Started from a discussion in a different post. I figure that if Oprah can have her own book club, then why not us? Seeing as how the fishing industry is dominated with video's for the couch potato in all of us, I think we should start a new trend.

I'll start this off with a couple of my favorite books on bass fishing.

"Circle on Bass: Bass Wisdom from a Master"
by Homer Circle
ISBN: 1558214631; (November 1996)
Available on Amazon and the Sunnyvale, Ca Public Library
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558214631/qid%3D1023138804/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F0%5F1/102-0850529-2054504


"The Scientific Angler"
By Paul C. Johnson
ISBN: 0684181886; (October 1984)
Available on Amazon and the Sunnyvale, Ca Public Library
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684181886/qid%3D1023138912/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F0%5F1/102-0850529-2054504


Any other suggestions?

Vince
vince@theblankslate.com

Ok, I will confess .... I kinda like Roland Martin's book, 101 Ways to Catch bass or whatever it is called. I read Shaw Grigsby's book, it was ok, but a little shallow. I read that Kevin Van Dam has a new book out, has anyone read it? Good idea on this post Vince.

in 95. here is a breakdown....
section 1-the truth about bass
chapter 1-dispelling the myths
chapter 2-structure and cover
chapter 3-understanding forage
chapter 4-seasonal patterns
chapter 5-weather and such:when to go fishing
chapter 6-choosing good bass waters
section 2-gearing up
chapter 7-bass fishing's "quality" factor
chapter 8-choosing the right rod
chapter 9-maximize techniques with the right reel
chapter 10-the mystique of lures
chapter 11-do you really know your lures?
chapter 12-organize your tackle
chapter 13-terminal tackle tips
chapter 14-line:the link to better fishing
chapter 15-the value of electronics
section 3-dealing with delemmas
chapter 16-the cold front curse
chapter 17-scoring in clear water
chapter 18-making the most of muddy water
chapter 19-follow fluctuating water
chapter 20-soloutions for heavily fished lakes
chapter 21-post spawn blues
chapter 22-unlocking the secrets of unfamiliar waters
chapter 23-overcoming the "short fish" syndrome
chapter 24-the joy of fishing from shore

i think this is a very good book, a MUST for tourney anglers!!
-patrick

Great idea.

I've read "Circle on Bass: Bass Wisdom from a Master" by Homer Circle and would highly recommend it. He really goes beyond just fishing and talks about bass biology, etc. Part of the book was like a documentary on bass and it was very informative.

I'm presently reading Bill Murphy's "In Pursuit of Giant Bass" - and since he's from San Diego I think most of what he talks about applies to those of us who fish these high-pressured lakes. He makes some great observations and gives real details on how to seek out these lunkers.

I also have "Larry Larsen on Bass Tactics - How You Can Catch More and Bigger Bass." It's up next on my list.

Thank goodness for my local library. I've read some other books as well, but none of them stick out in my mind.

I'm also addicted to watching anything and everything on cable related to bass fishing. Luckily I get OLN and I get to watch or tape a great many bass fishing shows.

Well, $9.95 on Amazon used is considerably less than some of the video
s that I've bought and it should keep me busy for more than a 30 min tv show or waiting for one to come on the boob tube.

I've also read several books by the "Big Name" pro fishermen and I often feel that the info is a bit too light or aimed to a different audience than fishing in California waters. Sure a great deal of info can be used unilaterally (like the 50+ ways to fish a spinnerbait). Lately I've found myself leaning more towards the Ichthyologist view of bass fishing to obtain a better understanding as to what is really going on down there.

Growing up I was a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard/Swim Teacher (WSI Certified) and I've wanted to become certified for scuba diving. However I can only imagine the look of shock on the Rangers face at Coyote showing up with a bunch of scuba gear in the back of my bass boat and a big grin on my face. After reading "The Scientific Angler" I'm motivated to push my luck and see if I can talk them into it on a low boat pressure day (like when it's raining or in the winter) and sign up for the course.

Then again I could just fork out a couple of hundred bucks for an Aqua Vu, but where's the fun in that?

Vince
vince@theblankslate.com

How about "Think like a Fish" by Tom Mann... im sure most serious fishermen know of Tom Mann. im 16 and i know about him. its a great book about his life as a young fishermen in the south and then how he gets into pro bass fishing. its a good book

Save a wave, Ride a surfer.

Bill Murphy's book is a great read, as well as a book I picked up at Borders I think titled "A Year In the Life of a Pro Bass Fisherman" or something, by B.A.S.S. pro Joe Thomas, great book about the every day life of a touring pro.

Don Iovinos new book " Finesse Fishing and the Sonar Connection" is actually pretty good. I don't know what everyone's views on Don are, but he does have a great grasp on how to explain what you see on your sonar. His bait presentations are still behind the times, but everytime I hear him at a seminar, or read something he's written, I am reminded of some important details that I had forgotten. Perhaps being stuck in the past keeps you closer to the truth. Less new-wave B.S.

CJ,

Old man Donny is my earliest fishing influence. I agree he is maybe not as competitive as he once was. His tactics are being used to beat him. And then those same guys also get on reaction fish the same day.

However, if there's one thing Don is still on top of, it's deep water structure and using your sonar to find it. No mistaking, everyone has something to learn from Don when it comes to graphing and sonar. Thanks for clueing me in, I'll have to check out that book.

Matt

Come on! How can I be this late to post, and be the one to throw out this one:

Doug Hannons Big Bass Magic
By Doug Hannon

Hands down my favorite bass book. Doug is the man when it comes to catching big fish, and he's got all sorts of science in his background, so he's really got some information to make your head spin. He needs to release a version 2.0 of that book though. It was written at least 10-15 years ago.

Matt

Kevin Van Dam got me really started on bass fishing with his book, Kevin Van Dam's Bass Strategies-a handbook for all anglers. published in 95, has lots of info for everyone.
-patrick