FISHING GEAR
REVIEWS
Prairie JUMBO Perch Ice Fishing – What You Need to Know
This is a 2-part Article Series. There is so much good information, I didn't want them split up. Here they are below: First, The Basics of Jumbo Perch Ice Fishing (Feb. 2020). Second, Fine Tuning your Approach to Catching Jumbo Perch (Feb 2021) The Basics of Jumbo...
Devils Lake Ice Fishing Guide to Winter Success
Devils Lake ice fishing is well-documented and is well known to be a world-class fishery. Each winter, thousands upon thousands of anglers take on this giant body of water, in search of jumbo perch, walleye, and pike (yes, there are white bass and crappie too). And...
Best Cordless Drill & Auger Setups on the Ice
Updated 11/10/20 for the upcoming ice season... Are you looking for the optimal cordless drill ice auger combination? Good news is, I’ve done all the homework and research…and I have a killer setup. After a long weekend of testing my new cordless drill ice auger, I...
Portable Ice Shelter Reviews – Flip Over Ice House Style
Updated 11/9/20 for the upcoming 2021 ice fishing season... So you're looking to buy your first portable ice shelter and not sure where to look? We've provided an in-depth look at some of the most popular and newest ice houses on the market today. We looked hard into...
Best Aerator for Livewell, Cooler, or Minnow Bucket
This has been an interesting season for me to say the least. I’ve spent more time in search of bait on my own than the rest of my life combined. I got sick of trying to find creek chubs for my fishing tournaments so I started learning how to fish for them on my own....
Honest Engel Cooler Review
I fish...a lot. And with that being said, I need a minnow cooler that’ll just keep my bait alive, PERIOD. I’ve written about the best minnow bucket in the past and rated the Frabill Insulated Cooler with Aerator as the editor’s choice. That was then, this is...
Creek Chubs Guide – How to Catch, Trap, & Keep Alive
If you’ve never used a creek chub for fishing, you’re missing out. There’s something about them that makes fish SNAP almost every time. They’re a large, feisty bait that creates a lot of attention in the water. And when properly rigged, the mixture just means FISH!...
Dakota Walleye Classic 2020 Recap
Tournament fishing is something that’s in my blood. If you’re a tournament angler, there’s always a few milestones that you pursue in your fishing career. For me, one of those milestones was to win the Dakota Walleye Classic.  The Dakota Walleye Classic is a...
Best Snap Weights for Trolling
There's no doubt that trolling has come a long way, in the last decade especially. It's not that some of the fishing methods used are new, but the number of people using them successfully is definitely changing. But if you want my opinion, there's no easier or...
Walleye Tacos Recipe
It seems like every time we make these walleye tacos someone is asking for this quick and easy recipe, so I figured I'd share it with all of you. This walleye taco recipe has become a staple in our household and anytime we bring fresh fish home, we make them that...
Spring Walleye Trolling Tips for Serious Walleyes
I love finding efficient ways to catch walleye. And in the springtime, one of the most overlooked techniques is shallow water trolling where the big girls reside. It’s no surprise that an article such as this comes from me. I’ve been preaching about the effectiveness...
A Guide’s Life – Being a Fishing Guide in 2020
If you're a fisherman or fisherwoman, you have certainly heard the term “the guides life”. Or you hear people say all the time “oh it must be rough being a guide”. I get it, at first glance it seems glamorous to be able to fish every day. For those of you who aspire...
Pre-Spawn River Walleye Fishing
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...
Top 10 Boat Accessories for Fishing You Really Need
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...
Sure Fire Ways to Fish Walleyes in the Spring and Summer
From knocking the snot outta them one day to thinking maybe you should take up knitting. That's what it feels like to fish walleyes.. The thing with walleye fishing is there are so many different ways to catch them. Everything from a simple, slow approach to fast and...
The Ultimate Walleye Trolling Guide
Hi, my name is Chris, and I’m a crankaholic… Yes, I will admit it; I have a problem. I love to fish and when open water season warms up, I love walleye trolling. And not just trolling for walleyes, I like to take an efficient approach to my fishing. Let me explain…...
Glide Baits – Which to Choose?
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...
The Skinny on Fox River Rods (Review)
Google fishing rods and you will be overwhelmed with the number of options out there (about 98 million results). Well, I'm here to make your decision a little bit easier. Just like most anglers, I always had a hodgepodge of different brands in my boat. I couldn't find...
Lake Winnipeg Ice Fishing for Giant Walleyes
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...
Setting Up a Humminbird Helix for Ice Fishing
You had your eye on it for a while, saved up some money and now its time. You got your new Humminbird Helix for ice fishing! Going through the settings can get a little confusing, so hopefully, after reading this you'll have a little better understanding and have your...
Sleeper Ice House Must Haves for Any Ice Fishing Trip
I like most of you primarily fishing out of portable ice houses. Every once in a while though, it's nice to just show up and fish! Over the years of renting sleeper ice houses, I always think to myself "Man I wish I would have brought..." Hopefully, I can help save...
DIY Ice House Lights for Portable Shacks
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’...
5 Must Have FREE Apps on your Phone for Ice Fishing
It’s amazing how much technology has changed the fishing industry over the past 2 decades. I can’t tell you how much it’s helped me become a better fisherman. While some may pull the cheating card, the fact is, that fishing will continue to evolve to the point where...
What Makes a Good Ice Fishing Lure for Walleyes?
In my eyes, I feel walleyes are one of the most difficult freshwater fish to pattern. Why? Well, for starters, there hasn’t been a real long history on walleye fishing. When I was a kid in the 80s, everything was DEEP, DEEP, DEEP...we all know nowadays that that’s not...
That First Ice Feeling
I have the utmost respect for ice, and you have to if you spend a large amount of time on it fishing. I’ve already been walking on the ice for around a month and logged some pretty good outings so far on walleyes. But now as deep winter sets in, I’m getting tired of...
5 of the Hottest Jigging Spoons on the Ice Today
The ice fishing scene is changing fast, and the evolution of jigging spoons is no different. Let me explain. Traditionally, you have a flat lead spoon that is molded into various shapes and sizes. Add a ring and a hook, and you’ve got yourself a fishing lure. But...
Lipless Crankbaits are a Game Changer
Lipless crankbaits are a combination of old and new. I say they’re old, as I used to throw rattle traps when I was a kid for pike and bass. We’re talking 20 years ago, so a lipless crankbait isn’t new in that sense. But it’s new in the fact that they're being WIDELY...
The Proper Way to Plan an Ice Fishing Trip – Our Checklist
It’s getting to be that time of year when the cold weather is inevitable, and the ice is starting to thicken. I’m planning an upcoming trip to Devils Lake, ND ice fishing in the next week, so I thought it would be a good idea to share on how I plan for an ice fishing...
3 Tips for Catching Walleyes on Early Ice
Probably my favorite time of year to chase walleyes is on early ice. While I know many guys who prefer the spring, that’s usually when I’m chasing snow geese so I spend most of my focus early in the winter. The strong sun rays of the spring deteriorate the ice...
Top 10 Must-Have Ice Fishing Gear Ideas
Ice fishing season is upon us, and it’s time to gear up for the season. I’m not the kind of guy who has to replace or upgrade every year, but I am always looking to be more efficient on the ice. When it comes to my ice fishing gear, I factor price and longevity with...
Jigging Raps – Simple Tricks for Walleyes
Oh no, another article on jigging raps right? Wrong. I’m not going to talk about how great they are, just how to use them effectively. At this point, you're already interested and possibly convinced they work for catching walleyes (and they do)... I kind of fought...
Custom Painted Crankbaits – The Future or Fad?
One thing I’m guilty of and I see I’m not alone these days is my addiction to custom painted crankbaits. Fishing is all about confidence, no matter the presentation or species you’re targeting. I mean, if you don’t think you’re going to catch anything, are you going...
Best Walleye Crankbaits – CrankBait Color Review
(Updated 6/24/19) I don't care where in the world you live, whether you're fishing a small river or lake to large reservoirs; there's a place in your arsenal for trolling or casting crankbaits for walleyes. I personally LOVE trolling crankbaits for big walleyes. In...
Muskie Trolling in a Nutshell
They say muskie fishing is about a fish per 10,000 casts right? Well the heck with it, we’re going muskie trolling. Musky trolling is something we’re still learning every time out. Myself, I consider myself a complete amateur. I make the trek to Minnesota about 2-3...
Soft Plastic Baits for Targeting BIG Walleyes
Over the years, soft plastic baits have changed a lot.  I mean, have you looked at the selection nowadays in the big box stores?  It’s crazy how many brands there are. Traditionally, plastic worms were the ticket when fishing for bass.  I used LONG worms that...
How to Tie a Rapala Knot
More often than not, I find that most anglers who cast crankbaits just tie the fishing lure straight to the line.  No matter the knot, the problem is it doesn’t allow the crankbait to have that erratic action. Especially when it comes to jerkbaits and crankbaits like...
Salmon – A Game of Trolling
Summer is coming and this signals the time of year when we search for kings amongst our favorite waters. These kings I speak of are the Chinook Salmon.   And here, it’s salmon trolling season. I spend a lot of time pursuing salmon in my favorite waters and...
Slow Death Hooks & Rigs for Fishing Walleye
One of my love-hate relationships I have in walleye fishing is slow death fishing. While I love what a proper slow death rig can do, it’s using crawlers that is my least favorite part of fishing late spring and summer. Crawlers are messy, they get everywhere in your...
Lake Sakakawea Fishing – As Good As It Gets
One of North America’s largest man-made reservoirs, Lake Sakakawea, can be found in the heart of North Dakota. This lake has countless miles of shoreline, it’s an adventurer’s paradise. In fact, it has more shoreline than the state of California. You can fish the...
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Fishing on the Market Today
Wearing sunglasses is important, by now we should all know that. While as a kid growing up, I thought wearing sunglasses was more about fashion than being smart. Nowadays, I don’t go anywhere without them. While I’m writing this about the best polarized sunglasses for...
Jig Fishing When It Matters
I have been fishing jigs my entire life since I could pick up a rod. Jigs have been the number one lure in my boats and on my rods since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. My father, Jim Peluso, moved to Bismarck, ND back in 1974 chasing work with hockey. One of the...
Why You Should Be Casting Crankbaits for Walleyes
There are times during the year when walleyes can be found shallow...real shallow. Normally, you expect it during the spawn. That’s a given in the spring. But outside of that, there are times where the big girls like to stay there too. And when walleyes are shallow,...
How to Make Fishing Leaders The Easy Way
Making fishing leaders is easy, and it’s really something I had to do more of because of the types of fishing I do. It saves money and I find it to be enjoyable. There are really 2 ways to make a fishing leader. Leaders with a GOOD knot. Leaders made with crimps. Now...
Slip Bobber Fishing Tips for Walleyes
I caught my first walleye slip bobber fishing when I was a kid. Â That was many moons ago, but I can still remember it well. My dad tossed out a slip bobber for me and I stared at that thing for what felt like forever (for a 5-year-old it was probably 10 minutes). Â It...
Best Fishing Line for Walleye Fishing
A common question I see is... what is the best fishing line for walleye? The reality is there is no one fishing line for every walleye fishing application. Each type of line shines in its own way, depending on how it’s used. For example, what line you use for...
The North Dakota Walleye Tournament Scene is Changing FAST
I can remember my first walleye tournament like it was yesterday.  A good friend of mine offered to let me jump in as the 3rd wheel years ago, in Bismarck’s infamous Big Muddy tournament.  This tourney was the spring kickoff on the first weekend of May. The tourney...
Spring River Walleye Fishing Tips for Monster Fish
Bismarck, ND is known for being the state capital of North Dakota. Did you also know it's home of the new North Dakota state walleye record? Yes, the elusive walleye record that stood tall for over 5 decades finally came crashing down right in the city limits of...
Bottom Bouncer Fishing 101 for Walleyes
A fisherman from South Dakota invented the bottom bouncer a few decades ago, and it was arguably one of the most notable changes in walleye fishing we’ve ever seen.  There are so many ways to fish bottom bouncers, making it one of the most versatile tactics for...
Best Ice Fishing Tip Up on the Ice for ALL Weather Conditions
I've never been a big tip up fan for ice fishing. The main reason, they've let me down too often. How many times has your tip up frozen on you for whatever reason? It sucks. And to add insult to injury, your bait is probably gone too... But what if I told you...
Clam Ice Armor Bibs Review – Some of The Best Ice Fishing Bibs
 I absolutely LOVE my Clam Ice Armor fishing bibs. I honestly cannot stress it enough how impressed I am with them. I just wish I had a camouflage pair to wear in the duck blind....I moved from Nebraska to Central North Dakota in the summer of 2017,...