Time is Whirling by...
Before you know it, we will be back on the water.
The first BASS Northern is in April, and show season is only weeks away now. It seems like I just put the boat
away, and it is time to get ready for a new year. I am very excited about 2009.
I want to thank CVA Firearms, Under Armour, Vicious Fishing, Stick Jackets and Koppers Live Target Lures as new sponsors in 2009.
As well, I want to thank Skeeter, Yamaha, D&R Sports, Shuberts, Midwest Migrations, and Lake Drive Marine
for their continued support. I'm looking forward to new additions to Angling Edge in 2009, including Mike Elkins
a.k.a. "Big Cobra" as a sponsorship partner.
Together we can maximize our efforts, and work together to
minimize our expenses. Not only is Mike a great fisherman, but he's also fun to travel with. We will be
fishing the BASS Northern Opens together, along with Scott Lakey, Luke Gritter, Jon VanDam, Don "Chicken"
Fowler and Eric Culler.
It should be an exciting year. Show season is on the horizon, and I will be available to introduce you to all of the
new products available from partners this year. Thank you again for your support, and your interest in our efforts.
2009 Is here!!!!
We've reached another year, and soon it will be time to start competing. As most of you know, I am looking forward to beginning in April over at Chesapeake bay with good friend and travel pal Mike Elkins. But before we can leave, there is a lot of business to tend to right here in the Midwest.
Back to back weeks in February, I will be at the Grand Rapids Fishing Show, and Outdoorrama back in Novi. Look for a ton of new products from everyone around fishing. I have a few highlights I want to share with you, and you can check them out when you see us next month.
March 3, 2009
Warm weather is beginning to take hold all across the Midwest, and soon we will be pushing water instead of drilling holes to get to the fish.
It has been a busy season so far, with 3 consumer shows in the books, and 5 to go, it’s a mad race to spring. Excitement is obvious as you see the fisherman wander around the exhibitor’s booths in anticipation of the onset of fishing weather. It’s neat to see how the crowd changes, as we get closer to warm weather. There seem to be fewer casual “regulars” and more of the serious fishing crowd. Kind of seems as though they have awakened from a winter slumber. For me, this winter has been especially tough. Fighting the desire to get back on the water has forced me into ice fishing; a despicable thought I never believed myself capable of. However, after venturing out with long time colleague Garret Reitenour, I found some enjoyment in jacking those poor helpless fish. In some small way, I almost believe that ice fishing may give me some edge when the water opens. Line watching can be an important skill to have, and that seemed to be the ticket when jigging for those pesky panfish.
So what’s next? I'm headed to Cabelas in Dundee, MI on March 7 for the Spring Fishing Days, then heading directly west. It’s time for the annual migration of Snow Geese northward toward their summer grounds in Alberta and Saskatchewan so that means it’s time for me to migrate to Nebraska to thin out the flock. That’s right: I'll be joining the crew of Midwest Migrations in SE Nebraska again this year for our right of passage. My official opening to spring - Snow Goose hunting, and bass fishing all while basking in the warm Nebraska sun. Well, hopefully it will be warm. Then its rush back home for the Lansing consumer show, followed the next week by the big finale in Grand Rapids for the Ultimate Fishing Show. I will get a few weeks off before ending the show season at Franks, and then the Easter Show at D&R Sports.
Mike Elkins, myself, and our Northern Opens group will be heading to Maryland right after the show Saturday to begin our practice for the BASS Northern Open on Chesapeake Bay.
So, long story short, it’s going to be a busy race to spring for me, but one that will help keep me preoccupied. I’m excited about this year. All of my sponsors have afforded me great opportunities, and I plan to make good on my opportunities and represent them well. Also, it will be a great honor to work more with Mark Romanack and his family and the Fishing 411 crew. Additionally, there will be plenty of quality time on the water with Big Cobra as we travel the country in search of fame and fortune, or the rest of his Dale Earnhardt chocolate bar collection. He only needs 2 more to complete the set of 3… best of luck with that Mike.
Thanks for the support this year; I look forward to bringing you some great stories and information as we continue to move into fishing season.
March 7-8
I will be at Cabelas for their Spring Fishing Expo, as well as Lansing in March and the D&R Sports show Easter Weekend.
Immediately following that D&R show, we will be heading East for the BASS Northerns opening event. As you can see, it's going to be a busy Spring, but I'm looking forward to the distraction of fishing. Winter has already lasted too long! So check out the updated sponsor news page, and look for all of these great products in your favorite stores. If you can't find them, let me know, and I will point you in the right direction.
March 11, 2009
I’ve spent the last few days in the heart of Snow Goose country, in the middle of the Central Flyway. It was another exciting adventure with long time friend and waterfowl guide Robert Schlagel. Midwest Migrations treated us once again to phenomenal water spread with nearly 500 decoys, and plenty of up close Snow Goose action. However, Mother Nature and The Weather Channel were a bit of a disappointment. The best weather for a successful goose hunt in the Spring calls for high ceilings, blue skies and some North winds. However, we were boxed in most of the trip with blinding winds from the SE and very little sun. Nonetheless, the geese that were brave enough to weather the storm were more than willing to offer themselves up. The shots were close and the action was intense when the birds came in. During a brief sunny episode late on Monday, we had around 5000 geese circling overhead, and another group of the same size moving in. What a great experience. Everyone should take the opportunity to see it.
I am planning a trip to North Dakota in October to join Midwest Migrations on a fall Sandhill Crane and waterfowl trip, and have openings for anyone interested. Lodging is included if you hunt with me, and my groups always receive special treatment. You can email if you have any questions.
March 29, 2009
Spring has finally arrived, kinda. The season to fish is now upon us, and so we look forward to the many opportunities to catch the elusive bass. I have had the opportunity so far this year to meet a multitude of fantastic people, all of whom have offered me a great deal of support and shared plenty of knowledge.
I will be out at the D&R Sports Center Spring Fishing Show Easter weekend (Fri. & Sat.) and then leaving for Chesapeake Bay for the Northern Open.
While at D&R Sports, I will be working with Vicious Fishing, and Okuma High Performance. Vicious will be offering a great deal on an already great product. Vicious Fishing is offering a high performance, super strong fluorocarbon fishing line at an incredible value, as much as half the price of others.
On top of that at D&R's show, we will be giving away one spool for every two you buy right in the store. Don’t be late for this one. Okuma High Performance will also have specials on their unbelievable bass rods and reels. In addition, I will have some of the new C3 rods for your inspection.
In other news, it's almost time for the spring catch and release season to open, and that means fishing for smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair. To usher in this season in style, I have paired up with long time friend and radio personality Scotty Bud to offer someone a VIP Fishing Trip to St. Clair for some world-class fishing!! The winner will be outfitted with Okuma fishing gear, Vicious Fishing line, Koppers Live Target Lures, Stick Jacket rod covers, and Schubert's tackle to fish with for the day, and take home with them when we are done. For more details and how to enter, check out the WZUU website or www.scottybud.com. Please remember to check out all the great products you see here, and remember to support your local retailers!!
Kendall Ulsh and Kendall Jones
April 29, 2009
After much anticipation, the Michigan Catch and Release bass season has opened, and as always we ushered it in with style. Thanks to the help of Okuma, Vicious, Stick Jacket, Shuberts and Laketown, Koppers Live Target and WZUU morning show crew Scotty Bud, we left our mark on Lake St. Clair.
I had the privilege of hosting Scotty Bud and contest winner Tim Vanderhill on my favorite lake for a day of fishing. We forgot to let Mother Nature know we were coming, but she definitely welcomed us with some sunshine and stiff wind. Although the gusts occasionally reached 40 mph, and waves made their way over the side of the boat more than once, we were able to hit the century mark and beyond. Tim was the real star of the day, showing up both Scott and I with his skills. Not only that, but he also won with the biggest fish of the day, nearly 5 1/2lbs.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to get on the water with Scott and Tim, and to give them an opportunity to check out some of the products that have served me so well. Thanks again to all of my sponsors for making this event possible, and to everyone who registered. I can't wait to do it again next year.
May 22, 2009
Another bass season opener is upon us in Michigan, and everything is as it should be. The weather has finally stabilized, making the opener a great day. Most of the northern lakes have seen the bass begin to spawn, or move toward the shallows. I have been able to enjoy great fishing so far this year, despite the unusually windy spring.
So far this year I have had the opportunity to fish with some great people. Dan Potter, Vicious Fishing rep has joined me on numerous occasions to test Vicious lines. We have enjoyed putting the product through intense examinations, and have yet to experience any problems. If you haven’t had the opportunity to try Vicious line, I encourage you to do so. Not only will you be extremely satisfied with the quality and durability, you will really like how much further your dollar goes. Vicious fluorocarbon sells four about half the price of the competition, and catches just as many fish.
Also this Spring I had the opportunity to fish with Fishing 411 television host Mark Romanack. Mark and I targeted some fish on St. Clair with crankbaits. Our trip was filmed and will be part of his 2010 programming lineup on The Sportsman’s Channel. It was an honor to fish with someone of his caliber, and to share a few tips and sponsor products with the 20 million or so viewers.
In other news, I am excited to announce another sponsor partner for 2009. As of May 21, I will be working with Strike King as a pro staffer. I am honored by their interest in me, and am looking forward to a long relationship with them. Not only are they one of the largest and most well known tackle manufacturers in the world, but they are also on the cutting edge. Check out their products including new tackle for 2009 at www.strikeking.com.
July will see us on the water a lot. I will be helping the Lady Bass Anglers with their annual charity tournament, as well as Scotty “Bud” Melvin for his event at Gull Lake. All the details of these events are on the Tournaments Page. Check them out, both are for a great cause, and pay back well.
Stay tuned, there is plenty of new and exciting things happening, and I will keep you updated as best I can.
June 23 2009
It has been a busy summer so far, and it looks like it´s just getting hotter. The fishing has been random here in Michigan this year, and the fish seem as confused as some of the fisherman. Early warm weather followed by late cool downs caused a scattering of spawning activity finding fish still on beds late in June. Some lakes were unaffected because of their make-up, but deeper bodies of water have seen more diversity. There are always those that are on top of the situation however, and that is the key to success. Staying on the water keeps you in tune with what is happening, making it easier to adjust to changing conditions.
I have been able to get out often, and haven´t limited myself to any particular bodies of water. I´ve been spending time on Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, a few lakes in northern Michigan, and even some small natural lakes here in southwest Michigan. My time on the water this year has been productive, and I´ve been scoring on all types of presentations. To date, my favorite has been a wake bait. For those unfamiliar with these baits, I´ll give a quick intro. A wake bait isn't anything new, just something that has been refined in the last few years. The emergence of swim baits and new styles of topwater baits have culminated in a specialized crankbait made specifically for running in depths of 3"e; or less. It's like a buzzbait combined with a crankbait. I prefer the Koppers Craw,
in natural color, in the larger size. This bait has a loud rattle, and gives off tremendous vibration in the water. From St. Clair to the inland lakes I have caught over 200 fish just this year. I believe the real key to this bait is the depth. Just under the surface of the water, it's hard for the fish to identify it, and high enough in the water column to create a surface disturbance. It is absolutely deadly, and I have seen solid numbers from prespawn all the way to summer pattern. Even better, you can run it over logs and rocks like they aren't even there.
I recently traveled to northern Michigan and fished with my buddy Jake Romanack, and got a chance to fish with a future pro. We had a great time fishing Green Lake near Traverse City, and I got a chance to show Jake a few things about bass fishing. I´m looking forward to my next opportunity to fish with him, and dreading the day when he´s showing me a thing or two.
In upcoming news, there are tons of events in the near future which I will be attending. Coming up first is ICAST in Orlando. The biggest and best trade show in the fishing industry. It's where all the new stuff is unveiled, and where everything starts. I will be spending time with the staff from Okuma, Koppers Live Target Lures, Stick Jacket, Vicious and the Fishing 411 crew. Check back for details from the show and pictures. Also coming up is the annual Fish Fest at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery. I have been privileged to be a part of this annual event which takes aim at educating and interesting youth and adult alike to fishing. This year I will be hanging with my good friend Scotty "Bud" Melvin, morning show host at WZUU "The Zoo" 92.3FM. July 11th is set for a KVD⁄Mark Zona fund raiser on Lake Templene where Scotty Bud and I will be donating some cash(our entry to KVD⁄Zona and to a great cause. You can get more info on this and the annual Scotty Bud Bass Tournament at www.scottybud.com. And finally, I will be headed to Grand Traverse Bay this weekend to fish with northern Michigan legend Chris Noffsinger. Capt. Chris is the authority on smallmouth bass in the bay, and I´m pumped to spend some time learning from him, and fishing with a fellow Vicious Team member.
I hope to see you on the water, and check back soon for new Pro Jock Corner articles.
