Settin' The Hook: A Wisco Fishing Podcast

Temperatures are warming up and open water season is here for some. Trevor from OPS Experiences gives a look at how ice fishing went in the southeastern part of the state and some considerations for the early spring season. Host Ben Jarboe and him also talk about cheating in fishing tournaments and what it does to the fisheries. Stephen Manke the General Manager at Don's Marine in Lodi shares some things you should look for when you're buying a boat.

The Wisconsin Fishing Expo is here and it gives a good opportunity to try out new baits in Madison. Host Ben Jarboe talks with Pat Hasburgh about what's happening on the ice and in the water for the area. A new beer has been created to show culture of Wisconsin fishing. Paul "Coot" Williams joins the show to share his story of getting a beer by fishermen for fishermen.

Host Ben Jarboe has a chat with Davion Freeman about each of their recent trips to Florida which included big bass and ocean fish. They also debate about the best baits for spring fishing and talk about the upcoming Wisconsin Fishing Expo.

Host Ben Jarboe talks with Pat Hasburgh about if the bite has been hot during the frigid cold the last couple of weeks. Paul and Gavin from Savory Sunday talk about their upcoming fundraiser Grillin4Peace that proceeds will go towards helping them feed those in need every Sunday in the Capitol basement.

Host Ben Jarboe gives a look into the free ice fishing weekend, and Davion Freeman joins the show to discuss their first ice fishing experience. They also talk about sturgeon spearing and the Chicago Bears.

Pat Hasburgh joins the show to give a look at the ice thickness around Madison after a warm week and an update on the fishing. We take a look back to the summer when host Ben Jarboe checked out the Bassmaster Elite series in LaCrosse and had the chance to talk to Wisconsin native Jay Przekurat. A few weeks ago Wisconsin hosted the World Snowshoe Championship in Brillion. Stephanie Hoff had a chat with Matt Dougherty the executive director of the North Country Sports Council to see what it takes to snowshoe.

Ben Jarboe is joined by Alex Dvorak the General Manager of Neptune rods to discuss how to pick out the right rod for you during ice fishing. He is also the runs the Wisconsin chapter of Ultimate Veterans Adventures and gives a look into how they take out veterans for a therapeutic day on the Ice. Trevor Kroll a host and guide for OPSExperiences gives an update on how the fishing has been early on and tips for the species you want to target.

Host Ben Jarboe talks about his recent experiences in the cold and times the cold got to him. Jeff Pritzl joins the show to give a look into what the gun deer season looked like this year. Pat Hasburgh shares how early ice fishing is going and what to have to be prepared.

In this week's show Jeff Pritzl gives an update on deer harvest numbers and changes the DNR has made. Davion Freeman joins the show again with host Ben Jarboe to talk hunting and differences in bear species.

Pat Hasburgh the owner of D&S bait, tackle, and fly shop joins host Ben Jarboe with an update on fishing in Madison, and he says the walleye bite is hot at night. Daniel Hemphill an Iowa native joins the show to talk all things outdoors and comparisons to the "I" states.

In this week's episode host Ben Jarboe talks with the Capital City Chapter of Muskies Inc. President Brian Falleck on their efforts to stock lake Monona in Madison with future 50-inch muskie. Davion Freeman joins the show to talk unfortunate fishing events and live scope on pro tours.

In this week's episode Pat Hasburgh the Owner of D&S Bait Shop joins the show to give some insight into the Madison Fall fishing as the temps continue to drop. Zach Bosco joins the show. Host Ben Jarboe and him compare the woes of fishing to being a Chicago Bears fan.

In this week's episode host Ben Jarboe talks with Matty Wong about how he went from growing up in Hawaii to fishing in the Bassmaster Elite Series. Adam Kittleson also joins the show to talk about how he and his friends started Ice Junkies and growing the sport for kids.

In this week's episode host Ben Jarboe gets a Madison fishing update with Pat Hasburgh. We also get a preview for the deer bow season opening from the DNR’s deer program specialist Jeff Pritzl. Grant Bilse joins the show again for an update on broken foot fishing in Montana and some weird Facebook Marketplace finds.

This week we hear from the 2025 Mississippi River Bassmaster Elite Series champion, Pat Schlapper, who also happens to be a Wisconsin native. We also talk to Anastasia Patterson about the BassmastHER initiative to help grow the sport for women. 

This week we take a look into the history of the World's Largest Musky Shop with Owner Jim Stewart, and he also gives a Northwoods Fishing Update. Noah and Alex join the show where we talking about fishing superstitions, and the naked man on the lamb in Central Illinois.

On this week's episode we get an update on recent fishing in Madison and Grant Bilse joins the show to talk about fishing injuries.

We look at fishing in Florida and get an update from the DNR on how stocking is going in Wisconsin. Stephanie Hoff joins the show to try to defend the pleasure boaters to fishermen and gives an inside look on if girls like fish pics.

In this week's episode host Ben Jarboe talks about his favorite summer baits and unique fishing tools. Davion Freeman joins the show again for an update on lost lures.

In this week's episode we highlight the best shore fishing places and tactics for the Madison chain. Ben Jarboe and Mitch Zadra also share their views on some pleasure boaters when out on the water and thoughts to deter them.

In this week's episode we talk with Keith from Willie Bees Charters out of Two Rivers on how the Lake Michigan Salmon bite is. Ben Jarboe and Ebo also take a look into dumb baits made for bass fishing.

We look at what's working and what's not as we move into the long weekend. We also talk with Nathan Nye with the DNR to see how manure spills into streams and other water bodies affect the fish.

Welcome to the FIRST EVER episode of Settin' The Hook with Ben Jarboe. This week we talk pre-spawn fishing on the Madison chain with Brian Zubke of Big B's Guide Service. Todd Kalish, the Bureau of Fisheries Management Deputy Director with the DNR shares some important reminders on what to think about before wetting a line.