It’s always good to assess progress over the course of a year. I think about what went well this past year and what I would want to grow in as we approach a new year: what were my best gear purchases/finds that helped me do what I do better. I spend a lot of time on the water during the year which gives me a lot of time to try things out. Here’s my top 5 picks:

1. Free Fly Apparel: Loved adding Free Fly apparel to what I wear when I’m on the water. I spend a lot of time in the sun, so I’m always looking for good long sleeve sun shirts and pants. Totally fell in love with Free Fly (www.freeflyapparel.com). I lean hard toward hooded sun shirts (don’t even want one without a good hood on it). Got a couple hooded sun shirts, pants, and shorts.

2. Garmin Livescope: I know this wasn’t a new purchase for me this year, but it was huge to everything I do. Whether we’re jigging lakers on Lake George, fishing big smallies with hairjigs, chasing big panfish in the weeds, or casting plastics for walleyes - this tool is hands down the best teacher and data collector a fisherman could ever buy.

3. Douglas Rods: We joined the Douglas Outdoors team this year and fell in love with their line up of incredible, high end spinning rods. We tested a bunch of rods - all performed incredibly well. My favorites are the the XMatrix 7’6”ML (casting jigs for walleyes and hair jigs for smallies) and the XMatrix 9’6”ML (perfect for slip floating for big panfish and walleyes). I know their drop shot and jerkbait rods are going to shine in 2024. Can’t wait to showcase these rods more in ‘24.

4. FWT 1/8oz Hair jig: Micah (my oldest son) fished with me for a quick hour on Lake George. We just wanted to hang out and talk. He picked up a rod with a 1/8oz hair jig and I fished the 1/4oz (which was my go-to at that point). Right away he caught a fish and ended up hooking another…and it was just enough info to get me thinking. How many of the suspended fish that I see earlier in the year could I catch with a lighter hair jig. So in 2023, I fished a lot more 1/8oz hand tied hairjigs that I make (and sell) and we ended up catching lots of giant smallmouth on them all season long!!! Definitely going to keep this going, because there’s nothing like catching fish on a hairjig! (check out this video) .

5. Nishine Lure Works: Erie 115 MD: We tested this mid depth diving jerkbait and it crushed fish all season long. It was incredible on Lake George. Love the way that Mr. Nishine added a keel weight, which given enough time, allows the bait to get way down into the strike zone on fish that are deeper in the water column. Want to try it more this year on walleyes as well.

So there you have it…my top 5 gear purchases for 2023. What an amazing year! Thankful for all those who booked trips this past year! Ultimately, all glory to God for the way He blessed us!