Jigging walleyes has always been the most productive method and
presentation when fishing the Turtle Flambeau or other Mercer
area lakes. Tipped with a minnow or half crawler, the weedless jig
is a very effective way to work wood areas, rocks, and weed lines.
The ISG Slowfall Jig in the 1/8 oz. size and various colors is a
excellent choice. With a plastic weed gaurd and wire hook will get
you into where the fish are without to much trouble with snags.
Walleye
| 1/8th Oz. Slowfall Jigs |
Doc's Tackle Box:
Mike "Doc" Sabec has been a professional fishing
guide for the last 20 some years in the Mercer area.
As a lifetime resident of Mercer, Wisconsin, "Doc" has
been fishing the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and Mercer
area lakes for 38 years. “Doc” spends on average 200
days a year fishing the Turtle Flambeau and area
lakes, specializing in walleye, small mouth bass,
crappie, and early spring jumbo perch. As we plan to
head into the Mercer area to fish, for the first time or a
seasoned veteran, a few tackle tips are always helpful.
Doc has put together a few tackle suggestions for
products that he recommends and uses on a daily
basis.
Mike "Doc" Sabec has been a professional fishing
guide for the last 20 some years in the Mercer area.
As a lifetime resident of Mercer, Wisconsin, "Doc" has
been fishing the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and Mercer
area lakes for 38 years. “Doc” spends on average 200
days a year fishing the Turtle Flambeau and area
lakes, specializing in walleye, small mouth bass,
crappie, and early spring jumbo perch. As we plan to
head into the Mercer area to fish, for the first time or a
seasoned veteran, a few tackle tips are always helpful.
Doc has put together a few tackle suggestions for
products that he recommends and uses on a daily
basis.
Small Mouth Bass love scented tubes. The 4"tube imitates the
crayfish, and the small mouth's number 1 source of food in our
area is the crayfish. The Turtle Flambeau and Mercer are lakes are
full of crayfish making the 4" tube the bait of choice. Rig the tube
with either a 1/16th or 1/8th oz tube jig. Vertical jigging these tubes
around wood and weeds or casting and retrieving in a jigging
motion can prove to be deadly for the small mouth. The ISG 4" tube
in the "Crawdad" color is Doc's first choice, followed by the
Watermelon Chartreuse and then the Goby. A slowfall with crawler
or minnow also produce well.
Smallmouth
| Goby |
| Watermelon Chartreuse |
| Crawdad |
The Mercer area lakes and the Turtle Flambeau flowage are
abundant with crappie. Although not always easy to find on a
consistent basis in the summer months, the crappie presentations
and tackle are quite simple. I like to use a small 1/16th oz.
jig which can be weedless or plain. Light line, (4 lb. test) and
a soft tipped rod always adds a advantage to your success. Color
of the jigs doesn't seem to matter as much as where the
presentation is offered to the crappie. A small fathead minnow on
the small jigs always works best. Crappies suspend most of the
time over brush, cribs, weed lines, and deep water so it is very
important to get the bait in their feeding zone. Slip bobber set ups
can also work well when wanting to fish a desired depth over the
top of structure.
abundant with crappie. Although not always easy to find on a
consistent basis in the summer months, the crappie presentations
and tackle are quite simple. I like to use a small 1/16th oz.
jig which can be weedless or plain. Light line, (4 lb. test) and
a soft tipped rod always adds a advantage to your success. Color
of the jigs doesn't seem to matter as much as where the
presentation is offered to the crappie. A small fathead minnow on
the small jigs always works best. Crappies suspend most of the
time over brush, cribs, weed lines, and deep water so it is very
important to get the bait in their feeding zone. Slip bobber set ups
can also work well when wanting to fish a desired depth over the
top of structure.
Crappie
The Turtle Flambeau Flowage has one of the best populations of
jumbo perch around. Jumbo, meaning perch are common in the
10-15 inch range. I like to work a 1/16th oz. jig tipped with a 1 inch
piece of crawler.
Wood and weeds are key in finding the active perch in spring and
summer months. The best fishing of all for the perch is the last
week in April. Fall drives the perch to the deeper river channels, the
deeper the better. Fall, use a fathead minnow instead of the crawler.
jumbo perch around. Jumbo, meaning perch are common in the
10-15 inch range. I like to work a 1/16th oz. jig tipped with a 1 inch
piece of crawler.
Wood and weeds are key in finding the active perch in spring and
summer months. The best fishing of all for the perch is the last
week in April. Fall drives the perch to the deeper river channels, the
deeper the better. Fall, use a fathead minnow instead of the crawler.
Yellow Perch
Over the last 5 years or so we have seen a explosion of bluegill on
the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Gills up to 10-11 inches can be found
around wood and weedy areas. Cribs provide a good shelter for the
bluegill along with stump fields with good root systems. Small light jigs
tipped with a small piece of crawler or worms work best to vertical jig
these areas. Slip bobbers with the light jigs and worms set about a
foot over the cribs, weed edges, and stump fields is also a great way
to take these nice flowage gills.
the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Gills up to 10-11 inches can be found
around wood and weedy areas. Cribs provide a good shelter for the
bluegill along with stump fields with good root systems. Small light jigs
tipped with a small piece of crawler or worms work best to vertical jig
these areas. Slip bobbers with the light jigs and worms set about a
foot over the cribs, weed edges, and stump fields is also a great way
to take these nice flowage gills.
Bluegill
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