We spend a good deal of time fishing the Winnebago chain. Me and boy practice a lot of CPR as well as the "winnebago" run and gun. 

 Above and below is our "run and gun" setup.  We tend to start shallower and work our way out to the mud.  Some of the reefs on the east side hold (though not as many and the summer season).  We spend a lot of time going over our maps.  Deeper, mud water near a reef that tops out  at 8-9 FOW, with a quick highway to safety.

Above is the road outta brothertown, one of our starting points.

 The above is our typical run and gun approach.  I dont break out the shanty as its not needed.  Truck is my ice fishing storage.  Anyway,  I like to run with my gear on the tail gate.  Bungee straps down auger.  Still, dont get too crazy on the speed.

My tire tracks are the gage.  One hole on each tire track, with another hole for the vex in the middle.  (We were really moving that day, so only was punching two holes for speed!).

I then go 10 feet out of the passenger rear tail and drill another hole.  So, 4 total.  Deadstick with bobber and minnow in #1, Vex in hole #2, Deadstick with bobber/jig/wiggler in #3, and a jiggin rap in #4. 

Yep, we get some fish.  And a smile is worth a thousands words! 

Secret Smelt Set  Up

I have been working on my Secret Smelt setup.  I am convinced Pike are opportunistic (like most fish) and scavengers.  A floating smelt just off the bottom provides a great look at an easy meal. 

Years ago, my  uncle took me out pike icefishing using smelt.  He would lay the smelt in the mud, using big nails to weight it down.  It worked great. 

But with conservation efforts at a premium, I would looking for way to rig the smelt without the nails.  So, I came up with a method.  Pic below.

Here is what I have going on.  Main line (icefishing tip up line) to bead to 20 inch section of 1/4 inch copper tubing , run line through tube to another bead, then to barrel swivel.  Finish with 10 inches of fluorcarbon leader to a hook. 

Copper keeps the rig on the bottom and provides the needed separation from the main line.  Smelt will float just above bottom.

Top Baits

• Deadstick plain gold hook tailhooked minnow.
• Jiggin rapala in blue/chrome or firetiger.  Perch a good color. Be sure to put a spike on the middle hook.
• Deadstick jig and minnow.  Use a small minnow tailhooked right on the bottom.  Jig should be 1/8 or smaller.  You want the minnow to create a "pendulem" effect.
• Swedish pimple in chrome/blue or dark color with 3 to 4 spikes.

Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.