Episode 212 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover is all about one of the most productive and often overlooked ice fishing techniques: deadsticking. Hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down why every walleye angler should fish a deadstick alongside their jigging rod, especially when fish are less aggressive. They cover everything from choosing the right rod and reel to selecting hooks, line, live bait, and proper minnow rigging techniques. You'll also learn how to position your deadstick, adjust bait movement, and fine-tune your setup to turn lookers into biters. Whether you're new to deadsticking or looking to improve your catch rate this winter, this episode is packed with practical advice that will help you put more walleyes on the ice. In this episode: Why deadsticking consistently catches neutral fish The best rod action and reel setup for walleyes Fluorocarbon vs. other fishing lines How to hook minnows for different presentations Where to position your deadstick relative to your jigging rod Common mistakes that cost anglers fish Simple adjustments that can dramatically improve your success If you're only fishing one rod when regulations allow two, this episode might change the way you ice fish forever. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

In Episode 211 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down the best ways to set up electronics inside your wheelhouse to help you catch more fish and make your time on the ice more enjoyable. From traditional flashers and underwater cameras to today's live sonar systems, they share practical tips on reducing interference, positioning transducers, maximizing camera views, and displaying electronics on big-screen TVs. They also discuss how house layout, hole placement, and cable management can improve both your fishing success and your overall experience inside the fish house. Whether you're running a classic flasher, a high-definition camera, or the latest live sonar, this episode will help you build a cleaner, more efficient electronics setup before ice season arrives. In this episode you'll learn: • How to eliminate interference between multiple flashers • Tips for positioning transducers and cameras inside a wheelhouse • The best ways to use live sonar with multiple anglers • How to connect electronics to your fish house TV • Common setup mistakes to avoid before your next trip If you're looking to get the most from your electronics this winter, this episode is packed with practical advice you can put to use right away. The new Catch Cover Pro is available for purchase now at https://catchcover.com/new-catch-cover-pro/

Northern pike are one of the most exciting fish you can target through the ice. In Episode 210 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down everything anglers need to know to consistently catch more pike during the ice fishing season. The conversation covers where to find northern pike throughout the winter, including productive weed edges, shallow bays, spawning areas, and panfish locations that attract hungry predators. Chris and Al also discuss tip-up strategies, bait selection, leader lengths, and how to position your baits in the water column for maximum success. You'll learn how to approach a spinning tip-up flag, properly fight and land large pike, and avoid common mistakes that cost anglers trophy fish at the hole. The hosts also share insights on using dead bait versus live bait, targeting pike during midday feeding windows, and using multiple lines to cover more water and locate active fish. Whether you're chasing your first northern pike through the ice or looking to improve your success with larger fish, this episode is packed with practical tips and proven tactics that will help you put more flags on the ice this winter. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

On Episode 209 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, co-hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down what to do when the fish just aren’t biting in your wheelhouse. From making subtle location adjustments to changing presentations, lure profiles, colors, noise, and bait positioning, the guys share practical strategies to turn a slow day on the ice into a productive one. Chris and Al discuss how electronics, underwater cameras, tip-ups, and sonar can help you confirm whether you’re actually on fish, while also explaining when too much technology—or even too much light and noise inside the fish house—might actually hurt your bite. They also dive into the importance of scouting, hole placement, generator noise, live sonar pressure, and how small changes like getting baits higher in the water column can trigger more strikes. If you’ve ever set up on what looked like the perfect spot only to struggle getting bites, this episode is packed with real-world ice fishing adjustments that can help salvage your next trip and put more fish on the ice. For more information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

On Episode 208 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, host Chris Larsen is joined by Al Escobedo for a laid-back, food-focused conversation every ice angler can appreciate. Instead of breaking down tactics, the guys dive into their favorite fish house meals, snacks, and comfort foods that make long days on the ice even better. From venison backstraps and smoked chili to salmon patties, frozen pizzas, gas-station staples, and must-have wheelhouse food tips, this episode is packed with ideas you can actually use this winter. They also share favorite post-fishing burger stops, pizza-stone hacks, and simple ways to eat well without overthinking it. If you spend long days in the wheelhouse—or just love good food and ice fishing—this episode will leave you hungry and ready to upgrade your fish house menu. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

On Episode 207 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo dive deep into one of the most debated tools in the wheelhouse world: rattle reels. Love them or hate them, rattle reels are one of the most effective—and misunderstood—ways to stay in the game 24/7 when you’re on the ice. Chris and Al break down everything you need to know, including: 🎣 Why rattle reels are more than just “night lines” Learn how they keep you fishing while you sleep, cook, play cards, or host guests new to ice fishing. 🎣 Smart setups and must-use gear From fly line vs. Dacron to memory issues, spool sizing, leader choices, and how Catch Cover’s Rattlesnake Reel solves common frustrations with line twist and tangles. 🎣 Keeping kids and casual anglers engaged How assigning “their own” rattle reel creates ownership, excitement—and fewer headaches for parents. 🎣 Avoiding rod-down-the-hole disasters Why rattle reels and Catch Cover safety covers work together as a system to prevent lost rods, tangled lines, and chaos in small spaces. 🎣 The best depths and locations for overnight bites Flat edges, saddles, suspended marks, under-the-ice predators, and how to dial in depth without guesswork. 🎣 Tips for multi-species action Walleyes, perch, crappies, bluegills—even pike—respond well to rattle reels when set up correctly. The guys also share personal stories of being jolted awake by a screaming rattle, “giving up” for the night after too many bites, and the underrated strategy of resetting lines at 3:30 a.m. to catch the first-light window. Whether you’re looking to simplify your setup, improve your all-night success, or just keep lines wet while the crew hangs out in the shack, this episode is loaded with practical, field-tested insight. And don’t forget—right now (December 1–7, 2025) Catch Cover’s once-a-year 20% off sale is live at CatchCover.com. No code needed.

On Episode 206 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, presented by Catch Cover, hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo dive deep into one of the most talked-about—and debated—topics in ice fishing: color selection. Whether you’re walking the aisles of the St. Paul Ice Show or stocking up at your favorite retailer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the wall of plastics, jigs, glow baits, metallic finishes, and UV patterns. So what colors actually matter? And when? Chris and Al break it all down with a mix of practical strategy and real-world experience. They discuss how factors like water clarity, sunlight, depth, and fish behavior dictate color choice—and why confidence colors still play a massive role. You’ll hear Al’s go-to lineup (gold, white, black, red, pink), when to lean on natural tones, why metallics shine in darker water, and how UV-brightened plastics can trigger panfish. Chris shares his favorites for clear water—including his “Dr. Pepper” color obsession—and the duo explores how pairing plastics with jig heads creates effective color combinations. They also cover: 🎣 When color actually doesn’t matter as much as you think 🎣 The role of cadence, profile, and location vs. lure color 🎣 Hard-bait color selection and why metallics mimic livebait so well 🎣 Why it’s okay to experiment far outside the “rules” Whether you keep your jig box minimal or (like Al) treat it as an art collection, this episode will help you choose smarter—and fish more confidently—this winter. For more ice fishing content, guides, and gear tips, visit CatchCover.com.

Jumbo perch are the ultimate prize on the ice—fun to catch and unbeatable on the table. In this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo share their best tips for finding perch, staying mobile, and choosing the right gear to keep the bite going. Whether you fish in a wheelhouse or on the move, this episode will help you put more jumbos on the ice this winter. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

In this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, host Chris Larsen is joined by Al Escobedo for a storytelling session that captures the heart of ice fishing culture. Instead of sharing only tips and tactics, Chris and Al swap their favorite ice fishing stories—from late-ice crappie adventures and tournament mishaps to unforgettable memories with family, friends, and even a few legendary names like Dave Genz. You’ll hear about close calls with thinning ice, hilarious four-wheeler moments with Al’s cousin Mario, a humbling run at the Minnesota Panfish Championship, unforgettable trips to Lake of the Woods and Big Stone, and even a behind-the-scenes look at photo shoots on Mille Lacs and Winnibigoshish. Packed with laughs, camaraderie, and real-life adventures on the ice, this episode feels like pulling up a chair in the fish house and swapping stories with friends. Whether you’re an avid angler or just love the tradition of ice fishing, you’ll come away with a smile—and maybe a new story of your own. For more ice fishing content, visit CatchCover.com

We're discussing finding quality panfish in new locations on Episode #203 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover. Co-hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo discuss how to find new fishing spots from home and while on the lake. Fishing on new bodies of water is an excellent way to expand your fishing skills and find some great fish. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

When the lakes freeze over and the shacks come out, your fishing line becomes one of the most critical tools in your setup. Unlike summer fishing, ice fishing demands specialized line choices because of frigid conditions, small fishing holes, and the subtle strikes of winter fish. Selecting the wrong line can lead to lost fish, tangled messes, and frustrating days on the ice. But with the right line, properly matched to your species and fishing style, you’ll put more fish on the ice and enjoy a smoother experience. On this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast, we discuss choosing the perfect line for ice fishing. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/