What a cold winter it has been up here in Minnesota. We have been out fishing through the ice here and there. Most recently, my buddy Jack and I headed up to his place on Mille Lacs. We were targeting big pike. We had two days to fish and we has some success with two totally different styles to catch them. The first day we fished a cabbage bowl that still had some weeds standing up. We knew there were perch and other baitfish in the area so we set up there for a full day. We had some action, but it was slower overall. The one thing about fishing with tip-ups and large 10+ inch minnows is that it seems you are fishing for one big fish versus a bunch of small or medium size fish. Here is one fish we got in the cabbage bowl. It gave a good fight and it looks like it is eating well!
The next day we fished totally different. With a lake that is as large and versatile like Mille Lacs, there is more than one way, or style to catch them. On day 2, we set up on a deeper break that had rocks. We had tip-ups down in over 20 feet of water. We had some close calls, and one big fish that took down a 13 inch minnow that we lost. But a few minutes later we were able to get another good one through the hole! We also had a bonus Walleye eat a large minnow on a quick-strike rig as we were taking down our set up for the night. I like using the hand crafted quick-strike rigs from WaterBeast Tackle. http://www.waterbeasttackle.com/rigs_41.html
They are a fluro carbon quick-strike rig that come in a few different styles and sizes.
Here is some more pics from day 2:
They are a fluro carbon quick-strike rig that come in a few different styles and sizes.
Here is some more pics from day 2:
This winter I have been lucky enough to help out one of the more talented Muskie bait makers in the industry. I have been helping Duff Thury of SuperNatural. Some of the baits that you may recognize are the Headlocks and Matlocks. They are in my opinion the most productive trolling bait on the market. Each one is handmade and goes through at least 8 different steps before they are ready to go! The action of these baits are second to none, they "walk" or "hunt" to the side during the action, they do not swim in a straight line. Like a normal baitfish (Cisco, Perch, Walleye, Whitefish, ect.) they do not swim in a straight line. These baits have the most realistic live action that you will find. Its basically three baits in one based on the fact you can go down to three different depth styles that are adjustable on the lip. They are a one of kind bait and some of the fish being caught on these baits are insane! They are hard to come buy, but Thorne Brothers normally have them in stock. I have been helping Duff speed up the process so there are more for everyone to enjoy. Get your hands on one, trust me!
The video above shows perfectly the action!!
Check out the baits here: http://www.thornebros.com/shop/pc/Supernatural-c508.htm
Check out the baits here: http://www.thornebros.com/shop/pc/Supernatural-c508.htm