Last update:  April 26, 2008

Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions in the emails Curt receives.  In an effort to help everyone,  Curt figured he would begin posting them here with their answers.

Question:  Any suggestions about how to locate structure away from the banks and read a contour map that will enhance my fishing?

Answer:  The key to finding fish offshore is to look for extended points, humps, and creek (or river) channel bends.  The points, humps, and channel bends have to have some type of cover (preferably stumps, rocks, or brush).  Then, after you've found the cover on those spots you'll want to mark the spots with your GPS so that you can find them again.  Don't be discouraged if you don't catch fish on them the first time - you may have to fish them on several different trips to find the fish, but eventually they will show up.

Question:  A few months ago, I was watching an Everstart tournament that you won.  In that tournament you were using a modified football head that you designed. Is there a mold cavity, or even the heads themselves, that I can find?

Answer:  I've totally quit using those heads because I wasn't satisfied with the hook-up rate.  They're relatively snagless around rock but lousy around brush and logs.  But the biggest problem was the hook-up rate - it's something like 70%.  I am starting to use the new Berkley Classic Power Jig with Rattle, which was introduced right before Jay Yelas won the 2002 BASS Masters Classic with it.  I'll have more information about the jig in the spring.

Question:  What’s your best lure to find bass on a new lake?

Answer:  My favorite all-around lure for locating fish on a new lake is a spinnerbait because no matter what the cover or water visibility I can always get a spinnerbait blade combination that will catch fish.