My thoughts are with everyone down in TX/OK/LA. That whole thing looks crazy. It’s so cold I even saw a dude catch a largemouth bass through the ice (on live TV) in TX! 😳 That has to be a first, right??
We’re finally crawling out of the deep freeze here in central MN. Hope you get the chance to sneak out fishing this weekend if you’ve been cooped up!
I finally splurged and got myself a new pair of winter tires. Had to – I’ve been dropping like tungsten all winter:
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Lol here we go!
> If you’re getting Target Walleye for the first time, a friend probably signed you up!
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Record crappie LiveScope’d on CA’s Clear Lake!
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Wow!!! Soooo big it doesn’t even look real…but the certified scale says she’s legit. Caught by Dave Burruss and went 4 lbs 5.44 ozs, and measured 17.75″ long with a 16″ girth: |
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Congrats man!!! 🎯 And check this out:
> Dave: “It had been a slow day bass fishing, but I saw a few bigger fish on the Garmin LiveScope that I thought were maybe bass. But these fish were suspended at 6-10′ deep in 25′. They ended up being huge crappie. There were 2 other crappies with this fish the same size that I couldn’t get to bite. I used a 4” Keitech Easy Shiner on a Cool Baits Underspin.
> “This fish is headed to the CA Clear Lake Biologist for more detail about its age and genetics. Then it will be mounted and put in my store for people to come see up close.”
The previous state record stood for 46 yrs [!] at 4-01 and was caught out of New Hogan Lake by Wilma Honey (sounds like a fishy alias) in 1975.
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My wife, Amanda, had spent a total of 27 minutes fishing for burbot (aka eelpout) this year when she stuck a freakin’ GIANT. Thing was pushing 32″ and 12 lbs! #BellyDragger
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I’m getting pretty used to her catching the big ones. Doesn’t seem to matter if it’s open-water or ice…walleyes, panfish or burbot…she ALWAYS catches the biggest of the day.
Swear I’m happy for her – I really am – but c’mon fish gods…send a little of that my way!
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Of course we weren’t setup for filming yet, but I did manage to get a chunk of the fight on video…
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We’re still a couple weeks early for what would be considered “prime time,” but burbot (aka eelpout) are already showing up and biting around north-central MN. The fight is incredible, they’re so ugly they’re pretty (can relate), and the bite will only get better from here on out!
It was -34°F 🥶 real temp this night so we decided to hard pass on hole-hopping and nestle up in a 21′ Yetti “Angler Edition” Fish House instead – big shout-out to the AnglingBuzz crew for letting us borrow it! Pumped to have warmer weather here NOW.
Like I mentioned above, you can catch part of Amanda’s battle with the biggie in the vid. I also talk (vent?) about some of the weird, weed-related movements I’m seeing burbot do RIGHT NOW. And dive into some open-water walleye jigs that can for sure catch ’em. 👊 Hope you dig it!
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Did you know “spearfishing” for walleyes is a thing?
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Apparently there are seasons in some SD waters – including sections of the Missouri River – where you can use a spear, speargun, bow and arrow, or crossbow to “stick” walleyes and they count towards your normal daily limit.
Sounds like quite the adrenaline rush – especially when it’s a 14-lb 15-oz behemoth like this dude whacked in the Mobridge area = the potential new state record “spearfished” walleye.” Check it:
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Wild! 🤯 They don’t get much bigger than that.
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Btw I took that pic about 6 years ago. We had a group of 10+ guys and caught those all in a short window after sunset. Ended up keeping the 10 smallest to clean and the rest were all released after the pic. No idea whatever happened to Rylander’s holey undies tho? 🤷♂️
Soooo…if you are THAT in love with burbot/eelpout: Wanna give you a little reminder that the virtual catch-and-release “Burbot Bash” tourney (for MN public waters only) kicks off at midnight tonight. Make sure you’re signed up TODAY if you wanna get in!
Costs $50 total for the 2-person teams and the app keeps track of your 5 longest burbs (aka eelpout) caught from Feb 20 to Mar 14. Bunch of random draw prizes too, whether you catch a fish or not.
Love the idea of being able to sneak out whatever days/times work for you. I’m already signed up with a buddy and ready to donate our entry fee lol. #TargetBurbot
Can check out the payouts, rules or register here.
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Those units are seriously amazing. The other day when it was -24°F I grabbed one of my flashers that did NOT have an Ice Defense Pro rigged-up on it, and the hole would literally be so iced-over within just 2 min [!] that I couldn’t even get a #5 Rapala Jigging Rap to punch through. Let’s just say I have an Ice Defense Pro rigged on that flasher now.
Luckily we’re finally getting into some warmer temps…but the extended forecast is still projecting single-digit (and even sub-zero) temps all the way thru early-March. I 10/10 recommend treating yourself to one – especially while FishUSA has ’em on sale for $84.99. And maybe, just maybe, we oughta give one away here soon…? 🤔
‘Cuz I wish everyone was able to experience this:
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Make sure you pick up the adapter if you’re running a fancy MarCum Lithium Shuttle.
6. MarCum MX-7GPS has a firmware update (how-to video).
7. PA not living up to Chesapeake obligations?
Don’t know how much of it is fact, but this from a newspaper opinion:
> …PA, along with MD, VA and other parties, entered into a 2010 settlement with the US EPA and agreed to enact individual plans to limit pollution…. Of all the states, PA has fallen far short and would have to spend $324 million a year to live up to its obligation.
8. Garmin smashed a record year.
Fiscal ended Dec 26:
> Revenue from the marine segment grew 48% in the 4th quarter across multiple categories led by chartplotters. Gross margin and operating margin were 56% and 24%, respectively, resulting in 92% operating income growth.
Wonder if LiveScope had anything to do with it? 🤔💯🤣🔥
9. Hoyer’s been on the perch search.
> I’ve officially been able to field test all actions of the Fenwick World Class Ice Rod lineup. I’ve arrived at 2 favorites for all things perch….
> The 30″ light is a great rod to pair with 4-lb FireLine and a 4-lb fluorocarbon leader for tungsten jigs and small spoons. The 28″ medium light is perfect for smaller glide baits like a #1 or #0 Moonshine Shiver Minnow.
And when Hoyer “field tests” something, he’s not doing it from his couch = dude’s a diehard:
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There’s soooo many “new” baits out there that basically just imitate other brand’s proven fish-catchers…but the Salmo Rail Shad IS crazy unique. If you’ve used it, I’d love to hear your experience. Can just reply to this email – yup, I read them all! |
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Jason Mitchell’s top-3 panfish candies.
Talks his favorite outta each of the 3 main categories: small spoons, vertical jigs, and horizontal jigs.
And in typical J-Mitch fashion, he does a REALLY good job of talking about the “why” and not just the “what” – underwater tank footage and all:
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“Find a fishing buddy who will carry his weight.”
– That’s NPAA’s caption under this Mike Sandoval shot:
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No doubt. And gotta say, those are a couple fellers I’d love to buy used gear from…’cuz 99% of folks would be ripping that thing across the rocks.
Oh, and I see a gas auger in there so hope those dudes were lifting with their legs lol.
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Sneak peak! 🤐 IDO’s James Holst stuck a 32″ [!!!] Lake Erie freakazoid on a “blue chrome” color #5 Rapala Jigging Rap – for sure looking forward to that episode: |
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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 and Ron Lindner, Jim Kalkofen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-nuts like you! #fishheads
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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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