As a full-time fishing guide, it’s very possible (and some would argue, inevitable), that I’m going to experience a mechanical breakdown. I try to meticulously maintain everything that I can on the boats and, despite my best efforts, at some point I know something will go awry. However, we don’t need to be up the proverbial creek when this does happen. One important aspect of proper maintenance is ensuring that when things do go wrong, they aren’t the catastrophic mechanical breakdowns that can be costly and even dangerous. A cheap enrollment in a towing program with Boat US is a great idea. I enroll in their services myself, in case should I find the need to call for a tow while out on the water, or even when I’m towing my boats. Continue reading
Category Archives: Tips and Tricks
The Alabama rig (Umbrella rig) and smallmouth bass
As a full-time fishing guide, I try my best to stay on top of current trends, techniques and even tournament results when it comes to bass fishing. One technique that’s absolutely taking the bass fishing world by storm is the Alabama Rig. To those of you familiar to off- shore trolling techniques in salt water, you’ll know this rig as the umbrellas rig, which has been around for decades. Continue reading
Keeping a Detailed Fishing Journal
I’ve long been a proponent of keeping notes.
Dress Warmly to Feel More Bites and Avoid Freezing
During mid winter steelhead fishing trips, it’s not uncommon to freeze.
Staying With the Game
On the rare days when I don’t have paid guide trips with my two busy fishing businesses, Traverse City Bass and Manistee River Salmon, I like to go fishing.
Let the Drag be a Drag
Big or small, fresh or saltwater, knowing how to fight a fish is crucial to upping the odds of bringing the fish boat side. One common mistake that I see most commonly is reeling against the drag. By this, I mean that as the fish is pulling, the angler is reeling. If I did my job well as a guide, the drag is set so that the fish will still be able to pull the drag, despite the angler’s efforts. Despite this, though, there are reasons not to reel against the drag when a fish is actively pulling drag. Continue reading
Gear Check and Maintenance
During the shorter days of winter, when I look longingly out on the lake, wishing for the spring bass opener, I think of the things that I can do to get ready for the next season from the warmth of my workshop.
It’s during this time that I take the time to visually inspect every crankbait, jerkbait, spinnerbait and swimbait. I look at the hooks on each lure, inspecting them for sharpness, rust or bends in the hooks that can weaken them. I replace the hooks that need it, and neatly organize the lures back into their respective boxes that I’ve carefully labeled. Nothing can be more frustrating than digging through lure boxes or swapping hooks when I’m on the water with customers, trying to either locate a certain lure or having to replace hooks that I was too lazy to take care of when I had the time. Not only is it a waste of time, but also for me it’s unprofessional. So I make sure that I do the necessary maintenance during the off-season.
I also make sure that I look at the split rings on each crankbait, jerkbait and swimbait. These may not seem like a big deal, since they don’t get some of the perceived abuse that hooks do, but given that this is a crucial connection between the line on my reel and the bait itself, it’s worthy of a few seconds of attention. Catch enough fish on a bait, and there’s sure to be some weakening or bending of the split rings. With a good pair of split ring pliers, changing these out is a cinch, and will keep you casting and not cussing.