Hook setting when jig fishing
I talk about this in the report page. There are times that fish will hit a jig very hard and it is a take them instantly scenario. Then there are times even during the same day where it is an aggressive big bite that the fish mouth the jig and just have the bait and not the hook.
Don't ask me why, I have no idea why they do that. I just know that they do.
This is why its important to be present in the moment while fishing and not assume everything will go the way it is going and that certain bites can and will differ. I've got a lot of experience fishing and so I've been through this. I also can tell you I miss bites. The point is not perfection but being willing to learn and figure stuff out. Stay flexible in fishing and you will do a lot better than those who are rigid in their approaches to fishing.
Don't ask me why, I have no idea why they do that. I just know that they do.
This is why its important to be present in the moment while fishing and not assume everything will go the way it is going and that certain bites can and will differ. I've got a lot of experience fishing and so I've been through this. I also can tell you I miss bites. The point is not perfection but being willing to learn and figure stuff out. Stay flexible in fishing and you will do a lot better than those who are rigid in their approaches to fishing.
Tails create vibration - fish focus on vibration.
A "Ringworm" by B Fish N. This one is a Chartreuse/ Orange Core.
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Dark water and moving water makes it a challenge for fish to find forage. One way you can call them in is with the subtle movement of a plastic tail. There are a lot of different tails on the market and colors or all over the board form natural to obnoxious. Walleye eat all of them based on specific conditions.
The point is plastic tails will help the fish find you in high river water. Along those lines this is when I like to use crankbaits with rattles. |
Ice and logs can wreck your transducer
River IceThere 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.
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Level transducerHere 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.
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Popped up transducerHere 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
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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. |
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. |
December 2, 2018
As it is that time of year anglers want to hit the ice...
so I will do an ice fishing tip.
The tip is about “match ups” line, pole, and hooks.
Do not mix up walleye fishing with light line used for panfish. You will need a minimum of four pound line, ideally 6# is better. So try not to switch up panfish with walleye gear. You do not want to set the hook on a nice fish and snap the light panfish line.
The pole really has to give when using light line or if your “hookset happy” you’ll break off. The light backbone is your shock absorber.
For panfish 4# and under is needed.
Most anglers are pretty sophisticated these days and have this match up concept figured out, but for sure its ALL small stuff with panfish, from hooks to line test to swivels, to a light pole for panfish.
The tungsten weights are really good when you are panfishing and you are using a 4# line. Don’t get fooled into thinking the lightest is best because really light line is a headache especially when hole hopping. One wrong move (easy to do) and the line is frozen to the hole and you break the $&%#!
K- Drill you heard about them. They ARE all that.
Tip over.
The tip is about “match ups” line, pole, and hooks.
Do not mix up walleye fishing with light line used for panfish. You will need a minimum of four pound line, ideally 6# is better. So try not to switch up panfish with walleye gear. You do not want to set the hook on a nice fish and snap the light panfish line.
The pole really has to give when using light line or if your “hookset happy” you’ll break off. The light backbone is your shock absorber.
For panfish 4# and under is needed.
Most anglers are pretty sophisticated these days and have this match up concept figured out, but for sure its ALL small stuff with panfish, from hooks to line test to swivels, to a light pole for panfish.
The tungsten weights are really good when you are panfishing and you are using a 4# line. Don’t get fooled into thinking the lightest is best because really light line is a headache especially when hole hopping. One wrong move (easy to do) and the line is frozen to the hole and you break the $&%#!
K- Drill you heard about them. They ARE all that.
Tip over.
Fishery Regulations SurveyFor a long time on this site and in person I have expressed two fisheries regulations topics. One is that there should be changes made to protect walleye over 20″ and that the white bass limit of 25 fish is way to high.
The Mississippi River Fisheries crew are trying to do just this. I feel that if they can get these changes it will follow suit that the St. Croix can see these as well. Plus I believe many of the fish swim both rivers. So if we protect Mississippi Fish you are protecting St. Croix Fish. The survey is loaded with good facts its a nice read – informative. Worth your time. Please take the time to fill out the following survey. https://goo.gl/forms/zWWZOf4njVWKDhdm1 |
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November 7
Make sure you match the line diameter...up with the weight of your jigs. Six pound mono is a great all around choice. Look closely at the line diameter measurement!! Some lines by either model or brand or both are thicker or thinner. So you can find two lines both with the same test # rating, but are different thicknesses….
There’s no rule on what tool always to use or how – so I’m not commenting on one diameter thickness being categorically better – BUT if you’re say vertical jigging… I would prefer a thinner diameter. Any questions email me. |
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