SIMPLY WALLEYE

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Walleye are perhaps the most sought after fish specie that swims in Northern Wisconsin. They are sought primarily for their eating quality and the fun of catching them. There have been thousands of articles written on methods to harvest these fish in every fishing publication and newspaper outdoor page across the country. Understand here that many people make a living from fishing. They must write articles to either promote themselves or their product sponsors require several fishing articles to maintain their position with the sponsor. Obviously, there is a constant struggle to come up with something new to write about, which means that the methods become more complicated and more difficult for the average fishermen to understand. Trying to use the methods suggested and carry the equipment means additional unnecessary cost and a tackle box which is cumbersome and most of the tackle never gets used and if it does the result is no walleye. Over the past twenty years of guiding I have tried these techniques with little result. Thirty per-cent of my customers have come with huge tackle boxes of which everything is store new and are amazed at how simple rigging produces walleye. So let's get on with the KISS principal!

EQUIPMENT
First and most important is the fishing rod. Walleye are very subtle biters and it is necessary to feel the light bite. It is necessary to possess a good sensitive fishing rod which will cost between one and two hundred dollars. Now don't panic as a good rod that is well taken care of will last at least ten years or more. This brings the cost to ten to twenty dollars per year which bait for two people for a day will cost at least ten dollars. I highly recommend a St. Croix rod which is made in the USA and in my opinion these are the finest rods built in the world. Length should be six to seven foot and two piece if you travel with them. The difference in feel between a one and two piece is less than one per-cent. Medium light weight with an extra fast or fast tip will do just fine. Reels on the other hand are not as important as I found that reels very from twenty to four hundred dollars. There are some excellent reels out there from thirty to seventy dollars. Look for a smooth reel when turning the handle and a smooth drag. A tip, always spin the line spool at the beginning of the day to make sure the drag is free.

Line is the second most important piece of equipment and the most ignored. I change line every two weeks as UV rays from the sun deteriorate mono filament line very quickly. Other deteriorating factors are heat and petroleum fumes. This means for your outing have new line on your reel. If you buy line in your home area transport it on your trip in a cooler and spool it on when you arrive at your destination. Customers have lost the fish of a lifetime because there line broke and when I asked them when they replaced the line last the shoulders would go up and a sheepish look with the answer maybe two or three years ago. I have found that Sufix line is the strongest line for line weight of any other manufacture in the market.

Fish locators or as I call them structure locators are very helpful but keep in mind do not look for fish on the screen. Walleyes inherently lay on the bottom and if there is not three inches of water under the fish they will not show up on the locator. Therefore you need to know the structure for the time of the year that you're fishing and fish that structure. At times I find that fish will not show on the locator but after hooking several fish some will Trolling motors are also helpful but keep in mind that trolling in Vilas and Oneida counties is not legal. This means that you must use the trolling motor for position fishing. Position fishing is moving around the structure and either fishing straight down or casting perpendicular and retrieving to the boat. I find that a stern mount trolling motor offers the best boat control especially on windy days.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
The most puzzling thing for a fisherman on a new lake is where to start. Stream inlets and outlets, points in the lake and shallow bars are a good place to start. In the spring of the year shallow water and areas with current will hold early season walleye. Generally during the first two to three weeks the weed growth is barely off the bottom but these areas hold fish. As the season progresses these same areas will offer good fishing but follow the weed growth as it goes deeper. This pattern will hold true until late August and when the water temperature drops below seventy degrees everything changes. At this point the days are shorter the water temperature is cooler and the fish start to scatter and they are confused. Until turn-over the walleye fishing is challenging but productive. Just remember that the fish are always deep, shallow or somewhere in-between. After turn-over (when the water temperature is the same top to bottom) walleye fishing gets easier again. Look to the deepest water on the lake and you will find fish in these areas. Vertical jigging is the best technique.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
Starting in the spring and through the entire year the most deadly method and the simplest method is a jig and minnow. I use minnows from ice out to freeze-up. Begin in the spring with one-sixteenth and one-eighth ounce jigs tipped with a minnow. Run the hook in the minnow's mouth to the bend in the hook and up through the head. This will use less minnows especially when fishing in weeds. Use the light jigs on calm days and the larger jigs on windy days. I use these weights all year long until the fish feed heavily in the fall after turn-over. When fishing the deep holes I use one-quarter and three-eighth ounce jigs for the deep water fishing. I have never caught more fish on leeches or night crawlers than minnows. One last tip, when fishing walleyes with a jig make sure that your jig and minnow is always in contact with the bottom. Keep it simple!

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