Verse of the Day

[kdxdude]

"But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you."

Matthew 5:44

When we were building our house on Twin Eagle Lake, we encountered more problems than you could shake a stick at. We faced delays, misinformation, shortages, and all kinds of troubles. I developed calluses that became bigger every day. Many times Chris warned me to forgive anyone who seemed like they were part of the problems, but I really didn't want to. Finally, God used Chris's nudging and convinced me to forgive. When I did, He quickly asked me to pray for the one who hurt me. That was difficult, but I did. Divinely, supernaturally, God healed me and gave me the peace I didn't have. If you're harboring bad feelings toward anyone, pay close attention to Jesus. Forgive. Pray.

Tip: Try drop-shotting on those clear, color bright sunny days.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:6

All Chris and I need is an excuse to go to our ranch and lake house. As much as we love beautiful Lake Tenkiller, we love Twin Eagle Ranch even more.
King David's most famous Psalm isn't talking about a mere lake house, a country home, a church, a temple, or a mansion. It's talking about living in the very presence of God Almighty. Can we do that? You bet we can. In every situation, in every temptation, in every crisis, His presence is only a whisper away. We only need to call on God and He's there quicker than a heartbeat. Many times we've blurted out God's name for help in sudden danger. God is on call constantly. The devil wants to come between us, but he can't if we'll let God's presence surround us at all times.

Tip: Small blades on a larger spinnerbait allow you to fish deeper.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Live in the right way, serve God, have faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

1 Timothy 6:11

Fishing involves so many decisions, especially bass fishing. We make hundreds of decisions every time we go fishing. To catch fish, though, we can base all these decisions on only a handful of criteria.
To live our lives correctly, we need to do only a handful of things. We must serve God, have faith, have love, be patient, and be gentle. Can you think of a single time, place, relationship or activity where these five godly characteristics can fail you? Maybe we should write them on our calendars, desks. the dashboards of our cars, or even on our tackle boxes. What if we just started this right way of living within our own families and let it blossom from there? Trust me, God will do some mighty things.

Tip: Follow the morning shade as long as you can.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

"While it is daytime, we must continue doing the work of the One who sent me."

John 9:4

Without a doubt, fishing is really hard work when it's done correctly. Very few fishermen can put in the five or six long days that tournament guys do every tournament. It is pretty difficult for most anglers to fish really hard and really well throughout the competition.
God, however, is always on the ball, whatever the job, and we need to be working for Him. Maybe His work can be summed up in just a couple of powerful words . . . love and forgive. Jesus performed many miracles, preached great sermons, and changed countless lives. Pretty much everything Jesus did, including dying on that cross and rising again, was done to love and to forgive. God asks for exactly the same for you and me. We may never walk on water, but we can love and we can forgive.

Tip: Don't seek safety under trees during a lightning storm.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.

Matthew 7:17

Another of Jimmy's rules of thumb---fish the heaviest cover you can find near deep water. Bass get big and mean, but they can be spooked easily. Heavy cover and deep water produce good protection, so that's where you'll most likely find fish.
Matthew isn't talking about factors that make good fishin'; he's warning us about the results of our actions. We must guard what we do. People pay more attention to our actions than our words. They see what we stand for without our telling them. Non-Christians love to see Christians mess up and fail. It's important that our actions match what we say and attract others to Jesus.

Tip: Try to determine how fish are positioning on a piece of structure.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Everyone will see the glory of the LORD, and the splendor of our God.

Isaiah 35:2

There are spectacular places to fish around the world. Most of Alaska is like fishing in a picture postcard. There's stunning beauty in just about any direction. I'm told New Zealand and Switzerland are just as breathtaking.
But I'm sure none of these compare to the splendor and the glory of the God who made them. The Bible tells us our finite minds can't comprehend God's infinite glory. We also can't comprehend His love, but we can experience it. Through Jesus, God has provided us a ticket into the most glorious Kingdom ever . . . Heaven. He has chosen us to be set apart for this glory . . . this incredible splendor. I'm not too sure what to expect, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Tip: Be alert for schooling bass in late summer and early fall.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling.

1 Peter 5:10

One of the best techniques for fishing standing timber is pitching a worm or tube right at the tree and letting it fall. The trick is to use slack line. Move your rod tip toward the tree to keep your line slack. If it's deep, peel off line to keep your bait right on that timber.
By giving us free will, God gives us a lot of slack in making choices, good or bad. Do you know people who never seem to fall or make a bad choice, no matter what? They always seem strong and positive no matter how dark the situation. Their secret is in living near to God.
Sure, there seems to be times when there seems to be no hope . . . God becomes our hope. We run out of strength . . . God is our strength. We have questions . . . God has the answers. He is our support and will keep us from falling.

Tip: Try a square nose crankbait around brush in dingy water.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

"It is worth nothing for them to have the whole world if they lose their souls."

Mark 8:36

What's your most prized fishing possession? Your Ranger boat, your best Shimano reel, your boxes full of lures, your fishing trophies and awards? Think about it. What if you could double or triple or have a hundred times more of that prized possession? What kind of price would you pay, and how much effort would you put out to get there? Would you give your soul? Of course not is what most folks would answer. Yet, many have and many more will. We often fail in setting our priorities. Our most prized possession is our soul. It's ours to keep with Jesus or ours to lose with Satan. It's a choice every one of us must make. Most folks already have.

Tip: Search out stumps on the edge of drains.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Obey the LORD your God so that all these blessings will come and stay with you.

Deuteronomy 28:2

Many times in tournaments I've just missed finding a really big bunch of bass. Maybe I was on a spot at the wrong time, didn't go far enough up a creek, or didn't go far enough down to the bank. I might have used the wrong lure or technique. I was close but made mistakes that cost me. Probably every tournament angler can identify with this.
I believe that often we come close to God's blessing but miss out because of the things we do or don't do. Not thinking robs us of blessings. Sinning sexually, being greedy, envying, gossiping, telling lies, being proud, and committing other sins short us on God's blessings. God laid out a very weel-defined path to receive and keep His blessings. Obey God!

Tip: Feeding periods generally change roughly fifty minutes each day.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Then Jesus said, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns."

Luke 12:15

Chris has said many times that it's sinful how many fishing lures, worms, and spinnerbaits we have. It scares me to think that Jesus just might agree with her. Perhaps even worse, we still keep getting more.
Jesus was never hung up on stuff. He sent His disciples out to preach with almost nothing but His word. He wants us to have a relationship with Him and with the Father. He knows what this life is all about.
Two or three times during our forty years of marriage, Chris and I have come very close to losing everything, and I mean everything. We had accumulated so much stuff, but it was all about to go away. Once we were at peace with losing it all, God stepped in and saved us.
Life is measured by how much God owns us.

Tip: Use large willow leaf blades in water with poor visibility.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

In those days Israel did not have a king. Everyone did what seemed right.

Judges 21:25

At any given time, on any body of water, you can catch fish in a lot of different ways. Almost any lure or technique will work, but obviously some work much better than others. We all fish in what we believe is the right way with the right bait.
Without leadership, people are on their own to determine right and wrong. Without God, what seems to be the right way becomes more perverse, more sinful. Here in America, many things unheard of when I was a kid are now accepted as normal behavior. Some are not only accepted but are openly rewarded. We make light of sexual sin. Lying, cheating, and greed are open parts of business, and employees believe they have a right to steal. At the same time, Christian values are routinely mocked. Who's leading your sense of right and wrong?

Tip: Use fluorocarbon line in super clear water.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

The secret power of evil is already working in the world, but there is one who is stopping that power.

2 Thessalonians 2:7

There've been many secret lures and techniques come along over the years. I won the 1986 BASS Angler of the Year primarily on a tandem willowleaf spinnerbait and kept the lure a secret until the first tournament or two. The drop shot, gitzit, Road Runner, frog, square nose crankbait, Carolina rig, and many, many more techniques were once secrets shared by very few fishermen.
Here's another secret that needs to be made known: Satan is at work in this world. Some Christians don't even realize how the devil is affecting, or even controlling, their lives. Realize with all certainty--Satan is real and extremely powerful. So powerful, he will completely destroy you without Jesus Christ.

Tip: Use a 1/4 ounce Road Runner head with a Zoom Fluke Jr. for finicky bass.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap.

1 Timothy 11:9

We get a lot of mail here at Jimmy Houston Outdoors. A few times each week there's a letter about an idea or invention that the sender claims will revolutionize fishing and make us all rich. Although sometimes we do hear about great ideas and products, most will never make anybody any money.
Without a doubt, wanting to make more money is tempting, but God tells us it is definitely a trap. I've been in that trap many times myself. Each time, my relationship with God suffered. Each time, I walked head first into that trap set by Satan. Each time I failed. God's simple advice is to seek Him first. He will provide everything we need and more.

Tip: When nights begin to get cool, morning fishing is better than evening.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

When I was in danger, I called to the LORD and he answered me.

Jonah 2:2

Everyone loves the story about Jonah and the big fish. As kids, we sang songs about Jonah and wondered what it would be like to be fishbait. But what about Jonah? He wasn't too thrilled. In fact he was downright mad at God about the whole situation. He didn't want to go to Ninevah, he didn't want to preach, he didn't want the people to repent and be saved. He certainly didn't want to be a big topwater plug.
We all get out of the will of God sometimes. We all disobey God. When we do, trouble and problems are sure to follow. When this happens, we have two choices: we can get mad at God or we can call on God for help. Sooner or later the second choice will become our only option. Better make it sooner.

Tip: Always wear a life jacket when the big engine is running.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[brushhog]

praise GOD!!

 

[kdxdude]

So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.

James 4:7

Every fishing day needs to have a plan. We need to think out in advance how we intend to catch fish. Every tournament fisherman spends a great deal of time at this. Most people modify their plans as the day goes on. Some sell out to their strategies, no matter what. If we are really saved, we need to sell out to Jesus all the way. Too many times in too many situations, we turn our backs on God and His principles. When we do, the devil is right there to inflict pain and suffering. Only when we remain totally in our God can we send the devil packing. Today, don't play any games with God. Give Him all you've got of yourself and stand back and see what He can do with you!

Tip: Late summer, afternoon thunderstorms can produce some great buzz-bait fishing.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Surprises can be good or bad. We all enjoy the surprise of an unexpected top-water blow-up. We hate the surprise of that big fish coming unbuttoned just when we thought we had her hooked really well.
Jesus Christ, my God, is coming back to earth. That's a fact. The moment He comes will be a surprise to us all. To many, it will be a shock that He showed up at all. To the unsaved, Jesus' second coming will be an eternally fatal shock. To those who claim Jesus, He wants to find us loving, forgiving, helping, and telling others about Him. I think if we only knew the time, that is exactly what we would be doing. It could be today.

Tip: Always wet your knot before cinching it down tight.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

As the scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed."

Romans 10:11

Our fishing equipment has become so reliable. I have Shimano reels that are several years old and have thousands of hours fishing on them. They still cast and work great, and I trust them in any tournament.
What about people? How many folks do we know who never disappoint us? Not many, if any, but I have a God I can trust in every situation, all the time. He has never let me down before and never will in the future. I need Him the most when the people I trust let me down. We will fail and disappoint each other; that is the sin in us. When that happens, run to God as quickly as you can. He is always ready with answers to your hurts.

Tip: Buy a more powerful trolling motor than you think you will need.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

So let us do what makes peace and helps one another.

Romans 14:19

As the nights begin to cool, most bass will start to move into shallow water. It is amazing how shallow these bass will roam. I am talking inches of water--not feet. Their primary target is small bluegill and perch. They sometimes literally run the baitfish out onto the bank. Because some of the summer schooling is still intact, these bass roam in bunches and actually help each other trap the bluegill against the shoreline.
Our daily goal should be to constantly help each other. We should help each other for the sake of godliness and not for what we can gain. Just try to imagine what kind of families we could have, what kind of businesses, what kind of churches, if we would all just follow this one bit of godly instruction.

Tip: Muddy springtime rivers turn into great fish catching color water in late summer.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day

 

[kdxdude]

"When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins."

Mark 11:25

Some of the best trout-fishing holes in this country are really difficult to reach. I have friends who will hike five or six miles to get to these remote honey holes. I know one person who is hiking fifty miles roundtrip this weekend to catch golden trout, and the top altitude is 13,000 feet. Now that is a difficult fishing trip!
An even harder thing to do is pray for someone who has really made you mad or done you wrong, but God says this kind of prayer is a requirement, not an option. Often, the person you are praying for continues to do you wrong. My wife prayed for a man one morning this week, and later that day he sued us. Remember, though, your prayer is as much for your benefit as it is for the person you are praying for.

Tip: Try rigging the same crankbait with different line sizes to fish different depths.

from Jimmy Houston's book, Catch of the Day