Fishing

Innovations in fishing change the way we fish and come in varying degrees of impact. The introduction of the umbrella rig, spotlock technology by Minnkota, and detailed lake mapping are a few that come to mind having made a big impact. And now in very recent years, a brand new innovation is molding fishing as

So you’re in the market for a Vexilar® Flashers/Fish Finder. You’re already familiar with Vexilar®, the world-leader that invented the 3-color Flasher/Fish Finder Sonar, which is half the battle. But as of 2020, there are 6 FL Series Models to choose from. Which one should you choose? To determine which is best for your fishing

There’s an age-old concept in bass fishing that states “you have to find’em before you can catch’em.” Well that is kinda of like “duh.” Yes, it points out the glaringly obvious, but the truth behind it can never be ignored. And abiding by this ideology of strategy will result in more bass, more often, on

At a recent tournament on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota, a young angler asked me if I would expect to find the smallmouth bass to be schooled up. He wanted to know if I expected to catch more from a spot where I just caught one. The answer was “no, not likely, but possible.” Then

“Hey what’s your favorite color?” I am asked this question all the time in reference to many lure categories. I myself can get lost in the dazzling selections found on the walls of favorite tackle stores that I frequent in my travels. When it comes to jig fishing, skirts come in any possible combination imaginable.

Fishing has a unique quality in that nobody is left behind. Barriers and hurdles for entry and participation are very low. Regardless of where a person lives, their economic status, man or woman, young or old, participation and enjoyment of the sport is easily attainable. Endless varieties of fishing niches exist to accommodate all! Fishing

If I had to pick one type of bass fishing that provides the most excitement and enjoyment, it would be topwater fishing for smallmouth. I just love the whole visual nature of the strike. Sometimes they’ll crush it, sometimes they’ll roll on it, sometimes they’ll nip it, and sometimes they’ll hover below it, and sometimes

Have you ever paused and gazed across a lake filled with vast acreages of fully-developed, aquatic greenery? And then found yourself wondering how do I pinpoint bass in this?  I recall these thoughts early in my fishing years. It seemed like an insurmountable task. Where does one begin? As you probably know, the bass won’t

Before you set your alarm clock for 4:00am for your next fishing trip, you should read this. One of the most misrepresented concepts in bass fishing is the notion that the bass feed best at daybreak. This is so wrong, a majority of the time! Indeed, there are situations where this is true, but often

It’s that time of year again when the temperature drops and the lakes begin freezing over. It might sound miserable if you’re from the south, but the cold weather means ice fishing will be here soon. If you’re new to ice fishing and looking to get on the ice for the first time this season,

With every year there comes along a few fishing trips where I am taking out a very inexperienced fisherman. I’ve learned that I cannot treat such trips like any other trip due to their limited skills. I know that I have to make adjustments to the overall game plan for the day as well as make

Harvesting fish from beneath the frozen lakes and rivers of the Arctic/sub-arctic regions was a critical part of the subsistence lifestyle for most north-country native Americans. There were typically three methods for harvesting fish: traps/nets, spearing from “dark house”- like tents or simply kneeling down beside a hole and dropping a hand line down through

When January hits the snow country, what bass fishing addict doesn’t daydream about escaping to some awesome bass factory of the South? As a touring bass professional from Minnesota, I have had the opportunity to experience some primo bass fishing tournaments during the southern, winter months. In some cases, the fishing had been amazing, while

Have you found bass but then struggled to catch them like I have?  I can never understand this.  Shouldn’t a wild animal take advantage of every feeding opportunity?  The pet dogs I’ve had in my life sure took advantage.  They ate everything I threw their way!  I guess domesticated dogs must be different from wild

Most emergency/survival kits include a small assortment of hooks, line and perhaps a few swivels and weights – but no fishing pole. Quite understandable since it’s assumed you’ll simply cut a branch off and use it like a cane pole.  There are, however, several ways to catch fish without the need of a rod and reel

A few years ago, Minn Kota introduced a new feature on their trolling motors called “spot-lock”.  Anyone who has operated one of these motors will no doubt tell you, that it is a game changer.  So much so, other companies have added the same feature on their products.  So what is going on here? Spot-lock

I love fishing clear water and here’s why – I find it extremely exciting to target bass that I can spot with my eyeballs.  I can’t help but lose my mind and raise adrenaline when I happen across a decent-sized bass, unsuspecting my intentions. Not only for the excitement, but using eyesight can make for

Could there be anything better in the bass fishing world than a great topwater, smallmouth bite?  When I know the topwater bite is on, I get restless and uneasy on my drive to the boat ramp.  And when I do get there and lay my eyes upon a mirrored lake, I can’t get my boat