It’s simple math really: Zero eggs equals zero fish for future stocking programs.
So, the spring walleye and steelhead egg collections by the Michigan DNR are critical components of the strategy for maintaining world-class fishing opportunities in the Great Lakes State.
Nearly fifty years have now passed since the first paddletail swimbaits splashed down in U.S. waters, the earliest designs having likely originated in France. Today, paddletails have almost singlehandedly rewritten the rules of soft plastics engagement. Fans of catching bass, crappie, walleye and inshore slams nearly always cast these ingenious tail-driven baits, each version capable of different retrieve speeds, actions and the almighty thump.
Lew’s introduced the Custom Lite SS at the 2024 Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Ok.
The 200 size Custom Lite SS Spinning Reel fits in perfectly with the lightweight design and smooth drag offered in the rest of the series, but specifically excels in situations where one would normally use backing tied to a braided main line.
By Al McGuckin
Team Toyota’s Brandon Lester endured more stress in the final days of August than a lone goby surrounded by a school of fat smallmouth.
Three days after learning he probably would not qualify for the Bassmaster Classic for only the second time in his fantastic 10-year career, his mega-cute young daughter was hospitalized for a horrible stomach virus, and then, just hours after she began to heal, his father was hospitalized over serious pulmonary concerns.
So, here’s to hoping September brings far more smiles, and some time on the water to decompress for Lester. One thing’s for certain, the next time he launches his boat, there will be two time-proven topwaters tied on.
“No matter where you live, September signifies the first month of fall. It’s that time of year when we get our first cool nights, and lots of things start kicking into a bit of a different gear. To me, that means you better key on baitfish imitators and a trolling motor that’s in fairly constant forward motion,” says Lester.
Covering water with baits that appeal to bass looking skyward is the key, so Lester chooses a buzzbait and Super Spook Jr. as two lures all bass anglers should try during the calendar’s ninth month.
By Louie Stout
Ron Nelson keeps climbing the ladder.
The Berrien Springs angler won another Angler of Year title recently, taking home the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY.
Tackle Warehouse Invitational circuit is part of the Major League Fishing family and akin to the Bassmaster Opens.
As a result, he receives an invitation to fish the Bass Pro Tour, MLF’s equivalent of the Bassmaster Elites, and the right to compete in MLF’s Redcrest, that circuit’s version of the Bassmaster Classic.
Nelson has steadily proven he can catch ‘em with the best at each level he has fished. He says he’s ready to match wits with some of the best on the Pro Bass Tour.
“I still love bass fishing in this area, but my original goal as a younger man was to explore bass fishing in the rest of the country,” he says. “I slowly kept progressing, so I guess the natural thing now is to go to the Bass Pro Tour. But I’m waiting to see the schedule and entry fees.”
Those anglers who fish the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals (formerly FLW Circuit) will be glad to see him move up. Nelson has been a consistent threat throughout his career.
He won the Rookie of the Year title in 2019 and followed it up with the FLW Angler of Year title in 2020.
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