The View at the Grumpy Old Man Hole Today

(Click to enlarge to see the ducks)

I got out to check out the GOMH today.  I had Kaylee with me.  It was pretty darn cold in the wind.  It's going to be cold the next 3 days and then it will warm up to around where it's suppose to be this time of year.  I don't anticipate catching my 1st fish out there until at least the 15th and that is being optimistic..

2013 When Will I See MY Driveway? #3

The rain last night definitely helped and it was warm and sunny again today.  I had 4 geese fly over tonight.

Click to Enlarge Pictures

MN Fishing Museum Fishing With the Pro's Benefit

Click to Enlarge

2013 When Will I See My Driveway? #2

Well, we are starting to see some progress.  I'm guessing I will see the driveway completely on a week from today April 5th.

View out from the garage (click to Enlarge)

My Tackle Warehouse Opener 2013

I actually opened the door for the first time a couple of days ago.  Today I actually went in to sit.  A mouse made a home in a tackle bag that also had leakage from one of my bags holding this slimy gunk.  I probably won't start organizing anything until we get warm again in the middle of next week.

Captain Knoll's Fisherman's Formulas Fisherman's "Triple Play"

Captain Knolls is a small US company making gifts marketed for Golfers and Fishermen.  They have sent me their Fisherman's Formulas Fisherman's "Triple Play" to do a product review on.  The "Triple Play" consists of their Fisherman's Hand and Body Soap, 60 SPF Fisheman's Sunblock, and 30 SPF Fisherman's Lipgard.  As that I am not fishing yet I haven't had the opportunity to use the product.  I suspect I'll probably have the review ready around the 15th of  June.

Check out their products here.

2013 When Will I See My Driveway? #1

For the fourth year in a row I am chronicling when I can see my driveway. Last year I started the count on March 7th and it was off by March 12th.  In 2011 I started counting on March 24th and in 2010 I started on  March 5th.  It took until April 3rd in 2011; I sure it will be later this year.

The View out the Garage (Click photo's to Enlarge)

A minor hole in the ice

The biggest hole

A couple of spots in the middle

The end of the driveway

Congratulations Keith Combs On Winning Falcon Lake B.A.S.S. Elite Series

James Overstreet 

Basstrakk had Clunn winning it, but Keith Combs weighed in 28-2 thus beating Clunn by an ounce short of 6lbs.  Personally I was rooting for Combs.  Nothing against Clunn, but the guy has won enough and doesn't need the win like a young Pro does.

Congratulations Keith!!!

Mille Lacs Smallmouth Regulations Changed

This fish would now be a keeper.  Smallmouth 17 to 20 inches are protected.  They have a 6 fish limit just like the rest of the state.  You can now keep 1 over 20".

In my experience most of the smallmouth I catch in Mille Lacs are in the protected slot, but obviously there are a bunch of fish in the lake that are now open to harvest.  The previous slot only allowing 1 fish over 21", made it pretty much a catch and release lake.

It will be interesting to see if things change much or not.

A Year Ago My 1st Open Water Fish

At the way things are progressing so far this year I may not be getting my first open water fish of this year until a month or more from now.   Doesn't look like it even gets above freezing until Saturday.  At least there is no more snow in the forecast.

Come on Sun!!!

My New Cabela's Tackle Bag Vs My Old Bag

My old tackle bag that was really a soft sided cooler that I thought would make a good tackle bag is pretty beat up.  All the zippers no longer work.  I've had it for over 10 years and it was time to get something else.   I ended up buying a new "Super Magnum" sized Cabela's Advanced Anglers Tackle Bag.  I wasn't sure when I bought it if it was bigger, smaller, or the same size as my old bag.

As you can see from the pictures the Cabela's bag is both longer and taller.  The inside is 4 inches longer and 2 inches taller;  It has 13 extra pockets to 3 in the old bag.  Basically I can carry the same amount of stuff or even more if I want too.  I'll have room to put my rain gear inside, no problem.

The waterproof base is nice but it adds a fair amount of weight

MT's Got Skills

click to enlarge

This incredible shot was taken this morning on Lake Waconia by Michael "Cyberfish" Thompson.

And here's another one

click to enlarge

And here's another one

click to enlarge

You can see more of then here.

Ike Wreck's On the Sabine

From B.A.S.S.

Lucky this wasn't worse.  Apparently he hit something and lost control.  I'm guessing his day is over.

Update: Blogger Chris McDonald wrote a post saying something should be done.  Personally I disagree. Anglers and their riders except the risk going in. Even riding in a boat going 20 miles an hour can be dangerous if you hit something. It's like wringing our hands over a car accident when some one was following all laws. Accidents happen.

A Year Ago Today

It's going to be 29 degrees today and the forecast for the next 10 days doesn't look promising for me to be in by March 22nd this year.  However, since my bad back last Summer and Fall I didn't get my big tackle bag put away in there.  I will be messing around with tackle here in the house next week.  Yeah, I'm getting antsy.

My Fantasy Squad for FLW Smith Lake

Update:  Should have picked Ehrler, almost did.  I ended up with a respectable score, 1,887 points.

New Bass Fishing Blog from Wisconni

Upper Midwest Bass Fishing- Is a new blog that looks promising out of WI.  Click on the link and check out the first blog post to see what the blog is all about.

No More Slot On Mille Lacs Smallies???

Due to the current shape of the walleye fishing on Mille Lacs, they are seriously discussing changing the smallmouth regs.  If you don't know the limit is 1 fish that must be a minimum of 21".  I can guarantee that if they loosen things up the Bass Snatchers will start having tournaments there, with probably every other tournament organization jumping on what has been a pretty small bandwagon up until now.  I think it would be a positive thing for the most part.

D&M Custom Baits Buzzsaw

I really like the look of this bait by D M. It's a new twist on the Herb's Dilly.

Excellent Interview With Classic Champ Cliff Pace at Wired2Fish

Listen Here

He talks in depth about his lack of celebration, what he said to Brandon Palaniuk, his relationship with Gary Klein and more.  It's worth listening to the whole thing.

The New Look BassFan.com

As that I thought the old BassFan layout was one of the best webpage layout's I've ever seen, I'm not a big fan of the change.  Two thumbs down!!!

Cliff Pace 2013 Classic Champion!!!

James Overstreet 

Cliff Pace managed to pull it off despite catching only 4 fish and leaving the door wide open.  It seems a lot of people didn't like the fact that Cliff showed almost no emotion when he won.  Personally I think the guy must have been in a bit of shock that his 7lb lead going in was indeed able to hold up.  Grand Lake really didn't show itself off this week.

My fantasy squad was dismal finishing in 16,723rd place.  If this was FLW, I would be screwed for the year.  My dad's team was worse finishing 18,256.

Bass Snatchers 2013 Official Schedule with My Thoughts

Here is what my club is fishing this year, with my comments.

June 1st South Long-  Other than the parking situation,  I like the lake.  I've fished it twice when we fished our 2nd tournament in 2009, which was on June 21st.  I have some revenge to get on those bass.

June 22nd Mission Lakes-  I like these lakes.  I've fished them twice, but that was in October both times.  I'm sure they will fish a bit differently than it did in 2008 and 2009 because those were after all in early October.

July 21st Rush Lake-  I don't even know where this lake is, let alone anything else about it other than the Snatchers have fished it before twice, once in mid July of 2000 and once in late August of 2003.  The lake took 19lb weights to win both times but there weren't many limits caught either time.  Hopefully the lakes bass population has improved since then.

Aug 3rd Rabbit Lakes-  I have fished these lakes 2 times as a Snatcher, once for pre-fish and once for the tournament in late July of 2010;  And I fished it 3 times in 2004 for an Excel Bass Tournament I fished in late June 2004.  I look forward to getting a bit of revenge on the fish there for 2010, but the lake has generally treated me well.

August 17th Blind-  We won't find out the lake until the morning we go to fish it.  It could be any lake within 30 miles of Brainerd that is 1000 acres or more and that we didn't fish last year, so North Long, Alexander, Bay, and Whitefish Chain are out.  I believe the 30 mile rule puts Platte/Sullivan in play.  I believe the Mississippi River is in play as well.  Should be interesting.

Sept 21st Little Boy/Wabedo-  I'm not happy that the club refused to switch this with Mission so the smallies could be in play.  I fished there twice but that was for Muskie Tournament also in late Sept. or maybe it was Oct..  I don't recall what I caught other than 1 tiny muskie and maybe a couple of pike and bass in the reeds.  I lost a box of topwater lures there.  It just stinks that there could be a topwater smallie bite going on.

Hopefully my back will be OK this year, that's my biggest concern.

Bassmaster Classic Day 2

Cliff Pace is in it, to win it!!!  He takes a 7lb lead into the final day.  However it is very possible he could stumble or someone beneath him could bust a super huge sack.  At this point I think it's down to a 6 horse race with Brandon Palaniuk having and Ike having the most realistic shot.  I don't wish Cliff ill, but if he stumbles I hope Brandon takes it.

Tomorrow may or may not be interesting.

2012 Classic Day 1

Ike and Cliff Pace in the lead.  Two total polar opposites in terms of personality.  Cliff is one soft spoken, non showy dude. KVD in the hunt again.  My guy Christie looking dangerous.  My fantasy team is doing OK, but I need Scanlon, Knuth, and Alton all to pick it up on day 2.

Does anybody know what jerkbait Ike was using?  I couldn't tell by the pictures I saw.  Or how about KVD, was he using that SK bait?

I thought Chris Lane handled himself with grace in light of getting skunked.

It's gonna be even colder tomorrow.   I think Mike McClelland is gonna be dangerous.

I don't have any comments on B.A.S.S. Day 1 coverage as that I was asleep all day.  I will follow it on Sunday. Today I'll be in Brainerd for my Bass Snatcher meeting and I'm not sure when I'll be back

I'm impressed with the coverage at Advanced Angler.com.

Rapala Is Releasing Something New At Midnight

Through Tackle Warehouse   It's supposed to "Change Fishing Forever"

Yeah, Whatever.

Update: Apparently, the clock just set itself back 2 Days.

It's about the new Rapala "Scatter" lip available on a crankbait frame as the Rapala Scatter Rap, a sinking minnow bait as the Rapala Scatter Rap Countdown, on a minnow frame as Rapala Scatter Rap Minnow, and on the Shad Rap frame as the Rapala Scatter Rap Shad.

At $8 a shot.  I'll pass for now.  I have too many cranks that hardly ever get used anymore already.



 

Is It Bassmaster Classic Time?

Well you wouldn't know it from my blogging.  I just don't have enthusiasm for blogging about stuff right now. Maybe I will get in the swing of things this week.  I don't plan on Liveblogging any of the Classic weigh in's this year.  Maybe the last one, who knows.

If you want help putting together your Fantasy Team be sure to listen to the Fantasy Fishing Insider pod-cast.  They have interviews with Ott Defoe and Chris Lane.

Update:  Here is a new Podcast with Ike, Palaniuk, Zona, and Kumar

Major League Fishing on NBC Today Noon

I meant to put this up sooner, but didn't get to it.  I wish it was a two hour show, instead of  just one.  I think I'm pulling for Quinn.

FLW Fantasy Fishing Starts Tommorrow

I finally made the decision to sign up for this year even though the prizes are the same lame one shot at the end of the year deal.  I figured so many people aren't gonna know to get their entry in this early that the participation numbers would be way down.  I was right, it looks like at least a 75% drop and there is just a couple of hours to get a team in.  I'm guessing FLW will make changes, next year.  I could see them possibly not even offering the game.

C.C.& A.P.M.V.P.

A great day for the Vikings franchise!!!

All Day also won Offensive Player of the Year and Top Fantasy Player of the Year.

That it took C.C. six try's to make the Hall is a scandal in my mind.  He was 2nd All-Time in TD catches when he retired.  He should have been 1st ballot, 2nd ballot max.

Either Birk or The Freak gets "The Ring", so it's a no lose Super Bowl from my perspective.

Our New Dog (Kaylee)

This is our new dog Kaylee.  She is a mutt from the Leech Lake reservation that we got yesterday from the Humane Society at Little Falls.  She is obviously part shepherd mixed with who knows what else.  She didn't take to me right away when she met me here at the house.  She definitely likes Mom and Dad over me at this point, but we are getting along well.  She is a sweetie pie.  She shows almost no interest in the cat,so they are getting along.  Lilah, our chihuahua mix, and her haven't gotten into it yet, which is good sign.  She seems to be pretty mellow and mild mannered. She doesn't seem to know any commands.  I'm working on sit.  She isn't a very diligent student, so this may take a few days.

I think she's gonna be a keeper.

Puppy Bowl IX (This Sunday of Course )

More at Animal Planet.

Here is the starting line up.

Who knows we may have a new puppy for Puppy Bowl at our house.  We will see on Friday.

Holes for Hero's at Medicine Lake

More info at Fishing For Life.

Bass Snatchers 1st Meeting of 2013

It's hard to believe it, but this will be my 6th year with the Baxter Bass Snatchers.  Hopefully my back doesn't give me any issues this year.  I don't really have any lakes in mind to fish.  I'm guessing Gull and Pelican will come up for sure as we haven't been to them since 2009.  I wouldn't mind seeing the Mission Lakes, South Long, Fish Hook, Ida, Serpent, Rabbit Lakes and of coarse maybe Platte/Sullivan be on the schedule.  I guess I'll see what everybody has in mind.

Update: Here are the tentative Lakes and Dates and my thoughts

June 1st Cedar Lake near Aitkin- Meh!  Me and this lake didn't get along so well at the 1st tournament in 2009.  It was really windy that day and pretty much all I could catch were dinks with 3 that made it over 12 inches.  Maybe those fish have grown up.

June 22nd Mission Lakes- See above

July 20th Osakis-  I like it.  The club has never fished there, but I have.  However that was in early June.

Aug. 3rd Rabbit Lakes- See Above

Aug 17th- Blind with details to be worked out.  I think the lake would be drawn from a pre-selected list 3  days before the tournament,so there would be no pre-fish.  I'm not real big on this concept.  I'll try to get Platte/Sullivan on the lakes that could be fished.

Sept. 21st Little Boy/Wabedo- Don't like the time of year for this one as that Smallies won't count as they are in Catch and Release season.

Major League Fishing -My Thoughts So Far

No I am not bored by the fact it has been a dock fest so far.  I found the 2nd episode particularly interesting and informative as to the different approaches that were taken.  I thought it was cool that Marten's got his key fish away from any docks and that was also a key factor for Ish in getting the win.

I think they need to get rid of Stone.  I couldn't believe what came out of his mouth near the start of the Episode 2 when he said Northern lakes don't fish well under the windy and rainy conditions they saw on Day      1.  What a load of crap.   Before that he guaranteed Smallies were gonna play on Day 2.  Wrong.  Then at the very end he contradicted what Kriet said about making the mistake of going back over docks he had already fished, when he still had fresh docks to hit.  Three strikes and your out Stone.

It's going to be interesting to see if Smallies ever play a role.

As far as the new fish care rules about not hitting the carpet and having to throw all fish back under the gunnel.  I like them and no Tac I don't care that the fish came off the hook on it's own.  Whoever it was that kicked the fish to get it in the center of the boat after it came off, I think it was Ish or maybe Skeet, should have gotten a five minute penalty.

Thanks Vikes!!!

I haven't been licking any wounds the past few days.  I just haven't gotten around to commenting on the game.  Not having Ponder able to go was a bummer.  The game was a bummer.  However, the Vikings season was a huge success after the last couple of years.

Remember This? (The Moss Moon)

From back in January 9th 2005

No matter what happens today, I'm all good here in MN.  10-6, it was an incredible season; well beyond my expectations.  Of coarse taking the Packers out would make it sweeter.

So get to it Vikes, Make a game of it that's all I ask..

Skol!!!

I've Finished My Livewell for 2012

Check out my best fish of 2012 by clicking on the Livewell 2012 tab under my blog header or just click on that link.  It was a pretty good year considering I barely fished after hurting my back on June 28th:  I was OK for the Bass Snatchers Leech Lake Tournament on the 30th.  I was in worse shape for the tournament at Whitefish Chain on the 15th of July , although I didn't mention anything in the tournament recap.  My back and leg were really giving me issues by the 28th of July at the Pokegama Tournament.  And my back went out on me totally the Thursday after I went out on the Launch at Eddy's with Spike and Dad on Monday July  30th.  I only blogged twice in August and September with my last fishing of the year being at the Fishers of Men Fall Outing on Sept 27-29.

Jason Holmer Wins the Derby Yet Again!

6.25 Mille Lacs Smallie

Congratulations Jason!!!

For the 4th consecutive year Jason of Bass Utopia is the winner of the Bass Pundit Minnesocold Bass Bloggers Derby.  He won it with 29.49lbs to just beat out Micropterus which brought in a very impressive 29.10 bag.  In 3rd Place was Andy's Bass Blog for the 2nd year in a row with a bag that was just .12 of a pound lighter than 2011.

Great Job Everyone!!!