Seaguar on the Water

When it comes to bass fishing, especially for largemouth bass, fishing around aquatic vegetation is always a good place to start. Bass love grass, and fishing in, around, and through vegetation is a surefire way to up your odds at catching fish.

Spring is prime time for big bass, and anglers everywhere are out in full force when the fishing is good, as early in the year can be some of the best fishing all year long. It is a time of year when the big bass move shallow to spawn and give anglers the chance to catch their biggest bass of the year or even a lifetime.

Throughout the Northland, intrepid anglers are taking their first tentative steps onto the frozen surfaces of pine-studded lakes, welcoming another season of hardwater fishing. After weeks of organizing tackle, sharpening auger blades, charging batteries, and spooling reels, holes are being cut, bites are being triggered, and fish tails are slapping the ice.

Fall is a season of change: green leaves turn brilliant shades of amber and crimson, resident waterfowl feel primal urges to gather in large numbers and fly south, and many outdoor enthusiasts contemplate trading their boat seats for deer stands.

The Bassmaster Elite circuit visited two powerhouse northern fisheries, the St. Lawrence River and then Lake Champlain, during a remarkable two-week march across New York state this July. Competitors battled strong winds and heavy seas in pursuit of monster smallmouth and elusive largemouth, with the goal of hoisting impressive blue trophies and enormous cardboard checks over their heads.

At its core, fishing is a people business. If fishing is to thrive – particularly when faced with significant headwinds – we need to recognize and support those who put a rod in someone else’s hands for the first time, or teach them the intricacies of a difficult presentation, or provide a voice for their needs or those of our shared resources.