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By: Blake Tollefson Contrary to open water fishing, ice fishing anglers are forced to cover water in a more limited fashion. Because of the movement limitations associated with ice fishing, anglers aim to bring the fish within striking distance. Only a select set of lures have the ability to impart the right action and call fish in.  The jigging spoon is a staple to the ice fishing community, and arguably one of the most effective for attracting fish. In simple terms, jigging spoons can be simplified into two categories - the flutter spoon and the rattle spoon. Traditional spoons are...

By: Cole Karsky Edited by: Blake Tollefson Hole hopping for walleyes is undoubtably one of my favorite ways to target them through the ice. Growing up in Minnesota, early ice is something I am always looking forward to. In most years, my first ice trip of the year is generally to Upper Red Lake. Nothing quite like getting back on the ice with good friends and a hot bite! The entire drive up, I am playing out the scenarios through my head on how I would like to target the fish. Whenever possible, I ditch the shack and stay mobile....

By: Blake Tollefson The hardwater season is fast approaching. All across the Northern United States and Canada, anglers are taking their first steps on frozen water. Now is the time to ensure electronics, rods & reels, and augers are in working order — and that tackle is fully organized. Aside from the obvious fishing gear, there is some vital equipment you should have before you take that first step on hardwater. Safety concerns are very real throughout the ice fishing season, and especially at first ice. Safety precautions for first ice can be categorized into a handful of major groups....

Specifications: 0.6 inches to 2.75 inches Target Species: Anything that Swims Introduced in 2017, the Z-Viber hit the ice fishing market by storm. Since inception, the bait has received it’s fair share of hype; all of which are well warranted. The lure was specifically developed to fill a niche in the fishing world that was often neglected. The size and profile of this lure was designed with the finesse fisherman in mind. It truly deserves to be in a category of its own.  Over the last few seasons, new sizes have been added to the Z-Viber lineup, including the 1/8,...

Fall Crappies By: Blake Tollefson   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...