best methods for eyes now?

[mrpike1973]

hi just wondering what the best methods would be. i'm assuming there mostly deep. would cranks and spinners be a best bet. i know there is many variables but i'm just learning and dont want to be doing what works in spring when were in late summer. thanks for the help

[RumRiverRat]

Jigs with waterdogs as bait.

[jigginjim]

If you can find waterdogs, use them on lindy rigs, go slow. 35 years ago guys would pay $10.00 a dozen for 4-6inch waterdogs, they knew w-dogs would catch the biggest of walleyes. Get the really big dogs and get super size pike. Along come the dawgs for muskies, that was in an old In-fisherman magazine, water dawgs 12-15inches for bait. yes waterdawgs can get that big, we have caught 14" dawgs on jig-minnow rigs.

[KyleM.]

besides dynamite??? Seriously though, water surface temp is rather high around 82 on the lakes I fish, I finally got into them w/ vertical jigging color and depth would depend upon lake used half nightcrawler and leech as bait, used electronics till I found them right off bottom then jigged rather slow, like just enough to move tail on grub. When they bit it was very very light.

[Ed Carlson]

If you can find waterdogs, use them on lindy rigs, go slow. 35 years ago guys would pay $10.00 a dozen for 4-6inch waterdogs, they knew w-dogs would catch the biggest of walleyes. Get the really big dogs and get super size pike. Along come the dawgs for muskies, that was in an old In-fisherman magazine, water dawgs 12-15inches for bait. yes waterdawgs can get that big, we have caught 14" dawgs on jig-minnow rigs.

Waterdogs on 4' to 6' Lindy style bottom walkers fished on the deep breaks on mid lake humps can produce some huge mid to late summer eyes.

Waterdogs actually are different than Mudpuppys, a different species.

Waterdogs have 5 toes on there back feet, Mudpuppys will have 4...and the Puppys grow much larger on average..up to a foot or better. And Puppys do not change into the land cruisers as the Waterdogs (immature Tiger Salamanders) eventually will.

This life cycle metamorphosis migration pattern is actually a key element in this walleye pattern, they react to seasonal forage availability.

Waterdogs will metamorphosis to the land rovers and this is a migratory pattern the deep walleye like to key into. Not to say they don't eat there larger cousins the Mudpuppy, they do, but they tend to like 4" to 6" Dogs better.

In the Dog Days of summer, as the leech bite fades, the Dog bite tends to bloom.

[pulleye16]

Never used a waterdog before, where does one find these?

[Northlander]

Cranks cranks and more cranks for me right now.

[fishnowworknever]

Whats the best way to get cranks deep? Say 25 - 30? Just get a deep diver? Can I put a sinker on about 5' up to get them deep?

[pushbutton]

only pic i found with out much effort is for catfish, but same principal applies.... 1 to 2 oz weights will generally be sufficient. as with anything, just have to use different combos of weight, speed, and crank styles until you get the feel for it. try to ride the sinker just off the bottom and the crank as parallel as you can.

[Northlander]

3 way rigs would be a option as is leadcore. Downriggers as well but not everyone has them. 3 ways are good when you dont want a bunch of line out. 3-6 oz sinkers depending on depth and current and I like a 4-6' lead to my stick or crank. I run more sticks than cranks when 3 way rigging. Easier to know where the bait is at.

[fisherofmen]

Whats the best way to get cranks deep? Say 25 - 30? Just get a deep diver? Can I put a sinker on about 5' up to get them deep?

I like snap weights, like the snap/clamps used for planer boards, (offshore tackle) they used to make a kit with diff size weights to put on the snap, you let out about 50 ft of line then clamp weight on let more line out etc.

[Ed Carlson]

Never used a waterdog before, where does one find these?

Most bait dealers can get them, some areas do not have much call for them so they don't stock them. If you ask your local bait guy, he or she may be able to locate a few dozen for you. Lots of times they toss them back when seining minnows...but if he knows you want them, he will bring them in, so request them.

We are selling a lot of them over here on the Red River right now for cats...very hot bait right now. Lots are headed East and West for walleye too. We have them here in Fargo at Gander and some other shops up the Red River Valley are trying to get them in too. I have a very good bait supplier.

If you find the right stock pond, you may be able to trap them yourself too. That is hit and miss tell you find them, but once you do find them, you will have a lot of them in that pond. Stock ponds are a good place to look.

[LMITOUT]

Cranks cranks and more cranks for me right now.

Ditto.

[Ride_Red]

I got em last night in 10 feet of water with on a reef runner rip shad, biggest one 25 inches. Just after dark

[OnAFly]

At the landing last night there were two women fishing off the dock...catching walleyes on lighted bobbers and night crawlers. They probably did better than the half dozen boats that were out for walleye that night.