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By: Blake Tollefson Organization is important no matter your craft. When it comes to fishing, however, a concerted effort for organization should hold a higher precedence. The number of rod, reel, line, and tackle configurations an angler might handle are truly endless.  This is particularly evident with fishermen that target more than one species.  Take a look in almost any professional angler’s truck, boat, or garage. You’re likely to see a series of well-organized and categorized rod, reel, line, and lure selections. Many professional anglers rely on their organizational and inventorial skills to keep them successful on the water. They...

  Each and every spring, crappies seem to occupy the minds of nearly every fisherman in the Midwest. Springtime crappies pile into the shallows with intentions of creating the future generations. These mass schools of fish are followed closely by schools of fishermen with intentions of obtaining a few meals of fish.  As the season progresses, the drones of crappie fisherman quickly transition their efforts towards the toothier varieties of fish species. The challenge of mid-summer crappies can be a lot more rewarding than one might think. Based on personal experience, productive days during the the summer months will often...

Winter is coming to an end and anglers across the Midwest are chomping at the bit to get a taste of open water again. There’s a few problems - some lakes are still ice covered as far as the eye can see and the majority of game fish seasons are still closed. Fortunately, for anglers that fish Trout, a number of streams are open to catch and release fishing.Trout fishing provides anglers the opportunity to get off the beaten path and explore a place of solitude, which is something that’s not always available for more traditional anglers. In many states...

By: Blake Tollefson Winter is here – and it’s here to stay for some time. With these frigid temperatures, it’s vital to make the most of what mother nature has to offer. Drive past a frozen lake mid-January and you’ll spot shanty towns teeming with anglers that are willing to trade long rods for those of a shorter variety. Panfish – crappies in particular – are some of the most targeted species throughout the hard water season. They are more than willing to offer fast action and provide a fresh meal that’s quite hard to top.   Nomads & Roamers...

The heat and humidity of summer have started to subside – cooler days are on the horizon.  As we approach another season change, another change in fish patterns follows closely behind.  Water temperatures are starting to drop, leaves are falling, and fish start to put on the feedbag again. It’s time to look for panfish, and crappies in particular, in thicker water. During the Fall, many outdoorsmen transition their efforts towards hunting, however, overlooking the Fall crappie bite is a mistake made by far too many anglers. Pinning down crappies in the Fall can lead to fast and furious action,...