OLE' POPS OUTDOOR BLOG

PRO ANTLER Deer Feed Attraction With Real Data Behind It.

Howdy Gang,

Was digging around in my files last week and thought WOW it’s been 9 years since I did this study with Dr. Deer and Ben Koerth at The Institute For White-Tailed Deer Management and Research.

Yep, I got a little crazy a few years ago and wanted to prove to myself and plenty of naysayers that a country kid from Oklahoma could indeed build something that rivaled the multi million dollar brands of deer feed in America. This is just a little insight into how serious I got when trying to develop the most attractive deer feed thats ever been scientifically tested. Although I no longer manufacturer deer feed, my family and I still use the same flavorings and attractants with much success each fall! I am very proud of my research study and hope some deer crazy followers also find it interesting. I wanted to verify that what I had possibly created was truly more attractive than the top 2 brands on the market. (Record Rack (Z)) and (Antler Max (A)) I know of no other deer feed attractiveness study ever done like this. Please share it with anyone you want!

FINAL REPORT

PREFERENCE AND USE OF NUTRA DEER™ PRO ANTLER DEER PELLETS VERSUS TWO OF THE BEST SELLING NATIONAL BRANDS, JULY-AUGUST, 2011

Project Director: Dr. James C. Kroll

Co-Investigator: Ben H. Koerth

August 9, 2011

Introduction

During June, 2011 we were contacted by Mr. Jeff Williams, (aka Ole’ Pops) owner of Nutra Deer™, Inc. Mr. Williams requested an independent study of his recently developed deer pelleted ration, Pro Antler 20% Deer Pellets. The purpose of the study would be to determine if his new deer feed, 1) was highly attractive to deer, 2) was indeed nutritiously sound, and 3) competed favorably with the two most popular national brands.

We often are contacted by companies requesting similar independent testing of their product(s), as an internationally recognized white-tailed deer research facility. Before we agree to conduct any study on a product or service, we demand the following conditional terms:

This will be an independent study without influence from the manufacturer or service provider.
The product or service must withstand true scientific scrutiny, with strict adherence to the scientific method.
The results of the study are what they are, and cannot be changed or presented by the contractor in any other light than the factual information developed.
Finally, we agree to complete confidentiality of results and the contractor has complete control of revelations about the results of the testing. Any publicity or information revealed to the public, including a copy of this report, is at the discretion of the contractor.
However, no information can be altered in any way to provide a better light to the product or service; viz., the results are the results, pure and simple.

The next step was to develop a research protocol which would reduce or eliminate as much bias in the tests. The methods discussed below capture this philosophy. We chose two products against which to test the attractiveness of Pro Antler 20%; against BRAND A and BRAND Z. (Both of the leading national brands are advertised to be highly attractive to deer and elk).

We also examined the proprietary formula for Nutra Deer: Pro Antler to determine the appropriateness of the formulation for free-ranging whitetails, based on our experience and published information concerning the nutritional requirements of this species.

Finally, we present our conclusions in regard to the findings, our professional opinions about the feed; and, present recommendations about marketing the product.

Methods

A deer feed preference and use study was initiated on the White-tailed Deer Breeding and Nutrition Research Center near Nacogdoches, TX on July 18, 2011. Two replications of three identical Boss Buck 600# Dr. Deer series gravity feeders (Boss Buck, Seagoville, TX) were established. Feeders were placed in areas known to have open access by deer and were placed with a 30-60 yard space between feeders to allow animals to make choices in visitations to individual feeders. All deer were previously accustomed to utilizing this particular style of pellet feeder. All deer were free-ranging within the confines of the high-fenced Research Center pastures and had open access to native vegetation in addition to the feed supplements used in the study.

One replicate of feeders was established in the Old Pasture that had a density of approximately 1 deer/4 acres and buck:doe ratio of approximately 2:1. The second replicate was established in the Dalmont Pasture that had a density of approximately 1 deer/2 acre and a buck:doe ratio of approximately 4:1. Feed types were assigned randomly to feeders once feeder locations were established. Feed types included Pro Antler 20% protein deer feed (Nutra Deer, Grove, OK), and the leading national feed brands classified for this study as feed brands (A) and (Z).

One infrared trail camera (Cuddeback Attack IR, Cuddeback Digital, De Pere, WI) was placed at each feeder to monitor visitation rate and length of time animals spent at each feeder. For the first two weeks of the study, cameras were set to record a 30 second video along with the initial photograph upon activation by an animal. For the second two week period only still photographs were used. For each photograph or video record the sex and estimated age of each animal feeding was recorded. For the video portion of the study the length of each feeding bout by each animal was recorded. Sex and age classes of animals recorded were adult doe, fawn, yearling male, 2-3 year old male and males estimated ≥4 years old.

In addition to visitation rates determined by the cameras, amount of feed consumed by deer during each two week period was recorded. An identical amount of feed was placed in each feeder at the beginning of the study. Feed was added on an as needed basis to prevent feeders from becoming empty. At the end of the first two weeks, feed from each feeder was removed and weighed. The difference between the amount of feed placed in each feeder and the amount remaining at the end of the two week period was considered the amount of feed consumed by deer. The remaining feed was returned to the feeder of origin. Additional feed was added on an as needed basis to prevent the feeders from becoming empty for the next two week period when the feed was again removed and weighed. Amount of feed consumed was calculated as above. A small amount of feed was spilled on the ground by deer and may have been consumed by non-target animals such as raccoons, squirrels or birds. We assumed an equal amount of spillage for each feed. We had no photographic record of any animals other than deer feeding directly from any feeder.

Results

There were 3 parts to this study. First, it is our considerable experience white-tailed deer are relatively slow to adopt new feeds, or even new feeders. In most cases, on average deer take 10-14 days to become accustomed to either feed or feeders. Hence, the four week study period was selected to test this observation. Second, a deer feed should be tested both for attractiveness and the amount eaten during the study period. Third, the actual composition of the feed and guaranteed nutritional analysis must be considered.

Attractiveness

Deer tended to investigate all feeders within a day of deployment of feeders and there appeared to be no bias in regard to position of each feeder.

The study was begun on 8 July, 2011, at which time all 6 feeders were placed and filled with feed, randomly assigned as given above. The time to first actual feeding was determined from the trail camera photographs, are were as follows:

ProAntler

Old Pasture 8 July, 2011 7:55 pm

Dalmont Pasture 9 July, 2011 5:43 am

Brand Z

Old Pasture 8 July, 2011 7:27 pm

Dalmont Pasture 9 July, 2011 1:00 am

Brand A

Old Pasture 9 July, 2011 5:39 am

Dalmont 9 July, 2011 7:29 am

These dates and times are for the first recorded visitation and do not necessarily indicate actual feeding. There are no real conclusions to be draw at this point, other than the striking tendency for deer coming to Brand A feeders early on to not appear to be very interested in feeding. This will manifest itself later as we examine the use data. The most important conclusion at this point is the Boss Buck Feeders were equally attractive and did not seem to interfere with feeding opportunities.

Feeding Activity

We divided the 30-day test period into two 14-day segments to allow for the bias of a possible acclimation period to the new feeders. Figures 1&2 present the results for the Dalmont Pasture and Old Pasture. Since there could be demographic differences in feeding activity, we divided deer visting the feeders into does, fawns, yearling bucks, immature bucks (2-3 year olds) and

Figure 1. Feeding activity at the Dalmont Pasture feeders during the first 14 days of the study.

mature bucks (4+ years). At the Dalmont Pasture site, there were very few deer of any age or sex visiting the Brand A feeder (Fig. 1). Further, there were about twice as many does, yearling bucks, In fact, total visits during the two week period were only 21 animal-visits, compared to 622 for Brand Z and 316 for Pro Antler. Looking at the same data for the Old Pasture (Fig. 2), the pattern is somewhat different. First, there were only two visitations to the Brand A feeder (does); yet does dominated the use of the Pro Antler feeder. Total visitations

Figure 2. Feeding activity at the Old Pasture feeders during the first 14 days of the study.

for all deer were 2 (Brand A), 348 (Brand Z) and 1,114 (Pro Antler). There was a significant preference by all demographic categories for Pro Antler. Figures 3&4 present the same analysis for the second two week period. Number of visitations for the Dalmont Pasture are different for this period. In all cases, the Pro Antler feed station received the most visits, but number of visits by mature bucks was a virtual “dead heat” between Brand Z and Pro Antler. This period saw an increase in Brand A use, especially for does (Fig. 3) for the Dalmont Pasture, suggesting it took longer for deer to accommodate to this feed. Total visitations were: 198 (Brand A), 411 (Brand Z) and 424 (Pro Antler), respectively.

Again, results for the Old Pasture were strikingly different (Fig. 4). Brand Z remained virtually unused, while Pro Antler visitations were significantly higher. We will discuss possible reasons for these differences later. Total visitations for the three feeds were: 17 (Brand A ), 44 (Brand Z) and 748 (Pro Antler), respectively.

When we examine the total numbers of visits during the entire four week sample period (Figs. 5&6), there were two distinctly different results. In Figure 5, for Dalmont Pasture does fed more

Figure 3. Feeding activity at the Dalmont Pasture feeders during the second 14 days of the study.

Figure 4. Feeding activity at the Old Pasture feeders during the second 14 days of the study.

Figure 5. Total visitations by deer for the three feed types at the Dalmont study area.

Figure 6. Total visitations by deer for the three feed types at the Old Pasture.

often at the Pro Antler feeder, but the remaining four demographic groups showed about the same visits (a “dead heat”). For the Old Pasture (Fig. 6), Pro Antler clearly received significantly more visits than the other two feeds. Later, we will discuss possible reasons for these results.

Number of visitations is just one of three ways to analyze use and preference of feed types. Data also were obtained for the amount of time deer spent feeding during the first two weeks using video. We also looked at the total amount of feed consumed. A deer may frequent a feeder more times than another, but the time spent at the feeder and the amount of feed consumed are really the best criteria for analyzing deer feed. If deer come less often to a feeder, spend less time there, but consume more feed, it can be interpreted that feed may provide higher value with less effort to the deer; an important component of “foraging theory.”

Figures 7&8 present an analysis of the amount of total time spent by deer at the three types of feeders at Dalmont and Old Pastures during the first two week period. At Dalmont (Fig. 7), all deer spent more time at the Brand Z feed station than for Pro Antler. Total feeding time

Figure 7. Total amount of time spent by deer at the Dalmont feeding stations.

at Dalmont for the three feeds were: 5.9 min. (Brand A), 215.7 min. (Brand Z) and 113.0 min. (Pro Antler). Figure 8 presents the same data for the Old Pasture. Similar to what we saw for visitations (Figs. 1-6), Figure 8 shows the exact opposite for the Old Pasture; deer of all demographics spent more time at the Pro Antler feeder than the remaining two feed types.

Total Feed Consumed

Numbers of visitations and amount of time spent at each feed station certainly are important in assessing preferences for feeds by deer, but the “bottom-line,” especially in light of foraging theory, is how much feed was actually consumed. During the first 14-day period (Fig. 9), deer on each of the two study areas consumed an average of 271.8 lbs of Pro Antler, compared to 142.1 lbs of (“Brand Z” in Fig. 9) and only 4 lbs of (“Brand A”). During the second

week of the study (giving time for deer to become fully acclimated to the feeds), average consumption for Old and Dalmont Pastures was: 456.6 lbs for Pro Antler, 199.5 lbs for Brand Z, and only 34.8 lbs for Brand A feeds (Fig. 10). Total use for the entire 28 day study

Figure 8. Total amount of time spent by deer at the Old Pasture feeding stations.

period (Fig. 11) averaged 728.25 lbs for Pro Antler, 341.6 lbs for Brand Z and again only 38.75 lbs for Brand A. We have no reservations in declaring Pro Antler clearly the most heavily used feed in the study.

There are two other ways to analyze our results. First, we looked at the variation in use between the two pastures. There were striking differences in use of Brand Z between the Dalmont and Old Pastures. Referring back to our methods section, we maintain two different densities and demographic structures in the two pastures for a very good reason. And, we often change densities and demographics for these pastures to fit our research needs. In this case, the deer density in the Old Pasture was one deer per 4 acres, with a buck:doe ratio of 2:1. The Dalmont Pasture, on the other hand, purposefully is now maintained at a density of 1 deer to 2 aces and a buck:doe ratio of 4:1. This leads to the highest probability reason we recorded a difference in Brand Z use between the two pastures.

Figure 9. Feed consumed on the two study areas during the first two weeks of study.

Figure 10. Feed consumed on the two study areas during the second two weeks of study.

At a higher density, the number and density of feeders becomes an important influence on feeder use. Our long-term observations on feeder use support the conclusion bucks, especially

mature bucks, tend to dominate feeders. Does and immature bucks often are excluded from feeding. At the time of this study, there were four protein feeders in service (the fourth feeder supplied our proprietary feed, but at a distance from the three feeder setup). Buck social groups are larger in the Dalmont Pasture and these groups are highly exclusionary for favorite feeders (Fig. 12). Hence, we calculated the percentage of mature buck social groups using each feeder.

Figure 11. Total feed consumed at Dalmont and Old Pasture study sites.

The resulting graph (Fig. 13) is profound in there were almost twice as many mature buck group visitations (11.9 vs 6.9) at the Dalmont Pasture than the Old Pasture. The percentage of mature buck groups using Brand Z at both study sites was near parity (7.9 vs. 6). What is the significance of these observations? The presence of mature buck groups caused younger bucks and does to move to an alternative feeder, in this case Brand Z. It also is instructive to consider no mature buck social groups were recorded at the Brand A Sites. Hence, we conclude at the Dalmont site mature buck social groups had an affinity for the Pro Antler feeder, excluding other deer from this feeder; ultimately leading to secondary use of the Brand Z feeder.

On a final note, we decided after the end of the 28 day study period to test the hypothesis feeder location, although randomly assigned, may have influenced feeder use. Therefore, we removed all feed from the lowest use feed (Brand A), replacing it with the Pro Antler feed. Almost immediately, deer began to use this feeder (Fig. 14), clearly suggesting it was the feed rather than the location that influenced use.

**Mature bucks eating Nutra Deer Pro Antler deer feed**.

Figure 12. Mature buck social groups often dominated feeders at the Dalmont Pasture site. This Pro Antler feed site was “guarded” by these groups, often excluding younger bucks and does.

Figure 13. Percentage of visitations by mature buck social groups at test feeders at Dalmont and Old Pasture sites.

Figure 14. NOTE: Feed type was replaced from Brand A to Pro Antler after the 28-day study period at both sites. Deer responded quickly to the change of feed as consumption rates also increased. This proves the geographic position of the feeders in the study had no bearing on the outcome of the feed consumed or number of deer visiting.

Conclusions

Our results clearly support a higher preference for Nutra Deer’s Pro Antler 20% deer feed. Also, we feel a follow-up test in which we add additional Pro Antler feeding station would reduce the use of Brand Z in the Dalmont Pasture, because it would reduce dominance by mature buck social groups.

My First Flathead Catfish Using LiveScope

**Setting the hook on my very first Livescope Flathead Catfish in the Charger VMAG http://CHARGERBOATS.COM**

Reservoir Flathead Catfish in my opinion are one of the very hardest fish to consistently target. These brown camo monsters typically live in areas that are very hard to fish with traditional rod and reel equipment. Over the years I’ve been successful catching reservoir Flathead Catfish in very specific areas, at very specific times, on very specific baits with very specific rigs on my home Lake (Grand Lake in Northeast Oklahoma). Most of this fishing has been done at dusk till midnight. I like setting up on River channel edges while targeting ledges or drops. These areas usually have heavy cover around them and I believe Flatheads use as resting sanctuaries. As nightfall comes Flatheads will move out of the heavy cover areas and start pursuing bait adjacent to the deep River channel and creek ledges. I always use live bait like Green Sunfish or Bluegill. I fish from an anchored position and try to keep my baits between 4 and 15 ft deep. Although I really don’t fish this pattern much, I have been very successful when I do. So, when I set out to Livescope some Blue Catfish the other day and caught a suspended Flathead Catfish in nearly 40 ft of water I was more than super surprised, I was astonished. I never thought for one minute the fish I saw hit my bait on Livescope was a Flathead.

**Using cutbait on a 1/4oz Big Eye Jighead for bait. FLEFLY.COM**

For someone like me that is always tinkering with stuff and asking why things happen, this was a shock to my system. Truthfully catching this deep water wintertime suspended Flathead has had me pondering several things. First, how much time do reservoir Flatheads spend suspending in open water around structure looking for a meal? Why was this cat so active in the winter? Once identified, this Catfish came at my fluttering cutbait fast and then hit it hard. This was no mistake. That dude wanted what I had put in front of him. Watching it all go down “live” on Livescope reinforces exactly what happened. Without seeing the Cat hit live, and then having a video showing me locked onto the LiveScope screen as it hit, might have lead me to believe this was a total mistake, but it wasn’t. And last but not least, could Livescope consistently be used to target Flathead cats that live around heavy cover? Could you build a consistent pattern picking them off when they decide to suspend and feed around that cover? I was definitely fishing an old log that was laying on the drop off. That Flathead was roaming around slowly looking for a meal while suspended above that log.

**The submerged log laying on the dropoff that the Flathead Catfish was suspended over.**

In Oklahoma and many other States Flatheads are typically known to be semi dormant or at very best lethargic in winter months, especially when water temperatures are below 45 degrees. So, as I right this, I’m still pondering on this newly unique and strange situation. Please watch the Outdoors With Ole’ Pops video below. It has more details in it about how I caught my first Flathead Catfish using Garmin LiveScope.

Cold Crummy Weather Leads Us To Hot Water Crappie!

Man I hate gloomy days. Days that seem to never get warm. Days the weatherman significantly missed the projected hi temp forecast. I just don’t like that type of weather and usually don’t go fishing under those crummy conditions. Yesterday was an exception though. After 5 inches of snow the previous week, I was ready to get the Charger VMAG out and go fishing! I called my buddy Matt Watson from SW Missouri and we decided to try our luck on some new lakes in NW Arkansas.

We started mid morning at Lake Elmdale near Springdale. Not much luck there. We didn’t find any patterns that were easy pickins, so we hopped in the WARM truck and left! Elmdale is probably a very good little lake. We didn’t give it much time. I was itching to try SPWPCO Lake yesterday too, so we didn’t spend much time looking around.

**Garmin Livescope showing a Crappie gettin ready to nail a 2″ Black and Chartreuse Crappie Kicker! http://flefly.com**

Arrived at SWEPCO boat ramp and the water was steaming! SWEPCO is a power plant Lake so the water is toasty warm year around. (57 degrees yesterday) The rest of the Lakes in our area around NE Oklahoma are cold. Just 41 degrees right now. Luckily, our move paid off. We immediately found some great looking brushpiles. Fortunately for us, they were loaded with young Black Crappie. The Lake has only been recently stocked with Crappie so the average size isn’t very big. Give the fish in there a year or two and SWEPCO is going to be a great Crappie destination with some large Black Crappie. Typically, power plant lakes have above normal growth rates!

Ole’ Pops rigging a Fle Fly Crappie Kicker with SMELLY SMAX. http://flefly.com

Here is our Crappie fishing video from SWEPCO. We show you how we set up and caught our hot water, power plant Crappie using Garmin Livescope, Big Eye jigs, Smelly SMAX and Crappie Kickers.

Crappie Fishing Video From The Outdoors With Ole’ Pops YouTube Channel

The future of Bagged Catfish Bait is here!

The Team Catfish Fiber Nuggets are simply the most user friendly Catfish bait ever produced. Fiber Nuggets can be used on single J hooks, circle hooks or treble hooks. The bait never needs refrigeration. The bags are zip lock resealable. The bait won’t fall apart in hot summertime conditions. It stays on great in current. It is very economical. It can be used in all Lakes, Rivers, Streams, Creeks or Ponds. Blue and Channel Catfish both hit it hard. It doesn’t stick to your hands or create a mess. So, what’s not to love about these Nuggets? Nothing as I’m concerned. They just catch catfish and are easy to use. Period.

Team Catfish Fiber Nugget loaded on a 3/0 Double Action circle hook.

Here is a quick little video I put together that really shows how awesome the Team Catfish Fiber Nuggets really are!

Team Catfish Fiber Nuggets https://teamcatfish.com/shop/fiber-nuggets/

Garmin’s LiveScope is real life gaming for young anglers.

I know I keep writing pieces on LiveScope. I know many anglers are now trying to adjust their skillset to take advantage of LiveScope technology. I know I truly enjoy fishing with LiveScope. I know LiveScope works and has changed certain types of fishing forever. So, could LiveScope fishing be a gateway that introduces more young gamers to fishing?

Owen Williams with a Grand Lake Crappie he caught using Fle Fly fishing tackle. flefly.com

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of introducing my youngest son Owen to some very exciting LiveScope Crappie fishing. I would consider Owen to be a very impressionable sponge and excellent angler at 16. He’s constantly looking for tips and tricks that make him a better fisherman. Also, Owen is excelling at his 10th grade home school program, so he gets earned time off for hard work. Yes he is getting his school work done then enjoying his free time. (What a novel idea!) Owen spends a lot of time Bass fishing in the Spring and Summer and now has aspirations of being a fishing Guide on Grand Lake in NE Oklahoma like his older brother Haydn.

Living in the same household with me and being surrounded by fishermen, Owen has heard me constantly talking about LiveScope with my friends for over a year. Not until recently has Owen had a strong hankering to try it out. On our trip yesterday that all changed when he caught his first 13 inch roaming Crappie “live”. Even though he already loves fishing, I saw him light up with a special kind of excitement when that big Slab trailed his Lemon Pie Crappie Kicker for a few seconds, then hammered it. After a few pics he immediately dropped his lure back down around the brush and started targeting another specific fish. Yep, LiveScope allows you to do that. Now, you can target specific fish in brush piles, around bride piers, on drops or wherever else you see a fish relating to structure. After watching the second fish eat his Kicker live he had the pattern figured out and was completely engaged while watching Crappie on the LiveScope screen.

16 year old Owen Williams with a heavy Grand Lake Crappie he caught while using Garmin LiveScope.

So my question is. Could Garmin be utilizing it’s technology to try and introduce more kids into fishing? I personally feel like introducing LiveScope in certain situations would get more youngsters involved. If kids can see the fish “live” they have a very intriguing target. And we all know nowadays quite a few kids spend countless hours setting in front of video screens gaming. Why not try and persuade some of those young gamers to try some real life fish gaming? In all reality that’s exactly what anglers are doing out there with LiveScope. Yes it’s still fishing, but being able to target them live is a lot like seeking out an individual enemy on mortal combat. The comparisons are very real, think about it… I also think we are in the infancy stages with technologies like these. As more advancements are made and pricing goes down the opportunity to introduce many youngsters to this type of fish gaming is real. We as experienced anglers need to embrace this idea and utilize LiveScope as a tool to do so. Garmin needs to open it’s creative idea box and start focusing on ways to use LiveScope to get more kids involved in fishing. I have plenty of ideas in how this can be accomplished and I’ll discuss those in a different story. I just know what I’ve seen from personal experiences and how it’s probably changed my sons way of thinking forever now too.

Ole’ Pops with a late Winter Crappie caught in his Charger VMAG on Grand Lake. ChargerBoats.com

Grand Lake Fishing Report 2/1/20

From GrandFishingReport.com

196 Charger VMAG on the boat ramp at Shangri La on Grand Lake chargerboats.com

Put the Charger VMAG in at Shangri-La Marina on Grand Lake in NE Oklahoma yesterday around mid morning with my buddy Blair. Went out looking for some Bluecats and Crappie. We caught some nice cats around the Coves and Goat Island.

Blair Philbrick with a great Blue Catfish caught on a deep Grand Lake dropoff teamcatfish.com

Then, got a hot tip from my son Owen around 3:30 about some hungry Crappie in a brush pile. We put the cat rods up and headed down lake to meet him. Ended up with 10 Crappie on black/chartreuse Crappie Kickers. They were in 25 ft.

Great Crappie caught on Grand Lake using a Fle Fly Crappie Kicker. flefly.com

Water is very muddy down lake right now. Back of Duck and Drowning creeks are still clear. Water temps 41 to 44 depending on location. Bazillions of shad suspended in the main lake around 15 ft which is typical for higher than normal muddy water. #olepops #teamcatfish #fleflytackle #chargervmag #grandlakeoklahoma

Developing a Crappie fishing rod specifically for Garmin’s LiveScope in forward view.

Ole’ Pops with is first ever” Camel” caught using a Fle Fly SR20 spinning reel and a prototype livescope fishing rod.

About 6 months ago at a business meeting I was introduced to a fairly new Oklahoma Crappie fishing guide named Josh Jones. As most relationships start, Josh was introduced to Wohali Outdoors (my Fle Fly Panfish Brand manufacturing business partners) by an owners friend. Friend of a friend deal…..Ya know – The owners friend knew about the Fle Fly brand being heavily involved in Panfish and Crappie tackle. He had also been very impressed with Josh on a recent guide trip for Crappie. So he set up the meeting and brought Josh into office to discuss a new idea that he had for a very specific fishing rod used when LiveScoping big Crappie. Josh and his friend knew Fle Fly and Wohali had a long history of building fishing rods so they felt like we “as tackle manufactures” might be a good option to listen Josh’s idea. The unique rod was something Josh felt like he needed to be more successful and felt if built correctly, could also make other Crappie anglers much more successful. Collectively all of us at Wohalli Outdoors discussed the fishing guides idea and business opportunity then decided to move forward. We all know quality manufacturing + good ideas = Good Fishing Synergy

I was vaguely familiar with Josh since I’m heavily involved in sporting goods and because I had seen pics of massive Crappie Josh and his clients had caught in and around Oklahoma. These pics were circulating from his Josh Jones Pro Fisherman business page. Josh and my son oldest Haydn had a little correspondence on social media too, probably since Haydn is a fairly new Crappie guide in Oklahoma as well. So going into the meeting we had a basic understanding of what Josh’s capabilities probably were. After listening to him tell us what his very specific long rod needs were, we decided to try and build a LiveScope rod that Josh was happy with. Using his input, we sent length measurements, action specifics and appearance suggestions to our trusted fishing rod manufacturers.

Josh Jones with a “Camel” Crappie he caught using a Crappie Kicker and Livescope

So yesterday, 6 months into the project later we decided to meet and try out the new Fle Fly/Josh Jones LiveScope rod prototypes. Let me just say though – 36 degrees, cloudy and windy are not Ole’ Pops favorite fishing conditions. Historically these are the kinds of conditions that have made for some long, tough fishing days on the water for me. Plus, I’m kinda wimpy anymore. Fair weather fisherman and all. But Josh insisted these are the very best days to LiveScope the shallows for HUGE Crappie. Why crummy days like this you ask? Well time on the water and experience has taught him these were the best days primarily because he targets underwater structure in water 12 ft or shallower. Josh says the fish don’t sense the boat is closing in on them as quickly with all the wind waves. The fish don’t see the boat shadow as easily because of the cloud cover plus the Crappie are shallower due to the same cloud cover. Another big factor is theres usually no other Crappie anglers on the water bumping your boat and competing for the best locations to fish.

Other than my face freezing on the short boat ride out to his spot, the fishing was simply amazing. Josh uses the slang term “Camel” for the massive crappie he catches and boy howdy, that dude can catch the Camels with LiveScope! Josh has gotten very prolific using Garmin’s LiveScope equipment on forward view. For over a year now he has honed his video game like skills operating the trolling motor with one foot, watching the LiveScope with one eye and his rod tip with the other. This type of fishing in the wind is fast and furious. Quite possibly better suited for folks with snappy reflexes and excellent balance. Falling out of the front of the boat while chasing shallow roaming crappie is a real possibility too. Josh whips the nose of the boat quickly left to right and in circles with 112 volt motor set at 75 to 100% most of the time. Bump one log and SPLASH! Jus’ sayn’……If you go with Josh…..life vest recommended y’all! After watching Josh I’m thinking, “I don’t think my generation played enough video games as kids, to be this coordinated in front of a sonar computer screen!” The boat is constantly moving in the wind. The beam on the LiveScope in forward view is very narrow and attached to the trolling motor, thats moving under foot power. Just keeping your Crappie Kicker or minnow in the beam at 6 to 14 ft in front of you while adjusting the foot pedal for the drifting boat is brutal enough. Then toss in a quick moving shallow water roaming crappie and you have real problems. Sneaking up on big Crappie with LiveScope in forward view on calmer days can be accomplished by the average dude. But I’m warning you, this technique on windy days requires acquired skills buddy! The kind a tightrope walker going at in the wind has.

Yesterday we tried prototype rods from 11 to 14ft. I brought side cutters and actually cut some of the prototypes down to find the exact action and power he liked. Once we got that done I spooled a SR20 Fle Fly spinning reel with some of his 20 lb. braid then tied on a white 1/8 oz. Big Eye jig head and coupled it with a 2.5 inch Monkey Milk Crappie Kicker. The prototype rod, line, lure and reel combo worked like magic on Josh’s Camels! After catching several “Camels” myself between 2 and 2.9 lbs. I had a better idea of what kind of rod it takes to do this new fishing technique at a high level. And why Josh came to us with very specific rod requirements.

Oklahoma Crappie fishing guide Josh Jones and Jeff Williams “Ole’ Pops” with some giant wintertime Crappie caught using LiveScope

So as a crappie fishing fanatic and tackle designer I feel like we are well on our way at to creating a tremendous LiveScope fishing rod. I appreciate all Joh’s input and I am looking forward to watching his clients land more Camels with the rod we create. Here is a video of Josh using a Crappie Kicker, Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope and our prototype rod to land massive Oklahoma Crappies!

Developing a Livescope Crappie fishing rod with guide Josh Jones

http://flefly.com http://olepops.com

How I used Garmin LiveScope to catch Catfish!

Catfish on LiveScope surrounding my Fiber Nuggets as I drift down the Grand River.

Gang……

Let me just say, I have caught a lot of catfish in my days. Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish. Years ago I guided clients to catch Catfish. I’ve used rod and reel, jugline, trotline, bankline, bankpole and limblines to catch Catfish. I’ve caught Catfish that weighed up weighed 80 lbs. My family grew up catching Catfish. I started the Team Catfish tackle brand in 2007. I’ve been in newspapers, magazines, and on TV shows catching Catfish. I’ve won Catfish tournaments on several bodies of water across the US. I’ve produced quite a few videos catching Catfish from numerous places across the US. I have great friends that are Catfish Guides and Catfish Tournament anglers. I also have 47,000 subscribers at the Team Catfish YouTube Channel, 169,000 fans on the Team Catfish Facebook business page and have 12,000 Instagram followers at the Team Catfish profile…..like I said before, I have caught a lot of Catfish……..

Some of my earliest memories of catching Catfish are on Grand Lake in NE Oklahoma. My brother Tim and I fished with my Grandma on our dock at Monkey Island. We didn’t have very much to fish with then either. Good fishing gear like we have now was non existent for a country kid in Oklahoma. I’ m sure somewhere, someone had nice equipment, but it wasn’t us. That was back in the days when we used steel bait casters with no cast control, solid fiberglass rods and black braided dacron as line. We fished with whatever equipment we could get our hands on and we fished with whatever bait we could find or catch. We fished off the bank and off the dock. I had access to my Grandparents fiberglass paddleboat that I fished off of, but my legs were the motor.

Summertime Drifting the Grand River in my Charger Vmag for Catfish using Garmin LiveScope and Fiber Nuggets.

Not in my wildest dreams as a youngster might I of conjured up a crazy idea like a contraption that allowed me to see a fish strike under water, in real time. Such thoughts would of been ridiculous and senseless back then. We’re talking way out there like going to Mars. Jump forward 40 years and holy moly we now have technology like Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope. I can now see Catfish and other types of fish swimming and watch them hit my bait “live”. Yep Live. Like actually see the fish hit at the same time you feel the strike. This technology is really beyond amazing. It’s truly revolutionary and yes I really, really enjoy using it. As I’ve watched LiveScope this year I’ve learned a lot about my whiskered friends roaming around down there too. It so cool to watch them on approach and attack baits like the Team Catfish Fiber Nuggets.

So, if you have time and are interested this is one of the very first “LiveScope Catfish videos” ever put on YouTube or the World Wide Web. You’ll see why I’m excited about this fish catching technology and what I’m talking about when you see a Catfish rise up off the bottom and eat a Fiber Nugget “Live”.

Thanks for watching and Good Luck out there –

Ole’ Pops

Learn how to use LiveScope, DownView and GPS to catch more Crappie!

Garmin 93sv linked with Garmin Panoptix Livescope showing Crappie around brush.

Howdy Gang….

Todays lesson might cost you some $$$ if you don’t already have these type of fish finders on your boat, but after you see this video, I think you’ll agree this is the future for many freshwater Crappie, Catfish, Walleye and White Bass anglers!

These 3 steps and technologies can make average anglers look like seasoned professionals. Limits of Crappies, Bass and Catfish are now easier to get than ever before. The best thing is these steps are not hard to learn. ALSO…..the fishing electronics technology used today by many top anglers is growing more and more affordable. This puts todays top fishing electronics within reach of the weekend warriors fishing budget!

Anglers have an unbelievable trove of tools available at their fingertips today from multiple brands. GPS, DownScan, SideView and color Chirp sonar are better than ever and offered in a lot of variations from leading brands at retail locations and boat dealers across America. The one real standout in 2019 for me was the advancement of Garmins’s LiveScope. At the current time I believe Garmin is way ahead of other popular fishing electronics brands “live style technologies”. I was so confident in this technology that I rigged my new 196 Charger VMAG multi species fishing boat completely in Garmin units. (Also, for the record I am not sponsored by Garmin.)

Sometime in the future I might write another piece about how LiveScope has changed my type of shallow freshwater Crappie fishing forever, but for now I’m just extremely happy that it’s available to use. I’ve learned a lot more about the species I enjoy fishing for with LiveScope and I’m definitely a lot more successful per outing.

Here’s a video on how I use GPS, DownView and Garmin LiveScope in unison to catch limits of Slab Crappie.

https://youtu.be/4CFA5m8ItuU

http://flefly.com http://chagerboats.com http://olepops.com

Am I nuts or just a true fan?

I’ve been a Kansas City Chiefs fan my entire life. Some very intelligent folks have questioned that decision through the years because KC hasn’t been to the Superbowl since 1969. That was 1 season before I was born. 🤦‍♂️

Over the years, internally, I have of grappled with the idea of continuing to cheer for a looser. Yep, looser. Unless you win the superbowl, your favorite team has lost that season. Harsh isn’t it… Constantly rooting for a looser isn’t smart, is it? It’s painful. It’s aggravating. It’s mind blowingly frustrating and a bunch of other adjectives and just it plain sucks when your team crashes and burns again. WTH is wrong with me meanders through my thoughts as I see the scoreboard go the wrong way again. Am I a glutton for punishment? Is there something a little whacky going on inside here? Those demons are real, if your a true fan.

So, with that all out in the open now, I think being a real, honest to god, no BS, unwavering fan of any sport team is nearly impossible for one’s desperate soul to separate with. I know as badly as I told myself a few times in the off-season I might consider rooting for another team, there was just no way possible for me to do that. The hype and the hope of next season always drew me back in. Last weeks 1st quarter against the Texans just about did me in y’all. But even during times like that there burns that little glimmer of hope, that only true fans really have.

It’s kinda ironic that I’m writing this as the Chiefs prep for the AFC championship game tomorrow. I think the Chiefs success with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid over the last 2 seasons has caused me to reflect on many of my no so pleasant lifelong KC Chief memories. Could the law of averages be in play here? Could it be our time? Could I finally be rooting for a winner this season? Well, I’m not sure, but I do know as hard as I might try I’ll probably die a Chiefs fan, and there’s nothing I’m ever gonna be able to do about it. I know many other fans like this too. Friends and family from past and present, that as hard as they try, could never cheer for someone else.

I’ve often wondered what causes this team loyalty mentality in the subconscious. It’s just freakn weird y’all. Do you have an answer? Are you a true fan of a sports team? If so, who is it and how long have you been welded to a team that regardless of their winning abilities is still your favorite?

#kansascitychiefs #sportsfan #truefan #olepops

http://chiefs.com http://olepops.com