January and February is the time of year when many fishermen will be attending numerous Outdoor Sport Shows. This "one stop shopping event" is where many anglers will gather and spend the entire day buying fishing tackle. In preparation for the big event, I've not only made my shopping list and checked it twice, but I've also done my homework. Successful fishing requires knowledge of various types of fishing tackle and having the right tackle for the area and species that we want to encounter. I have confidence that the right lure will be found somewhere today at the show. My husband and I arrive early with our shopping list in our hands. As we're waiting patiently in line for the doors to open, I look around and notice dozens of men in their camo attire and me in my pink jacket. The moment that I've prepared all year for has finally arrived. We pay our admission and as we're walking in the door, I can't help but think, "Let the games begin". As I'm making my way down the hall to the show, I notice the Pink "Tower of Power" fishing lure rack right in front of me. With each step that I'm taking, I feel my adrenaline flowing, my instincts taking over and tunnel vision sets in. I not only have lost my concentration at this point, but I've lost my husband, too. I feel like a fish that has just hit the lure, as I'm now being reeled in closer to the rack. Within my reach, I spot a hot Pink Bucktail, I grab it, and within a split second I'm making my first purchase. At this point, I take a deep breath, reality sets in and with my feet back on the ground, I notice Mike from Guides Choice (http://www.guideschoiceproshop.com/acatalog/index.html) and my husband laughing at me. Yes, I was hooked the moment I walked in and I didn't even realize it. As I now walk away with my trophy in my bag and a smile on my face, all I could envision was me posing for a picture with my future trophy Muskie.

The anticipation of spotting the "killer lure" can be a difficult task, as there's close to a zillion fishing lures on the market today. When deciding on what type of lures to purchase, keep in mind the type of species you'd like to catch. Consider the colors, depth of water, movement, vibration and your own personality. Another important factor that I always consider is talking to my network of friends about the lure, as they can offer tips from their own personal experiences. And with that said, many of my friends highly recommended "Keeper Lures" (www.keeperlures.com) so I knew they were worth checking out. Their quality hand crafted lures are suited to catching panfish of all species and they're equally effective for ice fishing or on open water. I was impressed with the quality of their lures and since my friends have had great success, I felt confident in making my next purchase.

These Outdoor Sports Shows get people fired up and the enthusiasm throughout the show is contagious. You'll find tackle for every type of fish, but be careful; some are designed to catch the fishermen as well as the fish!

 
I love what I'm learning and I'm learning what I love to do. I LOVE TO FISH!