Given the habitats Booth fishes, goggle-eyes make up about 10 percent of his catch, and stumpknockers 3 to 4 percent. He noted that the ratio of shellcrackers to bluegills depends on the season, since, having spawned, redears are difficult to catch until the first cold front in autumn.

During April and May, Booth advised, the best place to fish is a creek mouth where the water joins the river to create an eddy. Targeting such places is how he wins tournaments.

"The best place to fish on any body of water," Booth said, "is where a creek flows into the river. It's productive because both the creek and the river deliver food to the fish, and there's a dropoff leading to deeper water. The creek mouth is also a staging area for pre-spawn and post-spawn fish." The resulting eddy brings in and holds the food in place for bream positioned on its outer edge.

"All creeks, regardless of size, produce fish, but bigger is better," Booth explained. "The current flowing from a large creek delivers more food and creates a large swirling eddy. Since it's bigger, it will attract and hold a lot more bream."

To fish a creek mouth, Booth positions his boat in line with the downstream corner of the creek on the deep side of the eddy. If unsuccessful, he repositions to the upriver corner of the creek. If that doesn't work, he moves back to the lower corner, but positions the boat on the shallow side of the eddy. And lastly, he moves upriver to the remaining corner. This search pattern eliminates possible holding areas without spooking the bream.

Booth approaches each spot quietly, points the bow into the current and then slowly lowers anchors to the bottom off both ends of the boat. When fishing with a partner, he has each fishing opposite sides of the boat to increase the search area. Using 12-foot poles with the reach they provide, Booth and his partner's search area is quite large. They fish for 30 minutes before moving.

"Have enough rods so you don't get bored fishing," recommended Booth. "I start fishing with three rods and check my bait every five minutes. If you get a bite every 10 minutes per rod, the fish keep you busy. If the fishing picks up, you may have to drop down to one pole."

Booth rigs his poles with 8-pound-test monofilament, a slip cork, two BB split shot and a No. 6 hook.

"It's common to catch catfish weighing up to 12 pounds," he said, "so 8-pound test keeps them from breaking your line. Also, a wire hook is a good combination with the heavier line; it will straighten if you get hung.

"If you are fishing in 5 feet of water, place the sinkers 20 inches above the hook and adjust the slip cork so the sinker rests on the bottom. When the sinker reaches the bottom, the slack in the line will now allow the worm to slowly descend. Remember: If there's a slight current, it may move the bait left, right, or up and down. The bait is covering a much larger area, which is very important to your success.