Fishing tips from Ontario's top pro anglers

Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson: Bassmaster Elite angler

Jeff Gustafson, nicknamed Gussy, is a Canadian angler who made his nation proud by competing in the Bassmaster Elite Series and maintaining impressive stats throughout his career. Taking home the 2021 Bassmaster Elite in Tennessee River was a career highlight for Gussy, and he continues to shine.

If you could choose one area and fish species to target in Ontario, where and what would it be?

“I'm going with Lake of the Woods because it's one of the top multi-species fisheries in the World. For me, it's smallmouth bass. You can catch them throughout the lake, in its many basins, at a variety of depths and on a variety of lures. It would keep me busy for years.”

How much do you change your presentation throughout the year from spring to late fall?

“Generally, and this goes for most species, early in the season, you want to focus more on shallow water, in the bays, near spawning areas and then head towards the main basin as you get into the summer and fall. This is a good rule for walleye, bass, pike and muskie, all spring-spawning fish.”

How do you maintain success and consistency on the water?

“For my day job, fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, we only get three days to practice on these large waterbodies that we often don't know a lot about so it's important to keep moving and look for biting fish. In Ontario, we're lucky because the fishing is almost always good, so staying on the move out there is even more important if you aren't catching anything. Try different depths, types of structure, and parts of the lake, and when you find something that works, expand on it.”

What is the number one way you enjoy catching smallmouth bass?

“It is hard to beat catching smallmouths on topwater. The beauty of fishing across Ontario, especially up north, is that you can catch smallmouth bass on topwater baits throughout the season. While there are a variety of bait options out there, my favourite is a popper, but I do like throwing a bigger walking bait in open water for pelagic / suspended fish.”

If you could choose one colour of lure for all bodies of water, what would it be?

“I could never just use one colour–for smallmouths, green pumpkin works everywhere and walleye really love it too, it's all I ever use for a Ned rig. That being said, on many waters, baitfish are the predominant forage so I always have a minnow bait tied on a rod. White is good because it's loud and easy for fish to find yet still relatively natural.”

Do you have a go-to setup casting swimbaits for walleye? What other style of baits would you use on the same set up?

“Swimbaits are deadly for walleye. In fact, all I use anymore throughout the open water season at home in Ontario’s Sunset Country is a swimbait and a Ned rig. My go-to swimbait is a 3" Z-Man MinnowZ, and I like to put it on a quarter-ounce jig and then fish on a 7-foot medium-action spinning rod. My favourite setup is a G. Loomis NRX+ 842, with a Shimano Stella 2500 reel, 10-pound braid and a 10-pound fluorocarbon leader attached by an FG knot.”

Do you have tips on organizing gear, specifically tackle?

“I keep my tackle in smaller trays, organized by category, meaning I keep all of one family of baits in one box. That means topwater gets a box, jerkbaits get a box, jigs get a box, hooks get a box, etc. If you're not always fishing in your own boat, sometimes you have to consolidate things to fit. Doing it this way allows me to carry a variety of sizes, colours, etc.”

What is the most valued equipment on your boat that isn't directly related to tackle, rods or reels?

“Some people might not want to hear it, but forward-facing sonar is the most important piece of equipment for catching fish these days. It speeds up the process of finding fish. The second would be mapping on a GPS. On many water bodies, especially Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake where I fish the most, it makes it really easy to find fish if we know what kind of structure to look for or depth to focus on.”

Do you have a preferred weather pattern, type or system?

“I prefer a nice, warm sunny day every time. There aren't many species that don't prefer nice conditions. The season is short in our part of the world, so the fish only get so many nice days to enjoy out there. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, I'm a big fan of the nice days. When you think about walleye, muskie and bass, many folks think that when it's sunny, hot and nice, fish go deep, but that's the opposite of what typically happens. That's when I'll catch these species in the shallowest water. They get up and enjoy that warm water, where they are following food.”

Do you check moon phases before hitting the water?

“I fish so much that I don't pay too much attention to the moon phases, but I know many anglers do. It probably doesn't hurt to know the prime times, but for me–if the conditions are good, I'm going fishing.”

What is the biggest gear malfunction you deal with and is there a way to avoid it?

“The biggest gear malfunction I experience is twisting line–when you go to cast with a spinning rod and a knotted mess comes off the reel. With both soft plastic and live bait, if they aren't nice and straight on the hook, they will twirl and twist your line. Rigging them straight on the hook lessens the twisting.”                                                          

What quote or a mantra runs through your mind while out on the water?

“Many people worry about their lure or the colour. While sometimes that is important, if you aren't putting your lure in front of fish, you aren't going to catch anything, so make sure you're doing all the things you can to try and put yourself in a position to catch fish.”

Alyssa Goodenough: Fishing guide

As a young woman, Alyssa Goodenough has accomplished much in a short time. A professional fishing guide for a remote lodge in Manitoba for over six years, Alyssa has more days on the water in a season than most anglers experience in five years. She also has experience fishing in Ontario.

If you could fish only one area and species in Ontario, where and what would it be?

“I’d choose a large body of water for variety. Though I’m a pike angler at heart, chasing a Georgian Bay mega muskie gives me the same thrill as hunting my Utik Lake Northern Pike. So, I’d go with Georgian Bay for musky—go big or go home.”

What’s your top piece of advice to anglers?

“Understand the importance of catch-and-release practices. Trophy fish play a crucial role in maintaining populations and ecosystems. These fish deserve respect—minimize your impact to ensure the longevity of our fisheries.”

How do you maintain success and consistency on the water?

“I analyze all available factors to make the best educated guess for each moment and meticulously record patterns and successes. Tracking these behaviours over time leads to a deeper understanding of what works.”

What is your preferred way or tactic of catching northern pike?

“Sight fly fishing the flats in early season. Watching these apex predators hunt in one to six feet of water is exhilarating. The spot-and-stalk technique is challenging, as one wrong cast can spook the fish, making the hunt even more rewarding.”

How much do you change your presentation throughout the year from spring to late fall?

“While not always necessary, adapting your presentation is key to targeting true trophy-sized pike. As the season progresses, my approach changes significantly:

Spring: finesse bite—small streamers, flies on swimbait hooks.

Summer: larger, aggressive baits—blade-style lures.

Early fall: peak aggressive presentations—big baits.

Late fall: still using big baits but transitioning to large plastics over blade-style lures.

Daily conditions also influence changes. It’s all about understanding energy allocation and how much energy will the fish expend to get my bait.”

Do you have a go-to setup for casting for trophy pike?

“For conventional gear, I use an 8’ heavy baitcasting rod paired with a 400-Series Shimano Tranx, spooled with 100-pound PowerPro braided line, terminating in a homemade 14-inch, 120-pound fluorocarbon leader with swivels and Stay-Lok snaps.

For fly fishing, I use a 9-foot, 12-weight Redington Predator fly rod paired with the Rio Grande and 11-weight Rio Elite Predator Floating line. I prefer the RIO 7.5-foot Muskie/Pike leader with knottable wire and attach my own Stay-Lok snap using a perfection loop.”

Is there one style of bait you use year-round for northern pike, regardless of season or temperature?

“A Doctor Spoon or Johnson Silver Minnow is a pike-catching machine all season long and is extremely beginner-friendly. While bait choice can help target larger fish, I’ve seen plenty of 45+ inch pike caught year-round on spoons.”

If you could only use one colour of lure or fly for all bodies of water, what would it be?

“Fire Tiger.”

What is the most valued equipment on your boat that isn’t directly related to tackle, rods, or reels?

“My Garmin InReach! Things can go south quickly in the wilderness, and having it provides peace of mind, allowing me to explore confidently.”

How do you organize gear, specifically tackle?

“I collect and store those little moisture-absorbing packets you get with some unrelated purchases and put them in all my tackle trays to help prevent rust.”

What’s your preferred weather pattern to fish through?

“The peak of the pressure rises. That calm before-the-storm feeding frenzy is unbeatable. The only condition I dislike is wind.”

What is the biggest gear malfunction you experience, and is there a way to avoid it?

“Working in a remote lodge, an uncommon but serious issue has been propeller losses. Surprisingly, my biggest mishap wasn’t from hitting a rock but from a rusted-out cotter pin, causing my prop to fly off. Nowadays, I carry a spare propeller–even an old chipped one–cotter pin, washer and bolt mechanism to ensure the replacement stays secure. Keeping extra cotter pins is a must. The amount I’ve dropped while replacing a prop is unreal. On the bright side, the weed guard of a Johnson Silver Minnow has saved me many times.”

What’s your mantra while out on the water?

“The fish know if you’re having fun!”

Ben Beattie: Fishing guide

With over 20 years of guiding experience, Ben Beattie has seen a fair share of trophy fish. Known as the resident muskie expert near his home waters of Lac Seul, Ben guides clients year-round in Ontario’s Sunset Country.

What’s your number one area and species of fish to target in Ontario?

“Easy–muskie in northwestern Ontario.”

What advice can you share for aspiring muskie anglers?

“Never stop learning. Fish with experienced muskie anglers and learn from them. Watch them and ask questions. That's one thing I love about my guiding job. I get to fish with so many different people and I'm always picking up different things.”

How do you maintain success and consistency on the water?

“Perseverance. Muskies typically have very defined bite windows or periods of increased activity. The only way to get through the slow times is to keep fishing until another window opens. Another big part of my daily strategy is to lean heavily on my A spots. I'll revisit certain spots several times a day trying to get the timing right.”

What is your preferred way or tactic of catching muskie?

“It's hard to beat a top water bite. I use top water a lot during the summertime, especially when guys are throwing blades in front of me.”

Do you have a go-to set-up casting swimbaits for muskie? What other style of baits would you use on the same set up?

“For smaller swimbaits in the 10-inch range, I use a 10-foot heavy Thorne Bro's Stealth rod with a 400 Tranx HG reel. I also use this combo for blades and straight retrieve top water baits. I use an extra heavy 10-foot rod for larger swimbaits, the same setup I use for all big rubber baits. The long rod and high gear reel allows for easy speed and direction changes during the retrieve, which is key when fishing swimbaits.”

How much do you change your presentation throughout the year from spring to late fall?

“A lot. Not only the general approach of using smaller baits early in the season and progressing to larger presentations in the summer and fall, but daily changes as well. I'm always fishing in the back of the boat and experimenting with size or speed and types of baits. What triggers muskies to bite changes a lot. Certain baits or presentations can be hot for a few days and then completely shut off. You can't get stuck on one thing for very long once it stops producing.”

If you could only use one colour of lure or fly for all bodies of water, what would it be?

“Probably a black skirt, silver blade bucktail and a Tennessee Shad trolling bait. Topwater, all black. On my home waters of Lac Seul Superman pattern (white/silver) is an all-time favourite. In all honesty, I believe colour is more important to fishermen than it is to fish. Confidence is key, so use whatever colour gives you confidence.”

What is your most valued equipment on the boat that isn't directly related to tackle, rods or reels?

“Without question, it's my electronics. Understanding electronics and utilizing their capabilities is going to make you a more successful musky angler.”

Do you decipher feeding windows determined by moon phases for muskie?

“There's definitely a correlation. I'm aware of when peak lunar times are going to happen every day. At the minimum, I'll use these times to be in productive spots, but ideally, we're going back on a big fish during the peak of majors/minors. When it comes to full/new moon periods, these weeks are always the first to get booked by my clients. If you're able to take advantage of this when planning a trip in advance, it's worth it. Having said that, daily conditions overrule moon phases every time.”

What is a gear malfunction you have learned to avoid?

“Terminal tackle failures are uncommon, but I've seen a couple. I always inspect the gear people bring on my boat, especially leaders. If I don't think something is heavy-duty enough, I'll change it. When it comes to terminal tackle–meaning snaps, swivels, split rings, etc.– it's not worth it if you're set up to lose before you make your first cast. Another thing I routinely do is cut off about five feet of line and re-tie my leader.”

What quote or a mantra runs through your mind while out on the water?

“Musky fishing is a game of high highs and low lows. The only way to get through the tough times is to keep grinding.” 

Gord Ellis: Fishing guide and CBC Thunder Bay host

Gord Ellis is a Thunder Bay angler who’s spent most of his life learning the waters of Superior Country, Nipigon and north shore rivers. Gord is well-versed in the behaviour of brook trout, but he also enjoys multiple species, such as giant northern pike, chinook salmon and aggressive lake trout. Listen to Gord Ellis on CBC Thunder Bay.

If you could fish only one area and species in Ontario, where and what would it be?

“I have lived in Thunder Bay my whole life and have spent four decades exploring the Nipigon watershed and Lake Superior. Often chasing brook trout. I'm not leaving any time soon.”

How do you maintain success and consistency on the water?

“I try to think like a brook trout. This gets easier the more time I'm on the water. If it's cold, where would they sit to maintain energy? I monitor the water temperature constantly.”

How much do you change your presentation throughout the year from spring to late fall?

“I will make subtle changes as the season goes on. For instance, on the Nipigon system and Superior, smelt are the primary forage in May and June. During that time, silver and white lures and flies dominate. As summer arrives, the presentations will go more bug-like and darker. In late summer, as the spawn approaches, the colours start coming out in the fish. I'll use lures or flies with orange and red and green dashes of colours.”

Do you have a go-to set-up casting for brook trout, including fly fishing?

“For spinning gear on big water like Lake Nipigon, I prefer a long rod of about 8 or 9 feet and a quality reel loaded with 20-pound braid. The leader is on the heavy side from 10 to 15-pound test fluoro. Big pike, salmon and lake trout patrol some of the water I fish, and a really large brookie can get in the rocks fast.

On inland lakes, I'll go a little lighter with the line (15-pound braid and 10-pound fluoro leader) but I still prefer a long rod of 7 or 8 feet. Fly fishing big water, I run a 9 or 10-foot 8-weight rod, usually with a sink tip or full sink line. If I'm using dry flies, I may use a 7-weight with floating line. I'm a big fan of Islander Fly Reels as they are solid and dependable. Having a drag on big, fast water really helps you control fish.”

Is there one style of bait you run year-round for brook trout, regardless of season or temperature?

“For spinning, the classic silver and black #9 Countdown Rapala has put an awful lot of brook trout in the boat. In the summer, a type of bucktail called a jig fly has also done very well. As for flies, it changes from year to year, but a #4 black bead head caddis has certainly proven itself, especially when the bite gets tough.”

What is your preferred way or tactic of catching brook trout?

“I love fishing a streamer on a sink tip line in the current. The sudden tug on that fly never gets old.”

What would it be if you could use only one colour of lure or fly for all bodies of water?

“It's hard to go wrong with brown/bronze. So many things brook trout eat are that colour.”

What is your most valued equipment on the boat, outside of tackle, rods or reels?

“It's likely my trolling motor. I have a 36-volt Minn Kota Terrova with a spot-lock feature. In the heavy current water I fish, you need a trolling motor with the power to hold you when needed, especially while fly fishing.”

Is there a piece of equipment you can’t live without?

“For brook trout fishing, a good set of Polaroid glasses is a must.”

What’s your preferred weather pattern, type or system to fish through?

“I've caught brook trout in all conditions, but cold water with sun gets them out and feeding every time. If the water has been getting warm, the opposite is best: clouds, cold rain and wind.”

What is the worst gear malfunction you deal with and how do you avoid it?

“Fighting with fly lines is a common issue that can happen at the most inopportune times. Sinking fly lines can also knot up in a mind-boggling array of ways. And speaking of fly lines, I spend quality time every season digging fly lines out of trolling motors or outboard props.”

What’s your mantra while out on the water?

“This is as good as it gets. Enjoy every second.”

Yvonne Brown: Founder of Ontario Woman Anglers

Yvonne Brown founded Ontario Woman Anglers (OWA) to encourage women and girls into the outdoor arena and give them the confidence to continue on their own. Since 2012, Yvonne has helped over 1,500 members succeed at their angling goals, some becoming professional tournament anglers.

OWA is a recognized club by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH).

What’s your favourite area and species of fish to target in Ontario?

“Perch in Lake Simcoe.”

What is your preferred way or tactic of catching fish?

“I love top water fishing and tend to target bass when using it.”

Do you have a go-to set-up casting swimbaits and what other bait or lures would you use?

“Swimbaits can be used a number of different ways but I typically rig them on a football for bass and pike or ballhead jig for perch, sunfish and crappie.”

Is there one style of bait you run year-round, regardless of season or temperature?

“I often start out using a drop shot rig when fishing for bass and have had good success with that. That rig also works well for walleye and panfish.”

What’s the one colour of lure or fly you’d use for all bodies of water?

“Silver, as baitfish are often that colour and you want to mimic the fish's forage.”

What is the most valued equipment on your boat outside of tackle, rods or reels?

“Electronics, two Humminbird Helix graphs. I have a screen at the front for when I'm running the trolling motor and one on the console for navigation.”

How do you organize gear, specifically tackle?

“I use clear plastic containers for small terminal tackle.”

What’s your favourite weather pattern, type or system?

“Overcast with light wind.”

Describe a gear malfunction and how to avoid it.

“Birdnests when I'm using a baitcaster. It doesn't happen as often as it did when I first started out. How to decrease: don't cast perpendicular to the wind, keep your thumb on the spool, and stop it just as it hits the water.”

Is there a mantra that runs through your mind while out on the water?

“Relax and enjoy.”

Whether you’re vying for a professional career in fishing or simply want to increase the action and improve your fishing game, sage advice from seasoned experts will get you on the right track.