Fishing-Headquarters Magazine by Fishing-Headquarters Online Magazine

Photograph by Ashley Rae Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

Fishing-Headquarters Magazine Volume 3. Issue 1 Num. 12

March & April, 2013 Spring Edition

• The Other Lepomis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 About Fishing-Headquarters The Fishing-Headquarters began as a small homepage in 2005, featuring a collection of photos and YouTube fishing videos. It even featured a small contingency of misfits and rebellious anglers who were tired of the internet elitism and racism expressed by other websites built by uneducated nonangling entities towards specific groups of anglers and species of freshwater gamefish.

• Stingrays: Scorned Saltwater Species . . . . . 25 • Muskie Reciprocity of Casting & Trolling . . . 39 • Big Smallmouth Bass Bucketlists . . . . . . . 53

Formally established in January 2007, the FHQ was created for like-minded anglers to share the wealth of information, and enjoy the beauty in diverse fishing. This greatness as we presently know it is multi-species fishing.

• Western Tiger Muskies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Designed and created by posessed and gravely obsessed angler, Andrew Ragas, the website has grown to a large world audience. Our basis as an online media platform is to drop the ego, and catch anything that swims and has fins.

• Fishing For Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

• Springtime Walleye Destinations . . . . . . . 85

All fish are created as equals. Only to be pursued as opposites.

COVER STORY Important Biz Stuff http://www.fishing-headquarters.com info@fishing-headquarters.com telephone - 708. 256. 2201 Questions or Comments, and if interested in contributing or sponsoring, please contact Andrew Ragas at: andrew@fishing-headquarters.com Magazine layout and design by Ragas Media http://www.ragasmedia.com

Pictured on the Issue-12 cover is FishingHeadquarters friend, Josh Peacock. An avid tournament angler, we featured Josh and other aspiring anglers in our feature story, “Fishing for Business.” This piece profiles the business of fishing and the anglers seeking sponsorships and the systems they employ. Read about attaining sponsors on page 99.

Fishing-Headquarters Issue-12 2013: A Season of New Opportunity. It’s been nearly half a year since our publication’s last appearance on the interwebz. I guess rebuilding a new website and rebranding and revitalizing our social media outlets can do that. Because of this, we took a break and bypassed our annual winter edition. Andrew Ragas

Editor In-Chief, Designer, and Owner.

2013 Issue Releases Upcoming Schedule

• Issue 13: May 1, 2013 • Issue 14: July 1, 2013 • Issue 15: September 1, 2013 • Issue 16: December 1, 2013

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Over the course of the last few months, Fishing-Headquarters has tremendously been improved. Our website is finally able to feature numerous articles, stories, and daily entries. Best of all, a variety of our advertising partners can be showcased on every page too. And that’s always a huge plus. Please support them as much as you support us. Besides better viewing and content management capabilities, we’ve improved the online experience for our readers and visitors. Despite a brand new website with brand new social media, we still have the same old online magazine that everyone loved. This, my friends, went entirely unchanged. It is my pleasure to bring you a 12th issue of FHQ Magazine. We would like to thank our friends, anglers, and team of writers and contributors who have dedicated themselves to provide and contribute their knowledge, experiences, content and game-changing information into this publication. Without their assistance, nothing like this would be possible.

I S S U E 12 F E A T U R E D W R I

Cory Allen

David Graham

Kenny Lookingbill

Contributed Photographs • Wesley Allsbrook • Bryan Blazek • Erik Lennartz • Josh Peacock • Ashley Rae • Jacob Saylor • Nate Tessler • SBOBT Issue 12 Editorial Staff • Paul Ragas Layout and Design By • Ragas Media Designs Sponsors and Advertising Partners • Bearpaw’s Handpoured Baits • CB’s Hawg Sauce • CAST Crew 312 • Cortland Line • Dragin Bait Company • Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle • Go-Pro Camera • Heartland Outdoors • Lazer Trokar Hooks • Midwest Digital Corp. • PivotHead Video Eyewear • Quantum Fishing • Ragas Media Designs • Stankx Bait Company • Time on the Water Outdoors

TERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

Matt Pelletier

Andrew Ragas

Roy Vivian

NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY TOPICS. Video Camera Sunglasses: Pivothead Eye Wear In partnership with Chicago based Midwest Digital Corp, FishingHeadquarters will exclusively wear Pivothead sunglasses for the 2013 season. Pivothead Video Recording Eyewear, is the first step in redefining True Point of View video and photography. Hands free, full 720 and 1080HD, in clear sharp quality. http://www.pivothead.com

Lazer Trokar, a Proud Partner for 2013 and Beyond! In December 2012, Fishing-Headquarters struck partnership with LazerTrokar Hooks, a brand of Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle. The Lazer TroKar hooks are not made like any other hook in the world. TroKar hooks use Surgically Sharpened Technology to grind and hone a three-sided symmetrical point that is scalpel sharp and capable of penetrating and withstanding the toughest membranes and cartilage. http://www.lazertrokar.com

Stankx Bait Company Releases NEW Baits for 2013. Kalamazoo, Michigan – It’s only March and our partners at Stankx Bait Company have released a number of new products. For the 2013 season, the Stankx institution has released a triad of new baits: A 6 inch drop shot slug; 3.5 inch jig trailer; 4.5 inch paddle tail swimbait. Owner and brew master, Travis Crosman, proved us wrong. It’s difficult predicting his next move, but we do know for fact there is obviously more to come during some point later this year. http://www.stankxbaitco.com

Cortland Line NEW Website for 2013. Cortland Line Company, one of the oldest manufacturers of premium braided fishing line and a comprehensive assortment of fishing equipment and apparel, is presently undergoing massive website renovations. Their new website will feature a more modern layout and design which will be released in spring 2013. http://www.cortlandline.com Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

Smallmouth Bass on the Fly Wisconsin River, Oneida County

SOLUNAR CALENDAR March 2013

April 2013

This fishing forecast is based on solar and lunar influences that cycle daily. The chart shows each hour of the day. For instance the hours with the higher rating, and days shaded the darkest have a greater combination of solar and lunar influence and thus indicate the best times to fish. This chart is a general recommendation and all data has been compiled by Weather & Wildlife.

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LEADING OFF. World Record Tiger Muskies in the Southwestern Desert Page 73

It’s New Mexico’s latest fishing craze — anglers trying to catch giant, 40-inch, 20-pound tiger muskies lurking in the depths of Quemado and Bluewater lakes, where the muskies have been stocked to prey upon undesirable fish. The predators, a cross between a muskie and a pike, produce a sterile hybrid that can be raised in hatcheries and then stocked in lakes to help control unwanted fish populations. Photograph by Matt Pelletier Fishing-Headquarters.com

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LEADING OFF. Orange Spotted Sunfish

The orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis) is a North American species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae). These fish are widely distributed across the middle and eastern United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the east, from the Great Lakes south into the Gulf Coast. The orangespotted sunfish is a species that is ecologically unique and thrives in turbid, shallow systems that have few predators and low oxygen contents. The species prefers vegetated areas in sluggish backwaters or lakes, and can also be found in turbid rivers. The orangespotted sunfish can extend its range in lower quality waters, which is not characteristic to other sunfish. Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Photograph by Andrew Ragas

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other Lepom Bluegills are one of the most popular fish among anglers in the United States. Many times, they are an anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first catch. They are known for their spirit and spunk, being a dependable fish to catch when other fishing slows down, and great for the frying pan. But there are other lepomis out there for the advanced multispecies fanatics.

By Kenny Lookingbill

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters.com

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misâ&#x20AC;?

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SUNFISHES AND CENTRARCHIDS

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

By: Kenny Lookingbill

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

epomis is a genus of sunfish that are widespread throughout North America with many species with different distributions. They all have the same basic body morphology, slab sided, and very long pectoral fins in respect to their body size, so that they can pivot quickly. Lepomis are known to hybridize often within their genus, and sometimes it is nearly impossible to determine the species involved in the hybridizations without genetic testing. This diversity of species and hybrids makes this group of fishes highly sought after by multispecies enthusiasts and fish nerds alike. One species, the red-spotted sunfish, is endangered in Illinois making them a catch of a lifetime of sorts. For the purpose of this article, I am going to focus on mainly on lepomis species found in the Upper Midwest because of my experience as well as knowledge of those. I will also touch on rock bass, which are members of the genus ambloplites, closely related to lepomis. Tactics and techniques of fishing for lepomis species, which necessitates the use of light tackle and line or fly fishing, are pretty universal because of their similar feeding guild. However, there is no good way to target

specific species. The best chance is to do some background research of the distribution of the fish of interest and what bodies of water the individuals can be found in. Also, some fisheries surveys done by state biologists are available that can point you in the right direction where different species are present. Additionally, angler word of mouth can be reliable as well, although care must be taken because most anglers may not be good with species identification (redear sunfish and pumpkinseed sunfish are often confused by those without much identification

of their aggressive behavior, which makes them undesirable in some fisheries because of their aggression toward bluegill. They are found in a large variety of habitats, including rip rap, weeds, and current breaks in streams, making them an even easier target. They may be taken on live bait, jig and grubs, hair jigs, flies, and even some crankbaits. Redear Sunfish Redears are different from other lepomis because they have pharyngeal teeth that are used for

* Green Sunfish

experience). Stream fishing is also one of the best places to look for sunfish species. Last but not least, be patient. You may only add one new fish in a year. Some of the uncommon individuals will not come easy and it will take a lot of work and patience. Green Sunfish Green sunfish are probably about the most common lepomis species to target besides bluegill. They are very easy to catch because

crushing shells of gastropods like snails. They are commonly found in bodies of water that have a lot of vegetation, which attracts snails, and the redears are not far behind. Redear are commonly stocked in ponds and lakes that have problems with snails because they are so effective at controlling their populations. However, you do not have to use snails as bait because they are opportunistic feeders and will feed other invertebrates and small fish. Fishing Headquarters | Page 16

SUNFISHES AND CENTRARCHIDS

* Green Sunfish

Live bait, especially waxworms, and jig and grub in weedy areas are the best options for this fish. They are almost exclusively found in lake and pond environments. Pumpkinseed Pumpkinseed are common in lakes in the Upper Midwest, mainly natural lakes in Wisconsin and Michigan, but can be found in reservoirs and smaller impoundments. One popular place in Illinois is the backwater restoration project, Emiquon Lake, where new state records are being caught each year, as they have flourished since being stocked. They can be caught by targeting weedlines year round with live bait or jigs. Warmouth Warmouth are widespread and can be found in a wide variety body Fishing-Headquarters.com

of water and habitats. They can be encountered in small ponds, reservoirs, small streams, and backwater habitats of large rivers. They are not typically encountered in high densities unlike other lepomis, so patience will have to be practiced when trying to catch a warmouth. They can be typically caught on live bait or small jigs, but they can also be caught on hair jigs, flies, and even small crankbaits. Focus on fishing weedlines or rip rap.

Orange-spotted sunfish are among the smallest lepomis species, rarely reaching lengths of 6â&#x20AC;?, and as a result you will need to downsize tackle. Small chunks of nightcrawler, spikes, or Berkley gulp on small hooks and split shots or small flies are the best way to catch this fish. They take a little bit more work, but the reward is great if you catch a male in spawning colors, as they are one of the brightest colored North American freshwater fish. They are mainly found in riverine systems, Rock Bass and found in shallow, sandy substrate areas. They are different from Rock bass are mainly a riverine most other lepomis because they fish found in rivers of all sizes. They have a higher tolerance for more are typically found in slack water turbid environments. areas, but can also be found on mid channel structure, deeper pools, rip Red-Spotted Sunfish rap, and timber. Small jigs are very effective, but they can also be taken Red-spotted sunfish are also on minnows and small crankbaits. very small species of lepomis, and they are targeted with the same Orange-Spotted Sunfish methods as orange-spotted sunfish.

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Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill

* Rock Bass

Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing Headquarters | Page 18

SUNFISHES AND CENTRARCHIDS

* Pumpkinseed

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill

Complicating matters however, the fish is endangered in Illinois. This is due to major habitat degradation, as the fish are found in shallow, marshy backwaters, most of which have been altered or drained. However, some backwater restoration projects have made an effort to restore the species through stocking, notably Emiquon Preserve. Back in 2007, 7,053 were stocked in Emiquon; unfortunately, since then, none have been recovered in fisheries surveys conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or the Natural History Survey. There is a larger area of the preserve that is shallower, averaging less than a meter in depth, where boats cannot get back into without mud motors, that Fishing-Headquarters.com

is off limits to fishing and may have escaped sampling. They are more common further south in states such as Georgia and Oklahoma. Catching one in Illinois would truly be the catch of a lifetime, given their rarity. There are other species of lepomis that can be targeted with more of a challenge, as they will take more time and travel because they reside in the southern United States. Most likely even the most dedicated multispecies anglers are not going to travel across the country for a spotted sunfish. The best chance is to do research on these fish and if you are ever in the area for work, family, or a fishing trip targeting other fish, to give it a shot then. Stay patient, do

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your homework on local fisheries, and you will be adding a few more fish to lifetime lists. Kenny Lookingbill, 24, of Cambridge, Illinois is an avid multi species angler who frequently dabbles with the variety of sunfish species. A graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in biology, Lookingbill has used his knowledge of fisheries in order to compete in walleye tournaments with his partner, and successfully win a few events with the Illinois Walleye Trail in 2012.

* Redear Sunfish

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters | Page 20

SUNFISHES AND CENTRARCHIDS

* Warmouth Lepomis is a genus of sunfish that are widespread throughout North America with many species with different distributions. They all have the same basic body morphology, slab sided, and very long pectoral fins in respect to their body size, so that they can pivot quickly. Lepomis are known to hybridize often within their genus, and sometimes it is nearly impossible to determine the species involved in the hybridizations without genetic testing. This diversity of species and hybrids makes this group of fishes highly sought after by multispecies enthusiasts and fish nerds alike. One species, the red-spotted sunfish, is endangered in Illinois making them a catch of a lifetime of sorts.

Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill Fishing-Headquarters | Page 22

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S Stingrays

Photograph by Erin Graham Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Scorned Saltwater Species

There is something strangely irresistible about pursuing a creature that can injure, maim, or kill its pursuer. I occasionally stray from my typical pursuit of freshwater oddities and head for the shores of one of our great oceans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; typically the Atlantic. Here one can evaluate the infinitely unique opportunities from an angling perspective. Our oceans, without question, are home to the greatest biodiversity on the planet. The oceans constitute 90% of all habitable area on the planet and nearly 80% of all life on earth.

By David Graham

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SCORNED SALTWATER SPECIES

Photograph by David Graham

By: David Graham

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

uch like the freshwater community, saltwater anglers have their own list of ‘species to be avoided’ and, in many cases, scorned. Call them trash fish if you will, but at the end of the day all species great and small are interesting to the boundless angler who chooses to encounter any finned creatures available. The ray species, particuFishing-Headquarters.com

larly stingrays, are arguably among the most frequently encountered yet scorned saltwater inhabitants. Stingrays are a group of ray species which, like their shark cousins, are cartilaginous fish. Most stingrays are equipped with a serrated barb at the base of the tail. This barb, a piece of bone-like cartilage, serves exclusively as a self defense mechanism. The underside of the barb contains a pair of grooves which act as a channel for a set of venom glands. Encasing the serrated barb is a thin layer of flesh which serves as a sheath, concentrating the venom within. When the barb is thrust into a stingray’s victim, that thin layer of flesh peels back, allowing the release of its venom. Despite the stingray’s realistic threat to an unsuspecting angler who happens to wade into their domain, stingrays do not actively attack or even aggressively defend themselves. Like many creatures,

March / April, 2013

they are more likely to avoid a dangerous encounter by simply moving away. In the event of an assumed or actual attack from a shark or other creature, the stingray will whip its tail around in an attempt to sting the threat. The stingray will generally break its barb off or release the barb entirely into the victim. The stingray is not ‘defenseless’ for long, however; its barbs grow back. Human victims of a stingray puncture experience extreme pain which can result in swelling, muscle cramps, severed arteries, and possible bacterial infection. Deaths from stingray barbs, however, are rare. The 2006 death of world-renowned Animal Activist Steve Irwin happened while Irwin was snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. Irwin reportedly swam above a stingray which, perhaps in a response to being ‘boxed in’, pierced him in the chest. Photograph by Travis Graham

Anatomy & Behavior The stingray’s body is flat, allowing it to effectively conceal itself within disturbed sand and mud, and to venture into very shallow waters to pursue its preferred prey. The stingray’s eyes are situated on top of its head while the mouth is on the underside of its body, meaning it cannot effectively view its prey and therefore seems to rely primarily on its sense of smell and taste to locate prey. Stingray feed primarily on mollusks and crustaceans, but will feed opportunistically on injured or unwary fish. The mouth of many stingray contains a set of crushing plates that allow them to grind mollusks and the protective exoskeleton shells of crustaceans. Other stingrays’ mouths are more ‘sucker-like’ with abrasive ‘sandpaper like’ teeth. They will frequent areas such as reefs, shallow tide pools, and grassy flats during higher tides. Stingray will venture all the way up to the shallowest breakers of the surf line. While this presents a significant risk to recreational beach goers, it provides a unique opportunity for surf anglers searching for a willing foe with strong shoulders. North American Species Numerous species of stingray can be encountered in nearly all areas of our oceans and saltwater habitats worldwide, but for fishing purposes we will focus on characteristics of the most common species which frequent habitats closer to our North American shores. An angler who discovers that the vigorous ‘fish’ on the end of his/her line is a stingray will typically not be happy to make this discovery. The intentional pursuit of a stingray is rare, and perhaps understandably

Photograph by David Graham Fishing-Headquarters | Page 28

SCORNED SALTWATER SPECIES Numerous species of stingray can be encountered in nearly all areas of our oceans and saltwater habitats worldwide. Friend of Fishing-Headquarters, Wesley Alsbrook poses with a catch from 2012.

Photograph by Wesley Allsbrook

so. There is nothing particularly exciting about the fight of a large stingray; their bodies are designed for life on the bottom of the ocean. Because they do not have a neck or spine, stingray are not going to head shake. Their safe haven and preferred dwelling is on the ‘floor’ of the ocean, therefore the stingray will generally not provide an exciting areal display or exhibit great bursts of speed and rapid directional change. Instead, the fight of a stingray is a constant, tremendous pressure and strain which will test the strength and determination of an angler, literally from head to toe. The battle is immensely taxing and extraordinarily discouraging. Truly large stingray will slowly and meFishing-Headquarters.com

thodically break an angler’s will by choosing a single direction and daring an angler to slow them down. The stingray has a set of openings at the top of its head called spiracles which allow them to take in water even when the fish is nearly entirely buried under the sand. This evasive maneuver is unfortunately a go-to method for large stingray attempting to evade capture by rod and reel. Even with the heaviest tackle, an angler should bring a good chair and plenty of water for this showdown! Many stingrays will bury themselves under the sand and simply ‘wait it out’ rather than tax themselves with movement and active resistance. Trying to pry the flattened body of a 50-plus pound stingray

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from the ocean’s floor is a daunting endeavor. During this time of wait, the stingray is merely re-energizing itself and setting the angler up for another long, taxing run that brings the battle back to square one. Anglers who find a huge stingray on the end of anything less than 50-pound braided line can either expect to cut their own line, or destroy hundreds of yards of monofilament line by stretch and fray. My words may not provide awe-inspiring mental images of a technical war with a crafty fish, but I believe that the complete angler should experience excitement and pride from all battle tactics provided by the myriad number of finned creatures provided by our waters.

Battling a stingray can take a significant amount of time, perhaps an hour or longer, without any dynamic change other than constant pressure as fatigue and aggravation builds. We focus less on the capture, and more on the fact that the sun is hot, our back hurts, the legs are giving out, and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel our arms anymore. Pictured is Erin Graham, strenuously battling with ray.

Photograph by Wesley Allsbrook Fishing-Headquarters | Page 30

SCORNED SALTWATER SPECIES

Photograph by Wesley Allsbrook Fishing-Headquarters.com

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The Fight I believe there is a time and place for all types of fishing. When the time is right for that truly raw form of power and endurance, a large stingray is second to none. During the course of an hour long battle, an angler will experience every thrill of the angling experience beginning with the initial bend of the rod and the scream of the drag. This element is exciting, and we begin to visualize the conquest and relish the most positive elements of the experience at hand. Battling a stingray can take a significant amount of time, perhaps an hour or longer, without any dynamic change other than constant pressure as fatigue and aggravation builds. We focus less on the capture, and more on the fact that the sun is hot, our back hurts, the legs are giving out, and we can’t feel our arms anymore. This emotion ebbs and flows much like the tide in which we are fishing, as the ray comes inland and forces its way back out into the sand that protects it. Bringing in a large stingray is thrilling, but actually landing one is fraught with danger. Large stingray cannot simply be thrust up onto the bank; they almost always attempt to ‘bury’ themselves some number of yards out in the shallow breakers. Bringing one in requires a ‘team effort’, meaning someone must go in after the ray to coax or physically remove it from the sand. A long steel leader is helpful at this point; with a long trace of leader, and a set of gloves, an angler’s assistant can land a large stingray by wading out at a safe distance from the fish and pulling it the rest of the way up onto shore by hand. The size, and shape of these fish is truly unique and nothing

like any other fish offers. They are magnificent creatures that, by their very appearance, inspire fear and respect. The typical ‘pose with the catch’ that most anglers strike cannot be efficiently accomplished with a large stingray. There is virtually nothing to grab, making any sort of pose with the fish very awkward and difficult. Before handling a stingray for photos, its barb must be given

ray can be preserved by boiling the flesh off of the bony spine and then bleaching all remaining bacteria off of the spine. This gives an angler a really neat, pearly white ‘stingray souvenir’. Gearing Up For The Surf There is nothing complex or fancy about the ‘hardware’ required

Photograph by Wesley Allsbrook

careful and respectful consideration. A simple wash rag can be wrapped around the ray’s barb during photos. Another option is to remove the barb. With a long set of pliers and a sharp fillet knife, the barb can be secured and a blade run underneath it to cut the barb off at its base. This may cause the fish to bleed, but the stingray will absolutely generate another barb at a later time. Removing the barb is a catch and release safety precaution as well. Because surf fishing may require wading back out to cast, it is critical to take precautions when returning such a fish to the immediate area where anglers and waders are present. Additionally, the barb of a large sting-

for stingray fishing. Large surf casting spinning combos are sufficient when pursuing the fish from the shore. Braided line is convenient due to the stingray’s tendency to bury itself. It is a game of muscle with stingray which can and will peel out a lot of line, so having more line capacity with strong braid will allow an angler to compensate for long runs with the stout ability to muscle the fish from the bottom when it settles. Because even the largest stingray will venture close to land, paddling baits way out over the breakers with kayaks or other means is unnecessary. A Fishing-Headquarters | Page 32

SCORNED SALTWATER SPECIES basic Carolina rig is simple and effective. A 6 to 8 oz. pyramid sinker fixed to a sinker slider above a 5 to 6 foot steel leader is standard bottom fishing equipment for stingray. Circle hooks are ideal to avoid gut hooking stingray because they will quickly engulf and deeply swallow even large chunks of bait surprisingly quickly. Using small chunks of cut bait will pick up the bite of any large stingray in the area. It may be a convenient and fun way to pass the time waiting for a bite to use light tackle combos rigged with very small chunks of calamari to capture small species of fish from the surf such as whiting, lady fish, pinfish and more. These will serve as good local forage species that are familiar to the stingray you pursue. For surf casting gear, rod spikes are a must when fishing multiple rods. These can be purchased from most coastal fishing shops, but they can be as simple as a 3 foot long PVC pipe with a sharpened end. Pressing the rod spike vertically into the sand creates a convenient rod stand while waiting on bites. Stingrays possess remarkable power and are absolutely capable of pulling a rod from a rod spike and into the ocean. It is highly recommended that the angler set bait runners or loosen the drag on reels to allow the fish to run before engaging it. Upon hooking the fish, an angler should prepare himself for an excruciatingly taxing battle with zero give. I have found almost no publications that would cater to the interest of an angler who actually chooses to pursue stingray by rod and reel. Having had ample personal experience Fishing-Headquarters.com

LazerTrokar TK4 Lancet Circle Hook

Sea Striker Rod Spike

with local species in my area such as the Southern Stingray, Atlantic Stingray and Butterfly Rays, I can’t understand why an angler would not find the prospect of battling such a fish to be intriguing. Stingrays are entirely unique in their proportions and ecology, and are rivaled by few fish in their pound for pound raw power. I feel that all anglers should actively seek to challenge their own ‘comfort zone’. All of us relish the opportunity to battle high-profile fish that can launch themselves into the air, display speed and agility, cover and concealment, dangerous

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weaponry, or other uniquely identifiable methods of evasion. Sometimes, though, it makes sense to forego the more visually rewarding dynamics of fishing, and simply subject ourselves to incredibly consistent, raw strength. I am certain that the stingray is a unique candidate for such a challenge. Sleek and streamlined as a jet, tenacious as a bulldog, and equipped with a natural ‘spear’ that can maim or kill its opponent – the stingray deserves the deliberation of any multi-species angler.

WesleyGraham Allsbrook Photograph by David Fishing-Headquarters | Page 34

SCORNED SALTWATER SPECIES

Boundless Pursuit A non-species specific approach to angling by David Graham.

David Graham is an extreme multi-species angler and featured columnist for Fishing-Headquarters Magazine. Follow his monster fish adventures by visiting his blog:

http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/boundlesspursuit/ Photographs by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters.com

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CASTRO Reciprocity of the Tactics for

Maximize Photograph by Cory Allen Fishing-Headquarters.com

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OLLING

By Cory Allen

ed Muskies Fishing-Headquarters | Page 40

CASTING VS TROLLING Last year I had a fly client for musky, but while our goal was to hook up on the pixie stick, he was not opposed to trying other methods as the conditions demanded, which is always my favorite kind of client. The objective here is to catch fish, not revel in how you did. I instructed him to pack up the fly rod and we were going to troll. At first, he looked at me cockeyed, and figured “Oh joy, let’s play that exciting new game show ‘Hold the rod for 6 hours while we putt-putt in circles.” As I went into further detail about the situation we were dealing with, and the advantageous nature of trolling in this particular situation, you could see the light bulb start to come on. When I ended my little address with the statement “Trolling is simply being able to make a cast of infinite length, depth, and speed control within the confines of reason,” it clicked and John was totally on board.

Photograph by Cory Allen Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

By: Cory Allen

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

he concept of versus to begin with, especially in the world of angling where every tactic and tool at our disposal contributes to figuring out the greater rubix cube that is our wonderful little blood pressure spiking past-time, is a bit counter intuitive. I don’t see the two methods of trolling versus casting as exclusive, but mutually beneficial. I take great pride in my little fishing machine, an early 2000’s Tuffy Ltd…. or as I call it, the “Economesox,” which is decked out with a Terrova 80 lb iPilot and a brand spanking new Yamaha Tiller. I don’t use this type of boat so that I can beat Johnny Triton to the point or outpace the interstate traffic on a causeway crossing the lake, but because it allows a near perfect integration of both casting and trolling and the ability to switch between the two nearly as fast as I decide to switch gears. Not to brag on my little fiberglass baby, but she hunts like a blood hound running a convict through a Louisiana bayou. From a standing position on the transom, I can run trolling passes quickly and effectively over a point or series of bars working the 12-30 ft breaks and dropoffs. Then I can take 4 gi-

Photograph by Cory Allen

ant steps to the front, drop the Terrova, and be able to perform an autopsy of casting on the directly adjacent shallow flat, weedbed, or other skinny water half of the puzzle. That’s seriously something that no fiberglass boat with a 300 hp Verado cannot do with such speed and efficiency. But therein lies the conundrum itself...It seems very few people marry the tactics of casting and trolling in symbiotic rhythm. It seems either they are winging away for hours at a time from the bow, or glued to the transom for the day. Let me make a bit of a comparison....one that you may or not be able to relate to, but it should clarify somewhat. I remember the days when I was studying to be a professional orchestral musician. We see how well that one worked out. I would run into other brass players that would say “Well, I’m a CLASSICAL trumpet player; I’m a JAZZ trombone player...yada yada yada”. I always found this amusing...music is music is music. It was always amusing to hear a CLASSICAL trumpet player audition on

“American in Paris” or another more stylistically jazz influenced piece of “classical” literature, and it sounded like Mary Ford and Les Paul trying to cover Earth Wind and Fire......in the same vein, a JAZZ brass player on Mahler often lacked the chutzpah to drive those ridiculously powerful passages home. The best players in both arenas though, were the ones that treated music as music, no matter what style, flavor, or texture, and could freely move through the membrane of either with ease in their studies. Let’s convert this to fishing. I look at any body of water and any species, in this case muskies, as a piece of repertoire. Each has a unique environment that demands a unique approach, seasonally, daily, and moment to moment. There are times that people say there is a “trolling bite” or a “casting bite.” I say, the tactic is ancillary to the topography one is fishing. If The System’s Broke, Fix It Fishing-Headquarters | Page 42

CASTING VS TROLLING

Photograph by Cory Allen

Let’s set the stage for this one. Last year I had a fly client for musky, but while our goal was to hook up on the pixie stick, he was not opposed to trying other methods as the conditions demanded, which is always my favorite kind of client. As stated before, fly fishing, casting, trolling, and jigging are not mutually exclusive schools of thought, but mutually beneficial approaches to the whole sphere of angling knowledge and execution. They can each do things that the others cannot, and thus complement each other more than define themselves. The objective here is to catch fish, not revel in how you did. Unless you’re using TNT or a telephone crank, it’s pretty much open season, which in my honest opinion is the beauty of our sport. We had run up a known producing creek arm and he chucked fluff while I side armed Mantas. This was perfect fly water for him but no luck. So Fishing-Headquarters.com

we went down to another area after a which load and tow, an area that had actually produced a nice fish for a fly fishing client of mine just a few days prior, and resulted in a shredded 80 lb fluorocarbon leader by a truth leviathan. The dark water and current in the main channel usually results in very shallow holding muskies, some just out of sight in the 6” visibility conditions. On this day however, we were dealing with post frontal conditions and fish were absolutely hung over from it, despite the offsetting effects of darker water and current. He casted fly like a champ in blistering wind and piped the ace on some excellent g-spots that had been producing well on mid-40s in 1-3 feet of water. At the same time I was launching my surface-to-sea missiles as well, but alas nothing. John Kohl was out for his first fish though, and thankfully open to suggestions.

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The flat we were fishing was directly related to several clandestine points not tipped off by the shape of the shoreline. They all broke great depths, and led to the deepest water in the area. This is why the flat itself was such a fish factory. I instructed him to pack up the fly rod and we were going to troll. At first, he looked at me cockeyed, and figured “Oh joy, let’s play that exciting new game show ‘Hold the rod for 6 hours while we putt-putt in circles.” As I went into further detail about the situation we were dealing with, and the advantageous nature of trolling in this particular situation, you could see the light bulb start to come on. When I ended my little address with the statement “Trolling is simply being able to make a cast of infinite length, depth, and speed control within the confines of reason,” it clicked and John was totally on board.

Photograph by Cory Allen Fishing-Headquarters | Page 44

CASTING VS TROLLING Last spring, we dialed in and after losing several low to mid 40â&#x20AC;? fish in this one pocket less than 2 acres, we brought to boat a 49.5â&#x20AC;? fish that touched the 40 lb mark. Another fantastic testament to the quality of the fish these Tennessee waters can produce, and even more amazingly mostly from natural reproduction as well as the fruits of being adaptive and versatile to the momentary conditions, and letting the arena dictate the weapons of war.

Photograph by Cory Allen Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Trolling Strategies Most of my trolling passes don’t extend farther than the existence of the topography we’re fishing, anywhere from 20 yards to a 100 yards. But anything past that is rare for me as most of the areas I fish do not have extended running breaklines. Therefore they do not demand extended trolling passes, but rather the ability to keep a lure down, bump and grind the length of the structure, and turn around to do in 45 seconds. In comparison to casting, this would take 4-5 hours to cover effectively. In this situation, trolling was absolutely invaluable. Literally on the 3rd turn around, as my trolling passes got progressively cleaner and tighter to the break, something nearly grabbed the rod from his grip in the blistering cold. If you’re not holding the rod while you’re trolling, you’re not only missing out on some absolutely epic strikes, but you’ll be missing a lot of details in bump-and-grind trolling that you’d miss while leaving the rod in a holder. Ten minutes later, we were posing with a healthy happy livewell revived 48” Tennessee tanker. Yes, John is coming back when the conditions are more conducive to using the fly, and we’ll get them for sure. But in this case, being dogmatically stubborn to casting fly or conventionally would have most assuredly cost us this fish holding on a break just out of current dropping from 15 ft into 24 ft. With the depth of that particular feature combined with the current, trying to effectively fish it while casting would have not only been difficult, but it may have been downright impossible to get that fish to react otherwise. Okay, just to make sure this isn’t a love letter to motor trolling,

Stone’s Throw Adventures team guide, Ian Swenson, with a 48.5” muskie caught while casting in February 2013.

Photograph by Cory Allen

let’s take a gander at another switch. Often times even after the lake draws down in winter, the nature of our riverine reservoir and being at the footsteps of a plateau means an inch of rain goes a mile, and things fill up fast. Both casting and trolling conditions exist during most of the colder part of the year, but when the main channel fills to the brim, conditions exist in small pockets and coves out of the main channel current that draw in large numbers of large fish if you know what to look for. Trolling the main lake drops and breaks is simply not the smartest thing to do. But in these chocolate milk-like conditions, these relatively shallow but sequestered spots

are where the fish move to meet the demands of their highly efficiently tuned biochemistry. These areas are much too short, often too shallow, and too close quarters to really consider trolling in many cases. Casting is the ticket for sure. Sadly as soon as these areas fill up in winter, the clock is already ticking, as the TVA does its best to empty the lake as quickly, as or faster than it fills. We hit them hard and we hit them fast while the gettin’s good. But if I were to be a strict “troller” I would completely miss this opportunity. Last spring, we dialed in and after losing several low to mid 40” Fishing-Headquarters | Page 46

CASTING VS TROLLING

fish in this one pocket less than 2 acres, we brought to boat a 49.5â&#x20AC;? fish that touched the 40 lb mark. Another fantastic testament to the quality of the fish these Tennessee waters can produce, and even more amazingly mostly from natural reproduction as well as the fruits of being adaptive and versatile to the momentary conditions, and letting the arena dictate the weapons of war. Something that being in such a weird diverse little musky habitat as middle and Eastern Tennessee has taught me, where the line between reservoir and river is so often blurred, and a rather low density but high quality fishery is that myself and fellow guides, Nick AdFishing-Headquarters.com

ams, and Jase Bouldin canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to waste time being loyal to a tactic simply out of our personal preference. Nick is an absolute topwater savant, and has shown me that the tactic is much more applicable than I ever thought, especially during the daylight hours and over deeper water than I imagined. Jase has shown me the value of using kayaks in shallow water haunts otherwise not only impassable by boat, but the intrinsic intrusiveness of an internal combustion driven vessel drastically reduces your chances of successful interaction in these very intimate environments. Myself? I get off to topography and nothing gets me riled like a line of markers on a bar

March / April, 2013

Photograph by Cory Allen

and pulling a musky bottom bouncing off a spot I intuitively mark as a high potential fish holding spot, just as the fish that John Kohl brought to the net that day. That kind of validation is just short of crack to me, but then again I’m not in this for my personal preferences. I’m in this to learn, perpetually, grow, and interact with some amazing animals that otherwise I’d probably never see let alone actually watch do what they do best...kill things...if I didn’t fish. While the musky nuts at the Stone’s Throw Adventures, Nick Adams, Bryan Morris, Jase Bouldin and myself all have our fan favorites, we have learned to share our strengths and confront our weaknesses together. Through real time communication and dropping the

ever destructive ego, we continually synthesize ourselves into more efficient and effective anglers and guides. That’s why I’m in this sport, and that passion and pursuit defines whatever means necessary within the confines of sportsmanship that I choose to use on a given day or water or species.

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Cory Allen, 27, of Cookeville, Tennessee is the founder and lead guide of Stone’s Throw Adventures. As a member of the Jackson Kayak Fishing Team, Cory’s specialty is muskellunge by both kayak and boat. Allen’s team of guides fish the waters throughout Tennessee and Kentucky, guiding on a year-round basis, and offer their clients a wide variety of boat and wading trips for all species of gamefish.

http://www.stonesthrowadventures.com/

Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Photograph by Cory Allen Fishing-Headquarters | Page 50

<< Smallmouth Bass from Northern Wisconsin’s Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

<< Hefty sack from Wisconsin’s Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament

Trips and Destinations: A Look at My Top Ten Smallmouth Bass Fisheries BIG SMALLMOUTH BASS

By Andrew Ragas

UCKETLISTS Photograph by Jacob Saylor

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS

Whether Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been there or not, I showcase a complete list of trips a and bucket lists that trophy smallmouth bass anglers should consider fo

Fishing-Headquarters.com

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and destinations, or 2013 and beyond.

By: Andrew Ragas Editor In-Chief

andrew@fishing-headquarters.com

mallmouth bass are undoubtedly my favorite species of freshwater gamefish. From the sophisticated gear and tackle, to the techniques and pursuit, and angling battles and their sexy looks, nothing tickles my fancy more than these fish. I make it a priority to fish for smallmouth bass whenever the opportunity arises. However, I’m not always after smallmouth bass as a general species in particular. What I frequently pursue are big smallmouths that reside in challenging fisheries capable of rearing the next state records and even possibly world records. To be straightforward, I am an OCD smallmouth angler; one who is obsessed and addicted with the largest specimens that can possibly be caught. I’ve frequently written about my favorite smallmouth seasonal periods and specific techniques. However, one subject I have failed to showcase in recent years is my favorite big fish destinations and bucket list of must-fish places to visit. As a part time resident of the centralized Midwestern location of Chicago, IL, I have many fantastic drive-to smallmouth fisheries located in every geographical direction.

With places to the north, south, east, and west, it’s unbelievable how I’ve failed to cover an interestingly ridiculous subject that I can write about endlessly. Finding ourselves in an internet and technological age where access and information to fisheries is more accessible than ever before, the angler’s ability to locate big fish has become increasingly easier. It’s difficult to find a trophy honey hole that has yet to be exploited by the masses of serious smallmouth anglers. Despite the rarity of such places, every renowned destination and fishery in North America presently seems to be known to everyone and continually kicks out loads of big fish. My compiled list of top ten smallmouth bass trips and destinations has a few things in common, which are personally important to me: The abilities to produce sustainable boatloads of trophy fish; Public access without heavy angling pressure; Minimal travel time and the fewest expenses so that it’s easier on the pocketbook; and record fish size potential. Because I haven’t been everywhere nor seen everything yet, I have divided my selections between places I have fished, and places I must fish soon. Along with fishery information and some photos to back it up, I also include some informational websites and guide listings for each location, so you have no excuse not to start planning.

Part 1 My Top Destinations… So far. Fishing-Headquarters | Page 56

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS

Photograph by Bryan Blazek

5 – Lake Michigan, Illinois and Northern Indiana Located within 30 minutes from me, from the shores of downtown Chicago through the industrial ports of Northern Indiana, Southern Lake Michigan offers plentiful yearround smallmouth bass opportunities. It is the best local fishing as it gets for me. Public access is plenty and the location is close. Predominantly a shallow water environment with very little natural structure and a bottom composition of nothing more than sand, local municipalities have developed the lake’s southern basin into ideal smallmouth bass habitat with manmade structures that includes parks, piers, beaches, boat slips, artificial reefs, rip rap, and break walls. Captain Ralph Steiger, of Hammond, Indiana, guides the southern basin of Lake Michigan on a year-round basis and suggests that the smallmouth bass fishing Fishing-Headquarters.com

is as good as it has ever been with peak fishing taking place in spring and summer. Due to several forage options and the lake’s continuously improving water clarity, it is important to match the hatch accordingly with natural presentations. “In early spring mimic shad, shiners, smelt and alewives. In later spring thru early fall mimic gobies. Then later in fall during colder water, both patterns can work at any time. Keep it simple and you will catch fish,” he says. On the lake, anglers will typically fish with goby imitators and tubes, and baitfish representations which include soft and hard jerkbaits. During spring and summer, Lake Michigan smallmouths are a numbers game with several fish in the 14 to 18 inch range caught by shore bound and boat anglers. Unsurprising to the Great Lakes, there

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<<< The southern basin of Lake Michigan continues to produce fish pushing the next Illinois state record. Shorebound anglers like Bryan Blazek, pictured above, always have a shot at big fish like this one pushing 6 pounds. are significant numbers of big fish out there as it has been proven by Steiger and his clients. Four and five pounders are available throughout the warm weather months, including good opportunities of fish surpassing the Illinois state record 6lb 7oz. mark. Captain Ralph Steiger www.captainsteiger.com

4 – Wisconsin River - Wisconsin No matter where you live in Wisconsin, you are never more than an hour’s drive away from superb smallmouth bass fishing. Regarded as “America’s Hardest Working River,” the Wisconsin River is famous for containing and producing healthy, under fished populations of trophy smallmouth bass. Beginning in the river town of Portage, Wisconsin, just follow state highway 51 northward where you will eventually have access to the river at every exit you explore. The river is so easy to find that surprisingly few anglers ever spend time doing it. As it begins at its headwaters of Lac Vieux Desert on Michigan’s U.P. border, resembling more of a large creek that winds its way through the wild northern wilderness reaches of the state in Vilas and Oneida counties, the character of the river changes considerably the further downstream it’s traveled. It eventually transitions into a large river system full of impoundments before it merges into the mighty Mississippi. Wherever fished, the Wisconsin River is a boating and wade fishing minefield, but anglers willing to accept its challenging terrain don’t mind. These habitat-infested areas of wood, rocks, boulders, and abundant riffles are always loaded with willing smallmouth bass and contain the best fishing when located furthest away from easy access. Peak period fishing on the wild Wisconsin generally takes place from the season opener in May through late summer before fish begin migrating back for the wintering months into the flowages and the deep channels that can be accessed by boat only. 50 to 100 fish days are pos-

The author with his largest river smallmouth to date, a 21 incher that was released to grow bigger. Caught during a wade trip in June, 2008.

Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters | Page 58

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS

Photograph by Jacob Saylor

sible earlier in the year, with productivity gradually leveling out by mid-summer. Average fish lengths typically range from 14 to 18 inches with several regularly surpassing 19 and 20 inches – including the 22 inch brute I caught a few years back. Strict bag limits, a catch and release spring season, and conservation and water quality regulations have transformed this river into a top fishing destination that is truly under fished and far from ever becoming exploited. Wisconsin Angling Adventures

wisconsinanglingadventures.com

Fishing-Headquarters.com

3 – Vilas & Oneida Counties, Wisconsin Since the turn of the 20th century when loggers and lumberjacks chopped their way to the north, the Lakeland area of Vilas and Oneida counties has been a storied land of legendary fishing filled with endless opportunity. In recent years, however, the fishing has become even more legendary and compelling for its abundant smallmouth bass fisheries and its few anglers that pursue them. I am lucky enough to call this place home. This region contains the largest concentration of freshwater lakes in the world. With over 3,000 different places to pick and choose from, chances are good for fantastic smallmouth bass fishing. They’re so good

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that catching numbers of fish in the 4 to 6 pound range has become the seasonal norm for me. Big smallmouth bass are regularly caught spring through fall on crayfish and pelagic baitfish oriented presentations, but if you want to catch the biggest and most exciting fish of the year, concentrate your efforts around the Minocqua, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, and Lac Du Flambeau areas where the selection of lakes are plentiful and diverse, and the general smallmouth populations run large. Peak fishing takes place from mid-May and lasts through June. It’s quite good through fall too, which is grossly underrated in my

opinion. Throughout the open water season, anglers will often find themselves in hot streaks that cannot be ignored. 50 to 100 fish days are always possible including an epic 120 fish day that was enjoyed in May, 2012. Abundant catches of 16 to 20 inch bass are the average, including yearly improvements in the availability of fish surpassing 20 inches. In recent years, anglers have been flirting with the Wisconsin state record, as smallmouth bass surpassing 7 pounds and reaching up to 8 and a half pounds have been caught, documented, and released. Thanks to the mandatory catch and release spring season, and strict harvest regulations on a number of trophy managed bodies of water, populations have expanded, big fish are more abundant than ever before, and catch rates have become outrageous if you hit your spots at the right time. If the new Wisconsin state record is broken, there’s a great chance it’s coming from one of the inland lakes located within this region.

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

Fish Minocqua www.fishingminocqua.com

Photograph by Andrew Ragas

2 – Turtle Flambeau Flowage, Wisconsin Before the year 2000, serious bass anglers would have been skeptical of the “TFF” possessing a quality bass fishery. Despite the abundance of ideal habitat and endless amounts of forage for smallmouths to gorge themselves on, the fish were never present in numbers. But in the last ten years, that fishery, in my opinion, has quickly become the best inland smallmouth bass fishery in the state of Wisconsin. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage,

located outside of Mercer, WI, is a result of the 1926 construction of a dam to create a reservoir in order to generate needed power for the Flambeau Paper Corporation located 20 miles south on the Flambeau River in Park Falls. The dam created 19,000 acres of fishable water with 212 miles of pristine winding shoreline. The Turtle Flambeau Flowage encompasses 16 natural lakes, three rivers and several creek arms, all beautifully managed to remain sce-

nic and uninhabited. Smallmouth bass provide outstanding fishing opportunities throughout the year, with the annual “Smalliefest” taking place a week after the May season opener lasting through the first two weeks of June. Don’t get me wrong, good fishing persists throughout summer and fall, but becomes challenging as fish are always on the move which Fishing-Headquarters | Page 60

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS

1 – Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada The author with a large TurtleFlambeau Flowage smallmouth. This was a 17.5 incher that was pushing 4 pounds!

Photograph by Jacob Saylor

is a characteristic of these river system fish. TFF smallmouths are exceptionally heavy fish for their length, and robust in girth. They’re a unique genetic strain of smallmouth that I have seen nowhere else in the state. Commonly referred to as footballs, their growth rates are incredibly fast for this species as fish commonly reach 14 inches in length by year-3. Average length fish run 14 to 18 inches with few ever surpassing the 20 inch mark due to their short life spans. However, if you catch one around 17 and 18 inches, I guarantee you that it’s going to be a four pounder. There is no doubt in my mind that fish over 20 inches roam the vast acreage of the TFF. If encountered, they will be very old fish that are in the 7 to 8 pound range. Served by six major publicFishing-Headquarters.com

boat landings, over 100 DNR managed campsites, and special angling regulations, the Turtle Flambeau Flowage offers anglers immediate access to some of the best inland bass fishing in the entire state. These qualities, which have been greatly influenced by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company and Turtle Flambeau Flowage Scenic Waters area, have made it one of the most affordable, timeless, quality and pristine trips a diehard smallmouth bass angler can make. Because of its unique character and outstanding aesthetics, anglers can be assured of the TFF’s continued status as one of the best smallmouth paradises one can enjoy. Turtle Flambeau Flowage turtleflambeauflowage.com

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For many years, Canada has become synonymous with brown bass. While many of Northwestern Ontario’s smallmouth bass originated as immigrants from the railroad stocking days, they are naturalized Canadian citizens today. With the exception of its three large, clear, bay-like sections, Lake of the Woods is characterized by dark, cola colored water. While the lake contains a healthy cisco and smelt population, it features an infestation of rusty crayfish that has decimated the lake’s original forests and jungles of cabbage beds. As a direct result, smallmouth populations quickly took off, and outstanding populations of fish are sustained by this abundant invasive forage. Despite having exclusively fished muskies for a full week in August 2012, I experienced first hand what LOTW has to offer as far as smallmouth bass fishin potential is concerned. It features a number of aggressive 12 to 16 inch fish along with plentiful numbers of 18 to 20 inchers. Though they won’t be as monstrous as the trophies of the Great Lakes, and inland waters of Wisconsin and Minnesota, LOTW smallies will regularly reach 4 to 5 pounds. From Kenora to the Northwest Angle, Warroad to Morson, Sioux Narrows, Nestor Falls, and everywhere else in between, Lake of the Woods always has something different to offer when it comes to its bass fishing. According to Ontario FLW pros Daryl Galusha andLookingbill Josh PeaPhotograph by Kenny cock, “You haven’t been on Lake of

Lake of the Woods for smallmouth bass until you fish the clear waters around Sioux Narrows.” Although I started fishing here in summer 2012 for its renowned muskies, Lake of the Woods contains a smallmouth bass fishery that is to be reckoned with. Due to abundant forage, endless acreage, natural and pristine shoreline areas, breathtaking rock bluffs and undisturbed habitat, Lake of the Woods will always remain as one of the top ten smallmouth bass fishing lakes in North America. Simply put, the amount of water and diversity of habitat is unreal, unrivaled, and cannot be experienced anywhere else in North America. It’s definitely overwhelming, but you will never see yourself ever becoming bored out there. Characteristics, as such, serve my primary driver for any future smallmouth bass trip I will make here.

FLW tournament angler, Daryl Galusha with a hefty Lake of the Woods smallmouth bass.

Lake of the Woods, MN www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com LOTW Tourism www.lakeofthewoods.com

Photograph by Daryl Galusha

Part 2 - The Bucket List. Places I haven’t yet fished, but will sometime soon.

5 – Menominee River, Wisconsin This Wisconsin/Michigan boundary river is a favorite of many bass anglers as it contains nearly 100 miles of prime smallmouth fishing and wilderness aesthetics. Formed by the confluence of the Brule and Michigamme Rivers near Florence, WI, the Menominee flows about 120 miles from the swamps and forests of Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper

Peninsula to the waters of Green Bay. More than 100 tributaries enter the Menominee River, and numerous campgrounds and boat access points cater to serious smallmouth bass anglers. Once serving as a highway for timber transport, the Menominee is no stranger to smallmouth bass anglers. Anglers rely heavily on lures that mimic crayfish due to a rusty

crayfish infestation that has done nothing but benefit the fish populations. It’s hard to imagine that a 2009 DNR survey produced an astounding 16 inch average size length fish on the Menominee River. Furthermore, it’s astonishing I have never taken the 90 mile trip down HighFishing-Headquarters | Page 62

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS Forming the border with Wisconsin and Michigan, the Menominee River flows through some of the states most pristine areas. The Menominee River boasts a “World Class” smallmouth bass fishery with anglers encountering some of the largest smallmouth bass in North America with 5 pounders common. Pictured is Erik Lennartz with his largest river Smallmouth to date, over 20.5” x 15” girth. 5.7lbs.

Photograph by Erik Lennartz Fishing-Headquarters.com

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way 70 East to fish this river. Having acquired a new flat bottom river boat, the Menominee River has now become a priority to explore and a must-fish place for me in 2013. Mike Mladenik Guide Service www.mikemladenik.com Erik Lennartz Tactical Angling Guide Service tacticalangling@yahoo.com

Photograph by Erik Lennartz

4 – Chequamegon Bay - Ashland Wisconsin Picturesque cliffs and rock walls surround some of the nearby Apostle Islands, where submerged rock reefs rise from the cold depths of Lake Superior. With so much rock to choose from, the smallmouth bass of Chequamegon Bay actually prefer the warmer underwater sand dunes and downed wood of the eastern shore instead. Chequamegon Bay is a popular fishing destination, though nowhere close to being as popular as some of the more famous areas Wisconsin has to offer. Other than its distant location, I can’t understand why. But because it’s a quick 90 minute Northwest drive from my grounds of the Northwoods, I’d be foolish to never fish here. After visiting the city of Ashland for the first time in August 2012, I promised that I will fish here on a weekly basis as soon as I buy myself a bigger, more seaworthy boat. That day will come soon. About a decade ago, trophy regulations (22 inch minimum) were instituted on the bay which revitalized native populations, and grew

it into a trophy fishery. Five pound fish are a regular occurrence thanks to successful management. Fish average a solid 3 pounds most days, and chances for one over 8 pounds might be as good as anywhere in the country.

Ashland Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce www.visitashland.com Chris Beeksma Guide Service www.getbitguideservice.com Fishing-Headquarters | Page 64

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS

3 – Lake Erie, Ohio I’ve fished in Ohio but only for walleye and steelhead. Why I’ve failed to try smallmouths is a head scratcher. It’s large, dangerous, and intimidating to the novice Great Lakes angler. However, it is the smallest, shallowest, and most fertile of all the Great Lakes, and contains the biggest and best smallmouth bass populations of them all. To have a chance at winning a tournament on Erie, the winning bag must come close to 50lbs. While big smallmouths can be found throughout Lake Erie including the deeper Eastern basin, its Western Basin around Port Clinton, Sandusky, and the Bass Islands is one that has the more famous reputation. Each spring, smallmouth bass are caught in numbers on offshore rock piles and humps while the water is still unbelievably cold. Drop-shotting soft plastic gobies, hair jigs and blade baits are the three primary lures. The weather gets brutal, the fish can be tough to locate because they like to travel and roam, but catching them can be easy once they’re located. When the bite’s on, anglers can boat over 100 fish per day, and odds are growing that one of those fish will top 7 pounds. Fish over 9 pounds have been taken on Erie, most notably by Randy VanDam, and most recently an 8.91 pounder caught in November 2012 by Drew Solinski. Experts believe that worldrecord-class fish will happen soon. Fishing-Headquarters.com

Photograph by Josh Peacock

the surrounding Voyageurs National Park. Rainy Lake draws fewer people than Lake of the Woods, which Erie Outfitters is a benefit, and according to most www.erieoutfitters.com offers better smallmouth fishing Port Clinton Chamber of Com- overall. Rainy absorbs the angling pressure and continues to produce merce www.portclintonchamber.com excellent catches of big smallmouth bass year after year thanks to excellent shallow spawning habitat and recruitment. With a prominent fishery highlighted and showcased by the famous annual Fort Frances Ontario Bass Championship, Rainy Lake If solitude and scenic beauty is surrounded by wilderness and are your two main qualifications for the sight of other fishermen is rare. a smallmouth paradise, then nothing Next time on my Lake of the Woods can match the Rainy Lake area of trip, I’m making a quick detour to Northwest Ontario. I thought I saw fish Rainy for a few days. Canada’s epicenter of wilderness smallmouth bass with nearby Lake Fort Frances Bass Championof the Woods, but Rainy Lake con- ship tains more and bigger fish thanks to www.canadianbass.com Braun’s Outdoors www.braunsoutdoors.com

2 – Rainy Lake, Northwest Ontario

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Located north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, off the tip of Door County, Sturgeon Bay smallmouths generally spawn in June, and anytime before, during, and after would be a great time to visit. Pictured is Erik Lennartz with a 21 inch, 5.5 pound fish.

Photograph by Erik Lennartz

1 – Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Few waters have the classic look of Sturgeon Bay for smallmouth bass. Shallow, rocky substrate dominates points, humps, and shorelines around the Door County Peninsula and its many islands. With hundreds of shoreline miles of smallmouth habitat to choose from around Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, solitude and trophy fish are hardly surprising. You might be surprised by the average size of bass as they run around 4 pounds. Sturgeon Bay has become one of the finest smallmouth bass destinations on earth, and has been highlighted in recent years by the outrageous winning sacks during the annual Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament held every third weekend of May. The 2012 event netted 61lbs. for the winning team

of Chris and Cory Johnston. I’ve never fished the event nor fished the bay, but I design and maintain the event’s website. So, clearly I should know what goes on out there…. and should definitely fish it soon. Prime fishing takes place throughout May and lasts through June. Shallow fishing runs hot early, and then fish move out deeper in summer. Dragging tubes and jigging with plastics reaps big rewards year round. Located north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, off the tip of Door County, Sturgeon Bay smallmouths generally spawn in June, and anytime before, during, and after would be a great time to visit.

Sturgeon Bay Open Bass Tournament www.sbobt.org Bret Alexander alexandersportfishing.com Dale Strochein www.wackywalleye.com Erik Lennartz Tactical Angling Guide Service tacticalangling@yahoo.com

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SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS The waters surrounding Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, teem with world class smallmouth bass fishing. Erik Lennartz displays one of his largest ever, a 23 inch,7.15lb smallmouth of mammoth proportions.

Photograph by Erik Lennartz Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Honorable Mention, non-specific order Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario Quetico is the poster child for wilderness smallmouth fishing. Special catch and release regulations along with a ban on outboards makes this a special place for smallmouth bass that have seldom seen a lure.

Lake St. Clair boasts millions of smallmouth bass that grow to an average of 2 lbs. This large population of North Americas favorite game fish thrives by no accident or coincidence. The smallmouth bass fishing is nothing short of spectacular. Once the summer patterns have settled in, it is not uncommon to catch upwards of 40 to 60 bass in a four hour period, with many days providing more action than that.

Quetico Park www.queticopark.com

Lake St. Clair, Michigan/Ontario Surrounded by Detroit on one side and Windsor on the other, this 275,000 acre lake has fish along its entire shoreline. Kevin VanDam calls it “The best smallmouth lake in the world. When bass are spawning and I can spot them in the 3- to 5-foot depths and select for larger fish, it’s possible to catch 100 fourpounders in a day.” …… What more needs to be said? Great Lakes Bass Fishing greatlakesbassfishing.com

St. Croix River, Minnesota/Wisconsin This incredibly scenic, rugged river in northwest Wisconsin is one of the first that comes to mind when you think of river smallies, especially when coupled with running a float trip. Someday I will make a run towards the opposite end of Wisconsin to fish this river that receives very little pressure. St. Croix River Fishing www.stcroixriverfishing.com

Photograph by Scotty Bud Melvin Fishing-Headquarters | Page 68

SMALLMOUTH BASS BUCKETLISTS Lake Ontario / Thousand Islands, New York The Thousand Islands are a group of over 1,700 islands that straddle the United States and Canada border in the St. Lawrence River. All it takes is watching an entire episode of Mark Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show to get you interested in fishing here. 1,000 Islands www.visit1000islands.com

Mille Lacs, Minnesota

Photograph by Cory Allen

Minnesota’s second largest lake covers 132,000 surface acres Rich Zaleski’s Bass Blog and is comprised of an underfished, www.richz.com/fishing/blog little known trophy smallmouth bass population. The lake’s maximum depth is 40 feet and is easily Down South – Lake Kentucky, fishable for smallmouth experts and Pickwick, Wheeler, Guntersville, first timers alike. Dale Hollow Mille Lacs www.millelacs.com

These waters are year round fisheries that peak during the end of winter through spring. I think these would serve well as a future spring break getaway. If I was back in school, this entire watershed would be my next trip. However, it contains almost too much water for such little time. Miles of shoreline along with home of the world record 11.5 pound smallmouth bass (Dale Hollow) are enough to convince me.

Lake Champlain, New York

According to online acquaintance and renown finesse fishing expert, Rich Zaleski, Smallmouth fishing on Champlain is excellent and unexploited. It’s quite possibly the best combination smallmouth and largemouth lake in the country. Located along the border of Vermont and New York, Lake Cham- Steve Hacker Guide plain contains the best smallmouth www.smallmouth.com fishery of the Northeast, as well as a legendary unconfirmed sea serpent Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Jim Duckworth Guide www.fishingtennessee.com Cory Allen Stone’s Throw Adventures stonesthrowadventures.com I can obviously still write about more, but I think I’ve covered enough destinations and future trips to keep myself and everyone else occupied for the next several years to come. It’s no surprise to me that smallmouth fisheries throughout North America have and are experiencing a Bronze Age renaissance. That was my top ten. What’s yours?

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THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER.... Photographs by Matt Pelletier Fishing-Headquarters.com

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By Matt Pelletier

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NEW MEXICO MUSKIES The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has been stocking tiger muskies in Quemado and Bluewater lakes for several years to rid the waters of increasing populations of white sucker and goldfish. These undesirable fish compete with sport fish, such as trout, for available habitat. That, in turn, leads to reduced angler satisfaction at these locations. At one point, Quemado Lake was virtually overrun with goldfish, while trout-fishing was almost nonexistent.

By: Matt Pelletier

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

t’s funny how we do this to ourselves. We often give in as our brain tries to feed our appetite for more fish, bigger fish, or better waFishing-Headquarters.com

ter. I blame the fishing shows that boast amazing fishing at waters here and there on a map. They get us dreaming and sometimes even planning trips to waters we had never heard of. All in search of trophy catches you can often find on your home waters through research and determination. Growing up I dreamed of taking trips to waters in Minnesota or Canada in hopes of catching the big pike and tiger muskies we’ve all heard and read about. I’ll get around to it one of these days, but here in New Mexico we have a few of those “gem fisheries” also. One in particular is rather unique to this region and very special; truly a fishery worth boasting and writing home about. But before

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I share about a lake that’s been given the name “Muskie Land” I’d like to back up a bit and revisit the fishery 30 years ago. New Mexico before Tiger Muskies Bluewater Lake is one of several New Mexico State Parks and is located in the west/central region of the state. Its location is very close to the continental divide and the lake sits at 7,400 feet in elevation so the lake freezes over nearly every winter. It’s a canyon lake, meaning it’s got a variation of steep grades to the shoreline and the middle of the lake is the deep water. When we do get rain, the lake catches a lot of run-

Photograph by Matt Pelletier

off which results in it being a very fertile body of water that grows fish quickly. In the mid 1980â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it was known as a trophy trout fishery and anglers enjoyed fishing for 3-7 pound trout always knowing thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a chance of latching into a fish nearing 10 pounds. In those days Bluewater was about 35-40 feet deep and average surface acreage of water was 1,500 or more. There was even a hatchery in the region which allowed our state to stock trout there regularly. Over the years drought has starved this region of water and today Bluewater Lake fluctuates between 16-25 feet deep, and water temperatures top out around 75 in the summer. In 1948 the Bluewater Toltec Irrigation District estab-

Bluewater Lake State Park

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NEW MEXICO MUSKIES A New Fishery Is Born

Photograph by Matt Pelletier

lished a permanent storage pool of 320 surface acres. Current estimates indicate the lake is currently below that minimum pool level but for some reason irrigation still occurs. Obviously this isn’t ideal habitat for trout but surprisingly we still catch some big rainbows from time to time while we’re out targeting tigers. Over the year the number of trout stockings decreased but angling pressure grew. That along with low water levels is reason for the drastic decline in trout populations. It’s also become perfect habitat for white suckers which have historically been a challenging species for New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to control population biomass densities within the Fishing-Headquarters.com

lake. Then somehow, somewhere in the early 1990’s, a population of goldfish exploded and eventually whipped out what trout habitat was left. Trash fish populations had become the main biomass of the fishery and in the early 2000’s NMDGF electrofishing surveys would yield over 800 trash fish per hour! Clearly something had to be done to control these less desired fish species. Draining the lake was too risky, poison wasn’t something that would be received well by locals, and the largemouth bass that were stocked weren’t going to be able to keep up with the reproductive rate of the suckers and goldfish.

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Then a genius from our G&F named Rick Castell proposed stocking tiger muskies in Bluewater Lake and Quemado Lake. Other states have had success using the species for trash fish control because they grow fast and like eating soft fin/ schooling baitfish. Being the fish are sterile they could stop stocking them if they don’t do their job and no harm will have been done. Well, the proposal was approved and in 2003 New Mexico received its first official stockings of tiger muskies. Since then, NMDGF has continued stocking tiger muskies and so far it’s been a huge success. It has certainly been a challenging lake to manage but there’s no doubt the fish have done their job and also created a trophy sport fishery for us here in a state where so much effort goes into put and take trout fisheries. Anglers here and abroad are now planning trips to Bluewater Lake to experience this world class fishery. What makes this fishery so amazing is the shear numbers of tigers per acre of water. In the Midwest anglers are lucky to find a body of water with more than 2 or 3 muskies per acre. In 2008 NMDGF projected over 25 tiger muskies per acre of water in Bluewater lake alone; this estimate didn’t even include fish 20” and shorter! Of the estimated 2-3,000 tiger muskies that were 38-41” only 5% of those were over 40”. While it made for some great days for numbers of fish caught on the water; the NMDGF was worried that there may be too

The stocked tiger muskies have gone about their work, diminishing the populations of goldfish and other undesirables. Some anglers have since turned to catching muskies, strictly on a required catch-and-release basis. But the tiger muskies have done such a good job in reducing the undesirable fish populations at both lakes that the State Game Commission has recently ruled that anglers can now catch and keep a trophy size tiger muskie from either lake.

Photograph by Matt Pelletier Fishing-Headquarters | Page 78

NEW MEXICO MUSKIES Quemado has seen its goldfish population diminish considerably as revealed in an August 2012 department survey that picked up 34 goldfish per hour during electroshocking. In 2008, the number was 157 goldfish per hour; in 2006, the rate was 377, according to Richard Hansen, the department’s coldwater fisheries biologist.

Photograph by Matt Pelletier

many adults and competition in the lake so they abandoned the mandatory catch and release regulations. The new plan was to allow anglers to keep one 40” tiger muskie per day. At first our Chapter of New Mexico Muskies Inc (NMMI-Chapter 59) hated the idea but after spending some time speaking with muskie biologist and guru John Casselman, he convinced us that the adult population needed to be decreased to allow room for our fish to reach their full growth potential. In 2010 the new regulation was implemented and we immediately saw an increase in traffic at the lake. So much of an increase that the park broke attendance records every other week. The cat was out of the bag and everyone and their kid was out there throwing tiny spoons on rods Fishing-Headquarters.com

fit for trout fishing. Obviously this is far from conventional musky gear but amazingly we see people land big fish with 2 inch lures, 4 pound test and no steel! Meanwhile we’re out there with no less than 30lb mainline and 20 inch leaders and we still get sliced off on occasion. Then we started finding signs of the abuse these fish were taking as a result of people being unprepared and not having the proper tackle. This has resulted in NMMI becoming active trying to educate anglers in our state on the proper catch and release techniques and gear necessary when targeting tiger muskies. In 2012 the state record was broken 5 times and the current record is 50 1/2” and 38.6 pounds and the fish is said to have been caught on a 2 inch minnow bait. The next few years will

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be crucial and will give us an idea of how long these fish are living. If we find our fish living beyond 10-12 years we just might see some mid 50 inch fish come out of the lake. This is yet to be seen however and our fish grow faster than muskie in the Midwest when growth curve charts are compared between the two. This leads me to believe that our fish won’t live longer than 10 or 11 years because the warmer water they inhabit allows quick growth but almost guarantees these fish won’t live as long as their brothers up north. Western Gear and Techniques I’ll never forget the day I caught my first tiger muskie: June 10, 2007. They were all 20 to 32

inch fish but my wife and I landed over 12 of them and a sick addiction was born. Since that day I’ve spent countless hours fishing Bluewater and Quemado Lakes and I still can’t get enough. While trolling works for some we don’t see a lot of big fish caught this way. I prefer casting structure and covering a lot of water with 7 to 10 inch baits, but sometimes I’ll throw smaller baits. Dynamic Lures, a small independent manufacturer, makes a variety of baits I use when targeting tigers. The soft bodied FX Fury is a line through swimbait that has an enticing wobble as well as a heavy tail kick that drives these fish wild. It’s become one of my favorite baits because of how versatile it is. I can slow roll this bait close to 45 degree banks and keep it close to the bottom, burn it fast just under the surface and watch as fish come from nowhere and crush it, or vertically jig it after a follower disappears below the boat. They also make another great bait that works year round as I’m able to fish it very slow without it falling fast; the Dynamo LP. I also use Dingo’s, inline spinners, a variety of jerkbaits such as X-Raps, SP Pointers, HD XXL’s, and Travado DP’s. Let’s face it, muskie fishing isn’t for the “gotta have action now” kind of guy. Even with ridiculous fish populations here in New Mexico we can still go days on end without catching a big fish. But when the magic happens, all hell breaks loose and adrenaline rushes rapidly through your veins. I still shake like crazy when I have a big tiger on the line or get followed by a fish only to see it swim off and never return. It’s a feeling I don’t get when I catch or target any other species. There’s something about “hunting” a fish that knows it’s the boss in the

Western Toothy Hardware

Rapala X-Rap 12

Dynamic Lures FX Fury Swimbait

Dynamic Lures Dynamo LP

Dynamic Lures Travado DP lake and can kill anything it wants when it wants. You may be able to find them but being there when that kill switch activates and they attack your bait with voraciousness is a moment you have to be patient and persistent to witness. To me, a muskie angler is a different breed of fisherman. There’s something rare and a bit insane about a person that willingly plans fishing trips where they’re likely to get

skunked every trip; yet comes home with a smile and memories of brief moments when the magic almost happened… All while planning the next trip in hopes of it being the one where it all finally comes together and then the final thrill of watching the catch swimming away makes it all worthwhile. Fishing-Headquarters | Page 80

NEW MEXICO MUSKIES

Want more of Matt Pelletier? . . . . who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? Read more about western tiger muskies and New Mexico fishing opportunities at www.fishenchantment.com

Photograph by Matt Pelletier Fishing-Headquarters.com

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F I S H E N C H A N T M E N T . C O M

Videos Reports Reviews ARTICLES Interviews BLOGS CONTESTS Much more!

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Four States,

Four Walleye

Dr. Keith Ness with a 30-1/2â&#x20AC;? walleye caught jigging in the mouth of the Menominee. Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

Photograph by Roy Vivian

e River Destinations

By Roy Vivian

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SPRING WALLEYE DESTINATIONS

Illinois River - Spring Valley, Illinois

By: Roy Vivian

Fishing-Headquarters Contributor

s a child I was constrained to shore fishing the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers in Northern Illinois, which I truly enjoyed. However, I always dreamed of fishing certain springtime destinations that I read about in magazines and watched on television. Luckily dreams do come true and I am able to fish many of these waters regularly, and out of a state of the art boat which was never in my wildest of dreams. There are still a number of rivers I haven’t had the opportunity to fish in the spring. This is a bit saddening as two are relatively close to me: The Wolf and Fox Rivers which are both famous for their spring runs. Another one that I have to get to is the Rainy River. Unfortunately, because of my lack of vacation time, I will have to wait on these.

Although walleye are present, the sauger is king. The Illinois River has been on quite a ride for the last 40 years. It went from being almost lifeless, due to industrial pollution prior to the Clean Water Act in 1972, to the Sauger Capital of the World in the late 1980’s. Unfortunately, the Illinois River is facing another challenge this time from asian carp. The three to four pound saugers, that once were common, have been difficult to find. The good news, at least for the short term, is the bite for overall numbers has been strong the last few years. Reports of 30 to 40 fish over 15” are not uncommon. When fishing the 2012 MWC my partner and I caught over 20 keepers a day, most of which were 16 to 17 inch fish. Before making the trip, check the river conditions. If the river rises quickly due to recent rains or snow-

melt the debris that was washed up along the banks will be in the water and it can make the river almost unfishable. In extreme cases, like the flood in 2007, the river becomes dangerous so watch the river gauges on line or call Time on the Water outdoors, 815-663-1000, in Spring Valley for river conditions. I have fished the river for at least a week since 2006 usually in the last two weeks of March. Although conditions are different every year I concentrate 90% of my fishing from Hennepin to Peru. As a general rule of thumb if the water is close to or above flood stage I have had success on the upper end of that range. Conversely, when the river is well below flood stage, like in 2012, I have my best success further downstream. Immediately below the Starved Rock Dam, down to the 39 bridge is also very productive. Every river technique known

For now, here are my favorite walleye rivers for springtime fun: Photograph by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters.com

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to man will catch fish. Some will work better than others depending on conditions. I was once told that Hutch’s Ring Worms did not work on the Illinois River. I got that guy in my boat and after 6 nice sauger in less than ½ an hour my buddy stopped putting his hand in the minnow bucket and started catching them on a ring worm. The most common methods are jigging, hand-lining, pole-lining, 3-way rigs, lead core and in some cases pitching jigs. In most cases all of those methods will catch fish although a particular method might catch more and or bigger fish. For example, if the fish are spread out on a long expansive flat one of the trolling methods will probably catch more fish than jigging. On the other hand there may be fish relating to a small current break jigging or a 3-way presentation will be more effective than using lead core.

If you are fishing for fun, use the technique you prefer. If I am fishing for fun I will be jigging! If I am fishing a tournament and I am not jigging, you can bet that I wasn’t able to find the “right” fish jigging and went to a technique that I feel I have the best chance winning with.

There is plenty of lodging in Spring Valley. The local economy gets a big boost from fishermen and tournaments. This does not go unnoticed by the community as the locals roll out the red carpet for those who are visiting.

Photograph by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters | Page 88

SPRING WALLEYE DESTINATIONS

Mississippi River, Pool 4 - Red Wing, Minnesota This section of the Mississippi River is probably the best combination walleye and sauger fishery in the country. Not only are there large numbers of fish but there is also a chance at a trophy. Numerous walleyes over 10 pounds are caught each year. The Wisconsin state record sauger, that was big enough for the record in Minnesota, was caught in 2008 on pool 4 weighing a whopping 6 pounds 3 ounces!

walleye and sauger will be at their peak weight prior to spawning. The area immediately below the dam is a good place to start but be ready for company. I have seen over 100 boats fishing the first quarter mile below the dam. Even with this extreme fishing pressure there are plenty of fish to go around. If you don’t mind bumper boats try pitching blade baits or spoons like Hutch’s One Eye to the shoreline from the refuge sign to the Pre-Spawn first wing dam. You can also anchor on the Wisconsin side and pitch the If you are looking for a trophy, same baits or a jig and plastic. Cast plan your trip sometime between out into the current and jig back Mid-March and Mid-April. Female along the steep break. If anchoring Fishing-Headquarters.com

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isn’t your game vertical jig the sand flat on the Wisconsin side which will be downstream of all of the anchored boats. I use a 3/8 to ½ ounce jig tipped with a plastic (ringworm, gulp etc.) in 8 to 12 feet of water. I have not used minnows for prespawn walleyes for years. Minnows will work and I am sure there are times when they will work better than plastics but I am convinced, on average, that I will catch more fish on plastics. Besides, who wants to stick their hand in a minnow bucket all day! If you are like me and prefer to stay away from the crowds, concentrate around areas from the Vermil-

Photograph by Roy Vivian

ABOVE: Dick Funke with a pre-spawn walleye caught pitching a Hutchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blade bait up by the dam. BELOW: Dale with a monster caught pitching blades last March.

Photograph by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters | Page 90

SPRING WALLEYE DESTINATIONS The author with post spawn walleyes (27”, 29”) caught in the 2009 FLW Red Wing event

Photograph by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters.com

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lion River down to the head of Lake Pepin. For walleyes pitch 1/8-1/4 oz. jigs tipped with a ring worm or 4 to 5 inch twister tail. This is especially true the first couple of hours after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The main focus here are points, river/bay mouths and sand bars areas that create a current break and have a feeding shelf of 4 to 8 feet. As the sun rises move out into the 8-12’ range and vertical jig or pull three way rigs with a stick bait. If I am looking for big sauger, when the water is high, I will target inside turns in the river. These flats will have less current and sauger will use these areas to rest on their way up river to spawn. The best depth will be determined by the water level but a good place to start is just inside the buoy line. If the water is “normal” for spring I like to concentrate on long straight stretches

of the river. Early in the spring the “Cans”, the buoy line at the head of Lake Pepin, is a great spot as all of the fish coming up from Lake Pepin funnel through this area. Another area that can be great is just below the bridge from the first pillar all the way down to the first red buoy. This area can be hit or miss but when they are in there you will catch quality sauger along with an occasional walleye. Post-Spawn If you don’t want to fight the huge crowds there is plenty of good fishing after the spawn. This bite can be inconsistent but it can also be very rewarding. In the 2009 FLW, Rick Zackowski weighed five post spawn walleyes that weighed 40 pounds!

Menominee River - Marinette, Wisconsin The Menominee River forms about one-third of the boundary between Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan before it empties into Lake Michigan. If you want to canoe beautiful scenery and catch smallmouth bass, come back in the summer and fish upriver. If you want to catch big walleyes with a chance of a trophy, fish the industrialized part of the river from the dam to the mouth of Lake Michigan. Although it doesn’t have the beauty of the upper river, it has its own charm. It is kind of fun to catch a 7 pound walleye right next to a huge combat ship being built for the Navy or an ice breaker being made for the Coast Guard.

Timing for this trip can be tricky. The long northern winters will often keep the river iced up until mid April so call ahead and watch the weather. If it is a late winter the walleyes will spawn as soon as the river opens up, some even before. If that happens don’t worry as the post spawn bite is awesome! Shore fishing opportunities exist from the dam down to the second bridge. Throw 1/8 to ¼ ounce jigs with a 4”-5” twister tail along current seams in the day time. At night cast large minnow imitators like the Rapala #13 floater. If you are fishing from a boat I don’t recommend going further upstream than Nest Egg Marine unless Fishing-Headquarters | Page 92

SPRING WALLEYE DESTINATIONS

you know the river well or if you are fishing from a small flat bottom boat. I like to concentrate on the edges of the channel that is dredged for ship navigation. Every river technique in the book will work but I prefer pitching jigs and vertical jigging plastics. As they come in for the spawn, the mouth of the river is a great spot to intercept walleyes that have spent most of their time in Lake Michigan. The mouth, out into the lake, is also a great place for post-spawn walleyes as these fish will stick around to rest and feed before heading back out to the lake. In the mouth, vertical jig 3/8-1/2 ounce jigs and plastics. Look for small humps in hard bottom areas that make for great Fishing-Headquarters.com

areas for big walleyes to get out of the current. Fish a 3-way, with a 2 to 3 ounce sinker on the dropper and a number 9 floating Rapala on a 5 foot lead, from the mouth out into the bay. Pounding your baits into the

side of the dredged channel can be a Photograph by Paul Ragas great way to trigger big walleyes. If you are going to fish the bay make sure you have the proper Wisconsin or Michigan license.

Detroit River - Wyandotte, Michigan I had heard of the big walleyes caught on the Detroit River for years but I didn’t get a chance to fish it until I pre-fished for the FLW event in April of 2010. The fishing was everything and more, in fact it was the best fishing I have ever had. The kicker is a small fish was 3 pounds with most fish, and a lot of them, being 4 to 5 pounds. Throw in large numbers of walleyes up to

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10 pounds in my boat (bigger were caught when I was there) and you have a trip of a lifetime! I guess it shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise as these fish come in from the walleye factory that is Lake Erie but if you haven’t tried it in April, you should! Like my three other destinations this is no secret. However, there are plenty of places to get away from

These two (27-1/2â&#x20AC;? and 29â&#x20AC;?) were only good enough for 4th place in a Menominee tournament weighing your best two fish!

Photograph by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters | Page 94

SPRING WALLEYE DESTINATIONS

you want fish to eat (yes people do eat the walleyes) target the smaller males in the middle of the shipping channel. The main channel in 25’ to 30’ of water around Wyandotte is a good area. If you are looking for bigger fish, target spawning areas. One of the most popular spots is the rip rap shoreline below US Steel. Be ready for company. If the bite is “on” there could be hundreds of boats if you are fishing a weekend. If you want to get away from the crowds target current breaks along the steep channel. I found several areas like this and basically had them to myself. I had no problem catching twenty to thirty 3-7 pound walleyes in a day. That did Fishing-Headquarters.com

not include what others in my boat caught! If you like to jig it does not get much better as walleyes will absolutely inhale a jig and just about any plastic you use. I had my best luck with Hutch’s Ring Worms and Trigger X but just about anything will work. The locals use the Wyandotte Wiggler, I am not sure why they would hit that thing but they do. I caught a few on it myself! If the water clarity is good, jigging is the preferred method. However, if water clarity is poor hand-lining is very popular. In fact, hand-lining, as we know it, was invented on the Detroit River. Rather fish the lake? No problem, get out the planer boards and

March / April, 2013

head downstream into the lake. Walleyes do not all spawn at once and the post-spawn fish will head out into the bay. Try spinners and crankbaits to find out which works best. It might take a while to find a pod of fish but get ready when you do. Trolling the great lakes has not been one of my strengths. However, the day in a half I spent pre-fishing was not stop action with doubles and triples being common. I took my college roommate, Brian Moeglin, out for a half a day. He had never caught a walleye in his life. The first fish he reeled in was 29-1/2”. He asked “is that a good one?” I had to laugh but the reality is a fish like that is not uncommon!

If you get the chance I highly recommend a trip to one of the four destinations. Each one has its own charm. I wish I could fish all four locations this spring but I will only have time for two, the Illinois River and Pool 4 on the Mississippi. Hopefully I will see some of you on the water.

Editor’s Note – Other flowing waters within these four states that are worth a springtime trip, recommended by our contributors and readers:

Mike Eichbrect, AKA Walleye Mike, with his personal best 8 plus pounder he caught in the Trenton Channel.

Wisconsin River Stevens Point & Wausau, WI Maumee River Perrysburg & Maumee, OH Fox River DePere, WI Wolf River Fremont, WI St. Joseph River Benton Harbor & Berrien Springs, MI Saginaw River Saginaw, MI

The Wyandotte Wiggler is a popular bait.

Brian Moeglin with his first walleye ever, 29-1/2”!

Rock River Oregon & Sterling IL

Roy Vivian is a tournament walleye angler from Madison, Wisconsin who fishes the MWC, FLW, and AIM Walleye Circuits. In 2008, he finished in 11th place at the Illinois River MWC event, and took third place in 2009. He is presently on the pro-staff of Lund Boats, Mercury Motors, EZEE Steps, Do-It Molds and Shimano rods and reels.

Photographs by Roy Vivian Fishing-Headquarters | Page 96

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Featured Photos: Josh Peacock weighing a tournament sack; Ashley Rae observing ice fishing rods at a Toronto, Ontario sport show; Andrew Ragas with Mark Zona of ESPN’s Bassmasters and Outdoor Channel’s Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show. Fishing-Headquarters.com

March / April, 2013

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HOW TO GET SPONSORED

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Getting sponsored is an arduous task. Relying on tournament success alone isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to get deals done. As one who has both succeeded and failed within the business side of fishing, my objective is to help anglers who have put themselves in the same position as me, and to make sure they avoid the same mistakes most applicants are making. I provide you with perspectives from aspiring anglers, and the successful systems we employ to achieve fishing industry success.

By Andrew Ragas

Photograph by Ashley Rae Fishing-Headquarters | Page 100

FISHING FOR BUSINESS

By: Andrew Ragas Editor In-Chief

andrew@fishing-headquarters.com

rying to make a career out of the fishing industry isn’t easy. Despite its difficulties, this is a course I have chosen to take, and a life’s goal I am trying to fulfill. With fishing becoming increasingly expensive and popular in recent years amongst recreational and professional anglers, the sport has become competitive at unforeseen levels. Furthermore, fishing has become even more competitive as a business amongst aspiring anglers. The subject of “How to get sponsored” has been intensely written about in recent years. A common theme within these articles is that they are always written by either marketing experts, or professional anglers who fish at the highest competitive levels. While their advice is helpful to some degree, these articles aren’t realistic towards a general audience. They often mislead anglers to believe otherwise, as neither its authors nor subjects are at the same level or under the same circumstances as their readers. All these articles Fishing-Headquarters.com

ever do is stress the importance of tournament fishing success. As we know, you have to fish tournaments in order to be a professional and get sponsors. Right? Wrong. The expectation for one to achieve greatness at the highest level is far too unrealistic and it’s the most common misconception within the process of attaining sponsors. After years of industry participation and study, I have never encountered advice of this nature by involved, everyday anglers like myself who have experienced or shared their own industry failures and success with others. Neither have I ever seen a piece like this written by young aspiring anglers who are currently breaking into the industry themselves. As I currently seek my own sponsorships for the enjoyment

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of staying connected with the fishing industry, with hopes it leads me to a career within it, I want to help other anglers who share my similar goals and passions, and who have now found themselves to be in the same position I am in. Today’s Anglers are Tomorrow’s Professionals Today’s aspiring anglers are tomorrow’s fishing professionals. It’s the cycle of business as we know it. As our angling legends give way to younger generations of aspiring self-motivated anglers, it has become the responsibility of individuals like ourselves and our fresh faces to continue growing our sport, strengthen it for future generations of participating anglers, and to in-

fluence and share knowledge with others. Through my fishing industry involvement during the last few years as a writer, media specialist, multi-species angler and independent promoter, I have acquainted myself with many aspiring anglers throughout North America who share my same unique passions and dedication. Through participation with mutual sponsors and social media, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve met and connected with two talented anglers of similar age who are blazing their own trails to industry success. Ashley Rae, 27, of Bay of Quinte, Ontario, and Josh Peacock, 28, of Kenora, Ontario are young, aspiring anglers who possess a plethora of skills, talents, and qualities that have positioned them for fishing industry success. Ashley is best known for her social media prowess, public speaking engagements, infectious enthusiasm, and massive internet following through her blog website, Shelovestofish. com. Meanwhile, Josh is best known for his tournament success in the Lake of the Woods region of Northwest Ontario where he has several top ten finishes to his merit. His North Country bass fishing success has driven him to test the waters and join the FLW circuit as a co-angler in 2013. Like me, both anglers have experienced successes and failures within the business side of our sport at some point, and want to share their industry knowledge with others. Through our discussions and interaction with one another, we unanimously agree that our responsibilities in fishing require hard work. Thus, fishing must be treated as such, but most importantly to have fun doing it.

Photograph by Ashley Rae Fishing-Headquarters | Page 102

FISHING FOR BUSINESS Peacock, an Ontario Fisheries Biologist by trade and touring angler by passion, agrees that the biggest mistake anglers make is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sending in a resume or poorly written e-mail, nothing more, and demanding product.â&#x20AC;? Peacock is presently sponsored most notably by St. Croix Rods, Eagle Claw, LazerTrokar, Venom Lures and a slew of other partners.

Photograph by Josh Peacock Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Applying for Sponsorship is like Applying for a Full Time Job It’s a competitive business world out there. Applying for sponsorship is exactly the same as applying for a job. Each applicant employs their own systems in order to reap the benefits of sponsorship. While some succeed, most don’t. For each fishing industry-related company, there’s a good chance that approximately 95% of all applicants lack the necessary skills to separate themselves from the sponsor-seeking pack and be unique in their own ways. In addition, most are productdemanding tournament anglers who offer little return of investment in comparison to the well rounded such as Ashley Rae and Josh Peacock. Peacock, an Ontario Fisheries Biologist by trade and touring angler by passion, agrees that the biggest mistake anglers make is “Sending in a resume or poorly written e-mail, nothing more, and demanding product.” Peacock is presently sponsored most notably by St. Croix Rods, Eagle Claw, LazerTrokar, Venom Lures and a slew of other partners. He attributes his sponsorship success to establishing longterm relationships and a strong level of commitment with the brands he believes in. According to Peacock, “Inquiring for sponsorship through face to face interaction, whether it’s at a sport show, tournament or other event, is ideal.” As a communication specialist like myself, he adds, “I believe my communication skills set me apart from other sponsorship applicants, as did my career and education in Fisheries. Not only do I submit my fishing resume, but I also include my professional work resume which gives pro-staff manag-

Photograph by Josh Peacock Fishing-Headquarters | Page 104

FISHING FOR BUSINESS Rae, who is sponsored most notably by Alumacraft Boats, Hobie Kayaks, Rapala Canada, Mustang Survival, and X-Zone lures has surprisingly never approached any of her sponsors. Instead, she fishes with products she loves and naturally promotes them based on her own experiences with them. Companies then take notice.

Photograph by Ashley Rae Fishing-Headquarters.com

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ers proof that fishing is my lifestyle and career rather than just a hobby or pastime.” Unlike Peacock who has succeeded in approaching companies through interpersonal communication, Ashley Rae has experienced her success through a different way. Rae, who is sponsored most notably by Alumacraft Boats, Hobie Kayaks, Rapala Canada, Mustang Survival, and X-Zone lures has surprisingly never approached any of her sponsors. Instead, she fishes with products she loves and naturally promotes them based on her own experiences with them. Companies then take notice. Rae admits, “Through my blogging, writing, social media participation, and videos, companies have recognized my passion for not only fishing but also their products.” She concludes, “Sponsorships were obtained in the very best way possible by using products that I already believe in.” Ultimately, sponsors initiate the relationships with her after witnessing the passion she has for fishing, and her abilities to share the experience on a worldwide scale with her thousands of readers and website visitors. For sponsors, it’s all about receiving a return of investment from the anglers they support, such as Ashley Rae and Josh Peacock. The Tournament Misconception: What Businesses REALLY Want Most sponsorship seeking fishermen possess qualities and characteristics that are valued by companies. Tournaments are just a minor piece of the puzzle, however. “Tournaments are great for the industry, community, and inspiring our youth but they have never been a sponsor requirement for me to do,”

Photograph by Ashley Rae Fishing-Headquarters | Page 106

FISHING FOR BUSINESS

admits Rae. In response, Peacock thinks they are as overrated as I do. “Absolutely, I have a lot of buddies who are great, successful tournament fishermen but they couldn’t sell a bottle of water to a man lost in the desert! Accepting a check with your head down and mumbling is a bad deal.” Credibility that is received by a combination of tournaments, guiding, writing, media and online exposure, product knowledge, sport show appearances, and ability to promote and sell is critical to success. Rae, Peacock, and I agree that professionalism, enthusiasm, communication skills, personality and credibility are at the forefront of all sponsorship qualifications. So is participation and involvement within the sport itself. According to Rae, there are many important qualities that appeal to sponsors. Many people bring different qualities to the table, but Fishing-Headquarters.com

she feels that possessing a variety of them makes for an excellent and efficient team. “Knowledge of product, experience, influence on peers, positive attitude, professionalism, people skills, public speaking skills, marketability, time on the water and more are just a few of the most important,” she says.

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Outside of ability and personality traits, sales experience, media exposure, and reach are extremely important for obtaining sponsorship. An advantage younger generations of anglers have today is their proficiency with Facebook and Twitter which serve as free marketing tools for companies with enormous

According to Rae, there are many important qualities that appeal to sponsors. Many people bring different qualities to the table, but she feels that possessing a variety of them makes for an excellent and efficient team. “Knowledge of product, experience, influence on peers, positive attitude, professionalism, people skills, public speaking skills, marketability, time on the water and more are just a few of the most important,” she says. Photograph by CalTek Design

reach. “Oh absolutely, social media is HUGE now. The power and reach carried by Facebook and Twitter is staggering,” says Peacock, who utilizes both social networking modes and has a following just like Rae. Peacock summarizes the business of fishing perfectly: “Do your local tackle shops carry your sponsor’s product? If they don’t you aren’t really doing your job.” In essence, that’s what companies predominantly look for over anything else. It’s all about promoting and introducing product to your local and regional angling markets so the sponsor generates sales in return; a return on investment. Avoiding Common Mistakes; Have a System That Works Through observation, and in working with pro staff managers, far too many anglers put forth focus on tournament fishing or make little effort to effectively endorse themselves. This consequently leads to

a number of missed opportunities for the angler and zero interest from companies that get bombarded by yearly requests. Understanding the structure of the fishing industry, its economics, and all of its intricacies is important for aspiring anglers. But presentation above all else is critical. Anglers must stand out and separate themselves from the pack. As we’ve already addressed, carrying a resume highlighting both fishing experience and professional career is important. But how about utilizing a media kit, or even a website? Both are the most useful tools I employ. In 2011, it was suggested that I create a media kit for myself in online and print versions which highlighted all of my skills, qualifications, and abilities in a professional presentation. A media kit is a press kit, brochure, or a pre-packaged set of promotional materials of a person, company, or organization that is distributed for promotional use. I often use these documents when

meeting with representatives and pro-staff managers at sport shows and other events, as well as in PDF document form for long-distance emails. Since then, I have been able to garner the interest of several big name companies, get my name on their radars, and have been successfully signed by companies to professional staff memberships and other related duties for their companies. Besides a media kit, another useful tool is having a website. I, myself, have two, and both Rae and Peacock employ their own as well. A website is valuable only if it is professional and maintained. “I’ve seen some websites that look cheap and are of poor quality, which do hurt anglers,” says Peacock. For Rae, “It’s not a necessity, but with today’s technology and the fact we live in an internet-driven world, everyone is connected and it’s definitely an asset to sponsors.” She concludes, “Of the different pro Fishing-Headquarters | Page 108

FISHING FOR BUSINESS

Photograph by CalTek Design

staff teams I am part of, each member offers different skills. My advice is to do what you’re good at. If you recognize your best skills and find an outlet such as a website for showcasing them, you can be very valuable to potential sponsors!” Fishing for Business Going into an interview with marketing and professional staff managers, or when submitting my promotional materials to the company I want to work for, my mind set is ‘It’s not what you can do for me but it’s what I can do for you to help your business.’ Too many anFishing-Headquarters.com

glers have forgotten this concept. Rather, the first thing they will ever ask is for money or product to promote on their boats which will never yield a response from any company. “That is a great approach,” says Peacock. “Fishing is a lot like work. You’re trying to enhance your career and build your resume at the same time. The process of sponsorship is slow; you don’t become an experienced angler in a couple of years, or by fishing once a week. Obtaining sponsors is a process and it takes time.” For first time inquirers, Peacock has advice for anglers who are trying to break into the industry.

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For anglers who are starting out he encourages, “Getting sponsorship from any company should be seen as a monumental accomplishment. Your initial deals will simply be discounts on product. Be happy with that. Only a very select few ever truly get free product or cash retainers from companies.” The best advice for all aspiring anglers is don’t rush the process, but in the same breath, jump on any and all opportunities when they arise. Have realistic expectations, and reachable goals. Treat the sponsorship as a job, and enjoy the privilege. You can be a realist, a dreamer, or genuine like Rae as she explains,

Most sponsorship seeking fishermen possess qualities and characteristics that are valued by companies. Tournaments are just a minor piece of the puzzle, however.

Photograph by Josh Peacock Fishing-Headquarters | Page 110

FISHING FOR BUSINESS

Fishing-Headquarters.com

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Today’s aspiring anglers are tomorrow’s fishing professionals. It’s the cycle of business as we know it. As our angling legends give way to younger generations of aspiring self-motivated anglers, it has become the responsibility of individuals like ourselves and our fresh faces to continue growing our sport, strengthen it for future generations of participating anglers, and to influence and share knowledge with others.

“Be true to yourself, stay grounded, and surround yourself with a support system of family and friends. Don’t forget the folks that helped you get there, and always show appreciation. I have never set out to get ‘free stuff’ but rather to promote our sport so it continues to grow. I appreciate those that have helped me along the way!” The fishing industry acts big, and can be an intimidating monster. But by making connections with companies and other anglers who are in my same position, I’ve learned it’s quite small. When seeking sponsors emphasize your commitment to companies and they will commit to you in return. If you have set forth goals, or are successful at making dreams like fishing for a living a reality, you very well may succeed in attaining sponsors and more within the fishing industry. Ashley Rae, 27, is a multi-species fisher woman from Bay of Quinte, Ontario. A Medical Office Administrator by trade, she is an aspiring angler by desire. She strives to promote fishing to a worldwide audience through her angling participation, media involvement, and blog at

www.shelovestofish.com

Josh Peacock, 28, fisheries biologist, is a successful tournament angler with several topten finishes from Northwest Ontario. The Kenora area of Lake of the Woods is his home and he is taking his bass fishing talents to the FLW tour as co-angler in 2013. Photograph by Andrew Ragas Fishing-Headquarters | Page 112

Photograph by Kenny Lookingbill

Photo courtesy, Jim Gronaw.

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