2026 Wishlist For Bass Snatcher Tournament Lakes

 

Saturday will be the first Baxter Bass Snatcher meeting of 2026. We have six tournaments and do not fish a lake in back-to-back years. Last year, we fished at Birch (Hackensack),  Mississippi River (Brainerd), Edward, Rush, Fish Trap, and North Long.

Here is my wishlist for lakes .

Platte/Sullivan: It has been 5 years since the club last fished my lakes. In 2025, Platte/Sullivan bounced back after a rough year for me in 2024. There are plenty of good-sized bass around in both lakes. I say, "Let's go!", I think I would prefer it be a July, August, Sept, or Oct tournament because May/June post-spawn is to big of a wild card.

Gull/Crow Wing River: I need to catch a limit in a river tournament, and Gull River has bigs.
Whitefish Chain: Solid, diverse fishery.

Gull Lake: I think it is still kicking out big bags.

Serpent Lake: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

Rabbit Lakes: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

South Long Lake: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

Farm Island: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

Pelican: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

Alexander: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

Bay Lake: Want ot see if The Chicken plays.

Cedar (Aitkin): Facing my fears head-on, even though this lake hates me.

Away Lakes: In order from the longest since we last fished there.

Woman: Last time the club fished it was 2015.

Fishhook: Last time the club fished it was 2016.

Washburn: Last time the club fished it was 2018.
Leech: Last time the club fished it was 2021.

Thunder: Last time the club fished it was 2022.

Pokegama: Last time the club fished it was 2023.

Little Boy/Wabedo: Last time the club fished it was 2024.

Osakis: Last time the club fished it was 2024.

GOMH Today

 

Totally Iced Up

Weather Changes, The Historical Record Not So Much

 

The days have been getting longer for a month. The historical record indicates it takes a month to sync up with the lengthening day before average daily temperatures start rising again. This year, we are entering a polar vortex, which means brutally cold temperatures, and it looks like it will be quite a while before we get anywhere near temps approaching average, let alone average. I'm hoping for a turnaround once February hits. As of right now, it looks like that is just wishful thinking.

2025 Record Year On The Z-Man ToadZ

 

I caught 1,011 fish on a Z-Man Goat ToadZ in 2025, making it my most productive lure in a year, and it isn't even close. The previous best was 701 caught on T.H.E. Jig in 2021. My first fish caught on the ToadZ in 2025 was on May 13th. Here is the species breakdown:

From One Year Ago Today

 My Verdict: The Vikings' brain trust fumbled with the decision to go all in on McCarthy. It is clear that in the 2025 season and into the foreseeable future, Darnold will be a top QB in the league. I trusted them to do the right thing, and they blew it.

The Vikes got outcoached badly in their final two games. It is hard for me to feel too bad about the outcome. KOC is a great coach but has a lot to learn. I am not going to jump on the kick Sam when he is down bandwagon for it is for fools. Super Sam is still in there. And now it is quite possible that he can be resigned for a reasonable amount, think Baker Mayfield type contract. Kwesi and KOC know what they have in Sam. I will be shocked if they let him leave. If he does leave I think it will be to the 49ers or Rams. That would suck!

First Fish of 2026

 

I finally got out fishing in 2026. I decided to go to Rock instead of Peavy. Ice fishing is such a PITA, when I am in exploring mode. I was inefficient and rusty, wasting good daylight, when I should have just set up when I found a pile of sunfish. 

JJ McCarthy Crashed Himself

 

My final grade for JJ McCarthy this season is an F. 

After getting injured in Green Bay, I was of the strong opinion that I had seen enough. He was not, at this time, ready to be an NFL QB and should have been benched for the rest of the year, as nothing good would come of him starting more games. I predicted at the time that it was likely he would go into a regression spiral and be re-injured. After two weak performances versus subpar teams, He surprised me with his play versus the Cowboys, but that game was an outlier.  The Cowboys' D made most QBs seem like all-pros this year. He played like a maniac and got injured in the next game versus the Giants as I predicted he would. 

The number one ability that a player must possess to get better is availability. If JJ McCarthy plays like a maniac, it is pretty much a guarantee that he will get injured. The kid demonstrated multiple times that he does not understand this reality. The kid is an immature idiot like Johnny Manziel, somewhat physically gifted, but this is the NFL; as in Not For Long. Maybe the kid will grow out of the immaturity of making dumb decisions. I have near-zero belief that JJ will grow out of the poor risk assessment and decision-making this offseason. It is my view that he needs to sit, with limited in-game reps, for at least another full season. The physical risk assessment skills are that bad. He thinks he can do things he absolutely shouldn't try when safer, wiser options are readily available.

So what do the Vikings do for QB next year? There are a bunch of avenues available. Believing that JJ McCarthy will  be a competent starter next year is a dead end, in my opinion. The Vikings' brain trust needs to come up with a new plan for QB and Center for next year.

Seahawk Sam Darnold Get's the NFC #1 Seed

 If the Vikings' brain trust had gone all in on Darnold last offseason, I think it's possible, but not probable, the Vikes would have gotten the #1 Seed. I think it's probable that the Vikes would be in the playoffs if Sam didn't get injured. But that is a big IF, because the Vikes O-Line play was subpar for most of the year. I don't know if keeping Uncle Sam would have been a magic bullet or dud round had he stayed. In Seattle, he survived and thrived with some questionable line play. I'm rooting for the ginger to put the critics, cynics, and haters in their place. Darnold seems like a good dude. 

Go get that Super Bowl Ring!