Outdoor Fisherman

Respect the Fisherman’s Space

2010-04-25T14:24:00.000-07:00

Respecting our fishing space is becoming more of an annoyance than a so called problem, especially in the Spring on the river and the first nice days of the year.
People that don’t fish a lot, or with families, just want to get out on that first warm sunny day and wet the line. That’s great and I love to see families out enjoying the day on the water, however here are a few things to keep in mind. It's a little more than just plopping the boat in the water and cozying up to the pack because that’s where you think the fish are, or getting close to chat with the other fisherman. We fishermen are a friendly bunch but when you float over our lines on a nice drift, or you're so close the cast from little Johnny ends up in your boat, we may cringe and mumble under our breath a bit. If it continues we may give you a few words of wisdom on boat edict you may or may not like to hear.
Before you decide to charge to a spot to fish, look the area over to see if there are any boats where you want to fish. Chances are if it’s a good spot most fisherman know about it already and someone will be there. With all the fishermen now days there aren’t too many secret spots anymore. If there are boats there you may want to start off somewhere else.

If it is on a river, be sure to watch for fishing lines. You do not want to go over anybody’s lines or cut off their drift. If you choose to anchor make sure you leave enough room between boats so that you don’t drift into their casting range. Where you stop and anchor isn’t always where you end up stopping, especially on a river. You should leave out about 30 ft of rope in current to get the proper position and always go about 30ft beyond your target spot. Here's a little trick I like to do, drop a buoy where I want the boat to be and then go beyond that point. Then drop anchor and float back to the buoy and tie off. If its peak fishing time and there are a lot of boats out that's ok to slowly move up to the pack and ask if you may join them. Remember were a friendly bunch of fisherman.
Also on the river and when you are moving from spot to spot sometimes the river narrows. Try to respect the guys fishing when you fly by in your 20ft ranger with a 250hp and the wake tosses the guy in the John boat 20ft up on shore. That may make Americas Funniest Videos, but you better hope he won't be waiting for you at the launch for some of that fishermen’s advice he may show, if you know what I mean.

Have respect for others and treat them like you would expect them to treat you. Besides having respect here are other things that are important to remember when you are out enjoying the day on the water. Be sure you have all your equipment working and those batteries charged. Many times I’ve seen a boat get into the middle of other boats and drop the good ole Minn Kota and she doesn’t work...dead battery! The next thing you know your bumping into your fellow fisherman’s new boat. Make sure you have all your life jackets and safety items your boat requires, be safe and enjoy a day of fishing.
It's also very helpful to get up to date fishing reports from fishermen just like you. A great resource for all fisherman that I like to visit is www.lake-links.com. You can also try your local bait shop or call a local guide. They are more than willing to give you some good up to date information on bait tackle and areas to fish and if there are any hazards to avoid.

Lastly always remember to take only what you need to eat, take a reliable camera to get a good picture of the catch of the day, and keep fishing.

Gary

***You can also find my article arriving soon in the May 2010 edition at www.badgersportsman.com

Frabill Thermal Igloo Pro Tip-up

2010-02-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

When Frabill came out with this tip-up I wasn’t sure what to think, but being a fisherman who has to try everything. I bought a couple of Frabill thermals and on the first ice fishing outing I went on I was sold on them. It was a very cold and windy day with bright sunshine. The Frabill Thermal Igloo Pro Tip-up eliminates ice up in the hole, stops the snow from blowing into the hole and keeps the hole dark so it looks like the natural ice from below, which makes a big difference in shallow water.

The Frabill Thermal also has a small built in tackle compartment which is very handy if you break your line, or need a sinker, or bobber. There is also a minnow clip you can set heavy or light depending on what you’re fishing for. The bright orange color and large orange flag are easy to spot even at long range.

The key to the Frabill Thermal Igloo Pro Tip-up is the Styrofoam insulation built into the 10” round design, it covers the hole and keeps the air warm so it wont ice over. The best thing of all is they fit right into your 5 or 6 gallon bucket, depending on the bucket size you can put 6 or 8 Frabill Thermal Igloo Pro Tip-ups in, what a great easy and neat way to store your tip-ups.

You can find these while supplies last at Gander Mountain and Bass Pro Shops

Gary

Hard Water Walleye Strategy's

2010-02-06T16:44:00.000-08:00

To many ice fishing lures to choose from. And with so little time to fish them, so much worry about choosing the right lure, given the situation. no magic lure will ever assure success. Walleyes can always be caught on more than one lure, and often even on widely different lure styles. Yet the intent remains to experiment to find the one lure, likely from among several choices, that works best.

There is a small contingency of options, each in several sizes and basic finishes, that traveled with me all over the state of Wisconsin. I have not found it necessary to switch to local hot lures to be successful.

Here are 3 lure categories that work for me

First category; Jigs and live bait. Hook the minnow in reverse so it struggles away from the weight of the head of a plain jig. The weight should match the size of the minnow and the depth being fished. The weight must be just light enough to encourage the minnow to swim, but not so light that the minnow can get away. For walleyes, I usually use a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jig coupled with a 3 to 5 inch shiner or fathead minnow.

Line; 6# Power pro or Berkley Fire line with a swivel and 18" 6# fluorocarbon leader. Line visibility isn't a big factor after dark, though it might be during the day and into the twilight. More important is to get lures to fall or swing seductively. Line that's too light is as detrimental to presentation as line that's too heavy.

The second category; swimming lures; is for me a small one, consisting of three baits, the classic Jigging Rapala, the Nils Master Jigger, and the new Nils Master Jigger Shad. Lifted sharply 1 1/2 feet or so, these swimming lures dart up and out before thumping down and then swinging back directly below the hole. The #7 Rapala and #2 Nils Master Jiggers are the most popular sizes for walleyes.

Swimming lures perform subtly compared to the more intense flash and vibration of a flash lure. These lures tend to work best in clearer water, particularly during the changing light periods of dawn and dusk. Most anglers tip them with a minnow head or spikes, again to tempt reluctant walleyes. Add the scent option to the treble hook hanging below the middle of the bait. In current, add scent option to the trailing body hook. Small fish often target the fish head or spikes, while larger walleyes usually eat the entire bait. I must tell you, that during most key evening feedings, I rarely find it necessary to tip swimming baits.

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Third category; Lures; The key to confidence remains, first, stocking lures from each of three categories. Flash lures, like the classic Bay de Noc Swedish Pimple and the Acme Kastmaster make up one category. These lures attract fish via flash and vibration as they're jigged up and allowed to settle back. Tip them with a minnow head to entice fish to bite when they move in close.

Most anglers understand the flash connection, but fail to see how important vibration is to attracting fish. Fish often feel baits before they see them. This category gets split again to add the bent lures, like the Bay de Noc Do Jigger and Jig A Whopper Rocker minnow. I also use a few super action flash lures like the Reef Runner Slender Spoon and the Blue Fox Tingler.

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Attracting walleyes and enticing a bite

Each jigging motion includes an attraction and a triggering phase. First, attract walleyes, then get them to bite once they've been drawn close. The lift and fall of the bait serves as the attracting maneuver, while the pause allows a walleye to bite. All the little jiggles added during or after the basic lift-fall maneuver are just small, but sometimes significant variations on a general theme, everyone has their own unique style of jigging. Jiggles can be particularly important when using a swimming jig. My basic approach would be a lift-fall-pause 5-10 seconds, followed by a jiggle, jiggle-jiggle, followed by another lift-fall. Jiggle only enough to get the bait to roll slightly left-right, left-right on its axis. creating the same sort of flash that makes minnows or crank baits attractive to walleyes in open water. a lift-fall with an anchored minnow is subtle by comparison. Gently lift the jig and minnow a foot or so, then let it flutter and flash down to the position from which it began. Then pause for at least 30 seconds to let the minnow do its thing. I usually lift-fall-pause through several sequences, then pause for several minutes, or more, with the rod sitting on a bucket or in a rod holder on a bucket. This is dead sticking the minnow will do its thing.

The best lures produce the most vibration without tangling often. As a rule, small, heavy, bent baits work best, while wide thin baits that fall horizontally tend to tangle. Baits I've used successfully include the Jig-A-Whopper Rocker Minnow, Bay de Noc Swedish Pimple and the Acme Thunderbolt. Add a swivel and a 18" leader to reduce line twist.

Adding a scent to the jig is still vital. Eyes removed from dead perch stay on best, but minnow heads work well so long as the hook's run up through the skull. On larger longer lures, pinch off the minnow head right behind the gills, I always let the entrails hang when possible, both for visual appeal and additional scent. Change the minnow head or perch eye regularly to freshen the scent around the bait.

Fish Locators

The two classic locators that work on ice remain the Vexilar FL-18 with ultra pack and the Humminbird Ice 55 flasher, but just having any locator will be of great help.

Good flashers makes our ice fishing more efficient, also more fun. Instead of just guessing, you can see fish come in and see how they react to your bait and movements. Don't know how we fished without flashers when I was a young lad. Sure missed out on a lot of fun and how many walleyes I missed.

About half the walleyes I catch each year are caught because of something I've added to my presentation after seeing how walleyes react. A walleye swims in. Lift-fall again. No hit, so I jiggle the bait and I get a reaction. Jiggle again, wham.

Another walleye comes in and I repeat the same movements I caught the last walleye and no luck. Time to change tactics. my favorite move now is to raise the bait up about 6" above the walleye, jiggle stop jiggle stop, then slowly raise it about another 6" and wham. They can't resist the bait going away.

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Or when fishing the river channel in 25' to 30' feet of water. particularly flowages with suspended bait fish like shad or perch lots of walleye come in high as much as 10 feet off the bottom. I've caught loads of these walleyes over the last 15 years that I wouldn't have caught without my Vexilar.
Dueling for Walleyes

I use a duel presentation that primarily relies on jigging, but also incorporates live bait when necessary. A jigging rod is required, the objective is to keep jigging. Actively presenting a lure to trigger walleyes. Even when fishing turns ugly, the right combination of lure and jigging motion usually results in some walleyes.

The second part of this duel system is a deadstick. The deadstick is a lighter rod than the primary jigging rod, it's used to present a lively minnow tail hooked on a jig. Drop the jig and minnow to the bottom and reel up about 6" or so. Then place the rod in a rod holder on your bucket. The tip of the rod should be light enough so the minnow can work the tip as it struggles. Meanwhile, wind also works the tip, aggravating the minnow to move. At the same time you're working the jig stick nearby.

From my experiences jigging will produce most of your fish. Often the deadstick will ice the extra walleyes that are the difference between a good day and a great day. When you're having a very difficult day, deadsticking makes the difference between hot dogs and a great meal of walleyes.

If your catching most of your fish deadsticking, then you need to change how you are jigging. If your tail hooking your jig on the deadstick, then do the same on your jigging rod. This way you have the minnow only action on the deadstick, and you can be a little more aggressive with the same presentation on the jig rod. Lift and pause jiggle, jiggle bounce in the mud or sand and slowly raise the jig a foot or two. This way you will catch the non active and more aggressive walleyes at the same time.

I always try to keep it simple when ice fishing walleyes. The secret lures that we all think are out there, really aren't. First thing is to be fishing at the right time and the right area. A top notch fish locator is your best friend. The walleyes generally are the same where ever you fish , you may have to tweak little things like baits or colors, but deadsticking and jigging motions are much the same wherever you fish walleyes. The tips I've offered here will work for you just as they have for me in many of the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs everywhere I've fished.

Remember be safe and keep fishing,

Gary

***You can also find my article in the March 2010 edition at badgersportsman

Basics for Ice Fishing Walleyes

2010-01-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

There's no need to wait for Spring, Summer, or Fall when it comes to fishing for walleye. Fishing through the hard water is a great way to get you through the Winter months.

Factors that affect movements of walleye

There are numerous reason that would affect the movements of walleye during the winter. For example, they tend to move into deeper water which may be due to the dropping of the water temperature. The walleye can fall into their comfort zone of a preferred and maximum temperature of approximately 39 degrees.
In the Winter months the there is also the fact that the daytime is shortened coupled with snow cover and ice. These factors will greatly deteriorate aquatic plant life and cause the weeds to turn brown until they wilt and die. The elimination of weeds can mean the loss of their food source, protective cover and oxygen.
Walleye will also move deeper when they are bothered by different types of fishing traffic such as snowmobiles, cars, and noisy trucks. Any ruckus happening on the top of the ice will force the walleye to move to the bottom. This is more common on shallow lakes where as on deep lakes the surface noise isn't much of a concern.

How to find Walleye

To truly succeed ice fishing walleyes, you should know when to fish. You may just have to settle for a late trip during the Winter. As Spring nears walleye will be getting ready to spawn as soon as the ice goes out especially on the rivers.
Ice fishing is very challenging in the dead of winter because you will need to think of the water below such as structure and currents, deep holes, river bends as well as the movement of the fish during the day. The top priority to finding walleye is locating the bait fish and some type of structure.

Flexibility is another important key in locating walleye when you are on the ice. You will need to be able to move from one location to another. This is due to the fact that the walleyes will move throughout the day, and you should be able to locate the school of walleyes and follow their movement. Always being mobile is the key to catching more walleye.

Know where they will likely spawn

When late winter settles in, the walleye will begin to move looking for specific locations where they can spawn. If you are aware of their spawning routes, you can start drilling holes at different depths and wait for the walleye to swim through. They usually swim in big schools. So the action can be fast and furious for a time. It will make it very easy to catch the walleye if you know where they are likely to spawn. Once the water temperature starts to rise they will begin moving into the area. They are usually hungry and will make you a happy fisherman with a bucket full of eyes.

When is the best time to fish

Late afternoon, evening or early morning are usually the best time to ice fish for walleye The reason you fish at these times for walleye is that the chances are greater for success and there are not as many anglers at these times. It would also be extremely helpful if you can drill holes in different locations and in varying depths. You shouldn't expect that you will be able to get fish when you settle for fishing the same depth with all your tip ups. Spread your holes out, some shallow some deep and jig some holes along with the tip ups.
Most anglers use many different jigging techniques to attract walleye because it offers something different to the fish besides just tip ups. Since they will be somewhat aggressive during their feeding frenzy, you can use Gulp Alive or plastics to tip your lure as opposed to live bait. Sometimes when fish are aggressive using no bait or plastic at all on your jigging Rapala or Chubby Darter works just as well.

Remember safety first

Always remember ice isn't totally safe ever, so be prepared when out on the ice. Bring a safe line, ice picks, flotation vest, ice cleats for your boots. Ask the locals for the ice conditions, good ice depths are 4" to walk on, 6" for ATV's or snowmobiles, and 16" for trucks. Don't take chances if you're not sure, stay off the ice. It's not worth an accident for a fish. The fish will always be there for next time.

Good luck and keep fishing,

Gary

Strike Master Lazer Mag Express Ice Auger

2009-02-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

Well the ice fishing season is well under way as we are into February now. With the cold weather this year we have a lot of ice. Some lakes are up to 30” of ice and some auger extensions will be needed, especially if the cold weather stays in place through the end of the month. By now you have drilled many holes and you either love you auger or hate it. Now’s not the time to have an ice auger that doesn’t cut well or isn’t very reliable. My wife wanted to get me one big present for Christmas which was great. I told her if you get me one just one, I want the Strike Master Lazer Mag Express. I used the Jiffy STX Pro and the Strike Master and liked the Lazer Mag Express better. It cuts much smother and does not collect ice in the auger. It saves from pulling the auger out of the hole to free the ice and then go back down to continue cutting the hole.

The Jiffy bogs down much more and doesn’t seem to have the torque the Strike Master does. I’ve had my Lazer Mag Express for 5 years now. I have never changed or sharpened my blades and it still cuts like butter. The only maintenance I’ve done is change the spark plug this year. It runs like a top and starts on 1 or 2 pulls, always. I was recently out fishing with a very popular fishing guide in the Midwest who fishes over 300 days a year and he’s a Jiffy guy. But after he used my Strike Master Lazer Mag Express, he was hooked and went out and bought one. He cuts thousands of holes every winter and said it cuts without putting any force on the auger and is faster. Remember time is money to a fishing guide.

The Lazer Mag Express has a 8” or 10” auger with a 42” drilling auger depth, has a 2hp Tecumseh engine, with steel blades and a powder-coated auger. The 8” model weighs only 24lbs. and the 10” is 27lbs. From my experience the Strike Master Lazer Mag Express 8” is faster and much smoother on the cut than the Jiffy. The 8” runs about $425 If that’s a bit high on price get the Strike Master Mag 2000 ice auger, it has the single chipper auger and is available in 8 ¾” and 10 ¼” cuts and the 8 ¼” runs about $399. - Gary

Check out the StrikeMaster Mag 2000 Power Ice Auger

Frabill Ice Fishing Pail Pack and Ice Skimmer

2009-01-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

Ice fishing without my Frabill Pail Pack just wouldn’t be the same. It keeps all my gear organized, and my ice rods tangled free. I put my ice rods, scoopers, and wooden tip ups on the outside of my bucket. That frees up the inside for my catch, or other lures, and accessories. When ice fishing, you want to be very organized and only carry out what you need. The Frabill Pail Pack keeps it simple. These are a pretty hot item and may be sold out, but you check Fleet Farm, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops or Dicks Sporting Goods.

Another great tool to have is the Frabill Ice Skimmer with the 30" Handle. This model features Polypropylene reinforced nylon construction, a 30-in engraved ruler on the handle and a large scoop to remove ice shavings more effectively. The long handle design prevents stress on your back, less bending over to keep the ice clear. The ruler comes in handy to measure the ice thickness too. - Gary

Frabill Ice Skimmer with 30" handle only $12.99

Frabill Panfish Popper Plus Spinning Rod and Reel

2008-12-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

Well, we are back from a short break and getting geared up for the Ice Fishing Season. This Frabill Panfish Popper Plus is a great little Panfish combo, I use mine for Perch, Bluegills, and Crappies. It has a built in spring bobber for those light biting fish. It has a fast taper for extra sensitivity, and micro ice guides for less freeze ups. It’s matched with the Frabill P-10 spinning reel, which is made for cold weather with subzero lubrication. If you spool it with 4lb Fireline Micro Ice you can’t go wrong. This Frabill Panfish Popper Plus Spinning Rod and Reel Ice Fishing Combo also has the backbone for the occasional Walleye. It also includes a set of jigs and spinners, so you're ready to jig immediately.

The Panfish Popper Plus Rod and Reel Features: Ultra-sensitive micro spring bobber detects even the subtlest nibbles of finicky Panfish. Tapered cork handles with blank through construction for greater sensitivity. Solid composite blanks deliver full transition flex Ultra-fast tapers designed specifically for Panfish jigging. Lightweight micro ice guides for less freeze-up. I recommend it because I have one, and I love it! - Gary

Check out the Frabill PanFish Popper Plus Spinning Rod and Reel Ice Fishing Combos for only $24.99

Timber fishing isn’t just for Spring

2008-11-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

When I use Northland short shank jigs and minnows fishing in 30-40 foot of stained water lakes in Northern Wisconsin I win Spring Walleye Tournaments. Fishing in these deep water conditions and winning a tournament is rare. Walleye’s stay close to spawning area’s especially the males sometimes well into June. The shoreline timber and drop off underwater timber is great for spring Walleye. This is because the Walleye doesn’t want to chase dinner any farther than they have to. The best thing about timber is that you don’t have to search far for food, because their food source is always around timber for protection and cover, just like the Walleye’s are. They hang around timber because their food is close and prey is easy. The Walleye also need timber and weeds for their protection from other predators such as Northerns, Musky, and bigger Walleye. Just remember, everybody needs food and all fish are food.

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Fishing in timber takes a lot of patience and stealth, you need to be quiet, have a rod with good back bone and a fast tip. I recommend a 6’3” St. Croix Walleye Tournament Legend, Medium with a good reel, like the Shiman Stradic 1500. Also a must is either Power Pro braided stretch 8lb. test line (red or green) or Fireline Crystal. Great jigs to use are the Northland Weed Weasel or the Lindy Timber jig which helps you from snagging. I do not use weedless hooks because I’m so used to timber fishing. I set up right over the timber and use my polarized sunglasses to look into the trees or brush and drop the line down between the limbs and twigs. As soon as the Walleye takes your jig you need to set the hook and get him out of there ASAP. This is when a good rod reel and no stretch line come into play. If you’re fishing a large tree or timber area there could be a lot of Walleye down there. I’ve caught as many as 10 Walleyes and a few Northern from 1 big tree. Don’t think because you see 1 little tree there wont be anybody home, just like an iceberg there’s a lot more tree underwater than you see above. When fishing open water timber you can vertical jig, cast and retrieve, or even drag jig. If you are casting and dragging you should use a weedless jig that way you can jump your jig over the snag. Always remember if you use a weedless, always trim the weedless part of the jig to only the length you need, just to cover the hook. You will get a better hook percentage and less chance of spooking the skittish fish.

If you are in the Northwood’s…Northern Wisconsin, the U P, or Minnesota look for fallen Cedar trees or Birch which provide a lot of cover and limbs. If you are not in the Northwood’s where trees are everywhere, then any timber or tree would do.

Fishing timber is something I do all year long not just in the Spring. It can definitely be a challenge though, getting snagged can be good thing. It means that you are where the fish are, so be patient. Minnows, leeches, or night crawlers work best depending on time of year. I’ve also hammered a lot of aggressive Summer and Fall Walleye with Berkley Power grubs and Northland Slurpies Swim'n Grubs.

Check out these Northland Slurpies Swim'n Grubs

Timber fishing can be very productive and rewarding if you put your time in and use the right equipment. So just remember to stay quiet, still and be patient and you’ll end up with a great day on the water.

Bass Pro Shops Round Swivel Rod Rack

2008-11-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

Keep your rod organized with the New quality-crafted Bass Pro Shops Swivel Rod Rack. Constructed from solid oak it has a great looking natural finish and holds up to 24 rods (without reels). This Rod Rack also features soft rubber rod grips that won't scratch your rods. The ball bearing swivel base makes it easier to fit even in tight corners. Some assembly required. Measures 17-1/2" diameter and 26-3/4" high.

New Bass Pro Shops Round Swivel Rod Rack $84.99

Be prepared on your next fishing adventure

2008-11-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

Before venturing onto a new body of water, or out for the first time fishing, getting yourself well prepared will make your fishing trip much more enjoyable. First of all get yourself the best map available. They are easy to find at Bass Pro Shops, Dicks Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, or your local bait shop. You can always contact someone who has some knowledge of the lake like a fishing guide, local bait shop, the DNR, or other fisherman you know who might fish the body of water you choose.

Another great source of information in the Midwest is Lake-link.com. Be sure to choose a lake that has a good population of the fish species you are looking for and head out around the time of year that the fish are most active. Sonar tables are also useful in any fishing or hunting magazine, this will give you the most active times of day for fishing. Don’t forget your gear, a great place to start shopping for your fishing gear is Bass Pro Shops, Dicks Sporting goods and Gander Mountain. A good jig to start with is the Northland Gum Ball Jig in a yellow or green. Look for the short shank that way you can put the minnow or night crawler on and cover up the whole shank of the hook. As always…Good luck and keep fishing - Gary

Check out these Topo Maps at Bass Pro Shops for Fishing Hot Spots

Northland Forage Minnow Jigs

2008-11-03T18:25:00.000-08:00

Northland Forage Minnow Jigs are one of my favorite ice fishing jigs. It’s not too small so you can target a wider range of fish. They come in sizes 6 or 8 and in 6 different colors.

The Northland Forage Minnow Jig is holographic which gives it a shiner fingerling image with 3D eyes and hard for fish to resist. I tip mine with about 3 or 4 waxies or even Gulp Alive colored waxies to cover the hook…it’s almost a sure thing. Perch, White Bass and Crappies are my usual target with this jig. But you would be surprised with how many Walleye’s I catch too…What a bonus!

Get the most lifelike minnow-imitating casting spoon ever – Northland Forge $3.79-$3.99

Lowrance® Color M68C Fish Locator

2008-10-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Lowrance's M68C is a great fish locator I use on my boat and also ice fishing. Yes...it’s a great locator to use for ice fishing. Just pop it off and take it with you! The colored screen provides more detail and has a great backlight screen for evening fishing. You can set all your waypoints for your favorite spots. Here is more product information. The Lowrance's M68C S/Map features highly-detailed hydrographic mapping and an internal GPS+WAAS receiver. The internal back-up memory keeps stored sonar settings and GPS data accessible for years.

Lowrance's M68C is completely sealed and waterproof for use in the harshest environments. More features are a 3.5 diagonal 320x240 pixel screen, sunlight-readable 256-color, active matrix TFT display for superior sonar and mapping detail. A white LED backlit screen and keypad for night or low-light viewing. It displays real-time sonar readings with auto or manual sensitivity, surface clarity, noise rejection and depth-range controls. Selective on/off shallow, deep, zone and fish alarms, built-in water surface temp sensor and up to 60-degrees of fish detection coverage It also has built-in Lowrance high-detail hydrographic mapping of lakes, rivers, Great Lakes and U.S. coastal waters with navigational aids Memory saves up to 1,000 waypoints, 1,000 event markers and up to 100 waypoints/routes 100 savable plot trails with up to 10,000 points per trail 42 graphic icons to mark important spots 40 map ranges (0.02 to 4,000 miles). Easy zoom-in and out control, off course/arrival/anchor alarms, trip calculator and a sun/moon calculator. This device includes a manufacturer's full one-year warranty.

Check out the Lowrance Color M68C S/Map Sonar/GPS Marine Mapping Combo $399.00

Berkley PowerBait Power Grub

2008-10-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Berkley has brought back all the original colors and names of the PowerBait Power Grub that anglers have been asking for. With the fluttering action on the drop, a bulky shape plus PowerBait actives, creates a big meal for that big Bass and other species. Fish hold on 18 times longer with the Berkley PowerBait Advantage.

This bait is perfect for several varieties of applications, including jigs and Spinnerbait trailers. There is absolutely no soft plastic on the market that catches more fish.

Berkley PowerBait Original Power Grub on Sale for $3.29

Northland Live Bait Walleye Spinner Kit

2008-10-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a great kit you can use to customize your own Walleye rigs to adapt to water clarity or have the ease of changing out the many different blades depending on what the fish are looking for. It’s good for long line trolling or drifting in a condensed area or planer board trolling in larger waters that is the versatility of this kit. These Northland Live Bait Walleye Spinner Rigs are best used with nightcrawlers and leeches. If you prefer artificial you can use a Berkley 6 inch power worm. It’s a great walleye rig that is very easy to use and you will fish like a pro.

Northland Live Bait Walleye Spinner Kit $6.99

Rapala Husky Jerk Minnow Hardbait

2008-10-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my favorite plugs for casting and suspending the Rapala Husky Jerk. This hardbait plug suspends when you stop retrieving and then floats in the water column, it does not sink. The rattle chamber transmits sound waves that amplify through the water, catching the attention of the fish. Check out all the models of this hardbait starting at $5.59! - Gary

Rapala Husky Jerk Minnow on Sale!

RedHead – Bone Dry Zip-Front Neoprene Waders

2008-10-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

Looking for a great pair of waders? It’s that time of the year! Check out these New RedHead - Bone-Dry Zip-Front Neoprene Boot-Foot Waders. If you are a hunter or in the water, you will need a great pair of waders. These waders are waterproof with warm Thinsulate Insulation which is needed if you are an outdoor sportsman in the Northern and Midwest states. RedHead makes these for hard to find sizes designed to fit the bigger, more robust outdoorsman. The full cut is very comfortable and extremely easy to move in. The rugged lightweight neoprene holds your body's heat inside for extra warmth in the field. Also features adjustable suspenders, padded knees and large double hand warmer pockets.

Check out the RedHead Bone-Dry Zip-Front Neoprene Waders $199.95

My top 10 cranks for fall Walleye – Rapala Minnow Rap

2008-10-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Here are my favorite 10 cranks for pitching in the wind, on the rocks, or down the drop. Rapala Husky Jerk, Rapala Minnow Rap, Rapala Shad Rap, Cotton Cordell Grapler Shad, Berkley Flicker Shad, Sebile Koolie Minnow, Dave’s KABOOM!, Deep Shiner, Reef Runner Deep Little Ripper, Lucky Craft Moonsault, Smithwick, Mr.Walleye Suspending Rouge. Always try to pitch to the wind blown shore or structure this is where your baitfish will be. Remember the longer the wind direction remains the same and the weather is stable the hotter the crankin gets!

When the Rapala began the design of the Minnow Rap, their expectations were high. They wanted to construct a lure that has a firm wobbling Shad Rap action in a minnow profile bait. This hard bait is built from balsa wood and is available in two distinct designs. The Classic Patterns feature a clear deep-diving lip and VMC black nickel hooks. These bleeding patterns are specifically patterned with bleeding gills, a red deep-diving lip and VMC red hooks. Watch for more detailed articles on each one of my favorite crank baits over the next few months. – Gary

Check out more Rapala Minnow Rap Hardbaits on Sale

Rapala Fish' N Fillet 9" Fillet Knife with Sheath

2008-10-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

You never have an excuse to not clean fish when you have this knife around. It features a light weight comfortable grip birch wood handle. The blade is 5 inches in length and holds its edge through many fish fillets. It also comes with a genuine tooled leather sheath.

Check out the Rapala Fish' N Fillet 9" Fillet Knife $24.99

Big Walleye on a Sunny September Day on the Petenwell

2008-10-12T11:25:00.001-07:00

As days go…it was just right, about 48 degrees clear and calm at the launch on the Petenwell Flowage. By 2pm it was 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, wind about 8mph with a slight chop. Not what you would classify as a Walleye day, more a day to take the family out for a boat ride or enjoy a barbeque on the patio. But for me and my fishing partner Steve, fishing is priority…just don’t tell our wives.

The day started out slow, we fished the shallows, mud, and rip rap with jigs and crawlers to no avail. I thought we might pick up a couple Walleye early up tight to the rocks, but not today. This year everything is about 3 weeks behind because of the long cold, snowy winter and late ice out it just never got caught up which means the normal fall patterns are not happening yet. We haven’t had much rain over the past few weeks and no real cold weather, so the fish are still in the main lakes and flowages. They haven’t started up the rivers yet like normal. So with that in mind, I decided to try the main lake buoy line which separates Strongs Prairie flats from the Main flowage lake bed. This measures from 8’ to 10’ to 35’ and it drops fast. We caught some Small Mouth Bass in the 10’ range but no Walleye’s. Now were getting to about 10:30am and we have 1 Small Mouth Bass, 2 Walleyes, 2 Catfish…its time to move.
I tried the rip rap Dyke on the SE Shore and tried vertical jigging up and down from 8’ to 26’ with no luck. This is usually a very good area in the fall but the fish aren’t moving at all. Now it’s about 1:30pm, we decided to go back to the drop off where we marked several spots with the GPS. Steve suggested we go to the area about 22’ which was a very wise choice. We anchored and I decided we would try dead sticking. I thought maybe the Walleye were just lying along the bottom and that turned out to be true. I don’t usually dead stick unless I’m Perch fishing Winnebago or Castle Rock. I prefer casting or vertical jigging, but today they wanted just the action of the waves, but we still were not catching as many as I wanted, one here…one there. So I tried something I use in the spring when the Walleye’s are very lethargic.The trick today was tail hooking the fatheads, just leaving the jig touching the bottom. The action of the minnow franticly swimming and churning up the bottom is too much for the Walleye to handle. Steve and I ended up with 18 Walleye’s, 10 catfish, 3 Small Mouth Bass, 1 White Bass in 3 hrs and we missed our fair share too.

The highlight of the day was at 4:30pm when I saw one of my older Rod and Reel combo’s start bouncing. The tip jiggled up and down like a perch bite and I thought to myself it must be a White Bass. We also had 6 lines out and only about 2 or 3 ft. apart rod to rod at most, not much room. Then the rod tip started slowly continuing to bend down almost pulling it out of the boat. I grabbed the rod made sure the fish was there. I think I mentioned to Steve I had a solid hit. Steve said yeah so, and went back to changing his jig to another color.

It was time to set the hook so I did, and when I did the fish didn’t move and I knew I had a big fish on…I told Steve to get the net. The fish was fighting aggressively and staying down, I didn’t want him to get tangled in the other lines so I was holding the rod out over the boat keeping him straight up and down. After 2 min or so he started to come up from 25 feet. I’ve caught thousands of Walleye’s but this fish had me guessing now…maybe a Big Cat. Then he finally came up to the surface, with Steve ready with the net in the water we saw it. Steve and I shouted at the same time. It’s a Walleye! It’s a Big Walleye! The Walleye was about 2 feet from going into the net, it seemed like forever to get there. But, Steve corralled him in my new Frabil Net and flipped him into the boat. My heart started pounding as the jig popped out of his mouth. Whew! It’s over…Walleye in the boat! She measured 29 ½”and 9 ½” lbs. my largest Walleye to date. I would have put her back, but I’ve fished for 48 years and have not gotten a Walleye that big, so I decided I’m going to put the Gal on my wall! The rod I used was my older St. Croix 6’ Premier with an older Shimano Symetre 1500, 8lb. Moss green Berkley Fireline and a 1/8oz.
Northland fireball short shank chartreuse jig with a tail hooked fathead. So next time it’s a beautiful 80 degree sunny September day, go wet a line, the big Walleye’s are still hungry!

Good luck and keep fishing - Gary

Try Berkley FireLine Fishing Line - Flame Green

100mph Gore-Tex® Rain Bibs and Parkas

2008-10-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

We all wish everyday would be nice and calm and the fish would be biting all day, but there are bad days where we need some additional protection from the unexpected elements. I found that the Bass Pro Shops® 100mph Gore-Tex® Rain Parka and Bibs are the best at keeping me dry and warm no matter the conditions. The 100mph Gore-Tex System is no match for wind, rain sleet or snow and I have fished them all and I KNOW!

Bass Pro Shops 100mph Gore-Tex Rain Bibs starting at $199.99

Some of the great features in these rain bibs are the laminated 44-denier nylon shell with full Gore-Tex membrane which has been the standard for 100% waterproof, breathable performance and toughness. They have also added an aggressive, technical fit for your comfort and range of motion. Other features are the sonic welds on pockets, waterproof zippers and interior gussets on closures to eliminate all possibility of leaks or gaps. The super-soft high-nap poly fleece pocket and trim linings deliver a great source of comfort in any weather condition.

As for the Rain Parkas they feature a roomy zip-off visor hood that keeps rain and snow off your face and zips into its own collar pocket. Lined in cool nylon satin, the hood has a fleece chin flap with VELCRO closure and locking draw cords. The turn-down collar puts super-soft high-nap poly fleece next to your skin. The body and sleeves of this Parka are nylon lined for breath ability and ease of on and off. The sealed front zipper with internal storm flap forms an impassable barrier to wet weather. In addition the dropdown hip cover offers an extra layer of waterproofing while leaning on a pro seat, or wherever rainwater you encounter, just snap this up inside when not needed. Finally this Parka offers an optional zip-in Wind stopper liner jacket which maximizes your protection in extreme conditions…and we have extreme conditions in the Mid-West! So, if you're serious about fishing like me, you need some serious rain gear, this is as serious as it gets! - Gary

Bass Pro Shops 100mph Gore-Tex Rain Parkas staring at $229.99

Stearns 3-Ply Packable Wading Shoe with felt sole

2008-10-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

These Stearns 3-Ply Packable Wading Shoes give the fishing enthusiast a classic style with quality thick felt soles for reliable traction on slippery surfaces. The insoles are removable and this shoe features a speed lace closure.

Stearns 3-Ply Packable Wading Shoe with Felt Sole for $44.99

Field & Stream AS Jumbo Worm Binder

2008-10-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

Keep your baits organized with this Field and Stream AS Jumbo Worm Binder. This worm binder is made of heavy-duty material and has a water-resistant coating. The individual poly bags are reinforced with metal grommets. The web strap handle makes carrying easy.

Field and Stream Worm Binder on Sale for $14.99

Field & Stream Sportsman Series 370 Tackle Bag

2008-10-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Looking for some tackle gear, we found this to be a pretty popular tackle bag to keep your gear organized. This Field and Stream Sportsman series 370 tackle bag has four plastic 370 size boxes and also has a non-slip bottom to keep it in place in the boat or wherever you are fishing. You can find this at a special price of $39.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods online. Get one today and get out there and fish.

Field & Stream Sportsman Series 370 Tackle Bag on Sale for $39.99!

Fish love transitioning floors

2008-10-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

Fish love transition areas when soft bottom transitions into hard bottom or gravel to boulders. Rock and gravel mid lake humps or flats surrounded by mud or soft grassy areas, are fish magnets. This would be a great time to use an underwater camera, like the Aqua View explorer 5 or the new Fish TV 7 to search the bottom areas.

Check out the New Aqua-Vu Explorer 5 Underwater Viewing System

You can see how the fish relate to certain areas of transition. Some fish suspend off the humps in deep water, while others will lay right tight to the bottom.

But not everybody has an underwater camera, that’s where good electronics come into play, like the new Hummingbird 797c2 SI Combo Side Imaging. This unit takes a lot of the guess work out of your structure search.

Also check out this New Nature Vision FishTV Plus Underwater Viewing System for $129.99

Abu Garcia Revo SKT Bait Cast Reel

2008-10-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a great low riding bait caster reel to check out. With its 11 ball bearings, and powerful oversized handles, it can handle anything that a trophy fish can give you and more. Abu Garcia's REVO Skeet Reese Bait cast Reel delivers all the features you need to become number 1. One of the lightest aluminum reels on the market, the Abu Garcia REVO Skeet Reese Reel is built for fishing hard and fast.

The Carbon Matrix™ drag system is constantly smooth across all drag settings, and the 10 stainless steel HPCR® ball bearings and one instant anti-reverse bearing provide ultra-smooth casting and retrieve with corrosion-resistant performance.

For enhanced corrosion resistance and lightweight performance, the frame and side plate are made of X-Craftic™ alloy. Plus, the six-pin centrifugal brake aids in controlling casts in varying fishing conditions. This bait caster reel is really smooth, long casting, very durable. And the yellow and black color tops off the look. It may be a bit more expensive but well worth it! - Gary

Get this Abu Garcia REVO Skeet Reese Baitcast Reel for $279.99

Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks

2008-10-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

The best bait hook for dead sticking perch is the Gamakatsu #2 Octopus hook. They come in 14 different colors, I prefer orange or chartreuse. These hooks are super sharp, and fit a piece of night crawler and a 1” plastic tail. They are very strong and catch Perch on Lake Winnebago big time. Remember Gamakatsu Octopus hooks size 2.

Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks on Sale for $2.49!

Daiwa Sealine Counter Reel

2008-10-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

I’m not a big troller but when I do, the reel for me is the Daiwa Sealine SG27LCA-W ‘walleye’. The line counter is in feet and very visible on top of the reel. Comfortable power handle, runs up to 450 yards of 12lbs. test line, so if you’re running Power Pro or Berkley Fireline you can go up to 30lbs. test. It has 1 piece composite frame, which makes the reel very strong and smooth. 2 ball bearings for ease of use. Put this together with the 8’ 1 piece St. Croix trolling rod and your set. I highly recommend this reel. - Gary

Check out the Daiwa SeaLine Line Counter Reel Series

Using Owner Hooks for fishing Dark water Walleye

2008-09-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

I’ve found a great hook for live bait. I use it for deep water vertical jigging, stained, or night fishing. 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

Drop anchor!

2008-09-26T18:22:00.001-07:00

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

Fishing in Cold fronts

2008-09-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

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

Fishing Timber Walleye - Northland Weed Weasel

2008-09-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

Predator game fish hide in timber or weed cover to attack their prey! 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

Tail hooking the Minnow

2008-09-17T20:01:00.001-07:00

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

Keep those Minnows alive with the Frabill Bait Station

2008-09-16T06:29:00.001-07:00

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!

Best Fishing Times

2008-09-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

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.

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!

Keep your eye and finger on the line

2008-09-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

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!

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.

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

PowerPro® Braided Spectra® Fiber Micro Filament Line

2008-09-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

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!

Shimano® Sustain® Spinning Reels

2008-09-10T20:11:00.001-07:00

The Shimano Sustain 2500fd is the ultimate in spinning reels. I’ve had mine for 2 years and it helped me win 1^st 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

St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Spinning Rods

2008-09-09T20:07:00.001-07:00

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

2008-09-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

Northland’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