Peg or Bust

Just returned from another amazing venture to Lake Winnipeg.  This is a trip I look forward to every winter and once again it showed out.  This was a screen grab from some of the footage we captured.   

Lake Winnipeg has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit and fish.  This time around we had the pleasure of filming a show with some of our friends in the industry.  The weather set up beautiful for outside fishing and fish decided to cooperate.  

The first day was a scout and recon day, but we still managed to get on a few fish and we saw Lance land his first walleye through the ice.  It was a dandy first walleye at about 27-28" range fish.  My day consisted of many lost fish, lots of eater size fish, and a few fish in that 22-26" range.  

Day two brought more of the same for me, I couldn't keep the fish buttoned up.  I did manage a few fish in the 26" range again and lots of eaters.  Most of our fish were coming on Clam Psycho Shads and #5 Rapala Rip'n Raps jigged rather aggressive.  I would jig 1-4 foot sweeps and then let the bait fall.  Sometimes they wanted a fast fall and loud rattle, other times they wanted a softer approach and less aggressive rattle.  When the fish responded to the more subtle baits I found the Clam Psycho Shad to be the best choice.  

Day three brought a change in the tide for me.  I started the morning on some giant gravel lizards and it proved to stay hot until abotu 9:30.  In the 3 hours of the morning I was able to land 2 fish over 28" and lots of nice other fish in the 20-27" range.  It was the kind of action we travel long hours for, and I will never forget that fire hot bite. 

I fish all my baits on either a 36" or 38" jigging rod with a Shimano 1000 size spinning reel.  Spool it with 10lb power pro braid and put a 10lb fluoro leader on.  Join the two lines with a small barrel swivel.  I typically run about a 2-3' leader.  The leader just adds a little stretch to the line since the braid has near zero stretch.  

We will be back in Winnipeg again this week and will have another report soon.  Until then, fish on and #grabyourrodandfish.  Get out and stretch the string.