Welcome
What's In Store For The 2009 Season
The world economy has hit us all hard, and most folks have never seen anything like it before including myself. I know several friends, co-workers, fellow anglers personally that have felt the pain, but stand tall and hopeful that times will get better soon. Let us all wish and hope for nothing but the best for those in need this year.
This tournament fishing season will begin for me in late April when I fish the USA Bassin Kennebec Region Trail on Maranacook Lake. I'll fish the USA Bassin Trail with my son Brian and fishing partner Rick Baker.
After that I have several club and open events including trails that will keep the schedule quite full. I am also the Youth Coordinator for L/A Junior Bassmasters and I will be tackling the junior anglers schedule as well.
Late summer Maine will have their State Championship to see which 12 anglers will advance to the BASS Eastern Divisional in late September. My goal is to finish in the top five, and perhaps even win it if all goes well.
You can follow my progress to see where I place all season in the tournament section of this web site.
Ice Out Bassin
In Maine there are a few things you can count on, the ice will form, the ice will melt, and the state will tax you to the poor farm if you're not careful. If your dedicated enough two of three you'll want to be involved with and the third you'll wish to never end up visiting!
During late fall Maine bass start to gather in their wintering holes on deep drops, ledges, and deep river backwaters. An angler willing to take the time to visibly search using electronics can have a field day once the bass have been located. I find good late fall lures to be crankbaits, jigs and blade baits fished vertically over schooling bass.
Ice -out which is usually the first week in April, in the Southern Maine to the third week for Northern Maine, will boast some of the largest fish of the year as well as number if you choose the right locations. Those same fall spots where you caught those bass will still produce, but slowly the bass will start to migrate into the shallows. I'll start fishing while the ice is still on some parts of the lake at times and located schools of deep bass off ledges and on drops that lead into spawning coves. Other good areas to check include places where water is flowing into or out of the lake. These fish can be caught when the water is 34 degrees, but the best temps will range from 42-54.
I have caught and released 50-90 bass between 1 1/2 to 4 lbs with a few larger fish thrown in every once in a while each day during this time of the year.
NITRO Tournament Rewards Program
Registration is easy. Simply log on to www.tournamentrewards.com for an online application or visit your local TRACKER, NITRO or PROCRAFT dealer for an application that can be mailed or faxed upon completion.
Membership is $89 plus $10 shipping and handling, and is good through December 31, 2009. Anglers must renew their membership on a yearly basis.
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