From The Iowa Sportsman magazine, August, 2010 issue

Tips for More Crankbaiting Success
By Bill Leonard

Crankbaits are one of my favorite search baits. You can work them at a variety of speeds depending on the conditions. However, there are a few things that need to be done to make sure that we get the most mileage out of our crankbaits.

First, crankbaits put up quite a resistance when you are trolling at 2 mph or higher, so pick a rod and reel combination that matches what you are doing. I choose to go with an 11-foot Elite Tech for my long rod and for an inside rod I use a 5-foot 6-inch to 6-foot Tactix. This gives you a good spread and will keep your lines far enough apart if you do not want to use Off Shore planner boards.

Next, pick a line that maximizes the depth and wiggle of the crankbait. I spool my reels with 10/4 Fireline, and I prefer solar so I can see my line when it is time to net the fish. I like Fireline because of its no-stretch quality. Plus its diameter is thinner and will let crankbaits reach deeper depths. The advantage of a no-stretch line is that it lets you feel if your bait is working and tells you if you have picked up weeds. Nothing is worse than thinking the bait is working fine only to find out that it picked up a weed and you didn’t even know it.

Even if a crankbait is just out of the box, it is important to make sure that it runs true. To do this, I like to run my Ranger at about 3- to 3-1/2 mph and let out about 20 feet of line. At that length, I watch to see which way the bait is running. If it is running true and straight, it is ready to use. If it is running to the left, the eye of the bait needs to be bent to the right. Do the opposite if the bait is running to the right. I use my pliers to make the adjustment. Don’t overdue the adjustment, just a little bit at a time.

It takes some practice, but don't give up until you have the crankbait running true. Fine-tuning crankbaits can make all the difference in a bite.

Every year new crankbaits are introduced to the market. Some of the major crankbait companies’ prices have gotten completely out of hand. This year I have tried some of the reproductions produced by major catalog companies with good success. Many of you who read my articles know that I fish in 6-foot of water or less most of the year. I used to use a #7 shallow rap; now I use a #7 Cabela’s shallow because of the price.

In addition, I have moved one step off the weed edge to that 7- to 10-foot water this year because so many of my lakes are so much deeper and the weed edge has changed and become harder to stay clean. This has been working well, and I use a #5 or #7 Flicker Shad. The beauty of this bait is by holding your rod at different heights you can control its depth.

The Flicker Shad has become my favorite crankbait for just about everything. I like its action, rattle and you don’t need to get a loan to buy them. I have trolled them against major crankbaits the same size and have always out fished them with the Flicker Shad.

Featured in The Iowa Sportsman magazine February issue
Fishing the Midwest Department by Bob Jensen

It’s that time in the ice fishing season when we really need to start fine-tuning our presentations if we want to experience ice fishing success. By this point of the season, the easy ones have been caught and the remaining fish have been pounded pretty good, especially on community holes or if you’re fishing out of a shelter that hasn’t been moved. This is when lure action becomes a very important consideration.

$25,000 Winterfest Ice Fishing Derby
Jan. 30, 2010 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Over $50,000 in Cash & Prizes!

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New Pre-registration fee is $15.

All Pre-registrants will have the opportunity to win a free ice shack.
Drawings will be held on January 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th. Jim Flowers will announce the winner on the 6:00 news on channel 6.

Pre-registrants will also receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win the 2009 Arctic Cat ATV 250 2x4 valued at $3,999. Additional chances for this prize are also available for $5 or 5 for $20

Recycled Fish “On Ice” Tour

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For immediate release: September 3, 2009


The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

August 20, 2009

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

August 13, 2009

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa – Three southeast Iowa men face more than $2,600 in fines and civil penalties after being charged with 19 fishing violations on Wednesday.

Daniel L. Wehmeyer, 49, and Eric L. Pugh, 21, both of Columbus Junction, and Harlan L. Warnstaff, 47, of Conesville, were charged following an investigation into illegal fishing activity on the Cedar River in Louisa County on Sunday.

On Aug. 2, conservation officers with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigated a complaint of individuals shocking fish with electricity on the Cedar River north of Columbus Junction. Officers contacted the three men at a private residence and seized two electrofishing devices along with six catfish.

The three men were charged with six counts each of taking catfish with electricity. In addition, Wehmeyer faces an additional charge of not having a valid fishing license. Wehmeyer and Warnstaff are scheduled to appear in Louisa County Magistrate Court on Aug. 12. Pugh faces an Aug. 19 court date.

The charges against the three men are merely accusations and all three individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.



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DRAKESVILLE, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau investigation into the presence of gizzard shad in Lake Wapello has eliminated all possibilities other than intentional stocking, and has state officials asking the public for information on the case.

Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) has joined the effort by offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to a successful prosecution of the individual or individuals involved in reintroducing gizzard shad into the newly renovated Lake Wapello. The TIP number is 1-800-532-2020. Callers can remain anonymous.

As part of the investigation, fisheries staff surveyed the ponds and basins in the watershed and found no gizzard shad, leaving the only way for the problem fish species to have gotten into Lake Wapello was by intentional stocking. It is against the law to introduce any live fish to any public waters in the state.

“We are confident that a person or persons intentionally put live gizzard shad in Lake Wapello, and that it happened after the project was completed on April 1,” said Mark Flammang, fisheries biologist for Lake Wapello. “This lake means a lot to the area economically and recreationally. We held fish for a year specifically for Lake Wapello to speed its return as a fishery and the lake was well on its way back until the shad were added. Now, not only do we have to lower the lake again, but we have to eliminate the fishery to get the shad.”
The incident remains under investigation.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.