on the fishing reports page.
“Quite a surprise on this rainy Monday morning. After taking a 1.3lb on a wacky worm, I switched to a Gambler Burner worm and hooked this 11lb 9oz piggy in the shallows at the Briarwood West pond.
Jim Jones / 11lb 9oz / Villages Pond
Things have been really slow lately, so I was shocked when this thing jumped. Thankfully, Frank Martines was nearby to help with the pictures. My first FWC TROPHY Catch of the new season”
Well looking back it appears that this is not the first appearance of this beast. FFC members Lou Benasutti and Frank Martines have both encountered this giant in the past. Destined to be Villages folklore this gal certainly deserves a name. We certainly do not need another “Bigfoot” but “Bigfin” or “Bassaquatch” would be good choices.
Now keeping the big fish theme going here, check this out. Got this report from FFC member Wayne Barksdale on November 28th.
“Today was a good day on Lake Panasoffskee. I was fishing with a long time snow bird fishing buddy Bill Chumbler. I have fished with him for about 16 years. We had a late start…around 9am. For the next two hours it was slow catching about 6 or 7 Bass. A couple small and some nice 2lb plus. I was using my usual 7ft 3in Fitzgerald rod, 15lb seaguar invisx fluorocarbon line, and a 1/8 weight..free line. I made along hero cast..stop and drop my Zoom Junebug speed worm. About 10 feet from the boat I started just reeling in the speed worm and literally at the boat the water just exploded. I had no idea what it was. I did not have to set the hook but just hit the thumb bar and gave it some line. I was in the back of the boat..using Chumbler’s boat. The fish was just running up and down the boat and I asked Chumbler to help me land what ever it was because if I had to leave my seat in the back to land it..we know what would happen. Fall in the boat again. He said okay but if it was a mud fish I was on my own. We were both surprised when I finally got the fish to the surface..8lb 7oz.
Wayne Barksdale / 8lbs 7oz. / Lake Panasoffskee
Chumbler was the weight master and photographer.
Troph Catch #5
For the next 45minutes I probably bored Chumbler about the catch when he said he had a pretty hard strike on the trap he was throwing..the fish tried to jump but just to big to make it out of the water. Another big Bass. I was able to help. We did not have a net but I had the bo grips. No one in their mind will hand lip a Bass out the water with a trap in his mouth. A long story short. My big Bass of the day came in 2nd place to Chumblers 9lb 6oz Bass”
Bill Chumbler / 9lbs. 6ozs.
In a follow up report Wayne said his catch was approved by Trophy Catch making it his fifth since last November. Congrats to both Jim and Wayne for two great reports and two well deserved Fish Of The Month pins headed their way.
Fish Of The Month Pin
Thanks to all who reported and sent pics. Keep them coming.
Now switching gears. On December 4th, Brooker Bait And Tackle held its 11th anniversary sale. The weather was just perfect and it was nice to see that a number of FFC members were in attendance.
FFC Members And Pros
This annual event includes special pricing on tackle, live entertainmend, a free BBQ lunch
Great BBQ!!!
and the opportunity to meet and chat with the pros.
Randy DiSanto/Shaw Grigsby/Trevor Fitzgerald
A lot of chatter about the recent “Pro Challenge” and some ideas already being discussed for next years event.
Rob Husson
NOTE: To stay on top of what others are doing just click on the tab marked “Fishing Forums” at the top of this page and sign up. There is a page for reporting your catch, general topics, and kayak fishing.
The Villages Freshwater Fishing Club 