Hoyer’s confidence in the Berkley Finisher now = 📈🚀
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> I'll admit, this new glide bait originally wasn't a go-to for myself. That changed after fishing Lake Sakakawea last week. The water temp had skyrocketed, and there were baitfish everywhere. The fish seemed to be lazy generally and not acting like opportunistic summertime fish.
> About 1 out of 20 would eat a higher-action glide bait the second they saw it. If you could get the Finisher down to them, that ratio went up exponentially.
> This lure has a perfect profile and acts like a smelt on its last leg or a fleeing minnow when you start using the reel handle more.
> Long story short, I can now honestly say I will have one tied-on a rod for every walleye tourney going forward.
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Reminder that Korey Sprengel got 4th in the last NWT fishing it. But also he gave up a sneaky little secret (winning details) as to what sort of jigging cadence he was using to seal the deal. 🤐
> Sprengel: “It looks different in the water.... It has the pull towards the front, so it glides really well. It worked best when I was reeling it with little pops. It walks the dog as you’re retrieving it. They will chase it all the way to the surface sometimes. If you snap and stall, you’d only get 1 out of 100 to bite instead of 1 out of 5.”
> “I caught just about everything on a #9 Berkley Finisher (chrome color). The #9 is about the same size as the smelt that were down there. They were eating it so well the paint wore off on a few of my baits.”
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Of course the Berkley Finisher can be fished super erratically like most walleye folks fish glide baits, but it can also do more finesse-y things – including a nasty little tail wag – you just don’t see other hard baits doing.
This is the same bait that walleye hammers Scott Rohloff and Lance Busse used to win the National Team Championship on Lake Erie with a 2-day total (10 fish) of 80 lbs 14 oz!
And they also fished/worked it a little differently than you’d expect:
> Lance: “When the fish were fired up, they would sometimes eat it on the initial drop right over their heads. Most times, the key was to drop it down on them, watch to see them react to the bait, and then mix in small rod twitches with harder snaps followed by free-falling the bait on slack line. There were even times when the fish would follow it all the way back to the boat and circle the lure over and over before finally committing to bite. It was so fun to play with this bait and try different ways to coax the walleyes into biting it.”
> “The picture of the Finisher is from before the tournament started. I bet that one bait easily caught 300 walleyes this week!”
That bait was the largest #9 size Berkley Finisher in the "OG blue" color:
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Scott said they would use the "OG blue" color when it was sunny, and switch to the "French pearl" color when it was cloudy out or first thing in the morning. 🎯 I LOVE those little details.
Another long story short:
You’ve gotta play up with those jigging cadences! The more time you spend throwing specific baits, the more 1) you’ll learn about the things you can make ‘em do under the water and 2) finishing moves to get walleyes to bite based on how they’re reacting on sonar.
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Have you ever tried running all of the SAME crankbait colors in your trolling spread? 🤔
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I know that probably goes against everything you’ve ever heard when it comes to trolling for walleye with multiple lines – it’s commonly stressed to run multiple color options to “dial-in what’s working best” that day – but that’s not how this team rolls....
Interesting info from this detailed Forrest Fisher write-up in the Observer talking how the winners of the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Annual 3-Day Tournament on Lake Erie (out of Dunkirk, NY) took home the ‘dubyah’ trolling against the grain:
> They call themselves “Triple-Threat” because [Peter] Szklanka says his team members, Joe Vaccarella and Bob Wasson, are very good at dealing with changes on the fly when they go fishing together as a team.
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> With 96 teams in the mix for competition and more than $50K in cash prizes, this team led the 3-fish daily bag on day 1 with 20.55 lbs and did it again on day 2 with a 20-lb bag. Their 2-day total of 40.55 lbs provided a whopping 3-pound lead. Team “Triple-Threat” hung in there on Day-3 to earn the Championship Title with their day-3 bag of 18.08 lbs, including a big fish of the day at 8.08 lbs to give them 58.61 lbs total and a wide margin of victory....
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> Peter Szklanka, in a moment of celebration after the event, shared that it is all about common sense, simple presentation and stealth.
> “We fish from a small boat, a 19-ft Bass Tracker with a 200HP Mercury XPS and a Merc 9.9 4-stroke kicker. It’s a very quiet boat when we troll.”
> They fish with 8’ 6” White Diamond rods fitted with Okuma Coldwater line-counter reels loaded with black/red 27-lb lead core line from FishUSA. “We add a 60’ leader of 12-lb test Berkley Big Game monofilament, not fluorocarbon, and we use a bait-school effect presentation.”
> Team Triple-Threat caught their fish due north of Dunkirk Harbor and slightly east in 80-100’, trailing 7 to 10 color leadcore lines and two Dipsy-divers. They use the “Precision Trolling App” to identify the running depth of trolled lures, which is why they use the Big Game mono leaders instead of fluorocarbon. The 12-lb Big Game is the same diameter as the 10-lb Berkley XT used in the App.
> It’s all about understanding line drag, lure depth and where the lure is when you want it to be there. “We try to keep coordinated with that trolling bible App,” says Szklanka.
> The bait-school presentation idea means running all the same color lures, not necessarily by the same manufacturers. They ran Bomber Long-A (15A) lures, Yaleye Mooneye Minnow lures, and Wild-Berry #5 Colorado spinner worm rigs in their field of lures. All of our lures were in a basic “northern lights” color, which differs slightly from each manufacturer. From the side and bottom view, if you’re a fish, it must look like a giant school of forage.”
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> “We caught 25-40 fish daily, all the while looking for forage schools out there that we could skirt with our deployed lure field.”
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“Do you think a walleye would eat this? I’m trying to figure out if bass are that dumb or walleye fisherman are thinking way too hard on what bait to choose? Yeah I said it....”
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The OSP page for this bait, which they call the Saikoro Rubber Nonsalt, says this:
> OSP pro staff Yuki Minemura...money bait was the "SAIKORO Rubber" released by Fieldside. However, because it was handmade, it could not be mass-produced and was difficult to obtain.... To solve this problem, we started joint development....
> It is not hard to imagine that the SAIKORO Rubber is effective against bass feeding on insects and shrimp, but it also attracts bass that prey on small fish. Why is that? This is because, despite its small silhouette, it generates a large water push to achieve the sight-fishing technique of instantaneous movement.
> To use the lure, fall it to the bass's line of sight [weightless], and when the fish chases, twitch the lure to get the bass to bite it.
> When using a no-sinker lure, it is best to use a UL to L-class spinning rod and 3- to 4-lb fluorocarbon line.
Now here’s what some folks in the comments said. 😅
> Tyler Andrzejewski: Bass eat licorice. They will eat this.
> Greg Ballering: No, they won’t...but put this on a 2’ stick to keep the geese off your dock.
> Lynn Leifson: Walleye eat a worm twirling around on a bent hook. Why not?
> Will Pappenfus: *Notify me if price drops.
> Jake Didier: Lotta walleye caught on spinnerbaits, arguably the least realistic bait in the bass world.
> Rick Malik: In Lake Erie they would definitely eat that, wrapped in an old gym sock they would still eat it....
> Cody Nielsen: I’m more curious about how I can market hair jello for $20.
But also...
> Doug Glimmerveen: A lot of walleye guys have been really quiet about bass techniques since they found out Ned Rigs work on walleye. I'll bet this works too.
I might just have to take one 20 🤑 for the team and see if those big, suspended ‘overs’ would eat this thing on days when they won’t touch anything else....
Although waiting for weightless 'dice' to sink down to depth sounds fun.
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Ever seen a Bimini top like this before?!🫣
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I ran to the comments section 🏃♂️ and turns out tons of folks said they’ve done this before when moving boat lifts to new locations? I’m sure it’s slick IF it works out! But also this might explain why I’ve found multiple sunken boat-lifts in deep water using my Humminbird Side Imaging lol. #WaypointWaypoint
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Super cool markings on this crappie!
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> Jeff Smith: Almost like there's 2 types of genetically diff crappies in the pond, half always lack all the typical coloration of the other...nothing for them to hybrid with, and no other species of panfish besides pumpkinseeds inhabit it. We don't have flyers in Maine either.”
Your guess is as good as mine! Reminds me of a crappy-version of silver pike....
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1. 2025 MWC schedule is out.
- Mar 21-22: Illinois River – Spring Valley, IL
- Apr 11-12: Lake Erie – Port Clinton, OH
- May 2-3: Petenwell Lake – Rome, WI
- May 30-31: Lake Oahe – Mobridge, SD
- July 18-19: Bay De Noc – Gladstone, MI
- Sept 12-13: Cass Lake – Cass Lake, MN
- Oct 9-11: Championship – Le Homme Dieu Chain – Alexandria, MN
2. SD: Ellingson/Strutz win Bitter Lake MWC.
A big cold front caused a 12-degree DROP in water temps...but these fellas were still catching 75-100 per day:
> “We caught almost all of our fish vertical jigging slowly to keep our presentation correct. A combination of live bait and Jigging Raps triggered bigger fish to eat, it was just a matter of sorting through the incredible population of younger year classes of walleyes.”
3. MN: Experimental regz on Saganaga + Sea Gull lakes expiring.
Reminder: This is the area where LeRoy Chiovitte (who passed on Nov 2019 after his third battle with cancer) caught the 17-lb 8-oz MN state record back on May 13, 1979. Fish was 35.75” long with a 21.25” girth! He was specifically targeting monster walleyes with a #4 hook + shiner minnow on 8-lb line...fishing the mouth of the Seagull River – above the rapids – where it enters Saganaga Lake.
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Current regz = possession limit 3, minimum length 17”, only 1 over 20”
These experimental regz were originally set...
> “...in response to concerns from anglers over a lack of smaller walleye in these waters, coupled with DNR assessment data showing declines in the number of walleye of all sizes present.
> “The minimum size limit is intended to protect younger fish from harvest, to maximize returns from natural reproduction and stocking. The lower bag limit is intended to prevent harvest of too many fish as they grow larger than the minimum size limit. The restriction on the number of fish over 20” that can be taken has been included to be consistent with statewide walleye regulations, and to prevent overharvest of the largest walleye in these waters.”
So now that the experimental regz are expiring 3/1/25, there’s a meeting to discuss what’s next set for 9/20/24 from 6-8pm at the Seagull Lake Community Center.
4. MN: Couple more lakes got the zeebz.
Lake Byllesby (Goodhue/Dakota counties) and Buffalo Lake (Becker County).
5. UT: Proposed reg change on Echo Reservoir.
> Removing the catch-and-kill regulation for walleye at Echo Reservoir and implementing the statewide walleye regulation of allowing people to keep 10 walleye, with 1 fish over 24”.
Would go into effect Jan 1, 2025 if approved.
6. Shimano global fishing sales down 6.8% in first half.
> "As demand for fishing tackle that had been overly strong globally cooled down, sales remained weak. However, adjustments to market inventories started to show signs of progress."
7. Future Angler Foundation merged with Wildlife Forever.
8. Sounds like Egypt is getting into the hook biz...
...to compete with China as a supplier.
9. New tech for faster development of soft-plastics?
> Philip Jones, founder of 3D Tech Innovations, has received a utility patent for his approach to manufacturing soft plastic fishing lures using metal 3D-printed dies, and is prepared to license that technology to interested parties.
> Jones – who has designed over 200 different products for 6th Sense Fishing, Googan Squad, Z-Man Fishing Products, Bass Mafia and others – believes that usage of his offerings will make the development of new lures more efficient, less costly, and more customizable.
10. KastKing's Al Noraker is retiring.
11. Scott Higgins is Yamaha's new outboard marketing manager
Internal hire:
> In his new role, Higgins oversees Yamaha Marine advertising, events, tournaments and sponsorships, Yamaha pro staff and Yamaha Marine dealer education. He succeeds Susan Camp, who retired in Aug 2024
12. Alex Funke = new sales manager of Fitzgerald Fishing.
13. Sounds like biz as usual for GSM.
New majority owner, Platinum Equity, says nothing will change:
> “We will partner with the company to expand its offering through in-house R&D and pursue the large and growing pipeline of prospective acquisitions in both existing product categories and new segments."
14. Sportsman's Warehouse (SPWH) got a $45 mil loan.
> With the addition of the $45 mil term loan, the company’s total borrowing capacity, which includes its revolving credit facility is now $395 mil, subject to borrowing base calculations. Of such total borrowing capacity, $162.3 mil is currently outstanding and $124.2 mil is currently available for future borrowing.
15. Ken Duke is now working with the NPFL.
Media and communications coordinator.
16. NC: Johnny Morris bought Hatteras Yachts
> The Ranger saltwater and Mako saltwater boat brands will now be built in New Bern....
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Toby Kvalevog’s live-bait rigging breakdown.
> Live-bait rigging (or Lindy rigging) is perhaps the most effective system for fishing walleye ever developed. Yet, it comes with its own set of nuances that can be crucial for success. In this tip, long-time guide and tournament angler Toby Kvalevog breaks down live-bait rigging, from crawlers to leeches and minnows.
> Live-bait rigging was designed to put fresh bait in front of bait in the most lively way possible while covering water. That means dragging away from the boat with simple components: a sinker, a swivel, a leader line, and a hook. Each bait category requires modified equipment with the same set of components.
Choosing weights:
> The weight you use depends on the conditions. In shallow water or low wind, a lighter weight is desired to keep the bait from dragging on the bottom. Leeches, for example, require lighter weight to not impede their natural swimming action. Upsize your weight as you increase depth and wind speed. In clear water, you also want to get your presentation away from the boat, and controlling your weight can help you do that effectively. Generally, 1/8 oz is good for 6-8’, 1/4 oz for 8-15’, 3/8 oz for 15-20’, and 3/4 oz for anything deeper than 20’.
Choosing hooks:
> A #2 octopus hook is excellent for minnows and sometimes crawlers when dealing with larger walleye. A bigger hook means a bigger hook gap for the wide nose of creek chubs, for example. They are often thicker gauged, so they better hold on to big walleye, too. That being said, there is such a thing as too heavy of a hook, especially regarding leeches. Downsizing to a #8 octopus hook, for example, helps keep the leech swimming naturally. Overall, a #4 octopus hook is good for fishing with a crawler, but again, you can upsize when targeting larger fish. This is because you create the action more with a crawler by gently sweeping the road occasionally to compensate for the fact that worms don't naturally swim in the water. Upsizing the hook with leeches leads to dragging and balling up the leech or collecting moss and debris on the bottom.
Choosing line:
> Your leader material choice depends on the bait. For crawlers and minnows, fluorocarbon is fine, but for leeches, you'll want to switch to monofilament leaders. This is because minnows attract toothy critters like pike and tend to run closer to the bottom, where they're more likely to run into the sharp edges of zebra mussels. Fluorocarbons' abrasion-resistant properties limit break-offs from these hazards. You can and should also add air to the nightcrawler with a worm blower to keep them up off the bottom. Fluorocarbons' downfall with leeches is that it sinks and drags leeches to the bottom and weighs them down. Kvalevog uses a 6-lb monofilament for leeches as it tends to float and keep the leech up and swimming naturally.
Choosing speed:
> Another way to keep your hair looking natural is to control your speed. Again, leeches should be allowed to swim freely by slowing your speed down to around 0.4mph on your GPS. Minnows can be run up to 1mph, but you should always pay attention to what you feel from your minnow on the end of the rod. If your minnow gets nervous and starts swimming harder and more frantically, that's your cue to slow down, as a fish is likely approaching and making that minnow want to flee. For crawlers, 0.8-1.0mph is a good speed as you are actively imparting the action by slowly dragging or sweeping your road and letting it fall back on semi-tight line. This dragging motion creates spin, and when you stop, the air in the crawler floats up, provoking strikes from walleye in pursuit.
Equipment:
> 2500-3000 size spinning reels are excellent for live-bait rigging as you often let a lot of line out. Kvalevog spools up 6-lb mono for all of his live-bait applications. The light line again allows live bait to swim freely. A longer, lighter, tipped rod is preferred as you feel for both strikes and what your bait is doing down there. So, feel is a big deal when detecting a lively minnow, a spring crawler, a bound-up leech, or recognizing subtle bites.
> This age-old tactic hasn't stopped catching fish, but advancing technology and equipment have made it a very specific way of fishing. Take it from Toby Kvalevog, a live-bait master with a lifetime of professional live-bait fishing experience. These tips are truly the bread and butter when it comes to fishing live bait for walleye.
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“The perfect slot doesn’t exis...”
- That’s Layne Maier stopping in his tracks while talking about this Last Mountain Lake (SK) ham that measured 17.5” yet was pushing 4 lbs!
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Also one of the few times those length-to-weight conversion charts would be way off in the WONG way hahaha!
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My bud Nick Lindner caught himself a purty, up-north swimbait-eater! 😍
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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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