What do you look for in a seminar?

[Tank]

Hello All,
I will be conducting a 4 hour seminar for the fisherman of the Maryland Deaf Bassmaster on Febuary 27th, if it doesn't snow 97 feet. I will have a translator on hand with about 25 members attending. I met one of the members at a show two years ago, and we stay in touch all the time. His wife supports his fishing, and attends all shows and seminars to translate for him and his group. Thses guys are great fisherman, and do a lot of research online, but they dont have the advantage of One on One , Dock Talk or "over hearing" secrets of the trade. I'm reaching out for topics? Since I only have 4 hours I'm trying to cover it all for them.

So, What would keep you interrested in a seminar?

Thanks in advance,
Tank

[jerkin jimmy]

equipment for tx fisihng, time management, acting on instincts, fishing the moment, seasonal patterns, forage

[Squire]

Originally Posted by Tank

Hello All,
I will be conducting a 4 hour seminar for the fisherman of the Maryland Deaf Bassmaster on Febuary 27th, if it doesn't snow 97 feet. I will have a translator on hand with about 25 members attending. I met one of the members at a show two years ago, and we stay in touch all the time. His wife supports his fishing, and attends all shows and seminars to translate for him and his group. Thses guys are great fisherman, and do a lot of research online, but they dont have the advantage of One on One , Dock Talk or "over hearing" secrets of the trade. I'm reaching out for topics? Since I only have 4 hours I'm trying to cover it all for them.

So, What would keep you interrested in a seminar?

Thanks in advance,
Tank

fs

Tank, having done quite a few, the basics would be a great way to go.

1.) Rods and Reels they should have to cover all the fishing situations
- Say 4, whatever you would suggest as a combination for Baitcast and Spinning
- Rods to cover all the baits, frogging, cr/tr, jerkbaits, bladebaits, senkos, cranks....which lines etc...

2.) Lines and when and where to use each and why certain lures need each...Fluro for clear water, dropshot, texas rigging, carolina rigging, Braid for the heavy stuff, dirty water, Mono for topwater, jerkbaits..

3.) Knots...show them how to tie the Palomar, braid to fluro for adding leaders, loop knots for softplastic jerkbaits, lures you want more action...

4.) Casting tips.....Overhead, roll cast, flipping, pitching, how to get a lure to fall vertically....

5.) Boat positioning...why you parallel some stucture, vertical positioning, etc...

6.) Rigging options for baits: for Carolina, Texas Rig, Drop shot, shakey head and which rods/reels to use....Cover things like hooks, knots, line...etc..

7.) Bait colors to use for various water conditions...Match the hatch, when to throw firetiger, blacks/blues, shad colors, natural colors (clear water)...

8.) When to use what kinds of retrieves and how to vary them...Colder equals slower...Thin cranks versas fat cranks (cold to warm)....drag retrieves for jigs in winter..hopping in warmer water....

9.) Equipment necessary for boats...sunscreen, clothing suggestions for the weather, sunglasses, first aid kits....rules for River (safety requirements for the boats, licenses required....

10.) What to look for in reading a map..channel bends, structure changes, northern shores in winter...how to fish docks, rap, wood laydowns..

11.) Hooksets....Carolina sweep sets, jig snapsets....crankbait sets (keep reeling)...let them take it on the topwaters/frogs...(count to 2 or don't whatever your opinion)....

12) Differences between tidal river fishing (tides and currents) and lake fishing (midlake downlake fishing in Anna in winter versas up the rivers in the summer).....

13) What to look for in a boat for various types of fishing.. Tx requirements....Electronics...why GPS is required....New stuff with Sidescan...Why you need a hotfoot, jackplates....advantages of powerpoles.....

should fill 4 hours

[ExFishHead]

Tank, my only suggestion would be discuss what works for you on the surrounding waters that you fish (i.e. what makes you so successful). Reason being, these folks can read, review, and see all the information on the internet, TV, and magazines/books, etc. but like you said they can't hear the dock talk, or be able communicate w/ folks at the tourneys to find out what worked on a given tourney day for the winners. That is what they are not able to have on a consistent basis unless they walk around w/ an interpretor or someone is willing to take the time to communicate w/ them on paper. We had a gentleman in our club a while back that was deaf/mute and we communicated during the whole tourney day on a pad of paper. Time consuming and difficult but at the end of the day, I actually learned quite a few things from him, as I hope that he got a few things from me, and it was quite a more relaxing tourney day than all the others, because he made me slow down and 'smell the roses' so to speak.

These fishermen/gals may just enjoy some stories on how you won some of your tourneys. Give them the conditions and how your mind processed the day and how you executed to catch the fish. Even some secrets of the trade like you said, that would be excellent and would most likely make them feel like you are having a one on one conversation w/ them.

Just my suggestions, Please let me know how it goes what ever you decide to do. Good luck and have fun. Thanks for doing this.

[fishon]

Nice seminar agenda Squire. Those topics would make a great book. When is your next seminar? As if U had enough time.

[fishon]

Another topic might be on how to get max usage out of their fish finders. So many just set it and forget it on automatic without studying the manual, experimenting, and getting the full capability for the money spent.

[Squire]

Originally Posted by fishon

Nice seminar agenda Squire. Those topics would make a great book. When is your next seminar? As if U had enough time.

Thank you Fishon, I need to clarify...I have taken many seminars and even the old Bassmaster University weekends they used to do (and Iconelli and gang have restarted)...I have "never" given a seminar and in this crowd on this board, there are many many more qualified and have the Tx success to back up their belief's....

I was trying to share the things I found interesting in those seminars. What I find in the seminars that I don't get out of reading things online, is exactly what ExFishhead is saying, you get to understand that the knot is hugely important, must be constantly checked, Tank can adlib about fish he lost due to knot failure (we've all had that early on I'd guess), the right line can be the difference between catching and fishing, the subleties of detecting a jig bite and the lesson I have learned of using the lightest most sensitive rod....the best structures to fish a Carolina Rig and the reason you might consider to use a tungsten weight over lead weight because the feel is amazing...why C-rigs are different and should be used over a texas rig (bait floats and darts around).....advice on if to use the c-stops (I don't) or allow a fish to get the bait without feeling the weight)....ETC...so getting this first hand as in Tank has EXPERIENCES that have lead him to do it this way and WHY....is what is cool....

[g3mike]

tank,
if its on the river, i would include tides and how to use them to your advantage, and thought its tough to teach... knowing when to stay and when to leave an area.
mike c

[HAWGMAN]

Tank where is the seminar going to be held? Do you have all the details? Also are any other deaf invited to attend other than the Maryland Deaf Bassmasters? I have worked with the deaf and fished with them and understand their culture and how they think. They are wonderful people. Did you know that there are 1500 deaf born a day in this country and there are more deaf in the U.S.A. that there are people in Canada. About 800 deaf die a day in the U.S.A. and in a major metropolitan area that 1 in 10 is deaf. They are very hard working people. I have a special place in my heart for the deaf. If I can help let me know, The Hawgman

[offbelew27]

Dude, thats awesome! I am from a hearing impaired family (mom + Dad, uncle are all deaf). My uncle was an avid bass fisherman and quite a good one I might add. If you ever wander closer to my area and need an ASL translator give me a shout.


Mark