Proper Boat Control means Jigging Success for Walleyes

Walleye fishing is something I am passionate about especially at the tournament level. My most successful days are usually quite windy or areas of heavy current. When it comes to jigging, staying vertical is where it is at for trophy walleyes. I grew up on the St Marys River system which varies in current speed from 1 mph - 4 mph in different areas. Now throw the wind into that equation and the perfect storm is created when testing your boat control skills. My boat is a 19ft Crestliner Raptor which is a Deep "V", this means a lot of the boat is out of the water. A great sail for the wind!

The keys to my success can be utilizing the electric trolling motor and 9.9 hp kicker at the same time. Speed and timing play a big factor is getting the right setup. Sometimes I am even running my kicker in reverse and the electric in forward motion. It gives me more control on where I am going and speed. The proper electric trolling motor is really important. I am running a Minn Kota 101 lb thrust terrova with the "I" pilot system. The 36 volt system gives me the power and battery hours needed for a long day on the water fighting current and winds. This motor also has many features that I will discuss in another report that can lead to success in the boat. All I can say is practice makes perfect. You need to figure out your drifting speed first before you can start planning your tactics for boat control and maintaining vertical contact with the bottom. Sometimes I have the nose of the boat pointed with the current and sometimes the nose is pointing upstream. Every system and condition is different.

Once you have mastered boat control, vertical jigging will allow you to have your presentation in front of those trophy walleyes longer. A big lazy walleye cannot resist an easy meal. Play with different size jig heads as well. I typically use a 3/8 oz in heavy current if I can get away with it. Don't be afraid to use a 1/2 oz if it is needed, very important to have that vertical presentation and contact with the bottom. This will increase your success at bagging more trophy walleyes in some of your favourite spots.

Shane Turcotte
http://www.gethookedontario.com/

Canada's Premier & Largest Walleye Trail is preparing for another season!

A new season is upon us as the 2012 Princecraft Northern Ontario Walleye Trail(http://www.nowt.ca/) prepares for another year of success.  As Vice-President of this organization, I have seen this Walleye Trail continue to grow in popularity each year.  As Canada's largest walleye trail with over 900 anglers on a yearly basis, an opportunity to meet many amazing people is without a doubt one of the reasons I do this.  The friendships I have been able to create on this trail will last forever.  Every year I am like a little kid waiting for Christmas as I count down the days until the first tournament.  First tournament means, catching up with old friends and making new friends.  That nervous feeling you get in your stomach on the first day of the tournament lets you know you have arrived and it is time to deliver.

This year's trail will be comprised of 6 tournaments spanning June until the end of September.  Approximately $150,000 will be given out this year to the top anglers for each event.  Registration fees run anywhere from $200-$350 per tournament.  This makes each tournament affordable for all to participate and allows for others to sample that competitve fishing edge.  You can also fish with a different partner each tournament if you like or fish wiht someone consistently, choice is yours.  Many anglers are competing for the coveted Angler of the Year honours.  Anglers only need to fish 3 events to qualify for bragging rights.  These tournaments are live release and the NOWT works hard to deliver zero mortality for each event.  All events are 2 day total weight tournaments.  All events are 6 fish per day(2 over 18.1 in and 4 under) per team with the exception of Sault Ste Marie.  Sault Ste Marie is a 5 fish limit with no upper slot, only a 15 inch minimum.  This creates some large weights and large fish.  The trail stops are: Mattagami First Nations(Gogama Area), Dubreuilville, Geraldton, Sault Ste Marie, Kapuskasing and Sagamok First Nations(Espanola/Massey area). Check out the site for dates at http://www.nowt.ca/.  Registrations are already being accepted for each event and these tournaments typically fill up fast.

This trail has also caught the attention of many great anglers and major manufacturers within the industry.  Some Northern Ontario Walleye Trail anglers have been named to Team Canada to represent our great country against some of the most notable Walleye Anglers in the business.  AIM's Canada vs USA walleye championship will be a much hyped and anticipated event of the year for our Trail anglers.  This will be a true opportunity to compete against the best and get a true measure of one's ability.  Being a good Angler is only one of the credentials necessary to represent Team Canada.  Other credentials as important and even sometimes more important are: team participation, willingness to share information, personality, professionalism, positive attitude, personal sacrifice, and strong representation for the country.

Be a part of this trail and you will have the opportunity to meet many great anglers.  As an angler you will also share in one of Canada's best kept secrets, the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail.  Scenic landscape, incredible fishing and great people!

Shane Turcotte
Vice-President Northern Ontario Walleye Trail

Clam Outdoors making the Ice Fishing experience fun for the whole family!

Over the last couple of years I have been using Clam Outdoors products religiously for my Ice Fishing adventures.  These products have been clearly designed with the angler in mind and the weather conditions that can exist.  Ice Fishing for me has changed in many ways over the years.  I have a 6 yr daughter who likes to tag along with her Dad to try her hand at catching dinner.  It is very important to me that weather conditions don't necessarily dictate the level of fun we are going to experience on any given day. 

Currently I am using a pop up shelter called the "Summit Thermal" which is approximately 6 x 8 in dimension.  It packs up very nicely in a bag and fits nicely in most sleighs.  It litterally takes me 3-5 minutes to setup on the ice and is easy to move throughout the day.  In windy conditions, there is an anchor kit that comes with the shelter.  It has 48 sqft of fishable area so that 2-3 anglers can fish very comfortably.  The shelter is made entirely of a Thermal IceArmor fabric that provides an excellent insulation value with the ability to keep your shelter 30 degrees F warmer then your typical ice shelters.  I am heating my shelter with a small propane heater in intervals(careful some heaters require proper ventilation) throughout the day.  I would say 95% of the time I don't have my jacket on inside, too warm.  I have even slept on the ice overnight in this shelter with comfort.  No worries of the kids getting cold and really makes for an enjoyable day on the ice for all.

Clam makes many different types of shelters for all kinds of different applications.  They also have lots of great accessories that can enhance the shelter experience.  Check out Clam Outdoors at http://clamoutdoors.com/ to see how they can outfit you and your family.

Shane Turcotte

http://www.gethookedontario.com/