Fishing-Headquarters Magazine by Fishing-Headquarters Online Magazine

Big Bluegill: During spring and summer, depending on region of course, big bluegills such as this large specimen load the shallows and provide anglers with fast action. Keeping angler ethics and conservation principles in mind, this large nesting male was released. Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

May / June, 2011

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Fishing-Headquarters Magazine Volume 1. Issue 5

July & August, 2011 Late Summer Issue

• Pier Pattern Largemouth Bass . . . . . . . . . . . 11 About the Fishing-Headquarters The Fishing-Headquarters began as a small homepage featuring a collection of photos and YouTube fishing videos. It even featured a small contingency of misfits and rebellious anglers who were tired of the internet elitism and racism expressed by other websites towards specific groups of anglers and species of freshwater gamefish. Formally established in January 2007, the FHQ was created for like-minded anglers to share the wealth of information, and enjoy the beauty in diverse fishing. This greatness as we presently know it is multi-species fishing. Designed and created by posessed and gravely obsessed angler, Andrew Ragas, the website has grown to a large world audience. Our basis as an online media platform is to drop the ego, and catch anything that swims and has fins.

• Great Lakes: Kayak King Salmon . . . . . . . . . 23 • Frog Fishing 101 for Largemouth Bass . . . 35 • The Misunderstood Longnose Gar . . . . . . . 51 • Float Trippin’ Smallmouth Bass . . . . . . . . . 63 • Fisheries Science: Richmond Mill Lake . . . 85 • Rigging Your Boat: Walleye Style . . . . . . . . 97

All ﬁsh are created as equals. Only to be pursued as opposites.

COVER STORY Important Biz Stuff http://www.fishing-headquarters.com info@fishing-headquarters.com telephone - 708. 256. 2201 Questions or Comments, and if interested in contributing or sponsoring, please contact Andrew Ragas at: andrew@fishing-headquarters.com Magazine layout and design by Ragas Media http://www.ragasmedia.com

Pictured on the Issue-5 cover is proficient frog angler and the “Hip-Hop Fisherman,” JayPee Hey. Mid-summer until early fall is when frog fishing and most other largemouth slop techniques work best. The fish pictured is a 4 lb. largemouth bass that was caught on a surface frog in Northern Illinois during summer 2010. Learn more about frog fishing for largemouth bass by turning to page 35.

Fishing-Headquarters Issue-5 After investing long summertime hours, which would have been better spent either ﬁshing and enjoying the water, working, or in my case looking for a job, Issue-5 has been set into place for all to enjoy.

Andrew Ragas

Editor In-Chief, Designer, and Owner.

2011 Issue Releases Remaining Schedule

• Issue 6: September 1, 2011 • Issue 7: December 1, 2011

Over the course of the last few weeks I came to realize how much work putting together this publication really is, especially when one individual designs and lays out all 100+ pages of it. The ﬁrst few issues were created with much enthusiasm and a tremendous energy rush while this one for some reason actually turned into work. Fun work, nonetheless. From all of the long hours of design and organization invested into putting this latest issue together, we sincerely hope that you enjoy immersing yourselves deeply into the writings and photographs. Each Issue 5 contributor has brought his own unique story to share with all. Before forgetting, we would like to thank our friends, anglers, and team of writers and website bloggers who have dedicated themselves to provide and contribute their knowledge, experiences, and content into this publication. Without their assistance, nothing like this would ever be possible. Thank you for reading our ﬁfth issue of Fishing-Headquarters Magazine.

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ISSUE 5 FEATURED WRIT

Jim Gronaw

David Graham

Todd Wendorf

Special Contributors • JayPee Hey Contributed Photographs • Tom Harris • JayPee Hey • Kenny Lookingbill • Jacob Saylor • Zack Wallin Issue 5 Editorial Staff • Paul Ragas Layout and Design By • Ragas Media Designs Sponsors and Advertising Partners • Bearpaw’s Handpoured Baits • CB’s Hawg Sauce • Cortland Line • Go-Pro Camera • Heartland Outdoors • MC Custom Rods Inc. • Quantum Fishing • Ragas Media Designs • Sims Spinners Inc. • Stankx Bait Company • Time on the Water Outdoors

TERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

Rob Wendel

Roy Vivian

Andrew Ragas

NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY TOPICS. Stankx Bait Company Introducing NEW Line of Jigs. Stankx Bait Company is now selling jigs to compliment several of its hit plastics! Available in six sizes and ﬁve different styles, the Stankx jigs are offered in both plain and powder coats to match the top ﬁve Stankx colors. Coming in the VERY near future to a bait near you. Available online, retailing $3.49-$4.49/package. http://www.stankxbaitco.com

GoPro Launches 3D HERO® System; World’s Smallest 1080p 3D Camera. GoPro, the world’s leading activity camera company, recently announced the availability of the much anticipated 3D HERO® System, a waterproof 3D expansion kit for GoPro’s best selling 1080p HD HERO camera. The 3D HERO System is available immediately at GoPro.com and is shipping to GoPro retailers worldwide with an MSRP of $99.99. http://www.goprocamera.com

MC Custom Rods Begins Production. Chicago, IL - Hobbyist rod builder and friend of the Fishing-Headquarters, Matt Coppolino, began a rod building business for friends and family alike, and is now expanding to a larger market. MC Custom Rods builds fishing rods for all types of fishing, and every detail is built to exact specifications utilizing the finest materials and craftsmanship. http://www.mccustomrods.com

Sims Spinners Catering to Musky Anglers. As of June 2011, Sims Spinners has been producing a line of spinners and bucktails for big game ﬁshermen. Available in single and double bladed models featuring size-6 blades, multi-colored ﬂashabou skirts, and VMC hooks. Since its production, these lures have already caught large Canadian pike and Minnesota muskies up to 50-inches. Retailing online: $7.99 single; $8.99 double. http://www.sims-spinners.com Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

Smallmouth Bass on the Fly Wisconsin River, Oneida County

SOLUNAR CALENDAR July 2011

August 2011

This fishing forecast is based on solar and lunar influences that cycle daily. The chart shows each hour of the day. For instance the hours with the higher rating, and days shaded the darkest have a greater combination of solar and lunar influence and thus indicate the best times to fish. This chart is a general recommendation and all data has been compiled by Weather & Wildlife.

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LEADING OFF.

ElectroSHOCKING Electrofishing uses electricity to stun fish before they are caught. Electrofishing is a common scientific survey method used to sample fish populations to determine abundance, density, and species composition. When performed correctly, electrofishing results in no permanent harm to fish, which return to their natural state in as little as two minutes after being stunned. Pictured is FHQ contributor, Kenny Lookingbill, standing atop deck, examining the invasive asian and silver carp from a Central Illinois waterway with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In states such as Illinois, where invasive species have taken control of several biomasses, scenes like this no longer come as shocking surprises.

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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LEADING OFF.

Big Country Smallmouth Bass As written by Andrew Ragas in FHQ Issue-4, Northern Wisconsin’s “Six Weeks of Spring” held excellent trophy smallmouth bass fishing for him and most other anglers with several fish being caught in the 3 to 5 pound range. Now that June has concluded, fish are quickly transitioning off into their summer patterns and will begin utilizing mid-lake areas and deep water structure. With some work, the same quality of fishing can be experienced during the heat of summer, and into fall. The fish pictured is 20 inches, and 5 lbs. Turn back to Issue-4:

http://issuu.com/aragas/docs/ﬁshing-headquarters1.4

Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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WADING LAKES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS.

PIER PATTERN When life becomes full of choices it’s time to wisen up and enjoy the simplicities of wade ﬁshing the shallows. Todd Wendorf examines this unconventional approach to catching big summertime largemouth bass.

Photographs by Todd Wendorf

Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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By: Todd Wendorf

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

Photograph by Todd Wendorf Fishing-Headquarters | Page 12

WADING LAKES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS.

Photograph by Todd Wendorf

Tradition says that big summer bass in our northern lakes all head for deep water. Of course, there’s also a tradition that says that ﬁsh lose their teeth in the summer. Both traditions are hogwash!

ife is full of choices. Should I buy a different truck now or run this one until it drops? Should I fill up the tank today or wait for gas to raise to $4.29 a gallon tomorrow? Should I buy my wife a nice birthday present of just be happy with frozen dinners for a year? Some choices are easier than others, but none the less they all have to be made. The world of bass fishing offers a lot of choices as well. Crank baits or plastics? Topwaters or stickbaits? Wacky hooked or Texas rigged? Braided line or fluorocarbon? Spinning rods or bait casting? $35,000 bass boat or $90 pair of waders? Wait … what? Waders for bass fishing? Are you serious? Yes, I am. I’m totally serious, especially if Fishing-Headquarters.com

you really want to catch number of big bass in heavily fished lakes. A few years ago my beautiful wife of 27 years finally conceded. “Honey, I think it’s time for you to buy a boat.” (No, seriously … that’s what she said!) Ten minutes later when we entered the showroom of a local boat dealership we BOTH changed our minds. I’m sorry, but if I hope to retire before I’m 80 a new bass boat is probably out of the question. I love to bass fish, but not at that price! So, how do I pull this one off? The answer came on Memorial Day weekend just a few weeks later when I spotted a number of fisherman catching bluegills on their beds on a local lake. Not being much of a pan fisherman, but really wanting to wet a line, I grabbed a few small slip bobbers and a box of wax worms

July / August, 2011

and decided to join them. Well, the long and the short of it is, I gave up on the bluegill because they were constantly being chased off their beds by post-spawn largemouths that were on a feeding frenzy. As a matter of fact, those darn bass wouldn’t even leave my slip bobbers alone! After having 3 slip bobbers destroyed by ol’ bucket mouth it finally dawned on me … “maybe I should try bass fishing? But wait. I don’t have a $35,000 bass boat! What to do, what to do?” Well, I eventually sloshed my way back into shore, grabbed a couple of Rapala DT-1’s from my box, and headed back out into the lake in my waders. Three casts later (yes … three casts) I landed the biggest largemouth of my life, a hefty 22”, 6.5 lb. slob that tried to do to my DT-1 what her friends had

done to my slip bobbers. Being a little short on time I was only able to catch 7 more fish that day, but the next I spent most of the day on the water and landed 54 largemouth, including five that were 18” or larger. I also lost one that put my 22” from the day before to shame. Keep in mind, this is not happening in Florida, Texas, or California, but southern Wisconsin where we grow them “lean and mean” compared to the southern states. Fish 18 inches and larger are quality fish and not that easy to come by. Apparently, I was on to something. Throughout the course of the next 4 months I was able to land over 600 largemouth, including 20 fish that were at least 20” in length. It was truly an amazing summer for a guy in a pair of waders. Unconventionally Speaking

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Tradition says that big summer bass in our northern lakes all head for deep water. Of course, there’s also a tradition that says that fish lose their teeth in the summer. Both traditions are hogwash! Yes, some bass do head to deep rock flats and shelves when the water temperature rise, but I can assure you that there are also more bass in the shallows than you shake a stick at. And by shallows I mean anywhere from 6” of water on up, depending on the availability of shade, wind direction, and air and water temperatures. In the lakes of southern Wisconsin I’ve found that post-spawn females tend to migrate to the large, sprawling flats of milfoil that exist in most larger lakes. These fish tend to roam and feed during lowlight and no-light conditions and bury their noses in cover during

Photograph by Todd Wendorf Fishing Headquarters | Page 14

WADING LAKES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS.

When casting to pontoon lifts look for the corner post that is deepest into the shade during peak daylight periods. When ﬁshing a single post like this one I generally swim the bait past the post rather than cast directly to it. Less cover means the ﬁsh can be more easily spooked. the day. When the sun goes down and the wind goes with it hese flats come alive with insect hatches, bluegill and crappies feeding on insects, and largemouth eating anything in sight while trying to regain their strength. The milfoil does not generally reach the surface of the water until early to mid June, giving wade anglers a great opportunity to fish these flats with shallow running crankbaits like the Rapala DT-1 series and X-Raps. Bulging the surface on a calm night draws a lot of attention, the kind a bass angler is looking for. Slow sinking plastics like Berkley Gulp Sinking Minnows hooked Texas style, Trigger X Aggression Frogs, and Banjo Minnows worked slowly over the tops of the weeds on cooler nights can be too much for even a finicky eater to resist.

Photograph by Frank Weilnhammer

Rapala DT Fat

Trigger X Aggression Frog

The Wind Factor Significant winds will also produce activity. Throwing jerk shad and other stick baits onto wind Fishing-Headquarters.com

Berkley Gulp Sinking Minnow

July / August, 2011

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Photograph by Todd Wendorf

swept flats can be magical. I believe the wade fisherman has a significant advantage in the wind as he doesn’t have to cast and control a boat all while waiting for the slight “tick” of a bass inhaling a soft plastic bait. Waders also don’t produce the steady vibration of a trolling motor and allow you to sneak through the milfoil beds without being noticed if you take your time and be patient.

I’ve learned that fish tend to locate on the inside corner of an L-shaped dock if there’s a post on that corner. If not … they tend to locate near the first post located between the L and the shore. That can change, however, depending on whether or not there is a boat tied to the dock. And don’t forget about wind velocity and direction, the angle of the sun, and water clarity. It sounds complicated, and it is. Now imagine how The Pier Pattern much more complicated it is if you don’t even know for sure where the Later in the summer I turn my posts are! attention to fishing under docks and pontoon boats. When the high sun of July and August beats down on the lake bass head for cover and shade. Having fished docks in waders for a number of years now I am totally convinced that I can outfish most boat bound anglers simply because I’m lower in the water, can see better under the docks, and can present a bait to my target much easier because it’s right there in front of me. Once you get your nose under those docks you start to learn the idiosynBerkley Chigger Craw crasies of bass location under different circumstances. For example,

Please don’t get me wrong … boat anglers are still going to catch their share of fish, and sometimes even the hogs. But your odds increase significantly once you truly understand what’s happening under that dock in terms of structure, shade, and depth. Once you learn the docks, you’ll catch a ton of bruiser bass. Finesse baits such as wacky and shaky worms, jigs with crawfish tails, and Banjo Minnows have been the biggest producers for me. Again, I prefer Gulp Sinking Minnows and

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WADING LAKES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS.

Photograph by Todd Wendorf

Multiple posts in shaded areas generally hold the largest ﬁsh. These two posts held a 6 lb largemouth that took over a dozen casts to aggravate to the point of eating the jig and tail. Berkley Power Bait Chigger Craws. Experiment with colors to find out what works best in your lake under the current water conditions. Fish the full length of the dock until you discover a pattern, and then watch for changing conditions. I’ve caught fish in 6” of water under a dock on a bright sunny day, and I’ve found them way out on the end of the structure on cloudy days. You just never know until you fish it all. You’ll find largemouth tend to hold in this seasonal pattern until surrounding weed flats begin to die off because of cold water temps and limited sunlight. Just don’t give up too early. Those falls days of September and early October can be incredibly productive. Fish tend to move back to the open flats in the Fishing-Headquarters.com

fall, and the same baits and techniques used in the spring will work once again. Fishermen have a lot of choices to make. If you’re fortunate enough to own the boat of your dreams, good for you. If not, I hope you know how lucky you are! Strap on your waders and head to the lake. Your dreams await you! You have the opportunity to maximize your fishing stealth, get down in the trenches with ol’ bucket mouth, and do some hand-to-combat with the fish of a lifetime. Nothing is more exciting than having a “biggin” circle you in the water or turn you into a pretzel as she swims between your legs. Don’t give up because your waders don’t throw off a huge rooster tail and you’re not catching bugs in

July / August, 2011

your teeth at 60 miles an hour. Just smile and wave as the other fishermen look at you like your crazy… and enjoy making the right choice! Todd Wendorf grew up in Northern Wisconsin and now calls McFarland, WI home. He is an avid bass fisherman who specializes in shore fishing, wading, float tubing, and kayak fishing. When not chasing Largemouth he focuses on Steelhead and Brown Trout in Southeastern Wisconsin harbors and tributaries.

Read more about Todd’s ﬁshing by visiting him online at:

http://needtoﬁshmore. blogspot.com/

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Photograph by Todd Wendorf Fishing Headquarters | Page 18

WADING LAKES FOR LARGEMOUTH BASS.

Photograph by Todd Wendorf Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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KAYAK

Kayak your way to summertime king sal

Photograph by Tom Harris Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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K KINGS

lmon on the Great Lakes.

Rob Wendel

Bored with your typical summer fishing routine? Looking for a bigger thrill next time you go fishing? Kayak fishing for king salmon will undoubtedly satisfy your cravings for adventure and force you to think outside of the box.

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KINGS OF SUMMER.

By: Rob Wendel

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

ayaks break all the rules when it comes to Lake Michigan fishing. Loads of expensive equipment and huge gas guzzling boats are no longer necessary making salmon fishing affordable and rewarding. Most people stereotype kayaks as tipsy little boats that are only good for paddling on small rivers. Modern kayaks however, evolved into super stable and roomy fishing platforms that provide comfort and ample space for gear. These little boats perform well on the big water Fishing-Headquarters.com

just as they do on small lakes and streams. In fact, anglers utilized kayaks for large game fishing on the ocean years before anyone tried it on the Great Lakes. Before you grab a kayak and start paddling into the horizon some precautions need to be taken. First, a life jacket should be worn at all times. In many states, safety regulations for kayaks are very lenient but that does not mean you should be lenient as well. Below is a quick list of essential safety equipment all anglers should have before venturing onto the lake: • Flares • Hook cutters • Hand-held VHF Radio • Compass or GPS • Cell Phone • Knife

ample storage space and good areas to mount accessories like fish locators and rod holders. Sit-on-top kayaks fit the bill and most are self bailing. The most popular fishing kayaks are Hobie Mirage kayaks. These boats are the best of the best when it comes to fishing. They provide tons of storage options, great stability, and the Mirage Drive allows anglers to pedal for hands free fishing. The kayak’s length should be between eleven and sixteen feet long for Lake Michigan. Get the longest kayak you can store or afford as longer is better. Longer kayaks are faster and track better so covering large expanses of water is much easier. Kayak Rigging

Once you have your kayak it is time to start rigging it. Most kayaks Now that the all important yet designed for fishing come with rod extremely boring gear is covered, holders built in but adding a couple it is time to talk about some actual of Scotty or Ram mount rod holdfishing gear. Kayaks come in many ers will allow you to keep your rods shapes and sizes, but the preferred in better positions and more paralstyle of kayak anglers are sit-on-tops. lel to the water. It is important that Look for a kayak that is stable, has your diver rods are in a horizontal

July / August, 2011

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Photograph by Rob Wendel

position. This allows the diver to get to the desired depth with less line and is less stressful on the rod when a fish hits. Fish locators are also important to successfully finding kings. Sure, an angler can catch fish without one, but when miles of fishless water need to be eliminated in order to find salmon, fish locators become very useful.

Rods and Reels

Others prefer to utilize divers and planers for a more diverse When it comes down to the spread. This requires bait casting or bare essentials like rods and reels, trolling rods that are medium to methere are two views. Some folks like dium heavy action with bait casting to keep simple. They use a couple or trolling reels that can handle the of medium action spinning rods added resistance of the divers. Abu with medium to large spinning reels Garcia Ambassadeur size 5500 or and drag around Hot-n-Tots or other 6500 work fine but for added presimilar baits. cision try line counters such as the

hotograph by Joe Bucher

Photograph by Rob Wendel Fishing-Headquarters | Page 26

KINGS OF SUMMER.

Photograph by Rob Wendel

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. This is a daunting task on the wide expanses of water in the Great Lakes. Cold water is a key factor in finding salmon so good places to start are areas with deep water near shore. Okuma Magdas or Convectors in sizes 15 or 20. Bigger reels are necessary when using leadcore line due to its large diameter. Rod length depends on the length of your kayak. It is important that the rod can reach around the bow of the boat while fighting a fish. I like to use 20 to 30 lb. braid on my reels. Braid’s strength and small diameter make it perfect for the various divers available. Monofilament tends to be thick requiring much more line out to achieve the desired depth.

are easy to use and can get down to where the fish are easily. They also float so anglers can stop moving without worrying about baits sinking and getting snagged. Dipsy divers are more effective since they are directional. They get your bait down and out away from the kayak so you can spread out your baits and cover more water, but they create more drag in the water and sink quickly if stopped. Torpedo divers are another great tool for getting your baits deep. They are very hydro-dynamic Divers & Rigging so there is very little blow back. I like to use the Cuda Torpedo Diver When it comes to divers, there which is quite heavy. Depth charts are many available. For beginners, show that there is almost a one to jet divers are a great option. They one ratio of feet of line out to depth Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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for the first forty feet down. In essence it is a downrigger for your kayak making depth control very precise. Leadcore line is also very effective for catching salmon. It gives baits an action that kings find hard to resist. Like the torpedo diver it has very little drag in the water for an easy paddle but needs a lot of line out to get deep. It also lacks versatility. Rod tips can wear at the leadcore’s coating weakening it over time. To prevent this, all of the leadcore must be let out past the rod tip so all that is left on the rod is the backing. So, if a reel contains five colors of lead it can achieve a depth of twenty to twenty-five feet, but can not be made shallower without

Divers

Luhr Jensen Jet Diver

Luhr Jensen Dipsy Diver

Cuda Torpedo Diver

Plugs & Spoons

Rapala J-13

Rapala X-Rap Shad

Leadcore Line

Acme Tackle Company KO Wobbler

Cortland Kerplunk Leadcore

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KINGS OF SUMMER.

Photograph by Rob Wendel

A mature king salmon can easily pull a kayak several hundred feet before tiring. It is important to keep the boat pointed toward the ﬁsh. Windy days make it difﬁcult but are the most important times to control the direction of the kayak. cutting off some of the line. Adding weight can make it deeper but is often difficult to handle in a kayak. I often employ a combination of any three of these rigs. Sometimes it is a dipsy of each side and a leadcore down the middle. Other times it is a dipsy, torpedo diver and a leadcore. It all depends on how deep I need to get my baits and the selection of baits I am using. One simple program for beginners is to use two rods, one with a jet diver and the other with a dipsy diver. If your rod holders are positioned in front of your body and you are using right handed reels, you will have one reel handle facing you and the other facing way. Put the Jet diver on the rod with the handle facing away and the dipsy on the rod Fishing-Headquarters.com

with the handle facing you. If a fish hits the dipsy diver you can leave the jet diver in the water with out it getting snagged. If a fish grabs the jet diver rod you can always crank in the dipsy with one hand while it is in the holder so it does not get snagged. It may sound difficult to use the different divers out there but with a little practice they become easy to use and allow you to use a wider array of baits.

variety of sizes. Salmon are very size oriented. They will key in on specific sizes of baits often dependent on the size of the forage in the area. Matching the hatch is vital, so try to have a variety of sizes and colors. Color selection changes day to day but baits with combinations of blue, green, chartreuse, pearl, silver, or glow are good places to start. Of course, lure color does not matter if there are no fish around.

Spoons and Plugs

Follow the Kings

Spoons and plugs are two of the easiest and most effective baits to use when fishing for salmon. They are both very speed tolerant which is important while trolling from a kayak. They also come in a

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. This is a daunting task on the wide expanses of water in the Great Lakes. Cold water is a key factor in finding salmon so good places to start are areas

July / August, 2011

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with deep water near shore. This creates a good opportunity to find cold water without traveling long distances off shore. Consecutive days of offshore winds will cause an upwelling of cold water near shore. Upwellings bring in loads of bait and feeding Kings. If the area you want to fish has points, humps, or ledges adjacent to the deep water it is even better as bait will often be near by. King salmon are eating machines. Their high metabolism requires them to feed multiple times a day so finding forage is very important. Unfortunately, on some days, salmon have a way of hiding from your fish locatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transducer even when they are in the area. Temperature probes like the Fish Hawk TD make it easy to key in on the right depth. It will show you the water temperature in the entire water column and how deep you bait is really getting. Knowing where the thermo cline is in the water column will help you keep your baits in productive water. Look for water that is below fifty-five degrees and keep in mind that colder is better. Start with your baits at or below the thermocline. A good place to begin setting your lines is one at the thermocline, one half -way to the bottom from the thermocline, and one near the bottom. I will look for the coldest water possible unless it seems the forage moved into warmer water. Sometimes the forage prefers to stay closer to structure even if it means tolerating slightly warmer water. This often occurs during low light periods. The food chain is very active during these times. Alewives will rise in the water column or move in shallow to feed on plankton and the kings will be right there to take advantage of the distracted

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

Photograph by Rob Wendel Fishing-Headquarters | Page 30

KINGS OF SUMMER.

Photograph by Rob Wendel

Most people stereotype kayaks as tipsy little boats that are only good for paddling on small rivers. Modern kayaks however, evolved into super stable and roomy ﬁshing platforms that provide comfort and ample space for gear. prey. Low light is a great time to bring out the glow in the dark baits. It is also effective to forget the rules about matching the hatch and just use magnum size baits. Get ready for some fast action. These kings will really put your abilities to the test and take you for a ride! A mature king salmon can easily pull a kayak several hundred feet before tiring. It is important to keep the boat pointed toward the fish. Windy days make it difficult but are the most important times to control the direction of the kayak. Keep the Fishing-Headquarters.com

kayak. Keep the rod tip pointed toward the bow. The fish will pull the bow of the boat in its direction so the kayak will always point to the fish. Anglers with pedal kayaks can maneuver around the fish to keep the other lines moving. This will keep the other baits off the bottom and increase the chance of getting a double. Every angler should experience catching salmon from kayak. The thrill is unsurpassed and addicting but do not rush out on the water. Choose your days wisely and make

July / August, 2011

sure others are with you or know where you are. Rob Wendel is a 3rd generation fisherman, originally from Arlington Heights, IL. Since catching his first salmon from kayak in 2005, Rob has fished almost exclusively from a kayak. He currently promotes the sport through teaching anglers how to fish from kayaks and also a member of the Hobie Kayak Fishing Team. Visit Rob online:

lakemichiganangler.com greatlakeskayakangler.com �

Photograph by Rob Wendel Fishing-Headquarters | Page 32

Frog Fishing Frog ﬁshing is nothing new to the realm of bass angling. Bass are known to eat many critters from ﬁsh and insects to amphibians and even mice. Due to the ambush nature of bass, frog imitators can trigger awesome explosive strikes. When they hit a frog, they are not trying to play with it. They try to smash it!

By: Andrew Ragas Editor In-Chief

andrew@ﬁshing-headquarters.com

Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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g 101

Burn it! Drag it! Pop it! Skip it! Walk it! Prepare for huge strikes and hold on!

longer thus giving time to react by powerfully set the hook. ho knew what you There are several different can do with a plastic frog? I began types of frogs on the market today. fishing with frogs in summer of The surface frogs produced by tack2008. Ever since then, frog fishing le manufacturers are classified unhas become a favorite method for der two different groupings; Hollow catching largemouth bass through- body and soft plastic. out all of summer. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to describe the adrenaline rush of setting Molded Hollow Body Frogs the hook following a huge blow-up atop the surface. A hollow body frog is molded The greatest benefit of frogs is with either single or double hooks how they can be effectively fished featuring silicone tails, and can be through mats of vegetation, and fished in both heavy vegetation and the slop where big bass live. With in certain open water situations. the availability of several different They are best fished by matching models and designs from various the hatch, and imitating the natutackle companies that call for spe- ral motion of how real frogs swim cific and sometimes highly techni- through the water, most often with cal presentations, I have come to fast short hops and long pauses. learn that there is no wrong way to Frogs are more apt to pause against fish the frog. lily pads or other floating debris Frogs are fantastic baits in than just stopping and floating in heavy vegetation. Utilizing a sur- open water. Thus it is important to face-running soft plastic frog observe the behavior of live frogs around lily pads and atop mats of and trying to imitate them. Some slop is exhilarating as bass come out popular hard plastic frogs are made of the water to engulf the lure. The by Snagproof, Sumo, Scumfrog, distinctive feature of frogs is that River2Sea, and Spro. their hooks and riggings are weedless and there are no protrusions or Soft Plastic Frogs sharp angles that can pick up vegetation. The notion that frogs are Soft plastic style frogs are weedless, enabling anglers to fish much more suited for open water them where nearly all other lures and low vegetation applications. In might fail is their greatest advan- these situations soft plastic frogs tage. In addition, their soft bodies are best fished like buzz baits, and are hollow and natural to the touch; Fishing Headquarters | Page 36 allowing bass to hang on to the lure

FROG FISHING 101.

Frogs are fantastic baits in heavy vegetation. Utilizing a surface-running soft plastic frog around lily pads and atop mats of slop is exhilarating as bass come out of the water to engulf the lure. The distinctive feature of frogs is that their hooks and riggings are weedless and there are no protrusions or sharp angles that can pick up vegetation.

Molded Hollow Body Frogs Molded with either single or double hooks featuring silicone tails, and can be ﬁshed in both heavy vegetation and in certain open water situations. They are best ﬁshed by matching the hatch, and imitating the natural motion of how real frogs swim through the water, most often with fast short hops and long pauses.

Snag Proof Frog

Spro Bronzeye Frog

Boze Tackle Sumo Frog Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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Photograph by Andrew Ragas

Soft Plastic Frogs Much more suited for open water and low vegetation applications. In these situations soft plastic frogs are best fished like buzz baits, and rigged weedless with a Texas rig. Some float and sink, while others can be buzzed and used to cover large expanses of water and search for numbers of fish.

Zoom Horny Toad

Strike King Rage Tail

Stankx Bait Company Buzz Frogz

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FROG FISHING 101.

Starting in late May as water temperatures reach the 60 degree range, frog ﬁshing is already in full swing throughout much of the Midwest. Fishing stays productive throughout all of summer and lasts up until the middle of September once water temperatures begin cooling in preparation for the fall. rigged weedless with a Texas rig. Some float and sink, while others can be buzzed and used to cover large expanses of water and search for numbers of fish. Some popular soft plastic styled frogs are Zoom Horny Toads, Sizmic Toads, Strike King’s Rage Tail, Stanley’s Ribbit, Stankx Bait Company Buzz Frogz, and the YUM Buzz Frog.

original Snag-Proof frog in natural green just because it looked cool. I tried it on a local pond in the western suburbs and it worked. I was soon hooked on it thereafter.” My first-time experience with frogs parallels his. Starting in late May as water temperatures reach the 60 degree range, frog fishing is already in full swing throughout much of the When and where to ﬁsh with Midwest. Fishing stays productive frogs throughout all of summer and lasts up until the middle of September Once you frog, the fun don’t once water temperatures begin coolstop. One local Northern Illinois an- ing in preparation for the fall. gler who has turned himself into a frog fishing machine since early age is Jaypee Hey, of Chicago, Illinois. Hey, 26, started fishing the frog during his teenage years and has since utilized frog fishing techniques to place well in regional tournaments such as the Anglers Choice and Bass Federation Nation circuits, both of which are frequently held on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River, a favorite weedy big bass factory of his. Hey recollects his first time with a frog, “I remember buying the Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

Usually from midday to dusk and into the early nighttime is when frog fishing is at its peak. However, I have had success during dawn and early morning hours too, and some of my best and preferred fishing takes place on calm days when there is a lack of wind. Frog fishing usually leads you and your boat into some pretty awful places that are generally inaccessible with the outboard motor. Typical frog water would be the shallow backwaters and bays of lakes, and large grassy areas, especially with surface moss and algae growing

Photograph by Andrew Ragas �

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

on top. Other good water includes sparse grass, lily pads, overhanging trees and timber, and the dead ends of coves where emergent vegetation and debris has accumulated. One important observation Hey has been able to make is that if bass elect to stay shallow during the daytime, it is critical to pay attention to the surroundings and the near-water feeding habits of other animals. Hey stresses, “Look for weed pockets and openings in the slop, pay attention to the activity of birds, bees, dragonflies, and listen for bluegills popping the surface.”

He also adds, “I cannot tell you how many times I have had bullfrogs follow my frog lure back to the boat. Watch them if they are following you back and suddenly stop. It is for a reason; that frog knows that a big bass is lurking!” Likewise it is important to note that in order for frog fishing to be a success, there needs to be a sufficient depth of water under the cover, and access to deeper water so that fish can have a sanctuary to seek protective cover. According to Hey, adequate frog water “Must be more than a foot deep but always

less than 8 ft. deep.” Most anglers tend to wait until the hottest days to summer, when bass will be looking for cooler and shaded water in the mats, to begin throwing the surface frog. However, bass utilize shallow cover at any time of the year, depending on latitude of course. The point being is that anglers should not neglect the opportunity to fish with frogs, regardless of season, and neither should anyone have to wait until the dog days of summer to begin fishing this way. For me at least, it seems as if bass are always in shallow water looking for cover, and waiting for a meal to pass by. Frog Gear and Techniques Using frog lures is easy, but the challenging aspect of it is setting the hook and landing the fish. The hook-setting process with frogs is much different than anything else anglers might be accustomed to. Hey lists an easy step-by-step procedure that ensures him landing most fish: “Get blown up; Lower the rod tip down towards water by

Photograph by JayPee Hey

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FROG FISHING 101.

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

Most anglers tend to wait until the hottest days to summer, when bass will be looking for cooler and shaded water in the mats, to begin throwing the surface frog. However, bass utilize shallow cover at any time of the year, depending on latitude of course. as much as 45 degrees, let out some slack; Feel the fish; Give hard hook set; Fish successfully caught.” If you have the right rod and reel frog fishing is basic but if you are really into it like Hey or myself, it can become highly technical. The main thing to remember is that frog fishing requires heavy duty rods and reels with braided line. If Hey had to describe is style of frog fishing, it would be “Big bass froggin’, or methodical frogging. I like to use long heavy rods with a fast tip, along with a high speed baitcasting reel,” he says. According to Hey, “True frogging for me is done with a soft hollow body top water frog such as the Bobby’s Perfect Frog,” made by Snag-Proof and developed by BASS Elite SeFishing-Headquarters.com

ries angler, Bobby Barrack. Rods and Reels Typically, experienced frog anglers use stout rods with heavy line to extract the fish from heavy cover. Monofilament lines in the 20 to 30 lb. class are common, but braided lines in the 30 to 80 lb. class have gained immense popularity in recent years and are a must. Superbraids have the ability to cut through the grass easily, keep surface frogs afloat, and give you a great advantage in hooksetting power. Most frog anglers prefer medium to fast gear ratio reels like a 6:3 to as much as a 7:3 for fast burning presentations to keep the lure consistently swimming, with the latter

July / August, 2011

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being a personal preference. Rods are generally long, from 7 to 8 feet in length with light tip and lots of backbone. The light tip is needed for long accurate casting while the stiff mid and butt sections of the rod easily set the hook and extract fish. Certain rod manufacturers today such as G-Loomis, Lamiglas, Quantum, and Daiwa and independent custom rod builders have designed and engineered rods specifically for this style of fishing. Usually when we hit the water, I always bring three different set-ups into the boat and each is rigged with a different type of frog application. Each rod has a specific length and heavy action while the reels are all equipped with at least 40 lb. braid and a fast 7:0 gear ratio.

In order to be efficient, I have come to find that you can cover a lot of water effectively with three different frog styles. My primary frog fishing option is to cover water and find the fish. Therefore a kicking soft plastic frog such as the Stankx Bait Company Buzz Frog is effective for covering the outside edges and open water pockets of lily pads, grass mats, and surface moss. I usually cast past the targets and work with a moderately fast retrieve, preventing bass from getting too good of a look at it because they usually strike out of reaction to the surface commotion. With buzz frogs and covering water I use a custom built 7 ft. 2 in. Swampland rod paired with a Quantum Tour Edition TE 1170 (7.0:1 gear ratio) with 50 lb. Cortland Masterbraid. The second frog option I use is a molded hollow body surface frog such as Spro Bronzeye Frog. Hollow body frogs tend to get struck from anticipating bass that are waiting in ambush. In comparison with the buzz frogs, this frog stays in the strike zone much longer and produces crushing strikes. I recommend casting these frogs right up on shore and hopping them past weed pockets and lily pads with few intermittent pauses to aggravate bass. It is best not to throw it right on top of the spot you think bass are hiding. Always remember to give a few seconds to let the fish grab onto it before setting the hook. I fish hollow frogs with a 7 ft. 6 in. Quantum Tour Edition flipping stick paired with a Quantum Energy SS ES150HPT (7.3:1 gear ratio) with 50 lb. Cortland Masterbraid. Finally, the third frog option I use is not a specific type of frog at all, but rather a follow-up rod. I mix and match different frogs according to conditions and fish activity,

If Hey had to describe is style of frog ﬁshing, it would be “Big bass froggin’, or methodical frogging. I like to use long heavy rods with a fast tip, along with a high speed baitcasting reel,” he says.

Photograph by JayPee Hey Fishing-Headquarters | Page 42

FROG FISHING 101.

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

Frog ﬁshing usually leads you and your boat into some pretty awful places that are generally inaccessible with the outboard motor. Typical frog water would be the shallow backwaters and bays of lakes and large grassy areas, especially with surface moss and algae growing on top. and primarily use it to follow up on a specific bass that fails to hook up with either of my first two options. I learned to utilize this concept through my years of musky fishing as it is important to always throw out a follow lure in certain situations when hook-ups fail and fish are frequently moved to boatside. For my throwback frogs, I use a 6 ft. 10 in. custom built Laimiglas fiberglass flipping stick paired with a Quantum Accurist AC1170PT (7.0:1 gear ratio) with 40 lb. braid.

doesn’t make much difference. For me personally, it really doesn’t as I frequently use unnatural colors with my favorites being dark blues, yellows, and dark oranges. Popular frog colors are those that match the hatch according to the frogs present near the water being fished. Black and white are most common frog colors, while brown, green, chartreuse, and other natural colors work exceedingly well. Hey endorses the concept of matching the hatch with his favorite color being a bluegill pattern, and Color Selection states, “Yes, it helps a ton to match the hatch but the best plan is to use As far as color selection is your mind in order to figure out the concerned, it remains a subject of puzzle.” debate amongst experts and experiNowadays, more and more enced frog anglers. Since frogs are natural looking finishes are gaining fished on the surface and through popularity and seem to be catchvegetation, anglers claim that color ing more fish. Manufacturers have Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

natural patterns currently on the market or planned for introduction, and some such as Stankx Bait Company is catering its soft plastic frogs to custom color and plastic density requests from anglers. Bass in some bodies of water tend to respond better to plastic frogs more than others. In addition, some days of fishing are always better than others, therefore if fish aren’t showing any interest today, don’t give up and try again somewhere else. The best aspect of frog fishing is that bass don’t need much encouragement to take down frogs. Once you start catching fish on the frog, you will look forward to frog fishing every year. You owe it to yourself to give it a try.

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Jaypee Hey, 26, of Chicago, Illinois is an avid bass angler who is proficient in both frog fishing and jig fishing. For the past three years he has fished as an amateur co-angler in the Anglers Choice and Bass Federation Nation tournament circuits. His favorite big bass waters are Pool 13 of the Mississippi River and southern Wisconsin’s Delavan Lake. Hey can be visited online at his website,

http://www.hiphopﬁshing.com

Photograph by JayPee Hey Fishing-Headquarters | Page 44

FROG FISHING 101.

Frog Heaven

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Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters | Page 46

FROG FISHING 101.

Slop Central

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Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters | Page 48

THE LONGN

MISUNDERSTOOD R

Gar are ancient ﬁsh, little changed since the days of the dinosaur. The longnose gar’s needle-like nose, suit-of-armor scales, and long body make it look like no other ﬁsh you might see in North America. An inhabitant of warm, quiet waters, the gar is known for its sharp teeth and aggressive nature.

Photograph by David Graham

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NOSE GAR

RELIC PREDATORS.

By: David Graham

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

Photograph by David Graham Fishing-Headquarters | Page 52

LONGNOSE GAR.

Photograph by David Graham

The Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is one of North America’s most ancient inhabitants, having navigated its way through millions of years to present-day fresh waters, making it one of America’s longest-lived native species.

ood for nothing, baitstealing, stinky ‘trash fish’! Such utterings frequently skim over heatsheened, glassy waters straight into my ears, increasing my dismay at certain fishing superstitions. It is frustrating that the lowly gar is frequently viewed with such undeserved disdain. Unique in image and character, the longnose gar is a maligned and misunderstood freshwater oddity. Anglers who intentionally pursue the gar are few and far between, and apparently out of their minds. The longnose gar is the second largest of the gar species and certainly the most abundant. It is unFishing-Headquarters.com

equivocally a living relic with prehistoric credentials testifying to its durability. The longnose gar offers a unique set of challenges and problems that should stimulate the intellectual mind of fisherman seeking to broaden their skillset as a complete angler. It is perhaps the most common of the gar family, and is one of North America’s largest and most impressive water-bred predators. Its body is a solid tube of armored muscle that can exceed 50 inches in length, an excess of twenty pounds, and is well accustomed to taking to the air during battle. What a frighteningly delightful combination for an angler! The Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is one of North America’s most ancient inhabitants, having

July / August, 2011

navigated its way through millions of years to present-day fresh waters, making it one of America’s longestlived native species. The longnose gar can be distinguished from its counterparts the shortnose, spotted, florida, and alligator gar, by the size and shape of its bill. The longnose gar’s name is self-explanatory, proportionally; it has the longest bill length of all of the gar. Its bill is long, about twice the length of its head, and very narrow, and filled with countless razor sharp teeth. The longnose gar’s body is covered in thick bony ganoid scales. These scales interlock to produce a virtual suit of armor protecting them from its natural predators. The tail of the longnose gar is rounded; giving maximum propulsion through �

the water which combined with the streamlined body of the fish allows the longnose gar to display some dynamic acrobatics as they are well accustomed to taking to the air when hooked. Like the other gars, longnose gar often have an abundance of black spots on its body at some point during its lifetime, though in larger specimens these spots become less visible.

The longnose gar’s most unique feature is its head, which easily evokes images of a horror-film sea creature. Its serpent-like head sports a narrow, bony bill lined with razorsharp teeth which increase the difficulty of hooking this fish. This gar is perfectly designed to ambush its prey. It typically floats motionless near the water’s surface, or blends seamlessly by the substrate in which it hides. A gar rarely exerts time or effort to school up and chase baitfish. It prefers to opportunistically feed on weak or dead fish, or to snatch unwary prey that wander too close to the lightning fast snap of its bill. Longnose gar feed primarily on

small fish, but will eat crustaceans, insects, or other aquatic creatures within its grasp. Although frequently scorned as voracious predators that indiscriminately consume their own body weight in game fish and fish eggs in a single sitting, the longnose gar is actually somewhat sluggish and can subsist without eating for weeks at a time. It will not pass up an easy attained meal, but

U.S. They can be found as far west as Texas, spanning all across the Eastern U.S. though most abundantly in the Southern states. They have been found as far north as Southern Quebec. Anglers can typically find them in the calm pockets and eddies of tailwaters below dams and spillways. Despite their excellent camouflage, longnose gar will often forfeit safe cover to break the surface for a quick gulp of air. These fish are equipped with a swim bladder that operates as a primitive lung, allowing them to surface for reserve oxygen in conditions that cause depleted oxygen content in the waters. This occurs more often as water temperatures rise during summermonths. Longnose gar will often cruise calmly in the upper levels of the water column, making them an ideal predator species for anglers who enjoy sight-casting. The longnose gar can exceed five feet in length and weigh over twenty pounds, but it is a very slow growing fish. It does not reach sexual maturity until approximately 6 Photograph by David Graham years of age and can reach a 20-year lifespan. Adult anglers who are forwill rarely exert itself to energeti- tunate enough to catch a particularly cally pursue one. Envision a sub- large longnose gar should respect marine – steady, nearly impervious the fact that it has likely overcome to attack, but certainly not designed multiple challenges and has likely to turn ‘on a dime’. Likewise, the been swimming since before the anlongnose gar’s long, stiff body is ill- gler was old enough to stand unassuited to the pursuit of quick-turn- sisted! ing bait fish. Tackling Gar Longnose Gar Habitat Conventional tackle was certainly not designed for longnose Longnose gar are most often found in and around shallow, weedy gar. These fish frequently use their backwaters and sloughs, but are no long bills to catch and hold prey, strangers to rivers, often stacking up swimming for some time before in calm eddies or at the mouths of actually working the meal towards river junctions. Longnose gar are a Fishing-Headquarters | Page 54 very common species in the Eastern

LONGNOSE GAR.

Longnose gar are most often found in and around shallow, weedy backwaters and sloughs, but are no strangers to rivers, often stacking up in calm eddies or at the mouths of river junctions. Longnose gar are a very common species in the Eastern U.S. They can be found as far west as Texas, spanning all across the Eastern U.S. their throat with a series of rapid ‘chomps’. The difficulty is not in locating groups of longnose gar or in getting them to ‘bite’. Successfully hooking one, though, is certainly a challenge. These fish have no ‘broad shoulders’, but what they lack in muscular strength is made up in tenacity, athleticism, and attitude. Braided line or steel leaders are recommended. The longnose gar might not break your line in a powerful run, but they are quite capable of slicing through monofilament line. It is a spineless fish but quite capable of inflicting scratches and scrapes upon the hapless angler, and not just because of their obvious sharp teeth. These fish have gill covers and scales capable of inflicting serious cuts. They twist, turn, jump, and thrash about during their evasive maneuvering when hooked, increasing the odds that your lead line will become entrapped in teeth, gills, or the gaps between flexed scales. Bait fishing is a guaranteed Fishing-Headquarters.com

way to get longnose gar to bite; cut or live bait of basically any sort of fish will suffice. Longnose Gar generally hover near the top of the water column, therefore using a float may be beneficial. It is important to remember several things when utilizing bait fish. Longnose gar will typically carry a bait for several minutes before actually devouring it, therefore size selection of hook and float is important. Anglers choosing to suspend a bait chunk beneath a float should carefully consider the size of the float since the resistance encountered by excessive buoyancy may cause the gar to drop the bait. The hook should be small enough to be well-concealed inside the bait, since a gar will work a bait around in its mouth for a very long time. They can detect an unnatural, hard metal shank and drop the bait. Unfortunately, allowing the fish to run with a bait for a long time will result in the occasional deephooked fish. It is very important to use small J-hooks, ideally with

July / August, 2011

clamped barbs, which give the fish an optimal chance to recover when your only option is to cut the line and re-tie. Hookless Rope Lures These are major incentives to utilize a different approach almost uniquely exclusive to landing a longnose gar. Many serious gar anglers use hookless nylon rope lures. These are designed to eliminate the driving of a shanked hook into the bony mouth of the gar, while actually using the gar’s own weapon system against it. Hookless nylon rope lures are designed to entangle the teeth of the gar’s snout in the rope fibers, ensuring that escape is nearly impossible. Rope lures are a magnificently efficient way to harmlessly catch gar. Rope lures are simple to make, and move through water with surprisingly natural fluidity. I frequently craft rope lures by simply cutting a twelve inch section of twisted nylon rope, folding it in half and feeding �

Photograph by David Graham

Fishing-Headquarters File Photo

In my opinion the hookless method is more effective than live bait. Not the bite ratio but the fact that your likely to loose 10 minnows for every gar you actually land. They are much better than any other artiďŹ cial out there despite not having any hooks. They are so easy to make and really fun to use. They are light when you ďŹ rst make them but dip them in the water and they cast as far as any other lure. For best results, sight casting is the best method with these lures.

Fishing-Headquarters | Page 56

LONGNOSE GAR.

Photograph by David Graham

Conventional tackle was certainly not designed for longnose gar. These ﬁsh frequently use their long bills to catch and hold prey, swimming for some time before actually working the meal towards their throat with a series of rapid ‘chomps’. The difﬁculty is not in locating groups of longnose gar or in getting them to ‘bite’. the looped end through a snap swivel, then bringing the two dangling ends of the rope back through the loop and synching it down. Then, simply ‘brush out’ the fibers until they resemble a doll’s straight hair. Once the lure has been dipped and water-logged it can be cast quite far. Rope lures are perfect for sight casting toward longnose gar lazily cruising the surface. A well-placed rope lure can, with a series of twitches, be brought several feet perpendicular across a gar’s face, triggering an aggressive bite response. Once the gar has firmly latched on, the angler must employ patience and self-discipline to avoid a typical instinct to set the hook. The gar will either carry the lure for a bit, or immediately shake its head to reFishing-Headquarters.com

lease the lure. It may be necessary to open the bail or free the spool to enable the gar to move away with the lure in its mouth, ensuring it will become securely entangled in the lure’s fibers. Removing a tangled mass of rope from a gar’s mouth can be tricky and dangerous. It is a delicate task to pry each strand from the gar’s sharp teeth, and the gar can not be expected to calmly comply. Longnose gar can safely remain above water long enough to allow the angler to carefully release rope lure threads ‘piece by piece’ instead of ripping and tearing them which could harm the fish and destroy the lure. Once a rope lure is freed from the fish’s grip, a few slaps on the water’s surface should prime it to re-cast for another fish!

July / August, 2011

Misunderstood Species There are more myths surrounding these fish than I care to count, but perhaps one of the most misleading is the notion that longnose gar are ‘trash-fish’ and unfit for consumption. The only major obstacle to cleaning and eating gar is penetrating their armor-like ganoid scales to get to the meat. Gar are often regarded as ‘bony’ and inedible, but the ‘backstrap’ of meat along its spinal cord is very thick, quality meat and mostly boneless. A great deal of meat can be found in the back strap of a 50-inch gar. Gar-cleaning, while labor-intensive, yields meat that is exceptional in taste and consistency according to those who have taken the time to do so. �

The longnose gar, and perhaps all gar in general, has been a muchmaligned and misunderstood ﬁsh among generations of anglers. There does, however, appear to be a growing trend among multispecies anglers seeking to broaden ﬁshing endeavors to pursue this apex predator. Entire groups have been established for the sole purpose of chasing gar. The Gar Anglers Sporting Society (G.A.S.S.)

web page www.garfishing.com offers much insight on gar and gar fishing from scientists and fishermen alike. Anglers seeking to learn about these fish and effective methods to capture them on hook and line should explore the G.A.S.S. web page and forums, since indepth gar fishing tips and techniques are not readily available in many traditional fishing publications.

Photograph by David Graham Fishing-Headquarters | Page 58

LONGNOSE GAR.

Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Boundless Pursuit

A non-species speciďŹ c approach to angling by David Graham.

David Graham, an extreme multi-species angler and featured columnist for Fishing-Headquarters Magazine, joins the FHQ.com Writers Network with his very own blog.

http://www.ďŹ shing-headquarters.com/boundlesspursuit/

Photograph by David Graham Fishing Headquarters | Page 60

FLOAT T Need a break from the fast-paced style of big water angling? Locate your favorite smallmouth river this summer and set forth on an extreme angling adventure. Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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TRIPPINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Smallmouth Bass

Andrew Ragas

Fishing-Headquarters | Page 64

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Like Lewis & Clark, the mentality of each trip I take is to float downstream and explore as much water as I possibly can until it is take-out time. Fishing a river often brings out the possibilities for numbers days, big fish days, or just a mixed bag of good multi-species action. What’s so great about fishing small rivers you may ask? Is it the sound of water which fuels life, or the abundance of smallmouth bass being present in the places less traveled? Being in the presence of nature and taking a break from fishing the big water is what compels me to undertake such adventures. Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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By: Andrew Ragas Editor In-Chief

andrew@ﬁshing-headquarters.com

ver since I knew how to handle a rod and reel I have frequently fished rivers throughout the Upper Midwest in search for anything that swims and is deemed as catchable. Growing up, flowing waters served as my playground for learning about their diverse populations of fish species, and figuring out the methods and techniques in how to best catch them. In fact, most rivers today still serve as my training grounds in trying to better understand fish that come in all shapes and sizes. Of all bodies of water they are without question some of my favorite places to spend significant amounts of time at, especially during the heat of summer. It wasn’t until my formative years during the beginning of high school when I saw firsthand of how great some rivers can be for smallmouth bass. Once I caught my first, I became hooked on it and like most other bronzeheads there was no looking back. My first smallmouth bass outings often took place confined to shore, and then quickly progressed to wading and exploring rivers and streams by foot, eventually wearing out several sets of waders during the decade since then. As I grew older with some grey hairs along the way,

about mid-way through college, I took an enthusiastic interest in fishing the waters less traveled with my small 12 foot aluminum boat, “The Mud Puddler”. Float tripping flowing waters gives me the mentality that I am “Lewis” and my fishing partner is “Clark,” and this style of angling brings a huge excitement to me from the adventure and unique angling experience that comes with it. By nature, smallmouth bass are originally known as a river fish, inhabitants of the shallow, hard-bottomed mid-gradient rivers of the

When and Where to Float On an average summer of fishing, I make five to ten float trips for smallmouth bass down a few rivers that are scattered throughout the Upper Midwest. Each of these places I fish differs and contrasts from one another in several ways. For instance, some of these rivers possess clear water with high transparency while others have a dark tannic brown color and clarity that is less than a foot. Another distinguishing factor is how certain rivers have more current and cooler/cold

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill

“Lewis” holds an 18 inch smallmouth bass that fell to the spinnerbait. Photograph was taken by fellow explorer in crime, “Clark”. northern United States. Back in the good ‘ole days, when life seemed less complicated and railroad expansion took place throughout the country, smallmouth bass were unconventionally introduced into new waterways along routes and their populations expanded as well. Since then, most states have conducted stocking programs to establish new fisheries which are now thriving. Nowadays smallmouth bass are present in rivers and lakes throughout several regions of the country, and serve as favorites for like-minded river anglers.

water sources than others, and even differences in habitat as some are rocky, some are sandy, while others are somewhere in between. Meanwhile, other differences are seen in fish populations such as average sizes, growth rates, abundance, and catchability. Knowing when and where to float all depends upon whether your river in question contains a productive smallmouth bass fishery along with an area for you to somehow access it. Fishing in Wisconsin’s Fishing-Headquarters | Page 66

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Northwoods for half the year, I have the luxury of being able to catch smallmouth bass from majority of the navigable river systems that are all within driving distance from my home base. Once you know that there is a viable fishery present in the river that is desired for smallmouth bass, the best way to know whether a float trip can be had is obviously if the river is able to support watercraft in order to allow a trouble-free drift. In my situation and the first thing I look for, the river must have some depth and be able to support a smaller boat with an outboard.

ety. Their national and state website displays river heights, current flow levels, and yearly records of rainfall, floods, and more. This is an obvious procedure to do, providing that the river you want to float contains a monitoring station. If not, then I just go with the gut-feeling that water levels will be manageable and good enough for a float. Some days I have been lucky by blindly guessing current flow and water levels while on others the trips have led to failure because either the river was unknowingly flooded or too low to offer any navigability. Learn from some of my mistakes; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let failure like this and a wasted trip hapChoosing Your Water / Listen pen to you. Before you even think to Conditions about fishing, always research and study beforehand. There are several variables that Another factor that dictates my come into play for choosing the best selection of water to fish is if there water to fish. are any public access areas such as Before I head out for my riv- boat landings, roadside parking, and er adventures, the first thing I ever take-in & take-out points at any ardo before leaving home is to check eas along the river. In most of the the online stream flow gauges pro- wooded and lake-littered regions I vided by the U.S. Geological Soci- fish, a hand-held GPS tool as well as Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

the car GPS have proven to be unreliable tools in locating access areas due to their sometimes poor detail in terrain and inabilities to receive signals and coordinates while located out in the middle of nowhere. Instead, I use county road maps, and a state gazetteer while driving and searching for my access areas. My Wisconsin gazetteer, a must-have tool for all backwoods fishermen, clearly identifies back roads, bridges, public access points, public boat landings and canoe launches, and even rapids and treacherous areas for river navigation. Best of all, it even distinguishes public from private land which is vital in searching for access areas. Paying attention to the detail brought forth by printed maps and legitimate cartography rather than relying on spotty technology is quite possibly the best means for searching and finding water to fish. Besides fulfilling these homework obligations with figuring out water levels and finding access areas, there are several environmental ďż˝

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

factors that determine whether or not to things will be on task for a float trip. The checklist of factors is the following: • Water Clarity: General Rule, the clearer in normal water conditions the better. • Currents: Smallmouth bass are traditionally a current-related fish. In normal water levels slow to medium currents that have plenty of

riffle runs are the norm. • Navigability: The presence of boulders and other obstacles. You’re good to go as long as there aren’t hundreds of boat-busters exposed to the point of making boating treacherous, navigation impossible, and breaking a lower unit and cotter pins probable. • Depth: Average depth needed for a small boat with short

shaft outboard motor is a minimum of at least 2 feet. A river containing both shallow water habitat and deeper water refuge areas along with a channel that can be followed is money. • Bottom Composition: A diverse habitat with a multitude of fish holding areas usually contains the best fishing in terms of quality. A river that has boulder, rock,

Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters | Page 68

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

Where I float the most in Wisconsin’s North Country, the most productive smallmouth bass fishing occurs from early May and lasts into September before fish eventually migrate downstream to deeper and larger sections of the river near their reservoirs for wintering. gravel, sand, wood, and submerged vegetation is best for all. • Gradient: Slow gradient usually contains poorest habitat, the deepest and most featureless water, and the warmest water temperatures. Fast gradient contains the best habitat and coolest water temperatures, but too strong of currents and poor for navigation & boat control. Mid gradient is suited the best and an overall good medium for all factors involved. • Time of Day: Fish can be caught all day long providing that you fish during peak periods. However, during off-times of the year, more fish can be had at different times of the day; usually early or late depending upon season. Fishing-Headquarters.com

Fish Locations & Seasonal Movements In terms of river environments, most of my float trips take place on rivers that possess a combination of both shallow and deeper water, and have a noticeable channel flowing through it. On most average river systems (whether large or small), navigation is had through the channel running through the middle and then anglers work for fish along the edges and either sides in the directions toward the riverbanks. For most float trips down smaller and mid-size rivers, this practice is most often followed. Where I float the most in Wisconsin’s North Country, the most

July / August, 2011

productive smallmouth bass fishing occurs from early May and lasts into September before fish eventually migrate downstream to deeper and larger sections of the river near their reservoirs for wintering. In mid-summer for instance, smallmouth bass are notorious for their migrating patterns and eventually transition from their shallow water habitats that were once best suited for spawning and early-season feeding. Ultimately fish disperse out to mid-river areas that hold structure and habitat such as hard-bottomed pools, deeper holes, rocks and midriver boulders, riffles, moderate current, and channel edges. During warm-mid-summer days fish are �

more likely to be found utilizing areas with greater depth and current in order to escape from the external elements such as sunlight, warmer water temperatures, and in lower water levels and a near-stagnant flow which is an extremely common summertime scenario. In addition, areas with current and riffle runs are attractive to smallmouths because they contain rich amounts of dissolved oxygen. It is important to take note that throughout the summertime months smallmouths will not be as concentrated in certain locations as they likely once were during the previous weeks in the pre-spawn, spawn, and spawning periods, and likely will be again during the late fall. From midsummer until the first cold spell of fall it is extremely important to stay mobile while on your floats and to maximize water coverage. By covering large expanses of water the odds increase for better catches and greater numbers of encountered fish. One last thing to take note of during the summertime months is to pay attention to peak periods. By angling definition, a peak period represents the best feeding activity and abundance of fish species. For summertime smallmouths, these events can be had when fish are found concentrated in number in a particular area, and are responding positively to conditions and what is being thrown at them. These scenarios can take place early or late in the day when fish might be more inclined to feed, or in areas of river where fish location might be dictated by water levels, water temperatures, clarity, and outside factors. For example, when water levels are low smallmouths will be schooling in deeper pools and channel areas. Another example is in warm

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

weather where fish will seek riffles in known areas. Once fish are locatand areas of current to escape heat ed and the conditions are right, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because these areas will contain the time to capitalize on them. cooler and colder water. In essence, peak period fishing is all a biological game, all related to the positive Fishing-Headquarters | Page 70 moods of fish and their availability

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Gear & Tackle There are several ways to tackle summertime smallmouths while ﬂoat tripping. For mid-summer action, a variety of presentations will produce well for smallmouths. On these pages we examine some of my favorites from each lure category and describe when and where each is recommended to be ﬁshed.

Spinnerbaits Spinnerbaits are known as producers for active ﬁsh and serve best when making long drifts and covering water. Due to their abilities of performing well through both current and calm water, they are the most versatile lures I carry. They are nearly snag-proof, easy to ﬁsh, and bounce well off of rocks and other obstacles. Depending on current, water clarity, depth, and levels, it is wise to bring a variety of colors, blade types, and sizes ranging from ¼ oz. to as heavy as ½ oz. My absolute favorites are the Terminator T2 series in either a thumper style Colorado blade, or double bladed willow blades.

Pictured >> Terminator T2 Series

Inline Spinners

Inlines are a traditional old-school approach to river fishing. They are quite possibly one of the most simplistic ways of catching fish from flowing water and they share many of the same characteristics as spinnerbaits. Inline spinners work best when covering water, and searching for actively feeding fish. Best of all, they can be fished EVERYWHERE! Favorites are Mepps Aglia and Sims Spinners with size 4 and 5 blades. Always bring a variety of colors because you never know which might be the hot color or style for that particular day.

Pictured >> Sims Spinner #5 Orange/Black

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are a favorite for summertime smallmouths and are my best producers for when fish are utilizing mid-river channels, deeper holes with current, and slackwater areas in and around boulders and riffle runs. Crankbaits in crayfish pattern match the hatch extremely well in most river systems can be fished in any area imaginable. Favorites for grinding out fish are Rapala DT-4’s, Bandit 100 Series, and Mann’s Minuses especially when fish are in the shallows.

Pictured >> Bandit 100 Series

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July / August, 2011

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Buzzbaits

Buzzbaits are great search baits, and work best when fish are on a surface feed. They work best when fish are using slackwater areas and pools with minimal current, and when fish are holding tight to downed wood and other shoreline cover. Favorites are 3/8 oz. Booyah in solid white and chartreuse.

Pictured >> Booyah White Shad

Topwaters

Secondary to crankbaits and spinnerbaits, topwaters are excellent options when fish are putting on a surface feed, and active throughout the entire water column. They fare best during summertime heat and when water levels are low. Topwaters such as poppers, walkers, and propellers all have their time and place and should be a mainstay in anyone’s arsenal. Poppers such as the Rapala Skitter Pop and Arbogast Jitterbug should be used in calm slack water pools and around eddies. Walkers are my favorites and are quite possibly the most versatile of the trio. They can be fished through moderate current and calm water areas, and active fish find them easily. Favorites are Rapala Skitterwalks and Heddon Zara Spooks. Lastly, I have taken a huge interest in prop style topwaters because they simply call the fish and are the loudest and most obnoxious of all. Like walkers, propeller topwaters such as the Rapala Skitter Prop work great in nearly all situations and shine especially during low light conditions.

Pictured >> Arbogast Jitterbug, Rapala Skitter Walk & Rapala Skitter Prop

Craw Tubes

Of all baits imaginable for catching smallmouth bass, craw tubes in the 3 to 5 inch range such as the YUM brand are quite possibly the deadliest and most irresistible for fish. Craw tubes can be fished weedless with either a Texas rig, or a weighted worm hook such as an Owner or Charlie Brewer slider head style. Craw tubes are almost always a guaranteed catch for fish and work best when fish are feeding exclusively on crayfish. They can be fished everywhere but fare best when fish are confined to current breaks, eddies, and deep pools with rock bottom.

Pictured >> 4” YUM Craw Tube

Creatures

Last but not creature baits have their time and place and can load up on smallmouth bass. Like craw tubes, creatures are excellent crayfish imitators and bring some beef to the table when catching big fish is the objective. Creature baits are meant to be fished in snag-proof presentations along the bottom and work best in deeper pools, alongside of boulders, and slackwater areas on the downstream side of riffles. Favorites are 4 inch YUM Wooly Bugs and 4 inch Stankx Mudbugz. Also included in this category are hula styled grubs, a skirted plastic that features a twin tail. Never come to the water without a package of 5 inch Chompers and 4 inch YUM Gonzo Grubs.

Pictured >> 5” Chompers Twintail, 4” Stankx Bait Company Mud Bugz Fishing-Headquarters | Page 72

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Depending on the type of river you fish, the best craft for smallmouth bass fishing can be a high powered bass boat, an aluminum semi-V, jon boat, canoe, or even a kayak. Most traditional small river boats, however, are 12 to 16 foot aluminum semi-V and flat bottomed jon boats. I prefer fishing from small aluminum boats. As far as rods and reels are concerned, old time favorites is medium to medium-heavy action spinning gear, along with a baitcaster. In addition, fly fishing has become an effective means for scoring fish when wading becomes a secondary option during the float and if trying to efficiently fish specific areas. Due to fishing out of a smaller craft and wanting to stay comfortable, I usually limit myself to two spinning and two baitcasting setups on each trip. If also in the mood, I will bring my 8WT fly rod which collapses and stores easily. On any given float trip, it is wise to use a variety of presentations. Likewise, it is even wiser to limit your gear selection by only taking what you need as the watercraft is usually small, and the fishing is to be kept simplistic.

powered bass boat, an aluminum semi-V, jon boat, canoe, or even a kayak. Most traditional small river boats, however, are 12 to 16 foot aluminum semi-V and flat bottomed jon boats. For the all-day comfort, durability, maximum horsepower and weight capacities, ability to clear over shallow depths and stable casting platforms, I prefer fishing from small aluminum boats. The stability and light weights of small aluminum boats make them ideal for river fishing. Many rivers in my neck of the woods lack developed boat landings and modernized access areas. This problem is easily defeated with the aid from my fishing partners as we can easily lift the boat off from the trailer, slide it through the woods and then drop it into the water. Following that, we load up the gear, strap on the waders, and away we float. Boats and Watercraft Small river anglers tend to rig their aluminum boats differently. Depending on the type of river I have seen boats that have been you fish, the best craft for small- bare bones without any accessories, mouth bass fishing can be a high and I have seen others that have evFishing-Headquarters.com

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erything from customized casting decks, pedestal seats, bow-mount trolling motors, GPS, jet outboards, and more. Since this style of fishing is rather simplistic, boats do not require much in terms of rigging unless you choose to build the ultimate dream machine. For your small river rig, the necessities for navigation are a small short shaft outboard. Smaller aluminum boats have ratings for up to 10 horsepower while some that are larger and a bit heavier have ratings for up to 25 horsepower. My suggestion is to go with the maximum horsepower capacity that your boat can handle. Believe it or not, small gas outboards are a necessity for river fishing if the river is both large and deep enough to support them. They prove beneficial in situations when motoring for miles upstream back to the access area, and are able to fight against the current far easier than paddling manually (such as a kayak or canoe). In addition to gas outboards, other accessories worth consider�

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

ing are oars and an electric motor. Oars are beneficial for operating a controlled downstream drift and enables anglers to fish with stealth and quietly hold position. In addition, an electric transom mount trolling motor may be used to further improve boat positioning, and the speed and accuracy of the drift. In some situ-

ations, bow mount trolling motors might also be used but they are not essential unless the boat features a front casting deck that is frequently used. Besides motor options, other accessories worth mentioning are fish locators. In many small river environments, fish locators are a

necessity for finding channels and the deeper holes that fish will sometimes be relating to. Small river anglers commonly use portable sonar units that adhere to the rear of the boat while others use permanently mounted graphs that are more accurate and reliable. Some anglers might even use GPS and high end

Photograph by Jacob Saylor Fishing-Headquarters | Page 74

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

From mid-summer until the first cold spell of fall it is extremely important to stay mobile while on your floats and to maximize water coverage. By covering large expanses of water the odds increase for better catches and greater numbers of encountered fish. side imaging sonar systems but in my opinion a basic unit that displays depth, water temperature, and distinguishes bottom contour is all that is needed. The boat in particular I fish from is a small 12 foot aluminum semi-V that gets trailered around to several of the hard to access lakes and rivers in my area. This little rig features everything such as a short shaft 6 horse Evinrude outboard, a 45 lb. thrust MinnKota Traxxis electric motor, a set of oars, a basic fish locator, and even padded seats. Ultimately my choice in watercraft suits my style of fishing and the type of fishing I do is reflective of it. Boat Positioning Techniques Boat positioning is the most Fishing-Headquarters.com

critical factor in dictating the productiveness and success of your float. As already mentioned, it is important to consider small outboards, electric trolling motors, and oars as precise boat control enables anglers to have the best casting angles, accurate drifts, more catches, and better success. However, there is one tool that I have yet to mention and that is a set of anchors. Anchors are the most important tools in my boat. An anchor allows the boat to hold steady position, and along with their aid certain spots can be fished effectively and efficiently. Most common river anchors feature three arms and come in 15 and 20 lb. sizes. On most float trips it is common for one anchor to be released at the rear while the other to be released up front. Dual

July / August, 2011

anchoring prevents the boat from shifting caused by current push, an annoyance for achieving good casting angles. As far as formally positioning the boat is concerned, we fish both the upstream and downstream sides of riffles, boulders, deep holes, rocks, and anything else capable of rearing fish. I’ve always heard the notion that you should only fish the downstream ends by casting upstream because fish are always facing upstream. That is all a myth. To maximize the full potential of each area fished it is important to work each end of a certain spot equally hard because fish always respond differently to current and the placement of baits. A river ﬂows through it �

Many anglers overlook river bass fishing as a viable option for catching fish as they focus more on shore fishing small ponds, or running and gunning large lakes with fast boats. With the tremendous amount of smaller navigable rivers and streams scattered throughout the Upper Midwest, there are several opportunities for catching fish from these areas. Most of which are less traveled, rarely accessed, and seldom receive angling pressure. Like Lewis & Clark, the mentality of each trip I take is to float downstream and explore as much water as I possibly can until it is take-out time. Fishing a river often brings out the possibilities for numbers days, big fish days, or just a mixed bag of good multi-species action. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so great about fishing small rivers you may ask? Is it the sound of water which fuels life, or the abundance of smallmouth bass being present in the places less traveled? Being in the presence of nature and taking a break from fishing the big water is what compels me to undertake such adventures. Ever wonder what lies around that bend? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still wondering for myself as I still have miles upon miles of smallmouth loaded water left to cover. To my surprise, I still have more than enough to last me a lifetime of continued explorations.

Photograph by Jacob Saylor Fishing-Headquarters | Page 76

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters | Page 78

FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

Many anglers overlook river bass fishing as a viable option for catching fish as they focus more on shore fishing small ponds, or running and gunning large lakes with fast boats. With the tremendous amount of smaller navigable rivers and streams scattered throughout the Upper Midwest, there are several opportunities for catching fish from these areas. Most of which are less traveled, rarely accessed, and seldom receive angling pressure. Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

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FLOAT TRIP SMALLIES.

The stability and light weights of small aluminum boats make them ideal for river fishing. Many rivers in my neck of the woods lack developed boat landings and modernized access areas. This problem is easily defeated with the aid from my fishing partners as we can easily lift the boat off from the trailer, slide it through the woods and then drop it into the water. Following that, we load up the gear, strap on the waders, and away we float. Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

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RICHMOND MILL.

Richmond Jim Gronaw

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d Mill Lake A Success in Small Lake Management.

Photographs by Jim Gronaw

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RICHMOND MILL.

Richmond Mill Lake...perhaps the best private ﬁshery in North America. lina, Morgan has gone to extreme measures to make this one of the top fisheries in the nation. I had the great pleasure to experience the fishing at Richmond Mill in October or 2009 and in May of 2010. I was joined both times by top fisheries biologist Bob Lusk, of Pond Boss fame, and world-class angler Bruce Condello as we fished By: Jim Gronaw almost exclusively for the lake’s Fishing-Headquarters Contributor population of huge bluegills. Rumors had it that this was a sensational fishery for monster bluegills due to the supplemental feeding offered by automated feeders that ne of the most intriguing were intended to bolster the size of bodies of water in North America the lake’s bass. However the byis Richmond Mill Lake in South- product turned out to be 2-pound ern North Carolina. This is a small plus bluegills. What a byproduct! Back in 2001 Richmond Mill 120-acre intensely managed body of water that currently sports some Lake was drained due to needed of the best largemouth bass fishing work on the dam and spillway. in the nation and the bluegill fish- While the water was down, Morgan ing is unequaled. The lake was decided to completely renovate the impounded back in 1835, is rich lake, clear out the stumps, install in pre-Civil War history, and has a automated feeder systems, restock long and storied past of fishing suc- with largemouth bass that were cesses. Owned and operated by Jim the cross between a northern largeMorgan of Laurel Hill, North Caro- mouth and a florida bass and cop-

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July / August, 2011

pernose bluegills, then refill the lake in an attempt to create a world class fishery. It wasn’t easy and industry heavies like Bob Lusk, Ray Scott of BASS fame combined to form one of the Legacy Lakes that are found throughout the south and managed specifically for outstanding bass fishing. Again, the byproduct of huge pan fish can also be a draw. The water at Richmond Mill is not unlike that of the Delaware or southern Maryland. The water is shallow, averaging 4 feet, and has a dark tannic color to it and the shoreline is inundated with stumps, brushpiles, and numerous cypress trees. One might think they are actually in Delaware rather than the coastal plain area of North Carolina. The lake was refilled in 2005 so all adult fish in this lake are currently no older than six years. Some bass were stocked in the 1 to 2 pound range and coppernose bluegill in the 4 to 5 inch range. The current size structure of the bass is that 5 to 8 pound fish are frequent catches and the legitimate chance of a 2-pound bluegill is a daily thing. �

Photograph by Jim Gronaw

When I visited Richmond Mill in May of 2010 we found huge spawning bluegills literally within inches of the shoreline. Tight, accurate casts were required to get baits or lures in where the fish were. We couldn’t actually see spawning beds for the bluegills due to the black water of the lake, but we knew they

were there as bulging females and thick robust males would attack tiny topwaters and inline spinners if we could get them in front of them. Some of the surface action with these bluegills was unbelievable. We would use small Rapalas and Strike King Bitsy Minnows and get explosive strikes from fish that

Photograph by Jim Gronaw

went ballistic. We used 4-pound test to make these accurate casts in and around brush, overhangs and stick-ups and stumps. The power of a 2-pound bluegill is hard to explain. More than once we would hook big fish that would just bury into the tangles and we would inevitably lose the fish and the lure, If we would get them out away from the sticks, chances were good for success. But then again that was part of the challenge. Heavier line would reduce our casting distance and we could not get it back where we wanted. Along the way, we would pick up 3 to 5 pound largemouths,”nontarget” specie for Condello and I. Sure, most anglers would jump at the chance for largemouths at that size, especially in high number. Throw in a legitimate shot at an 8pound fish and most bass anglers could care less about the bluegills, but we were just the opposite. Other species that showed up were chain pickerel to 24 inches, crappie to 15, redbreast sunfish over a pound, and a few other surprises. Fishing-Headquarters | Page 88

RICHMOND MILL.

Photograph by Jim Gronaw

Coppernose bluegill from RM, a southern bluegill sub-specie. It is clear to me that Jim Morgan, Bob Lusk, and all others involved in this lake’s success story have done their homework, put in their time and effort and have created a world class fishery. The small lodge on the lake is also first class and offers of gourmet meals and guided fishing and hunting packages are available. Known as the King Fisher Society, the facility at Richmond Mill Lake offers you a chance to literally step back in time as the lake was impounded in 1835 and is richly steeped in Civil War history. Jim Morgan has published a book recently entitled, “Richmond Mill Lake The History”. It is a short, informative and entertaining overview of the lake’s history, dynamics, and changing of hands over several generations dating back to that time. Richmond Mill always Fishing-Headquarters.com

had some big fish in it but modern fisheries management has overcome complications such as a high flow rate and acidic conditions to create exceptional angling. So? How did we do fishing wise? From the standpoint of bluegill fishing this may be the best fishery in the nation. Fish averaging between 10 and 11 inches long are quite common and your chance of catching a 12-inch, 2 pound giant are very good. Our biggest back in May was a 2-7 caught by Condello on a top water. Several other 2 pound plus fish were caught by other visiting anglers. Me, well, I didn’t’ get a 2 pounder. My top four fish were between 1-13 and 1-15. Was I disappointed? No! The trip I took back in October rewarded me with four bluegills from 2 pounds to 2 pounds 2 ounces. Just about ev-

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erybody caught largemouths over 5 and several members in our party got big chain pickerel. This was all during stifling hot, mid-ninety degree weather. With the automated feeder system, hi-protein Purina Aqua-Max fish food supplements the current natural diet of freshwater shrimp, small minnows, golden shiners, various larvae and other forage species. In November of 2010 my son Matt and I spent a few days at Richmond Mill for the father/son fishing trip of a lifetime. Despite chilly, low-thirty degree mornings and water temps in the upper fifties, we caught bass, pickerel, trophy gills and slab crappie on a variety of my River Critter Hairjigs and on #3 and #5 Rapalas and Mepps spinners. The fishing was literally off the charts. �

Matt with a very ďŹ ne 1 lb 6 oz gill in his right hand. The ďŹ sh on his left is over two pounds.

Photograph by Jim Gronaw

In two days of fishing we caught 11 bass from 5 to 6 pounds and another thirty over four. Throw in many 11 to 12 inch bluegills, twopound crappies, pickerel to 25 inches and, well, you get the picture.

The King Fisher Society also offers outstanding quail hunting on their 2000 acre preserve, great accommodations at the lodge and gourmet dining and live jazz music. They offer a truly remarkable fresh-

water fishing experience. Contact them at 910-462-2324, 910-4622328 or click on kingfishersociety. com. Fishing-Headquarters | Page 90

RICHMOND MILL.

Photograph by Jim Gronaw

Photograph by Jim Gronaw Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

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Photograph by Jim Gronaw Fishing-Headquarters | Page 92

RICHMOND MILL. Aaron Matos works the wooded shorelines with small topwaters in search of trophy gills.

Photograph by Jim Gronaw Fishing-Headquarters.com

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ďż˝

The goal of King Fisher Society has always been to create the world’s best fishing experiences for their guests. They are committed to spare absolutely no expense in making their lake, Richmond Mill Lake, the best bluegill and bass fishing lake in the world. Richmond Mill Lake is protected from the fishing pressure placed on most waterways. They intentionally limit the total number of fishing days available each year. Their fisheries biologist, the world-renowned Bob Lusk, editor of PondBoss magazine, and his team of lake managers continuously evaluate water quality and maintain the highest standards in every aspect of the management of Richmond Mill Lake.

http://www.kingﬁshersociety.com Fishing-Headquarters | Page 94

Photo courtesy, Jim Gronaw.

BOAT RIGGING. Photograph courtesy Lund Boats

Roy Vivian

RIGGING YOUR T

By: Roy Vivian

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

Fishing-Headquarters.com

much different then someone who only fishes inland lakes. Someone who only fishes the Great Lakes his spring I purchased my will rig there boat differently from dream boat, a 2011 Lund Pro V 1975 the person who fishes inland lakes with a 225 horsepower Mercury Ve- and rivers. Because I fish walleye rado. Picking the boat and motor tournaments on rivers, in-land lakes, was easy where the work began was reservoirs and the great lakes I have rigging the boat to fit my needs. to be versatile and be ready for toWhen rigging a boat the most tally different presentations. important thing is to rig your boat to fit your style of fishing. If you only Here is how I rigged my new Lund fish rivers, your boat will be rigged Pro V:

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BOAT Electronics This is probably the most important and most expensive decision you will make when rigging your boat. The advancement of technology in the last ten years has been unbelievable. These aren’t your dad’s depth finders or flashers. A grey scale Lowrance unit that I bought in 2002 looks as out of date as a black and white tube television. Today’s units have GPS, map overlay, side-imaging, down-imaging, mapping etc.

Walleye Style!

I chose to go with a top of the line Humminbird 1198C for the dash and a 998C for the bow unit. Lowrance also makes an excellent product with similar features and benefits. These units allow me to search for fish at speeds up to 20 miles and hour, which is extremely important especially on the Great Lakes. The GPS and map overlay data allow me to stay on the fish I found with military precision. The new side imaging gives the best detail, of what is going on below the boat.

The side imaging allows you to see structure and fish up to 200 feet to each side of the boat. Another great feature is you can hook your locator up to your computer and use the lake maps to scout the body of water and even place waypoints on areas that look promising. There are many other features that are extremely helpful. The benefit of all of these features, if used correctly, is you will catch more fish! Fishing-Headquarters | Page 98

BOAT RIGGING.

Photograph by Roy Vivian

I chose to go with a top of the line Humminbird 1198C for the dash and a 998C for the bow unit. Lowrance also makes an excellent product with similar features and beneﬁts. These units allow me to search for ﬁsh at speeds up to 20 miles and hour, which is extremely important especially on the Great Lakes.

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill

The good news is you don’t need to have the top of the line locators. Humminbird, Lowrance and others make affordable units that fit your fishing needs. I recommend that you do get the gps and overlay mapping (many come with these) if nothing else for safety. Finding your way back to the boat landing or around wing dams in a fog or rain storm can be close to impossible. I have been saved many times by the gps and will not own a boat without one.

the proper mount on my last boat. I had a Lowrance 110C that would sometimes slip while traveling. On several occasions I was traveling over 50 miles an hour and the unit would slip, hitting the steering wheel. I would have to take one hand off of the wheel and push the unit upward often hitting the windshield. I easily could have damaged the locator and, even worse, put my safety at risk. I chose Stabil mounts for both of my units. They are more expensive but the extra cost is worth it as Mounting my locators are safe and secure! Mounting the transducer on the If you are going to spend transom is extremely important. If it $4000, or more, on electronics is too low the transducer is at risk of make sure to buy a mount(s) that hitting something and breaking or will support and protect your loca- flipping up at high speeds causing tor. I made the mistake of not using inaccurate readings. If you mount Fishing-Headquarters.com

July / August, 2011

it too high inaccurate readings are likely. If you have side imaging you have to be careful that the side view is not obstructed. If you do it yourself read the directions carefully. I chose to have my dealer, Pharo Marine, do mine. For the bow I chose to buy a trolling motor that has the transducer mounted in the unit. If you choose this route, side or down imaging features cannot be used. Trolling Motor If you are a river fisherman and primarily jig a cable steer trolling motor is the way to go. The cable steering reacts immediately allowing you to keep your jig vertical. This is of utmost importance when fishing current breaks and eddies. The most versitle bow mount troll�

Photograph by Roy Vivian

If you are going to spend $4000, or more, on electronics make sure to buy a mount(s) that will support and protect your locator. I made the mistake of not using the proper mount on my last boat. On several occasions I was traveling over 50 miles an hour and the unit would slip, hitting the steering wheel. The most versitle bow mount trolling motors are the wireless units. I chose the Minn Kota 101 I-Pilot. For jigging it is adequate. If ďŹ shing an area where the current is constant it is great as you can set the autopilot to match the speed needed to keep your jig vertical. Where this trolling motor excels is when trolling or rigging.

Photograph by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters | Page 100

BOAT RIGGING.

Photograph by Roy Vivian

Lund has a neat feature that allows you to mount your rod holders using their sport track system. This allows you to move the rod holders as needed, just slide it along the track. I mounted Scotty rod holders to the sport track brackets. I also use rod holder extensions, which allow me to spread my lines out with fewer tangles. ing motors are the wireless units. These units can be steered remotely or they can be put on autopilot using a gps to stay on track adjusting for waves, wind and current. You can also record a track up to 2 miles long and can be used to immediately retrace your path. You can also save this path for a future trip. Some even have an anchor feature which allows you to stay on a spot without having to use an actual anchor. I chose the Minn Kota 101 IPilot. For jigging it is adequate. If fishing an area where the current is constant it is great as you can set the autopilot to match the speed needed to keep your jig vertical. Where this trolling motor excels is when trolling or rigging. When trolling in rivers I use my kicker motor for power and use the remote to steer Fishing-Headquarters.com

my boat. This allows me to fish with two hands free allowing me to move around the boat as needed. This is also great for netting fish. When fishing lakes I will use the I-Pilot to troll spinners. This is great when fishing shallow or when the walleyes are high in the water column allowing for a stealth approach. Regardless of which trolling motor you buy do yourself a favor and buy the quick release plate, which is about $50. I had a trolling motor deploy at 30 miles an hour and I did not have the quick release plate. The shaft was made of graphite and splintered which meant I could not slide it back up to a secure position. I had to slowly motor over to shore and take off the trolling motor in 30 degree temperatures.

July / August, 2011

You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that problem with the quick release bracket! On-Board Charger If you have ever gone to a boat landing and tried to tilt your motor up only to find out you have a dead better then you know the importance of an on-board charger. I chose the ProMariner 4 bank charger. Three of the leads are hooked up to the trolling motor batteries and one to the starting battery. This charger is pre-rigged, waterproof and charges batteries quickly. Just plug in your charger after a long day of fishing and you will be sure to have fully charged batteries in the morning. Rod Holders ďż˝

Photograph by Roy Vivian

When rigging a boat the most important thing is to rig your boat to fit your style of fishing. If you only fish rivers, your boat will be rigged much different then someone who only fishes inland lakes. Someone who only fishes the great lakes will rig there boat differently from the person who fishes inland lakes and rivers. Lund has a neat feature that allows you to mount your rod holders using their sport track system. This allows you to move the rod holders as needed, just slide it along the track. I mounted Scotty rod holders to the sport track brackets. I also use rod holder extensions, which allow me to spread my lines out with fewer tangles. Wisconsin allows three rods per person when trolling. I have three rod holders on each side in the back of the boat and one on each side in the front. If you use planer boards I recommend that you have one more rod holder on each side than you do rods. The great thing about the sport track system is you can remove and store them easily. Guages

If you are buying a new boat or if you want to upgrade your existing boat, I highly recommend getting the smart gauges. With my Mercury Verado I can turn down the rpm’s slow enough to troll. With a push of the button I can see how much gas I have left, how many hours on my motor, trim height, optimal rpm’s for fuel consumption and how much gas I am burning per hour just to name a few.

After several close calls I put EZEE Steps on my trailer. Now, getting in the boat is a breeze. These steps are custom made to fit your trailer. To learn more go to http:// www.ezeestep.com/. The only right way to rig a boat is the way it best fits your fishing needs. Please feel free to post any questions or post your rigging tips at http://www.facebook.com/ RoyVivianProWalleyeAngler.

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Roy Vivian is a tournament walleye angler from Madison, Wisconsin. In 2008, he ﬁnished in 11th place at the Illinois River MWC event, and took third place in 2009. He is presently on the pro-staff of Lund Boats, Mercury Motors, EZEE Steps, Do-It Molds and Shimano rods and reels. Read more at Roy’s blog:

If you own a boat 17’ or larger you know how tough it is to get in and out of your boat. Some step on the spare tire others step on the wheel wells of the trailer. Both can be dangerous especially if moisture ﬁshing-headquarters.com/royvivian/ is involved. Launching and loading your boat is also a chore as there is Fishing-Headquarters | Page 102 no easy way to get in or out.

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Fishing-Headquarters.com has evolved into an excellent and informative online resource for multi-species fishing in North America. We offer our several hundred members an interactive and multi-media website that allows the free exchange and promotion of fishing and all that encompasses it. Our website was established on January 1, 2007. Since our inception, we have drawn nearly 600 registered members and attracted several thousands of visitors who read and browse on a daily basis. In addition, we have reached yearly website page views of 5 million, and our homepage receives half a million visits per each calendar year. Among Google and other popular search engines, when searching for “Multi Species Fishing” and other related keywords, we are ranked among the top ten of all searches. This proves how we are continuously growing, and becoming more popular in the realm of sport fishing. Click Image to read copy of our 2011 Media Kit.

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September/ October/ November, 2011 Issue:

FALL SUPER-ISSUE! • Trophy Time Muskies • Nighttime River Walleyes • Muskies on the Fly • Steelheads & Brown Trout • Alligator Gar • GoPro Camera: The Verdict • Plus More! Expected Release Date: September 1, 2011.

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