KFAN Radio Interview

Had the chance to chat with the boys from KFAN Outdoors last night.  A little fish talk, a little Clam New Product Talk and lots of non sense talk!  It was a pleasure and hopefully I get the chance to talk smart again!  You can listen by clicking on this link KFAN Outdoors our conversation starts at 19:25 in the program.

Thanks to the host "The Captain" Billy Hildebrand for giving me the oppertunity.

Lake Mille Lacs Ice Fishing and Ice Conditions

It's a tad bit chilly out there!  My buddy John Hoyer and I took a little ice fishing adventure this past couple of days out on Lake Mille Lacs.  As most of you know Lake Mille Lacs is a monster of a lake so we took it pretty easy the first day out as there wasn't another fish house in site.  The first mile was probably the worst ice as there were several large cracks.  John and I joked as we could have tied up a Rapala and drove down one of the cracks.  Little Ice Trolling!  We had pretty good ice everywhere we went so we felt pretty safe with a four-wheeler.  The fishing was pretty good for size and just ok for eaters.  We had enough each day to clean and take home to eat.  Most of the fish were caught on jigging spoons with just a minnow head.

OK so it was pretty nasty cold the first day with winds up to 30 mph and I had the chance to put my Clam Extreme Black Grey Suit to the test.  All I'm going to say is "WARM".  Didn't get cold once.  If you have ever been cold fishing you know it's not fun even if you are catching them.  So if you are in the market I promise you won't be disapointed with how that suit performs!!!  Check them out at Clam IceArmor Cold Weather Ice Gear

So on with the photos!  Here are just a couple of Hawg Bellies from the trip.

 

 

Ice Fishing is just around the Corner

The ice conditions in the Brainerd Lakes area, like Gull Lake, Round, and North Long are very close to being fish-able or I should say safely fish-able.  The farther you travel north like Leech Lake and Cass Lake should also be making some pretty good ice.  So it's time to get that equipment ready!  I just put together my brand new Clam Voyager TCX and let me tell you this bad boy is awesome!  If you are in the market for a sled style fish house you wouldn't be disappointed with any house from the Clam Corp line up.  I can say that because I have a 10 year old Clam Voyager sitting in my garage that still looks new!  Seriously the thing is in great shape and yes I used it a few times just ask my wife....  Check out the line of fish houses here Clam Corp Fish Houses  If you do have any questions please let me know and I would be happy to help out. 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone too.  I'm so thankful for a loving family.  This was the first Thanksgiving since my Mom, Suzette, had passed away.  It was hard on all of us but my wife, Kristine, put together an amazing spread of food in Memory of Her.  We know that she wasn't at the dinner table physically but spiritually she was sitting there happy to see her family together. 

I'm looking forward to a great year of ice fishing and guiding this winter.  If you or you know someone who is looking to hop on my snowmobile and take off onto the frozen water of Central and Northern Minnesota lets do it!  I will be guiding on many lakes like Gull Lake, Round Lake, Leech Lake and too many to name.  Send me an email if you would like more details.  My buds WalleyeDan and Tim Hanske also have some sweet sleeper houses and I would love to set you up with those guys too.

So to get you in the spirit here is a little video of my buddy and Bigtooth Pro Staffer Mike Crawford showing you how to set the hook on monster northern pike using Bigtooth Tackles Natural Quick Strike Rigs and Tip ups.  You have to love Mike he is a funny fishing maniac!

Big Buck Story Minnesota Deer Rifle Season

Once in awhile you get to hear a story that is truly what outdoor passion is all about.  My friend Paul, AKA Pablo, called me and I could hear the excitement in his voice.  He said, "Jeff, I just shot a huge buck and the best part is that Braedon was sitting right next to me!"  Oh man I felt the chills go down my spine as I could hear an excited father not only did he shoot a big buck but his five year old son was able to experience that moment with him.  I can tell you that excites me as my little boy Gavin turns two in February and it will only be a few years and I, hopefully, get to share moments like this with him.  I ask Pablo to give me the play by play so he sent me an email with photos!


This is what is all about!!!


"I asked Braedon who is five if he wanted to go deer hunting with me this year and of coarse he said "YES"!!  Opening morning I didn't have to ask him twice to get up and out of bed.  We had a quick bowl of cereal and we were out the door.  As the sun hit the top of the trees we got into my deer stand and we saw squirrels, geese, swans but no deer.  At noon I figured he needed to stretch his legs so we went to the truck for a quick sandwich.  My brother had been seeing deer most of the morning and I thought Braedon would have a better chance of at least seeing a deer if he sat with him.  So, I asked him if he wanted to sit with my brother and he did.  I told my brother that at 2:30 Braedon had to make a decision either to sit with you or come back to my stand to sit till dark.  Well, he chose to sit with my brother.  I was kind of bummed because it was fun sitting with my son, showing him the many things that were taking place around us and just spending time together.  My brother texted me at 3:30 and said Braedon wanted to sit with me and was bringing him back.  Cool, by buddy was back with me and now I was just hoping we would be blessed with seeing a deer.  We were sitting with a lot of anticipation and excitment.  It was down to only about 45 min left of the hunting day and through the corner of my eye I saw some antlers to my left coming through the brush.  After I see it turn it's head all I could see was antlers I knew it was a shooter!! I asked B "theres one...do you see it...do you see it"  OK Daddy was pretty excited at this point but he finally he says, "Yeah I see it I see it!"  We went through this like 5 times while the deer slowly made his way.  My heart was ready to pop right out of my chest!  I could tell the deer started to get antsy (or maybe it was me) so on the last "do you see it" and B says "yes" I drop the hammer down.  The monster deer didn't move an inch and we had a deer of a lifetime down! The two of us went NUTZ!!!!  All I can say is what an experience, and to have done it with my 5 year old son by my side" Priceless"!!"  
Paul Manecke


Holy buckets if that doesn't give you chills I don't know but all I can say is thanks Paul and Braedon for sharing such an amazing story!!!

Minnesota Deer Hunting - Big Buck

Here is a few photos of Joe, my brother, of a buck he shot during the Minnesota Deer Hunting Season.  I will post the story soon.  It's a good one!!!

(click on photo for larger view)

Photo Walk-a-bout

I went out on a morning walk and snapped a few photos.  They are not the most mind blowing but what a great way to get out and get some fresh air.

(Peek a boo squirrel)

(Minnesota Pond Fog on the Water)

(Turkey's on the Ridge)

Ice Roads Walleye Weekend on Leech Lake, MN

From fall musky talk to winter ice fishing.  Yep it's almost time to get that ice gear read to rock and roll.  I wanted to let you know about a great opportunity to learn ice fishing tactics from some of the top anglers around.  On January 14th and 15th fellow fishing bud, Jim Hudson, and crew will be holding a comprehensive ice fishing school on Leech Lake.  I will also be there to help the guys out.  As if I know what I'm talking about!  The focus will be on ice walleye tactics from start to finish.  Their goal is to shorten your learning curve and to increase your odds on your next walleye adventure.

I can't think of a better spot then Leech Lake to get out and put some new tactics to the test and catch a few fish together.  So get the boys/gals together and lets go catch a few walleyes together!

Check out more information at Ice Roads Website

"Make a Memory"

Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

Minnesota Monster Musky - Lake Bemidji Guide

The phone rang and my buddy Kevin said, "I wanna catch a musky!"  "Well yeah don't we all!",  I replied. Well lets get rocking and go catch one!  So we were off to hunt down one of the toughest freshwater fish.  Easy task right?!  Kevin has been fishing his whole life but never for muskies so this was a new experience for him and the pressure was on.  As I prepare for our Musky Hunt my mind starts to dive into the lake, are the fish going to be deep, shallow, suspended, on the rocks, in the weeds, outside the weeds, inside the weed line or are they on the sand, in the bullrushes holy buckets I didn't know for sure but all I could do was try and put the pieces together.  Just a week prior we had warm weather and the fish moved into the cabbage, but that was a week ago, and we were hit with a nasty cold front with strong NorthWest winds.  

So the hooks were sharpened, all of the hooks I should say, as I was up till 10:30 getting baits ready.  Did the fish want small bucktails, large bucktails, spinnerbaits, or did they want top water baits, or maybe soft plastic baits, or crankbaits or jerk baits?  The book would say in the fall use soft plastics, crank baits or jerk baits, but there have been times when I have caught some of the biggest fish in the fall on topwaters.  That is what this game is all about!  Putting the pieces together and when you do it can pay off huge.

Northbound we headed with the Crestliner 202 and Mercury Verado ready to rock we were greeted with 26 degree morning.  It was picture perfect!  Not another truck and trailer at the access and we had the lake all to ourselves.  "What is everyone doing?" I thought to myself and Kevin was probably thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?"  We put the boat in the water and I bundled up with my IceArmor and off we went.

We started fishing a steep edge like I mentioned in the previous post and our presentation was focused on fishing with Crankbaits and Jerk baits.  Both of these lure have different triggering qualities but both have the ability to stall out in the water.  This means to work the bait either back and forth or twitch, twitch and then a long pause.  That long pause can be the difference in a bite or just a methodical follow.  Every lure you throw has a triggering quality so learn what they are.  We had moved three nice fish on this steep edge but no bitters.  I thought to myself, as it was early in the morning, "Let's try a small little cabbage pile that is adjacent to deep water as an active fish could have moved up."

We started to work down and as we were casting the money spot I saw a huge boil behind the bait appeared.  Twitch, Twitch, Twitch Pause.........Fish on!  Kevin did battle!  As I was grabbing the net Kevin exclaimed, "It's a big one, it's a big one, it's a big one!"  Well this was Kevin's first time musky fishing and the first couple of hours into it for that matter so I was thinking it was just a nice one, until I looked up and saw the Blue St. Croix bent over and was starring down at a giant!  The fish was doing several hard head shakes just out of nets reach.  "Kevin just take it easy and bring her head around!" I said in attempt to stay calm but the fish said, "I'm the boss!" and made several runs back and forth with violent head shakes by the boat.  After a short period Kevin was able to bring her head around and into the net she went.  "It's a giant!  Kevin you just caught your first musky and you just caught your first 50 incher!" I yelped!  There was no doubt this thing was over 50 and I was pumped and Kevin, I think, was a little shell shocked.

So number one thing on my mind is the fish's safety.  Kevin handed me the release tools as it didn't take much to get her unhooked.  We grabbed the camera, bump board (measuring board) and I told Kevin how we were going to take the picture, measure her and let her go.  It's always a good plan to have a good systems as this fish or any fish for that matters is a precious gem so we don't want to hurt her.

Ok so Kevin, previously semi pro basketball player at 6'5", looked down and asked, "Do you see the size of that thing?"  I showed him how to grab her and with a grunt she came out of the net.  This fish was a giant!  Man I wanted to get the best photos possible but it's tough when it's this cold, we don't want the fish out of the water too long, and Kevin never holding a monster musky before I was little worried, but he nailed it.  The fish relaxed and posed for some quick shots, down to the bump board she went.  "54 1/4!" I said to Kevin and with a 26 inch girth!  Kevin's first musky, first 50 incher and first mid forty pounder.  That's a way to start things off!

Lures Selection

We were using a variety of jerk and crank baits like the new  Rapala Glidding Rap  

We caught this monster muskie on a 7 1/2 inch Phantom Softtail Lure

Congrats to my buddy Kevin who landed a true Minnesota Trophy Musky!

So here are couple of shots.  Like I said before Kevin at 6'5" wearing a ton of winter clothing and this fish still made him look small.

You can do a weight calculation here Musky Hunter Weight Calculator

"Make a Memory!"

Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

(click on photo for larger view)

I cropped the above photo just to give you an idea of the girth on this fish!

Minnesota Fall Turn Over Muskies

(Photo by Chuck Beasley In-Fisherman)

Holy buckets did things change in hurry.  Last night I made a last minute dash to Wally World (Walmart) and I thought I was going to get blown away with the snow and wind.  It was awesome!  This kinda gets me pumped up for the ice fishing season ahead, but lets stay focused here, and remember this is the time the big ones decide to bit!  

Fall is a period when many changes happen with in the lake including the "Fall Turn Over" period.  Ok so I'm going to get a little sciency here and it might feel like you are in science class all over again but if you want to cash in on the fall bite this is important piece of the puzzle.

In most of our lakes in the Midwest there are three layers.  The first or top layer is called the Epilimnion, an upper layer of circulating warm water, usually no more than 20 to 30 feet deep, where dissolved oxygen concentration are moderate to high, then comes the Thermocline, a layer of rapid temperature and oxygen decreased with depth, often pretty thin, the thermocline separates the upper and lower layers, then we have the lower layer which is called the Hypolimnion, a cold, deep-water, non-circulating layer in which oxygen is low or absent.  

At some point during the fall the top layer, Epilimnion, starts to cool.  "Turn Over" starts when the surface water temp reaches approximately 50 degrees in which the surface starts to sink into the Thermocline.  As the air continues to cool the surface (epilimnion) temperature, a common temperature, between all the layers starts to occur.  With the wind the water continues to mix the full water mass.  Eventually the oxygen levels will be the same throughout the entire water column allowing fish to use deeper water.

So with most lakes turned over in our region most of the fish will utilize deeper structure for feeding areas.  Usually the number one location I look at are steep, wind blown, drop offs with deep water access.  Active muskies and walleyes will move from the deep water to feed on these steep edges.  When fishing for muskies in this situation it will require you to get down to these fish.  Two of my go to baits are the New Storm Giant Flat Stick and the New Storm Thunderbeast.  Both of the lures have specific triggering qualities for these types of situations.  

The Giant FlatStick (pictured above) is a bait imitating lure that can be used in a very aggressive manner with hard jerks and pauses, a straight retrieve, with slow soft jerks causing lure to work side to side and trolled.  The bait has flat sides that causes a super wide wobble, loud rattles, and is built tough so you can bang it on rocks, wood and through the weeds.

The Thunderbeast is a soft plastic with a large tail that gives huge vibration.  This is a lure you can cast out on these deep edges, let if fall, and with hard or soft jerks work it back to the boat.  The muskies just love to eat this lure up.  You can see more at Storm Lures.

So don't let a little snow or cold weather get you down!  Get out on the water, find a deep edge, and put one of these lures in the face of a giant muskie.

"Make a Memory"

Jeff "Breezer" Andersen

Reeds Sporting Goods Ice Catalog Cover 2010

Photo I took Featured on the Cover of the 2010 Reeds Sports Catalog

Huge Leech Lake Walleyes are Bitting

Holy Mackerel did we put the hurt bag on some monster walleyes on Saturday.  I had my buddies Dave, Randy, and Steve out just for a quick afternoon of fishing and it was on!  We were fishing Leech Lake in Walker, MN and man do I love this lake.  It's just that good!  I mean the wind was blowing 20 30 mile per hour out of the Northwest and it was tough to keep things straight but it was big fish after big fish.  It was so nuts that we had lines, motors and everything else tangled up!  It was awesome!  Yep it was awesome because the fish were smashing our red tail chubs!  Ok maybe the tangles weren't awesome but the tangles were only happening because the crazy wind and the huge walleyes doing battle with us.  We were fishing with Bigtooth Tackles Walleye Rig tipped with a Red Tail or Creek Chub in about 25 feet.  Our set up was the usual St. Croix Legend Tournament 7' Rig Rod with  Sufix 832 Braid and Suffix Flouro Leader Suffix Fluorocarbon Line.  The walleyes were scattered on most of the structure so covering water was key put it seems like when we ran into one there was another one that was close by.

Ok so I have mentioned this before but if you guys are looking for a get away you should really take a look at Chase on the Lake in Walker, MN.  Seriously there is everything there from amazing food, to great shopping, spa, golf, biking, bowling, and the best fishing in Minnesota on Leech Lake.  Check them out at www.chaseonthelake.com.

Picture time.  Here are several of the big ones we caught!  (Click on Photo for larger view)

Also I should mention there is a link at the very very bottom to follow my blog.  Please sign up so you can get all the updates.  

"Make a Memory!"

Jeff

 It took Dave 5 minutes to catch the first monster Leech Lake Walleye of the day.

Dave and Steve owner of Chase on the Lake with a double.  

Randy with yet another monster walleye from Leech Lake

Dave was on fire putting huge walleyes in the boat left and right.  Seriously! 

The boys even let me drop a line down for a little bit and look what happened.  Yep another monster walleye.  Leech Lake is on fire!  It's a joy to be a Leech Lake Fishing Guide when they are biting like this.

Another Double by Randy and Dave.  Look at the size of those Leech Lake Walleyes.

Steve with an end of the day monster walleye.  Come up to Chase on the Lake, get a spa, eat some awesome food at the 502 Restaurant and catch some huge leech lake walleyes with me!!! 

2008 Crestliner 202 Tournament Series for Sale

SOLD

2008 Crestliner 202 Tournament Series Powered by a 250 Mercury Verado.

20ft Crestliner with full windshield, 9.9 pro kicker electric start/trim and tilt (Low Hours) Minnkota Vantage 101, Minnkota Terrova 101 with Sonor also has handheld remote (brand new foot pedal), built in oxygenator in live-well, 5 optima batteries, 4 bank on-board charger, Mercury Smart Gauges, power steering, Lowrance lcx 113HD and 27c w/ gps, Splash Guards, extra storage box in back, travel cover, Ez-Loader trailer, Special Coating on Trailer, Custom Wheels and Bearings, 4 fish on rod holders, marine radio, AM FM CD Player, MP3 Player hook up, and 4 seats.

Boat is loaded and in great condition! Asking $34,000.

There is no doubt you will love fishing out of this boat.

Call me at 218-766-8048 or send me an email. I will try and get a few more pics up.

Click on Photo for larger picture....

Gull Lake Walleyes Brainerd MN

Yo! Just wanted to give all you fish-a-maniacs a little fishing update. I have been fishing Gull Lake in the Brainerd Area for the past few days and yep they are bitting. The walleyes are scattered, so my advise, is too bump up that weight on the Bigtooth Walleye Rig to a 1/2 once and get on the move. We caught walleyes in 13 feet of water and we caught walleyes in 45 feet of water. Move, Move, Move, Move, Move is the name of the game. I'm not really saying fish 1,349 spots I'm just talking about while fishing a certain area you should be moving at least .6 to .9 mph. If you do happen to find a school you can maybe slow down a little but it seemed like the old walters wanted the baits moving along. When we found a school of fish we would just make several passes back and forth rather then trying to sit right on top of them. We caught every fish on a Red Tail Chub and I didn't catch one. These boys put the hurt bag on em!

Guys don't get fooled by the hunting urge grab your St. Croix Fishing Rod and get on the water. The fall bite is on and this is by far one of the most scenic times to be on the water. Ha! and not too many pleasure boaters.....

Check out some photos from the other day. Bada Boom!!!

"Make a Memory!"

Jeff

Clam Corp Product Review and Featured Photos

Holy buckets it's almost the ice season and I'm pumped. Yesterday I went down to Clam Corporation Head Quarters go over all the new products with Clam Corp and meet with most of the pro staffers. What a bunch of great guys! Clam Corp and IceArmor have so many amazing new products that I can't cover them all in one short post but I will make sure and pick a few out here and there to show you ice fishing fanatics! We covered everything from new shelters, clothing, fishing rods, and ice fishing accessories. I can't wait to put them to the test.

One, simply yet must have, was the New Scoop Shovel. This bad boy was collapsable and only weighs 1.2 pounds. It's perfect for the fishhouse and also perfect to put in the trunk of your vehicle for those emergency situations. A product that is so simple yet something I will use a ton! Check it out at Clam Scoop Shovel



Also one other piece of equipment, which isn't brand new this year but a must have, is the Fan/Light Combo. This thing is so slick! It has a LED Light and a fan which does exactly that, lights up the fish house but also helps circulate the air. We all know the heat rises and it's a pain to have those holes freeze up on the super cold days so this helps circulate the warm air throughout the fish house. The Fan/Light Combo comes in two sizes check it out at Clam Fan/Light Combo





I was also pretty pumped as this was the first time I was able to see first hand the 2011 Clam Ice Fishing Catolog and Ice Annual. Why am I pumped? Well I shot several photos that were featured on them including the cover on both! See photos below.


Photo I took Featured on the Cover of the 2011 Clam Corp Ice Fishing Catalog


Photo I took Featured on Cover of the 2011 Clam Corp Ice Annual


Photos (Top and Lower Right) I took Featured on the Back Cover of 2011 Clam Corp Ice Fishing Catalog


Article and Photos I wrote and took featured in the 2011 Clam Corp Ice Annual


Photos (Lower two) I took Featured on the Back Cover of Clam Corp 2011 Ice Annual

Bob Cat Trail Camera Pics

My friend Bob Johnson, who you have seen catching muskies in previous post, sent me a few trail cam pics of a bobcat. I thought you guys might enjoy seeing them!