S5E7 - First Ice & Erika from Women Anglers of Minnesota (WAM)

In this episode of the Hard Water Fishing Show Jeff gets out on first and and we talk to Erika Blegen from Women Anglers of Minnesota (WAM) about there upcoming ice queen fishing tournament.  You can find there website here https://bit.ly/3JbjDAb for more information.

 

Fact Checking

• Jason and Jeff Clarify what Ole we are talking about.  
• Lil Ole said that North woods Dave should have used aluminum studs in his ice shack.  
• North woods Dave was to busy to do any additional fact checking.

 

Current Events Outdoor News "Long Rods" by Vic Attardo

Vic talks about not casting a shadow over his hole.  He believes you will catch more fish if you cast over your hole.  Jason thinks this may be lake dependent. 

 

Outdoor News "Shallow Walleyes" December 3rd Outdoor News by Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell recommended fishing in shallow water for Walleyes, if you can find them there in the summer you can find them there in the winter.  He also talked about how electronics are not as useful in shallow water.  Jason talked about some experience from Matt who fishes in shallow water and his flasher is only showing 2 inches of the bottom.  Sometimes fish can be attracted to noise.  Both Jeff and Jason has experienced noise can trigger bites.

  Nevada Dave - how to secure a hub?

- answer is to put a stake in the ground and put a guy line on it first.  Then you will be good. 

 

Gary does Noise Effect Fish?

The short answer is yes.

Gary asked if fishing with a generator will scare the fish away.

Fish will scatter even with an electric auger.  A generator will affect the fish how much very hard to know.  Gary was fishing for Cusk.  

Sometimes when you are doing combat fishing and moving you could be pushing the fish.  Maybe you would be better off just sitting and one spot and drive the fish away. You have to make sure you sit long enough for the noise to get quiet and let the fish come back.  

 

Gear Snyder 360 death roll https://bit.ly/3mhyhf4 

I would like to get one of these and try them out, its a spoon that rolls over

 

Ruffian Snow Bike https://bit.ly/3FaS1bG 

Its like a snow dog with a ski on the front its the size of a pit bike.  Looks pretty cool

 

Berkley Trilene Fluorocarbon 6LB https://amzn.to/320Rif9 

I just put this stuff on 4 of my rods.  Seems to be pretty good stuff. Used it last weekend. Still not as easy to use as mono. 

 

First Ice

Drove two hours north  to ice fish, and did not catch a fish. Was fishing for Crappies in a place I have caught some really nice fish.  The ice was 6 - 8 inches but very inconsistent. Had to read the ice to get around the cracks. Had full on safety with ice picks.  Also have a long rope on my sled. 

 

Frabill I-3 Ice Bibs https://amzn.to/3pZzwkg

These are the ice bibs I use.  They work great.

 

Guest Erika Blegen

Talked with Erika about the ice Queen ice fishing contest and Women Anglers of Minnesota.  Also discussed the 77 inch lake sturgeon she caught,  that is recorded on the master angler program.   Ericka describes how she  fishes with a "ball or crawlers" on a hook.  For an auger she uses a kDrill and drill multiple holes to get the hole big enough to fit the big fish through. Mud puppies can be a problem when fishing for lake sturgeon so watch out for them.