Does anyone plan on trying any new lures or techniques this year up in the BW or Quetico? If so, what new lures or techniques are you going to try and what are you fishing for with these new lures or techniques.

I have been gearing up for the next trip. Our group is having a Bass fishing contest. A new weedless soft body frog lure, Senko worms rigged for Wacky, Carolina, and Texas style. I also bought two Hula poppers in a frog and black pattern to try.

quote Savage Voyageur: "I have been gearing up for the next trip. Our group is having a Bass fishing contest. A new weedless soft body frog lure, Senko worms rigged for Wacky, Carolina, and Texas style. I also bought two Hula poppers in a frog and black pattern to try. "

How often do you use wacky style senkos and how productive is this rig? Where do you typically use this technique?

I have had good luck in other areas with plastic worms rigged Texas but never in the BWCA. I have not tried Wacky style but many here have had good luck. I will be using a o-ring shaped like a figure 8. This worm harness helps with saving the worm and presents the hook offset to the worm body to get more hookups. A search here brings up many about them. Here is one that I started a while back, Senko Worms

This year I am making my first trip to the Quetico in many years, so my new technique will be going baitless! I'm not worried about the bass and pike, but other than trolling, I have never really targeted walleyes without bait before.

Great question. I want to use flukes like you do, Mike. Your big bass pics have convinced me. I also intend to use plastics more, however it's so tempting to do the same old, same old, which for me is surface lures because they're fun and a leech under a split shot because it's so effective. Still, I need more range. I'm a two-trick pony and that's pathetic. So, I intend to drop shot too because I've never done that and I also want to use those ice jigging Rapalas on walleyes. I didn't get to fish last summer and I'm going for two weeks solo this coming summer, which frees me to fishfishfishfishfish. Oh, I'm also going to buy one of those little clickers to count the catch and hopefully the solo-photography system I'm configuring will produce some good photos.

KVD's double Zulu rig. Can you imagine two jumping smallies at once?

quote Spookmeister: "KVD's double Zulu rig. Can you imagine two jumping smallies at once?"

Is this a rig that is legal in Minnesota?

quote Savage Voyageur: "

quote Spookmeister: "KVD's double Zulu rig. Can you imagine two jumping smallies at once?"

Is this a rig that is legal in Minnesota? "

Not legal in MN.

quote QueticoMike: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "

quote Spookmeister: "KVD's double Zulu rig. Can you imagine two jumping smallies at once?"

Is this a rig that is legal in Minnesota? "

Not legal in MN. "

Darn. Oh well, glad I found out now.

SCM11 . The F11 with the new lip. Rapala came out with them a bit over a year ago.

Reef runner, walleyes

I've vowed to fish the last hour of daylight and possibly after dark for the 'eyes. --Goose

Made a choice to not carry a bigger box so I'm going through and taking out some things I don't use often. I'm a believer that if you don't have confidence in a lure your not going to use it. Because of this there are some lures that will get set aside and replaced with more F9 original rapalas and shad raps in black/gold and black/silver. I will also add more doctor spoons for lakers and pike, something about them the fish seem to like over most other spoons.

Another thing I'm going to try is a Finesse football head jig tipped with a Zoom Super Chunk in green pumpkin color. I just learned how to fish these last fall. I like the way you can work them in heavy cover like rocks and logs and it just walks over. It should be good for getting those deep large bass to bite.

quote Spookmeister: "

quote QueticoMike: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "

quote Spookmeister: "KVD's double Zulu rig. Can you imagine two jumping smallies at once?"

Is this a rig that is legal in Minnesota? "

Not legal in MN. "

Darn. Oh well, glad I found out now."

I think it is legal in Quetico though, but you need to check regs. to be sure.

quote Savage Voyageur: "Another thing I'm going to try is a Finesse football head jig tipped with a Zoom Super Chunk in green pumpkin color. I just learned how to fish these last fall. I like the way you can work them in heavy cover like rocks and logs and it just walks over. It should be good for getting those deep large bass to bite. "

]

Please tell me more. Do you just hop it along the bottom?

quote missmolly: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "Another thing I'm going to try is a Finesse football head jig tipped with a Zoom Super Chunk in green pumpkin color. I just learned how to fish these last fall. I like the way you can work them in heavy cover like rocks and logs and it just walks over. It should be good for getting those deep large bass to bite. "

]
Please tell me more. Do you just hop it along the bottom? "

Here are two that I read about. You just drag and pop them on the bottom.

Football heads

Fishing football jigs

I worked a little bit on finesse fishing this past year with Charlie Brewer's sliders: very small, very lightweight, very fun to catch fish with. I was surprised by the size of the smallmouth that would hit that lure. I think I will try some this year in canoe country.

Not new but I have been playing around with hair jigs. I have been tying some up with flashabou and playing with different profiles but I'm not quite ready to share pics yet. Hair catches fish when nothing else seems to. I also have been stocking up on Jimmy D's River Bugs. I guess I'm hopping for some good hair days up in the bwca this year.

Some River Bugs

I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens.

QMike-
It seems like you've got 'em dialed in with the flukes, but senkos are truly effective on smallmouth. My wife loves bobber fishing but hates live bait, so on a whim I set her up with wacky senkos hanging under a slip bobber. Looks really dumb, but they just smash it. It's never not worked for us; if there are fish present, they eat it. So, yeah, give it a try. Of course you don't need a bobber.

quote Arlo Pankook: "Not new but I have been playing around with hair jigs. I have been tying some up with flashabou and playing with different profiles but I'm not quite ready to share pics yet. Hair catches fish when nothing else seems to. I also have been stocking up on Jimmy D's River Bugs. I guess I'm hopping for some good hair days up in the bwca this year.

Some River Bugs"

+1. Yes, yes, yes. Hair jigs just slay 'em. I made the move from predominantly plastics back to using more bucktails, marabou and rabbit fur jigs about 15 years ago. It was just something I noticed while fly fishing weighted leeches and rabbit fur streamers. When the jig/fly is sinking, that slow enticing motion seems more real, and alive than a plastic jig. But the real difference is when the jig is actually sitting on the bottom. A plastic jig just lays there, but a hair jig, especially one made with rabbit or marabou, is still moving. The hair is moving that is. Anything - wave action on your line, water current etc, makes that hair move. Just like a real critter. I find that 'motion without movement' can be especially deadly on larger fish, that even in the Q or boundary waters have seen a lure or two in the past, or are just more cautious than the smaller fish. You often see that, with the small guys chasing and getting hooked up, while the big bruisers are just laying back, at the edge of your sight/water clarity. Another great way to fish hair jigs is to cast and let fall to bottom and then just crawl them along 6" to a foot or so - no hops or big movements. Then let them sit again for a few seconds. Try it, you'll like it...hey isn't that line from a 1970's commercial?

Anyway, on the topic of new things or in my case, back to something old, is my return to using zulu type lures ala Quetico Mike. Last summer, when catching lots and then changing lures all the time (why do we do that - take off a lure that is producing? More fun I guess!), I tied on an old soft jerkbait I brought up just for that purpose. It was a good old Bass Assassin, 6", smoke/purple soft jerkbait. That bag of baits is almost 20 years old and they are still as soft and pliable as ever. That just slayed em and definitely gonna be using them more next summer.

Moonman.

I agree that smallies can't pass up a senko. They are not exactly search lures though, great for negative fish.

quote QueticoMike: "I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens."

Wacky Senkos are absolutely deadly rigged wacky style. However, real senkos are quite fragile and quite heavy. I switched to Zman Zinkers. Virtually indestructible and you'll carry only a few compared to real Senkos that are very fragile. If you weigh out 5 bags of Senkos you'll see what I mean. My approach to reducing tackle bulk and weight. If your on 'em you'll go through some senkos and like the name indicates they sink when ripped of, spit out, broke in half, etc.... and there gone. I also carry a small tube of plastic weld to fix damaged Zinkers. Again fewer baits, less bulk, less weight.

BTW, I really like fishing tubes especially if the bass are a little deeper. Requires a little more fishing technique than twitching wacky rigs but very effective on SMB. Additionally, they are much lighter per each than senkos and last a lot longer if setup correctly.

quote BnD: "

quote QueticoMike: "I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens."

Wacky Senkos are absolutely deadly rigged wacky style. However, real senkos are quite fragile and quite heavy. I switched to Zman Zinkers. Virtually indestructible and you'll carry only a few compared to real Senkos that are very fragile. If you weigh out 5 bags of Senkos you'll see what I mean. My approach to reducing tackle bulk and weight. If your on 'em you'll go through some senkos and like the name indicates they sink when ripped of, spit out, broke in half, etc.... and there gone. I also carry a small tube of plastic weld to fix damaged Zinkers. Again fewer baits, less bulk, less weight.


BTW, I really like fishing tubes especially if the bass are a little deeper. Requires a little more fishing technique than twitching wacky rigs but very effective on SMB. Additionally, they are much lighter per each than senkos and last a lot longer if setup correctly."

What are the best colored Zinkers? Pearl shad color? Pumpkin Green color? I assume there are a variety of colors, I will google them.

quote QueticoMike: "

quote BnD: "

quote QueticoMike: "I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens."

Wacky Senkos are absolutely deadly rigged wacky style. However, real senkos are quite fragile and quite heavy. I switched to Zman Zinkers. Virtually indestructible and you'll carry only a few compared to real Senkos that are very fragile. If you weigh out 5 bags of Senkos you'll see what I mean. My approach to reducing tackle bulk and weight. If your on 'em you'll go through some senkos and like the name indicates they sink when ripped of, spit out, broke in half, etc.... and there gone. I also carry a small tube of plastic weld to fix damaged Zinkers. Again fewer baits, less bulk, less weight.



BTW, I really like fishing tubes especially if the bass are a little deeper. Requires a little more fishing technique than twitching wacky rigs but very effective on SMB. Additionally, they are much lighter per each than senkos and last a lot longer if setup correctly."

What are the best colored Zinkers? Pearl shad color? Pumpkin Green color? I assume there are a variety of colors, I will google them."

I fish the same colors as tubes. I'm partial to pumpkin red flake or watermelon red flake but, I really believe any similar color will work the same. (i.e. smoke, green pumpkin, rootbeer, etc...)I've had good luck on all of those colors in Senkos. I think Zinkers are the same material as strike King Zulus. Just be sure to hook only the rubber O ring for the right presentation and to extend the life of your zinker.

Back to color, a lot of pros fish white or shad colored senkos imitating injured baitfish. However, I think the un-weighted Zulus work better (using your method) for that more action typically works better on lightly to no pressured SMB. My favorite shallow water search lure is twitching an xrap. Cover a lot of water and casts a mile+. (only drawback is when the occasional pike takes one from you $10 lost. I usually don't throw them around wood for that reason.)

Tight Lines

Another thing new to me this year is the Wacky Saddle O-ring. Here is a link to the Wacky Saddle Kit I think these will get better hookups than just a o-ring because it turns the hook 90 deg to the worm. You just put both parts of the O-ring around a tool, slip the worm in the tool and slide the Wacky saddle over the Senko worm and install the hook.

quote BnD: "

quote QueticoMike: "

quote BnD: "

quote QueticoMike: "I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens."

Wacky Senkos are absolutely deadly rigged wacky style. However, real senkos are quite fragile and quite heavy. I switched to Zman Zinkers. Virtually indestructible and you'll carry only a few compared to real Senkos that are very fragile. If you weigh out 5 bags of Senkos you'll see what I mean. My approach to reducing tackle bulk and weight. If your on 'em you'll go through some senkos and like the name indicates they sink when ripped of, spit out, broke in half, etc.... and there gone. I also carry a small tube of plastic weld to fix damaged Zinkers. Again fewer baits, less bulk, less weight.



BTW, I really like fishing tubes especially if the bass are a little deeper. Requires a little more fishing technique than twitching wacky rigs but very effective on SMB. Additionally, they are much lighter per each than senkos and last a lot longer if setup correctly."

What are the best colored Zinkers? Pearl shad color? Pumpkin Green color? I assume there are a variety of colors, I will google them."

I fish the same colors as tubes. I'm partial to pumpkin red flake or watermelon red flake but, I really believe any similar color will work the same. (i.e. smoke, green pumpkin, rootbeer, etc...)I've had good luck on all of those colors in Senkos. I think Zinkers are the same material as strike King Zulus. Just be sure to hook only the rubber O ring for the right presentation and to extend the life of your zinker.


Back to color, a lot of pros fish white or shad colored senkos imitating injured baitfish. However, I think the un-weighted Zulus work better (using your method) for that more action typically works better on lightly to no pressured SMB. My favorite shallow water search lure is twitching an xrap. Cover a lot of water and casts a mile+. (only drawback is when the occasional pike takes one from you $10 lost. I usually don't throw them around wood for that reason.)


Tight Lines


"

I know what you're saying about pike. Pike are my enemy. I see the small amount of tackle that some posters take and I think, "I wouldn't have a lure left by week's end." However, I avoid casting to cabbage and lily pads rather than wood. Even with that precaution, I can still lose five lures in a morning. Luckily, using barbless, I get some of those lures back when they jump and throw them and since I use bright colors, they're easier to spot.

quote Savage Voyageur: "Another thing new to me this year is the Wacky Saddle O-ring. Here is a link to the Wacky Saddle Kit I think these will get better hookups than just a o-ring because it turns the hook 90 deg to the worm. You just put both parts of the O-ring around a tool, slip the worm in the tool and slide the Wacky saddle over the Senko worm and install the hook. "

Thanks for this tip. I'm gonna order it.

quote BnD: "

quote QueticoMike: "I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens."

Wacky Senkos are absolutely deadly rigged wacky style. However, real senkos are quite fragile and quite heavy. I switched to Zman Zinkers. Virtually indestructible and you'll carry only a few compared to real Senkos that are very fragile. If you weigh out 5 bags of Senkos you'll see what I mean. My approach to reducing tackle bulk and weight. If your on 'em you'll go through some senkos and like the name indicates they sink when ripped of, spit out, broke in half, etc.... and there gone. I also carry a small tube of plastic weld to fix damaged Zinkers. Again fewer baits, less bulk, less weight.


BTW, I really like fishing tubes especially if the bass are a little deeper. Requires a little more fishing technique than twitching wacky rigs but very effective on SMB. Additionally, they are much lighter per each than senkos and last a lot longer if setup correctly."

I have had good luck with the 4" Yum Dingers.

quote OldGreyGoose: "I've vowed to fish the last hour of daylight and possibly after dark for the 'eyes. --Goose"

This is a good plan. From now on I'm going to try and eat the "big" meal of the day at noon and just do a quick and easy for dinner and maybe some late night walleye fingers or tacos.

quote Arlo Pankook: "

quote OldGreyGoose: "I've vowed to fish the last hour of daylight and possibly after dark for the 'eyes. --Goose"

This is a good plan. From now on I'm going to try and eat the "big" meal of the day at noon and just do a quick and easy for dinner and maybe some late night walleye fingers or tacos."

To maximize fishing, breakfast is a protein bar. I fish until noon or so and troll a crankbait to catch lunch when I'm a hundred yards or so from camp to maximize freshness. I eat that fish, nap, do camp chores, eat a small dinner, and am back on the water from 4:30 to dark.

quote QueticoMike: "Does anyone plan on trying any new lures or techniques this year up in the BW or Quetico? If so, what new lures or techniques are you going to try and what are you fishing for with these new lures or techniques."

Quetico Mike Zulu presentation :-)

quote Basspro69: "

quote QueticoMike: "Does anyone plan on trying any new lures or techniques this year up in the BW or Quetico? If so, what new lures or techniques are you going to try and what are you fishing for with these new lures or techniques."

Quetico Mike Zulu presentation :-)"

Let me know how that works out for ya....LOL
I want to see pics of you holding up a big smallie with a Zulu hanging out of its mouth.

quote QueticoMike: "I think I might try wacky rigging a senko this year and see what happens."

Certainly give it a try! I made the mistake of only brining a dozen on a 5 day trip. I ended up cutting apart twister tails and melting the bodies back together with a lighter...just to make a 5" senko. :)

I like to rig them on a weedless circle hook. Fish them around fallen trees or weed patches.

I use 8-10 lb Power Pro...awesome watching the line "jump" on calm days. Very good option for kids and beginners also...just start reeeling with the circle hooks.

Zulu is my bait to try this year also. :)

Magic

quote QueticoMike: "

quote Basspro69: "

quote QueticoMike: "Does anyone plan on trying any new lures or techniques this year up in the BW or Quetico? If so, what new lures or techniques are you going to try and what are you fishing for with these new lures or techniques."

Quetico Mike Zulu presentation :-)"

Let me know how that works out for ya....LOL
I want to see pics of you holding up a big smallie with a Zulu hanging out of its mouth."

I will title it Thank You Mike :-)

And they did catch fish! Had to add a couple of sinkers though because they floated. :)

Magic

Want to try more jigging for walleyes this year. Going to try some new stuff: "Walleye Weapons"(jigs with spinners), Neon Moon Eye and Hot Skirt jigs by VMC, and more bucktails. --Goose

quote OldGreyGoose: "Want to try more jigging for walleyes this year. Going to try some new stuff: "Walleye Weapons"(jigs with spinners), Neon Moon Eye and Hot Skirt jigs by VMC, and more bucktails. --Goose"

I have never fared very well with jigs or walleyes for that mater, but I know that is what people use most. I am more of a slipbober guy, but catch all bass which I love and are fun to catch. As with all things that you love you want to learn other things so I have vowed to myself to try to learn to fish jigs. Might try those football jigs above:)

I am also going to take QMikes advice on big pike.

Just picked up a new baitcaster at Cabela's, as well as a lip-gripper, and some new plastic tails and minnows. Will winter never end? --Goose

Going to try fishing Lake Trout a bit this year, so ordered some deep tail dancers. Also ordered some Zulu's based on all of Mike's pics!

My goal this year is just to fish MORE! I never seem to get out enough and I am tired of having a box full of unused tackle!

I also want to try downsizing the box I take out with me. I am a kitchen sink kind of guy and it just adds a lot of weight and I don't use most of it. If I can't bring myself to downsize, maybe just make a practice of reaching for an unfamiliar lure, or re-trying one that I have no used in a while.