Over the last month I’ve been giving seminars at Cabela’s and fishing clubs and I’ve noticed a common question being asked:  How do you pick which baits and colors to use?  Here are some key points I consider when making these decisions.

Disclaimer: For those who fish the same fisheries week after week, year after year, I hope by now you have found locations and techniques that are productive.  This post is presented to be more for people who may be planning a trip to somewhere they’ve never been or know very little about. 

My suggestion is to do your homework!  What I mean by this is ask yourself what is the main forage of that particular fishery?  Those are the color schemes I key on.  For example, if I am going to Oahe reservoir, it is smelt.  Devil’s Lake is fresh water shrimp and perch.  Mille Lacs Lake is perch and shiners.  These are color patterns I key in on and they usually produce.  It doesn’t matter if I am pulling crank baits, spinners, jigging or rigging.  I like to use the colors that relate to the forage base of that fishery.  I have lived and fished on Lake Mille Lacs the majority of my life and rarely will colors other than gold or silver shiners or the greens and oranges of perch be out-produced, unless I am mimicking crayfish on the rocks, using blacks, browns and reds.  I have found this holds true to most fisheries across the country.

In the nineties, people laughed about pinks, purples, and blues being such different colors even though they were working on the Great Lakes.  It wasn’t a fluke!  Those were the colors of the bait fish the walleyes were feeding on and they continue to be the hottest colors on the Great Lakes today.

 The only time forage colors are not such a factor is when I’m in really stained or dirty water. That’s when I like to use bright colors to allow the fish a better opportunity to see my lures and use a scent of the bait or plastics to trigger the bite. 

So, as you plan your fishing adventures this summer, please keep my advice in mind so the time you spend on the water is quality time.  Also, always remember: water temperatures really impact your bait selections.  With cold water in the spring, slow and smaller baits are usually best and as the water warms up, the fish become much more aggressive.  Aggressive fish allow you to use bigger bait presentations and move faster.

While I am still waiting for the ice to melt outside of my house, I wanted to give everyone a first hand account of Lake Mille Lacs during this time of the year.  Please enjoy the video below!

E-TEAM angler Paul Meleen will be interviewed on The Fishing Fanatics with Dave Landahl tonight at 6:15 p.m. CT.

If you’re in the northern Illinois area, you can listen to the show LIVE on radio AM 1360 from 6- 7 p.m. The show will re-air again on Saturday morning from 6 – 7 a.m. 

The Fishing Fanatics also will be streaming LIVE on www.1360wlbk.com. You can always catch past episodes of the show at www.TheFishingFanatics.com.

Hello Again,

Here it is, the fourth week of the E-TEAM blogs and I am happy to say that this is a week where I get to be home with my family!  I just returned from the Table Rock tournament in Missouri and the tournament in Eufaula, Alabama. I got home Saturday morning which gives me a few days to get ready for the FLW Tour event next week in Charlotte, NC.  I will be leaving on Friday, the drive is normally a four and a half hour trip but it will take a little longer due to the fact that interstate 40 is closed at the Tennessee / North Carolina boarder due to a rock slide that happened last fall.  Anyone who has traveled through there can see why this is not the first time it has happened.  I really love living around the mountains but, to travel from point A to point B can sometimes be tricky.

One of the most common questions I get asked is “What is your home lake?”  That would be Douglas Lake. I also live close to Ft. Loundon Lake but, on the rare occasion that I go fishing when I I’m home, Douglas is where I normally go.  I fish so much that when I’m home, it’s one of the last things on my to-do list; this is why I don’t like to fish local events.  My favorite to do when we go to Douglas is to take my daughter Lilly with me and go bluegill fishing (many people call them bream pronounced “brim” but I have always just called them bluegills) and we occasional catch “sungrannys” as well. I have taken Lilly bass fishing before, but if you want to have fun with a kid and fish then let them go with you when fishing will involve catching as well. 

I have recently acquired a new fishing partner, her name is Olivia and she is two years old.  Both Olivia and Lilly love to go in the boat, even if it is parked in the garage.  There have been many times I hear them giggling about dangling a lure down to the dog and then snatching it away from him at the last second.  When we go bluegill fishing, it will always involve either crickets or worms.  Lilly has her own cricket tube that she just loves to take to the bait and tackle store to get it filled with juicy crickets.  I think she has just as much fun catching the bait as she does the fish. 

 As much as the girls like to play in the boat while it’s parked, they really enjoy a good boat ride, even if it is just to cool off.  Lilly always liked to watch me put the boat on the trailer, especially when I floor it to power the boat onto the trailer. She even loves my new Evinrude E-TEAM boat, thinks it’s just so cool. So, if you get a chance and want to go fishing, take a kid with you even if it is not the Bassmaster Classic – to them it can be even better.

 

 We wanted to go fishing yesterday, but the weatherman forgot to mention the cold weather and rain heading our way. We settled for a little time on the boat in our garage! Take a look at the disappointment in Lilly and Olivia’s faces

 Good Fishing,

David Walker

It may be due to our competitive streak, but many bass fishermen love to just see how fast their boats will run.  Because of this, it should be no surprise that the take-off at a tournament is one of our favorite parts of the day.  Letting us go one boat at a time in sequential order sets up nicely for some good races up the lake.  It is rare, though, we get situations where there are a bunch of guys making long runs in the same direction. 

At Table Rock, we had just that scenario – bunches of guys running 50 or more miles in the same direction, snaking through the Ozark hills in 25 degree weather.  Though it was a bit cold, once you see a boat throwing a rooster tail ahead of you, all you can think is “I need to catch that boat and pass it.”  After all, they could be going to the same spot as you to fish. 

Over three days of fishing, I got passed three times.  Once by David Walker (he was hauling) and two times when I got caught in boat wakes.  I ended up passing 17 others.  A lot of guys will say they do not worry about that stuff, but they are either lying or have a slow boat.  We are all too competitive not to worry about that.

My average speeds every morning when going over straight parts of the lake were clocked around 72-73 by my GPS, which is a bit slower than I had been running.  But, that is due to the Red River’s contour and running through its sand bars with my prop.  I am always happy when my partner’s first words when we stop begin with some expletive and end with “that was a RIDE!”  I was successful all three days at Table Rock.  Technically this has nothing to do with how many fish you catch, but getting there quicker does give you more time to fish and going fast while passing others gets your confidence going.  And, yes, I am a big fan of Ricky Bobby.

There are times that it is smarter as a fisherman to take it a bit slower when getting to your first fishing spot.  Big waters with wind and waves make you take it easy.  It does no good to get to the fish quickly if you cannot fish effectively when you get there.  You need to get there with your trolling motor and all other equipment in working order.  It’s on a day like this where you really appreciate the mid-range power of your engine, as it helps you keep the nose of your boat up and allow you to stay dry.  In fact, these are the times when I most appreciate having an Evinrude E-TEC; quick throttle response with the power to lift my boat allows me to navigate these rough waters without nosing the waves.  You always have a better day when you start fishing with dry clothes.  And, your partner is also much happier!

If given a choice, I would always choose to have a calm water run in the morning.  Trust me, it is way more fun to “race” than it is to battle big waves.  Unfortunately, we get no choice in what the weather does, but no matter what it is doing, I have 100 percent confidence that my Evinrude will do its job of getting me to my fish and back, thus putting the pressure of my performance on my personal fishing ability.  That’s all I can ask for.

Now, it’s time to prepare for Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C.  Here are a few things I consider before I can start to think about the take-off.

I sometimes have to stop and remind myself how lucky I am.

I spend almost every day with my son doing something we both love and I’m able to make a living doing it. A lot of the credit goes to our sponsors. Some of them, like Evinrude, Ranger, Luck-E-Strike and CMC have been with me for years. My new sponsors, like JB Custom Rods and US Reels are just as great.  These people allow us to go on the road and do what we enjoy most – fish.

It would be an understatement to say we’re a fishing family. Stella and I got to watch our son Dion win the Bassmasters Classic in 1997. That year, we became the first father son duo to have won the tournament – I won the Classic back in 1988. A few years later, Dion got to watch his own son, Paydon, win the Jr. Bassmasters Classic. No one will ever know what these moments mean to us.

Enough about my luck as a father and grandfather, because I lost my Larry Nixon’s lucky horseshoe last week at Table Rock. Those were three of the longest days of my career. I only hope the FLW tournament on Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C. will be better.

We’ve spent the last two days sorting tackle and trying to get ready to go, so we could spend a few days fishing here at home. Tomorrow, Dion, the boys and I are going to go fishing. The water temp is 40 degrees, but that doesn’t mean a thing when, just last weekend, it took eighteen pounds to win a tournament here.

I also want to put a few more hours on my new Evinrude E-TEC.  Last week I got it up to seventy four miles per hour. I think it will do better.  Here’s to some quality time on the water.  Try one and see for yourself.

Ever wonder what is the best way to spool a fishing reel? Have you ever wondered where in the United States is the biggest fishing state?  Well, it’s time to find out. Head on over to OutdoorLife.com to see how E-TEAM anglers David Walker and Chad Brauer weighed-in on these two questions and more, from Ask.com’s 10 most frequently asked questions about fishing.

Hi E-TEAM friends and fans – I hope all is well. I’m not sure if you followed me during the Table Rock tournament, but I finished in the Top 50 – which still means a nice payday. I was happy to slide into the Top 50 but really looking for an even better showing at the next FLW Series, Lake Eufaula in Alabama. For more of my thoughts on Table Rock, check out the video below.

Being a pro fisherman gives me a unique chance to test many products that fishermen use. I spend around 200 days a year in the pursuit of bass through all kinds of conditions, so my equipment is so important. Knowing how to use it and, even more important, maintaining it, can be very time consuming.

I took a quick video of one important tip that will help to keep you on the water more. I didn’t want to just give the usual tips about tying knots or how to sharpen hooks but talk about keeping an eye on your trailers. Everyone is guilty of doing the best for their boat or engine, but I still see so many times how simple prevention could save you from a disastrous trip to the lake. Before every trip, I make sure to check the air pressure in each tire, including the spare. I also make sure the brake reservoir is full of fluid and if there are any grease fittings, be sure to give each one some waterproof grease.

If I notice any nails or screws in a tire, I’ll be sure to fix it myself. It’s extremely easy to do – just be sure to have a way of inflating the tire after you’re done with the fix. To fix it, simply use some pliers (vise grips work best) to remove the nail. Then use a tire plug kit tool to insert the plug (which is a very sticky and tough piece of string) into the hole. Be sure to buy the kit that has the T Handel tools – the other straight kind is hard to get enough pressure behind it. Then you’ll need to push it in about ¾ of way then cut off excess. Once you’ve done that, inflate the tire and you’ll be ready to hit the road again.

I always (and you should too!) have a tool bag with me that includes just about anything I might possibly use in a roadside situation. Over the years, my bag has become bigger and bigger. Once I have used a tool for something, it got added to the bag.

Before I hit the road – even if it’s down the street – I’ll take a walk around the boat a make a quick mental check list of everything. I look for any thing that may have gotten caught on the trailer and I put my hand down near where the axle is on each wheel to see if you feel any hot spots, as this can be a sign of low or no fluid in the trailer bearings. Also check the bow strap make sure the handle is still snug and also look to see if transom straps are also tight and that the trailer lights are plugged in and working.

All these things might seem simple, but they may save you from being on the side of the road instead of at your favorite lake. 

Good Fishing,

David Walker

Just like many occupations, how most people see us bass fishermen is the final step in a longer process of behind-the-scenes work.  It’s just some of what goes into preparing for a tournament.  Last week, I competed in the FLW tournament at Table Rock, Mo., and people saw me fish for three days.  But, aside from the three days of action on the lake, I put a bunch of hours of work into the tournament before hand, as well as during the evenings of the event. 

The actual tournament days are the most fun of anything we do, but without the proper work in preparing for those days, our performance would be lacking.  This same type of prep work can be done by any fisherman, ensuring their time on the water is quality time.

I always start preparing for tournaments by establishing a baseline of what I think the bass will be doing when I get there.  This is primarily related to the time of the year; will the bass be pre-spawn, spawn, or in a wintertime pattern?  This gives me a starting point on how to pack my boat, what techniques to gear up for and what to look for when I am studying a topographic map for areas to target. 

Once I have this baseline, then I adjust it to the actual conditions, such as water clarity, water temperature and weather patterns.  From here, I can really narrow things down to specific lures, techniques and areas on the water that I think will be productive; all before I have even left my garage.

Next, it’s time to begin the process of packing the boat and making sure everything is ready to hit the water.  Several years ago, this process started with quite a bit of boat and engine maintenance, but with the Evinrude E-TEC, this has mostly been eliminated.  No more changing gear case fluid every 25 hours and no worries with spark plugs.  Now, I just make sure the oil and gas are full and I am ready to go.

I always like to empty all of the tackle out of the boat between events, then start over planning for the upcoming tournament.  By keeping different style lures in separate tackle boxes, I can customize what I have in the boat without carrying stuff I know I will not need.  This also lets me keep track of anything I may need to stock up on before I run out.

Once the packing is done, I am pretty well ready to rig my rods up and then hit the water for practice.  Total time for this whole process – for me – is one full day.  But, I usually split it up over a few days, especially with three kids who play every sport they can get into.  I do spend countless hours studying the maps and going over my personal notes from previous events to make sure I am as prepared as possible when I get on the water.  I feel that the more prepared you are before hand, the quicker you can successfully adapt to on-the-water conditions.  The less you have to worry about on the lake, the more enjoyable your day of fishing.

My wife Stella and I went to Ranger last week to pick up our new E-TEAM boat and, while there, I was able to check out the 1978 Classic boat which was on display in the Lobby.  Boy, it sure brought back memories.  We were amazed at how far the industry has come in boat and engine design.  Personally, it’s great to think that our two best sponsors, Ranger and Evinrude, have been together for so long and have made amazing contributions to the fishing as we know it.  

 

Comparing the two rigs was an eye opening experience – to think about the changes that have taken place over the last 32-years was exciting.  Maybe it would be fun to have everyone fish a tournament out of a 1978 rig and see how they would fair these days….not so well would be my guess.

The old TR10 Ranger was 17 ft long with a 90 horsepower Johnson.  At that time it was top of the line and we were sure it was the fastest thing on water.  My new Ranger Z521 with the 250hp Evinrude E-TEC will turn 74 mph in an instant, even with all my tackle in it.  More than thirty years later and we are still top of the line.

My new rig also features equipment you would have never found in 1978, including: electronics that tell you where to find fish and how to catch them; a trolling motor that you run with your foot leaving your hands free; an anchor that is lowered with a push button; jackplates that go up or down allowing you to get the best out of your motor. Wow.  What’s next?

I’ve run Ranger and Evinrude now for 32 years, because dependability equals more time on the water.

While I patiently await Mother Nature’s conversion of the beautiful winter wonderland to spring here on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota, I am making several appearances at sports shows, fishing clubs, and outdoor functions.

This Saturday, March 6, I will be giving seminars at the Cabela’s in Owatonna, MN located off of highway 35W.  On March 7 I will be giving seminars and cooking demonstrations at the Cabela’s in Rogers, MN located off of highway 94.  Cabela’s has been doing a promotion called the “Spring Walleye Classic” for the past 10 years or so and it is a great event.  All the new products that the industry has to offer will be on display as well as the most knowledgeable people in the industry to answer questions, educate, and of course do what fishermen do best; B.S.

If you are in the area and have some time, come on out and say “Hi!”  It is time to start putting your fishing lists together and always remember to be good to yourself so nobody else has to!

The Cabela’s at Rogers and Owatonna both have marine departments on site with a large selection of boats and motors.  If you have any questions on Evinrude products, please have me paged or find me in the fishing department; I am happy to help in any way that I can. 

Next week I will have many activities keeping me busy.   I will be providing some video on how to catch jumbo perch through ice that is over three feet thick, and will also be launching my first of many videos highlighting some of my favorite fishing recipes.  Keep an eye out for that, and tell your friends or the cook in your household to give them a look.  If you have any fish or wild game recipe requests please let me know and I’ll do my best to put some ideas or a dish together for you. 

Until next time, don’t forget my recipe: fish + wild game = healthy, happy food choices.