Madison, WI

Jim Kusuda is a prolific ice fisherman from south central Wisconsin. “Mendota Jim” can often be found chasing deep water perch or jigging up saucer sized bluegills in the shallows. He bought an original FL-8 Ice Box from Dave Genz in 1991 and has been exclusively using Vexilar flashers ever since. Their reliability and ongoing improvements for visualizing the world below the ice have helped him be more successful at finding and catching fish over the years.

Jim is a touring ice fishing competitor who has fished in the Ice Team Trap Attacks and the NAIFC tournament series. He is known as being the kids ice fishing instructor for these national events. Vexilar three color flashers (and now underwater cameras) are an important part of the education process for new ice fisher people. He is certified by the Wisconsin DNR as an Angler Education Fishing Instructor and promotes ice fishing safety as well as fun in his presentations. Jim helped establish the local Yahara Fishing Club’s Kids Ice Fishing Day, a popular community event on Monona Bay in downtown Madison.