The Mepps Spinner

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Fishing with a Mepps spinner is a time-tested technique that has consistently proven effective across various fishing conditions and species. Whether you’re targeting trout in mountain streams or bass in lakes, the Mepps spinner’s versatility and reliable action make it a favorite among anglers worldwide. In this guide, I’ll delve into the essentials of using a Mepps spinner effectively to enhance your fishing experience.

Understanding the Mepps Spinner

The Mepps spinner is renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness. It consists of a blade (often metallic and reflective) that rotates around a shaft, creating flash and vibration underwater. This design mimics the movement of a small fish or insect, enticing predatory fish to strike.

Choosing the Right Mepps Spinner

Mepps spinners come in various sizes and colors, each suited for different fishing conditions.

Choose a spinner size based on the target species. Smaller sizes (e.g., 0 to 2) are ideal for trout, panfish, and smaller species, while larger sizes (e.g., 3 to 5) are better for bass, pike, and walleye.

The blade color can influence fish behavior. Bright colors like chartreuse or red can be effective in murky waters, while silver or gold blades work well in clear water.

Gear Setup

To fish with a Mepps spinner effectively, use a light to medium-weight spinning rod and reel combo. Here’s a basic setup:

• Rod: A 6 to 7-foot rod with a light to medium action.
• Reel: Match the reel size to your rod and fishing line.
• Line: 4 to 10-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line, depending on the target species and fishing conditions.

Fishing Techniques

1. Casting: Cast the Mepps spinner upstream or across the water body you’re fishing. Allow it to sink briefly before starting your retrieve.
2. Retrieve Speed: The key to fishing a Mepps spinner lies in the retrieve speed. Start with a slow to medium retrieve, allowing the spinner to spin and produce flash and vibration. Adjust your retrieve speed based on fish activity and water conditions.
3. Depth Control: Vary the depth at which you fish by adjusting your retrieve speed and the angle of your rod tip. This versatility allows you to target fish holding at different depths.
4. Pause and Twitch: Occasionally pause your retrieve and give the rod tip a slight twitch. This can mimic the erratic movements of injured prey, triggering predatory strikes.

Targeting Specific Fish Species

• Trout: Use smaller Mepps spinners (sizes 0 to 2) in streams and rivers. Focus on pools, riffles, and eddies where trout often lie in wait.
• Bass and Pike: Opt for larger Mepps spinners (sizes 3 to 5) when targeting bass and pike in lakes and larger bodies of water. Target weed edges, drop-offs, and structure where predatory fish lurk. (My favorite Mepps spinner for pike is this one.)

Tips for Success

• Be Observant: Pay attention to water conditions and adjust your tactics accordingly.
• Experiment: Try different spinner sizes, colors, and retrieve speeds until you find what works best on a given day.
• Consistency: Practice and consistency in your retrieve technique can often make a difference between a good day and a great day of fishing.

Conclusion

Fishing with a Mepps spinner is not just about technique; it’s about understanding fish behavior and adapting to the environment. With its proven track record and versatility, a Mepps spinner can elevate your fishing adventures to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, the Mepps spinner is a valuable addition to any tackle box, promising excitement and success on the water. Happy fishing!

The Influence of Barometric Pressure on Fishing Success

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Fishing enthusiasts are well aware that success on the water isn’t just about the right bait or technique—it’s also influenced by various natural factors, including barometric pressure. Barometric pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, refers to the weight of the air in the Earth’s atmosphere. It may seem unrelated to fishing at first glance, but understanding its effects can significantly enhance your chances of a fruitful fishing expedition.

What is Barometric Pressure?

Barometric pressure is crucial for weather forecasting and can fluctuate due to weather systems moving through an area. It’s measured in inches of mercury (inHg) or millibars (mb). High-pressure systems (often associated with fair weather) exert more force on the water’s surface, resulting in higher barometric readings. Conversely, low-pressure systems (typically associated with stormy weather) exert less force.

How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing

Fish Behavior

Changes in barometric pressure can directly impact fish behavior. Many fish have swim bladders that allow them to adjust their buoyancy and maintain stability in the water. When the barometric pressure drops (indicating a low-pressure system or an approaching storm), fish may become more active and move towards shallower waters to feed. On the other hand, during high-pressure systems, fish might move deeper and be less active, making them harder to catch.

Feeding Patterns

Lower barometric pressure tends to stimulate fish feeding activity. This is why many anglers notice increased bites and catches before a storm arrives. The decreasing pressure signals to fish that conditions are suitable for feeding, prompting them to become more aggressive in their pursuit of prey.

Preferred Feeding Times

Experienced anglers often plan their outings around barometric trends. Fishing during decreasing or stable pressure periods can yield better results than during rising pressure periods when fish are less likely to be actively feeding.

Species-Specific Reactions

Different fish species may react differently to changes in barometric pressure. For example, some species like bass and trout may be more sensitive and responsive to these changes compared to others.

Tips for Fishing Based on Barometric Pressure

Monitor Weather Forecasts

Before heading out, check the barometric pressure trends in your area. Tools like weather apps or barometers can provide real-time data.

Adjust Fishing Techniques

During periods of low pressure, use techniques that attract fish to the surface or shallow areas. Experiment with different baits and presentations to match the fish’s increased activity levels. Topwater presentations can be a great choice in these conditions.

Be Flexible

Fish can be unpredictable, so while barometric pressure can provide insights, it’s not a guarantee of success. Adapt your strategies based on actual fishing conditions and the behavior you observe.

Conclusion

Understanding the impact of barometric pressure on fish behavior is a valuable tool for any angler. By paying attention to these natural cues, anglers can increase their chances of having a successful fishing trip. Whether you prefer freshwater or saltwater fishing, being aware of how barometric pressure influences fish can turn a good day on the water into an exceptional one. So, next time you plan a fishing adventure, consider checking the barometer—it might just make all the difference.

The Mayfly & the Great Lakes

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If you live within a mile so of water, which is nearly everywhere in the Great Lakes region, you may notice the arrival of what many call “fish flies” during the late May, June and early July timeframe. While that nickname certainly applies to these insects, which can serve as a feast for many freshwater fish species, their proper name is the mayfly.

There are over 3,000 known species of mayflies worldwide, belonging to the order Ephemeroptera. These species vary in size, color, habitat preference, and lifecycle characteristics. Mayflies are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they inhabit a wide range of freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds.

But here in the Great Lakes, there is one species that “rises” above the rest. Hexagenia Limbata, also known as the Giant Burrowing Mayfly, is a species of mayfly that lives throughout most of North America.  And it is this species that we typically see near Great Lakes shorelines in late May, June and early July. 

IMPORTANCE TO LAKE ERIE AND THE LARGER GREAT LAKES FISHERY

Mayflies are an essential food source for many fish species in the Great Lakes. Fish such as perch, bass, walleye, and trout feed on mayflies at various stages of their lifecycle, including nymphs and adults (duns and spinners). Mayflies provide a high-energy food source rich in protein and fats, especially during their emergences when large numbers of them are available.

This mass emergence often triggers feeding frenzies among fish, leading to increased activity and successful angling. They play a significant role in the Great Lakes ecosystem by transferring energy from lower trophic levels to higher ones, ultimately supporting the fishery and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

However, it’s essential to note that the health and dynamics of the Lake Erie fishery are influenced by a combination of factors, including water quality, nutrient levels, habitat availability, fishing pressure, and management practices. So while mayflies are certainly significant, they are just one piece of the complex puzzle that shapes the fishery in Lake Erie.

LIFECYCLE

The lifecycle of a mayfly typically consists of four stages: egg, nymph (or larvae), dun (subimago), and spinner (imago). Here’s a breakdown of each stage:

Egg

Mayflies lay their eggs in bodies of freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, or streams. The eggs are usually deposited on the surface of the water or on nearby vegetation. The time it takes for eggs to hatch varies depending on species and environmental conditions, but it generally ranges from a few days to several weeks.

Nymph

Once hatched, the mayfly larvae, also known as nymphs, live underwater. They undergo several molts as they grow, typically feeding on algae, detritus, and other organic matter found in the water. Mayfly nymphs can be found burrowing in sediment, clinging to rocks, or hiding among aquatic plants. This stage can last from a few months to several years, again depending on species and environmental factors.  Mayfly nymphs are often sold as bait in many Midwest baitshops.  Known as commonly as “wigglers”, they can be a very productive bait when used for the right species at the right time of year.

Subimago (Dun)

When the nymph is ready to emerge from the water and transform into an adult, it swims to the water’s surface or crawls onto emergent vegetation. Once at the surface, the nymph undergoes its final molt, shedding its aquatic skin and emerging as a subimago, commonly known as a dun. The dun has wings but is not yet fully mature. It rests on the surface of the water or nearby vegetation while its wings dry and harden.

Imago (Spinner)

After its wings have dried and hardened, the subimago flies to a nearby area, usually vegetation or land, where it completes its transformation into the fully mature adult, known as the imago or spinner. The adult mayfly typically has clear wings and a slender body. Its primary goal as an adult is to reproduce. Adult mayflies typically live only for a short period, ranging from a few hours to a few days, depending on the species. During this time, they mate, lay eggs, and then die, completing the lifecycle.

PROBLEMS

PROBLEMS

Mayflies typically do not present significant problems themselves. They don’t bite or sting. But their mass emergences can sometimes lead to nuisance issues or minor inconveniences. Here are a few potential problems associated with mayflies.

Swarming

During mass emergences, mayflies can form dense swarms near bodies of water, which may be considered a nuisance, especially in urban areas. These swarms can interfere with outdoor activities, such as picnics, recreational boating, or outdoor dining.

Messiness

After mating and laying eggs, adult mayflies often die en masse, leading to large numbers of dead insects accumulating on surfaces near water bodies. This can result in a messy cleanup, particularly if they accumulate in large numbers on roads, sidewalks, buildings, and vehicles.

Clogged Filters

In some cases, mayflies can clog intake screens and filters in industrial and municipal water treatment facilities, potentially causing operational issues and necessitating maintenance.

Power Outages

Massive swarms of mayflies have also caused power outages by bridging gaps to ground at power plant switchyards. This can cause damage to equipment as well as cost utilities their customers, hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the nature of the short.

CURRENT STATUS

Mayfly populations were nearly non-existed around 1960, but due to environmental cleanup efforts over the next several decades, they begin to rebound by the 1990’s. However, they have since begun a gradual decline in numbers which is still being analyzed to determine the cause. Some of the possible reasons for this follow.

Habitat Loss and Degradation

Changes in land use, urbanization, agricultural practices, and habitat destruction have resulted in the loss and degradation of freshwater habitats where mayflies live and breed. Pollution from agricultural runoff, urban stormwater runoff, industrial discharge, and habitat alteration can degrade water quality and reduce suitable habitat for mayflies.

Pollution

Mayflies are sensitive to water pollution, particularly to pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Pollution from various sources can directly harm mayfly populations by affecting their growth, development, and survival, as well as indirectly by reducing their food sources and disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

Climate Change

Climate change is altering environmental conditions, including temperature, precipitation patterns, and hydrological cycles, which can impact mayfly populations. Changes in temperature and water flow regimes can affect mayfly life cycles, emergence timing, and habitat availability. Additionally, climate change can exacerbate other stressors, such as habitat loss and pollution, further threatening mayflies.

Invasive Species

The introduction of non-native species, such as invasive aquatic plants, fish, and invertebrates, can disrupt native ecosystems and negatively impact mayfly populations. Invasive species can compete with mayflies for resources, prey on mayfly nymphs or adults, and alter habitat conditions, leading to declines in mayfly abundance and diversity.

Disease & Parasites

Mayflies are susceptible to diseases and parasitic infections, which can weaken individuals, reduce reproductive success, and contribute to population declines, especially in stressed or degraded habitats.

Addressing the decline of mayfly populations requires comprehensive efforts to mitigate habitat loss, reduce water pollution, mitigate the impacts of climate change, control invasive species, and implement sustainable management practices. Conservation measures aimed at protecting freshwater ecosystems and restoring degraded habitats can help support mayfly populations and promote their long-term viability.

Product Review: Kalkal Deck Boots

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We’ve all had those moments when fishing from a wet, slippery surface where you feel like your next step will put you on the deck or in the water. If you own a boat with a fiberglass, vinyl, or other type of non-carpeted decking, you’ve probably had more of these moments than you can count. So what can you do get a better grip in these wet conditions, while keeping your feet perfectly dry and comfortable? Maybe it’s time for a pair of deck boots. In this article, I’ll review Kalkal deck boots so you can decide if they’re the right boot for you.

Grip/Traction

The grip of these boots is very solid. I had no problems working in the rain on my vinyl decking. I had high confidence in my footing and never felt like I might slip. The deep grooved design of the sole provides space for the water, allowing the boot’s sole to maintain constant contact with the surface.

Comfort

I give these boots get very high marks when it comes to comfort.  They are some of the most comfortable boots that I’ve ever worn. First, the neoprene lining is very soft against the skin, making them perfect for slipping on and off when needed, even when barefoot. In addition, they are waterproof and will keep your feet dry and warm in the wettest of conditions. Finally, the cushioning inside allow you to enjoy long hours on the water without aching feet. My wife even tried them on and remarked on how comfortable these boots were!

Style

Kal-Kal offers several color styles to match your preference:  Black, Army Green, Gray, Blue and Brown. So no matter what activity you engage in from boating to sailing to fishing or even hunting, there is a color pattern for you.

Practicality

The best way to make use of these boots, in my opinion, is to keep a pair on your boat or in your car or truck. This keeps them accessible anytime rain or wet conditions present themselves, whether planned or not. And the pull tabs make them easy to pull on and off when needed.

Some of the best uses for these boots are as follows:

• Boats with hard decking (vinyl, fiberglass, wood)
• Marinas
• Pier or dock or jetty fishing
• Launching and retrieving boats (wet boat ramps)

Cost

These boots are right in the middle of the price range when it comes to modern deck boots of comparable design. They can be purchased on Amazon for between $50 and $60 depending on size and preference.

Kalkal Deck Boots for Men, Waterproof Men’s Rain Boots, Saltwater Fishing Booties Rubber Ankle Rain Boots With High Traction (Size 7-14)

Conclusion

These deck boots from Kal-Kal offer a perfect solution for those activities that require you to stay focused while on slippery wet surfaces. Whether you are a boater, sailer or fisherman, a pair of these deck boots kept with your car, truck or boat will help ensure you stay dry, comfortable and slip-free in those wet, slippery conditions.

Spike-It!

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Visibility and scent are two of the three main ways fish sense their prey (vibration is the third). They are also the ones fish rely on the most. When fishing, it is therefore important that we try to make our baits appeal to these senses as much as possible. And there is a product on the market that I have come to rely on that really helps in that endeavor. The product is known as Spike-It.

Spike-It is essentially a dye that comes in various colors and flavors. I like to use the product to add visibility to my plastic baits. Rather than buy different plastics that have all sorts of different colors, which can get rather expensive, I just buy Spike-It and when my bait needs a flash of chartreuse or pink, I just dip the tail of the bait in bottle and I’m good to go.

Chartreuse is probably the color I use most often, but hot pink is another popular choice. Remember, it is often just a flash of color that catch’s a fish’s attention. And it sometimes only takes that little something extra to go from being skunked to putting a limit in the boat.

I have used this product successfull for crappie, walleye and bass. And it often increases my catch rate immediately. I usually like to add the color to the tip of the tail of the plastic bait, which is usually the part of the bait that has the most action in the water.

Another great feature of Spike-It is the ability to add color without changing baits. This is great when you’re locked onto a school of fish and don’t want to take the time to tie on a new bait. With Spike-It, just a quick dip and you’re ready to go.

If you use a lot of plastic baits when fishing, Spike-It is a product you must try. You likely won’t spend better money than you will on this product!

Livescope…Yes, It’s Worth It!

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There’s been some debate on the use of livescope technology. Does it really help you find fish quicker? Does it help you catch fish faster? Is it worth the money? And to all of these questions, I would answer with a resounding yes!

This, of course, doesn’t mean that everyone should go out and buy a livescope unit. In fact, I would not recommend that you do so unless fishing is a pretty serious part of your life. But there are reasons why it makes sense, even financially, if fishing is something you love to do, not just even if, but especially if you don’t get to go very often.

Before we go on, I want to point out that while I am using the term livescope generically, the term is actually the name of the Garmin version of live sonar. But because that is the widely used term for the technology in the industry, I am using it here in the generic sense. When referring to the Garmin version, I will use the term, “Livescope” with a capital L.

Should You Buy Livescope?

The first thing you should think about is how much you like to catch fish as compared to how often you get to fish. If you love to fish, enjoy the pursuit of finding them organically, and have lots of time to do so, livescope may not be for you, especially considering its high cost.

But if you don’t have a lot of time to fish each season, but really value putting fish in the boat, especially if you enjoy keeping them for table fare, then livescope is highly recommended. Now you may think it’s cost prohibitive, but it’s not as bad as you may think.

First, think about all of the fishing equipment you have purchased over time. A fishing boat is probably the most expensive piece of equipment you’ve ever purchased for fishing. It gives you the flexibility to go where the fish are, right?

But as the old saying goes, 90% of the fish are in 10% of the lake. So if you leave it to random chance, you’ll spend 90% of your time not finding many fish. If you only get to go fishing a handful of times each summer, that’s not very good odds, unless you tend to fish the same body of water over and over again.

Now of course, there is traditional sonar which most boats and fisherman have. So this gives you a reading when fish are under the boat. This is great in deeper water where the fish aren’t easily spooked. But what about the ones that are off to the side?

Well, for that, there is sidescan technology. This can help with seeing fish off to the side, but sidescan has its own limitations. The sidescan will tell you that there are fish there, but it won’t tell you if those fish came from the area under your boat and were spooked to the side of your boat. And we all know from experience that spooked fish are not that likely to bite.

But with livescope, you have the ability to watch the fish reacting to these scenarios. I have been out spider rigging for crappie and watched schools of them scatter just shortly before my baits actually reach them. This is invaluable information to a fisherman in real time. With this knowledge, I can change my approach to casting, which allows me to reach the fish without spooking them.

Finally, electronics on boats tend to have a long lifespan. When you buy your first unit, the bells and whistles of any future enhancements won’t compare with the advantage you gain from just being able to see the fish’s behavior on the screen in real time. So if you never want to upgrade, you won’t be missing much.

So Which Unit to Buy?

Like all things, this is really a matter of cost and preference. Watching them on demo mode at a store like Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s will give you a good idea of how the unit looks and feels. Lowrance, Humminbird and Garmin all have their own versions.

Personally, I chose Garmin Livescope and can tell you that I have zero regrets. The unit has been very reliable and consistent in it’s performance. I paired it with a Garmin 12″ head unit. The large screen makes it very easy to see, even on bright sunny days, without straining.

At the time I bought mine, the total cost for the head unit and the Livescope transducer was about $4500. If I were buying today, I would probably purchase this bundle from Amazon. This provides you with a 9″ display head unit and their latest Livescope Plus transducer.

If fishing is something you really enjoy, but are frustrated with coming up empty handed on the few trips that you make each year, or if you’re just frustrated in general with not being able to catch fish that you know are there, consider a livescope unit. You will never regret the purchase!

Slow Down Your Retrieve for More Fish

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One of the most common mistakes I used to make as a novice fisherman, was fishing too fast. Don’t get me wrong, there are times where a fast retrieve makes perfect sense. But if you want to catch more fish, learning to slow down your retrieve in the right situations will pay huge dividends.

There are many reasons to slow down your retrieve, but probably the most important one, especially in the Great Lakes region, is that fish are often located in cool or even cold water. Water at 15 to 20 feet deep can be much cooler than the water at the surface. And because fish are cold blooded, this means that their metabolism will be lower as well.

Metabolism

So how does this translate into the need to slow down your retrieve? Metabolism is the process by which an organism breaks down food. When metabolism is slow, the organism tends to be more judicious in how aggressive it is. This means that fish will likely not use a lot of energy when chasing prey. Which means that faster moving baits are less likely to be chased.

When I was young, I would watch fishing shows on TV and try to mimick what I was seeing. What I didn’t understand at the time was how different the conditions could be in the lakes that many of these shows were filmed on. Many of these shows were filmed in the south and the waters down there are much warmer than they are in the north. Once I started to realize that the fish don’t have the same metobolic rate in the north due to the colder conditions, I began to slow down my presentations and immediately began to catch more fish.

Now don’t get me wrong, some species have higher metabolism than others. Northern Pike, for example, tend to have relatively high metabolism in cold water as compared to many other freshwater fish. Because of this, they do well in colder water. This is one of the reasons that they thrive in the north but as a species, tend to struggle in the warmer waters of the American south.

But many species, such as crappie and bass, will often react to a slower presentation, especially in the spring and fall. One technique I like to use, especially for crappie, is to cast a jig out, let it drop to the right depth and then retrieve it by simply lifting the rod tip and letting the jig “fall” back to the boat. The key is to lift the rod tip at a rate that, combined with the fall, results in the bait swimming back relatively level. In order to accomplish this at the right speed, you may need to adjust the weight of the jig. I like to start with a 1/16 or even 1/32 oz jighead.

Changing the way you fish can take a little practice. But once you learn to slow down your retrieve, you will find a new tool that, in the right conditions, will help you catch more fish.