Kentucky Lake

I actually slept in yesterday morning until 7:30, then headed north from Pickwick Lake on the Alabama border to Kentucky Lake. It was a real nice drive through some country I hadn't seen before. I checked into my motel near Paris around 11 A.M. My plan is to stay on this end of the lake during practice since this is the end I plan on fishing in the tournament. On the off day, I'll move to a different hotel closer to the dam where we will launch from in the tournament. I can only hope I'm picking the right end. This is a big body of water and definitely can't see it all in three days of practice!

Crossing Tennessee River heading up to Kentucky Lake

Give-Away:  The Boomerang pliers and holster were thrown out there but came back!  Remember, to win a give-away you must check the blog daily and respond within a week.  doverchip@gmail.com, send your contact information to JTPFishing@insightbb.com and you'll receive these great fishing pliers in the mail.

In anticipation of our great new episodes starting July 2nd on Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors, jeffbtripp@earthlink.net will receive a Stihl tshirt in the mail if he sends his contact information to the above email.  Want to celebrate with a shirt of your own?  Check back tomorrow to see if you won!

Pickwick Lake Smallies

Yesterday, I got up very early and drove seven hours to Pickwick Lake which is the site of our final FLW event next month. Since my schedule won't allow me any other time to pre-fish before the off limits begins, my goal was to get a half day on the water just riding, graphing and GPS'ing any potential deep water spots for next month's tournament.

Even after my terrible finish at Red River, I am still in contention for the FLW Championship if I can do well in the last two events. It was definitely a productive afternoon and worth the extra driving and a day away from home. I even got a bonus, when right before dark a big school of Smallies came up chasing shad on a point I was graphing. I grabbed a Lucky Craft gunfish out of my rod box, made one cast, and caught a beautiful smallmouth! Hey, a guy's gotta have a little fun! Today, I headed on up to Kentucky Lake to get ready for practice which begins Sunday.

Give-Away Day:  I'm sending a Stihl shirt and a hat to follower Mac McBroom!  Mac, send your snail address to JTPFishing@insightbb.com and I'll get it right out to you.  Sadly, the Boomerang pliers and holster, a $40 value, has not been claimed.  I'll be drawing for that tomorrow morning.   Will you be the lucky winner?

Stihl Yourself for Reel in the Outdoors

We are so sure you're gonna love the new episodes of Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors, you're gonna want to tell everyone by wearing a shirt or hat that says Stihl.  I'm giving away a few things in the weeks leading up to our first show on July 2nd.  

A name is chosen randomly from our followers, subscribers and commentors.  Winners will be notified only on the blog, not by email.  You must check the blog frequently to see if you won something, as winners have one week to respond.  If no response is received in that time, a second winner will be chosen.  

I was driving long hours today - part of the territory.

Reeling Them In on Mullett Lake

Today, we shot an episode of Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors on Mullett Lake in Indian River, Michigan. I think the photo speaks for itself.

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Six pound smallmouth

The fish were just coming in to spawn and it was clearwater sight fishing at its best! We had calm winds and sunny skies making it perfect conditions. I fished with Gerry Gosyinek of Great Lakes Bass  Fishing Guide Service. Our best five smallies would have weighed over 25 pounds! What is even more exciting is that we are scheduled to to shoot our second round of Ultimate Match Fishing here next month. It should be awesome!

Joe with Gerry Gostinek and a big Mullet Lake smallmouth.

Beginning Saturday, July 2nd, Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors moves to a new time slot at 1 PM on the Outdoor Channel.  Join me as I take you to some of the most famous bass fishing lakes in the world.  To celebrate the new episodes and time slot, we are sending lrichards002@centurytel.net a Stihl t-shirt.  lrichards002@centurytel.net, send your contact information and size shirt you'd like to JTPFishing@insightbb.com and I'll get that right out to you. 
Want your own Stihl shirt or hat?  Check the blog frequently to see if you are a winner!

Stihl the One!

Get ready, because the new episodes of STIHL's Reel in the Outdoors are set to begin on Saturday, July 2nd in a great NEW time slot! I think this season might be the most exciting ever as I travel to some of the most famous bass lakes in the world.  You can catch us at 1 PM EST immediately before Bassmasters, only on Outdoor Channel.

 

In anticipation of our upcoming shows, STIHL has provided us with plenty of STIHL t-shirts and hats to give away to my loyal blog followers, subscribers and commentors.  Starting Monday, I will randomly draw a winner every other day to win a t-shirt or hat. 

Another way to win:  email a photo of yourself with a big fish you caught while wearing a hat or shirt that says "Stihl" (must be visible in the photo).  I'll send you a Stihl shirt and a hat and feature your big catch on one of my blogs.  The first person to respond will additionally win a pair of Stihl suspenders.  

Boomerang!

Rgrandslam24@yahoo.com is the winner of today's random drawing and will receive the Boomerang pliers with a holster!  Rgrandslam24@yahoo.com, please email JTPFishing@insightbb.com with shipping details so I can get those right out to you.  Thanks to all of you that follow, subscribe, and comment on my blog!  

Didn't win this time?   No worries!  Check this blog tomorrow afternoon for some exclusive news and great give-away opportunities.  

Memories from McDougall Lodge, Alaska

I had to postpone my much anticipated opportunity for a King Salmon show at McDougall Lodge in Alaska this week. I shot an episode there two seasons back and it was an awesome experience. We were forced to postpone due to our need finish up commercial production and put the finishing touches on our first two episodes of Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors which begins airing at the end of this month. We have given the show a new look and I think the extra work and schedule juggling will definitely be worth it.

Give-away winner for these past two weeks will be announced this afternoon!