When the water temperatures cool down and the bite heats up, these tips will help you stay ready for the fight ahead.
Fight Fish, not Frustration, with Flambeau Tackle Management Systems
It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. As the cold winter releases its grips on Lake Erie, and the ice breaks apart, the changing seasons marks a monumental event.
Every spring, Lake Erie walleyes leave the lake in search of warmer water for prime spawning conditions. Many of them make their way up the Maumee River, located in Ohio. With the arrival of the fish brings hordes of anglers from just about everywhere you could imagine – all with the same hopes of hooking up with a big ‘eye.
The run has turned into such an event that there is a “Walleye Hotline” you can call to get up-to-date information regarding river conditions.
Smaller male walleyes (known as jacks) show up first and, depending on river conditions, can begin running as early as March. The big females follow, with some truly giant fish in the mix. Of course, there is no set time that the run begins, as it is totally weather dependent. A general consensus is that the fish usually begin their pilgrimage when the water temps reach 40 degrees in the river.
Since the Maumee River presents ample fishing opportunities for anglers who don’t have access to a boat, the banks quickly become lined with folks after the big one. This is where the term “combat fishing” comes into play. Shoulder to shoulder fishing is the norm, and anglers have to be prepped for battle.
Tackle organization is paramount in the fast-paced world of combat fishing. The Maumee River, like many other river systems, has snags that can result in lost tackle, so having plenty of options stowed away is a necessity.
Being able to have quick access to gear is a basic requirement when combat fishing, so picking the right tackle storage option is crucial. Flambeau has a number of products that will save you time and headaches when waist deep in flowing water.
For those looking to be as lightweight as possible, the Flambeau Portage Sling gives fisherman the perfect wearable soft-side storage system. The pack has room for one 4000 series Tuff Tainer and one 3000 series Tuff Tainer, making it a great option for those looking to travel light while still having enough storage for tackle.
The Portage Sling features a single, ambidextrous strap that can be adjusted to be worn over either shoulder.
For tackle junkies like myself, Flambeau makes plenty of other larger options to hold multitudes of gear. The Portage Backpack, which is essentially the big brother to the Portage Sling, provides a huge amount of room for just about everything you could possibly need for a day of bank fishing.
The Portage Backpack includes four 5007 Tuff Tainers and one WP5005 Tuff Tainer, but anglers can mix and match a number of their favorite Flambeau boxes inside the pack.
Sure, fishing tackle takes up a lot of space, but what about everything else needed for a day on the river? The Portage Backpack has it covered, with a top divided “attic” storage area that can hold sunglasses, tools, and any additional equipment needed. The pack also features a customizable compartment that can hold up to three spools of line, with external feed grommets. This makes retying a cinch in the tight confines of combat fishing, and ultimately this kind of efficiency will lead to more fish in the net.
Combat fishing can be crowded and frustrating at times, but having the proper storage systems can reduce the number of headaches. Next time you head into battle, make sure you’re properly equipped with right kind of tools for the job.
The last thing you want is to lose your spot in a busy bank fishing scenario, so why not have everything you need at your fingertips?