Kickin’ off today’s email with another “parade of pigs” jammed full of shots sent in from Target Walleye/Ice fans:

Shout out to TW reader Daryl Bauer, the Fisheries Outreach Program Manager with Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Daryl’s been sneaking around shorelines of NE reservoirs catching after-dark slaunches up to 28″ and “still trying for a bigger one!” Asked him what he’s been slingin’:

And it runs in the family….

Jeff Fitzpatrick whacked his new PB walldawg (29″) on Mississippi River’s Pool 2 this past week. Said their best fish have been coming on big swimbaits in some pretty stiff current. Congrats dude!

Zach aka @riggedupoutdoors has been putting the crush on big Rainy River gravel pigs — including this stout 30.5″ toad mama! — pitching a VMC Neon Moon Eye Jig paired with a “pink/white” AuthentX Pulse-R paddle tail:

That 30.5-incher ^ was no fluke…Zach’s had a handful of 70- to 100-fish days over the last couple weeks with plenty o’ piggies mixed in. #RoadTrip

Yup, all different fish. Look closer at the fins….

While you were mowing your yard, Bryan Bogdan (owner of Wekusko Falls Lodge) found fishable ice…in October! Sure he’s waaaay up in Manitoba…but I did the math and could be there in time for the evening bite tomorrow if I left right now lol.

He’s cracking 25″ rainbows [!] on Rapala Ultra Light Rippin’ Raps — a super NON-boring way to catch ’em:

Should probably note that it’s always a good time to wear a flotation-assisting suit like the Striker Ice one B-Bogs is rockin’. Flat out: If you ever break through the ice, it will help get you back out instead of weighing you down.

>>> Lots more info on first-ice safety here. <<<

Btw there’s than just trout way up der in Manitoba…. Here’s Bryan’s last 30-incher of the open-water season, keeping an 8-month streak alive of sticking 30+s. Seriously. This one scarfed a Rapala Jigging Rap:

Seems we usually get one major cold snap — with single-digit temps — that finally locks lakes up with fishable ice. No doubt you’ll be rarin’ to get out there, but the fish could be sluggish after that first nasty front of the season.

Gotta slow down: Not necessarily how you’re jigging…try slowing down the action of the bait. Deadsticks and sloooow, buttery-fluttery spoons work great when things get frigid. One of those sticks o’ butter is the Lindy Quiver Spoon ‘cuz it’s made out of tin [!] and flutters back down really slow — looks like an easy meal for Mr. Walter:

Yup, I said it’s made outta tin. Only person I know that doesn’t find that cool:

Ice-nut Jon Thelen’s thinking: If it were summertime and temps dropped 40 degrees, you’re probably not going to rip crankbaits…you’re going to fish slow. Same type of deal in winter, but need to think vertically instead of horizontally.

More info plus a quick look at the Lindy Quiver Spoon underwater in this vid:

Okay, I don’t actually know the real story…but this can’t hurt:

Seen plenty of “merp” walleyes floating ’round the web over the last few years…but check this snub-nose muskie sent in by TW fan Josh Reischer. #Aggressive

Maybe they took their dentures out?