VOL. XXXIV No. 4
FALL 2026
BONUS ICE FISHING PREVIEW
•10
GET READY FOR FALL FUN
•46
FALL CRAPPIES
URBAN ICE
–pg. 32
MY NEW FAVOURITE ICE FISHING SPOT
–pg. 26
•3
WHAT DO BIG FISH REALLY EAT?
•36
FALL FORAGE CONNECTIONS
•16
WHEN FALL WHISPERS
•42
COLD STEEL
•22
SIZE MATTERS
Plus More “Stuff” Inside!
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n o d n o L s i r h C Streamside PRO STAFF
BUILT FOR THE
FALL RUN
RIVER. SHORE. PIER. SAME PASSION.
9’6” & 10’6” MODELS MEDIUM-LIGHT TO HEAVY ACTIONS
11’6” & 13’0” MODELS MEDIUM-LIGHT ACTIONS
GEAR UP FOR SALMON SEASON
What Do Big Fish
Really
eat?
T T
here are fishing beliefs that are so deeply ingrained in our minds that we eventually stop questioning them all together. One of the biggest is also one of the simplest: if you want to catch a big fish, you should feed it a big meal.
It makes intuitive good sense, right? I mean, a 25-inch walleye should want a bigger meal than a 12-inch walleye. Ditto, a trophy smallmouth ought to be looking for a substantial meal. And if you’re chasing a giant muskie, lake trout or northern pike – the fish of a lifetime – why wouldn’t you tempt it with the biggest bait you can throw? Fisheries scientist Dr. Jereme Gaeta decided to take a much closer look at what predators actually eat, analyzing some 9,000 predator diets containing 22,000 prey fish, drawing upon information from lakes across the Upper Midwest and Canada. The top predators included walleyes, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, crappies and rock bass.
By: Gord Pyzer & Liam Whetter
This particular project actually started as a very modelling-heavy topic. I was interested in whether muskellunge were consuming a lot of walleye and whether they might have an effect on walleye populations. The problem was that the consumption models could tell us how much a muskie was eating, but they couldn’t tell us what size fish it was eating. If we don’t know the size or age of the walleye being consumed, we can’t tell which part of the walleye population the muskies are affecting.
And Spoiler Alert: what he discovered was Were they eating age-zero fish? Age-one fish? Age-two fish? The size of both fascinating and counterintuitive. the prey really matters when you’re trying We recently had the pleasure of talking to understand the population dynamics of with Dr. Gaeta about his research on our the predator and prey. Doc Talks Fishing podcast recently and what follows are some of the highlights So that was the origin of the project. We needed a way to convert the biomass from that compelling conversation. of walleye that muskies were eating into You can listen to Jereme explaining the actual prey sizes. research in his own words – (we couldn’t fit it all into this feature) – on your favourite Q: How much information did you Doc Talks Fishing podcast platform by ultimately have to work with? following the link at the end of this article. Gaeta: It was a massive study. We had Q: What made you want to find out what about 9,000 diets from all of the different size prey big fish actually eat? predators and approximately 22,000 prey fish inside those diets. Dr. Jereme Gaeta: I’m an angler myself. I don’t claim to be a good one, but I am an active one, and I’m interested in this stuff. One of the fun things about doing research is finding a project that aligns with your own interests and passions.
It took a very long time to compile. Some of the information went all the way back to the 1980s. I was looking at old data sheets that were still on that old perforated paper with the holes along the sides. We worked with researchers from a lot of different places and tried to get the geographic range of these species. We had information from Alberta, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, Illinois and other areas across the Upper Midwest and Canada. (Continued on page 4.)
Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 3
A Line From “Big” Jim
It’s hard to imagine that fall is upon us once again. Although it means lots of fish & big fish too! The key is to adjust how you follow and fish to achieve the best results. Fortunately this issue has all you need to help you adapt to the changing seasons. We get started with Doc Talks Fishing’s – Gordon & Liam with What Do Big Fish Really Eat? It is just incredible when you take a closer look. Then we move on to our very own Bassmaster Classic Champion Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson as he gets us ready for Fall Fishing Fun. Not just for bass – crappies, muskie, & walleye too! Next up, Robert Pye, CEO of Watersheds Cda updates us on there great effort to clean up walleye spawning beds in Eastern Ontario – what a fantastic effort and a job well done by all the volunteers! When Fall Whispers... Walleyes Listen will talk you through adjusting your approach to get you bit more often. While Jamie Wilson with jig fishing expert Chris Huskilson, show that Size Matters when using jigs under pressure. Award winning writer Tim Allard’s Fall Forage Connections: Largemouth – Bluegill, focuses on the preditor/prey connection. Cold Steel – shows us that late fall into winter is the pinnacle period for chasing steelhead. To warm up after a cold outing, Chef Tait is cooks up an awesome walleye soup, which is sure to warm you up... Yummy! Then Al Lindner shares some Alternative Casting Strategies for Fall Crappies. Trust me when I say... Al knows crappies! Last but not least a former Canadian Classic Champion Colin Stass gives us the run down on Locating & Fishing Weed Flats for Bass during the fall. Plus in our our Bonus Ice Fishing Preview: Brian “Bro” Brosdhal shares his New Favourite Ice Fishing Spot – to be sure you get on fish as soon as it freezes up. Then we have another great contribution from Traditions Media – Urban Ice Fishing 101, which hopefully will help get you started on easier local fish. Plus there is always more.. So here’s hoping you get bit beyond you’re dreams, and please stay safe as fall can offer rapidly changing and sometimes dangerous conditions!! “Big” Jim Unsolicited articles are accepted and will be considered for publication provided they are original and have not appeared in other publications.
Publisher
“Big” Jim McLaughlin
Managing Editor Tammy Wight Digital Marketing RYP.Media Contributors Liam Whetter & Gord Pyzer Tim Allard, Al Lindner Jeff Gustafson Brian “Bro” Brosdahl Cameron Tait Colin Stass Jamie Wilson Box 214 Seeley’s Bay, ON K0H 2N0. Email: info@justfishing.ca
www.justfishing.ca All Rights Reserved Reprinting or reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden, except by written permission of the publisher.
IN THIS ISSUE
SPECIAL FEATURES What Do Big Fish Really Eat?.....................3 Get Ready For Fall Fun On The Water........10 When Fall Whispers... Walleyes Listen.......16 Size Matters................................................22 Fall Forage for Largemouth - Bluegill...........36 Cold Steel........................................................42 Casting Strategies for Fall Crappies..............46 Locating & Fishing Weed Flats For Bass...50 SPECIAL ICE FISHING PREVIEW My New Favourite Ice Fishing Spot..........26 Urban Ice Fishing 101................................32 DEPARTMENTS A Line Form “Big” Jim............................4 In The News...........................................15 For The Love of Cooking.......................45 Tubman’s Tips & Techniques.................53
On the Cover: Main – Chris Huskilson, Get Ready For Fall Fun – photo: Jeff Gustafson, Fall Crappies– photo: Al Lindner, What Do Big Fish Really Eat? – photo: Gord Pyzer, Fall Forage Connections – photo: Tim Allard, Size Matters – photo: Jamie Wilson.
Just Fishing . 4
(What Do Big Fish Really Eat? continued from page 3.)
I’m a modeller, and that means I’m data hungry. I want all the information I can get. I also try to think about what another researcher might want. Hopefully, the next person who wants to answer this question can use our research rather than having to compile thousands and thousands of predator diets themselves.
Q: So, after examining all those diets, what was the big surprise? Gaeta: Most fish were eating prey between roughly three-quarters of an inch and about three inches. That’s the size range that most of these fish are eating, regardless of how big they are. I think that’s largely a product of what’s available in the ecosystem. A fish can lay millions of eggs, but only a small fraction survive to become little fish. Of those, a very small fraction survive to become big fish. If you could somehow magically drain a lake and count every fish that’s there, you’d see that most of the fish are really small. That’s what we saw in the data. Most of the time, these predators were eating really small fish. And that’s an important caveat: this wasn’t a preference study. We didn’t put three different sizes of prey in front of a fish and see which one it chose. We looked at what fish actually ate in real ecosystems. So we’re seeing their realized diets – what was available to them in those lakes at that particular time.
Q: But surely a big walleye, bass or pike can eat much bigger prey. What happens as these predators get larger? Gaeta: That’s exactly right. Most predators continue to eat small prey as they get bigger, but their upper limit increases. (Continued on page 6.) Jason Matity and Jeff Matity are helplessly, hopelessly addicted to the sport of fishing. The only thing they like better than catching big fish is helping others catch big fish. Whether it’s trolling for northern pike and walleyes, to jigging for trout, burbot and perch, pitching jigs to bass, .CA or dunking crawlers for carp and catfish, they are Canada’s multi-species fishing authority whether on ice or open water.
YOU are invited to come along for the ride…
A BIG THANK YOU to all our promotional partners that made it all happen!
“IF IT SWIMS... WE FISH FOR IT... AND WILL HELP YOU CATCH IT TOO! GetFishing ‘Cuz Fishing’s Magic!” Jeff & Jason Matity
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(Bluegill Fever from page 4.) continued (Crankin’ Summer Bass (What Do Big continued FishLargemouth Really Eat? continued from from page page 4.) 12.)
Walleye are aand good example. As youimpact look bigger toand When areally bobber, give it significantly small micro-hops, justataenough tip Body pitching shape diving lips crankbait’s bigger walleye, the median preyreel sizein–maximum the slack. middleIfof the distribution the bobber sideways and then the there’s no depth. strike, performance, particularly its running –Baits basically flat. let itissitexhibit for a moment. Tip the jig with one or two wax worms or a various actions – some wiggle vigorously, others They’re still of most oftenWhen bluegills turn on, it will be a fantastic small chunk wobble subtly;crawler. some suspend at mid-depth, others sink or float eating prey experience. around 50 rapidly. Each orfeature millimetres, aboutmakes them adaptable for targeting fish at different depths andweather behaviour two inches. But the Bro Pro Tip: Spring canpatterns. be unpredictable, so I always wear upper limit goes up my AFTCO Reaper Hoodie and keep a Barricade rain suit packed At this time lures strongly come into sharply. and ready inof theyear, boat.lipped, I also floating-diving use Fish Monkey Stubby Guide Gloves. play PVC due togrip theirkeeps ability to dive, andand quicky rise The a light rodwobble secureseductively, in your hand protects So a small walleye is above snaggy weeds fouling. against sunfish spines.without going to eat small prey, while a big walleye can eat much larger prey. The important thing is Sunfish Bluegill? Rapala’s DT (Dives-To) seriesorbaits feature a thin, precisionthat those larger prey items are more rare in the diet. designed are diving lip andlittle are fighters, crafted and fromthey buoyant balsa Bluegills impressive still grow bigwood, in the complemented by internal rattle chambers. The DT series ranges North Country. Don’t be surprised if you hook a plate-sized bluegill, It’s really an ecological question. Those smaller walleye are often in diving depth from shallow-water models to deep-diving versions pumpkinseed or hybridpartly sunfish. All arethey’re members of the sunfish staying near structure because trying not to getfamily. eaten reaching depths up to 20 feet. themselves. they yellow get bigger andhints are nooflonger as vulnerable, they Bluegills areOnce slightly with purple, and males have out and take advantage larger food items. They canshades make acan redmove breast. Pumpkinseeds are ofvery colourful, displaying aThe change and stop and competing with those are smaller walleyes. of orange, green yellow. Hybrids slightly tiger-striped DT’s buoyancy is particularly advantageous: It backs and up mostly reddish in color. Pumpkinseeds and hybrids rarely exceed quickly when paused, triggering reaction strikes from following fish.a Q: What about muskies? Do they follow the sameand pattern? pound. can reach pound half, they may even Due to Bluegills these attributes, the aDT seriesand hasa consistently been one of push two pounds on rare occasions. the most productive Gaeta: Muskies are ancrankbait exception.families ever developed, especially for largemouth smallmouth bass. For harvest, it’sand best to keep medium-sized fish under 9 inches. They have this kind of stepwise change. Once they around larger three This helps maintain healthy population dynamicsget andto allows Recently, line theafter DT-8, responding to feet long –toRapala just shy expanded of agrowing. metre –the they start going much bigger prey. bluegills continue Take awith photo and release the bigger anglers’ a lure ideally for the mid-depth lines ones – a requests forkful offormeat isn’t worthsuited stunting bluegillweed population Most fish were eating prey somewhere around three-quarters of an andtrophy structural on lakes.edges, areas where summer peak bass frequently inch to three inches. Largemouth bass, when they got big, shifted congregate. toward prey more like three to four inches. Muskies shifted toward Incidental prey that was upwards of about eightCatches inches.FISHING But even eight inches is EFFECTIVE CRANKBAIT still relatively whenexpect you consider the such baits as anglers are While chasingsmall bluegills, to catchsome otheroffish crappies, throwing forbass, muskies. Successfully fishing isn’tAnglers merely aren’t about selecting the right largemouth pikecrankbaits and walleye. the only ones who lure; ita involves preciseBluegills execution of larger bass enjoy bluegill dinner. areand on an theunderstanding menu for every I’m guiltyinof it lake. myself. Before I compiled thisfish data, usedfinesse to throw a predator the Landing these predator on Ilight gear behaviour. When targeting deep weed edges, cast parallel casting Medusa, which is something like a 16-inch bait. But there’s a really isalong a realweed feat and addsmaintaining excitement to your bluegill outing.and Don’t forget lines, optimal lure depth, varying important distinction here. If you want to catch a big muskie and to bring aspeeds few Fire Ball jigs reaction and shiners so you can switch gearsyou for retrieval to provoke strikes. don’t want to waste time catching a small muskie, then using a larger some walleye fishing if you find a break from the bluegill action. lure can help weed out smaller fish. Parallel fishing involves aligning the boat at the depth where We’ll see you on the water this spring! Have fun chasing and The data support that casting strategy.along It’s just that muskies actually eat weeds thin out, then therare contour rather than directly catching bluegills! something that big. perpendicular to it. This technique efficiently covers productive zones, allowing anglers on to systematically comb large areas and Follow my adventures the Bro Q: Why would a giant predator choose a tiny prey fish when a much identify active fish clusters. Road Show podcast and at store visits, larger meal contains so much more energy? seminars and shows. You can also find meIt’s onall YouTube, Instagram and Alternating retrieve speeds, incorporating pauses, and using rod tip Gaeta: about energetics. Facebook! movements to impart erratic lure actions to significantly enhance strike rates. This approach keepssitting the bait in the zone longer Imagine I have a bowl of peanuts in front ofstrike me and somebody and has mimics distressed prey, to aggressive bass. It’s going Author: else a About piece of the pizza tied appealing to a dog that’s running away. to be much easier for me to eat the bowl of peanuts than it is to chase Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, is a down that dog with the pizza. That’sWITH essentially these fish are THE what RIGHT fishing TRIGGERING guide and STRIKES promoter. doing. There are more small fish available, but there’s another factor. One of the most recognized & TECHNIQUE The bigger the fish, theTACKLE better swimmer it generally is. Larger prey can and respected anglers in North be much harder to catch. Crankbait boils to preciseangler timingbest and America fishing – Bro, success as he’s often known, is adown multispecies tactical Anglers on frequently encounter situations knownmaneuvers. for his influence the sport of ice fishing. Hewhere can That’s why a fish like a muskie can take advantage of a big fish. their bait becomes momentarily snagged on weeds or underwater be all booked for guided trips at: bbro@paulbunyan.net or It has that muscle mass and can explode forward and out-swim that brosguideservice.com. Just Just Fishing Fishing . 14 6
(Continued (Continuedononpage page15.) 8.)
Summer Fall 2026 Spring
(Let The Search Begin continued from page 44.) from the St. Clair River meets current (What Do Big Fish Really Eat? continued from page 6.)
riverthat’s system? Absolutely! you go smaller. You go simpler. And really what this open lake and acts as a gateway In Spring Timing – TrollingIsshallows, from the Pattern fishing isn’t usually Everything larger prey. A lot of other research supports: sometimes go smaller, sometimes go simpler. betweenjerkbaits thepredators lake andcan’t river.doItthat holds surface-down, with suspending restricted to get just a few – or at least the skunk as You may have the luck you’re looking for Okay, now lets assume we’ve discovered a solid pattern bait, and where bait gathers, bass such as the Rapala HJ12 with or without locations. It should work on out of the boat. effectively. – one that’s led to some key follow, areas where the though itfish canare besure a hotspot one a large scale. In fact, many Church TX-6 trolling boards allows me to to replenish. And let’s assume we have the next. right lure day and quiet the Andhappens especially standtechnique at the bow, thebite. Minnkota and forsteering makingwith them What if, in winter, One final thought from Dr. Gaeta. big tournaments are won by who seek fresh, “new (Baits you need to have tied on continued from page 20.) when energy is harder to Places that could hold a fish. If you anglers chase fish other andsome barnstorming shallow bays for cooperate? for inexplicable reason, thelooking fish won’t The “Mile Roads” area refers to a water” eachhow dayhis of research the event of the oursame conversation, we asked Jereme and fish aren’t At the thanend bass, principles apply. Throw oversized fisheries where finessethere, tactics have typically We they’re but something has changed. pikeknow and walleyes flushed way from acquire the series of east – west running reference They’re so confident in the baits at fish that you can see on your electronics or as much, it’s has changed the way he fishes. His answer sums up the entire study dominated. This happens even for the pros. And growing how they react passing of thea lot, boat. around fish holding cover and see patterns how they they’ve react, roads alongfor the Michigan shore- better established than anything else: much more beneficial will ultimately determine their chances success. sometimes you’ll be surprised! they’re satisfied to run and Using these big baits is one of theline weaker parts that anglers as navigational from use an energetic Once located, nothing works better for us than of my game but it’s something markers I’m going to hittingwhat as you many similar got to chase what’s out there,gun, not chase want to to locate depth changes, standpoint to go “You’ve Last year I caught pike, lake trout and walleye on Big Hammer swimbaits on a 3/8 oz continue to work on a the little5”more moving locations as possible. there.”baits, so it’s not just a bass what’s rock readily weed edges, andafter productive and be out oversized thing. It’s fun forward. Some of my best on the heads. orfriends 1-2sand ozout Hammer ratherbreaks than transitions.available These subtle Swimmthem, ing wo throwing having that feeling that you’re going rms like Bassmaster Elite Series are incorporating When All Else And that may be one of the most useful lessons in the study. wait and try to hunt Yam oftenat hold to getam anoto oversized bite.Sen Just be surprised when a entire ’s Speed kodon’t these big baits into their program most spawning and roaming Fails As anglers, we have a remarkable ability to convince ourselves that the downStorm a big preybaitfish item. small thecov sizeerin of g thewa bait, are grefish, at for smallmouth, when fisheries and catching bigInfishrecent on them. years, especially ter,takes a run at it too! belve eating. Jeremeabout Gaetathose did something espknow eciallywhat 360GT Searchbait and the ZMan or when we whenfish schools push through grashould ss is nvo What times when d.around The open water season is just the corner for much harder. He went looking at what they actually eat. And the Q: Does your Last year I started using them a little bit more HerculeZwind-driven swimbait have roundcurrents position fish pattern some fails completely? everybody in central Canada. Try andaincorporate around home and caught some of my biggest answer, more often than not, is surprisingly small. research change the the edges. program. It’s a very popular Well, ed-out along our swimbait that’s when good back-up planacomes in. Although it may of these baits intoayour arsenal and have great season With anglers A Glidebait Smallm smallmouths and largemouths on six- and Gussy outh. way should area in the spring of the year during the spawning catch and Fish located; but turned off by notonget to circle, models it mightthat make the difference theyou water! seven-inch glide baits. These are generally like to the usewinner’s the interactive Gaeta’s team has in think about “finesse” If you’d release season. cashing a check or watching from the bank. The bottom line is weather, can be coaxed into biting for use in shallow water but anglers are weighting them to use deeper in assembled – they’re brilliant tools – to see what fishing? Editor’s Note: To Access conjunction with forward putting fish on the the fish scales, regardless of what takes. Believepit me by sonar. bobber fishing with athletic, in your favourite lake, itriver, reservoir, Gaeta’s This stretch of water is famous among anglers for producing Jeff Gustafson grew up on the even the most consistent pros are sometimes lost. Their primary jumbo leeches drifted through Gaeta: Absolutely. Interactive The thing with these big baits is in they have the shallow ability to and capture the fish’s shores of Lake ofor thepond Woodsare eating and help you pick the best size aggressive, hard-fighting fish relatively accessible craps out and they’re left with nothing... not even a backwithin an area, maybe, theto pattern lure, in Kenora, Ontario. Hethey’re has freely available online. attentionmaking and thenit how youdestination work thespots bait the triggering mechanism Model Click depths, a super-specific prime foris both locals and travelling plan. In situations like these, many competitors will pick an When you’re scaling down, you’re truck. essentially matching the hatch. made his living in the fishing size of soft-bodied asmallmouth pickup get them to bite. With the swimbaits, it’sbig! generally a slow up Here. anglers looking for steady action. score we and , score we times Other community since he was area and just go fishing, throwing and steady incorporating a few about changesanin invertebrate speed with your reel. Except thisretrieve, time we’re not talking hatch Simply a enter the at anything and everything teenager as a tournament With glide baits, you actually use your reel move bait, not in thethe rod, that looks And(walleye, this sometimes like athe mayfly. We’re talking about the fishtothat arethe actually of thegood. predator bass, works, but not very often. Watch for part 2 progresses in the Summer issue As the season into summer the bass file intoto length angler, guide, outdoor writer So do you change lures? Maybe. Or, what about changing the angle like you would with a jerkbait. You make quick turns with the reel handle ecosystem. crappie, muskie etc.) thathe you’re of your Just Fishing. and fishing promotor. In 2019 joined the Bassmaster Elite Anchor of a mix ofand weeds, and drops. move theBay, bait, consisting causing it tomight glide back forth. have been throwing these of retrieve? That work also. ButIsand often it subtle boils down to interested Rather than fishing aimlessly down abass stretch bank, I sugges in catching and it will Series and has found some success chasing aroundofthe The reason... it’sfactor, so good the huge forage from the delta baits base on heavier G.Loomis just one simple andisthat’s timing. If fish are being more finicky – maybe it’s extremely hot, maybe it’s United States, including an Elite Series win in 2021 and a you thea prey size distributions something bit more promising. If it’s a reservoir and I have baitcasting rods, system. with 20- show and the constant current influence from the river About the Author: Bassmaster Classic win in 2023. In between competing in the too cold, or they simply don’t want to expend the energy required that were documented in the study. nothing figured out, I try to put myself where there’s less water 25 pound fluorocarbon. A U.S. tournaments, you can usually find him around Lake of the This bay hasMashup! been aAnd mainstay for36.)Bassmaster competitors, Jeff Matitdy (Pike &after Walleye continued. from Timing is everything. it’s thepage angler who figures out the right to go a big fish – you scale down and match what’s in the While flats by nature are fairly uniform areas, there will be specific flipping stick will work but and fewer distractions – like theround. backs creeks winning several tournaments there in the past few years. Woods, fishing for all species, all year Youofcan catch or far up the timing who will ultimately excel. whygotmany pros on make ecosystem. They’re more likely hitThat’s it. trolling I just my hands the Inmain features where fishFishing congregate. Examples include isolatedthese rock thewith full Doc Talks Walleye and pike can also betocaught minnowbaits and river. I on know by keeping my head down up Gussy social media atepisode @gussyoutdoors and onand his picking A Fishing Industry Professional IMX-PRO 966 SWBR, brief, repeated stops on the same locations. They’re trying to hit with Dr.patches Jereme Gaeta, we dig deeper website at: www.gussyoutdoors.com. piles, of grass, a slight depression bottom, crankbaits. This a baitthe over the top channel of weeds,toalong smaller areas apart, the odds of running intoinfish – evenwhere qualitya Back to Ontario, the deep flats from shipping out for nearly 30 includes years asrunning a Fishing an 8-foot rod designed for Anglers often think they’re doing something radical when they go them at the most opportune time, hoping to trigger a key fish or into theextends predator-prey relationships, point off a flat, and the ledge where the flat drops into deep aGuide deep or through water just beyond thethese weed edge. in frontweedline, of the Bassett Channel and eastward will produce small & Promotional with throwing baits and itas is fish – can be better. On a natural lake or river system, I may smaller. But really,school we’reStaffer, just getting closer toSome what refer the fish are perhaps a whole of fish into feeding. to it why muskies are different, thefishing water. Coveronwater figure what are holding schools of bass known wolf packs. You’ll superuntil thickyou cover, solely for resident sweet!have to cover lots concentrate Toout listen Bachelor’s Degrees in as both Science to thespots entire episod e bass with actually seeing and eating naturally. “rhythm”, and when it’s working, there’s no better feeling. significance of prey shape, what Flats fish. Then dissect these zones by experimenting with differen of&water to locate these fish, but when you catch one chances are Are these strategies guaranteed to salvage a bad day? No. Education, Jeff uses this training Dr. Jereme Gaeta click HERE.Bu the research means for fisheries Throw these big baits around there’ll be few more around. The keytohere is to keep moving and lureshave and trying casting angles to maximize the number they baileddifferent me out on numerous occasions. in an hishad jobasome asthere’s a incredible Fisheries Professional & As angler, you want catch atOutdoor the beginning of manager... I’ve days flats where pike and and how Jereme himself shallow cover like trees, What if awater. pro has nowhat keyin spots tofishing cycle through? Is itEducator possible covering Especially the 15 to 21 ft. depths. of fish you catch. (specializing fishing via family business, GetFishing.ca) the day. Then ainfeeding couple ofon hours go by, youthroughout get desperate, andor has walleye were yellow perch and otherand baitfish. docks, boulders points. changed the way he fishes. to remain competitive by running a pattern a lake it. Swimba A So next time you’re faced with an unfamiliar lake or river, do (Continued on page 9.) On change what you’re doing. Pike Caught Beauty you you Arealize need to That’s when your homework ahead Deep of time.Structure Then, when you’re on the water Editor’s Note: Liam Whetter is If given the chance, pattern try to be methodical in your search. a passionate angler On large, deepmulti-species lakes, walleye and pike frequently relate to deep fishing can work. It’s just aalways matter of determining the right depth from Northwestern Ontario, mid-lake structures and feed heavily on cisco, smelt, and other and cover. chasing the next bite no matter the open-water baitfish. These locations typically begin producing season. He’s all about the pursuit, infrom early summer as temperatures warm, prompting some Follow Bernie Schultz on dead Instagram, Facebook and through his frozen lakes in lake the of populations of walleye and pike to leave shallow areas for deeper winter to remote backcountry website. waters.water. With a fascination for cooler aquatic biology, he’s nearly as obsessed with understanding fish as he is with catching them. Editor’s Note: Casting is fish, productive onordeep, sandy andthem, other Whether jigs it’s big wild places, the stories thathumps come with structures with minimal snags. Craggy, rocky bottoms are Bernie Schultz competes on thefuel Bassmaster Elite Series andanother serves his experiences on the water his storytelling, capturing the matter. These are better fished vertically jigging a spoon, bladebait adventure, the work, everything in between. as a columnist to and Bassmaster.com and InsideLine.net. He’s also an educator and promoter of angling, representing many of the or a soft-jerkbait on deep structure. 2009 –Inductee, of Gord is in thefishing biggestPyzer brands includingCanadian, Mercury Angler Marine,Hall Caymas Fame, Fishing Editor, Outdoor Canada Magazine, Field Editor, Boats, Power-Pole, Fuji Rod Components, Shimano, Yamamoto, Trolling a deep-diving crankbait is Marine, another goodIn-Fisherman strategy and In-Fisherman Magazine & Television, Co-Host, Hildebrandt, Garmin Electronics, T-H Power Pro and Don’t an effective wayYou to cover a Co-Host, lot water. Pulling theRadio bait through Ice Fishing Guide, Television, The Real Fishing Show, Die Lithiums. can visit himofat: www.bernieschultzfishing.com Host, Fish Talk with “The Doc”, Outdoor Journal Radio & President, deep and then top ofFishing.” a hump can trigger strikes and water on Facebook at across “Berniethe Schultz Canadian Angling Adventures Ltd. www.anglerschoice.ca
(Continued on page 39.
Summer 2025 .. 846 Just Just Fishing Fishing
Summer Just Fishing2026 . 41
Just Fishing . 21
Fall 2026 Spring 20
Get ready for fall fun on the water A A By: Jeff Gustafson
s a kid, I used to go through the phone book on weekends in the fall, calling up anybody I knew that had a boat, to see if they would take me fishing. Sometimes it was friends of my dad, other times, guys that I knew from fishing the local tournaments. I got the fishing bug at a young age and I realized early on that fall brought opportunities for good fishing and some of the biggest fish of the year. Even back then, bass got my attention more than anything else but I was always up for catching crappie, walleye, pike and musky as well. As the years have gone by, I still keep my boat wet up until the end, when it freezes. Here are some of my top tips to have some fun on the water this fall.
Basics for Bass
It’s no secret that bass get more predictable in where you find them in the fall. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass pull out of the shallower bays where they spend
A Smeltinator jig & Jerk ShadZ is my Go-To rig in the fall.
Minnow baits are a good bet for fall smallmouths.
much of the summer and often group up more than any other point in the season. They are also in the mood to bite so when you find them, they usually let you know.
secondary points, reefs and cover like trees, docks or green weed clumps. Once you find them, they are often easy to catch. I always have a Chatterbait, some kind of Ned rig and a flipping jig on the deck of my boat and seldom have to stray from these baits. If I’m covering water, I’ll throw the Chatterbait or a swimbait, if it’s straight rock, I’ll go with the Ned rig and around grass clumps I’ll throw the jig. Smallmouths do the same thing, just a little farther out in the main basin and in deeper water. While some fish will stay shallow late into the fall, you can often find fish on structure in 25-35 feet of water as well. Main lake humps, reefs, points and flats can all produce. My perception is that smallmouths are more focused on looking up and eating minnow baits in the fall but they’ll still eat crayfish as well, evident because they are always spit up in the livewell during fall bass tournaments.
I keep variations of a Smeltinator Jig and a Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ on multiple outfits in the fall, but I’ll also keep a Ned rig and drop-shot tied up for fish that are tight to bottom that I can see on my electronics. Larger profile baits like an umbrella rig, flutter spoon and oversized swimbaits can With largemouth, keep produce some of the biggest fish in the it simple by fishing any schools and are fun to catch fish on, they kind of structure on the shouldn’t be overlooked. way out of the shallow bays. Our largemouths Basins for Crappie & Walleye across central Canada are not often found deeper While crappies do a good job of hiding than ten feet of water, from anglers throughout the summer even right up until it months, they show up in predictable freezes. Look at points, locations in the fall, in the mud basins (Continued on page 12.)
Just Fishing . 10
Fall 2026
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of the bays and lakes that they live missing man pushed anof undercut in, typically in 20 toagainst 40 feet water. bank and managed to pull him Theyinto are our easyboat. to find on electronics, both traditional 2D and forward-facing sonar. Now we hadistwo one barely conscious – plus My advice to full-grown keep your men bait –out the two of us in an overloaded 14-foot of the water until you find them.rental boat facing four-foot waves. There was pressure to take a shortcut across open water, but I knew it was too dangerous. I had to take the long way back.
For more info visit: Daiwa.us areas as well.FOR Think theUNPREDICTABLE mouths of shallow bays or a PLANNING THE saddle between an island and shore or a pair of islands. Fishing conditions constantly – andfeet Scott financial I like tochange look between 22-35 forbelieves these walleyes. planning should that they sameare uncertainty. Once account you findfor them, usually grouped up and biting. A simple Ned rig is all I ever use but a jig and Scott: Lifeminnow rarely works out exactly planned. process will always work asaswell. If youBut wanta to have that is reviewed course-corrected can bring some and fun with a bait, you canover try atime swimming jig you like as a close as possible to your desired outcome. Northland Puppet Minnow to get reaction strikes.
We eventually reached shore where paramedics were waiting. The funny thing is most anglers spend more timefor planning Rocks Pike a One of the men was suffering severe hypothermia. fishing trip than planning the financial future that supports their & Musky fishing lifestyle. Because I’m usually Had we taken the shortcut, I’m convinced all of us might been Enjoy fishinghave on those chasing bass and walleye lost that day. nice fall days. At Outfitter Financial, we go deeper than just investment returns. the most throughout the We help clients build and execute their financial, retirement, and That experience taught me something I’ve never forgotten: spring and summer, I They’ll usually be Shortcuts aren’t always the safe way home. grouped up and easy estate plans that support their lifestyles. don’t fish for toothy critters much until fall to catch, putting your THE BIGGEST MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE but I always dedicate a BUILDING OUTFITTER FINANCIAL bait in front of them is few dayswhen to both pike David: What is the biggest mistake people make it comes the key. What A “Financial Outfitter” Really Means and musky after the to financial security? The Ned rig continues to catch walleyes middle of September. I havename. alwaysWhat just used a David: Outfitter Financial does the fall. has a unique throughout Thearefishing is put good don’t have a clear trying to gets. People as itplan. is as good Outfitter mean in a financial context? small jig or spoon tipped Scott: pike fishing FallThey theseknowing fish, likewhat the without with a small piece of plastic. Always keep your eyes peeled for brush together the pieces of their financial lifeand others, show up in predictable locations as well. or logsAn in outfitter the waterisin these basins, if you find one,toyou’ll almost the final picture should look like. Scott: someone who provides access experiences always find crappies around it.orIcostly keep my Side-Imaging and opportunities thathanging can be difficult to obtain on your The pike willpiece showofup on main structure a running all of the time on my boat, looking for this stuff. The biggest most important every puzzlelake is the picturewith on the own. lot of rock. I like to fish between six and 20 feet, allowing my outside of the box. Without it, you have no idea how the pieces forward-facing sonar know to help me toa start. lot more in recent years. If you want to catch a big walleye, main lake structure is tough where That’s how our clients see us – we’re their financial outfitter, fit together, let alone to beat, them but forevery numbers of the fish,way. walleyes will school up in basin (Continued guiding step of (Continuedon onpage page14.) 26.)
Just Fishing . 12
Fall 2026
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(Fall Fun On The.Water Just Fishing 50 continued from page 12.)
Just Fishing . 42
With musky, it’s the same principle, fish places with Fall a lot2021 of bait. Main lake structure as well as neck-down areasOnline that focus Store some current. I’ve gone to almost exclusively using oversized plastic minnow imitators for musky in the fall, they simply Spring 2023 catch swimming fish. Remember keep an eye onkeeps yourthe baitplastic and When the toptoofalways the weeds, a drop shot tail the walleyes level all the time. The be at ready to do a figure-8 at the end ofswivel every on casttheinGamakatsu case you Finesse Drop which Shot Hook keepscontinue your line and your lure get a follow, they will to straight do that right up until level, which keeps spin to a minimum. Pitch the drop shot in the the end. same way you would throw a Mimic Minnow or a Rumble Bug. Cast and the time sinkeronhitthe the bottom. With the rod slightly up to Have a let great keep thethis linefall. tight, roll the reel handle, pull and pause creating a water fleeing-bait action. Editor’s Note: Summertime heat reaction bites get better. It is surprising how well Jeff Gustafson grew up on the bite in thefish shores of extreme Lake ofheat. the I know this because I don’t guide at night andinfind success during the day. I am a fan of cooler weather Woods Kenora, Ontario. but summer HeI do hassurvive madethehis livingheat with my AFTCO Samurai Hoodie –insuper thin and very comfortable – along with my Fish Monkey the fishing community Stubby Guide and face since he was Gloves a teenager as mask. Summer temperatures can flirt a tournament angler, guide, and fishing with 100 degrees and lakes canoutdoor be calmwriter and glassy feedingpromotor. you high In 2019 he joined Bassmaster and has found some doses of sun rays. I the protect my skinElite with Series these types of clothing. success chasing bass around the United States, including an Elite Seriesluck win in a Bassmaster Good on2021 the and water! Have funClassic and win in 2023. In between competing be safe! in the U.S. tournaments, you can usually find him around Lake of the Woods, fishing for all species, all year round. You can catch up with Gussythe onAuthor: social media at @gussyoutdoors and on his About website at: www.gussyoutdoors.com. Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, is a fishing guide
w w w. b a i t c a s t e r s . c a
(Walleyes React In Summer Heat continued from page 40.)
few more button pushes my Minn Kota Ulterra front trolling motor deploys and is anchored on the spot. This allows us to fan cast Mimic Minnows in the target fishing zone. Sounds easy, right? Just try not to run over your walleye spot. Monitor an anchor within a reasonable casting distance. a late you unity fortimes, opport a great offers Novem Some schools of fish bite untilberyou catch them all. Other . musky season catch a handful and the rest swim away. When the fish scoot away, These fish We show up easily thepint electronics I tell my clients, “Time tobig move! don’t need aon full of blood then bigdrops minnow imitating at from one patient. We canI’ll justthrow take a afew of blood from abait bunch them. I used to just use oversized bass jerkbaits of patients.” Hint: “patients” are schools of fish. but to avoid using treble hooks, Speaking of schools, I like to make sure I’m sitting on a school of 8” Z-Man walleye, not up rough I’ve fish. started This is using when Ibigger deploy7” myand Aqua-Vu HD7 We’ll fish right minnow baits. Then and swimbaits rigged on a jigX until the icemy Lund underneath 219 GL I use a 7’ St. CroixupLegend head. baitsSunline have been Keep the up. Fast shows Extra Medium withThese 10-12lb. SX1awesome. braid with a 2-4ft. above fish and reel or it over top of them 8lb. fluorocarbon bait leader. I usethe a small swivel back-to-back uniif youtocan watch yourlines bait.together. Otherwise, keeptoitadd in scent the middle knot tether the two No need or baitof in the water column with a slow and steady retrieve. One thing we most situations. It isFFS a visual strike thatfish is triggered. learned from using is that these can see your bait from a
lot farther away than you think. It’s nothing for them to swim ten WALLEYE UP or event twenty feet for your bait. Just Fishing . 14 are suspended or in deep cover, I use a Gamakatsu When walleyes
and promoter. One of the most recognized
Fall 2026
IN THE NEWS RESTORATION ROCK STARS By Robert Pye, CEO of Watersheds Canada
S
ome of the most important work happening for our fisheries today isn’t taking place in a science S lab or in a meeting. It’s happening knee-deep in the water, with a shovel, a brush, a firehose, boat loads of rock, and a whole lot of volunteers with elbow grease.
Late summer 2026, my team delivered more extraordinary examples of what happens when lake communities roll up their sleeves for fish habitat. Watersheds Canada worked alongside volunteers to restore and enhance historic spawning beds on Big Mink, Wollaston, Moira, Skootamatta, Palmerston and Patterson lakes in eastern Ontario.
equipment. It’s a community investing its time and muscle in the future of its fishery. And the spirit of these projects extended well beyond the experienced volunteers.
Among those lending a hand were two brothers, both younger than 11. Their participation is a These weren’t easy days on the water. Volunteers from reminder that conservation isn’t Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, local businesses, simply about what we leave behind. It’s also about what we teach the conservation clubs and lake associations came together for physically demanding work with a shared purpose: giving fish the next generation to care about – and the opportunity to show young anglers that healthy fisheries don’t happen by accident. habitat they need to reproduce. First came the deep cleaning. Pumps, firehoses, brushes, brooms and plenty of hard work were used to clear accumulated algae from historic spawning beds. Then came the enhancement: more than 40 tons of washed river stone placed by hand to improve spawning grounds.
Every rock. Every load. Every painstaking hour contributed by people who believe their lakes are worth the effort.
At Watersheds Canada, we’ve seen how local knowledge, dedicated volunteers and practical restoration can bring people together around a common goal. These six lakes demonstrate what’s possible when anglers, First Nations, cottagers and waterfront community neighbours become active partners in caring for the waters they love. We extend our sincere thanks to our recent spawning bed restoration funders: iA Financial, Yamaha Financial Services, the J.P. Bickell Foundation and the OFAH Community Conservation Fund. Of course, restoring spawning beds is one part of the bigger picture. Healthy fish populations also depend on clean water, healthy shorelines and responsible stewardship over the long term. Watersheds Canada’s hands-on habitat projects offer something tangible: a chance to turn concern for our fisheries into meaningful action.
As we head into the giving season, I invite every angler who values Ontario’s fishing traditions to also be a rock star for fish habitat restoration. You don’t need a boat, a weekend off or a The commitment on Skootamatta Lake was particularly truckload of stone to make a difference. remarkable. Several members of the Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association devoted 14 hours of their personal A donation of any amount to Watersheds Canada helps support summer vacation to hand-pick 30 tons of rock. They then returned community driven fish habitat restoration and conservation work for another two days, working alongside Watersheds Canada staff across Ontario and beyond. Our fisheries have given us countless memories, and the future of fishing starts with the habitat we protect to place those same rocks where walleye spawn. today. This season, let’s give something back. “This is the most significant enhancement our fishery has ever seen,” says Jeff Miller, President of the Skootamatta District Ratepayers Learn more about Watersheds Canada’s walleye and lake trout Association noting the dedication you can’t measure in dollars or restoration work at watersheds.ca/donate. Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 15
Submitted by: Traditions Media
How cooling water changes walleye behaviour & why your techniques need to change with it.
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temperature they want. Come fall, that structure breaks down. Surface water cools, mixes with what’s below, and the lake turns over.
he seasonal transition starts quietly: a slight chill in the night air, a couple of degrees off the surface temp, and a subtle Shallower lakes, rivers, and reservoirs that never really stratified shift in the water column. Fall whispers, and walleyes tune in don’t get that dramatic a reset, but the fish still respond to right away. the same falling temperatures and shifting baitfish locations. The reshuffle is just less violent. Almost overnight, you’re fishing a completely different body of water. The deep contour breaks you hammered all August go silent, Either way, the predictable summer patterns go out the window. while pods of fish suddenly materialize on shallow weed edges Fish that were locked onto a 22-foot break for two months might and flats you abandoned back in May. Walleyes suddenly show up shallow, chasing baitfish don’t check a gauge, rather their internal clock is onto flats and rocky points you hadn’t looked locked into that first cool drop. Once they get the at since spring. It’s not chaos, but it can feel message, their location, appetite, and reaction to like it if you’re still fishing off last month’s your presentations change completely. memory.
The Great Reshuffle On lakes deep enough to stratify, walleyes spend the summer playing the thermocline, pinned to whatever depth band holds the oxygen and
The fix is simple, even if it doesn’t feel that way: follow the bait, not the structure. Walleyes are opportunists by nature, and in fall they get downright greedy. Wherever the shad, shiners, or perch are schooling up, that’s where you’ll find fish stacking underneath, waiting.
Feeding Windows Get Wider Summer walleyes aren’t picky so much as comfortable. Forage is everywhere, so fish don’t need to travel or work for a meal, and that shows up as tight, predictable feeding windows around dawn and dusk when low light gives them the edge to feed efficiently. Cooling water changes that math. Metabolism increases as walleyes prep for the lean months ahead, and that means more aggressive, more frequent feeding throughout the day. This is where a lot of anglers leave fish on the table. They stick to their summer schedule, fishing hard for an hour at first light and then packing it in. Fall walleyes don’t play by those rules. Midday bites can be just as good, sometimes better, especially (Continued on page 18.)
Just Fishing . 16
Fall 2026
(When Fall Whispers... Walleyes Listen continued from page 16.)
on overcast days when that low light extends well past sunrise. This is where a lot of anglers leave fish on the table. They stick to their summer schedule, fishing hard for an hour at first light and then packing it in. Fall walleyes don’t play by those rules. Midday bites can be just as good, sometimes better, especially on overcast days when that low light extends well past sunrise. This also means you can afford to cover more water and fish a little faster. Fall fish are hunting, actively moving to find scattered, migrating baitfish, rather than sitting near a sure thing. A crankbait ripped through a school of baitfish on a windblown point will draw reaction strikes that a summer walleye, with an easy meal already close by, wouldn’t bother chasing.
Bigger Baits, Bigger Fish There’s a reason so many trophy walleyes get caught in October and November. Big female walleyes are packing on weight for winter and spawning season, and they’re not shy about eating something with some size to it. This is the season to size up your offerings as well. Keep the jig-and-minnow rig, but put a bigger minnow on it, and bring swimbaits and full-sized crankbaits into rotation, too. Walleyes that ignored a three-inch profile in July will crush a six-inch one in October because the calorie math finally makes sense to them.
Land Them Right Bigger baits tend to hook bigger fish, and bigger fish change everything about the fight and the landing. A fall walleye pushing eight or nine pounds, thrashing boatside in cold water, isn’t something you want to horse over the gunwale by the line or muscle up with your hands. A quality landing net earns its keep this time of year, cradling that fish quickly and getting the hook out with minimal handling. Cold water is actually kinder to released fish – lower stress, higher survival rates – but only if the landing and release process is quick and clean. A net like EGO’s S2 Slider, with a wide hoop and a rubber-coated bag that won’t strip the slime coat, turns a potentially chaotic net job into a non-event.
Live Bait Makes A Comeback Fall is also when live bait earns its keep again. Big creek chubs and redtail chubs, the kind you’d hardly bother rigging in July, become a go-to presentation once the water cools and walleyes start keying on bulkier forage. There’s something about a lively four- or five-inch chub swimming under a slip bobber near a break that big fall females can’t leave alone. (Continued on page 20.)
Just Fishing . 18
Fall 2026
(When Fall Whispers... Walleyes Listen continued from page 18.)
The catch is keeping that bait lively long enough to matter. Warm livewell water or a bucket sloshing around all day zaps energy out of bigger baitfish fast, and a sluggish chub doesn’t draw nearly the reaction a frisky one does. A soft-sided cooler built for bait, like EGO’s, keeps minnows cooler and calmer trip to trip, so that chub is still kicking hard when it counts, right at boatside on the drop.
stretches you might have skipped all summer because they seemed too shallow or too skinny. Fall rewrites those rules.
Adjust Your Retrieve, Adjust Your Mindset Slow and subtle worked when the water was warm and the fish were lethargic. Early autumn calls for a different cadence. More aggressive jigging strokes, faster crankbait retrieves, and reaction-style presentations tend to outproduce the patient, drag-it-along approach that dominated summer trips. That’s not to say finesse disappears entirely. Cold fronts still happen in fall, and a tough bite might call for scaling back down. But the default setting should lean toward triggering reaction strikes rather than waiting fish out.
Location Logic: Think Transition Zones
The Payout
If there’s one word to fish by this fall, it’s “transition.” Walleyes gravitate toward areas where deep water meets shallow, quickly. Steep breaklines near flats, rock piles adjacent to river channels, points that drop fast into the main basin. These spots let fish slide shallow to feed and retreat deep to rest without a long commute.
Fall walleye fishing rewards anglers who pay attention rather than anglers who stick to habit. The fish are telling you what they want: more food, in more places, at more times of day. Read those signals, adjust your approach, and you’ll find some of the best fishing of the entire year packed into a few short weeks.
And when that fish of the fall finally comes over the side, cold River mouths and current areas deserve extra attention too. water dripping off its flanks, having the right net in hand isn’t Cooling water often triggers baitfish migrations up rivers and just convenient. It’s the difference between a quick photo and a creek arms, and walleyes follow the buffet. Don’t overlook healthy release, or a fish that never makes it back down.
HEALTHY HABITAT. MORE FISH. Clean, healthy spawning beds help fish reproduce and support thriving fisheries. By restoring fish habitat and protecting our freshwater, we can help ensure future generations can enjoy time on the water. Help protect the places fish call home. Donate today to support fish habitat conservation: watersheds.ca/donate Learn more:
Watersheds Canada is a registered charity: 863555223RR0001
Just Fishing . 20
Fall 2026
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size matters! Compact Finesse Jigs Under Pressure By: Jamie Wilson
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e all have a little or a lot of it, and that is time. I myself don’t spend a crazy amount of time on the water, so time is of the essence. Other key factors here for yours truly are dealing with well-travelled, heavily pressured waters and, just like you, adapting to changes in weather patterns and water conditions. So, bait selection, spot selection, boat control/ positioning, depth control, retrieve speed, rod, reel, and line selection all have to be dialed in. So, let’s do a deep dive into a technique that will, quite simply, put the odds in your favor now and forever. Noik
About a year ago, I Donkey Booe Craw stopped by Tackle Bros in Peterborough and had a chat with my pal Chris Huskilson. I asked him to put a few baits in my hands, and man, did he ever. One of those baits was a compact tungsten football jig by Keitech, and a “Donkey Boo” craw trailer by Noike, that sat in my tackle bag until as recently as a few weeks ago. I know, I know, very foolish to say the least. That’s fine. The game was changed either way. It is one of those “aha moments”, or a moment of clarity for me, if you will. Alright, enough banter, let’s go. When it comes to smallmouth bass, Chris states, “I’m a big believer in keeping things simple. There are certainly times
when smallmouth want fast-moving presentations, but there are just as many times when slowing things down and keeping a bait close to the bottom make the difference between getting a few bites and having a great day. Finesse jigs have become a big part of that approach for me. I carry several different styles, but there are three that I find myself reaching for again and again. They all have their place, and the key is knowing when to pick up each one”. Great Lakes Finesse Flat Cat Trailer
Three Finesse Jigs Chris Huskilson Always Has Tied On For Smallmouth Chris’ starting point is often an Evergreen C4 tungsten jig paired with a Great Lakes Finesse Flat Cat trailer. His setup is an NRX 901S spinning rod with 10-pound X8 Grand braid paired with an 8-pound Zalt’s fluorocarbon leader.
Evergreen C4 Tungsten Jig
“This is my go-to when I’m fishing water less than about 12 feet deep, particularly when conditions are calm. I’m not looking to make this bait do anything crazy. Most of the time, I’m simply dragging it slowly along the bottom, allowing the jig and trailer to do the work. I’ll also occasionally mix things up and swim it back to the boat with a slow, steady retrieve. “That second presentation is one of my favourites”, Keitech Tungsten he continues. Football Jig “I fish it much like I would a marabou jig, keeping it moving steadily just above the bottom. Smallmouth don’t always need a bait ripping past them to trigger a strike. Sometimes that slow, subtle movement is exactly (Continued on page 23.)
Just Fishing . 22
Fall 2026
hard spot, a rock or some other what they’re looking for. The C4 is also change in bottom where I start when the wind is light. composition, Because I’m fishing a relatively light I’ll slow down jig, it’s easy to maintain bottom contact even further”. EGU Dama-Style without overpowering the presentation”. Cover Jig This tactic is lights-out, When Chris is looking for something that triggering bites from bass with a tight excels on hard bottom, he switches to a strike zone. Keitech tungsten football jig, and I could not agree more. This compact little package The third jig in Chris’ arsenal is an EGU is an easy meal just waiting to be digested Dama-style cover jig from Raid. This by a hungry bass. The fact is that a tungsten is a completely different presentation jig is smaller and denser than lead jigs of altogether. Huskilson chooses an NRX the same weight, with increased sensitivity 902S, again with 10-pound X8 Grand that sends important information to you, braid paired with 2” Geecrack the angler. an 8-pound Zalt’s (Size Matters continued from page 22)
Chris explains, “I fish this one on a Megabass Baby Plugging rod, again with 10-pound X8 Grand braid and an 8-pound Zalt’s fluorocarbon leader”. This setup is nearly identical to my setup, so you’ll get no arguments from this guy. His trailer of choice is a 3-inch O.S.P Dolive Craw. A football head is truly perfect for methodically dragging across rock and other hard-bottom areas.
fluorocarbon leader. His choice of trailer is a 2-inch Geecrack Bellows Gill.
WHITEFISH®
S
Bellows Gill
“One of the things I really like about this style of jig is how fish respond to it on the fall. There are times when a smallmouth will eat it before it ever reaches the bottom. Other times, the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing. I’ll make a cast, let the jig fall, and then leave it sitting on the bottom.
“I’m generally not trying to cover huge amounts of 3” O.S.P. Dolive Craw water with it. Instead, I’m looking to pick apart the bottom, feeling the jig as it works its way over rocks and other subtle changes in the lake floor”. His starting point is always the 1/4-ounce version. “That doesn’t mean I always stick with it. Depth and wind will dictate how much weight is effective”. When fishing deeper water, or the wind picks up, or if having trouble maintaining contact with the bottom becomes an issue, moving to the 3/8-ounce or even the 1/2-ounce version would be prudent. The important thing is maintaining contact. A football jig can be incredibly effective when you slow down and let the jig crawl across the bottom. “I’m constantly trying to determine what’s down there through the sensation of the rod tip. When I find a Fall 2026
It sounds almost too simple, but that dead-sticked presentation can be deadly. The small profile of the jig and trailer gives the fish something that looks natural without requiring much movement at all”. The EGU Dama-style jig is also the one Chris reaches for when the wind starts to increase. “The lighter C4 is fantastic when conditions are calm, but the EGU Damastyle jigs are available up to 9 grams, giving me the ability to maintain control and bottom contact when there’s a little more wind pushing the boat and line around”. (Continued on page 24.)
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Just Fishing . 23
(Size Matters continued from page 23.)
Let the Conditions Dictate the Jig These three jigs shouldn’t be viewed as competing presentations; they should be looked at as three different, equally effective tools for a variety of situations. “The C4 is my lighter, calmer-water option,” he explains. “I like it in shallower water, and I’ll either drag it slowly along the bottom or swim it back with a steady retrieve, whereas the Keitech football jig is my hardbottom specialist. I start with 1/4 ounce and increase the weight if and when depth or wind demands it. The EGU Dama-style jig gives me another option around cover and when the fish are willing to eat a bait on the fall – or when they really seem to gravitate towards something sitting motionless on the bottom.
move the needle when faced with the often water temps, slows their metabolism very very puzzling equation known as “Chasing quickly, meaning their ability to digest a meal will drastically diminish. This is why Bronzebacks”. you should downsize to a finessestyle jig and slow down because this little morsel represents an easily digestible meal. During post-frontal periods, smallmouth will move to deeper, more stable water not only to avoid extreme barometric pressure changes, but also to avoid harsh light penetration, which their sensitive eyes can’t handle. They eat less, move less and stay oriented tight to cover and structure in deeper water.
Smallmouth are neutral at best – inactive most definitely. They are in a slow-motion state. This is why slowing down your presentation “Smallmouth bass don’t always need a around deep structure and cover to match complicated presentation. Sometimes a their behaviour makes total sense. There’s nothing complicated about any small jig, a subtle trailer, and a slow retrieve of these presentations. They’re important, is all that it takes. The trick is figuring Smallmouth aren’t aggressively foraging, effective tools in the toolbox that just help out which jig allows you to maintain the which is why a slow, methodical finesse-jig presentation that mimics vulnerable prey presentation you want under the conditions is, the key that unlocks the door. It’s an you’re faced with. And when in doubt, easy meal. It’s less effort for them. It just slow down. More often than not, the fish makes sense. It’s an “aha moment” for us, will tell you if you’re moving too fast”. isn’t it? I think so. You should too. –Amen Chris.
Behavioral Effects of Cold Fronts Thanks for reading. See you out there. & Post Fronts So why downsize? Why slow down? Let’s get to the bottom of it, shall we? During these frontal periods, fish are subjected to, and ultimately very sensitive to, atmospheric changes such as rising barometric pressure, clear bluebird skies, and, in turn, falling water temperatures. This change in barometric pressure can have a very negative effect on their swim bladders, which in turn makes them feel uncomfortable and lethargic. Additionally, the extreme penetration of UV light kind of shocks them into submission. This, along with cooling
About the Author: Jamie Wilson Jamie Wilson is a passionate, lifelong multi-species angler and a freelance writer from southern Ontario, Canada. He has been a field staffer for many tackle companies, including Bass Magnet Lures, Liquid Mayhem, Kamooki Lures Ltd, Lake Fork Trophy Tackle, and Smith Optics, to name a few. He has written for many North American publications, including the legendary Just Fishing with “Big” Jim McLaughlin. Just Fishing . 24
Fall 2026
ICE FISHING PREVIEW
PREVIEW FALL 2026– WINTER 2024
I CIS E
COMING!
MY NEW FAVOURITE ICE FISHING SPOT
URBAN ICE FISHING 101
–pg. 32
–pg. 26
WHAT’S INSIDE
Favourite Ice Fishing Spot...26 Urban Ice Fishing 101......32 Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 25
My New Favourite
T
By Brian ‘Bro’ Brosdahl
T
he beginning of the ice season is the highlight of the year for some anglers. It’s easy to go fishing without pulling a boat down the road, packing only a bucket, a couple of rods and a box of tackle. If you want to fish like a pro, get an Otter Sonar Sled. It’s like a utility sled hybrid with molded-in storage, an auger holder and, of course, a bucket hole and sonar mounting spots for early-ice hunting. Add a RAZR ice auger and light, warm ice clothing and you’re ready to go.
There’s a sense of ease and relaxation that comes with getting to your spot without a boat or machine. And my heart still races with anticipation as I wait to catch that first fish through the hole in the ice. The lakes of choice during first ice are those with a history of freezing early because of their shallow depths. While other lakes are still wide open, some shallower choices can have four or more inches of ice. Even a bay on a larger lake or chain of lakes may freeze weeks before the main lake does.
Walking into bays or small lakes that don’t have a public access can be an A lot of shallow bays fill up with fish in adventure. Sometimes, a frozen beaver the fall and hold them for several weeks runway becomes your sidewalk to the lake. before they disperse back into the main lake. Shallow and full of fish is a double win! Here, it is all about the age of ice. Consistent, cold and calm freezes shallow lakes first.
Picking A New Favourite Spot I enjoy trying new lakes that I haven’t fished in the past. If the new water is a bust, I can retreat to old reliable waters or even community spots to get a bite and scratch that fishing itch! Using the One-Boat Network app on my cell phone, I can check out maps of many lakes that are shallow and potentially good first-ice options. Before I embark on a first-ice trip, I pre-mark icons on the map so I have a starting point. I also look for the closest trail or determine how far I’ll have to travel from the road to the lake.
I’ll find a teeming population of big crappies, perch and walleyes. Every step I take is made with ice safety in mind. I drill, chisel and measure ice thickness as I go. Four inches of hard, black ice is the recommended minimum. Ice picks should be worn around your neck and other safety equipment should be within easy reach. If you’re not sure about the ice, don’t go. There is a wealth of information about ice safety and recommended ice thickness available online, so study up before you go ice fishing. On past ice trips, I’ve tried new lakes and struggled to find fish. I’d start in the basin, drilling holes around different structures, only to come up empty-handed. Then, on the way back, I’d drill into the shallow weed beds and find the fish super shallow – sometimes in only four to five feet of water – hiding under a canopy of green weeds.
The bite was great, and fish were still in a If the lake is super easy to get to, you fall feeding binge. They plan on feeding for might have company. I prefer lakes that many more weeks beneath the developing are a little harder to access, and sometimes sheet of ice. (Continued on page 28.)
Just Fishing . 26
Fall 2026
LAKE NIPISSING ICE BUNGALOWS ENJOY A COMPLETE FISHING EXPERIENCE! Our ice fishing season runs from January 1 to March 15 and includes bait (1 doz per person upon check in) in a heated Ice Bungalow. Our fleet of Ice Bungalows vary in size and can accommodate anywhere from 4 to 6 guests. Also available are daily ice huts which can be rented from 8am to 5pm. The Ice Bungalows are equipped to prepare and cook meals and have washroom facilities. The Ice Bungalows are heated with propane direct vent furnaces. Other services include taxi services and ice hut towing are also available across Lake Nipissing in the winter months.
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pink tungsten jig. It has a plastic keeper to help keep the plastic tail. l also use a purple Wonderbread or Galaxy Black 1/32-ounce Tungsten Forage Spoon. I customize it with a Gamakatsu neon-coloured treble hook or a single hook 52 with an oversized eyelet to fit on the split ring, tipped with a wax worm or chandelier of Euro larvae. On lakes with slab-sized crappies, I use a minnow head.
(My New Favourite Ice Fishing Spot continued from page 26.)
Small lakes can hold some surprises. One lake I fished in a remote area had monster perch and they bit on every lure dropped down the ice hole.
Angler’s note: if the lake is clear and fish
are in the basin, they may not bite until sunset.
Basin or Weed-Related Fish There are many considerations when choosing a lake to ice fish in the north country. Some lakes are mostly deep – basically a crater without a food shelf – so the crappies will be deep, located near the mud and feeding on insect life as the zooplankton rises at sunset.
I use a St. Croix Custom Ice 28” Light Micro Spoon rod with a 750-sized Seviin reel. I spool it with three-pound Sunline Fluoro Ice and drop down to two-pound line when the fish are pressured or the bite gets really finicky.
Deep-water black crappies have fine gill rakers that allow them to sift out
Northland Pan Candy Grubtail
Northland Wonderbread Tungsten Forage Spoon
microscopic insects and survive the long winter. Basin crappies can be extremely active during early ice. Just remember, this is going to be a harvest bite. Crappies should not be catchand-release in deeper waters, especially over 24’. Barotrauma and delayed mortality can happen when fishing deep. You may see engorged arteries under their chin or microbubbles fizzing from their nose. So, take a crappie meal and then fish somewhere else. Shallow weeds hold crappies on some lakes, especially during early winter if the weeds are still green and producing oxygen, not dead and producing toxins. During the day, start in the thickest part of the weed bed along the steepest edge or on humps with weeds. Crappies will hold tight to the cover, trying to avoid predators like large pike.
Sneaky Access To Large Water
There are more places where water flows and stays open all year. This can include a flowage, an old river channel that oxbows near shore, boat harbours and canals. Even larger bodies of water can have a deep drop-off next to shore where the ice starts. In some situations, you don’t need to set foot on the ice at all. You can drill a hole right next to the dock or harbor wall.
BRO PRO TIP: When making sonar portable, I have experimented with lots of different carrying cases. I’ve found that a Fish Armor Pro Light Shuttle and downrod for the transducer work fantastic for mobility and protecting my Humminbird Xplore. It can lock into place on a utility sled, four-wheeler or snowmachine with an additional bracket. There’s even room for a 32-52amp Amped Outdoors lithium battery. You can also avoid the risk of long walks on early ice. If you have to go a little distance to get to a spot, always walk the shallow weeds near shore. They freeze first and can get you to prime areas while minimizing the amount of deeper water you have to cross.
Watch for seeping springs coming from I use plastics during early the shore. Usually, you’ll see a watery ice, such as Northland Pan Candy Grubtail on a (Continued on page 30.) Just Fishing . 28
Fall 2026
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(Ice 101 continued from page 6.) (MySafety New Favourite Ice Fishing Spot continued from page 28.) (Fall Musky Solutions continued from page 50)
*however, The person who thatobvious was – ayou trickle on top of taught the iceme or an hole thatDraper will give a I use much longer sweeps oftrick the rod. AGerry Medussa is simply a Lake heavy Simcoe legend and lifelong trapper known amongst thousands of his jig, but theifthree tails moving around is a musky’s face are pretty difficult wet leg you step on it. Lake Simcoe Message Board friends simply as “Trapper”. I’ve so known for them to resist. In fall, I like to run my soft plastics deeper, I use Gerry for 25 years and the stories of his experiences on the hard (10 Mistakes You Need to Fix continued from page 17.) New Walleye Lure” 2012 “Best aWith lower speed Shimano Tranx 400 spooled with 80 pound test PowerPro social so waters of theslightly 722media kmlower lakegear in his backyard were always entertaining. by Gordon Pyzer SSV2. This ratio (5.8:1) allows mejigs to slow down and prevalent these days, it BRO PRO 9, TIP: I tie a loop knot to my ice-fishing and spoons How you set the hook depends on its size, diameter and thickness and On November 2020AGerry passed away tool at the age of 83. He isweed the run the lure deeper. Medussa is a great for fishing around is easy to get caught up when it is small, thin and razor sharp, a smart sweep of the rod tip is loving because it allows more lure action. Use lighter line diameter Husband and best friend of Wendy Draper and is the cherished edges deeper breaklines. in theandhysteria associated If the fish are not using the shallow cover, I all that is required to nab every fish. Father of 10, Grandpa ofedge 18 and ofsomeone 8. when fishing in an open Thebreakline fish are and less sensitive lineboat always move to the outer andGreat-Grandpa the intomy with a hot lake or new bait. basin. Our award winning lures just keep isSome always fishing soft plastic. diameter when they are buried in vegetation. folks willa big even post
6 #6
Lasting Thoughts:
better - the proof is in the FISH FOR WHATEVERgetting IS BITING
the waypoints of popular catch. “Big” Jim says, Early fallspots. isicea conditions challenging of year, as theand fish be on migrating, fishing But if you ©“Fish Hit It Like When good aretime present, traveling icemay fishing frozen I received a message from a reader lastPrototype fall aboutItSpoons catching big and the weather can become unstable with fall cold fronts. However, the Owe know about it, so do tens of s Them On large water, I always have my water can be extremely safe and enjoyable. In a lot of respects, ice safety photographic smallmouth, largemouth and northern pike. He had been Mon unsuccessful muskies are using more traditional shallow water spots. Take advantage ey!” of other anglers. Humminbird Xplore marking a assured that going through isof isthousands just a matter of common sense. Rest fishkey patterns in his efforts and asked if I’d help him zero in on the depth. I flipped the situation and don’t throw the same lures everyone else is casting. Try always preventable trail as I go during earlyand icethat so Iis always your goal, so ultimately finish ™ him back a note asking what species, in particular,w/heUV was targeting. He almost
PROTOTYPE SERIES replied .... “All of them.” – Fergie Specials
placing aastopwater shallow spotsthis can’t using adifferent bucktail Sharing reliable, guarded, learning much asin you canback about topic andreach, experiencing can follow the same trail if aothers insider information withand with different blade types, a big softperiods plasticduring along the deep edges. conditions on different different the winter will snoworsquall blows inlakes, and at covers one two trusted friends Remain versatile and you’ll be able to show off some trophy musky help you become confident in your abilities to develop a healthy respect Now, there is no question that when you are fishing for walleye, as a is mya good tracks. In but therelying past, we had “New” 1/4-oz photos thisthing, fall! and understanding of the ice that is keeping you from becoming intimate case in point, that&you may catch a bonus smallmouth, largemouth or augers thatthird were 1/2 oz sizes on second, andtanks fourth – heavy northern pike. Maybe even several. But is it a huge mistake to assume with all that wonderful ice cold water beneath you.
PROTOTYPE SERIES™ – Plane Jane
hand accounts of dock talk and bulky. Shallow weed flats with is to to be see avoided at all Hope you on topcosts. of the ice this winter; andweed here’s to a safe, happy thicker patches can be As Van Dam says, “It and successful one for all of you! key in early fall. I use to accompany the Conservation Officers and fisheries technicians messes with your head.” SPIN DOCTORS who worked for me and we would pull alongside anglers and do a creel ™ ORIGINAL Tail Spinners survey. I was always amazed the folks in the boats were asked “New” Chrome when – Fergie Special Bringing you our DON’T BE FIRST IN AND FIRST Now, OUT we have RAZR what they were fishing for and they replied .... whatever bites. Editor’s Note: Long time Just Original FLASHER JIGS “New” Colours
it will happen and thus, go fishing without a specific species in mind.
8 #8
Fergie Specials™ Synthetic Ultra Lite Augers Fishing Contributor Plane Jane Spoons™ If you were amongstWil theWegman very first anglers to fish Slow Death for To be successful, you have to focus in on a specific species, learn as is an award winning Outdoor lithium hand Flasherhabits, Jigs™behaviour and seasonal walleye, Ned Rigs for bass, Bondy Baitsrunning for lake on trouta and big double much as possible about its lifestyle, Writer whose ice fishing articles Youstopping can carry them Cowgirls for muskies you knowdrill. the heart feeling of & Lytle’s preferences. Then you Our needAward to useWinning the Secrets™ information to select prime bladed have been published intoOutdoor Transparent around all day, and they’re riding the roller coaster fishing success. so good ... locations, the best lures and just optimal presentations. To do otherwise Canada, Ontario Out of Doors, In © Lures keep getting probably lighter than the Prototype Spoons “if fish could for itmisses they would”! Red Tail’s is to take a shot in the dark, which almost ask always the & several others. He is to have been at the forefront of photographic fishmark. IFisherman count myself among the blessed better – the proof is boots you’re wearing! patterns w/ UV finish for Leave the hail Mary passes to theREELBAIT last minute desperation plays the Hooked ontrends. Fishing columnist nothing good ever lasts. Despite Tackle Co. each of these Unfortunately, in the catch. football teams. for Lake Simcoe Living unbelievable efforts by magazine a select few anglers to keep each one of the 133 Seward Street, Seward, NE 68434 Walking on early ice isrecipient easy for young and old, especially before and is the only two-time theout Billand Bond Memorial Award techniques under wraps, the secretofgot loose lips sunk ships.for www.reelbait.com 402.643.4127 snow cover. It’s like walking on a cement sidewalk to a school dedication to “promoting and conserving the fishery of Lake Simcoe”. BELIEVE THE DOCKTALK of directly But don’t forget cleats for1991 your Wilisfish iswhy, ansitting avid ice fishing tournament competitor, going back to the NEW It when you readbelow about a American technique for the very first time in a Tournament Editor’s Note: Jim Saric is anyou. professional angler, best Super Glow World Ice Fishing Championships in 1991 when he was part of Team boots.as They’re lot cheaper a hospital visit a concussion. reliable source –alike theeditor pagesthan of Just Fishing! – or with hear about it from a Seriesinterviewing Kevin Van Dam, the winningest angler known I will never forget the publisher, and owner of Musky Hunter Magazine, Series Canada. He a previous winner thekeep Perchin for MSwith & add the trusted friend, need to assess itof immediately, perfect itEvent quickly, Noise on theisyou ice can spook fish, so walking cleats to in bass fishing history, immediately prior to one of his four Bassmaster (https://www.muskyhunter.com ) the largest musky fishing publication Perch Trap Attack. He’s offered seminars on ice fishing since the mid to your arsenal and then milk it for all that it is worth, because every Classic victories. He had sequestered himself, miles away from the init America. He isyour the Host Executive of The Musky a North minimum. RAZR fieldand of holes, let Producer things cool down and 1980’s television andwill has become been oncommonplace, the Rapala pros staffs for just assolely long. innovation the fish will become conditioned tournament venue, at his brother-in-law’s house. When I asked him Hunter series, the HT firstand television show ever dedicated sneak around. Inthe Wil was inducted Canadian Fishing Hall of Fame. it2017 and something better into will the replace it. why, he said .... “To avoid the dock talk.” toto hard-to-catch musky. (Continued on page 19.)
7
®
#7
Exploring new lakes during early ice is fun and rewarding. I gear up with my boots, bibs, AFTCO Reaper Hoodie and Fish Monkey Woolly Gloves and head out to look for my new favourite spot on the ice. We’ll see you out there. Good luck on first ice!
Pro Staffer Jason Matity’s – GetFishing.ca Trophy Walleye caught on a ReelBait Short Shank Flasher jig
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(613) 928-2382 Follow my adventures on the Bro OPEN RoadLive ShowBait podcast and at store • Licences • Fishing Tackle ALL YEAR visits, seminars and & shows. You• Moccasins ROUND Firearms Ammo can Hunting also find me on YouTube, & Camping Gear • Firewood Instagram and&Facebook! Canoe Kayak Rentals • Ice Fishing Propane Exchange Editor’s Note: • Seasonal Clothing Gift Certificates & More! Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, of MAX, MN, isOpen one of the recognized and respected 7 most Days a Week anglers in North America. Bro, as he’s known, is a multispecies angler best known for his influence on the sport of 413 Lyndhurst Road, Lyndhurst or ice fishing. He can be contacted at bbro@paulbunyan.net online at Brosguideservice.com for winter and summer guide www.wingslivebaitandtackle.ca trips or to book Bro for a seminar. siderisjp@sympatico.ca
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How to start the year off right by getting outside and on top of local fish
W W
hen most people think of ice fishing, evergreens and northern climes come to mind. And while that’s part of the sport, there are opportunities a lot closer to home for day trips that can be equally as rewarding. That’s a boon for the multitudes who live in and near cities or larger towns throughout the Ice Belt.
#3: Keep Gear Simple Sled: Besides your spud bar,
you’ll want a sled to pull your gear out on the ice. This can be a specially-designed ice Given suitable, safe ice thickness, there’s plenty to explore close fishing sled or a repurposed to many metropolitan centers. The same lakes and ponds you kid’s sled or toboggan. fished during open water are now ripe for hardwater action, yet all but a handful of ice anglers utilize the natural resources to their potential. River backwaters are also a possibility, but you need to exercise additional caution as ice may vary significantly not only from day to day with rising and falling river levels, but hour to hour.
#1: Know the Rules Before You Go Urban waters often have special regulations. First, confirm it’s legal to ice fish the specific body of water. Some cities ban ice fishing altogether as a safety precaution, although that’s rare throughout most of the Ice Belt. Lastly, check species rules, size limits, and seasons. City parks departments and state fish & wildlife websites will generally spell out everything you need to know.
Ice Auger: To drill
the holes you’ll be fishing in, anything from a hand auger to a lithium battery powered auger will work great. Here’s a tip: with little investment, you can get a 6- or 8-inch drill bit that locks into the chuck of any lithiumpowered power drill and will work great while reducing weight. Cheaper than a dedicated battery-powered auger, it allows use in the winter, and the drill goes back into the workshop for the openwater season.
Ice Hole Scoop: You’ll need this to clear your hole of ice shards and provide debris-free fishing.
Light/Ultra-Light Ice Rod Combo: Companies like DAIWA,
#2: Urban Ice Safety Urban ice can be less predictable because of runoff, culverts, fountains, aerators, and bridges. If conditions look questionable, stay on shore. But if conditions look favorable, use a spud bar to check the thickness of the ice ahead of you as you venture out. Second, always fish with a buddy and carry a throw-rope and wear ice picks. Wearing an approved PFD is another good idea. And cleats worn over boots can prevent slippage and possibly hitting your head.
Eagle Claw, HT Enterprises, and numerous others offer ice rod and reel combos, many already spooled with 4- or 6-pound monofilament.
Tackle: For most urban fishing, you don’t really need more than a few small jigs and/or micro-spoons. Companies like Custom Jigs & Spins, Northland Fishing Tackle, and Rapala are respected in ice fishing circles. Bait: A container of waxworms or maggots will work best for tipping your jig or spoon, and catches a variety of different fish besides panfish, often seducing willing bass, walleye, and the occasional small- to medium-sized pike. (Continued on page 33.)
Just Fishing . 32
Fall 2026
gear. These items certainly make it easier for hand-towing ge shallow flat at late ice forfrom giant and perch, and seeing a Fishbrain (Urban Ice Fishing 101 continued page crappie 32.) is thoroughly around onPro snow and ice. advanced buddy land a 14-1/2 –inch crappie, the season’s best for our crew. app that provides access to millions 5-Gallon Bucket: If your plan is to keep some fish for table fare, of catch locations, Never high-resolution nothing beats a bucket to put the fish in. And upside down, it also Lure Diversity Hurts The approach also works when my children and I fish together. makes an extremely portable seat on the ice, reducing the amount depth charts from Garmin®, and Running-and-gunning isn’t logistically possible for us, but hole- AI-powered fishing prediction. Keeping tackle to aspot reasonable amount helps with travelling ligh of time kneeling at the hopping around a productive area is right in the wheelhouse Be your next fishingtruth to the saying “diversity hole. but prepared don’t go for overboard. There’s of my two energetic offspring and keeps boredom at bay, for a trip with intel on weather conditions, security” because an assortment of lures gives more options fo Fishanyway. Finder: While not while, and, most importantly, what coaxing bites from choosy fish.bait With a couple of rods rigged wi necessary, a mechanical anglers useofferings, to catch specific species. different an angler can quickly adapt and change tactic flasher likeExcess a VexilarWeight or Lose The should a fish snub the initial offering. MarCum can be a big Also reveals if you can legally fish If help you’ll earlier I mentioned a sudden surge in ice fishing in a certain area and know how to recall, know the depth “For walleye, have a very erratic flutter spoon, like a Northlan gear being available and acquired by anglers. Well, it’s still here. to you’re fishing, see your comply Coffin with local Buck-Shot Spoon,regulations then a Bro Bug Spoon, and then somethin lure,more and of reveal if fish and many folks are carrying more than to Even it, actually, fish in a sustainable and said. “For panfish, the comb insect-like to deadstick,” way Brosdahl arelikely in the hey need.proximity. never get a ticket. Keep all your catches organizedPuppet in yourMinnow own might be a Forage Minnow Spoon, a micro-sized With the advent of new logbook. OnX Fish is another option. and then a Tungsten Gill Getter tipped with a Bloodworm plasti technologies like Forward-Facing sonar on the ice, intro-level Thing is, carrying a lot of stuff can bog you down. Keep the and Prepare add meat iffor youMultispecies have to.” flashers have come down in price unnecessary significantly. stuff If youimproves have a #4: Fun essentials, of course, but culling smaller (9” and under) digital graph on your boat, consider putting on-ice especially when location within an area. Most urban waters contain panfish (sunfish, crappies, perch) and it in mobility, a shuttle for the winter andfine-tuning using on the ice with the addition Other factors also come into play. Colour is critical in the context o bass, someand waters also hold walleye and pike, besides catfish of an ice puck transducer available at most fishing retailers. waterbut clarity fish activity. Going light is one of the smartest things I’ve learned to do on and even white bass or yellow bass in some areas. While it’s easy heFishing ice. Since I don’t ownhelp a snow machine and travel you’re targeting a specific urbanthem fishing often Apps: Need finding productive spotsontofoot, fish?I to “Ifsayfish are only active and the water’sspecies, clear, give somethin prefer sled, is easier to move around thanfrom my alarger, to besee a hodge-podge of fish.way away,” Brosdahl sai In themy oldicedays wewhich used paper maps typically printed state turns they out can from a long heavier shelter. Last the sled it painless to “Metallic has been good since the beginning of time. Try a fish &flip-over wildlife website. And winter, while paper mapsmade are still valuable, regularly relocate and jig key holes on a large 20-foot mud flat near drop-offs, weedlines, shoreline points there are a ton of fishing apps available that put the map on the Positioning obnoxious,yourself green-and-yellow sneeze pattern, or even a jig and who a good strategy to start sampling what’s biting. scene and containcatch functionality help you plot a GPS and, subsequently, several oftomy season’s best perch.course isminnow.” (Continued on page 44 to areas that look good before you ever step foot on the ice. (Continued on page 34.)
Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 33
or tube baits out there and... the sky is the advised Gord. Ned’s 14-minute mini-seminar baits slow enough is the hardest thing for This setup allows you to toss these lures on the Six MWF Retrieves This setup allows you istovery tossinformative these lurespeople to master be that with a straight worm baits by growing light-tackle head options and remarkable distances, feel bites and set or a marabou jig. a video I review is called “The Ned Rigset to the braid to provide an invisible connection (Season Making Strategies cont. from page 4.) remarkable distances, feel bites and changed, and the muskies were not using to thefootball, braid toMusky provide an invisible connection (i.e., darter, shad, weedless, round the hook far out from the boat, and impart with Nedfrom Kehde” check out: to the cushion hooksets and help help in thedepth hook farhowever, out boat, andit impart these points, itthewas a lesson in Also, if you fishing in the evening, BE A STUDENT OF THE GAME – to the superline, superline, hooksets and head, etc.) and are your imagination isfrom your only (Unexpected Genius of cushion Lake Trout continued page 14.) https://youtu.be/qqGTzPt6TIQ?si=gRv_Fpause, reposition, and then follow your lure with eerie deliberation, you’ll know perfect lure action. Just remember that prevent bite-offs from larger fish. searching for adjacent spots to capitalize and the spot is frequently fished by others, perfect lure action. Just remember that MWF CAN LEAD THE WAY prevent bite-offs from larger fish. limitation! R0DB5GuY3exactly what’s happening. You’re encountering of the most intelligent fish in spring, cold water typically favours slow the situation. We checked the adjacent more than likely the area you found on spring, cold water typically favours slowFishing one is a learned sportextraordinary. and passion to be After listening to Versteeg’s mind-blowing NEW J-FLUORO LEADER —THE DAIWA PROCYON AL &PROCYON PROCYON MQmakes THE PHYSIQUE IS INTHE THE FRAME freshwater. And that every lakewith trout moment all the more that extends the spot will not get PROCYON fished. bays, to moderate lure action interspersed with and they allwalleye were holding muskies. — DAIWA AL & MQ PHYSIQUE IS IN FRAME For reference, light line to Gord is 6 pound to moderate lure action interspersed (Cash-in on green baits for cont. from page 21) Sidebar: a great angler must be a life-long pursuit. research it’ssee clear lake trout The perfect way to top offthat J-Braid line. So, even if–you another angler fish-deserve Different location, buta attract, the same result! long pauses to first then trigger fish test Fused braid on 7’6” GLoomis NRX FIND YOUR NEXT FISHING VACATION There are gimmicks that can distract you. long good pauses first attract, trigger fish 100% Fluorocarbon leader material. aretobladebaits, likethen a Berkley far more respect than the you old stereotype Also FIND YOUR NEXT FISHING VACATION ing the sweet spot, you know can OTHER COLOURS rod. For Ned, the line choice is the same; into striking. (Sidebar) MWF is no gimmick. MWF is a fundamental Parallel System into striking.in metallic perch or a with FISHEASY.CA ofFeaturing “simple deepwater cruisers.” Truth be ThinFisher return laterDaiwa because youLine have muskies with FISHEASY.CA but, wielded on a green 5’4” prism Z-Mantape. Drew philosophy spooling (DPLS). Available in 2 spool NOT TO BE IGNORED and blueprint for successful multiHeddon Sonar with adjacent toyard the sweet Five Ways to species Fish Smarter told, thinkers, learners, sizesthey’re —100 spools (2lbspot -20lb)waiting and strategists, Cast AIR ROTOR Reese Ned Rod. For myself, a ML 6’6” angling. Join Gord, Ned, and the out the lure, let it get to bottom, AIR ROTOR Whenyou youlocate locateactive activeJim biters, eitherdrop drop silver, and shadAIRcoloured 50you yard to spools (25lb – 80lb) softfor catch them. When biters, either BAIL navigators and individuals. Saric with aorPearl, 13Fishing OMEN similar braid snap it up, and let itrod sinkwith back to bottom. greats that came before AIR BAILus in the most hands1. Fish the “Decision Zones,” Not Just the Depth your anchor or, preferably, engage the Spotplastic minnows and swimbaits as DIGIGEAR beauty caugh your anchor or, preferably, engage the Spott #4 monofilament catches me a the bunch. Walleye typically strike during drop. on, light-line, DIGIGEAR well as hard-baits replicate baitfish. Lock feature feature onbait your Minn Kota trolling ADJACENT right at dark. also eat the offus the floor. “The more we learn SPOTS about trout cognition, They’ll multi-species, Lock on your Minn Kota trolling Versteeg’s work shows that lake trout constantly evaluateblack/grey-pearl, trade-offs – for example, Black-gold, and energy I find, less is more... Trying to forcemotor to hold the boat in place while fun fishing the more we realize just how complex these motor to hold the boat in place while While on the subject of extending costdoesn’t versus reward. So, insteadinformation of campingblue-silver out over one depth, target edges where cold are the other reliable This just apply to much emerald shiners. an amateur too adventurehard-baits that fishspot, reallyan are,” saysmore Versteeg. “They’re not Ifeed the often effective classic baitfish colour patterns. meets warm, where bait transitions from sparse to concentrated or where structure subtly walleye athave onceoften can observed be defeating and preferring takes away is Midwest out there drifting around. They’re making flashy approach is looking for adjacent baits when they’re feeding on make softens. These are the where trout make mistakes. the pure enjoyment ofzones MWF. I take a F decisions… i ngin e sclear s eandto spots that And might muskies. decisions. thathold changes everything.” From tannic waters, dangling the suspending baitfish. Three reliable trolling lot of people fishing during the season. Fishing! bobberand andlive liveminnow, minnow, bobber dangling the Last summer one early evening lures for this scenario are the Rapala purple baits are a must. Glow red 2. Treatthe Lakers Like Hunters, Wanderers bait in their faces for an extended While Midwest Finesse Not system period. in their faces for an extended period. Dancerthe in flash yellowretrieves, perch, Storm we muskies relating another extremely versatile It isfound a far more nuanced and to perceptive Tail employs 6 specific I findpaint is bait It’s not easy – but better than going home Madflash Deep in –green, About the It’s not easy but better than home points relatively sharpimagined. ThunderStick and routes productive finish worth having ingoing trout driftcompanions aimlessly they plan based on –memory and conditions. itLake useful to don’t get my started vision that than were most of us have ever skunked! Author: chrome, and orange, and a green and silver collection. breaking and not a “traditional” skunked! Mapone out the logical travel corridors, notyour just classic hotspots. Long, gentle breaks, subtle with of most the 6, the Straight Retrieve, Search fish Searchby by region, region,After fish catching one musky Bandit Deep custom-painted by Wackm Jeff Matitdy summer spot. that Charlie Brewer of the Slider Fishing mid-lake humps, and deep-basin “lanes” often reveal their habitual travel paths. “There’s a hidden accommodation J-BRAIDworld of fish cognition The D species, x8 basic approach to searching forLastly, getInyourself Tackle. species, accommodation some crankbaits, the past, anglers used to for such a spot, we visually looked around In the past, anglers used tofor saysay thatthat thethe company popularized back in 1970. GRAND x8 type, amenities and adjacent spots is to look for a nearby A Fishing Industry Professional nearly that we’re only just beginning to uncover,” woven strands. type, amenities and One Piece spoons, and bladebaits painted with One Piece and drove to four adjacent points that crappies were either “in” or “out” crappies were either “in” or “out” in in 3. or Make First onalsays casting Our“Lake most abrasion resistant more! The above lures emitfind a Count lot of holding flash, MONOCOQUE 30 years as a Fishing Guide & Promotional reef point if Contact you a bay more! MONOCOQUE Versteeg. trout are giving us a Saltwater Tough funky, custom-colour combinations. looked similar both visually and on the Saltwater Tough By starting with theSCAN Straight Retrieve, I find ance. braid yetZAION smooth and strong. spring, meaning they were shallow, (MQ) Frame spring, they were up shallow, but evenLikewise, subtle flickers green (MQ) ZAION VV Frame with meaning Bachelor’s Degrees inup both HERE SEEof are muskies. muskies usingForStaffer, Aluminum Frame SCANif HERE TOTO SEE Aluminum Frame from a new state-ofwindow intoMade that world – and it’s pretty whatever reason these completely map it to be an opportunity for the learning angler PROCYON AL SPINNING VIDEO Because trout learn from negative encounters, your first drop is often your best shot. AIR ROTOR & AIR BAIL , soft andchip. silent— PROCYON AL SPINNING VIDEO AIR ROTOR & AIR BAIL . relating toflooded flooded wood weed Science & Education, Jeff uses this training a powerful for anwalleye. relating tofinishes wood or orweed material “IZANAS” aare particular point, trigger look for adjacent looking can drive r allincredible.” applications the-art TOUGH DIGIGEAR toStart become familiar with the concept of theunnatural TOUGH DIGIGEAR with your highest-confidence presentation and your cleanest approach – especially in in his job as a Fisheries Professional & Several favourite soft-plastics contain cover... or they hadn’t come in yet, and were cover... orand they hadn’t yet, and were youtomake make repeated casts around boat. bay hold muskies, particularly ifthethe For moreinfo info visit:around Daiwa.us you repeated casts the boat. For more visit: Daiwa.us walleye wild,Educator who’s to come arguein with ever-so-important, Do Nothing retrieve. Amazingly, all of the other four points held green Outdoor (specializing in fishing via fleck in their bodies. These tiny winter. Don’t educate the trout before you fish for them. stillout out deep, not worth trying to catch until muskies seemed tocauses have disappeared still deep, not worth trying catch until If necessary, necessary, reposition thethe boatstraight, contact If reposition the boat totocontact biting fish. The presentation family business, GetFishing.ca) totoreach out muskies thatnext evening, and it the wasice, a great metallic squares reflect light, mimicking So, on your trip out onto when from the point. Also, if very there is an theyeventually eventually came shallow. Nowadays, shallow. Nowadays, www.JBraid.com additional biters. You can very effectively anyone interestedcame in learning about fish. Slider worm toofcoast orcan slide through additional biters. effectively the off aYou baitfish’s scales andthe tothey end the START day. The next day the pattern YOUR NOW! you to watch a mark rise on the sonar screen, adjacent SEARCH NOW! 4.sparkle Trigger Their Curiosity point nearby that could hold we know better. Crappies can be in, we know better. Crappies can be in, out,out, andand water giving off the ultimate impression giving the bait a natural appearance. cast and andas retrieve anX-Rap X-Rapininhigh highwinds winds cast retrieve an This spoon is well known as an ice-fishing muskies well. moving somewhere between, displaying moving in in between, displaying Just Fishing 12 Summer 2026 may seem like a small detail, you’d be 50 Just Fishing . 21 2024 Just Fishing . ..48 48 Fall 2025 Summer 2024 Winter 2020 (There’s NOFishing Such Thing ascontinued SAFE Ice! continued from page It 4.) 2019 43 23 Spring 36 Spring 18 32 Just Fishing 28 26 Winter Summer 2019 20 Lakers investigate disturbances. A sudden change – it apointed lift, asomewhere stall, a phenomenal fluttering drop, a protected direction Fall 2023 2018 22 that would otherwise drift abobber bobber rig too but 36 38 Winter 2022 that would otherwise drift abut rig too 2021 (The Super Smallmouth Factory continued from page 8.)have bait, is equally when (Jumbo Perch continued from page 22.) have a set that the ends of the picks by (Urban Ice 101 continued from page (Time to 2025 Weed Out Walleye from page 42.) maintains open access (Jumbo Perch continued from page 22.) (3 Seasons on the Ice continued from page 4.)33.) Lake trout and whitefish, fish that suspend during the winter, usually Sidebar surprised how even a small amount of glitter different degrees of aggressiveness, on any need to adapt. For example, longer lines, farther different degrees of aggressiveness, on any 36 18 Just Fishing . 20 change – often flips their intoand commitment. Think in you terms of patterns thatothers ask to Just Fishing vertically jigged from a to boat for walleye quickly the fishas aresponse. response. So often, maximizing your day aget retractable helps from stabbing yourself. quickly past the fish toto get ainterest the ice for The bar/ice chisel is. 7awalleye critical piece of safety “As an angler and ain young researcher, Iinwhich can make apast big difference the number ofsleeve IColour loveforementioned fishing locations where you can get and trophy pike get a lot more active as the snow melts and more lights starts to given day; or on the same day, depending on casting, and fishing low light hours. Or finding given day; or on the same day, depending There are lots of great presentations that There are lots of great presentations that makes a big spud difference and walleyes tend to have different #5: Stay Warm, Stay Out Longer relating to deep structure. questions theused trout feel compelled toshould answer. catching another musky can happen Older Boat? Ice atpicks alwaysIsbeYour wornBass around yourThan neck Your or kept inon an explore. bites you get. equipment which serves two purposes. Obviously, it is to was incredibly surprised how old these out of the same I’llI jig with a patterns Buck-Shot weather conditions and time day. and time of of day. apenetrate broken edge the or conditions clearing by will work on these massive perch atthis thismilfoil thespot. ice late inweather the Thesecaused fish are sight feeders andtoif will work on these perch atin preferences fromholes. lake toOften, lake so willfor usewalleye bright colour on massive by simply fishing an adjacent easily accessible pocket on season. your flotation suit. They’ll be no good Admittedly, during cold front conditions, Admittedly, during cold front conditions, check for thin weak ice but can also be employed to clear out old fish were,” Elliott admits. “I think the year While fishing from a portable fish house can be fun, it’s not always Next timejig youheads 6-pound Glow chartreuse are aare also worthsmallmouth, hard bottom. Spoon andare fordark mystained secondand line,natural I’ll soak a bigin cisco under aRippin’ tip-up time and ofYour course live bait such asemerald emerald time and of course live bait such asgo lakes that colours clear lakes. they can better, they’re going eatrelease better. When you catch a(21-year-old), musky and/or have 5. Match Strategy toif Trout Personality GLOWING SUCCESS you yousee through the ice andto your picks somewhere in the Take Home: Fishing we collected that I was only holes. Theon HTurban Premium Ice where Chisel is great choice because it carries crappies may not be on the chew. Fish are crappies may not be on the chew. Fish are practical waters you really need to stay on the take a moment to appreciate itsthem history. To only come prepared to fish them with To only come prepared to fish with having in your tackle box. Using one always work. standard dropshot shiners always work.itA A standard dropshot ashiners few follows and seems like the for On sometend waterbodies we even lake trout in these jigspike. and plastics to work better withrun 70into degree warmer water bottom ofdon’t your tackle bag. a few years older than that fish at the time. the weight (Approx. 7 lbs.) that is needed for a spud bar to work The last category of lures to showcase urban ice can be as simple move to find fish and stay Lastly, forget to bring your Frabill gives a presentation an extra bit of oomph. likely to drop back out of the shallows, likely to drop back out of the shallows, Dr. Elliott’s otolith (ear bone) aging revealed Bold hit fast. Cautious fish study. When youabobber see a rig trout and hold” sonar, is “rise itlate works plenty bobber rig isa mistake; a quickly mistake; itonin works plenty activity haswith increased rather than rig works great any type of live bait rig works great with any type ofthe live bait when jigging the rippin’ jig through vegetation, so befishlevel prepared for shallower areas. Obviously, ice conditions can change theas season are those with andimportant chartreuse Itthe really shows how itglow ishold to take properly and it also breaks down into two pieces making itgreen easier This can help attract walleye when using or as complicated you out of way of skaters that the average big bass in this system is Conservation Series net as there are some hog toward deeper water. They might in of times, but not all of the time. But if you don’t give up – change the cadence, not your toward deeper water. They might hold in of times, but not all of the time. But if you run far away, check an adjacent spot. that you may wish to try! Just make sure that you may wish toIf try! Just make sure crushing strikes from walleyes. Theyfoam have handle to hit hard to catch it! when they weather really starts to warm up, so pay attention to the finishes. Whether open-water fishing you do happen to break through the ice, the most important care of them, to get them to these ages”. live-bait, such as tipping a jig with a leech to transport. It also has a rubberized that has a heavyand paint dog walkers also 8.5 years old – but that’s just the average. make it, but we advocate walleyes on the weed edges. Get the onefull with the You’ll spend less time running and more arrive with your complement of of tackle lure. Slow the dance. Let them build confidence. with your full complement tackle deeper weeds oror along the of last deeper weeds along theremnants remnants of last that you obtain your minnows in the proper that you obtain your minnows in the proper or ice-fishing, there have been countless The couple years I’ve north to the Red Lake thing is not toarrive panic. Get back to the strongest ice that ice conditions and when it’s time tosame or nightcrawler. The rationale applies dutylast wrist strap of attached to it.beeninheading He identified one “senior citizen” that was 21 enjoying the ice. A better time fishing and most likely catching! the former to the latter. telescoping handle. You don’t want to lose your Anglers should also try cranking plastics: Just pitch out let it and techniques, you’re prepared to catch Boldwhen vs. shy trout require opposite pacing, and recognizing and techniques, you’re prepared to catch year’s deep weed line. They may simply times a glow bait has caught more Fishery Management Zone and keep your year’s deep weed line. They may simply Fishery Management Zone and keep your you’re aware of which is usually the ice that you’ve just when pairing a green glow jig head with a area for a late season ice trip and the fishing has been excellent with Perhaps the most enlightening part of the stop going out there, don’t take any years old. Anothe move –receipt which also reduces r Beautifu Anothe l l spouse’s big walleye ofthem the year! r Beautifu Go to out, drill holes, any conditions. sink and crank it back. Northland Fishing Tackle’s Mimic Minnow walleye than ainto non-glow version. This is that difference converts lookers into hookers. them in any conditions. inin case you’re stopped the MNR/ drop down into depressions ororby holes on the receipt case you’re stopped by the MNR/ drop down depressions holes on the soft-plastic. walked over. Useinyour ice picks help pullsome yourself up research, though, isit the “why” behind the plenty walleyes and big pike. I’m looking forward to making While of you’re walking out, thrust chances. “JUMBO ” Yellow Perch “JUMBO ” Yellow PLAN FOR A BLOW the amount of gear you Perch often most pronounced during twilight is arguable the best paddle tail plastic jumpslow-growing, around the lake or OPP or York Regional Police. All 3 agencies OPP or York Regional Police. All 3 agencies flats near the mouth of a bay. So these fish are long-lived onto the thicker ice while kicking with your feet to help flats near the mouth of a bay. massive size of the fish. when In most of North AllSun your ice chisel into the ice ahead from happen later this Lake protection is also ! to from and night, but also applies fishing Lake Simcoe ! need –Whether is attoagain wear your fish you need dodois experiment aSimcoe bit to All you need isyou’ve aget bit I have used on the market. The tail has a bass pond, and see if or you can find willing biters! It’s aexperiment great way toreminder off FAITH IN GREEN will enforce any regulation violations! you are fishing in summer will enforce any regulation violations! biological treasures. It’s a powerful force yourself out of the hole that fallen through. America, largemouth grow longer and of you with a reasonable amount deep, Iinlove overcast conditions, orPyzer in turbid vitally important – save Editor’s Note: Gord & Liam Whetter season. jumping The equipment available to ice house. determine where and how deep they’re biting, determine where and how deep they’re biting, light, fast wag that lookswater like amore fleeing baitfish the couch in the having to plan an elaborate “up fall, than likely you are going towinter that while fishery is “fast-growing” Once you’rewithout on Itop of the the ice stay spread out trip onthanks your heavier than smallmouth, but in Eastern In any case, when they drop down toward conditions. Logically, know going green matches In any case, when they drop down toward of force to test its thickness and your skin with a Fish on my snowmobile and and what approach they are responding tototo anglers today is as good as ever. Bait Company Mini Goby or a Great Lakes and what approach they are responding – it was definitely bottom one my go-to Bait Company Mini Goby or adecades Great Lakes encounter atthe least one of your days onand Gordof Pyzer is the 2009 Inductee Canadian Angler ofyou north” or–to some far-off destination –many attype least, consider it ice practice Because of size ofof the yellow perch that to Hall gobies, itor,still takes two belly crawl until reach what you feel is thick Because of the size the yellow perch that Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, the pigmentation of of walleye and display a basically negative quality. Make sure that you have Today’s high-tech ice bottom and display a basically negative Monkey performance face guard and stubby best. Always the remote Over the past twenty years the Finesse Drop Minnow. I giant. generally stay with allin the glow in collection, a7’7’ Fame, Fishing Editor –my Outdoor Canada Magazine, Field best. Always your trip, where the wind will be strong. baits last summer.getting IOf have tried larger Finesse Minnow. I itgenerally stay with produce aDrop true “ancient” for those tobut, places like Lake, ND, Lake of the we’re targeting, Ithey recommend at least ML ForDevils the entire interview enough totrips support your weight. Then isfor critical to get smallmouth arelures the undisputed kings. forage –guide maybe my fondness we’re targeting, Ithey recommend atearmarked least ML the strap on the ice chisel wrapped feeding attitude, are unlikely to pursue fishing winter wear, like gloves. feeding attitude, are unlikely to pursue Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon in supera good game Editor – In-Fisherman Magazine & Television, Co-Host – These are the days with 15-25 MPH water that is seemingly natural colours, although there will be those improvements in mapping, sonar, a good game fisheries scientist Evan paddletails with less success – walleyes don’t natural colours, although there will be those power rods like the Daiwa Aird-X models, Woods, and areas around thepartly Great emerald is myLakes. Irish heritage shining somewhere warm before hypothermia kicks in. power rods like the Daiwa Aird-X models, around your wrist just in case you Whitewater Fishing’s Great glo firetiger has been theabout mosttheir productive baits moving laterally heads. You In-Fisherman Ice Fishing Guide Television, Co-Host – get baits moving laterally about their heads. You plan winds. Often the gusts are higher. for all Versteeg click HERE. days when the bright chartreuse, pinks && everywhere up there. I’ve plan for all tackle and even snowmobiles to want to be kicked in the face when they are days when the bright chartreuse, pinks through. which are great value. Pairing one of these ROUND GOBIES: THE SECRET which are great value. Pairing one of–these “If you had food everywhere you looked, Good Luck Ripping and Rigging walleye over the years, which partly relates to how encounter really thin ice and your Lakes Insulated Proeating. jacket and bib are built for layering and The Real Fishing Radio Show, Host Fish Talk with can possibly still catch them by hunkering These are the days where your species, any can possibly still catchOne them by hunkering oranges will slay’ em! Sometimes species, in any some topIn terms jigexperienced head size for Minnesota oranges will em! Sometimes running around, have made itPresident easier toin find last recommendation: If you have pike, walleye, or bass in rods with aon sized spinning reel A throw rope (50-100 feet) isslay’ extremely useful inrunning the case INGREDIENT long its been the market and, thus, in my the minute you’re hungry, you can pick up rods with a1000/1500 1000/1500 sized spinning reel from the weeds! entire spud goes through it. of how “The Doc”, Outdoor Journal Radio & – keeping youbar comfortable no matter cold it gets. A good “A” spots are often not fishable. down with an anchor and fishing with a slip conditions. down with an anchor and fishing with a slip a “Donkey Rig” similar to one that we run No matter the reason, green baits conditions. and the Dakotas, 1/4 oz is a great size for notch walleye and lake a “Donkey Rig” similar to one that we the urban lake or pond you intend to fish, think about bringing arun and catch more fish under the ice. tackle collection. spooled up with 6-8 lb. test braid and a 4-6 where someone else falls through. The Rescue Throw something and eat it. You grow pretty fast, Canadian Angling Adventures Ltd. spooled up with 6-8 lb. test braid and a 4-6 Ifplan yourisice through the any open-water wind-exposed to chisel wear goes thermal long-johns underActually, the bib and jacket “It’s pretty safe to say that it’s the invasion consistently put fish in my boat. for ice fishing will get you numerous double most target depths. You can slowly tip it with a chunk oftest crawler for ice fishing get you numerous double tip-up (where two lines are legal), and pick up a as half-dozen And don’t forget troutspot fishing but the pike leader lb. fluorocarbon and you’ve got Bag from HTpretty Enterprises works great you hold on to Have ayou’ll great season out there! quick,” hewill says. “They really justlarge have ice, it out and back lb. test fluorocarbon leader and you’ve got may notor besmall fishable. So, need withpull something like up Whitewater’s Buoy HD Hoodie and/ Perhaps it’s best to leave it at that and of the round goby that we have to thank for headers. On the top hooks, a Mini Minnminnow, but I don’t usually have to in northern About the Author: minnows like suckers. Setting aand tip-up a couple paces away from Liam aPerch” passionate multi-species from headers. On the top hooks, awe’re Mini Minn to outfit. follow my fishing adventures on social theyour end of angler the rope throw the bag to person in aaMinnesota. perfect “Jumbo The longer fishing is asWhetter good asis“B”, I’ve an unlimited access to food andthe really About the Author: to rely on your “C” and even in same direction you perfect “Jumbo Perch” outfit. The longer or the a Whitewater Torquethat Heated Fishing Vest over the top for not overthink it. that,” says Elliott, who notes that research FIN or Micro Grubby from Grumpy Bait Ice picks such as these retractable ones Northwestern Ontario, always chasing the next bite no where you’re jigging is a great way to build anticipation in the distress. It is bright orange so it is easy for that person FIN or Grubby Grumpy Bai media! rod allows for greater casting and seeing that in their growthfrom rates now”. spots catch muskies. Indistances summer, Al Lindner ranks among the most renowned leaders inMicro thethe ever“D” seen on a to number of accessed thebattery-powered ice. rod allows for greater casting distances andGustafson Al Lindner ranks among the most renowned leaders in complete, control. from the lab has shown that the Editor’s Note: Jeff grew In terms of invasive species, temperature you should the alert that some matter theQueen’s season. He’s all about the pursuit, from frozen frombe HTon Enterprises are essential safety Company work great as aswell asallows creature prospect of a larger fish, which a lot of urban waters do have. to locate/catch it. The fifty feet of hi-vis rope you the big winds are usually southerly and in fishing industry. Averaging about 180 days a year on the water, Company work great well as creature you’re also able to take up a lot more line waters. There is simply a fishing industry. Averaging about 180 days a year on the water, you’re also able to take up a lot more line About the Author: Tim Allard is a full-time, awardvast majority of what smallmouth consume up on the shores of Lake of the lakes in the dead of winter to remote backcountry waters. lakes are changing and becoming cleargear dueanytime tothe the introduction to you head out on the ice. baits like True North Baits, Mini M’eh Fly! In contrast, largemouth bass remain fall the winds are Al isissetting hailed as one ofof the world’s best all-around anglers. tourban get help tojournalist that person without endangering And ifnortherly. your fishing group isTrue large, consider tip-ups baits like North Baits,several Miniyourself. M’eh Fly! when hook! winning outdoor and author/photographer Ice are another essential Al hailed as one the world’s best all-around anglers. #6: picks Be A Good Urban Icefeeders Fishing Steward ton of water to fish and ausually when setting hook! now is round gobies. Because the habitat With a fascination for aquatic biology, he’s nearly as Woods in Kenora, Ontario. He has About the Author: Brian “Bro” zebra mussels. These are filter that make the lake clear and “generalists,” eating a much more diverse Al’s long and honoured career as an author, syndicated of the book, Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide. and the same game plan. There’s nothing like sprinting toward a piece of ice safety equipment; Al’s long and honoured career as anincatching author, syndicated bunch of in big pike. I think obsessed with understanding fish as he is with them. preferences of smallmouth and gobies made his living theIf fishing community since hefish was a teenager Brosdahl, is a fishing guide and promoter. fish spookier, while other lakes are getting a lot more weed growth He’s a regular contributor to numerous North American you happen to locate over 10’ – While planning for your trip and Like camping on land, the rule here is pack – pack out. radio & TV fishing show host, video producer, fishing guide, diet and not capitalizing on the goby tripped flag setting the hook on a outdoor plus-sized fish after catching Some type of sounding device can definitely befish a life saver My go-to isisthrough some type of Iand like totoangler, Iffishing you happen to locate over 10’ – radio & TV fishing show host, video producer, guide, these will help you pull yourself out if you happen to go Liam’s experiences on the his storytelling, My go-to some type of jig, Ifuel like overlap so perfectly, the bass no longer have as ajig, tournament guide, writer and fishing it’s just far enough north One ofwater the most recognized and respected print and online publications. From panfish to northern than normal due to Eurasian Water Milfoil. This invasive weed can looking at the map, besides looking tackle manufacturer, lecturer and champion tournament angler has spanned 35 years of 15’, virtually any ice fishing presentation That means no garbage left on the ice! Besides the holes drilled, population to the same degree. This has smaller panfish all day! especially ifTim you are venturing alone. whistle a Series Classic combined an 1/8 oz. Ultra Tungsten ball jigjig tackle manufacturer, lecturer and champion tournament angler has 35 years of 15’, virtually anyA ice fishing presentation capturing the adventure, the work, and everything the ice. Many ice fishing tackle companies havejust ice picks combined an 1/8 oz. Ultra Tungsten ball to work hard for a high-calorie meal. pike, fishes whatever heinout can, whenever hespanned can. like promotor. In 2019 he is competing on the Bassmaster Elite anglers in North America – Bro, that the fish don’t get the most revolutionary years in sportfishing. grow fast to the surface in mats, pushing out existing weeds such as make sure you leave the site and the way you discovered it – or between.” the most revolutionary years in sportfishing. with either a 2 1/2” Z-Man GrubZ, a Grumpy (Continued page 12.) available in their lineup and they’re all pretty good. HT doesZ-Man (Continued page 25.) (Continued on 7.) addition to 7.) competing events in Ontario. Youonon can find either a 2and 1/2” a Grumpy as inGrubZ, he’s on page known, is ain several multispecies (Continued onpage page 25. a lotwith ofonpressure it’s (Continued cabbage. Milfoil weed edges change and expand a weekly basis. (The Ins & Outs of Early Spring Crappies cont. from page 21.) limit! multiply the multitude of soft (The Ins Further, & Outs of Early Spring Crappies cont. from page 21.)
WHAT’S YOUR YOUR BODY BODYTYPE? TYPE?
in even better condition. This will ensure the city where you live
Just 22 Just JustFishing Fishing. ...22 .16 610 Just Fishing 24 Just Fishing 22 the right type of water 24 Just Fishing . 34end of the world! Walleyes love milfoil and seem to But it’s not the
Now,Summer get out 2024 there and explore! And have a great winter! 2024 Spring 2026 Spring 2024 angler his influence and Fall him onbest socialknown media for at @gussyoutdoors on his website at: Winter 2026 Winter 2026 Spring 2023 Spring 202 Spring 202 on www.gussyoutdoors.com. the sport of ice fishing. He can be booked for guidedFall trips2026 at:
Fall Forage Connections for
M
By: Tim Allard
-
any predator-prey patterns unfold in lakes during autumn, but abundant, while in others systems pumpkinseeds will be most M it’s hard to ignore the significance of the largemouth-bluegill prolific, and big largemouth will seize any opportunity they can to connection. It’s no coincidence the locations of these two species fill their stomach with sunfish in the fall. commonly overlap, and anglers focusing on these areas are well positioned to catch giant largemouth. Here’s what you need to know to get on this reliable late-season bite.
HABITAT OVERLAP
Weed growth is prime real estate for bluegill and other sunfish species. Some of my favourite areas for largemouth in the SUNFISH SNACKS fall are expansive weedflats of milfoil, coontail, cabbage and A decent-sized bluegill represents a substantial meal for a other vegetation in 6 to 14 feet dropping into 18 to 22 foot flats. largemouth. Pure Fishing ambassador and fisheries biologist, Finding locations containing humps, saddles, and islands within Jason Barnucz offers the following comment about the importance weed beds – or in the adjacent deep water – adds structural of panfish populations for supporting quality largemouth fisheries. complexity and will boost the area’s appeal for all kinds of fish, bluegill and largemouth being no exception. “Most big southwestern Ontario largemouth feed on panfish, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and black crappie. Sure, there are golden shiner and other minnow species, but big fish want big meals and Expect the best habitat to hold the biggest bass. For anglers, this translates into finding spots containing several different panfish species fit the bill.” habitat features, such as stumps and logs within weedflats. Boulders, chunk rock, riprap, and other sizeable stones are also Autumn is as good a time as any to focus on this important. Absorbing and then radiating forage connection, if for no other reason than the the sun’s heat, their thermal output attracts fact bass are stuffing themselves leading into winter. minnows, bluegill, and largemouth. Experiencing consistent bites from chunk bass starts with getting around areas containing concentrations of sunfish. These rocky features, along with pea gravel and sand, also break up weed growth. Naturally, sunfish populations vary from one lake The result are pockets and lanes where to the next. On some waters, bluegill will be most bluegill often suspend, and largemouth lurk nearby waiting for opportunities to attack. Bluegills, along with other sunfish, are prime prey for largemouth in the fall.
Author, Tim Allard, with a largemouth taking from a weed bed heavily populated with bluegills & other sunfish.
Likely no surprise, fishing weedlines is a smart strategy. Deep, outside weedlines often hold quality largemouth in autumn. Big bass also like weed points extending from the main weed flat into deeper water.
Inside turns are another important feature. Bluegill like lingering in these places. I recently was speaking with Lund Boats pro and angling educator Joel Nelson of Minnesota on panfish behaviour. His take is inside turns provide sunfish a certain degree of security, offering cover from three different directions. The school can suspend out of veg, but easily slip back into the weeds at the first sign of trouble, except for the slow ones falling victim to largemouth and attacks from other predators. (Continued on page 38.)
Just Fishing . 36
Fall 2026
(Fall Forage Connection: Largemouth – Bluegills continued. from page 36.)
nice bladed jig worth checking out. Some other trailers to consider are Rapala’s CrushCity Freeloader in green pumpkin and sungill, and Storm’s Largo Shad in live bluegill.
Shallow, inside weedlines can be magical places in September and early October when the die-back of vegetation opens up more space within previously weed-choked areas. Minnows, sunfish, and bass occupy shorelines and shallow flats for a final phase of warm-water foraging before much of the food chain moves out to deep, healthy more important than weed growth as water temperatures drop. Despite this general Perhaps pattern, I’ve caught quality bass from these areas later in autumn appearance, though, is that bladed swim jigs let you cover water fast. Making a during warming trends. long cast is easy with a 1/2- to 3/4-ounce bait. The blade’s heavy vibrations attract FALL PRESENTATIONS FOR SUNFISH EATERS fish. It also gives the lure an evasive A handful of baits will do you just fine for getting on a steady swimming action appealing to bass. bluegill-inspired bite in the fall. Using a lure emulating the size and colour of a scrumptious sunfish is a good idea. Another perk is that Berkley’s PowerBait Gilly However, lures don’t need to be perfect a bladed swim jig looks the part & catches bluegill lookalikes still produce bites fishes well in weedy largemouth. (see sidebar). Here are some favourites, with habitat. Snags aren’t tips on how and where to fish them. unavoidable, but a good rip usually clears the lure and often triggers strikes.
BLADED SWIM JIGS
A bladed swim jig is a meal-sized offering around five inches when paired with a trailer for added girth, length, and action. I’ve done well with green pumpkin and bluegill-coloured Berkley SlobberKnockers with a PowerStinger trailer and Z-Man’s ChatterBait JackHammers with a Razor ShadZ trailer. Ontario’s Weapons of Bass Destruction also makes a
Bladed swim jigs are an excellent presentation for catching bass that are eating bluegills.
In fact, ripping bladed swim jigs is so effective that it’s worth doing on purpose. Simply let the lure fall onto the top of the weed canopy, then give the rod a hard snap to pull the jig free before letting it drop again. It might seem counterintuitive, but this aggressive tactic can get sluggish bass chewing.
Not every retrieve needs extreme action to trigger strikes. Bass regularly strike a steady swimming bladed jig. Remember to vary the retrieve, using short bursts of the reel handle for a half or a full turn. Pulling the rod forward and then pointing it back to the bait also works.
TIP: Overcast and choppy water can make it hard to see if sunfish are found where you’re fishing. This is why I always carry a panfish rod in the boat. A few casts with a 1/16-ounce jig and plastic will tell you pretty quickly if there are sunfish in the area. As an added bonus, you’ll discover great autumn locations for panfish.
CRANKBAITS Cranks complement ChatterBaits to a certain degree. Both are horizontal presentations well suited for covering water and triggering strikes, but each have different swimming actions and vibration attributes. Also, cranks float when paused; jigs sink. Having the two lets you experiment to learn what bass like best. When weeds die back and largemouth are still shallow in early fall, a squarebill crankbait, like a Rapala BX Brat, with a 2- to 5-foot running depth is a good choice. Picking out targets and planning casting angles to have the lure swim through open lanes, across sunken logs, and over rocks is a productive, fun, and engaging way to catch a lot of largemouth. (Continued on page 39.)
Just Fishing . 38
Fall 2026
Again, anomalies in habitat are key. Look for weed points, It’s hard to go wrong retrieving a shallow-running crankbait inside turns, and saddles. Mixing up the retrieve speed to portray through the open water above a weedbed when bass are active on evasiveness and vulnerability caters to a largemouth’s predatory instincts and gets you more bites. A burn-kill, sprint-stop pattern overcast days. Ditto during light to moderate winds. can be especially productive when cranking. (Fall Forage Connection: Largemouth – Bluegills continued. from page 38.)
Getting the running depth right is key. In my experience, having the lure ticking the top of weeds every so often is a reliable baseline when cranking veg for largies. In rocky terrain, getting a squarebill to hit and then deflect off of objects is a proven tactic for triggering largemouth.
Unfortunately, floating, cut weeds are like Kryptonite for cranks, fouling trebles and draining the lure’s bass-catching superpowers. Occasional hitchhikers come with the territory and are often easily removed with a rod snap, but when the lure’s frequently collecting grass, it’s a good idea to switch to a less snag-prone presentation.
SWIMBAITS Bluegill-inspired soft-baits are not new, but in recent years a few new products have come to market. One I’ve played around with a bit is Berkley’s PowerBait Gilly. It certainly looks the part in terms of shape, colour, and action.
A Rapala BX Brat fooled this largemouth that was hunting bluegills on a weed flat in October.
Using crankbaits running between 6 to 12 feet are good at catching largemouth relating to deep weeds. When the stars align, you can have a pretty magical day working along a weedflat’s outside edge with a crank.
Slowly reeling a nose-weighted 4.5-inch Gilly rigged Tex-posed on a 4/0 EWG hook has caught largemouth abiding around rock and sparse weeds near shore in October. Pausing to let the Gilly slowly sink as well as add some faster turns of the reel handle before slowing again triggered bites. I’ve also used the 3.5-inch Gilly as a trailer for a bladed swim jig. This adds more bulk to an already substantial presentation and brings a nice tail-kicking action to the derrière.
(Continued on page 40)
ENGINEERED ARMOR-POINT FOR ANGLERS
(The Ins & Outs of Early Spring Crappies cont. from page 21.) (Whirling, Twirling Walleye Baits continued from page 46.) (Season Making Strategies cont. from page 4.) to the braid toMusky provide an invisible connection
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Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 39
(Fall Forageand Connection: Largemouthfeel –were Bluegills cont.and from pg.set 39) (Season Making Strategies cont. from page 4.) remarkable distances, bites changed, the muskies not using to the braid toMusky provide an invisible connection (Sidebar) the hook far out from the boat, and impart these points, however, it was a lesson in Also, if you are fishing in the evening, to the superline, cushion hooksets and help Storm’s Largo Shad is available in an PROFILE PERFECTION for adjacent spots to capitalize and the spot is frequently fished by others, searching perfect lure action. remember that ultra-realistic live Just bluegill pattern. prevent bite-offs from larger fish. NOT ALWAYS CRITICAL the situation. We typically checked the adjacent more than likely the area you found on spring, cold favours slow There are alsowater internally weighted sunfishthat extends the spot willDAIWA not get PROCYON fished. bays, they all were muskies. —holding ALmoderate &and PROCYON MQlike THE PHYSIQUE THE FRAME inspired swimbaits, Savage Gear’s to lure action interspersed with IS IN Largemouth aren’t typically as fussy about So, even if you see another angler fishDifferent location, but the same result! ultra-realistic 3D Bluegill. Hinged, harda presentation looking realistic as some long pauses to first attract, then trigger fish FIND NEXTyou FISHING VACATION ing theYOUR sweet spot, know you can bodied swimbaits in bluegill profiles, other fish, such as brook trout, for instance, into striking. return later because you have muskies with FISHEASY.CA like Jackall’s Gantarel Jr., present more but it helps having a few bluegill lookalikes adjacent to the sweet spot waiting options. AIR ROTOR Yet, I’ve also learned for you to catch them. When you locate active Jim biters, either Saric with adrop tied on variousAIRrods. BAIL not to sideline lures not “fitting the profile”. beauty caugh your anchor or, preferably, engage the Spott DIGIGEAR SKIRTED BASS JIGS The thin profile of a jerkbait is a far cry from a ADJACENT SPOTS rightKota at dark. Lock feature on your Minn trolling sunfish’s portly proportions, but I’ve caught When tofast swimming motor holdretrieves the boatwith in place while a lot of largemouth that didn’t seem to mind – While on the subject of extending presentations aren’t cutting the mustard, it’s the spot, an often more effective likely time to try a more vertical presentation including bass that had a sunfish’s tail sticking approach is looking for adjacent and some bottom contact. A champion choice out of their gullet. I’ve also boated bass using a spots that might hold muskies. coloured Rapala BX Mid Brat squarebill is a skirted bass jig outfitted with a soft Mossy bobber and live minnow, dangling the Last summer one early evening with crayfish markings. plastic chunk trailer, which is certainly bulky bait in their faces for an extended period. we found muskies relating to enough to match the general proportions of It’s not easy – but better than going home points that were relatively sharp a bluegill. SWIM JIGS breaking and not a “traditional” skunked! Search by spot. region,After fish catching one musky summer basic approach to skirt searching Black/blue is a reliable colour,forand There’s a case to be made for fishing with nonspecies, accommodation for such a spot, we visually looked around The In theswim past,jigs. anglers used the Outfitted withtoasay weedthat guard, spotsplenty is to oflook for a nearbyjig vibrating type,drove amenities you’ll find sunfish-inspired One Piece and to and four adjacent points that adjacent crappies weregeteither “out” in tight to“in” cover,orand provide reef point if you find a bay holding MONOCOQUE skirtorcolours. A splash of chartreuse, purple, these lures let you looked more! similar both visually and on the Saltwater Tough spring, meaning theyfinesse were up shallow, (MQ) ZAION V Frame intrusive and more presentation muskies. Likewise, ifHERE muskies SCAN TO SEEyouare Aluminum Frame yellow, and orange can help dialusing in local a less map chip. PROCYON AL SPINNING VIDEO AIR ROTOR & AIR BAIL relating to jig.flooded orZ-Man’s weed a vibrating Berkley’swood Swim Jig, a sunfish particular point, look adjacent colourations. Pairfor jigsanwith a trailer than TOUGH DIGIGEAR cover... or they hadn’t come in yet, and bay to hold muskies, particularly if the are makeForrepeated the boat. new EVO Swim Jig, and WOBD Swim Jigwere more info visit: around Daiwa.us in green, blue, or casts other bluegill-colour Amazingly,Order all of the Online other four points held you muskies seemed to have disappeared still out deep, not worth trying to catch until three to I’ve been playing with in late summer If necessary, reposition the boat to contact combination. Trailer options abound, and muskies that evening, and it was a great from the point. Also, if there is an www.limestonelures.ca and eventually look forward came to usingshallow. more thisNowadays, fall. additional can very effectively it’s a good biters. idea to You experiment with different they end to the START day. YOUR The SEARCH next day NOW!the pattern adjacent point nearby that could hold shapes achieve different cast andtoas retrieve X-Rapprofiles, in highactions, winds we know better. Crappies can be in, out, and muskies well. an moving somewhere in between, displaying and fall And, if this seems that would otherwise drift a22.) bobber rig this too Bass that are lounging near the lakebed will (Jumbo Perchrates. continued from page different degrees of aggressiveness, on any presentation is more aa response. crayfish So often, day than and a pounce on a jig hopped along the bottom. quickly pastmaximizing the fish tolike getyour given day; or on the same day, depending on There are lots good of great sunfish, there’s oddspresentations bass goingthat to A catching another musky canarehappen swimming, shaking, and, sometimes, weather conditions and time day.rod bent. will simply work perchspot. at this snapping pounce on itonfishing if these given massive the by an chance. adjacent retrieve can also getof your Admittedly, during cold front conditions, time and of catch coursealive bait such as emerald When you musky and/or have crappies may not be on the chew. Fish To only come prepared to fish them with jig’s head design and brushlike guard let Water shiners always work. standard dropshot aThe few follows and itA seems theare depth and drop-speed considerations likely tolevel drop back out the a bobber rig is a mistake; it works plenty you fish tighter toincreased cover and work along activity has rather than rig works great with any of type ofshallows, live bait are two factors influencing what jig weight bottom –away, both wish of which are good places to of times, but not all of the time. But if you toward water. might hold in run check an adjacent spot.sure that far youdeeper may toThey try! Just make and jig, but 3/8 to 3/4 ounces will cover a get bait when are not remnants actively feeding You’ll spend less time running and arrive with your full complement of tackle deeper weeds orbass along the of last lot thatayou obtain your minnows in themore proper of scenarios. or in a funk. You’re still fishing the same time fishing and most likely catching! year’s weed line.Zone Theyand may simply Fisherydeep Management keep your and techniques, you’re prepared to catch vegetation-centric locations mentioned Another Beautiful thembluegill in any conditions. receipt in case stopped the on MNR/ drop down intoyou’re depressions or by holes the A swimming within striking “JUMB above, PLAN but dealing with smaller strike O” Yellow Perch FOR A BLOW OPP or York Regional Police. All 3 agencies flats near the mouth of a bay. distance is a sight largemouth find difficult from Lake aSimco windows and, a lot of times, largemouth All you need do is experiment bit e!to will enforce any Whether you areregulation inviolations! summer to resist, especially in the fall when bass are positioned down infishing the water column. or determine where and how deep they’re biting, fall,any more likely going to on the feed. Whether pursuing a personal In case,than when theyyou droparedown toward and approach they are to Bait what Company or responding a Great Lakes encounter least of your onthat best Becausepitches ofatthe size ofgood yellow perch or out for Mini a funGoby day eager to reel in Short areone for days dissecting bottom and display athe basically negative best. Always Finesse Minnow. I generally with your where the wind will strong. we’retrip, targeting, Ithey recommend 7’ ML bass of Drop any size, you’ll be wellstay served irregular weedlines as unlikely wellatbeleast asto hitting feeding attitude, are pursue anatural goodcolours, game These are the days with Aird-X 15-25 MPH although will bluegill be those power rods like thelaydowns Daiwa models, focusing on areas home there to both key targets (e.g., along a deep baits moving laterally about their heads. You winds. Often areonehigher. plan for and allusing daysbass, when the bright pinks & which are great the value.gusts Pairing of these and thechartreuse, fishing techniques shoreline, within cabbage). can possibly still by hunkering These are boulders the catch daysthem where your species, in any rods with 1000/1500 sized reel doranges Long casts excel for moving bit quicker i s c u s swill e d slay’ em! Sometimes running “A” spotsaan are often not aspinning fishable. down with anchor and fishing with a slip conditions. a “Donkey through cover, such aswind-exposed flats and thisRig” similar to one that we run spooled sparse upany with 6-8 lb. test braid andpoints a 4-6 above Actually, open-water for ice fishing will get you numerous double adjacent tonot thebeoutside edge a weedbed. lb. test leader and you’ve spot mayfluorocarbon fishable. So,of you’ll needgot autumn. About theeven Author: a perfect Perch” Theyour longer headers. On the top hooks, a Mini Minnto rely on“Jumbo your “B”, “C” outfit. and or Micro rod allows for greater casting and FIN “D” spots to catch muskies. summer, Al Lindner ranks among theIndistances most renowned leaders in the Grubby from Grumpy Bait Company work great as well as creature About the able Author: Allard is days ainline full-time, the big winds are Averaging usually southerly and fishing industry. a year onawardthe water, you’re also to takeTim upabout a lot 180 more winning outdoor and best author/photographer baits like True North Baits, Mini M’eh Fly! the fall the winds are journalist usually northerly. Al is setting hailed as one of the world’s all-around anglers. when hook! of the book, Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide. Al’s long and honoured career as an author, syndicated He’s a&planning regular contributor to video numerous American Iffishing you happen While for your tripI like and North radio TVisfishing show host, producer, guide, to locate fish over 10’ – My go-to some type of jig, to print and online publications. From panfish tournament to northern angler has spanned 35 years of looking at the map, besides looking tackle manufacturer, lecturer and champion 15’, virtually any ice fishing presentation combined 1/8whatever oz. Ultrahe Tungsten ball jighe can. pike, Tim an fishes can, whenever the most years in sportfishing. with eitherrevolutionary a 2 1/2” Z-Man GrubZ, Grumpy (Continued onapage 7.) (Continued on page 25.)
WHAT’S YOUR BODY TYPE?
40 Just Fishing . 22
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Drawing from three decades on the water, this fishing guide imparts some of his hard-won wisdom
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If you fish from a boat, bibs and long jackets are perfect, but wading anglers need breathable waders built for the worst with heavy insulation underneath.
I
Indeed, heavy neoprene waders have been popular for decades, but they are bulky and uncomfortable and trap perspiration, which ultimately chills the wearer. If you don’t pay extra attention to these basic winter steelhead fishing needs you will be miserable – end of story. Make the proper investments and quit pretending But perhaps no other fish draws anglers into the realm of obsession you can handle it with summer or fall gear... you, in fact, cannot. as the mighty steelhead. These migratory, outsized rainbow trout can drive folks to a point that transcends what the everyday angler can even comprehend. n the world of freshwater angling there are people who become focused on a species or a given style of fishing. There are walleye guys, bass guys, muskie guys, panfish guys, and don’t forget the carp guys. And, of course, each category has gals too!
Depending on your geography, you can pursue steelhead for most of the year, but late fall into winter is the pinnacle period. Sometimes, the best fishing opportunities are associated with brutal cold and snowy conditions, summoning the ate-up, borderline derelict anglers out into the stormy gloom of winter for one tug or float drop. I’ve been guiding steelhead anglers for nearly 30 years – and I have seen things... I’ve watched fish pushing 25lbs shatter thousand-dollar rods like match sticks, failed reel drags seize, and perfectly normal, productive members of society say to hell with the real world, steelhead are my focus now. The following is my ultimate getup for wintertime steelies. It’s been a fun ride, too, and like most guides, I sometimes take all the knowledge for granted. So, here’s a list of things you may or may not be cognizant of, but if you want to chase the mighty chrome bullets of winter, give them consideration... Clothing: If you fish where winter weather is a reality, you’ll need proven, up to the challenge gear. This includes legit baselayers, socks, midlayers, and outerwear that is non-binding with some stretch, breathable, waterproof, with non-bulky insulation.
Spawning Activity: Non-spawning fish will immediately focus on the “egg hatch” created by spawning fish such as salmon (fall) and steelhead (winter/spring). This is a steadfast rule you can capitalize on. When other anglers are busy “flossing” spawners off the gravel beds, fish the drops and “egg dumps” immediately downstream and you’ll find the feasting fish. This happens in the fall and winter when salmon species are actively spawning or post spawn when dead salmon litter the rivers and eggs are tumbling about. If you can find salmon, brown trout, or early steelhead spawning activity on beds, you will often find steelhead near that polished gravel eating dislodged eggs and aquatic insects. This includes slightly deeper “dark water” adjacent or immediately downstream. Whether you fish real eggs, yarn or beads, if there is a lot of spawning activity you can hook a steelhead in a mud puddle in the parking lot at the boat ramp. (Continued on page 43.)
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Fall 2026
(Cold Steel continued from page 42.)
Water temps are critical this time of year. Steelhead generally spawn when the water is above 40-ish Fahrenheit. Yes, I’ve seen steelhead do it in 38-degree water, but those are super “ripe” summer-runs that had been in a holding pattern for months. I’ve also seen steelhead pull it off in much warmer water, but the magic numbers are the 40’s and low 50’s. Why is this important? Because prespawn and dropback or kelt (spawned-out) steelhead will hit the egg buffet. Note, when water drops below 38o Fahrenheit or so, migration and spawning activity will cease. In large rivers this is important because your favourite stretch may have hit the bad cycle and ended up with very few if any fish, while only a few miles away in another stretch there are hordes of them. Keep looking!
Equipment: Except for fish exhausted from long migrations,
fall/winter steelhead are one of the hardest fighting, chippiest fish you’ll encounter in North American waters. They rip drags wide open and jump into logs on the bank and pile into boulders like an Indy Car hitting the short chute wall at Indianapolis. Utter chaos and calamity, and the aftermath is often broken stuff, including terminal tackle, rods and even reels, and of course fishing line.
I cannot stress this enough... use the very best gear and be sure it is in perfect repair. Check knots, sharpen hooks, look for scuffs on the line and do it chronically! Use micro-swivels with a hi-breaking strength – I test them by breaking them. Drags should be smooth and capable of serious heating and stress. I once watched a cheap spinning reel start smoking under extreme steelhead duress and eventually melt – true story. Whether it’s conventional tackle, center pin, or fly gear... your stuff must be ready for a NASA mission to Planet Steelhead. Make the investment and take the time to coddle gear because it will absolutely pay off in the end.
The Issue of Ice: Anyone who has fished in freezing
conditions has experienced the irritation of frozen guides and reels. There are all kinds of hacks when it comes to ice, but in the end, it’s unavoidable. Options include applying cooking spray such as PAM to the guides, bees wax based lip balm, or Stanley’s Ice Off paste. I have used all of them and also like to wipe the rod blank and guides down with Rain-X. They even have pre-soaked wipes available. Honestly, the good old extended rod dip in the water melts pesky build-up as well. (Continued on page 44.)
Fall 2026
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Just Fishing . 43
(Scoping Walleyes continued from page 28.) (Cold Steel continued from page 43.)
the water and, you guessed it, catch more Reels tend to hold up better, but it can be hard on them. Try to keep walleye. them dry and avoid dipping them in the water. Fly reels with hightolerances and cork dragsisdesigned for saltwater applications are One consistent strategy using forwardpoorly sonar suited to forquickly winter fishing. facing survey Reels areas with and sloppier actions and loose tolerances with drags can chew through determine whether fishstainless/Delrin are present or not. frozen actions guts much easier than something that costs two Digital fishingandcharts, waypoints, sideor three times much, damaging the reel. imaging, and as2D sonarwithout remain important
Speaking of temperatures, steelhead will still take lures, flies, and bait when the water is liquid ice but anything under 34oF is going to require an immense amount of patience and focusing on the exact 15 or 20 minutes of peak water temp. In some streams “anchour ice” may form, which is a unique situation when the water temp dips below freezing but moves with enough velocity to prevent surface ice from forming and instead forms on the bottom shellacking everything with ice, which makes wading sketchy if you don’t have studs or cleats.
technologies for identifying and navigating During the winter run, water temps are often in the mid to upper SLOW DOWN: Fish withareas. purpose avoid faster sections Fishing guideof Greg30’s Amiel to potentially productive Butand after withuses peak temps usually mid-afternoon and this carries through river unless you can get your rig all the way to the bottom and LiveScope to ensure his trolling but drops quickly with low sun or no sun. These peak arriving at the location, many walleye early evening, bounce a drift ripping up top. This stay is a indaily the strike and chain casting a Rapala pros won’t evenunderneath wet a linethe unless theycurrent see presentations tempszone and sunGarmin’s will sort LiveScope of kick startPlus the food with some common way to fish for steelhead, and trout in general, in fast of suspending, big-water walleyes. Jigging Rap, or andeven working through a milk-run, aquatic insects moving around hatching (see little black walleye, or at the very least a decent amount water, but on when fishingscreen. for winter steelhead, the water can be winter stoneflies), while for example. minnow activity increases in the shallows. of baitfish the sonar akin to liquid ice. During winter, steelhead are typically located in Overall, it’s a good time to focus your effort because steelhead may moderatecontinue to slow getting currentsmore near refined heavy cover timber and be inclined briefly get off couch move trolling around aefficiency. little bit. Anglers aretoalso using livethe sonar toand enhance Things when such pros asbegin fishing boulders, in depths that afford some solitude and security. It’s going I witnessed this firsthand in the boat with Greg Amiel an area. For instance, forward-facing sonar allows an angler to Winter steelhead fishing cana beGreat one of Lakes the mostwalleye rewarding fishing to be a long winter’s rest until water temps come back up into the (www.fishing4tails.com), specialist. work a specific piece of structure quickly and efficiently. In this experiences an angler may experience. It’s usually peaceful, spawning youable are fishing bait, beads nymphs float,on yarn Amiel Zen-like. has a Garmin’s LiveScope mounted on given a pole way, they’re to maximize theirorcatch, andunder then amove to almost You can get into ittransducer and not expect much on a bottom-bouncing drift rig, swinging streamers with sink tips, that’s secured but within a mounting bracket the next spot. This is a common approach for Dylan Nussbaum, the conditions the next thing you know, on youthe arestarboard caught upside, in or back trolling plugs… be sure your presentation spends a lot of a 911 fishing situation with a chrome bullet steelhead. I highly a National Walleye Tour pro from Pennsylvania, when using (Continued on page 32.) time in the deep, fishy zones. recommend giving it a try!
BRUCE WHITE Marine Sales & Finance
(613) 257 - 1772 brucewhite@cpmarine.com 1703 9th Line Beckwith Carleton Place ON K7C 3P2
30 Just Fishing . 44
Spring 2026 Fall 2026
F o r t he L o v e o f COOKING
COOKING Just recently, I was chatting with our good friend and long-time
contributor, Gord Pyzer about the importance of “food simplicity”. As many could attest, the simplest dish can prove to be challenging as there are no dominant and overpowering flavour ingredients to overtake the palate.
By: Cameron Tait
Food creations are inspired for many reasons; this recipe is no exception. After a recent fishing trip, I needed something simple yet hearty to fill the void. Off to the fridge and pantry to see what was available, this is where it’s fun to experiment with food. Gather, chop, sauté and sample, and most of all, have fun!
This soup has flavour touches of rich butter, mellow onions, sweet walleye and a hint of fragrant lemon. Never mind if this soup is made in the winter or summer months, it will surely be a friend and family favourite!
LEMON WALLEYE FLORENTINE SOUP WITH ORZO (Yield: 4 Servings)
INGREDIENTS: 250 ml Heavy Cream 30 ml Butter 2/3 Cup Orzo Pasta 1 Medium Onion, small dice 1 Lb Walleye Fillets, 1 inch dice 2 Cloves Garlic, chopped 4 oz Spinach 2 Carrots, diced Zest of 1 lemon, and slices 1 L water or chicken stock Kosher Salt & Pepper DIRECTIONS: In a heavy bottom pot, set heat to medium, melt butter
then sweat onions, garlic and carrots for 10 minutes. Add water or stock, and cream, bring to a simmer then add orzo and cook for an additional 10 minutes. After, add walleye and cook for 5 minutes then add spinach, lemon zest and lemon slices, adjust seasoning. Bring soup back to a light simmer, stirring gently to keep walleye chunks whole. Serve immediately. Happy Cooking! Editor’s Note: Cameron is an Avid outdoors person, a competitive angler, 2-time Gold and 3 time Silver medal winning chef at the World Culinary Olympics. Cameron is currently a Hospitality Culinary Analyst at Sysco Winnipeg. Cameron has achieved his Certified Chef du Cuisine, his Red Seal Chef plus his Certificate in Adult Education (CAE). Cameron also writes for Outdoor Canada and In Fisherman magazines. Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 45
rise-and-fall movement. Done right, the jig looks like a minnow lazily cruising above the weeds – and crappies rise out of pockets and crush it.
Boat Control
S
By: Al Lindner
S
ometimes, fish follow the rules – Sometimes, not. Unusual weather patterns can advance or delay fish movement from one seasonal pattern to another. Here are a couple of good examples where casting outproduced traditional vertical jigging for fall crappies.
Early-Fall, In-Between Locations A warm, lingering fall had water temperatures still hanging in the 60s, well past when we’d expect turnover to push crappies out to the basin, where we normally vertically jig for them. Instead, fish were where you wouldn’t expect them – buried in dense, deep weed beds.
We used Spot-Lock to hold position upwind, then cast with the wind. Casting into or across the wind creates slack and kills sensitivity – two things you cannot afford when bites are subtle. With a light breeze (around 10 mph), this setup allowed us to: Maintain tight line control, detect light “ticks” or weight changes, keep the jig tracking naturally through the strike zone.
Equipment
When you’re fishing light jigs at long distances, every component matters. We chose as our main line Sufix Revolve (6-pound-test), with a 8-pound fluorocarbon leader. When you’re fishing light jigs at long distances, every component matters. We chose thin-diameter Revolve, which allows for long casts up to 70-plus feet, which is huge for covering expansive flats and to maintain tight line control. It detects light “ticks” or weight changes and keeps the jig tracking naturally through the strike zone.
A 7-foot light, extra-fast rod is ideal. We used models from St. Croix Rods – a perfect blend When crappies do this, they don’t of a fast tip for weed deflection scatter; they group up. And if you just for large gamefish. and hooksets with a soft aren’t aits crankb g sinkin ted, Weigh can dial in the system, it’s one of Crappies love ‘em, too! midsection for fighting crappies the most efficient, high-action bites with light-wire hooks. This setup allows us you’ll experience all year. Depth Control to maintain line control, detect light (ticks) One takeaway from this pattern is most or weight changes, while keeping the jig Swimming Jigs Over anglers miss fish because they’re fishing tracking naturally through the strike zone. Heavy Cover too low. We were positioned over 18 feet of We weren’t pitching plastics. We weren’t water, but the fish were suspended around Reel-wise, we used a 1000–2000 size vertical jigging. Instead, we used one of the 10 feet – right on top of thick coontail and spinning reel like the Daiwa Ballistic most underutilized crappie tactics out there: milfoil. That required counting the jig down MQ LT featuring a smooth, low-friction Swimming a hair or feather jig over the and keeping it in that strike zone. performance, magsealed construction for tops of submerged weeds. durability and excellent line management The retrieve was simple. By casting long, for long casts. The bait of choice was a VMC Moonfly Jig, counting it down (in this case, to about built with a feathered profile that naturally 10), then slowly pulling the bait forward, Not All Weed Flats Are breathes and holds shape in the water. Unlike picking up the slack. Then let it glide and Created Equal plastics, there’s no constant adjustment, fall slightly, then repeat... We focused on deep milfoil and coontail no tearing, no wasted time. Cast, retrieve, and fish – over and over again with total No snapping. No aggressive jigging. around 16 to 18 feet deep with subtle Just a controlled swim with subtle irregularities like points on flats and areas efficiency. (Continued on page 47.)
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Fall 2026
the word out about Mindful Fishing. The program (Fall Crappies continued from page 46) a couple of On families out as well.” Chr the particular lake we gives clients a chance to give their mind a break and chose to fishWomen this day, the often promotes Ontario Angler where weeds topped out around the depth of the fish. “If you’re fishing summer (10 Mistakes You Need to Fix continued from page 17.) concentrate on the moment. She matches the18.) fishing (Picking up tricks frommedia other fromHare’s page 18.) Ear, stoneflies, and (Fall & Winter Steelhead On The Fly continued from page 24.) “If you’re fishing summer (10 Mistakes You Need toFacing Fix continued from page 17.) (The Serge in Forward Sonar continued from page 18.) (Minnow Baits continued fromanglerscontinued pageso28.) (The Serge in Forward Facing Sonar continued from page With social smaller flies like With social media so fish weren’t grouped up Using electronics with depth highlight features, we its various initiatives, like the MasterinA SIDEBAR: SIDEBAR: spots and they aren’t spots and they aren’t experience with their personality and budget. (Opening Day Walleye continued from page 2.) prevalent these days, it dand add a long 6or 8-lb tippet, with an indicator. prevalent these days, it Bassmaster Elite Series competitors posting photos and videos nymphs with athe bit of flash often make the Bassmaster Elite Series competitors posting and videos How you thehook hook depends onits its size, diameter and the boat. I’m abuggy believer thathave putting your bait incan front ofyou fish Memories On IceLine continued from page 26.) “Big” massive schools like How you setset the depends on size, diameter and thickness thickness and in quickly isolated key zones. Ithey’ll mentioned earlier how we that fish program, toseen women she takes out A From Jim naturally start to enjoy there,(Creating start fishing the there, start fishing the spawning shoal, itself, these fish fast guardian spawning shoal, itself, these guardian fish fast is easy to get caught up is easy to get caught up on their social media pages of multiple of transducers on these Instead of adding shot, which I hate, I fish two on their social media pages of multiple of these transducers on (Carolina Rigging for Smallmouth continued from page 42.) when it is small, thin and razor sharp, a smart sweep of the rod tip is difference. when it is small, thin and razor sharp, a smart sweep the rod tip is (What’s Hot On Ice continued from page 37.) often see on classic “basin” is much more important so I often value finding fish ahead of (What’s Hot On Ice continued from page 37.) while walleyes tend to use the mid-portions of bays where weeds see our baits from a lot farther away than we thought predatory responses in the form of reaction strikes. It’s heavy zinc responses in the of reaction strikes. It’s zinc thethe fishing side of things. hasform also had a couple of heavy first respo sand. Asthe thetransition transition is sand. As is tnab was absolutely incredible to get the athe few days of predatory weeks and weeks, never eggs,” leaving for weeks and weeks, never leaving eggs,” in hysteria associated Ice cleats are atofor must tome prevent in the hysteria associated Mindful Fishing is a volunteer initiative and it has their boats, it has made me consider if I’m making a mistake? all that is required to every fish. their boats, it has made consider if I’m a mistake? flies, which is legal in most areas I frequent. all that is required nab every fish. crappie lakes, which would everything else. There have been days where those beliefs have fishes great both vertically when casted, making itrigging a ittruly Structures inof deep as humps, are reliable areas. Subtle Bites with the use sonar. This combo is are emerging in 5forward-facing towater, 10 feetsuch ofor water. frame great both vertically or when casted, making a truly FLX-30 BBflasher/ flasher/ fish finder featuring 7 frequencies frequencies from FLX-30 BB fish finder featuring –– 7under from 160 getting underway, it’s still getting underway, it’s still shows and promotions my belt for the160 first frame participate inOUT tournaments with her and, yr by explained Paragamian. GET & FISH explained Paragamian. with afishes lake orornew bait. falls, while falling through the with ahot hotlikes lake new bait. We’ll see how the season goes. been only recently that Christine has been able to We’ll see how the season goes. have been ideal for slow, led me to get my butt kicked versatile offering for a number of species. For more information, Remember, short outings are Berrey deep, offshore rock and shell beds in 15 to 40 feet, versatile offering for a number of species. For more information, to 300 kHz, 140 interference rejection options, ID down to the ultimate bait to use with FFS, because if you put to 300 kHz, 140 interference rejection options, target ID down to common to find walleyes time in over two years... It was great to be sharing common to find walleyes dhad My favourite rig is an egg pattern paired with she has her summer tournament schedul Some folks will post ice ais funding a risk weto all think about, Some folks willeven even post This isn’t reaction strike where fish hammer the bait access some help with the expenses. “The meticulous vertical jigging. holding crayfish and gobies. The deepest rock or shell beds are often visit: https://www.northlandtackle.com. however because I seldom stray better than overstaying their visit: https://www.northlandtackle.com. 1/4”, Digital depth displat, Day & Night display settings, Battery information eager anglers, bumping, seeing the Digital depth displat, Daywith & displayfist settings, Battery Ifpopular you’re to release fish, athe minnow in front of a will fish, planning thereand isclients abegin good it’sthese insize 15’ or less. Once baitfish finish spawning tojoin leave areas, s as ina1/4”, 15’ or less. FISH FOR WHATEVER ISNight BITING FISH FOR WHATEVER IS of “So, non-spawning guardian stay on the 8& orlow-battery 10 Copper John, weighted with waypoints of popular “So, non-spawning guardian fish onzones. the slipping and falling on ice hurts stay invite tochance her inbeaching the tourna My opinion on all of this is that it’s okay tophotos, and catch every time. Often, it’s: aold slight aBITING little extra weight My opinion on all of this is that it’s okay to have and catch walleyes fun thewaypoints most productive. Drifting a Carolina rig is also deadly for river friends, jumping in for helping people Instead, they were loosely status alert, 3power power level settings zoom interest. If they’re having of Northern Development, Mines, Natural from two or three colours that Is status & low-battery alert, 3“tick”, level settings & fun zoom zones. eeks s Ministry them on rocks or mud can seriously harm going to eat it. begin shifting locale toward the first shoreline points I like to take all of the range settings out of auto and set fishing spots. But if you I like to take all of the range settings out of auto and fishing spots. But if you shoal, defend territory, and fast the point of wraps and a tungsten bead shoal, defend territory, and fast to point of the more fish. Embrace the technology, learn from and teach new experience. But, at the same time, she nee more fish. Embrace the technology, learn from it teach new or just your line jumping ever so slightly. and smallmouth, something I witnessed fishing with Chong on Lake St. pick out tackle, etc. And of course the hotel rooms... The new Magz Goby 3” soft plastic bait offers a realistic baitfish The new Magz Goby 3” soft plastic bait offers a realistic baitfish Plus Vexiar’s exc;usive broad band Ice-Ducer transducer & float, 12 fun, they’ll want to come Plus Vexiar’s exc;usive broad band Ice-Ducer transducer & float, 12 scattered throughout a always use. start outtoto(NDMNRF) Resources and Forestry allows those “They start toto move out Ithe received amessage message from aa reader reader lastII fall fall catching big I“They received a move from last about out catching big know them. in the gills can be a extending into the basin, and the firstMud sets ofrange shallow offshore about it, tens of know about it,so sodo do tens of them inin manual mode. This keeps the range the same all near starvation. Why?” wondered loud. them manual mode. This keeps the the same so fly acts like shot. near starvation. Why?” wondered out loud. anglers how touse use it. had several days last year IIcharger, had kids meh?? Well not battery, so much!! anglers how tolargemouth it. IatIhad several days last year where had kids appearance Francis. Current breaks proved productive on our trip and later on and action to entice even the most be mindful of her own self-care and not appearance and action to entice even the most volt, 9 amp-hour, Vexilar Lithium battery, fully automatic volt, 9 amp-hour, Vexilar Lithium fully automatic charger, back. And isn’t that the goal? relatively shallow basin, more open-water areas more open-water areas at smallmouth, and northern pike. He unsuccessful had smallmouth, largemouth and northern pike. He had been unsuccessful with disabilities to me fish without adolicense but what fatal, even ifby the fish swims off reefs, humps and islands inbreaks modestly deeper water – places that thousands of other anglers. thousands of other anglers. “Well, why most organisms on earth do the time so it’s never jumping around. My forward range is “Well, why do most organisms earth do Plus, steelhead will the time so it’s never jumping around. My forward range in the boat with me and I showed them how then they my own outings. Current are formed obstructions. These in the boat with and I showed them how it works, then they finicky fish. The 3” Goby is great for both is greatout. for both Soft Pack carry case, adjustable rod holder, external power posts for Why Hair Sometimes Plastics Soft Pack carry case, adjustable rod holder, power posts for finicky fish. The 3” Gobyherself to keep it tougher to oneisse sliding out around making them amortality little first... sliding out around in his efforts and asked ifI’d I’dhelp help him zero inexternal IIflipped the key If She youtries use forward-facing infirst... his efforts and asked ifwith him zero in on the depth. flipped Speaking ofBeats information –onwe’ve gotdepth. you covered “look” more like walleye water. initially delayed are we doing for those invisible disabilities outrageous things in the name procreation?” outrageous things in the name of procreation?” usually set to 90 feet, which is about the length of a full cast. eat the Copper John! can be dramatic bottom fluctuations, or “walls” as Chong were almost glued to my side for the rest of day, watching summer & winter fishing and for all game usually set to 90 feet, which is about the length of adescribed full cas were almost glued to my side for the rest of the day, watching summer & winter fishing and for all game Ice fishing isn’t just a accessories and a custom Vexilar tackle box. For information, accessories and a custom Vexilar tackle box. For more information, deep water: sandbars that per clientcommon. to get them started. water: sandbars that Big Time theasking Spring issue. Moving into the spring early summer, him back ain note asking whatspecies, species, particular, targeting. He to target. him back ahealth note what inin particular, heand was targeting. He Sharing sonar, you get to see if fish are reliable, guarded, Sharing reliable, guarded, A net helps keep fish It deep avoids constant re-rigging, has better durability and like mental challenges or those on WSIB?” retorted Paragamian. “One word: hormones. It’s one structure we fished. Other structures include wing dams, bars, retorted Paragamian. “One word: hormones. It’s fish. Its soft body and active tail bring the the screen. They didn’t want to put their bait the water until fish. Its soft body and active tail bring the I prefer weightless visit: https://www.vexilar.com I move the down range around to fill up the screen with the the screen. They didn’t want to put their bait in water until pastime; it’s a tradition in visit: https://www.vexilar.com I move the down range around to fill up the screen with we help you get bit like never before. First up is the legendary Al insider come out from shore and outwill from shore and replied .... “All ofthem.” them.” replied .... “All of Magz Goby checking out yourshortens baitMagz andGoby notth information with insider information with out of the mud, the a come more natural movement asks Lapeer. Focusing on the clinical component Magz Goby to life! For more information, primarily light and temperature, well as other contour and channel bends, and islands. Magz Goby to life! For more information, primarily light and temperature, as as other well they saw awater, fish! the making. It’s meaning, time spent if I’m they saw a who fish! egg patterns like Nuke water column, fishing in feet of water, Lindner is Over the Moon for Opening Day Walleye – featuring water column, meaning, I’m fishing in 20 feet ofonly wate drop to deeper water, sand drop to deeper sand The lake’s basin was biting, often an indicator that 90% ofiffight, her time is 20 talking to people one or one ortwo twotrusted trustedfriends friends without added action. and speeds up the release. visit: https://magzmfg.com. Northland’s Glo-Shot Spoons are a killer on crappies, perch, visit: https://magzmfg.com. Northland’s Glo-Shot Spoons are a killer on crappies, perch, environmental cues that begin cascade of environmental cues that begin the cascade of outdoors, fostering a love of this type of therapy, she is trying to convince the one of the oldest techniques known to anglers. Brother Brosdhal Eggs, and Yarn Eggs I’ll probably set my down range between 22 and 25 feet. I’ll probably set my down range between 22 and 25 fee flats, sand points and sand that sand points and sand Now, there isno no question thatwhen whenyou you are are fishing fishing for walleye, as aa is Now, there is question walleye, as ad flats, 20gives to and 24 feet, and recent aagood thing, but a different colour might be is good thing, butrelying relying getting out fishing. Some are don’t know wh walleyes, pike and trout. Cast orresponsibility vertically the S-curve walleyes, pike and trout. Cast or vertically jig... themust S-curve toIt nervous It’s more efficient over time. red prepa also you a safe place to covers from ice out into open water on a mixture of panfish in Spring Be key. is DRIFTING DETAILS hormones causing this behavior. There be All of that being said, there is some responsibility amongst anglers tility for nature, learning patience, hormones causing this behavior. must be Versa All of that being said, there is some amongst anglers There Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Kingston to identify fishing as but my secret weapon, humps. Then adjust as you go shallower or deeper. humps. case in point, that you may catch a bonus smallmouth, largemouth or Then adjust as you go shallower or deeper. catch a bonus smallmouth, largemouth or ter case in point, that you may low-water conditions made on second, third and fourth on second, third and fourth better. Sometimes they want design and light, lead-free expect. She also has ie health professionals that would like design and light, lead-free construction Bondy Bait Company was by Jon Bondy and was Forward –sonar get the When, Where, How etc!! Canadian angling icon The The Bondy Bait Company wasstarted started Jon Bondy and was tactics crapp fishpike. are aggressive your up keep theby fish while you take ato switch utilizing live sonar to not exploit the fish by catching and keeping and creating memories that amechanism mechanism by which itconstruction is to ‘know’ utilizing live not exploit the fish by catching and keeping ato by which ‘know’ isatime time to anorthern plastic or glass bead. northern pike. Maybe even several. But is itthey huge mistake to assume aWhen recognized form of therapy as forest therapy is.inlifts “As licensed Maybe even several. But is itthey aa huge mistake to assume “You can drag it effectively and don’t have to slow hand accounts of dock talk finding the basin’s true hand accounts of dock talk excels with twitches, and falls. excels with twitches, and falls. a bait with a different profile. David Chong gives you a rundown on Lake Simcoe A Simcoe Spring an outgrowth of his fishing guide isn’t an outgrowth of his fishing guide jigging subtle their hergrab program and is inphoto. need of a logo, a websit slow,to when and positioned in cover, it’s last aclients lifetime. So your too many oreven even by catching too many fish water, where infinancial quick leave before their bodies give out completely. too many or by catching too in deep water, where is leave before their bodies give completely. begin move deeper as water temps drop turnover “Walleyes begin to move deeper water temps drop toward turnover itSmorgasborg will happen and thus, go fishing specific species in mind. It’s controversial with fly ®many it“Walleyes will happen and thus, go fishing without aafish specific species in mind. ®without In forward mode, you have some different options for setting psychotherapist, Ito am able toas access some support down or speed up with the trolling motor, you can In forward you have some different options formore settin Bondy Bait –cing Bondy Bug to be avoided at all costs. Bondy Bait – mode, Bondy Bug Glo-Shot Sticks boost fish attraction is to be avoided at all costs. sweet spot even Glo-Shot Sticks boost attraction – find out how to effectively fill your plate. Tim Allard fish business. Jon has made plastic baits ted. If you are getting denied by business. Jon has made plastic baits expec as Author Tim Allard Following the Flow produ 0 0 aup marketing plan soflow she can better promote Mindful Fishing. efficiency equals more fish gear, pack the some snacks, and they can’t be released. Crappies areas especially susceptible to they can’t be released. Crappies are susceptible to As Bottom line, as long asespecially the fish fat reserves in their Bottom line, as long the fat in their F or so). Instead of looking for fish be on top of (begins at 62 (begins at 62 F or so). Instead of looking for to on top of anglers, but it works! sothrough go with exact of the current,” Savoia said, in low-visibility situations. Change the transducer. I like to run my transducer in 40 degrees tells us how to get in on the spring channel cat bite with Wow... Meow! Van Dam says, “It in low-visibility situations. Change up the transducer. I like to run my transducer in 40 degree the Blue Cross Wellness Fund run through Veteran’s As Van Dam says, “It important. One of the since 1989 and, after countless hours are ies since 1989 and, after countless hours crapp when the fish you’re after, it’s worth ially Espec hitspeaking the ice. to the ease of fishing a Carolina rig in current. instructures, the exploitation because they group up instay.” large and they exploitation because group up in large schools and they Steelhead liver hold up,catfish they can stay.” liver hold up, they can look deeper. look deeper. I –boat. use accompany thethey Conservation Officers andtoknow fisheries technicians Istructures, use to to accompany the Conservation Officers and fisheries technicians inAffairs Glo-Shot Stick colours match conditions. including tips from some real gurus that how it’s done. Glo-Shot Stick colours conditions. match messes with your head.” messes with your head.” fishing doesn’t have to be complicated. These fish are (pointing down more) I’m fishing water or more led. of of hard work, hasdeeper grown the company (pointing down more) when I’m fishing deeper water orhad mo schoo hard work, has grown the company ed towhen biggest advantages we which helps me take out veterans on the water.” oppos as red, scatte changing things up. the clacker add sound, thebait discor also protects ® almost always suspend atTip least few feet above bottom so they ® almost always suspend atTip least aafew feet above the bottom so they Christine plans to host a fun tournament this year as a fundra who worked for meand andwe we would pull alongside and do aathe creel anglers who worked for me would pull alongside anglers and do creel “It gets a lot more reaction bites and is a different with live bait or IMPULSE soft with live IMPULSE soft to the point where they now have over to fishing theWhen point where they now have over inYou’re the rivers tounder eat before spawning, so get out there and show vertical, under the boat. When I’m fishing in shallower Northland Glo-Shot vertical, the boat. I’m fishing in shallow was utilizing Humminbird Northland Glo-Shot not just taking a kid ice Sir Gordon Pyzer covers the use of the Jigging Rap inavailable open water bead from being shattered by heavy punching are very easy tospot spot on these electronics. Fall crappie fishing doesn’t are very easy to on these electronics. The Anglers Choice Single “They will bein in spots like the sharper breaks orthe on mid-lake humps “They will be spots like the sharper breaks or mid-lake humps survey. ISpoon was always amazed when the folks inon were asked the Non-Breeders On Duty Bark survey. ISpoon was always amazed when the folks in the boats were asked enticement than a drop-shot.” Non-Breeders On Duty – More Bark plastics. Glo-Shot Spoons in and promotional initiative for Mindful Fishing. It is her plastics. Glo-Shot Spoons are available in them VMC’ s durab le 100 dealers. Jon loves to fish, but he Moon fly 100 dealers. Jon loves to fish, but heth Jig some flies! Fly fishing for steelhead is a fun, rewarding water or doing a lot of casting and fishing higher in Xplore mapping features to quickly identify the deepest portions situations with Rippin’ the Rap –1/8showing you why asoft-bottom topput producer water orFIRST a IN lot ofnever casting and fishingfishing higherthe in DON’T BE IN AND FIRST OUT DON’T BE FIRST AND FIRST OUT – you’re creating adoing day they’ll more… I it’s can promise you Before I started the tungsten weight he uses. Christine stresses that she is not a guide but she does in a that top out at perhaps 20’, rather than 15’, or in holes soft-bottom always mean deep basins and that top out at perhaps 20’, rather than 15’, or in holes in what they were fishing for and they replied .... whatever bites. 1/16-, and 1/4-ounce weights, with Egg pegged just above a small what they were fishing for and they replied .... whatever bites. 1/16-, 1/8and 1/4-ounce weights, with Than Bite Than Bite rly featur that she can get 10 boaters with two people per boat inv es feathe r const also loves tinkering with new lure ructio also loves tinkering with new lure n intime open water... not justfrom under thetoand ice. Yvonne Brown ofifOntario Women to conventional gear and just change how youI the basin.The result We found fish, although water I like toquickly run itmight atitand the 60-degree setting. forget. that, andthe you do notofalternative water column, Iimmediate. like to run at stays the 60-degree settin Bassmaster Elite Series, If the fish start to we’ll see more of scouting new lakes fishing spots that she can flats where depth drops 15’ 20’. red treble hooks indisappear, #12, #10 and #8 sizes, respectively. Hooks are If the fish start to disappear, we’ll see more flats where depth drops from 15’ toafor 20’. red treble hooks in #12, #10 and #8 sizes, respectively. Hooks are Athe Carolina rigcolumn, getscombi towas bottom infishing thetition slow presentations. Sometimes, hook imitates real deal and than consis alalot tent compe perfor in designs and with new fishing concepts me manc won designs and with new concepts e, in tournament. If anyone is interested in volunteerin has nation Anglers gives us some info on great organization called Mindful jig & w minno The If you were amongst the very first anglers to fish Slow Death for you were amongst therockets. very firstfished anglers to40 fish Slow While sinker’s commotion and noise gets a as schools you’d expect in mid-fall. Rather than tial believe me ask Dave essen Finally, knowing the purpose non-breeders’ From the pointing down position, degree isDeath four are slike see these powerful, silver Finally, the purpose of non-breeders’ From the pointing down position, 40 degree is fofo colour of a different circuit called variety AIfgiant attached via dual split rings for added action and fewer lost fish. rules and regulations that nobody wants, so attached via dual split rings for added action fewer lost fish. strike-zone of smallmouth feeding on gobies, crayfish, and regulations that nobody wants, so To be successful, you have to focus inon on abe specific species, learn Tobest be successful, you have to focus in adeep specific species, learn asnot therules bite is –knowing people “Ishallow try to teach people to independent on the even in and rarely hooks fish, great for vebring aroun d and techniques. His latest addition to the lineup, the 1.75” Bondy cover and techniques. His latest addition to the lineup, the 1.75” Bondy . Fishing –to. find out how fishing can help those living with PTSD. One bait. other a boater or in some other capacity, please contact Christin any walleye, Ned Rigs for bass, Bondy Baits for lake trout and big double smallmouth’s attention, it’s trailing bait that triggers walleye, Ned Rigs for bass, Bondy Baits for lake trout and big doubl doub About the Author – Daniel Notarianni: hundreds of fish packed together, there were small pods of quality Chong, he can vouch for n. presence territorial egg guarding – explains seaso the presence - lifestyle, territorial egg explains out and 6060 is six clicks. Glo-Shot Sticks are non-toxic, easy to activate glow in vivid and degrees is six though Glo-Shot Sticks are non-toxic, easy to activate and glow in vivid ssclicks the FLW Tour andBondy myBud dad “Walleyes become more selective about where stage. They and other floor-dwelling forage. Inclicks. aThe power-fishing context, succe take care of the fish and have some fun out forbaitfish, “Walleyes become more selective about where they stage. They much aspossible possible about its habits, behaviour and seasonal take care of the fish and have some fun out much as about its lifestyle, habits, behaviour and seasonal Hair jigsclicks like VMC’s Moontail are another hidden dense weeds where ofin our three Canadian BASS Elite Anglers –guarding Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson an water/ice and share knowledge like basic knot tying, how to Bug Panfish Bait is sure todegrees have fish salivating. Bondy isused catch-and-release. Bug Panfish Bait is sure to have fish salivating. The Bud is bladed Cowgirls for muskies you know the heart stopping feeling the strike. A potent combination, indeed. Experimenting with leader christinecarter12@gmail.com “I’m still shocked as to o bladed Cowgirls for muskies you know the heart stopping feeling my pain! Bethey’re prepared, scattered throughout the basin. colour for eight hours. They are light enough not lure action to why, as individuals or asnot they shun colour forlocate eight hours. They are light enough affect lure action why, as individuals or as aa to mob, they shun aBorn 3/4to 2-ounce weight ensures consistent bottom contact in head aof fast generally locate on ayou spot-on-a-spot. For example, on aabutcrappies versatile lure design that works for shallow generally on a spot-on-a-spot. For example, if they’re on preferences. Then need to use the information to select prime to come and practice with me there. About the Author preferences. Then you need to use the information select prime there. Like with the swimbaits, I’m always using a Smeltinator jig shares how to go about Rigging Our Boats to Catch More Fish – from most anglers never look. Find the right depth. Control your boat. Swim available in 30 mouthwatering colours and comes in a 20 pack. For his available in 30 mouthwatering colours and comes in a 20 pack. For in Southern Ontario, Daniel useand an auger, backing up a boat and whatever else they may be riding the roller coaster to fishing success. length is also part of the game. Savoia likens it to how smallmouth riding the roller coaster to fishing success. generous people are and of how people want to volu and are also great for lighting avariety variety ofwill bobbers, hooks and jigs. don’t let overshadow the joy ofread. the day. are also great for lighting up adares of bobbers, hooks and jigs. more snap-jigging as asvisit: vertical jigging in deep river on abody windy lake. Knowing the rig’s on eliminates every living creature that invade their claim. Ciscoes mid-lake hump with scattered boulders, they will the boulders. every living creature that dares invade their Ciscoes be claim. mid-lake hump with scattered boulders, they be on boulders. locations, the best lures and optimal presentations. To do otherwise theanother locations, the best lures and optimal presentations. do otherwise Each ofhttps://bondybaitcompany.com. water is different and often requires some Daniel Notarianni: Born in Southern Daniel founded his first hand experience, it’s aup must Bernie Schultz BASS for some of thewell There were aOntario, couple ofbottom times where he Each body of water is different and often requires som nlike ke information, visit: with myor minnows. My go-to bait ishis themany Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ, more information, https://bondybaitcompany.com. your jig. When ititabout all clicks, you’ll experience one of the most fun, founded Live 2tournaments. Fish in 2012 and ile can be particular a specific tag end length when drop-shotting. interested in learning. There’s such a feeling of accomplishment water. A slow, helpless fall once the jig is Starting with Jigs and get involved. It means so much to me.” guesswork on an angler’s part, letting them focus on executing a If all rock, look for the patch of sand. If all sand, look the rockpile. are their primary antagonist, the target of the non-breeders’ disdain Elite Angler gives us the low down on Tackle Systems – find out what If all rock, look for the patch of sand. If all sand, look for rockpile. are their primary antagonist, the target of the non-breeders’ disdain is to take a shot in the dark, which almost always misses the mark. the Editor’s Note: Jeff Gustafson grew up on the is to take a shot in the dark, which almost always misses the mark. Live 2 Fish in 2012 and his passion for fishing and the outdoors has Editor’s Note: Jeff Gustafson grew up on the using a bait Iamong might not have tied on and he started getting bites. adjustments to the sensitivity and contrast. Typically, , the adjustments to the sensitivity and contrast. Typicall he Typical which ismyself available from three inches allhave the way up to the seven inches. passion for fishing and the outdoors 60fast-paced biteshe ofPuppet thewhen season. ®® from When drifting may use leaders from from two to eight feet, but Iwas count among the blessed to to have been at the forefront of o I count myself the blessed been at forefront paused triggers strikes. and empowerment people I take out fishing learn and put KEEP THE FUN FLOWING The Rattlin’ Minnow Northland brings the noise with The Rattlin’ Puppet Minnow from Northland brings noise with the precise drift, connecting GPS waypoints or following a specific works best when the big one is on the line. The Target Walleye Report shores of Lake of the Woods in Kenora, Ontario. Leave the hail Mary passes to the last minute desperation plays for and fury. shores ofthe Lake of Mary theare Woods in Kenora, Ontario. Leave hail passes to thetolast minute desperation plays forLike and fury. him alland over North America as ahigh, guide, writer, photographer Makers ofwe custom Makers of eone ne Ithese to run my sensitivity between 16lasts. and 20 2 Ilike like to run my sensitivity high, between 16 and has taken him all over North America #6 Itaken like to try match the size ofcustom mynothing bait to the size of the forage many crappie anglers, began with finesse presentations. cautions longer ones more likely result instates snags. ofof these trends. Unfortunately, nothing good ever lasts. Despite each trends. Unfortunately, good ever Despit Despi aknowledge glass rattle and audible carry through water, all without killing its afootball glass rattle and audible carry through water, all killing its each and For the Love of Cooking round out the content for the Spring issue, contour line, to intercept bass. their into practice on the water,” Christine. “Because more and more walleyes show up on these spots, more He has made his living in the fishing community “Because more and more walleyes show up on these few spots, more He has made his living in the fishing community football teams. teams. and educator. From small creek brook trout and Great Lakes bass Two weeks before COVID-19 hit, Christine and her family hand made injection hand made injection ning g At FLW Tour event thefew Harris Chain in Ione eventually asaa2018 guide, photographer and educator. From small creek The I’m keyScattered to ice fishing with kidsa is tofamous keep things lighthearted he (the highest setting). The higher the sensitivity, the (the highest The higher the sensitivity, th that Ikey think the fish are focused on. Early inFlorida, the summer I was throwing a Tungsten VMC Moon Eye Jig paired with Fish Using Classic unbelievable efforts by a setting). select anglers to this keep each of when the unbelievable efforts by a on select few anglers to keep each one ofam th The to writer, catching walleyes throughout dispersal process famous action. Anglers action. Anglers which sure will help you become better angler. since he was a teenager as a tournament angler, and more of the lake holds no fish. It’s easy to skunked if you be since he was a teenager as a tournament angler, and more of the lake holds no fish. It’s easy to be skunked if you to snook in the surf and peacock bass in the swamps, Daniel loves and hand poured soft Stakeouts with my AQUA-VU revealed ciscoes forays to making and hand poured soft with my AQUA-VU revealed ciscoes making forays to t Using orStakeouts to Charleston Lake. “Because of everything we have gone thr or brook trout and Great Lakes bass to snook in the surf and and fun. Play in the snow, make snow angels, or pull them finished 2nd by catching all of my fish on white Chatterbait. I had e. a heavy hook may also increase snags, pulling the bait closer more detail you’ll see. With the contrast, the higher more of the bait is smaller, I’ll rely more on the smaller sized baits, techniques under wraps, the secret got out and loose lips sunk ships. more detail you’ll see. With the contrast, the high Kamikaze Swim on plastic. The tungsten jig helped get the bait techniques under wraps, the secret got out and loose lips sunk ships. have long noted the is anticipating and following their shifting locations based on have noted the Midto Late Fall Crappie Locations Along with the commotion of Baits theBaits weight contacting bottom, the guide, outdoor writer and fishing promotor. In the don’t pay attention tosubtle subtle differences on the structure.” guide, outdoor writer and fishing promotor. In don’t pay attention to differences on the structure.” catching fish! plastics Canadian plastics Canadian the bottom to gobble up eggs and thenfishing! retreat, vertically, to just “Just before COVID-19 hit, we were able to take out about 10I down the bottom to gobble up eggs and retreat, vertically, toig just lide, Jim e, peacock bass inthat, the swamps, Daniel loves catching fish! ” Fish safe & make time to take a then kid around on sled.of For years to bottom, says Chong. With an appropriately weighted hook, the with COVID-19, people aseason. better understanding o itweather, in my head that in Florida Ihave was going toprofile. use awill black and blueb B “ moving up to bigger baits later in the One trend that we’ve you set that, the more the screen will clear up, but BELIEVE THE DOCKTALK quickly while maintaining a compact The twin-tail you set the more the screen clear up, BELIEVE THE DOCKTALK benefits vibration benefits vibration sound this creates piques bass curiosity. “The noise from the sinker, water temperature, developing habitat and the availability 2019he joined theBassmaster Bassmaster Elite Series 2019 joined the Elite Series brings you a variety of brings you a variety of below the ice. When soincensed, incensed, frenzied ciscoes attack lake oa inbelow the ice. When so frenzied ciscoes will attack lake nbait rides uphe off bottom, staying away from snags while being easier people. I knew first responders were getting burned out with would pull them, pick up speed When most anglers think about fall crappie fishing, they picture put It is why, when you read about a technique for the very first time in a Chatterbait, it’s what everybody did. He was whipping my butt Itglass isfood. why, when you read about a of technique the very time ins challenges associated with mental health. More people have been seeing isand that the larger sixand seven-inch baits are not too and additional additional sound in provided subtle action and could befor infirst different and sound in plastic you’ll filter out some of the weaker signal returns, so bead, clacker definitely attracts them,” said Giles, who you’ll filter out some the signal returns, of And matching your presentations torigged both locating fish and has found some success chasing bass around States, and has found some success chasing bass around the United United States, quality custom baits atFishing! quality custom baits atweaker troutsized jigs. On a united front basis, the chase allburbot for smallmouth to eat. troutsized jigs. On a united front basis, the burbot chase alland turn launching the sled down ow reliable source – like the pages of Just Fishing! – or hear about it from a tiny jigs fished vertically. live sonar, and setting up multiple depthreliable source – like the pages of Just – or hear about it from all that the pandemic brought with it. Fortunately for us, boat with a white one in practice and when I reluctantly tried it, I started I will never forget interviewing Kevin Van Dam, winningest angler the I will never forget interviewing Kevin Van Dam, the winningest angler Unsolicited articles are accepted their as fish cue on baits, to the outdoors as a way of therapy. COVID took away acce their baits, fish cue on big for bass and walleye that are used to eating large smelt and tungsten and brass weights. AsVisit winter progresses to alter the fall rate. Northland Rattlin’ itituses takes some playing around. Usually I’ll I’ll runrun it between 8 Rattlin’ takes some playing around. Usually it between including an Elite Series winand 2021and andaaTHIS BassmasterISSUE Classic win including an Elite Series win inin2021 Bassmaster Classic win– and offering them something they want to eat. and afforardable price. – and afforardable price. IN Visit –Northland –inin orientations andbass will befrom considered forto instantly comers away from thebottom. bottom. But, because they leave their won’t comers away the But, because they won’t leave their trusted friend, you need to assess it immediately, perfect it quickly, add the glare ice. Now that they’re Puppet Minnow trusted friend, you need to assess it immediately, perfect it quickly, ad Puppet Minnow highlight ranges allowed us isolate the most productive in fishing history, immediately prior to one of his four Bassmaster auditory to both help in bass fishing history, immediately prior to one Bassmaster four auditory clues to both help catching twice as many fish. They hadn’t seen it before. launches were not closed in Frontenac township and we were able cisco, in fact these often prefer the bigger baits. Canadian Baits Canadian Baits a lot of activities like golf, gyms, hockey, dance classes, etc the water gets even clearer, 2023. In between competing in the U.S. tournaments, you can usually 2023. In between competing U.S. tournaments, can usually and turn it up ifcompany the screen is displaying a lota of and10, 10,but butwill will turn it up ifcompany the screen is displaying lot publication provided theyimportant are in the because This Canadian This Canadian Refining these details is part of a Carolina rig’s ders rs eggs, they won’t chase vertically. This makes the it to your arsenal and then milk it for all that it is worth, because every Paddle Tails eggs, they won’t chase vertically. This makes the ciscoes’ it to your arsenal and then milk it for all that it is worth, because ever Paddle Tails bigger, they can startall pulling me! SPECIAL FEATURES them and target Classic victories. He had sequestered himself, away the miles original and have not appeared in them locate andfrom target water. Rather than spending hours searching we could Classic He had sequestered himself, miles away from theWefishing Chong believes the higher pitch created from a tungsten Consider signing up to receive FREE Consider signing up to receive FREE find him around Lake ofthe the Woods, fishing for allaimlessly, species, year round. to provide avictories. safe place to go fishing. In 2020, we got 20 people out were getting plenty of light pickups and strikes, but find him around Lake of Woods, fishing for all species, year round. steelhead become pickier. was never removed.” Moving toItentative the water was the “clutter”. Those are the only settings Iwill ever really play with offers swimbaits, craws /the “clutter”. Those are the only settings ever really play wi offers swimbaits, craws /in For example, when fishing near shoals current, casting aweight 1/8potency is its snag-resistance. A flipping, bullet, or egg weight other publications. ken, n, innovation will become commonplace, the fish become conditioned innovation will become commonplace, fish will become conditione game plan nearly perfect and their siege is relentless. game plan nearly perfect and their siege is relentless. all prey of all kinds. The Rattlin’ Puppet Minnow still its trademark sports tournament venue, at his brother-in-law’s house. I asked him prey of all kinds. The Rattlin’ Puppet Minnow still sports trademark its smashing rock draws fish over. When drifting flat bottom stretches, tournament venue, at his brother-in-law’s house. When I asked him Canadian Baits focus our efforts on the exact depths where fall crappies were most Canadian Baits I think when the Z-Man Elaztech baits first came out, I was You can catch up with Gussy on social media at @gussyoutdoors and You can catch up with Gussy on social media at @gussyoutdoors and The concept is the same for using these baits for all species. I like the fish weren’t exactly aggressive. They were acting like classic they’ve beenWalleye/Ice seeingpeople on When the water/ice.” Sometimes, ask Christine if she’ll go out to creature baits, ice fishing thing that happened for Christine. Although felt vulnera creature baits, ice fishing on my Mega-Live. on my Mega-Live. to 1/4-ounce jig up near the rocks and letting she it sweep down combined with a .... Texas-rigged sidesteps snags fairly well Publisher Target Walleye/Ice emails Opening Day Walleye.......................................2 Target emails lhe eat Ice Spikez at it and something better will replace it.hard Spikez to itIce and something better will replace it. action, darting and swimming like atalk.” dying minnow, Turn fishing intowhich a triggers friendly action, darting and swimming like atalk.” dying minnow, which triggers why, he said “To avoid theplastic dock he shakes thebait rod for extra noise. Chong explains that notprices only does why, he said .... “To avoid the dock likely tohis be holding. the exact opposite. on website at: www.gussyoutdoors.com. on his website at: www.gussyoutdoors.com. reluctant to try them because I had a time getting them rigged the keep the above the fish. Whenever you see fish on your / micro, finesse worms and more. Great prices on / micro, finesse worms and more. Great on spinners and eggs for weeks, “Big” Jim McLaughlin (Continued on page 19.) (Continued on page on their boat and on the body of water that they have access to. her mental health as(Continued fragile, she was a on page 48.) (Continued page (Continued on page 44.) on page44.) 45.) (Continued on page 6.)19 the nall he competition –(Continued whoeveron catches the the time and describes Spring Forward............................................10 their Glow in the Dark ice fishing plastics including their Glow in the Dark ice fishing plastics including Managing Editor keep herself well during the pandemic and avoid additional in biggest fish chooses the post-fishing
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Tammy Wight 1.5” Paddle Tails. ForFor more information, A Simcoe Spring Smorgasborg.......................14 their their2.5” 2.5”Ice IceSpikez Spikezand and 1.5” Paddle Tails. more information, snack stop (spoiler: it’s almost visit: Contributors https://www.facebook.com/canadianbaits. visit: https://www.facebook.com/canadianbaits. Wow... Meow!........................................22 Gord Pyzer, Al Lindner always hot chocolate). Play fun little “I completely credit fishing and being out in nature,” she exp Tim Allard , Jeff Gustafson pranks releasing the fish in their Up Christine isnumbers very open about her injury mental health stru Rippin’ thelike Rap.......................................28 your byby sizing down with theand STH DartDart Minnow Up yourcatch catch numbers sizing down with the STH Minnow Bernie Schultz hole instead of yours when they are and continues to improve through therapy, David Chong Co., thethe maker of the Drifter, has has innovated thisice iceseason! season!STH STHBait Bait Co., maker of the Drifter, innovated Springtime Crappie Hideouts..................36 this Cameron Tait, not paying attention, and celebrate once medication and fishing. “If I save one againwith witha awhole wholelotlotof ofdesign design Sean Ferguson Mindful Fishing –big Christine Lapeer.........40 once again every catch,#1 or small. We WTaelkTaslk Brian features packed into the 2.3-inch length The Store Where You’re #1 person through this (Mindful Fishing), features packed into the 2.3-inch length The Store Where You’re Brosdhal OPEO NPEN ie ies Rigging Your Boat to Catch More Fish....44 ofofthen the Dart Minnow. Starting with a a Tackle All SAplleScphechBrett McComas the Dart Minnow. Starting with I’ve accomplished my goal.” A A Live Bait • Licences • Fishing Live Bait • Licences • Fishing Tackle L L L YELAY REAR of Foisf Fis Yvonne Brown Bait Bait Co. Dart Minnow Co. Dart Minnow hydrodynamic minnow-head minnow-headshape shapethatthat STHSTH Tackle Systems: Playing Fish...................48 hydrodynamic
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Firearms • Moccasins Firearms&&Ammo Ammo • Moccasins ROURNODUND For more information on PTSD, • Wehave haveworms worms&&allallsizes sizesofof • We Hunting Gear • Firewood Hunting&&Camping Camping Gear •visit: Firewood Wide Selection of Tackle ••Wide Tackle https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/ Canoe • Ice Fishing Canoe&&Kayak KayakRentals Rentals • Ice Fishing minnows year round A LineIfFrom minnows year Y and more about theround experience. they “Big” want to fish, great. If they mental-illness-and-addiction-index/ Jim ..........................4 A UG. 1twitch. www.justfishing.ca 3th bulk is is designed to to quiver with the the slightest twitch. bulktotothe thepin pintail tailand and designed quiver with slightest Propane Exchange Propane Exchange want to Hand-tied snowmen, too.Custom FollowPlastics their lead, and posttraumatic-stress-disorder Bam Custom ••Bam AllJim’ Rights Reserved Bucktail • “Big” sbuild Hand-tied Bucktailthat’s Jigsthegreat • “Big” Jim’s Jigs ininCertificates 6Certificates fish ForFor more information, visit:visit: Available 6colours coloursthat that crave! more information, For Love of Cooking......................43 Available Gift •fish Seasonal Clothing Gift •crave! Seasonal Clothing Reprinting or reproduction in https://americanbaitworks.com/pages/sth. whole or in part is forbidden, && More! Target Walleye........................................50 https://americanbaitworks.com/pages/sth. More! LINKS HOURS: except by written HOURS: permission of Editor's Note: Yvonne Brown is best the ULTRA publisher. TUNGSTEN – Tubman’s Tips & Techniques .................51 This Open 7 Days aamazing Open 7 aWeek Week barely scratches the surface thethe amazing newnew andand improved This barely scratches the surface of improved MON. – FRI. 8 AM – 7 PM MON. – FRI. 8 AM – 7 PM https://www.facebook.com/ultratungsten/ known for Ontario WomenofDays Anglers and products with iceice fishing in mind. There productsbeing beingdesigned designedspecifically specifically with fishing in mind. There the Fishing 101 for Women program. SAT. & SUN. 8 AM – 6 PM SAT. & SUN. 8 AM – 6 PM SLAB GRABBER – are many, many options available. We haven’t even touched on the are many, many options available. We haven’t even touched on the On The Cover: Main – Al Lindner, Opening Day Walleye 413 Lyndhurst Road, Lyndhurst 413 Lyndhurst Road, Lyndhurst Yvonne is a strong advocate for getting https://mcgathyshooks.com/en-ca/collections/slab-grabber to to iceice huts, augers, reels, line,line, etc. etc. greatimprovements improvementsbeing beingmade made huts, augers, reels, photo– Lindner Media, Spring Forward, photo – Brian Brosdhal, great women and children outdoors and on the water. She is the first fe 1019 River Road Manotick, ON (613) (5463) 1019 River Road Manotick, ON (613) 692-LINE (5463) It would fill an entire whole issue, possibly more if we tried to cover It would fill an entire whole issue, possibly more if we tried to cover www.wingslivebaitandtackle.ca www.wingslivebaitandtackle.ca ANGLERS CHOICE PERCH – Your Boat For More Fish, Wow... Meow! photo – Jeff Allard,BAITS Rigging to receive the Rick Amsbury Award ofyou Excellence. everything. Hopefully this feature will give you a starting point and and everything. Hopefully this feature will give a starting point https://anglerschoice.a/collections/panfish photo – Jeff Gustafson. Box 214 Seeley’s Bay, ON can secure any nose-hook presentation, the 2N0. ice fishing with kids, you’re not just angling – can secure any nose-hook presentation, the When K0H you’re KID bump thatthat cancan alsoalso holdhold a hook bodytapers tapersnicely nicelytotothethemid-tail mid-tail bump a Shook DEPARTMENTS Phone: (613) 387-8735 you’re guiding, teaching, and bonding. It’s less about the fish body FISHING Email: info@justfishing.ca point The mid-tail bump alsoalso addsadds additional pointsecurely securelyand andweedlessly. weedlessly. The mid-tail bump additional DERB
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Fall 2026 Spring 2024 2024 Winter JustSpring Fishing .2025 42
siderisjp@sympatico.ca siderisjp@sympatico.ca get juices flowing. getyour yourinvestigative investigative juices flowing. Summer Just Fishing 47 JustFishing Fishing . 44 Fishing ..43 Just . 20 Just Fishing2022 43 Summer Just Fishing 27. 2026 Sprin Fishing ....19 Just Fishing Just 25 Fishing
(Fall Crappie continued from page 47)
fall crappies that wanted to inspect a bait before committing. What if instead of going smaller and slower, we went bigger? Enter the Rapala Countdown Elite. The Countdown Rapala was one of the first crankbaits I ever fished as a kid. Decades later, Rapala has taken that proven design and refined it into the Countdown Elite. The bait features flat sides, incredible detail, and perhaps most importantly, an absolutely deadly falling action. Unlike most crankbaits that require constant movement to generate action, the Countdown Elite shines when it’s falling on slack line. As it sinks, it produces a subtle wobble that fish simply can’t ignore. A few casts later, it became obvious we were onto something special. The bites weren’t subtle anymore. They were smashing the bait.
Counting Down to Success The Countdown Elite is versatile. Cast the bait out and count it down to the desired depth. Sometimes, that meant counting to 15. Other times, we’d count to 8 or 10 if fish appeared higher in the water column. After reaching depth, use a simple retrieve: Pull. Pause. Let it fall. Many strikes occurred during the pause or while the bait was falling. Watching high-visibility line became critical because often the only indication of a bite was the line suddenly straightening out. Those fish weren’t just eating the lure. They were attacking it. The aggressive nature of these strikes made the presentation incredibly fun compared to the tentative bites we’d been experiencing on jigs.
Crappies Love Hard Baits
For this presentation, we used a Sufix Revolve 6-pound braid with a10-pound fluorocarbon leader. The thin-diameter braid allowed for longer casts, increased sensitivity, and quicker sink rates. The high-visibility colour also made detecting fall bites significantly easier. The heavier fluorocarbon leader offered additional abrasion resistance and helped prevent losing expensive crankbaits to incidental pike encounters.
One of the most interesting observations from the day was how aggressively crappies reacted to the crankbait. When watching crappies on electronics or through an ice hole, you often see them approach a bait cautiously, nip at it, and inspect it before committing. With the Countdown Elite, many fish simply rolled over the bait and crushed it. The profile was perfect. The action was perfect. And the reaction strikes were unlike anything we had seen Scattered, Rather than Schooled earlier in the day. The fish were telling us Fishing isn’t always about slowing down. exactly what they wanted. When bites get tough, anglers automatically assume they need to downsize, finesse Dialing in the Trolling Pattern more, or fish slower. Sometimes that’s true. As the day progressed, we expanded our Other times, fish respond better to a bigger approach. Rather than simply casting, we profile, a more aggressive presentation, and began trolling the Countdown Elite through something completely different than what the basin. The results were immediate. everyone else is throwing. Trolling allowed us to efficiently cover water and locate additional pods of fish That’s exactly what happened with the while keeping the bait in the strike zone Countdown Elite. We found scattered fall for extended periods. The Countdown’s basin crappies, and watched them absolutely controlled sink rate made it easy to target crush it. If you encounter crappies scattered fish suspended at various depths without across a basin this autumn, don’t be afraid to needing additional weight. tie on a weighted, sinking crankbait. Cast it, count it down, and let the fish tell you what The Ultimate Crappie Setup they want. Versatility is key. Be prepared to Our rod of choice was a: St. Croix Legend switch up your crappie tactics when slow, Elite 7-foot Light Power Extra-Fast Action. subtle jigging isn’t producing as expected. The rod provided incredible sensitivity while Especially when crappies are scattered, as still having enough backbone to properly opposed to schooled. work the crankbait and handle larger fish. For reels, we used a Daiwa Luvias LT 2000, one of the finest panfish reels available today. Lightweight, incredibly smooth, and built specifically for finesse applications, it paired perfectly with the Legend Elite rod.
About the Author: Al Lindner ranks among the most renowned leaders in the fishing industry. Averaging about 180 days a year on the water, Al is hailed as one of the world’s best all-around anglers. Al’s long and honoured career as an author, syndicated radio & TV fishing show host, video producer, fishing guide, tackle manufacturer, lecturer and champion tournament angler has spanned 35 years of the most revolutionary years in sportfishing. Just Fishing . 48
Fall 2026
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Locating & Fishing
WEED FLATS FOR I f you want bass, get into the weeds. Day in and day out, weeds are the most Iconsistent producers of largemouth bass. Why? Primarily because aquatic vegetation (aka weeds) can offer virtually everything that a bass needs. They attract baitfish and other food. They offer concealment. And they provide shade, cooler water temperatures and higher oxygen content than other forms of cover.
life forms, includingthe underwater food chain. Weeds attract small life forms, which attract baitfish, which attract bass. The key to locating bass is evaluating available weed growth, options and then predicting how bass will relate to them. In most lakes, you have to consider three areas in the fish-locating process: the shallow inside weed edge, the multi-depth weed flats, and the deep outside edges. Bass can be in any or all of these locations at the same time.
Okay, so bass like weeds, but catching bass in weeds is more than a matter of plunking a bait into the green stuff and hoping for the best. Subtle detailscan mean the difference between absolutely fantastic bass fishing and catching one or two. Learning the different weed types and how bass relate to them will make you a much better fisherman. Weeds are just like any other form of structure, and you have to understand them and work them carefully and thoroughly to take fish.
In most Ontario lakes, largemouth bass are creatures of shallow weed flats. When largemouth face heavy competition from other species such as walleye, pike, or musky, they are generally restricted to shallow weed zones. I have never fished a lake where I couldn’t catch bass on the shallow weed flats. The key is to look for a large shallow flat adjacent to a spawning bay and with deep water nearby. Good weed flats combine thick weeds with many edges.
By: Colin Stass
Start by considering weed types and their characteristics, such as depth, range, bottom type, and amount of overhead cover they provide. Bass often show a preference for one weed variety over another, so it’s important to be able to identify prevalent weed types like milfoil, coontail, pondweed, cabbage weed, and eelgrass. Junk weeds and lily pads grow in the shallowest sections of the lakes. Eelgrass is a super oxygen producer and is one of the best covers for big bass. It is a subsurface weed that grows in relatively shallow water. Coontail is an example of mid-depth weed growth that is an excellent bassattractor. Dense coontail is difficult to fish, but it usually has holes, pockets, and edges. Cabbage weed also grows in intermediate depths and is a“crispier” type of weed. It is much easier to fish than coontail. Milfoil grows the deepest, usually to depths of 12 to 15 feet, where it forms an edge. It can grow shallower in shallow bodies of water, such as Rondeau Bay and Long Point Bay.
Bass are rarely attracted to sparse weeds. As water warms in the spring, weeds begin to grow thicker and taller. Through summer and early fall, some weed species actually reach the surface and form dense, intermeshed mats of cover. The Kawartha Lakes (like Rice Lake & Upper Buckhorn Lake) have fine examples of this. Thick weeds provide security for bass. Weeds like coontail and milfoil are used by bass because they are full of holes, passage ways, and tunnels, which offer a full range of movement to feed and excellent opportunities to hide. Bass are drawn to the weeds both to catch baitfish and to spend inactive periods between meals.
Most weed species grow best on softer bottoms, but there are subtle differences in bottom hardness that favour different weeds. If you find that milfoil changes to cabbage weed, most likely the bottom type changed as well. The depth the weeds grow is largely dependent on water clarity and sunlight penetration. The clearer the water, the deeper the weeds will grow. Weeds purify Be sure to fish the greenest, healthiest looking weeds you can the water as well, acting as a mechanical filter to clean up murky or find, as they are better than the brownish-coloured ones. Effective weed bed fishing requires knowledge and skill. The primary thing impure water. to look for is the position of the fish in the weeds. There are certain Weeds also produce large quantities of oxygen through photosyn- variables that will dictate their position. Wind, for example, generally thesis when exposed to direct sunlight. Oxygen is essential to all moves fish to the outside edge or to suspend high in the weeds. (Continued on page 51.)
Just Fishing . 50
Fall 2026
(Fishing Weed Flats For Bass continued from page 50.)
Sun, on the other hand, will cause bass to move from theoutside edges to a few feet inside the thick weeds. They also move vertically from being suspended up in the weeds to the bottom or lower sections, burying in the dark shadows. Under low light conditions, surface baits work wonders over the weed flats.
as the Flappin’ Craw and the Boogie Bug. Bass usually move to the darkest areas of the weeds following the passage of a cold front. They sit in the heavy weeds and remain inactive for a day or two.
spinnerbaits are ideal to work along the edges and through the middle of the trough. Fish the deeper end of the trough first, as the bass will congregate at the mouth at times. Weed-covered humps or sunken islands are good mid-summer structures, provided they come to within at least 10 feet of the surface. Four to six feet is best. Humps are always better when some wind is blowing in on them. On a calm day, the bass will be down deep along the edges of the hump, but on windy or overcast days they will move up on top. In areas like the Thousand Islands area of the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Lake system, humps are extremely productive for bass. Try crankbaits, spinnerbaits, plastic worms, creature baits, and jigs.
Overcast skies, early morning, and evenings are prime times for topwater lures like buzzbaits or noisy propbaits over the openings and holes. On windydays when bass are up and active, a spinnerbait or chatterbait will work best over weed flats that have not yet reached the surface. In this situation, if you were to throw a plastic worm or a jig and plastic craw trailer, you’d likely be fishing Flipping becomes one of the best techniques Large holes in the weed flats can harbour below most of the fish. for catching these inactive fish. Use a heavy large numbers of bass... big holes, the size of swimming pools, are often overAlthough determining the position of bass is 1/2 to 1 ounce (or more) pegged worm looked. Position your boat inside the hole critical, you will soon find they are rarely truly weight, or jig to penetrate the thick weeds and cast to the edges with worms or jigs. active, and you will have to keep moving and get to the bottom. That’s where the fish Surface baits also work well. The most until you find fish, then slow down and work will be, and you have to get the bait down to productive holes are ones close to the outside for them. Edges, points, and pockets in the them. The secret of catching post cold-front weed edge of the flat. weeds have higher potential for holding bass bass is to use a vertical presentation and hop than plain, featureless weed beds. For that your worm up and down directly in front of Throughout the season, bass continually reason, I concentrate on these high-percentage a bass’s nose slowly and deliberately. shift locations, and shallow inside weed areas most of the time. edges are particularly productive in early Your presentation cannot be sloppy. It has summer, especially during the morning On calm days, I throw a Fluke-style bait over to be right on the money. Crayfish-coloured and evening hours. Bass are edge-oriented. the weeds or pitch a plastic worm into the lures or crayfish imitators, such as a craw (Continued on page 52.) pockets. If there are matted weeds present, I worm or Flappin’ Craw, should not be pitch or flip tothe edges with a worm or jig overlooked. Weeds attract crayfish as well and pig. Flip the bait into any little openings as baitfish. Most fishermen think crayfish in the mat and vertically jig it up and down relate best to rocky areas, but weeds are below the canopy. Bass often suspend just a far greater draw for them than rocks. Brown/orange combinations are very below the weeds in the dark shadows. productive, and so are variations of blue. Another productive presentation is vertically A black/blue jig and pork or imitation soft fishing a Texas-rigged plastic worm or plastic crayfish is extremely productive creature bait in the holes or openings in in lakes that have blueish coloured the weed beds. Bass useholes in weeds as crayfish. Lakes such as Couchiching stationary holding areas. Pitch the worm in (near Orillia) and Georgian Bay are prime and let it fall vertically, following it down examples. with the rod tip. Pull line off the reel if necessary to allow the bait to fall straight Smaller, isolated patches of weeds can down to the bottom. Engage your reel, then be more productive than large expanses Grass Carp is one of four species of invasive Asian carps threatening to invade Grass one ofRecent four species of invasive Asian carps to invade theCarp GreatisLakes. evidence of reproduction in twothreatening U.S. tributaries of Lake lift your rod tip slowly and gently to see and are usually easier and quicker to fish. Grass the Great Lakes. Recent evidence of reproduction in two U.S. tributaries of Lake ErieCarp makes them the most immediate threat ofAsian the four species to the Canadian is one of four species of invasive carps threatening to invade Erie makes them the most immediate threat of the four species to the Canadian if a bass has inhaled it. They like to strike Look for the ones with thick clumps of weeds, the waters of the Great Lakes. Grass Carp can eat up toin 40% ofU.S. theirbody bodyweight weight Great Lakes. Recent ofcan reproduction two tributaries of Lake waters of the Great Lakes.evidence Grass Carp eat up to 40% of their in aquatic plants have potential to destroy wetlands which could makes them the most immediate threattoof the four specieswhich to the Canadian dailydaily in aquatic plants andand have thethe potential destroy wetlands could asthe bait as it is falling. If you feel some as the sparser weeds usually attract pike Erie ecological economic consequences. havehave major ecological andand economic consequences. ofmajor the Great Lakes. Grass Carp can eat up to 40% of their body weight resistance, set the hook immediately. If not, instead of bass. Troughs, humps, and large waters daily in aquatic plants and have the potential to destroy wetlands which could A Grass Carp establishment would have negative impacts A Grass Carp establishment would have negative impactsononpopular popularactivities activities major ecological and economic consequences. shake your rod tip several times, then pause holes in the weeds are also very productive. have around the Great Lakes, including fishing! Their voracious feeding around the Great Lakes, including fishing! Their voracious feedinghabits habitswould would allow them to destroy important habitat for many of your favourite target species allow them to destroy important habitat for many of your favourite target species and repeat again. Shake it without lifting or Troughs are narrow channels that run Asuch as Walleye (also knownwould as Pickerel), Northernimpacts Pike, Smallmouth Bass Grass Carp establishment have negative on popular activitie asmore. Walleye (also known as Pickerel), Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass andsuch many lowering the worm too much. This shaking through weed beds. They’re usually deeper around the Great Lakes, including fishing! Their voracious feeding habits would and many more. them to destroy important habitat for many of your favourite target speci than the surrounding bottom, and bass allow action really seems to trigger the bass. such as Walleye (also known as Pickerel), Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass move through them like a funnel, traveling and many more. I use baits that are impregnated with salt, between deep weeds and shallow flats. amino acids, and fish attractants, and when a bass grabs hold of one, it simply will not Use fast-moving lures and long casts to let go. Angler’s Choice Soft Plastics makes intercept bass roaming the trough. ideal baits for these kinds of techniques, such Crankbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, and
Fall 2026
Just Fishing . 51
feel only a “heavy” sensation when you pick up the bait with the rod Look for them along an inside weed edge, especially if that edge tip, so you really have to concentrate. When in doubt, set the hook. has two to four feet of water along it. These areas are best if they’re jagged with lots of points and pockets, and if there is a clear, open A jig & pig or jig & craw will often catch larger fish, but fewer area between the shoreline and the weed edge, it can be dynamite. of them than a worm. Fish it way back inside of the edge for the The weather, however, usually has to be stable before the bass will “biggies”. Use a heavy jig to penetrate the weeds, falling to the bottom. If you slowly draw or pull the jig through the weeds, you’ll use an inside edge. have far fewer hang-ups than if you jerk it hard. Foul weather will push the fish deep into the thick weed flats. Cast a lipless crankbait (like the Rattle Trap) along the edges to quickly Submerged weed edges are not as easy to fish as the visible edges. cover the water in search of active fish. If you’re not getting any hits, Let your electronics act as your “under water eyes” for finding points, switch to a minnow lure or a spinnerbait and start working a lot slower. pockets, and irregularities. Be alert for areas where two or more When you get a bite, slow down and fish the area thoroughly with varieties of weeds come together. This also forms an edge of sorts and worms, because bass tend to bunch up in certain areas along a weed can be exceptional for bass. Weeds are constantly reacting to their edge. Smaller worms and lighter slip sinkers are just the ticket. environment. They almost always change year to year. You may find a productive weed line on one fishing On the other side of weed flats are the trip and go back the next year, or even deep weed lines. Lakes with fewer pike “Be sure to practice catch & release the next month, and find that the weeds to ensure our future fisheries will and walleye than bass will have bass on have disappeared or there are only a few the deep weed lines. I have also seen thrive. Many times you will be the clumps left instead of a distinct edge. pike and bass alternate on a weed line. only boat out there as the majority One day the bass will be there, the next Weather, can have an adverse effect of the fishermen pack it in after day the pike. Long Point Bay, Ontario is on weeds. The peak of summer Labour Day.” notorious for this. will find the bass in thick, shallow weeds, out on the weed flats and In clear water, a deep weed line will typically end at the 12 to 14 along the deep weed edge. Fall is a different story. The water foot depth, depending, of course, on the lake itself. In some lakes temperature begins to lower. The shallow weeds begin to die off, with murky water, the weed edge may run out to only six or eight forcing the bass to move deeper. Bass will concentrate in large feet. It all depends on water clarity and the penetration of light. groups along the remaining green edges. This is a prime location Weedlines are not usually straight edges. In fact,they’re better if for trophy bass. By the time the water has reached the low 50o they’re jagged and will hold more bass. Points and pockets are range, most of the largemouth have gathered along the remaining high percentage areas. If the fish are active they will be on the deep weed edges. The bass are aggressive at this time of year, points. If they’re inactive, they’ll be tucked back in the pockets or gorging themselves as they prepare for the upcoming cold-water inside turns. period. In this situation a large jig and a Flappin’ Craw will catch A weed line that is 12 feet deep will often vary between the 10 the majority of big bass. (Fishing Weed Flats For Bass continued from page 51.)
and 14-foot range, depending on the points and pockets, the bottom type and the contour or slope of the bottom. In all cases, bass along a deep weedline tend to be more stable. They are less affected by a passing cold front or severe weather change, but they are also more difficult to locate than in the shallow weeds. You might fish a hundred or more yards of weeds and never get a strike and then suddenly come across a concentration of bass along a 10 to 20 yard stretch. You must be patient when fishing deep weed edges. When you catch a bass, throw out a buoy marker or create a waypoint immediately and work the area thoroughly.
Jagged edges require a slow approach because there is more area and angles to work. Polarized sunglasses and good electronics are essential for fishing irregularities along the weed beds. Work along the edge, staying out from it and casting into the wind. A small jig and worm combination will outproduce anything when worked along the outside edge. Use a small 1/4-ounce mushroomhead jig and a four- to six-inch worm on eight-pound line. If you fish it in the weeds, you will get hung up a lot because of the exposed hook. This rig is for picking up the active fish along the outside edge. If you have to go into the weeds for the bass, you had better switch to a Texas-rigged worm. Fish it much like you do in the weed flats, letting it fall vertically just inside the edge. Bass often inhale the worm on the fall or suck it off the bottom. You typically
Just Fishing . 52
To catch bass consistently, you cannot just fish the outside weed lines, flats or inside edges. You must be versatile in your approach and learn to fish all three areas. Patterns are changing constantly. Determine the depth and area the bass should be using based on the time of year, food supply, water colour, weather, and any other relevant factors. Bass learn to do two things well to survive; they feed and conserve energy. Weeds allow bass to meet both requirements. Food is abundant and shelter is unmatched by any other form of cover. So, next time you’re looking for largemouth bass, go for the weeds. Editor’s Note: Colin Stass is a lifelong angler with a strong background in competitive fishing, having spent years as a tournament fisherman. Over the years, he has also written fishing articles, sharing knowledge, techniques, and on-the-water experiences with fellow anglers. Today, Colin remains an avid fisherman with a deep passion for chasing smallmouth bass, particularly on Lake St. Clair, where he spends countless hours refining techniques and learning the patterns of one of the world’s premier smallmouth fisheries. Fall 2026
TIPS &
an 8-lb fluoro leader... will bump up to 10-lb if fishing around a lot of simply because you will need rocks, zebra mussels, or right in the cabbage. My leader length varies to start someplace. The more depending on water clarity... no shorter than 4-5’, but up to 10-12’ TECHNIQUES you learn by fishing, the more long for spooky clear-water fish. you can refine the rules that govern the lake you are on Howday. to fish it depends on the day... usually for me it’s more of a slow that The Ned Rig has become one of the hottest finesse-’em-up bass drag with little hops, just creepin’ and crawlin’ that thing along. he steps tobut follow in it’s locating fishnew under is no easy Seems theylove usually hit ithard in the first 10-15 seconds of the bait hitting presentations really nothing in the the ice Midwest. I’ve task. been Walleyes deep, Anglers heading out on lakes with little or no ice fishing pressure bottom,areas. so afterCrappies that I crank up and repeat. I’m almost always throwing throwing one for about 15 years now, and the guys that showed me bottom and are in for some plain old hard work. Few anglers relish the challenge natural, green pumpkin-ish had been using ’em since the ’70s. perch love waters of over 30colours to mimic craws or perch pecking of finding fish on a new lake. Most prefer “following the crowds” and at the bottom. feet with a super soft bottom, let eyesdifference be their fish some, one group Thetheir biggest IMOfinders. is that aToNed Riggoing shouldfrom technically haveofa and sunfish love to hang anglers to another is their of so “recon”. fish, you may Know the exposed hook seems goofy for throwing in the weeds, but it more-buoyant plastic on theform back, it floatsIfupyou off ice bottom. Basically off steep weedy break lines. not to joinlittle the treat crowd(usually or at some time you will beon faced with of thea Finding comes through better than you’d think. Doesn’t matter if it’s the right’em fishway holding it’s want a compact a stickbait) slapped the back challenge of being the only angler on the ice, so here are a few tips 7-13’ cabbage or 14-22’ for theweeds, fish you are coontail later in the season, a quick mushroom-shaped jighead – believe Gopher Tackle made it first, but elements to remember the next time it happens to you and you want to find fish. snap of the rod can usually after is fairly easy with a lakerip the bait out of the weeds (thx braid!) lots of options are out there now for jigheads. and sometimes trigger a strike. map. If the lake help has one deep Your first step is to understand the kind of water you are going to fish. Couple of my favourites are the VMC Half Moon Jig and the Finesse hole, then you would start This mean lake map andislooking at Ithe types ofstart structure Of course it’s not just pitching around weed-edges... it crushes for crappie. If a for lake Halfwill Moon Jig.getting A lot ofa days lighter better, so typically with a there you have available to you at this time of year. Remember, your ability around gravel, big boulders, 1/8-oz first...will occasionally bump-up to a 3/16-oz if the wind is rippin’ is a maze of structure, then you name it. I shouldn’t even mention to on a lake mayitbe limited to bottom…. foot powerThis or poor conditions of my favourite is best one to break the laketimes to throw it is when you have spring ortravel the walleyes want drug across one’sice paired with a itthis…but may limit the areas you can reach safely. It is always a good idea to walleye cruising shallow sand… into small regions that you 5-10’ can work without getting too confused. 3” YUM Ned Dinger, which is a know the roads and the various winter access points that surround Your first goal on most lakes is to establish the edge of the weed line. super affordable option: any given lake. Careful though: it canthen be tough to keep those brownand and Most winter lakes Some get fardays clearer they do in the summer, green carp off it lol. But I’m an equal-opportunity hook-setter, so Light it braid gives thatfish, extraevery time you try to make rules as to some of the biggest sunfish in the lake move into the old weed line When comes to you finding ’em on. for bring protection from predators. Checking the edge of the weed line is castingyou distance andfind feel.fish, Either 8-lb Sufix 832Like or catching NanoBraid, with even better if you are near a point orCourtesy where SHOULD the rules change. sunfish of:where Targetthe Walleye inside turn deep water at night, many would agree that sunfish don’t bite at night, but in some comes closest to shore. lakes, you don’t catch the really big ones until the sun goes down… go figure. Here are a few good guidelines to use to begin your search, Courtesy of: www.vexilar.com PRESENTS
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Just Fishing . 53