Mueller's icy offseason

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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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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Waylon enjoyed some time hanging out with Bassmaster Elite Series Emcee Dave Mercer while in Florida for the St. Johns River event.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Boxes of Do-It Molds hand poured baits and jig heads are ready for action on the frozen lake.
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Boxes of Do-It Molds hand poured baits and jig heads are ready for action on the frozen lake.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A couple of custom ice rods and Lew’s reels are ready for action.
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A couple of custom ice rods and Lew’s reels are ready for action.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

The Otter Resort is large enough for several people but is perfect for storing gear out of the cold wind.
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The Otter Resort is large enough for several people but is perfect for storing gear out of the cold wind.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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Photo: Justin Brouillard

Several tie-down straps are available for windy days like today.
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Several tie-down straps are available for windy days like today.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Rods in one hand and a Garmin with Panoptix in the other.
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Rods in one hand and a Garmin with Panoptix in the other.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A Striker Ice Predator Suit keeps him warm as he begins to drill out an area.
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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."

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Mueller spends a lot of time looking at the area when he explores a new lake.
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Mueller spends a lot of time looking at the area when he explores a new lake.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A few minutes looking for fish...
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A few minutes looking for fish...

Photo: Justin Brouillard

... 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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... and he is back down to the Garmin to look at the mapping again while keeping his bait down in the water.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A closer look at Panoptix and how he uses it to see what is around him.
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A closer look at Panoptix and how he uses it to see what is around him.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A quick check before putting the Milwaukee drill to work.
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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."

Photo: Justin Brouillard

That looks like a good spot!
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That looks like a good spot!

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

The Striker Ice Boot packs 1200 Grams of Thinsulate Insulation. Being comfortable is key on the boat or the ice.
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The Striker Ice Boot packs 1200 Grams of Thinsulate Insulation. Being comfortable is key on the boat or the ice.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Sometimes he fishes with gloves on...
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Sometimes he fishes with gloves on...

Photo: Justin Brouillard

... and sometimes without. The cold doesn’t really bother him too much either way.
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... and sometimes without. The cold doesn’t really bother him too much either way.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A little cold brew coffee is his favorite drink while fishing.
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A little cold brew coffee is his favorite drink while fishing.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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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.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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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On big bodies of water, it is key to have everything in one sled. The Otter holds anything he needs for moving around.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Dropping the bait down to a fish.
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Dropping the bait down to a fish.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

And hooked up.
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And hooked up. "It doesn’t feel big, probable a lake trout."

Photo: Justin Brouillard

The drag on the Lew’s reel allows him to play the fish.
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The drag on the Lew’s reel allows him to play the fish.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Right up to the hole
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Right up to the hole

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A lake trout
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A lake trout

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Quick release
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Quick-release

Photo: Justin Brouillard

And it’s gone to bite another day.
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And it’s gone to bite another day.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

Time to put the Striker Stealth gloves back on.
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Time to put the Striker Stealth gloves back on.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

And heading back to the Otter to see how the family is doing. The mountains and sunset were beautiful.
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And heading back to the Otter to see how the family is doing. The mountains and sunset were beautiful.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A beautiful end to the day.
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A beautiful end to the day.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

A little ice fishing talk before heading home.
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A little ice fishing talk before heading home.

Photo: Justin Brouillard

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