Name one person on IDO that has

Significantly changed the way you fish. Could be ethics, tactics, presentation…

There are a few of you that costed me A LOT of money. I’ve been inspired to think out of the box more. Air brushing powder paints, painting cranks, designing jigs, and that list goes on and on. I immediately think of Scott , milemark714, with fishing plastics for walleye. No doubt, he influenced me a lot. But when I think of what tactics have been changed the most and why, by far one person completely revamped my tactics and approach to icing panfish – Bret Clark.

Like many, I spent years pounding the ice wasting time sitting on the same few holes to grind it out. A rocker and waxworm had been the go to bait. But after many conversations, reading many reports, and seeing his consistent success, I changed nearly everything I do in ice fishing.

Run n gun and artificial baits are the go to’S. My assortment of foods mastics for the ice nearly surpasses my walleye and bass plastics. The boxes and boxes of spoons, tiny jig raps, and other items I previously never considered are all part of the standard program. To make things more expensive, I upped my game by adding weighted flies, micro hair jigs and more. I disciplined myself to move, move, and keep moving. Chase the bite, don’t wait on it. Not all fish are negative and not all fish are active at the same time. Bret opened a door to how I think about panfish, and inspired me to learn so much more.

So who on IDO inspired you to make a change?

Dave Koonce IS the reason I walleye fish. Had never been a walleye fishermen till he invited me on a trip where I also met James (who also indirectly has been a big influence).

So, thanks Dave.

Two ideas… first is a general thought process that has been pounded away on the show about finding the fish and moving to where you think they should be… and applying reasoning for those decisions… vs I caught them here last month, they have to be here now.

Other is something I heard James say once, as well as Randy Wieland on a couple past postings here and on another site. Not quoting exact, but “fishing the wrong lure very well is better than fishing the right lure incorrectly”.

While I still suck at fishing – more often than not, I can say my approach to it is different and better because of the shows and reading threads here.

I’ve also with time learned to enjoy it all… and not base the day on catching only. That may be just getting older and looking at life in a better way.

i’d have to say that old rascal “Crappietom”, aka Tom Savell. over the years and a few different sites he has given me so much crap about not using plastics and to try them.

well now……….I am a believer!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve done a 180 on plastics as well, and I’m much more impatient on spots, keep moving until you find them.

I had never fished much for crappies until 11-12 years ago. A good friend invited me to go ice fishing and the rest is history as they say.
About a year later I started fishing them open water with a couple of friends, and now we take a few day trips each year.
Along the way we have refined our techniques and patterns thanks to fishing shows and youtube videos.
So, I want to thank all my friends that I have fished with. I know we have gained knowledge from each other for both Crappie and Walleye.

Granrud and Holst fishing plastics for walleyes

Both the episodes and all the posting they were doing a few years back. Big change in my fishing. I still like live bait but now not 100% dependent

Thanks guys

Despite all of your best efforts I’m still terrible at fishing

James Holst
With his informational “Spot on the Spot” and breaking down lakes,contours,transition lines, time of the year and where they should/will be.

BigWerm wrote:

I’ve done a 180 on plastics as well, and I’m much more impatient on spots, keep moving until you find them.

This is my experience as well, but I would also add baits like rippin raps and blade baits.

Past member Matt Grow… showed me (actually made me) how to run and gun when on Mille Lacs Ice… I was a plop and sit and wait kind of fisherman… a tank of fuel in the auger lasted a season… after fishing with him and my brother a few weekends, i learned I could “find” the fish where they were.

I’m a big Will Roseberg fan. I’ve met him a few times on local lakes. Super nice guy and willing to share any information you ask. I’d love to see him on the show more.
Dan

I used to be a Bass guy until I met James Holst and Fish The River life was so much easier before then.

Without a doubt, Joel Nelson. The guy really knows his stuff when it comes panfish, especially gills.

Oh I’ve learned many things from the fishing & hunting forums.

Randy… introductory lessons on blowing up prairie dogs

Most of which, encouraging the desire to figure out myself how to get it done.

Learned enough many years ago I felt it necessary to return the favor by sharing.

This article changed the way I fished in 1992. Way ahead of its time and still applies today. Principle of Wind and Walleye by Doug Stange and Steve Quinn. Can’t believe it is 28 years old.

https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/principles-of-wind-and-walleyes/155918

Panfish plastics thanks to Tom Sawvell. Still use my “Crappie Tom” ultra light often.

I am old school and thrifty, but I think it was Fish Blood & River Mud talking about side imaging convinced me to cough up the cash for a new Hummingbird unit. Still use only 20% of the capability but i’m learning to embrace the new technologies. Now I need to supplement my Water Spike anchor with a new trolling motor with spot lock but my cheap self won’t spend the cash…

Dean Marshall, Doc Frigo and Woody. All showed me what I know on the river. Thanks Guys!!!

Brian Klawitter and his stinkbait.

mplspug wrote:

Brian Klawitter and his stinkbait.

referring to Spam???

I would say James and something he said years ago. Walleye aren’t sensitive to light like people think. They can see in the dark and have a distinct advantage during low light, so its easier for the to eat and capture food. But they will feed all day and in any conditions.

That completely changed they way I fish. I was a lake fisherman and would always look for deeper structure, focus on mornings or evenings. It turned into…find the food, find the fish. Now, especially in the river, I think of walleye as any predator and in current, they look for easy meals where they don’t have to use much energy.

I can’t say who for sure but it was on this site where I started using ring worms for walleyes and I am forever grateful to whoever it was ! Thank You

BK for flatheads

I found this place after mucking around on P2 with limited luck. It did a couple of things:

1) Accelerated my learning curve quickly in how to look for where fish would be in changing conditions.

2) Substantially broadened my techniques that I use and that would apply to lakes and the river.

The last thing this site has done is cost me thousands of dollars. I have bought more gear in the last few years than I can use in a lifetime. I’ll throw the new Ranger in there, too.

Pat and James showed me how to catch lake trout through the ice. Without there ice shows on that I probably would not have ever even tried, seemed like such a needle in a hay stack. Thanks guys 👍

I misread the title, ONE Person, would probably be Will Roseberg who taught me about trolling off of structure for muskies, and finding a way to sneak out for a few hours after the kids are asleep at the cabin. My wife may still be upset about that last one if she thought it was his fault (spoiler alert it’s all my fault ).

Sorry I named two also , I’ll go with pat ! 🤔

Randy Wieland wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mplspug wrote:</div>
Brian Klawitter and his stinkbait.

referring to Spam???

BK’s love for Spam did actually convince me to try it again after first having it only one time as a kid. I gotta say, it’s pretty good!

Steve Dezurik! I learned “how to learn” fishing with Steve.. Just watching and listening. Before I fished with Steve I learned about everything on my own. Trial and error. Maybe read some book/magazines but fishing with Steve really accelerated my ability to fish the river..