October 2016 Archives - Mississippi Sportsman

Elizabeth Ward holds the first bass she caught on her own. It hit one of her father’s CW Custom Lures spinnerbaits.

C.W. Custom Lures – This spinnerbait moves smoothly through grass

October 24, 2016 Don Shoopman

A small profile can make a big difference. That’s why Clint Ward makes a spinnerbait from scratch to satisfy the needs of both anglers and bass. […]

When looking for wiring problems, you might find trouble on the inside where you see trouble on the outside. Note the broken clamp and wire ties that used to secure this covered wire bundle to the bulkhead.

Getting wired – Proper wiring for your boat

October 20, 2016 Allan Tarvid

Wires are the blood vessels of your boat’s electrical system. If they aren’t right, everything that runs on amps and volts is at risk. […]

Get out and scout

October 17, 2016 Bill Garbo

When it comes to early season scouting for bucks with trail cameras, monitoring rubs and rub lines can be a very effective technique. […]

Cameras can help determine a lot of deer behavior, including evidence of deer residency. Being careful not to leave scent when putting up cameras and collecting data cards is important as the season approaches.

The 3 dub method of deer scouting

October 15, 2016 John J. Woods

Trail cameras have simplified the art of scouting, but even they require some strategy to be productive, and avid hunter Beau Starkey of Madison has found one that works for him. […]

Scouting includes checking for active signs like fresh rubs, but to do so too often can contaminate an area.

Scouting: There’s an app for that

October 15, 2016 John J. Woods

I am a bit behind the proverbial 8-ball when it comes to cutting edge technologies applied to deer hunting. I still use my flip phone if I need to call home from deer camp, but I am increasingly being by my hunting mates. […]

Tips for jerkbait tinkering

October 15, 2016 David A. Brown

Bass are eating, and all those in-depth calculations of lead dots, extra split rings, wire coils and various hook sizes are simply overkill. […]

Garlic chicken is top catfish bait

October 15, 2016 Phillip Gentry

The hands-down favorite bait for catfishing on the Mississippi River is skipjack herring. Herring are usually plentiful but get harder to find when winter rolls around. […]

Mississippi River catfish guide Boy Crosby said he realized early on the potential fishing that was right under his nose.

Two great catfish rigs

October 15, 2016 Phillip Gentry

Veteran Catfish guide Rodger Taylor use completely different rigs depending on whether he is fishing at anchor for catfish or when drifting or trolling for cats. […]

Moderating water levels and falling water temperatures typically provide the combination of conditions that Bob Crosby loves to see on the Mississippi River, and often leaves him with his hands and arms full of catfish.

Bumping for catfish

October 15, 2016 Phillip Gentry

Bumping, also referred to as slipping, dragging, and back trolling, has recently created a lot of buzz in the catfish world. […]

Hunters rarely get a clean shot such as this, but when two are hunting together, pulling a vine or shaking a limb can force a squirrel to move and make a fatal error.

What about bots in squirrels?

October 15, 2016 David Hawkins

Bot Fly infestations affect squirrels and other mammals such as cattle and deer. Perhaps because of a squirrel’s size, the bot just seems larger and can be a turnoff to many hunters. […]

A 22 long rifle, such as this Browning T-Bolt, remains a top choice of squirrel hunters.

Air rifles for tree rats

October 15, 2016 David Hawkins

Little-known fact: The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803 used an air rifle to harvest game and keep hostile peoples at bay. […]

Although there are plenty of spotted bass in Bay Springs, you’ll also catch some chunky largemouths.

Three Bay Springs bass patterns for October

October 13, 2016 Paul Elias

In October, Bay Springs Lake is one of my favorite places to fish because cooler weather makes baitfish much more active.

And Bay Springs homes a good number of spotted bass, lots of grass and clear water. […]