ND walleye record nearly broken, Wiggle don’t jig baits, Fishing obsession defined

Get this (from here):

> Jeff had the fish weighed in Garrison where it came in at 16-07 which would’ve broken the current record by 1oz. However, the place in Garrison couldn’t certify the weight so Jeff was forced to wait until he got to 3B Meats in Bismarck.

> …by the time they made it to Bismarck to weigh the fish, it came in at 16-03. It’s not uncommon for fish to lose some weight after they’ve been out of the water for a while.

Absolutely amazing fish! 🙌

That also means that Jared Shypkoski’s current state record of 16-06 will hold…for now:

Caught her about 1 hr before dark trolling crankbaits in the “Cannonball” area of the Missouri River south of Bismarck.

I reached out to Jared at the time to confirm some deets and found out he caught it with a Smithwick Perfect 10 Rogue custom-painted by Team Ultimatum Customs in their “neon glow shad” color. He said they were running their baits in 3′ or less [!] when that freakazoid bit. Using Off Shore Tackle Planer Boards so they could run 4 rods off each side and of course not spook those skinny-water slobs. 🎯

Huge congrats (again) on the fish of a lifetime, man!

Saw this awesome post on Simms Insta asking folks to:

> “Tell us you have a fishing obsession without showing a picture of you fishing.”

Their top selections from the post are full of so much awesomeness:

I mentioned before that new for the 2022-2023 ice fishing season, Clam has redesigned multiple models of the Fish Trap with their new XT (Extra Tall) design that is an “improved door system that allows for easier entry, more headroom, and is easier to use.”

If you haven’t gotten to see one in person yet, then I’m gonna use the whole “a picture is worth 1,000 words” thing and stop talking so much LOL. Here’s an awesome side-by-side comparison of a Kenai Pro Thermal versus a Kenai XT Thermal with the new XT (Extra Tall) design:

Of course you’ve gotta love not having to crawl on all 4s to get into a smaller 1-person shack anymore…but don’t forget longer rods and bigger hooksets!

Another little-big thing you might not think about is being able to set your heater up at the front of the house without the fabric touching or hanging over it from the angle. 🤑 Legit more use of fishable space inside shelter.

And it’s not just for 1-person shacks…this system also creates a true side door for their 2-person houses, so you don’t have to step over gear or ice holes and there are no additional poles to adjust for the side doors. #EasyAccess

1. VA: First state-record saugeye recorded.

Michael Miller caught the 6-lb saugeye (26.25″ long x 14″ girth) while chucking a crankbait on the Saunton River:

> After biologist verification and review by the State Record Committee, Miller’s catch was certified and is recognized as the current Virginia State Record Saugeye. This is the first entry and certified record for saugeye since the hybrid species was added to the State Record and Trophy Fish Programs in 2020.

2. Outdoor rec economy nears 1 TRILLION in economic output.

🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

3. Which rod is right for you? 🤔

Man, am I ever LOVING this “Ice Rod Power Chart” from Tuned Up Custom Rods! 🎯 Awesome, quick-glance graphic to pick out the perfect rod for your style of fishing:

4. New Okuma Ceymar HD gets 🏆.

Took home top honors in the ‘Best New Reel’ category at Big Rock Sports Outdoor Expo in Toronto.

They look and feel amazing at a really nice price point of $90 for the 1000, 2500 and 3000 sizes. I noticed FishUSA has ’em priced a little light at $84.99. 🤫

I got to snoop on one while down at ICAST and they feel really great in the hand. I’m a big fan of both the original Ceymar and their #money Baitfeeder model for ice fishing – not sure there’s a better budget-friendly reel for ice – so I’m looking forward to trying these ones. I’m going to be ordering a handful of ’em this weekend.

5. In-Depth Outdoors partners with 13 Fishing. 🤝

13 Fishing will be the exclusive rod and reel sponsor for all In-Depth Outdoors media beginning this 2022-2023 ice season.

Btw – Season 17 of In-Depth Outdoors TV starts this Sun, Nov 20.

6. MN: Arrowhead Ice Fishing & Winter Show, Dec 9-11.

At the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

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

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

8. Gamakatsu has entered the EDC knife market.

If they hold a point like their hooks do = 🔥.

9. Yamaha’s tech school partnership program adds 10 new schools.

10. New Tungsten Spindrop from JB Lures:

> The free-spinning propeller blade will create more flash and vibration on the rise and fall of the jig! Hook sizes #8 and #10 and 6 panfish catching colors.

11. NH: Let’s Go Fishing seeks volunteer ice fishing instructors.

12. IL: Dude caught transporting 2,600-lbs of live catfish?

From IN into IL. Why?! Lol….

13. ME gets $20 mil to rebuild state fish hatcheries.

> MDIFW will utilize a $20 mil investment from Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to redesign and rebuild two state fish hatcheries in Grand Lake Stream and New Gloucester. The two hatcheries produce over 70% of ME’s landlocked salmon and over 40% of the states brown trout that are stocked each year.

14. ME: St. Croix River alewives get a $5-mil boost.

> The St. Croix River once teemed with millions of migratory fish. New federal funding announced Thurs should give a boost to the recovering fish runs.

> The river’s runs of alewives, Atlantic salmon, eels, and shad declined after a series of dams blocked the fish from their spawning grounds, and the state of Maine blocked fish passage at those dams.

> Now, the fish are getting a boost from $5 million in federal money. The funds will go toward building a fish lift at the Woodland Dam, which will be the lowest dam on the river after the Milltown Dam is removed next year.

Common mistakes to avoid while ice fishing.

There’s some solid quick-hitters from northern-MN guide Jason Durham in this AnglingBuzz video. He’s primarily talking panfish, and hits things such as: Shaking vs jigging the bait, sloooowly making fish rise to bite, where your knot should be positioned on the baits’ eye, etc.

National Professional Anglers Assoc. 

MN-FISH