Unique applications of the so-called ‘big fish’ line for crappies, perch and bluegills by Mitch Eagan Certainly, the best way to decode what fish are keen on is covering as much water as possible with a multitude of baits. Unfortunately, though, it’s tedious and time consuming – virtually unrealistic. Meanwhile, back on earth, trolling, by far, is the best way to find fish while eliminating unproductive water. But by pulling lures with a conventional rod, reel and line combo, it’s physically impossible to sample the entire water column. And this time of year, fish of all species can be anywhere – high, low, or somewhere in-between. Fall is the perfect time to break out the leadcore line. With this one crucial piece of gear, lures of any stripe can be fished down to whatever depth ... [ Read More ]
Early Canada Goose Hunting Strategies – by Jason Mitchell
The early Canada goose seasons that are now available to hunters across the Country creates some tremendous opportunities for waterfowl hunters. A number of states, which now have nuisance seasons or early resident goose hunting opportunities, stretch from the Midwest to the East Coast. Most of these additional and liberal hunting seasons revolve around the abundance of Giant Canada Geese that typically weigh between ten to twelve pounds. These resident populations of birds that have populated much of the northern tier of the Nation west of the Rocky Mountains are the largest subspecies of Canada Geese. Through massive reintroduction efforts, these birds have been remarkable in their ability to expand and adapt. A bird that was once threatened is now flourishing on golf courses and ... [ Read More ]
Short Line Walleye Crankbaits – Video of Technique Included
What the heck are Short Line Walleye Crankbaits? Time to find out from Jason Mitchell.... Short Line Cranks for Walleyes by Jason Mitchell No two lakes are ever the same so there is no rubber stamp that covers all situations when it comes to fish location. That is the beauty of fishing, you can put together a pattern that works really well on a given fishery and then travel twenty miles and find a completely different set of rules. Even on a given lake, different parts of a lake will have unique characteristics that set each area apart. Places with multiple personalities. Leech Lake in northern Minnesota fits that mold along with Devils Lake in north central North Dakota. Come mid-summer, the reality is that most major walleye fisheries will reveal several patterns ... [ Read More ]
Lindner “Goes Green” On Summer Walleyes
Lindner “Goes Green” On Summer Walleyes Legendary angler Al Lindner continues finding and catching summer walleyes like no one else by adapting, learning and utilizing new technologies. by Jack Busby For over 50 years Al and Ron Lindner have been helping anglers locate and catch fish. From the seminal “Secret Teachings” formula of F + L + P = Success to FRS (Fish Response System), decades of info-packed TV and radio fishing programming, countless DVDs, to Lindner Media’s “Angling Edge” TV series, Al and family have dedicated their careers to the lifelong pursuit of fishing knowledge. Anglers agree, they’re the proverbial “gentlemen and scholars.” Besides making fisheries biology accessible to your average angler, Al and Ron are also responsible for teaching anglers how to ... [ Read More ]
Tweaking Big Lake Tactics for More Home Water Walleyes
With a little modification, the same techniques work wonders no matter where walleyes roam by Mitch Eeagan Walleyes are walleyes no matter where they wander. As a general rule, whether they reside in inland lakes, rivers, reservoirs or the Great Lakes, their year-round habits are shaped by two things: spawning and eating. With that said, you’d think the same techniques would work the same wonders for conjuring up strikes regardless of where you fish. Well, you know what? By and large, they do. But some big water tactics need a little tweaking to produce on you average sized natural lake. Take the trolling ploys used to catch walleyes on the Great Lakes and huge reservoirs of the West; they’ll also work wonders on small inland lakes. The size and depth of the ... [ Read More ]
Snap Jigging Walleyes Early
When it comes to effective tactics, snap jigging walleyes early in the early summer period can be an eye opener. by Nathan Shore Snap jigging walleyes is a key technique in late spring and early summer. If you want to catch limits of big walleyes right now, take this guide's advice and start snapping them up. The jig slips into a world of minnows. It rises and drifts, pops and slides. Clearly different, somehow the same, it looks right at home but stands out. It's getting away, and now it's not. "Snap jigging walleyes means different things to different people," says Jeff Sundin, guide with the Early Bird Fishing Guide out of Deer River, Minn. "Some call it snap jigging, others 'rip jigging.' There's hopping, popping-it's never exactly all the same. Put 12 snap jiggers in the ... [ Read More ]
Slip Bobbering Weed Walleyes
Slip Bobbering Weed Walleyes by Nathan Shore Giant walleyes prowl through weeds all summer long, yet they're pretty safe from most fishermen. Sure, you can know they're in there, but getting them out is a challenge. Few anglers know more about getting big walleyes out of the weeds long-time guide and author of "Master The Art of Slip Bobbering," Greg Bohn. He's likely netted more 10-pound weed-holding walleyes than any other guide in the country. For him, slip bobbering weed walleyes is an art form. Bohn says that successful slip bobbering weed walleyes begins with using the right equipment to deliver baits to the correct depth. Keeping the boat positioned and moving at the right speed also are critical. "I want the boat 20 feet or so off the weedline at all times," Bohn said, ... [ Read More ]
The Spring Bull Bluegill Formula
If you're looking for a powerful fishing technique here is the spring bull bluegill formula by Matt Johnson As anglers we find ourselves looking for a reason behind the decisions we make. We want to justify that the decisions we make will have a positive outcome on our day of fishing. Let’s face it; we don’t want to make decisions that result in a poor day of fishing. So we analyze the situation and make the best decision based on the given conditions. We start to build a pattern and then execute that pattern. Right or wrong, we tell ourselves—through our gut instincts—that these specific moves will help us catch more spring bull bluegill. Sometimes we turn towards our network of fishing buddies to help guide us, other times we just wing-it and hope for the best, but regardless ... [ Read More ]
After Bite – Post-spawn Crappies
Forget the fallacies… Anybody can find and catch post-spawn crappies with the right electronics and gear By Mitch Eeagan Early in the spring season, before the urge to procreate was great, post-spawn crappies gathered together in massive schools and were fairly easy to locate and catch. When spawning is in full swing, those same fish move back into the shallows, where antagonistic strikes from aggressive adults guarding eggs are simple to conjure up – so much so it might be prudent to leave well enough alone and let life happen without interruption. But soon the post-spawn crappies period will be upon us and catching these most desired fish will be tough. Or at least that’s what the majority of anglers think. The truth is, it’s not that the fish are unwilling to eat, but ... [ Read More ]
Ice out panfish for the shore bound angler – By Wayne Ek
In my region it happens somewhere around late March or early April; the ice starts to pull away from main lake shorelines. When it happens streams, creeks and culverts start to run hard with melting snow or rain. Finally, it’s time to chase ice-out panfish. At this time of year you don’t even need a boat; in fact fishing from shore may be more productive. Now is the time to be mobile and willing to jump from lake to lake, culvert to culvert or backwater to backwater. You need a full tank of gas and a willingness to check as many fishing locations as possible. You also need to keep it simple, no live bait, no stringers, no arsenal of rods or multiple boxes of lures. The simpler and less cluttered you can make this, the more successful you’re going to be. What to look for: The main ... [ Read More ]