Joe Shead

Joined: Dec 13, 2024

Joe Shead is an accomplished outdoor writer, hunter, fishing guide and multi-species angler from Minnesota who will fish for anything, even if it won’t bite. Check out more of his work at goshedhunting.com and superiorexperiencecharters.com.

Academy Sports' H2OX Carbon rods deliver great performance at a budget-friendly price.

Freshwater

Avoid delays at the boat ramp with these simple spring boat checks. Learn the most common maintenance mistakes boaters make before their first trip.

When the perch won’t cooperate, you make your own fun.

Freshwater

A bucket-list Lake Gogebic perch trip unraveled fast—no snowmobile, slow fishing, and a looming blizzard led to two fish and an early exit.

Warm late-winter days before ice-out can produce some of the most aggressive perch fishing of the season, as fish feed heavily in preparation for spawning.

Freshwater

Late-season ice fishing often produces the biggest perch of the year. Learn where to find late-ice perch, the best lures to use, and how to fish safely.

Jon Kroll of Ashland, Wis., displays a 14-pound Lake Superior eelpout. This fish is longer than the existing state record, but came up a little short of record weight.

Freshwater

Burbot ice fishing is booming during late ice. Once overlooked, these freshwater cod are now one of the most compelling targets of the season.

The look on the rescuer’s face suggested this wasn’t his first call like this, and possibly not the first time we had met under these circumstances.

Freshwater

A snapped steering cable left Joe Shead four miles offshore on Lake Superior — and reminded him he’s better at getting towed than maintaining his boat.

Five miles from the truck, after dark, with a limit of walleyes — and a treble hook I didn’t plan on bringing home.

Freshwater

Joe Shead finished his walleye limit while ice fishing on a remote Minnesota reef — then buried a treble hook in his thumb five miles from the truck.

Trophies line the stage as anglers compete on the ice during a midwinter fishing derby.

Freshwater

Want to win your next ice fishing derby? Learn smart strategies serious anglers use to beat the odds and maximize their chances at big prizes.

Taking kids ice fishing is a good way to get them interested in the outdoors. Keep them warm and entertained and your fishing trip will be a positive experience.

Freshwater

Cold fingers and boredom end trips fast. These lessons help make ice fishing with kids warm, fun, and worth repeating.

Women often outfish men, which can hurt a guy's fragile ego.

Freshwater

Fishing with women often reveals more about a guy’s ego than his fishing skills. A humorous, self-aware look at patience, humility, and partnership.

Midwinter perch can often be found on deep mud flats. Use large spoons to get down quickly and attract fish from a distance.

Freshwater

Midwinter perch often abandon weeds for deep mud flats. Here’s how to find roaming schools, choose the right lures, and stay on fish all winter.

The transducer's cone angle is important: the wider the cone angle, the more of the bottom you can see.

Freshwater

Fish finder cone angle and depth dramatically change how much bottom your electronics see. Learn how wide, medium, and narrow transducers really work.

Ciscoes form large schools, fight hard and taste great. Plus, they are willing biters all winter long.

Freshwater

Ciscoes—also called tullibees—fight hard, school up, and bite all winter. Here’s why they’re my favorite fish to pull through the ice.

Joe Shead

Joined: Dec 13, 2024

At Just $80, How Good Could These New H2OX Carbon Rods Be?

This New Berkley Spinner Adds Scent—and It Might Be the Edge You Need

The Spring White Bass Run Is Pure Chaos—and the Fishing Is Nonstop

You’re Ignoring the Hardest-Fighting Fish in Your Local Water

Freshwater

Don’t Be “That Guy” at the Boat Ramp: The Simple Checks Most Boaters Skip

Freshwater

I Planned the Perfect Lake Gogebic Perch Trip—Caught Two Fish and Left Early

Freshwater

The Best Perch Fishing of the Year Happens Right Before Ice-Out

Freshwater

Burbot Ice Fishing Is Booming — From Overlooked to Late-Ice Target

Freshwater

Bad at Boat Maintenance. Expert at Getting Towed.

Freshwater

Five Miles From the Truck, With a Limit of Walleyes — and a Problem

Freshwater

How to Win an Ice Fishing Derby Without Cheating

Freshwater

What I’ve Learned About Taking Kids Ice Fishing So They Want to Do It Again

5 Reasons Fishing With a Woman Will Test Your Fragile Ego

The Muddy Midwinter Perch Pattern Most Ice Anglers Miss

How Much of the Bottom Does My Fish Finder See While Ice Fishing?

Why Ciscoes are My Favorite Fish to Pull Through the Ice