Bass Edge News

Bass Edge on the road

The Bass Edge field crew has sent two shows to the editors since the last newsletter. In late May, Denny Brauer, one of the top names in professional fishing, joined host Aaron Martin in the swamps of southern Louisiana, and then it was on to Texas’ legendary Sam Rayburn reservoir.

“I had never fished anything like those swamps, and sharing the deck with Denny was a treat,” Aaron said. “But it was a challenge.”

Extremely high water forced the anglers into different and unfamiliar water -- and with no encouraging words about our chance of success from local anglers. But after a number of adjustments, the guys figured out how to catch fish, making the show a great lesson to anglers faced with similar conditions. Kudos are deserved by a crew that endured very hot, humid conditions with very little breeze. Denny had a lot of good-natured ribbing for the planners of the shoot.

“I can’t wait to go back, but I’d like to do it in late fall,” Aaron said.

For a change, the gang showed up at Rayburn to relatively normal conditions. The lake was in good shape, the first show fished anywhere close to normal pool thus far. But it was hot. The crew stayed in nearby Jasper.

“What a charming community … and so close to such great fishing,” Aaron said. “Jasper has quite an art community and we had a chance to visit a couple of galleries. The murals downtown are amazing. And of course the fishing was great.”

FLW touring pro Sean Hoernke joined Aaron as guest host, and they found the fish cooperative. Viewers will get a lot of fish catching action on this show, a lot of it on topwaters … but with a little twist.

The crew will be heading out again in mid-July to sample fishing in the North Country. Aaron will be joined by college angler Jonathan VanDam on Minnesota’s Lake Vermillion, where smallmouth bass will make their Bass Edge season debut. From there, it’s a few hours south to a smaller chain of lakes where largemouths are likely to dominate the catch.

Still coming this year are shoots in California, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. With shows recorded from April through December, viewers will be treated to a wide variety of seasons, locations and strategies for catching more bass.