If anyone knows me, they know I love my performance shirts. Well now you can get your FISH performance shirt. CLICK HERE to get yours now.
This is a special order and all orders must be placed by May 8 and will need a minimum of 15 total orders. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to teamogthfishing@gmail.com.
Thanks in advance for your order and GOOD LUCK on the water!
I was invited by a good buddy of mine to fish his family pond. I’m used to the old farm pond in the middle of a field, but this was definitely different. We pulled off a gravel road and went down an unplowed trail back to a cabin in 7 inches of snow. We unloaded our gearn and hiked down to the pond. The way down was a breeze, but man that hike back sucked.
After some searching we were able to locate a few fish. All in all it was a fun morning of fishin’!
Check out the video below of some hook sets and multi-species ice fishing.
It is easy to go to the same old lake, same old spots and catch the same old fish. I like to think that I do a good job fishing new lakes and trying to figure them out. The first time I was at this lake was last summer (see this post) and Mike made the suggestion of trying it out this winter. He made a great call and we found plenty of fish. Not all were the size we were looking for, but we will be back on the ice for sure!
Check out the video of our day on the ice.
I always enjoy the trips when Jimmy D. brings his son, Max (11), along on a fishing trip. The kid has a passion for fishing and it is awesome when we can get him on fish.
We went to a lake that I hadn’t ice fished in several years and to find safe ice we went to an unfamiliar area of the lake. My main goal was to target crappie and walleye using larger baits to keep the bluegills away. Well…my plan didn’t work.
With my plan aside, it is always great to get the youngsters out on the ice. I don’t even care if I catch much. Seeing the joy on kids faces when they catch fish is all I need sometimes.
Enjoy the video of Max putting the hammer down on some bluegills. If you like what you see, CLICK HERE to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
I made it out to a lake that I am very familiar with fishing later in the ice season. Being this time of year is generally first ice for this particular lake, I figured I would try a new spot that I had been wanting to fish for a few years.
I figured out that I’m okay at reading maps and the area I fished was stacked with bluegills. I did manage to catch a view other species including crappie, walleye and bass. My main focus was bigger crappies, but I was unable to find them. I probably could have moved around a bit more, but with unknown ice conditions I stayed in a safe area.
Check out the video and give it a LIKE and subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Did you know one of my favorite things about fishing is not knowing what could be on the end of your line. Today I was targeting crappie and found myself hooked up with a heavy fish (not a crappie). It was a fun 2 minute ride while the fish was running drag.
Check out the video to see what I hooked up with!
We headed out to a lake that we were pretty familiar with and had high hopes. It wasn’t as good as we wanted, but we did find a few fish. We fished several brush piles and standing trees for panfish.
Check out the video below and subscribe on YouTube.
Every year, once the snow thaws and the ice melts, I try to make it a priority to fish new bodies of water. Whether it is looking at a recent fishing report or seeing posts from other anglers on social media, I’m always trying to find my next “honey hole”.
Earlier in the week I was planning to fish a lake that I’ve become familiar with the past few years, but found out there was a bass fishing tournament there. Out of respect to the tournament anglers I didn’t want to get in their way. So let the research begin. I didn’t want to travel over an hour or so from home. In comes Google and I find a new lake just 70 miles from home.
Now I begin debating and second guessing…should I go to a new lake or fish a familiar lake or not go at all. Well option three is already out, so now it’s go here or go there. I emailed the local DNR to ask a few questions, as well as reaching out to some anglers in the area. I also studied maps and came to the conclusion that I’m going to do this. I’m going to fish Hawthorn Lake just south of Barnes City.
Night before…back the boat in the drive after a long day of fishing with my dad, eat some dinner quick and then it’s preparing for a day of bass fishing. I had been walleye fishing so I had to rig up my bass arsenal.
After prepping, family time and winding down I hit the pillow. Before I know it the alarm is going off at 3:50 AM…man I was sleepy as I was up at 3:20 AM the day before. The older I get, 5 hours of sleep just doesn’t cut it. I do the normal routine (get dressed, pack some snacks) and finally hit the road.
Only 70 miles to go and at 4:30 AM interstate travel is great. I throw on some Tyler Childers and set the cruise…we’re rolling now. I arrive at the lake around 5:40 AM and find 5 bass boat trailers in the parking lot. To me this is a good thing because I know I’m in the right place. Boat in the water, I look at the map. Trying not to get in the way of any other fisherman I start fishing a point near the ramp. No bites yet I keep moving down the bank pitching my jig at brush and logs working my way to man-made fishing piers. There are 4 piers in a row. First pier, no fish…second pier, no fish. Finally on the third pier I hit a nice two pounder. This is encouraging because it’s always nice to get the skunk out of the boat. I fish around the area but no more fish.
I begin to survey the bay I’m in and notice some nice weed edges just across the way. I head on over, pitch the jig and nothing. Well since I have 6 rods/reels in the boat I have options. I pick up the spinning rod with a wacky-rigged Yamamoto Senko. First cast, second twitch…BOOM…fish on. The fish is fighting okay and then decides to jump. This is when my eyes get big and I realize it’s a nice fish. Not panicking, I get the bass boat side, lip her, and now she’s in the boat. Hook out, I grab the scale, 4.18 pounds. In my opinion, a 4 pound bass is good for anywhere, especially in Iowa.
So now the blood is pumping, have I developed a pattern…well two casts later I throw parallel with the weed edge and hook up with a nice 2 1/2 pounder. I follow the weed edge out and finish fishing the area. I want to learn more about the lake so I keep moving on.
Once I turn the corner I find the wind is stronger than expected. This may come into play when trying to fish main lake structures, but I’m stubborn and won’t let it stop me. Fishing around, I catch a few smaller fish, but I’m not happy. I want a big fish. I keep moving around learning the lake in search of bigger fish.
With the wind blowing 100 miles per hour…okay it was probably 10-15, but it felt like more. I come across an area I had marked on my map. After surveying around and getting in position, I make my first cast with a crank bait. Bang, fish on, rod bending…this is a bigger fish. As the fish gets closer to the boat it makes a good run and I got a short glimpse. I try to reposition myself to get ready to land the fish and…it’s gone. The fish comes off. Am I disappointed…of course I am, but it was also encouraging to know I was in an area that has potential to hold bigger fish.
As I move on down the line, I fish some more main lake structures. When I’m learning a new lake, I try to fish faster than normal, but this area was different so I spent more time trying different lures. I didn’t find another big fish, but ended up catching some small bass. I’d fish all day if I could, but I knew I had to get home and do “adult” things.
I make my way back to the boat ramp, smiling from ear to ear. I probably ended up catching 12 or so bass which isn’t setting the world on fire, but it’s something. It was an encouraging day at a new lake that I’m very excited to learn more about.
If your ever curious about fishing a new body of water, JUST FISH IT, you’ll never know unless you try. If you put in some extra time and do your research , more often than not you’re going to catch a few fish.
Thanks for a fun morning of fishing Hawthorn Lake…we’ll see you again!
Be sure to check out the Team OGTH apparel and social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) @TeamOGTH.
If you know me, you know I love sports and I love fishing. My “reel” job as the marketing director at the Iowa Games/Iowa Sports Foundation has allowed me to be part of the Iowa Games Big Fish Classic hosted by Midwest Game Fish. This event started in 2019 and was a great event for both bass and catfish. This year we decided to add a crappie division.
Last year’s tournament had 59 anglers in the bass division and 23 in the catfish division. Hourly payouts were given to the top 3 in each divisions. Over $3,600 was given in the payouts in addition to Bass Pro Shop gift cards for the biggest bass and biggest catfish.
Hourly Payout Example (50 Participants)
1st: $196.88
2nd: $56.25
3rd: $28.13
After 13 years with the Iowa Games, I was finally able to convince my superiors that we needed to do a fishing tournament. With the assistance of an old friend, Rob Welch of Midwest Game Fish, we were able to put together this tournament. With the success of the first year tournament, we are bringing it back in 2020. In addition to the bass and catfish divisions, we will be offering a crappie division.
DATE: Sunday, August 9, 2020
CHECK-IN: 5:30 AM, Honey Creek State Park Ramp
FISHING BEGINS: 7:00 AM
To learn more and register for the tournament, CLICK HERE.
I hope to see you at the lake on August 9. Who knows…maybe my boss will let me fish!
Just go to YouTube and search “ice shack modifications” and you will find hundreds of videos on what ice anglers to do modify their shack. I’ve had a few different shacks over the years and made several changes.
My current ice fishing shack/fish trap has been by far my favorite. It isn’t the biggest, but it is light and comfortable. I have owned this shack going on 3 seasons now and every year I’ve made slight modifications. I am now to the point where I feel I can fish comfortably and in style. I know next year there will be some new idea or product and I’ll have to make changes, but for now we’re good to go.
You can check out the modifications I’ve made to my Clam Nanook in the video below. Thanks for watching and I can’t wait for you to come along for the ride this ice fishing season!
Fishing Iowa and the Midwest 