Another open-water fishing season is for the most part over. There will be some open-water opportunities throughout the winter below the dams on rivers throughout the Midwest, but generally most open-water anglers are done for the year. If you spent much time on the water at all this past year, you probably discovered a new thing or two about fishing. I know I did. Here are just a few of the things that I learned or re-learned about fishing in the past few months.

Fishing, in many areas of the Midwest, continues to improve. We as anglers have a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to quality and quantity of fish. The best areas are those that have put into place slot limits or progressive regulations on the fish that can be kept. It is possible to go to these areas and catch more and bigger fish than ever before. The future of fishing is very bright for those areas that choose to take care of their fish populations.

If you are looking for action, use Fire-ball jigs tipped with minnows. I don’t know how many times that has been proven and re-proven to me, but it is a fact. A Fire-ball/minnow combo is deadly on most species of fresh-water fish, especially in the spring and fall.

If big fish are the target, go with crankbaits. Every year, the biggest walleyes are taken on crankbaits. The new Frenzy Minnow crankbaits were introduced just this past fall and have already accounted for lots of trophy walleyes. Crankbaits might not be the best bait for lots of walleyes, but they are the best for a trophy. Crankbaits really shine in the summer and fall.

Go fishing as often as you can, and don’t ever give up. You would be amazed at how many fish are caught on those short little one and two hour fishing trips, or how many fish are caught at the end of the day.

Earlier this past fall, Jim McDonnell and I were pulling Frenzy Minnows on a Midwest lake. Action was really slow all day. We had thought about heading for shore several times, but knew that if we quit, we definitely wouldn’t catch anything. We stuck it out, and just before sundown, the walleyes went wild. We took lots of fish, and some really nice ones. What had given all indications of being a slow fishing day turned into a memorable one. Go fishing when you can, and stay as long as you can. You are certain to catch more fish if you do.

Experiment more. I have been spending more time using Off-Shore in-line planer boards for walleyes, and my catch-rate is increasing substantially. Other non-traditional techniques will also prove to be effective if we try them.

This is the time of year when we should be thinking about new techniques to try next year while last year’s successful tricks are still fresh in our minds. 

 

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