Blog
Tailrace Tactics
Ah, Springtime, Tailraces, and Walleyes. For those of us in the North Country, the first open water opportunity of the year. What a perfect combination of ingredients for a fun and productive outing. The level of your success can be largely determined by your ability to present baits effectively, right up tight to the Dam.
Spring Rise
Well, it is now official-Spring has finally broke Winter’s tenacious grip. With the resulting snow melt, water is flowing and collecting everywhere. In many cases, where folks would prefer it didn’t; thus causing considerable damage, and at the very least some major inconveniences.
Spring Preparations
Although the calendar has indicated Spring for some time; after a couple of false starts- (warm weather followed by unwelcome blizzards)-it looks as though old man winter may be finally loosening his steely cold grip on us. With warming winds, the air filled with the sounds of geese, and robins bouncing around…it looks as though we can officially declare Spring’s arrival.
Spin “Doctoring”
Most of you are more than well aware of the proven fact that spinners work well on walleye’s. Drag them through a respectable amount of fish, and you can reasonably expect positive results. Rigging options are numerous; tradition dictates bottom bouncers for us in the Dakotas, but they work anywhere in the water column and with any delivery system. Inline and Snap weights, Lead Core line, Dispy’s, etc.,
Smell the Burning Leaves
As outdoorsman we are now in the period of Fall’s great bounty. Most of our Hunting seasons are now or soon to be open. Pheasant Hunting of course being the biggest draw for us and the countless numbers of Foreigners that have discovered our wonderful natural resources.
Skinny Can Mean Fat…
By skinny, I am referring to depth of water. The contradicting term fat, corresponds to the oversized mature fish you will often find in the form of dominant predators, such as Pike, Bass, and Walleye’s-in Northern latitudes. Just enough water to float a fish, will keep them perfectly content-and even more so-when there is a security blanket of ice directly above them.
Simple and Subtle Equals Success
As we enter the early stages of yet another hardwater (ice) fishing season; many of us with a curious and experimental nature begin to ponder new and improved ways in which to put our intended quarry on the sunny side of the ice. Our thoughts quickly turn to finding a “hot” lure to help us with this quest. Unfortunately, these are truly hard to come by.
Search and Ye Shall Find
If you’ve spent much time fishing during summer; you’ve undoubtedly experienced sporadic catches. Don’t just chalk this up to the Dog Days of Summer and throw in the towel until cooler temperatures prevail.
Rub a Dub Chub
A large, lively chub is by far, my favorite of all live-bait options for Walleyes. It’s true, big bait does equal big fish. If they were readily available during the summer months, and easier to keep alive: I can guarantee you that my boat would never leave the trailer without them.
Reservoir Reversal
Ever notice how when targeting walleye’s on larger Reservoirs, the action will steadily improve to a fever pitch as early Summer progresses, only to seemingly come to an abrupt stop over the course of just a few days. This is particularly true in Reservoirs that are deep enough to support large forage bases such as Shad, Smelt, and even Herring.
Dog Day Dilemma
The dilemma many us face during the Dog Days of August and September is whether to expend the time and energy (not to mention the sweat) chasing Walleyes during a period that typically isn’t thought of as conducive to catching large numbers of fish.
Reflections on the Dog Day Dilemma
Once the calendar rolls around to August and September, fishing for walleye’s on most bodies of water becomes decidedly tougher. The weather is typically hot, often muggy, and most folks experience sporadic success…often at best. There are a variety of theories and excuses as to why this is-interestingly-most of them hold little water… The common conclusion ends up being; the fish are just not biting.
