How John Hoyer fishes the Berkley Power Switch thru the ice 🥶🕳️
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We’ve talked about how Hoyer works the Berkley Power Switch for open-water walleyes on FFS, but it’s also become one of his go-to ice fishing baits. Catches eater-sized fish AND big bruisers like this 28-incher he iced with his bud Jay Siemens:
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Says similar to open water, how he fishes ‘em thru the ice depends on how the fish are reacting to it on sonar. 🎯
He broke down some of those tricks below after a couple of days on the ice in SD when the fish’s moods changed...
He tied on a 2.5" size Berkley Power Switch in the "HD blue wizard" color and never had to take it off...
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...but he did have to switch up his cadence to seal the deal:
> Day 1 was all about slack-line pops to attract them and get their interest. As soon as they locked on, I made them chase it up quickly 2-3’ with a quick sharp cadence. They would absolutely choke it.
> Day 2 was different, I would use the same slack-line pops, making the bait dart around and call them in. As soon as the fish was directly under me and coming up for a look, I would sneak one more good pop in while they were 18” below the bait. The next step was easy, hold my rod dead still at the top of the stroke and let the bait search back to center. This was the ultimate move that day, and once I figured it out , they were choking it just as good or better than the day before.
Something to keep in mind the next time you hit the ice and get turned down by a finicky waldo. 👍 Hope it helps you turn a few into fish tacos!
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In no particular order...
1) Walleye pro Dylan Nussbaum and his buddy Ryan made the run to OH to fish the Lake Erie ‘Fall Brawl’ for a day. They spotted a huge mark on FFS and spent 10 minutes straight trying to coax ‘er into biting when it finally engulfed Dylan’s Z-Man Graph ShadZ...
> “...so excited I was yelling at Ryan to get the net after seeing the giant head and the length of this fish, thinking for sure it was the winning fish. Once Ryan scooped her up we both knew the length was there but not even close for weight. She was 31.25” long and a disappointing 7.5 lbs for weight. Still was one of the most exciting fish catches in quite a while!”
Check out the massive frame on this dino!
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2) New PB alert! 🚨 Gord Silzer bundled up and Striker Ice’d this 32.25” behemoth on SK’s Last Mountain Lake – said she barely fit thru the hole! Equally as cool is that he caught it on a bait he had custom painted himself and that it was released to get even more bigger-er:
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3) Jeremy Berg hung himself a 32-incher with the Walleye Snare from JT Outdoor Products (siiiick deadstick rod, more details on that later). Props on the fish of a lifetime!
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4) Lake Gogebic, MI guide Justin Soffa had a crew out fishing thru some nasty conditions and they were rewarded with a pile of fish, including a half dozen jumbos that broke the 14" mark. 🐖
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And as you can tell by that fish’s paunchy stature, there’s no shortage of bait/forage in Mille Lacs right now. Which can make the fishing tough (since they’re already stuffed full) but you never know when one’ll decide to go back for dessert.
6) Who says you always need to go north for giant walleyes?! Jacob Sweere proved otherwise with a 30.25” tanker he caught while exploring right in his hometown in southern MN. 💪🔥
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Jacob also said, “In my free time I always push myself to explore new water and expand my knowledge. Persistence is key!” Love the mindset!
7) Nothing better than a father/daughter duo making memories on the water 🙌 but to top it off with a 33" Wyoming walleye?! Absolute dream fish and moment for Tristen Boysen I’m sure:
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Wyoming has some epic trophy walleye fisheries (Boysen, Glendo and Pathfinder Reservoirs to name a few), I’m not sure which one they were fishing on...but what I do know is those tiny little ice cleats she’s rocking in the pic ^ are outstanding lol.
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The biggest crappie to ever be caught thru the ice on film 🎥
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What a way to kickoff season 5 (episode 1) of The Crappie Chronicles! “Griff” caught the 17.5-incher in Metro MN on a 1/16-oz Clam Pinhead Pro...believe he was using the "rainbow glow" color. 😳 Here she be!
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> Didn’t get a weight or girth as we just wanted to release her quickly. I’d guess girth 15.5” to 16.5” as she grazed an 8” hole pretty good, weight estimated around 3.5 to 3.75 lbs
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My brain can’t even handle a crappie of that size coming thru the ice. Yet these fellas still aren’t satisfied, and already back out getting after it in search of an 18-incher. 👏
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Hoyer’s power approach to ice fishing for shallow-water walleyes
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Now here’s the scoop from Hoyer’s outing with the Wired2Fish crew...
Why fish Devils Lake for walleyes?
> Devils Lake offers unique opportunities for ice fishing walleyes in shallow water, even during the harshest winter months. Hoyer explains why walleyes often stay under 8' of water, rummaging through flooded structures like old roadbeds, rock piles, and even submerged farmsteads. This shallow water behavior is a treat for ice anglers.
Best tools and techniques for ice fishing walleyes
> Use forward-facing sonar: FFS makes it easier to locate fish by surveying a wide area under the ice. Hoyer sets the sonar range to 60-80’ [forward] when searching, then narrows it to 10’ when he's on fish.
> Use aggressive baits: Walleyes are often much more aggressive under the ice than anglers realize, especially in shallow water. The crew uses a combination of lipless crankbaits to help draw curious fish to their location, then triggers them with fast-darting glide baits like the proven Berkley Finisher.
> Light rods for shallow water: A 30” light-action rod [essentially his favorite perch rod] makes for an ideal skinny water ice stick for walleye. Hoyer prefers the bite detection afforded by a soft tip, while the flex improves hookup ratios with treble baits. The 6-lb FireLine and a fluorocarbon leader support fast lure fall rates, abrasion resistance, and high-percentage hookups.
Pro tips for success on Devils Lake
> Focus on structure: Search for flooded roadbeds, rockpiles, or other underwater structures. These areas attract walleyes year-round.
> Adjust to the bite: Use a mix of aggressive and subtle jigging to match the fish's mood.
> Stay mobile: Drill new holes and scan large areas to locate active fish. Devils Lake's shallow-water walleye action makes for exciting ice fishing. Whether targeting walleyes for dinner or refining your ice fishing strategy, this video covers everything you need.
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“Holy man that thing is almost the size of a muskie, Mom!” 👧🏼🗣️
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- That’s Brynlee talking to her mom, Ashley Holmgren of Devoted Outdoors, about this huge Lake Winnipeg (Manitoba) greenback she put topside. 🙌 No doubt a mommy-daughter memory to last a lifetime!
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> Devoted Outdoors: These are the days that we as a family will look back on and say “remember that one time” or “remember that trip we took” it’s so awesome to create these memories as a family as this is what you can hold onto forever. No one can take them away from you!
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Don’t worry...dad (John Holmgren) got to catch some hefty ones too!
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Keep doing your thing, Holmgren fam!
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1. Fresh Water Fishing HOF to induct 5 legends in 2025
Daryl Christensen, Allen Cole, Dr. Steven J. Cooke, Mike Norris and Ronald J. Spitler. Congrats all!
2. Free onX Fish class TONIGHT @ 6:30pm cst
> ...an introductory tutorial on how to get the most out of the onX Fish app. Enjoy a live Q&A throughout the class, enter giveaways for free gear, and walk away with a better knowledge of how to use the Fish App to its full potential both on the water and on the ice. Attendance is limited, so register today!
3. Ice-head Matt Johnson no longer at Clam
Matt is an absolute rockstar, so my jaw dropped when I first heard the news. Few lines from Matt’s full FB post:
> Matt: A bittersweet day as I signed off on my last day in the office at Clam. I no doubt grew as an employee and person while working with that amazing crew, and they will continue to do amazing things! Top notch in so many ways. I’m eager and excited to embark on my new journey in my professional fishing career as I go off on my own as an independent guide and promoter, and I’m honored to have Clam as one of my biggest supporters!
> ...for my next chapter...it’s time to put my nose to the grind and book more guide trips, work my tail off, network in fun and new ways, promote the sport we all love harder than ever, create new memories and educate other anglers, and offer my services and knowledge to make others better!! Please look me up if you’re looking to be a part of any of that and let’s get after it!!
Best of luck on your future endeavors – no doubt you’ll crush it.
4. SD: Lake Herring are exploding on Lake Oahe
Guide Josh Loebs says the walleye bite is as tough as it’s ever been, and lake herring (aka tullibee, cisco, etc) growth rates are likely to blame. Awesome for the fish, not so awesome for fishing...at least for now.
He’ll be turning these ones into pike bait:
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But those greasy critters are also a big reason why Oahe's been kicking out some absolute slob walleyes. Lot of folks say it’s just a matter of time before the 2023 state record walleye of 17-04 gets broken again....
5. MLF is putting lock boxes on FFS
> Major League Fishing (MLF) has unveiled a new lock box, designed and manufactured by Precision Sonar, that will support new rules limiting anglers to the use of 2 forward-facing or 360-degree sonar transducers during competition. The innovative, simple-to-use device will be provided free to all anglers who need to lock out excess transducers during competition.
This is real life lol.
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> ...excess transducers are disconnected and cable plugs are securely capped with the high-visibility lock box provided [prior to launching].
> Make a quick stop by the Precision Sonar Lock Station at the end of the competition day to have the device unlocked by MLF staff.
6. Lindy has been doing some fun live vids
Livestreaming right on their FB and YouTube channel. WARNING: These livestream videos will decimate your productivity levels at work, but worth it, and a great chance to ask Qs
7. Northern MN guide Donnie O'Bert rolls in style
How’d you like to get picked up in this ice rig?! 😮
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8. US/CAN: Virtual “Clam Trap Attack” tourney, Jan 18-19
Multispecies derby (northern pike, walleye, sunfish, yellow perch, crappie and lake trout) that costs $20 to enter and can be fished by any ice angler thru the FishDonkey app. Thousands of $$$ in Clam goodies up for grabs and a pile of different ways to win.
9. Tom Huynh's thoughts on the NPAA conference (video)
Tom just hit his first NPAA Conference and called it the ultimate winter hangout for fish heads. 🎣 Says it’s a close-knit crew where seasoned anglers, tournament pros, and guides talk fishing and business – doesn’t get better than that!
Plus, NPAA sponsors drop some solid discounts on tackle, apparel, and more. If you’re in the biz, it's a place you wanna be.
10. MN: Youth ice derby at Cedar Lake, Jan 18
Just west of Faribault and hosted by Rod’s N’ Racks Outdoors = a group that focuses on getting kids outdoors.
11. WV: Ice derby supports 9-yr-old’s fight against brain cancer
That’s Midvale Station’s 14th-annual Benefit Ice Fishing Derby & Raffle happening Jan 24-26 at Ocean Lake.
> This year’s fundraiser will benefit 9-yr-old Madison Belle Friday and her family, after she was tragically diagnosed with high-grade glioma brain cancer in late 2024.
12. Virtual “America’s Ice Fishing Tournament” is Feb 8
> The tournament is virtual and anglers can participate from any public, frozen body of water. The event is open to anglers in MN, WI, ND, MI and SD through the FishDonkey app. Eligible species include walleye/sauger, northern pike, crappie, perch, and sunfish.
> Proceeds from America’s Ice Fishing Tournament benefit Confidence Learning Center.
13. Whitewater Fishing 🤝 Target Walleye
High quality gear you'll actually enjoy wearing. I've been LOVING it all season. More to come.
14. IA: Snapping turtle spotted "brumating" under ice
Pic and little info from the IA DNR in case you hadn’t ever heard the word “brumating” before either:
> ...this snapper under the ice is just brumating. It might sound super emo, but it's kinda like hibernating for reptiles. They're able to continue to absorb oxygen through their skin while they're underwater for the winter.
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You into crappie fishing? Anyone you know into crappie fishing? Well, we're doing a 1x/week "crappie blaster" called Target Crappie. Coming soon – sign up here or click the logo to sign up:
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TJ Erickson’s spot(s) on the spot for flash bite 'eyes
> Ice fishing walleyes on small, stocked lakes usually means one thing = a flash bite during prime time. Today's video talks through some high-percentage locations to target walleye during the flash bite, while also giving a bunch of tips to help you capitalize on your chances during this small bite window.
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"That fish knows all there is to know about the shrimpin' business."
- Funny Forrest Gump reference in a comment under this FB post of a merp pike iced by William Kangas. 😅
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I would love to see the underwater footage of that bite hahaha!
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Did you know the Lindy Rattl’N Flyer (proven fish-catcher) now comes in a “wonderbread glow” color? This walleye found out the pokey way:
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Hope you have a great + safe weekend! Thanks SO much for reading – I'll see you back next week. 👊
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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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