Random Thoughts

Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday.  I'm currently working on a new project that I'm really excited about....you're going to really like it. It should keep me busy until a little ice fishing takes place next month.

I sold and delivered my boat last week...it truly is the best and worst day of a fisherman's life, but the good news is that in a few short months I will have a sexy new 2012 Ranger 621 showing up. I will still  miss you 2011 Ranger 621, you took me to some giant walleye grounds.

Get a hold of me for guide trips for 2012...its going to be a good one.

WOW...that was a lot of random thoughts.

Fish on

Go Big...or Go Home!!!

I feel pretty fortunate to get out in the boat in mid December...but I feel even more fortunate to be getting some giant eyes going.  In the last several trips we have literally not had a fish under 7lbs come to the boat.  This isn't a time were we are handling a pile of fish each night, but they are biggggggg.  The best presentation has been trolling big plugs such as #18 Rapala's behind lighted boards. Even in the dark...they can't hide!!!!

Dark+Rain+Cranks = lots of eyes

It's no secret that we have been battling the weather all year.  Last night was no different, as it rained....ALOT.  It didn't seem to matter to the fish or crew, we night fished till early in the morning.  We didn't get any gorrilla's, but did manage a bunch of really solid eyes.  Hopefully mother nature lets us sneak out a few more times before the ice hits.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Me, Doc, and Giant Eyes!!!

Crazy time of year.  I have been trying to update everything in a timely fashion...which sometimes doesn't always happen after a long day on the water.  A pic of a a true double header that me and electronics guru Bruce Samson landed a few days ago.  The fish will get bigger as the weather gets colder! Me and Bruce were working on a really neat project which will be released some time this spring. Stay tuned.

bigwaterfishing.com

Highs and Lows

Its finally that time of year when the big girls are hear and plentiful, problem is that the muddy water is as well. We have had incredible days and slow days mixed together, but it really has been worth it.  We have had some absolutely giant fish in the boat already.  Look for some awesome fishing to take place as soon as the weather gives us a little break

Wack and Stack...take 3

The last few days have reminded me why I'm so lucky to live on such a super walleye lake.  We have been pulling Reef Runner's a little deeper than normal, but things are starting to change a lot. Look for us to put the smack down on some real giants in the next few days!!!

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Watch out walleyes...we got your poison!

Had an awesome day pulling Reef Runners.  Managed more than 20 walleyes over 7lbs...with a couple bruisers mixed in!  One was so aggressive he came at me after doing laps in the livewell for a hour or so.  A handful of dates are still left for the prime fall bite, holla if you're interested.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

The Big Girls are Back and Hungry

Switched gears slightly and went back to the old reliable Silver Streak spinners. Apparently the walleyes thought they were candy, as we caught a lot of fish....and big ones!  The fall bite is definitely in swing and will only get better if the weather stays decent. This weekend is suppose to blow like a hurricane, but the southerly direction shouldn't make recovery a week long affair.

As good as the bite was, color made all the difference.  Five out of the six lines ended up with the same Silver Streak Pattern, the sixth was a experimental that never caught them like the "go to" color.  Hard to believe on such a strong bite that color makes such a difference.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Spent the day speed trolling Reef Runner's with a couple buddies.  While its not exactly time to put away the spinners, the cranks are getting better each and everyday.  I'm really looking forward to the fall bite kicking off.  A look at this pic and you might be able to argue that it already has.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Smallmouth Heaven

When My longtime friend and bass guru Bryan says "I think we can smash some smallies"...I grabbed a TV crew and headed out on the Great Lakes.  Everything went according to plan and the weather even cooperated. We cranked and tubed up a pile of smallies, a few of which were true trophies.  The show will air in about a month...stay tuned.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Bigwater Goes Global

We braved some nasty weather and rather large waves this week.  I have a new fishing friend that came all the way from Czechoslovakia to fish for walleyes.  He was a very well versed angler and was excited to use some of out Great lakes tactics on Zander.  I was amazed that he even knew what a bottom bouncer was.  The pic below was his first walleye.  We pulled spinners to start, but deep lil rippers were better in the turned up water.

I have to wait a bit on the crazy boat pics from last week, as they will be used in a HUGE catalog very soon!  A short video of this crazy day will soon follow.

www.bigwaterfishing.com 

Heads Up!

I just want to warn everyone that the next blog we post is going to blow your mind.  Today we did a photo shoot on Erie in 5 to 9ft waves.  The video and still pics will show you every angle of my Ranger 621...including the bottom.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Tough bite....not really!!!

The word on the street is that the Western basin walleye bite is tough, everyone is perching. Don't tell my crew that...we managed to put a smack down on them yet again.  Our first fish of the morning was almost 9lbs!  The crew did an awesome job. Yes we pulled a combo of UV and regular Silver Streak spinners yet again.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Big and Silver!

I got a call from my buddy Chip about doing some salmon fishing, and I was happy to have a little change of pace.  He is the man behind the success of Silver Streak lures....we managed some true giants while testing some new Silver Streak patterns.  Just hard for a walleye guy to get use to that deep water stuff!!!

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Catch...But No Touch!

She caught it....but she wouldn't touch it...go figure!!!

Things have been hectic since the show in Vegas.  The fishing was very good, but the last week or so they have made us work for them.  We are still catching limits, but some days the active fish seem to be in very small areas.  We have had a little smaller grade of fish overall, but a few "bigguns" are mixed in.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Big fish....party of one please!

Despite the smoking heat and water temps we have managed to put  a smack down on the walleyes this week. The boys in the picture decided to have a fishing trip for their bachelor party and it went...well...pretty awesome.  Headed to ICAST to see all of the new stuff.


www.bigwaterfishing.com

Always Learning

Today was kinda a weird day.  The forecast was for 1ft waves...times what!  We made a rather long run and pulled spinners.  Just like every other day right...not.  The bite was brutal early on  until I went against the grain (and the waves), taking a completely different angle.  That was all it took to start slaying big mama's. While I normally preach to always go with the waves, the current was so strong quartering them was the ticket. Walleyes sure do keep me on my toes. We ended up catching a pile, only a few under 7lbs.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Can it be???

Is it possible that we have calm lake conditions and big fish at the same time time...yup.  While I'm going to sound like a broken record, we went out and pulled spinners.  The warm summer water has us going faster than  normal and fishing a little deeper. We still have some openings if you want to go catch some big uns!

Big Waves.. Big Walleyes... and good friends

I had the boat full of tackle, walleyes, and old friends.  At times the waves were so high we would go from seeing 20 miles, only to see a wall of water seconds later.  Good thing the giant eyes cooperated!

www.bigwaterfishing.com

While it shouldn't be a surprise, we went out and pulled spinners.  The crew held tough, as it was really rough on the way out.  The tip of the day was not paying too much attention to the graph.  The super clear water kept us from marking the fish in the upper part of the water column while at fishing speed.  We marked them low, but fished them high.  Had the boat in one pass....including some giants!!!

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Still putting a hurtin on em!!!

Today was one of those days where we made all the right decisions. Started in the right spot and dialed them in quick. The Big Kat and Farm Child (names handed out today) did a great job at sealing the deal. Managed an incredible 6lb average, with a few hogs thrown in the mix. We were pulling a combo of regular and UV Silver Streak blades much faster than normal, as the temp is nearly 70 degrees.

Onslaught Continues!!!!

Today we had several over 10lbs...a couple are headed to the taxidermist by today's crew. While my fishing skills were on point...my camera skills kinda sucked.  As expected we were again pulling Silver Streak Spinners.  The difference was the water realllllllly cleaned up over night on the few areas I have been running. We switched to a few of my favorite NON UV colors and that seemed to due the trick.  While Luke took a verbal beating from me....he didn't seem to mind after getting his third giant aboard!!! The fish were a little higher than yesterday.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Catching a Pile

I know I have said before...but after a crappy winter and early spring, we're due.  Today we gave a really really good effort at tagging every fish in the lake.  We had more than 40 fish over 6lbs, with a few true giants in the mix. We used a variety of spinners, but the most important factor was keeping an eye on the speed and the shifting of lead lengths throughout the day.  We handled about 70 fish...keeping a few for the dinner plate of today's crew. 
A prototype Silver Streak called Short Skirt was like a machine gun, doing a lot of damage...I would have had them on all rods if I had more!

www.bigwaterfishing.com

It's on..big time

The last few days have reminded me how good Lake Erie can be.  We have been catching them hot and heavy...getting the boats limit most days in the first pass...no lie.  They have been chewing UV silver streak blades like gummy bears at summer camp! 

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Take the Bait

For the first time in a while the walleyes bit really well. No feeding, no short takers, just flat out catching!  Managed the crews limit in just a few hours. Hopefully this isn't a fluke! I don't want to be to picky...but we could do without the lightning and downpours...just saying.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

PR and more big wind!!!!

Did a little PR the last few days.  While the bite wasn't as good as it should be this time of year, it was good to spend a little boat time with a few of my regular fishing buddies, as well as one of my favorite outdoor writers!  Finished it off with doing a TV show today...it proved to be challenging  with the hurricane like winds.  The fish are finally getting on spinners pretty good.

Can you believe it!

The three weirdest things happened today. We didn't have waves breaking over the break wall.  We actually didn't need rain gear.  These things with teeth called walleyes decided to commit suicide and jump in a Ranger 621!  KEEP IT COMING!!!

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Getting Better

This Spring has had an awful lot of bad weather and tough fishing.  The lighter winds and warmer temps have made a huge difference in the bite, every day they seem to be "taking the bait" better and better. I think we finally have a consistent bite.

www.bigwaterfishing.com

Big Winds...Big Waves

REALLY....REALLY.  After talking with a bunch of old timers and bait shop owners, everyone seems to agrees that this has been the worst spring weather ever.  Consistently high winds have played heck on being able to even get on the lake the last week or so. As soon a she takes a breather we'll be there to give em heck!

Breaking in the new boat...and a few big walleyes!

Got to break in the new boat today.  The walleyes even managed to cooperate, look for the bite to really take off in the next week as water temps rise.

A new secret Reef Runnner!

After getting over a little illness, its time to get some eyes.  The jig bite has just started to be more consistent, but still a little behind normal.  I can't wait to try a few new lures from Reef Runner.  I was able to test the prototypes through the ice this winter...and they worked like a champ.  The classic Cicada is now available in six new super realistic finishes.      www.bigwaterfishing.com

A true legend of the sport

  I consider myself very lucky to be able to fish ALOT.  Having all of the newest and coolest equipment is great, but it doesn't necessarily mean more fish in the boat. Sometimes its the simple things that I remember the most.  While working a sport show last week I was able to spend a little time with a true pioneer of the sport, Forrest Wood.  For once I was thinking and asked him to sign my new 621. Maybe it will add to the resale, either way its really freakin cool!     This and more @   www.bigwaterfishing.com

Bass Master Classic---Mardi Gras

I was fortunate to spend a week at the Bassmaster Classic.  Ironically it was also the opening parade for Mardi Gras...kinda like a dream for most guys.  We started the trip out with water in the gas, a friend passing out on the side of the road from the flu, as well as a hand full of of other interesting developments in our 26hr car trip.  All of this taking place before we hit Louisiana!  All in all it was a great trip, with great food and friends.  The production they put on is something all anglers should see before you kick the bucket

To see more check out  www.bigwaterfishing.com

Hardwater walleyes...we got your number

Well...I just spent the last few days on Erie with a few of my close fishing friends, and a few of the best editorial/photo guys in the business.  We went from fishing in -7 temps on day one, to right at freezing on the final day.  We took Argo's, snowmobiles, 4-wheelers and even an airboat out in order to chase ole Mr. Walleye on the ice.  Wait till you see the video and pics from this adventure! A big thanks to all that helped made this a success.

To see this and much more check out bigwaterfishing.com

The new ride...about to leave the factory

While maybe we all dream about fishing this time of year, its hard to get serious about it, as the lakes are covered and snow is waist deep at the house.  But when the boys from Bert's Custom Tackle send you a pic of your boat entering the finish shop at Ranger....you get a little gitty.

Knowledge on paper

While a little bias, take a peak at the latest issue of Walleye magazine (an FLW Outdoors publication).  To my knowledge it's the only magazine dedicated strictly to walleye fishing, and they just really seem to put out what a lot of us walleye freaks want to see.  If you don't get a subscription look for it at Wal-mart, a local bookstore, or sign up at www.flwoutdoors.com.  They have just started an electronic version that features some informative and entertaining videos.

Should we stay...or should we go?

It's friday....Me and the crew are scratching our heads if it is going to be safe enough to go ice fishing this weekend. We all have more toys than we have miles on our trucks, but we need something like you see in the pic.  Anyone want to kick in the donation pot?????

The start!

Don't be shy.  Feel free to hit me up with ideas about what you'd like to hear me sound off on.  Ice pics to follow!