EPISODE 1 Location: Lake St. Clair- 10-3-2008
If there’s a type of fishing that professional angler Joe Thomas is noted for, it would have be smallmouth bass fishing. From the Great Lakes to the Tennessee River Valley, Joe Thomas has pursued these stout game fish with a passion. In the premiere episode of Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors, Joe visits one of his favorite smallmouth fisheries, Michigan’s Lake St. Clair, for an unforgettable day on the water featuring explosive smallmouth action. Plus, Joe also gives us an inside look at pro techniques that work on big bronzebacks.

EPISODE 2 Location: Lake El Salto Mexico- 10-10-2008
There’s not an angler on earth who doesn’t love and appreciate a heart stopping topwater strike, and Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors host Joe Thomas is no exception. And, when the topwater bite just happens to be on at Mexico’s legendary Lake El Salto, topwater explosions are measured on a Richter scale! So join Joe Thomas for an incredible journey in search of massive “jalapeño” strain Mexican largemouth bass on the top in this episode of Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors.

EPISODE 3 Location: Farm Pond in Southwestern Ohio- 10-17-2008
Chances are many folks can remember back to a time when bass fishing meant gathering up a cane pole and a few crickets and heading off for the local farm pond in search of a bite. Today, farm ponds are still fishing hot spots and guess what…the bass have grown up now, too. This week Joe Thomas is joined by guest Chris Ludwig on a farm ponds loaded with big, hungry largemouth bass ready to rip the rods right out of their hands on this edition of Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors with Joe Thomas.

EPISODE 4 Location: Ohio River Tributaries- 10-24-2008
With fishing growing in popularity, it’s sometimes difficult to find a quiet spot away from the crowd and enjoy an afternoon angling in peace and quiet. Now however, it’s easier than ever to get away from it all with a jet boat capable of cruising through ankle-deep water to places where big bass boats fear to tread. In this episode, host Joe Thomas takes his jet boat up a quiet tributary of the Ohio River in search of fish that hardly ever see an artificial lure. And guess what? He finds them this week on Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors.

EPISODE 5 Location: Lake Erie Western Basin- 10-31-2008
Jim Vitaro’s name may not sound familiar unless you’ve followed tournament fishing in and around Lake Erie over the last several years. If so, you would know that no one knows drifting and dragging the Western Basin of Lake Erie better than Jim. This week, Joe Thomas discovers for himself some of the secret smallmouth holes Jim call home, and gives us an inside look at the techniques that Jim uses to put big ones in the boat.

EPISODE 6 Location: Farm Pond in Northern Kentucky- 11-7-2008
Catfishing is as American as baseball; apple pie…you know the rest. So, when you’re a professional bass angler like Joe Thomas and the thought of nasty stink bait on the bottom doesn’t really appeal to you, then you need to get to know Chris Martinkovic who has developed a new way to catch monster catfish that’s a lot like bass fishing. Joe gets an education on casting for cats this week on Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors.

EPISODE 7 Location: Kentucky Lake 11/14/2008
Kentucky Lake is legendary among anglers as a bass fishing paradise full of limbs, ledges and the kind of grassy cover bass love to call home. And when it comes to Kentucky Lake, there aren’t many anglers who know it better than FLW pro Terry Bolton who joins host Joe Thomas for an unbelievable day of large and smallmouth fishing on this famous southern reservoir.

EPISODE 8 Location: Big Darby Creek- 11/21/2008
Floating small streams and creeks for bass has become an obsession for Ohio native John Furness. His favorite fishing spot these days tends to be the Big Darby Creek, a State and National scenic river in Central Ohio. This week, Joe Thomas joins John as they float the Big Darby and show why great fishing may be as close as your local creek or stream.

EPISODE 9 Location: Green River and Cave Run Lakes Kentucky 11/28/2008
Gregg Thomas likes to call his musky guide service “Battle of the Beast” because no other fish strikes or fights like a massive musky. The fact that Gregg’s guide service is based in Kentucky instead of more traditional musky waters up north is what makes these musky and Gregg a little different. This week, Joe Thomas joins Gregg on Kentucky’s Cave Run and Green River lakes for a look at the tremendous success Kentucky has experienced with a state sponsored musky stocking program, and to see what effect a longer growing season in a milder climate has on these toothy predators.

EPISODE 10 Location: The Detroit River 12/5/2008
The Detroit River may be known to most of us as just a 20 mile long stretch of water connecting Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, but FLW pro Mike Trombley knows it as more…much more. This week, Mike is joined by our host Joe Thomas for a day of fishing that will make everyone think a little differently when it comes to “Motor City Madness”!

EPISODE 11 Location: Bienville Plantation White Springs, Florida 12/12/2008
Pay lakes. Most anglers have spent at least a little time huddled around a stocked pond hoping to win the big fish derby. Today, there’s a new breed of fishing lakes, destinations and plantations devoted to incredible bass fishing at a price. So what do you on a getaway to such destinations? This week, Joe Thomas visits what many consider the cream of the crop, Bienville Plantation in White Springs, Florida. Full of reclaimed crystal clear phosphate lakes loaded with big bass, Bienville Plantation offers some of the best fishing and amenities you’ll find anywhere. Join Joe at Bienville this week for a look at what a dream fishing destination really has to offer.

EPISODE 12- Location: Lake Waynoka 12/19/2008
Golf is a game of skill, intensity and patience. Just ask our host Joe Thomas’ brother Doug, who takes to the links at every opportunity. This week, Joe takes Doug way out of his comfort zone and puts him on the water in an attempt to show him that not all water is just a trap! This golfer is going to get an education in the basics of bass fishing and the answer to his long standing question of “just how hard is it to catch a fish anyway!!??

EPISODE 13- Location: Lake Creek, Alaska 12/26/2008
Alaska is America's last frontier, and the setting for the season finale of Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors as Joe Thomas travels to McDougall Lodge, part of the Alaska Big 5 lodges and outfitters on the Yentna and Tal River, for the start of the Alaskan King Salmon run. It's an incredible experience that you and Joe will not soon forget.