Randy Walker

Randy Walker and Optima Batteries continue partnership for 2020.

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 “I’m extremely thankful and excited to continue my partnership with Optima Batteries for the 2020 season. It’s amazing to have the support from such a well known brand in the battery market. I’ve been very fortunate to have partnered with Optima since 2011 and I can truly say that having the Blue Tops be the power source in my Skeeter 20i is a blessing.”

I chose the Optima Blue Top D31m battery for my marine application because they offer long lasting power on the water, fast charge times, are more shock resistant and with their maintenance free design, they allow me to focus on fishing without worrying about my power source.  The characteristics of the Optima battery simply allows me to stay on the water longer and focus on getting the job done while not having to worry about my battery performance. My boat is just one of the many tools that I use and my 4 Optima batteries are the lifeline that keeps it all going. With all the power I need to run electronics, live wells, lights and to start my 250hp motor, a failure on the water is just not an option. With Optima batteries I never have to worry about it… Optima is performance at its best! 

The Optima product is one of the worlds’ top-quality battery makers. These batteries are built to withstand the toughest of conditions and that’s why Randy chooses the Optima Blue Top marine batteries for his applications.

Check out the marine and all products that Optima has to offer…  www.optimabatteries.com

I will also be utilizing Optima’s Digital 1200 12V Performance Battery Charger and Maintainer, which enhances the performance of OPTIMA and other high-performance AGM batteries in addition to flooded batteries. They also recover deeply discharged batteries and extend the life of all lead-acid batteries. “I’m excited for the opportunity to pair up the Digital 1200 with my Blue Tops as well as other applications.”

Click link to learn more about the Optima Digital Chargers https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/battery-charger 

 

 

If you’re looking for pure power, look no further. OPTIMA® batteries deliver the long-lasting, unsurpassed performance that today’s auto professionals and enthusiasts demand. Our unique SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY® and PUREFLOW TECHNOLOGY™ give OPTIMA batteries over 15 times more vibration resistance and increased cycle life compared to traditional batteries. And every OPTIMA battery is NON-SPILLABLE and maintenance-free for absolute peace of mind.

So, no matter how extreme the conditions, OPTIMA batteries deliver the ultimate in power, performance and reliability. We manufacture our own batteries in a dedicated facility, where we meet our demanding OPTIMA Batteries standards and have completely revolutionized how batteries are designed and built.

BLUETOP® batteries

The BLUETOP is a high-performance AGM battery with exceptional running time and more recharges than you’d get out of a traditional battery. On top of providing outstanding vibration resistance, the BLUETOP’s efficient power delivery and faster recharge time mean you’ll spend less time worrying about your battery. This means more time for fun. Again and again. This flexible boat battery and RV battery is ideal for those who need a sure-starting, strong-cranking, maintenance-free power source.

Key Benefits

  • Both dual-purpose and starting applications available
  • Up to 3x more recharges than other marine batteries
  • More than 15 times the vibration resistance
  • Spill-proof
  • Mountable in virtually any position
  • Maintenance-free
  • Optimal starting power (dual purpose and starting applications available)
  • Works well as a boat battery or RV battery

Learn more about the Optima Blue Top series here:

https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/bluetop-dual-purpose-deep-cycle-and-starting

Randy Walker joins The Pure Fishing Ambassador Team

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I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to represent and promote Pure Fishing and all of its outstanding brands and leaders in the fishing industry like Berkley, Abu Garcia, Spiderwire, Fenwick and PENN, just to name a few. Check out all of the Pure Fishing brands here http://www.purefishing.com/our-brands/

I’ve been using Berkley products since I started fishing. Over the last 7 years I’ve have been using Abu Garcia rods and reels spooled with Spiderwire braid, Big Game mono, Trilene 100% Fluoro and Berkley Nanofil for spinning applications, so it’s amazing that I now get to represent the brands that I’ve been fishing with for many years.

Berkley and Abu Garcia are well known names in the industry and they just continue to get better.

For 2019/2020, Berkley has some new products added to the line-up. From hard baits to soft, fishing line and the Fusion19 line of hooks, the consumer is going to have even more great options from Berkley to chose from.

Check out all the new products http://www.berkley-fishing.com/berkley-new/#sz=16&start=0

The new Abu Garcia Veracity line of rods with the 3M Powerlux 300 blanks are amazing and will be sitting on the deck of my boat for 2020. To learn more click http://www.abugarcia.com/abugarcia-rods-casting-rods/abu-garcia-veracity-casting-rod/1509827.html#start=9

It’s going to be a great 2020 season!!

 

Tournament Preparation – Getting Your Mind Right!

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For those anglers that fish competitively at any level, they know all about preparing for a tournament. If you’re new to tournament fishing or are thinking about it, there are many things that factor into being successful.

Whether you’re fishing from a Kayak or a fully rigged bass boat, you need to make sure that your craft is maintained and ready for a day of competition. That also goes for your tow vehicle. Making sure there are no mechanical issues that may leave you stranded on the side of the road to or from the lake. Checking tires and lights on both, making sure you have oil for your boat and enough to hold you over for a full day of running around. Nothing is worse than having to cut a day short because you forgot to fill your oil container or bring extra to keep on-board the boat.

You’ll want to make sure to have tools in your truck and/or boat that for anything that may come up that’s not drastic enough to call for assistance. Having a little set of wrenches, sockets and screwdrivers will allow you to take care of most things that come up. Throw in some electrical and duct tape and you’re good to go.

Then comes tackle and rod prep. You know the body of water and now it’s time to start planning out how you are going to approach it. The time of year, weather, water conditions will all come into play while deciding what gear you are going to load into the boat. As you practice and see what’s working and what’s not, you will start to swap out tackle and gear until you figure out what you’re going to use for tournament day.

Now it’s time to hit the water… This is where practice is key in taking your initial thoughts of what you are going to do and then start to build on them. You may practice one or several days leading up to an event. Remember, practice is not always about catching fish it’s also about eliminating non-productive water, areas, techniques and baits. As you fine tune things you start to put a pattern together and then see how that can translate to other areas on that body of water. You’ll narrow everything down and then have a solid game plan for tournament day.

Okay, so now you’ve made sure your tow vehicle is good, your boat is good, your tackle and gear are ready and you’ve begun to start putting the puzzle pieces together via practice… But none of that matters if you’re head is not in the right place to compete. This is something I don’t think all anglers consider. What I’m talking about… is your mind in a good place?

Mental preparation or making sure your mind is in a good place to complete the task at hand is very important. I’ve experienced this in the past when I use to play a lot of pool. Whether in a tournament or let’s say making a little side bet, okay, gambling. If my mind was distracted by things outside of the pool table, I did not play to my potential. I stopped playing pool and started bass fishing and have experienced the same thing.

Having a stress-free mind is huge when you are competing in anything in my opinion. If you’re trying to focus on your performance but you have things weighing on your mind, it can make it much more difficult to compete at your best. I know it may sound crazy, but things like work, relationships and money just to name a few can all impact how you perform on game day. Those individuals that can block out distractions are putting themselves in a better position to do well in competition. Even better, if you can handle these things prior to the event, you are going to be in a much better place. Now this is different from being mentally prepared for say long days on the water, lack of sleep, the cold, rain or 105’ summer days on the water. Being mentally strong for those things is another story and also very important, but that’s not what I’m talking about.

Some may say that fishing is supposed to be relaxing and something you should be able to do and get away from any stress in your life, which is 100% true if you’re just going out and enjoying a day on the water. I actually feel it’s one of the best things for the soul. But this is not always the case when you’re talking about competition. Tournament fishing brings its own stresses because you want to perform well and compete against other anglers at a high level. If you have sponsors you want to have a good showing for them as well. Overall, you want to win!

The addition of outside stress can have you doing things like not focusing on casts, not feeling bites or not making the right on the water decisions. The little things that happen in a tournament day can all of a sudden become big things and a real problem. You can find yourself getting upset or having negative thoughts, which I promise you will impact how you perform and will snowball throughout the day. Starting off your tournament with outside stresses can really pile up if you let them.  

Bottom line, your mind is one of the most important tools you have in competitive fishing and making sure it’s maintained is just as important as everything else, if not more. You need to figure out what works for you and puts you in a good mental state for competition day. However you do it, get your mind right!

Randy Walker

Prepare for the worst in Winter

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Winter fishing can have its ups and downs wherever you live. Fishing can be great for specific species and horrible for others. It could be pouring rain or the sun high in the sky, wind calm or blowing 30 plus…weather conditions can change on you in an instant and situations can happen in an instant.
So, you’re sitting in your garage the night before your trip getting everything in order for your next trip. Checking oil and gas levels, tires, getting your favorite winter time lures and rods paired up and maybe even taking a peek at your GPS or a map to get an early jump on where you are going to fish for the day. But, do you make sure you have an extra set of clothes on board?

This is something that I think many anglers don’t even take into consideration, which is a huge mistake in my opinion, especially during the cold winter months. There are many things that can ruin a day of fishing, and falling out of the boat into cold water and then dealing with even colder air temps is one of them. After having a buddy of mine fall out of my boat one cold January morning I always have an extra set of clothes on board. Getting dry clothes on your body as soon as possible is not only more comfortable for the unlucky person that takes a winter dip, but it can also be a huge assistance to the health of that person and begin the body/blood warming process. This is something that is so easy to do…grab an extra pair of sweats, a shirt and/or sweater/jacket, socks, and shoes and throw them in a plastic bag. Doing something this simple can make a world of difference for you or your partner if the situation occurs.

Packed_clothes

There’s even a “chance” of hypothermia…Usually, everyone thinks about hypothermia occurring in extremely cold temps, but that doesn’t have to be the case. It can happen anytime that you are exposed to cool and damp conditions and older people are more susceptible to it. The key hypothermia symptom is an internal body temp below 95 degrees (normal body temp is 98.6), now since it is not a normal thing to carry a thermometer on the boat, there are other symptoms that you can actually see or notice:

•    Uncontrollable shivering (although, at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop)
•    Weakness and loss of coordination
•    Confusion
•    Pale and cold skin
•    Drowsiness – especially in more severe stages
•    Slowed breathing or heart rate
•    Slowing of pace, drowsiness, fatigue
•    Stumbling
•    Thickness of Speech
•    Amnesia
•    Irrationality, poor judgment
•    Hallucinations
•    Loss of perceptual contact with environment
•    Blueness of skin
•    Dilation of pupils
•    Decreased heart and respiration
•    Stupor
•    Death

HypothermiaChart
Although you may never have a situation get this far because you would most likely leave the water and head back to the warm truck before many of these ever occur, but why not take the extra precaution and pack for the risk.
Be safe and stay dry!
Randy Walker

Tackle for imitating bait fish

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Two great ways to imitate baitfish are a drop shot and underspin. I rely on my Daiichi hooks rigged with several different plastics while dropshotting and putting fish in the boat when it’s a tough bite. I prefer the 1/0 hook because it’s the perfect size for me and catches spotted bass and smallmouth on lakes like Berryessa and catches big largemouth on the Cal Delta and Clear Lake. Very sharp and strong hooks, which I also use for my wacky senko and worm fishing. I tie my own fiber weed guard using jig brush guard strand and they work excellent in keeping me out of unwanted snags on both dropshot and bottom fishing. While others are getting hung up in trees, bushes or event rock, I’m able to work my bait through those potential snags, meaning I’m fishing more and getting more bites, while others are breaking off and retying due to snags.

http://www.ttiblakemore.com/product/d26z-daiichi-drop-shot-n-nose-hook-black-nickel/

For more active fish my go to bait is the Casey’s Classic Runner underspin in both 3/8 and 1/4 weighted heads. Premium materials and flat out catches fish. They offer a bunch of fish catching colors. I’ve been using these in place of spinnerbaits and they have been productive all year around.

Dropshotting and the CCR Underspin put these fish in the boat!

http://www.ttiblakemore.com/product-category/road-runner/caseys-classic-runner-heads/

Check out TTI-Blakemore for many well known brands like Daiichi, Road Runner, Standout Hooks, Team Catfish, Tru-Turn, X-Point hooks, Mr Crappie and Real Magic.

http://www.ttiblakemore.com/

 

The OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY

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The OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY® provides many features not available in ordinary batteries, such as:

  • More plate surface, closer plate spacing and the use of high-purity lead. RESULTING IN: Low internal resistance. This low resistance gives you more power in a smaller box, the ability to recharge much faster, and higher and cleaner voltage characteristics during discharge.
  • Immobilized plates under compression (locked in place). RESULTING IN: Improved vibration resistance, no shedding of active paste material, reduced gradual loss of power and capacity as the battery ages. This gives you a battery that lasts longer and performs better throughout its life.

For more information click https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/support/battery-basics/spiralcell-technology-battery

 

 

Randy Walker and TTI-Blakemore continue partnership for 2018

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I am very happy and fortunate to continue my partnership with the TTI-Blakemore fishing group, which offers some amazing brands like Daiichi hooks, Xpoint hooks, Road Runner lures and Real Magic just to name a few. There are products from each of these brands that I use just about every time I hit the water. I pour a lot of my own heads for stuff like football jigs, shaky heads and A-rig heads and I use Daiichi hooks in all of them. These hooks are sharp, hold up very well and have a wide selection of sizes to fit my needs, which is what I look for in a fishing hook. Many of my big fish were successfully landed because of the Daiichi hook. and have had continued success as they are the sharpest hooks that I have used. The Xpoint hooks are my go to for standard flippn’ and pitchn’ as they are extremely strong and keep fish hooked. The Road Runner brand has become even more popular with BASS Classic wins by Randy Howell and Casey Ashley. The under spins have top-notch materials and is what I use on all my local bodies of water with success. The Real Magic product is just amazing!! It helps against UV beating up your line and reduces friction, making your casts smoother resulting in longer casts.

I have been partnered with TTI-Blakemore going on 8 years now and could not be happier with the products, company or  people. If you want to check out any of the TTI-Blakemore brands, check them out here http://www.ttiblakemore.com/

 

 

Randy Walker and Lock-n-Haul continue partnership for 2019

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Lock-n-Haul-logo250px

Randy Walker and Lock-n-Haul continue their partnership for 2017. 

I am very excited to continue my partnership with the Lock-n-Haul company as one of their California pro staff representatives. The Lock-n-Haul product is a motor toter and transom saver replacement device that is very well made, light weight, strong and very easy to use. The Lock-n-Haul is universal and will work on just about every brand of outboard motor. Not only does it stabilize my motor during trailering but it also helps protect it from unnecessary abuse from shock and vibration that occurs during traveling to and from my destinations. We have a new design with some enhancements from years past that make the product just that much better. I look forward to the continued support and opportunity to work with Jim (owner) to promote the Lock-n-Haul product and help educate boaters about the product and how it can help protect your investment.

If you see me at an event, feel free to ask for a demo and I’ll be happy to show you just how easy it is to set up for use with your outboard motor.

For more information on the Lock-n-Haul product or purchase please go to

www.lock-n-haul.com

Randy Walker