We are 4 weeks from the Bass opener in MN! It's time for final preparations. Here's a list of what I need to do in the next 4 weeks:

Get the boat out of storage
Put the batteries in the boat
Re-install the trolling motor
Make sure all items that I took out of the boat are put back
Vacuum the carpet
Generally clean the boat
Purchase and install a spare trailer tire (I forgot to buy one last year)
Put the new decals on the boat
Get all my tackle ready and put it on the boat to include new rods and reels
Build a holder for all my Plano 3700 boxes (11 is the current count)
Take down the Kayak out of stoarage
Clean up the Kayak
Figure out how to mount the back up oar
Attach a harness to the main oar
Make sure to attach the rod holder before I bring it to the lake
Build a couple more shallow crank baits
Go to Cabelas to buy some more soft plastic trailers (mostly beaver or crayfish types)

I don't think I'm missing anything but who knows! Hopefully this list may help you in your preparations.

Today I have a question. Are the benefits of living in North Dakota worth dealing with the weather?

Here are the benefits as I see them:

The economy is sound and insulated from the severe ups and downs of the rest of the country for the most part.

The crime rate is low. I'm not sure if there is a safer place in the US to live

Here are some facts about the weather:

On 3/31/2014 a blizzard dumped 18 inches of snow on the Grand Forks area. 

Today, 4/3/2014 I woke up to about an inch of snow on the ground.

It's been snowing all morning.

I can't tell you how many days in a row I wore long underwear this winter. It's been freaking cold!

Now, when you consider why I'm posing this question, understand that my number one priority is getting on the water  to fish for bass. 

Let's say I lived in Florida. I can do that, this is a free country. I could sell my snow blower, snow shovel, snow shoes, insulated coveralls etc and just move to Florida. No one would stop me.

Anyway, let's say I lived in Florida. I would have been fishing back in February. Heck I could fish all year long. I know crime would be higher there, and I'd have to worry about silly hurricanes but I wouldn't have to move snow and wear long underwear all the time.

OK this rant is complete. Thanks!

I know it's been a long long time since I made an entry here. I am going to try and keep up better this year. Well, here it is 8 weeks to the MN bass opener. We just experienced a blizzard yesterday and it doesn't seem like I'll be on the water in 8 short weeks. So what have I been doing all winter? I've been making bass lures. Yes, I decided that I didn't want to waste all my time playing games on my iPad or staring aimlessly at the TV so I scoured the internet and got started. 

My only goal was to create a top water popper that I could use to catch a bass. I did that soon enough and graduated to a bunch of other ideas. So here are a couple pictures of the lures I've created. I'll post more later on how I created these in a future post.

I just realized that with the weather around here and the flooding, by the time I can get back to Round Bay Resort, I may not be able to get across the river! I'm not one to complain too much but come on Mother Nature, I have to catch some Bass over here!!!!!!

Getting supplies for the upcoming season...
Top water frogs with special dual hooks, creature baits, hooks and bullet weights.






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Here's a picture of me and my Wavewalk kayak

OK, I have blogged before but this is my first attempt at blogging about my first love (other than my wonderful wife Tina of course). Bass fishing is my escape. I know many out there see bass fishing as a techno race to find and understand the bass using loads of the latest toys. Look no further than the Cabela's catalog. I was surprised to see page after page displaying trolling motors alone! And don't get me started on the endless options that Cabelas presents to anyone looking for a fish finder!!! Let's get this out of the way right now, here's my bass hunting outfit.

Wavewalker Kayak
Motor-my arms and shoulders
Fish Finder-Experience and luck

There it is. Since I've used my Kayak (wavewalk.com) I've had zero motor malfunctions. I get a bit tired and I have to sacrifice the ability to get across the lake in record time but that makes me fish the areas I can get to more thoroughly.

One more thing to point out on this first blog entry, and I'm sure this will come up again later in my entries. My fishing philosophy is simple. I love to fish but I don't gauge my success on how many fish I catch. When I'm out on the water, I've already won. I'm not at work, I'm not stressed out, so what is there to complain about?? Yes, I usually catch something but that isn't the point. The point is I have an activity I'm truly passionate about and enjoy pursuing.

That's all for the first entry. Thanks and remember to enjoy the experience. The next time you're on the water take a minute and soak it all in.