OUTDOORS
WITH
BABE
WINKELMAN |
Panfish and Pheasants
By Babe Winkelman
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[December 23, 2014]
Fishing
- Plastics for Panfish - Over the past few years, small, soft
plastics have really taken off in popularity among anglers,
especially during the winter months. With old man winter officially
here, many lakes across the Midwest have been glazed with ice,
ceasing growth of aquatic plants due to the lack of sunlight
penetration.
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With insects and minnow hatches taking place during the growing
months (spring and summer) panfish seek out smaller and less
plentiful food, such as plankton during the winter. This is where
small, soft plastics have gained popularity as they tempt and entice
panfish better than minnows, jigs, or other larger profile lures.
Throughout my years of fishing I can count numerous times where
panfish would decline me no matter the lure I threw at them. Often I
was using a jig or small spoon that was far too heavy or large. With
the use of tiny jigs paired with plastics, panfish have no problem
inhaling these types of baits and are far less caution when
approaching them as they imitate plankton. A 2-4 pound monofilament
test matched with the tiny jig plastic combination gives me an
action that is irresistible to panfish when jigged.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/20/images/ads/current/abes_christmas_sda_112014.png) This presentation can be utilized anywhere in the country and I
would not consider it just an ice fishing technique. Add some small
to tiny jigs and plastics to your arsenal and give this technique a
try today. I will bet panfish will not be able to resist this
combination, helping you put more fish in the frying pan. For those
of you venturing out on the ice take great caution this winter and
stay safe.
Hunting Department
Chasing Roosters In December
As Pheasant opener has come and gone, the preferred destinations
that many hunters flocked to early in the season are now left
barren. Many people over look the excellent opportunity of chasing
roosters in December presents. With temperatures hovering around
freezing or below, pheasants tend to group up during this time
period. Crops have been harvested and most areas in the country have
received a blanket of snow, pushing pheasants to reside to other
areas with better cover. This means a well thought out game plan
before hitting the field should be put in place.
From the opening of the season, pheasants receive heavy pressure and
gunfire, meaning a vast amount of pheasants has been harvested.
There are still plenty of roosters to be had, but a different
approach needs to be taken as many of the uneducated birds have fell
wayside to gun shot leaving the clever and battle scared birds as
survivors. This means you need to be smart when chasing roosters in
December.
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It is in my years of experience that I have found to be more
successful when hunting in a smaller group of hunters. Hunting in a
large group presents a number of challenges, such as
miscommunication and pushing pheasants in the wrong direction. When
I talk about a small group, I am talking about 4 to 5 hunters
accompanied by a dog as it allows for a stealthy approach,
increasing your chances of being fruitful by days end.
Other considerations to keep in mind are keeping noise to a minimum.
Make a lot of noise and you will find the birds are long gone. By
learning to utilize hand signals in your hunting party you increase
your odds of being successful. Another consideration is do not rush.
Be patient and take note of what the birds are doing around you. By
locating escape routes and patterns you can better coordinate with
your hunting group where to set your blockers.
Before you step foot afield to chase roosters this December, come up
with a concrete game plan that your entire hunting party
understands. Cold weather might require you to bundle up and add an
extra layer, but the adrenaline rush you get from flushing bunched
up roosters will leave you shaking in excitement, not from the cold.
Get out there today and be greeted with fewer hunters and more
pheasants.
[By BABE WINKELMAN, Babe Winkelman
Productions]
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