Where to start?! Summer is flying by and the last couple weeks have been a whirlwind.

First off: My daughter Maisie turned 7 YEARS OLD 👀 where does time go?!?! Happy belated birthday to the most amazing, beautiful, smart, goofy and sweet human I have literally ever met. She lights up the room and I know that she will light up the world. I couldn’t be more proud to be her daddy. ❤️

Btw she absolutely LOVES to fish. Her current PB walleye is a 27-incher...so now bluegills and crappies are too small for her liking lol. 😅 Me too, girl:

Second off: We’ve been chasing a bunch of different local bites lately while filming a pile of new YouTube videos that will be hitting the Target Walleye channel soon-ish. 🍿

Third off: Finally got back on track in our local walleye league and pulled off the ‘dubya’ with my buddy Nick Lindner. We had a 6 fish limit for 19.01 lbs that was anchored by a 29.5-incher that took ‘big fish’ of the night, and Nick backed it up with a thick 26.5” for our second over. They were caught on opposite ends of the lake, but both came out of shallow 9-12’ weeds once we finally gave up on the deep bite....

Fall is in the air! Hope you get the chance to sneak out fishing this weekend, too. But in the meantime...thanks SO much for reading!

You might remember the last couple of winters that I was petitioning for StrikeMaster to bring back the Glide-Lite Sled. ✍️

If you’ve never seen or heard of one, they were killer little ice fishing units to pull by hand. Unfortunately discontinued some years back, but they looked like this (stock 😏):

And the folks lucky enough to still have one absolutely LOVE to modify and trick ‘em out for ice fishing:

And that’s just the start! Every single one I see is so unique and done-up to match the owner’s style and gear needs.

Have mentioned how I really think there’d be a nice market for ‘em again, especially with folks not wanting to lug their giant (heavy) shuttles around from hole to hole.... They’d be the perfect mobile command center.

Well....

Turns out the folks at Otter Outdoors have a little something in the works.... There hasn’t been any official release on it yet, but a couple of retailers have seemingly leaked that the new “Otter Sonar Sled” is coming down the pipeline – possibly this fall?

The description says:

> With the trend of forward facing sonar and bigger screens, the Otter Sonar Sled gets your sonar unit and the rest of your gear from hole to hole with ease.

Some other details listed:

• Designed to transport larger sonar units and shuttles. 
• Designated cavity for adjustable ice pole with mounted transducer. 
• Front storage area with magnetic lid closure. 
• Compartments for a bucket, tackle boxes, rod holders, cup holder, bait pucks, and tools. 
• Ultra strong roto molded construction.

Few other angles of it:

I’ll keep you posted if I’m able to dig up any more info.

Dropshots aren’t just for bass 👀 they’re a simple and efficient way to keep your bait right in front of a walleye’s face and know it’s fishing in the strike zone the whole time. 🎯

They work all year round, but I don’t think there’s a better way to catch finicky, late-summer walleyes (on outside weed-edges and the tops of hard-bottom humps) that may be turning down other presentations.

Bonus points: If you’re fishing with your kids or someone who’s maybe not as experienced, this is the PERFECT way to help them catch a walleye without trolling. Few reasons being 1) the fish will basically set the hook on itself if they just start reeling, 2) don’t need to be a master at jigging cadences, and 3) the bait is always near – but up off of – the bottom.

A wily CAN critter posted by Brayden Leffel that went 29.5” long x 17” girth. Sounds like they were fishing the Ontario side of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area:

Here’s another they caught on the same trip that went 29” long with a 16.25” girth:

Amazing fish, fellas! But might want to be careful fishing this dude’s spot...he was born in it and doesn’t play well with others:

Shared by David Keller. Wonder how many spots it would bump ya up in a catch-photo-release (length based) derby? 🤣

Especially if it wasn't the only one to make the card:

Maybe they'd get ya up to some MT-sized bags. 😤

1. WI: Lakich/Beckwith win AIM state championship + TOY

The championship was on Green Bay out of Oconto, WI. Isaac Lakich and Tristan Beckwith won with a 2-day total (10 fish) for a ridiculous 100.49 lbs. #CenturyClub

> “We used a little bit of everything. Glide baits are a staple on the system. We played around some with plastics, Berkley Finishers, and a little jig and a crawler. The term is death jigs, it’s basically a jig with a Slow Death hook and a butterfly. I build my own in my garage,” he said. And their main weapon was that jig and a crawler.

> “A couple came on glide baits as well. A 1-2 punch. I will run one and Tristan runs the other and we see what the fish are leaning towards....”

2. WI: Peotter/Englebert win ‘Battle on the Bay’

The Sheboygan Walleye Club’s annual catch-photo-release derby on Green Bay. Dylan Peotter and Anthony Englebert took the top spot with 5 for 46.61 lbs.

I believe this derby uses the same length-to-weight conversion chart that AIM uses in their catch-photo-release tournaments. Which would mean their 5 for 46.61 would be just over a 28” average.

Didn’t give out a whole lot of details, but said during the awards ceremony they were casting jigs and crawlers in the Chambers Island area.

3. Hunter Nitti just won ANOTHER new boat 🤯

Hunter Nitti and Travis Boyum won the 2-day MTT Championship with 10 walleyes for 109.84 lbs! Took home a 2026 Ranger outfitted with Lowrance electronics:

4. MN: No forward-facing sonar allowed…

...in a special “Conventional Angling Division” at the10th-annual Warrior Boats owners tournament on Lake of the Woods where folks with no ‘live sonar’ on/in their boat had a chance at an additional $1,000 payday.

Randy Fifrick and Angie Harris won that old-school division (out of 46 teams that had entered it) with 32.76 lbs...which overall put them in 51st place out of the 178 boat field. Took 54.47 lbs to win the whole thing....

5. MTT’s Directors Cup derby is happening Sept 20

On Mille Lacs.

6. The Marathon Man is back

Johnson Outdoors' Jeff Kolodzinski – aka Kolo, a good dude and brother in Christ – is going to try to break his own 24-hour fish-catch world record on Sept 10-11. He wants to beat the current 2022 record of 2,977 by 1.

After a little pause he's back – because he wants to celebrate fishing and say thank you to it, and help folks: "to increase awareness and financial support for Camp Dallas [charity] as well as local first response teams."

> "Partnering with Camp Dallas is my way of giving back to the sport that's given me so much, while bringing awareness to a program that supports families of all walks enduring hardships. We hope to raise money – from inside and outside the fishing industry – to fund Camp Dallas' outreach programs and also help local first responders.

> "Along the way, I think we can show people how great the sport of fishing really is – how it promotes nature, healthy relationships, mental health, camaraderie, and fun. It's been a huge part of my life, and I want to share it."

> "I kind of feel like the Mike Rowe of fishing highlighting these great Americans who are serving their local communities."

His goal is to raise $50,000 like he did in 2022. Live feed will be at marathonmanfishing.com.

> As part of the broadcast, Marathon Man will offer product giveaways from supporting sponsors. Those who donate $25 or more will also be entered into a drawing for...prizes.

> Companies and sponsors interested in making a tax-deductible donation or pledge, may sign up by contacting Kolodzinski via the Contact Page or campdallas.org.

7. Walleye strategies for the summer-to-fall transition

Nice post from Ron Boggs talking about fishing faster, hitting green weeds, intercepting roamers, community holes, and more.

8. Wired2Fish 🤝 Vexilar

New relationship coming to hardwater near you in 25/26.

Btw there’s a couple of lines in that release that caught my attention for a different reason....

> “We’re excited to be working closely with Vexilar this year,” says Editor-in-Chief Joe Albanese, of Wired2fish. “Testing and using the latest products from Vexilar is always a highlight. And it really shortens the learning curve when fishing hard water. We can’t wait to try the next technology they’ll bring to market.”

And:

> Meanwhile, Vexilar continues to pursue product expansion and technological enhancements, including next-generation sonar, and foster deeper engagement with ice-angling communities. The company remains headquartered in Bloomington, MN, continuing its decades-long roots in Minnesota’s ice fishing heartland.

Wonder what they’ve got up their sleeves?!

9. Brad Juaire speaking at Sept 4th TCWU meeting

> Brad specializes in teaching anglers how to catch big suspended walleyes on lakes such as Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, Vermillion, and the Columbia River by conducting “On The Water / Open Water Trolling Clinics”. This method consists of trolling deep diving crankbaits, utilizing planer boards, leadcore with linecounter reels and long trolling rods. He has been trolling basins for over 20 years from spring through fall. Brad In fact, has not put on a leech, crawler or minnow in the last 12 years." The focus of his seminar will be on learning the open-water trolling system so you can use this technique and successfully catch fish.

10. MI: Watch for commercial nets...

...on the Great Lakes this weekend. And every weekend.

11. VT: Mentored fishing event this weekend

Says it's for folks who never have been taught to fish and that they're accepting experienced anglers to be the mentor.

12. Gas station 7-Eleven added a fishing clothing line

13. MN: North Metro Ice Show, Oct 25-26

At the Adrenaline Sports Center in Ramsey.

14. SD: Dakota Angler Ice Institute, Nov 7-9

At the Sioux Falls Arena & Convention Center.

15. MB: Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show, Nov 8-9

At Red River Ex Place.

16. MN: St. Paul Ice Show, Dec 5-7

At the St. Paul RiverCentre.

17. WI: Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo, Dec 12-14

At the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh.

18. MN: Arrowhead Ice Fishing & Winter Show, Dec 12-14

At the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

19. MI: Ultimate Fishing Show - Detroit, Jan 8-11

20. NY: Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, Feb 19-22

Tiger Steals Catch from Russian Fishermen

Yup, this ^ is real life 😅 which somehow makes bears stealing salmon seem less scary lol.

Nighttime walleye slip-bobber tips

Last summer, hall-of-famer Greg Bohn and his wife Audrey passed in a traffic accident near their home in Hazelhurst, WI. Greg was an absolute pioneer in slip-bobbering for walleyes. And if you have ever caught a walleye in the weeds...something that Greg taught, developed or pioneered has made it your way whether you knew it or not.

This throwback AnglingBuzz write-up is chock full of a bunch of Greg’s nighttime slip-bobber tips, few snippets below:

> [The best night lakes are] typically gin-clear, have deep-water rock structures and big walleyes. They also have suspended daytime walleye, lots of cisco and whitefish, a few weeds and deep rock bars. The walleyes we catch at night never get close to a lure during the day.

> Target hard-bottom humps and bars that top off in 10-25′. Walleyes inactive during the day know exactly which bars offer food. These bars can go from having no action before the sun sets to being super hot after the sun goes down.

> Night fishing is not like daytime fishing when you run from spot to spot. There’s not enough time after dark. Have the first spot and two alternatives picked out before you reach the lake. If the first spot fails shortly after dark, move to the second. If you need to try the third, the night is over. Go to bed.

> When moon rises, you can actually feel a change in pressure and see the wind swirling to create a chop. Walleyes feed recklessly for a few minutes. It’s a golden opportunity for big fish.

> Set rigs 3-7′ off the bottom. The walleyes that were suspended during the day move over the tops of the bars, but they don’t hug the bottom. If you fish too deep, you can miss the biggest fish.

> When a bobber goes under, watch the bobber light’s direction of travel. Is it going deeper, shallower or is it staying the same as the walleye moves off? That can be a hint on how to fine tune the depth. Big walleye travel slowly.

> My top night producer is a Thill Nite Brite float rigged with a 1/16-oz Mr. Slip Bobber Jig Bug tipped with a whole nightcrawler. That makes a big target. Jumbo leeches and big chubs also catch nighttime fish, but there’s just something about the whole ‘crawler after dark.

Always ahead of his time! Keep reading here.

I mean, we could have worse addictions.... 😅 Post by Fishhook Terry:

We’ve got a multi-species ‘happy hour’ (aka 2-for-1s 😎) courtesy of a Rapala X-Rap – love it, Matt! 👊

In honor of #FishFlopFriday we’re going to send ‘er off with a squirrelly walldawg that was caught while slinging a Thill Sharp Shooter Float 😅 flops never get old

Thank YOU for reading! ✌️ Back atcha next week...

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH

Target Walleye LLC

422 Laurel Street

P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

 (218) 824 5026