Gearing Up For 2020

Gearing Up and Getting Ready
Let’s catch some fish in 2020

2020 is upon us. Oh how I long for open water. Typically in March, I, Captain Kirk, am out on the water. The first stop is the Fox River in DePere, WI. The ice clears off the river there first. Good current, dark water, and lots of fish can make for an awesome time early season. Plus DePere is pretty good about getting the docks in the water as soon as possible. For the safety of my clients and me, we need docks.

It’s also important if you plan to fish with me early on that you dress for the weather. The water is cold. The air can be very chilly. So please dress in layers. If you get warm you can always shed a layer. I always keep a few extra pairs of hand warmers in the boat if your hands get chilled. Plus it’s your trip. If you need to go back to the launch to warm up in your vehicle, you can do so. A trip back to the dock might be needed for a bathroom break as well. We never venture too far from the launch in Spring as the fish relate closely to the dam.

Once on the water we’ll mostly be vertical jigging 3/8 ounce jigs tipped with shiners, plastics or Gulp! minnows. We’ll be after walleyes and sometimes we’ll catch a few other species.

I’ll have the rods ready go. I have St. Croix rods and Fenwick rods rigged for your use. The reels are Pflueger. They are small and the lightest in the industry. I’ll have 6 lb. or 8 lb. braided line with a 6 lb. or 8 lb test flourocarbon leader. Sometimes I’ll step it up to 10 lbs  but it’s usually not necessary.

Not an early riser? Good! The catching often gets better as the day goes on and the water warms a degree or two. No need to get out there before the sun is up.

Here’s to fishing in 2020. I hope you get a chance to get on the water this year. And maybe you’ll even get a chance to fish with me. Are you ready to beam aboard?

Be safe! Catch fish! C’mon open water!

Dan Kirk is Captain Kirk. He’s a fishing guide for one or two people on the Winnebago system waters in East Central Wisconsin. Waters include the Fox River in Spring. The Wolf River in Spring and Fall, and Lake Winnebago in the summer. He also likes to take a person or two to northwestern Ontario, Canada.