Ice out Walleyes Q & A.

[Walleye Express]

I was just wondering if we can talk about how to catch walleye after ice out. Like I said before I would love to learn more about it, just not sure where to start. When is the best time to chase them, what time of day and what to use. I do have access to a 14 ft with a 25 horse. Is that enough boat and motor to do the trick? I figured a 14 ft would be fine. I know that alot of guys will troll at night. Im going to buy a new GPS real soon so I can get better aquainted with the saginaw bay. I was out once last year aways out, and man Ill tell ya, Its way different after dark. If it wasnt for the GPS it would have been tough. Even with the lights on shgore at the Comsumers Power, it was still decieving. Thanks for all the help.

jmSmith.

JM.

Here's just a few of the pictures I have of night fishing the Bay that date as far back to 2000. Even one with WalleyeHookups and his step Dad (local celebrity) Mike Avery when we did one of his Outdoor Shows.

I cannot stress safety more then when fishing at night. And if it's in a 12 or 14 footer never overload the boat. Fact is, never overload any boat. Just because it's Coast Guard rated for 4 don't mean it's a good idea. I'd say you and one more man would be plenty in a 14 footer. Never have un-necessary clutter of any kind in the boat where somebody could trip and fall in or out of the boat. Every item should have a place in the boat out of the way and/or secured in some fasion. Carry a good Mag flashlight for signaling other boats when trolling if need be. One of those canned air horns or a police whistle (like I carry) is also a good idea. Wear a head light and buy those clamp on bow and stern lights for your boat if it does not have them now. I've almost ran over several smaller 12 to 14 footers out there in the pitch dark because they do not have any lights on board at all. And knowing where the front of your boat is from the back, tells us both which way he/you/I am trolling so we can both steer to avoid a collision. Mark the end of, as well as every move you make out of the channel you use on your GPS. And then motor straight out to deeper water and mark that to. Then fallow that route back in when your done fishing. Like ice fishing, you do not want to go back to the channel as the Crow flies and hit a sand bar or rock somewhere between the two, but make sure you always have enough safe water under your bow.

The waters you'll fish in general will be shallow, 5 to 15 FOW. Crankbaits such as #18 Rapalas and #14 Husky Jerks will be all you need to get bit. Troll slow to very slow with short leads. .08 to 1.2 for speed most nights, and 40 back in as long as I've ever trolled them back. Some nights 18 to 25 back take more fish. Like any other fishing, experiment, experiment, experiment. Capt. Dan.