Where does the time go?

Well, a busy summer at work really got in the way of this blog!  I will try to update it a little more often going forward if I can find the time.  In the meanwhile, I'll put up some pics of a few nice bucketmouths that I've been able to find this summer.

Chunky 4.5 pounder caught on a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss

A real toad - this pic doesn't do the fish justice!  My buddy Al boated this 5 lb 7 oz pig on a Texas-Rigged Power Worm

Look at the gut on this gal!  Another one that fell to the Pit Boss.

My bass fishing guru Trent with a beautiful bass taken on a jig and craw trailer.  Look at the colors on that one!

There are lots more pics of great bass from this year - I'll try to post more when I have time.  Until then, tight lines everyone!

Walleye opener

I had a good walleye opener, although I only put in a few hours on the water. Seven slot walleyes - all 21"-24" - were boated, plus three 16-inchers that went into the frying pan for supper. I also ran into a nice bunch of bonus jumbo perch near Star Point that were up near the rocks feeding on young crayfish. Tasty! Pics will be up soon.

Only 10 days til the bass opener!

2 1/2 weeks to go!

Finally got around to installing the new Humminbird 898c SI unit, and will hopefully give it a test run tomorrow.  I'll spend a couple of weeks chasing walleyes and learning the finer points of its operation so I'll be ready to rock for the bass opener in 2 1/2 weeks!

Spring is here!

The mercury cracked the 60-degree mark for the first time this spring, and nearly all the snow is off the ground.  Now we just need some warm rain, sunshine, and maybe a couple of windy days to break up the ice and kick off the open water season.

The itch is already upon me, and I spend much of yesterday afternoon going through the boat making a checklist of the work that needs to be done:  New spark plugs for the outboard, new pump for the aft livewell, make a small repair on the front casting deck, and repack the trailer bearings.

I made a side trip to Reeds Sporting Goods in Walker, and picked up a few things to replenish the tackle box as well: a few new Booyah spinnerbaits to replace some than got mangle in the fall when the bite was hot & heavy; several shallow-running crankbaits, and an assortment of jigs and trailers.

50 days til the opener!

Not good. REALLY not good.

I always get a little excited come March Madness time.  College basketball is one of my favorite sports to watch, and the tournament is the best sporting event there is, IMO.  I usually get into a few different pools, and I have become accustomed to at least being competitive, if not finishing at the top.

Not this year.

First, the good news:  my predicted championship matchup - Ohio State vs Kansas - is still intact.

The bad news:  not much else is.

If you predicted that an 8 seed, a 10, TWO 11 seeds, and a 12 seed would all be in the Sweet 16, well, you're much wiser than I am.  My bracket is ranked a stellar 4,681,6991 out of all the brackets entered on ESPN.com.  That's right, there are nearly FIVE MILLION better brackets than mine.

To throw my epic failure into sharper relief (and to highlight the craziness of this year's tourney), my aunt Alice, who, according to her sons has maybe watched two college basketball games in her LIFE, is leading our family pool, and is in the 91st percentile for ESPN.com brackets.

*sigh*

There is hope, though.  3/4 of my Final Four is intact, so if everything works out MUCH better in the final rounds, I can at least avoid coming in dead last.  Moral victory, or something.

Come on, bass fishing season.  At least if I suck when I'm out fishing, I'm still having a good time and getting some fresh air.

A few from 2010

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from last year, just to whet your appetite for 2011!

Caught this chunky 5lb 1oz piggie on a Northland Jungle Jig with a black/blue Sweet Beaver trailer.  Obviously I was fishing solo that day, so it was tough to get a good photo...I need to learn to bring a mini-tripod with me so I can get some better pics!  This wasn't the biggest fish of 2010, but it was probably the most fun.  I pulled her out of some REALLY thick slop, and it was quite a battle.  It definitely goes to show you why fishing bass on Leech Lake can require some heavy-duty combat gear.  Thank goodness for the strength of Power Pro line!

An excited customer with his personal best largemouth, taken on a white Booyah spinner with silver willow blades.

My favorite non-paying customer (my older son, Wesley) with his personal best, a 2 lb 15 ouncer.  We're going to get him his first 5-pounder this year!  Wes caught this one on a Northland Jawbreaker spoon.

Coming soon!

While the Leech Lake area gets worldwide acclaim for its walleye and muskie fishing, it also has a growing reputation as a premier bass fishery.

This blog will be (mostly) about bassin' in the Leech Lake area - what gear you'll need, what presentations to try, areas/lakes to fish...the works!  Feedback and personal stories about the same are not only allowed, but encouraged.  I want this blog to be a learning tool for everyone who views it, myself included.

We're still more than two months away from the MN bass opener, but I will be checking in periodically until then.  I'll maybe post a few pics from last season, and a few ideas about what I'd like to try this season.

Until then...

Tight lines!