You can spend your time showering… like a girl… or you can stink and fish… LIKE A MAN!
On this day in history… I chose to stink… and it was worth it.
Catching Fat Illinois Bass on Swim Jigs & Stickbaits!Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
After the weather warmed up a bit it was time to get back out and fish the ‘ol swim jig again… but not without taking the Strike King 4″ Ocho, which had also recently started to produce. Even with all of the wind today, this provided a really nice one-two punch and allowed me to fish fast and slow without stopping in my limited window of time.
This might work for you, too.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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This year my fishing season started off earlier than ever before… and was extremely frustrating. I learned very quickly that when it comes to fishing, there is no “forcing it”. There is no “participation award”. You can’t make things happen no matter how hard you try – but what you can do…
… is pay your dues.
Put in the time. Get in your reps. Make sure you are learning even if you’re not catching fish.
If you do this… the fish will show up…
Illinois Bass Fishing in early spring.Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
By making multiple trips to the bodies of water that you are able to fish you can monitor the changes that take place. You can see when the baitfish population comes to life, when the algae starts to grow and turn the bottom from brown to green. You’ll notice when the water clarity changes, when it begins to warm…
When everything comes to life!
It really is a beautiful thing, and this was the first time in my life that I made an effort to be out while these changes were taking place – even though it was causing a massive amount of self doubt due to the fact that the 3 nice fish I caught in this video were the result of 12 trips to multiple lakes and ponds between March and April in Illinois.
This is ok though – because the fish were not the sole purpose. I wanted to explore, to be by the water, to try different presentations at different times, to experiment and throughout it all – to log my success and failure so that I could learn.
And learn I did.
Chew on this. It is a worthwhile endeavor, and I want you to experience the benefits as well.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
QUICK NOTE: this is the longer version of “Quarantine Fishing“, which was edited for Facebook and meant to be all fun and games with no actual fishing information or much substance.
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Got out to do some quarantine bass fishing – and it wasn’t easy… when I arrived at the regular lake I noticed a large NO FISHING sign, and honestly… I couldn’t believe it.
But cooler heads prevailed and with a bit of exploring I found a few other spots to fish… and it was definitely worth it!
Have you been able to get out during Covid? Let me know!
Bass Fishing During CovidClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
Ok… not really… but it is probably not an awful idea to wear boots if you are going to be walking around ponds and lakes where there is a decent amount of fishing pressure:
Protect your dogs! Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
So I’m joking about the “attack”… but only slightly. It’s a good idea to be careful when you are fishing pressured ponds and lakes. Opt for some protective footwear unless you are really watching where you are stepping. Had I been wearing light flippy floppys… this would have been embedded in my foot.
That could have sucked…
Now with that said – here’s a funny little tidbit:
So the stowaway that almost killed me has more road to travel… he’s not done… his legacy is still being written!
After pulling him out of my boot with pliers, I straightened out the crooked hooks and sharpened them so he’s currently ready for action… if it ever stops snowing.
We’ll keep you posted… 😀
So watch your back and your footing – but make sure to keep getting out! I would trade 2 awesome topwater strikes like these for a hook in my foot any day…
Largemouth Bass Strikes on TopwaterClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Let me know if you have a favorite pair of fishing boots, I need some new ones (plus a new fishing backpack now that I think about it) and take care of yourself out there!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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I’ve talked to many anglers, and it seems to me people either love ’em or hate ’em. They’re hot or cold on the subject. Some guys will go with a worm 100% of the time, or a Senko – but personally, I love to throw a fluke – and I’ve caught a ton of quality largemouth bass on them.
When possible, I’ll rig them up weightless. A lot of times I like to use a slightly larger, thicker EWG hook and heavier fluorocarbon line (10lb test) on a stout spinning rod & reel combo so that I can slightly increase my rate of fall without adding additional weight.
In terms of movement speed – I usually keep it pretty slow, but not always. One of the great things they bring to the table is a compact design that seems to get hung up less around weeds and timber. I’ll throw them in places that you would traditionally throw a wacky worm or a stickbait, and even toss them out in thick muck and bring them across the top. There are also times to speed up and work them with a series of quick jerks followed by a pause.
Some people will even take this a step further, rigging up two flukes in tandem (one in front of the other) and jerk that presentation along so it looks like one fish is chasing another.
The Donkey Rig
Versatility…. check.
Right now my favorite is a classic – a staple – the Zoom Super Fluke (or Salty Super Fluke). These guys are cheap, they work well, and at just 5.25″ all you need to rig them up is a bit of terminal tackle. Rod, reel, line to hook to bait. Boom.
As with most soft plastics, this could also work on a Carolina rig, drop shot rig, as a jig or spinnerbait trailer, or pretty much any other application where to need a slender, sinking baitfish profile.
That said, my favorite way to fish them is weightless, and as you’ll see in the video they catch fish both small and large.
Catching Bass with FlukesClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
A Bit More About Flukes
Flukes are known fish catchers, and they attract multiple species in both salt water and fresh water. Because of my location, I prefer using them for largemouth bass. They have a natural fish shape – or profile – and even though they don’t have a ton of detail, they look like an easy meal and get SMACKED. (This again raises the question regarding what the fish can actually see – can they see the little details on baits? We will continue to discuss this…)
Rigged weightless, you can make the bait glide and dart through the water column with a simple flick of the rod, but don’t work it too fast. If you are in a situation where you are trying to imitate an injured baitfish, consider how slow that baitfish might be moving – and impart that action into your presentation.
One other benefit to this weightless bait and terminal tackle setup is the fact that it is harder to “fling” once a fish is hooked, since there is no weight getting whipped around as a fish thrashes their head.
I have tried many other flukes in the past, and I always come back to the Zoom Super Fluke – it works. It lasts. You’ll usually catch several fish on a single bait. This year I am also going to take some time to test the BioBait 5″ Switchback Shad, another fluke style bait that looks really, really cool.
BioBait Flukes I Plan to Test…
(I know I know, I just asked whether or not the little details on baits make a difference… but… this one looks so good – I have to test it!)
Why Flukes?
Over the last 4 trips to the pond, I had been skunked twice and caught two nice bass on topwater presentations – a Z-Man Pop Shad, and a Strike King KVD Sexy Frog. Walking around the pond had allowed me to really start to understand the layout on the shore and the little inlets, bends, the feeder creek and dam. I knew where I could cast, where I could walk, and where I had seen fish.
One thing that really bothered me was the fact that I had watched a few fish swim up to – and reject multiple presentations – worms, stickbaits, Hula StickZ… why? What was the forage? What was I doing wrong here?
I wanted to give the fluke some time, and I took a topwater as well. I started with a Strike King Rage Tail Toad, black with red flake, so that I could cover more water – but I quickly found out that those cast like crap. Tons of wind resistance, probably because of the flappy legs and Rage Tail cup – not sure, but it was definitely noticeable… maybe even user error… but… well, let me share the afternoon:
The Fifth Day at the Pond
October 8th Pond Fishing in Illinois Weather: around 72 degrees and clear skies, but it was 40 degrees this morning. I went out at 4:15 p.m. and planned to fish and tape until 6:00. There were a lot more anglers around at this time of day. Maybe 8 or 10 compared to zero in the early morning. Still the same amount of walkers and bikers. I started out with a black and red sparkle Strike King Rage Toad, which I thought would help me cover more water, but it was really not the right tool for the job. It didn’t cast all that great surprisingly, and I had to move it really fast to keep it on top. Plus, it just didn’t come over the muck like I thought it would. I switched to a frog after 15 minutes as I worked my way around the left side of the lake. This time I also took a Zoom fluke rigged weightless. Mosquitoes were terrible this evening – not sure why. Maybe they’re not active in the morning as much. I saw fish on the far left side and slowed down to throw the fluke at them. Had a follow but he didn’t bite. It was actually really bright and clear and he got a great look at the bait, I bet he would have hit a worm, but he inspected the fluke and swam off. I fished the frog a lot as I worked my way around the lake and missed yet another fish in that back bay area across from the parking lot. By this point I had about 30 minutes left and I wanted to make sure I fished the area where I had caught my 2 fish, so I headed that way. Before I went around and across the bridge I tossed the fluke out in front of a bush overhang and caught my first bass, a little beat up 1 pounder. I cast a few more times then went over the bridge and threw the fluke around and after about 5 casts caught a really nice 2.5 pound bass near the same area as my previous trips. I noticed in this shallow calm water, you can see a lot of activity if you pay attention. For example, when a fish eats on top, you can see it. When they dash after something, they create a wake or bulge on the surface, so you can cast around them. When they move under the muck either to eat or run, they create movement. Watch for this along with telltale signs of caught fish like lines and blow up holes in the muck, or piles of water grass left behind on the ground that anglers take off of the fish they catch. Really a good afternoon.
For more footage of just the actual fishing – not the analysis like we have listed above – check this video out:
Two nice fluke bass.Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
What We Learned on Day 5
Strike King Rage Tail Toads don’t cast as easily as Z-Man Pop ShadZ, and they have to keep moving so they don’t sink. This can be good if you want to drop them into holes around weeds or pads, but not ideal if you want to pause on top.
While watching my surroundings this trip, I learned that I could see the water bulge up in shallow areas as fish chased food and moved about. This allowed me to make a cast towards what I believed to be an active fish – and it paid off.
You can see where fish have been caught before if you look for blow up holes in the cover, or piles of weeds that people either pulled off of their baits or a fish.
So Ends Trip #5 to the Pond
By the end of this afternoon trip, I had evened up the score and caught two fish on topwater, and two fish on a finesse presentation out of the pond to date. This was a good sign.
The First Fish – A Beat Up Little 1lb Dude
I left the pond that day thinking about the fact that I could see the larger of the two bass moving about underwater without actually laying eyes on him. We were far away from all the other fishermen on the shore, and I was able to creep up while he was preoccupied.
Such a cool experience. Another one that I am very grateful for.
Next time you go out, try a fluke on your body of water – especially if you usually fish worms and senkos – and see if the smaller baitfish profile helps you snag a few fish. Hit me up on social media if you do!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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You know, I spend a lot of time writing for The Minimalist Fisherman so that I can share my personal development as an angler. This is important to me, and I hope it is useful to you and my kids as they become more and more interested in the sport.
My goal with all of this is to get better, to reduce the clutter and confusion, and help you do the same.
That’s why I write long-winded articles, and record long-winded videos, and share a bit TOO much information. I do it for the people that want to sit back and review for a while, then casually contemplate where they’re at and where they want to go.
Other times – we just want to catch some fish! Here were two sweet largemouth bass on a fluke caught early evening late summer. Fun stuff!
Bass Fishing With FlukesClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
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After I washed out the ‘ol boat in the front yard, which we discussed in Restoring the Old Jon Boat: Part 1 – Summary, I immediately started ripping out the seats so that I could have more of a shell. More of an open canvas.
Jon Boat Seat Removal
There are all sorts of arguments online for the case against ripping out the foam in aluminum boats like this, primarily because it will help you float better… however – I’m not buying it. At least not at face value.
Removing Jon Boat Seat Foam
Think about it – if you placed a foam cooler inside the boat with you, would it help the boat float? Of course not. Will that foam minnow bucket from Wal-Mart full of water and bait aid in flotation? Nope! Just the opposite, it adds weight to that boat, doing more to weigh it down than lift it up.
Some people will actually use household spray can foam on the inside of their boat when they need to add more for whatever reason – DO NOT DO THIS!!!!! When we started to work on the Tuffy Restoration Project, I actually found this crap inside the boat – and it was completely waterlogged. (Apologies, I do not have pictures of this but I think you can see some of it in the Tuffy project videos I’ve linked.) This crappy foam added WEIGHT – it did not help with FLOTATION.
(A quick search let me know that the spray foam is not “closed cell”, which means it will take on water, and that the foam used in boats at the factory is “closed cell”, and impenetrable! Well, not impenetrable, but it doesn’t soak up water. We’ll keep this in mind as we continue to work on the Tuffy.)
Job Boat Seats with Closed Foam Underneath
Foam can displace water and prevent more from coming in the boat. Foam can add stability. Foam does not “help you float more good” just by being present.
So when is foam beneficial?
When you’re taking on water for one, because it means that space within the boat that could be filled with water is already filled with foam. This could prevent you from capsizing completely, and it could also make it somewhat easier to recover an upturned vessel… or keep your boat from sinking to the bottom of the lake.
Still, after considering this I decided I wanted the space, so the seats (filled with foam) had to go.
Jon Boat Blank Canvas – Seats Removed
This led to the introduction of many holes in the hull… and I didn’t have any idea how to fix them…
Aluminum Jon Boat Holes to Fill
One thing I learned right away was that there are several different kinds of rivets (sealed, solid and open for example) in several different sizes (quarter inch, half inch…) made from several different kinds of material (aluminum, steel).
Using Sealed Aluminum RivetsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
If you are repairing an aluminum boat with rivets – make darn sure they are aluminum rivets. When you add water to a situation where you have steel and aluminum, you’ll get galvanic corrosion.
Make sure to take a few minutes and do a bit of research on this before you get too deep into your jon boat project. There’s a lot of information out there on this subject.
I also learned another very important lesson:
When you are working on a boat, do NOT drill holes any larger than you absolutely have to. Repairing holes sucks.
Jon Boat Holes to Fix
I had to purchase some washers to expand the reach of my rivets because several of the holes I attempted to plug were just too wide. These washers also needed to be aluminum to avoid corrosion, and I purchased them off of Amazon. They’re easy to find there, but I couldn’t find any in my local hardware stores.
At first, I purchased standard rivets, and as you can see here, the tube contains a small circular element that causes the rivet to expand when pulled into a rivet gun – but it does not create a water-tight connection.
Standard Rivet with Open Body
Sealed rivets however, are completely closed off.
Sealed Rivets for Jon Boat ProjectClose Up of Sealed Rivets and a few aluminum washers for Jon Boat Repair
Go ahead and load your rivet up with the silicone, pop it in the hole, apply pressure using the rivet gun and you’re good to test. If you don’t need to use a washer – don’t! I used several on the INSIDE and OUTSIDE of the hull as you can see in these images. If the rivet head was not wide enough to completely cover the hole and stay firmly in place, then I would place a washer on the opposite side of the hull for stability and added coverage. If you can avoid this though, you’ll have fewer points that could fail.
Aluminum Rivet, Silicone and Washer Combination on Jon Boat Hull
One other thing to keep in mind is that rivets come in different sizes, with different sized shanks. The shank is the tubular portion and it gets left behind after the mandrel is spent. Use the shortest shank that you can get away with (I believe most of mine were 1/4″ long, and 3/16″ in diameter), because the longer they are, the more chance you have of snagging one with your clothes or a shoe or a bag. Aluminum is not as strong as steel, and you could break them off if you catch one the right way.
So nothing to worry about, but do be careful.
Best of luck with your project. I’ll post another update on the jon boat soon – and in the meantime if this helped you in any way or if you have any questions, hit me up on social media or in the comments and let me know – I’m happy to help!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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I fished all of my young life. It was something that was built into me by my patents, particularly my father. However, because we went on fishing trips every summer (sometimes multiple trips) and had access to a house on a lake in WI (my grandparent’s), as I got older I started to take it all for granted.
Scott Hauser & AJ Hauser Fishing
When it was time to head off to college, we stopped going. I didn’t touch a fishing pole for several years, and instead focused on making websites and playing music.
About 10 years ago, I really started to get the itch again. I started to fish by myself from shore at places like Lake Shabbona, “the pit” in Sheridan and the Fox River & Illinois River… but I quickly realized that not having the option to use a boat was pretty frustrating.
A “pit” bass – notice the extremely light coloring. The bottom here is sand.
When we were growing up, we never had a “great bass boat”, or a big ‘ol Lund – we had a simple aluminum boat with an outboard, and I can remember when Dad upgraded to a 30 horse Mercury… oh man – we thought we were Evel Knievel and Dale Earnhardt all rolled into one!
Scott Hauser’s sweet aluminum boat & MercurySpeed demon? Check. Trolling capability? Check. Fancy seats? Triple check.That hat screams fish slayer
I remember fishing from that boat, and when I rekindled my interest for the sport, I quickly learned how limiting not having my own boat could be… but… I didn’t have any money…
Me and my brothers & Dad
So began my Jon Boat Project…
Jon Boat Project – Clamping the Deck
(If you watch this summary video, make sure to look at all the crap in the background… this was clearly pre-minimalist fisherman…)
The Jon Boat ProjectClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
My first thought?
What if I bought an old crappy boat, and I fixed it up?! Ohhhhh… I think maybe we’ll do that!
Turns out this original idea was not so original. After doing a few Googlebox searches, I found out that this was a semi-common practice, and there were tons of guys doing it – even selling plans!
I bought some plans… but… I wasn’t too impressed. So I made my own – check out these killer, super-professional blueprints!
Jon Boat Project Plans
Now don’t get me wrong – I love fishing from shore when that is the plan and when I have good shoreline access. Hell, because of the added simplicity, this helped me get back into pond fishing after obsessing over my business and (briefly) falling away from the sport again.
Back to Pond FishingClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
But I didn’t like that I could ONLY fish from shore. There was a small lake I found near me that had a few miles of shoreline (not the pond mentioned above), with only about 25 feet that could actually be fished via the shore. Situations like this really lend themselves to a small boat – and even though I have a kayak, I wanted something that was a little more comfortable to fish out of.
Fishing a small lake with limited shoreline access
So I hopped on Craig’s List, and I quickly realized that everyone wants just a little too much for their boat. I’m not sure if this is because they have buyer’s remorse, or they don’t quite understand what things are actually worth, but it was pretty frustrating browsing overpriced listings.
Finally, I found this ‘ol dingy for the low low price of $200, located in a little town called Buda (population 528 at this time) and it was on like Donkey Kong! I went to pick it up without even thinking about how I was going to get it home…
Jon Boat Project Pick Up
Fortunately, I had several straps, bungees, and access to back roads so I could get this beast back, drop it off, and begin the process of working on it.
I remember when I arrived, I literally tossed the boat in the front yard and started spraying it out with a hose, and TONS of bugs and spiders came running and sliding out of it.
Jon Boat Project Delivery
It was disgusting… but… this was at least a solid starting point.
Jon Boat Project – Beat Up BottomJon Boat Project – Beat Up Back
I had the boat.
I didn’t have a TRAILER… but… I had the boat.
So then obvious next question was “well… now what? Where do I start? Where do I even begin??” Look at this big green thing on the garage floor… I don’t even know if it floats! I don’t know if I drill a hole in it if I can seal it up!
So like I already mentioned, I did what we all do and went to the internet! Huzzah! I found some “plans”, but they were all so messy… I bought one of the PDFs I stumbled upon, and I wasn’t real impressed… we can do better.
We must do better.
For science.
This led to some late nights sitting up drawing out what the boat could be… and that is a fun little game to play. If you haven’t done this with a project in a while, I highly recommend it. Let your mind just GO wherever the hell it wants. We could put a livewell in it. We could put some storage compartments in it. We could put a flamethrower in it!!
Jon Boat Project Plans
Well, a lot of these ideas didn’t materialize – but you know what – simplicity won. The boat is minimal (imagine that!) and it is functional and it is awesome. We have fished out of it a lot, and caught some lunkers – and I plan to do much more of that this year.
Jon Boat Project – Fixed Back EndJon Boat Northern Pike
I have a stockpile of images and videos that I need to go through and post, along with every single receipt for everything I bought for this rig, and it all started with a $200 boat and a $300 trailer.
Onward, my friends – if you have any questions just let me know, I’ll be happy to answer them.
A couple of brothers, just fishin’ with Dad
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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ElaZtech Damage to Other PLastics & BaitsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Now Jake here had a few thoughts on this and left a comment on the YouTube video. He also warned us, mentioning that ElaZtech plastics can literally melt if they get too hot, spilling out of their package and leaking onto other things.
YouTube Comment Section
I have experienced this while fishing in direct sunlight in the jon boat, and the kayak. ElaZtech plastics melted together on deck while my other plastics (Dingers, Ochosand a handful of Senkos) retained their shape. My TRDs however… they melted together… just a big clump of ElaZtech…
This is something we all need to be mindful of. On a recent camping trip to Lake Shelbyville, we sweat through everything and I guarantee ElaZtech left in direct sunlight under those conditions could melt.
Once in a while we fish on big reservoirs like Lake Shelbyville. If you’ve read any of the other posts on this site, it’s no secret I really do like ElaZtech products – but the heat, and the way you store plastics both on or off deck, together or separated – it all needs to be top of mind if you hope to avoid problems.
Lake Shelbyville looking for Largemouth Bass… found a few…… and my wife found the best of the evening. Sweet.
ElaZtech Can Also Damage Painted Lures!
It doesn’t only affect other plastics. I was shocked to find damage it had caused to my spoons, and in this case temperature wasn’t a factor. These baits were simply tossed into a Ziploc storage bag after vacation, and brought home in a backpack, then placed in my basement. All things considered, this reaction happened under pretty cool conditions!
As you can see, it turned the paint and finish into muck! I’ve left them out for months and the paint is still liquid, still wet, and it won’t dry and harden back up.
If the worst thing I have to deal with today is a couple of ruined spoons, well… it’s not terrible. We’re not burying anybody, so I’d say it’s a pretty damn good day!
Stay mindful. Stay grateful. Take nothing for granted.
Now even though you have to be careful with your ElaZtech baits, it’s worth having them. I explain that in the following video – they’re not a magic one-size-fits-all-situations bait that we tie on and leave on all year (remember we’ve talked about how that is not what a minimalist fisherman does), but they are awesome!
If you would like to learn even more about Ned Rigs and how we like to fish them, make sure to check out the article on that very subject, or take a peek at the video we just published for even more info.
Ned Rig ImprovementsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
First and foremost, I want to hit the most important point:
It’s pronounced SUH-BEEL… as in Patrick SUH-BEEL…
… you uncultured swine!
(This picture may or may not be Patrick Sébile…)
To tell you the truth, I had never heard of Patrick Sébile and his company before I scored a Sébile Pivot Frog in either a Mystery Tackle Box or a Lucky Tackle Box… I couldn’t tell you which one…
In fact… the first one that I had was orange, and the only reason I even thought to get it out, was because I had missed a few fish on my Strike King KVD Sexy Frog when I started using it for topwater pond fishing. I knew that the Pivot Frog incorporated a sizable weight on the bottom, and I started to wonder what some of the other differences were between this odd looking frog and the more traditional Strike King… which also had a few tricks up its sleeve…
Let’s talk frog fishin’!Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
The Pivot Frog delivers clean, powerful hook sets through the use of Sébile’s Gravity Hook System. This allows the stout hook (with exposed external weight) to freely move up and down, while also adding a “keel” for easier “walking” over open water. The bait incorporates thicker, more durable plastic than a traditional frog, but the body is still collapsible. This, combined with the wide gap of the hook gives you more than enough room to stick those greedy pigs.
External weight makes “walking” this bait a breeze
Large gap between body and hook for increased hookup ratio
Harder plastic body for added durability
Multiple color options
Very buoyant
Only $8 (at this time)
Up until recently, I haven’t been much of a frog fisherman. Now I take this technique seriously. The Pivot Frog caught my attention years ago even though I wasn’t ready to use it – and while hanging onto a bait that you aren’t going to use is not what a minimalist fisherman ought to do… I was glad that I hung on to this one!
That said, this year it will replace my Strike King KVD Sexy Frog. Let’s go over some of the features on this second bait and then we’ll jump into why I’m making the switch.
The KVD (Kevin VanDam) Sexy Frog is currently the top-dog-frog in the Strike King lineup. It works well in heavy cover and comes with a super-sharp Gamakatsu frog hook, a completely sealed nose section to reduce water intake and a semi-soft plastic body that will collapse under pressure. The bait currently comes in a wide range of colors.
Uh… comes with… with a butthole for squirting water
No gap between hollow body and hook points
Internal rattle (discontinued…)
Multiple color options
Very buoyant
Very weedless
Only $8 (at this time)
Quick note: $8 is an extremely reasonable price tag for baits like these that you could potentially get a ton of use out of. Not to mention, even if you only catch one fish on the bait… fish that hit topwater are usually the kind of fish you want. They are well worth a few bucks.
(Seriously. Go mow your neighbor’s lawn or collect cans. Getcha’ some a that spendin’ cash! I believe in you! Make it happen!)
We’ve all been on the water before, having horrible luck, thinking to ourselves “I would pay $100 for a quality fish right now”…
Good ‘ol rock bass… always willing to get your hopes up when the bite is terrible…
Don’t spend carelessly, but find good quality baits and invest in quality tackle, and quality companies. (When you are a minimalist fisherman this becomes easier, because you only purchase baits that work, that you believe in, that give you confidence – you ultimately spend less!)
Both of these baits are worth the cost of admission. They helped me catch my first frog fish:
No joke – my first frog fish – I’m hooked!
It was on the Strike King – and again – this is a really good frog. It even has a butthole so you can easily squirt out any water that the bait takes on. Classy!
Should I have censored that?
However, there are some things that I think the Pivot Frog does better. (Even though it doesn’t have a butthole.) I’m not making the switch because there is something wrong with the Strike King, so please keep that in mind – both are great baits – but consider this:
The Pivot Frog has a single hook point, and when you set the hook through sludge (which is what I have the pleasure of fishing a lot in Illinois) you are able to apply more force to a single location. All of the energy you impart is concentrated in that one spot. With the traditional frog hook, if both hook points are making contact with something inside the mouth of the fish, your energy is getting distributed.
I also had an issue with a few fish smacking the KVD Sexy Frog up in the air. Now… I know that this is a common occurrence for all you hardcore frog fisherman out there… but dammit man, there must be something we can do to at least reduce this a bit!
So, this desire for more weight, and more focus on the hookset was what led me to the Pivot Frog.
But… I was Concerned for 2 Reasons
There were two things that really made me take a pause for the cause before I made the switch. First, the weight on the back of the Pivot Frog was something that I wanted to add to the equation, but I was worried that this would make the bait pick up more of that topwater sludge.
After using the bait, I found this wasn’t an issue. The Sexy Frog is slightly more weedless, but not to the point that it is worth trading the other benefits.
Sweet. Check concern #1 off the list.
Second, my Sexy Frog has a rattle… which I didn’t notice until I was tying on the Pivot Frog! Now interestingly, this isn’t an issue currently because the KVD frog is no longer manufactured with rattles. However, if I am using the Pivot Frog this year and strikes are noticeably reduced… I will be adding a rattle to the bait and testing it for several hours.
Check concern #2 off the list… for now…
The Big Question to Ponder
One last thing I’d like to leave you with is this – have you ever thought about what causes a fish to strike a topwater frog? What can they see? What can they hear? Are they hunting or reacting?
When you are considering the color of the next frog that you plan to buy, take extra care when looking at the belly.
The difference between a white belly and a black belly will have much more impact on your fishing than a bright pink frog and a dark green frog – if for example the latter two options both have white bellies.
The same thing goes for appendages. Those little molded plastic arms look sweet! But… do they catch fish… or fishermen?
Look at both the belly and the overall profile.Rub belly for bonus points. You’ve got some hardware sticking out, sir…
Out of the package, most skirt-type frog legs are really too long. After opening a new one, I like to trim his biscuits! You can see the difference between these two baits:
This allows you to present a more compact package, which reduces the amount of missed strikes. Just like adding weight to my topwater presentation, anything that can even slightly increase the chance of a solid hookup is worth doing.
Need a bit more action?
Some guys will actually trim just 1 of the legs down to make the frog lopsided, which they believe helps the bait come through the water in a slightly more erratic manner, and also adds to that side-to-side motion.
If it’s early, late or overcast – it’s time to try a frog – and if you land some fish, make sure to tag me on social media and let me know – I’d love to hear from you.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
EDIT: on August 14th, 2023 this post was updated to link to the new frog I am currently using, as the Sebile Pivot Frog (and all Sebile products) seem to be discontinued.
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It’s one of those things that looks so silly… but it works so well.
You see it in the water. Looking like a soggy green french fry. You ask yourself:
“Self… the hell these bass think that looks like, anyway?!“
Often, when people think wacky rig, they think Senko. A Yamamoto Senko is essentially a thick, round plastic worm impregnated with salt that sinks slowly and wiggles as it drops. A stickbait. A cigar bait. Whatever you call ’em, they look ridiculous… and they can definitely catch fish.
Recently, I have been throwing the Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Ocho (in green pumpkin) on VMC Ike Approved Weedless Wacky Hooks, and I have caught fish from the boat and from shore casting towards underwater weeds, docks, lily pads and even towards the edges of thick mats floating on top.
Discussion on VMC Weedless Wacky Hooks + OchosClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
That said – this isn’t usually a bait I start with. It’s a great follow up, it’s a great way to slow down, it’s a great bait to work under docks (although I really need to work on skipping), but I usually start with something moving faster. A wacky rig is not my first choice for covering a lot of water.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics 4″ Ocho in Green Pumpkin
Released by Strike King, the Perfect Plastics KVD Ocho incorporates a unique 8-sided design, which helps the bait slide back and forth as it undulates on the fall. This undulation (meaning, the vibration of the ends of the bait) is believed to be the triggering mechanism, and thought to possibly emulate a dying minnow or some other easy meal. The bait is made out of plastic and comes loaded with salt and scent – but wait, there’s more – it’s that glorious Strike King coffee scent. This may seem odd (and smell freakin’ delicious), but the coffee smell effectively masks human spit / oil / scent and gives you a better chance of the fish hanging on, meaning you have more time for a quality hook set.
The VMC “Ike Approved” Weedless Wacky Hooks are slick. The hooks feature an extra wide gap, they are stout, and they make use of a thin wire weedguard that is attached below the eye with a bit of smooth resin. This is believed to prevent line damage and the weed guard from easily coming out – but it also looks really cool. So win-win there.
NOTE: when using this hook, try to prevent pinning the weedguard underneath the barb, which will make it more difficult to pop free during your hook set.
This is an easy way to rig up your favorite soft plastic presentations. Just tie on to your mainline with a Palomar Knot, stick your bait right through the middle or use any wacky o-ring tool and you’re off to the races.
Using The 8-Sided Ocho
I should mention that we are not exclusively bass fishermen. My brother is an avid spoon fisherman, and often when we fish rocky humps out deep we’ll start with faster moving baits in search of toothy critters, like this tiger muskie.
Tiger Muskie in Wisconsin – Vaughn Hauser
But when it’s time to slow down… the Ocho on a VMC is one of my go to presentations.
Now I’ve said before – being a Minimalist Fisherman does NOT mean you tie on one presentation and leave it on all year. It does NOT mean that you can’t have all sorts of presentations and gear. It DOES mean that you are very critical of that gear, and the techniques you use, to the point that you actively trim the excess fat to avoid becoming a collector.
Recently I moved from a KVD Sexy Frog (isn’t that just the worst name ever?) to a Sébile Pivot frog. This is an upgrade. A replacement. Not another piece in a collection. I will continue to use this frog until someone creates a better one, OR, if I learn that the Pivot Frog just doesn’t work as well as the Sexy Frog, I’ll revert back. Change is constant, and it’s a good thing.
We all need to evolve. To improve. Constantly.
Progress is one of the things that has the potential to make us truly happy.
The morning Vaughn caught that tiger muskie shown above, we were fishing deep rocky humps. We had fished them before, and caught many smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, you name it. On a follow up trip, the humps were completely void of life (at least active life), and after working them over for a few hours, we decided to move. We headed for a large weedy bay on the same lake, but those weeds made spoon fishing difficult. Sure we could work our Dardevles up high, and rip them through to try and trigger fish – but this week had been HOT. We didn’t experience a lot of active fish and hadn’t seen many pike. I had been throwing a Ned Rig earlier in the day as well, but the exposed hook wasn’t going to work in the weeds. I have mentioned before that the Ned Rig is a great option, but it is not the best rig in every situation…
So, in this instance I brought out the 4″ Ocho on a VMC, and started catching fish.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho Largemouth Bass
Some were smaller, but if you hold a bass REALLY close to the camera, you can convince people that you’re amazing!
I’m kidding. Don’t do that.
But really, even though this fish is small… look at how beautiful it is.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho Largemouth Bass
Here is a quick and easy tip to keep in mind regarding the rate of fall:
I needed to get the Ocho to sink faster, and get past some of the upper leaves of the weeds. Instead of changing my presentation, I simply pinched on a split shot somewhere around 8? – 12? above the bait and I was able to get my wacky worm deeper in a shorter amount of time. Granted, this also made the bait move faster and the bass were not especially active, but it worked well with the weedless VMC. If you have ever used a split shot rig (which can be deadly) it’s a very similar concept.
Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho Largemouth Bass
But don’t stop there!
I love to fish this bait from shore walking by inlets, ponds and floating muck. Just throw the Ocho right off the side, or even right on the edge of the big ‘ol muck pads so it rests on top, and then s-l-o-w-l-y inch it off the side so it falls into the water.
Bass will munch it on the drop.
I have had luck with this technique around lily pads too.
One of the other hilariously fun things to do with an Ocho, is to take it and walk along any nearby docks you can access with the stickbait in the water and just about 4 feet of line off the end of your pole. Jig the bait up and down as you walk – I can’t tell you how many times hungry bass have scared the living crap out of me as they erupt from the shadows to just crush my bait!
What an angry little feller!
This is fun to do in the afternoon or early evening when you’re not going to be able to get out in a boat… plus it gives your kids the opportunity to carefully inspect your fish, then kiss it prior to release. 🙂
Go on… give it a little smooch… hahahaha
I know that none of the fish pictured here are monsters, but I can tell you that I have a lot of great memories with unremarkable fish because of who I was with or where I was at.
Time to create some memories of your own.
Be mindful of what is going on around you, soak it all up and give the Ocho a shot – especially when conditions get a bit tough and you need to show the fish something different.
Early Morning Fishing with Wifey, Brother & Dad
They just might save your morning…
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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The Ned Rig is one of my all time favorite baits. It’s something that you need in your tackle box, and I can tell you that I don’t plan to say that about a ton of different presentations as we continue to minimize our fishing tackle.
This is a bait to take seriously… but at times, there are way to make it even more effective… here’s one of my favorites.
Using a Ned Rig + Hula Stick ComboClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Personally, I find myself using a combination of a Ned Rig jighead (either a standard, weedless, skirted or “power”… AKA, one with a bigger, heavier hook) with the slightly longer Hula Stick. Hula StickZ (which I try to never refer to in plural, because it requires the use of that stupid “Z” at the end of the name) are longer than the traditional TRD – a smaller trailer with no appendages. This smaller option is great if we’re talking super finesse, however, I rarely use it. I like what the Hula Stick brings to the table, because in my opinion it looks like a minnow rooting around for food. The little appendages look like a tail and the body is a bit longer and somewhat narrow.
The material used to create Hula StickZ (called ElaZtech) is super buoyant, super durable – and seriously, the fish hold on to these things. There is some salt baked into them as well – which means that it stays in their mouth a bit longer. (I always “juice my baits” as well, and ElaZtech soaks Dr. Juice right up to mask human scent.) Handling these baits is not a messy ordeal. They won’t cover the bottom of your boat in salt like other plastics. However…
When I came home I was surprised to find this… mess…
Be careful how you store this stuff. (Personally I keep them in plastic storage bags or the bag they originally came in.) It’s takes a bit more work, but it’s worth the effort…
However you slice it, while this is a great presentation for beginners or veterans alike in many situations, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not something that you can tie on and leave on all year… but it’s close… and a very valuable tool in the Minimalist Fishing toolbox.
Quick bit of Ned Rig History
The Ned Rig was pioneered by several famous anglers, but brought to prominence by (and therefore named after) Ned Kehde. In fact, the Z-Man website currently states:
“A modification of techniques pioneered by angling icons like Chuck Woods, Guido Hibdon, and Charlie Brewer, the Ned Rig was conceived and brought to mainstream attention by Ned Kehde, an avid angler and veteran fishing industry writer from Lawrence, Kansas.“
EDIT: I received a really interesting comment about this from Don @ Show-Me Fish Tales after I posted the video. I’ll link to his YouTube channel so you can check it out – but this was what he sent me:
YouTube Hula StickZ Comment from Don @ Show-Me Fish Tales
This is a finesse presentation – that means it is best suited for tough conditions. You typically fish it slow by raising the rod tip and letting the bait fall back down on semi-slack line (watch the line for ticks, bumps, etc!).
The ElaZtech trailers float which means the presentation sinks slowly (unless you have a very heavy jighead) and stands at attention when it hits the bottom. Since the hook is usually exposed, I have had great luck fishing this around sand, rocks, underwater humps (if the wind has cooperated and been minimal) and areas with transitions into pockets of weeds. I have not always had good luck fishing this in Illinois, as we typically enjoy mucky sucky death bottoms in our ponds and lakes. With the exposed hook… it can be very frustrating – but if you find the right lake at the right time, everyone can land some fish!
Largemouth Bass on a Ned Rig w/ Hula Stick (1 of 3)
We caught 3 fish in 30 minutes on this trip fishing Ned Rigs + Hula StickZ (in green pumpkin) early in the season in Illinois, in a rocky lake without much muck. Fun times 🙂
Another Largemouth Bass on a Ned Rig w/ Hula Stick (2 of 3)
Actually… this second largemouth bass enjoyed a pretty sweet release courtesy of my son… you can see it in this video on the main channel:
If you throw a Ned Rig on monofilament fishing line (which floats) the bait will sink even slower, but remember that mono has stretch and is more visible than fluorocarbon lines. Fluoro on the other hand sinks and has less stretch, so your bait will sink faster and you will have more sensitivity (you will feel the fish better, they will feel you better) and if you set the hook aggressively you may well pull the bait right out of their mouth (I’ve had good luck setting the hook by swiftly lifting my rod tip straight up high, and keeping pressure on the fish).
Neither fishing line is “wrong“, but consider where you are fishing and the attributes you want in your rig.
Beware the cash grab
Unfortunately, with the massive rise in popularity, we have seen a TON of baits and jigheads introduced that are “specifically for Ned Rig fishing”, or “The secret weapon to enhance your Ned Rig”, or whatever. Z-Man has literally recreated every type of plastic in a Ned-specific version which is kind of silly. Other companies like Strike King are making baits to use on Ned jigheads, even using the same terminology in their marketing & packaging.
Ned Rig doing work on a Super Hot Day in Wisconsin
When the weather is rough – very cold or very hot – and it’s time to slow down, this is definitely something to reach for. If you have a friend that needs to try this setup – go ahead and send this article to ’em!
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Try some out for yourself – and if you land some fish, make sure to let me know – I’d love to hear from you.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Pond fishing is one of the most accessible ways to get into – or back into – fishing. Chances are there’s a pond nearby that is thriving, full of low-pressure fish that are eager to bite the right presentation.
Whether you’re new to fishing or a veteran that has skipped these small bodies of water for some time… consider giving them a look. Here’s how I got back into the game…
In the past I’ve fished tournaments, high-pressure lakes, creeks, water with absolutely no shoreline access that requires a small boat and rivers all over Illinois. Instead of approaching these adventures as a minimalist, I went at them as… well, maybe what you would call a maximalist. You might even say that I was profligate with my preparations.
In English? I took too much crap with me!
When I returned to Illinois from a Wisconsin vacation in 2019, I bought my fishing license really late in the year, but I wanted to find a place to fish with my sons. Somewhere that didn’t require a boat, because at the time we would be lucky to have 30 or 45 minutes to get out. I didn’t want 20 of those minutes to be me swearing at the trailer.
So I started looking for something that was easy to access, and not extremely popular or loaded with other bank & boat fishermen.
Good News: I found a place! Bad News: I had no idea how to fish it!
“Uh… where do I even begin?”
Let’s look at the first two trips that I took to this new pond so that I can show you what went right, what went wrong, and how you can take what I’ve learned and apply it to your own situation so you can catch more fish in the ponds near you!
A Summary: Getting Back Into Pond FishingClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
First Day at The Pond
Allow me to set the stage. Remember I mentioned I started keeping that journal in 2014? Well… I actually started keeping TWO. One for business, and one for fishing. This has been an extremely useful practice and I strongly suggest you start a journal of your own.
I wrote these notes in that journal after we returned on day 1…
September 14th Pond Fishing in IL “Weather: around 60 degrees – got a start at 6:00 a.m. and left the house at 6:45. The big man was fishing from shore using a Ned Rig with an exposed hook, I had a crankbait that I wanted to practice with, and also a weightless wacky rigged 4? Ocho like we had been using in Wisconsin. Well, fun fact – the pond is super sludgy, and has all sorts of muck on it – and in it. I tried the crankbait about twice, and found out it was impossible to use. Then we both fished the plastics we had tied on – and nothing. I think I’d like to go back and try 1 pass with a straight topwater frog, 1 pass with a weightless jerkbait like a fluke and a big hook that will be able to move about medium speed, and finally 1 pass with either a weightless Senko or wacky worm (maybe an Ocho again, or a trick worm). I do not think that the bass will hit our bait if it is buried in the muck, or even inhale it off of the bottom – so how can we maximize our time in the strike zone? Gotta be up somehow, and not hung up (super weedless). I’d also consider a drop-shot maybe but that sounds like kind of a pain to manage… let’s try these other ones first.”
What I Learned: Day 1
The bottom content of the pond was disgusting. Typical Illinois MUCK BOTTOM, I assume it’s all dead algae or vegetation and decomposing build-up. In Wisconsin we were fishing lakes with clear water and really nice rocky shorelines or weed to sand & rock transitions… so I had been conditioned to fish a jig with an exposed hook, and the fish in Wisconsin were not afraid to hit those jigs right on the bottom… but that wasn’t going to work in the muck-bottom Land of Lincoln.
The water was reasonably clear, and the bottom was dark green. In fact, everything seemed to be some shade of green.
The pond had many large floating algae pads. Some were thick. Some were thin. All had visible space underneath where fish could cruise. That doesn’t mean they werecruising – but they could.
I had no idea what the max depth of the pond or preferred local forage was.
As a result, I took too many presentations that were the wrong color with exposed hooks that got caught up on everything… and it was just a nightmare. We spent more time cleaning off our hooks than fishing!
But it also made me very curious… what was living in here? What werethey eating?
The most frustrating thing about the whole day, was that I had let my son down. All he caught was a weed fish, some pond scum and I believe some old fishing line attached to a bobber. I had failed to put him on fish, and that could potentially leave a horrible taste in his mouth and make him less likely to go fishing again.
He’s smiling but… but not really all that happy… shoot.
We salvaged the morning with a trip to a nearby playground… but I knew that I had to go back to explore the pond again.
Alone.
Second Day at the Pond
I took a few days to think about what I had learned. Remember, time on the water is important, and even if we get skunked, we should be able to learn something about the location, ourselves or the environment. I knew that I needed to take a presentation that was going to stay up out of the muck on the bottom, and also free of debris. The logical choice was a topwater… but I had literally zero confidence in topwater presentations…
So what did I do instead?
I made a complicated plan to make myself feel better. Fish a topwater for just 15 minutes, then switch to a toad for 10 minutes, a fluke for 5, then a wacky rig for 20… all in the course of an hour.
Not gonna happen. Complicated fishing plans never work!
September 18th Pond Fishing in IL “Weather: around 60 degrees – skies were clear and stable yesterday and last night. I was out the door about 6:30, made it to the pond right after 7:00 a.m. and was immediately able to start throwing a frog. The PLAN… was to fish a frog for 1 lap, a toad for 1 lap, a fluke for 1 lap (weightless) and a wacky rigged Ocho for 1 lap… but I never switched away from the frog. I caught a 2.5lb largemouth back in the “corner” by the bridge under that algae that looks like tiny little green pieces. It’s not super dense, and it was only about a 20 foot wide by 10 foot deep patch of cover, tucked back in the corner of the lake by calmer water. I was just looking for life, saw a heron and some small fish, and the cool thing was as the fish started to move in that shallow water I could literally see the water bulge up on top, so I threw it two more times in the general area and he smacked it and pulled it under. I think I got a good hook set because the algae was so thin. Then about 30 minutes later I missed this guy’s big sister but she was on the opposite side in a little bay kind of across from the parking lot. I turned her after she took the frog, but the bait popped right out, and it was LOADED with thick sludge. So I think what happened was when this bass hit, she took on a bunch of muck as well, and I didn’t get a good hook set through that crap. Absolute heartbreak. Missed another nearby in the same stuff as well, smaller though. Then that was it, I wrapped up and there was never any reason to switch to the other baits – but it was cool to find life here and catch my first legitimate frog fish.“
What I Learned: Day 2
I used one bait but had planned to use 4 (minimalist fishing approach for the win). Note: since I had no confidence in a topwater but wanted to use one, I should have ONLY taken a topwater – nothing else – which would force me to dedicate time to it, building confidence faster.
I knew that even if I did use 4 presentations, they all needed to stay out of the muck… BUT… I was really unsure of what I would do… my complicated plan was just a safety net, a false sense of security… or possibly an excuse.
I was looking for LIFE anywhere, even above the water. Since I had never caught a fish here and I was still exploring, I decided to go where the heron was which turned out to be a good decision. He was eating small fish (maybe even frogs?), and so was the largemouth bass.
I didn’t even see the bass strike, I heardit, looked, couldn’t find my frog and decided to reel down and set the hook. Before this I had seen the water bulging in the area I was fishing, underneath and around the thin overhead cover. Duckweed, in this area – and this area alone.
I missed two other fish in an area with really thick muck on top of the water, using a Strike King frog with a traditional frog hook (2 prongs). This was due to a combination of things. With the first fish my hookset was weak, I had the two prongs (which means the force of the hookset was distributed), and she took in a bunch of algae with the bait. I don’t think my hook penetrated the algae, or it may have caused a “blow out” when I set the hook. The second fish that I missed actually smacked the bait up in the air when he tried to strike it.
Just for reference, there was a small feeder creek near where the heron had set up shop. This could probably adjust the water temperature and also provide a replenishing source of food as bugs and critters and minnows washed into the pond.
Look at that sign of life over there!
Give Pond Fishing a Chance!
The second day was a success… accidentally!
No matter – the simple act of catching a fish – a good fish – got me even more fired up about fishing ponds. Not only was I making time to fish with an extremely hectic schedule, I was learning new techniques (topwater) and bringing big ‘ol bass up onto the shore with me.
… but… If I’m being honest…
I wish my son had caught it 🙂
AJ Hauser with a nice 2.5 pound pond bass (largemouth)
Next time.
So How Can You Catch More Fish Out of Ponds?
If possible, explore the body of water ahead of time and look for things like cover, bottom composition, bottom color and forage. This will help you pick your presentations and bait colors.
Don’t make a complicated plan. Tie on baits that you have confidence in, or if you want to gain confidence in a new bait – just take that one bait and dedicate some time to it.
Upon arrival if you don’t know where to start fishing, look for life above and below the water. Birds, turtles, frogs, deer, minnows, bugs, tadpoles, frogs or anything else.
Pay attention to your surroundings and look for cues, like the water bulging up above the surface giving away the position of active bass in shallow water, or topwater strikes nearby as bass chase and attack frogs or other fish.
Stick with it – and no matter what happens – learn something new about the location or your skills every time you are out on the water.
Most importantly… have fun, and enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy the fresh air, the wind, the sun, the rain, the hot, the cold – soak it all up. Remind yourself that there are a lot of people that will never experience the simple act of pond fishing – and just as many want to fish but are stuck at work… if you know someone like that, you might want to tell them about Minimalist Fishing.
Every trip is a blessing, no matter the outcome.
Now get out and explore some ponds of your own! Tell a friend, simplify your approach – and if this has helped you in any way, make sure to let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
P.S. – I’m still finding new ponds and small bodies of water to fish, like Snapping Turtle Pond… check it out, and let me know what YOU find!
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
My name is AJ Hauser and I started The Minimalist Fisherman in 2019. It’s helped me become a better angler, a better father, a better husband, a better friend, and it can help you do the same.
These articles and videos are crafted to help all of us improve – as fishermen, yes, but also as men. Our country is sorely lacking when it comes to real men. We have to do something about that. Share these posts, consider donating, and provide your own unique feedback and advice in the comments. This will help us continue to grow and influence the next generation of men, which will have a positive effect on our communities and country.
In truth… this is an extremely personal endeavor.
Day job, you ask?
I’ve designed websites, logos and brochures for over 20 years as a partner and Senior Design Lead at The Hauser Design Group. I’m also a website consultant that helps clients generate more traffic and sales (cha-ching) both online and in-store.
But my passion is creating content for The Minimalist Fisherman. It’s changed my life, made me better, and my current goal is to help other men achieve the same results both in their homes and on the water. Let me explain…
Mornings on the lake beat mornings in the inbox…
First: What is a Minimalist?
Let’s keep this part really simple. There are way too many definitions of what minimalism is and isn’t all over the web. (It’s trendy, dontcha know!)
A minimalist evaluates every aspect of their life and surroundings, and discards things that do not provide real value.
– AJ Hauser
He doesn’t hoard. He doesn’t collect. He doesn’t gather.
Items without value are thrown away. Minimized.
This raises a big question: what has value?
Teaching has value… sharing has value… what else?
Well dear reader – you get to decide what has value. Some people value relationships, others value things. Some people value prestige and others value accolades. Money? Sure. Habits? Yes. Vice? Unfortunately.
I propose we assign value first & foremost to wholesome experiences, not things.
What we do, not what we possess.
Then, we may assign value to the tools that are required to partake in these experiences. For example: a boat is required to experience the thrill of exploring a big body of water. A kayak is required to experience the joy of working up a small creek where few anglers dare to tread. A nice rod and reel are required to experience the excitement of landing your new PB. Tools – the right tools – have value.
Just be careful: it’s dangerous to fill your life up with stuff… and if collecting stuff is what you value above all else… it’s time to choose a better path.
Collecting stuff is in direct opposition to what minimalism is at its core, and when it came to fishing – my emphasis on collecting stuff is what got me into trouble… I was too worried about filling up a tackle box, a backpack, a truck, a boat and a garage… but not worried about things like time on the water, technique or learning about fish behavior.
When I realized my focus was missing the mark, that I was collecting tools instead of using them, instead of having experiences and learning principles, the path became clear.
I needed to do a complete 180.
What is a Minimalist Fisherman?
Minimalist Fishing is the careful accumulation of quality behaviors, knowledge, skill, technique and gear. Minimalist Fishermen catch more fish by constantly evaluating and optimizing what they do on and off the water. They believe wholesome experiences are more valuable than things, and keep only the tools that produce results while intentionally discarding the clutter.
A Minimalist Fisherman continuously evaluates every aspect of their fishing gear, knowledge and skill. They quickly discard things that do not provide real value. “Value” is defined by you, the fisherman.
Minimalist Fishermen will seek out the most important presentations, the most essential tools, the most meaningful knowledge and the most significant skills to efficiently master their craft. This process inevitably leads to more successful days on the water, and more fish in the boat.
– AJ Hauser
These concepts, once crystalized, completely changed my perspective:
Am I a collector, or am I a fisherman?
Is my tackle box filled with baits I can confidently use, or full of stuff for “someday?“
Am I buying more gear because I’ve utilized what I have? Am I purchasing these jigs because I lost my last batch breaking off fishing woody cover? Do I need them… or… does buying more stuff just make me feel better for a brief period of time?
If any of these sound familiar, that’s ok! It’s never too late to start making improvements. Begin with this question… what is one SIMPLE GOAL you’d like to achieve?
(Not a list of goals. Not something 5 years off. What is one simple, achievable goal?)
We’ll need that answer first. We need a starting point.
Help yourself first, because only then can you truly help others.
Do you want to catch bigger fish? Do you want to fish more often? Do you want to help family experience fishing success? Do you want to make new friends with similar interests? Do you want to create a successful YouTube channel? Do you want to bond with your spouse or children on the water? Do you want to find new ways to share your passion? Do you want to fish & win tournaments? Do you want to use your limited fishing time better?
You get to decide.
For me?
It was a combination that prompted my journey down this path… and my journal helped me realize it…
Why Minimalist Fishing?Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
My Journal Opened My Eyes
I hated journaling in grade school, but randomly picked the behavior back up in 2014 while in a dark place. My business was suffering, my employees & clients were suffering, my family was suffering. I remember walking outside one October night crying out to God almighty, begging Him for help –
“PLEASE GOD – WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!”
“I know!“, I thought, “I need to devote 150% of my time and energy to my business – that will surely make me happy!”
So I did. I gave it everything I had. And we grew. A lot. We hired more. I sold more. Landed bigger accounts. Made a buncha money.
I was on a roll! I was fixing my life!
But… then I noticed that keeping the business afloat was beginning to devour my soul. It was subtle at first, but I felt it. Every week it seemed to get worse. I’d sink deeper and deeper into the pit, and ask myself:
“Next week it will be better – right?“
“Happiness is just around the corner… right??“
“This weekend I’ll get caught up and have some time for the kids – right???“
“One more massive sale, then I’ll be able to sleep at night and stop staring at the ceiling and drinking just to shut my brain off… right?!!??“
No.
I was wrong.
Relief never came. The stress only got worse, and in 2019 I began to read the journal started 5 years earlier. One evening, while drinking too much and thumbing through some of the entries, it hit me: instead of “fixing my life“, what I was actually doing… was killing myself.
Full stop.
I was mentally and physically drained, very overweight, drinking heavily, lacking sleep, I had lost my faith, my purpose… all while chasing a slightly better income.
And for what?!
So I could have nicer things. More and more things. So I could accumulate more STUFF.
My family knew that I loved them, but at gatherings, I never felt like I was 100% plugged in. I was always worried about the next email, the next sale, the next job, the unhappy customer, or the proposal that was being reviewed by the board… and so I was there, but I wasn’t really present.
Your family deserves the best of you, not your leftovers…
On top of that, I was neglecting my passions almost entirely. I was neglecting the behaviors that made me who I am… well… they did once upon a time. Playing sports. Lifting weights. Writing music. Fishing, hiking and camping – all gone. Now they just represented who I once was.
I was depressed and STUCK. Few things are worse than feeling stuck with no purpose… no direction… no GOALS… it was time for things to change.
The Minimalist Fisherman was a major part of that change in my life.
In order to reclaim the lost skill of fishing, I had to reduce the amount of clutter that had been accumulated. I never went fishing anymore because there was never enough time to get everything ready. There were so many things! Equipment, boat, trailer, truck, 15 presentations pre-rigged on 15 rods, 37 bags of plastics, 4 containers of plugs… you know… “just in case.” It was overwhelming. Too much with my workload… so I always stayed home!
If I wanted to start fishing again, I knew I had to be able to go at the drop of a hat. 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. Whenever a slight window of opportunity would appear I’d need to grab a pole, a bag and without overthinking just… GO.
So I minimized everything and began to rebuild from the ground up.
I also started to write in that journal even more. Some entries were pushed out to the world through this website, which led to the identification of key concepts that improved my fishing. But they also improved other areas of my life as well! They allowed me to shed the build-up that was preventing me from being the father, husband, friend and fisherman that I wanted to be. I had to change where, when and how I worked. Had to set boundaries with customers. Had to take a good long look at every aspect of my life so that I could clearly define the behaviors that I wanted to incorporate, and what I needed to discard to regain the time and energy required for the things that mattered most.
I started to spend more time with family, pay more attention to my wife & children, work on my diet and exercise, get more sleep, drink less, and ultimately have the best end-of-year fishing run in Illinois to date… and these trends have continued, consistently, ever since. I’m not writing about “things I think might work” or “nifty hypothetical concepts I thought up on the toilet” – I’m writing about what I did wrong, and what I did right, so you can experience the same benefits in your life.
It’s possible.
We can all explore more water and catch more fish while being better fathers, husbands and men.
Exploring a New Fishing Hole: Snapping Turtle PondClick the banner to jump to Stars & Bars Fishing on YouTube.
Hey… that’s a good (big) GOAL!
I’m still working towards this same goal myself, bit by bit, task by task, behavior by behavior… we’re never really finished, after all. But I’m present. Not letting family (or clients) down as much. It’s all connected. I’m growing as an angler, and as a man. I’m finally back on the path…
Are you?
If not… don’t you want to be?
It all stems from the decision to start… and you’re already here… so let’s get started! Below you will find a link to a critically important concept that changed the way I look at everything. No doubt, one of the most useful tips I’ve learned to date, and I know it will help you too.
4 years later in a better place mentally, physically and spiritually. Thank you, God.
There are many fish to catch, and many improvements to make… keep pushing my friend.
Take a quick break, then click to learn the difference between motivation and drive. If you have a friend or family member that wants to be a better angler & a better man – share this page with them!
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
