This northern MN gargantuan decided to get a little tropical, smashing Stephen Roller’s ‘Caribbean shad’ color Rapala Shad Rap trolled in 9′:

That color’s been flying under the radar, but for sure catches ’em. I really like it ‘cuz it mimics shiners, perch, bluegills — basically anything in the system — with one bait:

Jiggy Andersen hoisting up a Leech Lake, MN water-melón — heard the bite’s been [fire emoji] for “overs.” Side note: Anyone else a sucker for lime green? Believe that’s the Blackfish Zenith Softshell Jacket. #MeLikey

Check the UT backdrop on Julian Pinney’s shot…yup, you read that right…some killer ‘eyes in Utah! Flavor of the day = “purple clown” Rapala Husky Jerk:

If you’re only going to watch ONE rip-jigging video, THIS is the video! Al gives up a few secrets that we were previously sworn to never talk about. Here it is from the man who perfected (invented?) “rip jigging” for shallow walleyes:

Al forgot to mention you’ll need plenty of spinach in order to rip jig all day:

Seriously….

Lol that’s what NWT pro Bill Shimota had to say about the always-fishy color, “firetiger.” One of those must-haves that catch ’em everywhere. Lots of companies are putting their own twist on it nowadays, which is your favorite?

Whoops…wrong pic. Dangit Google. Let’s try that again:

Much better. And ‘cuz I know people will ask…this should make it easier:

1. Rapala Jigging Rap
2. Clam Drop Tg tungsten jig
3. Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Walleye Deep Diver
4. Phantom Lures Boogey (brand new first look)
5. Berkley Flicker Shad
6. Someday Isle Tackle Water Puppet
7. VMC Hot Skirt Glow Jig
8. Northland Rippin’ Shad
9. Bagley Balsa Minnow

All quality stuff right there. #FiretigerForTheWin

How? Gary Parsons summed it up nicely:

Lol touche man!

Korey Sprengel and Adam Neu were leading after day 1 with a 29.15-lb [!] sack of bronze. Caught throwing the same bait he used to win the Winnebago NWT — a “chameleon pearl” Berkley Cutter 90 Shallow:

Walleye-nuts Robert Blosser and Joe Okada finished 2nd overall with a 2-day bag of 51.47 lbs…dang near a 5.15-lb average on 10 fish!

Chase and Gary Parsons were slingin’ tubes, piling up 51.42-lbs of smalljaw for 3rd:

Mark Courts and Scott Walsh were in 2nd after day 1 and finished 11th overall with a 2-day bag of 48.56 lbs:

Willing to bet you wouldn’t see those same kinda results if the situation was reversed…would almost feel bad throwing a handful of bassin’ pros into a 125-boat walleye derby….

Thought the Hunchback of Notre-Dame was in Paris, but NWT pro Robert Cardenas plucked this Quasimodo walleye outta Mississippi River’s Pool 4: