Shhhhh, be vewy, vewy quiet . . .

I've been hunting! Sorry it's been a couple of weeks since y'all have heard from me. I've been up in Georgia for a couple of weeks getting things done up here hunting and frankly, freezin' my butt off! At least the bugs aren't out. I love this time of year where I switch for a little bit from the water to the tree stands. I need a little time to shut off, recharge and get ready for another season of AF - shooting shows, on the road, appearances and oh yeah, fishing! 

The last time you may have seen me was in Naples at the grand opening of the new Dick's Sporting Goods store. Thank you to everyone who came out. 

We had one of the best openings of the year so far at that event. Mr. Producerman even tells me that we set a new AF record on Instagram that day with y'all posting your photos from the event. Pretty cool! Here's a "selfie" from that day . . . 

I love Thanksgiving. We all go over to my sister's house and celebrate the holiday with about 50 relatives and tons of food. We do a little bit of everything - turkey, stuffing, seafood and oh my, the pies!! Better get to the gym before next week. Ha! I'm thankful for a lot and just like most people, I bet I don't say it enough. I'm thankful for my wife Cari, my son Drayden and the rest of my family. I'm thankful for what I get to do each day and the sponsors that help us get it done. I am especially thankful for all the Mogan Maniacs out there that watch the show and come out to see us. What are you thankful for?  #thanksmoganmaniacs

It's that Holiday season again and I've got to get back home to start my Christmas shopping. I'm usually the type that waits until the last minute to get it done, so maybe I'll just stay up here in my deer stand for a little longer and worry about all the presents later.

Tune in this weekend to The Sportsman Channel for two episodes of Addictive Fishing. Tomorrow's episode is "Canaveral Slam" where I fish with Capt. Jim Ross and we hook into triple tail, cobia and big flounder. Then on Sunday, watch "Hogs in the Fog" with Capt. Ryan Farner. This was a first for me fishing for hog snapper with line and hook in Tampa Bay. Cool show and great lookin' fish! Check the website for times. Set your DVR's if you can't tune in on time, or check online, Mr. Producerman has the full length episode up on YouTube for y'all to watch! Click here for a preview. Isn't that just a cool lookin' fish? 

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Got More To Show Ya!

We're breaking out some footage you haven't seen yet this season! This stuff is the stuff Mr. Producerman can't fit into an episode, but it's good stuff, so he puts it all together in the "Bits and Bites" episode each year. This episode you'll see me hooking into snook, redfish and fishing with another "first" on AF. First time in 15 years of shooting Addictive Fishing Television we've had a lady angler on the show. And, what a better way to do it than with Engel Pro and model, Miss Darcie . . . she's fishing with the Flats Pink rod, rigged with FINS Pink Windtamer and decked out in Pink to catch her first Mogan Redfish, ever.  

You'll get to see some footage of me fishing with Capt. Ed Zyak from Jensen Beach that you didn't get to see from the "Baitbuster Bridge" episode too. Fishing with Ed is always fun. He knows the fishery, knows DOA Lures and knows all things Humminbird / Minn Kota too. Never a doubt that I learn something when I fish with this guy!

If you saw last week's "Baitbuster Bridge" episode then you saw the snook both Capt. Greg Snyder and I caught, but there was a lot more footage to be seen. We'll get to show you some more in this week's episode. Tune in tomorrow, Friday, August 15th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports for this week's episode "Bits and Bites." Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.

Been traveling a bit again lately, this time I'm on the West Coast of the U.S. - California. My wife, Cari is from Orange County and we're back to visit family and go to her high school reunion. I've fished out here a few years ago for Calico and Vermilion Snapper and had a blast. 

Trying to get some fishing in this trip between Angels Baseball games, reunions and family, but not sure I'll get to it. No worries, I'll be back in March for a tradeshow and to do some fishing then . . . and I've seen a lot of Skeeters out here too. Besides, when I come home to Florida I'm back on the water immediately shooting episodes up in the Carolinas so a break out here in California is just fine with me. 

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Skunked!

Y'all ever have one of those dry spells on the water where the fish just aren't biting every time you go out? Maybe the wind's kicked up, the tide's too low, too much rain has made the saltwater too fresh, not enough rain has made the salinity level go sky high, moon phase was wrong time . . . you name it, it went wrong? Well, it feels like we've been proving ourselves to Mother Nature all season long and working extra hard for our dinner every shoot. We went out to shoot episodes more than a couple time this season and came home without a show. Here's one for ya, I had Bass Legend, Bill Dance on my boat again this year and the conditions and wind were so rough that we just couldn't put Bill through the abuse and called it an early shoot. We caught a shark and then went in for lunch and interviewed Bill about getting "Skunked". We didn't get enough footage for an entire episode, but still had fun. 

Also went out to fish one of the most incredible lakes in Florida, Lake X with Skeeter Pro, Chuck Pippin and it was supposed to be like fishing in a barrel. Nope! The bass had shut down because we were fishing on the wrong moon phase and not many of them wanted to "smile for the camera." Another trip that had the hopes of making an epic episode that never came to be. 

Went up to Destin for a week-long shoot, thinking we would come home with at least 2 episodes. Nope! The rain moved in just as we arrived and never stopped. Too much fresh water in the places we were fishing and our targeted species moved out. The complete opposite happened in Corpus Christi earlier in the year when we traveled out there to shoot an episode . . . not enough rain for weeks had caused too much evaporation and the salinity level was sky high. Our fish moved out to cleaner water. 

This week's episode is a look at all of those shoots. We had at least one fish from each shoot that Mr. Producerman could piece together into one episode. I explain to you at the beginning of each segment what challenge we were up against and what we did to try to make it happen. 

Yes, even on television we get "Skunked!" Tune in tomorrow, Friday, August 1st at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports. Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday. 

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

It's that time of year . . .

Me and the AF Crew are heading to Orlando next week . . . getting ready right now for one of the biggest fishing industry events of the year, ICAST. All week, manufacturers, vendors, Television Networks, and fishing legends walk the tradeshow floors to buy, sell and plan for the next fishing season. It's a fisherman's candy store I tell ya and it's hard for me to concentrate on stuff. Ha! Something always catches my eye, each of my sponsors' booths are filled with the newest products, gadgets and doohickeys, and it's all I can do to not sneak out and go fishing with them. Plus, it's amazing how many of my fishing heroes I get to meet and see. Should be an interesting week. To kick off the start of the week, I'm taking the McGills (of Wright & McGill) out fishing. They're making the trip from Colorado for ICAST and it's my pleasure to show them a little of the saltwater world before we all have to suit up and work for the week. Hope to have some photos and a nice update for you next time. 

My schedule at the convention is usually a little crazy and all over the place, but I do know a couple of locked down times and booths where I'll be. So if you're at the show this year, and you want to stop by to say "hey," come see me on Wednesday at the W&M/EagleClaw/Trokar booth from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. and in the same booth on Thursday from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. After that on Thursday, I'll be in the Engel Coolers booth at 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. They're testing out their coolers to show you firsthand how good they really work. When they load in on Tuesday, Engel is filling a couple of coolers with ice and beer, not touching them again until Thursday at 4 p.m. I will be ready for an "Engel cold" beer by 4 p.m. on Thursday . . . stop by for one too! 

I'm going to miss next week's blog because I'll be at ICAST, so stay tuned for reports and updates on Facebook and the following week in my blog. Gotta go meet with all my wonderful sponsors to see what's new for next year and how soon can we put it on TV. Can't wait!

Tune in tomorrow for this week's episode . . . "Lyin' Hawaiian." I'm fishing with Capt. Tony DelosSantos in the backcountry waters of Key Largo. Had a great time catching snook and redfish, and finally getting to fish with Tony. Watch tomorrow, Friday July 11th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports. Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Fishing for the 4th?

Mr. Producerman and our new editor Sam were over at the music studios today making soundtracks for upcoming episodes when Mr. Producerman had an idea for the Mogan Music guys to play the Star Spangled Banner in honor of our great country's birthday coming up. So . . . here's a 15 second Instagram video. <<Click Here>>

We spent a week on the Emerald Coast this past April and although it may have been one of the toughest shoots we've had in our 15 years due to the weather, we still were able to get out and fish and get an episode for you with Skeeter Pro and Captain, Pat Dineen. I love fishing those emerald waters, the people up there are some of my favorite folks to fish with and the hospitality is awesome. We'll definitely be back to do it again next season! Um, can we get some better weather for next time please?! Tune in this week to "Panhandle Permit" (Friday, June 6th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports). Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.

This past week was a busy one for us. I was over in Tampa shooting some cool stuff for the new Star Tron "Enzo" commercial spot. Y'all have seen the killer spot my producer put together with that nice vintage truck and 3D animation, right? Well, Star Tron liked it so much they asked for the same kind of spot but with a boat this time. So, we shot that in the middle of the week. 

We also shot some stuff for a special episode coming up. It's definitely been a tough season for us with the weather and this special episode tells you all about it. After we wrapped shooting, I headed home to prefish for an upcoming episode shoot off of Cape Canaveral and then at Dick's in Clermont, FL to kick off another grand opening of a new store. Had a great time meeting some new folks and getting up on the bass tank outside to share some fishing tips. 

I'm ready for a quick break over the 4th Holiday and then we're back at it. Hope y'all have a great weekend. Be safe on the water and shooting off all your fireworks. Whatever you do over the weekend - have fun! (Thanks to our Eagle Claw sponsor for this awesome flag image. One of my favorite.)

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair 

Watch this Week's Episode now - Panhandle Permit

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Panhandle Permit

It's Thursday and here's another Flashback photo for y'all. This one's from my days on the water as a charter captain (circa 1995). I was working on the water about 340 days a year back then. Whew! Look at that Costa Del Mar hat I'm sportin' too. Sort of a a double flashback by the looks of that nice hat! Nice Mosquito Lagoon redfish though . . . still love catching those fish. I'm happy to have followed the path I journeyed all these years. My life has been spent on the water, and I can't think of any place else I'd rather be. 

This week y'all finally get to see the episode we shot while we were up in Destin, Florida. We spent a week on the Emerald Coast in April and although it may have been one of the toughest shoots we've had in our 15 years due to the weather, we managed to get a show shot and produced with Skeeter Pro and Captain, Pat Dineen. I love fishing those waters, the people up there are some of my favorite folks to fish with and the hospitality is awesome. We'll be back to do it again next season . . . can we order up some better weather for next time please?!

Tune in this week to "Panhandle Permit" (Friday, June 6th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports). Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday. Some of you may say "I didn't think Permit got all the way up there in the Panhandle?" Well you'll just have to tune in tomorrow to see why we're calling this episode "Panhandle Permit." 

We're in between shoots right now and I'm soaking up the brief downtime. I'm just getting caught up on my boat, gear and tackle maintenance, not to mention a little R&R and maintenance of my own. I've stocked up on Star Tron for all my engines, cleaning my hull and deck with Star Brite's Sea Safe boat cleaner and taking care of any funky smells coming from my truck - ha! Life on the road this time of year can sure take a toll on your equipment, so make sure you're prepared and take care of your stuff. 

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Deadwood - This Week's New Episode

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Simpler Times

Here I am with my Granddaddy, Haywood Wiggins after a great day on the water catching redfish. Back then (I think I was probably 15 or 16 years old here), I brought home almost everything I caught so my mom could cook it up for the family to eat that night. We didn't let a thing go to waste and lived off of the simple things like freshly caught fish, vegetables grown in my Dad's garden, and sweet sun tea. Those were the days!!

Hey - I wanted to give a quick update on how me and my fishing partner Todd Royall did in last weekend's tournament. Remember I was up in Destin for the 9th Annual Old Nick's Redfish Roundup tournament? Well, me and Todd took 1st in the spots division. Pretty darn cool.

Had a great turnout for my seminar on Friday night and then the tournament hit an all time high record for attendance. I hope those numbers increase next year too . . . we'll definitely be back! Thanks to Nick's and to Legendary Marine for the invite.

We've been traveling a lot lately, shooting shows and fishing. Last week I got to do something we've never done on AF . . . fish and film on a Bass lake. That's right, I said it - B A S S fishing. We were in St. Cloud fishing with Skeeter Bass Pro, Chuck Pippin. It was a beautiful lake and we had a great time with Chuck, just a little tough bite though. We'll show a little of it in an episode later this season. I think I'll stick to saltwater, I think I've got a little of it running through my veins. Ha!

Now, I'm off again to the Everglades in pursuit of tarpon! How many of you remember Capt. Gary Thompson from season 6 in "Tarpon Time"? Check out the AF YouTube Channel to see what Gary had me catching back then. We're hoping for a Part two of that same experience. Haven't caught a tarpon yet this season, so fingers crossed, no bananas on the boat . . . here we go!

This week's episode is a little something special for our friends at Star Brite. Last season we went to the Dry Tortugas and Key West on the Star Brite (62' Viking) and caught some amazing fish. This year we were scheduled to go again and do something a little different, but they had to postpone due to a "family member" having surgery and treatment coming up. We decided to do a look back to that Key West trip, put in some footage you haven't seen and dedicate it to the speedy recovery of "Jake." 

We're cheering you on Jake and can't wait to see your tail waggin' again soon! Tune in tomorrow to see "Keys Chronicles" (Friday, May 23rd at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports). Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.  

I'm heading back out on the water for now!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Slammin' the Cape!

I know I'm not starting off this week's blog with a fish, but I knew this throwback photo would catch your eye anyway. Can't believe I was 20 years old when this photo was taken. Feels like a lifetime ago. I never dreamed back then that I'd be doing what I am now - fishing for a living. I bet I'm not too far off in saying the military gave me the confidence to chase any dream and work ethic to make it happen. Happy and proud to have served my country in the Air Force all those years ago. 

Tune in tomorrow for another episode of Addictive Fishing - "Canaveral Slam." We shot this episode in my backyard, on the Space Coast with Capt. Jim Ross. We knew where we were going fishing, we just weren't sure what we'd be hooking into, so we had to be prepared for anything. Good thing we were . . . we hooked into cobia, tripletail and some serious flatties - flounder. Capt. Jim's been fishing the Cape about as long as I have, and we always have a good time out there together. While on this trip something happened to us that was a first for sure. Check it out in this week's episode tomorrow (Friday, May 2nd) at 10:30 a.m. on Fox SunSports. Visit the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.

Thank you to Tampa Bay Mogan Maniacs for rolling out the red carpet and coming out in force to see the newest Dick's Sporting Goods store this past weekend. A special thanks to Skeeter dealer Central Marine for bringing out some new Skeeter boats to check out, Capt. Ryan Farner and Capt. Chris Camps for donating fishing trips and being on hand to answer any Tampa Bay fishing questions, Minn Kota for giving away a Talon and trolling motor and to Costa Del Mar sunglasses for donating a pair of cool new shades to give away as well. There are going to be some happy winners notified very soon! What a cool looking store too . . . that two-story store will surely keep a lot of shoppers busy. 

Tight Lines,

Blair

Destined for rough weather . . .

I can't seem to outrun, escape or get away from the weather!! Bah! We have NEVER had such a challenging season as this one. Last you heard, we were in Chokoloskee shooting with Capt. Brian Sanders. Luckily we got a show shot in one day because the weather gave us no choice but to pack up and go home the next day. Then, we head up to Destin because the reports of cobia all over were pouring in, plus we were invited by our good friends and Skeeter Boats dealer, Legendary Marine. We never pass up an invite from those folks. We head out on day one of the shoot and the weather gods do NOT want to cooperate. We were patient that week though and did get an episode. Stay tuned this season and I'll get to show you some Mogan redfish in this episode from Destin.  

Me and the AF crew were even socked in one day on land . . . never stepped a foot on the boat, we found other ways to entertain ourselves at the Harborwalk Village and Emerald Grande. Great place to be stuck inside, I tell ya! I may have gained a few extra pounds from all the great food too. Might have to head back up there soon just for another plate of oysters! 

The other positive was we got to spend time with some very cool anglers and military folks. Legendary Marine and Skeeter Boats put on a killer dinner Friday night to kick off the Royall Rumble - a cobia tournament with the Wounded Warrior program and local captains. Earlier that evening I was introduced to a young man, Chance Roye who was fishing the tournament with his Dad. His Dad said, "My son met his hero!" and I thank you for that, thanks Chance. My heroes were all in the room that night. What an honor to meet these folks and given the opportunity to thank them all for their service and sacrifice. Everyone in the Captain's meeting jumped to their feet for a standing ovation when introduced to our Veterans. Thank you! 

This weekend is a pretty exciting and big weekend for Dick's and for the AF Crew. We'll be in Tampa kicking off the newest store in the Westshore Mall. Can't wait because Dick's is really going all out to welcome Tampa Mogan Maniacs to this new location! I'll be there on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. I'll be doing some seminars on inshore and offshore fishing in Tampa Bay. We just aired two of the episodes we shot in Tampa this season, and I'll be talking about those cool lookin' hogfish too! 

Come out and get registered to win a Minn Kota Talon, trolling motor, Costa sunglasses and a couple of guided fishing trips inshore with Capt. Chris Camps and offshore with Capt. Ryan Farner. The sales are on! Come out and get geared up for your next fishing trip too. 

This week's episode we're doing something a little special for our friends at Star Brite. Last season we went to the Dry Tortugas and Key West on the Star Brite (62' Viking) and caught some amazing fish. This year we were scheduled to go again and do something a little different, but they had to postpone due to a "family member" having surgery and treatment coming up. We decided to do a look back to that Key West trip, put in some footage you haven't seen and dedicate it to the speedy recovery of "Jake." We're cheering you on Jake and can't wait to see your tail waggin' again soon! 

Tune in tomorrow to see "Keys Chronicles" (Friday, April 25th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports). Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.  

Heading outside to make sure the weather doesn't change just because I'm out there. I'm starting to get a complex! Is it me? 

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Flounder, Cobia and Tripletail - oh my!

I still can't believe we're starting the 15th season of Addictive Fishing Television! Tomorrow marks 15 years of producing shows and I still get butterflies thinking about this week's premiere. Ha!  Tune in tomorrow for episode #1 of the 2014 season - "Canaveral Slam." We shot this episode in my backyard, on the Space Coast with Capt. Jim Ross. We knew we were going wreck fishing off of Cape Canaveral, but just weren't sure what we'd be hooking into, so we had to be prepared for anything. Good thing we were . . . we hooked into cobia, triple tail and some serious flatties - flounder. 

We had a blast and it was the first time we'd taken the new Skeeter tower boat out (SX240) and shot a show with it. The 240 rigged with the Humminbird 360 and Minn Kota iPilot Spot-Lock, sure put us in the perfect spot and held us there so we could hook one Mogan Flounder after another. I say it when I do my seminars and I say it again on the show, if you know you're going wreck fishin' make sure you're rigged and prepared for anything. Have a big stick (Flats Blue) rigged with heavy line (Seaguar/FINS), have some light tackle for those fun fights, back up rigs, hooks (Trokar), and lures (Mirrolure/DOA) so you are ready for anything. We didn't think we would see cobia since it was still technically winter, but one of my cameramen spotted a big manta ray off the side of the boat, and since we had the right rig ready, it was game on! 

Tune in tomorrow (Friday, April 4th) at 10:30 a.m., Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. on Fox Sun Sports to see the start of Addictive Fishing's 2014 season - "Canaveral Slam." Set your DVR's if you can't tune in on time, or check back sometime next week online, Mr. Producerman will have the full length episode up on YouTube for y'all to watch soon!  

Click here for a preview of this week's episode:"Canaveral Slam" 

We're heading down South to the Everglades next week and then straight back up to the Panhandle to Destin the week after. It's that time of year again of towin' boats, riggin' lines and fishin' our butts off. I ain't complaining . . . oh no, it's my favorite time of year! 

In the words of Producerman, "Let's Go Now!!"

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair