GMAN ON EARNING A LIVING IN THE FISHING INDUSTRY

from The Fishing Wire

Forestville, WI – The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) 2023 Annual Conference kicks off in Fort Myers, Florida, January 6 through 8, and headline speaker Gerald Swindle can’t wait to get started.

“I hope you’ll be there to hear me because I plan to really bring it,” says Swindle. “This is not just a meeting for professional anglers, it’s for anyone making a living in the recreational fishing industry – and you don’t even have to be an NPAA member to attend because everybody’s welcome. This meeting is going to be a conference where we’re talking about how to make money.”

That’s something Swindle says other industry pros don’t generally discuss but it’s going to get full attention at this event, the focus of which is “Controlling Your Destiny!” With this conference NPAA is providing a first-class ticket to meet, network, speak with and glimpse the psyche of top professional anglers, industry representatives and sport fishing leaders across the country.

“This is your chance to see, hear and learn how top professionals do business,” points out the legendary bass pro from Guntersville, AL, who has appeared in 20 Bassmaster Classics, twice been named Bassmaster’s Angler of the Year, broken the magical 100-pound tournament limit twice, and earned roughly $2.5 million in prize money in the process.

NPAA president, Patrick Neu couldn’t be more thrilled than to have Swindle lined up for the event. “He’s the right guy to headline our speakers,” said Neu. “He’s an NPAA member, a social media icon, and a no-nonsense motivational speaker that knows this industry inside and out. He’s true to himself in every aspect of our sport and not afraid to speak his mind. In short, when the G-Man speaks, everybody listens.”

Swindle has plenty to say, of course, but we’ll let him speak for himself in the video link above. Just know that attendance is limited to 200 and tickets are selling fast – so, don’t wait to sign-up, meet, network, speak with and glimpse the psyche of top professional anglers, industry representatives and sport fishing leaders across the country.

The NPAA Annual Conference features business-related educational seminars, networking opportunities, and partner booths in a fun but professional format. It is a key component of the NPAA platform, which exists to help members grow their professional angling careers and run successful industry businesses. The event will also host a Benefit Banquet for the Future Angler Foundation (FAF), which introduces millions of potential new anglers and boaters each year to the thrill and fun of sportfishing and boating.

Additional seminar speakers will include Jason and Jay Przekurat, MLF Redcrest Champion Bobby Lane, Louisiana guide and Redfish Lodge owner, Mike Frenette, plus a myriad of other angling professionals from top guides to industry veterans, all sharing their knowledge freely in sessions throughout the weekend. Event central is the 5-Star rated Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport – Town Center, which is 5 minutes from the SW Florida Regional Airport (RSW) and just off I75 in Fort Myers.

The NPAA 2023 Annual Conference registration fees include all activities, meals, and a ticket for the FAF Banquet. More information on registration can be found on the NPAA Conference Page. (Note: Non-members who pre-register for the Conference and opt to join the association prior to the end of the Conference will receive a $50 rebate on their Conference Registration Fee.)

For more information on joining the NPAA, attending the Annual Conference, and exploring the many benefits membership provides, visit www.npaa.net.

FIRST ICE PANFISH

from The Fishing Wire

Once it gets cold outside, anglers in many states immediately start wishing for more of it. If it’s going to be cold out, it might as well be cold enough to freeze the lakes and rivers. Right now, ice fishing season is quickly approaching in many regions and one of the best ways to get in on the action is by targeting first ice panfish.

A trio of Wisconsin guides, Troy Peterson, Vince Moldenhauer, and Josh Teigen, all count early ice panfish as one of their favorite bites, and each has a unique approach to fishing this time of year. They each share their thought processes and methods for early-season ice fishing.

Moldenhauer Airboats to the Ice

Guiding on the Upper Mississippi River out of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Vince Moldenhauer has a unique approach to ice fishing the big river for perch. He uses an airboat to reach prime ice fishing waters, primarily shallow backwaters.

To access these areas, Moldenhauer hauls clients and gear to the spots, as the ice on the river is generally not thick enough to cross safely. “We’ll even cross open water to get to some of the areas,” he said.

The best areas, according to Moldenhauer, are areas where perch spend much of their time during the winter. These places are out of the current and have vegetation.

“The key to finding perch on the river is to find areas with no current and green vegetation because it creates oxygen,” said Moldenhauer. “Some perch will live out in the current, but a lot of them stack up in the backwater spots in very shallow water. It could be 1, 2, or 3 feet deep and every year, the best spots can be a little bit different based on the water levels on the river.”

Targeting river perch that can weigh 2-pounds or more, Moldenhauer prefers 3 to 5mm tungsten jigs, small 1/16 to 1/32-ounce spoons, and live bait on tip downs.

“We typically drill a pile of holes and hole hop around,” he said. “When you find the right hole where they are grouped up, you can catch a pile of them.”

While the Mississippi can generally be a stained body of water for much of the season, the places Moldenhauer targets can be exceptionally clear. Because of this, he prefers the near invisibility of Seaguar’s IceX fluorocarbon.

“Most think of the river as dirty, but it gets crystal clear in these areas, and I believe that fluorocarbon is key to getting more bites,” he said. “I prefer 6 lb., which may seem a little heavy for perch, but we are always hooking into pike and bass, and you lose fewer baits. IceX performs great for us.”

Teigen’s Approaches Based on Water Clarity

Depending on if he is fishing a clear or stained body of water, Iron River, Wisconsin guide Josh Teigen adjusts his areas when targeting perch, bluegill, and crappie through the ice.

“On stained lakes, the best fishing for us is on the main basins of the lake,” he said. “Many times, they’ll be deep and suspended 5 to 7 feet off the bottom. It’s best to drill a bunch of holes, keep it moving and use your electronics to find the groups.”

Teigen also uses sound to his advantage when targeting stained water panfish and chooses noisy lures. “We like to use louder baits to call the fish in,” he said. “One of the best is a 1/12-ounce ACME Rattle Master spoon or Acme Google Eye Tungsten Jig, both tipped with a wax worm or two.”

For cleaner water, Teigen seeks out vegetation. “On many clear lakes, the weeds will stay green all winter,” he shared. “I look for the cabbage or sand grass that ends around 18 to 22 feet of water and will fish the same baits. On the clear water lakes, the morning and evening bite seems to be the best and it’s more of a midday bite on the stained bodies of water.”

Teigen prefers Seaguar IceX fluorocarbon line for both lake types, primarily the 3 lb. test.

“I prefer to use straight fluorocarbon for panfish and you can feel the bite very easily,” he said. “IceX is very durable and has a tiny bit of stretch, which is good for crappie because they have such soft lips. The invisibility is also key because the fish in clear water can get line-shy sometimes.”

Mr. Bluegill’s Ultra-Shallow Bite

Troy Peterson is known as “Mr. Bluegill,” and he guides anglers for them, along with many other species, throughout the year. As soon as the ice forms on the lake, his approach is to stick close to shore and search for vegetation and warmer water.

“Right when the ice forms, everyone is itching to get out and you have to be quick,” he said. “The first two weeks of the season can be excellent, but the fish get pressured and areas get fished out. I look for weedy bays and houses on the lake that have pumps or artesian aquifers because that will show you that warmer water is coming into the area. The panfish will stay in the areas as long as possible until it gets too cold and they will head out deeper.”

Typically, Peterson targets panfish in depths of 3 to 5 feet of water early in the ice season and he says that necessitates a stealthy approach.

“The first thing we do is drill a bunch of holes,” he said. “That way, we can fish one and then quietly walk to fish the next one. We also use longer rods, 4 to 5 feet long, so you can fish one, turn slightly, and drop into another hole without making muchnoise. The water and ice are clear and there isn’t usually a lot of snow on the ice, so you have to be very stealthy.”

To catch his early ice panfish, Peterson primarily uses 3 or 4-mm tungsten jigs matched with small plastics such as the Eurotackle EPM Minnow or Micro Finesse Stone Fly, both just a little longer than an inch.

With these finesse offerings, Peterson prefers a light fluorocarbon line. “2 lb. IceX is what I use for all of my panfish,” he said. “It has a very thin diameter and with small plastics – you get more action with a thin and supple line. It also has good knot strength. I’ve even landed pike on that line.”

Ice fishing is a way of life for many anglers and the action can be excellent at first ice. If targeting panfish is your preference, there are many different ways to get in on the action. The above three approaches work well for three of Wisconsin’s premier fishing guides.

Seaguar IceX Fluorocarbon is a low-memory, micro-diameter line with exceptional abrasion resistance. It is available on 50-yard spools in 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 lb. test sizes.

Other Seaguar lines for ice fishing include:

• Smackdown Smackdown Braid for Jigging Rods from 10-65 lb. test sizes
• TactX Camo Braid for Tip-Ups from 10-80 lb. test sizes
• Gold Label Leader material from 2-80 lb. test sizes

About

As the inventor of fluorocarbon fishing lines in 1971, Seaguar has played a prominent role in the advancement of technologies to improve the performance of lines and leader material for both fresh and salt water anglers. Seaguar is the only manufacturer of fluorocarbon fishing lines that produces its own resins and controls the manufacturing process from start to finished product. Today, Seaguar is the #1 brand of fluorocarbon lines and offers a full spectrum of premium products including fluorocarbon mainlines and leader material, 8-strand and 16-strand braid fishing lines. Visit seaguar.com for more information.

Nichols Lures, a recognized brand name in high-quality, American-made fishing tackle, announced today its acquisition of Wisconsin-based Dirty Jigs Tackle. Both brands will be manufactured under one roof in Thomasville, Georgia.

“We have built a reputation at Nichols Lures for creating tournament-grade tackle delivered on time,” says Brooks Woodward, President of Nichols Lures. “We are excited to extend our commitment to excellence with the Dirty Jigs brand and product line. Curt Demerath, the founder of Dirty Jigs, built an incredible company around a superior product, and our entire team stands ready to continue that legacy.”

When asked of the transition, Curt replied, “Now is the time to hand the reins to someone else who sees that same vision and has the same passion for the sport and the product. I can’t think of anyone that I have more respect and faith in to do that than Brooks Woodward of Nichols Lures and I know there will be many new and better things to come from Dirty Jigs with him at the helm.”

Production of the Dirty Jigs line will be nothing new for the Nichols Lures team, as they have been assisting Dirty Jigs with OEM production since late 2021. “It is essential that we maintain only the highest standards for Dirty Jigs products,” remarks Brooks. “Keeping production under our control in Thomasville, Georgia, ensures that the tackle fishermen love will continue to be made properly, and it provides numerous jobs in our community.”

Dirty Jigs was founded in 2004 by Curt Demerath of Shiocton, WI. “Almost 20 years ago after building jigs for myself and a handful of friends I got the crazy idea to start selling them.  It all started with one simple rule, build the jig to do the job the best I was able. That meant using the best hooks, making detailed colored skirts, and offering the right head shapes with the proper weedguard.  As time went on many new colors and styles were created.  As the industry and market changed, some things stayed and some things went away but not that original rule.   I’ve never been afraid to design a new skirt pattern or skirt material color, or try a new jig design,” says Curt.

“Nichols Lures exists not just to make the perfect fishing lure, but more importantly, to make an impact on our community. Our vision is to employ and support as many people in Thomasville, GA, and our surrounding area as possible. The acquisition of Dirty Jigs will ensure that we have plenty of work in the pipeline to keep our entire crew busy!”

ABOUT NICHOLS LURES

No matter what you want in your tackle box, Nichols Lures can take care of you. Spinnerbaits, Jigs, Flutter Spoons, and multitudes of terminal tackle are all part of our extensive line-up of products. Founded in 1989, Dave Nichols began by creating jigs and spinnerbaits out of his garage in East Texas. From there, the company grew, adding new and innovative products at every turn. In 2012, Dave and his wife, Lynn, sold the company to Brooks Woodward, the current owner and operator. Each morning, Brooks wakes up, goes into work, sits down at his desk, and begins hand-crafting each lure that comes his way. We still value high-quality, hand-made, American products, and plan on continuing a 30 year old legacy the right way, with hard work and determination.

by Bob Jensen

from The Fishing Wire

Air temperatures were in the mid-40’s last night where I live. They’ll get into the 70’s today, and, for the next few weeks, we’ll see those ranges daily. Birds and butterflies are starting to move south, and across walleye country, anglers who like to catch walleyes are starting to get excited. If you live in an area where walleyes live, here’s how you can get in on that action!

Autumn is big walleye time. If a trophy walleye is your goal, select a body of water that has a history of being home to the big ones and fish it hard, now. Some lakes are big fish lakes, others are eater fish lakes. For many of us, the opportunity to catch truly big walleyes is better now than it was just a few years ago. Usually, the biggest walleyes come from lakes that are home to cisco, smelt, and other oily baitfish.

In the fall, bigger baits usually catch the biggest fish. There is a theory that big fish are more likely to eat one big meal than several smaller meals. Hunting down several smaller meals requires more energy, and using that energy keeps the weight down on the fish.

Some folks like to troll crankbaits in the fall, and trolling cranks at night can be especially productive on big fish. Those baitfish we talked about earlier are fall-spawners. They suspend over deep water during the day and move to shallow sand/pebble spots at night. When they’re shallow, it’s easier for the walleyes to catch and eat them. A Lucky Shad style crankbait that enters a walleye neighborhood has a very good chance of getting eaten.

Mike Frisch makes his living chasing walleyes and other species of fish. In the fall many walleye anglers will tie a jig to their line and leave it there all day. Jigs are traditionally a good way to catch walleyes during any season, but they’re particularly good in the fall. Mike will go against tradition and tie on a bottom-bouncer. Behind that he’ll add a 3-to-4-foot snell made of 10-pound test line. Depending on water depth he’ll use a bouncer up to 4 ounces, with 2-to-3-ounce bouncers being what’s on his line most of the time. He goes with the heavy weights because he wants to move quickly. When he catches a fish or sees a group on the sonar he might slow down, but often the faster presentation is what it takes to get the fish to bite. To go against tradition even more, a nightcrawler will be on his hook. It’s often thought that minnows will be most productive in the fall, and at times they are, but there are plenty of times when the crawler will out-produce a minnow. Traditions are good, but don’t let a tradition get in the way of success at catching more fish.

But no matter how good crankbaits or bottom-bouncer rigs can be in the fall, there are times, especially if you’re looking for numbers of fish, that a jig simply cannot be beat. In the past several years, more walleye catchers are going to plastic on the jig. Something like a Rage Swimmer or Rage Grub on a ¼- or 3/8-ounce jig has become the go-to rig for some of the most successful walleye catchers.

If you like to catch big walleyes or lots of walleyes, now and until the water gets hard is the time to do so. As the weather gets cooler, the walleyes get hungrier. If you’re on the water doing what we just talked about, your chances of getting bit will be very good.

– Bob Jensen of fishingthemidwest.com.

A new finesse jig based on what works on highly pressured Japanese waters

Cypress, CA – Known for their extraordinary bass-catching abilities, there’s just something special about rubber-skirted jigs. Pitched, flipped, dragged, or hopped, they simply catch fish—no bones about it. Largemouth and smallmouth bass all eat forage that rubber-skirted jigs resemble—like young-of-the-year bluegills, and, of course, crawfish in all stages of development.

Enter the Ever Green IR Finesse Jig, a rubber-skirted jig unlike any other on bait shop shelves. A new take on the rubber-skirted finesse jig design—like a lot of cutting-edge baits and techniques—the IR Finesse Jig finds its origin on pressured, Japanese waters where anglers are constantly having to find the next big thing.

So, Ever Green is proud to introduce a radical new take in rubber-skirted finesse bass jig design. The lure is sure to please the most discerning anglers looking for that perfect cross between a football-head, round head, grass jig, and sim jig to ply bluegill and crawfish inhabited waters.

The new IR Finesse Jig is fraught with stealthy and consequential features. For one, the head is perfectly rounded to drop straight, deflect of structure, and crawl linearly on bare bottoms like gravel and sand. The head’s line-tie is at a 45-degree angle, which accommodates direct line to your rod tip for better feels and control. The intended line-tie angle also assists successful hooksets. Its custom long-shank hook is bloody sharp and unbending. The IR Finesse Jig also features a significant wire bait-keeper to fortify plastic trailers, while a single and double rattle holder on the base of the head allows for an audible addendum for mimicking crawdad “clicks”. Lastly, you’ll appreciate the weed-guard, which extends beyond the hook point, beating back snags, yet keeps the hook gap open for bass inhales and the subsequent hookset.

The IR Finesse Jig is available in three sizes – 5/16-, 3/8- and ½-ounce – and ten uber-bassy colors, to include: DARK GREEN PUMPKIN, BROWN PURPLE, GREEN PUMPKIN CRAW, BLACK BLUE TIP, SAPPHIRE CRAW, DK GRN PUMPKIN BRN CRAW, CLASSIC BROWN, CLEARWATER CRAW, ALABAMA CRAW, and HITE’S HOT CRAW.

Again, designed in Japan to service bass anglers used to difficult, discerning bass on waters like famed Lake Biwa, the Ever Green IR Finesse Jig was painstakingly designed and tested to catch fish when other methods fail.

Its design is simple—yet effective. Satoshi Ito, Ever Green Product Manager, comments, “Since Ever Green started designing and building baits, our first concern has been to create lures that look and act realistically. With the IR Finesse Jig, you’ve got a great option for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass that looks and behaves like juvenile baitfish or crawdads skittering along the bottom. It can be fished like a football jig—and dragged on bottom without snags—but also excels as a flipping jig when you want a slightly smaller profile for neutral to negative fish. It also comes through the grass and junk easily for fishing all conditions. All around, it’s just a great bass jig.”

You’ll immediately appreciate the IR Finesse Jig, a bass jig unlike any other. There are numbers of other realistic-looking bass jigs on the market, but none are capable of summoning so many bites.

The bait also casts, flips, and pitches like a bullet. DAIWA recommends throwing it on baitcasting gear with Daiwa J-Braid and a green and brown J-Fluoro Samura Hidden Concept fluorocarbon leader or straight fluorocarbon to feel the slightest movement of the bait and anticipate bone-crushing strikes.

FEATURES

• Crossover rubber-skirted finesse design with a compact, round head
• Ten initial crawfish/panfish colors in the bait family
• Strong, unbending custom, long-shank design hook
• Wire bait keeper that keeps plastic trailers buttoned and prevents sliding off
• Single or double rattle holder
• Plastic brush weed guard that extends beyond the hook point but keeps hook gap open
• Three sizes: 5/16-, 3/8- and ½- ounce

About Daiwa Corporation

Daiwa’s first spinning reel rolled off the assembly line in 1955. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most influential tackle companies in the world today. To handle sales and distribution in the United States, Daiwa Corporation first opened its doors on September 26, 1966, operating from a small facility in Culver City, California. Today, based in Cypress, California, Daiwa Corporation sells tackle throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America. From the very beginning, Daiwa’s emphasis has been upon innovation and quality. The result is a long list of product features, design and materials that have become standards for the fishing tackle industry. Daiwa’s long-standing record of innovation has left a visible mark on the majority of tackle manufactured today and continues to advance the sport of fishing.