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Not from the cold....
The Moonshine Shiver Minnow darts, glides and rolls over on the drop β like baitfish do β with a bit of slack. Some also prefer its nose-forward design (with no front hook) for pitching and casting to walleyes: |
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This Next Bite write-up talks about how it's Moonshine Shiver Minnow SZN. They basically bowhunt for walleyes...one rod, one lure, searching for big fish with their electronics before taking their shot:
> "In most walleye situations we use 10-lb [Berkley FireLine] but moving up to 14-lb is sometimes necessary for heavy cover, zebra mussels or bigger fish.
> "Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon leader material in 10-, 12- or 15-lb makes a great connection between the braid and lure. 24" of fluorocarbon is generally enough even in clear water and greatly reduces the number of times the leader knot goes through the guides of the rod.
> "The combination of braid and fluorocarbon creates an ultra-sensitive connection between the rod and lure so the angler can sense every change in bottom composition as well as every bite.
> "The weakness in this system is that the no-stretch line and heavy lure give the angler no room for error when fighting a big fish. In this case we change out the hooks with a larger #6 Berkley Fusion19 Treble Hook for better hooking....
> "If the boat driver finds a mark and wants to cast, keep an eye on the orientation of the boat, wind and fish. Since it is common to be well offshore, it can help to watch bubbles or a specific spot in the wake of the boat while the driver maneuvers.
> "After the lure hits the bottom jig it up and immediately give the lure some slack. Keeping tension on the lure will reduce the side-to-side action that makes Shiver Minnows special...makes a huge difference in the number of bites.
> "...the right motion creates a loop of line near the rod tip and involves a solid snap at the beginning of the stroke. Similarly, if the lake bottom is covered in moss, algae, or mussels timing your jigging stroke to stay above the bottom increases bites over time.
> "Vary the height and number of jig strokes before letting the lure crash back down to the bottom. Many times, larger jumps will trigger fish but just as often this will pull the lure out of the strike zone. At the same time, fish occasionally suspend off the bottom and a larger stroke attracts their interest. Work both ends of the spectrum until a trend emerges.
> "Casting Shiver Minnows to specific fish is not a numbers game. A handful of bites a day is a good goal. The mindset of reacting to one good mark on the Lowrance takes a bit of adjustment....the difference that keeps us going all fall is that the largest fish of the year can easily come on the Next Bite."
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Top 30 ice-fishing pet peeves! π€¬ |
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Pet peeves: Those particularly annoying things that get under your skin no matter how hard you try and ignore 'em.
We polled Target Walleye fans to find out their biggest ice-fishing pet peeves and compiled 'em into one big-nasty list. How many are you doing?? π€πββοΈ
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β’ Garbage left on the ice. If you bring it out, bring it back with you!
β’ Losing a fish after it gets wrapped up in the transducer.
β’ Snowmobiles are the jet skis of ice fishing.
β’ Sunflower seeds in my hole.
β’ When people set up right on top of you, even though there's a whole lake.
β’ People complaining about you being set up too close (^ lol).
β’ Snake northerns. 'Nuff said.
β’ Trying to re-tie with frozen fingers.
β’ People drilling holes during prime time.
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The last green weeds hold the most fall walleye. |
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> "Walleyes can be more difficult to find at this time of year because they're on the move and transitioning from deeper to shallow water. You can count on the last green weeds to attract baitfish and walleyes.
> "Look for the greenest weeds you can find at the outside edge of bays that face deeper water. Eventually, those weeds die too and baitfish and panfish have to either slip off the first dropoff, or they migrate to the safety of the shallows.
> "Locate the outside and inside edge of the weeds by using your polarized glasses or your electronics. Make note of the depth where the weeds end because that should be the same all around the lake. Avoid any [weeds] that are beginning to brown.
> "Walleyes will position at different locations along the dropoff depending on conditions. They might be right on top, along the slope or at the base of the dropoff waiting to intercept minnow schools. Most times the walleyes will be at a very specific depth, but will move up and down the contour.
> "After a month or more, the migration reverses. The shallows begin to chill and fall wave action mixes and re-oxygenates the water. Walleyes can now go wherever they want. Baitfish move back to the extreme shallows and walleyes will be right on their heels."
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Europeans eat like we do in the fall??? π€ |
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Would love to know what was all in that thing's belly! |
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How do you prepare for winter? π₯Ά |
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Some re-spool the short sticks...others charge their flashers...this guy: |
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That's one way to stay focused on fall chores! |
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A small Missouri River community (population around 300) that's hosting an NWT event Jun 22-23 next year, and preparing for the economic boost that 300-ish walleye pros bring with them as they set up camp and try to dial-in the winning walleyes.
> "According to [NWT] tournament director Anthony Wright, cities interested in hosting a 2-day tournament throughout the spring and summer tour must pitch a proposal and pay a fee to host a regular season event. To host a 2-day tournament, the fee is $10,000."
And fyi Chamberlain, SD (pop. 2,549 and approx 95 miles northwest of Pickstown) hosted an NWT stop last year, and...
> "According to the economic impact survey, the city of Chamberlain saw a $25,000 increase in sales tax during the month of Apr in 2021 [when the NWT came to town] compared to Apr 2020."
> DEC said that the 4 walleye specimens it collected showed no external signs of lesions, sores, or parasites. DEC sent the specimens for further analysis to Cornell University's Aquatic Vet Program Laboratory.
Some think the walleye die-off "might be related to low oxygen levels brought on by excessive algae or weed growth, noting that aquatic weeds have been especially high this year." But obviously not sure yet. And folks that have been on the lake their whole life hadn't seen any die-offs like it in the past.
As of Tues they had 9 spots left to fish the 29th-annual derby on Tobin Lake.
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... has raised over $1-mil in donations for local charities over the past 21 yrs. π
iFishPro = similar to a tip-up but lets you catch the fish on a rod and reel, instead of hand-over-hand.
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They sold-out in just 2 days last year....
Helps fisheries managers determine how many walleye either were produced naturally or survived stocking in 2022.
> Using electrofishing boats, crews will survey the shallow areas near the shoreline of lakes at night with the goal of capturing young-of-year walleye. On larger lakes, two or more electrofishing crews using separate boats may operate at the same time to cover more area.
The application deadline is now Fri, Sept 30.
...to "make it less green." They treated the lake with a chemical compound β commonly referred to as alum β to reduce phosphorus levels.
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I'm curious if there's any treatments out there to make clear lakes more green π€ because I always seem to catch bigger fish in the ones that have a little color to 'em lol.
On the Red River. Two-person teams with a 5-fish bag, and 2 of those can be > 70cm (roughly 27.56").
Enter your single longest fish for a chance at dough β believe they pay the top 20. It's a $50 entry fee per person, and can fish as many people in one boat as you're legally/safely able to, if you want...or go on a solo mission to that secret spot you refuse to take anyone to lol.
At the Red River Ex.
At the National Sports Center.
At the St. Paul RiverCentre
At Scheels Arena in Fargo.
Their " Crank Blanks" = high quality unpainted hard baits in now 31 profiles (jerkbaits, deep divers, lipless cranks, etc).
...supporting access to land for outdoor recreation
And tomorrow (Sept 24) is National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I'm going to participate by hunting for some walleyes. π
Itasca County.
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Few TargetWalleye.com Highlights
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What's π₯ on Target Walleye's YouTube π₯
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Al's Jigging Rap line-selection tip.
Should you be using mono, braid, fluoro or a combo when fishing the Rapala Jigging Rap?? Here's how Al Lindner does it, and it doesn't need to be as difficult as you'd think:
> "One of the most important things about fishing the Rapala Jigging Rap is using a barrel swivel [I like the smallest size possible...typically a #10 in these] about 15-18" above the bait β especially if you're casting into the wind. The way the bait fishes will cause line twist, and a barrel swivel simply eliminates that.
> "About 50% of the time I'm casting the Jigging Rap, 40% of the time I'm pulling it behind the boat and 10% is spent vertical jigging it.
> "My leader material is the same line that's on my reel, 10-lb mono. I've said it before many times and I'll say it again...you're going to land WAY more fish with monofilament. Day in and day out I use 8- or 10-lb Sufix Advance Mono. It's that simple, you don't have to complicate it."
I fished Jigging Raps exclusively on braid for several years before Al convinced me to switch over to mono. Definitely an awkward switch at first β takes some getting used to β but have absolutely noticed I land more of the fish that I hook.
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"You know a walleye is big when it gets the carp-looking scales."
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Warning: You are now entering arguably the best fishing of the season....
So get your life right, John! π€£
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But seriously when you do eventually store your boat for the winter, don't forget to use Sea Foam! Their Marine PRO product is designed just for marine engines β cleans and lubricates your motor, helps prevent corrosion caused by ethanol and water, and stabilizes tank fuel up to 2 years!!
If you can't find Marine PRO near you, original Sea Foam still works great in 'em to dissolve fuel residues AND for fuel stabilization. May be the #1 automotive additive in the US, but it was originally invented for outboard motors. |
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Nebraska is technically considered the Midwest...but I'm going to have to mentally slide it over to the "Wild West" after seeing this pair of big ol' spinnerbait-eaters posted on @finfishinginnebraska's Insta: |
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Apparently trolling and casting spinnerbaits around flooded timber or shallow rocks is something folks do all the time on Lake McConaughy. Spinnerbaits catch walleyes around here too, but most still refuse to use 'em because of what their buddies will say.... Hahaha!
Have a GREAT weekend and thanks so much for reading! π
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Friends of Target Walleye |
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Who is Target Walleye
Target Walleye β walleye during open water and all species during hardwater β is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jim Kalkofen, Jay Kumar, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!
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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
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422 Laurel Street
P.O. BOX 541
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 824 5026
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