Captain Eric Haataja has put up some impressive brown trout numbers—some eclipsing 20 pounds—straight out of Milwaukee Harbor on Lake Michigan. Whether it’s browns or rainbows, these fish are remarkably huge, including a recent certified IGFA catch-and-release 38-inch world record brown that Haataja caught himself during December of 2011.

When crappies move shallow they can be caught with regularity along shoreline brush piles, rock jetties and riprap and even lilly pad fields can produce some of the fastest crappie action you’ll find. Legendary crappie anglers, Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman share some of their big slab secrets.

 

 

When the bite gets tough, switching to a finesse approach is nothing new. But, sometimes it might be difficult for some hardcore bass anglers to drop the baitcaster mantra and pick up a spinning outfit. Big angry fish on lightweight tackle can be as much fun as you will find on the water.