Whooped on !

Today I am a humble man. Fishing can really make one question lifes lessons. I woke up at 4am to drive for an hour and a half to Elizabeth Park Marina for the final event in the Fishers Of Men team trail. Matt and I had boat number 2 in takeoff position and the whole day ahead of us to catch fish, have fun and enjoy the day.

We stopped at the mouth of the Livingston shipping channel in the Detroit River for a quick check to see if any fish were present. All that happend at this spot was we broke off about 5 lures on the rocks in the deep current. We had no takers and were off to a spot that we both know well. The day turned south in a hurry as Lake Erie on the North shore of Canada had very muddy water where we like to fish. My confidence was wavered when I couldn't see my lure in the water right next to the boat. We fished fairly deep water near the Helicopter Rescue landing pad and only caught drum. We then headed East about 15 miles to a new area I discovered and caught fish in just a week earlier. Matt liked the area and commented that it seemed like a "sweet" spot. We stayed at this area in muddy water for about twenty five minutes with only a few small drum to show for our efforts. It was then that I knew we had to go farther. Matt had been dying to throw crankbaits at Pelee Island and we game planned to go there before the day was up. We strapped down the rods and gear and made the 26 mile trek South from our location. About half way the lake kicked up to 3 foot waves. The closer we got to the island the bigger the waves got and what seemed like clear water was once again muddied. We started on the Southwest corner of the island without any luck and headed to the East side. The waves were crashing onto the East shore and made fishing tough to say the least. I managed 1 keeper 3lb fish on a dropshot Gulp Gobie. We were frustrated and beginning to worry about our choice to go to the island. Matt did manage two small fish on a crankbait so he did get to scratch that itch.

We left the island and fished a reef offshore without any real luck either. It was this spot that I began to think Matt was going to officially retire from fishing. He hooked and had a huge five to six pound Smallmouth jump into the air and break his line. I heard him mumble and toss his rod to the boat floor in disgust. We left this area and headed back 31 miles to the Detroit River mouth and fished our day starting spot once again. We caught fish like crazy, except they were small. The fish were about ten to twelve inches. We had to have keeper fish at a fourteen inch minimum. We gave it till 2:45pm and we had a ten minute boat ride for weigh in.

Weigh in was a learning lesson to say the least, There were five different teams that had five fish that weighed over twenty pounds with the winning team having tewnty three and some change. It was like a punch in the mouth. The reports had teams all catching fish in and around the river. The river current is not my strength, It has beaten me before and left me fishless, I vowed in that Everstart tournament to never let that happen again, and here I am, with one fish that weighed 3.2lbs scratching my head. Matt was looking like a kid who found no presents on Christmas. We both know that we have to return here in 2 weeks and fish for a new boat. We have to make changes fast or we will end the year nothing like we started it. We started it with top finishes and several of our largest bags of fish ever weighed together, and thats how I plan on finishing it !!!

Qualifying Challenges

It took fishing most of the spring and all of the summer to qualify for the year end Championships and Regional Championships. This article has me on the inside looking out. As for the Michigan Walmart Bass Fishing League I am currently sitting 21st in the point standings with the top 40 going to the Regional Championship on Cherokee Lake in TN. While I did not fish to my personal satisfaction, I have been complimented by friends and family for being rather consistant this year. I actually have one event left in the division that is worth double the points and could boost me up towards the top 10 with a excellent tournament. That is and was my goal all along this season so I guess I am right on track.

In the team tournament format Matt Morgan and I decided to fish The Fishers Of Men Michigan division and are currently ranked 5th with the last event to go. This event is on Lake Erie and I am writing this on the eve of the event. We should fair well and hope to move up to at least 3rd for the year with a quality top finish. Our plan is to throw crankbaits and hope for five really big bites. We can usually do that this time of year through late fall. The top 20 teams in our division go to the Northern Regional. This Regional is in our back yard this year on Erie, so instead of traveling afar, we get to fish our strengths, " crankbaits"

Wish us luck and check back next week and see how the final Fishers Of Men event pans out. I am stoked and Matt is anxious to say the least, he took a majority of the year off and is hungrier than a bear out of hibernation to get on a BIG BITE.

Thanks for reading and a special thanks to my sponsors, Legend Boats, Mercury Marine, Poor Boy's Baits, Mizmo, GAMMA, American Eagle Rods and Snack Daddy Lures

Book your guided fishing trip NOW !!

May has officially begun in Michigan and the fish of all species are biting. I have officially bit the bullet and dove head first into the guiding business. I have several good friends in the business in Kentucky and never really understood why in Michigan no anglers really cater to the inland lakes with pay fishing trips.

What will set my trips apart from most is that the trips with kids I will cover "life" the importance of getting hooked on fishing and not on drugs, how important a role school plays in our lives, staying away from alcohol and how to practice boating safety. I personally guarantee fish will be caught.

I will be booking the majority of the month of May at this time with some early season specials. I have several big tournaments at the end of the Month so book early as Memorial day is fast approaching.

I am a full time licensed and insured guide with 3 years of Coast Guard training on Lake Erie, bringing 14 years of Bass fishing tournament experience, and boater safety, CPR and First Aid Certified and an expert in the unlucky event of HOOK REMOVAL, with a fast painless and scarless method.

My special rates involving kids and half days are the best CATCH of a deal ! Save and additional $25


Full day Local Lake - $150 - free tackle pack provided


1/2 day Local Lake - $100 - free tackel pack provided


Full Day Lake Erie/Detroit River/ Lake St. Clair - $290


1/2 day Lake Erie/Detroit River/ Lake St. Clair -$199


All trips are done in a fully rigged Legend Bass Boat powered by a 225 Mercury Pro XS engine. With all the latest in electronics and advanced technology to keep us safe and on the fish.


Food and beverages provided upon early request, trip pictures will be published.

Contact me at 517-740-3892 cell or nick_neves@hotmail.com