Dude, Just Find the Food.

 We have all read piles of articles that stress the importance of finding baitfish when in search of predator fish. Being completely focused on this not-so-secret secret when searching for productive water bears universal  consequence across any ecosystem an angler can encounter. In other words, unless the screen is blowin' up, you might just be wasting precious time on the water.

This was our screen shot on a recent trip to the Gulf of Mexico. Looking like a cacophony on sheet music, the high notes supported feeding King Mackerel and at the bottom were Grouper. 

                                                      Cheers and hook-sets!

Winter Solst-Ice Fishing Leech Lake

Leech lake fishing remains solid with a nice balance of eater sized Walleyes and chunky slot fish. Mobility has been key during early ice as fish move on and off of key structural locations. Being able to fish 2-3 locations during prime times has been crucial when fish are in a neutral feeding mode. Mid-depth humps and shallower flats have been most productive. It is often important to know where and how fish move on and off of these structures to be able to intercept them. I believe that the next few months will be just as productive.  Sure, the Walleye bite often slows a bit by mid-late January but fishing during prime times can still be quite productive. Adding in other species like Perch, Pike, Crappies and Bluegills can keep the action going during mid-day. Gold spoons have been my presentation of choice with the bobber rod/dead stick going ignored most of the time, but I expect that to change as the winter progresses. 

With the lack of heavy snow cover, sight fishing for shallow water Walleyes has been a real treat. Big fish often prowl 8'-12' troughs running up into the shallow flats during mid day. Playing keep-away with small Perch passes the time until  larger figures swim into view. Walleyes come a long ways to investigate aggressively jigged, flashy spoons and gobble them like Cookie Monster. 

    Walleyes from 24"-28" are pretty common catches these days thanks to
   protective slot limits and selective harvest.

 Here is Brian with a true daily double.

 Big Panfish are not protected so it's up to us to sustain these beauties. 

                                                            Cheers and hook-sets!

Early December Scouting and Fishing Leech Lake Area

Scouting ice and fishing the past week has been going really well with Walleyes coming from most of my usual locals and presentations. I'm catching Walleyes in all depths from 8'-28'. The main part of Leech as well as Walker Bay have fishable ice but we must be safe and check as we go. A decent number of guide trips are scheduled now and I will continue to scout on my days off.

                            Oh yeah, I have been able to locate some really nice Crappies too.

My 2-up snowmobiles are tuned up and ready to go for custom portable-house excursions and I should be able to get my day house out by next week for rental as well. Please contact me if you are interested in experiencing what the Leech lake area has to offer. See info at the bottom of the page.

                                                         Cheers and hook-sets!

The Gales of November Came Early

...so it's time to get out the short rods and ice some fish! We have fish-able ice available in the 2-1-8 and it's not even Thanksgiving. Use caution when checking out those honey holes so you don't end up in an ice water mansion.

                                                        Cheers and hook-sets!

Has the Door Closed for Open Water?

The 2014 open water season has been a great one, I'm sad to say that it is quickly coming to an end. I am truly grateful to have been able to share a boat with so many great people; guide clients, family and friends. Nothing against ice fishing but I'll be dreaming about the ice coming off of Leech and our other great fisheries up-north, all winter.

November fish are special!

Get it while you can!

Cheers and hook-sets!

October - No Surprise

Without waxing Dickensian, I'll just say that Leech lake fishing has been slow one day and lights out the next. Walleyes have been stubborn on one spot and suicidal...well you get the picture. For avid fall anglers this news would come as no surprise. Often touted as the best fishing month in the northland, October fishing can be fickle but the payouts can be huge.

  I would again like to thank Leisure Outdoor Adventures for letting me pinch hit for them!

It's an awesome time of the year to be on the water.

Walleyes seem to be concentrated around schools of Shiner minnows and the larger Pike are bunched up and holding on green cabbage weed edges and inside turns.

                                                       Cheers and hook-sets!

Muskie Shootout = Good Times

I had a blast fishing the 3rd Annual Leech Lake Muskie Shootout with my bro this past weekend. It felt good to get into the money though it's hard to be satisfied after all of the big Muskies we had follow and miss our lures on Sunday. That's Muskie fishing...there is always next year.

Cheers and hook-sets!