Bass vs walleye challenge, New twist on hole-hopping, Jigging Shadow Rap is here

If you watch anything on the internet today…this should be it!

The Berkley Money Badger Face Off – Bass vs Walleye Fishing Challenge is an absolute riot! They put 2 walleye pros vs 2 bass pros on the Mississippi River, armed each team with the new Berkley Money Badger, and the race was on. 🔥🤣 Absolutely LOVE the chirping between the two sides lol:

All-around hilarious and awesome! ⭐️x5

Obviously those Berkley Money Badgers catch ’em! No matter what that “’em” is…. 🤑🦡 Here’s another look at the bait:

My bud Jay Siemens might be on to something….

“Alexa, play Jump Around by House of Pain on repeat.” 😂

Get a rod in Hannon’s hand and he’ll turn that Jolly Jumper into a Jolly Jigger? Jigging Jumper?? Hahaha love it buddy! 👊

[Drum-roll sound effect]

None other than Jason Durham of Go Fish! Guide Service (northern MN) and pics seriously NEVER do his get-ups justice:

Btw the caption under that ^ Scott Mackenthun post said, “Free candy from a strange man?!? Yes please!” 🤣

And in case you missed it…bonus points for the Clam Pinhead Pro Spoon tie 👔 I think we know which color Jason will be tying on first. #GlowWonderbread

I got to chat with Jason for a bit while down at the show and man his passion for this industry is so dang contagious.

Big props for always being unique and having fun with it, no matter what it is that you are doing. 🏆👊

Folks in Canada and Europe got a head start…but the new Rapala Jigging Shadow Raps are now available stateside. YEAH BABY. 😍🔥🤤🔥💯

> “Following in the footsteps of the original Rapala Jigging Rap, the much lighter Jigging Shadow Rap features a slower darting action. Whether vertical fishing or pitching open water the broader silhouette, modern finishes and belly-flashing action are ideal for targeting wary fish of any species. Integrating the fish catching features of the original with some new age know-how, paired with a dozen fish catching colors is sure to make this one another tackle box mainstay.

> “On top of that, early field testing has produced staggering results and points to the Jigging Shadow Rap being a player year-round, from pulling walleyes topside through the ice to being a key open-water player for forward-facing sonar guru’s.”

You might remember I was able to get my hands on one early, and proceeded to have maybe the best afternoon walleye sesh I’ve ever had in the Brainerd (MN) Lakes Area on pressured, clear-water fish:

I was using the “live perch” color (top) which literally could not look better. Imo it can do a great job of mimicking perch or shiners thx to that shimmery belly flash. But there’s a bunch of different options:

That video was shot in the springtime, but I also caught fish on it in different summertime + fall scenarios when I found fish working the weedline…which is basically all the time. Even sniped several suspended buggers on “live sonar” 🎯 which is something I can’t wait to play around with more.

Few more quick details on the bait:

> Same length as a #9 Jigging Rap at 3.5″ (9cm), but weighs 3/5 oz like a #7.

> No nose hook, an oversized tail hook, and that #6 treble hook on the belly is connected with 2 split-rings for better movement = helps keep fish pinned.

> It’s actually a plastic bait (no lead) and has a slower, smoother gliding action. Slower than a Jigging Rap that is, but still fishes fast for reaction bites.

One thing I noticed right away was I had a lot of fish (compared to a J-Rap) actually eating the bait while it was on the drop. Had some pinning it to bottom like they love to do with Jigging Raps, but there was definitely something special about the way it momentarily hangs in the water column as it changes direction from up to down – even with mono I could feel fish “bonking” it while it was still mid water column.

Sounds like the bait’s slower, gliding action is money under the ice 🥶🤞 I hope to find out first-hand soon!

In case you missed it on YouTube, I kicked out episode 28 while down at the St. Paul Ice Show. 🍿 Hope you enjoy:

Big shout to Sea Foam for making this video series possible!

Winter is here – which is both exciting AND miserable to think about lol. Make sure you give your rig a healthy dose of Sea Foam Marine Pro = cleans and lubricates your motor, helps prevent corrosion caused by ethanol and water, and stabilizes tank fuel up to 2 yrs!

If you can’t find Marine PRO near you, original Sea Foam still works great in ’em to dissolve fuel residues AND for fuel stabilization. May be the #1 automotive additive in the US, but it was originally invented for outboard motors.

1. T-H Marine founder, Bill Huntley, has passed on.

From T-H Marine on Facebook:

> From the T-H Marine namesake “Trim Handle” to the famous Hot Foot foot throttle, and so many others, if you own a boat, there’s an excellent chance Bill had a hand in making your days on the water safer and more enjoyable.

> Most of these products Bill developed came from a need he saw while he was on the water fishing. An accomplished bass angler with a special place in his heart for smallmouth bass…. He was especially fond of chasing giant smallmouth after dark with his famous Bumble Bee spinnerbaits. The first ever spinnerbait to incorporate a ball-bearing swivel that Bill, and his wife Pat, would put together on their kitchen table for Bill to sell around the country.

> In 2015 Bill was recognized for his life’s work in the fishing and marine industry when he was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. A well-deserved honor and one of the proudest moments of his life.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. 🙏✝️

2. Lowrance just upped its “Live sonar” game.

> …rolled out its next generation of fishing electronics this week. The new HDS PRO chartplotter/fishfinder, highest resolution ActiveTarget 2 Live Sonar and, ultra high-definition Active Imaging HD.

Sounds like extra detail, increased clarity and extended range. Bunch of info, screenshots and videos on their site.

3. ND: Fargo Ice Show is happening THIS WEEKEND!

At the Scheels Arena on Dec 9-11 that’s full of great deals on gear, lots of giveaways, and loads of ice-fishing seminars on some killer topics. They also have an “indoor wheelhouse display that’s over 20,000 sqft and gives you the chance to walk inside of the different units to see the latest in wheelhouse luxury.”

And if you’re anxious like me 😅 you’ll be happy to know the Scheels Arena is surrounded by large outdoor parking lots, and parking is free. More show info here.

Btw the Fargo Ice Show will be hosting the “Game of Inches” ice-fishing competition Awards Ceremony and Q&A at the show on Sat at 4pm. Great chance to see the trophy given out and pick the brains of Clayton Schick, Adam Konrad, Alex Peric, Joe Cooper and Josh McFaddin.

4. NY: Oneida Lake creel survey shows…

> “Catch rates for anglers targeting walleye averaged 0.54 fish/angler-hour…well above rates observed from surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018.

> “Estimates of walleye harvest are based on estimates of angler effort combined with estimates of angler harvest rates from all trips. The total walleye harvest was 107,000 – the highest observed since 2010 (harvest did not exceed 60,000 walleye during any year over that time span).

> “These trends suggest that recent strong year classes have likely contributed to increased angling success. 93% of all legal size walleye (≥15 inches) caught were harvested.”

Reminder this year’s walleye limits on Oneida increased from 3 to 5 fish per day.

5. ND: F-M Walleyes Unlimited meeting, Fargo, Dec 8.

> It’s a special event with lots of extras, including 2 speakers…Dave Randash, prominent Devils Lake, ND fishing guide and Suzie Kenner, Executive Director Devils Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau.

> The doors open [to the public] at 6:00 pm with a youth education event, an open social and lots of door prizes. The business meeting and featured presentation start at 7 pm.

6. MN: Joel Nelson is doing an ice-fishing seminar in Brainerd.

FREE event put on by the Walleye Alliance on Thurs, Dec 8 [TOMORROW] at Yesterday’s Gone. Social hour from 6-7pm with Joel talking from 7-8pm. Prizes, raffles, and kids are encouraged to attend.

7. SICK deal on FishUSA right now!

Just saw that they have 40% OFF 👀😳 Simms Men’s Challenger Jacket and Bibs?! I have been beating the snot out of that same summertime suit for 6-ish years now – absolute steal at $119 a piece (normally $200 each).

They also have 25% off of the insulated version of that jacket and bibs. Amazing early-spring and late-fall suit…and honestly I wear mine ice fishing all winter long too.

Few other solid FishUSA deals happening today only…they’ve 15% off all ice augers with promo code: ICE. And also buy 2 get 1 free on Rapala Rippin’ Raps and Ultra Light Rippin’ Raps.

8. New CEO for Rapala VMC international.

> The board of directors of Rapala VMC Corp and Rapala VMC’s president and CEO since March 2020, Nicolas Cederström Warchalowski, have mutually agreed that Warchalowski will resign….

> The board has appointed Rapala’s chairman Louis d’Alançon as interim president and CEO with immediate effect. Mr. d’Alançon will continue in his position as the chairman of the board.

> The board of directors will start the recruiting process for a new CEO.

9. The prez of Mustang Survival announced his resignation.

> [Jason Leggatt] will become a member of the Board following his departure, enabling him to provide the Board counsel and strategic guidance for The Wing Group and the Mustang Survival business in a governance role.

> The Wing Group/Mustang Survival has commenced the search process for a new business unit President engaging the executive recruiting firm Boyden Canada. On an interim basis, VP Finance, Juanita Killen, has been appointed acting President. The Board wishes to express appreciation for Jason and his contributions to the company and wish him every success in his future.

Yup, this is real life…. Have a shot at winning this Garmin LiveScope Plus Ice Fishing Bundle LI! The term “game changer” gets thrown around a lot in the fishing industry, but LiveScope Plus is SERIOUSLY mind-blowing stuff!

Allows you to see fish swimming in real time 🔥 I have learned soooo much from watching the fish’s moods in how they’re reacting (or not reacting lol) to the presentation. Drill a single hole and scan for fish/structure in ANY direction, see which way the fish are moving, and know exactly where to drill your next hole to stay on ’em = yes please! 🎯

And the new LiveScope Plus (LVS34 transducer) kicks things up another notch with…

> “…35% more target separation over the existing system [which is already insane] with sharper resolution, reduced noise and Garmin’s clearest images.

> “…capable of identifying and separating targets as small as 14″ at distances 100′ from the boat [or ice hole] so anglers can see exactly what they need to with improved stitching, reduced noise and fewer on-screen artifacts….”

Bonus points for “LI,” meaning lithium battery = lighter and longer runtime.

Takes 10 seconds to enter by clicking the pic below, and can share the link you get for bonus entries. 👊 Good luck!

These homemade PVC rod tubes look legit. 💯 Great DIY idea from Forcier’s Fishing Guide Service. He uses 3/4″ PVC pipe – cuts the opening and plops caps on each end. Said he makes them 1.5″ longer than the rod to slide in and out of the holder. Diggin’ it:

It’s tough to imagine where the ice industry would be without all that Dave Genz has done…so a big thank YOU, man! And happy birthday!!! 🙏👏👏👏

Scariest job in the world would be having to carry THAT cake from some random parking ramp all the way to its final destination…without tripping. 😰

Awesome Humminbird Side Imaging screenshot from The Technological Angler of a loon “flying” past underwater:

National Professional Anglers Assoc. 

MN-FISH