Fishing Michigan

Ok, the show just finished and I wanted to get some notes down before they escape me.  For an experienced angler the show was kind of a disappointment, but that said, there were some helpful hints that all can use.

First up was tip-up fishing for Northern Pike.  This was the best segment of the three parts for getting information on “how to”.  It featured Paul Grahl from HT Enterprise, HT is a sponsor of the program and maker of a long line of tip-up products.  The two used, one being a manhole cover design, while the other was the famous Windlass Tip-Up.

What you could see.  First was a quick strike rig tied up using #6 trebles and Sevenstrand wire.  Next up was 40 lb fluorocarbon leaders attached to tip up line.  If you noticed the bait, some of it was cut, while some used were whole herrings.  Herring is a pike favorite, and ice angler’s too.  Herring is an oily fish, which pike like, and gives off lots of scent in the water.  A key for drawing big northerns in during the ice season.

A tip used with the windlass tip-up can be used with any style.  That was the use of mineral oil, environmentally safe, it stops the hole from freezing up.  A must for the Windlass, because it uses the action of the vein produced by the wind to move the bait up and down.  Note: this is an excellent stationary device for use while walleye fishing with a rod n reel.

Dressing and staying comfy was the breakdown for the second segment. Drill  your holes, clear them and move  your shanty over the hole.  Set up the shanty, get out and bank snow around the bottom flaps. Note: Its better to let the water freeze before you do this, just so the flaps don’t freeze to the ice.  The heater used was a small Mr Buddy Heater, which is good because it has an O2 sensor, and will shut off when oxygen levels drop down.  Haven’t seen the Snowsuit brand before, but with the suits I have from Clam (IceArmor) and the Vexilar Coldsnap suit, layers are important to insulate and keep  you warm.

The walleye segment from Lake Winnipeg was a total disappointment….a snoozer for sure.  The fish were pretty, actually quite pretty with their nice green color due to the lake’s limestone cliffs.  Other than mentioning an angler’s need to move while fishing to stay on top of fish, it was a snore. No mention of technique, no mention of baits, none on rod types or line used.  Yawn.

BUT, if you looked closely, there was some information there.  A picture really can tell you all you need to know.  Did you notice the extention used on the StrikeMaster power augers?  Thickness of lake ice way up north in the late season, makes the 12 and 18 inch extenstions available from the company a must. Bait wise, meaning jigs used, there was none mentioned, and very little in the way of a good pic to see.  What I saw were roundhead jigs available from Northland, of which Chip Leer is on staff with. You might have noticed the sticker on his bait cooler.  After their move, I thought I saw a swimbait like the new Puppet Minnow from Northland.  Its a good chance while this was being filmed last year, that Leer had the prototypes for this year’s new product from Northland Tackle.

That’s it, it was a short half hour program.  Next week, it will be interesting to see the segment on icing whitefish.