Switching from Bass to Walleye?
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I’m going to switch this year from primarily fishing bass to walleye. I’ve fished bass my whole life along with mostly crappie, northern, and musky. I’ve fished walleye every so often but I’m not a jigger (I want to get really good at this). What kinda equipment and baits do you walleye lovers go with every year and can’t get enough of? Any techniques you want to share? I’m looking at May to start on my venture.
These are great ideas. I’m a WI man and I’m going to Northern MN for a week as well. Around N. WI there are no shortage of lakes and rivers to wet my line for walleye, so you’ve all given me a great starting point to practice from and learn more. Thanx!!!
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I was in your same position 6 years ago. I had recently moved from FLA to MN. And although I didn’t “give up” my Bass fishing, I fish a wider variety of freshwater species than I EVER have.
For me, a lot of the “allure” of Walleye fishing is the possibility of catching something over 6-8 LB’s. I KNOW I’m not gonna catch a 10LB Bass here in MN! So far, the biggest Bass I’ve caught HERE was just shy of 6 lbs, and the locals thought I should MOUNT IT! (lol)
(I’ve got 4 over 8Lb’s & one that went over 10! Thats what FLA does to Bass. Make them Bigger! lol)
Anywho, although Bass fishing “ain’t all that exciting” here in MN I have found that the Crappie, Walleye, Northerns, & Trout are!
Techniques for Walleye: Fish rivers & streams if you can! I have found that MN fishermen overlook streams & small creeks because they can’t get there 18FT Lund into them! (lol)
In MN there are 10,000 lakes and 1,000,000,000 people using them! (lol) I’ll bet you may have a similar scenario happening at your local lake system’s? In any case, small streams & creeks are easier to “pattern” and usually hold bigger Walleye.
If you hate jigging get ready to be sad. Trolling worm/lindy riggs, hard plastics, & (drum roll) JIGS are the #1 ways to catch Walleye.
I love jigging Walleye but many people have better luck with a lindy worm rig. I like Jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, and crawlers. But it’s rare I use “bait”. I would start fishing with Berkely “GULP” grub-bodys in black. They are phenomenal!
I have had excellent luck with Yozuri’s “Crystal Minnow’s” at night. (I imagine because of their “wide wobble” characteristics.) If you are getting serious about Walleye expect to fish frequently at dusk and night. They seem to have “lock-jaw” at other times, (UNLESS your fishing at Lac Seul or Dogtooth in Canada). “Perch & Shad colored” baits have worked well for me.
Hope this helps ya somehow? Check my past “starred questions” for further info.
See ya out there!
i to am doing this i hear that they are good with night crawlers on the oconto river the other day this guy pulled 4 walleye off night crawlers it was up by the dam in stiles so there out and they been hitting on night crawlers and a regular hook
Both of the previous answers are good ones,
Some lakes some lures work, and some they don’t.
I have had good luck with the wobble crank baits as mentioned (colors vary) Also whilst fishing in lake Erie a popular method is a heavy weighted spinner called Erie deerie, and Pygmy’s, with a night crawler trailer these can be used (often are) with bottom bouncer weight rigs.
The creek and river suggestion is a good one, My brother and I fished Wolf creek below Cumberland a lot, but I heard it’s being drained to repair the dam, so this might not be a good time for it there.
Wally can be tricky…….
But my Favorite species by far!
When Walleye fishing you must study every asspect of the fish and its surroundings. Walleye will break every fishing rule there is.
I preffer to fish walleye with panfish gear. Sounds crazy but I have caught 8 lb hogs on lightweight spinning with 4 lb test.
I love to slip drift damns with leaches……..allows me to put the bait on his face……
In the large rivers I pole line or handline with heavy gear and what ever bait they are craving…….reef runners/ raps /mr. twister ect.
My fav teqnique of late is 2inch Berkley Gulp grubs…Chartruse or Black……they like flaur orange but the Pike like it better and the floss with my ultra light mono or flauracarbon lines!
always remember how smart walleye are and you will be sucsessfull……….
If anyone is in sth east Mi and wants some honey holes gimme a shout!
How about fly fishing for bass is that fine with you.