OK ICE GUYS!
If this time of year doens’t get you fired up you’d better look for a different hobby! Possibly knitting or basket weaving? Fishing in sweatshirts for trophy fish on the hard water is RIDICULOUS. As soon as the water starts to filter though the honeycombing ice conditions these fish are going to really start snapping. As Fishmeister has mentioned the Rainy Lake slabs are for real. Yep 13 inch Crappies are big, but how about 16 inch Crappies! Fair to say these Slabs are some of the BIGGEST AROUND! Leave your FINESSE WIMPY STUFF AT HOME! These fish will test your tackle! When is the last time you thought you had a pike only to see a Giant silver flash down your hole?
ON to Big Pike! When you have 220,000 acres of water which lay home to monster Pike anytime you can naturally eliminate the vastness of the structure, and condense the fish into certain areas you have the likelyhood of laying the wood to some GATORS! 15,20, 25lb fish in a day? This is about to come to fruition. This is not rocket science that these big Pike are gearing up for the spawn. Make no mistake as these Big fish make there way to there spawning grounds they are eating machines. Not passing up many meals as they need to build energy for the upcoming strenuous spawn. Often times the bigger and slower bait the better. Take the Giant Decoy suckers clip fins and put a few slice in them. Dead baits also are great, as often times these pike act as scavengers readily eating free meals. Get your bait to sit horizontal, and remember Pike like to attack upwards! Many people will set there tip up rigs too deep in the water column. If you’ve ever watched Pike come in on your graph they will come in directly under your bait in the baitfish blind spot. Then attack it! I highly suggest quick set rigs as this will allow easier catch and release. Single hook set-ups lend themselves vulnerable to guy hooking. I highly encourage catch, photo and release. With a quick set rig you can get on the flags immediately, and leave the ole “Smoke a cigar” theory at home! You may very well catch your fish of a lifetime during this period. FYI DO NOT WRAP YOUR THE LINE AROUND YOUR FINGER WHILE SETTING THE HOOK! You will soon be minus a few digits!
Get out there with a little homework you can grill some brats, toss the frisbee, and oh yeah land a few trophies! We’re open til April 14th!
RainyDaze
Blow-N-Hard from up North with IDO! 
BIG FISH/small crowds!