Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation: Fishing Reports

Sounds like you've have some tournament success already, give me some of your highlights and low points of your Bass tournament experience... This my second year competing in Bass tournaments and I've definately had some of both. My low point was this year at the Midwest Pro Team...my partner Gordy Karg and I had a horrible 1st day on Whitefish after having very high expectations. My high point was last year's T.O.C. on Gull lake. I finished I think 24th...just a couple pounds away from moving on to the regional tournament. I had the fish on to get me in and I lost it. It was the only one I lost during the tournament but I had it. That doesn't sound like a real highlight but last year was my first year Bass fishing. Finishing ahead of several great fishermen gave me a lot of confidence and enthusiasm toward the sport. I see by the pictures of your boat that you continue to fish out of a walleye style boat. Do you see needing to switch to a more traditional bass boat? No I don't, for a couple of reasons. I still will be doing some walleye tournaments like the Wave Wacker. I also think my boat is an advantage for me while Bass fishing. Yar-Craft makes a great boat, in fact I think this is the best big water Bass boat and Multi-species boat made. I have set it up for both types of competition. With my Mercury Optimax I can still troll cranks for Walleyes, I can be up on the front trolling motor like everyone else for Bass or if its real windy I can fish Bass or Walleyes out of the back of the boat. A 36 volt Motor Guide and a set of Wave Wackers allow me to stay on structure in wind that no one else can hold on. What differences Lee have you experienced on a personal note? I know your family has really been able to get involved in your new sport, tell me about your family's rather exciting year in the world of B.A.S.S. One year ago my family didn't even know what Casting Kids was. In February our club held a casting event, I love that kind of stuff...getting kids involved in fishing. We had 107 kids through our event including both my boys and at least half of the hockey team I coach. My son Josh won the 7-10 year old division. That was neat, he had never practiced before that... in fact we all had to be shown how to do it that morning so we could help all the other kids and he could participate. After winning that I put some tape on the floor in the house and he practiced almost every day. About a month or so later and a lot of practice we went to the State tournament and he won. The Minnesota Federation gave him $1000.00 and a Trophy...he was really excited! We had no idea what we were in for but we were off to Schreveport LA in April to compete in the Nationals. This was held as part of the Federation Championship. Just being there was a great experience. Josh won again...in a cast off in front of a big crowd...unbelievable! We were so appreciative of B.A.S.S., their sponsors and the Minnesota Federation for the whole opportunity. Off to the classic! Not so fast. The ride had to end sometime. Four days before we were going to leave Josh broke his casting arm in a hockey game, I couldn't believe it. Josh said he could do it left handed and that it was no problem. We had to change everything in his mechanics because of the cast on his arm. He had to flip left handed and Pitch and cast two handed because he couldn't hold the rod up with his broken arm. With three days of practice we were off to the Classic. We had the greatest time down there met some new friends and Josh did a good job. He tied for third and then lost in a cast off. He won a $1000.00 scholarship and we all came away with a family memory that was a great experience. How have you been treated by your "walleye" friends? There has always been some tension between camps, how is it affecting you? Good question...I am taking some heat for being a traitor but I keep telling the guys "no slot, I'm catchin' fish and having fun, and my family is involved more". What advice would you give other non-bass anglers considering "crossing over"? Be open minded...a fish is a fish is a fish, and if it's tugging on your line it's a good thing. You don't have to beat the bank with a spinnerbait to catch Bass. Go to your favorite Walleye spot and throw a jigworm up a little shallower than you normally fish and see what happens. What is the biggest mistake you think most Bass anglers make trying to catch fish? They get stuck on one presentation or type of fishing. What tips would you give the established Bass angler to improve his/her skills from your technical walleye background? I would say get to know your GPS and how it operates really really well. It is a great tool. I think a GPS and a PinPoint trolling motor are the two greatest tools I have to learn a lake. In conclusion Lee, if we were heading out right now, what would we throw and where? I'd find us a good weedline, tie on an All-Terrain Tackle Mighty Jig with a 4" worm and keep jig worming until they started biting. I might also suggest you use a rod with a bit more flex and lose the fireline, feel is everything!

Fishing Reports
	Feel free to submit any reports for the benefit of other Federation members. Email your report to bhowell@mnbf.org Thanks & good fishing to all!
	The Minnesota B.A.S.S. Federation interviews Lee Erickson following his return from the Bassmaster Classic: Lee, I understand you entered the world of Bass Fishing after several years as an avid Walleye Tournament angler and guide. What does Bass fishing offer you that differs from your Walleye experience? Well, this will be somewhat of a long answer because there are so many things that I have found refreshing in the Bass world. Like most walleye guys around here, I always thought Bass fishing was too easy and that anyone could catch a Bass. They are easier to catch than Walleyes. Thats just a fact, but there is alot more to it than I ever imagined. I look at fishing different now. A fish is a fish and the environment has a similar effect on them and I really enjoy applying my technical skills, and knowledge of water conditions and structure to Bass fishing which I think has really given me an edge in competition. I also really like the format the Federation provides to make it as far as you can. I think Ken Christ took 6th in the Classic after qualifying through the Federation. What a thrill that had to be! I definately like the fact that there are no slot limits on Bass on the lakes I fish as there is on Mille Lacs for Walleyes. The issues going on there has really taken the fun out of fishing and competing there.
Sounds like you've have some tournament success already, give me some of your highlights and low points of your Bass tournament experience... This my second year competing in Bass tournaments and I've definately had some of both. My low point was this year at the Midwest Pro Team...my partner Gordy Karg and I had a horrible 1st day on Whitefish after having very high expectations. My high point was last year's T.O.C. on Gull lake. I finished I think 24th...just a couple pounds away from moving on to the regional tournament. I had the fish on to get me in and I lost it. It was the only one I lost during the tournament but I had it. That doesn't sound like a real highlight but last year was my first year Bass fishing. Finishing ahead of several great fishermen gave me a lot of confidence and enthusiasm toward the sport. I see by the pictures of your boat that you continue to fish out of a walleye style boat. Do you see needing to switch to a more traditional bass boat? No I don't, for a couple of reasons. I still will be doing some walleye tournaments like the Wave Wacker. I also think my boat is an advantage for me while Bass fishing. Yar-Craft makes a great boat, in fact I think this is the best big water Bass boat and Multi-species boat made. I have set it up for both types of competition. With my Mercury Optimax I can still troll cranks for Walleyes, I can be up on the front trolling motor like everyone else for Bass or if its real windy I can fish Bass or Walleyes out of the back of the boat. A 36 volt Motor Guide and a set of Wave Wackers allow me to stay on structure in wind that no one else can hold on. What differences Lee have you experienced on a personal note? I know your family has really been able to get involved in your new sport, tell me about your family's rather exciting year in the world of B.A.S.S. One year ago my family didn't even know what Casting Kids was. In February our club held a casting event, I love that kind of stuff...getting kids involved in fishing. We had 107 kids through our event including both my boys and at least half of the hockey team I coach. My son Josh won the 7-10 year old division. That was neat, he had never practiced before that... in fact we all had to be shown how to do it that morning so we could help all the other kids and he could participate. After winning that I put some tape on the floor in the house and he practiced almost every day. About a month or so later and a lot of practice we went to the State tournament and he won. The Minnesota Federation gave him $1000.00 and a Trophy...he was really excited! We had no idea what we were in for but we were off to Schreveport LA in April to compete in the Nationals. This was held as part of the Federation Championship. Just being there was a great experience. Josh won again...in a cast off in front of a big crowd...unbelievable! We were so appreciative of B.A.S.S., their sponsors and the Minnesota Federation for the whole opportunity. Off to the classic! Not so fast. The ride had to end sometime. Four days before we were going to leave Josh broke his casting arm in a hockey game, I couldn't believe it. Josh said he could do it left handed and that it was no problem. We had to change everything in his mechanics because of the cast on his arm. He had to flip left handed and Pitch and cast two handed because he couldn't hold the rod up with his broken arm. With three days of practice we were off to the Classic. We had the greatest time down there met some new friends and Josh did a good job. He tied for third and then lost in a cast off. He won a $1000.00 scholarship and we all came away with a family memory that was a great experience. How have you been treated by your "walleye" friends? There has always been some tension between camps, how is it affecting you? Good question...I am taking some heat for being a traitor but I keep telling the guys "no slot, I'm catchin' fish and having fun, and my family is involved more". What advice would you give other non-bass anglers considering "crossing over"? Be open minded...a fish is a fish is a fish, and if it's tugging on your line it's a good thing. You don't have to beat the bank with a spinnerbait to catch Bass. Go to your favorite Walleye spot and throw a jigworm up a little shallower than you normally fish and see what happens. What is the biggest mistake you think most Bass anglers make trying to catch fish? They get stuck on one presentation or type of fishing. What tips would you give the established Bass angler to improve his/her skills from your technical walleye background? I would say get to know your GPS and how it operates really really well. It is a great tool. I think a GPS and a PinPoint trolling motor are the two greatest tools I have to learn a lake. In conclusion Lee, if we were heading out right now, what would we throw and where? I'd find us a good weedline, tie on an All-Terrain Tackle Mighty Jig with a 4" worm and keep jig worming until they started biting. I might also suggest you use a rod with a bit more flex and lose the fireline, feel is everything!



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