Bass Snatchers Gull Lake Preview and Rods

The Plan:

When we pre-fished on Monday, it was cloudy and breezy. Snatcher Darren caught a few fish, but the bass were not on the chew for the most part. Darren pre-fished on Wednesday as well, and the bass weren't chewing then either.  I fished Platte on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If how I did on Thursday is any indication, the Fall feedbag binge is now on. I expect they will be biting well in the overcast, wind, and rain if we get some. I am going to lean hard on moving baits and hope that comes up aces.

Rods I'm Bringing:

7'6" H Tatula (Jigs, Chicken Jig)

7'4" H Tatula (Spinnerbait)

7'4" H Tatula (Frog/Toads)

7'4" H Tatula XT (Buzzbait)

7' H Avid (FC) (Crawtube)

7' MH Tatula Elite (Big Topwater, Traps, Wakebaits/Minus One's)

6'9" H Tatula Elite (FC) (Jigs, Chatters)

6'9" H Tatula Elite (Braid) (Chatters)

The 2026 Packer Massacre In Minneapolis

 

The 2026 season started on some rough notes. Kyler got picked quickly and was soon knocked out of the game with a concussion. The Packers came ready to play, while the Vikes came out a bit sluggish. The Packers made some big plays and got lucky when Isaiah Rodgers dropped a poorly thrown deep ball. Because of the drop, Love was able to gash my squad again, and they scored their second TD before halftime to go up 19 to 10. I thought that, with the Vikings down by 9, the Packers getting the ball coming out of halftime, and Wentz at QB, it was unlikely the Vikings had the offensive firepower to catch up.  But then the D stepped up, getting stops and turnovers. The Vikings' offense took advantage of opportunities, and it turned into a rout. The 2026 Packer Massacre in Minneapolis.

Packer fans who failed to acknowledge their team's known shortcomings were stunned. Today has been delicious as I have listened to their laments.  They should be concerned. Starting 0-2 is a realistic possibility for them. Everybody else in the Division won yesterday, and weaknesses in their unit were exposed.

But enough about the Packers. The Vikings D is legit. It looks like Dallas Turner will become the player that B Flo groomed him to be. Can't wait for the Turner/B Flo v Caleb Williams matchup in Week 2.

Will 1, And It Work?

 

Football season is here, and I am guardedly optimistic about the Vikings' chances of having a really good year. The two big keys to that happening are Kyler being healthy and the Vikings' run game transformation being a thing.

Kyler's Health:
Kyler has tended to get beat up and injured throughout his career. For the past couple of years, the Vikings' O-line has been injured and beat up. The Vikings' O-line and Kyler are coming into the season healthy. My hope is that experience has taught the guys enough to avoid most situations where injury is a likely outcome. If the O-Line struggles with injuries again this year, it is likely that sooner or later Kyler will as well. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood!

Pound, Pound, and Slash/Pound, Pound, and Cut, Ya:

I am hoping that the hiring of Frank Smith marks a shift in KOC's pass-first and always philosophy. Frank Smith is a running game guru. Our O-Line is healthy. Jordan Mason is a very good running back. I think KOC is ready for a change in the results he has been getting. To me, the inputs add up to my thinking that the Vikings will try to be a bully-ball team that uses the run to control the clock and set up the pass.  I could be out to lunch on this hunch. We'll see.

Thoughts on the start of the season:

You never know what you are going to get to start the season. Everybody has rust to shake off and chemistry to develop. KOC has generally been a winner in the season opener and in the month of September. Starting off with two games in the division gives them a chance to get a leg up or dig a pretty big hole. Game One versus the Packers at home is huge for both teams. I think the Vikings will beat the Packers, but I'm nervous. Love is streaky, and when he gets hot, he's amazing.  It's the first game; you just never know what you are going to get.

  
SKOL!

Snatcher's Blind/Lake Alexander Preview and Rods

 

The Plan: 
I drew Snatcher Chuck, and we got lucky and pre-fished the lake that was drawn for the blind. There may be some Snatcher skullduggery that plays into my "luck" in the past three blind tournaments, but I'm not totally sure. The lake fished tough, but we did get some hints if the fishing is off. Better to have hints when and if the fishing is off I say. Conditions will be somewhat similar to the day we pre-fished. Coming a day after thunderstorms and windy, but with quite a bit less overcast. The sun is supposed to fire up the smallmouth. And the days are getting short, so the bass could be firing all over the lake.

The rods I'm bringing:

7'6" H Tatula (FC)(Texas Rig, Jigs)

7'4" H Tatula (Frogs/Toads, Spinnerbait, buzzbait)

7'3" MH St. Croix LTB (Drop Shot)

7' MH Tatula Elite (Big Topwater, Traps)

6'9" H Tatula Elite (FC)(Jigs, Chatterbait)

6'9" H Tatula (Braid) (Chatterbait)

6'8" M St. Croix Avid (Topwater, Jerkbait, Traps) 

5'6" St. Croix Premier (Flukes, Dingers, Ned)