I came across this interesting Brad Dokken write-up on one of my favorite Facebook pages to follow called Tri-State Diving. They're always posting really cool photos and descriptions of on-ice recovery missions – for sunken trucks, ATVs, sleds, fish houses, you name it – that they're completing each season:

Soooo....

This write-up answers a bunch of interesting questions I've always wondered, but knew I'd never be asking until the day came I needed to know lol. And no, I haven't dropped anything large thru the ice yet, but thought others might find the whole process pretty interesting as well.

Too much info to try and plop in here, so click the pic below to read the full dealio:

- That's Clam's caption on this Instagram post with a massive northern-MN pie plate iced by John Holmgren of @devoted.outdoors. 💣 #Boom

You should recognize John by now from being featured in these TW emails. He and his better-er half Ashley catch some absolute units!

Get this: John is on the quest for a 12" bluegill 👀 and has caught multiple bump-boarded 11.5" fish! Most of which have come on his go-to Clam Swirl Drop Jig. And these fish aren't some high-fenced private slobs...they come out of big, public waters. 🙌

Btw I heard that John and Ashley have partnered up with RAWfish Creative Group and will be having their own shows coming out. Can't wait to see it – will keep you posted.

Yup, walleyes have wings...sorta.... Learn how to snag that extra (tasty!) chunk of walleye meat in this video from our friends at Lindner's Angling Edge. Guaranteed to turn some heads at that next fish fry:

I've had "walleye wings" before and they're great! But I honestly had no idea you could eat the fins too...apparently they're like eating a crunchy potato chip. Crazy!

No surprise it's coming from the You Betcha crew again. This time the video is on the "3 types of ice fishermen" = the Ice Castle guy, the portable guy, and the tip-up guy. Which are you?

🤣 Gotta love it!

There's a lot of incredible people I hope to one day hit the water with, but the "You Betcha Guy" Myles has quickly pushed his way near the top of my bucket-list hahaha.

Some absolutely ridiculous fish were caught in this virtual derby, including a 29.5" walleye, 15.5" crappie, 10.75" bluegill and a 43" northern.

Gotta give huge props to Kris Gaune on having the largest stringer of 3 walleyes for 87.25" 🤯 which is over a 29" average! Believe he's got his Yetti Fish House plopped down on Manitoba's Lake Winnipeg. Hope he's able to work remotely, because it would be a very tough place to leave!

The world's largest charity ice-fishing contest – something everyone's gotta experience at least once or thrice – is set for Jan 29 on Gull Lake's Hole-in-the-Day Bay. Sounds like all systems are go after the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office found 14.5-16.5" of ice in the event area the last couple of days. Lots more info on the derby's website.

Reminder that their "sister event," America's Ice Fishing Tournament, is being held tomorrow (1/22) on any frozen lake in America. Gotta sign up prior at 8am. They'll be giving away 500 prizes worth over $60K, and will be spreading those 500 prizes over the 2,000 highest-scoring fish submitted.

This isn't just going to be a northern pike fest...they created a length-to-points scale so you'll have a fair shot even if you're registering sunfish, crappies, perch, walleye or pike.

Looks like the person who catches the 210th highest-scoring fish wins a Ford F150 or $25,000 cash. 😳

...with 4 fish for 15.8 lbs which included a monster 9.33-lber. Took home the top spot out of 551 teams! Saw this comment from Tate Merchant on FB:

Never know when it's gonna be you – 👊 big congrats, fellas!

The largest Ducks Unlimited event in the nation is a fishing derby. Will be on the northwest end of Mille Lacs this year out of Garrison Sports and Myr Mar Marina:

They have prizes for the 100 heaviest fish caught and the biggest overall fish takes home a $20K payday.

Still wondering how in the heck they're able to drill the holes in the shape of the DU logo?!

The supposedly sterile Asian carp species that have been in Lake Erie for more than 30 yrs. But my first thought is if they've been around for 30 yrs how have they not been reproducing??? 🤔

Now the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission said that eggs and signs of grass carp reproduction have been found in OH waterways.

...on the 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 = 😍 a high-end inline ice reel:

Inline reels have a big spool that spits line out end-over-end. Biggest plus is its ability to reduce line twist and memory...so your bait isn't doing the "circle of death" and spooking off that 10" bluegill.

Few details I think really set the 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 apart:

Old-school inlines featured a 1:1 gear ratio, which means the spool would only turn 1 time each time the eel handle was cranked. This one has a beefed-up gear system and 2.7:1 gear ratio...a huuuuge plus anytime you're fighting a fish, but especially if you're fishing deeper water.

This is called the Black Betty 6061 because it features a CNC machined 6061 aluminum construction (7 oz) for toughness + durability. The frame design allows you to fish a "pistol" or "pencil" grip style without rubbing the rim of the spool. Also has a silky smooth carbon drag and instant anti-reverse so you don't have to try and stop the reel from back spinning with the palm of your hand when fighting a fish or setting the hook.

Internal promotion of Marc Mills, who was a marketing field rep.

Congrats to both! 🤝

Navionics+ and Navionics Vision+. Check these yummy screenshots:

Quick glance and a small chunk of the new stuff. 🤤

Lots more here on their website.

Man, Simms just straight-up kills it! Every single thing I have ever purchased from them has become a new favorite of mine. Literally haven't ever gotten 1 thing from them that I've been disappointed with which is so refreshing. Of course it's not cheap, but definitely a great example of "you get what you pay for" when it comes to their gear.

At the Minneapolis Convention Center. That's 400,000 sq ft of boats, docks and lifts, and marine accessories.

...for single-engine pontoons powered by 175-600 hp Mercury outboard with Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls:

#RealLifeVideoGames

> In the aluminum fishing boat category, Lund Boats received the Innovation Award for the Renegade. "The Lund Renegade takes a bass boat and makes it more family friendly without compromising fishing ability. Anytime you can enhance a boat's versatility, that's a bonus," said Judge Eric Colby.

Really well done video from Alex Timm on YouTube going over his 10 best Garmin LiveScope settings for a clean screen. Clear info, straight and to the point, I'm digging it:

Those Devils Lake, ND waldos didn't stand a chance with Jay Siemens and John Hoyer tag-teaming 'em! #DoubleTrouble

That's actually a screenshot from Jay's YouTube video and you already know it's worth a watch with those two in the same shack.

National Professional Anglers Assoc.