Winter Wallies

[jigfisherx]

Stopped bye the dam Tuesday evening just to see if anything was happening. Running water at 90 according to swpa. There is still ice at the ramp but it should be open in a few days. We did'nt check the temp but were told 36F. We had no bites fishing below the handicap dock and only saw one other fisherman

across the channel. We talked to some guys that had been catfishing with no luck. Just wondering if anyone else has been down. We will try again in about a week or so.

[shaker]

Need to get rid of that dang ice and get the water to warm up a bit and things will start to happen. I bet there is all kinds of fish there just waiting for a fish hook with a tasty morsel on it.

[Randall]

When do the Walleyes really start to turn on? I only ever caught one and that was while fishing for hybrids in '08. I've seen guys just catching the fire out of em and I just couldn't figure it out.

[shaker]

I wish I knew how to catch the fire out of'em, myself. Mostly catch one now and then although I know that some people do. The best that I have done is usually on dark cloudy days, rain is good (warm rain) and evening. Use enough jig to get to the bottom and drag it along. Take plenty of cheap jigs and cheaper plastic you're going to loose a bunch, my experance anyway. Some people really like the Gulp stuff but I don't seem to do as well with it as small swim baits and twister tails. I would bet that there is plenty walleyes there now just need some warmer water to get them started up.

[jigfisherx]

Randall, I don't anyone who really loads up on walleye around here on a regular basis, but feel like I have caught enough to give you some tips that work for me. We fish the bank alot Don't expect a lot of bites but if you keep at it yuo will figure it out. I fish 6 ft med-lite with a 3 in plastic body on 1/8 to 1/4 oz depending on current. Figure on early and late most of the time. You can pick your color but can't go too wrong with white or chartruse. I catch most walleye on short casts or at the end of the retrieve. As Shaker said be prepared to loose some baits but if it gets too bad, speed up your retrieve or move a few yards. If you keep trying you will find places you can fish w/o too many snags. We have done well this early in past years but it hasn't been this cold. You can catch some from the boat but the best spots are usually taken. Don't be afraid of slack water this time of year, it is not as important as later for whites and wipers. I have caught as many as 6 to 8 in in a trip even with no current.....not the norm. I feel 1 or 2 is a good trip usually.

If you see a fat guy in bibs stop and say hi. Usually have Iowa hawkeye hat on since that is where my son is at school...... good luck