Questions About:

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Q. Are boat ramps good places for bass fishing?

Bill: Sure they are. And believe it or not, most anglers actually drive on one of the best bass-holding structures around, put their boats in on top of them and then go as far away as imaginable to fish. Yes, boat ramps are excellent bass-holding structures and here is why:
• Most are made of concrete, stretch way out into the lake and slope downward—making a clear path to deep water.
• In reservoirs that undergo a drawdown, the ramp may extend from 5- 25 feet or more out into the lake.
• Riprap is also often found near ramps, another structure that holds bass.
• Ramps are covered with algae, which attract baitfish, which attract bass. It is a food chain.
• Concrete ramps also absorb heat and provide comfort zones for fish at certain times of year.
Does all the traffic spook fish? I think they grow accustomed to the usual flow of traffic overhead. I suppose it would be a lot like learning to sleep if your house was close to an airport or a train track. Familiar sounds become just that.

Q. How much more battery life do you get with variable-speed trolling motors versus fished-speed motors?

Bill: On-water use of variable speed gives you 2 1/2 times more fishing than you if you used a fixed-speed motor.

Q. Do you get longer life or running time with 12 volts, 24 volts or 36-volt trolling motors?

Bill: The more batteries you have or the more voltage you have, the longer your running time. Here are some facts on AMP draw by voltage:
• 12-volt motors use about 1.2 AMPS per pound of thrust;
• 24-volt motors use about .9 AMPS per pound of thrust;
• And 36-volt motors use about .55 AMPS per pound of thrust.
The more power or voltage you have or use, the more efficient an electric motor is, or just the opposite from your car engine. The more powerful a gas engine is the more fuel it uses. More tips like this one can be found on my bill dance fishing videos.

Q. How much line do different gear ratio reels retrieve per turn of the handle?

Bill: On a full spool, here’s what each of the three most popular size baitcasting reels retrieve on each turn:
• 28 inches on a 6:1;
• 22 inches on a 5:1;
• and 18 inches on a 4.4:1.

Q. What is the easiest way to determine the best depth when fishing?

Bill: Electronics have helped anglers more than anything, but there is really no easy way to establish the best depth.
When you ask locals about the fishing always ask and heed what they tell you about the depth where they are catching fish.
Depth, of course, is directly related to temperature, and bass have a preferred comfort zone even though they are not always within that zone. Experience has shown that bass often hang out near the bottom in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. It is easy enough to run the boat into deep water, drop a thermometer over the side and read the depths at which this temperature occurs. Then look for bottom structure with that preferred depth zone. Work different areas within that depth until you catch a fish. Note the depth and the type of place, so you can begin to establish a pattern.
I can’t over-emphasize the importance of being observant. If you have difficulty remembering, a notebook will solve that problem. Write it down and then keep information in your boat or tackle box so you can consult it constantly.

How much more battery life do you get with variable speed motors vs. fixed speed motors?

Good question and a great bass fishing tip! On water use of variable speed give you 2 1/2 times more fishing that day than you would get with a fixed speed motor!
Actually battery life (1-2-3 years) is increased because you’re not draining your battery as deep while using a variable speed motor!
Plus, battery charging time is reduced due to batteries not being cycled so low or deep with each use!

            O.K., here’s a question we’ve answered before but it’s worth answering again!
Do you get longer life of running time when bass fishing with 12 volt or 24 volt or these new 36 volt trolling motors?

Well, the more batteries you have or the more voltage you have the longer your running time! Here’s some facts on AMP draw by voltage:
12 volt motors use about 1.2 AMPS per pound of thrust
24 volt use about .9 amps
36 volt motors use about .55 amps per pound of thrust

The more power or voltage you have or use, the more efficient an electric motor is, or just the opposite from your truck or car engine. The more powerful a gas engine is, the more fuel it uses.

Q. Can you catch fish without any electronics, like fish finders, depth finders, temp sensors, etc.?

Bill: Sure. We caught fish before the advent of electronics. There was simply a lot more trial and error to finding fish then. You would pull up to a point and begin fishing various depths until you got a rough estimate of the whereabouts or depth of fish.
We would use the countdown method. We would cast lures and counting to ourselves while allowing the lure to fall. There were a variety of techniques we used that might be termed primitive today. But hey, it worked.
Today electronics make it a whole lot easier to eliminate unproductive water and concentrate your efforts. And perhaps prior to electronics, when some of us stopped catching fish, we assumed we had caught all that was in the area. The advent of electronics proved us wrong.
For example, back in the Stone Age of Basing’ (before electronics) if you were bass fishing on a point and catching fish at 8 feet and the bite suddenly stopped, you thought you had caught all the fish in that area. But more than likely they just moved, to a different depth perhaps. We didn’t know that for certain without depth finders.
I believe anglers catch more fish today because of electronics. But just because you have electronics on your boat, doesn’t mean you are going to catch fish. It does mean you have a better chance of finding them, staying on top of them and being in the right spot when the bite does turn on.

Q: With today’s increasing technology, do you think we will ever completely master the art of catching fish?

Bill: I hope not, but again, this week I am going to refer to Dr. Jones’ “Knowing Bass” for a great answer and bass fishing tip:
“No matter how good technology gets, bass fishing will never be a sure thing. Discussions of sensory arrays and designer lures may suggest that you can give a bass exactly what it is seeking, thus assuring your fishing success. It may speak, via technology, that we have fish over the barrel. But such mastery is an illusion. Bass behavior is the result of an incredibly complex set of factors. Some are external, such as water temperature or the level of ambient light. Others, such as hunger or reproductive condition, are internal. Whether internal or external, most lie beyond the angler’s control. Like it or not, there will always be times when the fish have no interest in cooperating. Nothing you can do, shy of dynamite, will work. The final play always lies with the bass.”

Best Wishes for a Big Bass Year,



P.S. How can you lose money? You've got nothing to lose. Your completely protected by my 365-day guarantee. That’s right you have a full year to return the Bill Dance "Complete Bass Fishing Course " if it doesn’t work for YOU and get your FULL purchase price back.

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