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Sorry this is a late send – technical difficulties!
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Top 5 Tips, Tricks and Trends of the Month! 👀
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Here comes a brand spankin' new episode of our video series that deeper dives into the top tips, techniques and trends each month! 👊
Brought to you by our friends at Humminbird/Minn Kota and is jam packed full of SO much info! 💯 Stuff that will legit help you catch more fish RIGHT NOW and maybe even get a laugh at the same time....
Today's menu:
1. Sneaky panfish locations
2. Biggest mistake walleye anglers make
3. Secret bottom-pounding trick for walleye
4. Fish higher for more and bigger crappies
5. Electronics cheat code for shallow weeds
Please drop a comment under the vid and let me know what you think. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to watch!
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Is the new Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 XL the best FFS yet?
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I came across this hot-off-the-press info in Jay Kumar’s most recent BassBlaster (Top Item #1 here). I’m going to run Jay’s full dealio down below, ‘cuz no one does it like him. 💯
Jay: Not trying to hype anything because I honestly don't know, just at this point I'm expecting that each time one of the 3 electronics companies comes out with something, it'll be the best yet or dang close to it. Because it's a tech war, and Lowrance fired the first shot of 2026.
Equipment-wise, ActiveTarget 2 XL is a new transducer ($1,399), black box (‘ducer + black box = $1,799) and some new/updated software. Here's a little of what it does (it's new and I haven't seen it so I don't know what all to ask yet) – first info from the Lowrance site, and then from a quick convo with Lowrance product director Sam Carlisle.
> With 180° views, ActiveTarget 2 XL is the world’s clearest, most complete live sonar. Forward, Down, and Scout modes – all from a single transducer.
> A redesigned transducer lets you switch instantly between Forward XL and Down XL views from your display. No need to go fishing for your transducer. Just select your preferred view, and fish.
> ActiveTarget 2 XL is a one and done upgrade, with all views available from a single transducer. Anglers can even use their existing ActiveTarget 2 sonar module [black box], reducing the amount of gear required. Simply mount the new XL transducer and cast.
How about Live 360?! 🤯
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BUT you need 2 transducers to do it, and HDS PRO units:
> Combining 2 systems unlocks an industry-first Scout Live 360° view around your entire boat. This truly comprehensive live view means you can select the perfect place to cast without even having to move your boat.
> ...say goodbye to interference with our industry-first ping sync technology.
Alright here's some info from Sam:
Is the resolution better than LiveScope?
> "I do think we're on par, 100%. We believe we have an advantage...we have optimized this transducer to where we feel like we are leading in the market.
> "Our goal is to always make the best. We want to see more, catch more, all that kind of stuff. Our biggest thing is to continue to improve the range, resolution and clarity of our sonar."
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The 360 is live, not a rotating scan?
> "Correct, it's the first to market live 360 scanning.
> "It's taking 2 ActiveTarget 2 XLs and putting them both into Scout Mode back to back, then there's a mode on your HDS Pro that synchronizes them...then it turns your entire screen into 360.
> "There's no seam lines...just one full screen of 360 degree view, either in shallow mode or deep mode.
> "You don't have to pan...you don't even have to shift the trolling motor. You'll see fish moving left, right, up, down all the way around the boat."
Is it easier, harder or the same to make a cast at a fish that's a long ways from the boat?
> "I would say it's the same as what we had with AT2 to make that cast and to find your lure.
> "We've optimized the sonar returns to try to make sure it's easier to see the baits vs the structure. So you should be able to see your baits a little bit easier, but still making the precison casts you need to make.
> "And now with 180 degrees of view, you can make casts forward or backwards as you need. Your not limited to having to turn the trolling motor....
> "We're starting to see a growth where people are anchoring their motor and looking backwards. ...sometimes fish go under the boat and backwards, and now they can see that with a quick adjustment on the screen...."
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So the transducer doesn't have to turn to see backwards?
> "Nope it's all on the screen now. If you have 180 degrees vs the 135-degree view that we and Garmin have...basically you just shift where you want the image on the screen. ...you choose where your centerpoint is, so you're shifting forward or you're shifting back. It does the aspect ratios for you."
Is it just plug and play with whatever units a guy has?
> "The Elite FS – not the older TI series – HDS Carbon, HDS Live and HDS Pro.
> "...that Live 360...that an HDS Pro only feature because of the compute power that's required....
> "You have to have 2 XLs to get 360 because 180 plus 180 is 360. The [current] ActiveTarget 2 has 135, and we have today what's called Scout Wide which is 270 degrees [with 2 AT2 trannies]...."
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> "You can also do 'ping sync'...syncs the pinging of the transducers to avoid sonar interference. You get all that benefit on HDS Pro...."
It says you can switch between Forward and Down on the screen. Can you do it with a Ghost trolling motor pedal?
> "I don't think we have it today but I do believe it's on the roadmap....
> "Forward and Down will be on the side menu. The only one where you have to physically move the transducer is to go to Scout Mode.
> "That's the benefit of that 180 degrees. You already have the full view from surface to surface so it's just adjusting the image. Whereas with AT2 or the other [sonars] on the market, because you don't get 180 degrees, you physically have to move the transducer to get into Forward or Down...."
Is there anything else you think we need to know?
> "...the new mount that comes with it...enables quick-switch views.
> "...instead of offering just our bolt-on 1-use type mount, we reengineered that mount and put one of those [aftermarket-style FFS mounts] in the box. So now...you don't have to go and buy an aftermarket accessory unless you want to.
> "You can go from Forward/Down Mode into Scout Mode with your hand. You don't need tools. It's just a latch and flip or two. So you can quickly go through those modes...makes it a lot easier."
The units are supposed to ship at the end of Feb.
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Who remembers Creepy Crawlers? 🐞🐛🐜🦟🪲🪳🕷️
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Those awesome bug-making toys/kits that got popular again back in the 90s. I wanted one so badly lol:
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Maybe those explain why so many of us folks grew up to have an obsession with fishing soft plastics HA!
And if you're looking to get your bug on thru the ice nowadays – chasing bug-eating panfish around soft bottom areas – there's a zillion tasty options out there. 💯
Here's a few creepy crawlers that have caught my eye recently.
Most of these plastics come in brighter, more extravagant colors too (which is awesome) but for the sake of being ultra buggy, I’m going to just plop some of the more-natural ones below:
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Plankton a big key for ice crappies 🕵️♂️
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Deepwater crappies can often be found following the vertical migration of zooplankton. Typically we think of the ‘magic hour’ as being sunrise or sunset, but it’s important to remember that sunrise can be as much as an hour later under the ice – thanks to the lack of light penetration.
Increased light levels in the morning trigger zooplankton (such as daphnia) to vacate areas higher in the water column and slide back towards the bottom. It’s a similar situation towards evening. Maybe you’ve noticed the bottom ‘lighting up’ on your flasher near dusk? Zooplankton will begin to rise off bottom as the light levels drop, and they feed on microscopic plant-like organisms called phytoplankton.
Of course you can see it going on 'round the weeds, but soft-bottom basins in the 22-34’ range are usually where the real magic happens.
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That’s why so often when fishing after-dark basin crappies, you’ll see ‘em moseying thru way up high in the water column. Sometimes they’ll bite, other times they’ll just slowly fade away and barely give your bait a sniff.
If you’re using a little jigging spoon, you might see them slide up and go for the swivel just 12” above the bait. Or maybe you’re trying to trick ‘em with a plain hook and a crappie minnow, but instead they bite at your tiny split-shot up above the bait.... These are a couple of the only times when you’ll get an obvious clue that they’re actually feeding on zooplankton and could care less about your little minnow-profile baits.
That’s when it’s time to bust out the finesse stuff! Light line (no heavier than 3-lb test) and ultra-finesse tungsten jigs are key for these filter-feeding crappies because they have a compact profile yet are still fishable in deeper water.
There’s a ton of different bait options out there and you likely already have some of them in your box. I like anything that is small yet comes to life underwater with subtle movements thx to its tentacles, appendages, hair, feathers, marabou, etc. Some examples of what I’m talking about are baits like the VMC Tungsten Bullfly Jig, Eurotackle Strider Fly, Tungsten Roach Jig, or small tungsten jigs rigged with micro plastics like the Clam Maki, Jamei, Neki, etc.
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Zooplankton are virtually translucent. But basic colors such as straight glow, white, red and black work great. It’s more about the size, profile, and subtle action of the bait.
If you’re able to fish with a second line, don’t be afraid to have a jigging spoon or live minnow hanging down there to help bring fish to you, and keep ‘em around and curious. But
Working/pounding your small tungsten fairly aggressively will also help to call fish in, but subtle jigging movements and quivers in place are what will seal the deal.
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Never know what you're gonna see walkin' around!
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I fished the derby last year (always such a fun time!) and actually graphed quite a few fish...mostly dinks, but one looked like a 25-26” walleye that postured up on my bait before moseying off – woof! Had another time that a tullibee came over and nipped at the euro larvae on my dropper rig but didn’t get the hook – double woof!
SO, here was my ‘Catch of the Day’ 😅 and it was so worth it hahaha! #JalapenoCheeseCurds
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Are you maybe interested in helping us with content for the TW email? If so, please hit us up at walleyenuts@targetwalleye.com with why and how, and maybe a link or 2 to a couple things you've done. If you don't hear back, apologies – sometimes we don't get to everything. Thank you!
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Minnow tipping options for jigging spoons
Gotta bring this one back...
Jason Mitchell compares the pros and cons to tipping jigging spoons with a full minnow vs half minnow vs minnow head. Some interesting nuggets on something most folks overlook!
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“Lake trout may be the shark of fresh water.”
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– That’s talking about this pic posted by MidWest Outdoors where they found “a combination of baitfish, perch, walleye, and what looks to be the remains of a northern pike” in the belly of a laker!
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Looks like (bottom of the pic) it even scooped-up an incidental zebra mussel during the feeding frenzy. Sheesh!
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Love those beautiful Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba greenback walleyes! One of many great pics shared on the @huntfishmb Instagram page:
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Thx so much for reading! 👊 Hope you have a great + safe weekend!!
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Sign up another fish-head!
If you're forwarding Target Walleye to a friend who loves to walleye fish or want your fishing buddies to get these emails, just send us their email addresses and we'll take care of it! (We won't sell the addresses, use them for spam, etc.)
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FRIENDS OF TARGET WALLEYE
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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!
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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
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