Just Fishing - Summer2025

GUIDING ANGLERS AND HUNTERS to

about winning presentations in events. The dreaded “Bladed Jig”, “Vibrating Jig” or ChatterBait, for those who are not afraid to give credit where credit is due definitely has quite the tournament pedigree.

The ChatterBait was developed and marketed under the RAD Lures label in the early 2000’s by Ron Davis and his dad who hail from Greenwood, South Carolina.

The “ChatterBait” name was officially coined in 2003 when Ron’s dad jokingly said that the lure’s intense vibration was enough to make your teeth chatter! But in a market where there are new baits/lures appearing on the scene almost daily, the chatterbait was met with much skepticism because of its unusual look and action.

Then in 2006, what needed to happen for a new product like the chatterbait happened, Bryan Thrift won a Southwest Division Stren

Series event on Lake Okeechobee using it. This was also Bryan’s break through victory as it was his 1st major bass fishing tournament win. Bryan weighed in 36 lbs. 9 oz. to claim this highly significant win. Once news broke of what he had used to win this event RAD Lures was swamped with orders for the ChatterBait.

In May 2008, South Carolina lure manufacturer, Z-Man Fishing Products fully acquired all rights including trademarks, patents, designs, and other intellectual property from RAD Lures, even though they had already been working with RAD on the marketing & distribution side since 2005-2006. There are a number of patents that have been applied and granted for the innovative features of the original ChatterBait and all of its subsequent iterations.

The main patents cover the direct, rigid link between blade

Running your ChatterBait over submerged vegetation like Hydrilla, Milfoil & Coontail will draw vicious strikes from ambushing bass.

Ambushing Buckets will engulf your ChatterBait and literally rip the rod out of your hand.

Lucky Craft suspending jerkbaits are great all season open water lures!

restricts lateral movement, creating a “clacking” sound and optimizing vibration transfer as well as its now famous elongated coffin-shaped hexagonal blade, which features slight bends at front/rear edges to generate highfrequency vibrations mimicking prey movement.

As it happens everyday in the fishing tackle industry, knockoff after knock-off appeared on the market as the chatterbait’s success grew. Z-Man actively and vigorously enforced its patents and took legal actions against numerous tackle manufacturers who infringed on these patents. There are many lawsuits involving patent infringements in this industry, although very few are successful.

Z-Man’s landmark case against Renosky Baits in 2011 for patent and trade dress infringement resulted in a ruling in their favour. Renosky and Z-Man reached a financial compensation agreement in 2013. Z-Man does licence its technology to some companies like Strike King with their Thunder Cricket. Since Z-Man acquired the chatterbait rights, they’ve brought numerous variations to market in order to cover a wide variety of fishing conditions and presentations.

A Line From “Big” Jim

Summer time and the living is somewhat easy, if you’re a fish. From what I have gathered speaking with a multitude of anglers so far this year, the fishing has been good, but definitely spottie. My best guess on this has to be the inconsistent weather that continues across the country as I type this. Hopefully by the time summer peaks hit the weather will have become more consistent and the bite will fall into place.

Boy do we have you covered for some fantastic bites this summer... Dave Chong, a long time contributor to Just Fishing, spills the goods on Chatterbaiting for Bass – definitely something everyone who fishes should be aware of. Next up is Liam Whetter & Gord Pyzer on a Once-In-A-Lifetime Bass Management Experiment in Eastern Ontario that is worth the read.

Bassmaster Classic Champion, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson takes us over a list of baits he feels you must have tied on this summer when searching for those critical bites. Fly Fishing Myths are busted by Dan Notarianni – plus he gives you the goods on what you really need to know to get started. Then walleye boss, Mr. Al Lindner himself, goes over one of the easiest summer techniques for Canadian Shield walleyes... Contour Trolling – it’s a must learn.

My buddy Ryan Gregory goes over the Great Slave Lake Grand Slam – catching four species on one fantastic and not so remote lake. “Bro” gives us Panfish in the Plumes – what a panfish magnet. Tim Allard rounds us out with Whirling Twirling Walleye Baits – it’s long known that walleyes are suckers for anything that spins.

Let’s not forget our regular features... Target Walleye, Tubman’s Tips & Techniques and Chef Tait rounding out the summer content. It’s up to you to take it all in. Enjoy!

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

Contributors

Al Lindner Cameron Tait, Tim Allard, Dave Chong

Brian Brosdhal

Jeff Gustafson

Liam Whetter & Gord Pyzer

Daniel Notarianni

Ryan Gregory, Dr. Steven Cooke

Box 214 Seeley’s Bay, ON K0H 2N0.

Phone: (613) 387-8735

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.

“Big” Jim

IN THIS ISSUE

SPECIAL FEATURES

Good Vibrations – Chatterbaiting 4 Bass!...3 Bass Management Experiment..................8

Baits You Need To Have Tied On............16

Fly Fishing Myths Busted..................22

Contour Trolling Summer Walleye......26

Great Slave Lake Grand Slam..............30

Central To Fisheries Science Management..38

Panfish In The Plumes.............................42

Whirling Twirling Walleye Baits...........46

DEPARTMENTS

A Line From “Big” Jim ..........................4 For the Love of Cooking.......................34

Tubman’s Tips & Techniques................35 In The News...........................................36 Target Walleye Report...........................44

On The Cover: Main – Ryan Gregory, photo: Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures – Central To Fisheries Science Management, photo: Dr. Steven Cooke – Chatterbaiting 4 Bass, photo: Dave Chong – Contour Trolling Summer Walleye, photo: Al Lindner – Panfish in the Plumes, photo: Brian Brosdhal, Baits You Need To Have Tied On, photo: Jeff Gustafson.

These models range from the Original ChatterBait, Jack Hammer, Jack Hammer Stealth Blade, MiniMax, Big Blade, Project Z, CrossEyeZ, WillowVibe, ChatterBait Freedom, Freedom CFL, ChatterBait Elite, ChatterBait Micro, EVO, EVO Tungsten, Hellraizer to the newest kid on the block, the Baby Jack Hammer! Each one of these are uniquely different and designed for various applications or presentations. The single greatest feature of these baits is their built-in action. You can but you don’t have to impart any action to these lures.

Both sizes of NEW Z-Man ChatterShad trailer and the RaZor ShadZ are perfect for the MiniMax, EVO Chatterbait & Jack Hammer!

But what makes a chatterbait so good at catching bass & other gamefish? The vibration and sound produced by its vibrating blade attracts and triggers fish as they can feel this vibration through their lateral line. The flash put off by the non-painted silver or gold blades mimics fleeing baitfish and can trigger a feeding strike.

A chatterbait is quite weedless and cuts through grass effortlessly, especially when fished on braided line. Chatterbaits are also very versatile. They can be fished at different depths and around various types of structure. Plus, they are fairly snag proof, so when fished around structure they’ll deflect off rock, wood or grass and this can elicit a very aggressive reaction strike. You can also pair them up with different trailers in order to match the hatch. Although they’re effective all year long, they do excel whenever fish are in shallower waters like early spring or late fall.

I usually have a couple of chatterbait setups ready to go in my boat. Both consist of the same rod & reel combo, a Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103 on a Daiwa Elite “Brent Erhler” Signature Series Bladed Jig rod (Model #: TTEL741MHB-G). The 7’4” medium heavy power rod employs Daiwa’s Glatech fiberglass construction which is designed to deliver the moderate action and parabolic bend ideal for bladed jigs and crankbaits.

The Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103 is constructed with a lightweight aluminum body, Daiwa’s renown SV spool and T-Wing System, which allows for super lengthy smooth casts! I like the 8:1 gear ratio which will pick 32” of line per handle turn.

I have one setup spooled up with 30 lbs. test Sunline SX1 dark green braided line – this is my grass setup. The braided line allows me to rip through most vegetation. The other is spooled up with 14 lbs. test Sunline Dostrike fluorocarbon, which was

(Continued on page 5.)

developed by Sunline’s R&D department with input from Brett Hite who is quite well known for his prowess with a vibrating jig. This is my smallmouth bass set up, the line is camouflaged with repeating green and smoke grey coloured sections, which will fool even line shy fish. It is designed for smooth long casts with the right amount of stretch to ensure solid hook ups with a chatterBait.

There are several preferred trailers for chatterbaits even though many users just thread on a 4” swimbait on their chatterbait. The trailers that I prefer are the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ, the new ChatterShad and the Yamamoto Zako. The RaZor ShadZ has been a long time favourite but the new ChatterShad is definitely growing on me. I definitely like that fact that they’re available in 2 different sizes (3.5” & 4.5”) allowing you to match up perfectly with the chatterbait that you’re using.

I love the 3.5” ChatterShad model on the MiniMax and New Baby Jack versions of the ChatterBait. I think that a swimbait as a

trailer is a little overkill and, in some cases, actually counteracts against the ChatterBait’s natural vibration.

Although, I’ve used many versions of the ChatterBait from the Original to the premium Jack Hammer model, my go to’s these days have been the Jack Hammer and the MiniMax although I can see the new Baby Jack taking its place shortly. The Jack Hammer has been responsible for many major tournament wins over the years.

The Jack Hammer is the result of a unique collaboration between two companies: Z-Man Fishing Products and Evergreen International (Japan). This has a great partnership combining Z-Man’s patented ChatterBait technology and marketing scope along with Evergreen’s expertise in lure design.

Professional Japanese angler, Morizo Shimizu and Vexus pro, Brett Hite co-designed the Jack Hammer. The Jack Hammer is currently available in

The Jack Hammer family consisted of the Jack hammer, the Jack Hammer Stealth Blade & the newest addition, the Baby Jack!

4 different weights, 3/8 oz., 1/2 oz., 3/4 oz. and a 1 1/4 oz. size, so there’s a weight for any water depth.

Evergreen has the right to sell the jack Hammer under their brand in the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), they also sell a tungsten version there as well. Colours will vary between the Z-man & Evergreen models.

(Continued on page 6.)

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Our most abrasion resistant braid yet 100% Fluorocarbon Line

THE BEST LINE YOU WILL NEVER SEE

Also available in Clear

J-BRAID X4

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continued from page 8.)

you planning on fishing for 3 days then you’re better off purchasing license. Full details of Arizona Wildlife Fishing Regulations can at https://www.eregulations. com/arizona/fishing. Fishing licenses purchased on-line at https:// www.azgfd.com/ or at local tackle stores Bass Tackle Master located at London Bridge Rd. in Lake Havasu Bass Tackle Master offers a great of fishing tackle with just anything that you might need to fishing.

What makes a Jack Hammer the phenom that it has been? Well, beyond the lure design, it starts with quality components including a top-quality ultra thin stainless-steel blade, hand tied silicone skirts, a Gamakatsu hook and a Duo snap. Along with these components and combined with a great head design, this allows the Jack Hammer to start vibrating at a rapid pace immediately, creating a distinctive sound and moving more erratically than any other vibrating jig.

I fondly remember dropping into his restaurant where he served some great diner food to grab a bite and talk a little fishing. I was always in awe of his Bassmaster plaques and awards that he had on display there.

Along with his love of the outdoors, Hank was a talented scratch golfer and hockey player. He played junior hockey on the Richmond Hill All-Stars and was even invited to a tryout for a Toronto Maple Leafs farm team at one point. He was a man of many interests which included snooker, darts, painting and playing guitar. Gifted with incredible eye hand coordination, he combined this with an analytical and studious mind to try and become the best at whatever he attempted.

The Jack Hammer’s erratic action is similar to a crankbait’s “hunting action” and quick recovery after it deflects off anything! The Jack Hammer can also be fished at high speeds without worrying about the lure “blowing out”, which many vibrating jigs do when retrieved quickly. The premium priced Jack Hammer is the standard that all other vibrating jigs are measured against.

Hank attended Humber College in a business program and while he competing on the Bassmaster circuit, he was a partner in Plumbing Mart store. As with many tournament anglers even today, being an entrepreneur allowed him the flexibility to pursue his “Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.” aspirations on the Bassmaster stage. At the same time while he was competing on the Bassmaster Invitationals and Top 100 events, he had a television show that aired on Global for a season, “Hank Gibson’s Fishing World”. Hank was not only a Bassmaster but he was a multi-species angler who loved fishing for anything with fins and swam.

getting his gear organized and ready until about midnight. He would sneak in about 4 hours sleep, then get up to load his truck, Ranger bass boat and drive down to Florida, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Missouri, Maryland or New York, wherever his

Black/Blue Laminate RaZor ShadZ as a trailer and proceeded to start whacking them! I used that Jack Hammer for the remainder of practice and then 2 days of the tournament, catching every bass that we weighed in for a 5th place finish!

Aside from all the fish that I caught, I was really impressed with the hook on it. Between practice and the tournament, I probably caught in excess of 30+ fish on it and never had to touch it once, it was as sharp at the end of the event as the day it came out of the package.

The Site Six fishing pier is a popular public fishing area located right on the island in Lake Havasu City! There is also a beautiful multi lane FREE ramp located there!

Although now famous for its ability to fool both largemouth & smallmouth bass, other predators like walleye love attacking them as well!

Different fish species that you could on Lake Havasu include largemouth smallmouth bass, striped bass, carp, channel catfish, flathead yellow bullhead, bluegills, Redear green sunfish, black crappie, white and rainbow trout. There are endangered & protected species, razorback sucker, flannelmouth sucker, roundtail and bonytail chub, which must be immediately if you happen to catch I was lucky enough one day to Havasu Trifecta by catching a largemouth bass, smallmouth bass & a striper same day!

Whenever he would get there, he would visit the local tackle store to pick up his licence plus charts of the bodies of water he was on and check into his hotel. He would then practice for 2 days, compete in the tournament for 3 or 4 days, hopefully cash a cheque and then hightail it home.

Hank was a multi-species angler as well and his television show “Hank Gibson’s Fishing World” aired on Global for a season.

I first became a huge fan of the Jack Hammer back in 2018 during the 1st Pan American Black Bass Championship being held on world famous Lake Okeechobee. Anyone who bass fishes in Florida should

Havasu is a 78.10 km² (19,300 reservoir on the Colorado River formed by the Parker Located on the Arizona-California border with Lake City on its eastern shore. Its name is derived from the word for blue in 1939 and you’ll clearly understand reason for this name when you actually see the lake. Havasu is 26.3 miles (42.3 kms.) long and its widest point miles (4.59 kms) , has an average depth of 35 ft. (11

always have a chatterbait tied on. At that time, I was a heavy user of the Project Z chatterbait but for whatever reason, I just could not get bit on the “Big O”!

It was a lot to manage in those days. Jeremy remembers him getting home from the Plumbing Mart at about 7:00PM in the evening,

I finally decided to tie on a Bruised Green Pumpkin 1/2 Z-Man Jack Hammer with a

The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ trailer was virtually indestructible, its ElaZtech composition made it crazy durable. The ability to cover water quickly and not having to change baits or trailers allowed me cover water and present my bait to many more fish. Since then, the Jack Hammer has become my go-to when conditions call for a vibrating jig.

Preparing for tournaments back then was not quite as simple as it is today with all the technological advantages available to us, even for things as simple as buying your licence on-line. Never mind the charts available on-line along with tools such as Google Earth and all the videos available on YouTube. Then when

Lake records include a 11.375 lbs. largemouth bass, a 6.28 lbs. smallmouth bass, striped bass, a 42 lbs. Common carp but by far the most impressive record to me is the 6.3 lbs. World Record Redear sunfish on May 4th, 2021 by Thomas Farchione! Weighed in on a scale at Bass Tackle Master, this monster sunfish measured inches in length and had a 20-inch girth! This is what first Havasu on my radar as a “Bucket List” destination.

The most common retrieve for a chatterbait is the “chuck’n wind”, a simple cast and

(Continued on page 7.)

(Continued on page 29.)

Deamin’

(Good Vibrations – Chatterbaiting for Bass! cont. from pg. 5.)

ANYTHING LESS AND YOU’LL FACE THE BACKLASH

SV TECHNOLOGY MAKES CASTING LIGHT WEIGHT BAITS EASIER, WITH FEWER BACKLASHES.

(The Original Canadian Bassmaster continued from page 28.)

retrieve. If you slow down your retrieve, your chatterbait will run deeper and if you speed up your retrieve then it will rise. Popping, twitching and ripping a chatterbait are all retrieves that can work depending on the cover and the mood of the fish.

you get to the lake and on the water, your electronics provide you with detailed charting like Navionics, LakeMaster or C-Maps, Side & Down Imaging, 360 and of course LiveScope or forward-facing sonar. Just think about going to different bodies of water that you’ve never fished before without the use of the internet, digital mapping or the advancements that we’ve seen in our electronics these days.

Late last year, I was fishing headwaters in Florida and after we located a school of nice fish, we caught a couple but I could see there were still fish there. I tried giving the fish a different look & started ripping my Jack Hammer once it hit the bottom. Man, did they ever start smoking my lure on that particular retrieve.

I remember being in attendance when Hank was speaking at a Bass University Seminar weekend held out in Conestoga College presented by the fairly newly formed Ontario B.A.S.S. Federation. The speakers on day 1 were Rich Tauber, Ken Cook & Hank and on day 2, it was Zell Rowland, Larry Nixon & Bob Izumi. This seminar format became a template for our future “BassTalk” sessions.

Chatterbaits can be effective at different depths, shallow or deep, in open water or around cover, at various speeds and different retrieves. They can catch quality fish as well as quantities of fish. They have the ability to trigger nearby fish as well as calling them in from a distance, appealing to a fish’s multitude of sensory organs. They are also available in a wide variety of colour patterns, which when combined with the right trailer will allow you to “match the hatch”.

TATULA SV TW 150

b WITH INCREASED LINE CAPACITY FOR LARGER BAIT APPLICATIONS

When it came to tournament fishing, Hank Gibson would keep his arsenal fairly simple. He was deadly with the blade, a white double willowleaf spinnerbait when retrieving with speed and slow rolling a single Colorado blade spinnerbait. His elite level eye hand coordination allowed him to cast it with deadly precision, putting it almost anywhere he wanted especially around cover. His other go-to presentations included a Texas-rigged worm, a tube jig and a Stanley flippin’ jig.

Darker colours like Bruised Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue and one of the

Editor’s Note :David Chong is widely recognized as one of Canada’s top competitive tournament anglers. He is also an avid multi species angler and is a strong advocate for affordable, accessible angling for all! David loves sharing his vast fishing knowledge and stories with anglers of all ages, beginners and pros alike!

TATULA SV TW REELS WITH HYPERDRIVE DESIGN

(Good Vibrations – Chatterbaiting for Bass! cont. from pge 6.)

A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME BASS MANAGEMENT EXPERIMENT A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME BASS MANAGEMENT EXPERIMENT A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME BASS MANAGEMENT EXPERIMENT

bass management is happening right now on Opinicon and Charleston Lakes in southeastern Ontario.

“For most of my career,” says Dr. David Philipp, “we’ve been looking at the impacts of angling on nesting bass and asking the question, do bass need protection from anglers during the spawning season? Most of our research was involved in looking at individuals, an individual bass that was angled. And clearly that was not a good experience for that male or female.

“And so we definitely said, yes, it needs protection, but there’s always been the question of whether that translates from the individual up to the population scale.

So does a population need protection?

Well, apparently in Ontario anyway, and it used to be in most of the States, that most of the fish and wildlife agencies did think so, because (southern) Ontario has a closed season during the bass spawning season, even though it is absolutely ineffective. But, it’s difficult to test the idea of no fishing in an open lake.

“Then 2020 and 2021 came along and here in Southeastern Ontario, there was essentially no fishing during May and June during the two Covid-isolation years. Americans were not allowed in, cottagers were discouraged from coming and so it was really only locals. But fishing ramps were closed and there was no access.”

“We published that and it convinced the Ministry (OMNR) that indeed, what we’ve been saying for the last 20 years, that this was basically recruitment over fishing, was a problem. So that was it. It just fell out of the sky, this natural experiment where the whole lake was closed really during the spawning season.”

You can listen to Philipp explain how the researchers snorkelled the transects in the various study lakes by tuning into the Doc Talks Fishing podcast. (Follow the link at the end of this article) And as he explains, there is a key lack of understanding of the true life history of bass.

Fortunately, according to Philipp, Dr. Aaron Zolderdo, the manager of the Queen’s University Biology Station has a cottage on Opinicon Lake, the same lake that Philipp has, so they used their buildings as mini-research stations to continue conducting the bass year class swimming experiments that they had been conducting for decades.

“What we found was that in 2018 and 2019, which were pre-Covid, as well as 2022 and 2023, which were post-Covid, they had almost no year classes. The recruitment was a disaster because there was so much illegal fishing going on. Well, in 2020 and 2021, the two year classes were the largest that we had ever seen since we started monitoring back in 1990.

“Most people know that in the spring males come in, build a nest, court females, spawn and then the females leave to feed and probably come back and spawn with another male two days later,” explains Philipp. “And the males stay to guard their babies from predators. And that takes three or four days for the eggs to hatch into little yolk balls.

Liam Whetter & Gord Pyzer

(A

Basically, they don’t even have any eyes. They can hardly move in that stage. And they’re in there for about ten more days until they become free swimming. Then they rise up in a ball with the male guarding them for another three weeks. So it’s a total period of about five weeks until the bass are almost an inch long. That’s when they can recognize predators and learned to avoid them. If at any time in that five week period, the male is removed, all of those babies are toast, extremely rapidly. We showed that if they’re still in the nest as larvae, 50% of the eggs and larvae are gone in the first ten minutes.

Because fishing opportunities and lakes are limited on the Great Plains, fisheries agencies often stock trout in bass waters for anglers to catch during the colder water fall, winter and spring periods. And while Ned was targeting bass with the jigs, he couldn’t keep the rainbows from taking the bait. Now, as they say, I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. I brought home Ned’s observations, fine tuned and adjusted the jigs to suit our local trout waters and met with sweeping success.

BALANCED AND LIGHT

The key is keeping everything balanced and light, tying the fluff around a quality 1/16- to 1/8-ounce mushroom or ball head jig poured on a small short shank razor sharp #4 or #6 jig hook. You can buy ready made marabou jigs from many companies, but there is only one – “Big” Jim’s Jigs handmade by Jim McLaughlin –that is as good as what you can make yourself after carefully selecting choice marabou plumes featuring delicate whisker-like fibres.

techniques such as hover strolling, mid strolling, and bottom strolling. Suited for baits ranging from 2” to 7”.

“So it only takes an hour, an hour-and-a-half and all those babies are eaten. And even when they’re up and free swimming, the sunfish just come in and pick them off and none survive. So that’s the key thing that most people don’t realize. They say once the male’s up off the nest, then they’re fine, but they actually need three more weeks. So what we do is swim and we find every nesting bass and put a tag there.

I like to say, too, that any colour hair jig will work, so long as it’s black. And it is true when you’re fishing for smallmouth. But I’ve had many days swimming fluff for brookies, rainbows and splake when olive, brown and especially, green pumpkin produced more

“We have it on a map and we score what species it is, how long it is, how many eggs it has and at what stage, and then we look for hook wounds. So we can see if a fish has been angled and then released. So we can directly assess how much angling has been going on each year and compare it to other parts in the lake.

• High center axis to encourage rolling action

• High knot position for stable rolling action

• “U” edge bait keeper to prolong bait life

• Round bend hook with Super Needle Point for easy hook sets on subtle bites

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the hook tightly behind the hair, and add a drop of super glue to the shank to hold it in place. It adds more weight and flares out the hair like the mane on an angry lion. The trout hate it.

“What we found is that in the non-Covid years there were lots of nests, but there was an awful lot of hook wounding and therefore a lot of nest abandonment. So a low percentage of nests were successful, whereas in the Covid years, there was almost no hook wounding. Almost every nest was successful and they produced a zillion fry.

“And we have shown in several different lakes that there’s a direct relationship to the number of independent fry that were raised through the full parental care period, the number produced in the springtime and recruitment later on.”

All that is left is to tie it onto a seven to seven-and-a-half-foot long medium light- to light-action spinning rod with a 2500 series reel loaded with a quality four- to six-pound-test gel-spun super fine line. I finish it up with an 18-inch long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader of the same strength as my main line. Early in the morning and later in the afternoon and evening, there is no deadlier approach than casting the jig around shoreline cover. Fallen trees are obvious, but swimming a marabou jig over the sunken stumps and logs that litter the area in front of a beaver lodge is doubly deadly.

MID-DAY MAGIC

Amazingly, Philipp’s research teams come back each year, swim the very same transects and count the number of one year old bass. And the next year following and count two year olds. The counts show that anything that causes a nest to be unsuccessful decreases bass recruitment and year class strength. Indeed, if a male is hooked a second or third time, says Philipp, it abandons the nest.

If you enjoy fishing for trout, you know that at high noon, especially in the warmer summer months, the fish will typically pull out into deeper cooler water and drop down closer to the bottom. Many anglers also think the fishing gets tougher at lunch

(Continued

line twist and prevent cut-offs from toothy

Early to mid-fall is one of my favourite times to be on the water each year. The air is crisp yet not cold, boating traffic and angler competition are at a minimum, and big fish of all species bite, feeding to stock up energy reserves prior to a long, cold northern winter. That’s a combo you just can beat anytime, anywhere!

Temps & Temporary

“It’s a unique data set,” says Philipp. “Nobody else has anything like it. Probably because nobody in their right mind would sit down and say, let’s do a 27 year experiment where we swim 2000 miles. That’s what it took.

Jigging Rapalas allow you to fish aggressively beneath the boat in deep water, providing fish-triggering lure action and the ability to move quickly to locate

soft plastics provide lift-drop lure action in deep water, although their increased bulk and water resistance usually do not allow you cover water as quickly as when using Jigging Raps. Experiment to see what works best.

Note that crappies and bluegills are not coming in to spawn right after ice-out. Spawning temperatures are

“There are 30% fewer nesting males now than there were in 2000. And 40% fewer eggs are spawned in the nests. The success rate has dropped in half. It has dropped from about 60% down to 25%. The last few years, it has down to less than 10%. So the number of successful babies has decreased 70%. And when we look at the recruitment for pre-Covid, Covid and post-Covid, we see that exact same pattern in the three Rideau Lakes, Sand Lake, Indian Lake, Opinicon,

situation. When people ask my what I think fish mistake the Ned Rig for my response is, ‘I don’t care what they mistake it for, as long as they’re biting it’.” Gord added, “If we’re fishing the clear waters of Whitefish Bay on Lake of the Woods, I like natural and neutral colours versus

I love big slabs on light tackle!

long winter. If temperatures rise in the high 50s, panfish start swarming creeks, river mouths, boat harbors and shallow bays. In the 50s-40s temperature range, they stage outside of these areas on the aforementioned flats.

About the Author:

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.

Some lakes have bite windows where the panfish are active in the morning and evening. Other lakes bite all day. Gin-clear water and lack of cover make for finicky panfish.

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.

I don’t think the rig can be fished wrong. You can drag it, shake it, count it down and swim it. Just use a systematic method of fishing it from top to bottom and cover the bases.

Charleston and Devil Lake. They’ve all had horrendous recruitment. But huge year classes from 2020 and 2021. And everybody’s reporting, wow, there are all sorts of bass out there that are 8 to 12”. People are catching them like crazy. So that’s exactly what's happening.”

Gauge the lure size along with temperature readings. If the water is warmer, go for larger Tungsten Feather Jigs with 2-3 wax worms or a crappie minnow. If the water is cold, pack ice fishing tackle like Northland Fishing Tackle’s Flat Fry Jigs, Mud Bug, Gill Getter and plastic pre-rigged Bloodworm Tail with a single wax worm or micro crappie minnow.

“Most people

the subject of presentation, Gord had some real gems of advice, “The most interesting retrieve that I’ve been writing about, where crappies and smallmouth are involved is the “Bivins’ Bounce”. Terry Bivins is a retired NASCAR driver from the states and he is an

I use a St. Croix 7-foot Legend Elite Panfish rod for casting dropshot or slip bobber. I go to a 6-foot rod for vertical fishing. All rods are paired with a SEVIIN GS Series 750-sized reel, which keeps the combo light and helps with finesse panfish

know that in the spring males come in, build a nest, court females, spawn and then the females leave to feed and probably come back and spawn with another male two days later,” explains Philipp

BRO PRO TIP

Perch fishing can be fast and furious which means handling lots of fish. I wear Fish Monkey Stealth Dry-Tec Gloves because I’m able to bait my hook and handle fish on nasty cold days without removing them. On cold wet days, I also wear an AFTCO Reaper Windproof Jacket layered under my Fortress Rainsuit.

There is an amazing amount more you’ll learn when you listen to the full podcast with Philipp, but what we found mind-blowing is the experimental management that is now occurring and resulting in so much more successful recruitment.

“The major problem is the closed bass season regulation,” says Philipp. “It’s not protecting the bass. There are no protected bass. So what we’ve said is that instead of a temporal closure, there needs to be a spatial closure. So we’re talking about bass spawning sanctuaries, which are areas of the lake that are closed to all fishing. So it’s black and white. You can’t be in there saying you’re crappie fishing or you’re pike fishing with an 8” black worm.”

Use Sunline 5-lb. Sniper for jigging, slip bobber and drop coloured neon hooks size 6 and 8 for drop shotting wax worms or crappie minnows. Sometimes adding a contrasting coloured 5mm bead in front of the hook helps trigger bites. This is a great

It’s just through the spawning season. It’s not closed for the rest of the season, just the spawning season to protect those males and females. The rest of the lake would still be under the same totally ineffective (closed bass season) protections. But what it will do is guarantee that natural selection is going to occur.

A tungsten sinker is the best choice when using a dropshot. Tungsten is 30% heavier than lead allowing you to have a smaller profile sinker for the weights you need. Tungsten sinkers come in many shapes and sizes. Cylinder shape

(Continued on page 14.)

NEW FOR 2025

We need to protect those factors in our management rather than just say, we don’t have enough bass, we’ll just stock some more or we’ll do something else. And we’re trying to manipulate things with different length limits and stuff like that.

We finally convinced the Ministry to allow us to do experimental bass spawning sanctuaries in two lakes, Opinicon and Charleston, which are interesting because they’re very different lakes. Opinicon is a shallow, largemouth bass dominated and very productive lake. While Charlestonis very deep, much cooler, and smallmouth bass dominated with lake trout and walleyes.

“We have areas that are closed from April 15th through to the first Saturday in July. These experimental sanctuaries are fairly small. In Opinicon, we have 10% of the shoreline in two different sanctuaries. because we know this lake very well. We estimate that we’re protecting a little over 30% of the spawning fish. We have some areas that are focused on smallmouth areas – they’re probably 15% of the population – and others that are heavy largemouth. In Charleston, which is a much bigger, much more complex lake, we

probably have 6% of the shoreline protected with these sanctuaries.”

As you’ll hear in the podcast, Philipp’s sanctuaries function like beehives where if you protect the hive the bees will fly away elsewhere and then spread out around the rest of the lake.

“That’s a very good analogy,” says Philipp. “It’s like Marine Protected Areas, where if you protect enough spawning fish, they’ll pump out more fish to the harvestable commercial areas. So once they’re done spawning, they'll move all over the lake.

“This is a four year study. In 2022 and 23, we identified where the sanctuaries would be, and we have transects inside those areas and transects outside. For two years, we swam and monitored all the angling and the reproductive success without the sanctuaries in place. We wanted to get baseline data for the sanctuary areas and the other areas.

Now we have implemented the sanctuaries that are legislated and in the regulations. We’ve been following the reproductive success aspects. And I can say a couple of things. Nesting success – the number of fry produced – is so different inside and outside. And compliance is great. We have some great fisheries, we need to protect them. Others, we used to have great fisheries and we can rehabilitate them.”

Suffice to say that the experimental management is now fully underway and yielding astonishing results. We’ll bring you updates as the work progresses, but in the meantime, you can listen to the entire fascinating interview with Dr. David Philipp.

You can listen to the entire fascinating interview with Dr. David Philipp right HERE.

Editor’s Note: “Liam Whetter is a passionate multispecies angler from Northwestern Ontario, always chasing the next bite no matter the season. He’s all about the pursuit, from frozen lakes in the dead of winter to remote backcountry waters. With a fascination for aquatic biology, he’s nearly as obsessed with understanding fish as he is with catching them. Whether it’s big fish, wild places, or the stories that come with them, his experiences on the water fuel his storytelling, capturing the adventure, the work, and everything in between.”

Meet the Future of Fishing. Designed by a Champion. The BB Series by Halo Fishing isn’t just another rod— it’s a tool of innovation, crafted with intention by Bassmaster Elite Champion Justin Hamner.

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BAITS YOU NEED TO HAVE TIED ON! BAITS YOU NEED TO HAVE TIED ON!

By: Jeff Gustafson

At the end, we’re going to discuss big baits... oversized swimbaits mostly, but bigger baits in general and their ability to generate bites, especially from bigger fish. There are times when they shine.

SMELTINATOR FOR THE MINNOW EATERS

WWith all of the guide trips I have done over the years, it’s interesting to see the baits that people show up with, tied to the end of their rods or the baits they see in my boat and want to try. Often, they are the bright, loud, gaudy baits that would be fun to catch a fish on. Sometimes those baits work well, but often they are not the best option.

When I write these columns for Hooked, it’s with an intent to help you all catch more fish, of all species. This column – all about baits you should have tied on this season – is going to hit on the Smeltinator jig and the Ned rig, which I have talked about in the past. The fact is, in central Canada these baits are fish catchers, so you should have them as part of your arsenal, not only for bass but for walleyes, trout and other species you’re trying to catch.

The Smeltinator Jig, designed and created by Bryan Gustafson at Lake of the Woods Sports Headquarters, has been a staple in my tacklebox for over a decade. It was the first jig we had available with a life-like, minnow shaped head that came with a quality Gamakatsu hook in it.

We have used these jigs in conjunction with minnow baits and swimbaits for years for a number of species. I have caught thousands of fish on the Smeltinator jigs

On the pro walleye scene, we’re seeing a similar trend, where anglers are going away from live bait in many events, instead using jig heads tipped with soft plastics to win tournaments.

With the Smeltinator Jig, it comes in four sizes (1/8 oz – 1/2 oz) and offers five different hooks sizes from 1/0 up to 5/0. This allows you to match up the jig head to almost any sized minnow imitator in your tackle box. The most often used jig for me is the 1/4 ounce, 2/0 model, which I’ll use for all of the 3.5” to 4.5” baits. As baits get bigger, or I’m chasing bigger fish, I’ll use larger hooks. The 5/0 is going to fit those 6” and 7” baits.

and won a lot of money in tournament competition with them. Most of the sport fish that we target eat minnows, so using these minnow-imitating baits is natural.

If you follow the professional bass tournament scene, you have seen that a jig head tipped with a minnow bait has been one of the most dominant baits in recent years, especially when used in conjunction with forward-facing sonar.

It an especially awesome head for big lake trout, in the 1/2 ounce model. For me, I’m mostly using straight tailed minnows, like the Z-Man Jerk ShadZ or small swimbaits like the MinnowZ or Slim SwimZ. In general, for bass, I like the straight-tailed baits the best and for walleye, I really like the small swimbaits. (Continued on page

Smeltinator Options.

Gussy’s Blue Glimmer Smeltinator.

The Author With An Underspin Walleye.

Minnow Next To A Smelt

Smeltinator Jig

Smeltinator Walleye Caught By Brian Gustafson Jr.

NO MATTER THE CHALLENGES, NO MATTER THE CONDITIONS.

NO MATTER WHAT

STRONGER - SMOOTHER - THINNER

MICROFILAMENT BRAIDED FISHING LINE

POWERED BY

HHI incorrectly categorized these burbot as spawned-out or immature males. Finally, it became clear that these big burbot couldn’t be spawned out males. This group were fullgrown fish, over 4 pounds. Baffling, their gonads were tiny, pinkish, ribbon-like, and under developed. Was this the group of fish that Sam also called males? I’m not sure; but, about 80 percent of the fish that son, Ben, and I harvested in 2008 were these, so called, “males”.

ey fall trollers – water temps are finally starting to dip! Instead of tying on any ol’ crankbait, did you know you can use water temp to tell you which exact styles to run.

Dr. Vaughn Paragamian...

Science Bridges the Gap

Brad Hawthorne’s logged a zillion hours pulling cranks in the fall, so it’s the first thing I asked him about when I had the chance to hop in his boat:

I sought out Dr. Vaughn Paragamian from the Idaho Fish & Game Department who had this to say: “Those fish are ‘nonbreeders’. Eelpout, like sturgeon, do not all spawn every year. Individuals rest on alternate spawning seasons.”

So why are resting fish active on the spawning grounds, I wondered?

He always starts early fall with #5 Rapala Shad Raps ‘cuz they’ve caught more fish than any other bait in his boat…especially while water temps are 60650F. Bump up to a #6 or #7 as temps reach the lower end of that scale.

Once the water hits 57-620F – and the weather is cooperating – he’ll put on BIG ol’ bent-lip #9 Shallow Shad Raps. Everything is going shallow and putting the feedbag on, including perch this size….

Original Jointed Minnows are one of his favourite overlooked fall trolling baits when temps are in the 50-570F range and fish are on the chew. They run 5-7’ outta the package, but Brad will pinch on a small splitshot up above the bait to get ’em down to the 8-10’ range.

T“Eelpout rest only as far as gamete production is concerned. Unlike sturgeon that avoid spawning activity during their resting year, the entire eelpout population participates in the yearly spawn, in one form or another. Many males and females are mature non-spawning fish with underdeveloped gonads, easily mistaken as spent or immature males when cleaned. Only under a microscope slide, can oocytes be seen in the ovaries of females and spermatozoa in males,” revealed Paragamian.

During our conversation I shared that many of these non-breeders were very emaciated with sunken eyes, reduced girth and shrunken, pale-coloured livers. “Although an individual non-breeder will eat chum on bottom, for example, without any available food on the

T(Slip Float Refresher cont. from page 12.)

(A Soft Spot for Walleyes continued from page 11.)

(Baits you need to have tied on continued from page 16.)

(Dailing-In Depth Control for Walleyes continued from page 7.)

(Sidebar)

This rigged with a Scented Jerk ShadZ is d-e-a-d-l-y for casting, strolling, and jigging

Frigid temps: Original Floaters are tough to beat. Brad’s caught fish on ’em in water as cold as 42 degrees. #PolarPlungeStatus More details straight from Mr. Fall Cranky himself in this video. (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=RLYu8tPpv8U)

If it’s windy, sometimes the swimbait gets a little more attention. I like to use the Slim SwimZ on the Smeltinator Underspin, which just gives it a little different look.

DO WALLEYE SCENTS MAKE

sonar to locate and catch walleye scattered on flats, relating to a weedline, or stationed on a sand bar, to name just a few areas. Hit spot-lock to hold the boat in place, cast the rig over to fish, and watch the float for a bite.

(10 Mistakes You Need to Fix continued from page 17.)

When you’re out on Laker-Whitefish grounds and you see fish feeding off the surface from the many insect hatches that occur in the spring, you can rest assured that these are probably Lakers whether it’s over 70-80 FOW or not. Using forward facing sonar like a Garmin LiveScope setup can help you spot these cruisers from

“If you’re fishing summer spots and they aren’t there, start fishing the sand. As the transition is getting underway, it’s still common to find walleyes

his can be a frustrating time of year to track down a limit of tasties. Fish are on the move, but they’ll be migrating to predictable areas and eventually schooling up hard.

Ted Takasaki, Scott Richardson and Greg Bohn combined forces to give us and Yoda some fall-transition secrets. Full write-up archived here, few excerpts below:

“Baitfish will only stay in weeds as long as they’re very green. Once weeds start to die off... baitfish and walleyes start to leave those shallow-water weed areas.

As a general rule, if you’re using your electronics to watch your bait and see fish, you should try to always keep your minnow baits above the fish, make them swim for it and work for it a little bit. If you’re simply casting, try to hit the sweet spots, like the tip of a point, a windblown cove or a mudline. Both bass and walleye love to set up on mudlines on those breezy days.

spawning shoal, itself, these guardian fish fast for weeks and weeks, never leaving the eggs,” explained Paragamian.

FISH FOR WHATEVER IS BITING

“They start to move out to more open-water areas at first... sliding out around deep water: sandbars that come out from shore and drop to deeper water, sand flats, sand points and sand

“Once fish are deep, they’re not very boat shy. I use a technique some call sharp-shooting,” Pugh said. “I might spend a half hour looking, then a half hour to 45 minutes fishing.”

“Pay careful attention condition and what bobber under, so you

How you set the hook depends on its size, diameter and thickness and when it is small, thin and razor sharp, a smart sweep of the rod tip all that is required to nab every fish.

Bassmaster Elite Series competitors posting photos and videos on their social media pages of multiple of these transducers on their boats, it has made me consider if I’m making a mistake? We’ll see how the season goes.

You’re making a mistake if you’re not using soft plastic baits infused with scent. That is the clear message from Pure Fishing’s Dr. Keith Jones, who invented PowerBait and has carefully studied how fish use their sensory channels. In order to determine if it should eat something, Jones says a walleye has to touch it, smell it, and taste it. He also says oil-based scents don’t work, as fish can only detect water soluble odours. Lastly, Jones says walleye specific scents are better than forage (shad, nightcrawler) based elixirs.“The foundation in our walleye impregnated Power Baits represents the “meat and potatoes that appeals to most predatory fish,” says Jones. “But then we spike it with walleye specific enhancers. Things we’ve learned that

FLX-30 BB flasher/ fish finder featuring – 7 frequencies from 160 to 300 kHz, 140 interference rejection options, target ID down to 1/4”, Digital depth displat, Day & Night display settings, Battery status & low-battery alert, 3 power level settings & zoom zones. Plus Vexiar’s exc;usive broad band Ice-Ducer transducer & float, 12 volt, 9 amp-hour, Vexilar Lithium battery, fully automatic charger, Soft Pack carry case, adjustable rod holder, external power posts for accessories and a custom Vexilar tackle box.

“Walleyes begin to move deeper as water temps drop toward turnover . Instead of looking for fish to be on top of

My opinion on all of this is that it’s okay to have fun and catch more fish. Embrace the technology, learn from it and teach new anglers how to use it. I had several days last year where I had kids in the boat with me and I showed them how it works, then they were almost glued to my side for the rest of the day, watching the screen. They didn’t want to put their bait in the water until they saw a fish!

I received a message from a reader last fall about catching big smallmouth, largemouth and northern pike. He had been unsuccessful in his efforts and asked if I’d help him zero in on the key depth. I flipped him back a note asking what species, in particular, he was targeting. He

“So, non-spawning guardian fish stay on the shoal, defend territory, and fast to the point of near starvation. Why?” I wondered out loud. “Well, why do most organisms on earth do outrageous things in the name of procreation?” retorted Paragamian. “One word: hormones. It’s primarily light and temperature, as well as other environmental cues that begin the cascade of hormones causing this behavior. There must be a mechanism by which they ‘know’ it is time to leave before their bodies give out completely. Bottom line, as long as the fat reserves in their liver hold up, they can stay.”

Glo-Shot Spoons are a killer on crappies, perch, walleyes, pike and trout. Cast or vertically jig... the S-curve design and light, lead-free construction excels with twitches, lifts and falls. Glo-Shot in low-visibility situations. Change Glo-Shot

Now, there is no question that when you are fishing for walleye, as case in point, that you may catch a bonus smallmouth, largemouth or northern pike. Maybe even several. But is it a huge mistake to assume it will happen and thus, go fishing without a specific species in

All of that being said, there is some responsibility amongst anglers utilizing live sonar to not exploit the fish by catching and keeping too many or even by catching too many fish in deep water, where they can’t be released. Crappies are especially susceptible to exploitation because they group up in large schools and they almost always suspend at least a few feet above the bottom so they are very easy to spot on these electronics.

Non-Breeders On Duty – More Bark

Sharp-shooting’s an assertive fishing style. It relies primarily on 2D or down-view sonar to get directly over walleye, then quickly dropping a fast-sinking presentation while staying over fish using the main engine or a trolling motor’s spot-lock feature. Jigging Raps, bladebaits, and drop-shots are popular artificial choices, but a slip float has long been the gold standard for live-bait tactics and often called “power corking” or “power bobbering”.

I use to accompany the Conservation Officers and fisheries technicians who worked for me and we would pull alongside anglers and do a creel survey. I was always amazed when the folks in the boats were asked what they were fishing for and they replied ....

Finally, make sure you rig your bait up straight on the jig head. If it’s not perfectly straight, it’s going to twirl, twist your line and not look natural. It takes some practice to get these baits rigged up perfect, but it’s worth taking the time to do it right.

If the fish start to disappear, we’ll see more rules and regulations that nobody wants, so take care of the fish and have some fun out there.

DON'T OVERLOOK DROP-SHOTTING

“They will be in spots like the sharper breaks or on mid-lake humps that top out at perhaps 20’, rather than 15’, or in holes in soft-bottom flats where depth drops from 15’ to 20’.

They are generally super aggressive at this time while they’re trying to bulk up and recover from the rigors of the spawn! They also grow to that trophy 40 plus inch range and can be over 20 plus lbs. Cooks Bay is probably home to the largest number of pike on Lake Simcoe. At this time, they can be found in the lower end of

bottom, while still allowing for a steady retrieve to activate the plastic’s boot-tail, cover water and trigger reaction strikes.

Lake Simcoe Guru, John Whyte doing the heavy lifting with a Lake Simcoe Northern Pike! Ditto, in the spring or anytime for that matter when walleyes are roaming the flats, feeding on yellow perch and whacking crawler harnesses. Scented soft plastic crawlers almost consistently catch more and bigger walleyes than live crawlers owing to the fact that the perch and panfish can’t nip, snip, squeeze or otherwise pull them apart. So you spend the bulk

I’ve written about the potency of drop-shotting in

Tip with live bait or IMPULSE plastics. Glo-Shot 1/16-, 1/8- and 1/4-ounce weights, with red treble hooks in #12, #10 and #8 sizes, respectively. Hooks are rings for added action and fewer lost fish. Sticks are non-toxic, easy to activate and glow in vivid colour for eight hours. They are light enough not to affect lure action and are also great for lighting up a variety of bobbers, hooks and jigs.

SHAKE THAT NEDSTER

“Walleyes become more selective about where they stage. They generally locate on a spot-on-a-spot. For example, if they’re on a mid-lake hump with scattered boulders, they will be on the boulders. If all rock, look for the patch of sand. If all sand, look for the rockpile.

Finally, knowing the purpose of non-breeders’ presence - territorial egg guarding – explains why, as individuals or as a mob, they shun every living creature that dares invade their claim. Ciscoes are their primary antagonist, the target of the non-breeders’ disdain and fury.

Pugh’s half-hour fishing timeline refers to a large bite window courtesy of decent numbers of walleye. At the other end of the power corking spectrum is waiting a minute or two when hovering over an individual fish or smaller pod. If things don’t happen fast, reel up and head to the next spot.

The Ned rig has been popular for about a decade. If you haven’t used it, you have surely heard of it in the past. It is a small, straighttailed worm, rigged up on a mushroom style jig head. It’s a plain, boring looking rig but it’s a great crayfish, bug and minnow imitator that simply catches fish.

To be successful, you have to focus in on a specific species, learn as much as possible about its lifestyle, habits, behaviour and seasonal preferences. Then you need to use the information to select prime locations, the best lures and optimal presentations. To do otherwise is to take a shot in the dark, which almost always misses the mark. Leave the hail Mary passes to the last minute desperation plays for

“Because more and more walleyes show up on these few spots, more and more of the lake holds no fish. It’s easy to be skunked if you don’t pay attention to subtle differences on the structure.”

Stakeouts with my AQUA-VU revealed ciscoes making forays to the bottom to gobble up eggs and then retreat, vertically, to just below the ice. When so incensed, frenzied ciscoes will attack lake trout- sized jigs. On a united front basis, the burbot chase allcomers away from the bottom. But, because they won’t leave their eggs, they won’t chase vertically. This makes the ciscoes’ game plan nearly perfect and their siege is relentless.

–

There are times when the minnow baits shine, like when fish are in deeper water and really focused on eating minnows, but a lot of the time, the Ned rig is the deadliest weapon in my boat. I have won

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To avoid the dock talk.”

Walleye/Ice emails

Jeff Gustafson grew up on the shores of Lake of the Woods in Kenora, Ontario. He has made his living in the fishing community since he was a teenager as a tournament angler, guide, outdoor writer and fishing promotor. In 2019 he joined the Bassmaster Elite Series and has found some success chasing bass around the United States, including an Elite Series win in 2021 and a Bassmaster Classic win in 2023. In between competing 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 Gussy on social media at @gussyoutdoors and www.gussyoutdoors.com.

from Northland brings the noise with a glass rattle and audible carry through water, all without killing its famous action. Anglers have long noted the benefits of vibration and additional sound in their baits, as fish cue on auditory clues to both help them locate and target prey of all kinds. The Rattlin’ Puppet Minnow still sports its trademark action, darting and swimming like a dying minnow, which triggers

I will never forget interviewing Kevin Van Dam, the winningest angler in bass fishing history, immediately prior to one of his four Bassmaster Classic victories. He had sequestered himself, miles away from the tournament venue, at his brother-in-law’s house. When I asked him

DOUBLE TROUBLE

MANOTICK

(Continued on page 44.)

(Continued on page 20.)

“The easiest way to do the whole thing is with a jig head,” Nelson said. “If fish aren’t shy and are eating it, 75 percent of the time that’s what I run. A jig keeps the hook away from the

I try to keep things simple when it comes to lures and presentations for Pike but one important piece of equipment that you must use is some form of leader. A Stringease titanium tippet/leader measuring anywhere from 6-12” is sufficient. These tippets consist of a 20-30 lbs. test titanium wire attached to a Fastach snap only and there is no swivel on it. These tippets are perfect for jerkbaits such as the Lucky Craft Lightning Pointers that I like to use when targeting Pike. Normally adding a regular wire leader in front of a jerkbait

Nelson prefers a leech in summer. When walleye are fussy, he switches from a jig to a more finesse and free swimming leech on a 4 or 6 octopus hook. This is presented below 12 to 18 inches of 10-pound fluorocarbon tied to a swivel. Above on low-stretch, 10-pound monofilament is a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce egg sinker, large float, bead, and a bobber stop.

(The Serge in Forward Facing Sonar continued from page 18.)

(What’s Hot On Ice continued from page 37.)

Northland Glo-Shot

Northland Rattlin’ Puppet Minnow

(Burbot Beyond Belief continued from page 42.)

Gussy shows a minnow works for both walleye & bass.

1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4

The Jigger is a traditionally balanced ball head style jig with a center of gravity located below the hook eye and along the shaft of the hook.

"THE NEDDER"

1/16, 3/32, 1/8 3/16, 1/4, 3/8

"THE ROLLER" "THE SWIMMER" "THE JIGGER"

1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4

"The Roller" is a top heavy, unstable jig with the center of balance located forward of the hook eye and above the hook shank.

"DISCO BALL"

The Nedder is a traditional mushroom style ned head style jig with a center of gravity that has a design enhanced to reflect FFS.

1/8, 3/16, 1/4 3/8, 1/2

The Disco ball is a traditional round drop shot weight designed to enhance the reflection of FFS. Available with Tie on or Line grip swivels.

3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4

"The Swimmer" is stable when being pulled forward or bounced, It's center of gravity is behind the hook eye and in line with the shank.

"#2 PENCIL"

1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8 1/2, 5/8, 3/4

The #2 Pencil is a traditional pencil drop shot weight designed to enhance the reflection of FFS. Available with Tie on or Line grip swivels.

NEW J-FLUORO LEADER

(DPLS). Available in 2 spool sizes—100 yard spools (2lb -20lb) and 50 yard spools (25lb – 80lb)

Spring 2024

(3

4.)

a bunch of money in tournaments around Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake with the Ned and it’s better than live bait for walleyes if I can use my electronics.

Colour makes a big difference and walleyes tend to have different preferences from lake to lake so I will use bright colour patterns on lakes that are dark stained and natural colours in clear lakes. Rippin’ jigs and plastics tend to work better with 70 degree warmer water when jigging the rippin’ jig through vegetation, so be prepared for crushing strikes from walleyes.

I love fishing locations where you can get walleye and trophy pike out of the same holes. Often, I’ll jig for walleye with a Buck-Shot Spoon and for my second line, I’ll soak a big cisco under a tip-up for pike. On some waterbodies we even run into lake trout in these shallower areas.

The Ned rig is a bottom bait so you’re letting your jig sink to the bottom, then shaking it along or snapjigging it along to generate strikes. My favourite place to toss a Ned rig is around areas that have a mixture of sand and boulders, where a lot of crayfish can be found. It’s also a lethal bait for pitching to fish you see on your sonar.

Anglers should also try cranking in plastics: Just pitch out let it sink and crank it back.

is arguable the best paddle tail I have used on the market. The tail has a light, fast wag that looks like a fleeing baitfish – it was definitely one of my go-to baits last summer. I have tried larger paddletails with less success – walleyes don’t want to be kicked in the face when they are eating. In terms of jig head size for Minnesota and the Dakotas, 1/4 oz is a great size for most target depths. You can tip it with a chunk of crawler or small minnow, but I don’t usually have to in northern Minnesota.

need to adapt. For example, longer lines, farther casting, and fishing in low light hours. Or finding a broken edge in the milfoil or clearing caused by

Like the minnow, rigging the Ned rig up straight is important so that bait falls straight. I tend to use slightly heavier jigs because I usually just want the jig to get to the bottom and then I’ll start working it along. For under ten feet, I’m going with a 3/16-ounce jig and for water deeper than ten feet, I’m going with a 1/4-ounce. I carry some 3/8-ounce finesse football jigs in my boat as well that are for use in deeper water (25 feet plus) or heavier current.

In terms of invasive species, you should be on the alert that some lakes are changing and becoming clear due to the introduction to zebra mussels. These are filter feeders that make the lake clear and fish spookier, while other lakes are getting a lot more weed growth than normal due to Eurasian Water Milfoil. This invasive weed can grow fast to the surface in mats, pushing out existing weeds such as cabbage. Milfoil weed edges change and expand on a weekly basis.

The Z-Man TRD is the most popular Ned bait and it’s a good one that comes in a variety of colours. For me, I seldom use anything

The last couple of years I’ve been heading north to the Red Lake area for a late season ice trip and the fishing has been excellent with plenty of walleyes and big pike. I’m looking forward to making it water that is seemingly everywhere up there. I’ve experienced some topnotch walleye and lake trout fishing but the pike fishing is as good as I’ve ever seen on a number of waters. There is simply a ton of water to fish and a bunch of big pike. I think it’s just far enough north that the fish just don’t get a lot of pressure and it’s the right type of water for them to get big.

But it’s not the end of the world! Walleyes love milfoil and seem to thrive on the clear, zebra mussel-infested lakes. As anglers we just

Lastly, don’t forget to bring your Frabill Conservation Series net as there are some hog walleyes on the weed edges. Get the one with the telescoping handle. You don’t want to lose your

Lake trout and whitefish, fish that suspend during the winter, usually get a lot more active as the snow melts and more lights starts to penetrate the ice late in the season. These fish are sight feeders and if they can see better, they’re going to eat better.

Obviously, the ice conditions can change quickly late in the season when they weather really starts to warm up, so pay attention to the ice conditions and when it’s time to stop going out there, don’t take any

The equipment available to ice anglers today is as good as ever. Over the past twenty years the improvements in mapping, sonar, tackle and even snowmobiles to get around, have made it easier to find and catch more fish under the ice. Have a great season out there!

except a Z-Man Hula StickZ, which is a slightly longer 4” worm with tentacles on the end of it. I cut off a little less than an inch on a fresh bait, to shorten it up a bit. Since I started using this bait in 2016, there’s no telling how many fish I’ve caught on it. Thousands of bass and walleye. The Ned rig is legit, just get it in front of some fish and shake it on the bottom. Some days, imparting short snaps into the bait will generate reaction strikes.

Sun protection is also vitally important – save your skin with a Fish Monkey performance face guard and stubby guide gloves.

Good Luck Ripping and Rigging walleye from the weeds!

And don’t forget to follow my fishing adventures on social media!

Both the minnow and Ned rig are best thrown on a medium action spinning rod. My favourite all-around stick is a G.Loomis NRX+ 842, a seven-foot rod with a beautiful action for fishing these baits. I like to rig up for both with a 10-lb. Power Pro braid main line, then attach a ten-foot leader of 10-lb. fluorocarbon with an FG knot. My preference is for a 3000 sized spinning reel because I feel like I get less line twist with the slightly bigger spool.

Editor’s Note: Jeff Gustafson grew

GIVE THE BIG BAITS A SHOT

About the Author: Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, is a fishing guide and promoter. One of the most recognized and respected anglers in North America – Bro, as he’s known, is a multispecies angler best known for his influence on the sport of ice fishing. He can be booked for

On the bass tournament scene there has been a trend towards using bigger baits in recent years, even on waterbodies that aren’t known for trophy bass. Anglers are using larger swimbaits and glide baits to trick the biggest bass in the system, even on northern (Continued on page 21.)

or

Just Fishing . 21

Seasons on the Ice continued from page

(Baits you need to have tied on continued from page 18.)

Ned Rig Walleyes.

fisheries where finesse tactics have typically dominated.

for some inexplicable reason, the fish won’t cooperate? We know they’re there, but something has changed. This happens a lot, even for the pros. And how they react will ultimately determine their chances for success.

Using these big baits is one of the weaker parts of my game but it’s something I’m going to continue to work on a little more moving forward. Some of my best friends out on the Bassmaster Elite Series are incorporating these big baits into their program at most fisheries and catching big fish on them.

Last year I started using them a little bit more around home and caught some of my biggest smallmouths and largemouths on six- and seven-inch glide baits. These are generally for use in shallow water but anglers are weighting them to use deeper in conjunction with forward sonar.

Other times we score, and we score big!

So do you change lures? Maybe. Or, what about changing the angle of your retrieve? That might work also. But often it boils down to

Places that could hold a fish. If you chase fish other than bass, the same principles apply. Throw oversized baits at fish that you can see on your electronics or around fish holding cover and see how they react, sometimes you’ll be surprised!

Swimming worms like Yamamoto’s Speed Senko are great for covering water, especially when grass is nvolved.

Last year I caught pike, lake trout and walleye on oversized baits, so it’s not just a bass thing. It’s fun throwing them, having that feeling that you’re going to get an oversized bite. Just don’t be surprised when a small fish, the size of the bait, takes a run at it too!

anglers who seek water” each day They’re so confident patterns they’ve they’re satisfied gun, hitting as many locations as possible.

When All Fails

What about those a pattern fails

The open water season is just around the corner for everybody in central Canada. Try and incorporate some of these baits into your arsenal and have a great season on the water!

Editor’s Note:

Jeff Gustafson grew up on the shores of Lake of the Woods in Kenora, Ontario. He has made his living in the fishing community since he was a teenager as a tournament angler, guide, outdoor writer and fishing promotor. In 2019 he joined the Bassmaster Elite Series and has found some success chasing bass around the United States, including an Elite Series win in 2021 and a Bassmaster Classic win in 2023. In between competing 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 Gussy on social media at @gussyoutdoors and on his website at: www.gussyoutdoors.com. (Baits

The thing with these big baits is they have the ability to capture the fish’s attention and then how you work the bait is the triggering mechanism to get them to bite. With the soft-bodied swimbaits, it’s generally a slow and steady retrieve, incorporating a few changes in speed with your reel. With the glide baits, you actually use your reel to move the bait, not the rod, like you would with a jerkbait. You make quick turns with the reel handle to move the bait, causing it to glide back and forth. I have been throwing these baits on heavier G.Loomis baitcasting rods, with 2025 pound fluorocarbon. A flipping stick will work but I just got my hands on the IMX-PRO 966 SWBR, an 8-foot rod designed for throwing these baits and it is sweet!

Well, that’s when a good back-up plan comes in. Although not get you to the winner’s circle, it might make the cashing a check or watching from the bank. The bottom putting fish on the scales, regardless of what it takes. even the most consistent pros are sometimes lost. Their pattern craps out and they’re left with nothing... not up plan. In situations like these, many competitors area and just go fishing, throwing at anything and that looks good. And this sometimes works, but not

Walleye and pike can also be caught trolling minnowbaits and crankbaits. This includes running a bait over the top of weeds, along a deep weedline, or through water just beyond the weed edge.

Timing is everything. And it’s the angler who figures out the right timing who will ultimately excel. That’s why many pros make brief, repeated stops on the same locations. They’re trying to hit them at the most opportune time, hoping to trigger a key fish or perhaps a whole school of fish into feeding. Some refer to it as “rhythm”, and when it’s working, there’s no better feeling.

Rather than fishing aimlessly down a stretch of bank, something a bit more promising. If it’s a reservoir nothing figured out, I try to put myself where there’s and fewer distractions – like the backs of creeks main river. I know by keeping my head down and picking smaller areas apart, the odds of running into fish –fish – can be better. On a natural lake or river system, concentrate on super thick cover, fishing solely for resident Are these strategies guaranteed to salvage a bad day? they have bailed me out on numerous occasions.

What if a pro has no key spots to cycle through? Is it possible to remain competitive by running a pattern throughout a lake or

I’ve had some incredible days fishing flats where pike and walleye were feeding on yellow perch and other baitfish.

Throw these big baits around shallow cover like trees, docks, boulders and points.

While flats by nature are fairly uniform areas, there will features where fish congregate. Examples include piles, patches of grass, a slight depression in bottom, point extends off a flat, and the ledge where the flat drops water. Cover water until you figure out what spots fish. Then dissect these zones by experimenting with lures and trying different casting angles to maximize of fish you catch.

So next time you’re faced with an unfamiliar lake your homework ahead of time. Then, when you’re try to be methodical in your search. If given the chance, fishing can work. It’s just a matter of determining the and cover.

On large, deep lakes, walleye and pike frequently relate mid-lake structures and feed heavily on cisco, smelt, open-water baitfish. These locations typically begin in early summer as lake temperatures warm, prompting populations of walleye and pike to leave shallow areas

Follow Bernie Schultz on and website

Casting jigs is productive on deep, sandy humps structures with minimal snags. Craggy, rocky bottoms matter. These are better fished vertically jigging a spoon,

Bernie Schultz competes on the Bassmaster Elite Series as a columnist to Bassmaster.com and InsideLine.net. an educator and promoter of angling, representing biggest brands in fishing – including Mercury Marine, Boats, Power-Pole, Fuji Rod Components, Shimano, Hildebrandt, Garmin Electronics, T-H Marine, Power Die Lithiums. You can visit him at: www.bernieschultzfishing.com

Trolling a deep-diving crankbait is another good an effective way to cover a lot of water. Pulling the deep water and then across the top of a hump can trigger

A Beauty Pike Caught On A Swimbait.

Gussy With A Glidebait Smallmouth.

FLY FISHING MYTHS BUSTED

WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED

PPFLY FISHING MYTHS BUSTED

icture this: It’s early morning, coffee in hand, and you’re standing riverside with your spinning rod and a box of worms. The sun rises, trout start rising too – splashing at bugs on the surface like popcorn in a hot pan. But your worm? Ignored. Then someone walks down, pulls out a long, whippy rod with a bright line, starts casting in these smooth, graceful loops... and hooks a fish first cast.

Small

Fish Are The Gateway

You watch and think, What is he doing that I’m not?

That was me – minus the coffee. I was seven and fishing with my Zio when some stranger did something that changed my life forever. Whether you’ve seen “A River Runs Through It”, or just always been curious about that odd gear in your grandparent’s garage, fly fishing can feel like a mystery. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are some common misconceptions that stop people from getting into fly fishing – and why they shouldn’t.

FLY FISHING IS FOR THE RICH

Let’s get this out of the way: You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to start fly fishing.

Sure, some gear is expensive. But you can get a solid beginner setup for less than you’d think. Just don’t buy the cheapest thing on the shelf. A $50 combo may sound tempting, but it’ll make learning harder. Cheap rods are often heavy and sluggish –harder to cast and not fun to use.

Upgrade to something like the Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX Line – it’s easy to cast and great for beginners without the premium price tag.

PRO TIP: Save money on the reel. For most freshwater fishing, it just holds your line. You pull the line in by hand when fighting a fish or retrieving your bait anyway.

IT’S TOO HARD TO LEARN

Fly casting looks hard- and it can be tricky – but it’s not impossible. And you don’t have to figure it out alone anymore.

Between YouTube, podcasts, and clubs, learning fly fishing has never been easier. Some great places to start: The New Fly Fisher (TV & YouTube), Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing (Podcast & Video Series), The SoFly Podcast (Fishing stories and practical tips)

Fly shops and local guides (Live 2 Fish comes to mind) often offer beginner lessons. These aren’t about chasing trophy fish – they’re about learning gear, casting, and reading water. In a couple hours, you’ll go from frustrated to confident.

Getting Ready For A Group Class

By: Daniel Notarianni

Look for graphite rods from reputable brands. Combos like the Guideline Kaitum or Hall Rod current combo offer great value without breaking the bank.

Most combos include budget fly line, which can hold you back.

YOU HAVE TO GO IT ALONE

Conservation Group Stocking Fish

Fly fishing is surprisingly social. Local clubs like Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club (Toronto) or similar groups across North America offer meetups, group outings, casting clinics, fly tying nights, and more.

Joining a club not only helps you learn faster, it connects you to people who can point you to local spots, show you tricks, or even lend gear. Many clubs also do amazing conservation work – something the whole family can enjoy.

TIPS FOR SETTING

UP

predatory responses in the form of reaction strikes. It’s heavy zinc frame fishes great both vertically or when casted, making it a truly versatile offering for a number of species. visit: https://www.northlandtackle.com.

With social media so prevalent these days, it is easy to get caught up in the hysteria associated with a hot lake or new bait. Some folks will even post the waypoints of popular fishing spots. But if you know about it, so do tens of thousands of other anglers.

You’ll also find fly fishing popping up at more outdoor shows, like: The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show (with a whole fly zone now!) Bowmanville Outdoor & RV Show, Ottawa Boat Show.

The new Magz Goby 3” soft plastic bait offers a realistic baitfish appearance and action to entice even the most finicky fish. The 3” Goby is great for both summer & winter fishing and for all game fish. Its soft body and active tail bring the Magz Goby to life! For more information, visit: https://magzmfg.com.

Sharing reliable, guarded, insider information with one or two trusted friends is a good thing, but relying on second, third and fourth hand accounts of dock talk

SO WHY FLY FISH?

HUMMINBIRD MEGA-LIVE

I like to take all of the range settings out of auto and set them in manual mode. This keeps the range the same all the time so it’s never jumping around. My forward range is usually set to 90 feet, which is about the length of a full cast. I move the down range around to fill up the screen with the water column, meaning, if I’m fishing in 20 feet of water, I’ll probably set my down range between 22 and 25 feet. Then adjust as you go shallower or deeper.

FLY FISHING IS ONLY FOR SMALL TROUT

This one always makes me laugh. Yes, we often start beginners on small fish – because panfish, creek chub, and little trout are eager and forgiving. But don’t be fooled.

8ON’T BE FIRST IN AND FIRST OUT

The Bondy Bait Company to the point where they now have over 100 dealers. Jon loves to fish, but he also loves tinkering with new lure designs and with new fishing concepts and techniques. His latest addition to the lineup, the 1.75” Bondy Bug Panfish Bait is sure to have fish salivating. The Bondy Bud is available in 30 mouthwatering colours and comes in a 20 pack. For more information, visit: https://bondybaitcompany.com.

Falling In Love With Fly Fishing

If you were amongst the very first anglers to fish Slow Death for walleye, Ned Rigs for bass, Bondy Baits for lake trout and big double bladed Cowgirls for muskies you know the heart stopping feeling of riding the roller coaster to fishing success.

FLY FISHING IS FOR EVERY FISH THAT SWIMS

In forward mode, you have some different options for setting up the transducer. I like to run my transducer in 40 degrees (pointing down more) when I’m fishing deeper water or more vertical, under the boat. When I’m fishing in shallower water or doing a lot of casting and fishing higher in the water column, I like to run it at the 60-degree setting. From the pointing down position, 40 degree is four clicks and 60 degrees is six clicks.

I count myself among the blessed to have been at the forefront of each of these trends. Unfortunately, nothing good ever lasts. Despite unbelievable efforts by a select few anglers to keep each one of the techniques under wraps, the secret got out and loose lips sunk

Smallmouth bass are one of my absolute favourite species to chase with a fly rod. They hit hard, jump like crazy, and smash topwater flies like they’re angry at them. Want bigger? Steelhead, pike, muskie – even saltwater species like redfish, bonefish, snook and tarpon – are all fair game on a fly.

Learning with Small Fish

Because it’s fun. Because it connects you to the water in a new way. Because there’s something magical about watching a trout rise to a dry fly or seeing a bass explode on a popper. It is hand to hand combat while slowing down enough to find the bugs under rocks that the fish are eating!

It’s not about being better than other types of fishing – it’s just another way to fish. One with its own rhythm, rewards, and community.

So if you’ve been curious, stop waiting. Ask questions. Try a lesson. Visit a fly shop or club. You’ll be surprised how welcoming this world is.

Each body of water is different and often requires some adjustments to the sensitivity and contrast. Typically, I like to run my sensitivity high, between 16 and 20 (the highest setting). The higher the sensitivity, the more detail you’ll see. With the contrast, the higher you set that, the more the screen will clear up, but you’ll filter out some of the weaker signal returns, so it takes some playing around. Usually I’ll run it between 8 and 10, but will turn it up if the screen is displaying a lot of “clutter”. Those are the only settings I ever really play with on my Mega-Live.

It is why, when you read about a technique for the very first time in a reliable source – like the pages of Just Fishing! – or hear about it from a trusted friend, you need to assess it immediately, perfect it quickly, add it to your arsenal and then milk it for all that it is worth, because every innovation will become commonplace, the fish will become conditioned to it and something better will replace it.

Fly rods, lines, and flies exist for everything from sunfish to sharks. Once you learn the basics the sky’s the limit.

Makers of custom hand made injection and hand poured soft Canadian Baits brings you a variety of quality custom baits at and afforardable price. This Canadian company offers swimbaits, craws / creature baits, ice fishing / micro, finesse worms and more. Great prices on their Glow in the Dark ice fishing plastics including

(Continued on page 19.)

And before long, you might be the one casting loops while someone else watches, thinking, What’s he doing different?

RELATED LINKS

Guideline Kaitum Combo – https://www.ontarioflyfishing.ca/products/guidelinekaitum-trout-fly-rod-kit

Hall Rod Current Combo – https://hallrodcompany.com/products/hall-rod-currentcombo-with-greys-reel

Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX – https://scientificanglers.com/product/mastery-mpx/

The New Fly Fisher – https://www.youtube.com/@newflyfisher

SoFly Podcast – https://www.sofly.ca/

Live 2 Fish Guide Service – www.live-2-fish.com/guide

Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club – https://iwffc.ca/

About the Author –Daniel Notarianni:

Born in Southern Ontario, Daniel founded Live 2 Fish in 2012 and his passion for fishing and the outdoors has taken him all over North America as a guide, writer, photographer and educator. From small creek brook trout and Great Lakes bass to snook in the surf and peacock bass in the swamps, Daniel loves catching fish!

Bondy Bait – Bondy Bug

Canadian Baits

Ice Spikez

Canadian Baits Paddle Tails

Peacock Bass On The Fly

Steelhead On The Fly

concentrated. Depths of 10 to 25 feet are common. The exception occurs where cold-water forage species like ciscoes or smelt roam the main basin. Here, some large walleyes may position below the thermocline to feed on these species until falling oxygen levels there force them shallower, above the thermocline, typically by mid-summer.

Where and how you fish for these mid-depth fish is determined by the types of structures they use. For example, if points and humps tend to be small, they are usually best fished with precision tactics like casting jigs, vertically jigging jigs/ rattlebaits like Rippin’ Raps / Jigging Rapalas, or even live bait rigging if nightcrawlers, leeches or minnows are available.

them easy targets for longline trolling with crankbaits that cover the general drop-off area, plus slightly up on top of the shoreline flat, on out to open water just outside the drop-off.

Both are suspending lures, which means that they hover when paused. Simply let out 75 feet or so of line behind the boat as you troll along, preferably with your stealthy bowmount trolling motor, and go just fast enough to feel the baits wiggle. You don’t have to make bottom contact; walleyes regularly strike free-running lures.

There are numerous ways to catch a giant Canadian walleye. This one’s about the easiest.

Some lakes, however, have larger structures where the fish spread out and roam their edges, especially around the leading edge of summer when walleyes are loosely grouped, rather than tightly schooled. The edges of extensive shoreline flats or large, offshore humps rising above the thermocline are ideal for longline trolling tactics that allow you to cover lots of water to locate active walleyes.

Trolling is a mainstay in the walleye world. It’s a fun way to cover water, and it’s easy fishing. Just select a minnowshaped crankbait that mimics the local forage and dives to the correct depth range where you spot fish on your electronics. For example, if walleyes appear to be 10 feet deep or shallower, I might choose an X-Rap. If they’re more in the 12-15-1820-foot range, I like Rapala’s PXR Deep Mavrik 110, which comes in a wide range or realistic forage patterns.

However, occasionally impart a gentle forward surge of the lure by slowly sweeping your rod tip forward, then softly dropping it back toward the lure. The surge, followed by a brief pause and suspension, triggers strikes.

If it seems like the fish prefer a more aggressive, wobbling action, try a deep Tail Dancer (regular or deep). As always, experiment for best results. The good news is, trolled crankbaits tend to produce larger walleyes, which is always exciting.

Expansive, broad structures allow long, easy trolling passes where you don’t need to precisely cover the exact drop-off or twists and turns along it. Just sort of gently wander in and out along the edge to see what produces best.

While you can troll with an outboard, I prefer using my Minn Kota Quest bowmount to weave along the drop-off without spooking walleyes below the boat. Often, you’ll see fish on your electronics and can even predict when you’re about to get a strike. As you troll, note how and where the fish tend to be positioned: shallower, off the edge, how far off bottom, etc. It allows you to make adjustments and be even more effective.

The nice thing is, you don’t need specialized trolling gear. I use the same tackle that I use for other presentations like jigging, Jigging Raps, blade baits and hair jigs. It’s a 7-foot St. Croix Avid, medium-power, fast-action spinning rod with a Daiwa Tatula 3000XH spinning reel. I spool up with 10-pound Sufix 832 braid and add a 5-foot fluorocarbon leader to help prevent bite-offs from northern pike.

Using this simple setup and forward trolling tactic, you can spend a leisurely day picking up nice walleyes here and there and simultaneous locate the best areas that hold the most fish. It’s about as simple, fun and productive as fishing can get.

About the Author:

Visit:

Al Lindner ranks among the most renowned leaders in the fishing industry. Averaging about 180 days a yearonthewater,Alishailedasoneoftheworld’sbestall-aroundanglers. 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. “As the guy driving the boat, when everybody’s catching so many walleye, all I’m doing is being the net man and taking care of everybody’s fish. At least this way I can get a cast or two in.

Most Overlooked Spring Walleye Patterns continued from page 6.)

Great Slave Lake

4 Species 1 Lake GRAND SLAM

TThere’s something special about fishing the North. The remoteness, the silence, and the sheer size of Great Slave Lake humble you. It’s a place where the fish are wild, the water runs cold, and the adventure is still real. But for those who want a true challenge – a memory that earns a spot on the wall and in the heart – there’s one goal that stands above the rest: The Great Slave Lake Grand Slam

At Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures, we’ve guided anglers from all over North America in pursuit of the Slam – lake trout, northern pike, Arctic grayling, and the elusive Inconnu in a single open-water trip. It’s not easy, and that’s the point. But if you pull it off, you’ll not only have stories for life, you’ll be entered into the draw for a free 1/2 day trip in 2026, or you can use your Slam Dollars for a discount on a Full Day or Multi-Day Adventure with us.

What Makes the Great Slave Lake / Grand Slam – So Legendary? Each of these four species lives in distinct zones of the lake or surrounding rivers that often overlap throughout the lake. It’s a journey that requires planning, skill, and the right gear – but also a willingness to explore, as we run and gun to our favourite spots around the lake, to put you in front of the fish. All you have to do is sit back enjoy the ride and focus on catching fish.

By: Ryan Gregory,

• Lake Trout: The Arctic sharks of the water, with fish commonly over 20-lbs

reaching into the 60lb+ range, the lake trout is the #1 sought after species in the North. To some nothing else matters, but the chance to dance with a true Lake Monster. Often known to be found in the deepest parts of the lake, 60–100+ feet of water, where Trolling or

vertical jigging are go to tactics, but in the Arctic it can become common to roll up on a school of feeding fish in the shallows, that chase your bait down every cast, or a big old grey back laker, cruising the shoreline looking for a whitefish or smaller lake trout for lunch and all you have to do is get your bait within eyesight and hang on! Anything is possible up here, when it comes to fishing lake trout. For me, it’s just a giant silver smallmouth!

• Northern Pike: Found in the shallows in the Spring, all around Yellowknife, weed flats, back bays and rivers, the pike around here are big and plentiful. One hundred plus fish days are very common in the spring and you can get up-close and personal when the wind is low, allowing you to stalk your prey up shallow and sight fish for a big monster pike basking in the sun.

Later in the fall, these fish school up in and around the deep weed beds, ambushing their prey. Find the magic weed bed and multiple fish in the 40+” range are possible in a single outing and 50” pike up here are a thing! For me, this is as close as it gets to largemouth bass fishing, where heavy bass gear with big jigs and swim baits are the ticket, for some hands-on combat with the wolves of the water!

Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures

cut-offs from toothy

one of my favourite water each year. cold, boating traffic competition are at a minimum, species bite, feeding to reserves prior to a long, That’s a combo you anywhere!

PurpleHaze

allow you to fish the boat in deep fish-triggering lure action move quickly to locate

the Author:

among the most renowned fishing industry. Averaging on the water, Al is hailed best all-around anglers.

soft plastics provide lift-drop lure action in deep water, although their increased bulk and water resistance usually do not allow you cover water as quickly as when using Jigging Raps. Experiment to see what works best.

situation. When people ask my what I think fish mistake the Ned Rig for my response is, ‘I don’t care what they mistake it for, as long as they’re biting it’.”

Gord added, “If we’re fishing the clear waters of Whitefish Bay on Lake of the Woods, I like natural and neutral colours versus some of the brighter twotone colours in Kenora’s algae stained waters.”

FISH IT RIGHT: RETRIEVES, RODS, REELS & LINE

I don’t think the rig can be fished wrong. You can drag it, shake it, count it down and swim it. Just use a systematic method of fishing it from top to bottom and cover the bases. And while on the subject of presentation, Gord had some real gems of advice, “The most interesting retrieve that I’ve been writing about, where crappies and smallmouth are involved is the “Bivins’ Bounce”. Terry Bivins is a retired NASCAR driver from the states and he is an (Continued on page 52.)

Complete the Slam, and you’ll join a small but proud group of anglers who’ve done it all – in one of the wildest freshwater systems on the planet.

honoured career as an author, syndicated radio & TV fishing show host, fishing guide, tackle manufacturer, lecturer and champion tournament 35 years of the most revolutionary years in sportfishing.

A Slam on Camera: Cooper Gallant’s Arctic Adventure: When Cooper Gallant – Bassmaster Elite angler – hit me up about filming a Great Slave trip, I knew we had to put him on the Slam. In his video series, Cooper takes viewers behind the scenes of his road trip to the NWT with his brother Colin. If you want a visual feel for the Slam and what our trips look like in the spring, his footage says it all.

Fishing with Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures

Whether you’re flying in with a camera crew or booking a 4-day getaway with friends and family, I tailor each trip to your goals. The Grand Slam is always on the menu. We run out of Yellowknife, NWT, with a selection of boats capable of long runs across Great Slave Lake, into the east arm. You’ll still feel like you’re in the wild, we are just riding in luxury is all, shielded from the elements to help maximize your time on the water and spend less time worried about the weather.

Zones we fish for the Slam: • Yellowknife Bay & amp; Yellowknife River – Trophy Northern pike, Inconnu, lake trout, whitefish, Arctic grayling, walleye and burbot. • East Arm –Trophy lake trout, trophy Arctic grayling, Inconnu, Northern pike. • North Arm – Trophy Northern pike, Inconnu, walleye and burbot. • Main Lake – Trophy Lake Trout and Inconnu.

PRO TIP: Best Slam window is mid-June to mid-August. This is our calmest weather period in the summer and longest sun light periods, where it is day light for almost 24hrs each day.

Slam Rewards – Your Trip Could Earn You a Free One

Complete the GSL Slam solo or as a group during any YSA guided trips and you’re automatically entered to win a free 1/2-day trip in 2026. Complete the Trophy GSL Grand Slam with a lake trout, Northern pike and Inconnu over 40” in length and a 22” Arctic grayling and have your name entered to win a free (9hr) full day trip with us in 2026.

Coming This Fall: The Ice Slam: In the next issue of Just Fishing, I’ll be sharing the Winter Grand Slam – yes, all four species through the ice, in the same hole. Heated shacks, Side by Sides, and real Arctic survival strategies make it possible –and fun. You will almost forget it -50C outside!

The North doesn’t wait. Our fishing season is always open, but the prime-time windows to complete the GSL Slam are limited! Early booking Slam hunters get priority access to the best dates and zones.

S E L E C T I O N O F

C A N A D I A N - M A D E B A I T S & L U R E S L A R G E S T

For the Love of COOKING COOKING

Everyone loves cool, crisp and zesty tacos on a hot summer day, how about cooking up some fresh walleye as a added topper?

This recipe has all the flavours... fresh lime, fragrant cilantro, spiced fish and a light, refreshing slaw, another perfect marriage of flavours.

Walleye is an incredibly versatile fish that can accommodate many flavors, this recipe is no exception. This dish is simple and delicious, best of all, it can be eaten warmly at home or packed up and served cold for a picnic!

As always, a little preparation in advance makes the cooking and assembly a breeze, this is called, “Mise en Place”. If no walleye is available, perch is a perfect substitute

WALLEYE SUMMER TACOS

(Yield: 4 Servings – Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes)

INGREDIENTS:

PICO DE GALLO:

1 Medium Tomato, small dice

1 Small Red Onion, small dice

15ml Fresh Cilantro, roughly chopped

5ml Lime Juice

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

CABBAGE SLAW:

30ml Lime Juice

15 ml White Vinegar

15 ml Honey

15ml Grapeseed Oil, or neutral oil

350ml Prepared Coleslaw Mix

15m Fresh Cilantro, roughly chopped

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

SPICY CREMA:

250ml Sour Cream

15 ml Fresh Lime Juice

15ml Hot Sauce, or to taste

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

FISH:

10ml Cumin

5ml Coriander

10ml Chili Powder

METHOD:

5ml Garlic Powder

2ml Smoked Paprika

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1 ½ lbs White Fish

30ml Grapeseed Oil

12 Mini Flour Tortillas

1 Avocado, sliced

For the cabbage slaw, toss all ingredients together and chill. To prepare the Pico de Gallo, mix all ingredients together and chill also. In a small bowl mix all spices together. Pat fish dry and sprinkle seasoning generously onto both sides of fish.

Heat a frying pan on medium-high heat and add oil to pan. Add seasoned fish to pan and cook until the fish is firm and opaque (time will vary depending on thickness of fish). When the fish is cooked, remove it to a plate.

To assemble tacos: Heat tortillas in a dry frying pan or oven until pliable. Break the fish into chunks and put into tortilla. Add avocado slices, coleslaw, Pico de Gallo and top with spicy crema. Enjoy!

Editor’s Note: Avid outdoors person, competitive angler, 2-time gold medal winning chef at the Culinary World Olympics and educator Cameron Tait truly loves being in the outdoors. Cameron is an active member of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Walleye Anglers Assoc. of Manitoba, Central Walleye Trail and on the Pro Staff team for Alumacraft / Suzuki and Minn Kota / Humminbird. When not pursuing his passion for the outdoors, Certified Chef du Cuisine Cameron can be found surrounded by mouth watering food.

Happy Cooking!

with Cameron Tait

TECHNIQUES &

predatory species actively search for bait and major feeding windows can open up. These feeding windows often continue throughout the rainy weather leading to some awesome action.

TACTICS FOR FISHING IN THE RAIN

Location... Location... Location...

D

Due to the rains disturbance on the surface of the water, it’s best to use subsurfaces lures. Lures that give off a lot of flash and vibration tend to work best when fishing in the rain.

simply because you will need to start someplace. The more you learn by fishing, the more you can refine the rules that govern the lake you are on that day.

The steps to follow in locating fish under the ice is no easy task. Anglers heading out on lakes with little or no ice fishing pressure are in for some plain old hard work. Few anglers relish the challenge of finding fish on a new lake. Most prefer “following the crowds” and let their eyes be their fish finders. To some, going from one group of anglers to another is their form of “recon”. If you ice fish, you may not want to join the crowd or at some time you will be faced with the challenge of being the only angler on the ice, so here are a few tips to remember the next time it happens to you and you want to find fish.

A few good options include spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits. All three work exceptional well when targeting species like bass, northern pike, and musky in rainy conditions. When fishing in rainy conditions it’s important to understand the conditions are going to impact your casting and fishing ability. In a heavy downpour shorter, more controlled cast as best. This will allow you to be able to feel and control your presentation better.

One negative aspect of rain anglers need to consider is how fish respond to changes in water clarity. Heavy rainfall can cause runoff, which stirs up sediment, leaves, and other debris in the water, making it murkier. This is especially prominent in rivers. This reduced visibility forces fish to rely more on their senses of smell rather than sight. The runoff can cause fish like trout and walleye, that rely heavily on their keen vision to feed, to become sluggish and less likely to strike a bait.

Safety Considerations For Fishing In The Rain

It’s also worth experimenting with different retrieval speeds. If you are targeting larger species like bass and northern pike with crankbaits, a quick burst followed by a pause can be a great way to trigger bites in rainy conditions. Constantly adjust your retrieve and take notes when you get bites so you can continue to replicate what is working.

Your first step is to understand the kind of water you are going to fish. This will mean getting a lake map and looking at the types of structure you have available to you at this time of year. Remember, your ability to travel on a lake may be limited to foot power or poor ice conditions may limit the areas you can reach safely. It is always a good idea to know the roads and the various winter access points that surround any given lake.

Understanding How Rainy Weather Can Affect the Bite

Rainy weather has both positive and negative effects on the fishes mood and behaviour. One positive aspect of fishing in the rain is that storm fronts can often turn on a bite. As the front moves in walleyes, musky, and other

When it comes to finding fish, every time you try to make rules as to where you SHOULD find fish, the rules change. Like catching sunfish at night, many would agree that sunfish don’t bite at night, but in some lakes, you don’t catch the really big ones until the sun goes down…

There are a number of safety considerations anglers have to take into account when fishing in the rain. The number one safety concern is lightning. Thunderstorms can form quickly. Always check the weather forecast before heading out and keep an eye on the sky while fishing.

If you hear thunder or see lightning, it’s best to leave the water immediately. Lightning strikes can be deadly, especially if you’re fishing from a boat or standing on open ground near the water.

Courtesy of: Lindner’s Angling Edge

Walleyes love deep, hard bottom areas. Crappies and perch love waters of over 30 feet with a super soft bottom, and sunfish love to hang off steep weedy break lines. Finding the right fish holding elements for the fish you are after is fairly easy with a lake map. If the lake has one deep hole, then you would start there for crappie. If a lake is a maze of structure, then it is best to break the lake into small regions that you can work without getting too confused. Your first goal on most lakes is to establish the edge of the weed line. Most winter lakes get far clearer then they do in the summer, and some of the biggest sunfish in the lake move into the old weed line for protection from predators. Checking the edge of the weed line is even better if you are near a point or inside turn where the deep water comes closest to shore.

Drive In To Summer

IN THE NEWS

Cast Your Lines – Strong & Free

NATIONAL FISHING WEEK 2025

TThe Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation (CNSF) is reminding Canadians that what we have in our own backyard is worth enjoying and protecting. National Fishing Week, June 28 to July 6, 2025, is an annual event designed to encourage Canadians to enjoy the benefits of recreational fishing.

Fishing is an easy and affordable way to connect with nature and with each other. “It’s easy to forget that we have a multitude of fishing opportunities just steps from our front doors,” says Mike Melnik, Managing Director of the CNSF. “Approximately sixty percent of the world’s lakes are in Canada, and our heritage activity of recreational fishing has been built over time on the sustainability of our fishery and waterways. Casting a line is an easy way to decompress from the 24-hour news cycle but also gain an appreciation for just how important Canada’s natural resources are.”

Going fishing can be a solo endeavor or part of a local community event. Plus, it is an activity that doesn’t cost a lot of money to get started. And it can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from toddlers to seniors.

National Fishing Week is supported by Catch Fishing, a national program dedicated to encouraging Canadians to get outdoors and enjoy our angling heritage throughout the year.

It is supported by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as hundreds of organizations and businesses that work hard to ensure sustainable fishing opportunities, while safeguarding fish populations everywhere.

To find out more about National Fishing Week, visit www. catchfishing.com.

or the 24-hour news cycle. It encourages respect and awe for a world beyond our screens. Surrounded by nature, it’s easy to slip into a meditative or mindful state.

DDuring times of stress, the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation (CNSF) encourages Canadians to turn to the traditional comfort of... you guessed it, FISHING!

Children and adults alike are often glued to our screens. The allure of “doomscrolling,” and the dopamine we get from cute animal videos, or the latest “Snap” can take over our day-to-day. By spending a bit of time in nature, we can counteract the negative effects we might experience because of too much screen time – like stress and anxiety.

FISHING TO DECOMPRESS MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY

A 2008 study looked at a concept called the “relaxation response,” a practice that counteracts our anxiety-driven stress response. Researchers found that participants who practiced the relaxation response experienced a significant drop in blood pressure. One of the activities recommended by the doctor behind the study? FISHING!

Because fishing requires focus and an awareness of our surroundings, we are less likely to ruminate on internal conflicts

Fishing also offers a form of physical activity. Wading through streams or walking to your next spot are great low-impact ways to get moving. And physical activity is a proven method of lowering stress.

SWAPPING ROBLOX FOR A TACKLEBOX

For children, fishing is a low-cost way to engage with family and friends. It teaches resilience, patience, and teamwork. Studies have shown that outdoor activities like fishing reduce symptoms related to ADHD. Some researchers even theorize that our minds are hardwired to be calmer and more creative when near water.

The CNSF also supports Kids, Cops & Canadian Tire Fishing Days, events designed to introduce youth and their families to fishing and foster positive relationships with law enforcement. Find out more at www.kidsandcops.ca.

There are also countless provincial and territorial opportunities. To find out more, visit www.catchfishing.com.

work is often the outcome of partnerships that bring together individuals and organizations with diverse interests.

TTI simply can’t get a bite. I have all the necessary equipment, I read all of the blogs and magazines, I spent 11 years doing university level education mostly focused on fish, and for the last 12 years I have been a professor of fish biology.

conflict at times can find common ground around broader aquatic conservation issues. Without partnerships, aquatic conservation is doomed.

Kgoal is to achieve a 100-fish day with multiple trophies mixed throughout. How? Precision boat control, all the while keeping 4 lines baited and in the water.

KScrewy Spindoctor Secrets: When I guide alongside Rob at G&SMarina.com, I have as many as 4 guests pulling spinner harnesses. During a hot bite, our goal is to achieve a 100-fish day with multiple trophies mixed throughout. How? Precision boat control, all the while keeping 4 lines baited and in the water.

KEEP CANADA FISHING

Target Walleye – Walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Ku mar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!

Angling clubs and anglers would do well engage with lake associations and other local stewardship groups to identify area of common interest. Even groups that may be conflict at times can find common ground around broader aquatic conservation issues. Without partnerships, aquatic conservation is doomed.

eep Canada Fishing is the national voice of Canada’s anglers, and we lead the effort to preserve your right to sustainably fish on our lakes, oceans,

DO SOMETHING!

walleyes can’t pass up a fat rainbow sucker minnow or creek chub slowly dragging upstream on the edge of a current seam at .5 mph. This will create strikes. Just remember, its bottom bouncing and not bottom dragging. Touch the sinker on the bottom every now and then to make you are near the bottom. This is a great approach after a cold front or if the river is murky. And there are times when crankbaits just work better on rivers. I keep my rod locker ready with Northland Rumble Shiners on St. Croix Eyecon trolling rods ready to deploy.

“aren’t supposed to be”. I think that is another key message – fish don’t necessarily follow the rules.

Yet, I think what matters most is time on the water. I can look at a water body and say – wow, that looks like text book bass habitat – and not catch a thing. And then throw a random cast and hook a bass where they “aren’t supposed to be”. I think that is another key message – fish don’t necessarily follow the rules.

colour schemes that when energetically corkscrew create a strobelike flash of counter colour hues akin to the dark back vs white belly of a minnow.

he Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have renewed their partnership to deliver Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP)

Rolling River

follow some of the guidance provided here, that “something” will hopefully benefit fish and aquatic ecosystems – even if indirectly. When it comes to ecosystems, rarely are

Keep Canada Fishing is dedicated to promoting the importance and benefits of recreational fishing to Canadians

communities. Look beyond the easy actions that are often confused as conservation –such as installing fish attractors – and instead think about what you can do to protect and restore the entire aquatic ecosystem. That will make things better for fish, loons, kayakers, swimmers

closing, DO SOMETHING! And if you follow some of the guidance provided here, “something” will hopefully benefit fish aquatic ecosystems – even if indirectly. When it comes to ecosystems, rarely are relationships linear.

The ISAP is a collaborative initiative led by the OFAH to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species to Ontario’s forests and waters and to protect Ontario’s biodiversity. The program provides information and guidance to industry, citizens, communities, and both government and non-government agencies to undertake prevention, monitoring, control, and outreach activities. With $275,000 in funding provided by the MNRF for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the OFAH will continue to increase awareness of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of invasive species and engage the public in prevention and early detection measures.

Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com

The underwater world holds many mysteries that fascinate me as a scientists and angler. Sometimes that fascination can lead to some minor frustrations when I can’t figure out where the fish are or how to get them to bite – but that is what keeps me coming back for more!

Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He’s in it now, but still can’t answer that question…. Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a “fishing degree” at the time….

Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com

Visit

spinner rigs at youtube.com/matitysgetfishing to see on-the-water footage showing how walleye follow a spinner harness, for a remarkable distance, before biting. There is a combination of visual appeal, vibration and scent that elicits a strike. The natural phenomenon that made the Original SloDeath hook a universal catch-all has not been well explained. The curved hook must marry with the bait properly to energetically corkscrew in the water.

About the Author

Rainy River can get extremely rough at the Gap, Four Mile Bay or the long straight stretches where the northwest wind blows. I have spent many days fishing in rough water during cold weather and it’s hard to beat a windshield this time of year. This is one of the many reasons I choose a Lund 2075 Pro V boat with a Mercury 300 Pro XS for guiding, tournaments and fun fishing anywhere, anytime. I stay comfortable all day, no matter the winds and the waves. When the struggle is real, Spot-Lock into the wind and hide behind your windshield!

The Zman plastics cling to the hook remarkably well. They do not disintegrate with every strike as live worms do. Finally, the addition of any Pro-Cure SuperGel scent makes walleye slurp the worm without hesitation. These artificially intelligent adaptations increase time in the water / fish in the boat execution.

other words, doing X will rarely ensure that we will have the outcome Y. Ecosystems are complex and pathways of action tend be indirect. For example, if we can cool lake inflows by planting trees and reduce

The Zman plastics cling to the hook remarkably well. They do not disintegrate with every strike as live worms do. Finally, the addition of any Pro-Cure SuperGel scent makes walleye slurp the worm without hesitation. These artificially intelligent adaptations increase time in the water / fish in

Ontario’s biodiversity. The program provides information and guidance to industry, citizens, communities, and both government and non-government agencies to undertake prevention, monitoring, control, and outreach activities. With $275,000 in funding provided by the MNRF for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the OFAH will continue to increase awareness of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of invasive species and engage the public in prevention and early detection measures.

Rainy River can get extremely rough at the Gap, Four Mile Bay or the long straight stretches where the northwest wind blows. I have spent many days fishing in rough water during cold weather and it’s hard to beat a windshield this time of year. This is one of the many reasons I choose a Lund 2075 Pro V boat with a Mercury 300 Pro XS for guiding, tournaments and fun fishing anywhere, anytime. I stay comfortable all day, no matter the winds and the waves. When the struggle is real, Spot-Lock into the wind and hide behind your

About the Author

Consider signing up to receive FREE Target Walleye emails discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing

The underwater world holds many mysteries that fascinate me as a scientists and angler. Sometimes that fascination can lead to some minor frustrations when I can’t figure out where the fish are or how to get them is what keeps me

G&S Exclusive Tactics: Watch walleye eating spinner rigs at youtube.com/matitysgetfishing to see on-the-water footage showing how walleye follow a spinner harness, for a remarkable distance, before biting. There is a combination of visual appeal, vibration and scent that elicits a strike. The natural phenomenon that made the Original SloDeath hook a universal catch-all has not been well explained. The curved hook must marry with the bait properly to energetically corkscrew in the water.

In coastal and inland regions, limiting or permanently banning angler access to public waters and fisheries is being promoted as a new way to ‘protect’ fish populations and habitat – often where no problems even exist. This new approach ignores proven science based fisheries management methods that maintain healthy fish populations, make conservation a priority and allow for sustainable fishing to continue.

other words, doing X will rarely ensure we will have the outcome Y. Ecosystems complex and pathways of action tend be indirect. For example, if we can cool lake inflows by planting trees and reduce

Dr. Steven Cooke is a professor and Canada Research Chair at Carleton University (www.fecpl.ca). He is also a Science Ambassador for #Keepemwet Fishing.

Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CFSA) launched Keep Canada Fishing to unite the nation’s 8 million anglers. By informing anglers of current and potential issues and threats affecting recreational fishing and access to public waters, our goal is to motivate anglers to take action on matters of importance to the future of fishing and conservation.

catch big fish. Whether it’s trolling for northern pike and walleyes, to jigging for trout, burbot and perch, pitching jigs to bass, or dunking crawlers for carp and catfish, they are Saskatchewan’s multispecies fishing authority whether on ice or open water. Matitysgetfishing.com

YOU are invited to come along for the ride…

In 2021-2022, the ISAP will be delivering digital outreach through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@invspecies), hiring a team of summer staff to deliver community-based initiatives, attending events and/or meetings, receiving reports of suspect invaders through the Invading Species Hotline Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (eddmaps.org), and continuing to support efforts to eradicate water soldier from Ontario. The ISAP will also be delivering aquatic invasive species outreach as part of the binational Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz, and through the delivery of campaigns like Operation Boat Clean and Operation Bait Bucket in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Fall 2021

I have an AFTCO Barricade rainsuit and, even in the rain, I am dry as a cork. I know I am not the only one who fishes in inclement weather. I have witnessed many anglers boat big walleyes at the same time I am!

Dr. Cooke is a professor of fish ecology at Carleton University (www. fecpl.ca). He is an avid angler and advises governments around the globe on fisheries management and conservation. He is also a Science Ambassador for #Keepemwet Fishing.

In 2021-2022, the ISAP will be delivering digital outreach through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@invspecies), hiring a team of summer staff to deliver community-based initiatives, attending events and/or meetings, receiving reports of suspect invaders through the Invading Species Hotline (1-800-563-7711) or the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (eddmaps.org), and continuing to support efforts to eradicate water soldier from Ontario. The ISAP will also be delivering aquatic invasive species outreach as part of the binational Great Lakes AIS Landing Blitz, and through the delivery of campaigns like Operation Boat Clean and Operation Bait Bucket in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

“IF IT SWIMS... WE FISH FOR IT...AND WILL HELP YOU CATCH IT! GetFishing ‘Cuz Fishing’s Magic!”

Carleton University (www.fecpl.ca). He is also a Science Ambassador for #Keepemwet Fishing.

kayakers, swimmers governments around the globe on fisheries management and conservation. He is also a Science Ambassador for #Keepemwet Fishing.

I have an AFTCO Barricade rainsuit and, even in the rain, I am dry as a cork. I know I am not the only one who fishes in inclement weather. I have witnessed many anglers boat big walleyes at the same time I am!

Consider signing up to receive FREE Target Walleye emails

Summer 2019

Bottomless Pot of Gold? Walleye can live for several decades. A female’s egg quality improves her whole life and her job eating carp and suckers is vitally important to the entire ecosystem. Rob has a strict Camp Policy where pictures and measurements are taken of trophy fish so that his guest can still get a replica for their wall.

Spring 2023 with Northland Rumble Shiners on St. Croix Eyecon trolling rods ready to deploy.

Bottomless Pot of Gold? for several decades. A female’s egg quality improves her whole life and her job eating carp and suckers is vitally important to the entire ecosystem. Rob has a strict Camp Policy where pictures and measurements are taken of trophy fish so that his guest can still get a replica for their wall.

our national waters. As a not-for-profit organization, we rely on funding from our partners and the invaluable support of our followers to continue this fight.

“IF IT SWIMS... WE FISH FOR IT...AND YOU CATCH IT! GetFishing ‘Cuz Visit our YouTube & SUBSCRIBE for

Jeff & Jason Matity

Visit our YouTube Channel & SUBSCRIBE for FREE!!

Keep Canada Fishing reminds us that recreational fishing is a valued Canadian outdoor heritage activity and we each have a role to play to protect it for future generations.

“Over the course of 28 years, we have successfully raised

Spring 2023

Just Fishing . 18

“Over the course of 28 years, we have successfully raised

www.blackflylures.com

YOUTUBE.COM/MATITYSGETFISHING

YOUTUBE.COM/MATITYSGETFISHING

Just Fishing . 12

Just Fishing . 35 Summer 2019

Just Fishing .

ANGLERS ARE CENTRAL in Fisheries Science & Management

MMost anglers would assume that fisheries scientists spend most of their time studying fish and that fisheries managers spend most of their time managing fish. In reality, it is equally important to study people and managers often focus their efforts on managing human behaviour. This is referred to a the “human dimension” of fisheries. It makes sense in that people are usually the cause of most environmental problems and also the solutions to most environmental problems.

By: Dr. Steven J. Cooke

Anglers also make decisions about whether to comply with regulations or to “break the rules”. We also make decisions about where we fish.

We can also think about the diversity of anglers. For example, I might go fishing because I want to spend time with my kids and intend to release them all because I am too lazy to clean them. Someone else might go fishing because they love the taste of walleye while another will keep anything legal because they are food insecure.

People also have much to lose and much to gain depending on the health of fish populations and our ability to interact with fish as anglers. Here I provide some examples of why it makes sense to have people be a central focus of fisheries science and management.

People matter in terms of understanding the sustainability of fisheries. For example, to assess the state of a fishery we need to know information about fishing effort (how many people are fishing and for how long), catchability of fish, (which is partly a function of angler skill), and the decisions we make with respect to harvest and release.

And another angler may be entirely focused on a trophy fish or perhaps

micro-fishing and are after an elusive darter. Understanding why we fish is useful information for ensuring that fisheries managers serve their diverse clientele.

Sometimes surveys are used to address very specific questions. For example, declines in fishing licence sales have been noted in Canada leading to the need to understand why that is happening. Targeted surveys of anglers that previously had fishing licenses but failed to renew could identify why they are no longer participating in recreational fishing.

Surveys can also be used to understand what anglers think about potential regulation changes. For example, our team recently did a survey of anglers in eastern Ontario to understand their perspectives about experimental bass spawning sanctuaries. Such work can identify the circumstances in which anglers support or oppose such actions and why.

It is also possible to use social science studies to understand how best to communicate with anglers. Much effort is focused on developing catch-andrelease guidelines but they are not helpful if they are not shared with anglers in ways in which anglers connect with such information.

A few years ago we did interviews on the banks of the Fraser River of British Columbia. We learned that ~1/3rd of anglers got their information on best fishing practices from regulations books and pamphlets, 1/3rd got their information from tackle shops or peers, and 1/3rd were very

investigative and did their own research on how to best handle fish. That study told us that if we are to communicate best fishing practices to anglers we need to use several different communication activities to reach all anglers.

(Hammer Tough on Post Spawn Walleyes continued from page 41.)

So how do we get such information?

From burning on the surface to deadsticking on the bottom, the Big Hammer is versatile and productive.

Therefore, the biggest females get huge. They can and will be eating full grown ciscoes and suckers approaching 20” in length. These female walleye are the titanic beasts surpassing 30” – 10-lbs. – that anglers flock to LML to cross paths with. Any missing link in the food chain, or hardship during yearly growth spurts, seriously impedes maximum growth potential. Therefore, genetics aside, trophy walleye are not born, they are created... By their environment!

Rob has been fishing the lake for 60-plus years and has been outfitting for over 3 decades. He knows his lake, his fishery and the daily, monthly and yearly patterns of his walleye. His aura is infectious and time spent around him is good medicine! No lie – Rob has never “zeroed” with a guided group of guests in over 30 years! That’s right! No no “banana curse”, no “wieners for supper”! He must be a magician... Right? No... He’s The Magnificent German Leprechaun, remember!! Not convinced? Well, if it takes a “school of hard knocks” story to

Fisheries scientists use a combination of tools such as creel surveys, online surveys, mail surveys, and interviews to understand the perspectives of anglers. In some cases those studies involve economists who might ask questions about willingness to pay (e.g., how much would you be willing to pay to have a trophy musky fishery on X lake).

The Storm 360GT is anchored by the exquisite 3/8 oz. 3D acrylic head with ultrarealistic eyes and 60-degree, 7/0 hook that reaches out toward the nose for a superior, well-balance, straight-retrieve presentation. The dense, rubber-like body withstands a barrage of toothy attacks. Swim through

STORM 360GT Searchbait in Smelt colour.

shallows and let the tail call in fish from nearby. When they approach, the ribbed body holds a lot of scent that seals the deal. Amazing search bait!

That means trolling. Be it power trolling to cover water quickly or finesseful trolling, methodically scratching fish-after-fish from a small area, Rob finds the fish and then makes them bite.

So – Next time you receive a Facebook notification asking you to complete a survey or when you are interviewed by a creel clerk on the water, recognize that your voice matters. Fish don’t talk but people do, so we rely heavily on anglers to share their perspectives on the state of a fishery, how they interact with it, and what they want from a fishery.

Mythical Methods: Here are two examples of Rob’s simple genius, straight forward, finely tuned trolling tactics that are easily repeatable for maximum success. Like Rob, my rods are longhandled, graphite/composite rods with Cabela’s 20-Series DepthMaster reels and 20 pound test Sufix 832 line. These are quality, affordable, invaluable tools.

ZMAN HerculeZ in Opening Night colour.

to get down to the level of the fish and root them out of the rocks. Drag, rip or swim in shallow to mid-depths. Incredibly durable. I have my original HerculeZ that I fished all season last year. I caught 53 fish, on this one bait, without having to do any repair to it!

Most of the tools in the fisheries management toolbox (aside from stocking and habitat restoration) are focused on managing people. Protected areas are about keeping people out. Bag limits are about limiting how many fish we can harvest. Protected areas and harvest regulations can only be effective if we as anglers comply with such regulations, which is about our values, ethics and behaviour and not really about fish.

Plane Over Unfished Waters: A trade secret, trolling planer boards, multiply the efficiency of a trolling spread by taking lures off to the sides of the boat. Fish are spooked into their path. Consequently, trollers can effectively fish three different depths simultaneously by setting out a shallow, medium depth and deep diving Rapala lure on the shallow-set planer board, hand-held rod behind the boat and deep-set planer board out deeper from the boat, respectively.

LocTite SuperGel is the correct product for touching up ElaZtech.

Big Hammer, Storm 360GT, ZMan HerculeZ

•Body – flat sided, plastisol round, ribbed, tough oval, fins, ElaZtech*

Economists also use surveys to estimate the economic expenditure of anglers and thus demonstrate the immense value of recreational fisheries when communicating with politicians (for context – that value in Canada is ~ $8 billion/year!).

The ZMan HerkuleZ owes its snag-resistance to its buoyant ElaZtech plastic. The fact that it sits hook-up, nose down when resting on bottom, makes it an extremely valuable tool when it is necessary

Back in 2008, I hosted my first G&S guided group. Having guided in some of the best lakes in Northern Saskatchewan, I was eager to tame some prairie giants for my guests. However, it took me a week scratching, gouging and even some gnashing-of-teeth to keep up to Rob and his group’s fish numbers and size. I was obsessed. I ran each day over-and-over in my mind, to pinpoint the source of Rob’s success. Then, it hit me... Rob operates on one primary principal to allseason success. What is the secret? It is “magnificently” simple. Rob “power fishes” to locate and catch fish during the whole open water season. You guessed it...

About the Author

•Tail – Patented “Square tail” Oversized bulbous round rectangle, finned

•Weight – lead heads, 5/0 hook 3/8 oz. Rattle, acrylic, 7/0 hook** 3/8 oz., belly, 5/0

•Colours – 57 total (swimbait.com) 10 colours (rapala.ca) 8 (zmanfishing.com)

•Durability – soft, needs glue***, very tough, head/jig fit well nearly indestructible

Dr. Steven J. Cooke, Professor of Applied Fish Ecology, Carleton University, Ottawa Canada. Cooke is an avid multi-species angler and in 2024 was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame for his contributions to recreational fisheries science. Check out his work at www.fecpl.ca

G&S Exclusive Tactics: Rob pulls Rapala crankbaits behind the smallest Offshore Tackle or Church TX-6 planer boards. We find these little 6” boards indispensable in exploring the hangout of giant, lethargic walleye lounging in “no man’s land”. The “near-edge” is the often-ignored,

•Fishability – catch-all, 4 season, shallow/medium depth, spring, incredible in rocks

•Where to find?

By: Brian Brosdhal

Ton gravel! The good news is that insects in lakes create massive forage for all fish to survive the summer heat.

Waves and waves of pure protein swim to the surface out of the lake basin mud. Midge flies are the steady early hatch that come out intermittently until fall. Mayflies come out from late June until late July. Dragonfly nymphs arrive in the beginning of the same timeframe. This is when walleyes get finicky because they are full and trying to rest; they don’t want to be bothered. Rather than tying four jigging rods, you sometimes need 20-30 options to put a limit of walleyes in the boat.

This is my favourite time of year to target large panfish. In between walleye guided trips, I like to chase crappies and bluegills. It can be some of the best fishing of the year and many anglers aren’t fishing for panfish.

of vegetation. Cabbage, coontail and milfoil are tall with branches providing cover for panfish. The weeds are full of bugs and micro-hatched young-of-the-year minnows from many species of fish.

When I’m targeting weeds, I look for the thickest green stuff I can find as deep as it grows. I have found cornstalk-type cabbage in 12-14 feet of water loaded with slab crappies and big bluegills on clear lakes. On darker stained lakes, I have found cabbage in 6-8 feet of water that was rife with big panfish. Every lake hides the fish in a slightly different spot.

Lakes with milfoil hold good quantities of panfish in what seems to be an impenetrable fortress. Eurasian milfoil can grow to the surface and then keep growing sideways along the surface from the bottom to the top. I have found panfish on the edges which can be steep walls from 10 feet up to the high teens or twenties. This milfoil grows fast. The deep edge you fished a week ago could be 50 feet farther out, or more. Pay attention to holes in the plume of the feathery branches. There are times when I find openings in the weed bed due to hard sand bottom or rocks where milfoil doesn’t grow that provide a great shadowy edge for panfish to stack up.

Coontail is another vegetation that provides great habitat for panfish and is slightly easier to fish than Eurasian milfoil. It grows to the surface but not along the surface – so it’s easier to get the boat over the top and fish vertical like dropping lures into a pine tree plantation.

The trick to any vegetation is to find the deepest edge and work your way shallow plunking baits into holes and pockets in between the plumes. Keep in mind that a mix of all the weeds in one spot provide the

When I’m hunting panfish staring into the water looking for weed pockets and fish, I’m getting a double dose of the sun’s radiation. I wear an AFTCO Ninja hoodie for protection from the rays and to keep me cooler on hot flat days.

PLUNKING THE PLUMES

The best plan of attack is to start by fishing shadowy edges and openings of the weeds. Drive around the weeds using side-imaging Humminbird Xplore to drop waypoints, mark edges and features, and look for fish –and then go back to cast.

Throw smaller swimbaits like a Mimic Minnow Spin or Pan-Candy grub on a 1/16oz. Tungsten Stand-up head. Pitch it out and retrieve halfway down with a slow short hop back to the boat. I use my Humminbird Xplore with Mega Live 2 to swim my jig through without running into weeds. And I always keep a slip bobber tied up and ready to cast. Sometimes crappies like the bait sitting in front of them for a second or two.

Use drop shots on windy days when bobbers get blown away. Drop shots for summer panfish have been a great producer time and time again. Tie on a Gamakatsu neoncoloured Octopus-style hook; pink, orange

Craning for Big Bull gills in the thick weeds with St. Croix Avid Panfish 9’ rod leads to Knobby Head gills

Big Slab Crappies love the deepest weed edge you can find, Pan Candy Grub on a Tungsten Crappie King Jig equals “Fish On!”

Traditions

and green are great colours. The length of drop shots always varies but somehow five feet to the sinker works so many times. I have a five-footer tied up to a Northland Tungsten Wonder Bread drop shot sinker. Add a small crappie minnow nose-hooked or a chunk of crawler to the drop shot or Pan-Candy minnow soft plastic. Everything is tied onto a St. Croix Legend Panfish rod with a smaller Seviin GS Series 750 reel to keep everything light and finesse.

In the Spring rivers are traditional destinations to shake the postwinter cabin fever out of your blood. Meet with friends and family for a remote northern getaway. Get on the water for walleyes. Gather around the campfire and share stories. Many anglers have been fishing here since they were kids because their families have been coming here for generations. And you never know if Old Man Winter will stick around or if Mother Nature has something else in mind.

Although Japanese pro, Takahiro Omari became the first non-American to win the Bassmaster Classic on Lake Wylie in 2004, another Canadian wouldn’t even qualify for a Classic until 2016 when Charles Sim qualified through the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. In 2023, Gussy became the 2nd non-American and first Canadian to win the Bassmaster Classic on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. Today, we have a great roster of Canadian Elite Series anglers including the latest member, Evan Kung. In Fort Worth, Cooper Gallant just competed in his 3rd Bassmaster Classic, Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson, Chris and Cory Johnston in their 6th with Chris and Cory both finishing in the top 10! Between them all, Canadians have produced 6 top 10 finishes in Bassmaster Classic’s including Gussy’s WIN! I definitely see another Bassmaster Classic Champion in Canada’s near future!

I spool with Sunline 8lb. high-visibility yellow braid. Add a 6lb. Fluorocarbon leader four feet in length. Crappies love the outside edge, but I find most of my crappies farther in the weedy plumes. In that case, I use an eight or nine-foot St. Croix Avid Panfish rod to reach and plunk bait into holes that are tough to cast. Use a Northland Tungsten Crappie King jig for plunking in the holes, with feathers or without. A chunk of nightcrawler or panfish leech are great options.

I have seen people trying to launch boats that are frozen to their boat trailers because the air temperature is in the single digits. I have also seen summer-like weather and sunburned faces. Whether there is a snow squall or a heatwave, you will find Heather and I chasing that 30-incher on a river somewhere in April. Good luck!

Follow, like and share my fishing adventures on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!

Although Hank finished last in the field of 41 anglers in that Classic, he will be forever a Bassmaster Classic qualifier, which is no small feat in itself. In fact, there are numerous Classic qualifiers who finished last one year but won the title in another year. The most notable of these was Bryan Kerchal who managed to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic twice through the B.A.S.S. Federation ranks. In his first appearance on the

When you hook bluegills, you have to fight them straight up through the space in the weeds or drag them over the top of the weeds to the boat. Craning with a longer rod is very important. If you fight them through the weeds, bluegills will spin around the weed stalks.

About the Author: Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, is a fishing guide and promoter. One of the most recognized and respected anglers in North America – Bro, as he’s known, is a multispecies angler best known for his influence on the sport of ice fishing. He can be booked for guided trips at: bbro@paulbunyan.net or brosguideservice.com.

it. Fishing in his 17th consecutive Bassmaster Classic, Rick Clunn

If I’m able to position the boat slightly in the weeds, I drop down my Minn Kota Talon shallow-water anchors to hold me in place. Then I ‘tightline’ jig the holes around the boat without a bobber. Use the same jigs mentioned or tie on small tungsten ice fishing spoons like the Tungsten Slim spoon or Tungsten Buck-Shot spoon. Remove the treble hooks and add a single hook to help slip through weeds and hold a chunk of crawler or worm better. I use a Gamakatsu Siwash open-eye hook. Pinch it shut on the split ring, add bait and drop it down. Use a 5-6’ Legend Elite Panfish rod here.

Jason Matity & 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, or dunking crawlers for carp and catfish, they are Saskatchewan’s multispecies fishing authority whether or open water. Matitysgetfishing.com

YOU are invited to come along for the ride…

Hold it with the ice fishing pencil grip to shimmy the spoon and entice slab gills out of the vegetation. This is a finesse way to jig –plus it reminds me of ice fishing! Minn Kota Ultrex is a beast of a trolling motor to power in and out of the weed edges.

charged from 10th place on day 3 to capture his 4th and final Classic victory. Clunn weighed in 18 lbs. 7 oz. and overcame a 9 lbs. 6 oz. deficit behind Tommy Biffle. As well this was last event for 1989 Classic Champion, Hank Parker as he retired after this event.

BRO TIP: I use two 36-volt 50-amp hour Amped Outdoors batteries for my trolling motor to last all day in heavy wind or thick weeds.

Hank Gibson’s top finish during his Bassmaster career was a 4th place finish in a Florida Top 100 event where he took home $24,000 USD in cash and bonus winnings. According to DeRose, Hank accomplished that by targeting spawning bass on stumps in Rodman Reservoir. Part of his winnings in that event was $1,000 for “Big Fish” of the tournament, a beauty weighing in at 10 lbs. 13 oz.! Peter Thliveros won the event with Shaw Grisby finishing in the runner-up position. Paul Elias finished 3rd just ahead of Hank and won a Ranger Bass boat as a contingency prize and Hank won a truck as contingency prize. Now here is where it gets interesting, as DeRose recalls Elias was in need of a new truck and Hank’s boat was getting a little tired, so they traded prizes.

The entire time that he was giving his best on the B.A.S.S. circuit he also competed at home in Ontario with partners such as Keith Farmer and Todd Million. All the while maintaining different businesses, he spent as much time as possible with his children, Jeremy, Candice and Shawna. Jeremy affectionately remembers actually fishing a tournament with his dad when he was 11 years

“IF IT SWIMS... WE FISH FOR IT...AND WILL HELP YOU CATCH IT! GetFishing ‘Cuz Fishing’s Magic!” Jeff & Jason Matity Visit our YouTube Channel & SUBSCRIBE for FREE!!

As the weeds start dying off in late summer, panfish will choose surviving green standing weeds. The brown and yellow dying weeds become toxic and sometimes most of the weed beds start expiring. Panfish push out to nearby flats near drop-off rocks or submerged wood on mud flats near structure. Crappies and bluegills are creatures of edges. They like to have an escape route from large predators. If the water is darker, the panfish will suspend on moderate depth flats slightly off the bottom.

They’re easy to spot on Humminbird Side Imaging or MEGA Live 2 Forward Facing sonar. If there is heavy wind, Spot-Lock downwind and cast up to the fish to avoid heavy turbulence. Sometimes I can Talon down and cast. However, most of the time during late summer fish are in depths of high teens to twenties so the Spot Lock trolling motor GPS anchor feature is a great tool to have. Drop shots work best casting upwind. Thin light braid with thin light fluorocarbon and small tungsten jigs will help with deep

BRO TIP: You’ll see me wearing Fish Monkey Stubby Guide Glove and Face Guard. The gloves have PVC grip to help hang onto poles and remotes in heavy wind. They have also kept hooks out of the palm of my hand from deep penetration due to a thrashing fish. And protecting my face from windburn and sunburn is no joke.

seminars & shows. You can also find him on YouTube, Instagram, Bro can be booked for guided trips at: (Panfish

The best thing about fishing for panfish in the summer is that they are schooled up and fat, but are also done spawning which is healthy for the fishery. Please release the larger bluegills and keep the medium ones to help keep populations of large bluegills intact.

Editor’s Note

David Chong is widely recognized as one of Canada’s top competitive tournament anglers. He is also an avid multi species angler and is a strong advocate for affordable, accessible angling for all! David loves sharing his vast fishing knowledge and stories with anglers of all ages, beginners and pros alike!

1 REPORT

SWIMBAIT TIPS FOR SCATTERED WALLEYES –

By : Brett McComas

IIt doesn’t matter what lake I’m headed to or what time of year it is, I will always have a swimbait rigged-up in my bait rotation when figuring out what the walleyes want that day. There’s no better way to cover a bunch of water, and when the swimbait bite is on – it’s on! There’s a ton of different variations and tweaks you can make to your setups whether the fish are shallow vs deeper... on sand vs weeds vs rocks... or if the fish’s moods are funky vs hotto-trot.

There’s a pile of swimbaity info in this new Target Walleye YouTube video I just posted last night, and it was a pretty dang eventful day catching tagged walleye, big smallmouth, and a massive pike that tried his hardest to break my rod over the edge of the boat LOL.

All came throwing a 3” CrushCity The Mayor Swimbait on a 1/4-oz VMC Tungsten Moon Eye Jig. Yup, you read that righ... VMC just released a new tungsten version of one of the walleyecatchingest jigs ever.

Here’s the vid – I hope you enjoy it and maybe learn something!

2 WALLEYE ADAPTATIONS FOR CLEAR WATER

BBelieve it or not even with forward-facing sonar (LiveScope, MEGA Live, ActiveTarget) it can still be a bugger to get fussy, clear-water walleyes to bite. This Virtual Angling write-up dives into exactly how MN guide Tony Roach hunts ‘em down with slip-bobbers and FFS, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than you’d think. This “bobberscoping” technique is the exact

way many, Many walleye derbies have been won the last few seasons...

Many MN walleye lakes are notorious for having exceptional water visibility. In particular, many lakes have zebra mussels, which increases the clarity and ultimately change walleye fishing dramatically... According to Roach, aggressively using slipbobbers to cast at fish away from the boat is a key method for catching walleye right now during the dog days of summer. Roach is using slip-bobbers in conjunction with forwardfacing sonar... stresses that there are many days where fish are spooking... if the boat gets within 40’ or 50’ of the fish.

In light winds, Tony will ease within about 60’ down wind of fish and spot lock, casting the slip-bobbers past fish and let the wind push the slip bobbers into the fish. In stronger winds, Roach will look for a school of fish and actually drive around the fish in a big circle and spot lock upwind of the fish and cast back at the fish behind the boat. On many of today’s MN walleye fisheries with clear water... you have to sneak up on fish.

Walleyes are adapting to the clearer water but also adapting to forward-facing sonar... there are becoming more times when fish are spooking from forwardfacing sonar. If fish dart or move to the side or hunker down when you hit them with the forward facing sonar, turn the transducer away from the fish as soon as you find them.

Because long casts are so crucial, use enough weight and bobber to make long casts and get down to the fish. Roach is a fan of the weighted Tail Fin bobbers. He typically uses 6-lb Sufix Advance Mono as his main line for his setup. Below the bobber, Roach will use a small egg sinker above a swivel. Below the swivel, attach a 3-4’ fluorocarbon leader and a long shank 1/16-oz jig... typically using both crawlers and leeches on a slip-bobber (but leeches can get really difficult to find later in the season)

With a crawler... thread on a 1/2 or 3/4 of a crawler onto a longshank jig. In deeper water, use a heavier egg sinker to reach the fish faster. On really tough bites, Roach will experiment with a 1/32-oz jig or plain hook.

When fish are positioned higher off the bottom, Roach likes to cast right at fish and let the jig fall down on them. For fish closer to the bottom or for fish that are more difficult to trigger, Roach recommends casting past the fish and drag into them watching the jig drop down into fish as you get above them.

3

TT#1 CRANKBAIT TWEAK FOR WALLEYES

his simple tweak WILL get you more bites. Sometimes it’s 2:1... sometimes

Wake boats, and jet skis, and pontoons, oh my! Most lakes sure get busy this time of year with recreational traffic, but don’t let that stop you from getting your walleye on! This vid is a great quick-hitter from Jason Mitchell talking how he combats all of that buzzing around:

“Many recreational lakes get really busy with boating traffic from July 4th until the kids go back to school. From a mental standpoint, tune out the recreational boats.

Most sites will list the stock hook size that comes on their cranks – go by that and it’s a direct swap. Typically they’re gonna be #6, but some larger cranks will be a #5, #4 or #3.

Of course it adds a fish-sexy little flash, but putting ’em on the middle or front treble can also give fish a focal point of where YOU want ’em to hit the bait... instead of nipping at the back.

I can’t believe I hadn’t put the north-facing thing together yet! Thinking back to our crazy 5 for 56.6-lb bag last weekend... 3 of our 5 biggest fish came either just in or just outside of really tall weed walls off northfacing structure.

in Erie’s western basin, Garner ties his own single- and double-blade worm harnesses on 36- to 42-inches of 20-pound Berkley Big Game monofilament. He ties this to a two ounce Wackm Tackle inline weight, removing its treble hook and adding a swivel to reduce line twist. This connects to 20-pound mono mainline.

Garner lets back 65 to 80 feet of line until the weight touches bottom, then adjusts its running depth before clipping on a planer board and sending it out. He staggers harnesses

experimenting with spin can reward you with big walleye.

HARNESS HODGEPODGE

Worm harnesses and spinner rigs adorned with Colorado or willow-leaf brass or steel blades are walleye mainstays. Playing with blade size and type creates many variations on the basic worm harness recipe. It pays to experiment. For example, upsizing blades creates more flash and thump and can appeal to bigger fish.

Using a two-bladed rig, like Wackm Tackle’s Double Crawler Harness, takes this concept a step further. This fact is not lost on Lake Erie expert, tournament angler, and former fishing guide, Jay Garner. Duo blades produce more thump and flash than a single bladed rig. The extra blade also increases lift for a higher running harness.

Garner finds a double blade harness catches larger and more aggressive walleye. When he finds a school in summer, he trolls both double and single harnesses in an 8-rod planer board spread. “Six times out of 10, the larger presentation with higher lift and more thump produces bigger fish than a single blade. We might not get as many bites on double blades, but we get bigger bites.” To fish the 18- to 20-foot reef structure

Traditional metal blades aren’t the only game in town for harnesses. Last August I watched Lund pro, Dennis MacNaughtan put a hurt on walleye trolling a mylar Mack’s Smile Blade harness on a deep mud flat around 1.2 miles-per-hour. I initially experimented with large blades, hoping for a big bite but failed. When MacNaughtan politely insisted I try a Smile Blade, I listened, abandoned my experiments, and was quickly reeling in my first walleye thanks to the boomerang-shaped spinner.

The Northland Fishing Tackle Butterfly Blade is another unique, relative newcomer. Made of lightweight polycarbonate, these blades are popular because they can be trolled very slowly, down to 0.25 mph in some instances. Creeping along keeps the presentation in the strike zone to tempt bites from inactive walleye, such as during high-sun or cold front conditions.

The distinct shapes and materials of Smile and Butterfly blades create unique styles of spin, flash, and vibrations. Using one shows walleye something different, which can

A spin jig strikes again for author, Tim Allard.

Dennis MacNaughtan with proof walleye love spinner rigs.

Northland Butterfly Blade spinner with Berkley Gulp! Crawler

FEEL CONNECTED.

Built for experienced hands, G. Loomis designs tools for anglers demanding performance with purpose. For those who believe innovation is the only path to excellence. Steeped in experience gained from handcrafting rods in the United States for over four decades, the revamped GLX BASS series represents tangible proof of our disciplined philosophy of “continuous refinement.”

trigger pressured fish walleye presentations.

Northland Butterfly Blade Spinner

adjacent to the sweet spot waiting for you to catch them.

ADJACENT SPOTS

PK Lures’ Vortex live bait spinner rig is equally distinctive. It has a a bent metal blade that spins around a beaded, wire attachment. The rotating blade hits the wire and beads, emitting a clicking sound. Again, another refinement on a proven presentation theme worth trying.

changed, and the muskies were not using

This setup allows you to toss these lures remarkable distances, feel bites and set

unique action will also tempt walleye into

WHAT’S YOUR BODY TYPE?

Jim Saric with a beauty caught right at dark.

SLOW-DEATH STILL RELIABLE

Search by region, fish species, accommodation type, amenities and more!

While on the subject of extending the spot, an often more effective approach is looking for adjacent spots that might hold muskies. Last summer one early evening we found muskies relating to points that were relatively sharp breaking and not a “traditional” summer spot. After catching one musky for such a spot, we visually looked around and drove to four adjacent points that looked similar both visually and on the map chip.

Adding a VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble amped-up the potency of a Rapala Jigging Shadow Rap.

EASY SPIN HACK

Slow-death involves rigging a piece of a worm on a hook, featuring a specific bend. This curved shank causes the morsel to swim with a corkscrewing action through the water, a movement walleye find irresistible. During mayfly hatches and on tough bites this presentation is very effective. When forage abounds, its small size and

For more info visit: Daiwa.us

Amazingly, all of the other four points held muskies that evening, and it was a great end to the day. The next day the pattern

START YOUR SEARCH NOW!

from the point. Also, if there is an adjacent point nearby that could hold muskies as well.

(Jumbo Perch continued from page 22.)

If necessary, reposition the boat to contact additional biters. You can very effectively cast and retrieve an X-Rap in high winds that would otherwise drift a bobber rig too quickly past the fish to get a response.

always in my tackle box. A spin jig has a swivel and blade at the bottom, such as the Northland Thumper, ReelBait Flashers, and TTI Road Runners.

The unique VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble features a small, silver willow blade connected by a resin-sealed split ring to its bottom. Swapping a factory hook for this bladed version adds subtle flash and spin to a minnowbait, crankbait, or jigging lure, like a Rapala Jigging Shadow Rap. We know from underwater video that walleye frequently follow cast or trolled lures. A small, flickering blade at the rear adds flash and thump, which may prompt strikes similar to a feather-dressed treble.

we know better. Crappies can be in, out, and moving somewhere in between, displaying

Making a short cast and then hopping the jig

So often, maximizing your day and catching another musky can happen by simply fishing an adjacent spot. When you catch a musky and/or have a few follows and it seems like the activity level has increased rather than run far away, check an adjacent spot. You’ll spend less time running and more time fishing and most likely catching!

PLAN FOR A BLOW

I like spin jigs in dirty water. Extra vibration helps walleye hone-in on the jig using their lateral line. More flash never hurts either.

Admittedly, during cold front conditions, crappies may not be on the chew. Fish are likely to drop back out of the shallows, toward deeper water. They might hold in deeper weeds or along the remnants of last year’s deep weed line. They may simply drop down into depressions or holes on the flats near the mouth of a bay.

There are lots of great presentations that will work on these massive perch at this time and of course live bait such as emerald shiners always work. A standard dropshot rig works great with any type of live bait that you may wish to try! Just make sure that you obtain your minnows in the proper Fishery Management Zone and keep your receipt in case you’re stopped by the MNR/ OPP or York Regional Police. All 3 agencies will enforce any regulation violations!

I’ve had good success casting to weeds with a large, willow-leaf bladed 1/4-ounce jig rigged with either a CrushCity The Jerk, Berkley PowerBait Minnow or Angler’s Choice Wally MinR. Tickling the top of the vegetation with the jig gets the attention of walleye hunkered down in the greenery. When fish patrol outside weedlines, swimming or hopping this presentation along the edge is deadly.

Another Beautiful “JUMBO” Yellow Perch from Lake Simcoe!

In any case, when they drop down toward bottom and display a basically negative feeding attitude, they are unlikely to pursue baits moving laterally about their heads. You can possibly still catch them by hunkering down with an anchor and fishing with a slip

These jigs are equally awesome drifting. Working them up and down is effective.

Whether you are fishing in summer or fall, more than likely you are going to encounter at least one of your days on your trip, where the wind will be strong. These are the days with 15-25 MPH winds. Often the gusts are higher. These are the days where your “A” spots are often not fishable.

Because of the size of the yellow perch that we’re targeting, I recommend at least 7’ ML power rods like the Daiwa Aird-X models, which are great value. Pairing one of these rods with a 1000/1500 sized spinning reel

MORE BLADES PLEASE

determine where and how deep they’re biting, and what approach they are responding to best. Always a good game plan for all species, in any conditions.

Underspin and VMC Spin Jig to fish large plastics and target big walleye.

The presentation is straightforward. Get the jig to bottom, then slowly swim it just off the floor. Occasionally pause to check proximity to the lakebed. Strikes are savage.

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.

Bait Company Mini Goby or a Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow. I generally stay with natural colours, although there will be those days when the bright chartreuse, pinks & oranges will slay’ em! Sometimes running a “Donkey Rig” similar to one that we run for ice fishing will get you numerous double headers. On the top hooks, a Mini MinnFIN or Micro Grubby from Grumpy Bait Company work great as well as creature baits like True North Baits, Mini M’eh Fly!

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.

Anglers interested in a variety of spinner blades can find plenty online, such as from Canada’s www.luremaking.com. There are hatchet, Dakota and whip-tail blades, to name a few. Some of these metal blades excel at high-speeds. Others are all about an erratic spinning action.

Spin jigs featuring a propeller blade on the hook shaft deserve mention. A example here is the Northland Whistler Jig, a favourite of professional angler and guide, Jeff Gustafson. “I like using the Whistler Jig around current,” Gustafson said. “You can still be vertical and the blade spins naturally.

If you happen to locate fish over 10’ –15’, virtually any ice fishing presentation

(Continued on page 49.)

(Continued on page 25.)

It doesn’t make a lot of noise and it’s subtle, that’s more of what a walleye wants.”

Bump into Gustafson on the Rainy River in spring and you’d likely see a frozen shiner on his Whistler Jig. A minnow or a 3-inch fluke-style soft plastic get the nod when he’s working natural current and neckdown areas on Lake of the Woods. He especially likes this jig for straightdown jigging as it doesn’t take much movement for the blade to spin. When fish are higher in the water column and he’s casting, Gustafson uses an under-spin jig, like the Northland Thumper

The PK Lures Spin Jig is also noteworthy. Similar to their Vortex, the Spin Jig has a blade on a wire shaft connected via a swivel to the line tie on a ball head jig.

SAFETY PIN SPIN

An oldie but a goodie is adding a Mister Twister Jig Spinner or other spinner form to a jig rigged with a three to four inch grub, soft-plastic minnow, or live-bait. The added hardware increases the presentation’s flash and thump. The safety-pin wire acts as a weed guard, too, making the presentation effective at sliding among plant stalks.

Cast and retrieve the jig spinner over the top of weeds or swim it parallel to a weed edge. A steady cadence with the occasional pause routinely gets bites. If unsuccessful, try a lift-fall cadence.

MacNaughtan likes trolling a jig spinner. He often uses a 1/4- to 3/8-ounce jig rigged with a three inch Berkley Power Grub for 8 to 14 feet. The tactic is straightforward. Cast the jig back, let it touch bottom, and

then troll between 0.8to 1.5-miles-per-hour. Feeling the pulsing spinner is key.

Spin

TAIL SPINS

These baits are trending on the walleye scene. Tail spins have a baitfish profile body with a rear spinner blade. The Lunkerhunt Hatch Spin has a willow leaf. The Lunkerhunt Big Eye, Jackall Deracoup, and ReelBait Spin Doctor have Colorado blades.

When walleye are deep or in current – or both – tail spins work because they sink fast and put out flash and thump. These baits are good for vertically dropping on fish marked using electronics. Once in the strike zone, lift and lower the bait to activate the spinner and seal the deal.

NEW FOR 2025

A similar method works for drifting. I’ve hopped a Lunkerhunt Hatch Spin along deep sand flats on a controlled drift and caught walleye.

A tail spin can also be cast and then hopped along bottom, similar to a bladebait. Raise it with a snap, and then let it flutter to bottom on taut line. The lure gives off different vibrations and flash compared to a bladebait or jig and plastic – yet another arrow for the quiver.

Whether whirling, thumping blades or a morsel corkscrewing though the water, there’s no arguing walleye can’t resist a presentation showcasing some spin.

About the Author: Tim Allard is a full-time, award-winning outdoor journalist and author/ photographer of the book, Ice Fishing: The Ultimate Guide. He’s a regular contributor to numerous North American print and online publications. From panfish to northern pike, Tim fishes whatever he can, whenever he can.

Jackall Deracoup Tail