Fishing 201 Class in Grapevine, TX

You know how to fish. Now it’s time to better understand what to throw, when to throw it and why.

Private Water Fishing’s Fishing 201 is designed for anglers who are ready to move beyond the fundamentals and become more intentional with lure selection, presentation and adapting to conditions on the water.

Led by longtime bass angler and former Lake Fork guide Ken Addington, this interactive class will break down some of the most productive bass fishing techniques and help you understand how Ken chooses between them based on cover, vegetation, water conditions and fish behavior.

Bring your questions. Bring your tackle. And definitely bring any rod & reel combinations you’d like Ken to “tune” for you.

Which jig should you use in heavy brush versus vegetation? When should you swim a jig? How do you select the right trailer?

Ken will break down jig styles, applications and trailer selection so you can fish one of bass fishing’s most versatile baits with more confidence.

Color, blade configuration and trailer selection can dramatically change how a spinnerbait performs.

Learn when to choose a Colorado blade versus a Willow Leaf, how conditions influence color selection and how to choose the right trailer.

When should you reach for a ChatterBait instead of a spinnerbait?

We’ll cover trailer selection, color choices, retrieves and the conditions that make a bladed jig the better option.

Squarebills, diving crankbaits, different profiles, colors and actions. There are a lot of choices.

Learn how to select the right style and color, plus when a crankbait may outperform a ChatterBait or other moving bait.

There are times when a lipless crankbait can be an outstanding choice.

Ken will explain the conditions that make him reach for one instead of a squarebill or ChatterBait and how to fish it effectively.

Big or small? Natural or bold? What style should you choose?

Learn how water conditions, forage and fish behavior influence swimbait size, style and color selection.

Knowing what you're fishing around can be just as important as knowing what you're fishing with.

Learn how to identify common types of aquatic vegetation and select lures and presentations that work effectively around them.

Have a setup that just doesn't feel quite right? Not sure whether you have the right reel paired with the right rod?

Bring it with you.

Ken will help attendees “tune” their rod & reel combinations and offer practical advice on matching equipment to the techniques you actually use.

Ken Addington grew up fishing ponds and creeks throughout North Texas for anything that would bite his hook. In 1974, he formed the first high school bass fishing team at Garland High School and continued pursuing his love of bass fishing into adulthood.

Shortly after Lake Fork produced the Texas State Record Bass in November 1986, Ken began guiding full time. After more than a decade of fishing nearly every day, his passion for the pursuit of largemouth bass was as strong as ever.

Over the years, Ken has had the opportunity to fish some exceptional private waters and has caught dozens of double-digit bass, including a personal best weighing more than 15 pounds.

These days, Ken spends time with his two grandsons teaching them the art of fishing. He and his wife, Renada, live in Trenton, Texas, near Bois d’Arc Lake.

Ken loves teaching and talking about fishing of all kinds, but bass fishing will always be his first love. Just as importantly, he gets as much enjoyment from helping someone else catch a fish as he does from catching one himself.

Date: November 7
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Southwestern Parts & Service | Grapevine, Texas
Cost: $129 per angler
Food: Fruit tray and coffee served for breakfast; catered lunch served.

Expect plenty of instruction, participation, questions, good food and conversation with other bass anglers.

Everyone attending Fishing 201 will receive 20% off fishing tackle purchased at Southwestern Parts & Service on the day of the class.

So if Ken convinces you that your tackle box is missing something, you won't have to go far to fix it.

Fishing 201 is intended for anglers who already understand the basic mechanics of bass fishing but want to become better at making decisions on the water.

The goal isn't simply to teach you more lures. It's to help you understand when and why to use them, so you can spend less time guessing and more time fishing with confidence.

You do not need to be a Private Water Fishing member to attend. Fishing 201 is open to all anglers.

Event venue & nearby stays

Southwestern Parts & Service, 321 East Northwest Highway, Grapevine, United States

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