Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Secrets

Sign up for FREE Walleye Fishing Tips


• Sign up for a Complimentary Copy of My Report Called "Secret Sauce: The Bait Recipe for More and Bigger Walleyes."


• PLUS, you also get a complimentary subscription to my exclusive email publication, jam-packed with loads of "under-the-radar" walleye fishing tips that can help you to catch walleyes fast!

Contour Trolling  |  Fishfinder Tips  |  Jigging Tips  |  Crankbait Tips  |  Trophy Walleyes  |  More Reports...


Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Update


River Walleye

Techniques for Catching River Walleye

Slip-Bobbers and Night Crawlers

As you may be aware, slip-bobbers are produced in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many anglers favor foam or wood, but it may be beneficial for you to experiment a little and see which is the most effective for you.

Walleyes love live bait and nightcrawlers are widely recognized as great bait to use.

Although a slip-bobber is not the only option for live bait, it is a particularly good one.

This presentation is at its most successful when used from the bank or, if possible, wading. You will want to cast upstream and watch your line as it gradually glides downstream. Keep an eye on the line to ensure that remains nice and taught, if not you may need to make some minor adjustments.

Leadheads and Leeches

Leeches are another favorite temptation for walleye. This is one of the simplest presentations for anglers. For example, there is no need to use anything other than the jig and the leech. However, some anglers do feel that adding some color aids there efforts. In this instance, you may find it helpful to place a piece of a plastic grub on the hook before the leech.

This presentation can prove extremely successful in shallow waters, but that is not to say that it cannot perform in the deep sections. In fact, a vertical presentation can be used to reach walleye that are more than 8 feet deep. However, in this circumstance, it is imperative that you use a heavy jig (1 ounce or more in weight), which will keep your line beneath your boat.

Spinner Rig and Minnows

Numerous anglers choose to craft their own spinner rig, but you can also purchase a ready-made one from any good tackle shop.

Typically, a spinner rig and its minnow are used in conjunction with a medium/fast rod action and are trolled. Most anglers suggest that it is best to keep the rod in motion, in the region of 1 foot from the riverbed. This can be achieved in a number of ways including a bait walker, weighted wire, in-line keel sinker and three-way swivel. Your decision over which option is best for you may depend upon the depth of the river or the flow of the current.

Unlike slip-bobbers, spinner rigs are best used in trolling off the back of the boat, which is best achieved when moving upstream. This presentation allows you the opportunity to catch one of the more active and aggressive walleye. However, while it is advisable to troll through runs, it is not a good idea to troll through riffles even at 6 feet.

Boost Your Walleye Catch Rate

Sign up for Your FREE Copy of the Secret Sauce Walleye Bait Recipe Report!