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

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 

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

Chummin' with my Buddy

I just saw someone post a Pet TBT photo on Facebook and I think I really like that idea a lot better than looking at my face from years ago. Here's one of my little guy Buddy. He was just a pup here, now he's going on 5 years old. This kid makes me laugh and is one of the fastest dogs I've ever met. How many of y'all out there have some throwbacks of your pups? 

I'm fishing with an old friend of mine from Tampa in this week's episode, Capt. Chad Manning. Capt. Chad called and said he was on some snook, as long as we threw live bait, we'd get an episode. So I rigged my Flats Blue rods up, put on some fresh Seaguar leader (y'all who have fished snook a lot know that they can sure beat up your leader), and a new spool of FINS XS (8 strand extra smooth and strong). I also made sure I had plenty of Trokar hooks too.

Now I had thrown chum before, sometimes it's necessary, but I don't think I've ever seen THIS much chum thrown at one time. My producer gave him the alias "Chumley Mandingo" after about the 40th swing of the chum bat (not 40, just kidding). Capt. Chad is a good captain, I highly recommend him, he will put ya on the fish. He put me in the right spots, and I get to show you some sweet Tampa Bay snook in tomorrow's episode "Tampa Chums" (Friday, May 16th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports). Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.  Watch preview now

I'm heading up to Destin again, but this time without the cameras and my crew.  I'm still going fishin' though. I'm fishing the 9th Annual Old Nick's Redfish Roundup on Saturday, May 17th - (Click here for video and details).  My friends and Skeeter dealer, Legendary Marine invited me to fish the tournament and speak on Friday, May 16th for the "Fishing Like a Pro" seminar. Here's the info you need:

  
Join us and have some fun with some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. The food is always tasty, drinks are cold and the fishing should be a lot of fun. Even if you can't make it . . . have a great weekend. 

Until next week . . . 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

The Legend of Chumley Mandingo

Fishing with an old friend of mine from Tampa in this week's episode, Capt. Chad Manning. We had this shoot scheduled since the signing on with Skeeter Boats was official (Chad's a Skeeter Captain), and we were gonna getterdun no matter what.  Capt. Chad called and said he was on some snook, as long as we threw live bait, we'd get an episode. So I rigged my Flats Blue rods up, put on some fresh Seaguar leader (y'all who have fished snook a lot know that they can sure beat up your leader), and a new spool of FINS XS (8 strand extra smooth and strong). I also made sure I had plenty of Trokar hooks too.

Now I had thrown chum before, sometimes it's necessary, but I don't think I've ever seen THIS much chum thrown at one time. My producer gave him the alias "Chumley Mandingo" after about the 40th swing of the chum bat (not 40, just kidding). Capt. Chad is a good captain, I highly recommend him, he will put ya on the fish. He put me in the right spots, and I get to show you some sweet Tampa Bay snook in tomorrow's episode "Tampa Chums" (Friday, April 18th at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox SunSports). Check the AF website for replay times on Sunday and Wednesday.  Watch preview now

Me and the AF crew are up in Destin this week shooting episodes and I'll be fishing a cobia tournament over the weekend with some fine folks from Skeeter dealer, Legendary Marine. The weather has once again been a challenge and morale is getting low, we need to catch a break from Mother Nature, please. We're staying in one of my favorite places while here in Destin, the Emerald Grande and if anything helps sooth our weary fishin' bones, it's a sweet place like this.

Tampa Bay, get ready for the Grand Opening of the newest Dick's Sporting Goods store!! The new store opens up next weekend at the Westshore Mall. Me and the AF crew will be there on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Come by for all the sweet deals on tackle, get signed up and entered to win a FREE Minn Kota trolling motor, Talon shallow water anchor or a pair of Costa sunglasses, sit in on my seminars, Calusa cast net demos with local captain, Chris Camps, and meet Skeeter Pros Captains Ryan Farner and Chad Manning from recent Tampa Bay episodes of AF. I'm super excited about the weekend event coming up, it's always a good time in Tampa.

Hey, until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair

New Year, New Season, and Soooo Many Fish to Catch!

Happy New Year Y'all!  Hope your holiday season was a good one. Hope you got to do some fishing, hunting or whatever you love to do in your off time. I got to fish with Mark Nichols of DOA Lures to close out 2013, and hooked into this nice 32" Seatrout, then I got some duck hunting in . . . it had been a while, but man was it fun.  

I know a lot of you are freezin' your butts off up North, but believe it or not, Florida's been cold too. My wife loves when the temperatures go down this time of year, I'm the complete opposite so thankfully it doesn't last very long around here. This photo was sent it to us from long time fans/friends of AF - LT & Brenda Cochran. They recently relocated to Missouri and Mother Nature greeted them with a blizzard.  Welcome home y'all! 

The rest of the country . . . well, you're just going to have to come down to do some saltwater fishing or dream about it while you're on the ice fishing out of a frozen hole. I went ice fishing in Colorado a few years back and sure it was fun, but just a little too cold for me. Can't go barefoot!? 

Me and the AF Crew just had our beginning of the year meeting to go over schedule, plan shoots, and map out our travels for the 2014 season. Lots of exciting stuff going on and it looks like Spring is going to be busy!  Here's a quick rundown of where I'll be over the next 3 months:  Raleigh, Miami, Birmingham, Panama City, Slidell, Ft. Myers, Bradenton, Tampa, Coral Springs, Key West, Tampa, and Destin.  I'll fill you in on details, what we'll be doing and when you can come out to see us. Some of those stops are strictly fishing and I can't wait. I'm hoping to show you some Mogan cobia, snapper, tarpon, redfish, grouper and much, much more in this season's shows. So many fish to catch, gotta get started!! We've also got some new products coming out this year and I'll keep you posted on that too. More choices for the Mogan Maidens out there and I think you'll be real happy!  

In the meantime, check out this week's episode shot from the Dry Tortugas with Capt. Chris Trosset. He's wearing me out on kingfish and snapper while we're fishing off the back of the Star Brite. Amazing time down there and we'll be doing something with that crew again this Spring.  "One Hour Later" airs on Sunday, January 12th at 10 a.m. (ET) on the Sportsman Channel. Then on Monday and Tuesday you can catch another episode "Tortuga Bank" from the Dry Tortugas where I'm hooking into some really nice grouper and snapper. Tune in on Monday at 9:00 a.m. and Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. Man, I can't wait to get back out there in that water!  

Taking down the Christmas lights and tossing the tree . . . hope I can put some shorts back on soon, take the cover off my Skeeter bay boat, kick off my shoes and get my toes wet again with some saltwater. It won't be long I know, but I'm ready to sweat!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair