JACK WOLLITZ Change lures to get a bite

Fishing is not always about success, though it's tempting sometimes for anglers to bask in their accomplishments.
The truth is we fail more than we succeed on the water. For that reason, doesn't it make sense to examine what didn't work and try to understand why?
I use as an example an experience Sunday on Mosquito Creek Reservoir. An expansive bed of vegetation growing off the sandy bottom in a remote acre of Mosquito was alive with fish activity. Bass dashed through schools of shad that hid in the greenery, revealing their feeding activities in showery splashes.
At times, the action was all around the two boats that worked the weed bed. The other angler and I tossed soft plastic tubes rigged Texas-style as well as spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. But for all our efforts, we managed to hook just two keepers in the melee.
Frustrated, we both eventually moved on to other locations. But my thoughts continued to dwell on the riddle I'd failed to decipher. Why was I unable to catch more of those obviously feeding fish?
Frankly, a week later, I still don't have the answer. But I do know that I should have tried other tactics when it became obvious the three lures I employed were not fooling those largemouths.
I carry 100 pounds of lures in my boat, and it's certain somewhere in the boxes and bags there was a bait the bass wanted.
My mistake was that I put blind faith in the three lures I was tossing. I was so sure the bass would eat one that I kept tossing them in hopes the next cast would connect.
It's usually dangerous to start rummaging around for lure options, but this was one of those moments when the fish were virtually screaming, "We don't want that one! And not that one either, you idiot."
Lesson learned: Keep an open mind when the fish are so obviously refusing your offerings.
Gremlins stall Mansky
Dan Mansky had a chance this year to put Youngstown on pro bass fishing's map, but a dose of bad luck sidetracked his efforts.
Mansky, who lives on Youngstown's West Side, entered the final tournament of the FLW EverStart Northern Division in first place in the points and was the odds-on favorite to win the season championship. The tournament was on Lake Champlain on the New York-Vermont border.
With 17 pounds 9 ounces of bass in his livewell, Mansky was speeding to the first-round weigh-in when a mechanical breakdown caused him to be eight minutes late. The resulting eight-minute penalty pushed him deep in the standings. The next day's dangerous weather forced cancellation of the second round and cost Mansky a chance to rebound and clinch the championship.
Had he won the EverStart points title, Mansky would have earned the highest bass accolade garnered by a Youngstowner. He nevertheless has become the first angler from our community to earn a card on one of the two professional bass tours.
Mansky began his bass fishing career as a teen-age member of Youngstown-based Mohawk Valley Bass Club. He now has realized one of his goals -- earning a tour card -- and is eligible to compete in the 2004 FLW Tour.
Cast-a-nova?
Should "Monday Night Football" turn out to be a dud tomorrow, anglers will want to flip to ESPN's "The American Sportsman" at 10 to watch host "Neon" Deion Sanders and CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli catch bass in Texas.
During taping for the show, Sanders reportedly was so enthralled with Iaconelli's abilities that he took to calling the Classic champ "Cast-a-nova."
Sanders and Iaconelli are known as flashy characters in their respective professions, so the episode is likely to be entertaining and educational.
jwollirz@aol.com