James Hodgin Jr.

My Love for Fishing came at a very young age on a central Minnesota lake were I caught my first Blue Gill at the age of 2. Some 10 years later my parents bought a cabin on the same chain of lakes near Aitkin, MN. This is literally were I found my start with my fishing career. I was blessed to be in area of some of the most well-known, sought after, and top notch fishery’s in the state. When I was not studying the movement of fish in the heart of Minnesota’s “Walleye Basket” of the state, I spent the rest of my time on the Mississippi Riverfront St. Paul to Red Wing. I started Open2Hardwater Guide Service in 2005 and have been fishing Walleye, Bass, and Muskie Tournaments since 2008. Currently you can find informational articles for many different species that I have wrote with key tactics in North American Fisherman. I also work with many non-profit outdoor related companies such as Fishing for Life, MN Teen Challenge fishing challenge, and the MN DNR where I am 1 of 225 mentors in the state. Fishing is a way of life for me and many others and giving back through fishing is my way of saying thanks. Remember to give back to the outdoors as much as they have given you, starting with memories.

Tight Lines and Good Times,

James Hodgin Jr.