Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Larry Hemphill

Good luck getting ahold of Johnny Morris!! Unless I bought my Ford truck from my local Ford dealer, why should I get the best future service appointment consideration? Local dealer support is very important in our country - as it should be. You get to know those folks and they will go the extra mile...

Larry Hemphill

I haven't fly fished for bass very much - mostly for trout and late spring river shad on the Yuba river. Fly fishing for bass can be really fun when the pre and post spawn shallow feed is on!! They will hit most light baits or large streamers that can be fished on larger flyrods! Since bass are fair...

Larry Hemphill

Surely you caught the biggest spot in the lake!! THAT is a special fish! Congrats!!

Larry Hemphill

Larry Hemphill

Sunset or sunrise? Great photo either way!

Larry Hemphill

Great photo! The 4 bass fill the photo, with the bellies in plain view!
That's what you want in a 4 bass photo - full view of the bass from top to bottom!!
When taking a multi-bass photo, one needs to hold the bass in full vertical view - top to bottom of the belly.
You guys looked ok too!!

Larry Hemphill

I netted a world record spotted bass two springs ago at Bullards Bar. It was the potential world record for that species caught by a female angler. I was taking Clara Ricabal to Bullard Bar for her first visit to that beautiful lake! We only fished for about 3 hours on a warm afternoon. I got broke ...

Larry Hemphill

Forgot to mention - great photo of the two monsters and you. Perfect!! All 20 lbs in perfect view!!!

Larry Hemphill

That is a major accomplishment - especially back to back!! That experience could be the high point of your total fishing career! I always ask this question - were you just going "down the bank" or was this a special area that you were targeting trophies - like an offshore rockpile for exam...

Larry Hemphill

Sure glad I don't night fish in the areas you do! Dangerous out there!!!

Larry Hemphill

I used to fish and guide on Folsom for many years before the traffic from Yuba City became too much. I love the lake, but also respect the structure very much. I know the floating buoys are very good, but be very careful anyway!! At this level - and lower - rockpiles are found where you least expect...

Larry Hemphill

The fall will be a good time for you to check out the structure all over the lake. You might take some photos because a lot of the lake looks the same - very FISHY!! Keep your eye on your meter because there are lots of shallow flats in places you might not expect them. Most of the quality spotted b...

Larry Hemphill

Good luck finding those "trout!"

Larry Hemphill

I don't usually comment on tournament results, but was very happy to see Duke and Brandon do very well on the recent Clear Lake tournament. They were great guys and fun to be with! I guiding them once or twice about 10+ years ago - I think on Clear Lake, or maybe Berryessa - can't remember. Obviousl...

Larry Hemphill

I couldn't believe my eyes after seeing several nice 2 or 3 lb bass under a bridge, seeing a 6 or 7 pounder on the edge of the bridge shadow. NEVER have I ever wanted, so bad, a fishing rod in my hands!!!

Larry Hemphill

Nice bass - congrats!! A jig with Yamamoto grub trailer is truly a "year-round" bait! Trophy bass just can't pass up a properly fished jig - even in the summer!!

Larry Hemphill

Very good points made in your post! The one thing about fishing a large, open body of water, is that the main lake swells can be very scary! If you are fishing the Berryessa narrows at night in sudden heavy wind, the swells will be manageable for most boats. One can have serious problems if a heavy ...

Larry Hemphill

That is - or was - the rule at Lake Oroville.
There wouldn't be many night tournaments with that rule.
You could fish the launch cove!
They just put in lighted buoys at Berryessa in the narrows. What great news if you are night fishing dark of the moon!!!

Larry Hemphill

I thought one only caught dinks at night. Something must have changed at Clear Lake! Congrats!!

Larry Hemphill

Ash is right - that is the fish of a lifetime since it was from Oroville. A fish that size is rare indeed! I wanted to say how wonderful to have a perfect photo of a perfect bass Markings, color, fins, photo in general was great. Perfect amount of background scenery while making the bass and the ang...

Larry Hemphill

Not Again!!! We need a special lake closure for you - LOL!!! Congrats! And I knew you when!!

Larry Hemphill

I couldn't agree more with bsapp's post. Bob was a big help to me with up-to-date info before a guide trip to Clear Lake! Of course, he would expect me to bring in clients after day trips to buy stuff "they should have used" - LOL My clients would just marvel at his shop - so much stuff in...

Larry Hemphill

Hard to compare this virus with 9-11. The attack on the trade center buildings was an act of war, planned by humans, in full view of everyone who watched the videos after. We could see the enemy - giant airplanes.

Can't see the virus, and, it is a much slower process. Travels unseen.

Larry Hemphill

As I got to know Gary Dobyns after moving to Yuba City, I was able to admire his tournament success as I was gaining success as a guide during the 80's. I eventually talked him into team teaching with me at my huge Sacramento and Yuba City bass classes. I told him that we were the perfect pair to co...

Larry Hemphill

I am proud of you both for the nice bass you landed! I am even more proud that you know how to hold a big bass for a photo!! Holding it left to right (horizontal) and supporting the bass with both hands is perfect! No lip holds for BIG bass if you are going to release them. Too much stress on their ...

Larry Hemphill

You mean here?? Then everyone would post a bigger bass photo - LOL!!!

Larry Hemphill

Not sure if the floating restrooms would be open.

Larry Hemphill

What is the problem if one drove their own boat, alone in the vehicle, paid their fee to the "orange ranger deposit station or other collection box, launched, fished, took out, and drove home. Probably only seeing a few, cold, bass fishermen from a distance. One can just shout to another angler...

Larry Hemphill

I was reading my latest issue of Bassmaste (Mar 2020) and as always, went to the photo pages first. And again, a smile came to my face as I looked at the photos comparing the "in your face" 11-8 (#1) from Jason, to the "distant" 10-10 (#9) from Zach. Those bass are only 14 oz apa...

Larry Hemphill

My second post should have gone with the previous one!!

Larry Hemphill

Remember - this is now the "modern world!" The new modern word - certainly in this state - is "lawsuit!" Many regulations are very strict now in public areas. Much more than in the past. Why? Farmers and other pond or small lake owners would sometimes let folks in on their proper...

Larry Hemphill

That was a great bait on big bass lakes like Clear Lake and Amador. Large bass feed on BULK1 They like bigger meals such as a trout, if available. One of the best night baits I have ever used for trophy bass. If you are fishing low light conditions or at night, you need a large bait to attract their...

Larry Hemphill

I have made this caution before about Bullards Bar and very cold weather. If you are going Monday or Tuesday early morning, take both ramp approaches slowly, especially Dark Day. if you lose traction with your bass boat behind you on possible slick ice, it's a long way down. Take it slow. Remember i...

Larry Hemphill

If the colder weather does arrive (heavy snow in the Sierra today), they probably will back off the shore. They usually do during an early spring cold front.

Larry Hemphill

After I re-read my post, I remembered a similar situation at Collins Lake - but in late February. Again - east shore where surface temp in mid-Feb went from 50 to 57 by late afternoon. A 9 lb largemouth was looking for a quick bite and my red craw crankbait was the meal she was looking for. I believ...

Larry Hemphill

I was never a big fan of the lake but have fished it many times in years past I always found that the east side (afternoon sun) of the upper north/south arms would attract lots of early season bass Needs the afternoon sun rays I remember a great sunny, warm afternoon in early March with early water ...

Larry Hemphill

I would have to agree with Dave. I know - I have sold many Rangers as they wanted me to upgrade often. When I was guiding, folks were besides themselves to finally ride in a "Ranger!" Once a great name - always a great name - and that is important!! Just a thought - when I put my last Rang...

Larry Hemphill

That photo didn't need a comment from me. It was a great photo. As I said, sometimes too much nice background can take away from the amazement and appreciation of a true fish of a lifetime. I want to count the scales of the fish. I hope not!!

Larry Hemphill

Just a suggestion on a photo like that. The subjects are the FISH and the ANGLER, not the background. The background was very nice and adds to the photo, but the background is not the reason for the photo. Get that angler smile closer. And hold the belly (of the bass!) out a bit. One wants to apprec...

Larry Hemphill

Haven't kept up with Pardee in the last 2 years, but remember, there are some big largemouth in there as well.

My biggest largemouth there about 7-8 years ago was a bit over 9 lbs

Larry Hemphill

If I still lived in San Jose (moved to Yuba City in the late "70's). I guess I would have feelings about draining Anderson. I always preferred fishing Coyote and Chesbro (forgot how to spell it!) Big bass in those days!! Always sad that Coyote peaked for big bass (up to 15 lbs I heard) after I ...

Larry Hemphill

If we have the wind predicted for Sun-Mon, Bullards can be difficult to fish.
Coves are more open at Bullards and not many fish there yet.
It is basically an open water lake and getting out of the wind can be difficult.
I know - many years experience being blown around!!!

Larry Hemphill

I know I have said this before on the forum, but thot I would post a reminder since the recent reports have indicated very slow fishing. Remember: The sun may feel a bit warm on your back in the Jan months It is however doing nothing to warm the water. The sun's rays are too horizontal to penetrate ...

Larry Hemphill

I liked your bottom photo. In my opinion, and that of many others, a huge bass like that needs the support of both hands, meaning a left to right photo. Just remember to hold the belly out a bit toward the camera. You want to see the "whole" girth of a monster like that!! I have been told ...

Larry Hemphill

When I used to do a lot of winter night fishing at Clear Lake, those birds looked HUGE in the front running light! If you didn't go too fast, they would move very quickly out of the way. Never sure if they were asleep or awake, but they always got out of the way in time. Sometimes they would leave a...

Larry Hemphill

I gave a seminar this spring to a group of out-of-state anglers who were going to fish for a few days. I had never been up to the Markley Cove cabins, where they were staying. I thought they were pretty nice!

Larry Hemphill

Larry Hemphill

I fished my first ever tournament at McClure with the San Jose bass club, many years ago. I've only been on the lake twice, but I just loved it for some reason. Probably amazing structure areas. I love all the foothill lakes in that area - fished them a lot in my San Jose years. Amador and Pardee ar...

Larry Hemphill

Not sure I would get in the boat with that character....LOL!!!

Larry Hemphill

I agree - your reports are excellent and seem to be honest! Giving readers choices of baits to use at different depths are very helpful. Keep up the good work!!

Larry Hemphill

Larry Hemphill

Nice to see both anglers hold their big bass with both hands. They will thank you for that (somehow!)

Larry Hemphill

I just have to agree about the Ford 150. Never thot a "6" could tow like that and be so quiet (for a truck). When one has neighbors a few feet away - sleeping - and my truck starts or backs in the boat - you want to put a blanket over the hood - or something. We usually don't leave our hom...

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