MyFishFinder Forum
MyFishFinder By Species => Walleye => Topic started by: TheDL on Mar 30, 2011, 10:29 AM
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I am fairly new to Walleye fishing - done the bass thing to death (still love it) - but I enjoy a challenge and so far, walleye has been challenging ???. Got completly skunked trolling bay of quinte in the fall, picked up a few good ones vertical jiggin on the ice - but the spring is coming, and I am looking for techniques and especially help with walleye ???patterns.
Let's hear your spring walleye tips - where are you finding 'em? Where rivers run into bay/lake? Deep/shallow? Time of day? Bottom bouncers? Spinners? Stick baits? Bait?
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I don't have any special techniques for walleyes. I just get close to the dam or hit some wingdams. Next maybe some sandbars or gravel bars. Usually just lazy lindy rigs or slipbobber rigs. Do the typical jig and minnow when I feel like it.
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thanks slippery bob - looks like I've got some learning to do - never tried lindy rigs before, looks like a good tactic tho. Do you just use lindy rigged worm/leech or are you attaching a lure to that kind of rig?
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When river fishing for Walleyes, the wolf river rig is my favorite. Just do a google search on the text I made in bold and you will get instructions on making your own. Simple and fairly cheap to make a few.
Matt
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thanks Matt - I'll give that a try. I think I'm going to take some to time before the May7th opener and try to make some home made rigs. I'm thinking worm harnesses, "wolf river rigs" and some lindy rigs and such. I've never used any of these - anyone got some tips?
One question about bottom bouncing - 3 way seems obvious but with the "lindy rig" style weight ( i.e. http://www.cabelas.com/bottom-bouncers-walking-sinkers-lindy-snagg-sinkers-2.shtml (http://www.cabelas.com/bottom-bouncers-walking-sinkers-lindy-snagg-sinkers-2.shtml)) how do you control how far up from the weight/bottom your lure/bait will ride? It looks like the line threads through the top, and seems like the lure/bait would just pull towards the eye on the weight untill the two were right next to each other? Am I missing something?
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You just snell a line to a swivel so that the bait isn't pulled right up to the sinker.
Nothing special for bait, either leech, worm, or minnow.
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snell a line to a swivel? Do you mean tie a swivel in the line between the weight and the lure/bait - to stop the slip weight and lure/bait coming together?
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Yeap, just tie a swivel into theire. Typically I drop one line test for the snell/leader line. Just in case the hook snags so I don't lose the whole rig. Although it's usually the sinker that snags.
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I usually fish dropoffs near creekmouths or off points with rocky bottoms in spring. Alot of fish hang in these areas to fatten up and or rest after the spawn. I catch most of my eyes at night during the spring on rapalas in the shallows. Bucktail jigs tipped with a peice of crawler works as well. Tite lines
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thanks deadeyez - can't wait to get some spring 'eyes!!
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Try slip bobbers with small jig and leech combo. At the lake I fish, the walleye are very lethargic when the ice first comes off. This seems to be a subtle enough presentation to get them to bite.
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I recomend fishing where the river or stream emptys into a resevoir. fish usually gather here after spawning before heading to deeper water. I normally run 1 or 2 ounce bottom bouncers (depending on depth) with a 2 hook worm harness trolling at 1.5 mph. remember presentation is key with walleye. I sometimes retie a harness after buying. I use 3 foot # 10 flourocarbon and a swivel to prevent twist.
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nice - thanks for the tips guys. I've ordered some bottom walking weights, and a northland walleye kit filled with float bodys, beads, nice blades and hooks. when it arrives, I'll post some pics of my homemade rigs.
anyone got any tips for tying up these rigs?
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nice - thanks for the tips guys. I've ordered some bottom walking weights, and a northland walleye kit filled with float bodys, beads, nice blades and hooks. when it arrives, I'll post some pics of my homemade rigs.
anyone got any tips for tying up these rigs?
Put a drop of water on your knots when tying them and pull slowly on the tag end to snug them up. This will keep from burning the mono when you pull the knots tight.
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ice dawg - thanks - all good info. I was going to use 14# flouro for the tying, unless mono is better for this purpose? I believe the northland kit comes with mono...but i like fouro for it's no strectch/lo-vis qualities
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ice dawg - thanks - all good info. I was going to use 14# flouro for the tying, unless mono is better for this purpose? I believe the northland kit comes with mono...but i like fouro for it's no strectch/lo-vis qualities
I also prefer fluoro as sometimes i fish in 70 foot of water. I used to use mono but had fewer good hooksets because of line stretch.
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Hey DL
I just found you over here on the walleye world. No action on the Ontario board, waiting for someone to start something!! I guess the guys are waiting for softwater to kick into gear. I'm so used to Shanty with daily topics and updates.
I am stoked about opener, got 16 guys confirmed for my little inside tourney. I'm hoping for decent weather so all the boys can fish and keep occupied.
It has been so cold this spring I feel the Wally's will be slow and just leaving the rivers by opener. In my opinion "slow and subtle" will be the key. We will see, a lot can change before May 7th.
I may have to try one of these worm harnesses or bottom bouncers this year. I might even try a small trout hook and a live minnow on botton. Nice and subtle, whack!! :o
Good Luck
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I also prefer fluoro as sometimes i fish in 70 foot of water. I used to use mono but had fewer good hooksets because of line stretch.
I read somewhere that Mono stretches up to 30% and Floro only 10%. That's a big difference when it comes to hook sets!!
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I read somewhere that Mono stretches up to 30% and Floro only 10%. That's a big difference when it comes to hook sets!!
esp in deep water i learned from experience. nothing worse than finally getting a bite and losing it half way up. >:( eyehi out
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Did I say Salmo... ;D
Hornet that is.....
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I also prefer fluoro as sometimes i fish in 70 foot of water. I used to use mono but had fewer good hooksets because of line stretch.
I'm a big fan of braided line and use it for almost everything. It's no-stretch quality makes it perfect for deep water jigging. Most of my lighter outfits are lined with 10# Powerpro in moss green, which has the diameter of 2# mono. I rarely bother with a floro leader. I use a very soft action rod and my hooksets are just a wrist-flick motion. I very seldom drop a fish on the way up.
nice - thanks for the tips guys. I've ordered some bottom walking weights, and a northland walleye kit filled with float bodys, beads, nice blades and hooks. when it arrives, I'll post some pics of my homemade rigs. anyone got any tips for tying up these rigs?
DL.. I've been tying my own harnesses for years. Most of my trolling is on Lake Erie, so the hardware I use is probably overkill for smaller waters (and smaller fish). I do a very basic snell using 1/0 Red Gamagatsu Octopus hooks with 17# Segaur Floro Leader Material. The leader material is stiffer and more abrasion resistant than fishing line. I start with 4' of leader.. insert a couple inches of line through the eye towards the bend. Holding it against the shank..I make five wraps from the eye towards the bend.. insert the long end through the bottom of the eye and pull tight. A second hook goes on the same way about four inches above. I then add my beads.. usually five.. then a quick-change clevis.. topped off with a "quality" ball-bearing swivel. Sounds much more involved than it really is. I can tie one in less than five minutes.. and I'm not a fast mover! I also put a drop of super-glue on the snell so they can't unravel.
Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)
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i tried braided for one year and broke the tip off my new rod. I also noticed several problems with tangling on my worm harnesses.tried it didnt like its floro for me. eyehi out
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right on - more good info. if basspro ever ships my stuff, >:( I'll be good to go. I'm counting the days untill the Walleye opener tourny - it'll be my first one, can't wait.
sluggo - thanks for the specifics on the harnesses. I am assuming the swivel is going above the whole harness, joining your mainline to your harness rig?
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I am assuming the swivel is going above the whole harness, joining your mainline to your harness rig?
Yes.. I use a swivel to terminate the harness. On my trolling rigs I run 30# braid. To this I add a swivel.. four feet of floro leader.. then a duo-loc snap. It makes it quick to change harnesses, plus I can just snap on a stickbait or spoon if I want. I hate line twist! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)
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I start with 4' of leader.. insert a couple inches of line through the eye towards the bend. Holding it against the shank..I make five wraps from the eye towards the bend.. insert the long end through the bottom of the eye and pull tight.
Ok - I'm going to tie up some harnesses tonite - and I'm terrible with knots. From the sounds of this method of snelling, the line is just wrapped around the shank of the hook? I haven't tried this yet - but that doesn't seem like a good knot - maybe I'm missing something?
anyone got some details/more tips on this? ???
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look at a pre-snelled hook, if you need to use a magnifying glass to get a good look at it, do it, A snell is essentially a cinch knot, but with alot more wraps.
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that's a thought - the lindy rig weights came with pre-made snells
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DL.. Here's a link to an animated lesson on snelling. A bit more elaborate than mine, but I'm sure it works as well. An old timer showed me the one I use years ago and I've never had a problem with one. Actually caught a few walleye on them too!
http://www.netknots.com/html/snell_knot.html (http://www.netknots.com/html/snell_knot.html)
Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)
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well - that's pretty clear, thanks
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Put a drop of water on your knots when tying them and pull slowly on the tag end to snug them up. This will keep from burning the mono when you pull the knots tight.
Actually saliva is the quickest-get your fishing partner to spit on it if you don't know where your line has been!!!!! Cya....
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I've always had the best luck jigging walleye in the spring. Lightest jig you can get away with and still hold in the current/wind. Usually 1/8 oz or 1/16 here. 6 or 8lb test. Hop and drag it along the bottom, most of the time they will be hanging on it when you pick it up.
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thanks BBK - I've got 3 days 'till my first tournament, I'm pretty pumped. I'm looking for any tips you guys might have. We're planning on going out midnight on friday nite, and fishing through the night. So far, the game plan is to throw crank/stick baits around shallower flats near tributary rivers and if that doesn't work we're going bottom bouncing/trolling around the bay of quinte looking for them with live bait. The water is still pretty cold up here, water level is HIGH, and it's been raining a lot - weather looks like cool and rainy, and it'll be 4th straight day of low pressure front. Am I heading down the right path with this gameplan? ???
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Cold, muddy, high water... wouldnt be throwing lures or trolling thats for sure. I'd be crawling live bait on the bottom on a jig head.
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right on BBK, sounds good - you ever use those worm harnesses/spinner rigs?
this is what I bought:
http://www.basspro.com/Northland-Fishing-Tackle-Live-Bait-Walleye-Spinner-Kit/product/78236/-1241774 (http://www.basspro.com/Northland-Fishing-Tackle-Live-Bait-Walleye-Spinner-Kit/product/78236/-1241774)
and
http://www.basspro.com/Lindy®-NoSnagg®-Rig-Kit/product/30017/-832761 (http://www.basspro.com/Lindy®-NoSnagg®-Rig-Kit/product/30017/-832761)
any tips on rigging this stuff - I've never used anything like it - also, tips for presentation? I've heard slow, that's about it.
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right on BBK, sounds good - you ever use those worm harnesses/spinner rigs?
this is what I bought:
http://www.basspro.com/Northland-Fishing-Tackle-Live-Bait-Walleye-Spinner-Kit/product/78236/-1241774 (http://www.basspro.com/Northland-Fishing-Tackle-Live-Bait-Walleye-Spinner-Kit/product/78236/-1241774)
and
http://www.basspro.com/Lindy®-NoSnagg®-Rig-Kit/product/30017/-832761 (http://www.basspro.com/Lindy®-NoSnagg®-Rig-Kit/product/30017/-832761)
any tips on rigging this stuff - I've never used anything like it - also, tips for presentation? I've heard slow, that's about it.
Oh yeah, those are great in the hot of the summer. Look on youtube, there are many videos on how to make your own harnesses/spinners.
Hook it up behind a bottom bouncer or a lindy no-snag weight and drag it along rock structure or sand bars. Anywhere from .2mph to 2.5mph depending on how active the fish are.
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Cold, muddy, high water... wouldnt be throwing lures or trolling thats for sure. I'd be crawling live bait on the bottom on a jig head.
I have to agree as I've said before, slow and sensitive. right on bottom. feel the weight or a tap and set the hook.
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cold & muddy- slow with brite & loud lures
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thanks for the tips guys. I couldn't manage to find the walleyes last night/this morning - but I'll be out again tommorow at a different spot on Bay of Quinte. I tried all suggestions here, everything in the tackle box; only managed small pike.
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thanks for the tips guys. I couldn't manage to find the walleyes last night/this morning - but I'll be out again tommorow at a different spot on Bay of Quinte. I tried all suggestions here, everything in the tackle box; only managed small pike.
Look for sand, they should be pre spawn, spawning or just done so they will be close to the spawning areas.
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what is the best temp to look for to have the best luck. We have a lake in WY that has alot of walleyes and no limit just looking for the best chance to catch a few.
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Dynamite is the way to go Short wick and fast legs ;D ;D ;D
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creek chubs or some other baitfish in shallow water in the evening, preferably near where a stream dumps in. shallow sand bars are great too.
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Spring walleye