Wild On The Water

Wild on the water is in the books and what a great event on Lake Mille Lacs it was. Our team consisted of Kyle Rau, Tony(from Budweiser), and myself. We weighed 3 smallmouth for 13.5lbs and were able to take home the win. This event was for charity and raised a lot of money for the Wild foundation. With our win we were able to donate $5k to the charity of our choice.
You will see some highlights in the above video and see the fish we brought to the scales.

Not So SMALLmouth

The past few weeks have been some amazing smallmouth fishing from Sturgeon Bay WI to Lake Mille Lacs we have had so many epic moments and memories made I can't even begin to tell you. I have to thank all the folks that joined me on the water, it was a May and June that I will never forget.

I capped it all off with a 2nd place finish this past weekend on Lake Mille Lacs in the first ever Champions Tour event presented by Classicbass!

I am now back in the metro running trips on Lake Waconia, and Lake Minnetonka. I have some openings yet if you are looking to get out for some great largemouth fishing in the metro. If you have the smallmouth bug, then we can head north for Mille Lacs. Until next time, Fish On! Get out and stretch the string.

Lips Like Sugar

Sugar Lake Mexico has changed my fishing career forever and has wrote it's own chapter in my life. 

Winter has come and gone and I was so busy that I didn't even find time to share some ice fishing adventures with you all.  

This past week I was able to take a few days to head south to Falcon Lake Texas and Sugar Lake Mexico to fish bass and crappies, and that is when all things I knew about bass changed in my life forever with the catch of a lifetime.  

Only fished Falcon Lake part of a day before heading to Sugar Lake Mexico.  It was my first day on Sugar Lake with 2 of my good buddies when my bass fishing career was changed forever.  We had spent much of the day fishing deep when late in the day we opted to move up to some shallow cover and rocks.  My buddy Jeff stated he thought it would be a good idea to throw a Strike King 3XD and it sounded like a great idea.  I put the boat in about 8-9 FOW and started throwing a SK Chili Craw 3XD on 12lb fluorocarbon.  It was only about 15 minutes into running down a stretch of water when I set the hook on a fish that pushed slack into my line.  

I had no idea what was really on the other end of my line.  My first comment to Jeff was, "its not a turd burgler".  I was simply referring to the fact that it felt "decent".  After I battled for only a short time the fish I was hooked up on came up and tried to jump and breached the surface exposing how big she really was.  At that time I realized I had a fish of a life time on and was only focused on trying to get it to the boat.  At the same time Jeff and Nate saw the giant bass and confirmed with me it was large.  After a short fight and it going under the boat it finally swam out and tried to jump again.  Jeff made an attempt to get it in the net and it crawled out, but on the second attempt he got it in the net and we all could breath.  

After much exuberation with the guys, they got me calmed down and we opted to take weight, length, and girth on the beast so I can have a replica made.  This Largemouth bass weighed in at 11lb's 12oz's.  It measured in at 25.5" long and a girth between 19-20".  This fish was short and fat.  It tried to go 11.13 but eventually settled at 12 oz.  After a few pics I released the fish to fight another day.  I will be getting a replica mount for my office so I can tell this same story for many years to come. 

This trip also produced many other great fish and lots of laughs and lasting memories.  I willbe reporting back with many more stories and outings soon.  Until then, Fish On!  Get out and stretch the string!  

Top 13 Christmas Items For The Men/Women In Your Life

I have been asked by a few ladies in my life to layout my top twelve outdoors man gifts for 2016.  Below you will find a list of ideas ranging in price as well as touching on a little something for everyone, whether your man is a fisherman, hunter, or just outdoors man.  Many of these gifts are great for the Woman in your life as well guys.  

In no particular order:

1) Icebreaker Merino Wool   

Doesn't matter the activity, this stuff is the real deal when it comes to staying warm and comfortable.  It is naturally anti-microbial, it dries fast, it keeps you warm, and it feels great against your skin.  The old days of wool feeling itchy are a thing of the past with this stuff.  From their underwear to their shirts I have put it all to the test and I approve.

2) Mathews Halon 32  

If your man or woman is into archery, looking to get into, or is due for a new bow this new rig should top your list.  Mathews released this beast in mid Nov so availability might be a bit tough for Christmas.  Stop in your local Mathews dealer and get one on order.  He/She won't be disappointed.  

3) K-Drill Ice Auger 

This is another item I have had the chance to use and can't say enough good things about.  Even if you own a gas auger this is a great addition.  It attaches to a gas power head or you can use it on a 18v electric drill.  I have used it on the Milwaukee they recommend and absolutely fell in love with it.  A must for any ice fisherman on your list.    

4) Clam Ice Armor 

Clam has just released a new version of their ever popular Ice Armor and believe it or not they actually made it even better.  Whether shoveling the drive way, ice fishing, four wheeling, spring/fall boat fishing, or just out playing in the cold, Ice Armor has something for everyone.  The Extreme and Edge suits are two of my favorite picks for wearing on the ice.  Available for the woman in your life!  

5) Sitka Gear

This company is so great I went with the entire brand.  If you have a hunter on your list look no further then Sitka for some amazing gear for all things related hunting.  They have the whitetail guy covered, the duck hunter, and the western hunter on your list.  Some of their solids are great for when not in the field.  

6) Shimano Nasci Spinning Reel 

Shimano did not disappoint with this new arrival.  This is a great spinning reel for the money and any angler will be happy to receive this item for Christmas.  If your man is an ice guy maybe a 1000 is the right size, but if he/she spends their time on open water a 2500 is probably the go to size.  

7) Costa Del Mar Sunglasses 

You don't have to be a sportsman to love a pair of great shades.  Lots of styles available for men and women and in many sizes and colors. These are all polarized making them nice on your eyes, reduce glare on water, and make a great gift.  Many local sporting goods stores have them for you to try on.  

8) Thorne Bros. Custom Rod 

This item can be great for the fisherman on your list.  If you are stumped and don't know what to get them, go to Thorne Bros. in Blaine MN and speak with Lonnie.  He is the custom rod builder at Thorne and can create a gift like no other.  He does amazing ice rods and summer rods.  You can get custom lengths, custom colors, and even add a name on the rod for that special some one.  Trust me, this one won't disappoint.  Lonnie and the guys at Thorne can answer any questions and help you get to the end goal.

9) Grizzly Cooler or Grip Cup 

What man doesn't want to have the best cooler at the next tailgate event or camping trip?  If you want to impress anyone this Christmas, give the gift of a Grizzly Cooler or Cup.  The igloo cooler days are a thing of the past.  This is a better "mouse trap".  If you aren't in the market for a cooler, everyone needs a cocktail or new coffee cup in their stocking.  Worth giving them a good look.  Grizzly is a MADE IN THE USA cooler!

10) Rapala Lithium Ion Fillet Knife

After you catch fresh dinner everyone needs a way to fillet those fishy's up.  I have come to love my Rapala Lithium cordless knife.  It is great for fish, carving turkey, or any other food you may want to slice up.  I have cleaned hundreds of fish with mine and it just keeps going great.

11) Bass Mafia Terminal Coffin 

If you need to get your man/woman's fishing tackle organized you need the brand new Bass Mafia Terminal box.  This tackle box is great for organizing all those small terminal tackle items.  Has compartments for each thing you want to store.  This is a brand new item from Bass Mafia and it is a home run.  

12) Havalon Piranta Knife 

For the man always looking for a knife.  This is a great knife for gutting or skinning any animal. It offers interchangeable blades for when it gets dull, comes with spare blades and you can buy more.  They also offer a great fillet knife if you aren't the electric knife kind of person.  

13) Covert Blackhawk Wireless Trail Cam

Not a day went by this fall without someone asking me about the trail cam's I run on our farms to watch the critters.  I personally have been running these Covert wireless cam's for 3 seasons now and have fallen in love with the fact that the pics are all sent real time straight to my phone.  No more going in the woods when I have a chance to pull SD cards and spook the deer.  Now all pics just come straight to my phone via a covert app.  It does need a monthly service but it is very affordable, never more then $19.99 a month.  They also make great cameras for keeping an eye on anything or any property you may want.  Great security option.  

13.1) FXR Snowmobile Gear 

For the one who maybe doesn't partake in any of the above activites but loves to ride snowmobiles, four wheelers, dirt bikes, or just needs a helmet to get around in life.  ;)  FXR has you covered literally head to toe.  They have great helmet options for all age riders and more gear options then one can imagine.  They have done a great job keeping up with colors and new styles.  Worth checking out for that "rider" in your life.