Rolling Swivel 

I have found these VMC Rolling Swivels to be fail free for over 15 years, I have also used them in Florida on Gag and Red Grouper so not just freshwater.
I like them because line twist goes away and they aren't going to break the bank.  
As always match terminal tackle sizes with the line and the species of fish you're fishing for - it all should match.
In other words the bigger the fish you are fishing for the bigger the swivel as the  poundage  the swivel holds goes up goes up.
No reason to have a sturgeon sized (strength) swivel on a walleye rig.

• Hooks
• Swivels
• Line

All these should match in the amount of weight they are needed to hold.  Don't go too light but at the same time don't go too heavy.  Each presentation for each specie has a "sweet spot."

Forage Grows

Shad Grow As the Seasons Moves on

The Shad that are in the river systems of the St. Croix and Mississippi are very interesting because a very small percentage of them live a whole year and live long enough to spawn.

What happens is these fish hatch and of course start very small and then grow as the summer progresses.

The shad pictured on the right is from outdoorsman supreme Aaron Otto from August 19 a couple years ago.

Right now as the 4th of July approaches the shad are a fraction of this pictured size, but they will steadily increase from now to late August and continue to grow and get bigger as the fall comes blowing in.

This is one of the big reasons anglers upsize as the Fish Seasons progress.  

​The forage grows and then dies.  This differs greatly from young of the year perch, sunfish or drum. 

Bass Search Lure

Cover ground

Often fishing lures are intended as search tools. Anglers search in a way that covers a larger area faster.

​For walleyes a search lure is a crankbait. Bass have many of these search lures like the one shown here a "grub."  Another bass example is a spinnerbait or a buzzbait. 

Search lures are often called power fishing, its  hard to describe the term " power." But I will try... you simply power and fish strongly through an area in an aggressive way.

Power here is also understood when its viewed versus the term " finesse," fishing.

As the water warms its a good time to use search lures.

Leeches Hooked right catch more fish

Hook from bottom to the top.

Leeches hooked off of center roll, they are really like an untuned crankbait, to get the most out of many presentations, the little details matter.

The sum of the all  little details which an angler does right can be significant.

So this diagram...  Hook on the black spot. There are two of them, I prefer the intersection center point of the sucker disc and the body. Why? because the fish don't steal them easily, they still do though! Plus the swim action is the same as the dead center sucker hooking position.

Should've said this first, but leeches that are rolling and spinning stink at catching fish.  A centered hook really helps catch more fish.

Mid May 2022

May 2022 Jig Caught Croix Eye, that's' a VMC 1/4 ounce Hammerhead.

When the bite is good, many presentations can work.  Can, is the right word.  Also many and not all presentations will work.  Its fun to try, speaking for myself, more ways to catch fish.

Most anglers once a way is found, will ride that presentation out into the sunset, and fish it all day long.  Thats fine, 100%, especially when your catching, but as the day progresses, things change, like wind and light and weather.

Changes are why versatility is important to angling. 

Ok, right now working presentations are: rigging livebait -minnows, crawlers, leeches -are catching fish, plus trolling Rapala Crankbaits. A rig is a " Lindy Rig."
​
What also can work very well when fish are tight to a single area are jigs, cast crankbaits, jigging raps, and blades, these techniques provide very satisfying hooksets.

Report Depths - Lakes vs. Rivers
I fish Cass Lake, a lot fished it over 250 times, and often highly accurate reports exist, such that if they say 13 feet, 13 feet is where a lot of the fish are.  Its very accurate. The river because of the water clarity fish are both shallow and deep.  So that's why I report a wide range in depth.  

The St. Croix has water that is both dark and yet clear, hard to explain, but the more I guide the more I see fish in different locations and depths, and I attribute that to that beautiful Croix water. 

Right now from 8-20 feet is working rivers have a wider range of depths where vs lakes.

 Dark Water - Go Glow

"To Be Seen Or Not Be Seen?"
Shown: VMC Neon Mooneye Jig

The fun about the challenge of fishing is when you get things right.  The times you look at the factors and adjust to the daily conditions and make a choice on all the aspects to a presentation is again rewarding when you get it right.

There are times you want to be loud and seen and times to fit in.  

​When the water is dark or muddy its time to get seen and go bright.  The brightest you can get is glow.

Tune Your Crankbait in Florida?

Crankbaits catch fish worldwide, and crankbaits come out of tune world wide.  This Gag Grouper crushed a crankbait on the troll and took the bait out of tune.  The EZ Tuner brought it back inline in a second.  If I wouldn't have tuned it after the fish would've ignored it.  An untuned crankbait is like a dull hook.

Cold Water Choices

Blade Baits - Do Best In Cold Water

One of the aspects to fishing that makes anglers enjoy a catch is picking the right presentation to catch fish.

Specifically when anglers equate a why or a when to use a certain lure type or style or size or speed to THE conditons as they exists on that day.

The first factor i look at is the " Fish Season."  Currently we are in the Cold Fall. 

​ Quick tip - when the water is cold blade baits do best and such are a good lure choice.

Matching the current  fish season to a presentation choice  is satisfying.   

An example is when you choose to use leeches this is the Warm Summer,  right after the Spring Bite.  Leeches are a seasonal choice.
this is the concept I am driving at.

Anglers should choose prestation's based on the fish season.  Also the weather patterns, and the daily conditons of the day.

Knowing how to fish based on the days conditions creates "guide rails," steering and  adding faith to an anglers confidence that they will catch fish.

Now is the Cold Fall "Fish Season," and such the water naturally is cold and in the cold water is when  blade baits do best.

Tip Nov 2021 - Loop Knot

Rapala's Famous Lure needs this knot

Shown here is a knot tied to an original Rapala Floating Minnow.

Many anglers use quick clips and attach lures this way.

Some anglers get spooked by clips as in the clips "spook fish,"  I don't know about spook, but I do think there are times a clean looking lure with this knots shows a preference to be bit by the fish...

I also don't like clips a lot (for diving cranks especially) because, if you have followed this site, you know, I am obsessed with lures running and tracking straight.

This is why I use the EZ Tuner

I see an additional piece of metal (the clip) in the equation to throw off true tracking to some degree.

This is also a good knot to tie to jigs that you want to be horizontal.  Crappie enthusiasts especially those from down south, like Crappie guides making their living pay attention to these small small details.

My philosophy is if you can gather enough small details in a positive way they add up in a noticeable way. 

I don't believe one small detail will make or break your catching, but the total detail cumulative certainly does.

​

Jig N' Raps - Its a Presentaton Catagory

St. Croix Trophy Walleye!

One of the biggest challenges to catching fish is other boats in the area doing exactly what you are doing.

At some point  the fish become conditioned and start to ignore even lures they once ate - " seen it before" the same old same old.

When does this happen? Most days.

It is only when the bite is HOT and youre in a crowd of people doing the same thing where all the boats catch fish. 

That is why you need to mix it up. 

Rapala Jig N' Rap catagory mix up - Flat Jig

Shown: Clown colored Flat Jig by Rapala. Similar but not a jigigng Rap.

The catch and release walleye I am holding in the picture, was caught on a Flat Jig in a popular community spot.  I bet the fish didnt see this one style on that day.

Same spot, same lure, same results.

Tip 10-26-2021 Lure Care

 Desiccants - To Stop Moisture Accumulation

Moisture and hooks do not mix well that is if you don't like rust.

For sure the worst thing to do is put away your lures wet, or not allow any rain that lands inside your tackle trays to dry before closing them in storage.

I started fighting moisture by putting packs of desiccant inside my crankbait trays.

About two years ago I started keeping these little moisture sucking packs in my tackle trays.

At home we bought a new TV, and inside the box were six larger packs of desiccant - Instead of thinking TV watching , I thought - lures and tackle boxes!

Once you start looking for them these  packs of desiccant you'll find them in tons of products.

Desiccant story - a client about ten years ago, told me this one about his buddy.  Again a story told to me..

My clients friend stayed up too late drinking beer, well he got hungry and wanted something salty.  He became overly drunken on barley pop, and reached for a quick chow and started eating commercial packed beef jerky, in wolf like fashion he ate it all and ate the desiccant pack too!

Sounds funny, but as I was told he then had stomach issues for several years after that.

Moral to the story - when you're drinking a lot of beer - look before you eat.

Plastics N Jigs 10-13-21

Keep Em On

Plastics and jigs work very well for all kinds of fish.  

One thing that happens that is good when it happens because it means you are catching fish, but when you get a few fish caught your plastic will start to slide around and slip on the hook.

Now the problem starts, as the sliding plastic inhibits good hook sets.

Super glue has been used for a long time to keep the plastic well secured and on your hook and non slipping and getting better hook sets and more fish.

"The Smoothie"

Best all around rod I've ever used

I have used and my clients have fished with Limit Creek Rods for over 20 years, I have rods that are just that old and land fish trip after trip.

The best all around rod I have ever used is the Limit Creek lcs69mlf.

Its a 6'9" rod that's killer for jigs and livebait rigs for walleye and it catches big river smallies on tube jigs and finesse worms, plus of course many more presentations.

Here is the link if your interested.

www.limitcreek.com/SpinningRods.html

How To Fight Big Fish

It's A Fight

Over the last 23 years of guiding on rivers, my clients and I have hooked and landed 100's of big fish.

Walleye, Channels, Sturgeon, Smallies, Buffalo, Carp, Flatheads, and Smallmouth. 

Regardless of the specie-  How you fight these large fish is the same. 

Here is a list of tips to help you FIGHT a big fish

1. Time is on your side, there is no rush to get that HOG in instantly.
2. If the fish runs... let it. Have your drag set right.
3. Some times the fish will do a burst and your drag can hesitate to give line... help the drag and pull line off of the reel at the same time of the burst.
4. If the fish runs - a burst - give the fish the rod tip and even stick most of the rod in the water. I do this all the time. - while keeping tension.
5. If the fish runs do NOT pull up or away from the fish.
6. Fight the fish with a bent pole and not by continuous reeling.

Show a big fish some respect and play the fish. and of course ENJOY the moment!!

Organization Equals More Fish

Use Swim Floats to keep lures like Jigging Raps and jigs not tangled and safe from wave chipping

.I came up with this set up last winter very easy but simple to do HACK.

Take a swimmy - or pool float and a utility knife, cut out the orange float at a 90 degree angle to be then flush with the corner of any plastic lure box.

Make sure the length you cut is long by about 3/8" on each side and then the orange swimmy foam is wedged into the sides by pressure alone.

I don't glue these in.  They've been in the boat and staying in this position for 5 guiding months. I don't see the need for glue.

This HACK does a few things:
One. Organize and make lures look sharp this brings a bit of confidence to the fishing some how for me.
​

Two.  This hack keeps lures from bouncing into each other and chipping paint and hook points dulling by rubbing into metal bodies.
Three.  This hack keeps 80% of the bait up and off of the bottom of the box in the event of rain where if you forget to wipe down any moisture in effect it presents rust on the lures.

​

Three Way Rigs For Lakes Too

Very Versatile - Great for trolling or drifting spinner rigs because distance above bottom is more variable than a bottom bouncer.

Question: "I'm looking for information on 3 way rigging. Would it have a place in our lake fishing or is it mainly a river tactic?"
 
Answer: It is a lake tactic too. Three way set up is extremely versatile.  w/ a spinner and crawler harness or spinner and minnow has caught me many good sized lake walleyes.
 
 

What is a three way swivel fishing set up?
Quickly explained a three way set up starts with a swivel with three ends or three rings. One end of the swivel goes to the line from the reel, the second is for the weight and the third is for the lure.  Naturally between the swivel and the lure and the swivel and the weight (dropper) you have fishing line.  The distance between the dropper and the weight is normally 12 to 20 inches and the distance between the lure and swivel is 4 to 8 feet.  Simply cut the amount of line need for the lure and the weight and tie up the three way rig.

The Next Tool After the EZ - Hooks Go Dull

Luhr Jensen Hook File

I write alot about how important tuning baits are.  I also say once you do you'll see why the right tool for that job is the EZ Crankbait Tuner.

Next Tool for the serious angler is. 
​
Rocks, gravel, snags, concrete, rip rap, zebra mussels, clams, rust all these can over time dull your hooks.

A hook file is a must for any serious angler.

I sharpen only in one direction and i go away from the point as flat or in parallel with the hook point as possible.

Simply put sharper vs dulled hooks catch more fish.  

​Luhr Jensen Hook File 

Hook File

EZ Crankbait Tuner

Colored Line - Tip For August 2021

Suffix line is very strong- the orange is an angling aid

If you like to watch your line for bites or see it move with river flow or simply know where all the lines are when fishing multiple lines with many guests colored lines sure help out in this regard.

Normally with clear line one needs to hold the rod tip in such a way it catches the sun, so you can see the line, this works but when its cloudy, pretty tough to do.

Worried about spooking the fish?  Not in a river, still worried? Then tie on a clear leader.  I do that a lot.

End of July 2021 The Right Time and Spot 

At The Right Time - Jerkbaits

Anglers essentially have two options to catch fish, meaning "lures" are either one- live bait like minnows or worms, etc. or two - artificial and manufactured.

I do not know anyone that regardless of circumstances that prefers bait over artificial all the time.

Ok, where are you going with this Turk? Bait is something that is a necessity, but there are times that straight out lures work very well.  

Times, there are times. I won't leave you hanging there, its pretty straight forward when the use lures its when the action is HOT!  Lures work.

​Some of my absolute favorite lures when the time is right are "Jerkbaits."

Jerkbaits are much more a style of fishing than a lure.  Meaning the top lure shown the classic and all time slayer original Rapala black n white, is a jerkbait when fish like one - a jerkbait.

The lower lure is a Husky Jerk. Jerkbait are snapped down and retrieved and paused and snapped and retrieved in a form of cadence that seeks to search to provoke strikes!  

Tip - when the action is hot and fish are in depths shallow enough for them to come up and hit - Jerkbaits like the ones on my rods get the job done.

Summer Time Spinners

Northland Baitfish Image - shown

Often in mid summer the fish move all the time and when the fish move its nice to employ presentations that move as well.

Though not as fast as crankbaits spinners pulled on bottom bouncer are used to target the bottom of the structure and take fish that are relating to the bottom.

In very large water systems with large schools of walleye that roam vast basins anglers also troll spinners rigs in the open water on planer boards.

For the last 23 years of guiding I rarely troll the open water for suspended fish as I have found I personally get a lot more "fish" targeting the bottom.  I do though know of two separate anglers in their own boats that do this and catch fish.

My tip for this entry is that spinners are a fun way to cover a lot of water, and that a color like this purple one is a very good color in clearer water, its well worth a try.

Anglers often use a crawler harness of two hooks for crawlers and a single hook for minnows.  

When I first started fishing the river, one of the very best anglers was named Quentin Summers, He fished with a silver spinner or gold spinner blade and minnows all year round. He also had a small boat and a 25 hp tiller.

Summer time - High Action

Rapala Jointed Shad Rap

A important part of fishing is fishing the conditions of the seasons as the fish seasons change.

Right now in the Hot Summer as you are certainly aware the water temps are the highest of the year every year.

This year is an exceptionally hoty year.

As the water temperatures rise or fall the action and sizes of lures change to matches these fish seasons as the seasons change.  I stay on top of the fish seasons religiously.

So right now in the Hot Summer season a bait I have used a lot for the last ten years is the JSR - jointed shad rap, this lure when trolled fast has incredible action and a ton of movement.

Its been a great bait for me and my guests.

A plus of using Rapala's is they have the highest quality controls and are tuned out of the box.

Snags, unhooking from nets, pulling too hard right or left when tying knots are all examples of how lures over time can become out of tune though.

June 26

Tune baits in a pool or dockside

This tip is a continuation from last weeks

I have taken the time to tune ALL my crankbaits, in the pool or dockside.  When you do this and you tune all your baits, you will see very soon two things:

1.  How tricky they are to tune.
2.  Baits that are actually fish slayers or junk!

The needle nose is just is not very precise, and "over tuning" happens.

Once tuned and they just slightly run off, then they just need a kiss, by the EZ tuner.  This is done in the boat while fishing, and this "kiss" or just a slight bump of a tune is when over tuning happens when a needle nose is used..

​I've done it, while trolling, over tuned and ruined some of my best baits with a needle nose.

Over tuning means just like it sounds, you applied too much pressure, and now the baits runs off the other way.

These pliers i talk about the EZ have a spring loaded tension jaw that you literally dial in the amount of pressure to be applied.

When you situate the long jaw and the short jaw properly the long jaw is on the side of the bill and the the short nose jaw is on the line tie.

Then squeeze the plier handles and the short jaw pops open with a click.

The click lets you know you applied a set amount of pressure.

Next - test the bait to see if the applied pressure brought the bait into "tune."

If not then turn the knob a half turn to the right, which now will apply more pressure.

Apply another tune attempt. Often one or two tunes will bring it right back into alignment.

Small baits like shad raps and hornets and flicker shads are so touchy to tune your baits without ruining them via a needle nose, you need the EZ.

If you over tune the bait, what you have done is started to create play or a wiggle where the line tie is molded into the bill.

Now one of your favorite cranks ruined by  over tuning.

Lastly the EZ tuner applies only a set amount of pressure that is completely adjustable and measured by you.

June 19

If your crankbaits are not tuned...

YOU ARE MISSING FISH! Tuned lures catch THE most fish. Tuning has never been easier for me and they save a ton of wasted time especially when trolling and you have lines in the water.  http://www.offshoretackle.com

To use:
Identify when your lure is out of tune either left or right.  Put the short nose jaw on the line tie opposite the way its running. Put the long jaw on the diving bill at a right angle.  Then slowly squeeze the handles together. As you apply an increasing amount of pressure and the pressure limit is reached then the short jaw will pop up.  You have just applied a measured amount of pressure.

Repeat the process if necessary if the lure didn’t move exactly to center, but this time turn the knob clockwise a quarter turn.

Once you get the hang of this tool you’ll master tuning crankbaits in no time and CATCH MORE fish.
http://www.offshoretackle.com/OR40.html

Fishing pressure? Show them different

Ringer Paddle Tails 

Prescott Bait Co.

One of the best things about river fishing is a " mixed bag" of catches and one bait that catches a mixed bait other than livebait of course are boot or paddle tail soft plastics.

Next using lures the fish have not seen a lot of can help fish that " have seen it before."

That often can be a different color or a custom bait.

So if your looking for some fun with the family or serious fishing alike give these high quality paddle tails by Prescott bait Co. a try - Tim, the owner will give you great service!

Rig on a jig head and cast or drag these baits.

​

https://www.prescottbaitcompany.com/basswalleye-baits

Key forage- redhorse sucker

Coughed Up!

This redhorse sucker hit my boats carpet after we netted, and nice keeper walleye. It was about 3" long.  

I'm not the biggest match the hatch guy, but when you see the colors of the forage fish are eating its hard not to think about color and matching it.

Crawlers actually have a similar color, though they aren't alike beyond that.

One more thing is this forage cough up gives me confidence the fish are there!

I then try to imagine about more places these little tasty fish morsels may be to pattern as best i can.

Grubs - Mister Twister

I guide with a lot of clients in a boat and frankly, getting three guys casting and actually catching eyes on jigs and plastics is a tough road, but when I get a chance I like to fish jigs n grubs/ ringworms/ boot tails.

I added a pic of Mister Twisters here, the pic on the home page shows a ringworm, I've talked about them before, my point is that these grubs catch eyes as well, In fact my first eyes I ever caught was dam fishing the sippi with these grubs on 1/4 ounce jigs.

Limit Creek Rods

https://www.limitcreek.com/SpinningRods.html

My clients and I have used "The Smoothie,' and the medium power 6'6", for almost 20 years. 

Limit Creek has a rod you won't find anywhere else! The LCSE83MLF, if the ultimate deadstick, long long leader lindy rig rod, AND slip bobber rod.  TRUST me.  If you are serious about walleyes, you'll soon see how this 8'3" rod, that is also a one piece telescopic rod, that fits into your locker is a tool that gets the job done. call Jim at Limit Creek

Hair Jigs A Very Versatile Presentation

Nice sauger fooled by hair and minnow

Hair Jigs

hair jigs are a very old artificial lure used by anglers well before plastics.  They can be worked very aggressively with no bait similar to snapping a Jig N Rap.

VMC Bucktail Jig.  Very good hook btw.

Hair jigs can of course be tipped with bait.  I use minnows for this, when the bite slows.
Hair jigs are very fun and they are the least used lure right now from what I can see others using.
I truly believe fish become accustomed to lures and it does pay to change it up on them.

Rattle or No Rattle

Did you know that Bigger is not always better in fishing? Also that being super loud and obnoxious underwater is simply not ALWAYS better either? Yep true.

​But then sometimes they are!  LOL.

I like rattles in crankbaits when I think the fish need an aid to finding my lure.

When would this be so?
When water darkens, when its lower light, when your fishing deep.  Factors like this are when.  These are times typically rattles are good from what I have experienced.  

Also consider this situation, when casting to pods of fish and you catch two or three using a rattled crankbait.  Then all of a sudden they reach their spook factor and start to regain their sense of caution, and ignore your rattled bait. 

This is when I would want to cast a rattleless bait to present them a different total feel of a bait.

​"Whap!" Set the hook!

Put Away Wet

Fished in the rain last tuesday where we received between .4 - .5" of water not a monsoon but a nice amount of rain.

​Then back home, I went through my hatches and caught a box of jigs that had a tad bit of water in it.

I was lucky enough to catch it in time because a day later or that day maybe the rust would've settled in.

I have certainly thrown money out the door by having jigs rust up.  Some rust can be buffed away, but you know when they're too far gone.

I now will open all hatches and check for water in compartments.

It is easy to grow mold in the carpeted inside boxes and I will towel that carpet dry.  I also Shop Vac up the floor carpet (its a nice way to clean it btw.)

Then I go through other boxes and look for water.  

This water check is also a good way to inventory what your have and where it is!  "Oh that's where that went...!"

A Walleye Anglers Must

Knowing how to tie a snell knot ​will allow you to make your own spinners like is very good spinner from Northland Tackle.

You can buy all the components, the blades, beads, and clevis and make your own versions.

There are lots of nice products out there currently from many companies. I do like Northland's stuff.

So I couldn't find a non copy written snell knot image so if you are interested in learning how to snell. Then google snell knot.

The one I do is called the easy snell.

The traditional snell is a bit much in my opinion to tie up when you are in a pinch and fishing, plus I have never had and issue with it breaking.

Works for me all these years should work for you.

In fact I snell all my hooks all the time even for say a Lindy Rig. I like how the leader line is in true alignment with the shank of the hook. It is my belief that this snell is a better fish hooking knot.

When In Doubt Use the Wind

So much of fishing is about having a game plan you actually trust to work.
​Anglers can often be their worst enemy and not follow a game plan long enough because they loose faith in it as it is not producing enough catches fast enough.

In the height of summer is a time that the wind can be your friend. Other times of the year the wind is not the a fishing factor you need, look for or frankly want.
Such as wind in the Cold Fall Season when the fish are deep. This wind now messes up the bite as it moves the baitfish. To make a long story short the colder the water the less the fish hunt and roam.
In the summer fish will follow the forage for the food for the forage (plankton). 

Often in successful catching its only one or two factors that you need to hold on to to be successful and in the summer one of those factors can be "The Wind."
​

Northland Quick Change Clevis

Spinner fishing for walleye is very enjoyable for anglers because they get to fiddle with colors and sizes of spinner blades.

For several years spinner blade clevis have come in the quick change style.

These are a super helpful  product for anglers that make their own spinners  and want to switch out blade choices fast.

These clevis's are very strong despite being plastic and will hold the blades well, even when becoming un snagged.

​

Sufix Elite 6 #

I like to fish for fish.  Duh! who doesn't no, my point is I like to fish for several species, cats, bass, walleye, white bass.

Not just one specie.

I have found throughout the years that when you fish for many species you need a line that can handle larger fish.

True walleyes don't fight super great, but if you say walleyes don't fight, no offense, you've never had a big one one.  So even walleye fishing you need strong line. A yes its true river fish are stronger.

My tip here is that if you fish for say walleye and smallies I like a line that can do both species.

This is why I like the Elite from Sufix. The line is strong really strong, but i like that it is a thinner test and at 6#.

Plus you can really work it and it doesn't get all stretched out like some of the super limber straight walleye lines.  Meaning you can really work lures hard and set hooks and not worry about having to pull off and cut off 30 feet of line at the end of the day.

Its good line that does a lot for me.

EZ Crankbait Tuner

If you fish walleye a some point trolling is a must especially when the fish are on the move between spring and summer or anytime there are changes to their fish seasons.

Or simply if you want to buzz past them and trigger a bite.

The number one issue with using cranks is they come out of tune.  
​
What is a tuned bait? It tracks exactly straight thats tuned. As an arrow straight.

This issue is tuning is tricky as it is easy to over adjust the bait while tuning. And it then tracks wrong the other way!!!?? Done it 100 times.

NOT anymore! Offshore Tackle sells a pliers made for tuning. This pliers is spring loaded and trips when a set amount of pressure is released.

It takes about 15 minutes to become profficient with these, play around with some old cranks at the dock and tune them back to as good as new.  Some cranks can never be tuned as they are junk

Fishing untuned cranks is a waste of your time!!!

Fishing Lure Color Guide Based On Clarity And Light

The Ambient Light Determines A Finish/ Choice
​Strong Light = Flash Or High Shine or High Brightness or Reflective 
Low Light = Flat or Low Shine or Dull

 Color recommendations are closely followed by many anglers, the common rule is"  bright lures on bright days and dark lures on dark days." 

However I change it slightly to DULL lures on dark days.
​

​

 

 The Water Clarity Determines A Color Scheme Choice
​Clear water = Translucent, Subtle Is The Idea. Light Colors and Light Natural Colors
Examples: Light Pink Not Red, Light/Baby Blue NOT Navy Blue. Light Green (more pale than bright) NOT Dark Green, White Belly Not Orange belly, Silver Not Dark Gold, Silver Not Not Nickel.
Dark Water =  Dark Natural Colors, Dark Colors, Bright Colors (Fluorescent)
Natural Colors are Earth Tones

I will explain it this way too

The idea is for lure and tackle choices to
"Fit in with no or very light color in clear water" and
"Stand out and be seen in dark water or the dark" and
"Be shiny when there is shine" and
'Dull it up in gray skies"

1. Clear water-Bright Light

Lets do some  "rule" interpretation!"

Look at the three blades above. See the shine?

All three are shiny so they are all good on sunny days. 

But now water color. Lets think of water color, and look at the lures.

Of the three which should you pick in clear water?

The lightest most natural, like a minnow is the silver. 

The gold and copper blades are subtle colored true, but darker is better in darker water.



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2. Clear Water-Low Light

Next, look at these three blades.  See how they all seem to have a dull or flat appearance?

Turks Test Q#1
T or F: You should use the silver blade above on a sunny day?


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3. Dark Water-Bright Light

These ProScale Blades are popular.

Turks Test Q#2 
​You are fishing and you are doing very well during a fine sunny day catching fish on the Perch Shad.  You notice the sun clouds over to overcast. Now you stopped catching fish. What blade would you choose if you had all 18 to pick from?
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4. Dark Water-Low Light

Orange-Yellow-Red

Chartreuse

Shown above are two VMC jig heads with wicked realistic eyes. The hooks are sharp as anything too.
​Sometimes its not easy to see where the lure color choice rules lands for fishings, but look closely and I think you will get a feel for it.

This last question should really tie the idea in.
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Turks Test Q#3 and #4
1. Clear water-Bright Light​
2. Clear Water-Low Light
​3. Dark Water-Bright Light
4. Dark Water-Low Light​

#3  Which class 1.-4. does the top jig land in?

#4 Which class 1.-4. does the bottom jig land in?

Test A's below

Look below at these 12 Shad Raps for more of a feel.  Where's my Firetiger you ask? Some lures are bright enough and dark enough to cover all four classes.  The trick is and there is always a catch.. Some days they really really want a set color aligned with the ambient light and water clarity rules I have put forth here.
So there are lure colors that will always put some fish in the box, but sometimes there is a lot better lure to use!

​1. Clear water-Bright Light

The bottom silver and black is here as it is natural and it has extra shine. It could be argued its class 2 as well, as the sides are pretty grey.

​All these are open to interpretation.

​2. Clear Water-Low Light

The middle crank color is here because it is flat and not glossy or shiny, though it is somewhat bright.

3. Dark Water-Bright Light

All these cranks are dark but are bright or have shine

4. Dark Water-Low Light

The top crank is almost more bright than dark, but it is mostly dark. Black is also a good choice here (not shown).

​Answers
1.  False
​2. Gold Shad
3.  Class 4
4.  Class 3

Tip of the Week 02.23.20

Hair Jigs w/meat

In the pre melt early spring hair jigs with fathead minnows or "meat" as folks call them are a proven fish catcher.

The fun thing about hair jigs is it seems they are a lure producers first type of creation.  So you can find all sorts of hair jigs on the market from all over the place from large successful companies like Rapala owned VMC's hair jigs shown on the left ( its a good one). To the obscure ones such as the lures above that were likely made by somebodies uncle in Sandusky. 

These harder to find are good too.

Walleye and saugers arent the only fish to be fooled by hair.  Nope smallies too. The difference is the smallies like a natural look of browns, light oranges, olives, and black.

The above colors with are nice. Purple is a killer too. They are fished well many ways but I'd say they do better when not constantly moved - vertical fishing too is how I feel the are best used.

Keep Catchin'

Tip of the Week

​Secchi Disk

Lower the disk into the water when it becomes unseen measure the distance from the string in the water surface to the disk.
This is how you read the water clarity in lakes. 
River measurements use a tube, however for my purposes I use this and go with the flow and keep the string vertical then the reading is accurate for me.
Water clarity is one of THE largest conditions to understand in fishing not only a river but anywhere in the world!

Ice and logs can wreck your transducer

River Ice

There are big sheets of ice and small pieces floating down the river, and some of the chunks are crystal clear and dense.  These are very hard on transducers.

Level transducer

Here is a pic of a level transducer.  The mounting bracket on the boat receives the transducer brace.  These two  pieces are joined by a bolt and nut.  ​

Popped up transducer

Here is a pic of the transducer after I got back from a trip.  The transducer popped up a few clicks upon impact of something, likely ice. Here is the tip. Make sure that the bolt is not overly tightened and so rigid the transducer wont move upon impact. You want some give these transducer are tough, but they need to move slightly upon impact.

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Piece It Together Like A Pro! Walleye

Tip of the Week

I will once again teach my original course called Piece It Together Like A Pro! Walleye.  The course explains how fish move seasonally, weekly, and daily based on the environmental conditions that exist. I focus heavily on river conditions, but a lake angler will gain much from this as well. 

The 80 page manual, including charts and diagrams, is free with the course.  This is a professional level course based on theories proven out over 20 years of continued fast water field experience and analysis.

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Announcing dates for this 4-day class:

Cabela’s Woodbury
Feb. 26, 28,  March 5 & 7
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Course fee & Sign Up required
Contact me with any questions.
I am excited to teach this brand new class!

You will learn how to take facts and turn them into clues as to where the fish are and how to pattern them.  The 80 page manual, including charts and diagrams, is free with the course.  This is a professional level course taught with theories proven by 20 years of continued analysis, from fishing high pressured bodies of water where catches are not guaranteed.

I have had inquires about this already and so if your are interested please contact me.  The class size will not be overly large and it will be a fun atmosphere.  It needs to be a three or four night class from say 6-8pm starting in late January, and somewhere in the east metro.  Maybe an all day class on a Saturday.  Not sure.  The cost is similar to a half day guide trip, and will be some of the best money you ever spend on your fishing.