Freshwater Bite - Sportsmen's Nation: Recent Episodes
Lee Kleinow
Local bait shops are often an anglers hangout to learn about what techniques, tackle, lures and bait the fish are biting on. The Freshwater Bite Fishing Podcast content will be an audio version of a bait shop that you can listen to anytime, anywhere. This podcast will talk with both pros and everyday anglers who are passionate about sharing their stories on the water and why they love to fish. It is through these stories you will find tips, techniques, gear and tackle to use on your next fishing pursuits. Host Lee Kleinow is a passionate angler, sportsman, family man and just all around curious dude who hopes to provide valuable content that you can pass along to the next generation.
Detroit River is popping right now with limits of walleye being filled for anglers on most boats. On this episode Lee is joined by some local river rats Fred, Ryan and Austin who just finished 13th out of 149 boats on the first stop of the Michigan Walleye Tour. If you have ever thought about coming to jig or fish the Detroit River for walleye you’ll want to tune into this episode as the boys share how they were successful in changing weather conditions and water clarity from day to day. April is a mix of all types of weather conditions and that can either turn on or shut down different kind of bites in the river. Listen in to hear how you can be ready for any conditions mother nature wants to smack you with. Cheers folks!!
It’s been a minute but Lee is back with the Freshwater Bite Podcast that you all have come to love. On this episode Lee sits down with his friends Fred and Ryan, two former guests of the podcasts, to discuss their new rigs they purchased, electronic setups, tips for early spring walleye fishing and more. The podcast is back and better than ever. Thank you for the continued support and for sticking with the show. Now, Enjoy!
There are a ton of fishing lures out there that are famous for a certain type of species. A few examples would be the crawler harness for walleye, weedless black worm for bass, the original Dare Devil for pike. In the state of Michigan, the Jonah Jig is what many anglers recognize to be their choice of lure for vertical jigging salmon. On this episode Lee is joined by founder and creator of the Jonah Jig and no, his name is not Jonah. His name is actually Larry Jennings. Larry has literally been all over the world fishing. He shares how his travels helped shape the way he thinks about how to catch locally back in Michigan and loves how he continues to evolve as angler. Can’t wait to have him back on the podcast again in the future!! Enjoy!
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On this week’s episode Doug Glimmerveen, host of the Smackdown Outdoors podcast rejoins the podcast to catch up. Lee and Doug talk about summer bass fishing, podcasting life and Doug recently joining the Waypoint TV network where Doug will now have his podcast available. Hope you all enjoy this little b.s. session with Doug and be sure to go follow his podcast now on Waypoint TV! Cheers!
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It’s that time of year where we here in Michigan can give thanks for how fortunate we are to have Salmon swimming in our Great Lakes! On this episode Lee talks with Bob Hinds and Quinn Knudsen of Central Coast Angling out of Traverse City, MI. The boys talk about upgrades to the Central Coast Angling fleet, first mate Quinn coming aboard to share his knowledge and about how the salmon are starting to show up along the Lake Michigan coast. Salmon are back folks…..it’s officially summer time! Cheers.
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Any angler with a competitive bone in their body has either entered a fishing tournament or at least thought they have what it takes to enter one at some point. What does it take to truly be successful? Are you really as good as you think you are? I am joined this week by Ryan Petravicius who gives us all some great insight as to what he had to do and what mindset he had to be in, in order to take that next step in competitive walleye fishing. The Michigan Walleye Tour is a walleye tournament with growing popularity in the Midwest and is quickly becoming a big stage for the sport of walleye fishing in general. Ryan recaps the conditions and his top 10 finish in this weeks episode of the podcast. Enjoy!!
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The first event of the Pro Walleye Series of the H2H fishing tournament wrapped up last week here on the Detroit River. Lee brings on past guest and walleye professional, Joe Okada who finished in the top 8 to discuss his experience fishing the new format and how he had to change his plan of attack daily to move on to the next round day after day. The event was extremely exciting to follow and Joe discusses how the pressure of a live streamed event helps sharpen his skills in ways he never had practiced in the past. H2H fishing tournament is making a big splash in the walleye tournament world and is a format that many hope is here to stay. Enjoy the podcast with Lee and Joe.
Joe Okada Instagram: @joeokada
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Think you need a big boat to chase salmon? Not this time of year! Ice is blowing out and melting around The Great Lakes region and that means it’s time to bust out the long rods. Nolan Tokar joins the podcast to talk about his experiences trolling for salmon close to shore from his kayak. This time of year requires safety and a well thought out plan before hitting the open water as water temps remain extremely cold. Nolan shares with us how to stay safe, his kayak set up and how he likes to troll for salmon and trout. Check out Nolan’s YouTube channel to see exactly how he set up his kayak and how organization can keep you efficient while in a small vessel like a Kayak. Enjoy!
Nolan’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNtmKL_4PlAtzjotL1ly9dA
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When you listen to and meet our guest on today’s episode you’ll instantly feel like you have known the dude forever and will want to get out fishing with him just to see what he will do or say next. Guest and friend of the show, Captain Donnie O’Bert joins Lee this week to discuss all about how he learned early on in his guiding profession that it is not all about catching fish all the time but more about leaving a positive lasting impression. Donnie shares how most of his clients become lifelong friends in addition to him teaching them how to catch big fish using different techniques. The laughs on this episode are endless and by the end of it you’ll find yourself wanting to follow Captain Donnie on his guiding adventures and maybe even book a trip for yourself. Enjoy the episode folks!
Book A Trip with Donnie - www.rainydazeoutdoors.com
Instagram @capt_donnie
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March madness is coming up just around the corner. The upsets, overtimes and high pressure situations play out in the next few weeks. If you like this style of excitement and you like to watch competitive fishing, you MUST check out H2H Fishing (pronounced Head 2 Head Fishing). Matt Tratz and Andy Cleveland join Lee on the podcast today to talk about where the idea originated, the breakdown of the bracket style / fast pace tournament and how it will change the future of competitive angling for the future. H2H Fishing is a live stream fishing tournament featuring all of your walleye and bass pro’s you may recognize from other traditional big style tournaments. Matt and Andy breakdown what we need to know and how we can get involved ourselves through a membership style subscription which will allow everyday anglers access to learn from the pro’s, discounts on tackle and a chance to fish some local H2H tournaments ourselves. Enjoy!
H2H Fishing
www.h2hfishing.com
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Making a living in the fishing industry is something can vary and look quite different across the board. Some are business owners, guides, professional angler, tournament winners, YouTube stars, engineers and or just a model employee at your local outdoor equipment store. In my opinion, if you are making a living in the outdoors and love what you are doing you are crushing it in my book! Drake Herd joins the podcast to share his diverse and evolving portfolio of fishing knowledge both on the business side of things and casting a rod. He is a walleye pro fishing the National Walleye Tour every season and is a well known name on the tour. Drake recently partnered up and created a new company called Fin Gear. Fin Gear designs and produces precision machined mounting systems and storage solutions. Basically, they make some really cool stuff! From custom colored rod holders, electronic mounts to rod storage lockers, Fin Gear is pushing the envelope in high end fishing equipment. Drake tells us exactly what makes their products unique and why you may want to consider looking at Fin Gear products. If you are in the market or looking to upgrade some equipment in the boat this offseason, take a listen to this episode. Enjoy!
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We are off and running here in 2021 with the podcast and a new episode for you to enjoy. Not everyone chases fish during the hard water season so it is a great time to work on your boat or start looking in the market for one to purchase. Eric Long from Long Line Charters joins us for this episode to tell us all about a $3,000 boat he purchased and fixed up for an affordable price. When looking for a boat you don’t have to break the bank especially if you don’t have much time to fish or if this is your first time buying a boat. Eric shares with us what he looked for before purchasing the boat and what to look at when you are there thinking about pulling the trigger. I love this episode because he breaks down the steps of what he did to get this affordable vessel into fishing shape and ready for open water when it arrives. Check out Eric’s website below and I hope you can take away some pearls for your boat this upcoming season. Enjoy.
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Happy holidays everyone! On this episode of the podcast Joe Bricko, owner of JT Outdoor Products stops on by to chat. It has been almost 2.5 years since we last spoke with Joe and JT has grown significantly since then. Joe and the team have come up with some very unique and innovative rods that separates them from the competition like the new 9 ft 2 snare rod. We discuss where Joe came up with the idea, how it proved to be a success and how we all should fish it during the open water season. Joe and I also go over some ice rods and how we like to use them in hopes it can help you in your decision before purchasing a new ice rods for this season. Enjoy the episode!!!
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Christmas will be here before we know it. A new fishing sonar for the boat or ice may be on your list this year. Joe Testa of Freshwater Therapy rejoins the podcast to talk about his experience with Garmin’s Livescope sonar. As technology becomes more and more advanced and more expensive it seems the learning curve becomes slightly longer. Joe shares with us how to cut the learning curve of Garmin’s Livescope and just how beneficial it can be both in open water and on the ice. We also talk about Joe’s new YouTube channel and why he wants to get into sharing what he knows with the world with a camera in hand. Link for his YouTube channel is below. Enjoy!!
Freshwater Therapy’s YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwmva2y_SXOAatoptmk9_QA
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Behind every good photo there is a person trying to tell a story by freezing one moment in time. How you take that photo can be the difference between a great story and a forgettable one. I would think a great photographer is trying to make sure you always remember their story or at least the way they would like to tell it. Brian Eavey joins the podcast to tell his story about how he got into fishing and how picking up a camera has put him behind the lens photographing some of the most famous anglers in the bass fishing world. We talk about life’s unexpected paths and how different doors of opportunities open themselves up by putting in the work. Brian is in my opinion a great photographer in the outdoors world and one who’s work I enjoy following. If you want to learn some more basic 101 photography tips, this episode is a great spot to start. Enjoy!
Brian’s Insta: @brianeavey_photo
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There are a few spots and locations throughout the United States that are deemed or self proclaimed to be “Walleye Capital of the World”. One lake on that list is undeniable, in my opinion. A body of water so rich and a considered a “factory” for producing consistent large numbers and size of walleye is, Lake Erie. Having grown up near the shores of this historical body of water I can attest to the amount of fish that come out of there year after year. But how good is it truly from a biological standpoint? Many of us anglers can say it is great but many times there are often conflicting point of views between anglers and biologist.
I brought Matt Faust on the podcast today, a fisheries biologist from the Ohio DNR, to help us all better understand Lake Erie’s walleye population and what makes it such a “factory” of walleye. To understand it’s current state of production and health it is important to dive into the past and how Lake Erie has evolved and changed throughout the years. Matt shares some very in depth knowledge and statistics to help us all better understand how walleye produce, survive and thrive in Lake Erie’s ecosystem. Pay attention to feeding patterns and bait populations discussed during this episode to help you decide what lures to throw and where to find the schools of bait fish. The real success comes to those who pay close attention! Enjoy!!
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Arctic Grayling are a historic fish to us here in the state of Michigan as they used to inhabit the cool waters of the Au Sable River and other streams up until the early 1900’s when they rapidly disappeared completely. These fish were the only native salmonid to Michigan streams and could be easily identified by a sail like dorsal fin and blue slate colored body. Arctic Grayling were so abundant at one point that the town of Grayling was named after the salmonid. What you may not know however is how this unique looking fish disappeared from our northern rivers and streams. Why would such a healthy population completely be wiped out in such a short period? Attempts to reintroduce them to their native waters and bring them back have failed year after year. However, my guest this week, Nicole Watson is among a group of researchers looking to successfully reintroduce the Arctic Grayling back to its native waters in the northern lower part of Michigan streams and rivers. Nicole is a Ph.D student at Michigan State University. This is a MUST listen podcast episode! Nicole is an avid angler herself with a focus and passion on making this initiative be the one that will work for the Arctic Grayling. I myself couldn’t be happier that there are folks out there like Nicole, working hard to bring back a piece of the past and a piece of natural wild Grayling to Michigan. Enjoy!
You can help the Arctic Grayling Initiative through anyone of these sites below:
Salmo Coffee
https://salmojavaroasters.com/products/michigan-arctic-grayling-initiative-mexican-chiapas
Grayling Initiative T-Shirt
https://shoppeninsulas.com/collections/apparel-accessories/products/michigan-arctic-grayling-initiative-t-shirt?variant=27938390704151
Arctic Grayling Initiative Michigan website
https://www.migrayling.org/
Iron Fish Distillery Fund
https://manisteefoundation.org/component/funds/view/3933
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Berkely and the other brands with Pure Fishing, Inc. have been leading innovation in tackle, lures, rods and reels for decades. Berkley has designed baits that have won many tournament anglers big pay checks and has given everyday anglers the chance to fill their live wells consistently. Dan Spengler, senior project manager for bait development at Berkley rejoins the podcast to break down why their new bait, The Hit Stick, lives up to all the hype and anticipation. Not only do we learn about the long history of why this bait was developed but Dan also shares with us how to fish this bait in different scenario’s, size offerings and more. I find we as anglers have the opportunity to become more efficient on the water when we take the time to learn the details of the tools and baits in our arsenal. The more we understand our lures intent and design the more it will make sense to us as to why we choose to fish that specific lure the way we do. That’s fishing folks!!! Dan also shares a hot tip with us on how to us Spy Baits to target walleye. This episode is FILLED with value bombs, so be sure to take some notes. Enjoy!!
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The pandemic has re-shaped many of our daily lives, activities, plans, events and much more. We as a society and country have had to adapt and keep, keeping on. ICAST is an event that I look forward to each and every year. So on this episode I wanted to bring awareness to the fact that, yes it did still happen. But, also wanted to highlight the winners of product categories that I thought might pertain to the freshwater fishing world. Even with all the challenges that have been thrown our way this year, ICAST and the great companies of the fishing and outdoors industry still came together to put out their latest products for all of us to view and look forward to seeing on the market this year. In this episode, I briefly highlight some of the industry’s best and give a quick summary about the product winners and where you can find them. Cheers and thanks for supporting fishing and this podcast.
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Most of us if asked to fish every single day for a year straight would be all over the opportunity. However, could you really do it? Think about all of your priorities, obligations, commitments, vacations planned etc. Still think you could somehow manage to fish every single day, 365 days? In the perfect world I would say yes, but reality is, it is a hell of a bigger commitment than most realize. However, my guest this week, Stephen Veals did just that. He fished 365 days, every…. single….day for a year straight. It is a hell of an achievement and after listening to his story, I have a tremendous amount of respect for what this guy went through and the challenges he faced in everyday life while staying committed to fishing daily. It takes a lot of personal self awareness, improvement and mental toughness to stay committed that long to something that others might deem meaningless. The fishing knowledge, skills acquired, obstacles overcome and self determination will be something no one can ever take from him. I applaud Steve and I am happy that there a folks out there like him willing to share their story with us. Enjoy!!!
www.stephenveals.com
www.backcountryhunters.org
www.reelrecovery.org
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On this week's episode I am joined by my new friend and fellow podcaster, Doug Glimmerveen from the Smackdown Outdoors Podcast and the Make Fish Famous Podcast. Doug and I talk for almost two hours about all sorts of interesting topics from why he started podcasting in the outdoor space, our goals in this space, switching from a walleye tournament guy to bass tournaments, bass rigs, how to fish them and more. I really enjoy these types of conversations for the simple fact that we truly get to see the person behind the pursuit of fishing and what makes them tick. Doug is a super down to earth and honest guy. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the dude and am glad I get to chat with him from time to time. Please go check out both his podcasts on Itunes, Spotify and wherever else podcasts are found.
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This has to be one of my favorite podcasts to date! I am joined by Martin Szeliga, a.k.a. The Airborne Angler. Martin has such a unique story about how he migrated to this great country, to his time served in the military and how he fell in love with fishing. Anyone who lives here in the state of Michigan, specifically the Saginaw Bay Area has probably got an ice scouting report or aerial view condition report from Martin. You see Martin has taken his curiosity and love of angling to the sky’s to get a different perspective of the bay before heading out to fish. Over the years he decided to share his knowledge and use his flying skills to provide anglers with an arsenal of tools to use however they see fit to stay safe and make educated decisions before heading out on the big water. The Airborne Angler’s obsession with figuring out walleye has led him to take a deeper dive in all aspects of fishing from locating structure, filming underwater bites with his Spydro Fishing cam, teaching us how to read our fish sonars, GPS and more. Please do yourself a favor and check him out over at www.theairborneangler.com and listen to this entire podcast as it is filled with great conversation and a fascinating way to scout. Please Subscribe!!
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This is a unique episode as it is a little different than the usual. I was asked to be a guest on the Smackdown Outdoors Podcast, hosted by fellow podcaster and outdoors enthusiast Doug Glimmerveen. Doug puts on a fantastic show and has recently started another podcast called the Make Fish Famous podcast focusing on techniques and tricks to help you with your fishing adventures. On this episode you hear more about my humble beginnings and why I started my podcast, how our governor shut down fishing here in the state of Michigan, fishing techniques, what pisses us off and what drives us on the water all year round. The 2hr time slot flew by and it was an absolute honor to be a guest on his podcast. Check out both of his podcasts the Smackdown Outdoors Podcast and Make Fish Famous wherever podcasts are found. Cheers!
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Bowfishing is always something that I have admittedly been looking at from the outside but have been extremely curious about. This downtime recently has allowed me to look into the sport more as I feel it could help feed my bowhunting addiction and merge it with my other addiction, fishing. Whenever I look into any topic or subject matter I am always looking for folks who are passionate about what they do and become somewhat obsessed. I have the same obsession with certain endeavors but I also feel it is more important for those individuals who are passionate to also be the one most willing to educate and inspire others to do the same.
On this episode I am joined by two of the co-founders from Loxley Bowfishing. Ryan Simmons and Jon Graves, two of the three founders of the company come on the podcast to share with us all their passion for Bowfishing and what it entails. We discuss exactly what Bowfishing is, how they got started, the grass roots on why Ryan, Jon and Jake started Loxley Bowfishing, conservation and the importance of Bowfishing and much more. The boys were also generous enough to offer all of YOU listeners a DISCOUNT CODE of FRESHWATER15 to save 15% off of your purchase over at loxleybowfishing.com . Please give Loxley Bowfishing a follow on instagram and on FaceBook.
Instagram: @loxleybowfishing
Facebook: Loxley Bowfishing
https://www.loxleybowfishing.com
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The state of Michigan is truly an amazing destination for so many species of fish. Each pocket of the state holds a treasure and a true destination fishery for many types of fish. Grand Traverse Bay Area is a corner of the state that holds a special place with me. It is not only the place where my wife and I decided to start our little family but it is also an area with breathtaking views, gin clear water and home to one of the most diverse fisheries. Cisco, also referred to some as “lake herring” is one of those hidden treasures many anglers may have heard of but never quite figured out how to target. On this episode my good friend from Central Coast Angling, Bob Hinds, joins the podcast again to talk to us all about how, where and when to chase these tasty fish. Cisco back in the early 1900’s were considered a forage fish but were highly sought after by commercial fisherman. This native species of the Great Lakes experienced a decline due to heavy commercial fishing over the years but due to recent conservation efforts are making a big comeback and are there for the sport angling anglers to pursue in healthy numbers. Bob talks all about some great tips on where to find Cisco this time of year and how to distinguish between them and Lake Trout on your fish finders. Bob is extremely knowledgable when it comes to catching Cisco and one of the few fishing guides in Michigan actively chasing them. Kick back and pass the time in quarantine as Bob and I discuss how to catch these amazing native, Great Lakes fish. The mighty Cisco.
Photo cred: @brianeavey on Instagram
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To fish or not to fish? That is the big question we as anglers are facing in different parts of the country. Here in Michigan, specifically southeast Michigan, Detroit is considered as a “hot zone” for the Covid 19 virus. Now up until recently, I had intentions of still getting out on the water with friends to do a some much anticipated fishing for the walleye run. However, after seeing a post from Wes Smith of the Metro Detroit Walleye Stalker group on Facebook, I reconsidered my desire to fish and I questioned myself. I debated the risks and benefits in my mind and made a decision to NOT fish until things calm down. The point of this episode is to NOT tell you what you should or shouldn’t do during these times as it pertains to fishing, but rather just to have you think for a minute of what you feel is the right thing. I am joined by Wes and he gives a great perspective and how he came to the difficult decision to NOT fish during these times. We all love to fish but is now the right time? Just some food for though. I wish you all the best and stay safe out there. More great content to come. Cheers!
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Catfish is probably the most underrated / best tasting species of fish that we have swimming in our lakes and rivers. The passion to pursue these tasty monsters are pocketed throughout all regions of the United States. This is one topic that YOU the listeners were very adamant on learning more about. On this episode Lee is joined by two of the most passionate catfish anglers you could ever hope to meet, Mark Larsen and Richard Dickerson. Residing all the way from Arizona, these boys share their passion for chasing catfish and teach us all how to get into filling our freezers with some catfish meat ourselves. Mark and Richard break it down for us all on how to get set up, where to find these creatures and techniques that will work wherever you may live. These are some strange times we are living in, so sit back relax and listen to episode 40 of the podcast.
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Lake Erie is a destination fishery for many throughout the world. On this episode Lee is joined by Fred Wickenheiser to talk about just how to get started with the basics and how to get your boat set up to be successful. Developing a successful program to net more fish can be a lot of trial and error. It also can be very costly. Fredy shares with us what worked for him and where he went wrong and gives us some pointers to consider to save us all some $$. Go give him a follow @fredwicky on instagram to see how he continually puts out some big numbers of walleye from Lake Erie.
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On this episode of the Freshwater Bite Podcast Lee is joined by Layne Maier of MTN MAN OUTDOORS. Layne is an accomplished tournament angler from Saskatchewan, Canada who recently started his own guiding business. He has been fishing since he can remember and is entrenched in the lifestyle of catching big fish all year round. From learning how to chase big walleye to manufacturing high end products for the fishing industry, Layne tells Lee how fishing is “ a way of life” to him and how much it has taught him over the years. Check out Layne on Instagram @mtnmanoutdoors and be sure to follow.
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On this episode of the Freshwater Bite Podcast Lee is joined by Joe Test of Freshwater Therapy. Joe and Lee discover they have a lot of common frustration, success and favorite techniques to catch fish on one of their favorite bodies of waters in Northern Michigan. Joe is unique in the fact that he guides on bodies of water in both the state of Michigan and New York. This is a great episode to sit back and listen as Lee and Joe give away some great tips on chasing walleye that are unpredictable throughout different seasons and how they get them to bite. Lee also announces the WINNER of the JT Outdoor Products ice rod. Cheers!!
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The best way to learn about your local body of waters, what tackle to use and how to learn more about fishing in general can be as simple as logging onto your favorite social media account. Building a community of anglers is not only good for the sport of fishing but more importantly, the FUTURE of the sport of fishing. Angler recruitment is always an important topic and folks like Juan Gomez and Josh Strand from Reel Midwest Fishing come on the podcast today to talk about how they are building a community of anglers to not only promote the sport of fishing but how to make sure it continues to grow for years to come. Lee also asks them about some of their “must have” ice fishing gear they never leave home without and what bodies of waters they are hitting this hardwater season. Don’t forget to listen how to enter for the GIVEAWAY Lee is putting on. Cheers.
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Fall seems to be fading fast for many of us here in the Midwest as temps begin to drop rapidly. However, if your launches are not frozen yet and you boat is still not stored away for the winter there is still some great fishing left to be had. On this episode Lee is joined by Blake Tollefson to talk about late fall crappie and how you should be taking advantage of this amazing bite throughout the Midwest. Blake is a staff member and content provider for Eurotackle. Listen in as the boys talk crappie and what baits work best to filling up a bucket to take home for the fryer this fall.
Time to get educated folks! If you are fuzzy on the history or haven’t heard the story of the introduction of salmon into The Great Lakes, this episode is for you. I speak with Jay Wesley of the Michigan DNR to bring to light the history and some of the issues effecting salmon populations throughout The Great Lakes. We go in depth on how the DNR determine stocking numbers, collecting data and how to help insure a healthy population for many years to come. ATTENTION: At the beginning of the episode I announce an awesome giveaway that you won’t want to miss. Give this one a listen and hope you are as pumped about fall time, salmon and this giveaway as I am. Enjoy.
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My guest this week is the youngest angler to ever win a National Walleye Tour At the ripe old age of 20 years old!! Dylan Nussbaum joins the Podcast to share his story of how surreal it was to take home the number one podium spot at such a young age and how he broke into making a name for himself as a professional walleye angler. We are approaching fall weather and water conditions soon so I ask Dylan to share some of his fall tactics for catching walleye. Dylan explains how he likes to fish reservoirs this time of year and what you should be looking for to catch some big fish. It’s fall y’all. Let’s enjoy it!
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The salmon are running right now around The Great Lakes region but the water levels are high! What do you do? Lee checks in with Dan Stewart of Chrome Seekers Sport Fishing to see how he attacks the high waters and how he is getting the salmon to still bite in these conditions. Lee just returned from a somewhat unsuccessful trip up north and the boys talk about what you can do to make sure you walk away with a cooler full of salmon. If you are thinking about going after these fish this time of year there is still plenty of time to cash in on the opportunity. Hopefully you can learn from Lee’s mistakes and zero in on the bite as Lee and Dan talk their way through how they view the water and fish conditions. Dan also throws out a date for any who want to get involved with cleaning up the rivers one day in mid October and how we must keep our rivers free of trash before we lose our privileges!. It’s up to us anglers!
You may have heard of tackle company brands like Berkley, Abu Garcia, Shakespear and more. Dan Spengler of Pure Fishing gets to go to work everyday developing and perfecting some of the most well known baits and products on the market today that help us all catch more fish. Dan joins Lee to talk about how making baits growing up as a kid landed him a full time job working for one of the largest most well known tackle and bait manufactures in the world. Dan also shares what baits you should be throwing this fall as walleye and bass make their way back into more shallower waters. Enjoy!
On this episode Jim Ludden joins Lee on the podcast to discuss the short and long term effects to a fishery when stressing, moving or taking bass off of their nests. Obviously by now all bass are off of their nest but the findings in the study that Jim conducted are a MUST listen as it is up to US as anglers to know our impact on a fishery even when our practices appear to be harmless while on the water. We as anglers must continue to educate ourselves and conduct best practices to ensure the healthy future of our fisheries for many generations to come. Enjoy.
On this episode Lee asks Matt Bain to join him one more time to review some of the products from ICAST 2019 that stuck out the most to them. ICAST had too many great products to go over and picking out just a few to talk about doesn’t do the whole show justice. Lee and Matt give you a brief overview and encourage the listeners of the show to go check out the products discussed. Technology in all aspects of life is changing fast and it is no different in the fishing world. Keep up and give this one a listen! Links below for products discussed.
Lakewood Products: Tackle Storage
https://lakewoodproducts.com/product-category/fishing/
Striker Brands: Evolve Rain Suit
https://strikerbrands.com/pages/event
GoFish Cam : Underwater Camera
https://gofishcam.com/
Fire Disc Cooker : Portable/Durable Cook Top
https://www.firedisccookers.com/
Lithium Pros : Lithium Ion Marine Battery
https://www.lithiumpros.com/application/marine/
Bubba Blade: Lithium Ion Powered CORDLESS Filet Knife
https://www.bubbablade.com/knives/electric/lithium-ion-cordless-fillet-knife/1095705.html
PowerPro: Moonshine Braid
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Power_Pro_Super8Slick_V2_Braided_Line_MoonShine/descpage-MNSH.html
Garmin: Force Trolling motor “Freshwater Only”
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/610414
Lowrance: Ghost Trolling Motor
https://www.lowrance.com/ghost-trolling-motor/
On this episode Lee is down at ICAST 2019 and joined by walleye pro, Max Wilson. The boys touch briefly on ICAST but get more into the details on how Max Wilson became the youngest walleye pro to win a Cabelas NWT championship event at the age of 21. It wasn’t always roses for Max. He talks about the high’s and lows of making your way to the top and how to be successful at becoming a walleye pro. The boys are also joined by Matt Bain and they talk about how to target suspended walleye during these hot summer days. This and more. Enjoy!!
On this episode Lee takes the opportunity to update you on a few things happening in his life and how it will tie into the podcast. Also, this episode is very important to sportfishing anglers and conservationists who care about our Great Lakes fishery. Lee updates you on two sets of bills that are making their way through the house in Michigan that could significantly impact the species you love to fish for everyday including walleye, lake trout and yellow perch. It is important to educate yourself on the proposed legislation and to call your representative to let them know where you stand. These are the opportunities that require action from sportsmen and women like us to protect what we enjoy and want to preserve for future generations. Enjoy!!
Where to find your local state senator. https://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysbyaddress.html
Where to find your local state representative: https://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/frmFindaRep.aspx
A new podcast is up this week featuring Jon Lee of Kalamazoo River Guide. If you have ever wondered what its like to chase smallies, carp or northern pike on a fly rod, this episode is for you. Lee talks with Jon on how to ease yourself into fly fishing by chasing after some of these species and how to relate it to a river system or body of water near you. The boys also get into the importance of conservation and giving back to the fishery instead of always just taking from it. The conversations get intense and you can tell Jon is a passionate angler who not only promotes the sport but also is concerned about keeping it around and healthy in the future. Enjoy!
Lee has been a huge fan of the hit fishing TV show, The Next Bite for a long time. On this episode he is joined by Jake Flaa who is the field producer for the popular show the past five years. Jake shares how he first picked up a camera and started his journey to pursue his passion for photography and film in the outdoors industry. You will be surprised and inspired to find out the obstacles Jake has overcome to land his dream job. Jake is someone who won’t be going anywhere any time soon and has made not only a lasting impact on The Next Bite show but the fishing industry as a whole. Tune in and give it a listen!!!
https://thenextbite.tv
https://www.waypointtv.com
https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/the-next-bite/
Instagram: @thenextbitetv
@jakeflaa
Snapchat: jake.flaa
On this episode Lee is joined by Bob Hinds of Central Coast Angling after a successful time out on the water chasing lake trout. These are becoming one of Lee’s favorite fish to pursue. The boys talk about lake trout behavior this time of year, where to find them and how you can boat some for yourself. As a native species to the Great Lakes, these fish seem to have an endless appetite but are often mishandled when caught by uneducated anglers. Bob and Lee talk about the issues surrounding this species, how to probably bring them up to the surface and best possible handling techniques to release them back. Enjoy!
www.centralcoastangling.com
Matt Johnson talks with Lee on episode 23 just before Matt heads out for the highly anticipated Minnesota fishing opener. Every year anglers in Minnesota count down the days until they can keep a few walleyes for the fryer again and celebrate their yearly traditions. However on this episode Matt shares with us why we should be looking to stay away from the crowds out on the big lake to focus on crappie in the shallows. The boys talk about how and why Matt chooses to chase crappie this time of year and to let the boat crowds die down before going after walleye again. This and much more on episode 23. Take a listen.
www.mattjohnsonoutdoors.com
www.blackfishgear.com
www.clamoutdoors.com
Spring time typically brings warmer weather and more sunshine, but it also can bring lots of rain and changing winds. On this episode Lee talks with Eric Long of Long Line Charters. Eric talks about his day on the water and how he had to change his game plan when the wind picked up and temperatures dropped. The boys also go over how to make the best of the white bass (silver bass) run starting soon, Lake St. Clair and muskie fishing tips. Remember, the white bass are coming!!! Enjoy.
www.chartergreatlakes.com
muskie
muskiefishing
greatlakes
charterboat
fishforlife
silverbass
whitebassfishing
whitebass
walleye
bassfishing
freshwaterbitepodcast
Typically when you hear custom paint jobs you are expecting someone to talk about their car, Harley or painted rims. In this episode however, we get really drippy with some custom lure talk. Drake Herd is the owner of Renegade Manufacturing and Renegade Outdoor Innovations and joins Lee on the podcast for episode 21. Whether you are fishing hard baits or soft plastics, see why Drake and R.O.I stand out from the rest to give you the best custom colors to match your pursuits.
https://www.renegadeoutdoorinnovations.com
http://fishaddictions.com
Well it is officially springtime!! How do we know you might ask? Well living around The Great Lakes a good indicator is when fresh “chrome” a.k.a steelhead start to stack up in the rivers. On this episode Lee is joined by Dan Stewart of Chrome Seekers Sportfishing. Lee talks with Dan about how he grew to love chasing after these beautiful fish and how he evolved into a charter boat captain. The boys break down how to get set up chasing steelhead this time of year and the tackle you need to be successful on the water. Having a boat is not a necessity on this episode but simply just having a pair of waders is all you need to catch these amazing fish without lugging around too much tackle. They also go over two main techniques on how they were successful after a day on the river fishing together. It’s officially open water season everyone!!! Let’s get after it.
www.chromeseekers.com
Follow Dan on Instagram @chromeseekers_sportfishing
Deck Hand Nate: nate_fishforlife
On this episode Lee records an in-depth handlining seminar in front of a live audience at Domka Outdoors in Monroe, Michigan. He is joined by Wes Smith of Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers, Philip Kirk (P.J.) and Theron Hoffman. You may remember a few episodes ago Lee sat down and talked with walleye pro Bill Shimota a little bit about handlining and how important it is to have in your arsenal of angling techniques. This seminar takes it to the next level for the person wanting to learn more about lures, boat set up, reels, line used, size weights to use, boat control and more. Whether you are just starting out handlining or looking to see how others are doing it successfully day in and day out, this episode is one you will want to keep handy.
www.domkaoutdoors.com
www.roadsideminnows.com
FatBoy Jigs LLC on Facebook
Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers
Wes Smith on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wes_smith_walleye_hunter/
Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers on Facebook
On episode 18, Lee is joined by Travis White and Alex Sherbinow of ProNav Marine to help you get ready and start preparing for the open water season. ProNav is a very unique product in that it is the worlds first Wireless Bluetooth GPS Autopilot for fishing boats to be driven by an app on your smartphone and or tablet. As any angler knows, boat control is everything when trying to stay on and or locate the fish. Travis and Alex talk to Lee how ProNav has superior GPS technology that can be integrated into your current trolling motor set up and how it can save your hundreds of dollars if you are looking to upgrade your boat this season.
This episode is a must listen if you are looking to take your boat control GPS features to the next level.
Links:
Website: https://pronavmarine.com/
Motion Control: https://pronavmarine.com/motion/
Shop page - contains motor bundles, controller, and ProNav all on this page: https://pronavmarine.com/product-category/pronav-angler/
On this episode of the Freshwater Bite Podcast, Lee and his buddies share exactly how they break down large bodies of waters in the Great Lakes, specifically Saginaw Bay. These large body of waters can be intimidating to anglers who have never ventured out on them before. It is an entirely different animal to attack and preparation is everything.
The boys break down how to adapt to changing conditions on the ice, how to venture miles out safely, where to set up to fish, lures they use and much more. They also go over how to keep your machines running efficiently and how to avoid major mechanical failures. If you have never fished a bay or large body of water like Saginaw Bay this episode will bring you an ENORMOUS amount of value. From a preparation stand point on what to have with you this episode should be on repeat anytime you head out to these types of bodies of waters.
Enjoy the episode and listen as the crew have a few cold ones while dropping value bombs!
On this episode Lee is joined by professional walleye angler, Bill Shimota. Bill has been fishing in the big leagues for many years now and has become a staple name on the Cabela’s National Walleye Tour.
The boys go over how Bill got into one of his current business of rigging boats for other pro’s and walleye anglers. They discuss what items Bill has seen added to boats that are “game changers” in his opinion and some key highlights of the new Lowrance HDS Live Sonar.
Bill also delivers a ton of great value on the podcast and sheds some light on a technique he has become known for called “handlining”. Lee and Bill discuss why Bill thinks this style of fishing can be so effective on the rivers, how to go about rigging it and when to use it. River conditions in the spring time can change within a few hours and being able to adapt to those conditions using a unique style of fishing, like handlining may be the difference in putting more fish in the livewell or going home empty handed.
You don't want to miss this one!!!!!
Follow Bill on Facebook @Bill Shimota
Instagram: @billyshoals
visit www.lowrance.com to learn more about the new HDS LIVE Sonar.
On this episode of the Freshwater Bite Podcast, Lee is joined by his buddy from Minnesota, Forrest Leitch. Forrest is part of a crew called Hang Loose Outdoors and they recently returned from a trip up to Canada chasing big Lake trout through the ice.
Forrest shares how him and the crew broke down the body of water to find these powerful fish, types of structure they relate to, tackle and lures used to bring them up. Lee and Forrest also talk about a common love for the “Tiller Life” and how a tiller style boat fits into how they like to fish.
The controversial topic of how Mille Lac’s Lake fishery is doing gets brought up and discussed as well. Forrest sheds a little light on his opinion and why that body of water is such a hot topic of debate.
If you like to hear about how to catch big Lake trout through the ice and why the “Tiller Life” might be the right boat for you. Give this one a listen.
Links:
Instagram: @forrestleitch
www.hanglooseoutdoors.com
On this episode, Lee is joined by Ashley Rae, creator of the popular blog and website shelovestofish.com. Ashley has been blogging about her adventures fishing since 2009 and has become a well known ambassador in the sport of fishing. She was named as “one of 11 outdoorswomen transforming the face of hunting and fishing” by Field and Stream Magazine.
Topics discussed are how she got her start in fishing, the evolution of her blog, her take on competitive fishing and where she wants to make an impact in the industry.
Ashley is a very knowledgable and well known angler fishing mainly up on the Bay of Quinte in Canada. Her story is one that is inspirational to not only female anglers but all anglers who want to have a positive impact on the sport of fishing. Enjoy!
Growing up some of us have aspirations of maybe moving away from home for a while to explore new and exciting places to live. If someone were to ask you, what would be the first place you would say? I bet not to many folks would say North Dakota. Not that there is anything wrong with the state. It’s actually a outdoorsman's paradise. It has endless opportunities for those who wish to pursue amazing hunting and fishing opportunities. Meet today’s podcast guest, Theo Toliver, who found North Dakota to be his favorite place on earth and happily made it his forever home and place to live. Theo is quickly becoming one of North Dakota’s more prominent anglers.
Fish Addictions TV found Theo to be an important figure in the central plains area and asked him to join their growing staff this past year. Theo also continues to educate anglers on his YouTube channel and help others catch more fish. Lee talks with Theo from his early start into the sport of fishing, the industry and also tactics to help put more fish on the ice and in the boat this season.
Leading up to Christmas seems to be the busiest time of the year for some of us. Typically you are worried about if you have the right Christmas card photo, rushing to get your shopping done, sending out the Christmas cards, what to eat on Christmas day itself… well you get the point. Episode 12 of the Freshwater Bite Podcast will help you pick the perfect gift that will make a lasting impact. Lee talks with one of his best friends and long time fishing buddy about what you can get for that special angler on your list. They go over essential gear that they themselves can attest to that work, day in and day out. It took over a decade for these two hard water anglers to narrow down what they believe is a near perfect set up for fishing large and small bodies of water. The research has been done for you and worry not, there is sure to be something on this episode for every passionate ice angler out there. It’s the twelve days of Christmas everyone! Cheers!
Nick's Youtube Channel: UCyEXuBjL2nvG5NkQAlla6Dg
Bait Up -https://www.bait-up.com
Navionics -https://www.navionics.com/usa/apps/navionics-boating
Bass Pro XPS stalker backpack https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-xps-stalker-backpack-tackle-bag-or-system
Mr. Heater Single Tank Top Heater -http://www.mrheater.com/15-000-btu-single-tank-top-heater.html
Otter Sportsman’s Case (less expensive at Gander Outdoors) -https://www.otteroutdoors.com/product/sportsmans-case/
Snare Rod and Rod holder -www.jtodp.com (promo code: freshwaterbite save 5%)
Shimano Sienna 500 Reel -https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/shimano-sienna-500fd-spinning-fishing-reel?a=2179497
Johnson Cargo Rack -http://www.johnsonscargo.com/snowmobile-info-gallery
Marcum LX7 Sonar -https://marcumtech.com/digital/#lx7
Humminbird Helix 7 Ice -https://www.humminbird.com/news/article/new-humminbird-ice-helix-7-g2n-gives-anglers-all-season-fish-finder-option
It's that time of year again. First Ice! I am just as excited as a kid on Christmas getting out all of my ice fishing gear. Rigging up new ice line on all the reels, organizing my tackle box for ice jigs and making sure my tip-ups are ready to go consume many evenings after a work day. However, I'll be one to admit that while getting all of the gear together is fun I often can be guilty of over looking the safety side of things. Yes, I know safety is not as fun but is the MOST important type of gear you can bring out.
Today's podcast I am joined by Bemidji Fire Department's Captain Trent Eineichner. Trent is the Fire Captain at the fire station and was nice enough to spend sometime with me on this episode going over ice safety. We talk everything from what is considered "safe ice", how ice forms on a lake, gear you should never leave home without, tactics to get out if you or a friend fall through and much more.
Every year we hear or see horror stories on social media of some folks that went through or were stranded out on the ice after a strong wind. Conditions are constantly changing and no matter how cold it is outside you should always use caution when heading out on the ice. My hope is that you guys give this episode a close listen and can walk away with at least one piece of information that you can implement as you head out onto the ice this year. I learned a few tips myself and glad that I took the time to go over the safety checklist as I gather up my ice fishing gear this season. If anything else, this is a fantastic refresher even to the seasoned ice angler. Stay safe and please give this one some attention.
In the past, it seemed in order to be a “Pro” staffer for a company in the fishing industry you were typically catching the biggest fish or winning the big tournaments. People would then think that the pro really knew what he was doing and is a valuable asset to companies because of the gear they use. This is all true to a certain point but field staff positions have also changed and evolved over the recent years.
On this episode I am joined by Matt Bain who is on field staff for several fishing companies. We talk about what it means to be a “Pro” on staff and how you may be able to bring value to a company with a unique set of skills outside of the obvious of catching big fish. Matt shares a personal story on why floating ice suits are important to have and we also talk budget friendly ice sonar units, more expensive ones, how to set them up and the importance of why you may want to think about adding a camera to your ice fishing arsenal.
When you walk into your local bait shop or Bass Pro you'll find that there are aisles full of the latest and greatest sonar technologies, GPS, lures, rods and all sorts of things. You may think you have to spend a pretty penny to put more fish in the boat. Not always the case though. Social media platforms and online forums have become an anglers digital bait shop it seems. Not to mention blogs and podcasts, like this one, seem to share ideas that will keep you sharp and informed all season.
Joining or even starting a Facebook group or forum is a great way to get conversations going to help build a community of anglers catch more fish on their local bodies of water. Becoming part of online communities may help you for a plan on how you fish your local body of waters and can help save on time and money.
Take for instance one of my favorite online groups that is helping me boat more fish, Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers. I am joined on today's podcast by Wes Smith, who is the owner and group administrator. I firmly believe some of the questions, ideas and dialog's conducted on well run groups like the Stalkers have more value than one would think. It is important however to make sure you find the right online page or group that is right for you.
On this episode I ask Wes what it takes to have a successful online Facebook group. We also talk about the fall walleye bite happening right now, techniques to catch those fish and Wes's unique boat of choice he fishes out of. Wes and I had a great conversation and is one you'll notice has the best price tag of all............FREE!
Links:
Click here to follow Wes Smith on Instagram.
Please listen to the special announcement at the beginning of the episode and be sure to check out Sportsmen's Nation.
www.freshwaterbite.com
Bowhunting is a skill that has changed man's evolutionary history and has been around for thousands of years dating back to some saying 71,000 years ago with recent arrowhead findings in South Africa. The Egyptians, however are still regarded as the first to build composite bow to use for hunting. With new findings of buried artifacts like the arrowheads found in South Africa, the time line keeps changing as we know it producing more theories on how long the bow and arrow has helped shape us as humans.
Jump to modern day and some of the new compound bows look like something out of a science fiction novel or comic book with all the modern day bells and whistles. I am guilty of owning and unapologetic to the fact that I love using and hunting with a Hoyt compound bow myself. Then there are those who still decide to use traditional bows, also known as long bows or recurves.
On today's episode you meet someone who decides to only hunt with a traditional long bow and has done so now for 25 years. My guest on this episode is Jason Samkowiak. Jason is the host of the Traditional Bowhunting and Wilderness Podcast and youtube channel. Traditional bowhunting has changed the way Jason has hunted and has made him a better hunter over the past 25 years. Jason shares with us what I consider to be some of the most helpful bowhunting techniques for public land and mobile style deer hunting.
With all of today's modern compound bows, cross bows and guns, I truly admire the way Jason decides to hunt. Instinctive shooting, knowing the woods and where to be in the woods to put himself as close to the deer as possible is a way of hunting I hope Jason keeps educating us all on. The process of learning and sharpening skills as hunters should always be what we strive for and enjoy the most. While I know it will always feel good to have killed an animal I hunt ethically, I believe the story and skills of how I was able to do so, will be more valuable and what I remember most.
Cheers,
Lee
Links:
Jason's youtube channel: Click: Traditional Bowhunting and Wilderness Podcast
Jason's website where you can find podcast video's and more: tbwpodcast.com
Typically when my alarm clock goes off in the morning it takes a few minutes to clear my foggy brain and tell my feet to touch the floor. Instantly there is a flood of confusing tasks that run through my mind as I mosey over to the bathroom to start getting ready for the day. However, when it comes to a day when I am going hunting or fishing, I almost greet my alarm clock prior to it going off. The adrenaline running through my veins and thinking about stepping into the outdoors on my next pursuit just makes waking up see a whole lot easier and of course coffee helps too. I would love to make a profession out of my fishing and hunting lifestyle but I sometimes wonder if it would change my perception of my passion of the outdoors if it meant whether or not my bills would be paid at the end of the month.
Chris Granrud is one of those folks who wakes up everyday to greet not only his customers but Mother Nature and whatever fish may be or may not be biting. Chris is the owner and operator of RainyDaze Guide Service. It takes a individual, wired in a certain way, to want to take on fish guiding as a career and still have the passion at the end of the day for themselves to still enjoy. In this episode I talk to Chris on what it takes to be a fishing guide. He talks about how he risked it all, quit his job and moved 350 miles away to start a fishing guide business. He doubled down on his true love and passion in life and he reflects on how that journey has been and what you can do if thinking of starting a guide business yourself.
Chris is also the sales manager at JT Outdoor Products. I ask Chris to share with us three products from JT that we should look at to help us put more fish on the ice this upcoming winter.
I have always had an enormous amount of respect for guides in any outdoor adventures whether that be elk, moose, bear, salmon, walleye or whatever species you put paying customers on. There are so many variables that can factor into your success on a daily basis. The weather, fish, animals, boats or equipment doesn't care you are trying to run a business. At the end of the day as a guide, it's how you have adapted to your environment, equipment and most of all customers on whether you are laying the ground work for a future career or going back to punching a clock. It takes deep passion, determination and a never quit attitude to wake up everyday.
For me as I drive by West Bay in the morning and gaze out at the charter boats heading out into Lake Michigan, I always give credit to those captains following their passion, hope the fish are biting, customers are happy and that their cups are as full of passion for the outdoors as mine is.
Cheers
Lee
Show Links:
RainyDaze Guide Service.......www.rainydazeoutdoors.com
JT Outdoor Products........www.jtdop.com
If you are from the state of Michigan or a walleye fanatic like I am, I'd be willing to bet that Mark Martin is a name that you have come across hundreds of time. You know him as a PWT world champ, fishing promoter throughout the U.S and Canada, "Mr. Walleye at Night" and a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame just to name a few.
I have to admit with a resume like Mark's I'd thought there would be little chance he would reply to my email to sit down and do a podcast with me. However, Mark proved to me why he is so well liked in our sport of fishing and sat down to give me the longest podcast episode I have to date. Nearly two hours! From his youtube channel "Mark Martin's Outdoor Adventures", writing articles for major magazines, speaking at seminars and preparing for another successful Ice Fishing Vacation School, Mark has plenty to keep him busy. He has been fishing well over 40 years and tournament fishing for more than 30!
What is this dude talking to me for and what could we possibly spend almost two hours talking about you might ask? Everything,from Mark's humble beginnings and learning not just how to fish for a living but how to be successful at promoting the sport of fishing. We even somehow tied in walleye and whitetail deer similarities and how we pursue both in a similar style. I also ask Mark on how he can get walleye to bite in certain lake conditions and scenarios that I hope you can try out on one of your adventures.
Since starting this blog and podcast I have learned a ton about not only how to catch more fish but more importantly the stories behind the people catching the fish. To me, finding out who the person is and their story tells a lot about how they catch fish. I'd like to think that after listening to these podcasts you can walk away with a tip or two that you can use in the field but what I think you will remember most are the legacy's these outdoorsman are creating.
I want to thank Mark for coming on the show and please take time to check out some of Mark's projects in the links below.
Cheers,
Lee
Links:
www.markmartins.net
www.fishingvacationschool.com
youtube.com/user/MarkMartinFishing
I've been hunting whitetail deer all of life. Some of my earliest hunting memories consists of my dad picking my brother and I up from the bus stop, changing us into some camo, and heading out into woods. Naturally, as I grew older I also became as passionate about hunting as my father was and still is. One day I hope to have the same influence on my daughters so that they can have the option to partake in harvesting of their own meat, something that I value tremendously. However, that all depends on IF we have a healthy deer herd. In saying "if" it doesn't seem real to me. If someone had said "if there is a healthy herd" to me a decade ago, I would have looked at them like they didn't know what they were talking about. With each passing year I become more and more aware of the value and fragility of our wildlife resources. We as hunters are already dealing with a decline in license sales and number of people partaking in the act of hunting. Having issues like CWD and many others that threaten our wildlife populations is like pouring salt in a wound. Chronic Wasting Disease is relatively new to my state of Michigan and I wanted to become more educated on the matter.
This podcast I am joined by Chad Stewart from the Michigan DNR. Chad is the Deer, Elk and Moose Management Specialist for the state of Michigan. We talk about theories on where CWD may have come from and it's progressive expansion throughout the United States. Chad educates us on when and where it was found in the state of Michigan and provides a ton of valuable information about how they plan to contain it's spread, handling of carcasses, what to do if you come across a potentially infected deer while hunting and how the disease eventually is fatal to an infected Deer.
I learned a ton of information from this podcast and speaking with Chad. This is one I think you will want to listen closely in hopes of becoming more informed as a hunter yourself. After all, we know that conservation always starts with the joined efforts of hunters in preserving our natural resources and wildlife. It has always been my view and my opinion that no group of individuals care more for the conservation of a species or preservation of the future of that species more than hunters. It is up to us to work with our DNR to control the spread of this disease.
Cheers,
Lee
Helpful links below to learn more about CWD, viewpoints, data in other states and what the state of Michigan is doing.
http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/follow-illinois-not-wisconsin-to-slow-spreading-cwd-b99560237z1-322353591.html
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/regulations.html
https://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/0,4579,7-186-76711_78204---,00.html
http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/blogs/ted-nugent-irrational-cwd-fears-are-hurting-the-hunting-tradition
The month of July is typically known for always giving us our first real taste of what summer feels like. Temperatures staying in the high 90's and for some above 100 degrees this time of year defines the "dog days" of summer. For some anglers it can be some of the toughest bites to find, but it doesn't have to be. Here on this episode, Joe Okada, professional walleye angler comes on to help us through the heat of the summer and drops a ton of useful knowledge we can all put to use during these long summer days.
Joe is one of the most down to earth dude's that I have met in this industry and I cannot say enough great things about the guy. He is a staple and one of the biggest names in the professional walleye angling world today. Joe takes the time to join me on the podcast to talk about his humble beginnings as a young angler, the influence of his father, what it takes to be a professional walleye angler and some great summertime tactics for putting more walleye in your boat during these hot summer months.
When Joe is not fishing tournaments he can be found guiding on his local bodies of water in Wisconsin, conducting interviews, appearances and other events to continue to be a key ambassador to the sport of fishing. You can follow Joe over on his website at www.joeokada.com or on Twitter @joeokada. I want to thank Joe again for taking the time to hang with me on the podcast and it is one conversation I hope to continue in the future.
This is one podcast you'll want to listen to as you crank up your AC wherever you are and sit back to enjoy. Cheers!
As always, please write in with your comments, topics of interest and or guests you would like to see featured on the show.
Most anglers when thinking of fishing Muskie in the state of Michigan think of Lake St. Clair. I'll admit that is the first thing that used to pop into my head being a native Michigander myself. After talking to Nick Day from the Michigan Muskie Alliance however, Nick sheds some light on some other Muskie opportunities in the state of Michigan that you may not have been aware of. Actually in the NW lower peninsula Nick talks about a 58 pound muskie that was caught in one of the chain of lakes around the Traverse City area (click the blue link above 58 pound muskie).
More importantly Nick informs us what the Michigan Muskie Alliance organization (MMA) is doing to grow and preserve Muskie populations throughout the state of Michigan. Nick is currently the president of MMA organization and he joins me on the podcast today to tell us about some new rules and regulations that have been added this year that you may not be aware of. We talk about proper handling and how to safely release these fish so when you when you find yourself with one on the other end of your rod you can do so confidently.
Now, I have never fished for Muskie before in the state of Michigan and you might be in the same situation as I. It is a species of fish that I want to pursue in the near future and I feel grateful that I have many opportunities to do so throughout the state. However, this would not be possible without groups like the Michigan Muskie Alliance who are out there actively preserving our Muskie fishery. I think of my own children and future generations who should have the same opportunity to fish or hunt for different species as we all enjoy today. Conservation is the core and lifeline for our future outdoor pursuits and if we don't protect and conserve our wildlife today we may find ourselves reminiscing on "the good ole days" of a certain species. One thing I hope to never have to think back and say in my lifetime...
Cheers,
Lee
Michigan Muskie Alliance website - (www.michiganmuskiealliance.org)
Youtube video on how to safely handle and release Muskie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FHyVsyMBeM&authuser=0
I welcome Joe Bricko to this episode of the podcast. Joe is the owner of JT Outdoor Products and he joins me today to share how his passion to solve a problem with one great idea has lead him to create a successful business that is making huge waves in the fishing industry. We talk about the famous "hot box" and how that one great idea turned into Joe growing his company from the ground up to now producing industry leading open water and ice fishing rods. JT also has four brand new open water rods just released this spring and we talk about how Technique Specific rods are necessary to help put more fish in the boat when fishing a certain type of bite. There are some great takeaways from this episode if you have ever thought of starting a business in the outdoor industry as Joe is very open and honest about his business model.
I am super grateful to know this dude and I hope you guys enjoy the episode.
www.jtodp.com
Brand new rods just release spring 2018 include: 8' Ascendant Trolling rod, 6'9 Black Reign Med Action, 7'3 Black Reign MH Baitcaster, 7'3 JTX MAG Light
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Lee is joined by Lance Valentine, owner at Walleye 101. This episode will have everything you need to know about how to be a successful walleye angler on the Detroit River during the spring walleye run. We break it down to the basics in case you have never jigged the river before. Launch sites, time of year, water temp, terminal tackle, jig heads, rods, line etc... There is a ton of great value packed into this episode!!
Lance owns his own charter business and fishing education programs. If you are interested in learning more about Lance's amazing educational events or want to book a charter head on over to www.walleye101.com