Author: Dane Heid

My absolute favorite time of the year has finally arrived.  I know I’m not the only angler that intentionally drives over the bridges crossing the Missouri River just to see what the ice is doing.  I’m willing to bet my wife has heard countless reasons as to why it took me a little longer to get home from work. Checking boat ramps and ice conditions is not one of them.   I start my season by looking through my log books from previous years.  I don’t get too technical in the information I keep, but I always jot down water temperature, clarity,

It is official; my mindset has switched from ice fishing to open water fishing.  Almost like clockwork, I attend one sports show and drool over new boats, open water tackle, fishing boat accessories, and a wide range of campers now on the market.  Upon leaving the venue and entering into the remaining months of winter’s cold, cruel grip, my first thought is always “I should bring the boat out of storage.”  It’s inevitable that these thoughts quickly bring the reminder that it is still winter with numerous days of snowfall and cold still in long term weather models.  Kind of like

The Rapala Jiggin’ Rap isn’t even close to being a new glide bait, but its’ popularity has skyrocketed in recent years.  The one-dimensional ice fishing bait has found a new home in the vast majority of boats. However, the competition has caught on.   We now have choices to really hone in on our target fish; from pitching Moonshine Shiver Minnows to adding a little rattle into the mixture with the Phantom Tilly.  Follow along to see what the pros and cons are to the industry’s best glide baits. Rapala Jiggin Rap amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “daneheid-20”; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”; amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”; amzn_assoc_marketplace

Lake Winnipeg is known for its walleye ice fishing.  In fact, it’s home to the famous “Green Back Walleye,” on Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada.  It offers the best chance at landing a 10+ pound walleye through a hole in the ice.  For years, prior to social media becoming such a giant influence, this lake has been producing the fish of a lifetime for many anglers. Walleyes were being plucked from the waters with giant lipless crankbaits and ice fishing spoons the size of soup ladles.  Going after any fish with aggressive techniques is something I live for.   Prior to my

I’ve never been one to leave things stock.  There is just something about taking an idea and producing a finished product.  Some people end up making a good amount of money with their products, like Dave Genz, when he created the original “Fish Trap.”  Since its’ initial entrance into the ice scene, the flip-over shack has been modified to each creator’s liking. Some of my favorite DIY modifications involve LED lighting for ice houses.  Whether it’s a strip of white lights to locate the right piece of tackle or a strip of red lights to illuminate your fishing area without spooking