Doug Cavin

Doug is married to Linda and has three girls, Brittaney, Courtney and Sierra. Doug is a full time sales rep and tournament angler.

Doug works for the following companies as Director of Pro-Staff: JDC Baits and Lure Tamer Doug is also on the Pro/Field Staff for the following companies: JDC Baits, Lure Tamer, Save Phace, Reel Grip, Optimum Baits, JKruz Eyewear, Secret Weapon Lures, TC Custom Baits, Wireless Lanyard, Woo Daves Signature Series Rods and Vicious Fishing Line. He is also the Ohio State Director of Team Bass USA.

Ask Doug Cavin

User's Questions

Q: Hey Doug,

Thanks for taking the time to read my question and thanks in advance for the answer. I realize you are a bass fisherman and this is a trout question, but I was hoping you could help. I read this site and couple of fishing forums and the information is helpful. Today I was reading about the member’s favorite spinner for trout and I will definitely get myself a panther martin or two as recommended. I do not know what color/size to get? This brings up a larger question for me. I have only caught one fish on a moving lure and it was a wooly bugger. I have tried a lot of times with different lures, spinners, spoons, crank baits, etc. with no results. So I always just give up and go back to worms under a bobber, but in Washington State if I want to catch more than five trout in a lake/pond or two in moving water I can not use the worm (artificial lures, no scent or flavor) after my limit to C&R. I really need to work on the whole artificial lure technique. The biggest problem I have is that I always go fishing alone and so when I try something new I try and use it the way the fellow in the store told me or what I have read on line for different tactics, but practice does not make perfect, practice makes permanent. If I am doing it wrong in the first place it will not get better.

I really do not know exactly what I am asking for here. Maybe more detailed explanations of technique? Maybe video of how one “swims” a rapala (I have heard that term and have no idea how to do this). Perhaps if you know of a web site or sites that have videos of how to cast, retrieve and play a lure.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sore Lip ‘em All,
Lewis

A: Lewis,

I have trout fished a little but it is not something I am expert at. If I understand correct you can only use live bait to catch a limit but after that you have to use artificial baits. If that is the case is Berkely Power Trout bait also illegal to use? I have used it a lot when trout fishing and have had great success with it. If that is not allowed try a small jerkbait 3"-5" depending on size of the fish you are after. In the lakes and ponds work the jerkbait in a jerk-jerk-pause action. The pause will vary from a couple of seconds to almost a full minute. The fish will tell you how they want it. By that I mean if you work it jerk-jerk-pause with a short 10 second pause and you catch fish that is how they want it. Same goes if you don't catch anything. Vary the retrieve until you get on a consistent pattern. Use natural colored baits of the baitfish that are in the local lakes, ponds or rivers. For the rivers I am afraid I can't help you much. I have never river fished for trout. My best guess would be to cast the baits up steam and work them back past rocks and logs where the trout may be hanging out waiting on a meal to pass by. I wish this was a topic that I could have helped you out more but I hope this helps.

- Doug Cavin

Q: Hey Doug,

My name is Kristian Perrine, I'm 29, from Lima Ohio, and next year I would like to try my hand at fishing some bass tournaments around Ohio as a co-angler. What I was wondering was is how to get started?
Im not sure what is required of me to be able to fish these tournaments and I was hoping you could give me a starting spot. I love to fish and I would love to make it my career one day if it is possible. My uncle, Ronald Perrine Sr. is a big fishermen and he as given me some pointers but I need more to get going. He has fished the redman series and others tournaments before he started his race team. To tell you a story I went to his race shop one night and when I walked in, Steve Clapper was sittin there talkin to my uncle, after Steve won the FLW tour event on lake erie. That was awsome!!!
My friends that were sitting there were dumfounded that I was so exicted to meet him, what they didn't know was Steve Clapper sitting there was like having a Jeff Gordon or a Dale jr sittin there. It was great to meet him and be able to pick his brain for information in the short time that I had to chat with him. so I was hoping you could help me out.

Thanks for your help ,
Kristian Perrine
Lima Ohio

A: Kristin

Starting out as a co-angler is a good step in the learning process. You have several different choices in what level you want to fish. There are probably some local fishing clubs near by which you can join. Most clubs cost less and it keeps the expenses down when starting out. Most clubs don't travel long distances for tournaments, entry fees are low and club fees usually aren't high. If you looking to step it up a little you can fish the BFL or B.A.S.S./ABA Weekend Series as a co-angler. The overall cost will go up due to higher entry fees and travel. Since your just starting I wouldn't suggest fishing at a higher level than that. To fish the higher level tournaments the cost will be very high and you will be very limited on the input you can give the boater. When you do start fishing remember to down size the gear you carry with you. A medium size tackle bag, 3-5 rods and rain gear. Talk with the boater the night before if you can so you know their game plan for the day and you can make a plan for yourself. Also be sure to always give the boater $20-30 for gas. $20-30 is just a guide to use but if the boater puts you on fish and you cash a check give a little extra. I hope this will help you out deciding what path you would like to take.

Doug Cavin