Swimming baits can be the big ticket to solid early season catches and are always a good option for icing heavy duty walleyes. Some may argue "the always" point but when given a fair chance I've yet to find water where they don't produce. click here to Read about Early Ice Walleyes!.

More ice anglers are discovering that the tip of the rod we are using has as much influence on our presentation as the actual motion we put on the rod while fishing. A rod with a fast tip for example will give the lure a distinct flash and pound that is more abrupt, perhaps more noticeable. By quivering or bouncing the tip of a fast action rod, the jig or lure literally bounces in place which can be the ticket some days, especially with aggressive fish. This bouncing might also work better for pulling in fish from further distances. click here and Catch some Panfish!!.

We have all had those times when you can't seem to buy a bite out on the water, whether it be through the ice or in a boat. One technique that I have come to rely on for panfish in these situations is the Dropshot Rig. The Dropshot Rig has been popularized by professional bass fishing in recent years, though few fishermen use it for any other species. The same principles that make it work for heavily pressured, tight lipped bass work equally well for other species, especially panfish through the ice. The reason a dropshot works is that it allows an angler to present a small bait in front of a fish for a long period of time. We used a dropshot rig at the NAIFC Chisago Lake Qualifier last season to pick up fish in holes that had already been fished by other anglers; in fact most of our largest fish came on a dropshot out of holes someone else had just vacated. click here for panfish dropshot tips!!!.

In between trips to North Dakota for ducks, South Dakota and SW Minnesota for pheasants, and northern Minnesota for grouse, there's some really good walleye fishing to be had. The tough part is giving up one for the other and has been made even more difficult with pheasant numbers up and grouse up in certain areas. Even so; you might find the tradeoff to be worthwhile, especially when you start hooking up with chunky late season 'eyes. click here to Read about Fall Walleyes!.

Made it out to pool 4 on Sunday and hooked up with this 13 pound monster on the first cast. Shatters my previous personal best of 10 pounds. She was the fattest walleye I have ever seen. 29.5 inches long with a girth that looked like she swallowed 2 basketballs. Ended up being the only bite for our boat, but it was worth it! She's still swimming to release those eggs! Mississippi River Walleyes for more fishing info click here.