Season 3, Episode 3 of Tour Level Gold just dropped this morning. I am NOT going to stop talking about this amazing video series – it’s that good. What I would consider must-watch stuff if you’re a fan of walleye fishing. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows professional anglers deal with on the National Walleye Tour.

This episode called "LOCKED IN" kicks off the Mississippi River NWT out of La Crosse, WI. Do yourself a favor and hit it from start to finish:

Tour Level Gold is doing special things in the walleye world! Walleye fishing needed this. Can't wait for the next episode.

No joke: I threw EVERYTHING at these fish and they would NOT eat...I was starting to think they were suckers, but then I busted out a Rapala PXR Mavrik 110 Jerkbait and caught one on my first cast! I couldn't believe it.

This new video was shot just a couple days ago – it’s almost July! – and yet the jerkbait bite has still been the deal around here when they won’t eat the “normal” stuff. Give it a try the next time you’re getting turned down and it might just be a day-saver for you too:

Few other random thoughts from this day…

You don’t always need to have the spendiest, highest-end fishing rod to catch ‘em. That 7' medium, extra-fast Fenwick Eagle is a lot of rod for just $109.95!

I have it paired up with a size-30 Pflueger President XT spinning reel which also goes for $109.95. Not saying that’s not a lot of money, but it fishes and feels like it should cost more than that – but don’t tell them I said that hahaha!

These fish eating a jerkbait when they would legit NOT touch anything else has had my brain in a frenzy. Instantly had me thinking about those big, suspended ‘overs’ that will even turn down a jig + ‘crawler when they’re being fussy....

The original Mavrik 110 runs 5-6’ depending on line diameter, casting distance, speed, etc. I’m wondering if I could hit ‘em with the deeper-version of that same jerkbait seeing as it’ll dive 10’+ while still maintaining an erratic action and suspending nose-down on the pause.... It’d be interesting to see how high up you could pull those suspended fish.

I also just ordered some Storm SuspenDots and SuspenStrips to play around with. They’re removable adhesive weights to alter lure buoyancy and action – some folks use ‘em to make hardbaits run deeper than they’re intended too...but of course will have to do a lot of playing around with where and how much weight to add, ‘cuz I’d still want to keep that fish-sexxy jerkbait action.

Will let you know what I figure out the next time I hit the water!

So seeing one on a spinning reel is news to me posted originally by Christina Boggs, who said:

> “My friend in southern AZ hangs his fishing rods from the ceiling...and a hummingbird found it suitable to build her nest. She now has two babies. He said the rod is staying put until the little ones fledge.”

Absolutely magical!

Never know what I’m going to find in the Target Walleye email inbox, but usually a whole lot of fishy madness! Here’s a few recent pics we’ve been sent or tagged in that I just had to share....

1) This first one is coming from Jim Jones Fishing, who said:

> “Last weekend while fishing a tournament on the Mississippi River, I had the craziest thing happen.... I had my Power-Poles partially deployed so the spikes were probably a foot below the surface...heard a thump...almost like we hit something...my partner says ‘you need to come see this.’ A northern pike came straight up and tried to eat the pole. He hit it so hard the spike came out his gill and was almost a foot up it. My partner pushed him off the pole and of course the pike bit onto his rod. Unbelievable!”

Gotta warn ya about some explicit language, but they posted a short vid of it too.

2) How majestic would this morning thrown be at sunrise LOL:

Little background from Joey Murphy’s FB post:

> "Most Everyone that floats our local lake knows of the ‘Rock’ that is almost completely covered at full pool but not quite. There once was a danger buoy marking it but it was also hit by a boat and destroyed and oddly, never replaced. Well, a few weeks ago someone decided to take the time to actually drill and anchor a toilet to the rock and it's lately been the spot to be for fun. Of course, many are complaining about it but the good news is, no one has hit the rock since."

Betcha it won’t take long for there to be a buoy put back up now.

3) Insane clip of a “croc vs barra” using Garmin LiveScope in Perspective mode:

4) Fish-Head Tom Boley said he’s “done this more times than [he'd] like to admit....” You're not alone, man

Tom also said in the comments that he “drug a 100-footer from Hayward [WI] to Leech Lake [MN] in the middle of night one time.... It was about 50 ft upon arrival.” Lol

First, in case you didn’t know: We’re hosting several virtual walleye derbies (catch-photo-release) thru the FishDonkey app this summer! The first month-long “Target Walleye Summer Shootout” kicked off in June, and we’ll be running the same format in July and August, too! You fish whenever is convenient for you, on any public waters, for a shot at a pile of prizes!

Prizes will be awarded each month (in each of the 5 regions) for the largest walleye, the biggest 3-fish stringer, and random-draw prizes too in case you only catch small ones.

Speaking of small ones – and no offense to Seth Miller lol – but his 15" walleye is leading the 'Northeast Division' so far for June! And if no one else crashes his party these next few days, then he's set to win thousands of dollars in prizes.

But I promise you they get way more bigger-er....

Tyler French has been absolutely showing out in the ‘Western Division’ with a 3-fish stringer of 43.15 lbs. He’s been CRUSHING some giants on a Berkley PowerBait Power Switch! Which he says is a “super fun bait to fish with all the different ways to work them. Pop-glide was the deal today." #MicDrop

Shout-out to Terry Carr on leading the Canadian Division so far for June with 42.11 lbs, which includes a ridiculous 32.50”, 32.00" and 31.75" fish in his bag! His secret weapon has been throwing a Ned Rig with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Lil' General:

Annnnd .........the biggest walleye caught in the ‘Midwest Division’ so far this June? Well, that would be TJ Erickson who landed a massive 31-incher while throwing a Northland Smeltinator Jig and 'crawler:

He got the whole thing on video, too! Which btw is the biggest walleye he has EVER caught while cameras were rolling! His video also includes 6 tips for catching more BIG walleye. Nicley done, dude!

Just a few days left in June’s derby if you’re looking to jump in and be a “jackpotter” lol. But registration for our July event is open now too. Entry is $20 per tournament. And there’s an optional $20 side pot for the biggest walleye caught using a Berkley bait.

Register today by searching for “The Target Walleye Summer Shootout” in the FishDonkey app. You’re going to be out fishing at some point during the month of July anyway, so might as well upload some of those catches into your Digital Livewell for a chance at prizes and glory!

1. Tom Mackin was laid to rest today

Longtime prez of Rapala VMC USA and well-known in the fishing business. He retired in 2021. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family during this difficult time.

2. MN: ‘Fishing to End Hunger’ charity derby is Oct 4

There’s already 64 teams registered for this Gull Lake (Nisswa) derby that’ll be trying to fish their way into a top-15 finish for their slice of the $36K pie.

This fishing tournament is about two things: Walleyes of course, and raising donations to support The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes:

> Outreach BLA provides meals to soup kitchens, food shelves, community meal programs, shelters, churches and wherever there is a need for food. No child – regardless of age –should be worried about where their next meal is coming from. ...80-90% of the meals they package will be distributed in MN. The remaining 10-20% will be used for disaster relief and/or international distribution.

> They buy ingredients in bulk, package them with community volunteers and distribute them for FREE to area food shelves, community meal programs, shelters, mobile meal distributions, school backpack programs, take-one-need-one carts, etc. 

This year a local company, National Conductor, has issued an incredible fundraising match challenge: For every dollar the fishermen/fisherwomen raise, National Conductor will match it $ for $.

What does this really mean? It's simple.

IF fishermen/women fundraise collectively $20K – National Conductor will match that for another $20K.

Let's put that into perspective:

1. $20,000 = 57,143 meals provided to families and individuals in MN.

2. Adding National Conductor's $20,000 (or 57,143 meals) = 114,286 meals can be provided to families and individuals in MN

A big THANK YOU to National Conductor, The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes, and to the folks fishing the derby who also raise funds to help those in need!

3. MN: 36th-annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza is Jan 31, 2026

At 'Hole in the Day Bay' on Gull Lake. The largest charitable ice fishing contest on the planet. They’ve donated over $4.5 mil to charity! And the event has a $3 mil economic impact on the Brainerd Lakes Area each year.

4. CAN: LakeMaster has new maps

Some new chip options for Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

5. MN: Few new lakes confirmed with zeebz

Moose Lake (Itasca County), Portage Lake and Inguadona Lake (Cass County).

6. This is some A+ marketing

From the folks at Z-Man who said:

> We got Z-Man Fuzzy BaitZ before ____!

7. Why real sponsorships start with relationships

Nice read from Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kyle Patrick.

8. ON: Lodge owners on 1 lake want no FFS for muskies

Eagle Lake:

> "...repeated targeting and handling, especially of large fish, leads to increased stress, delayed mortality...and potential long-term impacts on the lake's size structure and trophy potential."

9. PA: New Susquehanna fish passage allows fish migration

Little passage/rock deal around the dam at Shikellamy State Park.

10. Yamaha's portable outboard models now available

Thru West Marine:

> With easy starts, incredible efficiency and reliable performance, Yamaha’s 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 9.9 and 15-horsepower models serve as excellent kickers and are perfect for all sorts of light duty.

11. DC: Secretarial Order signed to implement the EXPLORE Act

“The most die-hard fishing guides must master the art of boat napping, whether it's on the water or in your yard.”

- That's Cassandra Swenson talking about her bf and and northern-MN guide Jason Durham, who I knew spent a TON of time in his boat, but I had no idea it was 24/7 hahaha!

I can’t seem to find a direct link to it, but apparently that “J-Hook Hammock” is an exclusive Crestliner dealio. Love that!

Killer shot from @bigbearoutdoorsmedia LOVE watching 'em wave goodbye! 

And now it's our turn to wave goodbye back atcha next

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH

Target Walleye LLC

422 Laurel Street

P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

 (218) 824 5026