New Walleye Guy

[wallyH]

Hi all.

I'm not really new to walleye fishing, but am new to owning my own boat. In the past I've fished with friends that would drive to a spot and we'd fish. I was always pretty successful and if we had kept a leaderboard, I would have been on it. Now that I have my own boat I've come to realize there's alot more to catching walleyes than casting your line where your buddy tells you to.

So, I'm looking for some advice and comments on some observations.

Lake Selection:
I live in Saint Paul and have been exclusively fishing White Bear Lake. This decision was based on it being close and I wanted to concentrate on one body of water. I figured I would learn more quickly if I wasn't always having to learn new water. I've recently been thinking it may have been better to have picked a smaller lake. What do you guys think? Smaller lake or not? Also, would Bald Eagle or some other lake in the area be a better learning lake?

Tactics:
First lesson learned, bait shops do not have good info. They always say something vague like weeds or rocks in 8-30 feet of water.

For the most part I've only done live bait fishing for Walleye. Lindy rigging, jigs and bobbers. I think I have those tactics down pretty well. Not that there's much to them. I've been trying to figure out which bait for which time of year. From talking to people and reading it seems like the bait progresses as small minnows and leeches early, then leeches, then crawlers, then larger minnows. I know that's an immense simplification and all lakes are different. However, is that at least somewhat accurate?

I've been wanting to start doing more trolling with rapalas, spinners, bottom bouncers etc. I've been reluctant because I get out on the lake and I end up lindy rigging because I know how to do it. I probably have about 60 different rapalas( got a free tackle box full with boat ). As easy as trolling sounds, I have no idea what lure to put on, what depth and how fast. I don't like to think that much when I'm fishing. =) Any tips on trolling would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help. If anyone's out on WBL and sees a green Pro Angler 16, stop by. I'll let you know where they're NOT biting. =)

Wally H

PS. Sorry for the book.

[This message has been edited by wallyH (edited 07-07-2003).]

[Walleye_GFA]

A great way to learn trolling is to hit the weededges with a number 5 shadrap or dep diver... I use firetiger... Your more likely to catch northerns, but it will build confidence... also troll from .8 MPH to 5 MPH... usually Im at about 1.5 to 2.3 MPH, the fish will tell you what they want...

Later and good trolling !!!!

Wally

[Guest]

as far as a big or small lake....i think it's better to learn on a bigger lake because once you've established the pattern for that day or time of year....it will work in similar spots all over that same big lake....as far as trolling.....walleye-gfa covered it well.....

[eyecrosser2000]

wallyH,

Congratulations on becoming the skipper rather than just the first mate. Soon you'll find it is tough to go fishing with someone else controlling the boat!

Your questions and concerns are typical and you sound a little overwhelmed. I wouldn't be too concerned with trying to master all of the different techniques associated with catching a few 'eyes. Rather, try to keep your eyes and ears open for techniques that match up with patterns for the lakes you fish. For example, most early season Minnesota lakes have a shallow water bite shortly after the spawning period. For this pattern it is tough to beat a jig and minnow. Later, as the season gets a little older, and the forage base a little bigger, the challenge is to find active fish and how to get them to take your presentation instead of all the other choices they have--faster presentations like spinners and crankbaits often turn the trick.

I would suggest doing some reading or video watching--it is hard to beat the In-Fisherman material and their Fish-Location-Presentation approach to catching fish. For your trolling questions--the book "Precision Trolling" should take care of all your questions; it is advertised on the FM home page.

Finally, after a few years of experience, you begin to recognize certain conditions that are present (patterns) and things you did in the past that were successful--or not successful. Those observations and experiences are the things you cannot get out of a book or video.

Good luck wallyH--we'll be looking for your name at the top of the list on the pro walleye tournament trail!

[guts]

WH,
I learned to troll lures long before I learned to use jigs/rigs.

Very important to me is to have my lure contact the bottom occasionally, then I know it will be effective.

I've trolled with spoonplugs at fast speeds, and floating rapalas ever so slowly. I think I do best in about 12-18' of water, in recent years I think shad raps are one of my favorite lures.

One last method that has worked well is using a floating rapala, size 14 is my preference, attach the lure to a lindy rig setup except at the end of the snell you will use a rapala instead of livebait, troll very slowly.

My walleye live bait choices, early on, cold water, jig and minnow, move on to jig and leech casting shorelines, lindy rigs with leeches/minnows, next, lindy rig with crawlers/nitro crawlers, then back to minnows usually with a jig. Nearly anytime of year you can slipobber fish minnows in weed patches with spotty success. guts

[Borch]

You'll find that there's more to livebait rigging than meets the eye. I have so many variations of lindy rigging that it hard to expain it all.

First of all livebait rigging is reserved(for the most part)when you have pinpointed fish that are in a neutral to negative mood(or if fish are suspended 2-4 ft off the bottom).

If I'm searching for fish or they are in a neutral to positive mood you'll see me covering ground with a spinner rig/bottom bouncer or pulling cranks.

If I'm fishing water 12-30 ft deep I'll usually pull the spinner/bouncer. Less than 12 ft I'll be pulling cranks. Of course there are always exceptions.

The biggest thing for me is creating a mental picture of the structure I'm fishing. And also looking for clues as to how the fish are using it. I am constantly watching my depthfinder and following whatever structure I'm fishing(breaklines, weeds, rock, wood or transition areas). I'm also looking for schools of baitfish and of course walleyes.

If your serious about trolling cranks learn about what you've got in your box. Check out the online store here for the book on crankbait depths. Also tie a bobberstop to the line on your crankbait rod at 75' and 100'or pick up a line counter. Knowing how much line you have out will definitely help.

Keep those hooks sharp!

Good Luck!

Borch

[wallyH]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to head out tonight and try some of my new found knowledge.

BTW, is this minor weather we're having now one of those cold fronts that kills the fishing? Not that it matters, I'm still going. =)

Wally H

[wallyH]

Went out last night. The main thing I learned is that backtrolling into a 20mph wind with no wavewackers is no fun. =) Caught a couple northerns and graphed one of the best schools of walleyes I've ever seen on my graph. Probably 20 of them, perfect arcs in about 22 feet of water. Unfortunately, the wind made it very difficult for me to fish it.

Thanks again,
Wally H

[wall eyell be]

Wally H
I fish The Bear quite a bit for walleyes, but this summer my boat is in the shop so I'm happy to share what knowledge I have of the lake with anyone who has an open seat in their boat. I'm not much of a rapala troller, mostly rig or jig. Post back here if you want to hit White Bear together and we'll swap e-mails or somethin.

W E B

[wallyH]

Shoot me an e-mail, I can always use more fishing partners.

[email protected]

Wally H