Author: Hooked Magazine

By Shel Zolkewich Adding a few ingredients to your catch will offer a whole new twist on your favourite fish. Fish cakes are always a crowd pleaser. Serve them on buns or a la carte accompanied by some delicious side dishes. This recipe is also a great way to use leftover fish, although that seldom occurs at our table. Feel free to experiment with different flavours in your poaching liquid—thyme instead of dill, for example. If chives aren’t close at hand, use green onions or even finely diced celery. The secret to these cakes is a crispy crust. Make sure…

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The Fish Futures 26th annual banquet held this past spring was the spring board for the announcement of the formation of Manitoba Fishing Hall of Fame. This not for profit organization recognizes individuals and groups who have made a positive impact on fishing within Manitoba through outstanding achievement, education, conservation and community service. For those of us involved in the industry we know what a rich and rooted fishing heritage we have here. Darrin Bohonis, a local angler, was the driving force behind it. Bohnis wants the Manitoba Fishing Hall of Fame to recognize individuals, groups, lodges and outfitters, retail…

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By JP Bushey After jigging up and down through a hole all winter, I’ll be the first to admit that bombing around casts for hard-hitting pike is pure, therapeutic heaven. Whether you rip, twitch or crank, finally being able to let it fly just feels amazing first thing in the spring, doesn’t it? But do you give trolling much time? Pike of all sizes are reachable in May and June, as they stretch their legs eating, resting or just plain wandering. If you keep moving, you’ll contact these fish. Trolling keeps your lures wet and allows you to cover more…

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Dinosaurs. Some people will try and tell you they are extinct, however myself and countless other “Dino” fanatics from Canada and our friends down across the line will surely try to convince you otherwise. Enter the Lake Sturgeon! This ancient beast of often times epic proportions supplies anglers with some of the best pound for pound fight in heavy current that they can encounter via rod and reel action. These gentle giants are absolute powerhouses! That, and the fact of how truly little effort it is to head out and target them, is what draws so many anglers out of…

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 By Jason Mitchell Jigs are the most versatile tool in any walleye angler’s tackle box. Like any technique, there are details and nuances that can make you successful or unsuccessful. If there is one aspect of jig fishing that is often overlooked, it would be the importance of versatility. There is not necessarily a right or wrong way to fish a jig. When the fish are biting, you can fish a jig in a lot of different ways and get bit. When conditions get tougher however, we often see a particular stroke or jigging style produce and catching fish is…

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The largemouth bass angler has dozens of tactics and hundreds of bait styles at his disposal. Most fill a useful niche but the choices can be overwhelming. The shallow running crankbait is one lure that stands out from the pack; specialized in design to pull skinny water largemouth off of structure and into the waiting landing net. This easy-to-work bait is a proven producer throughout the seasons, making it one of the top choices for consistently putting fish in the boat. Add this bait to the tackle box this year. One warning, though. Shallow cranking can be highly addictive. Why…

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Make fish take notice when working crowded water The popularity of fishing continues to flourish each year. This growth is fundamental for the future of the sport we love, but can also spell competition and congestion on some of the favourite waterways we routinely flock to. Increased angling pressure often equates to a tougher bite, as fish become conditioned to resist our favourite baits, are apt to move to less intrusive areas, or simply develop the dreaded ‘lock jaw’ affliction. Adapting and changing your mindset can help put the odds back in your favour —and give you the edge when…

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By Ted Pilgrim with Brian “Bro” Brosdahl Right now, there’s a hidden hot spot in your favorite lake, and most years it never gets touched. “There’s this lake I’ve fished my whole life,” says legendary ice angler and guide, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl. “Thought I knew it pretty well. Then several years ago, I ran the entire basin in a boat armed with Side Imaging. What an eye-opener. Discovered a sweet spot that had likely been untapped for decades, maybe longer. It was just filthy with crappies and big sunfish. Still is.” The truth, Bro says, is that every waterbody in…

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As November sets in the ice starts to grow a little more everyday and us deer hunters slowly transfer our focus to the up coming ice fishing season. That’s where I find myself tying quickstrike rigs, sorting tackle and going through my fishing journal. But most importantly trying hard not to think about being covered in slime by a 40 inch plus northern pike. For the past 6 years I have strictly put my focus on targeting and understanding Northern Pike through the ice, and I will tell you one thing you learn something new everyday. Just when you…

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