targrting walleyes in shallow water

[CALVINIST]

I want to try out a new lake, it is very stained, and very shallow...6-8' max. I hear there are walleyes in there and want to go get 'em. Anyone have suggestions on fishing a lake like this, as not to spook the fish? presentation, techniques, strategies, etc.

Thanks,

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Calvinist
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[abens1078]

Hey Calvinist,
If the weeds are not bad try a planer board with a noisy/flashy crankbait behind it or just long line the same lure. This covers water fast which I feel is good on a new lake. I'm a fan of the Husky Jerks both glass and regular for that depth range. Good luck

[Borch]

In swallow stained lakes like that weedgrowth can really be a hot spot when you can find it. I really like trolling shad raps over or around the weedgrowth. If there is a defined edge work the outside and inside edges. If you have clumpy growth pull around and over it. Spinners on bouncers also work good for this. Allows you to cover a lot of water looking for aggressive fish.

If the water is stained and/or you have good wind paner boards usually aren't required. In fact I have a simuliar bite going on now and I'm pulling shad raps with 30-40 ft of line back in 5-9 ft of water so I can weave around the weed clumps more effectively. The walleyes and pike haven't been spooked as they've been hammering the cranks.

Good Luck!

Borch

[PerchJerker]

Shallow stained water like that is an excellent situation for casting crankbaits, not just trolling them. Find some spots that look good, or troll until you get a few fish and can start to identify good fish holding locations. Then throw cranks and see if you can pull some fish that way. Good luck.

[james_walleye]

Find some moving water, any creeks or inlets will draw them in like a magnet in the evengings. Then throw shallow running shads way up shallow.

[slick814]

Planer boards are usually used on bigger waters, like Leech, Winnie, Mille Lacs, Vermilion, etc.
One of the most effective ways to find fish is to troll crankbaits on weedline edges, dropoffs, or reefs if there are any. You can cover a lot of water in a short time, and also find the aggressive fish using this method.
Once you find them, try some slower presentations like a Lindy rig or possibly even jigging if you find schools of fish concentrated in an area.
I'd also suggest trying a longer lined troll, maybe 70' or so behind the boat.

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[This message has been edited by slick814 (edited 07-09-2004).]

[2dalake]

With water depths like that you will likely encounter weeds throughout the lake. If you do try a weedless jig head with some type of thump or rattle, and bring plenty of over sized plastics in visible colors like white, chartruse, red and so on. When I say over sized I mean long, like plastics worms marketed for bass fishing.