Long Weekend

It was great to be fishing for bass close to home. I was not able to complete the Lakeville Trilogy as Lake Orchard access was full on Saturday and Sunday mornings when I tried to go.

Saturday - Fished from 7:30am to 10:30am with a buddy on Crystal Lake. I caught 3 nice fish and a little 12" all on Green Pumpkins Lake Fork Ring Frys,. We tried Swim Jig, chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, Fork Frogs and other stuff, but no takers. It was getting hot fast and I had to head home to get ready for a surprise b-day party that I was throwing for my wife. The short fishing excursion was just part of the illusion, she may have suspected something if I had not went fishing on the opener ;)

Sunday - I went out with my neighbor on Lake Marion, he had never really targeted bass before. It was a tough bite, I caught one nice 3lb fish under a overhanging willow tree on a LFT Ring Fry and he caught a small northern as well. Our wives than joined us on the lake so we targeted panfish the rest of the afternoon. We both caught two nice bass on a baby clown colored Husky Jerk. 2:30pm it was just too damn hot and too many skiers, so we headed home.

Monday - 6am - 2pm on Crystal Lake with my club tournament partner John. We have a club tournament on Crystal on June 18th. It is really too early to be practicing as the fish are in a state of rapid transition, so it was more of a fun outing. Between us we caught 15 bass, most of which were in the 2-3lb range and one just over 4lb. Most fish we caught were on inside weedlines and a few around docks and trees. All John's fish came on a watermelon red flake Baby Brush Hog texas rigged with a small pegged sinker. I caught fish on LFT Ring Frys, Craw Tubes, Shakey Head Finesse worms & a brown & purple Swim Jig. I also caught a small northern on a pumpkin/gold chatterbait and also had a 2lb bass on and he spit the hook. It was tough early and the bite seem to get better as the day progressed, probably due to the approaching storms.

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Ahhhh at last, Bass Opener is less than 12hrs away. I think I will probably try the Lakeville Trilogy this weekend, Orchard, Marion & Crystal. They all have big bass potential with adequate numbers. Probably get up early every day, fish for a few hours and then head home as the crowds arrive. Should be fun and then next weekend I will get back to focusing on my tournaments. I thought about heading up to the Le Homme Deu chain to prefish the weekend series, but things will be changing so rapidly, it really does not pay to start until Thursday. It will be a good time to give some focus to chatterbaits as there is pressure to find or catch fish.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

More info to Make Your Own Chatterbaits

Found some interesting stuff at Barlow's Tackle - They have all the components for making your own chatterbaits & jiggerbaits.

Plus an interesting article on modifying your Chatterbaits by BassFan.com.

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

Weekend in Review

Well it was an up and down weekend for me. Deer Lake was a disappointing tied for 4th place, while Wapogasset was a dominating 1st place & big fish sweep. That puts me in 2nd place, well with in striking distance (3.2lbs) with 6 tournaments to go.

Peter T. won the very first Bassmasters Memorial event ever held down in TX and somehow my DVR did not record the live weigh-in, major bummer. I wish they would replay it, did anyone record it?

Also announced today, Lay Lake - Birmingham, AL is the site for the 2007 Bassmasters Classic which will be Feb 23-25.

Oh yeah, this is the last week to get signed up for the Bassmasters Weekend Series - Northstar Division right here in Minnesota. Click Here for Details!

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

Buzzbaits & Spinnerbaits for our Troops

Most of us anglers and outdoors people are very aware how important service men & women are to protecting our country. We also acknowledge, we would not be able to go fishing every weekend if it were not for them serving and protecting our freedoms. Are you looking for an easy way to give something back and acknowledge your appreciation?

I sent a link to my website to one of my co-workers and she went to Secret Weapon Lures and clicked on their "Support Our Troops" page, she then ordered a couple buzzbaits to be sent to troops returning home. I had noticed this before, but did not realize how interested people would be. After seeing her reaction and how great she thought it was, I decided to make a posting to offer this to all of you.

So check out this page and consider buying a spinnerbait, buzzbait or fishing cap for our service men & women returning home. These gifts will be awarded to the soldiers at a bass tournament organized be ABA this fall on Kentucky Lake where returning soldiers will be paired with experienced bass anglers for a day of fishing. Along with the baits will be a small card designating you as the donor.

Thanks to all our troops!
HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

Turn In Poachers - #TIP on your Cell Phone!

This is a great program, check it out! TIP Website

Also a good article on the TIP# cell phone program -http://www.fishingminnesota.com/fishinfo372.html

What does TIP do?
TIP furnishes rewards to callers providing information which leads to an arrest. Rewards range from up to $100 for fish, small game and non-game species violations, up to $250 for big game and endangered species violations and up to $1,000 for flagrant or commercial violations. Callers may remain anonymous.

TIP educates the public about the effect of poaching on Minnesota's game and fish through:
• The TIP 'Wall of Shame' at sportshows and other events.
• Educational activity books for young conservationists
• Speakers
• Brochures, billboards, license envelopes and newsletters

TIP needs your help!! You may report violations anonymously: Call 1-800-652-9093 or #TIP on your cell phone. Poachers are stealing from YOU.

Help Protect our Resources!
HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

TBF/FLW MN Update

Here is some interesting info for those of you that like to fish federation tournaments and qualify for divisional tournaments. The MN TBF Federation has its website up - www.mnbass.org and they have a 2006 Northern Divisional Qualifier set for June on Rush Lake. Check out their website for details.

Also, the new TBF/FLW National Federation site is up & running in conjunction with BassFan.com - www.bassfederation.com They have a good article on swimming jigs as well.

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

Ready for a Bassin' Weekend

Got my boat out on the water Wednesday evening for a test run to make sure everything was operational. Thankfully it was all systems go and the motor ran great, I am just angry that I did not add more fuel since it was at least $.25/gallon cheaper that night than now :(

So I am officially ready to head to WI for some bass fishing while most of you will be hassling the walleyes here, and the novelty of WI opener should be warn off. So I will brave the weather on Deer Lake on Saturday and Wappogasset on Sunday. This is in preparation for my Gopher Bassmasters club tournaments the following weekend. I will also be able to test out my new Cyclone Lightning Blades & Gambler Swim Blades, I wonder if my real original chatterbaits that I ordered in January will ever show up......

Anyone else headed to WI or have any hot tips for those two lakes?

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

New Bass Fishing Forum

The Minnesota Bass Federation Nation has added a forum to its website. There will be plenty of announcements on youth & conservation activities as well as fishing reports. Also if you have a question about a specific lure, line or technique..... just leave a question and plenty of members will get back to you with their opinions. Or just check out the main website @ www.MNBF.org

HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

North View Fishing Experience

Check this out!

April 26, 2006
The North View Fishing Experience 2006

Dear Angler,
I’m writing to extend an invitation to join us for the 20th annual “Fishing Experience” for students at North View Junior High in Brooklyn Park. Actually you are an essential part of this day. The trip will be on Monday June 5, 2006 from 9 AM to 1:45 PM at Maynards Restaurant on Lake Minnetonka’s Excelsior Bay. Students who have signed up to come fishing will be excused from school for the day and will come to Maynards via school buses. Past successes and the trip history have set the stage and created student excitement for the event again this year. If you’re willing to volunteer time, equipment, and a bit of yourself, please read on!

I know asking for a day of your time to take a couple youngsters fishing is a giant request and for many of you I’ve asked each year for a lot of years. But I believe that this day really makes a difference in the lives of these young people. You can make this happen by doing what you love to doGo Fishing! I absolutely guarantee that the kids’ excitement will make a lasting memory for both you and the children!! Sometimes I forget that even though we’ve done this trip before (actually 20 times) many if not most of these kids have never had this experience and may not have the opportunity without your help.

There will be 2 students per boat (maybe 3 if room in your boat allows). Each team of adult and students will be encouraged to weigh 4 fish. All legal gamefish species, including sunfish will be allowed and there will be no minimum size limits. The event will be strictly Catch & Release. Live bait will be allowed but please bring your own. You’re invited to be part of a child’s first “fish story” or have first hand knowledge about “the one that got away!”

The fishing day will begin about 9 AM and end at 1:45 PM. (Guides plan to arrive about 8:45 for information regarding the day.) Activities will include a Maynards sponsored barbecue for everyone, random prize drawings for the kids and all the excitement of a tournament weigh-in hosted by John Hines from K102. As a guide please bring 2-3 rods and reels for the kids to use, 2-3 lifejackets for the kids to wear and appropriate tackle and bait. Students will bring their own pop and snacks for the lake. They will also be encouraged to bring their own tackle, sun screen and life vest but most simply don’t have equipment. The objective of the day is to introduce these young people to the sport of fishing in a positive and enjoyable way that leaves them wanting more! It also gives them a foundation for knowing how to with an expectation for success.

If you are willing and able to participate, please reply to this email, call me at school (763-585-7236) or fax the sheet to me (763-585-7210) to confirm your attendance. My email is: hildebrandb@district279.org If you have friends or associates that would like to attend please extend an invitation. However, please confirm attendance because the volunteer numbers dictate how many children will be allowed to sign up. If possible please respond by May 20 to allow us time to get as many kids as possible on the water. Oh yes, the trip will go rain or shine unless there’s a storm with lightning!

Thanks very much!
Bill Hildebrand
North View Junior High
Brooklyn Park, MN

Featured Bass Fishing Website

I came across a nice website with lots of Minnesota & Wisconsin Bass Fishing Tournament info - www.FutureBass.com

They also have a nice Bass Tournament Forum

They have info on Angler's Edge, Fishers of Men and more. Including articles on bass techniques and more.

Enjoy,
HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

Save Bucks on Bass Tackle Online

If you find yourself looking for hard to find baits on line and not having much luck or do not like the high price tags on some of your favorite Japanese baits, its time to try eBay!. There are also a bunch of chatterbaits listed in auctions right now. Lucky Craft, Jackall, Daiwa, MegaBass and more!

You can find your favorite discontinued baits, fishing lines, reels & gear all in one place. I have bought several Lucky Craft Sammys & Pointers , Daiwa TD Vibrations and other expensive baits for up to 50% off of retail prices. I have been able to average about $8-10 for Lucky Craft baits of eBay. I have a buddy who loves the old fluorescent green Trilene line, but they do not make it anymore. He was able to find several bulk spools for pennies on the dollar on eBay!.

My greatest eBay finds have been some unique Shimano Scorpion reels from Japan. They are ultra high quality, plus they have a uniqueness that is something cool that the rest of your fishing buddies will envy.

It must be noted, that not everything lure or reel for sale will be a great discount, you need to bid smartly and keep at it, eventually you will find a few gems that slip through the cracks. While this can be challenging and time consuming, it can add to the thrill, its kind of like hunting for cool baits online. So go to eBay.com, give it a whirl, all you need is an email to get started and it costs nothing unless you win. Its also a good way to turn some of your old fishing stuff into cash so that you can buy more new stuff.


Happy Hunting,
HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog

Cyclone Lightning Blade

Another lure manufacturer is jumping in to the ChatterBait lure market, V&M Lures, makers of Cyclone Lures, has released the Cyclone Lightning Blade. This seems pretty similar to other chatter style baits, like the Gambler Swim Blade & Venom Rattle Shake. It seems that Rad Lures inability to fill market demand has unintentionally invited extra players into their market space.

Also, several resourceful bass anglers are copying the original and making their own out of everything from soup cans to heating duct scrap. For those of you that are not quite as ambitious, Venom has produced a Venom Rattle Shake Kit that can convert your old lead head skirted jigs into chatterbait lures. You could also probably step it up a notch by putting the blades onto a tungsten jig :)

Tight Lines,
HellaBass
www.richlindgren.com
Bassin' Blog