I know right off the bat some of you are either saying, “hey, I’ve been using a fly reel for ice fishing for years. This isn’t new. ”  Or you’re saying, “my spinning reel works fine, I don’t need no stink’n badges, I mean fly reel”…(spaghetti western joke)..

Here’s the straight scoop on many fishermen are using fly reel style ice reels. This type of reel allows the line to come straight off of the spool with out any spinning motion. ALL spinning reels twist your fishing line. They twist it coming off the spool when you drop your jig, they twist it when reeling line in and they really twist the heck out off it if a fish pulls drag out or you reel against the drag. All this spinning energy is stored up in your line and wants to uncoil. It will either uncoil when you open up your bail and cause a snarl of line, or a loop. Or it will uncoil itself down where you can’t see it at your jig and cause the jig to spin. Most fish won’t hit a spinning jig. Now it is true, that if you keep the jig dancing, swimming or jiggling, it will resist spinning. But many times we need to at least pause that motion in order to get bit. And shortly after we stop, that twisted, spring like energy is going to try to unwind.

Fly reels or other level wind reels don’t twist the line. So, you don’t get line twist from reeling in or letting line out. The only line twist you get will come from any spinning that your lure does when raising, lowering or jigging it. So no line twist equals no jig spin, which equals more bites. It’s really that simple.

Ok, so no spin means better performance. What about efficiency? What do I mean by that?  Ice fishing is vertical fishing. We let lures down and we bring lures up. We are not casting horizontally.  You have to worry about getting a bite when the line is going “out” on a cast. You only get bit once your reel is “locked up” and you are retrieving, right? No problem here, because your reel is engaged and your ready to set the hook. That is unless the fish hits right as your bait splashes down…But when you’re ice fishing their is no real travel time in the air. Your bait is in the strike zone as soon as it passes the bottom edge of the ice, especially when fishing panfish or other relatively shallow applications. You have to be ready to set the hook all the time, and I mean ALL the time.  You can’t set the hook with your bale open on a spinning reel. However, you can set the hook 100% of the time with a fly reel, by palming or pencil gripping the fly reel in your hand and using your hand to clamp down on the spool lip. You can even set the hook against your drag as long as you don’t set the hook to hard. But the point is, you don’t have to lock up the spool or close the bale  1st. You’re always, locked, cocked and ready to rock, 100% of the time.

I know some of you are saying ok that’s great, but how do you let line out? Well, in most of these reel designs you simply pull line out against the drag with your other hand. This means that you have to keep the drag set relatively light, at least light enough not to break the line. But you’re drag should be set that way anyway, right? I already hear the rumblings too, saying “man that sounds like it will be really slow getting the jig down” or “that’s a lot of work”. Here’s the truth here too. You will find that in most cases, unless you are using a jigging spoon or relatively heavy bait, you will be able pull line from your reel and keep your jig moving on free fall almost 100% of the time. What you will also find is that you will really want to stop and pause between line pulls anyway on your way down, because you will catch many super aggressive suspended fish on your way down. When dropping your bait with spinning tackle, your bait might have blown right by those fish! I guess this is where I should talk about a new hybrid type of  “free spooling” fly reel.  But 1st, let’s take a look back at ice reel designs, from where they started, right up to the latest designs.

If we go back 30, 40 or even more yrs you’ll find reels like the all metal Canadian made Swish reel. It had a stamped metal frame a rod stand and a very simple fiberglass rod that it was clamped to. You’ll also find the incredibly simple and inexpensive Michigan made plastic Schooley Reel.  It’s simple design attaches using a small wood screw. This reel is still very popular today and still be purchased with several different  length fiberglass rods. The Swish reel and rod combo is also still available.

In the 70’s through mid 80’s a myriad of retailers starting private labeling tiny plastic and aluminum fly reels with an anti-reverse switch that locked the spool. These reels were primarily a spin off from the southern crappie and bream fishing markets. These reels had lousy drags and tiny arbors that caused the line to hold lots of tiny curly-q’s. They were really simply intended to hold line and nothing more. Don’t get me wrong, it was possible to fight and land a big on them.  But it took luck and great deal of skill. This  was also the time that many of us started experimenting with full size fly reels. But unless you spent $150 or more, they were large, heavy and had too small of arbor diameter to be practical. They also had small handles and were usually aluminum,  which is cold on the hands.

In the last 5 yrs the ice fishing market has experienced a real revolution which I believe started with another little Michigan company  in Adrian, MI. These entrepreneurs took notice of how the Schooley Reel had held its market share and even expanded into to top level tournament ice fishermen. They decided to manufacture a high quality machined aluminum version of the Schooley , complete with needle bearings and metal center pin shaft. The company that started this was Ice Tech Fishing Systems. They later came out with a model which positioned his large center pin reel below the rod on an extended foot, like a spinning reel. He called this reel The Razor. He still makes these high quality fishing instruments today, which are used by top level tournament anglers and ice tackle aficionados across the ice belt.

About the same time frame as the introduction of the Razor, the market saw an influx of relatively low cost mid-sized fly reels with unidirectional bearings.  Unidirectional means that they spin freely in one direction, but can be used to engage a drag mechanism when rotated in the other direction. For a fly reel, that’s a beautiful thing. You can reel line or fish in, without fighting the drag, yet automatically engage a fully adjustable drag as line is taken out. Ice Hopper, Frabil, HT and every other savy ice tackle company have either an aluminum or graphite frame version fly reel, if not both that incorporate these bearings.

Most fishermen using these style reels prefer to palm them in their hand and hold the rod almost like a pencil, hence the term Pencil Grip. A similar grip is also used on spinning reels. Which brings up my next group of reels, refrerred to as Extended Neck/Stem or Extended Reel Foot fly reels.

As the name suggests, these fly style reels are suspended 1-2″ below the reel seat,  just like a spinning reel. This is one of those personal preference things. So much so in fact, that Frabil’s version even comes with an interchangeable long and standard foot. Personally, I prefer the low profile or traditional version, as I like to wrap my fingers around the reel and touch the spool with my fingers or palm.  I find this grip  really awkward with a longer stem …but to each his own on this.

Last year also saw some new reels enter the ice fishing market, although their designs aren’t as  new to the European or Asian markets. These are the push button free spooling variants with geared retrieve rates. 13 Fishing and Eagle Claw marketed these style reels last winter at the opposite ends of the price spectrum. Key features of these reels include extended Neck, free spool button, geared retrieve drives and star type drag system. Where I think these reels shine is when using larger predator size ice jigs and lures, in deeper water. Then you can coarse adjust your free spool tension and just let the bait drop.  What I don’t like about this style reel is awkward balance, weight and inability to palm the reel because the reel handle is on the opposite side of the spool. You have to hold one to see what I mean. But for a lot of hard water anglers, this style reel is huge step up.

I should also mention, that in this incredibly competitive fishing market popular designs don’t go unnoticed.  Ice Tech’s Razor was no exception as it saw direct competition from the off shore manufactured Black Betty.

The last significant fly reel to hit the market came last winter when the Tight Line Extreme Reel was launched under the Ice Hopper brand.  This little graphite frame fly reel, which follows the successful Tight Line Reel,  has a unidirectional bearing, gear driven quick line retrieve rate, pulls line in from the top of the spool (unlike traditional fly reels).  And because of it’s design it also allows the reel to be palmed, pencil gripped or fished with a spinning rod grip from above.

This winter both Beam Outdoors and HT Enterprises are offering aluminum frame reels that are very similar to the Tight Line Extreme Reels launched last year. 13 Fishing also continues to advance the market with it’s Tear Drop reel, long stem spinning reel and their plastic version of the Black Betty the Code Blue.

If you haven’t tried one of these style ice reels yet, you have lots of options and price points now. There truly is something for everyone. It’s time to join the hard water fly reel revolution.

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This winter I have been fortunate enough to be covered in the Frabill Icesuit. This extremely warm 2 piece Jacket and Bib outerwear system is engineered for the hardcore ice angler.Made from a rugged waterproof, windproof ;breathable oxford nylon shell it has treated me very well during this roller coaster of a ice season. I have worn this suit in some mighty extreme weather, such 40mph winds and hard down pours. Thanks to the 100% Sealed seams and 180g thermal insulation and the Super-tall collar, I have been warm and comfortable all day.All while wearing my street cloths underneath.I found movement to fairly easy in this suit even with all the insulation. Frabill did a excellent job with the design of the articulated elbows, knees, and seat area, it really did give me a superior fit and motion range.

Thanks to the gazillions of functional pockets, like the Cell phone pocket which is nice for my smartphone that I run my Navionics app on. I was able to haul all my Tungsten Jigs and Ice Plastics in my pockets, which meant easier hole hoping.Just make sure you remember where you put everything I lost a few packs of plastics in some of the deeper pockets. Then again I allows lose a few in the bottom of my shanty also every year. Lol

I could write about every feature for you but that would make for way to long of a blog.So below is a list all features the Jacket and Bibs have.This suit gets a 5 out of 5 start with.It is like wearing your shanty and your heater at the same time!

ICESUIT JACKET:

• Rugged waterproof, windproof, breathable oxford nylon shell, 100% seam-sealed
• 180g thermal insulation body, 120g sleeves
• Fully adjustable insulated hood with reinforced brim/sun visor
• Frabill custom tackle box pocket with flip down Sherpa hook pad
• Parka length with internal cord lock adjusters
• Fully articulated elbows reinforced with ultra rugged 500 denier nylon
• Dual external storm flaps with rain gutter protect oversized main zipper
• 360 degree reflective piping for nighttime safety
• Arctic fleece-lined hand warmer pockets
• Oversized cargo pockets with dual drain holes
• Adjustable neoprene sleeve cuffs
• Internal pockets for sunglasses and electronics
• Warm brushed tricot-lining
• Super-tall collar protects neck from harsh winds
• Additional lined hand warmer pockets behind cargo pockets
• Cell phone pocket

ICESUIT BIB:

• Rugged waterproof, windproof, breathable oxford nylon shell, 100% seam sealed
• 120g thermal insulation
• Bunker gear style, elastic, fully adjustable shoulder straps
• Full length ankle to hip leg zippers with dual sliders
• User controlled temperature regulation with top of leg zipper vents
• Dual external storm flaps with rain gutters protect all main zippers
• Wear area (knees and pant cuffs) reinforced with ultra rugged 500 denier nylon
• Fully articulated knees and seat area with durable internal padding
• 12″ tall waterproof inner lining and oversized hook & loop closure at pant cuffs
• Arctic fleece-lined hand warmer pockets
• Oversized cargo pockets with dual drain holes
•  Cell phone pocket

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Jackson, Wis. – Time was, procuring a ponderous string of trout, catfish or sunfish involved little more than a willow stick with hook, line, sinker, and a coffee tin filled with lively critters—angleworms, nightcrawlers or even crickets. Fish gobbled ‘em up like candy. Life was easy, until the bait fried and died. Along came Styrofoam, which offered a hint of insulation, but when you accidently stepped on the container – Vegas odds of 2 to 1 of it happening – the flimsy walls collapsed and lid cracked like a peanut shell. And even before, water had likely seeped in and created an icky stew of unusable bait. Guess fishing from the bank wasn’t so peaceful and romantic after all…

Well, say goodbye to cream-of-crawler and whipped-worm forever, because Frabill’s new Crawler Can keeps your bait cool and protected from the baitshop to bass.

Ever since reading Bill Binkelman’s classic Nightcrawler Secrets, Frabill Pro Staff and legendary guide Tom Neustrom has been serious about worm care. “To fish with inferior livebait is like bow-hunting with twigs,” Neustrom quipped. “Don’t waste my time. But going into battle with the kind of nightcrawlers that jump out of your hand gives me a superior fish-catching weapon.

“I store large quantities of super-crawlers in my Frabill Habitat system. Then, before heading out in the morning, I’ll grab a coupleCrawler Cans. Fill one side with ice, the other side with two or three dozen crawlers. They stay extra cool and watertight inside these insulated containers. And they’re sweet for storing leeches, too.”

Sporting dual, top and top and bottom bait compartments, each sealed with a watertight quarter-turn lid, the Crawler Can cools and can store two different types of baits within a single can; crawlers in one side and leeches in the other; ice on one side, worms in the other; even micro baits such as waxworms and maggots can hitch a ride. Insulated with an extra-thick foam liner and tough watertight screw-lids, this handy little container offers intensive-care-unit level bait storage in a nearly indestructible package. It even dons a convenient carrying handle, which might remind you of bringing a fish-catching-lunch-box to a day of “work” on the water.

Neustrom: “Just as Lund® knows boats andRapala® is synonymous with lures, Frabill rules livebait care – every angler serious about bait knows that. Me? I like happy bait, and the newCrawler Can makes for some pretty cheerful worms, crawlers and leeches. You can almost see the tiny little smiles on their faces.”

ABOUT FRABILL

Frabill, Inc. (Jackson, Wis.) is in its 73rd year of engineering premium, trusted fishing equipment. Frabill’s ice fishing product lineup consists of portable ice fishing shelters, rod and reel combos, tip-ups, bait containers, portable aeration, and premium ice fishing apparel, including FXE Snosuit. Openwater products include landing nets, portable aeration, bait containers, bait care, bait traps and seines, accessories, and premium openwater apparel, such as FXE Stormsuit.

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Tony Boshold with a nice Bull Gill caught using his favorite combo Tungsten and Plastics

If you haven’t heard, one of the hottest things on the ice are tungsten jigs. These jigs were made popular thanks to ice fishing tournaments across the ice belt over the last 11 plus years. If you were to survey the top teams on the circuits, you’ll find that they all have a few things in common. They all have learned the secret that these catch more and bigger fish, faster.

For years there were only very small companies that imported these jigs. One of the early pioneers to bring these jigs over was Jamie Olson from Your Bobbers Down. Tungsten or Wolfram jigs are made in only a handful of places overseas. What makes these jigs so great is that tungsten weighs close to twice as much as lead. That means ice anglers can fish a smaller jig for a stealthier presentation without giving up the sink rate and feel of larger lead jigs.

John checking out the fisherman around him while sitting on the Sonic Ice Hopper

But recently more and more companies were getting on board on the tungsten train. Including a company from Michigan, Sportsmen’s Direct. John Bacarella the owner of Sportsmen’s Direct is a seasoned tournament fishermen, he has fished toe to toe with the nations top ice anglers, he knows the advantage of these jigs. But he saw a chance to make, in his eyes, an even higher quality jig. “The increased mass of the tungsten also means that you will be able to penetrate slush and weeds much more easily. And that means you can get into those fishy places where lead can’t go. For the tight-liner, it means better feel.” John’s jigs have quickly become known as maybe the best quality tungsten jigs on the market.

Fast forward again to this up coming ice season and anglers are going to have many options to choose from. With companies like Northland, Custom Jigs n Spins, JR’s tackle, K & E and a few others are getting in on the game.

Besides the weight of these jigs the shape and the way they sit in the water is also leading to the success of this jig. The style known as a “Fiska” which refers to an actual region of Norway, and Fiske means “fish” in Scandinavian. It sits in the water at about a 45 degree angle, giving the bait a realistic look that matches many favorite winter morsels of fish such as zooplankton, aquatic insects and small crustaceans called scuds or freshwater shrimp as they are known out west in the ice belt. With a little practice and using the proper knot you can copy their movements to a T!

Some Heavy Metal Jigs from SDI

When you’re fishing these jigs you want to fish them on a small loop knot called a surgeon loop. Doing this will give the jig a rocking-swimming type action that can be imparted with the most subtle movement of your rod tip. Another bonus of this knot for you guys that use spinning reels for ice fishing it will help reduce the amount of jig spin. Jig spin is maybe the biggest enemy of an ice fishermen that chases large Gills and Sunfish.

These jigs come in a cornucopia of colors and sizes. The paint jobs fall in two basic classifications: painted and epoxied. Both styles of paint is offered in glows, UV’s and standard color choices. The sizing for most jigs that follow the “Fiska” styling are generally measured in millimeters (width of the jig) but some companies are using the hook sizes to denote the size of the jig instead.

There is only one draw back to using tungsten jigs and that is the cost. Due to the properties of tungsten they are difficult to make and paint. John had this to say about that,”The only down-side to tungsten is the cost. Unfortunately for us fishermen, tungsten is very expensive to mine and is a real pain to work with. You can get some lead alloys to melt around 250 degrees vs tungsten which doesn’t melt until over 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that your hook would melt long before the tungsten melted. Tungsten is also very hard and brittle, so it can’t be formed either. When you paint them, even more challenges come up. Suffice it to say, tungsten is a pain to work with and that means a higher price for us fishermen. But in many fishing conditions, tungsten jigs are definitely worth it”.

Tony showing off a nice Crappie that fell victum to his deadly jigging skills.

Just like other ice jigs you need to put something on the business end, the hook. These jigs work great with live baits such as spikes, mousies and waxworms. But they also fish the newest invocation to the ice belt , ice plastics very well. These action packed micro plastics like the J&S Ice Mite and Little AtomNuggies are changing the way anglers are fishing. Tony Boshold who is one half of the 2005 NAIFC Championship team and member of the 2010 Team USA Gold Medal ice fishing team credits the combo of plastics and tungsten to much of his success over the years in tournaments. “The combination of tungsten and plastics has totally revolutionized the ice fishing world. It has accounted for more championship and 1st places in the past 10 years then any other type of ice fishing lure. The dominance of tungsten is only going to grow as more and more companies jump on board. The potential for what tungsten could become and the future of it is just now being realized here in north American”

So if you haven’t tried these jigs yet you gotta pick some up today!

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Frabill Straight Line Combos Reel

At about 10 am this morning I get a ring at the door. Its the UPS guy aka the “Gift Bringer” In the boxes are some products I have been waiting for, for some time. From Frabill. I received the new Straight Line Combo in the 24 inch UL model. My 1st reaction to this setup was “not bad” while I held it in my hand. I can’t wait to find a way to test this out early. If I can’t find a way during the softwater season I am going to have to wait until it freeze’s up. You can read more about this combo on my blog :

Frabill Straight-line Ice Combo

Berkley NanoFil

The other box I got today was from Pure Fishing. Pure Fishing has a new fishing line in there Berkly Brand called NanoFil. This is a new breed of fishing. Berkely is calling it a Uni-Filament I wrote about it earlier in the year when I heard about. I am excited to get this line on a reel or two and give it a try. They sent me two sizes 6lb and 10lb both in 300 yards spools so I will be filling it up on a few reels so I can really put it through its paces. You can read more about this line on my blog :

Berkley NanoFil
 Also if you look close to the picture of the reel on the straight line combo you can see those green bands holding the reel to the handle, those are also a new product that I got in the mail a few weeks back.These unique reel wraps are made by Cold Snap Outdoors. Inside the kit you get a special cone that will help you install the bands onto your handle. I will be testing this product this season and I will for sure keep everyone posted on this product has well.

There is one more product that I am currently testing that comes from Michigan’s own K &E. K &E are the markers of the Bass Stopper worms. But they also make all kinds of other products. One of these products are the Whip r’ rod series. They have two lineups in this rod, A softwater series which I am currently testing and an ice series that goes by the same name. I will be testing the ice rod once we get some hardwater.

The post Upcoming product reviews appeared first on Out In Michigan.

I know,

Ice fishing already!

What can I say I love icefishing and well it has been on my mind for sometime. Even before this recent cold snap we just had.I have started to make a list of products I want to check out this winter. This is one I can’t wait to see. The reason I say that is because for years I have used cheap fly reels on many of my ice rods. I have been waiting patiently for one of the large ice companies to finally come out with a affordable reel and or combo with one on it.

Well Frabill has finally done it.

The beauty of using a fly reel on your ice rods is simply the best line management you can have. Plus you have a smooth drag system unlike the plastic schooly type reels that can sometime be rough.You get zero line twist which is common with spinning reels.Line twist is the main cause of “Jig Spin”. Jig Spin is the 1# enemy of chasing down some bull gills. Those big sunfish can be some of the finky and pickiest fish you will ever see.

These reels excel in two fishing styles “tightlining”, a technique and art form that hails from our great mitten state, and “sight fishing” another technique we here in Michigan know very well.

Brian “Bro” Brosdahl had this to say about the Straight Line Combo –

“Tightlining is an art.  It’s likely the finest means of presenting small baits to panfish ever developed.  I think of it almost like ‘hand-feeding’ the fish.  Line no longer serves as a disconnect with the fish.  You’re 100% locked into presentation, detecting subtle takes never realized with spinning gear.  Clearly, Frabill’s new Straight Line Combos are poised to change the game.  I can’t hide this trick in the dark corners of my rod locker anymore.  It’s much too deadly.  And so are these combos.  Now where I’ll be using them?  That’s a secret I’m going to keep.” 

Frabill is releasing three versions of this combo and they are due to be available around October.And will retail for $59.99

• 24″ Ultra-Light
• 27″ Quick Tip
• 32″ Quick Tip

The 24 inch rod features Solid graphite blank that is designed for panfishing jigging. The other two combos are made out of fiberglass.Each rod also has a hook keeper, aluminum oxide guides, and blank through handle construction. The reel is made out of Aluminum, and features a 1:1 gear ration, smooth drag system and over sized handle for reeling in those bullgills when you have your gloves on.

I can’t wait to get mine in the mail come October, this October is going to be more like x-mas for me then the month hunting and candy eating.I will be doing a full product review of both the reel and the rod when I get mine so stay tuned for that.

Recently I have had some emails asking if you can change the retrieveral on the reel from Right to Left handed.The simple answer is yes, and below I put together a quick little video to show you how.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6xXkGIBnXs&feature=youtu.be

You can buy these Combos right now here. Frabill Straight Line Combo

The post Frabill Straight Line Combo appeared first on Out In Michigan.

Spring fishing is getting started at least in most of the Lower Peninsula. Look for catch rates to improve as temperatures rise and we get more rain. Ice conditions are deteriorating on a daily basis now so anglers need to use extreme caution.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie:  ATTENTION WALLEYE ANGLERS – The daily possession limit for walleye in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie will be as follows: April 1 through April 30, 2011 the limit will be five (5) walleye. Beginning May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012 the limit will be six (6) walleye. Water temperatures are anywhere from 34 to 40 degrees depending on location. Walleye fishing is behind this year due to the extended cold temperatures. Most anglers are jigging or trolling in Ohio waters of Maumee Bay and around Turtle Island with jigs and minnows, hair jigs or blade baits.

Huron River: Steelhead were caught between Flat Rock to Rockwood. Remember, walleye season is closed. The catch and release trout fishing which opened on April 1st is going well.

Detroit River: Walleye fishing is just getting started. The new walleye possession limits for Lake Erie DO NOT apply to the Detroit River. The daily possession limit here will continue to be five (5) fish.

Clinton River: Anglers caught suckers along with a few pike in the Spillway however pike season is closed. Steelhead are moving up into the river as fish were caught at Yates Park in Rochester Hills.

St. Clair River: Still has lots of flow ice coming down.

Lexington: Those trolling have caught chinook and lake trout on body baits in 10 to 14 feet of water. Pier anglers caught perch and a few lake trout inside the harbor.

Harbor Beach: Still had ice in the harbor.

Grindstone City: Was unfishable as there is still ice in the harbor.

Saginaw Bay: Ice fishing is pretty much done. Some are shore and dock fishing for panfish in the marinas. It is about that time to start fishing the cuts and lower rivers for perch. If anglers wait to hear the perch are biting, it will be too late, and they will miss the opportunity. A few lake trout and whitefish were caught by those fishing off the pier at Caseville.

Flint River: Sucker runs are underway. Anglers are reminded that walleye season is closed.

Shiawassee River: Sucker runs are underway.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joseph: Boat and pier anglers continue to take limits of coho along with a few brown trout.

St. Joseph River: Continues to produce steelhead and a few brown trout.

South Haven: Boat and piers anglers were taking limits of coho along with a few brown trout.

Kalamazoo River: Still has good steelhead movement from the mouth to the dam.

Grand Haven: Was producing the occasional coho, steelhead or brown trout.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Steelhead is the word with good numbers of fish being caught on spawn, flies and yarn. Orange, pink and chartreuse were good colors. Try to 6 to 10 foot leaders with extra weight up near the dam.

Grand River at Lansing: Steelhead were caught near the dams such as Webber and Moore’s Park. Try spawn, crawlers, and flies. Hot colors were orange, chartreuse and pink. Those fishing near Ionia caught steelhead in Prairie Creek. Some are looking for catfish but most are steelhead fishing.

Maple River: Is producing a few suckers.

Muskegon: Catch rates were hit-or-miss for pier anglers but some did manage to catch steelhead, brown trout or coho. Most were using spawn.

Muskegon River: Water levels are high and muddy. Steelhead are still being caught but fishing was a bit more challenging with the current conditions.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Burt Lake: Still had ice.

Mullett Lake: Still had ice and is producing some perch. Extreme caution needs to be used.

Ocqueoc River: Is open but those fishing have not had much luck. Water levels are low, clear and cold.

Rogers City: Is still iced in but should open up soon so boat and shore anglers can get out and start targeting Atlantic salmon and brown trout.

Rockport: Some were casting body baits off the pier for Atlantic salmon but no fish were caught. Typically these fish are caught in the spring when still-fishing with large grey minnows.

Alpena: The bite is slow with only the occasional brown trout or Atlantic salmon caught when still-fishing with large grey minnows in the warm water discharge off the Lafarge Plant.

Thunder Bay River: The launch ramp in Alpena is open but the marina ramps are iced in. Anglers drifting spawn and flies up at the Ninth Street Dam had no luck.

Higgins Lake: Is giving up smelt, perch and lake trout.

Harrisville: The harbor was still iced in. A few walleye and steelhead were caught off the breakwall by those casting spoons or body baits.

Oscoda: The pier was iced over but the rocks were accessible. Some walleye were caught just outside the mouth of the river in 20 to 30 feet of water when using crawler harnesses, small spoons or body baits.

Au Sable River: Steelhead, brown trout and suckers have been caught at the mouth. Steelhead were caught near the Whirlpool, High Banks and Rea Road.

Tawas: Pier and boat anglers are taking lake trout, steelhead, brown trout and walleye. Catch rates were fair.

Au Gres River: Is high and muddy. A couple steelhead were caught in the river and in the surf near the Singing Bridge.

Rifle River: Suckers runs are going good. Steelhead have started to move up into the river.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Harbor Springs: Great numbers of perch are again showing up this year for the late ice fishing season off Ford Park. With any luck, anglers will still get about a week of fishing before the ice starts to deteriorate.

Petoskey: Little Traverse Bay is still locked in with ice but should start to open up in the next couple of weeks.

Bear River: Steelhead are starting to show up at the mouth and adjacent harbor.

Boyne River: Steelhead activity was picking up

Jordan River: Is producing some steelhead. Try wax worms or wigglers.

Elk River: Steelhead were caught in the bypass in front of the power dam. Try wigglers under a bobber at first light.

Traverse City: Some of the launches in both bays are still frozen but could be thawed out by the end of the week. Lake trout were caught in the East Bay when jigging Swedish pimples in 115 feet of water off Elk Rapids. In the West Bay, anglers are catching perch out in front of the Boardman River in 90 feet of water. Catch rates were slow but should start to pick up soon.

Boardman River: Does have some steelhead present but few fish have been caught. Try drifting wax worms at the mouth and the Union Street Dam.

Frankfort: Low water levels had anglers fishing off the piers where steelhead and brown trout were caught on spawn just before first light. Steelhead are staging near the car ferry landing before they start their run up the Betsie River.

Portage Lake: Still had ice however it is quickly deteriorating.

Lake Missaukee: Still has ice with fair to good bluegill action.

Lake Cadillac: Ice fishing was still going strong for crappie in the early morning or late evening.

Lake Mitchell: Is also producing some crappie.

Manistee: Two docks are in at the First Street Launch. Boat anglers have caught some brown trout and steelhead when trolling the shoreline with small spoons or jointed body baits. Pier anglers caught fish when using fresh spawn.

Manistee River: The recent rain and snow melt should help push more fish into the river. This could be the weekend that anglers have been waiting for.

Ludington: Has one dock in on Loomis Street. Those trolling the shoreline have caught steelhead and brown trout. Try body baits in natural colors. Pier fishing has been slow.

Pere Marquette River: Fishing was slow and water levels were low. Rain in the forecast should help. Anglers are drifting flies on the gravel from Rainbow Rapids to the Lower Branch Bridge.

Pentwater: Catch rates off the piers were hit-or-miss.

Pentwater River: Steelhead anglers had better luck as fish have already moved up into the river.

Upper Peninsula

Lake Gogebic: Perch could be found just off the bottom in 25 to 27 feet of water. Still-fishing with wigglers worked best. Ice conditions are changing daily so use caution. Stay away from areas with moving water.

Keweenaw Bay: The bite was good but tapered off. Chinook and coho were caught out from the Falls River and Perch Corner however ice conditions have deteriorated off L’Anse and Baraga.

Marquette: Warm temperatures improved catch rates with limits of coho and a few chinook caught just before daybreak. Coho were 15 to 17 inches and were hitting on jigs with spinner combos or twister tails and cut bait.

Carp River: Steelhead could be found upstream.

Menominee River: Had slow catch rates. Anglers were casting rapalas from the Cat Walk, deck and the stairs near the Hattie Street Dam for steelhead, brown trout and walleye. Those wading near Stephenson Island caught few fish. Boat anglers jigging with minnows have caught walleye in the deeper holes. The only boat launch open at this time is the Stephenson Island launch. The bay is still iced over.

Little Bay De Noc: The ice is melting slowly as temperatures rise. A couple anglers ventured out near Kipling however anglers are encouraged to stay off the ice. Be patient, it could save your life! Some of the river ice has just started breaking up.

Big Bay De Noc: Ice conditions are pretty much the same as Little Bay. The Ogontz area is mostly open water. Boat anglers could be launching soon.

Au Train: Anglers caught coho when jigging spawn straight out from the mouth of the river however ice conditions are deteriorating everyday so use extreme caution.

Munising: Catch rates have started to increase as more anglers head out. Warmer temperatures mixed with rain are deteriorating the ice. Shoreline ice around Sand Point and the Grand Island dock have begun to break up and areas with soft ice can be seen along the shoreline especially near the mouth of the Anna River. The heavily fished areas are getting harder to reach. Catch rates for coho picked up with some limits reported. Try jigging rapalas or Swedish pimples with cut bait 10 to 30 feet down in 40 to 60 feet of water. A few smelt were caught by those jigging for coho. Look for whitefish in shallow waters when bouncing a single egg just off the bottom. Perch and splake fishing were slow. Herring can be seen under the ice but those spearing did not have much luck.

Indian Lake: Anglers are targeting yellow perch in 5 to 7 feet of water in Lange’s Bay. Most are putting in a lot of time to walk away with 6 to 12 keepers.

Manistique River: Some are trolling spoons near the mouth for steelhead while others are casting spoons and rapalas while wading near the first dam.

St. Mary’s River: Anglers are doing well for perch in Maxton Bay when using minnows in 6 feet of water off Kempenians Resort. There is still ice in most of the bays but stay off any ice that reaches out to the swift current.

Munuscong Bay: Had a few anglers fishing near Grassy Island and Fowlers Bay. Look for perch between Dan’s Resort and Bois Blanc Point.

DeTour: Anglers are steelhead fishing just west of the river near the Albany Creek rock pile. A couple nice fish were caught on spawn bags or stickbaits. Green and silver were good colors. At DeTour Village, the docks were still iced in.

Cedarville and Hessel: Reported excellent perch fishing around Cedarville and in Musky Bay in 10 to 12 feet of water. Use caution.

Nunn’s Creek: The mouth has open water but no word on smelt yet.

Carp River: Both shorelines have open water but no reports yet.

St. Ignace: Had no activity to report. The city launches and the Pine River were still iced in.

The post Weekly Fishing Report – April 7, 2011 appeared first on Out In Michigan.

What is a Hub Shanty? A Hub shanty is pretty much just like your pop up box hunting blinds. The poles attach to hubs and the hub allows poles to rotate and then lock in the hub. One Hub generally will be in the center of each wall with the poles going on a diagonally to each corner of the wall.

Besides being very portable and easy to use these shanties are fairly inexpensive. They can be bought online for as little as $119. Really the only difference between all these different brands is the outer shell, and on the higher end ones an upgraded hub.

So if you’re in the market for a new shanty or need something for those out-of-the-way hike lakes. Or just want to make a base camp for cooking while out on the ice. Take a look at these handle shanties sometime.

Here is just a few of them that are out there.

• Clam® Prospector Pop-up Ice Fishing Shelter—-$119.99

• Clam® Base Camp 6×6′ Hub Pop—$179.99

• KillZone Igloo© 2 Person Ice Fishing Shelter—$119.99

• Frabill Frontier Ice Shelter—$159.97

• Eskimo Quickfish 3 Ice Shelter—$179.99

• New XL Ice Fishing House Shelter Ice Shanty 4 Person Ice House—$129.95

The post Its all about the Hub appeared first on Out In Michigan.