Massive 16-lber caught, Late fall cranking tips, Fantasy football is fishing

Apparently there’s been 2 different 16+ lbers caught in the last week-ish from Lake Oahe (Missouri River) out of Gettysburg, SD?!?!

This one was posted by South Whitlock Resort on FB who said Scott’s fish of 1,000 lifetimes went 16 lbs 1.6 oz thx to these wild dimensions: 31.8″ long x 22 1/8″ girth. 🤯

Sheesh!!!

I would love to know the specific bait/technique info too 🙋‍♂️ but no one ever seems to share that info…if I can dig it up, I’ll keep you posted.

There’s still plenty of fish to be caught if you’re willing to bundle up and get out! 🥶 The shallow, fall walleye trolling bite is an absolute blast! A lot of times they’ll eat shallow crankbaits all day this time of year, but you’ll also probably have the entire lake to yourselves once the sun sets….

Here’s an on-the-water video breakdown of the what/where/when/why that’s been working for me. Hope you dig it! And maybe even learn something:

I suddenly have the strong urge to move to the Devils Lake, ND area 😳 they’ve got a little bit of everything going on, and it all seems to grow fast and big lol.

Keep after those critters, Kendall!

Fishing is JUST like fantasy football…

Usually come into the day (matchup) with lofty expectations, and leave embarrassed about your (team’s) abilities 🤣. Once in a great while the stars align, and you’re feeling on top of the world. But usually you’re just trying to hang on for dear life hahaha.

You might not know this, but I am obsessed with fantasy football. Have a pretty decent track record in the handful of leagues I’m in each season – been playing for over 12-ish yrs now – but this season has been another grind with all the flops, injuries, trades, poor QB play, and the dreaded running back by committee. 🤦‍♂️

I’m sitting in the middle of the pack in most of my leagues, which feels like last place when you have a team that looks like it should be kicking teeth in. If you’ve found yourself at the top of the standings…I’m happy for you, I really am lol. But if your season has gone anything like mine, you desperately need to pile-on a few wins while hoping others’ around you start taking some Ls.

Just wanna say good luck to everyone out there riding the fence – unless you’re Jake Caughey who took the wind out of my FF sails last week hahaha. Here’s a few super-relatable memes so you know you’re not alone:

🙌 Love it, you two!

Although Eric could’ve just worn use usual attire and passed as Paul Bunyan:

1. SD: Dakota Angler Ice Institute happening Nov 11-13.

At the Sioux Falls Convention Center & Arena. The 2nd-largest ice show in the nation with over 100 vendors already signed up. And they always have a great lineup of free ice-fishing seminars:

More info on their site, or hit up their FB page for new speaker announcements, etc.

2. MN: Scott Mackenthun’s speaking at the TCWU meeting TOMORROW.

TCWU = Twin Cities Walleyes unlimited.

Scott Mackenthun = an incredibly knowledgeable fisheries biologist, outdoor writer, and great dude! Was lucky enough to spend an afternoon in the boat with him this summer and am already looking forward to the next time. 👊

3. MB: Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show is THIS WEEKEND.

Nov 5-6 at the Red River Ex Place.

4. AIM has a new River Division.

AIM Pro Walleye Series is catch-photo-release format. Here’s the schedule:

Apr 16 – Genoa, WI
Apr 30 – Dubuque, IA
Jun 11 – Redwing, MN/Hager City, WI
Sept 10 – Clinton, IA
Oct 21-22 – Championship – Prairie Du Chien, WI

5. Jason Oakes is the new Crestliner GM.

Great guy! Jason was previously the marketing director for Lund. Both brands (Lund and Crestliner) are owned by Brunswick.

6. NWT Championship episodes are on Outdoor Action TV.

I. Can’t. Wait. To. Watch. These. 😳

This was the Lake Erie derby (out of Dunkirk, NY) where most everyone was trolling…but John Hoyer thwacked ’em CASTING a 4.6” Berkley PowerBait The Champ Swimmer into the eelgrass, would snap the bait as hard as possible to clear the grass, and they’d bite it on the fall. His best colors were HD Bluegill and HD Yellow Perch:

7. MN: Possible walleye reg changes upstream of Island Lake Rez.

> The proposed regulation change for the Otter River from the mouth to the Boulder Lake dam, and the Cloquet River from the mouth to the rapids a half mile upstream, would require anglers to release all walleye 15-20” in length – the same regulation as applies to Island Lake Reservoir.

8. MN: New catch-and-release record muskie certified.

Eric Bakke caught the 58.25-incher trolling on Mille Lacs back on June 11. Some pics here. They measured, photographed and released the fish in less than a minute so she can get even more bigger-er.

The previous record was a tie for 57.25” muskies that were caught on Lake Vermilion in 2019 and 2021.

9. Design your own Clam Pinhead Pro contest.

Clam is having a coloring contest to design your own Pinhead Pro for a chance to win a Clam Bucket filled with Clam Pro Tackle, Ice Armor Gloves, and other Clam goodies. Can’t wait to see some of the designs:

10. SD: Zebra mussels confirmed in Clear Lake.

Marshall County.

11. MN: Zeebz found in Lake Shetek.

Murray County.

12. Wide-gap hooks aren’t just for open-water.

Check these little numbers from Eagle Claw:

> “We’ve curated an ice jig with the proven technical brilliance of a wide gap hook design, a compact tungsten profile, and the surgical sharpness of a Lazer Sharp hook. The Wide Gap Tungsten Arctic Ice Jig is a masterful piece of ice tackle, micro-adjusted and fine-tuned to help you catch more fish.

> “Wide gap Tungsten Arctic Ice Jigs give anglers more room to pile up bait and offer a better hook up ratio than traditional ice jigs. The wide gap Tungsten Arctic Ice Jigs are made with premium, American Made, Lazer Sharp hooks in a platinum black finish.”

13. Brunswick reports record sales at 2022 FLIBS. 🧂

FLIBS = Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

14. Shimano fishing sales up 9% in first 9 months.

But operating income was only up 1.7%.

15. MN: Grants available for invasive aquatic plant mgmt projects.

> The MN DNR offers grants to lake associations and other groups for invasive aquatic plant management projects…applications open Nov 10.

> Invasive aquatic plants are non-native plants that can potentially reduce native plant diversity and create recreational nuisance in lakes. The DNR’s invasive plant management goal is to minimize harmful effects caused by invasive plants while also protecting the natural resources and their use.

16. NPAA expands partnership with Traditions Media.

Do you know the difference between ‘glow’ and ‘UV’ jigs?

There’s a night and day difference between glow and UV jigs…lol. Seriously: One acts as a sponge to absorb/emit light while the other reflects it. Some knowledge from Northland Tackle’s Eric Naig – older post and video, but science is science:

National Professional Anglers Assoc. 

MN-FISH