Target Walleye/Ice email

Upper Red Lake shenanigans, Rapala behind the scenes, MN going automatic

By (mostly Brett)

Posted on December 20, 2023

Today’s Top 5

Some wild Upper Red Lake shenanigans.

Seems to happen every single year, and last Sunday (12/17/23) was no exception when 35 people were rescued after they became stranded on an ice chunk that detached from shore on MN’s Upper Red Lake:

> Beltrami County deputies and several other emergency responders arrived on the scene and determined that due to the size of the separation, an airboat would be needed to evacuate people from the ice.

> …the ice on that portion of the lake was estimated to be about 10” thick – which is double what the DNR recommends for people heading out onto the ice on foot. However, 40-mph winds sent the ice floating out into open waters.

> During the rescue, strong winds continued to push the ice chunk and the separation grew to a couple hundred feet.

BIG thx to Beltrami County Deputies, Kelliher Fire & Rescue, MN DNR, and the Bemidji Fire Dept for getting everyone back across safely!

Then just yesterday…

…a plane broke thru the ice:

> The plane [Cessna 172 Sky Hawk] had departed from Grand Rapids, MN with a destination of Upper Red Lake for a day of ice fishing. After conducting a flyover, the pilot identified what was believed to be a safe landing area. Upon landing, the absence of snow resulted in the plane having difficulty slowing down. Eventually the plane slid into an area of thin ice and the nose of the plane broke through into open water. This resulted in both occupants becoming wet from the waist down. They were brought to an area resort and were provided dry clothing.

> Only 1-2” of ice was reported where the plane went through approximately 1/2 mile out from Pioneer Rd on the southeastern shore of Upper Red Lake. The pilot had already made contact with a recovery operation and made arrangements to extricate the plane.

Crazy! Glad the fellas were okay.

I also saw this posted yesterday by Jim Staricha (Northland Towing) who was up there recovering the cleanest dang Panther I think I’ve ever seen. I’m about 97% sure I saw it listed on FB marketplace about a month ago:

With all these wild shenanigans the last few days, I’m just glad to hear that everyone was okay…could have been a lot worse.

Please be safe out there.

Little behind the scenes of the Rapala team at work.

You might have noticed that fish-sexxy new banner up top ^ of a walleye with a snoot full of a VMC Rattling Roach Spoon…. I was standing about 5’ away when that fish was caught the other day, and got to see the Rapala fam swiftly work their magic

so wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes look.

Started with Luke Loewe doubling-over on a quality bite in the pouring rain. Love the expression on his face – I’m assuming he’s thinking “wow these fight way harder than bass” hahaha! And then reinforcements slid in for the assist:

Quality walleye = confirmed:

Luke set that thing down on its belly for a second and Rapala’s senior digital marketing manager, Zach Burton, didn’t hesitate to drop down in the standing water and rapid fire a few quick pics. Here it is from the walleye’s perspective:

And here she is from Zach’s soggy perspective.

That Rattling Roach Spoon wasn’t staged there, Luke Loewe just has the magic hook-setting touch:

Back down the drink she went seconds later. #fistbumps

Which led to junior art director/pixel magician Brandon Hiltner putting the finishing touches on a fresh, fish-sexxy new visual for the Target Walleye fam (up top) of a walleye that was just swimming a few days ago…and still is.

Was an awesome experience getting to hit the ice with ‘em and see the Rapala team in their natural environment (little more on that soon-ish). Also gotta say the new VMC Rattling Roach Spoon is a killer bait for fussy, clear-water walleyes. I will definitely have one tied on a rod the next time I hit the ice…maybe tomorrow?

Big ice-fishing rule change potentially coming to MN next year….

Something a lot of folks have been asking about for YEARS

is why we aren’t allowed to use automatic hook-setting devices (JawJackers, Automatic Fisherman, etc) while ice fishing in Minnesota? Basically they function like a tip-up or deadstick, except they automatically set the hook when the bait gets bit – like triggering a mousetrap.

In my experience using them in other states, fish are almost always hooked in the lips and primed for a healthy release…whereas it’s super common for tip-up fish to be deeply “gut hooked” and come up bleeding before you ever even touch ‘em.

Soooo…I recently came across a post on the MN DNR’s Facebook page announcing the new 23/24 regulation books, and saw a comment + reply that instantly caught my attention:

That’s all the info I’ve got on it for now, but obviously looks promising.

Speaking of fancy hook-setting contraptions….

I recently came across this new ice-fishing goodie called the Clam Predator Tip-Up that folks have already been raving about this season:

It’s designed to be used as both (either) an automatic hook-setting device or as a traditional tip-up flag system. Best of both world:

Cool-looking design that can do it all if you travel to fish in different states/provinces. Even if you are in a state that does allow automatic hook-setting devices, there are times when using big suckers or deadbait that you actually want the fish to be able to eat it for a bit before setting the hook.

Couple more quick details:

> …has an adjustable sensitivity and power setting so ice anglers can set how much force they would like [both for bite detection and hook-setting power].

> Ice spikes on the bottom of tip up to hold securely in place. Folds down for easy storage. Constructed of a heavy-duty nylon material. …adjustable so it fits a variety of ice fishing rod lengths and actions….

Full rundown on the Predator Tip-Up in the video below where Caleb Wistad also shows how to set it up for fishing in either function:

The definition of “biting off more than you can chew.”

I was sent this one from TW reader Loren Duerr who performed his own kind of ice rescue after seeing this pair locked-up under the clear ice. Said he separated ‘em and both swam away to be caught by someone else:

Crazy find!

But something Loren didn’t mention was if you look closely, that fish had an appetizer before taking down the main course:

Thx for the pic, Loren!

News

1. The latest “Top 5” vid is here.

We’re back with episode 63 of our “Top 5” video series brought to you by our friends at Sea Foam – hope you dig it!

2. ND: Two fishermen rescued from Lake Ashtabula…

…after a sheet of ice broke away from the shore.

> They were fishing and heard a loud crack, bang…went out and looked a little bit later and ice was gone from the shore to about 100 yards out into the lake. Due to poor phone service, the stranded fishermen ended up putting a message out on Facebook as a call for help.

3. MN: Tony Roach hit Upper Red Lake…

…in the newest episode of Dialed In Angling. If you’re headed that way soon-ish, they’ve got some useful info on how they’re catching fish in just 6-7’, and the type locations they’re fishing (what they’re looking for both under and on top of the ice).

Of course pls be cautious!

4. TUCR has 15% off in-stock Bullwhips.

TUCR = Tuned Up Custom Rods. Bullwhips = The hardwater panfish rod that needs no introduction. They currently have 15% off all in-stock Bullwhips, which is actually sorta crazy because they already sell as fast as they can (hand) make them. Limited supply until they run out – can snoop thru ‘em right here.

If you’re looking for a new panfish stick for outside hole-hopping, they have a handful of longer 36” Bullwhips with the EVA handle in stock right now. Nasty rod! Of course you’ll want a slightly shorter one if fishing inside the shack.

5. MN: $10K 1st-place prize at annual LOTW ice derby…

…outta Springsteel Resort (Warroad) on Lake of the Woods on Feb 17, 2024.

6. ND: Aerators saved West Lake from winterkill.

Don’t see ‘em much around where I’m at, but the first time I ever drove thru [secret area] in southern MN during the winter, I was blown away at how many small, fertile, shallow lakes were being given man-made oxygen…and the fishing + growth rates were awesome.

7. SD GFP seeking public comment on fisheries planning efforts.

8. GSM bought Phenix Rods.

Anotha one! *DJ Khalid voice*

9. Convicted walleye cheater gets forgery sentence.

Not related to the tourney scandal.

10. FL will now allow weighing ‘overs’ in bass tourney.

> The Black Bass Tournament Exemption Permit allows tournament participants to temporarily possess live black bass that may be over the recreational length limit.

First I had ever heard of something like that. Would be interesting to see if any states would give that type of exemption to a walleye derby? Would we want it??

Tip of the Day

Early-ice walleyes on inside turns.

If you’ve got time to kill, TJ Erickson’s full video is packed with a bunch of tippy nuggets and even underwater walleye-strike footage – which is ultra rare in these parts. If you’re in a hurry, you can jump to 9:25 where he’s specifically talking about locations.

TJ is fishing a tight inside turn (20-25′) between 2 shallow flats that basically forces fish to come to him. Also had some decent daytime action considering those clear-water lakes are primarily a “flash bite” at sunrise and sunset:

Meme of the Day

Anyone who’s currently fishing on safe ice + catching + posting on social media =

Parting Shot

Gotta salute these diehards still getting after it! Posted on Lund’s IG page:

Either they’re 1) enjoying the ~~fishing~~ catching with the lake to themselves, or 2) stalling on winterizing it ‘cuz they’re still trying to make room in the garage lol:

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Friends of Target Walleye

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Who is Target Walleye

Target Walleye – walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Kumar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!

Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He’s in it now, but still can’t answer that question…. Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a “fishing degree” at the time…. Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com