Fishing Tips

Trying using artificals for walleye

Lots of people think of live bait when walleye fishing - and bait can be the best option on occasion, but this year give artificals a try.  One of my favorite ways to catch walleye is casting jigs and plastics or crankbaits. When people talk walleyes aren't agressive they haven't done much casting astificals for them.  Try using a 1/8-1/4 oz. VMC Moon Eye jig head paired with a BioBait twister or swimbait.  Both can be used with a slow steady retrieve - trying to stay within a foot of bottom, or a snap jigging approach. Get ready for some fun!!

Secret to fishing with kids - want to see kids spending more time with a tackle box and less with an Xbox.

Remember when you go to take a kid fishing, it's all about the kid having fun. If that means skipping rocks, catching crayfish, or just playing in the mud - that's what you do.  To get a kid hooked on fishing make it a blast!! I often suggest a special treat on the way home from fishing, nothing better than stopping by DQ after some time fishing.  When planning the trip, pick a place fairly close - limits the "are we there yet?". Take a kid to a place where the bite should be fast and easy , doesnt have to be big fish action is more important.  Stay away from princess or superhero fishing combos - it will save your sanity, buy something of decent quality and it will help you avoid lots of the messes.

Look for the birds

When out fishing for schooling fish like white bass, crappies and largemouth bass - keep your eyes to the sky and look for the birds.  As the summer progresses shad and other baitfish will start to school up and get pressured to the surface by schools of bigger fish.  When you see the birds start swopping down or congregating in a certain area feeding - there is usually a school of bigger fish around.  Sometime the water will even look like its "boiling", when you see this approach quickly and quitely - they cast a topwater lure or something tou can keep high in the water column.  This can be some of the fastest action of the year.

Fluorocarbon leader for heavily pressured pike

When fishing for pike that are recieving lots of pressure, try chaning from a steel leader to heavy fluorocarbon to get more bites.  When I'm talking heavy I start with 15 lb when I'm using a lure that the action could be hindered by stiffer line and the lure isn't too expensive.  With 15 lb you'll reduce your bite offs by more that 80% and more than double your strikes. When I fishing a heavier or more expensive lure I'll go all the way up to to 60 lb with 25-40 lb being my sweet spot to get more bites, keep the action and really reduce bite offs.  Usually I tie on a 15-24" piece at the end of my main line.  My prefered fluoro in Sufix Invisiline Leader - seems to be super abrasion resistent. Always check your line after every strike - if you feel a knick - RETIE.