BLAINESBLOG.BACKWOODSANGLERTV.COM

Bass Fishing Can Depend On Your Marine Battery--Interstate's Figured It Out!

Blaine Mengel — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:12 GMT

I'll start this off by "painting a picture...." I wake up early in the morning and prepare for my day on the water. I'm guiding clients, or I'm prepared for an important shoot for Backwoods Angler TV. OR......Chris and I are just heading out for smallies for the day! No matter how I slice it, my boat has to be in prime working order. It's my office after all. And a business man may not be able to work on a given day if his "office" can't open.

We arrive at our destination, and load the boat. It's windy, or the river levels rose 2 feet overnight.....pick your poison! I know regardless that if I'm fishing rivers or lakes, I'm gonna need my deep cycle trolling motor batteries to perform at optimal levels. I cannot afford to have clients out there or have our crew there for a shoot and 3 hours into a trip, the batteries are out of juice.

Interstate Batteries' tag line is "Outrageously Dependable". I'm confident that my batteries will perform because I'm using Interstate's now for many years! I depend on my "office" opening up each day.

Now Interstate has even bettered their already "outrageously dependable" deep cycle marine batteries! This clip profiles the NEW Pro ECL Marine Battery that Interstate just introduced in early March 2012. It provides 50% more deep cycles than conventional 12-volt marine batteries, which basically means that if I got 100 days on the water from my previous batteries, I'll now get 150 with the Pro ECL!  Performance approaches that of absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries but the Pro ECL's are a fraction of the cost of AGM batteries! And as usual, the Pro ECL's are backed by Interstate's standard 18-month warranty!



Whether you're a professional tournament angler or guide, a weekend warrior or just fishing several times per season with the kids, the Interstate Pro ECL Marine Battery gives the most bang for the buck!

Good Fishin!

Blaine

I Too Believe In Love

Blaine Mengel — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:14:09 GMT

I am a man who is blessed to be able to do what I do for a living. I also am blessed to be able to pass on the many amazing truths and gifts God has given me to my 3 daughters.

I was sitting at my computer last week and received an email from my oldest daughter, Hannah, which read, "Here is a poem I wrote for my English project!" I have decided to post it here for a few reasons. First, my kids and I listen to Christian music. I am very adamant about what I allow them to put into their minds, and I can do this becaue I practice this in my own life! Funny thing is that as teens, they often do and say things that upon first hearing or seeing, looks or sounds like everything I'm doing is for naught. I work hard to expel doubt, and once doubt is removed, I can see that I'm planting seeds. Secondly, they are in a tough spot as teen girls, getting barraged with so much negative media, sex and the like. "Will the "small" effort I'm putting forth to give them some positive, loving truth really prevail?" My efforts are not small, they are HUGE! I scatter seeds and God waters and cultivates to bring fruit.

This poem came from a song that we listen to by BarlowGirl, a Chrstian rock band, called "I Believe In Love". Here is the Original excerpt of the refrain:

I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.

I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.

And I believe in God, even when he is silent.

And I, I believe.

When I read this, it absolutely warmed my heart, and God used it as a "Light" in my life, confirming that the hard work I do brings both my kids and God great happiness! Enjoy Hannah's first awesome poem which talks about HER journey!

As I wander around the room, I think to myself:

“You can’t feel love, but you can feel everything else.”

As I wander around outside, to myself I’m thinking:

“It’s a cloudless day, and yet the sun is not shining.”

As I wander this crazy world, I can vaguely see:

“God may not be around, but He hears me.”

As I hug you goodbye, I say to you:

“I’ll see you later and I love you.”

As I get into the car, I say to you:

“The light from the sun is here for you.”

As I see you after three years, I say to you:

“God may not be around, but He loves you.”

As I lay in bed, I think to myself:

“You can feel love when you can’t feel anything else.”

As I lay in bed, to myself I’m thinking:

“It’s a sunny day and the clouds are now hiding.”

As I lay in bed, I can finally see:

“God may not be around, but He hears and loves me.”

Good Fishin!

Blaine

Marine Battery Tips For Bass Anglers

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:34:28 GMT

This is a great clip for all you folks who own boats and deal with marine battery issues. Believe me, I lerned a lot, although I thought I knew most of what I needed to know about the topic. Rich Mummey from Interstate Batteries answers some classic questions about battery care and maintenance.

Join BWA TV on Service Electric TV2 this Friday evening at 7pm and again Sunday evening at 8:30pm. And follow us on Facebook and YouTube while we prepare new episodes for NBC Sports Outdoors and their uncoming summer season!

http://blogbattery.com/2012/03/marine-battery-types-explained/

Good Fishin!

Blaine

A Fishy Story!

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:02:06 GMT

All anglers tell stories.....some are true and some are, well could we say fiction! I was speaking at a game dinner at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bangor, PA on March 10 and as I was smack in the middle of my talk, this story popped into my head.

I was sitting at an outdoor expo several years ago, in a delapadated, cold expo center in northern PA. I was wondering what in the name of God I was doing there. I may have talked with 15 folks all weekend. Nobody wanted to come in there.....it was almost as cold in the arena as it was outdoors! My father was with me. He did a bunch of the shows with me throughout the years. We sat there wondering why we were there.

A boat company had the entire back section of the arena covered with all sorts of boats. One that was there was a really cool jet boat that I had seen around on the Susquehanna River. I began talking with the owner of the dealership and after several conversations, we cut a deal and I bought the boat. It was the boat I wanted at the time, and it got me through over 6 years of guiding on the PA rivers.

During breaks in this negotiation, my dad and I talked rather openly about lots of things., He was looking back with somewhat of a regret that he didn't follow a dream of his. He was scouted by Major League Baseball teams and when the Detroit Tigers called, he declined. he told me why and that if he had it to do over again, may have changed his decision. Now I was rather greatful in a selfish way that he didn't go. I may not have been born! However I really took this to heart as he told me how proud he was of me for going after my dream and that he hoped I get it.

Funny thing is, although my dad didn't like fishing at all (He was a great athlete and really had no draw to hunting or fishing.), he was the one who took me fishing first. And he helped God plant that seed in me, despite his dislike for fishing. He took the time to take his son fishing, and look what he created!

My oldest daughter, Hannah, was with me at that dinner. I was so grateful she was with me to hear these stories. I took her fishing for the first time when she was 4 years old and she boated a 19-inch Delaware River smallmouth! I wonder what seed that planted in her? What seeds did I scatter during that message at the dinner? What seeds did I scatter with this article?

Here's the first of Hannah;s fish (left) and to the right, is 9 years later on a small lake in Vermont!


Today I try to scatter seeds when I speak, in how I act, and with my attitudes, writings, videos and conversations. People are listening to us, and folks are searching for a greater Purpose.  God waters the seeds we plant in someone else's heart, and we never know what might sprout! My dad probably had no idea when he took me to the creek that first time!

Good fishin!

Blaine

Solar Bat Polarized Fishing Sunglasses!

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:24:34 GMT

I'm very pleased to announce that Solar Bat is BWA TV's new sunglass sponsor and as pleased to announce that BWA TV fans and viewers can receive 10% off their glasses, but you'll have to read to the end of this article to see how!

I have talked in the past about the many reasons why I'll always wear polarized sunglasses when fishing, boating and driving. Solar Bat is the pioneer of double gradient polarized lenses. What is polarization?

According to Solar Bat's Founder, Dr.Gary Nesty, "One way to produce a polarized lens is to shape the lens, either by thermoforming or molding, then glue a polarized film onto the front surface. This method is unacceptable to and does not meet the rigid standards of Solar Bat. Solar Bat’s proprietary Noctular PNVXD and PNVX lenses are polarized by encapsulating the polarized film in a molded lens. A scratch resistant coating is then applied to the entire lens. This protects the polarized film and results in a state of the art, optical quality product that is worthy to carry the Solar Bat name."

Now as a professional fishermen, here's why I use them! Safety is a biggie. I have seen hooks embedded into a human eye on my boat. Believe me, that will get one's attention. Wrap around sunglasses are vital for when those tree-bound lures come flying back at the boat, or when a bass jumps and the lure becomes airborn. Plus I'm protected from anglers on my boat who are not paying as close attention as they should too.

They've created their exclusive Mossback lens color and glare is all but eliminated I can see into the water on even those high light grey days when glare is at its worst. Or on days when the sun is high and the sky is blue, my gray lenses do the duty as will the amber lenses.

Backwoods Angler TV is proud to be sponsored by Solar Bat. So proud, we've developed this discount for AL our viewers and fans. Go to our website and click on the Solar Bat link on our Home Page. Order Solar Bats through this link and with the special code provided and receive 10% off your order!

So now that you've read why they're the best option, get on over to our website and get your Solar Bats today!

Good fishin!

Blaine

More BWA TV Tidbits!

Blaine Mengel — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:10:38 GMT

So much is happening at Backwoods Angler TV this week! And I still got to go out on the Delaware River for about 4 hrs. and fish Thursday! jHere are a few more notes of interest.

We'd like to welcome Gorilla Glue and O'Keeffe's Working Hands Cream on board as new BWA TV sponsors for 2012! I'm very pleased to be partnered with both of these companies. They both make the best product in their respective categories. I've used the O'Keeffe's hand Cream and it's the real deal. Not only does it moisturize dry, cracked and chapped hands, it actually promotes healing of cracks and cuts! And Gorilla Glue is better than any "super glue" out there.

We'll also be at I-Cast in Orlando Florida this July. We'll be guests in the NBC Sports Outdoors booth!

Lots of outdoor expos coming up so come on out and visit us at one of them. And stay tuned as a few more big announcements are coming your way! Don't fret.....spring is just around the corner. Just ask Chris after watching this clip!!

Good fishin!

Blaine

Backwoods Angler TV Winter Tidbits

Blaine Mengel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:53:49 GMT

As I write this entry, its actually sunny and 40 degrees. Not bad for late January in PA! It's been a mild winter. Last week was the first time I witnessed ice on the Delaware River this year. That said, fishing now has to be put aside for a few weeks and now it's time to go headstrong into the outdoor expo season.

Backwoods Angler TV will be at the following outdoor expos this weason:

Philadelphia Outdoor Expo--Feb 16-19--Oaks PA
Calvary Outdoor Expo--Souderton, PA--March 3
Cabelas Captain's Weekend--Hamburg, PA--March 17-18

I will be making appearances with Gamma Fishing Line in their booth at both the Worchester, Mass (Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Show) and the Suffern NY Show (World Fishing & Outdoor Expo). I'll be at the Mass show Fri-Sat Feb 10-11, and I'll be at the Suffern NY Show Thurs-Fri March 1-2. Come on by and say hello and get all the info on why Gamma LIne is absolutely the best copolymer line in the world!

We're working out all the details for our 2012 season on NBC Sports Outdoors. Sponsors are being ironed out and we're pleased to announce that Shimano and ACE Recreational Marine Insurance are 2 newbies on board with us this year. More will be announced soon. Se the clip below and check out ACE today for your boat insurance needs!

And we have been picked up by Time Warner Cable's Texas Channel. This is a really nice step for us as TX houses so many bass anglers! Service Electric TV2 will still carry our regional broadcasts in Eastern PA/Western NJ.

It will be an exciting year on the air and on the water. We're traveling to New Hampshire for both some river and lake action, as well as NY and NJ. And we'll add our classic river smallmouth shows too, including a shoot with Mike Iaconelli on the mighty Susquehanna River!!. AND another special surprise to come, so stay tuned for that! During our airtime this year expect to see shows from the Juniata and Delaware Rivers as well as upstate NY, VT and Lake Erie!

I think I covered it all.....except to say thank you to you all for your support and for watching/following us. You guys make it all happen!

Good fishin!

Blaine

WInter Smallmouth Bass Secrets Revealed.....Finally!

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:52:50 GMT

Chris Gorsuch and I get bombarded with loads of questions regarding river smallmouth bass fishing and boating. The hottest topic most of the time is winter tactics, patterns. locations, lures......you get the picture!

Our NEW DVD will answer many of your questions!  Delaware and Susquehanna River Cold Water Smallmouth Bass River Fishing Secrets has been released and is for sale in our store! Join Chris and I as we break it down for you. We'll talk about boat positioning, sun position, bass locations, feeding patterns, and so much more. Footage was taken from an actual seminar we shot at the Cabelas in Hamburg, PA.  It also includes actual Power Point Slides in webinar form, and video clips. The DVD is brought to you by Wacky Worm Tackle Shop and Gamma Fishing Line.



Head to our STORE  and grab your copy of this informative DVD today!  And for those of you who purchase a DVD from this blog article, let me know in the order instructions, and I'll throw in a free pack of our Chris Krinkle Worms! (Offer expires March 1)

Good fishin!

Blaine

Graphic Design--Quick and Quality Choose Signs By Tomorrow!

Blaine Mengel — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:02:21 GMT

About 2 weeks ago I was scrambling around trying to prepare for Backwoods Angler TV's 2012 outdoor expo season. I really had not thought about it until after the New Year and when I did, decided I was simply not going to resort to setting up our old guide service booth again this year. The TV show now takes presidence, but the backdrop and booth were not ready for this.

I contacted a few local graphics design/trade show boot manufacturers. Two responded and 1 was Signs By Tomorrow in Allentown, PA. Stephen Cunic returned my call as soon as he got into the office the next day and after a brief conversation about both our needs and fishing, I quickly new that this was the company with which I was going to deal. I wasn't convinced we has enough time to get him the pictures and decide how to set up this new booth. he assured me, "Just get me the digital graphics and let me know an idea for a layout and backdrop and I'll make sure you have what you need." No worries?

Guess,what? He was correct, no worries. In 2 days I had the backdrop banner and standing display banner you can see in the pic above. Pretty sharp, 'eh? An outstanding job, and they took great care of me when I went in to the shop. I highly recommend Signs By Tomorrow of Allentown, PA for any of your graphic or signage needs. Thank you Stephen, and lets go fishing soon!

Keep following us on our Facebook Page for updates on which expos we'll be attending this winter!

Good fishin!

Blaine

Bass Fishing And Learning The Laws Of Life

Blaine Mengel — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:18:23 GMT

Life is short....well the physical part of it is anyway. I've decided I want to leave a legacy behind me. I try to conduct myself in a way that when foks see me, they see someone that acts different from the norm, someone who is polite, happy and not quick to fly off the handle.

That's not always the way it had been for me! I had a quick temper and complained and whined a lot. I once heard a guy say, "People that complain are not looking for a solution, they're only looking for sympathy!" This hit home for me. I had mindsets in place from as far back as I can remember: "Don't make any changes, just complain and the right people will sympathize with me....THEN I'll feel better." This is a lie.

My mentor and I frequently had conversations, many of then one-sided, regarding the trials and tribulations I faced as a bass fishing guide. (He had to be holding back extreme laughter being he was a roofer and worked in All conditions!) Once I ran my jet boat up onto a gravel and rock bar and messed up my intake. I was watching the beautiful Snowy Egrets on the river shore instead of watching where I was going. When I told him what I had done, he reminded me, "Blaine that's what happens when you take a break in the middle of working.....wasn't break time, keep your eyes on the water and not on the egrets."

But God put those egrets there for me to see his beauty, right? And why would God run my boat up on a rocky bar like this? Oh, Boy. The spirituality around those egrets paled in comparison to keeping my eyes (my mind really) on what I am doing while traversing shallow rocky water in the river!

He often reminded me, "We acknowledge our feelings but we don't live by them." Once I took that to be truth in my life, looking for sympathy became much more uncomfortable! I was being transformed by the renewing of my mind, and feeling better but still being chained to my negative thoughts and ideas didn't bring me joy that God had promised me. Jesus said, "It is my good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." and "I've come that you should have life and have it more abundantly." This wasn't the way my experience was playing out, so I had to change my thinking.

Today I ask myself, "What is the truth or what are the facts?" Or repeat short positive statements about myself and especially about who God is in me and who I am through Him. This is transforming my life. And a nice added plus, I'm able to safely run through menacing shallow water areas without scaring my passengers to death! It's a win-win for all!

Blaine

A New Year Of Joy And Prosperity!

Blaine Mengel — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:45:57 GMT

2011 was quite a year for Backwoods Angler TV.  Our program premiered on VERSUS in July as the ONLY freshwater fishing show on the entire network focusing on the NE/Mid-Atlantic region. Now VERSUS has evolved into NBC Sports Outdoors, and is still the largest outdoor sports programming network in the country!

BWA TV will premiere brand new shows beginning in late March 2012. Viewers can expect to see our trademark river smallmouth adventures, with shows airing from the Delaware and Juniata Rivers. We traveled north to some very remote areas in Vermont and Maine and will feature some of the best smallie fishing found in the country.  And a couple special surprises as usual can be expected.



I've been taking the last few weeks to work on acquiring sponsors for the upcoming season, while getting out to fish from time to time in this milder-than-average December. Matter of fact, I just got a message on my phone as I write this from a friend out on the Susquehanna who has already boated 5 big smallies and its just 10am! 2011 exhibited the best fall-winter of bass fishing I have ever seen.......and it may not be over just yet!

Thanks to all our fans and viewers for hopping on for the ride with us. It's only gonna get better! Also thank you to all our sponsors from 2011, for without you guys and your support we don't air. We welcome ACE Recreational Marine Insurance to our "posse" for 2012. A few others will be announced soon.

A blessed and prosperous NEW YEAR to all, and we look forward to spending time in 2012 with you on the waters of the NE US!

Good fishin!

Blaine

Christmas Greetings From Backwoods Angler TV!

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:47:16 GMT

Our season has been kind of a whirlwind really. I'm really amazed that it went so fast, but as my father said several years ago, "Only goes faster the older you get!" That didn't exactly light me up, but he was right. Even though we were met with obstacles, some real and some fantasies conjured up in our minds, here we are at the end of our first season of national telecasts. Thank you to the folks at Careco Multimedia and NBC Sports!

Just a note, VERSUS will no longer be VERSUS after Jan. 1, 2012. Their Facebook Page now reads NBC Sports Outdoors. Check out their website as they have some really cool clips from BWA TV up there.

Don't forget, BWA TV will begin airing 13 brand new episodes in March 2012. From NE Maine, Vermont and NY State to all those river shows you have been accustomed to now for almost 3 years, we have the NE covered. Catch it ALL here!

BWA Executive Producer, Chris Manley, Music Composer, Eric Rasmussen, Chris Gorsuch and I want to wish you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2012,, and thanks for making Backwoods Angler TV your NE fishing authority!

Good fishin!

Blaine

Backwoods Angler TV For Your Christmas Needs!

Blaine Mengel — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:22:06 GMT

Backwoods Angler TV's updated Store is the place to shop for your gift needs this Christmas season! Our Delaware River Smallmouth Bass Fishing Handbook is a great stocking stuffer for any river smallie chaser. So are our Chris Krinkle Worms. They might be the best new clear, cold water lure out there! And they fit perfectly into a stocking!

Our BWA Guide Service T-Shirts are on close-out and sizes are limited now. We als have DVD's, BioEdge Attractant and the Special Gift Packs......you'll have to head to the site to see that special surprise!

Gift certificates for fishing trips are great gifts too. PLEASE.......don't order these for anglers suffering from a bad case of bass fever! They may not be able to wait for spring!

ORDER TODAY! I can take order for another 3 days and still be prompt with deliveries. After Tuesday night, I'm not sure they'll get there on time.

Visit our Store for more details or to order.....and have a blessed Christmas from all of us here at BWA TV!

Good fishing!

Blaine

What To Buy The Outdoorsperson In Your Life

Blaine Mengel — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:33:08 GMT

Well its the gift giving time of the year. Lots of you are scrambling around trying to figure out what you're gonna get loved ones, co-workers and friends. Are they into outdoor decor or wildlife? Do they hunt or fish? Here's one.....do they enjoy eating good food? I think I covered everyone with a pulse on that last one!

The Sportsman's Table is the place to go for your shopping needs. Whether you're looking for outdoor or wildlife decor, specialty or personalized gifts, dinnerware, cabin decor, or fish and game rubs and seasonings, they have it all covered. I have seen many of the gift items, and have tries several of the seasonings and rubs on fish and venison. I highly recommend this stuff! And while you are on their website, grab some of their outstanding beef jerky! A few bags make a great stocking stuffer, and from experience, it's really good!

Sportsman's Table is all about easy ordering and good customer service too. Order now and you'll have your gifts in plenty of time for Christmas. Check 'em out, they're a valued sponsor of Backwoods Angler TV,

Good fishin

Blaine

So You CAN Catch River Smallmouth In The Winter! Another Story on Persistence

Blaine Mengel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:21:15 GMT

I began fishing for river smallies during the cold water period 12 years ago. I was one who would stowe the fishing tackle around Thanksgiving each year. Except for winter trout fishing equipment, my bass tackle was gathering dust through the winter months.

Herbert Spencer has a theory of contempt prior to investigation. Never had I experienced winter bass fishing, however I surmized that bass could not be caught on the Delaware River when water temps dropped below 40 degrees. When I began guiding, I began broadening my horizons. Lack of income during the winter months will force that upon a person quickly!
I frequently visited bass fishing forums, read articles and watched shows about winter bass fishing. "Oh, they don't go dormant in the cold water!" This excited me enough to get on the water and try my hand at some winter smallmouth "action".

There was none.........action that is. I was putting everything I had learned into practice. Nothing but one 13-inch smallie to show for my efforts in my first several trips. I was frustrated and again concluded that smallies will not eat on the Delaware River during the cold water period. WRONG!

Income still avoided me as I held on to this negative mental attitude, so I had to persist through my own stubborness. One February.day it all changed for me. I was sitting on a classic wintering area, eighteen feet of water, good cover, and off the main current of the channel. "They have to be here", I thought.  Two hours and nothing....again. While daydreaming, I glanced across the river to a west facing bank.  During the fall, shad fry were laid up in the grass off that bank, and bass were holding there.

"It's February.", I thought to myself. "They won't be on that bank now."

My mentor told me dozens of times to do the opposite of what any negative or self-defeating thought would tell me to do. So I motored over to that bank. In 40 minutes, I boated 6 beautiful smallmouth, 5 of them in the 18-20-inch range, on hair jigs.....Millenium Jigs. I was estatic! Water had warmed faster on this west facing bank and bass were holding there since the water chilled in the fall. Depth was 10-12 feet, there was enough cover. and presto, another winter bass junkie was born. Below my partner, Chris, and I pose with 2 hefty cold water bronze beauties.



Stay tuned as my next entry will include my top characteristics that make a productive wintering hole for river smallies.

Good fishin!

Blaine

Why Are Hair Jigs Effective On Smallies In Cold Water?

Blaine Mengel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:20:48 GMT

To add to the post I wrote a week or so ago on hair jigs, here is a clip showing what a Don's Millenium Jig is doing while on the bottom in front of wintering smallies. This is an older clip but shows nicely how the jig pulsates undr the water and why it draws the attention of smallies from water as cold as 34 degrees!

Last Thursday Chris Gorsuch and I did a shoot on the Big D and boated 26 smallies on a cold, windy day from 41 degree water, all on hair jigs! I won't go on the water this time of year without my Millenium Jigs! This show will air in 2012 on Backwoods Angler TV, and stay tuned as newer clips on cold water smallie fishing are just around the corner!

Good fishin!

Blaine

Delaware River Seminars/Speaking Engagements About Persistence, My Spiritual Walk and Personal Development

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:59:25 GMT

For those of you who don't know it......I fish the Delaware River a lot! Averaging over 150 days on that river for the last 12 years, I've seen a lot! I'm beginning a new seminar series on this, one of the most scenic and finest smallie fisheries in the east. These seminars are full of information and secrets I've honed over the years that will be sure to improve your time on the water on the Delaware. Chris Gorsuch and I also conduct imformative seminars on the Susquehanna River and other bass fishing tactics. I'm available for events such as game dinners, church functions,retreats, outdoor expos and shows, boy scouts and other kids events, and the like.

I also conduct speaking engagements relating to my spiritual walk and Christian testimony for church functions and retreats. I've got a story, believe me, I was there to live it! How I began living my dream of fishing and hosting a national Tv program, mentorship, positive thinking, listening to God, following direction and more are just some of the topics I'll cover during these talks. And I write Christian music, so we can add some musical flair to these events!

For more information, please email me:

blaine@backwoodsanglertv.com

Here is a link to an internet/blog radio interview I did with Todd Weaver at WEBE Radio a few weeks ago about what I walked through to begin living my dream.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/webe/2011/09/27/back-woods-angler-tv-guide-service

Good fishin!

Blaine

River Smallmouth Bass Love Hair Jigs!

Blaine Mengel — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:31:53 GMT

It's the most wonderful time of the year! You'll hear me bellowing out those words on nice windless 40+ degree days from November through March. River smallmouth bass are hunkered down into their wintering areas and will stay there. High water may force movement from time to time, but they'll find areas where they can be secure regardless of the flows. It's the cold water period, and it means the jig bite is on and big fish are to be had.

One of my favorite lures for tempting cold, lethargic smallies is a hair jig. Hands down, my favorite material is rabbit hair. Fox and bear are also very effective. I like rabbit because it's bushier and creates more of its own life under the water. Here's what I mean. Other hair materials tend to mash together and lessen the profile of the lure. That may work well in clearer water. However, bulkier rabbit hair jigs, like the Millennium Jigs made by BC Dampman Lures, have a larger profile in stained water and they pulsate while setting on the bottom without the angler moving the lure. That is so key to enticing strikes in the cold water, less movement but it looks alive! To give the jig even more life, I'll add a small trailer if fish dictate they want it that way!

Check out the Millennium Jigs here .

And keep watching Backwoods Angler TV as we often show you episodes where we're in pursuit of cool or cold water smallmouth!

Good Fishin!

Blaine

Autumn Bass Fishing--Timing Is Everyhing!

Blaine Mengel — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:15:36 GMT

I have had many folks over the years ask me about the "Fall Frenzy", or the reason why bass eat like crazy in the fall. Well first of all, my experience has been that at no point is this "fall frenzy" theory in stone. There are days when I expect fish will eat like crazy and they are tough as nails, and there are those days that are really tough, except for a short window of voracious eating. Although higher flows are best for keeping bass feeding more consistenty in our rivers, they even throw a curveball at times when water conditions are in the "perfect" range. So........as in most situations associated with fishing, timing is everything!

Here's an example. Although we have elevated flows in all our rivers this fall, the water has been clear in many cases. On a recent trip on the Delaware River, I told my clients we'd wait to fish my best 2 areas until later in the afternoon closer to dark. Why? Firstly, the water temperatures are lowest on mid-late fall days in the morning. The highest water temperatures occur during the late afternoon, responding to the sun's yet relatively strong rays (Remember the sun's rays are weakeneing until the winter solstace.). Bass will feed better with this usually predictable spike in water temp. Plus when the water is clear, I know on the Delaware, smallies will eat better during low light conditions. The best of both worlds is the period 2 hours beflre sunset.

My clients decided they had fished enough by 3:30 PM. So I ventured out for the last 2 hours to make sure the bass were still in the areas I had mentioned to prepare for next week's trips. In two hours, I boated 29 smallies after boating 18 with 3 anglers in 6 hours.

That experience is proof that bass will eat in that "fall frenzy" mode, but as I suspected earlier that day......timing was everything! Next season, viewers of Backwoods Angler Tv will see 2 shows depicting this scenario perfectly, one from the Delaware River and one from the Juniata River.

Good fishin!

Blaine

PA Smallmouth Fishing Better Than Ever This Fall....Why?

Blaine Mengel — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:49:08 GMT

Anglers that have chartered my boat and fished the Delaware and/or Susquehanna Rivers over the past 12 years know very well that I LOVE elevated water levels, especially during the fall and cold water period.My numbers on the Delaware have doubled those of the past 3 seasons during the past two weeks. Chris Gorsuch is putting up absolutely gaudy numbers of smallies on the Juniata River lately, and the Main Stem Susquehanna is giving up fewer bass, but they're grossly huge! Why is this?

As heavy rains tend to put a damper on fishing for a couple days right after the rains fall , the fishing following the crests has been outstanding. Smallmouth are creatures that, somewhat like many people, seek and crave security. They will be predictable during elevated fall water levels. They head to the banks....shoreline cover like rocky flats, creek washout points, concrete docks, retaining walls and bridge pilings tight to shore are perfect starting points for anglers targeting fall high water smallies.

Here is a very important point that I have discovered over the years. The best areas will have current until water temps drop below 50 degrees. As long as the water temperature is above 50 (and I'll even go down into the 45-48 degree range), smallies WILL be in or near some form of current. Yes, there are always some bass in slack water. I believe these bass are far less active, and I like feeding bass if there are some present! Soft current flats with rock have been our go-to areas this fall....for the past 3 weeks. Prior to that, it was fast pocket water. As water dropped through the 50's I watched these targeted areas change to slightly deeper, rocky flats and pockets with softer current.

My top choices for lures.......that is an easy one: Spinnerbaits, tubes and traps! Seventy-five percent of our smallies this fall have come on spinnerbaits like those made by Vinnerbaits Lures. They're a great choice for elevated flows because I can cover water, and I don't have to hold quite as long in very hevy current with my trolling motor as I do when jig or tube fishing. Slow-rolling will double bites on any given day. When water is stained, I use heavier spinnerbaits with slightly larger blades. As water clears, strikes will increase by down-sizing blades and using willow blades. Willow blades have a bit less draw in current and allow the lure to sink deeper, making slow-rolling easier on the hands and wrists, and covering more of the water column. Here are 2 clips fro past Backwoods Angler TV shows that illustrate these points:

So don't let the rain put a damper on autumn fishing. Try the above tips, and make sure your Interstate trolling motor batteries are fully charged and ready to handle the high water. Be careful, and go get into some of the best fishing we've seen in Eastern PA rivers for several years!

Good fishin,

Blaine