Sunday, September 28, 2008

Using Owner Hooks for fishing Dark water Walleye

I’ve found a great hook for live bait. I use it for deep water vertical jigging, stained, or night fishing.Owner Live Bait Hooks Owner Hooks has a no. 2 bait hook with soft glow bead on it. I prefer the black hook with green bead.
They have super sharp needle point and the green bead glows lime green. Slip the bead up over the knot and the eye of the hook, it works as an attractant and protects your knot. - Gary

Check out these Owner Live Bait Hooks Offshore models $10.99 a pack

Friday, September 26, 2008

Drop anchor!

Anchoring a boat works well when slow presentations are your only option. The technique of fishing directly under the boat or casting out and retrieving works the best when fish are in shallow water or in a specific area. This method also works well if you are dead sticking for perch on mud or a gravel bottom. Keep fishing and good luck - Gary

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fishing in Cold fronts

As a rule of thumb try fishing warmer waters of the rivers or the more shallow weedy, darker stained lakes. Try smaller diameter line, lighter jigs, smaller baits, and fish deeper water with a slower presentation. Also try not to fish large clear water lakes, fish will spook easily. - Gary

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Fishing Timber Walleye - Northland Weed Weasel

Predator game fish hide in timber or weed cover to attack their prey!Northland Weed-Weasel Jig Slowly and quietly bring the boat up to or over the timber. Use a timber jig with ½ crawler or minnow and jig right in the timber or logs. When you set the hook pull the Walleye out fast or the fish will snag you in the timber fast! Use at least 8lb test braided line for strength an abrasion resistance. You’ll be surprised at how many Walleye you catch and the size of the fish you can get out of one tree. Good luck and keep fishing - Gary

Check out this Northland Weed-Weasel Jig

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Tail hooking the Minnow

Tail hooking gives the minnow a frantic fleeing look that triggers more fish strikes where hooking in the mouth does not have that effect.

The constant up and down swimming motion creates a disturbance on the surface whether it is mud or sand. Fish will be curious and this will trigger an attacking bite. They will not want the potential meal to escape, so they will strike at the minnow.

This technique will get you a better hook set because the fish will be attacking instead of reacting. Never be afraid to change up the recipe when fishing, you might be surprised at the results. - Gary

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Keep those Minnows alive with the Frabill Bait Station

Frabill Aqualife Bait Station
Here are some useful tips for keeping those expensive minnows alive. Use an aerator in your minnow bucket with the highest concentration of micro bubbles. When adding water, try to use spring or distilled water to keep the impurities out. Always keep ice in a plastic bag or zip lock when you use it in your minnow bucket. Try to keep your minnow net out of the bucket as much as you can. Only use it to take out 1 or 2 minnows, otherwise you can damage their delicate scales. I recommend you always have a minnow bucket with a Styrofoam liner. This will keep the water at a more constant temperature.

The best aerated bait bucket on the market is the Frabill aqua life bait station. The Frabill aqua life bait station also has a light for night time operation. It runs on 2 D-cell batteries and holds 6 gallons of water and is very quiet.

This ultimate portable bait well has a streamlined design that seals all electrical components inside a watertight compartment located in the lid. It also has a large capacity 6-gallon outer bucket and a removable foam liner that insulates your bait. The Micro bubble oxygen diffuser and air tubing mount inside the liner. Another great feature is the built-in light which is waterproof and illuminates the inside of the bucket when you open the bait door. Good Luck and keep fishing - Gary

Find the Frabill Aqualife Bait Station here today!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Best Fishing Times

I would say any time you can get out on the boat or ice and enjoy a day of fishing is the best time regardless. However, to increase your chances of being more successful, there are a few things you need to know.

Try to stay away from cold fronts, high winds and east winds. When you are fishing in clear water, the best time to fish is early in the morning or at night. Also, cloudy days and choppy water is preferred. Fish can easily spook in clear water and bright sunny days. When you are fishing on rivers, flowages, or stained water, sunny days and light winds are the best days. Rapala Shallow Shad Rap

Weather fronts don’t affect rivers as much as lakes, because of the moving water. So if you can pick your perfect day to fish, great! But if not, just keep fishing. A day of fishing on the water or the ice is always better than a day of work!

One more tip to make your trip out more successful. Try a Rapala Shallow Shad Rap in the shallow water when you are early morning and night fishing. - Gary

Get the Rapala Shallow Shad Rap here today!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Keep your eye and finger on the line

Walleye fishing in the spring requires your complete attention. Concentration is the most important part of Walleye fishing especially when the fish are not very aggressive.

There may be days in the spring when you catch 50 walleyes, and then you have the days where you struggle to catch just one. That one bite may be that 30’’ trophy fish you’ve been dreaming of! If you lose that fish because you’re not paying attention to the minor details, it’ll ruin your entire day.

Here are three of the most important things you can do when River Fishing Spring Walleye:

Keep your jig on the bottom surface or within 2-4 inches of bottom

Walleye and Saugers lay on the bottom surface in the spring. They aren’t going to go more than a few inches to eat, they are saving their strength for spawning. When you put a minnow in front of them, they can’t resist it. This is why it’s important to focus on the bottom.

Keep your finger on the line

Walleye are a very strange and sneaky fish. I don’t know how many times I thought I had a snag on a rock or in the weeds, and it ended up being a Walleye. Anybody who fishes Walleye knows what I’m talking about. As soon as you feel something on your line, don’t just assume you have a snag. Slowly lift your rod tip with your bail open and hold the line with your index finger. If it’s a Walleye you’ll feel a light tug or it will feel heavy, the fish will start swimming away from the boat. When you’ve determined it is a Walleye, let go of the line and let the fish take out some line. Depending on how aggressive they are you could let them take the jig for 5 or 10 seconds sometimes 30 seconds. Then close the bail, reel up the slack and make sure the fish is still there. Drop the rod tip just a bit and set the hook! Hopefully your finicky Walleye or Sauger will be on its way into the boat!

Always watch your line and rod tip

This is especially important if you are vertical jigging. Depending on how deep you’re fishing, watching your line or rod tip makes a big difference. When your are vertical jigging in 20 to 40 feet of water, watching the rod tip and feeling the line tug with your finger is critical. Plus at this depth your line choice is very important, I use 8lb test Power Pro. There is no stretch in the line and it’s great for setting the hook at great depths. Plus it’s really tough, it holds up against the rocky bottoms of the rivers that we fish. When the Walleye finally takes your jig and minnow, if you don’t see your rod tip move you’ll feel the fish with your finger on the line. Let the fish take out some line and make sure you reel up all the slack line if you are vertical jigging deep. if there’s slack line at 30 or 40 feet you will lose the fish. Then set the hook!

St. Croix  Avid Series  Spinning Rods
Always remember when you are vertical jigging shallow waters 20 feet or less, watch that rod tip. You may see your line go slack or move from side to side at times. Many times this means the Walleye may be swimming right back towards the boat. The fish may be a bit hungrier and this will enable you to set the hook quicker. You will get the feel for the Walleye and how there biting, then you’ll be putting fish in the boat before you know it.

Pay attention to the details for those early spring Walleye. Jig on the bottom, keep your finger on the line, and always watch your rod tip and line. Following these 3 tips will get you a more successful day on the water. Remember always take only what you can eat. Be sure to take some photo’s so you can brag to your buddies.

Here is a great rod and reel combo for vertical jigging, drag jigging, and casting jigs. Shimano Stradic ST2500 reel, combo with the St. Croix Avid 6’6” med light fast tip and Power Pro no stretch braided line, you can't miss.

Shimano  Stradic  FI Spinning Reels

As always good luck and keep fishing - Gary

Check out the St. Croix Avid Series Medium Light Spinning Rods great for vertical jigging, drag jigging, and casting jigs starting at $139.99

Here is a Shimano Stradic FI Spinning Reel that would make this a great combo starting at $159.99

Friday, September 12, 2008

PowerPro® Braided Spectra® Fiber Micro Filament Line

PowerPro Braided Spectra Fiber Micro Filament Line - 300 Yards
PowerPro's high-performance Spectra braid is the best line on the market today, depending on how or what I’m fishing, I use Hi-vis yellow, Moss green, and Phantom red. This is the strongest abrasion resistant line ever and with virtually no memory. Your hook sets are immediate. I’m a walleye guy and sensitivity is most important you feel everything with Power Pro. With its small diameter, knot tying is a breeze, and Power Pro is so lightweight it casts far and accurate. I do a lot of deep water vertical jigging for walleye and the hook sets are instant. The Braided Spectra's Enhanced Body Technology delivers a compact, abrasion-resistant line with a smooth surface texture and virtually no spool memory. PowerPro Braided Spectra line is designed with minimal stretch for an awesome feel and ultra-sensitive for increased strike detection. The line took me to 1st place last year in the P.I. walleye tournament. I recommend Power Pro highly. Keep Fishing!

Find the Braided Spectra Fiber Micro Filament Line that works best for you here!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Shimano® Sustain® Spinning Reels

Shimano  Sustain  FE Spinning Reels
The Shimano Sustain 2500fd is the ultimate in spinning reels. I’ve had mine for 2 years and it helped me win 1st place in a walleye tournament and take 5th in another. The Sustain is smooth as silk. I’ve caught huge Northerns with it with no slippage and reels like a dream. It still looks like new with little or no wear and tear. The Shimano Sustain reel with Super Stopper II and Dynabalance is the best. No back play in the handle for instance hooksets at deep vertical jigging depths. I’ll be getting more of these Shimano Sustain reels for my Walleye tournaments.

The Shimano Sustain Spinning Reels are one of the top choices among professional anglers. They have a reputation for toughness and durability few other reels can match. With the addition of the all-new Paladin™ and Propulsion™ systems it takes this characteristic to new heights. This reel features a lightweight aluminum frame, aluminum spool with titanium lip, Aero Wrap® II; machined-aluminum direct drive handle, exclusive S-Concept design; Fluidrive® II; Dyna-Balance®; Floating Shaft®; Super Stopper® II; waterproof drag; maintenance port. You even get a FREE spare aluminum spool with titanium lip. - Good Luck and keep fishing - Gary

Check out the Shimano Sustain FE Spinning Reels priced starting at $249.99

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Spinning Rods

St. Croix Legend Tournament Spinning Rods
If you’re an avid fisherman, or fish tournaments, this St. Croix Tournament Legend is just awesome. I have the 6’ 3” ml fast tip. It’s the best walleye jigging rod I’ve ever used and I’ve fished for 45 years and used St. Croix over 40 of them. The sensitivity is almost scary, you feel everything. I can only imagine how many fish I’ve missed in the past. The St. Croix has a super strong graphite blank and Fuji Alconite concept guides with chrome frames for ultimate sensitivity and line flow. I can’t wait to go fishing with my St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye rod. I’ll be getting another one for Christmas! Hint to my wife.

This rod is about handcrafted innovation infusing every glorious inch, to give you a stick that truly handles like no other on earth. It features a high-modulus SC IV graphite blank, built using Integrated Poly Curve and Advanced Reinforcing Technology construction that delivers precise actions and superior strength with absolutely minimal weight. It also features two applications of a Flex Coat slow-cure finish with a weight-reducing, split-grip super-grade cork handle that resets the fulcrum point so you can cast more efficiently. Good Luck and keep fishing - Gary

Check out these St. Croix Legend Tournament Spinning Rods

Northland Jigs

Northland  Fire-Ball  Jigs Pro PackNorthland’s Fire Ball Short Shank jigs are my favorite go to jigs. It has an extra loop for a stinger hook for those tough biting spring walleyes. Northland short shank fireball jig is great for live bait, because when you put the minnow on, you can put almost all the hook into the mouth and come out the back of the head, so it covers up the hole shank, all you can see is the minnow and the jig head. Also when you thread the night crawler onto the wide gap it gives you a bigger presents on the hook. My favorite Northland fire ball jigs color are metallic gold yellow glow, Parakeet, Sunrise, Super-Glo Green. Northland's Fire-Ball Jigs are the number one producer on the Pro-Walleye Trail! Deadly with minnows, crawlers and leeches, Fire-Ball Jigs are designed with a compact short shank, wide-gap hook that produces a lifelike live bait presentation gamefish can't resist. Fire-Ball Jigs feature a patented double barb, bait-holding sting'r hook which nips and stings those short striking biters. - Gary

Check out these Northland Fire-Ball Jigs Pro 10 Pack