Wade's Ice Fishing Blade - Bluegill and Catfish through the Ice 12/28/2010

Hi Everyone!

Got tired of catching Trout, so I headed to Illinois yesterday 12/28/2010 to try and catch some bluegills through the Ice. Also caught a couple unexpected guests!

Had a great time making the video. Hope you find it entertaining!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Greg

Ice Fishing - December 18, 2010

Took Ty out Ice Fishing today for a couple hours. We caught a number of Rainbow Trout and Gills. We used a size #8 Wade's Blade in Pink and Yellow Chartreuse colors, tipped with a waxworm.

Good Luck to everyone, if you go out. And above all.....be safe!

Tight lines,
Greg

Ice Fishing for Trout - December 16, 2010

Hi Everyone,
St. Louis, MO got hit with a small ice storm Wednesday night and school was closed, so Tyler and I went to a local park to do some ice fishing for Trout.

The Missouri Department Of Conservation starts stocking Trout in the month of November each year and it continues through February. there are a number of lakes in the city and county that get stocked. Some are Trophy lakes that are "Catch & Release" only, others you can keep the trout anytime.

Luckily there is a small park 10 minutes from my house that gets stocked once a month. We were fishing on a large wooden deck that extends out into the water. Leaned over and cut a couple holes to fish in.

This is my 1st attempt at making a fishing video using my new iphone. Hope you like it. We made a few mistakes (like holding the camera sideways briefly!), but we'll get it figured out....

http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/ac359/Wadeblade_bucket/?action=view&current=IMG_0012.mp4

BLADEGILLIN By: John McKean

For the past several mornings I scheduled myself just a few moments to nab a large, hard

fighting fish on my light spinning gear. Time has been tight, and besides, the outside

temperature soon hits 90 degrees. However, success has been 100%, as I caught and

released about 75 pounds in only 7 fish!

My technique is simple, but most unusual. I quietly approach a stream hole just below the

spillway of a small, popular lake. It is nice and dark under the shadows of the nearby

bridge, but, nevertheless, my initial cast with a tiny Wade's Blade and maggot is directed

into the shallower lower pool. Usually an instant hookup occurs, and I have me a beautiful

3 to 4" bluegill! Wait! Didn't I mention 75 POUNDS of fish flesh??!! Well, hold on, so far I've

just acquired BAIT!

Now, I know the 6-foot deep, dark bridge hole contains big channel cats and largemouth

bass that found their way over the upper lake's dam during recent rains and high water.

So, I leave the floppin' little 'gill lip-pinned by the Wade Blade's small hook, then attach a

little double hook (or #8 treble, but these sometimes cause tangles and prove difficult to

remove for quick release). I fasten the size 6, 8, or 10 double hook through the very top

skin of the upper back or tail section of my bluegill. The leader's end loop is then inserted

into the snap that originally secured the Wade's Blade (a snap isn't normally suggested

for the tiny blade, but bluegills are rarely discouraged from hitting, and this set-up allows

instant, no tackle changing, big fish angling, once bait is obtained!).

After using a different type of "blade" to slice bleeding cuts into the 'gill's flanks, I GENTLY

heave upstream (not really as hard as it sounds with a light but firm spinning rod -just

remember "gently"!) into the deep, hopefully big fish laden, bridge pool. A bluegill lands

with a unique, noisy "splat!" that really wakes up big bass and catfish; don't be surprised

if a strike comes immediately on touchdown! Also with practice and a good casting angle,

a flat sided panfish SKIPS neatly to create extra special attraction. Hungry gamefish

KNOW when a delicate morsel is experiencing swimming distress!

Since I deem this a light tackle approach (I use 5# to 8# Power Pro line and a 5' graphite

rod), the bluegill is unweighted (unless you count the Wade's Blade hanging from its

mouth) and spirals downward slowly. At first, of course, this lively bait can be a bit too

active, but blood loss soon yields a more subdued, sinking, twitching action that big

gamefish absolutely LOVE! Then I just jig the lure back slowly; once slack shows bottom

is reached, it's allowed to rest for several seconds, retrieved at a snail's pace for 2 feet,

sink and rest again, etc. I look at it as jigging with the colorful Wade's Blade, but with

EXTRA BIG bait tipping!!

The take (except for heart stopping surface explosions!) by bass or cat (yet don't rule out

huge brown trout, striped bass, or muskies!) is usually just a slow but firm swim-away.

Please control the adrenaline rush and Do Not rear back on your rod. Simply start

cranking - the small sharp double hook, and sometimes the Wade's Blade aberdeen hook

(note to Greg: please build a few with sturdy # 8 salmon egg hooks for this method!!) will

easily penetrate just from the sheer pressure of a strong fish swimming. After that, hope

you have a reliable, durable drag set near perfectly! (And are wearing thick socks, since

you will be standing on "pins and needles" for the next 15 minutes!).

Now, all my fish this week have been hefty channel catfish, unless, of course, you also

count the initial bluegills that the Blade has conquered for me! And, so far, I've caught one

thick, hard fightin' cat for every bluegill taken; ya can't beat that bait efficiency!! Yet, we

must remember that the new world record largemouth bass was also caught recently on

a live bluegill from a lake in Japan. So DOUBLE UP on your fishing fun and enjoy both

panfishing and gamefishing on one lure! Heck, if ya manage to bring the bass record back

to the states, Greg Wade may give ya a free Blade!!

Sizzling Crappie action! July 16, 2010

Hi Everyone,

Despite the 100 + degree heat index in the St. Louis area, Ty & I went fishing for a few hours this morning & tried out some of the new "Wiggla" jigs I've started making. We were fishing with 20th oz. Yellow Chart. jigs and White plastics. *Look for them on the Wade's Blades website this Fall.

It didn't take long for us to get into the fish, but we were surprised at the quality and quantity of Crappie caught. If it's this good when it's hot, can't wait to see what fishing will be like in the fall.

Included are a few pics I took. We only measured one fish and it was 15". Should have checked some others, but wanted to get them back in the water after a quick photograph. All the fish were released unharmed, with the hope of catching them again at a later date.

Till Next Time......

Tight Lines,

Greg

Summertime Hybrids

Hi everyone,

Just got home from a belated Father's Day trip at Lake of The Ozarks, here in Missouri. Spent the last three days with family and snuck out early (4:30 am.!) each morning to do some fishing. Nothing like motoring to your favorite fishing spot under the cover of darkness and a full moon!

Ty and I fished for Hybrids early in the morning, using 5" swimbaits, in a shad color pattern. Each morning we arrived at our spot a little early, but knew when 5:30am came around the fish would show up, and they did.

Is was so exciting seeing a school of Hybrids chase a lone shad to the surface. Then watch the shad walk on water with just the tip of his tail, in an effort to try and avoid being eaten, as the water boiled beneath him. A fresh live shad is to freshwater, as a shrimp is to the ocean. Everything wants to eat them.

While we were using artificial baits that imitate a live shad, there's nothing like the real thing. Problem is that they are scattered right now and hard to locate. However this morning, a boat pulled up as I was reeling in a hybrid which I had just caught. These guys were in a nice Skeeter saltwater Bay boat, which happened to have a shad tank on board. They had just come back from getting shad, and after a brief conversation with them, they offered to give me a few. I couldn't resist.

I already had two 7' spinning rods with braided line and Owner Mutu circle hooks on them. I filled my front livewell with water and placed the shad inside. I took one of the shad out and carefully placed a hook thru the top of its back, halfway between the top and back fins, so it could swim around looking natural. Wasn't long before my rod was bent in half, by the weight of a good fish. He took off like a freight train, with several long bursts that sent my drag screaming. Got him in and it was one of the biggest fish of the trip!

I always keep a casting net stored inside my boat, so that if I see shad, I can get them. But I have to confess: I need practice throwing the net, so if anyone has some good tips for me, I'd welcome them!

Ty even caught a nice largemouth on a Zara Spook and a Channel Catfish off the deck of the condo, using a Wade's Blade and waxworm!

Till next time......

Tight Lines,

Greg

Wade Into Carp

Below is a story which was written and sent to me by John McKean. He is a customer and friend of mine from PA.

John is a very good fisherman and has managed to catch a number of fish species using the blade, in a very short time. Thought you might like to read this & maybe give it a try?

*His son Sean is pictured.

                                                  Photos by John McKean

"Dad, can I trade rods with you ?," laughed my 28 year old son,Sean. "You're just having way too much fun!" We had each hooked a massive carp simultaneously. Yes, a rare double for these elusive monsters.Things were hugely hectic as lines crossed and extremely thick, strong fish tore off in opposite directions. Very exciting, but Sean was confidently playing his fish with light, and virtually unbreakable braided line, while I sweated bullets and scrambled to steer an uncooperative behemoth on my usual 4# test "tournament" (so it won't over test) mono, on my 4'9" ultralight rod.

You see, earlier that day Greg Wade put me on a fishin' mission. He wanted a good carp photo to go along with a description of my unique ultralight method of capturing the "golden salmon" with Wade's Blades. Following is a method which I've perfected over the years - only now I'm realizing that Greg's nifty little baits just makes it better!

To begin, a section of lake or river must be located that gets little attention or traffic. Big carp are very wary and intensely dislike disturbance. Plan to fish in the densest, most hard-to-reach spots, and count on some hard bush & briar laden walking & crawling for a prime shoreline position! Oh, you'll see the carp rolling & splashing in these prime areas -from a distance- it's just that nobody else is willing to hike in.

Once at a potential hotspot, fish as quietly as possible. No ground noise if possible, don't step on loose rocks, and no unnecessary water splashing. Your role model should be the stealthy heron ; cast in one standing position with minimal movement of the casting stroke!

In starting, toss out about 1/2  a can of corn to chum the area. This makes a tiny bit of noise, and don't expect the carp to show for about 20 minutes (or longer) after these tiny splashdowns, but the corn seeding pays huge benefits. When they do overcome initial shyness, a school of "sniffing" carp will be attracted, build a real appetite, and cruise the entire area, not leaving until every last kernal is sucked in , unless spooked. So you have a captive audience, and they are hungry pigs!!

Take a light spinning rod, the thinnest 4# mono you can find (or for a little more confidence 5 to 8 pound test braided line), and a Wade's Blade tipped with a single kernal of corn. Toss out the lure into your prebaited area, then just let it do its special slow wiggle down to the bottom. Be alert! Many times I've experienced them nailing the free falling blade, because of it's deadly motion that always grabs their attention ! I liken the blades motion to that of a crawfish which is absolutely "Fillet mignon" to the biggest of carp in a lake! If not nailed on the fall, let the bait sit for about 10 seconds - a nearby carp "hears" the shimmying action as well as the gentle "ping" when the lure touches down on bottom. I've watched them take their time ambling over, but they are definately aware that food has entered the arena!

If no immediate takers, just slowly swim the lure about 2-4 feet, and allow it to drop down on semi slack line once again. Continue to swim & drop motion until the lure returns to shore. Don't rush completion, as I've often had big carp grab virtually at my feet (yep, it pays to be as motionless as a stork - at least I THINK that's what onlookers are calling me!!).

With perception of a gentle"tick" to indicate a carp sucking the blade in, just tighten the line. The tiny super sharp hook (I like the #8) will easily implant into those rubbery lips without excess pressure! Unlike a hard sweeping set, which the bait & doughball crowd uses, our Wade Blade tactics give us the edge because we're actually sneaking the hook in before the fish realizes he's been tricked! In other words, we don't allow him a "head of steam" from an initial hard, panicked run. No, we still can't expect gentle submission from these beasts, but at least WE have the upper hand from the beginning, rather than tackle them when they're already traveling at 100 mph!!

As to the fight, you're on your own ! Keep a cool head, a light drag, and grit your teeth for the next 45 minutes!! Hey, we fishermen LIVE for these fights, so don't begrudge the time just to move on to another fish! And if anyone asks, tell them you're WADING into carp!!  

Seeing RED! June 7, 2010

Hi Everyone!

Ty & I went back to the State Park in Central Illinois and fished for Bluegills. We were using the same set-up as last time (Black and Pumpkin #8 Wade's Blades & waxworms).

Things started off slow, as the fish had spawned and were scattered. So there were lots of "fan casting" and moving slowly along the shoreline to locate fish. 

We ended up finding a few spots with males still hovering around the beds. Once you found them the action was pretty fast and furious!

The last place we fished was a shallow flat that held quite a few fish. That's when we hooked into these nice Redear. These fish are incredibly strong and put up a tremendous fight using Ultra-lite tackle.

If you have a lake or pond with Bluegills or Redear near you, get ya some Wade's Blades & waxworms, and get bit!

Tight Lines,

Greg

May 22, 2010 - Great Bluegill Bite

Well,
Finally got a break from all the rain and was able to get out and fish for some Bluegill. Visited a lake in Central Illinois, and the fishing was great.

Took Tyler and met my good friend and long-time fishing partner Steve Miller. The lake was high when we got there, but surprisingly clear after all the heavy rains.

We caught all of our fish in shallow water of 3 feet or less. Used a #8 Wade's Blade (Colors: Black & Pumpkin) tipped with a waxworm.

Caught both males and females, and it looks like we still have some time before they spawn. We ended up keeping 19 male bluegills. *We released all the females.

Steve caught a nice bonus Redear that measured 10 inches long. We released the female fish. Also caught a couple small Channel Catfish, which were released back into the lake.

With the holiday weekend approaching and warmer temps, the fishing should just get better & better!
Go out and get ya some!

Tight Lines,
Greg

April 19, 2010 Mark Twain Lake Crappie

Went Crappie fishing at Mark Twain Lake. I did not fish this lake at all last year, but had good luck there in previous years.

Finally got a chance to get the boat out and run the motor. Weather was perfect with high temps in the mid 60's and very light winds.

Started off fishing a small cove where I've caught fish before. Was casting a 1/8th oz. jig and white/Chart. 3" grub. Second cast I caught a fat white bass. Caught several more, before I moved back to some logs in the water and caught several crappie.

Decided to anchor off next to one of the logs. I put on a Green Chart. Wades Blade and minnow, and caught a big fat Crappie. hit a few other logs, but did not get bit.

I motored to another small cove that I had never fished before. I started casting a grub using my Ultra-Lite, as I entered the mouth of the cove. I caught several Crappie a couple feet out from the bank.

I trolled into the back of the cove where there was a bunch of logs and brush. Let the wind push me back next to the brush, and then set out my anchors.

Dropped a #6 Wades Blade and minnow next to the brush and caught a fat White Crappie. I continued to move the jig around in different spots and kept catching Crappie. Once the action slowed, I pulled up one of the anchors and used the trolling motor to move the boat further back in the brush, so I could fish some new areas.

I set my Wade Blade close to the back of the cove, and my slip cork disappeared instantly. I was a nice Blk. Crappie. Continued fishing the same area and caught a bunch of crappie.

All in all it was a great day of fishing.

Spring Break Fish'n 3/18/2010 - 3/19/2010

Had a chance to do some river fishing with my son for spring break. Caught some nice White Bass & a couple Largemouth Bass.

Took my good friend and longtime fishing partner Steve Miller one of the days. Steve caught a bonus keeper Walleye!

Didn't even have to get the boat out! All fish were caught from shore.

Kentucky Lake 3-15-2010

Went Crappie Fishing at Kentucky Lake, for spring break. But the weather did not feel spring-like! Temp's were in the 40's and the wind was blowing 10-15 M.P.H.

Caught fish vertical jigging in 30ft. of water!

Fishing Pictures 2010

JANUARY 2010

MARCH 2010

APRIL 2010