CATEGORY / Blog

By www.lake-erie-walleye-charters.com

One shortcut involves the type of jigs and lures that you use. Active Walleye enjoy heavy weed cover, especially during the summer months. The weeds are where the Walleye can hide from the bait fish, yet still be close enough to swoop in on their prey.

One type of jig that is very effective when fishing weed beds for Walleye is a swimming jig. Swimming walleye jigs Swimming jigs have a long, flat design, so that they glide through the weeds instead of getting snagged. These jigs may even slide over underwater obstructions, such as limbs and shelves. Vary the jigging speed you use around the edges of the weed beds.

Start out with a slow jigging motion, and if this does not get results slowly increase the tempo until you get some hits. Another method that you can use to catch Walleye that are hiding in the weeds is to go with the old standby, the crankbait.

Depth Charge Stalker Crankbaits are great for working weeds. This method works best early in the season, when the weeds are not extremely tall. Flick the crankbait out over the weed bed, and then rapidly reel it in. The rapid movement of the bait can tempt nearby Walleye into hitting. The clarity of the water and the light level will also be factors in determining which baits and techniques to use: If the water is dark or there is not much light, brighter colors will normally work better. The colors will stand out in the darker waters against the weeds, making it more attractive.

In clear waters and high light conditions, try to use darker baits that are more naturally colored. Look at the available food which the Walleye can get to, and use lures and bait that is close to these natural food sources.

One jig that has the confidence of many Walleye pros is the Slo-Poke WeedMaster jig. This jig offers a fiber weed guard which will prevent the jig from getting snagged in the weeds. Instead this jig glides smoothly through the weeds, taking the bait where you want it positioned.

The time of day will also have an influence on whether the weed beds will be productive, although these natural hiding spots for Walleye will usually hold a few fish regardless of what time of day or night you’re fishing.

During hot summer afternoons when the sun is out, weed beds will hold much larger numbers of fish because they are trying to get away from the bright light and higher water temperatures.

The first decision to make is whether you will be using a side pointing model, one that points downward, or a fish finder that offers both with multiple devices on one system.

Side pointed models do not show the bottom structure of the water, and only fish and underwater structures which are off the bottom will appear. many professionals suggest using a fish finder which offers a liquid crystal display unit, instead of the older cathode ray tube models.

LCD displays offer smaller display units and better graphics. Before using the fishfinder to fish with, spend a day on the water without fishing at all. Get comfortable with the fish finder you have purchased, and map out spots where you see good fish activity.

Resolution and contrast are also important, because these will determine how clearly the fish are marked on the display.

Choose a model that offers high pixel numbers both vertically and per square inch. This will allow you to locate fish even when they are grouped close together or located next to underwater structure or the bottom.

Digital displays will allow you to determine the exact depth of the fish, so that you have a good understanding of the depth needed when fishing to get right on the Walleye.

Using a fish finder that has the ability to display the water temperature can also be a great way to locate the Walleye.

These fish prefer cooler waters, and the temperature display will allow you to determine where water temperature is ideal for the Walleye.

This can improve your success rate significantly, just by alerting you to water that may seem ideal for Walleye, but that in reality is too warm in the current conditions.

This feature can have a big impact on locating and catching the Walleye.

It will also help you catch more fish in the future when you log the temperature in your fishing log.

These pieces of equipment can be an important weapon in the arsenal of any Walleye angler, but they do not work very well in shallow waters. This means that fishing along the shore where the water is not deep, such as when the Walleye are spawning, is not the best time to get the most out of a fish finder.

Side pointing models are better than bottom pointing devices in this situation though, because the side pointing units may show the fish suspended in the shallow waters while bottom pointing units will normally not show these fish.

A fish finder will not help you catch more Walleye, but it can help you locate them so that you are more productive and successful while fishing because you are guided right to where the Walleye are.

The DNR for your state usually has a list of all fishing tournaments taking place in the state, and you can access this information either online or by contacting your local DNR department.

Thankfully, registering for a Walleye tournament is not hard to do either.

Contact the person or organization listed to determine how to register. Make sure to read the rules and regulations carefully. Determine how many anglers can be in the boat, what the limits are, and how long the tournament lasts.

Registering usually consists of showing or sending proof of any necessary fishing license, plus filling out the registration form and paying the required registration fee. The specifics for each tournament are different, with different rules, costs, and fees required.

Preparing for a Walleye fishing tournament is the hard part, because finding and registering for the tournament just requires some research and paperwork.

The only way to prepare for a tournament is to practice at the tournament lake or river. Fishing the area before the tournament will give you knowledge and experience of the area, so you are better positioned to understand where the best fishing areas are.

Determine a tournament strategy beforehand, while on the lake, so that you can determine where you will fish during the tournament. Take note of the underwater structure, areas which have high numbers of baitfish, and any promising weed beds. Look at the natural food sources that the Walleye eat, because bait which is similar will probably have the most chance ofsuccess. Look at the expected weather for the tournament days, so you can fine tune your strategy to take weather conditions into account.

Make sure you have a wide range of lures in your tackle box, as well as all the necessary accessories like extra line and other tackle.

This will allow you to be prepared for any conditions or eventuality.

Walleye tournaments are not just for professional anglers, most tournaments are open to anyone who is willing to register, pay the fees required, and fish during the tournament. If you enjoy Walleye fishing and you believe you are good at it, entering a Walleye tournament may be a unique experience that is very enjoyable.

There are many of these tournaments around the country each year, so it is just a matter of finding the right Walleye tournament in your area, entering, and then having fun. A Walleye tournament can be a great way to challenge your fishing skills and have fun, plus have a chance to win money or prizes.