Online Fishing Tourneys - The Future of Competitive Angling?

Online organized tourneys like Shack Slam have plenty of advantages over traditional formats. Click here for more information - https://catchcover.com/shackslam/

Whether you’ve ever fished an actual tournament, or have casually followed the many series of events that happen nationwide, chances are your own fishing has been dramatically impacted.  Traditionally, fishing tournaments have been a way for the best and boldest anglers to showcase their talents, all while under pressure posed by everything from fellow anglers to ma nature.  The result has been an incredible string of product innovation that follows in its wake, born from incentive and driven need to outcompete.  Of course, fishing tournaments can be smaller club or less serious affairs, providing anglers another excuse to hit the water and get better.  They exist for almost all species in a variety of formats, from kayak-only, to catch and weigh, all the way to ice events that dot the hardwater landscape. 

With the act of catching a fish being so…well…hands-on, it’s tough to imagine bass-slinging or walleye-netting that’s online.  Yet, web or app format tournaments are gaining popularity for their simplicity, among other things, mostly in the way that they organize tournament proceedings and bring people together.  Darren Amundson, founder of FishDonkey – an app-based automated tournament software – discussed with me some of the reasons for this surge in online tournament growth.

An online tournament works like this says Amundson, “A tournament organizer works within an app to roster anglers, manage entry fees (if any), and determine tournament logistics.  From there, anglers connect via a smartphone, and manually photo and video each catch to verify length.  Catch statistics are entered on the water, and managed within the software to give all anglers a sorted, running tally of real-time results.  If there’s no cell connectivity, catch information is collected and stored in-app to be sorted later.”  The process sounds simple, but there are other benefits to running a tech-based tourney.    

Amundson started their app in response to some negative bass tournament press they learned about in Austin, TX.  “The equivalent of Texas’ DNR did some studies on catch and immediate release vs. catch and weigh bass tournaments to find nearly zero mortality in those quick release versions.  The same wasn’t true for fish that were put in a livewell, driven around the lake, weighed both in the boat and off, then released later.”  From experience, there are plenty of species in warm water like walleyes, that simply aren’t able to be released after a traditional weigh-in.

Amundson continues, “While there are other catch, measure, and release formats, an online tournament can take place on a number of water-bodies, over any length of time the organizer chooses.”  Spreading the pressure then over time and space then, definitely impacts individual resources to a lesser degree, which is something that tournament critics have long been concerned with. 

Online tournaments also give anyone the opportunity to organize and carry out a fishing competition, provided local and state guidelines are still followed.  “That usually involves that spreading out of opportunity, holding a tournament over a broad area over a longer length of time,” says Amundson.  A group of buddies can hold their own event and use software to sort and compare catch real-time.  “We track weather, news, stock prices, and everything else via our smart-phones,” mentions Amundson, “it only makes sense to use the technology to allow competition in a smarter, more responsible way.”

However, tournament cheating is a problem as old as the sport, and web-based tournaments are not immune to deceit.  For that reason, most online based tourneys require in-app photos and video.  “If they alter the photo, or measure the same fish twice, the tournament organizer is notified immediately.  No outside images or video is allowed to interface,” says Amundson.         

For organizers and anglers who spend large amounts of time and money on day-of logistics, online tournaments are a way to fish competitively with less costs.  There are even ad-supported means of funding prizes, and fishing companies may grow to value the content derived from it.  “At the end of the day, partner companies get photos of real people enjoying their time on the water, which may be of interest in fueling social media content for brands that participate,” mentions Amundson.

It’s a whole new world out there, and each year sees new events, series, and formats run the rollercoaster of tournament popularity.  To me, real-time tracking and organizing, along with the ability to compete with anglers across the country over less-restrictive times and areas sounds interesting.  Whether it will replace traditional formats remains to be seen, as huge bass fishing events are more popular, yet volatile, than ever.  Still, as the tech improves, I see this being a way for anyone to hold a tournament or compete in one, all while giving anglers the choice to harvest or release within the bounds of existing fish and game regulations.  Surely, that flexibility will garner more attention from more interested anglers. 

Ice Plastics Closer and Closer to the Real Thing

My first experience with ice-bait of any kind wasn’t a wax-worm, euro-larvae, or or silver wiggler, it was with a humble goldenrod grub.  Each fall we’d collect goldenrod bulbs in a cardboard box from around the farm, then sit in the basement and pry them apart.  Holes in the bulb would indicate the grub had left, but an intact pod would be split just up until the center.  After which, you’d extract the tiny white grub from the center and put it in small jars with corn meal.  It was free and plentiful, but took some time to pull those little buggers out.  It also led to a few scars and plenty of frustration, though the panfish certainly appreciated them.

Fast forward a decade or more, and I began to fall in love with plastics for ice.  Anything with a flicker tail could be threaded on your favorite jig with the greatest amount of customization.  I had color, shape, length, and rigging choices galore to fully experiment with, day-in and day-out.  Ice plastics made me a better angler then, as I was able to spend more time fishing, less time re-baiting, and ultimately learn to fine-tune a presentation with utmost detail.  You could adjust the angle of the plastic, rigging backwards, curling it up to cover the hookpoint; whatever the situation needed, you had a way to mimic or stand-out. 

Now, as plastics designs have moved forward, we’ve gone much further than adjusting shapes, colors, and sizes.  Attractants “baked-in” to the design of these plastics are all the rage, though simple scents have been a part of the plastics routine from day-one.  Anise scent is commonly used in a variety of soft plastics, but the new breed is going as far as making them out of actual organic materials.  You guessed it, fish food for lack of a better term.  That said, you may see them expressed as “fish proteins,” “amino acids,” and even “donkey-sauce.”  All of which would seem like a good thing to both entice fish into biting, but also keeping them on the tasting menu. 

While you’ll see plenty of plastics labeled as “infused” or otherwise coated with scent, here’s a few of the more interesting varieties with actual fish-food as part of the bait’s construction:

Northland Impulse – I’ll start with the plastic most similar to, well, plastic.  Northland’s Impulse formula has some organic materials and natural products as part of its makeup, and though the proprietary formula is a secret, they’ve certainly done their due diligence.  Major university research showed in repeated experiments that fish retain the bait in their mouths 143% longer than the leading competitor soft plastics.  Moreover, it won’t firm up or be rendered un-usable after some time out of the water.  Softness in the plastic/organic blend allows for more undulation in a variety of popular shapes and sizes, making it a go-to for those looking at the benefits of a hybrid. I’ve used these for years and have always been successful with this bait.  

Eurotackle Mummy Worms – Next, we’ll cover the real thing, literally. Euro’s mummy worms are real wax-worms, but mummified.  While the process is closely guarded, the key is that these things are well-preserved and ready to go in a variety of colors.  What’s dead already can’t stink up your ice-bibs, and it’s obvious that fish can prefer live-bait only at times, making this a great option on the go.    

Beavertail Baits – Perhaps the most interesting item in the category is a series of completely organic ice baits from Beavertail.  Based on the name, you might be able to guess the actual makeup of these ice baits, which begs the question, why beaver-tail?  Andrew Gullickson, owner/operator has a few reasons.  “First off, it has the traditional appeal, taste, and feel of live bait,” says Gullickson, adding “natural oils in this product last all day compared to lures that are dipped in scent and can get diluted.”  He also mentions the durability of the product, which is always an issue with live bait.  “This stuff is ultra-tough compared to bait and even your average plastic, making it a great for fishing gills and perch that are notoriously rough on bait,” says Gullickson.  It also comes in various color options, allowing for different looks in different water clarity and color.  Similar to the mummy-worms, Beavertail baits are preserved through a special process that allows shelf life and no stink.   

The beaver-tail product shares another unique quality in that it is neutrally buoyant.  Iowa guide Darrin Jones of Big Fin Guide Service uses these baits to fool the famously finicky gills of the gin clear Okoboji system.  “I can fish these baits with extremely light jigs and get better kick out of them than traditional plastic,” mentions Jones.  He also echoes Gullickson in describing how long they last on a hook.  “I can catch 25 plus gills on a single bait, which is important for these clear lake gills in a shrinking bite window,” says Jones.  More time in the water than out of it is important, but to Jones, so are the adjustments he can make to these baits.  “I like taking the scissors to these and modifying them, with my favorite shape being a simple split tail created by cutting one lengthwise from one end nearly to the other,” says Jones.  “They’re infinitely adjustable, giving me more options when fish are in a funk.”

I think we all could agree that more options out there is a good thing, especially when they are getting closer and closer to live bait.  That said, these options with all of their other favorable qualities are giving the real thing a run for its money.      

Can One Camper or Fish-House Do It All? - 4-Season Buying Guide

A few years ago I took the plunge and decided to invest in an ice-house.  More specifically, a wheelhouse that could be taken onto and off-of any lake I decided to fish, for any amount of time I wished to stay.  At the time, ice-fishing was to be its primary use.  To date however, I’ve used it for family camping trips, trout scouting, turkey adventures, hunting-land reconnaissance, and yes, definitely ice fishing.  It’s even served as overflow sleeping for visitors when beds are full.  While I knew I’d use it for more than just fishing, I guess I was a little unclear as to the details.  Even though I did my research, I look back at how unprepared I was and what I know now.  Here’s what I wish I knew then, and how to get the most out of a 4-season fish house.

Versatility

As much as you may think this is your fish-house first, it’s hard to justify the price of a modern wheelhouse on a Midwestern ice calendar.  I’m not selling the wheelhouse short on its ice convenience, as its taken my family fishing to a new level, but even better if you can use it for all seasons.  As anglers, hunters, and campers, we tend to view our interests seasonally, and give disproportional credence to the immediate needs of that calendar month.  For example, ask me in May about ice-fishing, and I’ll find a way to turn it into a turkey hunting story. 

What does that mean for your wheelhouse purchase?  It means you need to train your brain to think on the year-round clock.  While it may be an ice purchase, modern wheelhouses are very much a 4-season RV, meaning you have to plan for spring, summer, and fall as much as you do winter.  With that in mind, make sure your wheelhouse is RVIA certified, which simply means it complies with RV safety standards adopted by law, and also means it jives with their liability insurance.  State parks and most private campgrounds require it, as I found out at a private campground full of massive RV’s and 5th-wheel luxury trailers.  As nice as my wheelhouse is, they looked down their nose a bit at our “fish-house.”  That certification eased their concerns and made our stay easy.

As I’ve come to find, it’s easier to fish out of a camper than camp out of a fish-house.  By that I mean it’s easier to swallow any slight fishing inconveniences for 3 months, than it is to do without for 9 months.  Of course, if you don’t camp, hunt, or otherwise plan to make use of it for any other reason than fishing, by all means deck it out as a fishing-only wheelhouse.  That said, before ownership, I would’ve said my priorities would be 75%/25% fishing over all other seasons, and now I’m 50/50 or even closer to opposite to what I thought when first buying.  Keep in mind that your motivating factors may change as well.

Features to Consider

Length and configuration are probably the first fork in the road, so think on this with some detail.  Longer is obviously more expensive and heavier, but also offers you the space you’ll likely want when camping with a family or hunting buddies.  That said, I own a 21 footer, and when hooked to my truck, the whole works is pretty long.  That doesn’t work very well in certain state parks, or even some northwoods campgrounds in tight quarters.  Many campsites are modeled for single-unit RVs, and while you can usually find a way to unhook the wheelhouse and back the truck in elsewhere, keep it in mind if you’re looking at a longer model and want to camp in more secluded places. 

Over 16 feet or so, and you’re probably looking at a hydraulic lift/drop system.  For ice and camping alike, this is a very worthwhile addition.  Make sure that the tongue has a hydraulic cylinder as well, so you can backup to it and easily hitch up, as well as drop and unhitch quickly too.  Mine runs on a key fob and is as easy as locking or unlocking your truck.

A big configuration concern is whether to go with a drop-down back door, or seal off that back end and add windows and a couch.  I’ve ran with both options, and this one really comes down to how much you’ll actually be towing an ATV or snowmobile in that toy-hauler back end.  Because I own an ATV, and it can go in ramps up on the truck, I can honestly say that I don’t miss my toy-hauler version save a few large ice-trips where it would be nice to take another sled or perhaps a UTV.  To each their own, but I have personally found the more roomy back end and a couch on that end wall to mean more space for fishing and camping.

Water and bathroom are another early consideration with any wheelhouse you’ll buy.  A few years in on my end, and I still don’t have a perfect answer.  So far, we’ve camped in places that all have good shower facilities, and bathrooms are readily available.  More off-grid stuff, and the shower/toilet combo would be a no-brainer.  For me, water is really nice to have, and makes your fish-house much more like a camper.  In the private campgrounds we’ve been to, full-time water hookups pressurize the system, and especially when paired with an on-site sewer drain, the system is ultra convenient. 

Keep in mind, most state parks do not have water hookups or sewer at the campsite.  Some don’t have power either, though many do.  At which point, you’re filling a small water tank and filling a grey-water/black-water tank that needs to be emptied at some point.  If I was looking at camping primarily at state parks, I personally would not opt for a bathroom and water hookup in my fish-house, and just make use of the on-site facilities.  You’ll save money and the hassle of having to maintain the system.  That said, if you’re like me and doing a mixture of off-grid hunting, private/public campgrounds, and ice-fishing, water and bathroom is worth its weight. 

You could always go with the portable dry toilet systems too and forgo the water AND bathroom.  They’ve come a long way in terms of both cost and convenience.  You can also shrink your bathroom into just a closet and have more storage and shelving for the rest of the house.  My dealer tells me that interest in either is still split, and he sells about 50/50 between bathroom and water vs. none.

Once You Buy

Now that I’m an owner, I’m realizing that planning and organization is everything.  Effectively, my Yetti has two-seasons, fishing, and everything else.  Early on, I pre-measured most holds in the fish-house, and found small tubs and organizers that fit into each compartment.  I’ve got a set for ice and a set for camping.  Moving day in the spring involves getting all of the fishing tubs and baskets out of the fish-house and into the garage, while moving the camping organizers inside.  Rod holders and other fishing paraphernalia comes off the wall, and the water system is hooked up to a hose and purged of winter anti-freeze.  The reverse happens each fall as I prepare for the fishing season. 

You’ll find that no solution is bullet-proof, and you often sacrifice either convenience or money to find what works best for you.  Still, purchasing with versatility in mind, while organizing everything down to winter vs. all other seasons has truly made our fish-house a full season camper.   

Getting to the Bite - Late Winter Strategies

I’m staring at some heavy flakes right now out the office window, and like the rest of my ice fishing brethren, I’m thinking about how it’ll impact my ice journeys during the remainder of our season.  It’s a reality of February, and especially March, that especially when traveling to different bites across the ice belt that you’ll contend with heavy snow.  Mere days ago we had open ice travel on many lakes in central and southern Minnesota, a rarity for this time of year for sure.  Now we’re settling in on a more traditional portion of winter that involves dealing with limited travel and the consequences that go with it.

Northern portions of ice-fishing-land had their snow early, around the Christmas Holiday, which is always tricky given the propensity of heavy snow to sink ice and create slush conditions.  No matter your machine or manual travel methods, slush is a killer.  On a bite in Hackensack around New Years, we high-stepped through a foot of snow, only to stand in inches of water.  Drill the ice, and you only make situations worse as water flows onto the ice and under the snow, only to create more of the slush that hampers foot and vehicle travel alike. 

So how to best attack conditions like this?  Well the answer depends on how you’re fishing, what equipment you have at your disposal, and ultimately the amount of work and effort you’re willing to put into the finding vs. the fishing.  Of course, there’s some shortcuts learned over the years that’ll hopefully help as the snow continues piling on over the winter. 

Foot Travel

I’ll start with the toughest portion first, but also the simplest.  Advantages lie in this modest mode of ice travel, particularly in the fact that you’ll have to have less gear to haul around.  Stuff a light sled with a simple auger, several rods, and a flasher, then carry some small tackle boxes on your person as you trudge to spots.  Given your limited range, you’ll be forced to fish more strategically, and this especially applies to how you’ll be accessing spots.  Flee from the busy accesses where trucks are streaming onto the lake, and focus on secondary access more associated with first ice.  County parks, water that touches public road rights of way, and private access with permission is a great way of going after fish that haven’t seen a lure all winter, or at least since the beginning of winter. 

This is also a great time to focus on small bodies of water.  You’ll know from the tracks left in snow whether or not it’s been getting pressure, and the smaller the lake, the less deep snow trudging there is by default.  This is also a great time to focus on walk-in-access lakes, Scientific and Natural Area accesses, and catch-and-release only lakes like the one I fished a few weeks ago.  We drug sleds a ¼ mile through a snowy access, and fished hard through the day, but were rewarded with some quality gills during the last 20 minutes of the day.  I live for this kind of fishing.

ATV

The ATV vs. snowmobile debate has raged in online forums and Facebook user groups for many years, and over the years, it’s mother nature that makes the final choice as to what will operate better on the open ice.  Most years, an ATV’s effectiveness wanes through February, and especially into March, though ATV chains can extend you a few more weeks.  Still, eventually, you’ll high-center and be hung up on the frame by thick snow that no longer allows passage.  ATV’s once again have a great late-ice applications as snow melts and opens up lakes a bit in late March and April.  While slower than snowmobiles, they’re smoother and typically have better storage solutions for holding your ice gear and keeping it out of the bottom of your sled.  That said, during the heart of winter in a snowy season, it’s best to save your frustration and leave the ATVs at home.

Snowmobile

For long pokes and fast travel over deep snow, nothing beats a sled and flip-style fish-house combo.  It’s how you need to fish in much of Canada and extreme northern portions of the US.  There’s simply too much snow, for too long of the season, to expect good travel with anything else.  Still, slush is just as much a killer for snowmobiles as it is any other means of travel. 

That’s why I’m a big fan of packing down your fishing area ahead of time with a snowmobile or group of them.  Unhitch your shelter, and run back and forth between the access and all around your fishing area.  Think of it as laying a track for all of the fishing you hope to do throughout the remainder of your stay.  For long trips into the back country, this doesn’t make as much sense for the ride out, but it certainly does once you reach your fishing destination.  10 minutes spent packing down “landing” makes all the difference in the world when hole-hopping the rest of the day, and when you combine your runs with underwater contours from a GPS, you’re effectively marking out your spots before you fish them.  That makes drilling, AND fishing a much easier task, so before you ever wet a line you’re increasing the likelihood that you’ll fish longer and better. 

Truck (With/Without Wheelhouse)

Vehicles are the most limiting means of travel on ice during these conditions when you think about it, but they’re a necessity if towing a wheelhouse.  Unfortunately, they’re also the most dangerous, so good planning on previously scouted roads is a must.  This past weekend we avoided a better portion of one lake, and two accesses at another, simply because of unsafe and unproven travel.  Be especially mindful of lake neck-down areas.  So often there’s flow and thin ice in these areas, even during the coldest dead of winter.  Even a path over shallow water can be an expensive date, so consider driving on plowed roads only. 

Of course, a buddy with a plow is a huge asset in this instance.  So is a resort with a plow-driver that will work for cash.  A premium during this time of year is uncharted waters that haven’t seen any pressure, so it’s worth some dough for a custom plow-in.  Remember however, that your safety is your responsibility alone when it comes to getting out and off of the lake.  Too many people consider this plow payment an insurance policy should poor weather, additional snow, or further drifting strand you.  My advice?  Leave before it gets bad, have a “Plan B,” and check with the driver about fees to get off or out should you decide to stay if conditions suddenly change. 

Good tires go a long way on a lake, but realize the limitations of your vehicle when deep snow hangs up on the suspension and frame.  Going off-road sounds great from a fishing perspective, but big drifts, slush pockets, and hidden ice chunks can get the best of all who Baja. 

Whichever method you choose, be safe out there, focus on fish that haven’t been harassed, and get creative with your bites and access to get after the best of late winter fishing.     

Finding Fish - The Wheelhouse Drop-Zone

It always amazes me how a sea of anglers can be so willing to sit over a featureless, and often fishless, chunk of underwater real-estate.  Such is commonplace among wheelhouse anglers who are as interested in the ice experience as much as they are the actual fishing.  Far be it from me to tell them where or how to fish, but with a little bit of preparation and planning, you can have your fish and cook them too.  Here’s a few ways to maximize your time in the wheelhouse and stay on fish.

Scouthouse

The best scenario involves setting up a basecamp in a likely area, but one you are not married to.  That is right, setup with the intention of eventually moving.  Especially in the toy-hauler editions, wheelhouses these days go hand-in-hand with portable shelters, ATVs, and snowmobiles.  Use these tools to go out and find actively biting fish, with the hopes that you will eventually move basecamp to the active biters.  The Scouthouse concept is something I detailed a few issues back, and has been successful in the past for me.  It’s also something that’s fun with a group of like-minded anglers, all willing to search out a great bite such that eventually you can drop the big-house right on top of a good pod of fish. 

Prep and Map-work

Dropping on fish usually comes with some good scouting and prep-work.

Of course rarely is it as easy as picking a spot on a map, even with some great scouting, where fish are going to be active.  That is where some homework comes into play.  Navionics has a free, web-based mapping utility, and there are other good paid options out there too.  Any good trip planning should focus efforts on identifying likely fish-holding areas, but big wheelhouses often can’t just roam the open ice.  That is where a discussion with your resort of choice on big lakes or some truck scouting on-lake personally can yield big dividends.  At the end of the day, with enough snow, you will need plowed roads to make it to your destination, and the resort may need to plow a spot specifically for your house.  Working with them will ensure the best result, and don’t be afraid to offer a few extra bucks for a custom plowing job.  The best waypoints on the lake will not yield results if you can’t get to them, so first identify what’s open if at all possible. 

For walleyes, so often the deep structure mid-winter (wheelhouse season) has day-long appeal, especially in stained water, whereas classic hard-bottomed structure may be too shallow to attract any fish except early morning or late evening.  All of which may be just fine if you’re only going to be fishing in the wheelhouse during primetime, but keep that in mind.  Deep water structure can mean humps, bars, and gravel, but it can also be mud or small depressions just off of that same structure.  These secondary spots are often overlooked by the crowds and can yield great success.

For panfish, you are often looking to basins for open water crappies, and the edges of them for gills in many northern lakes.  Do not forget about shallow fish however, and keep in mind that when crowds form in the community holes, there’s usually a shallow weed-bite that you can have to yourself.  Again, this is something that will take some previous scouting or expertise, as the best cabbage and coontail beds in the lake are not always easily identifiable.  These shallow fish can be trip savers when deep snow or large crowds overrun other spots on the lake.

Fish the Crowd, or Stay Away

As winter snow persists, and on-ice travel becomes more challenging, you see on-ice communities get a bit too cozy for my liking.  You would probably not be surprised then to learn that I like to avoid the crowds whenever possible.  Even in deep water, the crescendo of noise from increasing numbers of generators, augers, and vehicles can turn off fish in general.  Crappies suspended over deeper water seem to have some tolerance for it, but my experience is that there is often other areas and better fishing to be had on the same lake. 

If I do join the crowd, I try to be strategic in my placement, thinking both above water and below it.  From an underwater perspective, basin fish will often hang up on inside turns and use that to funnel from deep to shallow, so consider setting up on the edge of a community hole where such an escape route from the noise exists.  If there are some small deep-water irregularities to the contours, or bumps off the main structure that most people are on, I will park it to the edge and have those to myself. 

Think about where the traffic is coming above ice as well, as I like to setup as far to the edge of the main roads and heavy traffic as possible.  Heavy cracking and popping from vehicle noise spooks fish, plain and simple.  Simple observation for a few minutes of your ice-fishing brethren will quickly tell you who’s going to be noisy and who’s there to fish.  Do your best to stake out a spot that is kind to others on the ice, but also ensures you won’t be crowded later by newcomers to the spot.  A strategically placed shovel, bucket, and especially a tip-up will help fellow anglers keep a reasonable distance and prevent close-parkers. 

Hopefully snow will subside and we’ll get great ice and easy travel, but even if that’s not the case, some preparation and strategic placement can make all the difference for your next outing.