tacklejunkie Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 in the fall for walleye. Seems everyone switches to cranks or jigs and minnows in fall. Is there a biological reason why people don't think walleye so will hit a crawler harness in the fall? Even all articles regarding fall walleye fishing talk more about using cranks or big minnows and dismiss crawler harness use that time of year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delcecchi Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Maybe they just stop working as well as the alternatives. That could be because (speculation on my part) that the organisms that a crawler harness or a crawler on a rig emulate or resemble become less abundant in the fall and minnows have grown to the point where they are attractive to the walleye. So the walleye are no longer eating bugs or crayfish for example but have switched to minnows. I do know, based on the writings of a number of people and personal experience, that crawlers lose effectiveness compared to minnows in the fall on Vermilion. Likewise starting out in the spring, and gradually crawlers become more effective than minnows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANYFISH2 Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I think it is just a seasonal forage thing. All the yough of the year minnows/fish are probably reaching the preferred size for walleye, as well as they (minnows), are leaving the shallow nursery areas and are now more vulnerable. Minnows are probably more readily available and preferred this time of year naturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbymalone Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I've never really understood what sort of forage that nightcrawler is supposed to emulate anyway. Maybe there is some sort of wor doing it's thing in the muck at the bottom of the lake, but it's not a nightcrawler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rundrave Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 its same reason to cast frogs shallow back towards the shore late fall like they are jumping in the water. those walleyes know come fall thats what frogs do and are waiting to ambush them and makes for some great fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffman Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 I'm guessing that worms and crawlers wash into water systems after storms. So they are not totally foreign to being found in the water. Deep mudflats? Doubt it. But I do target storm sewer outlets on lakes shortly after rainfall with some success using natural colored rubber worms for bass. And have caught an occasional walleye while doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leech~~ Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 1 hour ago, ANYFISH2 said: I think it is just a seasonal forage thing. All the yough of the year minnows/fish are probably reaching the preferred size for walleye, as well as they (minnows), are leaving the shallow nursery areas and are now more vulnerable. Minnows are probably more readily available and preferred this time of year naturally. Plus+1 last weekend got into a good bite in about 31-35 feet and they were all full of Minnows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleFloyd Posted September 19, 2017 Share Posted September 19, 2017 And they are looking for bigger forage to bulk up going into the winter. leech~~ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoey Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I believe the crawlers are not natural forage and using them as bait emulates large larvae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hnd Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 no reason to stop using them. i find in the winter around here on the river that they'll still hit worms. i think though mostly, in the summer, walleye will eat whatever they can eat. in the fall, the baitfish run happens and they know where to get an easy meal and thats their target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tacklejunkie Posted September 22, 2017 Author Share Posted September 22, 2017 I have trolled minnows behind spinners in the fall and that seems to work pretty well. I always wondered why you don't read much or see much of people using crawler harnesses in the fall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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