Last Stop on the Mogan Tour for 2013

We're heading to Kendall, FL this weekend for the last stop on the Mogan Tour for 2013. Me, my wife Cari, Mr. Producerman and Trice will be at the Dick's Sporting Goods store in The Palms at Town & Country in Miami.  You've only got a few days left to pick out that perfect Christmas gift and we're heading down there on Saturday to help y'all pick it out! We'll be there Saturday (Dec. 21st) from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., so stop on in and shop with us! 

I had a great time last weekend in Jacksonville and Daytona helping Dick's Sporting Goods shoppers with fishing questions and presents. Seems like the hot seller this season is the Flats Pink rod. Fishermen who want to get their wives, girlfriends, Moms, sisters, or daughters into fishing know this might just do the trick. A fishing rod made just for her!  Not a bad idea for that last minute gift . . . I just don't think it'll make a great stocking stuffer, you'll have to get creative when wrapping it.  

After this last stop in 2013 on the Mogan Tour, all of us at AF are going to enjoy the down time, spend time with our families, travel a bit for fun, go hunting and get recharged and ready to head back out on the water. We'll get ready to start shooting 2014 episodes, spend some time in our new Skeeter boats and figure out what new Dick's Sporting Goods stores we're going to.  2014 will be another fun season of fishing and talking fish stories for sure. 

If you're not in Miami or can't make it out to see us on Saturday, then you can still get your dose of Addictive Fishing . . . don't miss this week's episodes:  Sails and Sam, Part 2 at 10 a.m. on Sunday where I'm fishing with Sam Heaton from Johnson Outdoors and we're catching bonito, cobia and sailfish.  Then on Monday at 9 a.m. and Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. you can catch me fishing in Southern California off of Catalina Island for calico bass, that trip was a first for me and a great time.  Make sure you tune in to the Sportsman Channel to watch Sails & Sam, Part 2 and Catalina Blue!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair

Last Minute AF Christmas Shopping Guide

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Merry Mogans and a Ho! Ho! Ho!

Are y'all in the Christmas spirit yet?  Got your lists checked twice?  Well, if you haven't even put a dent in the shopping yet, let me and the AF crew make it a bit easier for you. We'll be at the Dick's Sporting Goods store in Jacksonville (St. John's Town Center) this Saturday, December 14th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. just to help you find that perfect Christmas gift for that lucky fisherman.  Then on Sunday (December 15th), we'll be at the Dick's store in Daytona from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. to help y'all shop there too!  

Me and the AF crew were out at 3 Dick's stores on Black Friday to help shoppers shop. Although it sounded like a crazy idea at first and it was a bit crazy at one point, to be honest with you I had a lot of fun helping everyone find that perfect gift for the fisherman in the family.  I also got to get some shopping in myself for my wife Cari and son Drayden. So, I'll be in Jacksonville and Daytona Dick's Sporting Goods stores this weekend . . . get that list of fishing gifts printed out and head on in.  We'll get you shopped, checked out and heading home to wrap it all up in no time!  

Don't worry, you have time to catch this week's episode of Addictive Fishing - "Crystal Drum."  I'm up in Crystal River with one of my favorite people to fish with, Capt. Billy Henderson.  He called me the week prior to tell me the Mogan black drum were up there and to get the camera crew up there quick.  We did, and we had a great time fishing. Tune in on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on the Sportsman Channel.  Then on Monday morning watch the most talked about episode of the season - Sails & Sam 2" at 9 a.m. I'm using the Humminbird 360 to locate the wrecks off of Stuart, FL to catch bonito, cobia and sailfish with Sam Heaton.  

I know most of you are feeling the chill of the Winter season, but we're still sweating down here in Florida. For everyone that's complaining about the weather . . . come on down, let's go fishin'!!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair

Giving Thanks, Black Friday and Triple Play

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us on the Addictive Fishing Crew!  We have so many things to be thankful for, but most of all we are thankful for you Mogan Maniacs.  A special Thank You goes out to this Country's service men and women and their families on this holiday. Some of them don't get to spend Thanksgiving together, and we want you to know we appreciate you and your service.  

I'm going to be celebrating Thanksgiving with my family, but don't have too long to nap after that turkey dinner . . . me, my wife Cari, AF Producerman and Trice are all going to experience Black Friday for the very first time.  That's right, I said it . . . we're going to be at 3 Dick's Sporting Goods stores this Friday and Saturday as your very own "Personal Shoppers."  Keep your eyes peeled for the 2 AF elves in Flats Pink Santa hats.  Ha!

We'll be at the Clearwater, Florida store on Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. - Noon and then heading to the Brandon, Florida store from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, we're heading closer to my neck of the woods and will be at the Melbourne, FL store from 9:00 a.m. - Noon.  I know there are some of you that just live for the excitement on Black Friday.  Me? I have never experienced it, but looking forward to helping you shop for that perfect fishing Christmas gift.  So, come out early and get in on the huge tackle savings at DICK'S.   

That's it for now.  I've got to go help Cari put the leaf in the table and get ready for that turkey.  Don't forget to watch Triple Play this Sunday on the Sportsman Channel at 10 a.m. (ET) and watch Airheads on Monday at 9:00 a.m. (ET). Two episodes in the same Thanksgiving weekend - gotta love it!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair

Big Reds, Blue Marbles and Campin' out

This week, I've got another story for ya from our trip to Corpus Christi, Texas. Saturday we were there at DICK'S and a woman was looking for a new tackle set up.  She was tired of the bull reds breaking her rods at the Pier.  I showed her the strength of the Flats Blue rod, did my very own rod demo for her and she walked out to go fishing "cautiously optimistic".  We got back into DICK'S on Sunday morning, and the Lodge Manager there hands me a note with a photo on his phone.  The photo was this woman I had sold the rod to the day before, holding a 40 3/4" bull red. Here's the note she left at the store before I got there. Love stories like this . . . they make what I do even better!  

A couple of weekends ago I got to experience something awesome.  I got to see a hard-working awesome young man become an Eagle Scout.  I met Kenny years ago as a kid and he's grown up to be a fine young man. Kenny DiBiase of Scout Troop 101 in Sanibel, FL received his Eagle Scout badge on November 9th and I was there to see it, and to present him with the Blue Marble (from the Blue Marbles Project) for his outstanding environmental achievement. 

Kenny developed a program called Protect Our Waters because of his lifelong love of his home waters in Sanibel, and fishing, combined with is desire to help others and protect our fragile environment.  We have a lot in common, but I sure learned a lot from him.  This 17 year old sure has a bright future.  Nice work with the Protect Our Waters program Kenny and keep it up!   

Last weekend I came over to see some old friends, meet new fans and camp out for a night at Ft. DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida.  We had a little get together called - Mogan Maniac West Coast Campout.  It was a lot of fun catching fish, cutting up and telling stories around the campfire.  

There was a little camper there, her name was Lexi and she lit the place up! What a doll.  She is only 2 1/2 years old, but could hold a conversation with ya like she was 7.  She knew my name when I walked up and put a big smile on my face.  

Thanks to everyone who joined us.  A big shout out to Jody from Minnesota who drove his big rig down to meet me. His dad's a big fan, but for health reasons couldn't make it to see us.  Lounge Member Rich Leber took Jody out on his boat and hooked him into his first cobia.  He'll never forget it and we'll never forget how much fun it is to reminisce with our fans that have been around for so very long. Thank you!

I think I'm staying put for . . . oh, wait . . . nope, I'm heading back to Tampa Bay to shoot an episode on the water with Skeeter Pro, Capt. Chad Manning.  Then off to the woods for some hunting and then I'm home for Turkey Day.  Hope I wake up from that big meal because I'll be in 2 Dick's Sporting Goods stores on Black Friday to help y'all pick out the perfect Christmas fishing gift.  That's right, I will be in Clearwater and in Brandon at DICK'S on Black Friday.  I'll let you know which store at what time later, but if you're one of those shoppers that makes it out the day after Thanksgiving . . . I'll be there as your personal shopper with a big tackle sale!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair

That's a hawg!!

Have you ever been out on the water in fog so thick you can't see the bow of the boat from where you stand at the console? Well, that's how foggy it was the day we went out in Tampa Bay to shoot this episode. Our guest guide, Skeeter Pro Capt. Ryan Farner had his buddy "escort" us out to the spot because his big offshore boat had radar. It was a scene from "The Fog" really, eerily quiet and a little strange. I was excited though because I was about to do something new in a fishery I really don't know much about . . . hogfish on hook and line. I've only ever spearfished for hogfish in the Keys and off of reefs, this was Capt. Ryan's specialty and so here we go! I've got to say it was a great day, super cool looking fish and probably one of the tastiest I've had too. 

Tune in Sunday (October 12th) at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. and Friday at 2:00 a.m. on The Sportsman Channel to see "Hogs in the Fog." Set your DVR's if you can't tune in on time, or check back 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? 

I just got back from opening a new Dick's Sporting Goods store in Savannah, GA and it was awesome to meet the folks up there. I was happy to see (for the 1st time on the shelves) the Mogan Maiden pink Sabalos reels . . . Yup, they're here!! They will make that Flats Pink rod look extra good. Check 'em out at Dick's y'all. 

Gotta make this week's blog quick . . . I'm getting ready to hunt and leaving early in the a.m. Have a great weekend!

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

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

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

Throwing Flats Pink . . .

I’m now throwing a little pink into the mix.  My Flats Blue rods by Wright & McGill are now available in Flats Pink.  Whenever I’d run into y’all at Dick’s Sporting Goods appearances, boat shows or even at the boat ramp, you’d always ask me when I’m gonna come out with a Flats Pink version of my rod.  Well, I listened, Wright & McGill went to work, and now they’re available for anyone who’s ready to throw a Flats Pink rod.  Personally, I’d be happy with pink or blue . . . the action is the same and it’s a great rod for the price.  Check them out right now only at www.dickssportinggoods.com. Almost forgot to tell you that each week I'll also be sharing a video tip with you on the Flats Blue rods (and the Flats Pink).  A lot of people ask me which rod they need to get for the type of fishing they do.  I go through each rod in the line up and give you some tips on what fish to target, what size reel to rig, what pound test braid to use, what lure to rig up, etc.  This week I go over the 7'2" Inshore spinning rod.  Check the AF Facebook page or the AF YouTube channel for more videos.  

We just got back from fishing off of Key West around the Marquesas and down by the Dry Tortugas.  We were fishing on the Star Brite (62’ Viking) and our guide was Capt. Chris Trosset.  Capt. Chris comes from a legendary Key West fishing family.  His dad “RT” is well known in these waters and Chris has gills behind his ears just like his old man.  I can’t say it enough . . . if y’all ever get the chance to fish down in Key West, you really have to give Capt. Chris Trosset a call.  You’ll leave Key West with sore muscles, a cooler full of fish and a lifetime of great memories.  A huge thank you to Capt. Pete Dornau, Gregor Dornau, Bill Lindsey, Mario & Kevin Cote of the Star Brite crew, for taking such good care of us. You’ll get to see the killer footage and fish we caught coming up soon in 3 different episodes.   

This week we’re running episode #2 again for y’all . . . it’s the episode we shot while out on the “Left Coast” of the country, in California.  My wife Cari is originally from California and I finally got to see what that fishery is all about.  I had fun catching Calico bass out of the Pacific kelp beds with Eric Bent.  Check out this week’s episode, “Catalina Blue,” Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET on Fox Sun Sports (replays Sunday 9:30 p.m. ET / Tuesday 6:00 a.m. ET).  

And the winner of the “Show Your Mogan” contest this time is . . . . (drum roll please) . . . Amir Mettawa from Instagram.  By the looks of how dark he is, that snook looks like he lives there and if you had to pull him out from under that dock, you sure had to work at it.   Nice job!  Snook are a lot of fun to catch, but they don’t make it easy for you.  Your Mogan Prize Pak will be on its way soon!  I’ll be picking a winner again in two weeks so make sure you get your photo entered.  Don’t forget to tell me where you caught your Mogan and what you were using.  Here’s how you enter:    Facebookers must submit their photo in the “Show Your Mogan” contest Event Page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/465598803509643/  Instagram users must upload photos with hashtag: #showyourmogan

I’d like to say Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there, especially my Mom and my wife Cari.  Thanks for all you do!  I’ve got a busy week coming up after I get to spend a quiet weekend with my family.  Heading back out to film more episodes and then off to Texas for some tournament fishing.  I’ll keep you posted in next week’s blog. 

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair Wiggins

Wanna See My Skeeter?!

It's boat show season and what a better way to spend the weekend if you can't be on the water . . . around boats, Skeeter Boats that is. I'll be in Orlando this Saturday, February 1st at the Central Florida Boat Show. I'll be with Sonny's Marine Center hanging out with the Skeeter Pros from 10:30 a.m. to around 3:30 p.m. that day. I'm planning on doing a seminar at 11:00 a.m., so come on over and ask me anything you'd like to know about fishing the flats, inshore, offshore, fly and deep dropping. I'll share my experiences catching redfish, trout, snook, tarpon, grouper, snapper and cobia with you using Mirrolure topwater plugs, DOA soft plastic lures, TroKar circle hooks, flies and live bait. Hang around and share some of your own fish stories with me and if you're like a lot of us out there, I'm sure you've got a Mogan pic or two on your smartphone. 

Skeeter's got a smart deal running until the end of March, so now's the time to at least check 'em out! If it's not in Orlando this weekend, I'll be hanging in the Skeeter/Yamaha booth for the Miami Boat Show February 13th - 16th.  Addictive Fishing has teamed up with all of our sponsors to create some killer Prize Paks we'll be giving away during the Miami Boat Show. Stop by the Skeeter booth to say "Hey" and to register for a chance to win a Minn Kota Talon, Humminbird Fishfinder, Flats Blue and Flats Pink Rods, Sabalos Reels, bucket of Star Brite boat cleaning products, Engel Cooler and much more! My new Skeeter SX240 Bay boat will be there too . . . I can't wait to tow it out of the show at the end of the week and dunk her in some saltwater. 

If you can't make it to the boat shows this time, make sure you like us on Facebook so you can find out where we'll be next. We've got a busy schedule coming up and look forward to seeing new faces, meeting new anglers and sharing lots of fish stories! Oh yeah, and giving away a lot of cool Prize Paks too.  

This week's episodes on the Sportsman Channel are sort of a double feature from California. Sunday is the last airing for "San Clemente" at 10 a.m. (ET), I'm fishing with a friend of my wife's family, Justin Reynolds, off of San Clemente Island.  Then on Monday at 9 a.m. (ET) and again on Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. (ET) I'm hooking into Calico Bass fishing with Eric Dent right around Catalina Island in "Catalina Blue."  If you can't watching on TV, you can always subscribe to the AF YouTube channel for full episodes anywhere / any time.  Check it out! 

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

Brrrrrrrrrr!

Y'all still cold, shoveling snow and freezin' your butts off up north? Well, if it makes you feel any better it's cold here in Florida too! Reminds me of our trip to Colorado with the Wright & McGill folks a couple of years back. We did a little ice fishing and backcountry snowmobiling. It was fun, but cold! 

I haven't been doing much fishing or anything else outside lately so I'm getting a little cabin fever and itching to get back on the water soon. Good news is, by the time it is warm enough my new Skeeter SX240 Bay boat will be ready and I'll be breakin' her in with a saltwater bath. I get to pick her up at the Miami Boat Show next month and can't wait.  

Want to see my newest Skeeter? Stop by the booth and say "hi!"  I'll be at the boat show Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Skeeter and the rest of the AF sponsor team have teamed up for a couple of cool giveaways . . . I'll fill you in on the details the closer we get to the weekend in Miami, but make sure you stay tuned for the chance to win a new Flats Blue rod, Flats Pink rod, Sabalos reel, Minn Kota Talon, Humminbird Fishfinder, Costa shades, Star Brite cleaning products, Trokar Mirrolure, FINS braid, Mogan Spoon, and more good stuff. You'll definitely have to come see me at the Skeeter booth!

What have y'all been doing this winter? Catching any fish? Ice fishing? Make sure you share your photos with us on Facebook or Instagram. I love checking online and seeing what everyone else is catching. If you're not fishing get your fix by watching this week's episode of Addictive Fishing on the Sportsman Channel. On Sunday, January 26th at 10 a.m. you can check out the "Bits and Bites" episode . . . it's all the footage you didn't get to see during the season. I'm hooking into blackfin tuna, grouper, redfish and triple tail. Then, on Monday at 9 a.m. and Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. watch the episode we shot out in California, "San Clemente," my first time ever catching calico bass.  

I was going through some old photos recently and came across this one sent in to us back in 2005. Producerman and I went to high school with the brother of the guy on the far right in the AF visor.  We sent over a care package of DVDs, visors and goodies for Flip Stalling's troop in Afghanistan and this is what they sent us back.  Pretty cool!  I wonder where these guys are today?  Thank you then and thank you now military men and women for your service!!  

Stay safe on the snow and keep thinking warm thoughts!  

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair