Today’s Top 5
Here are the top ice-fishing destinations for 2016-2017!
You can check out the full list by clicking right here to see if your favorite lake made it (and why they made it), but here’s a peek at the top 10:
Anytime you rank anything, folks get a little “passionate” (lol). So of course you might feel your favorite lake should be higher on the list, or just be on the list. Well, we’re doing this again next season so make sure you leave a comment on the list at TargetWalleye.com — fire away!
First fish iced in the lower 48?
While you were mowing your yard, Iceaholic Craig Oyler found fishable ice…in October! And he’s nowhere near Santa. Word is he headed west (from SoDak) across three states (CO, WY, ID???) to be able to sneak out on a high-elevation trout lake stuck between snow-capped mountains:
Nicely done! Sure they only caught 8-10″ trout, but they could’ve caught nothing but a cold and we’d be pacing the shorelines back home with jealousy.
If Craig won’t show you, we will. Here’s a sneak peek at the “Craigi” — see if you can guess which one:
100 inches of muskies netted!
Not walleye related, but definitely one of those holy-smokes moments that everyone deserves to see. A chunk of the Lindner clan snuck over to western MN to chase giant fall muskies, and that’s exactly what they got…at the same time…in the same net:
You never know what’s going to happen when there’s a Lindner in the boat. #Pandemonium
Catch more fall walleyes with this simple jig tweak.
A jig and minnow is like the meat and potatoes of fall walleye fishing, but there are ways to dress ’em up a bit more. Here’s an easy tweak Scott Brewer does to offer a slightly different look for finicky or pressured fish:
Cheap, easy and usually gets more bites. You can make your own by adding a small split-ring + swivel + blade combo to the stinger hook “trailer hitch” of your existing Fire-Ball Jigs, or you can stock up on an already-made version like the Fire-Ball Spin Jig from Northland Tackle:
Sometimes arts-and-crafts pays off in the fishing world — here’s Scotty with a pair of thick-shouldered greenbacks that fell for the spin-jig mod:
Won’t be long and he’ll be fishing in that Eskimo instead of just wearing it! #YesPlease
How to tell if someone is born to be a walleye fisherman.
Congratulations, it’s a walleye:
What a cutie! He’s going to come out of the womb with a full set of hair teeth.
News
1. Testing the new Frabill I-Float Suit.
USCG certified flotation-assisting suit that’ll keep you floating if you break through the ice. Check ’em out on FishUSA. #SafetyFirst
2. New Marcum software update.
For Marcum LX-6, LX-6s and LX-7. Pretty nice to be able to get a new graph…without having to buy a new graph:
> “We made adjustments to our sonar gain curve that improve both shallow-water and deep-water performance. Now you’re able to see your bait in less than 10′ much easier than before, and with less screen interference when fishing deep.”
Looks like a killer bait for working in-and-out of cabbage weeds or clipping the tops of rocks. FishUSA already has ’em in stock.
In revenue. Say they stuffed more money into marketing to basically break-even. Now Mystery Tackle Box is getting into direct e-commerce:
So…it will be competing against the folks whose baits it helps market?
5. How Northland Fishing Tackle started out.
By a couple of bass-heads! Cool story.
6. Marine companies write E15 letter to congress.
> “Time after time, data shows that the American public is unaware of E15 and its harmful effects on small engines. More needs to be done to protect consumers from damaging engines by accidentally using fuels that have ethanol concentrations of 15% of higher.”
Does anyone in Congress own a boat or lawn mower or what?
7. Doctor Sonar: Humminbird Helix tutorial DVD.
REALLY learn how to use ’em, instead of just pressin’ buttons.
They’re going after bass-heads since they already make the perfect walleye boats.
9. NH: Lets Go Fishing seeks instructors…
…to teach ice fishing, fly fishing or basic fishing to youth and adults.
10. How the IRS looks at your fishing career (video).
Whether it’s a hobby or livelihood. This 30 minute vid has some great info on how the IRS looks at your situation:
11. Speaking of getting paid to fish.
Here’s a newish e-book that talks about what it really takes to pay the bills as a fishing promoter. Co-author is Target Walleye’s Jim Kalkofen:
Events
The iceman cometh. Are you ready?
1. MN: Hard Water Ice-Fishing Expo, Blaine, Nov 18-20.
It’s almost ice-show season…THEN ice. Unless you’re Craig Oyler (Top item #2).
2. MN: Arrowhead Ice-Fishing Show, Duluth, Dec 9-11.
3. WI: Milwaukee Ice-Fishing Show, Dec 9-11.
4. MN: St. Paul Ice-Fishing Show, Dec 2-4.
We’ll be there…reply to this email and let us know what you want to see from the show. New product pics or vids? Ice-pro interviews and tips? #SpeakUp
5. World’s largest ice-fishing contest, Gull Lake, Jan 28.
Just up the road from us. About 10,000(ish) people come from all over to spank the walleyes — hopefully! Maybe even a ‘pout or three.
Tip of the Day
Bob Jensen: Fall river walleyes before ice up.
> “The key to catching fish in the fall on rivers is the same as always — you’ve got to keep moving and looking until you find ’em. Sand flats, wing dams, mid-river holes, and current breaks all hold fish. Keep moving around until you find the areas that have the most biters.
> “When they are in the deeper areas, it works well to hover directly over them and hold the bait right in their face. These fish don’t want to chase a bait, but if it is wiggling right in front of their nose, they’re going to eat it.
Today’s ‘Eye Candy
Merp the walleye has a kid! (Or nephew?) The more the merrier:
TargetWalleye.com | Rapala.com | IceForce.com
To send us walleye pics, ice shots and whatever, just respond to this email or click here to email us. Or post it on the Target Walleye Facebook page.
