For hooking some big walleye, one hot trend that's been gaining momentum over the last ten years on so many inland lakes - and even some reservoirs - has been running smaller hard vibration lures, like a Salmo Hornet, behind lead core line. Then, over the past five years, we have also seen another trend gain some serious momentum and that is using big snap weights. In fact, using snap weights as large as four or five ounces that get out quickly and fish closer to the boat is actually starting to replace lead core, which previously has been a staple for walleye anglers. Part of what makes trolling crankbaits so effective as we move towards the heart of the summer, is that a crankbait is the fastest presentation you have. With speeds that can range from two to over three miles per hour, ... [ Read More ]
Economical soft bass swimbaits
It should come as no surprise to most anglers that if you want to catch bass, swimbaits will land you the fish. A lot of fish, and big fish. It's a tournament anglers dream. Like a lot of upper Midwest bass anglers, I started to experiment with soft-bodied swimbaits about 3 years ago, thanks in part to information made available to us by publications such as In-Fisherman and Bassmaster magazine. Hoping to get an edge on the tournament field, I've invested considerable time playing with soft swimbaits. Developing confidence in the soft swimbait should be pretty simple for most anglers, as fishing a swimbait is just like swimming a jig or grub/jig combination, which are both age-old presentations in most places. Ease of use is probably the hallmark of soft swimbaits and, when I talk about ... [ Read More ]
Blue green algae kills dogs
Dog owners are being urged to be vigilant around Minnesota lakes this summer after a bloom of blue green algae has proved harmful to people and fatal to some dogs after exposure. Typically occurring in lakes with poor water quality, these blue green algae blooms contain toxins and chemicals which have caused skin irritation and respiratory issues in people, and have been fatal to dogs and other animals after exposure to and ingestion of the water. Anyone experiencing symptoms following exposure is urged to seek medical attention immediately, and veterinarian advice should be taken if a dog or other animal has ingested water from an affected lake. Adults and children should bathe to remove blue green algae from the skin - symptoms include diarrhea, cramps and nausea, tingling and ... [ Read More ]
Top 10 walleye lakes for your wish list
Got your wish list put together for this summer? All your 'must visit' lakes? The Midwest is ground zero for walleye fishing popularity, so take a look at Jason Mitchell's top 10 walleye lakes and see which ones you need to check out. Midwesterners love their fish with the white tipped tails and luckily, there are several great walleye fishing destinations across the northern tier of the United States. Healthy fish populations, trophy fish potential and catch ability all factor into some of the best walleye water we have seen in our travels that in our opinion offer some of the best walleye fishing in the region. Of course, we couldn’t put every great walleye fishery on this list, and the list is in no particular order, but these are some top-notch fisheries that are fishing extremely ... [ Read More ]
Keeping it Wacky with a Wacky Rig
The question comes up often - and who can blame: “if you could only pick one presentation for bass fishing, what would it be?” I’m sure the answer to this question is different for everyone and can sometimes be determined on the body of water most frequented, or the region you’re fishing in. The answer might be a swim bait for those anglers looking to target giant California bass, or it might be a live Redtail minnow for those searching for trophy smallmouth bass on the Mississippi River, but regardless of the answer, confidence plays an important role. For me, confidence comes in the form of 'being easy', not just in terms of catching fish, but easy for friends and clients to use and catch fish on as well. And when you’re talking about an easy, productive option from spring to fall, ... [ Read More ]
Better Bang for Your Bass, No Trouble – Minnesota Bass Fishing
For all the press the southern states get for bass fishing, here’s a dirty little secret many of us already know: Minnesota bass fishing is some of the best you'll find in the country for both largemouths and smallies. You might not catch a 12-pound fish, but solid numbers of 3- to 5-pound fish are everywhere in Minnesota’s waters – and under-utilized in the land where walleye is king. What I’m talking about is the MN DNR’s recent announcement of a special Catch & Release bass season. What this really means is we finally have the opportunity to fish during a time when bass are heavily schooled and on the spring feedbag prior to the spawn. Yep, it’s time for live action and lots of it – and a great opportunity to introduce kids to fishing. This Saturday, May 9th, through regular ... [ Read More ]
Getting No where Fast !
There comes a time when you just have to stay put, especially if you’re trying to put a hurt on a boat full of walleyes, work a bedded bass, or maybe keep chucking a bait at a monster musky. In this fast paced world of run and gun techniques and chasing down active fish; there are times when you might fly right on by the best thing going which might not be going anywhere all! Anchoring up or dropping the hook is what we’re really talking about, which can be the perfect method for extracting fish when you’ve got them pinned down. Likely “pinned down” hop spots include rocky reefs and weed flats in natural lakes, timber and weed flats in freaks of nature like Devil’s Lake in North Dakota, and wing dams on bigger rivers. The common denominator in all of the above is that you’re ... [ Read More ]
4 Bass fishing tips – Bass on a Tightrope
Bass on a Tightrope - Bass fishing tips by Matt Johnson We make mistakes as anglers, and oftentimes it’s those mistakes that make us better. We try certain tactics, tie on certain baits, fish certain spots, and sometimes no matter what you do things don’t seem to go your way. Don’t get discouraged. Bass fishing can be a game of “walking the tightrope,” where sometimes you have no choice but to focus to stay on path. Understanding that there are situations where you need to buckle down and take things slow in order to achieve a result can be the difference between falling off the rope and making it to your goal. So slow down, take a deep breath, and focus on the little things produce that big outcome. 4 Bass fishing tips Boat position can make all the difference. If I had to pick ... [ Read More ]
Ignite a new passion for the sport: take a kid fishing!
Want to take a kid fishing and introduce them to the joys of your favorite sport? You can make sure that everyone has the first of many great days out by taking care of a few simple things before you hit the water. “A lifelong interest in fishing can be ignited or extinguished in a few introductory fishing trips,” Ledermann said. “And let’s face it, kids have plenty of competing ways to spend their time these days. That’s why it’s so important to have a game plan before heading out.” Remember that it's going to be far less fun for everyone if the kid is cold, hungry, insect-bitten, bored, frustrated, or beholden to an adult who can’t put down their own fishing rod. “Fun and safety are the most important considerations while bringing kids fishing,” said Jeff Ledermann, angler ... [ Read More ]
Catch the early season Rainy River walleye bite
Winter’s demise signals the beginning of an annual rite of spring, as schools of pre-spawn walleyes surge upstream into rivers across the Walleye Belt. Although the water is cool and fish location often changes day by day - even hour by hour - savvy anglers can enjoy some of the year’s best fishing, especially where rivers flow into larger bodies of water, such as the Rainy River at Lake of the Woods or Detroit River at western Lake Erie. In these situations, these Rainy River walleye from the main lake gather at the river mouth in late winter, then move upstream toward spawning areas as the ice recedes, boosting the river’s walleye population to its highest point of the year. I typically start my search at the river mouth and work my way upstream, checking channel edges and a variety ... [ Read More ]