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 Kevin VanDam
Winter is a good time to inventory your terminal tackle.
KVD up-sizes his hooks whenever possible
Mustad, one of my sponsors, has done such a good job of providing an assortment of premium hooks for so many applications that I use those exclusively. Im really excited about the new Grip Pin Series that offer a well-designed bait keeper that keeps your soft bait from sliding down the hook shaft.
Here are the terminal tackle choices and sizes I recommend for the different baits we use on Michiana lakes and rivers:
House Bill 5292 signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder last fall will allow a disabled veteran to obtain any resident hunting or fishing license for which a lottery is not required, free of charge. The veteran will be required to provide proof of eligibility and carry this proof when using any license obtained under this legislation. Under provisions of the law, the new licenses become available at the beginning of the next license year, which is March 1, 2013. The licenses cannot be obtained before that date.
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