Walleye Express

99% of the time I'm fishing the inner bay and only in waters 19 feet or less. When I bought my Grady White 14 years ago, the last owner told me he'd throw in all 4 electric downriggers for $100.00 each. I told him to take them off, they'd just get in my way. Downriggers in essence are not neccessary to get the bait offerings in the walleyes zone in that shallow of water. Most guys using them have them mounted for salmon fishing and seldom take them off. So why not utilize them when and if you can.

Watch these U-tube videos if the reality isn't quit clear to everyone yet. http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=3900

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20091202&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=912020803&Ref=PH&Profile=1319 http://freep.com/article/20091203/NEWS06/912030543/1319/

In essence there is no right or wrong answer. I do of course have a theory and my way that works best for me. But each fisherman uses his own techniques to land his fish. Some may even be dictated by the size and configuration of your boat. But first a disclaimer. I know (or at least from what I've read all summer) Frank 90% of the time uses mostly heavy bottom bouncers to get down in deep water, ahead of and teamed with harnesses when fishing. These will IMO both change the angled dynamics of the fishes fight and make a walleye act different when hooked, fought and landed near the boat. I on the other hand (in most cases) use mostly light crankbait's, free of any other weight (other then occassional light keels), that might act as a fulcrum or lever for the fish to work against and get off. This is why IMV you/I need to hold the rod high, to act as a buffer to the fishes thrashings, rather near the surface or deep under it. Especially if we're talking strictly walleye, I have to be the one thorn in the side of Frank's theory. Fact one IMV. What I've proven to myself in all these years of chartering and trolling, is the longer a walleye is on, the more chance of it's getting off. Walleye have a hard bone/webb skinned mouth. They wear quickly a bigger hole in their lips/jaws from the hooks as they fight their way in, especially at faster trolling speeds that generate more/heavier drag. The least bit of slack, a stiff/straight rod without a proper set drag setting, or without the tempered cushion from a rod held high, and he'll either spit the hook out the big hole he's made or pulls it out from uncushioned force. That's also why I never pump a walleye in. Fact two IMV. Most walleyes of small to medium size will come to the top soon after being hooked, especially when trolling cranks 1.8 or faster. 1.8 or faster is a fast speed for Bottom bouncer and harness users. Again, with the crank, no heavy weight ahead of the fish to keep him turned down even slightly when being fought. And to slow your retrieve down, or straighten the rod to let them go back down is IMV a waist of time, invites and allows "fact one" to happen. Rod high and direct the fish were you want him for netting. Slow/steady pressure while reeling steadily, while bowing to the fish with the rod when neccessary, allowing no slack when and if the fish gets some unexpected energy, is still the best way IMHO.

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > Dec. 1, 2009 > > Contact Jim Dexter 269-685-6851 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 > > > Michigan DNR to Assists Illinois on Asian Carp Project > > The Department of Natural Resources will send a crew of fisheries > technicians and fish-killing chemicals to Illinois this week as part of > an assault on Asian carp populations in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship > Canal that threaten to make their way into the Great Lakes. > > The large exotics, which escaped from agricultural facilities in the > South and have become established in the Mississippi and Illinois > Rivers, are able to out-compete native species and pose a dire threat to > the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. The fish have been kept out of the > Great Lakes by a $9 million electric barrier, though recent DNA testing > of water samples suggests the fish have breeched the barrier and are a > mere seven miles from Lake Michigan. > > The electrical barrier is scheduled to be deactivated for necessary > maintenance for several days in December. The Illinois Department of > Natural Resources plans to kill the carp in a stretch of the canal below > the electrical barrier with rotenone, a natural substance, before the > barrier is shut down. > > “We jumped on board the minute Illinois requested assistance with > this project because the potential of these fish getting into the Great > Lakes could be ecologically devastating,†said DNR Lake Michigan Basin > Coordinator Jim Dexter. “If they do get in, they could wreak havoc on > the Great Lakes and its tributaries.†> > Bighead and silver carp feed on plankton. Bigheads are capable of > consuming up to 40 percent of their body weight in plankton daily and > can reach weights of 80 pounds. Fisheries officials believe they could > drastically alter the food chain in the Great Lakes and out-compete > native species for habitat. > > The DNR will send six technicians and three boats from Plainwell and > Pontiac as well as most of the department’s inventory of rotenone and > potassium permanganate, which neutralizes rotenone, to Illinois for the > project. > > “Given the potential environmental damage these fish can do to the > Great Lakes, we think getting on board with this project is a > no-brainer,†Dexter said. > > The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, > accessible use and enjoyment of the State’s natural resources for > current and future generations.

Thank's guys. When I vowed this past September to fish and explore more the lower Saginaw River nearer my house both day and night, and explore more the fall trolling posibilites on the bay, I never thought it would produce so many new techniques, lure choices, great new spots and so many great fish. What a ride.......

Looking at the 10 days forecast, today may have been the last hoorah for Bay trolling this fall. Water temps today were 41 degrees. That's real close to making some thick water.

Today may have been the best day all fall long for my Brother Dave and I fishing on the Bay. It was like a walleye fishermans dream and literally off the HOOK. Our FireTiger Zuris and Silver Shiner Bombers were kicking azz and taking names today. We caught Daves limit in the first 30 minutes. Mine (minus one) in the next 30 minutes. Then we caught and released 8 more walleyes, missed 3 behind the boat and landed 2 MONSTER PIKE. Then on the last fish to make my limit in the livewell and end the 3 hour trip, I told Dave to throw back the fish in my livewell, because I wanted to get some rest before heading back up to Tawas tonight for some white fish with Reel Fishin. The pictures may be mixed up a bit because I took 20 of them in the 3 short hours we fished. :D

Like Pike, a walleyes eye's are located on the top of his head. In general, their line of sight is even with and above their chin. They have to physically adjust their body's (tail up) to see anything flat on the bottom. They are geared to attack from below in most cases. And look for the silhouette of baitfish swimming above them, especially at night. So running them shallow and above them is always the best idea.

Wulp, the hooking was decent tonight. But the landing part suffered badly. I went 2 for 7 on the whites. I mean I had some nice fish right at the top of the water tonight and they would simply come un-buttoned before Reel Fishing could get a stab at them with the net. I also caught a nice walleye on a (you guessed it) Firetiger Yo-Zuri. I casted a #9 Rapala for a while and a few other choices. Put the Zuri on and the 3rd cast "bang". Reel Fishin on the other hand suffered the fate I usually do when we go together. He fished his guts out, but only went 1 for 2 on whites and no walleyes. But as usual we had fun trying and ate some killer smoked whitefish I did up from the last trip. :D

Wulp, me and the brother got back on track at daylight early this morning, as he had to meet his buddy at 1:00pm for their trip to the thumb to deer hunt. When we got to the spot, I let him put his side out first and then I tried to get mine out. I was putting out the thrid and last line on the inside, when the two outside boards slamed back almost at the same time. My immediate first thought was "Oh No! not a SNAG". But nope, two decent walleyes. 20 minutes later my inside board goes and the brothers outside board goes at the same time. Another double comes to net. Then we had a rash of double rips, but the fish would not hook up. I mean Bury the board rips. In fact by the end of the trip we had 9 rips with most coming as doubles. The last rip broke the brother line and took the Fire Tiger Zuri he borrowed from me. We ended up going 8 for 15 (if you count the rips) as we only got to play that one that broke the line for any length of time. The day as you can tell was kinda chilly this morning. 34 degrees at the ramp. But it ended up being 48 when we quit. :D

Yuppers,. Tawas Pier. 68 miles form my driveway to the parking lot at the base of the pier. And yes I was in MY new lucky spot.

Went 5 for 9 tonight in 3 hours on the pier. Some real nice Big whites with a few spawners finally showing up. I slapped 2 off the hook with the net because it was hard as hell to see them with the drizzle and the waves hitting the sea wall. And lost 2 on that Glow Tommy Harris Ajitator baited with 1 wax worm on each hook. They simply come un-hooked before I could even get the net. I don't think the hooks that come on them have enough shank length to get deep enough into the white fishes mouth far and get a good hook hold. Perch would be a different story. Also watched an older couple land 6 dandy walleyes right behind me casting into the marina with #12 Huskys and reeling Real Slow. Not sure if these are going into the smoker or being cleaned and saved for frying. I was going to try and pickle some. But I better wait for a night where I can bring home a limit to make sure I have enough flesh for the gallon jar.

Hey Nick, guess who? Your welcome as much here as you were on SagBay. So who do you first mate for in Linwood?

Tell walleye guy congrats from me or maybe he'll post it on my board as well. You guys sure put in the time on the river. That must be the twin sister to my brothers 13 pounder. I hope it's going on the wall like his is. They are great to catch, nice to see, mount and display, but the fleah takes on a little "WANG" taste anything over 5 pound IMV.

Good job Ken. Catch them on Yo-Zuris? :p;)

Lucky for me I have 2 boats that I fish out of. The BIG boat has to be winterized or my luck would dictate that Mother Nature would surely bring on the freeze by November, freeze and crack both blocks. Kinda like if you want it to rain, wash your car. Don't want it to rain, wear your rain gear. It's all a plot against us. ;)

I've persoanlly heard that there is one guys netting them and they are supposed to not taste to bad.

I'm researching that right now Joe. When and if the professor gets back to me I'll let you know. Research: Invasive Carp Biology and Management | Sorensen Lab | College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences |.

Adam. That may have just been another carp species of some sort. I caught a specie of Buffalo carp last year on the Saginaw, and thought it was a Big Head myself until the DNR identified it. Big Heads and Silvers are also both Plancton filter feeders, so it's my guess that nobody caught that dumpster turd conventionally on hook and line. And few (if any) people I've ever seen will take the time to pick up a dead carp to simply toss it in the dumpster. I hope enough people know what these things at least kinda look like so if any of them do show up they call the DNR like I did to report it. These fish may be the most serious threat to our Great lakes then anything we've seen up until now. They need to poison their natal river on a regular basis and install a permanent (leak proof) barriers NOW before it's to late for all of us.

Tommy sent me a few last year, but to late to try ice fishing. I cut the #10 hook off with side cutters, installed a split ring myself and put on bigger hooks to try jigging for walleye this ice season. I'm thinking they might even work jigged in the river in open water. The colors he uses are even better when viewed in real time. But like you said in another post, so many lures and so little time.

No, It's not that pain in the Azz brother in law of yours I'm talking about. It's the jigging Ajitators from our friend Tommy Harris. These little rascles IMV will be perfect for walleye dead rod presentations during ice season. And has "Killer Perch Lure" written all over them, especially during the ice fishing season coming up. I also see them as a Lake Simcoe Perch killer as well. Small but heavy to get back down in that deep water fast. And their Sculpin-like shape design will bring those Simcoe perch a running IMV. Heres the link to see all the killer colors. http://www.tommyharrisblades.com/Ajitator.html

Brother just called. Took the walleye to Jacks Meat Market. Certified weight was 12 pounds 12 ounces. He's getting it mounted. Yes:D

Yup, that's the brother LUCKY DAVE. I show him where to fish, how to fish, sell him the Yo-Zuris at the ramp that he used this morning before we launched, and he kicks my AZZ in front of a charter client. Then he asks me if I want to clean and smoke this monster, because mounting it costs to much. Oh......the humanity. I feel like throwing a WHITE BASS in his gunnel.

Had a charter this morning with one of our new board members on my site, who decided fishing with me just once wasn't enough. Jim, from down near detroit owns his own Ranger fishing boat and spends a lot of time on the detroit river fishing for walleyes. But wanted to reduce the learning curve for the Saginaw River and the Bay by chartering me a few times. Me and Jim limited out a few weeks ago on the river casting and jigging and he was back again today to see if I could show him my Zuri program he's been reading about. Unlike the last few bay trips, the weather wasn't all sunshine and lolly-pops. But instead we had thick clouds, drizzle and a stiff WSW wind. It did make for some precise attention to detail in the boat handling when running 6 rods and only 2 guys in the boat, but we got her done. Boxed 10 nice walleyes ourselves. Called the brother over to our spot after we found the fish and he and his girlfriend had 9 in the boat when we left using the Zuris he bought off me this morning at the ramp. One they caught he guessed at 10 pounds, but I guessed it at 8 from where I took the picture from, with my camera, a ways away. And indeed this particular fish was about 8 pounds. But just now as I was writing this post the brother pulled into my driveway telling me about the bigger one he caught after we left him on the Bay. My brother has not seen that many Huge walleyes, so I figure (like the other one) it's a nice fish but no real MONSTER. Holy crap was I wrong. :eek: :eek: This brute was 32 inches long and had a girth almost the same as the length. Then he says do you want it to smoke? I tell him he's nuts if he don't get it mounted. It's anybodies guess rather he will or not.