Heads up: Not sure if I’ll be able to get a Target Walleye out next week, but will try. 🤞 Heading up to Manitoba and hoping the camera also adds 10 lbs to each lake trout! More on that later....

Thanks so much for reading! 👊 Now let’s get into it....

It's burbot season! The fight is incredible, they’re so ugly they’re pretty (I can relate) and the bite is absolutely on fire right now...especially during the daytime. 👀

I snuck out and whacked a few slimers for the camera this week – legit my favorite bite of the year! Catching makes up the first chunk of this new Target Walleye YouTube video, with some sonar + underwater shots mixed in.

But then the back half of the video I decided to debunk some burbot-y myths and spew some thoughts on things that I’ve been thinking about for far too long.

Obviously I recommend watching the full video 😎 but here’s what’s on the myth menu in case you want to jump to a specific talking point:

Myth #1 (9:42) - You can only catch burbot after dark

Myth #2 (10:20) - Burbot are only bottom-dwellers

Myth #3 (11:46) - You have to boil burbot in 7UP

Myth #4 (12:58) - Burbot hang out in deep water all day

Myth #5 (13:59) - Burbot are basically blind

Myth #6 (15:45) - Burbot are scavengers

Myth #7 (16:59) - You gotta use big, heavy, glow spoons

Myth #8 (19:25) - Burbot are a rough fish

Myth #9 (23:28) - You have to fish hard-bottom areas

Myth #10 (25:22) - You have to wait until late-ice

Bonus myth (28:04) - Burbot are ugly lol

Hope you dig it, Target Walleye fam! 👊

There’s a bunch of great, custom ice rods out there, but I wanna take a minute to give props to a local company that has really been standing out to me lately. That’s Toxic Ice Rods who are right here in Baxter, MN.

First heard about them ‘cuz they’ve been super involved in local happenings ‘round town, sponsoring youth events and donating prizes. Which is SUPER cool so I had to look them up.

Their rods immediately caught my eye ‘cuz they have that cool, wow factor about ‘em. Bright colors, grippy handles, sweet logos and graphics, high-end components, etc.

But after using a few different models now I can say they’re more than just looks. 💯 I’m impressed. And to be completely honest, I thought they were going to be quite a bit more expensive. I’m not saying they’re cheap...but at $98 they legit fish and feel like they should cost more. Don’t tell ‘em I said that though lol.

The rod I was using in this particular burbot video is the Toxic Ice 40” Beast 😤 which has an insane amount of power/backbone...it’s made for BIGS! Have no idea how that’s even possible with how light and sleek it feels – blew my mind. And yet it still had the just the right touch of softness to the tip for working the baits and feeling bites. It was perfect for wrassling those plus-sized burbs and didn’t blow out while pounding 3/4- to 1-oz jigs, spoons and rattlebaits.

So just wanted to say keep doing your thing, fellas! 🫡 We see you.

Primarily talking on Lake Erie (and other Great Lakes) which is a little different than how they play in the mud down south:

This interesting write-up with Ross Robertson and John Gillman talks how they use dirty water to their advantage to make big water fish much smaller:

> This is one time of year that driving around the lake at 30 mph [once the floating ice chunks are gone lol] is very productive as we look for the mud transitions. Muddy water becomes like an invisible fence to help anglers eliminate water without ever wetting a line or even coming off plane. Make a big lake small, and a small lake even smaller.

> ...this pattern applies to many inland lakes and nearly all of the Great Lakes, but doesn’t apply to...bodies of water that have year-round muddy water. Fish in those types of environments seem to adapt and break typical walleye behavior.

> Fish too clean of water (real blue) and you are likely to not see, mark or catch much. Fish too dirty (cardboard color)...and all you do is make yourself sick with the number of seemingly uncatchable marks on the fish finder. It’s that in-between color that’s the sweet spot. This water is generally a little green under ideal conditions, to a little chalky.

> ...look at the big engine’s cavitation plate to determine clarity before setting up. For me it’s a control, the distance never changes and it serves as a way for other anglers to stay on the same page when discussing water clarity in different areas of the lake.

> One key item to be aware of that will drastically alter clarity is bottom composition. ...rock reefs are the first to clean up. A loose mud silt bottom takes more time to clear when compared to a hard compacted mud bottom.

> While water clarity is likely the most important factor, temperature is a close second…has as much to do with bait as anything.... I believe that is the biggest reason walleyes are void in the super clean “blue” areas [often a few degrees colder]. No bait = no walleyes...it’s that simple.

And here’s why Ross (aka Bigwater Fishing) gets out there and starts looking for the right water color soon as mother nature allows him to. Such a paunchy critter!

And if you see those spring Lake Erie walleye a bit deeper than normal, that’s what Ross calls “Gold Miner 30 territory.” 👀 That’s the Rapala Gold Miner 30 which is designed to dive deep...VERY deep. Will reach 30’+ unassisted [!] and Ross says it’s also the loudest Rap out there for off-color water or to draw fish in from further away:

Some interesting walleye-spawn factoids from this Hunt Fish Manitoba blog post:

> The walleye spawn has a plethora of factors that affect and trigger the spawn. Of these factors, the photoperiod and water temperature are kings.

> The photoperiod is a key signal for the walleyes spawning journey.... The amount of light a walleye encounters throughout the day will eventually hit a critical point. ...triggers an internal signal in the body which initiates the releasing of hormones to begin preparing the walleyes for the spawn.

> ...one of the only factors that allows for an exact date every year in relation to the spawn. No matter the weather or temperature, the amount of sunlight during a specific time will always be the same year after year.

> In Manitoba’s northern climate, this magic temperature is typically around the mid-40°F range. During a warm spring this 44-48°F range can happen very early...during the fishing closures across the province. ...cool springs...can yield waters too cold for the walleye spawn right away. This can push the spawn much later into the spring. In some cases, this will leave you with pre-spawn walleyes into the early weeks of the reopened angling seasons.

> ...the average female deposits around 100K eggs at once and after fertilized neither the male or female [protects them].

> The majority of walleyes actually spawn during the night, and a singular walleye will completely spawn out in only one night. With that being said, although the migratory spawning journey takes time, the actual act of depositing and fertilizing tens of thousands of eggs happens in only a few hours.

> Typically, female walleye mature around the age of 5 and males around the age of 3. ...it’s good to keep this in mind when deciding which fish to keep and release. Due to natural selection, there’s way more...immature [fish] than are mature in a water body. ...keeping sexually mature fish does much more damage on a fishery than keeping an immature fish.

Can keep reading the full Hunt Fish MB blog post here.

The old-school guys didn't have all the screens and were/are still some of the best at knowing WHY fish are where they are! A lot of times in fishing it's knowing the why that helps you stay on fish...rather than just catching 'em one day but not the next type of deal. 

Here's some old-school wisdom from a Buck Perry Home Study Series posted by The Structure Cafe 👊 talking how fish relate and move on weedlines – this can go for just about any fish you're targeting too.

> [The first] figure is a side view of a shallow section of a lake (could be a slough, canal, etc.). The deepest water available is only 8' – weeds cover all water under 6-7' in depth. This "cover" could provide the fish sanctuary up to a point.

> If you remove this cover, you are not likely to find any fish here for long. If you are fishing such cover, you would try to find the deepest water under the cover. 

> The [second] figure...is another side view, but...the weeds go down to 14'. The "open" water (free of weeds) is only slightly deeper. 

> Here again, the sanctuary is likely to be in the weeds. But if this open water gets beyond 20' or better, then you begin to figure the sanctuary is in the open water [rather than the grass].

> It's a simple case of the deeper water having a more "stable" condition. A fish can adapt to a changed environment, but the less changing the better. Deep water is the only reliable escape route...from a changing environment. 

> If he doesn't have [good conditions], he might survive in some manner, but it's not likely to be good fishing for you and me.

> We may have to go deeper for them, but at least they become active enough to catch. Whereas, in shallow weed situations we could beat our brains out until there is a great improvement in the weather.

So, this kinda puts into perspective that whole "access to deep water deal" you hear about with walleye – and just about every predatory species for that matter. Even if those fish are in way shallower weeds whether it be now or in Aug, be paying attention to where that deep water is relative to 'em!

Big things are happening every day in the walleye and ice-fishing worlds, and nobody seems to know about it. We're here to change that.

I recently posted a new "Top 5" video (episode 93) on our YouTube channel. Big thx to our friends at Sea Foam and Scheels for making this video series possible! We're having a ton of fun with 'em and hope you are too!! Here she be:

1. MN: Champions Tour WALLEYE event coming to Mille Lacs 👀

> We've teased it a bit this offseason, and appreciate all the feedback from the fishing community in the Upper Midwest. The Classic Bass Champions Tour is excited to officially announce we will be hosting a Champions Tour Walleye Event on Tues, May 19 on Mille Lacs. ...out of Nitti's Hunters Point Resort and we will be offering $17.5K for 1st place (based on a full 60-boat field).

> This event will be open to the public, you do not have to be fishing the Champions Tour to participate, and it’s a Single Event (no teams). It will be ran very similar to one of our Champions Tour bass fishing events, but with a few rule modifications for the Walleye fishing scene: 2lb minimum, live bait allowed, landing nets can be used, and more. You can find the full rule breakdown on our website.

> Registration will be opening Mon, March 16 at Noon CST [here].

Super pumped to hear about this! Such a fun tourney format – love seeing it break the barrier into the walleye side of things. And I might just have to jump in and fish it.... 🤔

2. Garmin unveils 360° sonar and motorized pole

New 2D and 3D 360 via what they're calling a Spy Pole and a new GT360UHD transducer. Highlights:

> Add LiveScope [with a new motorized LiveScope control] to unlock an all-new 3D view on a single display, as well as a beam overlay to see where LiveScope is pointed in 2D mode.

> Thanks to Spy Pole, anglers can take full command of their 360-degree sonar – completely independent of the trolling motor.

> Wirelessly execute smooth, fast and quiet control with Spy Pole's included low-profile wireless foot control, rod-mountable gesture remote or through a dedicated control bar on a compatible Garmin chartplotter.

> The GT360UHD transducer comes bundled with a 42" Spy Pole or a 49" Spy Pole for a suggested retail price of $2,999.98 and $3,199.98 respectively.

> With Spy Pole, anglers can steer a LiveScope transducer with unmatched accuracy and initiate scans with ease; lock LiveScope sonar on any point with SpyLock technology or automatically sweep back and forth to find fish in SpyScan mode.

> Securely route transducer cables through the pole shaft for ultimate cable protection.

> Easily mount and dismount Spy Pole from a Force or Force Pro trolling motor or gunnel mount (sold separately) with the quick-release system.

> Synchronize the speed and direction of a Force Pro trolling motor and control the Spy Pole from the foot pedal of the trolling motor through SpyLink technology – and maintain control even when the trolling motor is in anchor lock.

> Spy Pole is available with a 42" or 49" length for a suggested retail price of $1,999.99 and $2,199.99 respectively, and works with any LiveScope transducer.

3. MN: Reminder about new boater education requirements

If you were born after June 30, 2004 then you already need a permit to operate a boat.

But the permit requirement will gradually apply to older age groups over the next few years:

Here’s the “born after” dates and when each of the age groups will need to have a valid watercraft operator's permit (commonly known as a boater safety certificate):

• June 30, 2004 (started July 1, 2025)
• June 30, 2000 (starts July 1, 2026)
• June 30, 1996 (starts July 1, 2027)
• June 30, 1987 (starts July 1, 2028)

Heads up: I’ve noticed that some fishing tournament rules are requiring all folks fishing to have their boater safety certificate, regardless of the age group timeframes listed above...so might just want to knock out the course ahead of schedule instead.

4. New SonarPros Starlink mount

5. Lunkerhunt releases Bento Bait in 3.75” size

Already had 3" and 4.5” versions. And here’s a new color called 'natural shad.'

Awesome thing you might not know about the Lunkerhunt Bento Baits: The plastic is molded around – and fuses into – a holographic Mylar core in the middle...sorta like rebar and concrete. I’ve fished with one an entire day without losing it. Go to take it off and it’s like trying to get a hook out of a t-shirt. Works!

6. MI: Fish "sorting" structure being built in Traverse City

> The fish will run a gauntlet that sorts them based on how they respond to light, sound, velocity and other stimuli. Desirable species can continue upstream while harmful invaders are sequestered.

7. SD: Sioux Empire Sportsmen's Show happening now

59th-annual! At the Sioux Falls Arena and Convention Center.

8. Suzuki Marine looking for a graphic designer

9. TX: Guy arrested for allegedly putting weights in bass

Guess now the bass crowd can stop making fun of us. 🤷‍♂️

According to this article:

> A Willow Park man was arrested Sunday after Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) said he altered the weight of a largemouth bass he caught at Lake Fork. ...was released Monday from the Wood County Jail on a $20,000 bond on a charge of violating a fishing tournament law.

> A metal-detecting wand alerted staff to the potential presence of a foreign object, prompting organizers of the inaugural Lake Fork Lures Fishing Tournament to contact TX game wardens, according to TPWD spokesperson Maggie Berger.

> The fish was found to have three 3/4-oz fishing weights in its stomach; the same weights were also found in [the accused's] boat, according to an affidavit obtained by KLTV.

Yup, this is real life.... 🤯 We've teamed-up with Garmin to giveaway their Panoptix PS22-IF Ice Fishing Bundle! A compact, ultra-portable, touchscreen live sonar unit for hole-hopping.

Takes 10 seconds to enter below and can share the link you get for bonus entries. 👊 Good luck!

“When you try to take a nice picture, but it looks like your son's legs are frozen in!”

- That’s the caption under this TUT Outdoors' pic which sorta looks like AI trying to understand ice fishing 😂 but is actually a real pic and the perfect angle haha:

You'll see the 'Quote of the Day' on the video thumbnail below ‘cuz I’m not trying to get this email newsletter flagged HA! 🚩😅

It’s coming from fishing legend Dick Grzywinski, aka the Griz, in this Outdoor Life YT video. He says you should never fillet a bluegill...instead scale and gut 'em so you’re not throwing half the fish away:

Is this still considered “ice” fishing? 🤔

These pics were posted by Dave Elmstrom – apparently somewhere near St. Paul, MN. Wonder if they’re allowed to use 2 lines?

Have a great + safe weekend! 👊

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH

Target Walleye LLC

422 Laurel Street

P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

 (218) 824 5026