FAVORITE LAKE	Lake Sakakawea
LARGEST WALLEYE	11.lbs. 5 ounces
FAVORITE JIG TYPE	Fuzz E Grub
FAVORITE CRANK BAIT TYPE	Wally Diver
LARGEST LIMIT OF WALLEYE
Favorite rig type	Lindy Rig
TOURNAMENTS FISHED	40+
FIRST TOURNAMENT	Father son on the Missouri river when I was 10

	www.bigfishtackle.com	Gemini Sports
		Pradco
		Coke

As a hockey player, Mike has always been on the move, graduating from the University of Duluth in 1998 where he was voted the senior athlete of the year by the student body. Known for his shooting and stick handling abilities, Mike was drafted by the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League in 1994. 

Mike's other passion in life is fishing. Fishing has encompassed 22 years of his life, with the past 10 years spent fishing tournaments.  In addition to the top 15 finishes on the NAWA circuit in 1999, Mike also won the KFYR classic in North Dakota and placed 15th in the Mercury Classic. Mike's favorite body of water is the Missouri River.  His favorite fishing presentations are using jigs and  rigs. Mike believes in the future of the youth in his home community, and as a result has started the Missouri River Hockey School in Bismarck, North Dakota and also spends time getting kids started in fishing. Mike also works closely with fellow pros Scott and Marty Glorvigen in fishing promotions and writes for the Dakota Country Magazine.
Mikes  fishing history includes a long line of tournaments both Pro and regional. with a large number of articles written for some on line e-zines and the Dakota Country Magazine. Another thing that brings him a lot of exposure is that he is a pro Hockey player in the Washington Capitals organization.  He will  also be appearing on fishing shows such as Tony Dean Outdoors and Charlie Moore (Mad fishermen) this coming summer. He does quite a bit of work with Coke and does some kids fishing promotions.  He also owns a hockey school that is host to over 550 kids. 

Personal Accomplishments and information

Windsocks are a must! 
Growing up in North Dakota I have come to the conclusion the wind will blow almost everyday. During the walleye season we face many different situations. Wind is defiantly the one that causes the most problems. I think I can count on one hand how many times we have had the perfect wind in the last ten years. Windsocks are nothing new for the old walleye veterans, but has become a standard ingredient in boating walleyes the past few years. I use boat breaks all the time to keep my bait on the bottom. It can be used in drift situations, or it can slow your boat down while trolling. I carry three different sizes with me at all times. This allows me to adjust my speeds accordingly. A good rule of thumb while drifting is to keep your line at a 45-degree angle.  This is a good rule of thumb to follow while fishing with boat brakes.   If it stays pretty close to that, you are moving at a good speed. When I am unable to keep my line at a 45-degree angle I will adjust to the speed. If the wind is really blowing hard you may need all three! When you first purchase your drift sock, most will not come with a rope to attach it to the boat. You will need to fix up a rope for this. I like to use a soft braided rope about a half-inch in diameter. Attach swivel clips on both ends, this will keep it from tangling up. You will need only about 4 or 5 feet of rope for each sock. The soft braided rope is easy to tie and will not scratch or rub the paint off your boat. It is also easier on your hands when pulling the socks back to the boat. If you don’t have a boat break I would definitely recommend getting one. When you go to purchase one, always buy the biggest you can get. All breaks have a string at the one end that can be adjusted to change the speeds. Starting off with a big one will always keep you moving slow enough, and if you upgrade to a larger boat you can still use it!  I prefer the ones made by JNB Originals.  They have the most advanced boat brake on the market.  You can locate them on the web at www.driftbag.com You will also find some other great products on this site!  Look them up and see what you think!  Until next time, wipe your boat off every time out of the water and keep your head up in the middle of the ice! Mike Peluso

2001 Show and Seminar schedule 
Schedule will be announced after the hockey season in final