Author: Adam Back

EDGEFIELD, SC — The NWTF has awarded Steve Adams, a wildlife biologist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award for decades of excellent management of wildlife and wild turkey habitat. .

“Over the past 28 years with KDWP, I have been fortunate to be able to work on turkey habitat development, research projects and youth hunts to pass down the hunting legacy to the next generation,” Adams said. “To be recognized by NWTF with the Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year award is the honor of my career as a biologist. All of my work with wild turkey has been a collaboration with many co-workers and the partnership we have with the National Wild Turkey Federation. When I started working with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, I was fortunate to be in an area with a large turkey population. Through our trap and transfer program, we were able to move birds to western Kansas, Texas, and Utah. It was very rewarding to see how these birds flourished in their new habitats.”

Adams received the Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award at the NWTF’s 50^he anniversary celebration during its 47^he NWTF annual convention and sports extravaganza, sponsored by Mossy Oak.

The NWTF named Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year in honor of the former chief of wildlife for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for his leadership and vital role he played in improving wildlife management efforts. Kurz was also a leading figure in the wild turkey trap and transfer programs in North America.

Adams began his career with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in 1995 as a Biological Technician in the Wilson Wildlife Area through the Wildlife Management Institute. He is now a wildlife biologist for the area north of Wichita, a cooperative position between KDWP and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. In this capacity, Adams works with landowners to provide habitat management programs in south central Kansas. He actively participates in all KDWP population monitoring surveys, including the prairie chicken, pheasant, quail, and deer surveys. However, it is in his work with wild turkeys where Adams’ experience and passion shines.

Adams has spent many a cold morning in a blind overlooking a field, waiting for turkeys to enter a drop zone to capture them. She was an integral part of the turkey restoration process in Kansas, identifying wintering flocks to use as population sources for restoration efforts in other parts of the state. She led the effort to trap wild turkey flocks from 1998 to 2004 for restoration efforts in Utah and provided turkeys to Texas in 2013.

Adams has served on the KDWP Turkey Committee since 2007, providing vital perspective and important leadership. He has been a consistent leader on the committee, continually advocating for hunting opportunities while balancing the population status of the species.

Additionally, he has mentored many younger committee members and has provided an important and impactful perspective to several state biologists and KDWP leadership.

Adams has led a sustained effort to develop, coordinate and direct youth-led turkey hunts in central Kansas for nearly 20 years.

“Throughout his incredible career, Steve has been a champion for wild turkey and our hunting heritage in Kansas,” said NWTF Co-Executive Director Kurt Dyroff. “His 28 years of dedicated service speak for themselves. We are proud to honor his work with the NWTF Wildlife Manager of the Year Award.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.

2023 is the 50th of the NWTF^he anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50^he anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.

THE KASTKING PRO SECRETS TO SECURE THE SUPREME PRIZE

The world’s best bass anglers gather in North Carolina for the Major League Fishing World Championship on Lake Norman March 8-12.

Veteran tournament bass pro James Elam of Oklahoma is one of the Top 40 anglers of the Bass Pro Tour 2022 season, competing for the REDCREST Championship trophy and $300,000 top prize.

The 36-year-old angler has never fished the 50-square-mile clear-water reservoir, but the experienced bass angler has explored the lake from his boat and has a solid plan to catch spotted bass and Norman largemouth bass.

“I like to fish in deeper water, offshore, but Norman has a lot of piers, and I think fishing them will be the key to winning the tournament, and that’s what I’m going to do,” he says. “The lake has a couple of power plants that discharge warm water into the lake, and while those spots may offer better early spring fishing, I plan to stay away from them because they will likely create a lot of pressure from other anglers. ”

Elam says that water temperature will be a big factor in focusing your tournament fishing efforts.

“I’ll be looking for 57 to 60 degree water near the docks for the bass to spawn in,” he says. “Docks with 3 to 5 feet of water should hold fish, and I’ll look for the deeper docks, which are generally the best.”

Elam says that due to Norman’s clear water, you should be able to see the deeper waters from the preferred docks, but there are other tips for the main spots as well.

“Many times, large powerboats or sailboats require deeper depth at the docks where they are moored than at other docks with small boats,” he explains. “Those locations could be an option for pre-breeding Lake Norman bass.”

While Elam will likely target smaller spotted bass early in the morning, it will go for largemouth bass primarily because they are larger on average, which is important for having a high five-fish limit during the tournament.

“As the water warms later in the day, largemouths should be more active and vulnerable,” he says. “And I have to catch a good number of larger mouths to win the event. I think the last two days of fishing it will take 28 to 32 pounds of bass to win first place, and largemouth bass will do that with a fish limit.”

Elam plans to skip hooks and tube lures below the docks to trigger bass strikes, preferring green and brown lures, some with trailers.

It’s not easy to skip lures to hang out with bass, and Elam says having the right gear is essential for success. She will primarily be using a 7-foot 3-inch KastKing Speed ​​Demon Pro Series rod designed for jig and worm fishing. Installed on that rod will be a KastKing Speed ​​Demon Elite bait casting reel with an ultra-fast 10.5 to 1 retrieve ratio. The reel will be spooled with 15 to 20 pound test fluorocarbon line.

“The ultra-fast retrieve on the Speed ​​Demon Elite really comes in handy for working on the docks because I can cast, and if I don’t get bitten within five seconds, I can quickly retrieve the lure for another cast,” he explains. “Speed ​​to retrieve lures quickly so another cast can be made to a dock target is important to winning tournaments.”

If Elam must work Senko lures or fancy rigs in clear water, he will use spinning rigs and a lighter line.

“If there’s no wind and I need to slow down my presentation to fish delicately in clear water, the spinning rig is the way to go,” he explains. “My 7ft 3 fast action KastKing Speed ​​Demon Pro rod is perfect. I will be pairing it with a KastKing MegaJaws Elite spinning reel spooled with 20lb test braided line and a 10lb test fluorocarbon leader.”

About KastKing:

Founded in 2013, KastKing had a vision of producing quality products designed by anglers for anglers and delivered directly to the consumer at affordable prices. True to that vision, KastKing products are developed through input from the fishing community and go directly to the manufacturing plant. This reverse formula from manufacturer to consumer introduces cutting edge features into the new products that anglers want and need. The brand has gained popularity with anglers by offering affordable innovation through in-house engineering, allowing KastKing to offer never-before-seen technology at truly extraordinary prices. Ten years later, KastKing products have been sold to consumers in more than 150 countries and regions around the world through a variety of supply chains. Originally, KastKing products were only available online, but consumers can now find their favorite products in a growing number of retail stores. To learn more about KastKing and KastKing products, please visit our website at kastking.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Silencer Central, America’s largest distributor of silencers, is proud to announce that In the White Magazine has awarded Banish Backcountry a prestigious Editors’ Choice Award. In the White Magazine Editors’ Choice Awards represent products that demonstrate outstanding technical achievement and extraordinary value.

“The Silencer Central engineering team needs a pat on the back for this. When ounces have consequences, we think Backcountry is your best bet,” wrote Ben Battles, editor of in target magazine. “A revolutionary concept is a .30 caliber silencer that weighs three ounces less than my iPhone, which is the case with the new Silencer Central Banish Backcountry silencer.”

The Banish Backcountry is specifically designed for deep terrain hunts and serves as an essential asset made specifically to enhance your hunt. This 100% titanium, fully welded, rated up to .300 RUM

“We are delighted In the White has recognized Backcountry with an Editors’ Choice Award,” said Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central. “It’s no surprise that this suppressor is worth the money, and we’re honored that the publication’s talented team of writers and outdoor experts recognize the Banish Backcountry as one of the best products on the market.” suppressor is the key to making every season count.

Key features of Banish Backcountry include:

• Length: 5.5”
• Diameter: 1.6”
• Number of baffles: 6
• Weight: 7.8oz
• 1.375-24 Universal mount
• Gauge: 30 Cal
• Caliber Range: Up to 300 RUM
• Direct Thread and Muzzle Brake
• Sound reduction: 30db
• MSRP: $1,099

Experience the Silencer Central difference with Banish Backcountry, available at SIlencerCentral.com.

About Silencer Central:

Silencer Central began its illustrious journey in 2005 as South Dakota Silencer, an event-based company created with the goal of reaching the underserved sport shooting and hunting market by simplifying the silencer ownership process. It became the Dakota Silencer and was eventually renamed Silencer Central after expanding its streamlined process in August 2020 to all 42 states where silencers are legal. Ranked in the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies, Silencer Central simplifies buying a silencer by managing the entire buying process for the consumer, providing a free NFA Gun Trust, offering interest-free payment options, and drop shipping at your doorstep, once approved.

blackhawk^®leader in law enforcement and military equipment for more than 20 years, congratulates tactical athlete Ehea Schuerch on her first place finish in the Women’s Elite division of The Tactical Games 2023 Mississippi Regional event, which took place on the 18th and 19th February in Meridian, Mississippi.

The win is Schuerch’s first as a member of the Blackhawk team, and during the competition he raced his Blackhawk T-Series.^® Foundation series holster and plate holder.

“I’m excited to start this season with a win,” said Schuerch. “The location in Meridian was amazing and I’m glad we made the trip from Eastern Washington. I geared up for the game with my trusty T-Series case and the Blackhawk Foundation Series. The simplistic and minimalist design of the Foundation Series Plate Carrier is perfect for what I do in tactical gaming. It is important that the bike rack is as light as possible, which makes me faster, and there is no additional material for it to get caught on an obstacle while racing.”

A Spokane, Washington native, Schuerch began competing in The Tactical Games in 2022, where she quickly became one of the games fiercest competitors. Last year at the National Championships in Florence, Texas, Schuerch placed second among a field of 15 elite competitors.

Outside of competition, Schuerch has served as a corrections officer at the Spokane County Jail for seven years, where she is also the only woman to join the jail’s Correctional Response Team (CRT). In addition, she has been a defensive tactics instructor for nearly six years and recently became EMT certified.

Schuerch’s next competition will be at the Texas Shooting Academy in Florence, Texas on March 18-19.^he.

For more information on The Tactical Games, head over to thetacticalgames.com, and for more information on Blackhawk or to view their complete line of holsters and tactical gear, visit Blackhawk.com.

About Blackhawk

In 1990, a Navy SEAL was navigating a minefield when his pack failed. As his equipment fell to the ground, he swore that if he got out of there alive, he would make the equipment the right way. Today, this obsession with quality applies to everything we do. We are constantly researching, refining and perfecting every detail to provide gear that won’t let you down. Because we are not just doing things, we are fulfilling a vow.

New high-performance soft lures entice crappies, bluegills and perch galore

Even among the best bass fishermen in the country, whispers of words like big crappie attract a captive audience. So it was for Major League Fishing star David Walker, a confirmed snitch. One day, while driving home from his latest bass derby, Walker found himself daydreaming about a local crappie lake and the ingredients for an epic fish fry. “After a hectic bass tournament, I love coming home and fishing a boat full of crappies or white bass with my girls,” says Walker, a magician with a small jig and a soft lure.

A lifelong fan of panfish, Walker recently discovered a new bait concept for crappies, perch and bluegills. Ironically, the idea first occurred to him while he was tournament fishing for bass.

About superplastics
“When I started casting these so-called ‘superplastics’ for bass several years ago, I quickly learned an almost magical advantage of the material known as ElaZtech, which was that panfish and other nuisance fish couldn’t peck the tails off the back of the bass. your bass jigs,” recalls Walker. “While fishing for bass with traditional soft plastics, it has always been a headache and a huge waste of time when you have perch, sunfish and other tail-pecking fish in the area. But using these ElaZtech baits, I found that the panfish could peck at them all they wanted, with little to no effect on the bait. I could stay in the game, non-stop, reeling broken baits back into the boat, and constantly re-rigging a new tail.”

Meanwhile, Walker was thinking about crappies. He knew that ElaZtech’s advantages had tremendous panfish potential. “This is a material that is wonderfully soft and lively, so it’s easy to activate, so it moves and ripples fluidly in the water,” he notes.

“Like most anglers, I accepted for years that traditional panfish-sized soft plastics just don’t move as well underwater. Because they are relatively stiff, traditional soft crappie baits tend to lose action the smaller you make them. Therefore, you often had to resort to larger baits than you wanted or had to retrieve them faster to achieve the desired tail flick or swimming action. Neither is ideal for a fish that often exhibits size and speed selectivity in its feeding habits.

“You will understand that when I started fishing ElaZtech, I was very excited about its advantages for bass. But secretly, I couldn’t wait until panfish-sized superplastics arrived on the scene. Combine a super soft, live bait with crazy durability and you’ll quickly appreciate what I’m saying. This material has all the characteristics of the perfect panfish bait.”

sink rate swimbaits
A few days after the completion of a recent bass tournament, Walker found himself in his favorite crappie lake. He saw the aqua blue packets of the new Z-Man Micro Finesse baits lying on the deck of his boat and a light bulb went on. “I grabbed a packet of Shad FryZ™, a cool little 1-3/4-inch paddletail lure, and set it on a 1/10-ounce Micro Finesse ShroomZ™ panfish jig. Almost immediately, it became my favorite crappie bait, and here’s why.”

From the very first casts, Walker noticed that in the water the tail of the bait activated and kicked realistically with almost no effort, even at slow retrieve speeds. “The Shad FryZ is one of those rare crappie-sized swimbaits whose tail flicks and thumps as it falls. Crappies can be very speed sensitive, in terms of lure retrieve and sink rate. Too many traditional crappie baits require excessive speed to activate; often that is too fast for crappies, especially in colder waters.”

A deep thinking angler who is always conjuring up ways to maximize lure performance, Walker suggests that bait buoyancy and sink rate remain two ignored factors in the crappie catching equation. “Consider that the natural buoyancy of the Shad FryZ slows down its sink rate. So while I can benefit from the added casting weight of a 1/10 ounce jig, the rigged bait flutters and fishes more like a 1/16 ounce. And it still exhibits that nice, natural, bite-inducing tail kick on the drop.

“As seasoned anglers know, crappies primarily feed,” Walker continues. “Therefore, keeping the lure at your eye level or a few feet above is paramount, especially in spring.”

Unlike traditional PVC soft plastics, which sink, Walker points out, ElaZtech baits float, which slows the jighead’s sinking speed. “That’s something you simply can’t do with other crappie baits, because traditional plastisol baits sink quickly, often past the active attack zones of crappie and other panfish.”

Tricks with superplastics
To further tune the sink rate, Walker reels in “straight 6- or 8-pound leaderless braided test line,” he suggests. “After testing those 2, 3, and 4 pound micro-thin test braids, I found that the thicker diameter braid, which floats, slows down the sinking speed of the lure a bit more.”

Walker offers another tip for creating a semi-permanent soft “lure” that will catch dozens of fish without replacing the tail. “Add a drop of Loctite Gel Control glue to the jighead before threading the Shad FryZ or other Micro Finesse body,” he explains. “This locks the bait in place and has allowed me to catch close to 50 crappies on a single bait, all without re-rigging or even repositioning the original bait on the hook.”

Analogous to how braided superlines were initially perceived by anglers, Walker acknowledges that anglers often approach superplastics with hesitation. “Like superlines, which require different knots, ElaZtech baits require slightly different rigging and storage,” he notes. “But the advantages are too dramatic to ignore.

“To bait a jighead, thread the body onto the hook in the traditional way. Then, instead of pushing it up and over the jig barbs, grab the bait by the head and pull and pull it tight towards the head of the jig. This material is so elastic and resistant that it can hardly be torn by hand.

“For storage, just keep the baits in their original packages, don’t mix them with regular soft plastics in the storage bins, and your super plastics will last for years. That’s all about it.”

Shad FryZ recovers
While spring anglers generally target shallow water fish, Walker prefers to pursue larger, less pressured fish in 5 to 15 feet of water, just outside of eventual spawning grounds. “Count the lure down to the correct depth and start a slow and steady retrieve. Pause every 5 to 10 seconds. Let the bait stop and dangle momentarily. The tail will float; It won’t unnaturally drop below the jig head and blow out the fish. It’s a real key to ‘talking’ lethargic crappies into biting.”

“As a bass angler familiar with the toughness of ElaZtech, I spent years trying to cut and customize larger worms into panfish-sized offerings. They worked, but the new Micro Finesse baits give me panfish profiles and actions I’m looking for, without the need for a knife.

“As crappie fans discover the advantages of panfish superplastics – super soft, easy to activate and very durable – we will all be eating a lot more crappie dinners.”

About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic company based in Charleston, South Carolina, Z-Man Fishing Products has been fusing cutting-edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been one of the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits, and other lures. Creator of the original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovator of 10X Tough ElaZtech® soft baits, among the most sought after baits in freshwater and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest growing lure brands in the world.

Sea to Summit, the global manufacturer of adventure gear, is pleased to announce its new product launches for 2023. Sea to Summit will expand its award-winning tent and dry storage categories with the launch of the Ikos Store, Big River Dry Pack, eVac Compression Dry Bag HDand various product iterations within the dry storage category. The new product launch highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to detail-oriented, innovative, durable and sustainable design, and versatile product offerings for self-sufficient adventures across different terrains and activities.

After entering the tent category in 2021, Sea to Summit received numerous industry accolades for smart yet functional design features such as improved interior living space, user-focused design details, and increased ventilation for improved control. of the weather. Consumers will notice that the Ikos gazebo continues to provide the versatility of the legacy design, including an optional ‘Hangout Mode’ that turns the gazebo into an outdoor shelter for protection against inclement weather or scorching heat. In addition, the tent continues to enhance the interior living space through a wider floor volume to accommodate modern rectangular sleeping mats. The 2- and 3-person models are aimed at campers with assisted vehicles, leisure adventurers, and mid-mountain backpackers looking for more comfort in tents.

In particular, the Ikos tent is Sea to Summit’s most sustainable tent to date. After meticulous research and material innovation, the brand was able to create market-leading sustainability innovations to deliver a best-in-class gazebo that doesn’t sacrifice the features most important to the public. The Ikos gazebo uses the first-to-market DAC MX poles made with a greener anodizing process to reduce environmental impact, a chemical-free, flame-resistant fabric, and a PFC-free water-repellent finish.

Additionally, Sea to Summit will update and streamline your traditional dry storage collection. In addition to launching new products like the Big River Dry Pack and eVac Compression Dry Bag HD, the brand has made sustainable improvements to legacy lightweight dry bags and stuff sacks. The category refresh offers clean segmentation between the Heavy Duty, Lightweight and Ultralight product families, and incorporates decades of market-leading design solutions and consumer feedback to deliver intuitive features.

Consumers will appreciate the user-focused design details incorporated throughout the product offering, including easy-to-repair field buckles, optional strap carry solutions for bulky loads, ultralight dry-storage solutions for adventurers who They care about weight, and robust 420 denier ripstop nylon bags for the toughest of activities.

“For more than 30 years, Sea to Summit has focused on creating some of the most innovative equipment solutions on the market, offering unparalleled durability. Recent product launches highlight the future of our design, the meticulous and thoughtful features we work to incorporate, and the potential in which we can integrate sustainable materials and solutions into our core offering,” said Josh Simpson, General Manager of North America. from Sea to Summit. .

The new dry storage products will be available for purchase on March 6, and the Ikos gazebo will be available for purchase on March 10 at seatosummit.com.

For all Sea to Summit media inquiries, please contact Sarah Dziadzio, [email protected]

About the Sea to the Summit

Sea to Summit is an award-winning manufacturer of innovative and meticulously designed lightweight gear for camping, backpacking, water sports and travel. Its “equip and inspire” ethos applies to adventures at all altitudes, and this Western Australian brand is no stranger to some of the most remote places on the planet. Sea to Summit was established in 1990 and is currently distributed in over 73 countries, with offices in Australia, North America, Germany and China. https://seatosummit.com

St. Croix Staff Member Derek Hudnall Scores Hit With Unconventional Jerkbait Presentation

Derek Hudnall scored a top 5 finish in last week’s 2023 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole in Bainbridge, Georgia. Out of the ordinary? Not particularly; The Baton Rouge-based St. Croix pro has a track record of strong finishes in southern events during his five-year career fishing Bassmaster Elites. Hudnall used a SPRO McStick jerkbait in the American Shad color during a strong pre-spawning pattern that found Lake Seminole pushing shallow over the course of the four-day contest that saw relatively consistent weather. Strange? Not precisely; It’s no secret that jerkbaits can be strong producers when bass start to spawn, and Hudnall wasn’t the only competitor to fish for one.

What is unique is the location and the way you fished it.

“I found a backwater during practice where I caught two huge ones on one lure,” says Hudnall. “One of them was an 8-pounder. I was confident that I had found a lot of great ones.”

Hudnall fished for his chatterbait for much of the first day of competition, but found that something had changed. “I managed to put together a 15-0 lead on Thursday, but I lost confidence in the chatter. They just weren’t eating it, but it tasted like the big ones were still there. I ended up fishing a few other spots but came back to the backwater and saw a huge fish explode there at the end of the day. There was a ton of marlin there and I found out that’s what the bass ate.”

Hudnall entered day two of the event in 35^he rise – a bit down, but certainly not out. She decided to fish for a jerkbait to mimic the abundant marlin in the specific area he was fishing.

“I found this sandy bald spot that was totally surrounded by hydrilla,” he says. “It was 4 to 6 feet deep and had patches of pop-up grass growing about 2 feet from the bottom. My favorite jerkbait rod is a St. Croix Legend Xtreme 7’1” Medium, fast, but it was too stiff to keep my McStick from digging into the grass. I had an idea that a softer rod would allow me to keep the bait in the top 2 feet of water and free of weeds, so I switched to a Legend Tournament Bass 7′ Medium Moderate and man, that rod was the ticket. There were so many marlins that the bass could hunt in that open spot and the bass kept coming for them. Nothing really changed weather-wise, so that spot held for the next three days and I kept catching them.”

In fact, Hudnall did. He caught 18-9 on Friday to go up for 35^he place to 18^he after day two and caught 19-4 on Saturday to move up to 7^he at the end of day three, earning his ticket to the Championship on Sunday, where he posted another 19-12 in the same place and the same pattern to finish the tournament in 5^he place with a four-day total of 72-9.

“All the fish that came and went from that backwater would stop there to feed, and there was so much bait there that you couldn’t have caught a fish in that place for a week,” says Hudnall. “After a 57^he-finishing place at the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Launch Event at Lake Okeechobee, it was the perfect time to get a strong finish.”

At the end of two events in the young Bassmaster Elite 2023 season, Hudnall sits in 20^he place in the Angler of the Year (AOY) points. It’s an enviable position to be in so early in the season, and the next two Elite events, both in South Carolina, play to Hudnall’s strengths.

“I really hate the word ‘strengths,’” says Hudnall, “because it implies that your talents have limits. When I talk to young fishermen, I prefer to talk about being confident in the situation you find yourself in. I have confidence in Lake Murray and Santee Cooper in South Carolina,” says Hudnall. “The fish are likely to be largely post-spawn, but there will be some spawning, probably some bed fishing, and some fingerling protection. Shallow fishing, but that’s where the similarities end. Murray has a large population of blueback herring and little vegetation. Santee Cooper has cypress trees and a lot of vegetation, so the fishing will be different.”

Hudnall says his confidence in Santee Cooper and Lake Murray relates not only to the lakes themselves, but also to the late spawning and post-early spawning period when they will take place. “More than any other time of the year, I am confident in this spring transition period and what is happening,” he says. ‘Ultimately it will come down to finding the right bait and cover. I’m not saying someone won’t have success at depth with the LiveScope, but I hope to fish 10-15 feet or less. Who knows… I could cast a topwater four days in a row, especially on Lake Murray, where the post-spawning fish go to fatten up with the herring at the main points of the lake. I think you’ll see a bit of that…feeding topwaters, flukes, jerkbaits and so on to the suspended fish that prey on the herring schools.”

Hudnall reminds anglers that while jerkbait is playing strong right now in the South, the bite will trickle north as water temperatures rise. “It’s great when the water temperature is around 50 degrees,” he says. “Keep a slower cadence and presentation at first, but make sure it remains erratic. I think the magic water temperature is around 55 degrees when you can really start to rev it up.”

Hudnall says that while he prefers the 7’1” MF Legend Xtreme for jerkbait fishing, there are several St. Croix rods in different series and at different price points that are designed specifically for this technique. “They make a 6’8” medium power, extra fast action jerkbait model on everything from the Bass-X and Mojo Bass to the Legend Tournament Bass, Legend-X and Legend Elite,” he says. “I love my Legend Xtreme because it is very light and well balanced. Fishing a jerkbait is physically intense, so fishing a really light rod that doesn’t wear you out is a huge benefit.” Hudnall says he always fishes his Sunline fluorocarbon jerkbaits from 10 to 15 pounds: 10 pounds in clear, open water and heavier if vegetation is involved.

Want more tips from Derek Hudnall? Come meet Derek and watch his seminar next Friday and Saturday, March 10 and 11, at Susquahanna Fishing Tackle, 392 Locust Grove Road, Columbia, Pennsylvania.

About Santa Cruz Rod
Based in Park Falls, Wisconsin, St. Croix has proudly produced the “World’s Best Rods” for 75 years. Combining state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with skilled labor, St. Croix is ​​the only major producer that still builds rods completely from design to fabrication. The company remains family-owned and operates duplicate manufacturing facilities in Park Falls and Fresnillo, Mexico. With popular trademarked series like Legend®, Legend Xtreme®, Avid®, Premier®, Imperial®, Triumph® and Mojo, St. Croix is ​​revered by all types of anglers around the world.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR FILLETING AND PREPARING NORTH PIKE

Most anglers have come across a northern pike at some point, whether they are ice or summer anglers. Some anglers may have targeted them, while others have caught them fishing for other species.

It’s shocking how many people haven’t tried eating Northern Pike. Many anglers avoid eating these fish in part because of all the bones and the hassle of cleaning them. You may have heard anglers refer to them as slime or snotty rockets, but despite the names these fish are given, they are delicious. Not only are they delicious, but they are a blast to catch. Pike are aggressive eaters, they fight hard and can grow to enormous sizes. In many lakes, they are plentiful and the need to harvest them in some lakes is crucial. Learning how to clean and eat this species can help keep lakes healthy.

If you’ve eaten Pike, you know they’re worth it. If you have never eaten Northern Pike, you should try them. They are fillets with a firmer texture, which hold up better to cooking and have an excellent flavor. Unlike other fish, the Northern Pike has a “Y” bone. This bone is the reason why many fishermen do not want to keep and eat them. However, with the right fillet knife and practice, removing this bone is not difficult. Having a sharp and flexible knife will make a world of difference. A flexible blade will allow you to bend the outline of the fish and bones. Smith’s Consumer Product’s RegalRiver 7” Fillet Knife and Super Flex 8” Curved Fillet Knife are great for removing Y-bones. The non-slip handle also ensures safety when filleting.

STEPS TO CLEAN A NORTH PIKE:

1. Fillet your northern pike as you would any other fish. Start by making a cut behind the front flipper. Cut up to the spine, but not through it.

2. Turn the knife to the side and cut along the spine to the tail.

3. Next, lift the steak and slice along the ribcage, separating the meat from the bones.

4. After you have completed one side, flip the fish over and do the same. You should now have two fillets. Cut the remaining rib bones.

5. Next, locate the Y-bone. Run your fingers over the fillet; you should feel them, or sometimes you can see them. They will look like white dots along the length of the fillet.

6. The first cut will be made at the top of the Y-bone. Cut down until you feel the bones, then turn the knife to the side and follow the contour of the bones. You will cut until you reach the end of the bones. After that, you can remove the piece of meat or leave it as a flap.

7. The second cut will continue along the back of the Y-bone. Finally, it will cut down and forward toward the top of the fillet, following the contour of the back of the Y-bone.

8. Once you do this, you should be able to remove the Y bones from the fillet.

9. Next, remove the fillet from the skin and you are done cleaning and ready to fry!

NORTH PIKE IN THE FRYING PAN

RECIPE BY MIKE OSTERTAG

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Southern Zatarains Crispy Fish Fry
• 1 cup of cornmeal
• Milk (used to dip the fish)
• Olive Oil (For Frying)
• fresh northern pike

1. In a bowl, mix Zatarains and cornmeal.
2. In a separate bowl, add the milk.
3. Cut the pickerel fillets into smaller pieces about 4 to 5 inches long.
4. Dip the fish fillets in the milk and then in the dry mix.
5. In a skillet, add enough olive oil, about 1/4 inch, to cover the bottom.
6. Heat the oil and add the battered fish fillets.
7. Fry until crisp.
8. Put a paper towel on a plate, and then place the fried steaks on top to help with any excess oil.
9. Toss together your favorite coleslaw or salad and serve your fish.

HOMEMADE TARTARE SAUCE

SARAH FOULKNER’S RECIPE

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 6 tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish (you can add more to your desire)
• 4 tablespoons Sour cream
• 1 to 2 tablespoons. Lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Garlic Salt to Taste

1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl
2. cover the bowl
3. Chill in the refrigerator before serving

ABOUT SMITH CONSUMER PRODUCTS:

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EDGEFIELD, SC — As part of the new 20-year national master stewardship agreement between the NWTF and the USDA Forest Service, critical wildfire risk reduction and forest restoration work will soon get underway, thanks to an exciting new sub-agreement focused on the Southwest Pacific Region (Region 5), which encompasses all of California. This critical work will be accomplished through funds provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Through our new master stewardship agreement with the Forest Service, we will address the most critical ecological challenges in our nation’s forests and grasslands,” said NWTF Co-Executive Director Kurt Dyroff. “As we begin to further this work and fulfill our mission on the Klamath National Forest and throughout Forest Service Region 5, we are beyond proud to show our members and the greater outdoor community our partnership with the Service. Forestry and the Far Many -Realize the benefits of our collaborative efforts. The challenges facing our forests concern all Americans; It’s time for us to come together and make sure this job gets done.”

Reducing the risk of wildfires, restoring wildlife habitat, increasing carbon storage and sequestration, improving water quantity and quality, assisting underserved communities, providing recreational opportunities: the benefits of the new forest management agreement Region 5 are all encompassing and will be coupled to reinforce other critical conservation priorities. , including the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the NWTF’s Four Shared Values.

The new agreement’s pilot project will focus on California’s Klamath National Forest, site of multiple recent catastrophic wildfires, including the 2022 McKinney Fire that caused four deaths and burned more than 50,000 acres in less than 36 hours, leaving a scar of generational burning and causing general ecological ruin of parts of the forest, made worse by subsequent flooding and debris flows. Similarly, the 2021 Antelope Fire burned 145,632 acres of forest with reported flame lengths exceeding 100 feet.

Some of the first projects of the new agreement in Region 5 will occur in these areas and will seek to make the forest more resilient to catastrophic wildfires. These projects will include the collection and transportation of hazardous fuels and wood that would otherwise exacerbate catastrophic wildfires. As part of the initial pilot, a portion of the wood harvested from the forest will be transported by rail car to forest products factories in Wyoming, bolstering a major economic engine in the state’s Black Hills region. The process of moving wood by railcar in earlier years was considered an outdated method, as it was not considered profitable for companies looking to create forest products. However, considering the immense ecological value (i.e. wildfire risk reduction, carbon optimization, watershed health, wildlife habitat, etc.), the process has the potential to lay a precedent for extracting fuels from the forest and transforming it into a forest that stores carbon. products

“We are excited to reinvigorate this model of transporting fuels into forest products,” said Tom Spezze, NWTF’s national director of field conservation and state policy. “Our partners are excited to show this off as a proof of concept that will lay the groundwork for more critical work to follow.”

In addition to the California-Wyoming timber hauling initiative, the new Region 5 stewardship agreement includes a variety of forest management practices, including brush mowing, juniper chewing and planting thinning. Mowing of decaying shrubs creates a patchy mosaic of wildlife cover and will be timed to encourage regrowth of vigorous shrubs in the spring, providing excellent forage for mule deer. Mowed areas also strengthen prescribed fire boundaries and wildfire containment. This will improve habitat for wildlife, while increasing the resilience of forests to wildfires, insects, and disease.

As part of the new management agreement, additional projects in Forest Service Region 5 will be merged in the coming months to continue comprehensive work.

“The Forest Service and the National Wild Turkey Federation are taking an innovative approach to support disadvantaged rural communities by maintaining critical industrial infrastructure and mill capacity,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “Intermodal timber transportation will support the implementation of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy by increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration and wildfire mitigation in priority landscapes, as well as supporting the forest products industry in the future. ”.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.

2023 is the 50th of the NWTF ^he anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50 ^he anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.

Leading industry experts will headline the seminar speaker series at the Ohio Open Season Athlete Expo presented by Progressive Insurance® at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, March 17-19. The seminar series will inform, educate and entertain outdoor enthusiasts.

CLICK HERE to see the complete list of seminars and the schedule.

Byron Ferguson will present his ever popular Archery Trick Shot Show. The Alabama native uses a traditional bow and instinctive reactions from it to pull off shots like hitting a flying target while blindfolded and firing a Lifesaver candy. Along with the Trick Shot of him, Ferguson shares entertaining and humorous stories from his many years of hunting.

Jeremy Critchfield will be hosting a seminar titled “The Delicious Dozen.” A chef by trade, Critchfield has combined a life outdoors and a 5-star culinary career to create the HuntChef line of seasonings. He will talk about the ins and outs of cooking and seasoning wild game.

Tom Mesnard has a unique approach to whitetail property management.
The Michigan native feels that habitat actually has very little to do with consistently taking mature bucks on hunting property, instead finding that there are several other very important aspects that play a key role in taking mature bucks. Mesnard has helped thousands of hunters in 27 states since 1984 with his TLM system.

Robie Pruitt, “The Clover King”, will host a seminar focusing on Food Plots That Produce Optimal Antler Growth in 7 Easy Steps. Pruitt has 28 years of experience planting Antler King food plots. The step by step process will demonstrate the correct way to obtain optimal growth from food plots.

Art Helin, who started hunting more than 40 years ago, will host the seminar titled “Turkey Hunting Through the Seasons”. The Wisconsin native draws on his own experience, his successes and failures, and hundreds of days a year in the field hunting, guiding and scouting. To assist in exploration, Helin takes advantage of available tools and technology, including aerial and topographic maps and trail cameras. Helin has planted food plots for years and also practices forest management.

Clint Casper of the Working Class Bowhunter Podcast and host of CC Hunt Files will host the seminar “Basics of Highland Bowhunting for Deer/Moose.” He will cover the bases of successful Highcountry hunting for Mule Deer and Elk. Topics covered will include; equipment, map study, tips and techniques, as well as e-scouting and field safety. During this session, Casper will focus on answering the “how” and “why” questions at the end.

John “Smokey” McNicholas, will host the seminar, “Proper Use of Deer Decoys on Simulated Scrapes, Scent Poles, Hanging Ropes, and Using Deer Calls.” A professional trapper by trade, McNicholas has been making lures and baits for over 20 years in West Virginia. He makes the first and only real preorbital gland lure, not synthetic and bottled in glass, not plastic. These products have drawn the most dollars, a fact proven by “Smokey’s Deer Lures” which won the Ohio Valley Big Buck contest 3 years in a row.

Dan Infalt of Hunting Beast Outdoors has been looking for big bucks on public property and under duress for 40 years and now he’s sharing the secrets of his success to help others. In the seminar, titled “Constantly Killing Large Males on Public Lands,” Infalt will discuss how to scout and hunt the largest available males on public lands and under pressure by showing real-life examples of males captured using these tactics.

For more information on the Ohio Open Season Sportsman’s Expo presented by Progressive and to purchase discount tickets in advance online, visit OpenSeasonSportsmansExpo.com.

The Ohio Open Season Sportsman’s Expo is presented by Progressive and sponsored by Toyota Tundra, Official Truck of the Expo, Leaf Home Water Solutions and Leaf Filter, along with KUIU and Moultrie Mobile, Official Sponsors of the Door Prize.