Catch up with 2020 Bassmaster Elite St. John's River Champion Paul Mueller as he returns to New England after his win to explore some new water.
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Mueller sets up his massive Otter XTH Pro Resort Ice Shelter and gets his wife, Kimber, and their son Waylon set up with a Garmin unit and portable heater before venturing out to explore.
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His wife and son travel all over the country for the Bassmaster Elite Series while Paul competes, and they look forward to doing a little fishing themselves when they return.
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Waylon enjoyed some time hanging out with Bassmaster Elite Series Emcee Dave Mercer while in Florida for the St. Johns River event.
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First things first, he pulls out his custom ice rods and Lew’s reels and picks out his baits for the day, at least to start.
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Boxes of Do-It Molds hand poured baits and jig heads are ready for action on the frozen lake.
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A couple of custom ice rods and Lew’s reels are ready for action.
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The Otter Resort is large enough for several people but is perfect for storing gear out of the cold wind.
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Several tie-down straps are available for windy days like today.
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A little cold won’t stop Mueller from venturing all over the lake. He checks his Garmin before grabbing the sled and beginning his trek.
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Mueller pulls all his gear in an Otter Ice Sled with a Hyfax Runner Kit, but when he gets to an area he likes, he grabs everything he needs to move around and look for fish all while staring at his Garmin map.
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Rods in one hand and a Garmin with Panoptix in the other.
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A Striker Ice Predator Suit keeps him warm as he begins to drill out an area. "I have actually tried to get cold in this suit and it hasn’t happened yet."
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Mueller spends a lot of time looking at the area when he explores a new lake.
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A few minutes looking for fish...
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... and he is back down to the Garmin to look at the mapping again while keeping his bait down in the water.
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A closer look at Panoptix and how he uses it to see what is around him.
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With a quick change, he can be utilizing forward scan to check 360 degrees around him. He is able to locate fish and changes in the bottom direction prior to drilling any more holes.
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A quick check before putting the Milwaukee drill to work. "This drill has totally eliminated the need for a gas-powered auger for me. It lasts all day long, it’s so light."
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That looks like a good spot!
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The Striker Stealth gloves are one of his favorites as they provide the warmth he needs for long days on the lake but they are small enough to take off and on easily while learning new areas.
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Striker makes everything Mueller needs for ice fishing. He wore the Adrenaline Rain Suit on the St. Johns a week ago and quickly changed to the warmer version for his day on the lake.
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The Striker Ice Boot packs 1200 Grams of Thinsulate Insulation. Being comfortable is key on the boat or the ice.
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Mueller often drills several holes around him based on what he sees on his electronics. Letting the holes rest is key as he believes the fish might be shy to the noise, even in deep water.
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Sometimes he fishes with gloves on...
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... and sometimes without. The cold doesn’t really bother him too much either way.
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A little cold brew coffee is his favorite drink while fishing.
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Time for a change. Even in new water, Mueller has a pretty good idea what fish he is looking at on his Garmin and decides to change up his bait.
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Even those he is not in his boat; the approach doesn’t seem to change. Muller says it is easier on the ice because you don’t have to worry about controlling a boat. The fish will still bite the same baits.
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A Do-it Molds Crappie Fluke and Freestyle jig might be the ticket. This is a bait Mueller uses all over the country on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
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On big bodies of water, it is key to have everything in one sled. The Otter holds anything he needs for moving around.
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Dropping the bait down to a fish.
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And hooked up. "It doesn’t feel big, probable a lake trout."
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The drag on the Lew’s reel allows him to play the fish.
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Right up to the hole
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A lake trout
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Quick-release
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And it’s gone to bite another day.
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Time to put the Striker Stealth gloves back on.
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And heading back to the Otter to see how the family is doing. The mountains and sunset were beautiful.
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A beautiful end to the day.
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A little ice fishing talk before heading home.
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