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Reminder: If your email program cuts off the bottom of this email, click “View this email in your browser” up top to see the whole thing. Sorry about that – email programs keep changing stuff.
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Lake Erie: The bar has been set! 🤯
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Talking about the Lake Erie Fall Brawl and the Walleye Slam: Two massive fall derbies where the biggest walleye wins – they actually coincide with each other, so you could potentially win both at the same time if you were registered for each.
Aaaand luckily Tammy Stanton had registered for both because she just caught a 32.25″ Lake Erie behemoth that weighed 13.44 lbs [!!!] while fishing with captain Tee of Stiff Worm Charter on Monday, Nov 14.
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The contests run thru Sun, Nov 27…so obviously specific details on the catch (bait, technique, depth, etc) are going to be kept under wraps until after that 🤐 but I will have them in here.
Why so hush hush for now? Well, for 1st place…
The Lake Erie Fall Brawl is giving away a Ranger 622 FS Pro with a 400hp Mercury outfitted by AquaTraction, Lowrance, & Cisco Fishing Systems = $135,000 value.
And the Walleye Slam is dishing out a rigged Warrior V238 with a 400hp Mercury Verado and 15hp kicker…with upgraded torsion axle, Mamba wheel package + AquaTraction flooring, AirWave Pedestal seats, Lowrance electronics, RECON Fishing Systems tracks and rod holders = $175,000 value.
Add in bonuses for the women’s divisions, the top weekly winner, etc and that fish would be worth nearly $320K 🤑 if no one registers a bigger one by Sun, Nov 27 @ 12pm.
However it works out, BIG congrats on the fish of a lifetime!!!
Side note: Because it keeps coming up online, in DMs, emails, etc…here’s a little of what the Fall Brawl says on their site for validating entries:
> In an effort to legitimize tournament fishing and derby fishing the B’laster Fall Brawl will be scanning fish with a device used to pick up metal and other foreign objects that may be inside a fish being weighed. The B’laster Fall Brawl reserves the right to seize any fish being submitted for entry. If a fish is seized by the B’laster Fall Brawl or Walleye Slam, the length and weight (score) will be held pending further inspection. Pending successfully passing the inspection (conducted by Craig Lewis and Jason Fischer) the entered fish length and weight (score) will be honored by both the B’laster Fall Brawl and Walleye Slam.
> It is Big Water Walleye Championship’s objective to run an affordable, honest and enjoyable fishing derby. With that comes the obligation to check place winners for honesty and integrity prior to claiming their respective prize. You will not be harassed, belittled, tortured, or asked embarrassing questions that do not pertain to the FALL BRAWL DERBY or State Fishing and Boating Laws or regulations. You, as the contestant, will be given every opportunity to pass the Polygraph / VSA test and claim your prize. If in fact you are disqualified and removed from the FALL BRAWL Official results list you (or someone on your boat) will have recorded deception in (2) independent Polygraph / VSA tests. You will be given a written copy of your results as soon as practicable after results are finalized by the examiner.
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Here’s some great insight on polygraph tests.
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While we’re on the topic of verifying fish catches and whatnot….
I shared a link to this interview with Derik Zimmel, a lieutenant with the Grand Forks Police Dept (ND) who owns True North Polygraph, in the last Target Walleye…but I didn’t read it as closely as I should have. Was some really interesting info in the tail end of that write-up that I think deserves a call-out here:
> The components of the polygraph machine that are fitted to the person taking the test are “designed to capture a certain aspect of a physiological response. Scientifically, it’s activation of the autonomic nervous system.
> “…we look for relative changes in blood pressure and volume, changes in capillary blood flow and pulse amplitude at the very extremities – (the) fingertips. We look for changes in sweat gland activity. We look for changes in breathing patterns….
> “The tracings on the screen are variations in those and we score the responses that we obtained numerically to arrive at either a response indicating deception, no deception or something in between, which is inconclusive.
> “We try to keep it to 45 minutes or less, but it’s still going to be time spent in that room. We’re not just going to have someone come in, run a 5-minute test and put my name and reputation behind it.”
> Nerves will never cause someone to fail a test, either, Zimmel says. Everyone is nervous. “That’s one of the greatest fallacies, and it’s totally wrong. If nervousness caused the failed polygraph, it wouldn’t even exist because there’d be no diagnostic value, and the outcome would be the same for everybody.
> “I understand the mindset that they’re in when they’re coming in, and the amount of pressure, excitement – just the confluence of emotions going on within them at that particular time – can pose quite a challenge to polygraph. So a big part of my job is to get them calmed down, get them focused on the task at hand, try to capture their attention for just long enough that we can get a valid result and be the first one to shake their hand officially, and congratulate them on winning and send them on their way.”
> Zimmel says he’s had “a grand total of one person” fail a polygraph test in a fishing tournament, and that was a team member disqualified in the fall of 2021 during the first day of the [$1 mil Bass Pro Shops] U.S. Open…. “It wasn’t an obvious violation, but it was a clear violation that caused a clear response on the polygraph – and ultimately led to a clear disqualification.”
Now you/we know!
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Still speaking of verifying fish catches….
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You’ve maybe seen this one already – don’t think I have shared it in here yet – but a record 10.15-lb smallmouth (23.75″ long x 19.275″ girth) was caught by Gregg Gallagher a couple of weeks ago on the Ontario side of Lake Erie. 😳 By far the biggest I have ever seen or heard of: |
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And get this – from this Ontario Out of Doors post:
> The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, which operates the Ontario Record Fish Registry, confirmed the record on Monday, Nov 14 after Ohio Dept of Natural Resources biologists confirmed the fish was free of foreign objects via X-ray.
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Not sure if that’s something that’s usually done, or if it’s come up since the massive walleye cheating scandal, but a pretty cool shot anyways lol.
I honestly had no idea there had ever been a “double-digit” smallmouth caught before. So a little more insight from that Ontario Out of Doors post:
> The smallmouth – the only certified 10-lb bass caught in any of the Great Lakes – beat the previous record of 9.84 lbs from Birchbark Lake, near Kinmount, northwest of Peterborough, set in 1954.
> It’s also the third largest registered as a jurisdictional record behind the world record from Dale Hollow Lake on the TN/KY border (11 lbs 15 oz) and the AL state record from Wheeler Dam (10 lbs 8 oz)….
Sounds like from this Wired2Fish write-up that there’s only been four other 10+ smallmouth ever documented. Amazing fish!!! And crazy enough there’s probably bigger swimming around in Lake Erie that have never seen a bait before….
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Early-ice: How John Hoyer tracks down trophy bluegills. 🥶
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First ice might be your best opportunity of the year to catch truly huuuuge bluegills. Here’s how (and where!) big-fish junkie John Hoyer targets ’em when things lock up, and it’s likely not where you’d think…. |
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Location
Most folks zip straight off to the weeds…while Hoyer runs with the bulls in 15-30′, focusing on soft-bottom basins that flatten out at the base of a saddle or shelf:
> Hoyer: “They’re out on deep flats that have bug life going on – especially the trophy-sized fish. They’re following the food and not really holding to structure.”
Starts drilling holes in deep water at the base of a drop-off and moves OUT from there:
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Timing
Bluegills are picky when a lake first caps. Hoyer says, “they’re crabby” and “it takes a week-ish for them to adjust to it.” When fish start actively feeding again, time of day is crucial:
> “Big bluegills will shut off completely for long stretches – you have to hit the feeding windows, which are usually at first light and then dusk into nightfall.”
Says you can NOT rule out a lake for big ‘gills until you’ve spent time trying to locate fish at lowlight dusk. He’s also a big believer in overcast days with a falling barometer = fish are more likely to feed all day:
> “That’s when we’ll make a long run to a known trophy lake. Other than that, it’s basically the 2 feeding windows.”
Tackle
Any light rod combo will work, the key is a bite indicator like a spring bobber or noodle rod:
> “You have to be able to see the bite, because 90% of the time, you won’t feel it with gloves on.”
Hoyer fishes 3-lb Berkley Trilene Micro Ice Mono, switching to fluoro (which sinks) in deeper water to boost the bait’s drop rate. And here’s why he says 3-lb is the deal:
> “4-lb is too thick, and 2-lb will lead to heartbreak on a hookset, guaranteed.”
Lure selection isn’t as meticulous as it can get later in the season:
> “I usually go with a 1/16-oz tungsten jig or a 1/16-oz spoon. I’ll tip it with a red Berkley PowerBait Whipworm or Mayfly, and I’ll always have a bait puck of Euro larvae on hand, too. The key is getting it down in front of their face fast when the bite is on.”
Leans towards dark colors for bluegill, including red, black and motor oil. He’s also partial to lures outfitted with a razor-sharp Berkley Fusion19 hook.
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Tactics
Hungry bluegills often suspend low in the water column:
> “You’ll see them 2-5′ off the bottom. Sometimes, you can watch them compete for your lure on the flasher – that’s when you can really wail on them.”
Once he marks a fish, he moves his bait 12-18″ upward while quickening his jig cadence to mimic fleeing prey:
> “Then you let them catch up to it and eat it.”
Using a flasher also helps visualize the way bluegills feed using lateral line vibration:
> “A 1/16-oz lure will be a thick red mark, like a fish. If I’m getting denied, the first thing I’ll do is downsize jigs. The smaller jig shows up as a thinner, green line, and that lighter frequency is the same thing that happens on a bluegill’s face. When the bite is tough, less is more.”
And if you’re lucky, you might just hit a dusk plankton bloom on some lakes, and then:
> “It’s go-time. It gets so thick you can’t even mark your jig, but that’s their food source. If you hit one of those hatches, the bite is usually good as late as you want to stay.”
Thx for all the info, John! 👊
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The newest “Top 5” of the week!
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Episode 26 already 👊 big thx to our friends at Sea Foam for making this video series possible! 🍿 Hope you enjoy:
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I saw a video of the thing running underwater (don’t think it’s been released yet) and the way it deflects off structure/cover without getting hung-up looks special. Couldn’t believe some of the snags it rolled thru. I’ll share a link to that video once it’s out.
The 3 largest sizes (6.25cm dives 9-11′, 6.75cm dives 10-12′, 7.25cm dives 11-13′) have an insane tungsten weight-transfer system which helps it cast like a bullet. I was able to get my hands on a few samples and the first thing I noticed was they has a bigger, slower “KNOCK”ing or clicking sound thx to that tungsten ball from the weight-transfer system.
Most cranks have multiple BBs and a higher-pitched, faster rattle. But I’ve seen many days where that slower, singular “knock” blows everything else out of the water. Especially in cooler water or later in the season on pressured fish that have gotten accustomed to other “normal sounding” cranks.
2. IN: Local nonprofit stocked Wolf Lake with walleye fingerlings.
This is the 24th year Perch America has stocked Wolf Lake with “advanced growth walleye fingerlings” which are more expensive, but the 5-7″ fish have a much better survival rate. They’ve now added an estimated 124K advanced growth walleye to the lake.
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> Perch America funds the stocking program through donations from local organizations, fundraising about $5,000-6,000 every year. The annual stocking goes beyond keeping the fishing spot populated – it also helps balance the lake’s ecosystem.
> In Wolf Lake, high numbers of panfish, like the invasive white perch, eat all the available food, stunting the growth of other, more desirable fish.
> Healthy ecosystems rely on the “predator-prey relationship.” Predators such as largemouth bass, northern pike and, of course, walleye, help keep panfish populations in check.
3. IA: Rathbun Lake walleye reg changes coming Jan 1.
Currently, there is no length regulation on walleyes at Rathbun Lake, but…
> …DNR is implementing a 15″ minimum length limit on all walleye captured from Rathbun Lake, starting Jan 1, 2023. All walleyes measuring less than 15″ must be immediately released. Anglers can keep 5 walleyes per day.
> This regulation does not apply to the Chariton River below Rathbun Dam – the upper limit of the regulation will be the Wayne/Appanoose county line.
4. Merc rolls out industry’s first V10 outboards.
With the all-new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verados:
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> The new platform features the outboard industry’s first V10 naturally-aspirated powerhead. It leverages class-leading 5.7L displacement and a performance-inspired quad-cam design…. A class-leading 150-amp alternator swiftly charges onboard batteries….
> The platform’s all-new hydrodynamic gearcase is engineered to improve performance and durability across multiple applications while also maximizing fuel efficiency. …the all-new Revolution X propeller to perfectly match the V10 Verado…. Larger diameter and wider blades combined with the deep ratio of the new gearcase provide excellent handling, thrilling acceleration and high efficiency from low speed all the way to wide-open throttle.
> Adaptive Speed Control maintains engine RPM despite changes in load or conditions, making climbing large swells easier and cruising at low speeds smoother. Transient Spark Technology electronically adjusts spark timing to optimize low-end power.
5. MN: Blaine Hard Water Expo, Nov 18-20.
At the National Sports Center.
6. MN: St. Paul Ice Show, Dec 2-4.
At the St. Paul RiverCentre.
7. ND: Fargo Ice Fishing Show, Dec 9-11.
At Scheels Arena in Fargo.
8. These new PK Predator spoon colors look 🔥.
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Boom baby! 💣 Here’s your shot to win a new pair of hardwater sticks from Elliott Rods! Including their Evolution Ice Series ES42M-F and a ES44L-F! 💯 Quick rundown of each:
> The Evolution Ice Series ES42M-F is a 42″ solid carbon, fast-action blank that is a master at working rattle spoons, Jigging Raps, or any reaction lure presentation. The fast-action tip section parlays into a perfectly structured mid and butt section for the best hooksets and fish fighting performance. This will become your “go-to rod” for chasing walleyes.
> The Evolution Ice Series ES44L-F is a 44″ solid carbon, fast-action blank that excels at small spoon presentations for jumbo perch, slab crappies or light-line presentations for walleyes. This rod weighs nothing in your hand and fishes with both finesse and authority. If you love chasing panfish or hunting for jumbo perch, you’ll want to own one.
Oh, and they’re throwing in a 2B ICE XL Rod & Gear Case that holds 4 rods up to 46″ in length! They’re almost like a hybrid between a hard and soft rod case thx to the full-length PVC tubes to protect the rods and keep ’em from tangling.
Takes just 10 sec to enter and can share the link you get for bonus entries. 👊 Good luck
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Are you letting your jigging spoon sit too long?
Bringing back this solid write-up from Jason Mitchell – something to ponder while you’re waiting for fish-able ice:
> “One of the most common mistakes anglers make is letting the lure settle too much between strokes. The longer the lure hangs, the more the lure turns.
> “On the next stroke, the lure comes off a different direction and this direction is unpredictable. One second the lure is 6 inches in front of the fish and then the lure shoots towards the fish disappearing…game over.
> “Remember that walleyes don’t back up that well and they need room to turn around, this is why staying in front of the fish is so crucial.
> “Don’t let the lure settle at the bottom of the jig stroke. Start your up stroke before the lure settles so that the lure dances and the cadence and direction of the dart or swing becomes locked into one direction and becomes predictable. The target becomes much easier for fish to hit.
> “The moves that pull fish into the cone angle from 20′ away often have to change as a fish gets close. This understanding of how to use tempo and cadence to find fish while reading your electronics to trigger fish will help you catch a lot more walleyes this winter.”
You can keep reading Jason’s walleye-infested article here.
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“Now we know who’s been messing with the AC.”
– That’s IDO host James Holst talking about this pic of editor/videographer Chaden Roggow in the editing bay, preparing for Season 17 In-Depth Outdoors:
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And it looks like they’ll be walking on water. 🥶🕳🧊
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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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Who is Target Walleye
Target Walleye – walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jim Kalkofen, Jay Kumar, 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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