Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Update
Walleye Fishing Tactics for All Seasons
Using Crankbaits, Jigs, Spoons and More to Catch Walleye
As a relatively unpredictably behaved fish, walleye makes for an interesting challenge for the most experienced of anglers. It is also the desired catch of beginners who are able to take the opportunity to experiment and practice with a range or techniques while finding looking for a successful one.
It is important when fishing for walleye to remain positive and open-minded. If you are having difficulty locating or encouraging the fish to take the bait, rather than get frustrated try again in a new spot of change the technique that you are using. Remember walleye are unpredictable and a technique that proved brilliant yesterday may not go down so well today.
Walleye are found in both rivers and lakes and have a preference for areas of underwater structure. They generally swim around the surface sticking close to the shoreline or hiding amongst weeds and feeding on baitfish. When the sun comes up or if the fish senses danger it will retreat to deeper water, which is where it spends most of its time.
Walleye are cool water fish and sensitive to light so they will mainly be found near the surface once the sun has gone down. The best times for fishing are late evening and early morning. Walleye are aggressive and will eat almost anything including small fish crustaceans, worms and insects.
The most effective and successful walleye fishing technique vary greatly depending on the time of year. During the spring walleye tend to stay in the shallows where they will find a sandy, gravelly surface to spawn. Look for points, humps and ledges and try fishing with small crankbaits, jigs and plastic worms. Bright colours work best this time of year as feeding walleye will go to eat it and walleye protecting its spawn will go to attack it.
Crankbaits, jigs and plastic worms also work well in the summer time but you may have to look a little deeper. Use lures that are as realistic as possible in size, shape, colour and the way they move in the water.
During the fall month's crankbaits, jigs and spoons are amongst the most effective top baits. The walleye will be deeper again but will remain close to structure. The best time of day continues to be when the sun is down, as the fish will still return to the surface to feed.
Jigs, spoons and plastic worms are worth a try in winter but keep movement very slow and the walleye will be fairly inactive in the cold water. It can hard to locate the walleye in the colder months but take your time moving the bait slowly to temp the fish. Walleye are a schooling fish so once you find one the chances are you will be able to catch a number of them.