Blog

A new year often brings New Year's resolutions, some of which include trying new things; if you are a die-hard fisherman or know someone who is, ice fishing may fit the bill.

For most anglers, once fall fishing ends, their boats are pulled inside for the winter, and their rod and reels get a break until the first signs of spring. However, winter fishing can result in larger-than-average bass catches. It only takes the angler paying attention to what bass are doing and figuring out how to lure them out of their winter hiding spots.

Watching in the distance, I noticed several boats travel into the small creek arms to do most of their fishing. It wasn’t long before I heard the bass splash coming out of the water. From where I was standing, I could see a gentleman reeling in a famous Table Rock largemouth bass. As my weekend at the lake continued, my assumption of where the bass could be found was validated.

As our boat came around another shoal on the Eleven Point River, we were utterly in awe of the moon that seemed to be sitting on top of the water. While motoring down the river in complete darkness, the lights attached to the gigging rail often allow us to visualize what is ahead. This night, however, the moon sparkling off the water gave us plenty of light, along with a special appreciation for being outdoorsmen.

I received my first fishing rod, reel and accessories from my mom and dad as a birthday gift some 35 years ago. A VHS tape titled Fishing for Beginners came with the kit. All these years later, I still clearly remember one segment of that video.

Two predictable things happen when the peak of summer arrives and temperatures rise. The first is that fishermen lose some of their enthusiasm, and the second is that fish can become harder to find. Anglers take heart; it’s no big mystery.

MUSKEGON, MI (July 18, 2022) – Yesterday, at 23 years and 26 days of age, Jay Przekurat became the youngest angler to ever win a Bassmaster Elite Series event. And if that wasn’t enough, the Stevens Point, Wisconsin angler did it by catching and weighing the heaviest tournament total of smallmouth bass ever recorded. His history-making four-day bag of 102-9 was accomplished amidst a 90-boat field of the best bass anglers on earth on what many are calling the most prolific smallmouth bass fishery in the world.

I often fish the lakes or many rivers near my home in Missouri. During summer, however, I often take advantage of the longer daylight hours to fish in nearby ponds. No matter how often I fish a local pond, it always takes me back to my childhood when I first began fishing with my father and two siblings. These local farm ponds are where I learned to fish, made my first angling memories, and fueled my passion for bass fishing.

Fishermen who are boat owners know that things can happen in a blink of an eye, preventing them from enjoying their time fishing or ending the trip entirely. It could be a mechanical issue with the boat, Mother Nature, or even an emergency issue that might ruin an angler's plans. Here’s a list of five boat essentials that can save your fishing day when unexpected events occur.