Catching Walleyes using live Herring as bait

[Scientist]

This question is going out specifically to those of your fisherman that catch Walleyes using herring(aka alewives) as bait. How long do you wait to set the hook and where do you hook them (i.e. behind the dorsal fin or through the nostrils, etc) ?

[Webguy]

I set the hook right away to avoid gut hooking fish, the rods are usually in a holder so it translates into a couple seconds, sometimes more if I'm preoccupied. I use small trebles (#10) and hook them through the nose which works well, especially when drifting.

[Scientist]

Really? I have waited as long as 15 minutes to set the hook and have never gut hooked a walleye, ever with a herring.  Crawlers is a different strory. 

[Webguy]

15 minutes? ...that's mind boggling!

[Scientist]

I have had times when they just mouth the bait or chew on the tail only. Wanted to see if anyone else had the same experience. Imagine the patience needed

[gunner1]

You use a 10" bait for walleye??

[Scientist]

You use a 10" bait for walleye??

Average bait size for herring here is 6 to 8 inches. They are 4" in the early spring which are perfect for trout.