Homeless state record, Fishing rod lightning strike, Bottom-bouncer tips

Few weeks back I shared the story (Top Item #3) on how the late LeRoy Chiovitte’s MN state-record walleye was caught back in 1979. Come to find out that he didn’t put anything in his will about his most famous possession – it’s sitting in an enclosed glass case on a desk in his wife Joanne’s Hermantown apartment…but needs a permanent home.

Full scoop from this Northland Outdoors write-up:

> Joanne: “I don’t want it sitting in anybody’s basement. …really haven’t made any firm plans yet. But it should go somewhere where it can be seen by people.”

Guess they had planned to donate it to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame museum in Hayward, WI but turns out they don’t have the space for it:

> Emmett Brown, exec dir of the HOF: “A lot has changed with regard to our museum operations since 1979. Mostly, we are full. We already have a lot of large walleyes on display…therefore I have to respectfully decline Mrs. Chiovitte’s generous offer.”

Soooo where should it go???

Joanne told John Myers of Northland Outdoors that she’s open to ideas but needs to discuss it with her children and grandchildren.

Here’s John Myers spitballin’ a few ideas in the full Northland Outdoors write-up:

> Maybe the MN DNR might want it for its Minnesota State Fair display?

> Or how about the Minnesota Historical Society? Heck there’s nothing more historic in the Land of 10,000 Lakes than the state’s biggest walleye.

> The Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame, located in Little Falls, might be interested, too.

John said anyone with ideas is welcome to send ’em in to his email and they’ll pass ’em on. I’ll keep you posted if I hear any news about its potential landing spot.

In case you’re not familiar with the AIM Pro Walleye Series, it’s a “Catch-Record-Release” format tourney in WI, MN, and ND where weights are calculated based off of fish’s length and they’re immediately released back into the water. ♻️

They were recently on Mille Lacs Lake in central MN where Michael Olson (top) caught a 30.75″ walleye on day 1…then a different team CAUGHT THE SAME FISH on day 2 just 100 yards away. More proof catch and release works! And also how different camera angles can make the same fish look more bigger-er or smaller:

1. Just found out today is National Go Fishing Day.

So I hope you’re reading this from the water! But it’s also “National Picnic” and “National Flip Flop” day as well…so if you’re reeeeally good, you’ll pull off all 3 at the same time.

2. US/CAN border restrictions extended to July 21.

🙄

3. ON: RCMP stepping-up patrols on Rainy Lake.

Apparently Canadian fishing guides are fed up with U.S. guides allegedly bringing folks across the border – without customs clearance – and “depleting the [Canadian] fishery and the experience for people who do come to Canada.”

4. Been a 10-12% increase in tournament entries…

…since events could open again after pandemic closures, according to MWC’s Jeff Kelm. Info from this OutdoorLife write-up talking how fishing pressure increased during COVID, and some folks are wondering if that’s actually a bad thing for gamefish populations.

5. Couple more Humminbird MEGA Live details….

I didn’t realize this until I got to see them at the Bassmaster Classic, but looks like it doesn’t get much easier to run you some “live sonar” if you’ve already got a compatible Humminbird HELIX, SOLIX, or APEX model since there’s no “black box” to install.

Just gotta “connect the included Ethernet and power cable and attach the three-position MEGA Live transducer to your trolling motor and you’re ready to fish.” I’ve been running HELIX units for years now, so did a little more digging on them, and software updates will actually let you use it with a HELIX 8-12 G3N as long as it’s a Down Imaging or Side Imaging unit. Pretty dang awesome.

Also came across this YouTube video from bassin’ pro Carl Jocumsen that shows MEGA Live being installed on his rig, and some bonus footage of his first couple hours playing with it on the water:

6. IA DNR’s doing walleye experiments on Lake Anita.

Trying to see if small, 2″ walleye can survive being stocked in different lakes. Problem is the small size makes them a tasty treat for other fishes.

7. MN: Mille Lacs resort owners worried regs will affect business.

Walleye are currently in a catch-and-release szn out there, but will be completely off limits to even target from July 1 thru July 15. Good excuse to go catch a 5-lb smallie, tho.

8. When crazy crankbait colors shine for ‘eyes…

Great read from the folks at In-Fisherman on custom-crankbait colors.

9. MN Fishing Challenge raised over $435K…

…for the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge thx to the 300+ folks who participated in the charity derby. Amazing.

10. How about Jason Przekurat putting Korey Sprengel on blast? 😂

Yes, the “pros” are real folks just like us who like to bicker and banter, and/or get their beauty sleep lol:

11. Email remains a vital marketing tool for dealers…

…if it’s done right…. Sorta interesting read on email marketing and why experts call it the staple of content marketing. Which btw if you’re reading this, thank YOU for being a part of the Target Walleye fam!

12. Cory Schmidt gets Z-Man.

Minnesota nice meets some of the best finesse-’em-up baits I’ve ever used. Congrats to both.

> As Media Relations and Marketing Manager, Schmidt will lead Z-Man’s communications efforts and will be charged with drafting and distributing press releases, serving as Z-Man’s primary media contact, and coordinating participation in media events. He will also run point on Z-Man’s media buying efforts and will assist with marketing strategy and new product development.

What’s scary (in a really good way) is Z-Man says they “feel like we’re just getting warmed up and have a lot of great stuff in the works for our anglers.” Ohhhh baby!

13. WI DNR celebratin’ 75 yrs of fisheries research…

…in northern WI thx to the Northern Highland Fishery Research Area.

14. MN: Hannah Mishler named CO of the year.

Bemidji-area conservation officer. Congrats!

15. DC: Senate has reauthorized the Sport Fish Restoration Act.

Oh, and props to X2Power on backing their goods with a 48 month free replacement warranty. 👏👏👏

Takes just 10 seconds to enter below (click the pic below) and can share the link you get for bonus entries. Good luck!

How Eric Naig bottom-bounces summer ‘eyes.

We shared this “Bottom Bouncing 101” video a few years back…but there’s been a lot of new folks here since then, so time for a little refresher. Northland Tackle’s Eric Naig gives away all of his bottom-bouncer secrets while on Lake of the Woods, his “favorite place in the world to fish.”

> A 1.5-oz Northland Rock Runner Bottom-Bouncer is the most universal weight size. My rule of thumb is 1-oz in less than 10′, 1.5-oz in 11-25′, 2-oz from 26-35′, and 3-oz for anything over 35.

> Want to have enough weight so that your bottom-bouncer is at a 45-degree angle, which will keep you out of snags. The shorter the leader, the less snags you’ll get.

> My all-time favorite color on Lake of the Woods is the “golden shiner” Northland Baitfish Image Blades. I like to make a perch pattern in my beads when I tie my own rigs: some greens, reds and oranges. That rig has caught me a lot of fish.

> Nightcrawlers, minnows and leeches all work well, but one of my favorite things to use is the Impulse Rig’N Leech.

> Lay your blade in the water and make sure it’s spinning, but ideally I like to stay between 0.8 and 1.2 mph. I put my trolling motor on continuous so it’s always moving.

He didn’t say it, but no need to feed ’em line when you get bit or they might feel the weight of that extra hardware. Instead just lower your rod tip back towards the fish to give ’em a second, and then sweep sideways into ’em.

More from Eric in this video:

“Walleyes aren’t acrobats, so don’t try to pull it away from ’em all the time.

– What Eric Naig’s buddy told him (in the video from our Tip of the Day above) about overworking walleye baits.

BUT walleyes can sometimes unintentionally be acrobats…just ask French River fishing guide Tyler Perry:

*** No 27″ walleyes were harmed in the making of this photo lol. #FishFlopFriday

National Professional Anglers Assoc. 

MN-FISH