All special interest groups develop a language of their own. According to Mike Auten, a member of the Yamaha/Skeeter Pro Fishing Team and a BASS Masters Classic contender, being able to “talk the talk” is part of belonging. If the bass anglers in the tackle shop leave you wondering what they just said, the following list will help you.

Auten also noted there are some terms associated with the newer, technologically advanced fishing boats and motors. “Boats used to be made of wood. Today, bass boats feature ‘composites’ in their construction. Also, we’re familiar with fuel injection in our cars, and fuel-injected outboard motors have become the standard among the pros today. My Yamaha VMAX has an extra performance advantage called Ox66, which is Yamaha’s patented fuel-injection system. It has an oxygen sensor that monitors the exhaust and makes adjustments for optimum performance.”

Here’s a list of terms you might hear on the docks or at the tackle shop:

Breakline: Any change in the bottom where the weeds end, the bottom drops off, etc.

Carolina Rig: A setup where the hook is attached to a long leader that is tied to a swivel with a heavy weight above it.

Cover: Anything that holds fish that is not part of the actual bottom, such as weeds, brush, submerged trees, docks, etc.

Flasher: A depthfinder that displays flashes of light on a dial to indicate water depth.

Flipping: A method of fishing using very stiff rods and heavy line to flip a lure into very thick cover from short distances.

Hawg: A really large bass.

Pattern: Specific location of active fish. For example, one day the pattern could be isolated stumps on flats or it could be the edges of weedbeds.

Pitching: A method of fishing like flipping but done from a little farther out from shore. The lure is pitched to the cover underhanded to reduce noise.

Safe Light: The time before sunrise when it gets light enough to see. This is when tournaments start.

Slow Rolling: To fish a spinnerbait slowly through the water so that it stays on the bottom.

Spooning: To lift and lower a lure over and over, keeping it in the level where the fish are.

Structure: The features of the bottom and shoreline such as humps, creek channels, etc.

Texas Rig: A way of putting a plastic worm on a hook with a sinker right next to it. The hook is imbedded so that the point goes through the worm’s body and the lure hangs straight.

Walk the dog: To twitch a surface lure so that it darts from side to side as it is retrieved.

For more information on Yamaha Marine’s product line, visit the Yamaha Web site at www.yamaha-motor.com. For the location of your nearest Yamaha Outboard dealer, call toll-free (800) 88-YAMAHA.