Exclusive Tips by Jerry Carlson, Outdoors Weekly Pro-Staff
Visit Jerry's website at www.jerrycarlsonoutdoors.com
Keep Plastics in the Panfish Arsenal
I have to admit I am not a flashy guy when it comes to my panfish tactics. I have a tendency to keep things pretty simple. For me, simple has meant light line, small jigs that fish heavy and live bait in the form of Euro larvae.
Live bait has been a very consistent producer for me, but it is certainly not the only option available for panfish angling. To really be complete, anglers need to have plastics loaded into their arsenal.
It has already been many years since I first started to experiment with plastic tails. At first, I was not super impressed. They certainly caught fish, but I still preferred live bait.
However, through more usage, I began to discover the merits of plastic tails. Without question, there were days when I could catch far more fish using plastic than I could with live bait. There was something about the action and texture of the plastic that panfish loved.
Although I still begin most of my fishing outings with the traditional live bait option, I always have a couple of rods rigged with plastic and some extra tails in my pocket. When the fish get finicky, I like to vary the presentation with plastic to read their reaction. I have been amazed at how frequently they devour the plastic and ignore the live bait.
Plastics need to be a viable option for serious panfish anglers.
Scent Elimination Pays Dividends
It was during a deer hunting conversation with Western Minnesota hunter, Andy Emmert that I got to thinking about scent elimination. Emmert was proudly showing me photos of several of the big bucks he had arrowed in recent years and I became curious about his thoughts on scent.
When posed with the question, I was not surprised to hear that he was a strong believer in scent elimination. With a wry smile, he explained how he goes the distance in an effort to reduce his scent including a shower before heading afield.
Although I am personally more of a bird hunter than a deer hunter, I did learn a great deal about scents and scent elimination from noted outdoor writer, Todd Amenrud. When doing video work for Amenrud, he would make me enter the woods in my long underwear and carry my scent free camo clothes in a plastic bag. We finished dressing after we arrived at our hunting location.
According to Amenrud, deer have an olfactory system that is possibly a thousand times greater than our sense of smell. Because of this, hunters that wish to optimize their chances at trophy deer need to do everything possible to enter their hunting location scent free.
The scent elimination game is not for everyone. However, the serious bow hunters I know pay close attention to scent.
Take Advantage of Opportunities
Without question, every year is a different year when it comes to hunting. Although it would be nice to do, hunters cannot stockpile game in an effort to make tomorrow’s hunt better than today’s. Many times, the person that is able to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves is the one that experiences success.
I believe this philosophy plays out over and again during the course of a typical hunting season. As we look at the pheasant numbers in the region, they are pretty much down all over. However, if hunters examine the options, grouse numbers are up in Minnesota. This may be the year to mix a little old ruff in with wily rooster.
Migratory birds are another example of flexibility equating to hunter success. Recently, I received a call stating there was a group of early migratory geese passing through our area. More than likely, these birds were not only new to the region, they probably had experienced little hunting pressure. Being able to hit a field the next day paid big dividends.
The same is true for ducks. Regardless of local waterfowl populations, the hunters that can work the water when a bubble of birds is passing through their area can experience some pretty spectacular shooting.
Hunters cannot always take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. However, when it does work out, the rewards are great.
Quality Shot Shells Are Worth the Expense
I am always somewhat fascinated how people spend their money. For most of us, we are struggling along on limited budgets and need to be somewhat frugal in our expenditures. However, frugality needs to be looked at objectively when purchasing shells for hunting.Changing Times for Early Canada Geese
There was a time when Canada geese were easier to hunt. For years I used nothing but a couple of dozen shells and some silhouettes. We rarely used calls in the first part of the season because we didn’t have to. Birds would see the spread and come in for a look.
Today, I believe geese have gotten far more sophisticated. Once the mature adults hear those first shots, they return to their wary mode of doing business. This includes being very careful about venturing too close to a decoy spread until they have thoroughly checked things out.
For this reason, the process of hunting early season Canada geese takes some planning. I am very careful about washing my decoys and repainting the black and white areas with UV enhanced Bird Vision paint (available from barrelsup.com). I will also replace heads or do some touchup flocking if necessary.
Gradually, I am mixing in more fully flocked full body decoys to increase the realism of my spread. I utilize lessers as part of my family groups to make things look more realistic.
I never give the birds more than they need to make the commitment which means reduced flagging and calling. However, if they show signs of disinterest, I pull out all of the stops.
The early season is a great time to hunt Canada geese. Make sure the sophistication of your spread matches theirs.
It is sometimes a bit daunting to go into a store and try to pick out fishing line. The choices are seemingly endless. However, there are some simple concepts that can make the decision a little easier.
First of all, there is a basic premise I like to follow when choosing line. I believe a person should always use the lightest line possible for the conditions encountered. Too many times I have seen situations where the person using the lightest line with the smallest diameter catches all of the fish.
However, even though I believe light line with thin diameter is important, it is also essential to match line to the conditions. If I am fishing for bass in heavy cover, 20 pound-test FireLine may be as light as a person should go.
On the other hand, a wacky rig fished over the cabbage in clear water may call for ten-pound-test mono while walleyes in deep water should be targeted with a light fluorocarbon leaders such as Vanish.
Anglers also need to think about the reel when spooling on line. Very thin line, such as the new NanoFil, is not meant for baitcasters. The tiny diameter will bite down into the spooled line on hook sets. Spinning reels are the best choice when using some super lines.
Choosing the best line for your fishing style is somewhat a matter of preference but also a matter of the conditions and fish species.
Edges are key locations when searching for active fish.
One of the facts I have learned over many years of fishing is the importance of targeting edges when trying to locate fish. Although I believe all fish species relate to edges, largemouth bass are very partial to edges. This is especially true during the early season.
Edges come in all sorts of different configurations. The top of the water and the bottom are two very obvious edges. However, the edges I am referring to are the ones created by weeds or other structures in the water.
One of the most neglected weed edges is the inside weed line. Like the deep weed line, this edge is a highway for fish travel. This includes both predator fish and baitfish. It is important to note that not all lakes with quality weed growth have a good inside weed line.
Although bulrushes, cattails and lily pads offer edges that frequently attract bass, my favorite edge to target is definitely the deep weed line. This edge is especially good once the summer patterns are in place.
If your favorite lake is conducive to developing weed edges, don’t ignore them. Edges do hold many species of fish, especially bass. Targeting the areas where one environment transitions to another should be a priority whenever a person in on the water.
There are times of the year I find crankbaits to be very effective fish catching tools. They attract a variety of fish and on some lakes, a person can never be sure what you have tugging until you get it back to the boat.
I am fussy about the terminal tackle I use when hooking up a crankbait. I find a quality snap (not snap and swivel) tied to the end of my line can be useful. Not only does it allow for maximum wobble, it also makes it easy to change lures without retying.
In addition to utilizing a snap, when catching northern, I find a short, black, lightweight steel leader can be pretty beneficial (and it must be short and lightweight). I believe a person will catch more fish without the leader, but if small northern are the dominant fish species being caught, short leaders can save a lot of lures. Never use a steel leader when targeting walleyes.
Another factor in my decision to use a leader is the type of line and weight of the line on my reel. Light mono will get cut easily in the mouth of a toothy gator. However, FireLine is tougher and does not succumb to the razor teeth as easily.
There are always trade-offs in fishing. Depending on the day and conditions, there are times I will sacrifice a few strikes to save my lure selection.
Long Rods Increase Panfish Efficiency
Long fishing rods will increase your casting and hook setting ability.
I remember the first time I realized the need for a long, limber crappie rod. I was fishing a shallow bay for early spring panfish and had trouble catching fish consistently. We couldn’t seem to find just the right spot where the fish were holding.
Somewhere along the line, my partner and I realized there were actually fish all around the boat. We just needed to make longer casts to reach them.
Spring panfish are spooky critters. There is something about the ultra clear water and lack of weed cover that makes these fish more than a little nervous when a boat comes around.
With the aid of a long fishing rod, it is possible to increase your casting distance considerably. A long rod gives more whip to your cast and will make it possible to fish spooky fish at a comfortable distance.
A long rod also is more efficient when it comes to setting the hook. The length will take up slack quickly, even when the wind is putting a bow in your line.
For most of my spring angling, I utilize a seven foot light action rod. When I really need to stretch the distance, I switch to a nine footer.
Long rods are a key component for spring panfish action.
March is a transition month for anglers. It is a period when the high sun starts to do some serious damage to the ice. It is a month when some anglers put their equipment away and think about spring while others concentrate on working the late ice for panfish.
March can be a pretty remarkable period of the year for ice fishing. With pleasant temperatures and mild nights, fishing can be convenient and comfortable.
However, travel on the ice can be tricky. Landings often get chewed up when the ice turns soft which leads to expanded four wheeler use. Walking can also be an option as the reduced snow makes pulling a sled quite painless.
The real key to late ice success is understanding that on many lakes, panfish are going to be moving to new locations. Sometimes this means reed beds in very shallow water or it may be a deep hole that has been void of fish all winter. Early winter hotspots often become very good once again.
Food is the key to this migration. New water is adding oxygen back into the lakes and sparking activity in the invertebrates and zoo plankton that panfish eat.
Those that love to ice fish understand that late ice is one of the best periods of the year for fishing.
Simplifying the Search Process
It certainly is no secret that searching for fish through the ice is a lot more complicated than searching for fish in open water. Basically, anglers are replacing a simple cast with drilling holes in the ice.
I utilize two procedures to help shortcut and simplify the search process in the winter. The first method involves water and sonar.
Sonar will easily shoot through the ice if there is a good contact between the transducer and the ice surface. If the ice is smooth and free of bubbles, a small amount of water poured on the ice will give a transducer the connection needed to make a reading through the ice.
When the ice is rough or full of bubbles due to white ice conditions, drilling holes is necessary. For this process, I utilize a four stroke StrikeMaster Lite auger with a six-inch drill. This unit is not only light, the volume of ice in a six-inch hole is nearly half that of an eight-inch hole. Larger holes can be cut after fish are found.
Part of making ice fishing enjoyable is keeping the effort to a minimum. Simplifying the search process is one way to do this.
Jigs that are small but fish heavy, like those from the Bro Bug Collection, are ideal for winter panfish.
Over the years, I have developed a number of favorite panfish fishing locations. For the most part, these hotspots have potential year after year. However, they do have their moments and are not totally reliable.
For this reason, I am always on the lookout for new lakes or a hot bite. Finding these new areas for fishing is often a matter of listening to the chatter that goes on among anglers.
This chatter, or buzz, is common and can occur nearly anywhere. I certainly have picked up on information from other anglers I know, but have also gathered information from anglers having a conversation in a bait shop, sporting goods store or restaurant.
Many times, a lake name is all that is needed to get started. By following the vehicle tracks it is often not very difficult to determine where the bite is taking place. Sometimes it is merely a matter of visiting the clusters of houses on a lake to determine the best location.
Once an active bite is found, this lake and specific location can be marked on a GPS and be utilized year after year. If fish like to be consistent in their winter patterns, anglers can be too.
Jigs that are small but fish heavy, like those from the Bro Bug Collection, are ideal for winter panfish.
One thing I have learned about winter fishing is the fact that conditions are tough. Cold, wind and thick ice are issues anglers deal with every day. Because of this, anglers need to do everything possible to put the odds in their favor.
One way this can be done is to always pay attention to little details like the size and shape of your panfish jig. This is especially true for anglers that utilize the tightlining system and no float.
There are several factors to consider when choosing panfish jigs for tightlining. First of all, size and weight are very important. Angling experts, Dave Genz and Brian Brosdahl, talk about fishing with jigs that are small but heavy.
Small is necessary because the fish are accustomed to eating small insect larvae in the winter. Heavy is important because it speeds the drop into deep water and pulls the curls out of the fishing line.
Shape is also something to consider. Jigs with a broad surface reflect sonar signals better than tear-dropped shaped lures. Electronics are worthless if a person can’t see their jig.
Little details are often instrumental in fishing success. Picking the best jig for the conditions makes a difference.
Mid Season Pheasant Adjustments
Now that we have a few weeks of pheasant season under our belts, it is time to start thinking about making minor adjustments in our hunting patterns and strategies. It is not opening day anymore and conditions are different.
By now, pressured roosters know all about dogs and beeper collars. Although beeper collars are a wonderful tool for keeping track of dogs in heavy cover, they will spook pheasants. My advice is to keep the collars turned off for as long as possible.
Although pheasants can fly very well, their first defense seems to be to run. Often times they only fly when they run themselves out of cover.
For this reason, it is imperative to put blockers in place to keep the birds from running. It is also necessary to push towards some type of containment edge whenever possible. When birds run out of protection, they will fly.
Lastly, go to heavier loads and larger shot. Not only are the feathers getting thicker but the shots are often longer. Three inch Black Cloud steel twos or threes are ideal late season pheasant loads.
Like any other type of hunting, mid season adjustments are necessary for continued pheasant success.
Whether hunting ducks or geese, selecting the right shot size is an important consideration.
Selecting the correct shell and shot size for waterfowl hunting is a pretty important part of success. It can make the difference between a great outing and a miserable hunt.
Speed is essential. Because steel is so light in comparison to the lead we used to shoot, it simply does not retain lethal energy very far downrange. For this reason, I like fast shells. The faster steel comes out of the barrel, the longer it will retain its energy.
In addition to speed, wad design is another critical factor. Companies like Federal Premium® are introducing wads that are made to keep the shot together longer. This Flitecontrol™ wad found in Black Cloud not only helps retain energy but also keeps the pattern tighter downrange.
Shot size is another important issue. From my perspective, #2 and #3 shot are very versatile. They have enough pellets to throw out a dense pattern yet also have the weight necessary to retain energy.
Number 1 shot is another shot size I love. Ones are a great crossover load when shooting both geese and ducks in the field. They work well in the late season when birds have a heavy layer of feathers to penetrate.
Limit Calling for More Waterfowl Success
It was during a morning goose hunt that the mallards swung to look at our set. I watched intently to see just what these birds had in mind when several of the hunters lit up on their duck calls like there was no tomorrow. Not surprisingly, this incredible barrage of calling instantly turned the ducks away from us and they never looked back.
In the hands of a skilled caller, a goose or duck call can be an amazing tool. All too often, the caller acts like they are trying to win a calling contest and forgets about common sense calling.
The first rule of thumb for calling waterfowl is not to over call. Most hunters shoot birds in spite of their calling, not because of it. If the birds are coming your way, give them enough vocalization to keep them coming, but don’t scare them away.
When calling ducks, try to mimic happy and contented birds. Don’t shout at the ducks with your call; talk to them.
The same goes for geese. Aggressive calling when birds are at a distance may turn them your way. However, once you have them coming, keep the calling to a minimum.
Most hunters I know make the mistake of overcalling waterfowl.
Bass on the Versatile Plastic Worm
When it comes to fishing for bass, there are literally hundreds of lures that will work. However, when it comes to consistently “catching” bass, the plastic worm is one of the best choices available.
Probably the most popular system of all is the standard Texas rig. This set-up consists of a sliding bullet sinker that slips through weeds easily and a worm hooked weedless with the barb buried into the worm. I usually use seven inch PowerBait worms for this presentation but six will do nicely.
Even though the Texas rig is one of the most weedless worm presentations, I frequently find myself using other variations. One of these is called the jig worm. With the jig worm, I will use both weedless and standard jig heads. I usually start with an eighth ounce jig and work heavier from there. Six inch worms are standard fare for this rig.
Another option for worming is wacky rigs. This finesse combination consists of a sinking worm hooked right through the middle with equal amounts of worm hanging out on both sides. Wacky worms work best when bass are in shallow.
The truth is, when it comes to catching bass, plastic worms are hard to beat.
May is the month when walleye fishing takes off in the Midwest. The fish are done spawning and are thinking about having a bite to eat. I always like to do my part in feeding them a snack.
When it comes to classic walleye presentations, live bait rigs are one of the best. It is a proven concept that incorporates a sliding sinker, snell and of course, some type of appealing bait. Each component is very important.
As a general rule, I use weights heavier than most. I do not like to troll with a lot of line out. I change weights often according to depth and wind. Northland makes a walking sinker with a quick change eye that is perfect for my needs.
As for the leader, I often make my own using light line. Vanish is a fluorocarbon line that is quite invisible in the water. Six-pound Vanish will increase your strikes.
Hooks have to be sharp. I like the color red and use number six hooks more than anything else. Spend the extra money for quality.
As for bait, shiners are hard to beat in the early season. As the water warms, both crawlers and leeches often become more productive.
Live bait rigging is a proven system that does catch fish.
April is usually a month that is reserved for panfish. People may like to catch other species for most of the year, but come April, crappie and sunfish are king.
There have been hundreds of articles written about the methodology for finding early, open water panfish. To keep it plain and simple, most agree that in order to be successful, anglers need to find the warmest water available on any given lake. Whether it is on the north side of a body of water or some type of bay or channel, finding the warmest water is going to be the key.
It is the insect hatch that the panfish are looking for in this warm water. Although many anglers like to use minnows at this time of the year, I have found that small, insect looking jigs are often the most productive.
These jigs can be tipped with wax worms or spikes if scent is needed. PowerBait products often work as well as the real deal. I usually find a plain jig catches more crappie where a tipped jig has more appeal to bluegill.
Chasing panfish after ice out is often quite productive and downright fun.
I have heard it a number of times already this year. “The best ice fishing is yet to come.” There is undoubtedly some truth in this statement as it always seems the late ice is a popular time to fish.
I wouldn’t say there is anything totally magical about the late ice period, but there are some variables worth mentioning. First of all, the weather is often much more conducive to being outside on the ice. Sunburns are a common occurrence in March.
The fish seem to sense spring is coming. The tight lips and finicky attitude of many fish is replaced with a willingness to eat the offerings we send down the hole. Sniffers become more active at biting.
The reason for this attitude change may be linked to longer days and more sunlight. The sun does help get plants growing as well as adding new water to a low oxygen system through the spring melting process.
For those that enjoy chasing panfish, late ice is one of the best fish ‘catching’ times of the frozen water period. Although the fishing can be stellar, it is also important to caution anglers to be safe on deteriorating ice.
Winter panfish are fussy. On some days, they love to peck and pick and mess with a bait out of sheer rudeness. On other days, it is nearly impossible to get their attention at all as they ignore everything sent their way.
For those that fish with a spring bobber or use a tightline approach, a key factor in overcoming finicky panfish is to use very light line. When I say light I am talking about one, two and three-pound-test line.
In order to be able to detect the minute bites of finicky panfish, line has to hang perfectly straight with no memory curls in the line. If curls are present, fish must pull all the slack out of the line before a bite can be detected on the surface. This means the smaller the jig the lighter the line must be.
Both Berkley and Stren make winter line that has very low memory. They also make colored line for those that have difficulty seeing the line when tying knots. The colored line also shows up well on the ice.
Utilizing light line does not guarantee fish. However, my experience tells me it does increase your chances.
When it comes to sticking panfish in the winter months, everyone has their favorite lures, presentation and bait. When working a daytime bite for panfish, Euro larva, or spikes as they are often called, is hard to beat.
I would have to say it was a long learning experience that brought about my switch from wax worms to spikes. Although wax worms caught fish, spikes had some strong attributes.
When hooked lightly through the head end, spikes would bob tantalizingly every time I jigged. This added movement proved to be a triggering mechanism for getting fish to bite.
I have also found spikes to be tougher than wax worms. Fish cannot suck them off very easily which correlates to increased hook-ups and fewer missed strikes.
Spikes come in different colors which sometimes is helpful. Although I use the natural colored ones most of the time, there are days when other colors, such as red, are pretty darn effective. Spikes can be used two or three at a time or on tough days, try threading on more.
Spikes need to be kept cool but not frozen. When not fishing, I store my bait in the refrigerator. If they get too warm, they will pupate and turn into flies.
Whitetail deer are well adapted to survive in their environment. Some of their senses are far superior to ours.
When it comes to their eyes, their vision is no greater than ours in terms of magnification. They do see colors differently than we do and obviously don’t see blaze orange as blaze orange.
As for their hearing, it is again similar to humans in terms of inner ear development. However, their large ears allow them to hone in on sounds like two radar units. Their sense of hearing is far more efficient than ours.
A whitetail’s main line of defense is definitely their sense of smell. Due to the size of the olfactory section of the brain and to the number of nasal receptors whitetail have, it is estimated their sense of smell is about a thousand times greater than ours.
Paying attention to wind direction and scent elimination can pay big dividends. Anything a hunter can do to reduce their own human odor will ultimately help combat the incredible sense of smell that whitetails use as their main line of defense.
It took years of waterfowl hunting for me to understand one of the most important factors of hunting over water. Simply stated, the concept goes like this: Ducks like to fly over other ducks.
For too many seasons, I believed the purpose of decoys was to try to get ducks to land in them. Although this happens on a frequent basis, it is not the only reason behind using decoys.
Decoys are designed to tell flying birds there is a good place to feed or rest on the water below them. However, they are also used to change the flight pattern of passing birds.
For some reason, ducks like to fly over other ducks. I don’t know if this is due to curiosity or some kind of natural instinct. I just know it is a fact.
Hunters need to understand that not every group of birds wants to land in the decoys. Some are just flying by with no intention of landing or making another pass.
Decoys are utilized to bring birds within range. If they come close enough to present a good target, take the shot.
It happens every fall just like clockwork. Slowly but surely, the weeds in the lakes begin to die out leaving all but the hardiest of weeds left for fish to relate to.
On many of the lakes, these remnant weeds consist of cabbage and coontail. Both of these weeds may grow right to the surface and make it possible to visually see the weed structure that needs to be targeted.
As a general rule, bass and northern are the two species of fish that relate to this fall weed pattern. There are several proven methods that work well for targeting these remnant weed fish.
If you are working a flat with scattered clumps of weeds, spinnerbaits, twitch baits, lipless crankbaits and plastic swim baits such as the Mimic Minnow are ideal for covering water and hooking active fish.
If the weeds are located more on a drop-off situation, plastic worms fished Texas style or as a jig worm work well. Sometimes the bigger fish prefer bigger baits such as skirted weedless jigs.
Once a good remnant weed bite is located, it is a pretty sure bet that these fish will utilize the same area year after year.
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