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GAPEN’S
Exposed River Rock
(continued)
One other spot is exposed in this drawing at the
head of the rock. There's a
fish marked at 'D'. It's generally
the largest bass, walleye,
catfish or muskie holding on
this rock structure. This is
the first fish you should target
before going after the
others. He's generally
aggressive and holding
there for one reason only –
to get first shot at food
descending with the current.
To further your river
education pick up a copy
of Dan's River Fishing book,
which can be found on page
153 or buy a pair of DVDs in Dan's River Rat
Series. We suggest you get No. 1 and No. 2 to increase
your knowledge on fishing – see page 158.
Dan Gapen, Sr.
‘DABBLING’
Those of you who have studied my books,
DVDs or attended my seminars have heard
me mention ‘DABBLING’. As easily as I can
I’ll explain this fish capturing technique. In
most cases it occurs next to a bank in a
small boat sized eddy. Water depth can
vary from 3 to 10 feet. Often there is a large
rock or wood structure incased in the eddy
which was the attraction for the fish.
Approach is easy. Run Run your boat in and tie off to the
wood.This will flush the fish - BUT, they’ll soon be back. In most cases they will now use
your boat for structure cover.
Next, using a short rod & reel loaded with a jig which runs level (horizontal) to bottom,
drop your offering to the bottom. If you were to ask me I’d select a crawfish colored 1/8
oz. Ugly Bug. Tip the Ugly Bug with one inch of worm or- a single Red Red Ball egg. Lift the
presentation up a foot off the bottom – ‘HOLD’ – ‘JIGGLE IT’ – ‘HOLD’ – ‘DROP’ – then
lift and continue to repeat until a fish strikes. In many cases you will catch and release a
dozen or more bass, rockbass, bluegill or walleye by ‘DABBLING’.
Give it a try . . .
The Ol’ River Rat
Dan Gapen, Sr.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
129
Short up & down
movement
If you fish in brooktrout country,
exposed rocks may hold the
largest trout in the area
Boat
bottom
Rod &
reel
occasionally the angler
will come up with a very
fat cat holding behind
exposed rocks.
Having trouble casting your SPINNINg ROD AND REEL accurately?
Trouble when you cast your casting rod and reel with the line ending up in a rat’s nest?
Maybe the following tips for both will cure these problems. Let's take the problems one
at a time.
Placement of your THUMB on your casting hand will solve each of these problems.
Wherever you point your thumb (see photo at left) will
instantly improve your accuracy while using a spinning rod
and reel.
Proper hand position-two fingers forward and two fingers
behind the reel stem with the thumb stretched out
straight on top of the rod handle is proper.
By placing your thumb in this way and pointing it at your
targeted area spin cast accuracy will instantly improve.
A better explanation is to say your thumb acts as a gun sight, wherever you point it
your lure will go.
One other thing occurs! By hand and thumb placement
positioned this way you lock in the tendon in your hand
which further engages your shoulder and a more correct
casting movement (one directly up over your head) is
performed as you thrust the rod forward.
Casting Rod and Reel
GAPEN’S
Fishing Tips:
FROM
HIMSELF!
THE KEY TO CASTING PERFORMANCE
WITH ROD AND REEL
Correct
As a guide in northern Ontario during my youth I was exposed to all types of 'Round-
House-Harrys' who found casting needed to be performed side-armed with a heavy
thrust.
Consequences of such acts saw their guide (me) impaled numerous times in the head,
shoulders, arms and hands. The stories are too numerous to recount but I will give you
one example.
Guiding a young couple on their honeymoon at river mouth of the Jackpine River
where we were engaging large northern pike I was impaled in the face, just under the eye,
with a very large Eppinger Dardevle spoon. Round-House-Rhoda, we'll call her, had been
previously instructed by her know-it-all husband that to cast a casting outfit you had to
swing it sideways, horizontal to your sitting or standing position with a great deal of
force.
F i s h G a p e n ’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m F i s h G a p e n ’ s
130
Incorrect