Becoming a Better Fisherman

Why are Professional Anglers Posting on Social Media SO MUCH?!

Posted on May 25, 2023 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

WARNING: this post is strictly my OPINION. Read it with caution, especially if you are easily butthurt… I’m about to smash your shibboleth. You may...

DO THIS to Prepare for Illinois Fishing this Winter…

Posted on November 16, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

Fishing in Illinois comes to a complete stop in the winter months. Well… usually. Some of you sadistic lunatics take to the ice – and...

LaSalle County Fishing: Beating the “New Lake Jitters”

Posted on November 15, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

Fishing New Lakes in Northern Illinois New Lake Jitters

“Look at ‘er… she’s beautiful… but huge. So… where do I even begin?!” A “big new lake” can mean a lot of different things to...

LaSalle County Fishing: 1 Critical Tip to Catch MORE Fish!

Posted on November 14, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

LaSalle County fishing can yield some impressive results. Whether you are looking for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish like green sunfish and bluegill, crappie or...

Stressed Out? Don’t Nuke the Day! | Vlog #6

Posted on September 18, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

A Fishing Vlog: Things come up. Things go wrong. That’s life. If something is wrong in your world RIGHT NOW, I would ask you to...

I Am Not a Threat… | Vlog #5

Posted on September 12, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

A Fishing Vlog: One of the things that we see a lot of anglers on YouTube do is share their location. And why not? The...

Don’t Have Time to Fish? DO THIS! | Vlog #4

Posted on September 5, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

A Fishing Vlog: Sometimes we want to fish… and then LIFE comes along and ruins our plans. So… what do we do when we just...

The Advantages of Multiple Fishing Bags | Vlog #3

Posted on August 26, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

A Fishing Vlog: Are there advantages to preparing multiple fishing backpacks ahead of time? Yes. Here’s why… Please let me know your thoughts! Tight lines!

Why I don’t Share my Location in YouTube Fishing Videos

Posted on August 23, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing) Posts with Fishin' Stories

Creek Fishing in Illinois: Why I Don't Share my Location on YouTube

“You heading out?!“ “What was that?“, you think to yourself as you look over your shoulder, behind the kayak you’re pulling towards the water where...

Do Real People Use Mono or Fluoro for Crankbaits? | Vlog #2

Posted on August 12, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

Vlog #2 Do Real People Use Monofilament or Fluorocarbon?

A Fishing Vlog: Do you spool up with monofilament or fluorocarbon when you’re crankbaiting? This is a serious question! I’m seriously considering switching to fluoro…...

Practical Fishing Advice for Real People | Vlog #1

Posted on August 3, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

A Fishing Vlog: Practical Fishing Advice for Real People Let’s talk a bit about our goals. Do you want to become a professional fisherman? Do...

Why I Turned YouTube Ads Off On My Channel (Update: Ads Are Back On… Here’s Why)

Posted on July 28, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

What are your goals? Do you know the answer to that question? (I’m not being sarcastic.) If you are reading this, chances are you are...

Should I Quit Fishing?

Posted on July 25, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing) Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

Should I quit fishing? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Sometimes… it sure feels like we should quit. Let me tell you a story…...

Fishing the Manitowish Chain O Lakes by Minocqua, Wisconsin

Posted on July 22, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing) Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Posts with Fishin' Stories

The Manitowish Chain O Lakes near Minocqua, Wisconsin

“Hey… g’morning Dad…“ You grumble as you shuffle-step over to the coffee pot to get a bit of java. “Morning bud“, he replies. It’s just...

The Advantages of Fishing From Shore

Posted on June 15, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing) Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Posts with Fishin' Stories

“Mornings are so peaceful in spring“, you think to yourself and the first rays of sunlight begin to trickle through your office curtains. A slight,...

The Farting Fisherman (Annoys Everyone in the Boat)

Posted on June 9, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

The smallmouth bass… the farts… this video is pure poetry in motion. In fact, this is probably the greatest video I have ever created. Actually…...

Checking Water Temperature from Shore for Better Fishing

Posted on March 14, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Posts with Fishin' Stories

Checking Water Temperature From Shore Deeper Sonar

Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Done with winter. Icicles are gone, but there are still random piles of dirty, crusty ice in sporadic locations all around...

Secret Ned Rig Modification

Posted on March 2, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing) Fishing Rigs & Mods

Today we’re going to go over a secret Ned Rig modification that I came across while puttering about on YouTube. The modification video was posted...

Fishing New Kinds of Water

Posted on March 1, 2021 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing) Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques Posts with Fishin' Stories

Life is full of changes. In fact, change is the only thing that’s consistent. Two years ago when I started this website, my intent was...

Wear Boots When You’re Fishing!

Posted on April 17, 2020 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Fishing Advice, Gear & Techniques

I WAS ATTACKED! Upon returning from a recent fishing trip spent throwing topwater baits from shore on a windy day, I noticed there was something...

Developing Confidence in Topwater Lures

Posted on April 13, 2020 by AJ Hauser | TheMinimalistFisherman.com Becoming a Better Fisherman (Reflections on Fishing)

The advice that surrounds gaining confidence in a specific lure or presentation type is straightforward enough: Use it. But sometimes… it’s just not that simple....