It has been a long Wisconsin spring.  We had a wide range of weather and temperatures.  Anything from 20 degrees to 80, sunshine to snowfall.  This has made the bite difficult to lock down.  Early in the season the pike bite was hot on spinners during their spawn.  The temps rose and I was able to boat over 40 bass and a nice 4.5lb bass in one day on PowerTeam Lures Grubs and the James Gang Fishing Lovertail2 both covered in JBs Fishsauce .  The two weeks following were slow when the water temperatures dropped back into the 40s with the cold temps.  I was able to coax a few bites, but not the hot pre-spawn bite while temps were on the rise.  The first weekend in May, Wisconsin Fishing Opener, a sacred day to some (myself included), was no different. I'm still in winter sleep mode, my mind still sleeping late to avoid the bitter cold mornings from the Wisconsin winter.  To avoid side affects (severe irritability) I ease into my summer up-and-at-em-for-fishing sleep schedule by w

I am relatively new to the community of kayak fishing.  This amazing community is gaining popularity and welcomed me with open arms with unbelievable support.  This community has shown their "stripes" at a new level.  This time, it isn't about likes, comments, followers, views, hits, shares, posts, ads, or mentions.  It is about people, kayakers and non-kayakers, anglers and non-anglers, and their lives. On June 23rd, West Virginia was hit was hit with massive flooding.  The amazing folks at Mountain State Kayak Anglers  immediately took action to help those impacted by this devastating event. They promptly collected donations and supplies to help those impacted by this terrible event.  They also started a raffle with an unbelievable list of prizes (which continues to grow).  They also collaborated with the amazing folks at Kayak Bass Fishing and TourneyX to start a benefit tournament from which all proceeds go to the victims. The prompt support of the kayak fishing

"When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.", or so they say.  I prefer to take said lemonade, add vodka, and have a party.  Today's lemon was the weather.  My vodka was my family. Terrible weather coupled with equipment neglect yesterday made me eager to hit the water today.  After a nice day with the family, and a poor weather report for the following morning, I decided to sleep in.  When I awoke to the smiles of my wife and kids and a hard frost, my decision was confirmed.  The temperature outside was 25 degrees. During my lazy Sunday morning with the family, I fired up the DVR and watched the latest episode of Knot Right Kayak Fishing .  This made me think of my newly strung poles, recharged battery, and dwindling KBF/TourneyX tournament standing . My daughter and I formulated a plan.  I would hit the water, break in my new line, and attempt to regain my top three position in the tournament.  Once the temperature rose to an appropriate level for the time of ye

'Twas the night before Bass Opener, when all through the house all the creatures were stirring, especially the spouse. The lures were tied to the rods with care, in hopes that Mr. Largemouth would give them a stare. The anglers were all nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of topwater blowups danced in their heads. And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my camo cap, had just settled our brains for a short spring nap. When from my alarm clock arose such a ringing, I rose from the bed, hoping my drag would soon be singing. Away to the vehicle I flew like a flash, Tore open my coffee and loaded up the 'yak. The moon on the breast of the glass-like lake, Gave the luster of mid-day to the largemouth below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a dawn top-water blowup on my baitcasting gear. With a fight so lively and swift, I knew in a moment it must be a monster fish. More rapid than eagles his jumps they came, and he

Work, stress, bills, politics, media, interstates, traffic, phones, social media, and the list goes on...  These things are part of today's society.  Everyone needs a "Happy Place" to temporarily escape.  For my wife, it is getting lost in a good book.  For Happy Gilmore, it was an odd dreamland destroyed by Shooter McGavin.  Mine is found at my local reservoir. I've spent countless hours fishing my local reservoir, learning every structure and contour.  The time I have invested here makes me secure and provides me a sense of familiarity.  I'm familiar with the water, weather, and fish patterns.  There is no stress related to water, weather conditions, or finding fish.   Anytime I struggle fishing other waters, I come here to normalize and find my Moment of Zen. After my "code brown" river fishing experience , I was in dire need of a Moment of Zen at my Happy Place.  Yesterday I took my FeelFree Lure  to my local reservoir.  On this picture-perfec

Like Harry and Lloyd from the movie Dumb and Dumber, I've got worms. Well, my daughter does. But the are the good kind - night crawlers. Up until the end of last year, she was afraid of touching my plastics, let alone night crawlers. Though I am a bass fisherman at heart, I target panfish during ice fishing, when bass season is closed in Wisconsin in the spring, or when fishing with my daughter. Her favorite fish to catch is crappie. (As of last year, she catches them but doesn't touch them). Towards the end of last season, she suddenly lost her fear of touching worms. With spring (finally) arriving in Wisconsin, she has filled me with pride and embraced the hobby of worm hunting. She loves the outdoors and nature. She also enjoys fishing (though our trips usually end with a trip to build sand castles at the beach). This spring, she has also convinced her friends digging for worms is fun. In this iPad/tablet generation, I was proud she was willing to dig in the

Yesterday I was out of my comfort zone. I got skunked. I love the experience gained from fishing new waters and meeting new people. However, a part of me is bothered when I'm skunked. Whether the cause of said skunk is fishery or fisherman, it hurts a little. To get the skunk off of me, I visit my home reservoir. I've spent countless hours learning every inch of the water and features beneath. This is my homefield advantage, my comfort zone, my place of peace. I don't get skunked here. On the contrary, this place gets the skunk off of me. It is my tomato juice. On this beautiful (finally) morning in Western Wisconsin, I launched at sunrise. The reservoir was all mine. The water like glass, the skies clearing, and the panfish feasting on the bugs now emerging from the cold. The sight of my FeelFree Lure awaiting to carry me into these perfect conditions made me smile. With the calm conditions, I took a moment to use my new Garmin Striker 4DV to get a better vi