Written By - by Dan Kimmel - 05/14/2007
Link to Original Article here

Despite the lure of fantastic fishing, the Great Lakes are no place to venture onto unprepared. They can be dangerous to careless anglers, but the prepared and cautious angler can enjoy some of the best smallmouth fishing in particular the world has to offer.

Here's some great advice for any Great Lakes angler to read from three big water veterans. They should make your fishing trips safer and memorable for all the right reasons.

Veteran touring professional angler Kim Stricker, in his 22nd season on national tours, has learned a few things about big water. Hailing from Howell Michigan, Kim has extensive Great Lakes experience including a win in the first BASS event on his home waters of Lake St. Clair. Along with all the other big water he fishes around the country on tour, he's well qualified to say a thing or two about the subject.

Getting to the fish is critical when competing on the national circuits, so Kim starts with a quality bass boat. "We're fishing more big water and making longer runs, which played a big part in my choosing the Ranger 521 a good blend of big boat to handle big water while still allowing me to work my way between docks and back into the timber on the many reservoirs we visit," says Kim. "I love my 521."

Safety is a key to success on big water. "I carry a cell phone and a hand-held VHF radio (in case of no cellular signal). I also have a cigarette plug adapter cord for the radio so dead batteries don't stop me," he adds. "Additionally, I always wear my life vest when the big motor is running, tournament or not. During the cold water periods, I keep the life vest on even when fishing if I'm by myself."

Longtime Michigan federation member and 2002 Classic Champion Mark Modrak agrees. "In the spring, I wear the life jacket while fishing alone," he says.  "Sixty percent of male drowning deaths occur because they fall out of the boat without their life jacket on." Mark always wears his life jacket and kill switch when driving the big motor.

Mark also seconds the need for a cell phone and hand-held VHF radio. He prefers the portable radio because he can take it with him in other angler's boats. In his own boat, he carries dry clothes and a towel in large sturdy plastic baggies in case he gets wet.

"The most important thing to me is believing the equipment I use is safe since I plan on fishing the Great Lakes a lot. That's my biggest factor in deciding what boat to buy. I don't necessarily buy the biggest bass boat, but one that fits my driving style," states Mark. "I also run with a Hot Foot foot throttle with a trim switch on the steering wheel so I can keep both hands on the wheel. If you go out of the boat, the Hot Foot spring will bring the motor back to idle in case the kill switch fails."

As far as running the boat in big water, Mark has a great confidence in his 521 Ranger Boat, but says, "it depends on the type of tournament. If a lot is on the line, then I try to manage the waves. I may find somewhere else to fish if my spot requires I run with a following sea that is cresting. Although I may try tacking the waves and taking my time if it will get me there."

Tacking involves running the waves at an angle. You tack left for a while, then cut back and tack right for a while. You end up running a long zigzag pattern instead of running directly into or with big waves.

Tournament veteran and Lake Erie phenom Steve Clapper adds, "Take your time and keep your nose up. You'll bust up something if you hurry. You don't want to beat your equipment to death."

Steve puts a lot of time into preparing his big Ranger 522 for running the