By Joe Bucher Weeds, whether in a bay, flat, bar, or mid lake hump, are one of the most productive forms of cover for nearly every big gamefish that swims in freshwater. Admittedly, much of my success with magnum muskies, big bass, and wallhangin’ walleyes have come from some form of weeds. This includes… Continue Reading
JOINTED LURES OR STRAIGHT MODELS
By Joe Bucher World class muskies have been taken on nearly every style of lure over time. Bucktails, spinnerbaits, topwater plugs, jigs, crankbaits and livebait have all taken their share of big ones. And, just when it looks like one specific type is beginning to dominate, preferences can suddenly change on a dime tilting… Continue Reading
Sinking “Count-down” Crankbaits
By Joe Bucher As much print as crankbaits have commanded in articles, books, and other publications, very little material has been devoted to the sinking “count-down” style crankbait. In fact, few anglers own or even know how to effectively use these highly efficient deep water tools. Without the proper working knowledge of sinking count-down… Continue Reading
The Roots Of A Crankbait
By Joe Bucher The term “crankbait” was actually first developed by bass tournament anglers back in the late 1960’s, and generally it referred to any hard bodied lure that had a natural, built-in action when retrieved. Before that time, such lures were referred to as plugs, wobblers, vibrating lures, and divers. In fact, the… Continue Reading
Becoming a Better Angler
By Joe Bucher Basic casting proficiency is very underrated and highly overlooked. In other words, if you can’t cast accurately and effectively without getting snarls and backlashes, your success is sure to suffer. Compound this problem with constant weed foul-ups, tangled line around your lure, and the host of other basic things that limit… Continue Reading
#1 GO-TO BAIT FOR EARLY SEASON BASS
By Joe Bucher The Lipless Crankbait my #1 go-to bait in the early spring. I wouldn’t leave home without one. Check that – I wouldn’t leave home without a tackle box full of them. Nothing catches big bass for me in the early spring quite like a lipless crankbait. Perhaps it’s the tight wiggle… Continue Reading
Aggressive Tactics for First-Ice Walleyes
By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson Most good walleye anglers get real excited when the first good ice of the year appears. The fish are aggressive and still willing to swim a fair distance for something to munch on. As a result, it pays to be aggressive in your tactics to catch them. New rattling… Continue Reading
Early Morning: Most-Missed Ice Fishing Opportunity
By Dave Genz Cashing in at daybreak is all about being ready the night before In the grainy light of early morning, Dave Genz holds up a dandy jumbo perch taken on a Lindy Rattlin’ Flyer Spoon. The period around daybreak is the most-missed ice fishing opportunity, and it occurs once every fishing day!… Continue Reading
Early Ice is Set by Fall
By Dave Genz Fall weather sets up fish location at early ice. Don’t assume they’ll be where they were last year. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not surprising that an awful lot of ice anglers miss the clues that would lead them to fish at early ice. If you enjoy other outdoor activities (most people… Continue Reading
Fall River Walleye Tactics
By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson Even the classic deep water zone just below dams can be relatively unpressured in later fall. Trophy walleyes like this one caught by Ted Takasaki are predictable in autumn, when they make ‘staging migrations’ into the vicinity of next spring’s spawning areas. If you encounter crowds near the… Continue Reading