by Lance Merz, April 26, 2017

Hi guys,

Lance Merz here. I want to apologize for not being at the Lake Chelan get together this year. I always love coming to this event because I have met so many great people these past three years in attendance. Unfortunately, I will be giving a Kokanee Seminar in the Portland area that day and everything is locked in. I wanted to take a few minutes to help in your successes (if you need any at all). Take it or leave it, I just want to see everyone succeed at this event. Now I'm not saying that I'm the fisherman of the year or anything, but I've fished the lake. The fisherman of the year award should go to Jeff Witkowski who fishes that lake everyday! I wish I had just a fraction of his knowledge. Anyhow, here's my two cents.

Areas to focus: Manson Bay, Party Point, and Monument. These areas have stacks of fish and are schooled very well. There is no need to go above the yacht club at all.

Colors: Pinks and Oranges. I use Mack's Lure products (go figure!), so I use the Cha Cha Kokanee Squidder or the Kokanee Hoochie. If I use the kokanee hoochie, I will use red.

Leader Length: This time of year, I will run my leaders 8-10" behind a Double D Dodger. I like these dodgers because they spread out the gear and also avoid tangles.

Set Backs: Depends on how deep I'm fishing. I've been successful lately between 50-60ft, so my set backs are usually around 50'. I don't run a long line when there is a lot of boats out in fear that someone will run over my line. The dodgers also allow me to make tighter turns. By the time I have re-baited my gear, I'm going right back through them.

Bait: White Shoepeg Corn or Berkley Gulp Maggots (pink)

Scent: I've been using Pro Cure's Anise Bloody Tuna, Bloody Tuna, and Graybill's Shrimp Scent. It's been working great! I've also been tipping my hoochies with Pro Cure Super Sauce in Shrimp and Kokanee flavors.

Speed: I start out at 1.2mph and will vary up to 1.7, but really no faster than that. I never troll in a straight line either. I always trying to get the fish to strike from different angles. Sometimes coming in at different angles makes a HUGE difference. Especially during different times of the day. I try to troll as much as possible where the sunlight has the most amount of light shining on my gear.

Find the fish, fish the fish, don't leave fish to go find fish.

That's it in a nutshell!! Most of you already know all of this information, and I wish I was there to learn something from you as well!

Have a great time and take lots of pictures!! I will pick a winner who takes pictures and uses Mack's Lure products. If you are the lucky person, I will send you a hat!!

Lance