Staying Warm and Alive in the Frigid Dead of Winter

With the weather forecast finally showing signs of slight compassion, I was extremely eager to get out and take advantage of the rare mid thirty temps by exercising some dormant smallies. Luckily for me, I know just the place.

Yesterday was more of a challenge to get bit and the size wasn't all fantastic either though the methods employed to catch them made it all worth the trip. I managed to catch around twenty-five smallies and for the majority of them I leaned on soft plastics to produce, though all my big bites came on a Real Prey Alewife Swimbait. The six and a half inch bait put in work on some real nice fish and the viciousness of the bite was mind numbing, numbing because no matter what, I couldn't put the bait down. The more methodical the cast and retrieve the better the results. I'm telling you, I'm really starting to break the possibilities of these large swimbaits wide open here in Minnesota. Fair warning.....I'm learning.


Dave Cindrich, who originally introduced me to Real Prey's line of swimbaits also used the exact same bait and had a fantastic time himself. Heck, not only did he introduce me to this swimbait, he introduced me to all swimbaits. I really got to give Dave the credit, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the believer I am today, which also means when he calls me to tip me off on a bait that is secretly stacking giant stringers, I shut up and listen.


This day we were throwing matching Real Prey Swimbaits but I had the perch and he was using some sort of shad color. Needless to say they both produced and though the day was slow and the big ones were few and far between, it speaks volumes when one bait caught all the big ones that day, the same fish that passed on the small plastics. See the key to these baits is that they are large but they're just large enough to perfectly imitate the largest forage. As a man, do you want a 6 oz. petite steak or a 14 oz. Porterhouse? Enough said.


Besides the baits perfect "match the hatch" profile, it's balance is my favorite feature. I can slow roll it or speed it up at any depth and the bait doesn't roll on itself at all. I also look at the cost vs. durability factor, I mean for a 30 year old aspiring professional bass fisherman, money can not be spent foolishly. These baits are so strong that I have yet to loose one and they all still look like the day I bought them with the tiny exception for one or two battle scars, scars that I'm honored to tell the story of. These baits are so well put together that I plan to be throwing them on my upcoming trip to California's, Diamond Valley Lake. Can you just imagine a chunky 13 pounder with a Real Prey choked in her throat? I'm literally loosing sleep.

Switching gears to today and the results were completely different as to were the patterns for success. They were snapping today man and a tube as well as a dropshot is what me and my buddy Chris Campbell were using first thing in the morning. The smallies were far more predictable and I was able to pattern them early by attacking the river break lines. Really it was simple, the bass were active today and were eager to jump on whatever was on the move. I just worked small soft plastics through those natural eddy areas were the smallmouth were stacked up in schools hoarding whatever came down river.


Finally after the bite slowed down a bit, I took some early morning advice from my buddy Andy Young who was fishing in a different area and was catching good ones on a crankbait. I followed suite and it was like I was never there earlier whacking on them. They jumped on it. Good ones too. In the end, I ended with somewhere around 50 fish and my buddy Chris finished somewhere around 30. The size was nice to with most lying right around the 3 pound mark and a couple real nice ones sitting in the 4 pound range.


All in all it was a great couple days, just the thing to temporarily relieve my premature spring fever. Hopefully the weather cooperates a bit better in February and provides for a few more highly anticipated trips. Stay tuned..

Plans for 2011 and Beyond

Now that the New Year has come and passed, I'm excited to say that the future is looking very bright! I've been busy putting together plans for the upcoming 2011 season which, in a nutshell, is preparation for 2012 and on.

With the tournament situation here in Minnesota and Wisconsin taking a dramatic downturn for lots of different reasons, it's giving me the added motivation to jump in head first into the upper echelons of professional bass fishing. I'm truly not being a negative nelly, it's just that since there isn't a lot of professional level tournaments here in my area especially ones that have the potential to qualify a guy into the highest levels, it's time I get where the getting is good and head south to start making a name for myself on some more well known tournament waters.

This is a move that both my wife Bri and myself have been waiting in anticipation for some time. Though not exactly sure on the location just yet we do know we like the Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia areas and being that they're so centrally located to most the tour venues, this is a big advantage. Add in the fact that I'll be able to fish year round and will be able to save thousands of dollars every year in gas money instead of trying to fish these events traveling all the way from Minnesota.

I also want to live right next to a major waterway that suits my style yet exposes me to other methods of fishing that I haven't yet got the chance to master. Ideally the Tennessee Valley lakes are where we'll end up. These reservoirs offers all styles of fishing but the biggest is that they offer true ledge fishing, something unheard of hear in the north country. To be able to live minutes from a lake like Chickamauga and still just be a couple hours from Guntersville, Pickwick, Kentucky and Old Hickory is a huge advantage in sharpening my learning curve and aiding me in my campaign at fishing and winning on the highest levels.

Now there's still a lot of work to be done before we join the birds and migrate south so the time frame for our move is anytime between Spring and Fall of 2012 as this will be the year I pony up and jump into the Bassmaster Opens and FLW Opens and test myself against the best. This is something that I know may take some time to be competitive fishing against guys on their home water, but I've never been one to turn down a challenge and actually loose sleep at night chomping at the bit in anticipation. Understand this is what I've wanted since I was a little kid and how can something that feels so right be wrong?

As far as 2011 goes I plan to join in on a lot of tournaments and cash some needed checks as well as take on a lot of guide trips, when your planning a big move like we are additional money can never hurt. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to this season even though the tournament scene kinda took a downturn. I look at it as a good thing as it'll give me more time to hang with my boys, do some fun fishing yet at the same time prepare for the road ahead.

On a another subject, I mentioned in a previous post that there is something big in the works coming soon for my main sponsor Biovex. It's still a bit premature to throw out but I'm telling you I'm getting very excited. In March, Bri and I will be heading out west to southern California to attend the Fred Hall Fishing Show and do some fishing on SoCal's jewel, Diamond Valley Lake. I'll be meeting and fishing with the top dogs of Biovex who will be flying in from Japan. I assure you I'll have much more information for you as soon as I get back.

All for now. Check back soon.

Wait, one more thing, another reason I'm excited to move, I just looked at the temperature outside here in Minneapolis and it's sitting at a bone chilling temp of -12 degrees Fahrenheit and with the wind chill it's supposed to be -30F. Where's the Uhaul truck?

I'm Not a Ice Fisherman but I'm Still Catching 'Em!

Most would assume that here in Minnesota die hard fisherman like myself resort to drilling holes holes in the ice to get our fix. If that's your assumption I'm eager to inform you that you couldn't be more wrong.

First off, I'm not a fisherman, I'm a die hard bass fisherman. I don't have anything against ice fishing, but it's just not for me. With that said, I still fish open water here in Minnesota all through the winter, you just got to know what your looking for.


So far this winter it's been more catching than fishing and my last trip was as good as it's been in years. On a recent trip with buddies Andy Young and Timmy Kuzy we put in work. Odd enough it was weird weather too. Never in my life have I fished in Minnesota and had it down pouring the entire time in the middle of the winter. This must have triggered the smallmouth cause it was one after another for hours. We caught some good ones too. I really think the rain helped aid us in our venture as well. It seemed the smallies had a bit more spunk than usual.

We used a few different tactics to catch them but in the end the tube was the magic ticket. I was disappointed because I forgot my swimbait rod at home and on my last trip I really had some good luck on the Huddleston Shad. On that trip my buddy Eric Aske also put in work on the 6 inch Huddleston if you can believe that? I promise you it's true, they would just jack it up too, down their throats!


With the weather so brutally cold the next few days I don't have much planned fishing wise besides sharpening up on my pitching skills around the house. Tomorrow I'll be out at Warner's Dock in New Richmond, WI for their open house. Mike Mcclelland and Dion Hibdon will be there doing seminars. Mcclelland is one of my favorite anglers and in my opinion he's the best structure fisherman this country has to offer. If you don't have anything going on stop out and check it out, they even feed you a free lunch.

All for now, check back soon and STAY WARM!

Reflecting Back on 2010

Another year flies by just like that. Unbelievable how quickly time can pass by. It seems like just yesterday I was setting goals for 2010 and now it's only hours away from being 2011. I had a very busy 2010 and I guess that's why it seems as time just flew past. What's the saying? Time flies when your having fun?

Anyway, looking back at this past year I have some mixed reviews of myself and my fishing. Overall I feel like this was my toughest year to date. I just completed my third year of competitive fishing and this year was my worst out of the three as the first two were highly successful. I find this odd as I'm a thousand times better fisherman than I was three years ago and am even more driven. Even more so, I'm a lot better angler now than I was at the start of this season yet it didn't show at the scales.

When I first started tournament bass fishing I wasn't very versatile. I was a shallow water jig fisherman and that year that's what I did, I fished shallow and I took advantage of every good fish that bit my jig and tournament after tournament I collected a nice paycheck. Then the following year I managed to win a real big one down on the Mississippi River. Again not really getting away from what got me there. It wasn't until the very next tournament, the Silverado on Green Lake, in Spicer, MN. I found a deep bite and was catching rogue smallmouth on every cast. I couldn't sleep that night, never in my life had I found those true sweet spots that people talk of. I tossed and turned all night as I truly thought I was going back to back major wins.


That tournament day held up to the hype too. Tt was the best single day of fishing I had ever had and the weather was absolutely awful. Four foot waves were coming over the bow of my Ranger every 3 seconds but I must have caught over 60 fish that day. All big ones too, the only problem was they were all around 3 to 3.5 pounds. I simply wasn't catching the 4's like I needed to win and like the ones I was catching in practice.

I ended in 16th place, not horrible but not great. Leaving there I had such satisfaction and still know in my heart that had the weather not negatively effected these deep spots so bad I would have won that tournament. Best part, no one else was even close to me all day. I was the only one running that pattern or at least that had the kahunas to actually sit out there and take a beating that day. That drive home I was as excited about my fishing future as I was a week back leaving the boat ramp with a 5 thousand dollar check in my pocket. I truly found a hidden gem, loaded with good ones at that and caught them in ways I only saw on TV. Not the way Josh Douglas usually catches them.

That day, though one of the most exciting days of my fishing career was also one of the most necessary as well. I found how tournaments could be won off the bank, out deep where true big stringers pile up in big schools. I made it my destiny to learn off shore structure. Every chance I got I was learning my electronics, trying to determine what I was fishing under the water and trying to teach myself how to effectively comb deep structure. I found some success and learn relatively quickly though the problem was when do I know where to be and what to do? See when your heart set on banging shallow cover all day, it doesn't matter what the conditions do because your staying put, your looking for 5 good bites. Most of the time you'll get those bites however you may never get that big stringer like the guys out working over that deep milfoil or those deeper hard bottom areas. Truth to the matter is I spread myself to thin, trying to milk run everything and just not cleaning up.

There's no doubt I am a better angler than I was last year at this same time. I not only am comfortable in deep water as I am in shallow water but I now have confidence in a lot more different techniques as well. This all stems from trial and error. I caught my largest bass of a lifetime at over 8 pounds on Falcon Lake last February on a flip shot rig. I helped cash a paycheck this spring throwing wacky rigs and had the smallies coming up and eating jerkbaits all Spring. This Fall I did most all my damage on a crankbait from 1 to 15 feet of water and caught some of my best fish of the year and last but not least, I inspired myself even more the day I caught my first giant on a true swimbait and became straight addicted on the countless rest that followed.


It takes time to learn and be confident with new fishing techniques. If I want to continue climbing the ladder of professional bass fishing than I need to know when to adjust. The only way to learn that is from paying the dues and listening to myself. After all, I'm the one that got me there.

On a very positive note, my business side of bass fishing had probably the best year yet. I cannot tell you how truly important it is to excel on the business side of the sport as well. No one likes to hear it but it's so true. Professional bass fishing is a 50/50, you need to be as good off the water as you are on the water. This was so apparent at the Bass University last month in Chicago, those guys are talkers as much as they are flippers. There are a lot of great fisherman out there, one's that could compete on the water with KVD but couldn't hold his jock strap with a camera in his face. I'm convinced KVD is selling Sexy Shad Series 5 Crankbaits in Pakistan, the dude's unreal.

This year has been great and I'm looking so forward to 2011 to be even better. I've signed on with Trokar which is awesome for me. I only accept business deals with companies I use, baits that I rely on. Being able to work with Trokar and exclusively use the best hook on the market is a no brainer.

I'm also developing a long term relationship with Biovex, a Japanese company that has a lot of big things planned for the future, things that I am very fortunate to be involved with.

Check back in 2011, as I plan to lay out my future agenda and goals for the upcoming season and beyond.

Happy New Year!

My Christmas List

With Santa hours away from climbing down chimneys and dropping off everyone's wish list, I thought of a list of things that I would like to see under my tree come tomorrow morning. Of course there's always the essentials like boxers, socks and long underwear, but I'm talking the real stuff, tackle, rods and reels!

A lot of tackle companies are gearing up for 2011 and are already starting to advertise and release some of their new product lines. I made a list of some notables that I'd like to get my hands on as well as things that are essential come the start of the 2011 tournament season.

First things first, I'd really like to open a box, a very large box I might add, chuck full of Trokar Hooks and Tru Tungsten Weights. This is one of those gifts that no one really loves to buy but every serious fisherman wants a garage full of them. They're not the most glamorous side of tackle but in my opinion they're the most important. Sure fancy crankbaits and high speed reels or ultra sensitive rods are more fun but the nuts and bolts of my fishing is what puts weight in my livewells and these two products are the cats booty when it comes to putting together tournament winning sacks. Out of all my tackle in my boat, Tru Tungsten Weights and Trokar Hooks are by far my most relied on, with only a slight exception....

That brings me to my most favorite lure, the one bait that is most responsible for the vast majority of my BIG fish and my even BIGGER paychecks, the jig. There is no better bait available to suit my fishing style. I LOVE FISHING WITH JIGS! Big or small, deep football jigs, finesse style, skipping boat docks, stroking the milfoil or swimming through the tullies, it really doesn't matter. As long as I have a jig in my hand, I'm confident and we all know that confidence equals success. Like I've said before, if I can start any given tournament with 3 or 4 jig rods scattered across my deck and that's the bite that day, I will be a tough one to beat. The jig gives me my swag.

With that being said, I've found myself at a not so appreciated cross road when it comes to which jigs I throw. Anyone who has been seriously fishing long enough knows the feeling of becoming dependent on a bait and then the company changes it or goes out of business and you can no longer get what you've come to covet. It sucks, plain and simple. With this said though, I've spent endless hours trying to find what I consider to be the cream of the crop in this department, so if Santa has got a in with Tackle Warehouse or Capra Outdoors, hopefully there will be a large and very heavy box of these come tomorrow morning.

Football Jigs - I love me some Picasso Football Jigs (1/2 oz. to 1 oz.). The only modification I make is adding a double tail grub, hand tying a skirt and adding a rattle. The nuts and bolts of this jig is unmatched.

Work Jigs - This is my favorite style of jigs. Whether I'm skipping boat docks or pitching laydowns, this style jig is my work horse and because of this I am ridiculously picky on what jig I use. For this style jig I really only use 3/8 oz. to 1/2 oz. and I want a hand tied skirt basically because I don't want to foul a cast when I skip the jig. The more efficient I can be on the water, the more successful I will be and fouling casts is just not going to be acceptable. I also need a jig that comes in the colors that I like and that comes equipped with a stout hook. I'm always looking for better but I think I've found the best, Shooter Elite Series Jigs. These awesome hand fashioned jigs come with all the qualities I listed above but are also handmade.

Flippin' Jigs - Again I've tried them all but am extremely happy with what I've found out of the Strike King Hack Attack Jig. For this I usually lean towards 3/4 oz. and 1 oz. and the fact that they come equipped with a 6/0 tuna hook. Enough said.

Finesse Jigs - Always have been, always will be Jewel Finesse Jigs. I also like their football jigs too.

Swim Jigs - This category I'm a bit spoiled in because the best two companies are somewhat local. Up here on the Mighty Mississippi, we swim jigs a lot and who better to buy from then the experts. I use two kinds, Super K and Brovarney. Super K offers a 5/0 wide gap hook where as Brovarney is a standard 4/0, not better just different and I depend on both given certain situations. Both companies make awesome colors.

Last year was a good year for me, being that I was known as a jig fisherman I secretly started relying on crankbaits as a go to. With that said, I really hope Santa has connections in Japan because if I don't get a giant box fully loaded with Biovex Deep Runner Crankbaits, I'm screwed next year. This bait simply catches fish and big ones at that. Newly designed and added to an already deadly lineup, Biovex upped the ante when it comes to deep running cranks. In fact, I am so addicted to throwing these baits that I had to add a whole new set up to my repertoire.

This leads me to my next must have and hopefully I've been good because my list is getting long and expensive. I really like the new Deep Flex Crankbait line that G Loomis introduced last year. I plan to match my Biovex Deep Runner with a G Loomis Deep Flex Crankin' rod (CBR 896), a 7' 5" heavy action rod, fully equipped with a Shimano Chronarch 100D5 cranking reel. This deadly combination without a doubt will pull dandy's off of rock piles and ledges all over the country.

Lets see, what else? I am a fisherman and a competitive one at that so being glutenous shouldn't be much of a surprise. I mean as soon as I catch a 5 pounder I want to catch a bigger one or at very least another one. I win a tournament and I'm not satisfied, I just want to do it again so lets go ahead and pile it on.

I've also been in the process of making a significant transition. My mentality from the start is small is better when it comes to reels. I've been very accustomed to 2500 series spinning reels. I see a lot of other bass anglers using larger 4000 sizes. In fact, after going to the Bass University I couldn't help but notice that on all their spinning rods they had large spool reels. I started looking into this further and my findings all made sense on why to make that change though I still couldn't get the size thing out of my head. The benefits of a larger spinning reel are huge though, first off casting distance will exceed greatly, it manages the line better on the reel and therefor greatly reduces line twist and most important it speeds up the ratio of the reel and helps pick up line quicker, making fighting the fish more efficient. So my plan goes like this, I instead switched to 3000 size reels and in a year or two will again up size to a 4000. Let me tell you so far I love the change, my new 3000 size reels cast further and are just better off when fighting fish. Kind of just wish that I sucked it up and went straight to the 4000 but hey, a plan's a plan.

With that being said it's time for me to head out and plow more snow. I've never in my 30 years seen so much of it already and it's not even January. Bri and I made a promise that for fact we will be moving to Tennessee within the next two years, winter is for losers. Though on that note, the fishing has been stunning and probably because of all the low pressure storms we've been getting. The smallmouth have been popping and yesterday I couldn't keep them off my baby Huddleston swimbait. In fact I would have smashed them on the bait had I been able to hook up with them all. My hook up ratio was very much an issue and though I did catch a bunch I had to lean on my tube to catch the bulk of them. Sadly my hook up ratio was only about 10% so last night I developed a new stinger hook setup for these that will surely do the trick. Maybe one day I'll share? We'll see.

To everyone please have a terrific and safe holiday. Merry Christmas and I hope Santa will be generous to all his favorite fisherman and women.

Bass University

Marriott O'Hare, Chicago, IL

I remember about five years ago the Bass University, which at the time was put on by B.A.S.S. itself, had a scheduled stop here in the Twin Cities and I remember how badly I wanted to go. I was just starting to jump full go into competitive bass fishing and had just bought my first Ranger. That was a fantastic winter buying a boat but it was also an expensive one as I had really not much of any equipment and the idea of fishing out of my new shiny bass boat without electronics was awful. Needless to say my priorities kept me from attending the University when it came around but still I promised myself that I would be in attendance the next year when they came back in town.


That next Spring I sported a nice Lowrance unit on my boat and even saved enough to add another to the front deck. I looked the part that year and actually was able to learn a lot over those first few months which was very rewarding because of the exception of a few good friends, I learned a lot of it on my own.

After that first year I felt I was ready to take the step into tournament bass fishing and that off season I looked forward to attending the BASS University to help really sharpen my skills. When I came to learn that the University wouldn't be coming back to the area I was disappointed I hadn't gone the year prior.


Business went on as can be expected and year after year I look back at my successes and how quickly I was able to accomplish as much as I have in a relatively short amount of time. I obviously still have much to learn so when I got news that the new Bass University was coming to a city within driving range, I was on the road to Chicago.

I'll be more than honest with you, the entire drive down there I was pretty skeptical. I was just hoping I wasn't driving all this way to Chicago to hear a pro tell me what color jig is the magic fish catching color or why their Triton is better than a Bass Cat. I mean, I know a thing or two about catching a bass and for good reason, in the past 5 years I've spent every available second I could to catching these fish. Not only do I wake up at absolutely ridiculous hours of the morning, day after day and spend hours after hours wreaking havoc not just physically but mentally as well, just to stay up late scowering magazines and reading internet articles just to absorb more.

Well, I can happily say that in just the first two hours of the first day I felt I had gotten my money and time worth. There was barely any sponsor plugs and when there was it was because someone in attendance asked. I have a knack for the business side of the sport and understand plugging sponsors is as important to a pros career as consistently catching fish. However, it's unheard of to be able to sit in the same small room with other top echelon sports figures and pick their brain for knowledge.


In fact, I feel as though I may have been more bass savvy than a lot of people attending however I feel like I may have learned some of the most that were in attendance. I know for fact that had I attended this class 5 years ago I'd be even more better off as I am now. Yet, I'm even more impressed by how much more confident I am now.

I wasn't there to get an autograph, not at all. I couldn't. Everyday I think of how bad I want to be competing out there against them and though I have a lot to learn I'm now reassured that that very feat could be had with any given cast.

To hear someone like Mike Iaconelli or Brent Ehrler talk to you just like your fishing buddies and to see that they are just like myself, a dude that really, really likes to fish and that the difference is he made an opportunity happen at the right time.

I can honestly say that no matter what your level of bass fishing is you can and will take useful knowledge away from this, knowledge that will help you put more bass in your livewell. When you see a bass pro that has cashed a million dollar paycheck sit in the same seats as the rest of the class and intently listen to his competitor talk and even ask questions to better help himself understand what he is saying. The best thing I learned is that if I continue to work and stay dedicated to my goals, I'll too cash in on that opportunity when it presents itself.


I did learn a lot of tips and techniques that will better help me excel because of going to this class. Tips that I really don't care to share but for one exception, one thing that I will live by. The five P's, as long as I follow the five P's I will always put myself into contention to succeed.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performances

Enough said.

The Bass University

After a fantastic Thanksgiving out in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, now I'm back home and am looking forward to this weekend where I'll be traveling down to the Marriott O'Hare in Chicago, Illinois to attend the Bass University, put on by Mike Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek.

Here's more info on the event. I know its late notice but if you can make the trip it's supposed to be a fantastic learning experience.




Chicago, Illinois

December 4, 2010 - December 5, 2010

Why we're coming:

The bass fishing in this area is fantastic! This was the most in demand area for us to come to. The anglers asked and we listened, so here we come Chicago. The bass fishing may be slow in December in this area, so what better time to sit down with the top names of the sport and get a chance to learn some new techniques. The Bass University is coming to Chicago on December 4th and 5th, 2010.

Location:

Marriott Chicago O'Hare
8535 W Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631-2806
(773)693-4444

Special room rate for Bass University students: $89.00 a night. Room availability limited. Book today!

Don't miss out on all the goodies that come with enrolling!
FREE Year long subscription to Bassin' Magazine, FREE tackle pack for every student, FREE TBU t-shirt, FREE pen and course booklet for all your note-taking needs
Every student will be entered into a drawing to have a free dinner with the pros, and all students 18 and under will receive a free lunch with the pros!

Registration begins Saturday at 7am. Class runs 8am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday. Stick around after class to check out our on-site tackle shop or just spend some extra time chatting with the pros.



Pete Gluszek (Dec.5) - Spinnerbait Secrets and Understanding Smallmouth Movements

Mike Iaconelli (Dec. 4th only) - Finding Bass on New Bodies of Water and Football Head Jig Fishing

Brent Ehrler (Dec. 5) - Advanced Drop shotting and the Flick Shake Technique

Mark Zona (Dec. 4th) – Tube jig techniques and Great lake Smallmouth Secrets

Byron Velvick – (Dec 5th) – Swimbait Basics and Advanced Swimbait Techniques

Greg Hackney - (Dec. 4th) – Advanced Jig Fishing and Shallow Cranking

For more information or to sign up follow link to website.

www.TheBassUniversity.com

Happy Turkey Day!

Well there's no denying it now, winter is right around the corner and the fishing around here has turned ugly, in fact I was skunked for the first time in a few years just a day ago. Actually lets keep it real, I was skunked twice in the past couple days. Water temps have dropped into the high 30's and the overnight temps have been hitting single digits, everything is covered in snow and as of yesterday, all the lakes have officially froze over.

Sadly, I dropped off my boat to be winterized. Fortunately, I don't expect it to stay that way long. I plan to head south several times this winter to continue to learn other bodies of water. Still though, it's depressing dropping the boat off no matter how positive you try to look at it.


I've been keeping busy by upgrading some tackle and equipment as well as selling some rods and reels. I've also been closely considering which tournaments would fit me best next year. My not so long term goal is to start fishing the Bassmaster Opens and FLW American Series as a pro, though I plan to take 2011 to get ready for that. Looking at new trucks, working out stuff with my sponsors as well as taking one more year to get to know these national level fisheries, to give myself a running shot at making it at the higher level without to many setbacks. I'm already looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead, but sometimes the behind the scenes business is as important to ones success. It's a commitment I'm more than willing to make, but I'd like to get as much of the odds in my favor as I possibly can. One things for sure, the heart's in the right place.

Other than that, Bri and I are headed out to Colorado to visit my Dad for the holiday. He bought a bar in Idaho Springs last year and has been eagerly making changes and it's finally finishing up. The name of the bar is "The Vintage Moose" and it sits a couple blocks away from my Step Mom's store "The Wild Grape". Bri and I both are overly thrilled to get out there and enjoy good drinks, great food and nothing but smiles over the weekend!

As soon as I get back though, I'm looking forward to take out my Minnesota Vikings aggression on some winter smallmouths! Seriously, it's on!

Also, please check out my "Video" portion of the website, I put up a couple new ones. One is on deep water cranking with the Biovex Deep Runner for largemouths and the others on finesse fishing late fall smallies. Both are full of good lessons as well as some quality fish catching action!

Until then, everyone please have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving! Happy Turkey Day!!

Tackle Update: TroKar Hooks

Source: Matt Gray, Basszone

Lazer TroKar, the newest and sharpest fishhook on the market is cracking skulls, drawing blood, dominating the competition and battling it out…

Introducing the awe-inspiring line of Lazer TroKar fishhooks… for those who aren’t just out to catch fish, but are out to win. A hook with a point designed in the medical field, shapes perfected on the pro tour and manufactured with cutting edge technologies right here in the USA.

TroKar – The only hook using patented Surgically Sharpened Technology has produced the wickedest fishhook ever made….just ask their Senior VP who managed to embed one in his skull during testing, or Skeet Reese who actually drew blood the first time he handled them. Or maybe Shaw Grigsby, the honorable and venerable Godfather of bass fishing, who was as giddy as a schoolgirl on Christmas morning to get his hands on the first production of TroKar hooks. The multi-faceted, freakishly sharp point on the TroKar fishhook is only the beginning. They used ultra clean, cold forged high-carbon steel to beef up this bad-boy. They tweaked the tempering process, amped up the wire diameter, perfected the barb profile and wound up with a gnarly instrument that will slice through a jugular. Go ahead, set the hook like you actually mean it. Feel the strength and confidence course through your veins as you realize you are now playing in the big leagues, with big boys and sharp toys.

The Relapse

Addiction - the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular thing, activity or substance.

Relapse - a deterioration of one's state after a temporary improvement; to return to a worse state.


It's been a whole four months now since the day it came crashing into my life and filled me with such a rush, something that I had never before experienced and one that I truly had a taste for. That first cast, what a feeling. It was like I was doing something wrong but everything felt so right. The sound of the bait smashing the water and creating the most enticing ripple, exactly the same sound as feeding bass when their boiling up on bait. The slow and painful yet methodical retrieve of the six inch morsel as it just barely quivers through the water column, looking and acting as natural as can be duplicated without the very hand of God. Slowly pulling the bait through the thickest of vegetation clumps and just as the bait slides through that last clump of foil it gets hit like a freight train, knocking slack into your line just as forceful as one can only imagine.


As you reel down to try to catch up with the chaos that has occurred under the water you set back to penetrate the hook and every muscle in your body restricts as your impeding on nature's most severe course. The feelings that start flowing in your brain are a blur as your body starts releasing endorphins leaving you in a sedated state of mind. These heightened emotions quickly become frantic fear as you see the mouth of a fat five pound largemouth break the surface with nothing but a single hook of the Weedless Huddleston Swimbait lodged in her mouth. Sure you've fought thousands of bass before but none like this, the amount of energy a five pound slonch puts into destroying a six inch swimbait is nothing like anything you've experienced before. The brute strength of such an impact is as addicting as it gets.

Finally, as you reach down to lift that fish into the boat, all that emotion comes to a head. What a feeling! Insane to say the least. As you reach your hand all the way into that fishes mouth to pop free your Hudd, you can't help to let out a scream! You dive to hug your fishing partner like you just caught the game winning pass in the Super Bowl. As you lift nature's trophy into the air for the picture, your smile shows the evidence of a truly affected soul.


And then it starts. As you lean over the boat to release the fish you feel more like your releasing the moment. As that brute swims back into the darkness your left with that unsatisfied feeling, the urge to want more.

Like I was saying, it's been four months since the weekend I spent being introduced to the real advantages of throwing large swimbaits. That weekend I learned a lot. There is truly a time and place for those baits and there's not a body of water in the country that they will not be effective on in the right conditions.

Since then I'll have to admit that it left me in a different state. I refer to swimbait fishing in my experience as one does to an addiction. To some I may be throwing that word around a bit loosely but really I'm pretty spot on.

Ever since that weekend I've wanted nothing more than to relive that but never found the opportunity to do so, or at least never had the kahunas to actually trust in it when the money is on the line. When my same buddies asked me to come up over deer hunting opener and cash in on that late fall bite, I was all in!


My good buddy Eric made the trip with me as he was wanting a taste of the dark side himself. As we dumped in on Saturday morning we were met with a stiff cold wind and temps in the mid 30's. The water temp was floating around a chilly 42 degrees and all the trees in the area were vacant of their leaves. You could see the blaze orange spots in the woods where deer hunters were sitting in their stands.

I couldn't have made more than a few casts when I felt that unmistakable rush, that very same feeling that I yearn for. As I flipped that giant into the boat Eric's eyes light up like a christmas tree as he tripped over the seats desperately trying to get to the swimbait I had given him to tie on.

Just like that it was back, I'm telling you one fisherman to another, there's no better way to catch them. The thrill itself is so rewarding that I bet a guy can easily remember every swimbait fish he catches. Heck, I can't get rid of the vision when a big one loads up on the bait and gets off. Talk about being punched right in the gut. It's utterly painful to endure. The "what if's" that flow through your mind.

After missing a few bites, my buddy Eric fashioned a stinger hook that was really quite impressive and one that I'll use 100% of the time I'm throwing these particular baits. In fact, the little invention quickly rewarded him with his first swimbait fish, a bass barely shy of six pounds caught by the stinger! The Hudd strikes again! Let me ask you, do you think he dropped that bait again? Another statistic to swimbait fishing.


For those of you that think swimbaits are just for California and wouldn't work on your tournament pressured lake, your wrong. It's weekends like these that prove this theory, I never got bit on any other bait the entire weekend. These baits attract big fish. Before winter freezes up your honey hole, get out and see what your missing. Come and play ball on this side, where the grass is always greener!

See you on the water!

Finessing Autumn Smallies

As the brisk autumn air continues to bring cooler temps, here in the north country, we're forced to get things ready and prepare for yet another frigid Minnesota winter. Luckily for guys like me, the smallmouth in the area are forced to follow suit. To prepare for a long winter the bass are loading up in big schools and eating like piranhas, trying to fatten up as much as possible.

My good friend Rich Lindgren and I were excited to be able to get together and set some hooks as well as capture some good video footage for our respected filming ventures. I figured we would have a good day, but being we were getting out on the coldest morning of the year thus far, I didn't expect it to be as good as it really was.

I awoke to temps in the mid 20's and after busting out a stocking cap and Under Armour, as well as filling the Thermos with some much needed coffee, Rich and I were on our way.


We were fishing a small feeder river, north of the Twin Cities. Right after we launched we instantly noticed how much current we had to deal with. This past week we had lots of rain as cold fronts started pushing into the area and as a result the water was high, a bit dirty and was kicking substantially more than one would expect for this time of year. Also the water had dropped a good 15 degrees from just a few days ago and was now hovering in the low 40's. When you start thinking of all that was working against us it was surprising that neither one of us were overly worried. The reason for this is simple, no matter the current conditions, these bass know that their living situations are only about to worsen and if they want to stay healthy through the winter than they need to be sure to get while the getting is good.


Rich and I start by throwing some reaction style baits and working a shoreline not far from the ramp. I started out throwing a Rapala DT-Flat 3 and a Biovex Stay 80 Jerkbait. Rich was going in between a Storm Wiggle Wart and Ima Flit Jerkbait. It didn't take much time for myself to come to the realization that I needed to finesse it up and right away I found myself switching up to spinning rods equipped with 8 lb. Seaguar Fluorocarbon. Just a few casts and I was quickly rewarded with two solid smallies, both caught on a Jackall Flick Shake Worm with a 1/8 oz. Zappu Inchi Jig Head.

Rich had also made the change the same time I did and was also setting hooks. There was no denying that these fish were a bit thrown off but like I said, they still needed to eat. It just took a little extra coaxing to trigger some bites and probably even more importantly the bait needed to be on the bottom. Never do I recall them grabbing the bait while the bait was falling or even while the bait was moving, to my recollection every fish took the bait while I was deadsticking it. These fish were lethargic enough that they all still had mud on their bellies from tucking down in the muck.

All day we continued to catch fish while employing finesse bottom bouncing baits and not only did we catch quantity, but even better we had nothing but quality. It seemed like every smallmouth was around or well over 3 pounds, we really only caught a few smaller ones. All our good fish came on a mix of 3 baits, the Flick Shake Worm, a 3" tube and Reaction Innovations Smallie Beaver on a Picasso Shakedown Jig.


In the end it was a great day, we caught lots of good fish and had a great time doing it. Fall is always my favorite time of year and days like this that remind me why. Keep checking in for our video from the day, lots of action and some good points to help you on your next outing.

While winter insists on arriving you'll know where you can find me living in denial one cast at a time.

See you on the water!

My Favorite Bass Fishing Magazines and Television Shows

After a much needed vacation back down to where Bri and I used to call home, Florida, we're finally back home here in Minnesota. During travel I found myself with some added down time and found the best way to deal was to read one of my favorite bass fishing magazines. This got me thinking, I figured I should write a blog on not only my favorite fishing magazines but also on my favorite bass fishing shows. I'm not sure about you but one thing I know is that I have a very understanding wife, not only is our coffee table littered with all sorts of different bass magazines but our DVR is loaded with bass fishing shows.

I've watched fishing shows all of my life and would venture to say that I watched more fishing shows and read more fishing magazines as a child than even the most trendy bass fisherman at the time. Call me a nerd but my Mom still has my collection of old In Fisherman magazines that not only did I collect but that I also wrapped in plastic sleeves and organized by date. I once skipped out on a school dance to watch the Bassmaster Classic on whatever country channel that was at the time.

I didn't have a boat growing up and didn't have the luxury of having someone to take me fishing every chance I had. I came from a sport family, hockey year round and golf, football, even baseball. In fact, it was only fishing when it was convenient. Don't get me wrong, I definitely had some very key people that through my young days were very influential in my developing a obsession for fishing. I'm just saying that I didn't have any one person that was obsessed or even close to as passionate as I was. The point I'm getting at is I used these different publications to learn. In fact, leading up to my very first BASS federation tournament with the Gopher Bassmasters just 3 1/2 years ago, I was 100% taught how to bass fish from magazines and television shows. The kicker, I went on to take second place in that tournament and eventually finishing in 3rd overall in the Angler of the Year points in probably the most skilled bass club in Minnesota.

Now since then then, there has been a lot of key people that have taken me under their wing if you will and helped excel these talents and teach me new techniques. Though I can honestly say that my studying was one of the best ways of learning and still is. I don't just watch a fishing show, I study it. I rewind a fishing show more than anyone could imagine and can easily turn a half hour show into a two hour ordeal. Trust me, it drives Bri crazy. I don't always want to hear what the host is plugging, I want to see what the host is doing. In fact I learned how to throw a texas rigged worm all by watching Hank Parker. The funny thing is he wasn't actually teaching anyone that, but he was using one and I watched his every move. I have no idea who is guest was or what the product was they were plugging that day but he was throwing a Berkley 10" worm and I was watching his every move, how far his casts were, how he twitched his rod and reeled in the slack, how he set the hook. In fact by the end of the show I could see when he got bit before he ever set the hook. Talk about gaining confidence, the next day I headed to a little lake and put an absolute whacking on them. Thanks Hank!

Now that was a while back and since then I've obviously excelled much more and am way more of a well rounded tournament angler but still I've only been tournament angling for three years. I've never fished as a non boater and am 100% self taught, I've made a name for myself in a very short time and cashed my fair share of checks and learned all this from watching fishing shows and reading any publication I could get my hands on. In that amount of time I have developed my favorites if you will and have made a top 5 for each. Keep in mind that a lot of these will help even the savviest of anglers but anglers new to the sport should take my advice and read and watch anything and everything, you can't possibly learn enough. Also I have a list of each that I really don't like or that I think have overly sold out. I decided not to post these as I'd rather not hate and instead appreciate.

First off I'll start with magazines and give a quick explanation for these.

1. BASS ANGLER Magazine: This publication is actually new to me and when I received my first copy I couldn't believe the content. There is so much awesome info packed between these pages that I can easily say this is my favorite magazine and I can't wait for the next issue. I don't care how much you know you'll learn something and the best part is how easily you'll learn it. They use pictures and diagrams to demonstrate what their talking about. Even better they haven't sold out to all the sponsors. You hear what's really going on from guys that are just like us. I can easily say, if you don't subscribe to this magazine your missing the boat!

2. BASSWEST USA: This magazine is awesome. The first thing you'll notice is the pictures, some of which are damn near breathtaking. In these pages you'll learn a lot about west coast techniques and the influences that other countries like Japan are bringing to the table. New lures and trendy techniques that are helping anglers cash big checks all over the country. This is another must for every serious bass fisherman.

3. BASSMASTER Magazine: This one gets grandfathered in no matter what. If your a bass fisherman and don't subscribe to BASS than your really not a bass fisherman. This magazine has obviously sold out to sponsors but there's still a very good reason to read it month in and month out. BASS is largely responsible for the future of our sport and supporting them is key in our growth. Also I'll say that BASSMASTER which covers the Elite Series hosts the best bass fisherman in the world and to be able to read how and why they caught their fish is a lesson worth reading. When guys like KVD and Skeet Reese talk the rest of the bass fishing world should listen.

4. BASSIN' Magazine: When it comes to keeping up with new lures on the market, this is where I usually hear about them first. Again, a great magazine that's been around for a while and usually has some awesome info.

5. FLW Magazine: Last but surely not least. FLW has some of the best writers and some of the trendiest anglers on their tour. Young anglers using new techniques and these anglers understand how to be marketable largely because they have to with so much competition. Sure the magazine has sold to sponsor dollars and you get a lot of certain tackle and boat manufactures shoved down your throat, but if you read in between the lines you'll take away a lot of quality info.

Here's is my list of favorite television shows.

1. Classic Patterns: I'm obsessed with these programs. The amount of knowledge that is given to you is awesome. Straight from the cats mouth you'll learn a new technique or better yet how to read water. I've learned more from this show than any other.

2. Bassmaster Elite Series: I can't wait for these to be aired but like I said watching them is a process. I break it down like you wouldn't believe. If an angler is simply fishing a bridge I look for the subtle things like which way is the current flowing compared to which way he's casting? What lure style is he working? What on the bridge is he targeting? I can even tell how deep he's fishing by counting down his lure after a cast before he starts his retrieve. If he's throwing a crankbait I pay attention to the retrieve. Is it stop and go? Is he ripping the bait? Burning it? All these things play a pivotal role for me and I assure you I'll find myself looking at a very similar bridge one day and will have a better idea how to attck it.

3. FLW Tour: For literally all the same reasons as above. If your going to learn, you might as well learn from the best.

4. Ultimate Match Fishing: You can probably see a trend here. In my eyes you get the real deal when guys are casting for big paydays. No editing, just the real deal. Joe Thomas does such a great job of putting the worlds best bass fisherman in straight up one on one mode. Watching Kelly Jordan whack giants on a Kentucky Lake ledge with a 1 ounce spoon was life changing and that's just one example.

5. World's Greatest Fishing Show: Which I believe now has gone through a recent name change. This show is just awesome, I don't usually learn too many techniques but I learn something even more important, to just plain old have fun with it. When your as passionate as I am in the sport it's way to easy to get all wrapped up in it and Mark Zona does an incredible job of making you forget all that and just have a good frickin' time. The dude may simply be one of the funniest people in the world and does a great job showing you the real side of these professional anglers.

I hope you found this list intriguing enough and hope if nothing else it helps some of you look into these shows and magazines a little further. Now though I gotta roll, it's Saturday morning which means there's all sorts of bass fishing shows on as we speak, class is now in session!

Greetings from the Sunshine State, the Bass Capital of the World!

As I write this blog update, I'm currently sitting in a hotel room on the Macdill Airforce Base, in Tampa, FL. Bri and I are attending a good friends wedding down here and this past week has been a blast. Being that both of us used to live in the Tampa/St. Pete area a few years back we've been fortunate to be able to take some time and get around our old haunts and see old friends.

Our little get away started in Miami last weekend where we pretty much just relaxed and enjoyed the beach and some good food. On our way north towards Tampa we made a pit stop in the everglades were Bri and I got to ride on a air boat and check out the many alligators that inhibit the area. All I know is it was awesome and sometimes I wish I had a air boat to get around the river instead of a 20 foot Ranger.


We also made it a point to swing through Clewiston and more importantly, Lake Okeechobee. You probably already guessed it but I totally stocked up on some much needed, hard to find tackle at Roland Martin's Marina.


From there we made it to Clearwater Beach, were we stayed in a hotel right on the water. Everything was nice and relaxing until I saw people catching fish in the tide. Saltwater fishing? Surely there's no bass in the Gulf, but hey I'm game and the next thing you know Bri and I find ourselves at a local tackle shop purchasing a new rod and reel and everything needed to catch some inter coastal fish.



Thus far, it turned into one of the best times on our whole trip for the both of us! We loaded up on some live shrimp and lucky for us the tide was just starting to come in and the fishing was pretty good. We managed to catch some speckled sea trout and lady fish. Nothing gigantic but fun none the less. That day we also saw many sting rays, had tarpon blowing up all around us and even got up close and personal with a manatee. Not to mention our hunt for conch and crabs!

Now that we're on the base and everyone's getting ready for the big wedding, I find myself with not much to do. Bri's off tonight at the bachelorette party, which gives me time to update my blog and the next couple days being that she is in the wedding party and will be busy, I have plans to go bass fishing! Since I have control of the rental car I'll be pond hopping looking for 10 pounders, yes I said it and I mean it, 10 pounders! In fact, the groom gave me directions to a small golf course pond were his brother recently caught and released a 13 pound giant! Game on!!!

One thing I knew from my time living down here was that if a puddle has water in it, it also has a bass in it. Don't ask me how they got there cause I have no idea and from everyone I've come across either do the locals, but they are and that's all that matters. I feel a little naked in that I don't have my regular arsenal of bass whacking equipment but I got myself a St. Croix Spinning rod, some 15 lb. Power Pro, a pack of 5/0 Gamakatsu SuperLine Hooks, some 5/16 oz. Tru Tungsten Worm Weights and a pack of 10" Ribbon Tail Worms as well as a pack of 5" Senko's. I never met a bass anywhere that won't eat those! Wish me luck!

As soon as I get back home I plan to write a recap of the 2010 bass season as well as some of my tentative plans for 2011. Until then it's back to my much needed vacation after a long, hard battled tournament season.

Denny's Super 30 Shootout

Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, MN

Two for two! Corey, Ryan and myself again manage to make the Denny's Super 30 Shootout this year and a bit more convincing than the year prior. Last year was our first year fishing the Denny's and somehow made a late season push and snuck in the backdoor taking the final spot and rode that to a 3rd place finish in the Shootout. This year consistency was on our side and we rode it to a 9th place overall seeding. We never made it rain but we never got blown out either, in fact we were really only one fish out of the high end paychecks in all but maybe one tourney.

Hopefully this would be our time to shine and up for the task was Corey and myself. The bite had been tough in the days leading up to today though practice we managed enough good bites to think we were on them well enough.

Unfortunately for the two of us things started out slow and worse yet, it never really got better. I broke off on two that probably would have helped and did manage to catch a couple good ones but we never really got the bites we needed to even come close.

In the end, we finished in 12th place, a far cry from what was needed to win. By far Corey and I's worse day on Tonka all year. Even if I could have a mulligan, I still don't know what I would have done differently. Probably nothing. We were around good fish but sometimes things just don't pan out. It's frustrating but Tonka overall was very good to us this year and we're really looking forward to our third year, we're figuring this beast out and catching them all seasons. Hopefully we can notch our first Denny's win in 2011!

Denny's Super 30

Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, MN

Going into this event Corey and I found ourselves in a very good spot, we were sitting 8th overall in the points and today was the last event before the end of the year shootout. The top 14 qualify for postseason play and we had a pretty good lead over the 15th place team so barring some catastrophic setback, we were pretty confident we were in. Though of course we wanted more, we really wanted to claim our first Denny's win and throughout practice we got enough bites to give us that extra shot of confidence.

Tournament morning started slow but we managed a small limit relatively easy. Early afternoon things got a bit better when I was able to boat three close to three pound largemouth and Corey really gave us a shot when he yanked a 3 pound and an almost 5 pound largemouth.

Now with still about roughly four hours to go we were sitting with around 20 pounds but still had three babies (12") in the boat. Still 4 hours on Tonka to cull out 3 rats? Easy! Right? Well I don't think we ever made another cull the rest of the day. Signs of a tough day, I guess.

We weighed in with just shy of 20 pounds good enough for 10th place and finished in 9th overall in the team of the year standings. Hopefully our bite gets a bit better before the Shootout next week!

Even more importantly, I'd like to wish my beautiful wife Bri a Happy Anniversary! 5 awesome years of marriage to the most perfect wife in the world. Besides how many women understand when their man fishes a bass tournament on their anniversary? Just one of the many reasons she's the best! Love you Baby!

Silverado Pro Tour

Horseshoe Chain, Cold Spring, MN

This entry is a hard one for me to write about, so much that I felt I needed to wait until some of my feelings inside developed and digested before I wrote it out. I realize that I write this blog for the public to view but first and foremost it's a personal diary for me, something that I'll be able to refer back to and remember both the good and bad trials in my pursuit of professional bass fishing. To some, these entries may not seem like much more than me promoting myself for personal gain. To me, these entries are the product of mine and my families hard work and dedication to a sport I cherish and love more than almost anything else in the world.

Going into this tournament, this venue was one I was excited for since I first saw it was included on the tour schedule. I had never even been on the chain before but from what I had heard, I knew it would fit my style better than any other body of water we were going to be fishing all year. First off, it's a river system and this section of the Sauk River houses both smallmouth and largemouth bass. The chain is known for it's stained water and abundance of shallow cover that lines it's banks. It also has an abundance of rock, some of which is out deeper forming nice structure and others up shallow mostly in the form of riprap banks.

There was also some added pressure because of poor performance's in the first three stops I needed to win this event to qualify for the post season Tournament of Champions held on Lake Minnetonka were a brand new, fully loaded Ranger bass boat was on the line. Being a part of this post season event meant a lot to me, in fact it was the sole reason I chose the Silverado over other tournament trails. I consider Lake Minnetonka my home water and the opportunity to win a new boat there would mean the world to me.

Throughout practice I was able to build some confidence in multiple different areas targeting largemouth but was concerned by the lack of smallmouth catching. It wasn't until my final day of practice that I really put in the effort on locating some brown fish. This was partly on purpose because this year smallmouth have really burnt me in the Silverado. Usually I prefer to chase them but after getting punked by them in the last two stops, I wasn't exactly eager to count on them in a tournament that had so much on the line.

I was able to get my Am partner Lance out for the final day of practice and in the morning we ran around so I could show him what I was planning to fish the next day so he'd have a good idea of what to expect. Every now and then we'd stop and fish some new water and try to find a couple more things that could give us that push and assist in a much needed win. On one of these such stops, Lance fired a spinnerbait and wouldn't you know it he catches an easy 5 pound smallie. I turned around and fired my crankbait to the same area and landed a solid 2 1/2 pound smallie. This was an extra shot of confidence because this spot was out of the way and I was very confident not many people knew it existed. This way I could leave it until later in the day and hopefully make a few key culls once my largemouth bite slowed down a bit.

I ran a few more areas that I thought may hold some smallies and was able to catch a few, nothing huge but worth the stop. I had found a couple riprap areas and a few deep rock spots as well.

After a late boat draw, I started on a spot that transitioned from riprap to sand. After a few casts with a crankbait I put the first fish in the box, a 15" largemouth. I then ran some of my spots were I had pulled on some fish and couldn't buy a bite. After a couple hours with only 1 bass in the box I decided it was time to get to the smallies and see if they were going to actually cooperate with me.

I approached my first spot and noticed it was getting pounded by the wind. I made a few casts with the crankbait and caught 2 keeper largemouth's right away, only going about 13" each. I switch to a carolina rig and after a few short strikes I landed a quality 3 pound smallmouth. A cast later and Lance boats a 2 pound smallmouth. Everything was rolling in the right direction when I got another bite, I set the hook and instantly knew I was in trouble as there was to much slack left in the line and before I could adjust I watched a doozer smallmouth jump 3 feet in the air and throw my bait. That hurt but I was able to somewhat shrug it off and after a few more casts with no takers I decided it was time to head out and let that area simmer.

My next area was a riprap bank and it only took three casts with my crankbait and I was hooked up with a huge 4 plus pound smallie. I noticed right away I only had her with the back treble and did an excellent job thumb spooling her and when she was wore down we went in with the net and somehow managed to get the front treble caught in the net and in no time the smallie sprung loose. Ouch, that one really hurt and after visually watching two real nice fish get away I couldn't help but feel it mentally. I knew this chain of lakes was going to fish tough and that big bites had to be capitalized on and I couldn't help but have that awful feeling in my stomach.

Still I tried to stay positive but as the day wore on my bite got worse and worse and I couldn't seem to get a single largemouth to bite. I decided to go back to my riprap spot and after a few casts again hooked up with a bruiser of a smallmouth and after a very short fight wouldn't you guess, she got off. I checked my crankbait and was just ill when I saw that one of the hooks on the back treble bent out. Insane!

Now still one bass short of a limit, I went into full out panic mode. I knew I was still in it but really wanted to get a limit and after about an hour I finally boated our limit fish on a 3/8 oz. Tru Tungsten Jig. The 13" largemouth came on a laydown in about 2 feet of water and after fishing the rest of that bank with no more bites I decided I better head to one last spot before time ran out and hope for a hail mary.

After a few casts with a crankbait God himself answered and again I was hooked up with another 4 plus pound smallmouth. I worked liked crazy to keep that fish on and just as the net came in it was like deja vu, the net caught the treble on my crankbait and before my eyes I watched yet another bruiser come off at the boat. I truly felt like I was going to vomit. It was the most disheartening feeling I have ever had in all my days of bass fishing. I knew that I had the tournament all but won and some how managed to throw it all away.

This way of thinking came to a quick reality when I arrived at weigh in and found that most the field failed to come in with limits. I weighed in a limit of bass for 10.2 pounds and took a disappointing 16th place, 5 pounds shy of the winning weight.

I've had dropped fish cost me money in tournaments and possibly even a win or two, but never have I had it so obvious to myself and in such a big event. I knew what I had to accomplish and put myself in position to do just that, just to finish in such a gut wrenching way. Sure I left 8 grand on the table and even worse left what could have been my spot in the TOC, but none of that hurt as much as the feeling of knowing what I had to do, being right there and watching it all vanish. In my little world, I'm sure it's the equivalent of fumbling the football on the goal line with only seconds left in the end of the fourth quarter, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line.

I waited for all these thoughts to calm in my head before writing this because I now have a better appreciation for the outcome. Sure it eats me like none other but it's all part of the game and may not even be the last time it happens. This is probably one of the reasons I fish competitively instead of for the simple fun of it. I'm definitely not the only one that can say they had it and then lost it, in fact everyone of my idols in the sport can say the same. Instead of sitting and feeling bad for myself and my misfortune, I'll instead use this as a motivator. I proved to myself that I could have and maybe even should have won this event, with just a little luck or better execution I could have done exactly what I set out to do against the best Minnesota has to offer.

With all this said, I want to send out a special congratulations to my very good friend and team tournament partner Ryan Brant for besting the field and notching his first big win. I always said to him for the past 3 years we've been fishing together, if I can't win it, I hope he does. Well congrats man, you deserve it! Hat's off Brant!

Smashing 'Em!

The past couple weeks between tournaments, I've been out putting in work doing guide trips and testing new sponsor products. One of my favorite things to do when out doing this is to practice and sharpen my skills. There's a few examples of this and I'm a firm believer that anything I can do to better myself and my fishing will eventually payoff when the money's on the line.

One is always to be looking for new water. This has got to be one, if not the best way to become a better fisherman. This is a skill that the best have and it shows by continued success at the scales. Bottom line is fish move and you need to be able to move with them. Sure we all have spots that seem to always produce no matter the time of year but that's very rare. Usually you need to be able to follow the fish as they transition through the seasons. Every time I'm on the water I attempt to find something new or learn something about what the fish are relating to. Even if the lake your on isn't a big tournament lake, it teaches you to always keep an open mind and how to fish different types of water.

This brings me to my next point. When I'm out on the water and I'm not practicing for a tournament, I try to use baits and styles of retrieve that I don't have much confidence in. Sometimes I'll use baits that I do have confidence in to find fish holding areas but then try to switch baits and see if I can trigger them to bite. This is what builds confidence in new tactics and makes me more of a well rounded angler.

The past week or so I've had the opportunity to do just that and let me tell you the end reward is far more satisfying then accomplishing the norm. Recently I had a guide trip, I had decided I would meet the client in the city he was staying and fish a lake that is right within minutes of his hotel room.

I had been to this lake before but very rarely ever this time of year and if I was we basically just threw frogs at all the abundant vegetation that makes up this lake. This is a solid pattern on this body of water but it is also the most obvious.

I had been getting bit on lakes in the area fishing deeper and thought that if I could find some nice deep structure I could provide some awesome fishing for my client. I was very happy when after about a whole 5 minutes of Humminbird Side Imaging work along with studying my Navionics Mapping Chip, I located a nice point that had some scattered hard bottom along with some patchy weeds. The target area itself sat in about 14 feet of water. On my first cast with a hand tied 1/2 oz. Picasso Football Jig I landed a chunky 5.6 pound largemouth bass. Awesome!

My client and I went about 4 for 4 each on consecutive casts after that both catching bass no smaller than 3 pounds. Already a good trip and we haven't been on the water for more than 15 minutes!


I continued this pattern around the lake and located 6 or 7 different spots that all had some of these similarities and also had the same end result. We boated giant after giant in what finished out as one of the best outings I had all year. No joke, we boated a 6 pounder, multiple 5 and 4 pounders and our fair share of 3's. In fact, I don't think we caught but 1 that went under 3 and all came on some of my favorite baits, a football jig and an Outkast Tackle jigworm. The kicker was we ended up spending about 2 hours frog fishing the slop without a single blow up. Huh? Things to think about.


Leaving I was obviously excited. I had provided an awesome experience for someone and also got to jack up on some toads. Even better I had challenged myself to find something new and the result was overly rewarding. Still though the competitor in me wanted more so 5 days later I was right back there with a buddy to do some sponsor photos with the many big bass that where available for the picking.

My confidence level was through the roof, I mean these fish were really making it easy on me. I was throwing baits that I have nothing but confidence on, in areas that gave me more confidence then I knew what to do with. We only had 4 hours to fish as my buddy had to be to the Minneapolis Airport by noon. 4 hours? No problem!

I took my buddy to the first spot and gave him the quick rundown, handed him a Picasso Football Jig and told him the technique. I thought I'd just sit back, tie up a couple rods that I was going to need for an upcoming tournament and get ready with the camera. After about 1o minutes with nothing I decided it was time to get up and show him how it's done. Nothing. Not a bite. OK, OK hold up here. This is a fluke, I mean they were jumping in the boat days ago here, they gotta be at the next spot.

Well after about 2 hours without a bite, my confidence went way down and the new word to describe me would be embarrassed and humbled. Maybe now it's time to revert back to old faithful and get to the slop with ole' Kermie.

After about another hour of no bites, no hook sets and just a whole lot of talking, I figured we needed to get back out to the main lake, they had to be there now. We worked all these spots on the way back to the boat ramp and continued to throw the jigworm and football jigs and couldn't buy a bite. Now I was going from the outing of the year to the first skunk in the past 3 years! Unbelievable!!

On our very last stop, which was also our very first stop this morning, I was accepting defeat. I mean I couldn't get a bite on spots that where holding giant sacks just days ago and I was throwing baits that I had nothing but confidence throwing. As I was putting my rods and tackle away I saw my new bag of Biovex Deep Runner Crankbaits. This ate at me even worse because I was hoping to get to use these and catch a few nice bass with them so I could send some quality pictures back to Biovex.

Deep cranking is not a strong suit for me, in fact it's probably the worst technique in my repertoire. I just never had much success with it and really never tried to hard to make it work. Just always kind of had the impression that if they'll bite a deep crankbait, they'll definitely bite my jig, carolina rig or worse case a shakey head. Even though I knew this was a invalid and biased opinion some habits are just to hard to break.

With only 10 minutes left before we had to load up and bail out, I decided to tie one up and see how they run. They are a brand new bait released by Biovex and look absolutely amazing, I'm sure they run even better than they look. I took my first cast and had to make just a slight tweak to the line tie and had it running perfect. The bait got down quick and ran nice and tight without to much drag which results in less fatigue to the angler. It took me another cast or two to find the hard spot and about on my third cast I was grinding the plug into the bottom right through the strike zone. Just as I was thinking how cool it would be to one day find this crankin' bite and 'WHAM", my rod loads up on a giant 5+ pound largemouth. That was insane and extremely addicting! I was grinding the Deep Runner over the rocks and the fish just inhaled the bait.


After a couple pictures I released the fish and was immediately overwhelmed with happiness because that was probably the first true deep crank lunker bass I've ever caught. I thought I may have activated the school and maybe now I could catch another one and we both started throwing our football jigs and Carolina Rigs, and yet again, nothing. Just then I started thinking it must have been just one solo fish that happened to show up right as my plug came ripping through. Curious I picked up the crankbait and chucked it back across the point and wouldn't you know it, as soon as it hit the bottom I was instantly whacked and again boated another lunker going an easy 4 pounds. On my next 5 casts with the Biovex Deep Runner I went 4 for 5, all going over 3 pounds. Now if that's not an eye opener I don't know what is!


Unfortunately for the both of us we had to get off the water but again similar to 5 days ago when I was leaving this lake I had a smile on my face. Sure we struggled hard, really hard for 95% of our outing, but the last 5% will never be forgotten. One, I now have a ton of confidence in a bait that before just got tucked into the bottom of my boat and two, found that it can be a better option than good old faithful. Those fish didn't just show up that last 10 mnutes, they were there the whole time and just had no interest in what I had to offer. They were on a reaction bite and wasn't fooled by the old ball and chain or by dragging a big jig. Again, even though I knew this to be true, I mean there's a reason crankers like Kevin VanDam have made millions on top of millions throwing this bait, sometimes the only way to truly buy into it is to actually accomplish it. Good for me, once again I had reason to have a smile on my face! There is no such thing as perfect, but hard nosed preparation will get you the closest thing to it.

Up next I'm outta town practicing for the last stop of the Silverado Pro Tour held on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes near St. Cloud, MN. You think I'll have a Biovex Deep Runner tied on?