Tips | Freshwater Fishing | Freshwater Fishing Tips, Articles and How-To-Guides

Crankbaits For Crappie

I have caught good crappie on big lakes, in rivers and in ponds. Usually finding a mess of crappie is no big chore. I do have a “honey hole,” however. This six acres of water has never failed to produce … Continued

Catching Cold Front Walleyes

The Problem: Cold Front Challenges: — Negative Fish –Yesterday’s Patterns Blown — Walleyes In New Location — Flat, Calm Water — High Light Penetration Cold fronts are as inevitable as death and taxes. On the tournament trail, they usually pass … Continued

Catching Post-Spawn Walleyes

The Problem: Post-Spawn –Challenges: –Cold Water –Lethargic Fish –Scattered Fish Much has been said about the recuperation period following the spawn, but I’ve never had a problem catching fish, big fish, during the post-spawn. Finding them is half the battle. … Continued

Walleyes: Rattling In Clear Water

Rattle lures have applications in clear water as well. On Lake Erie, one of the clearest bodies of water in the country, many anglers are replacing their traditional weight-forward spinners with baits that rattle. In this case, it appears that … Continued

Catching Walleyes In Cold, Flooded Rivers

The Problem: Cold, Flooded Rivers Challenges: Cold Water Low Visibility Fast Current Sluggish Fish We’ve all been there. Incessant spring rains transform your favorite river from paradise to purgatory. The water’s high, cold and so dirty you aren’t sure whether … Continued

Catching Walleyes With Abundant Baitfish Nearby

The Problem: Abundant Baitfish Challenges: Plentiful Forage Little Competition For Food Short Window Of Opportunity Whether it’s a bumper crop of perch, alewives, smelt, shad or shiners, over-abundant forage makes fishing tough. Hungry walleyes feed at will and are rarely … Continued

Crankbait Secrets For Muskies

Perhaps the best way to use big crankbaits is short-line trolling. Run the lure 10 feet to 15 feet behind the boat and use stout tackle. I don’t often use “wide-side” wood baits in high winds. Casting them accurately is … Continued

Catching Walleyes In Clear Water

The Problem: Clear Water Challenges: Spooky Fish Deep Fish Tough Daytime Bite Gin-clear water is one of the toughest situations to catch walleyes. Truth is, though, many clear lakes hold excellent walleye populations — including some real monsters. Learn the … Continued

Tips For Catching Schooling Bass

Find the shad and anglers usually find bass. At the right opportunity, bass attack from all directions, herding shad into balls and forcing them to the surface. At the surface, shad run out of room to escape. Then, the bass come in to gorge on anything they can catch. If anglers happen to sit in the right spot at the right time, they can quickly catch several fish, but they must react fast.