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Choosing The Right Jig For Bluegill Success: Catch More Fish

Posted by Walt Matan on Feb 4th 2019

Choosing The Right Jig For Bluegill Success: Catch More Fish
After unhooking another decent bluegill, I baited back up and dropped the jig down the hole. Just as it disappeared from view, the line straightened and the battle was on. The big gill angled away from the hole and fought in a circular motion. Slowly I gained and the fish came into view, a huge plate-sized bluegill battled hard until the very end. A few pictures and then a quick release. It is hard to let a 10-inch bluegill with frying pan written all over her go, but it is for the good of the ecosystem to keep only the five- to eight-inch fish. It's all in the jig Why is it that som …

The Big Day! How to Have a Good Day Fishing

Posted by Walt Matan on Jan 22nd 2019

The Big Day! How to Have a Good Day Fishing
We’ve had many good days on the ice.  We’ve caught crappie, bluegill, catfish, walleye, white bass, northern pikexyou name it, we’ve caught it.  But, we can count days that can truly be called BIG, only a few times. A big day is one, where you can do no wrong.  Every decision you makes, leads to fish.  The weather cooperates to, the wind doesn’t howl, maybe a light snow, but never rain or sleet.  Your gear works right.  Augers start right up, lines don’t twist or break you’re your fish locators battery doesn’t run out of juice. Last year I had a big day …

Finessing Crappies and Bluegills Through the Ice

Posted by Walt Matan on Jan 16th 2019

Finessing Crappies and Bluegills Through the Ice
Panfish are simple creatures. They eat, sleep and spawn to survive. In between these activities they look for better places to eat, sleep, and spawn; like I said panfish are simple creatures! Ice fisherman are simple creatures too, but times are changing and we’re getting more sophisticated and knowledgeable every day. Spend some time in the backwaters of the Mississippi or Wisconsin River and you’ll learn a lot. There are a bunch of anglers who do quite well using rudimentary techniques. Any kind of pole will do, a small bobber, splitshot and a lively Shiner minnow on a number eight …

Three Step Plan for Icing Bass: Ice Fishing for Sportfish

Posted by Walt & Poppee Matan on Jan 3rd 2019

Three Step Plan for Icing Bass: Ice Fishing for Sportfish
Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be readily caught through the ice. They are tremendous sport fish that are ridiculously strong under the ice. Your favorite ponds and lakes that produce bluegill and crappie will also give up largemouth in the same general areas. Smallmouth bass should be targeted in gravel and rock areas of lakes that are known smallmouth producers in the open water season. If you want to ice more bass this winter, then you need my three-step plan — 3 Holes + 3 Poles + 3 Different Jigs = Bass Largemouth Bass Shallow weedy bays are prime areas that hold largemouth b …

Get Ready for this Winter! Ice Fishing for Big Fish

Posted by Walt Matan on Dec 22nd 2018

Get Ready for this Winter! Ice Fishing for Big Fish
We were just setting everything up and getting ready to fish and we knew we had to move. My buddy, Cowboy Kevin, had his permanent shack out in Pistakee Bay and he hadn’t caught many bluegill in the past few days. We decided to try this spot for about an hour and then move. Moving would be difficult since the shack was frozen solid into the ice and it was just the two of us and one ATV with the wind blowing about 40 mph! I lowered my jig, a size 8 Custom Jigs & Spins Diamond jig to bottom and raised it up a little. I checked my line; the two pound test still seemed good and the dra …