It’s a big reef

Matt Herren and Brandon Palaniuk are fishing on Garrison Reef. Looking around, so is Jacob Powroznik, Boyd Duckett, Keith Combs and Michael Iaconelli.

It’s a big reef. But these guys aren’t fishing the whole thing. Instead each of them has found a specific small spot on this expansive reef.

In Herren’s case it’s two large boulders. And for Palaniuk a series of rocks trailing off the ridge like a razorback.

I have no idea about the others. But they are likely similar. It’s a testament to Mille Lacs that these relatively small areas can produce so many fish. It’s a testament to these anglers that they’ve been able to key in on these spots and make them work.

It’s a testament to their equipment as well. Herren and Palaniuk both have MinnKota Ultrex trolling motors. They come with a “spot lock” that allows them to stay in one spot. With three and four footers rolling in, they aren’t fighting to stay on their spot. They get to just fish. Pretty impressive, especially when you consider Herren was able to lock down and catch more than 100 pounds of smallmouth on Friday.

While he’s been throwing a drop shot. Truth of. The matter, the reason for him being able to catch so many is not only the bait, but the ability to stick.