Walleye fishing with worms

[Wilson3144]

Going to try to catch a walleye or two tomorrow afternoon on the flats around state park. Have fishing bull shoals almost exclusively for many years for walleye using just a gold Aberdeen hook, split shot with a fat worm on light line and have done well. This year it's up 40 feet or so and can't even get my boat in at my normal spot. I am reading most are fishing with bottom bouncers to catch their fish. I have used the bouncer in the past with little to no success. My question is would the gold hook and slip shot work or should I rig up the bouncer for maximum success? Thanks to all in advance!!!

[LoweSTX175]

Wilson - two things that have worked for me are larger crankbaits that I can get down to about 15 + FOW while trolling at about 2 MPH in about 20 FOW. The other is using a bottom bouncer with a death rig that has both the beads as well as a spinner on it. Also consider taking a bouncer and the put a floating jig head on about a 2-3 foot leader with a grub. The floating head will keep the grub off the bottom enough for the fish to see it. Depending on the depth you want to run? I have jumped up to a 2 OZ bouncer which should be fine for 20 FOW.

As far as death rigs, I just started using them this year. Not only did I pick up walleye, but I also had the small mouth hitting them. The key in my opinion with them is to troll slow at about 1 MPH. Also consider putting a lindy floater on them to keep them off the bottom as well.

Hope this helps.

[MOPanfisher]

Wilson, you will never know if you don't try it.

[slab slinger]

YouTube Midwest Angler. Stockton Guide JR Oldham has a good vid on summer eyes on Stockton with a jig and crawler. Also has several other good vids on walleye and crappie on his YouTube channel.

Have fun...Hope you nail em good.

[slab slinger]

Sorry guys. Anglers Midwest not Midwest Anglers.

[Wilson3144]

Thanks to all for the info.... Sitting anchored out in front of state park right now hoping my underwater lights draw in something for my wife to catch, while I'm going through my gear putting together different rigs for tomorrow. And it doesn't look like I have enough stuff.... So an early morning trip to bass pro and Hemingways for just the essentials!!!

[kwall]

Wilson , hirein' guides on the lakes I want to fish is best money I've ever spent learning to catch walleyes , 2 I'd recommend -- Bob Bennett and JR Oldham on Stockton -- plus go back thru past posts and duplicate the advice given by others , lots of great people and info on this forum

[showmebassin]

I have had conistantly good results in the last two weeks with a bottom bouncer and slow death rig. This weekend I added a spinnerbait blade because the bites were fewer and further between but still managed a limit. Last week I was trolling with the contour lines, this week I found one spot on a point that produced every time I went over it and had to switch to trolling up the point from deep to shallow. All keepers were in 15 ft of water. We did manage a nice 4.5 lber. Good luck out there, I would second kwall on taking a trip out with Bob Bennett.

[Wilson3144]

Going to have to adjust my location using the bottom bouncer.... Had lucky with it but wrong kind of fish.... Caught several catfish and big blue gill off the points. I started in 20/22 FOW and moved to around 15. Took my wife and she was having fun and didn't want to hunt for the walleye and we were ran off by a good steady rain 30 minutes before dark. We will have grilled catfish and fresh zucchini for dinner tomorrow at least!

I did see several schools of white bass hitting on the surface, but only on top for a minute or so a time and move a lot between each sighting....FYI.

[DADAKOTA]

JR no longer guides. After talking at length with him I wish he was still in the business as I'd love to have him guide me. I have made 2 guide trips on Stockton lake for walleye with 2 different guides. No keeper walleye were caught on either trip. Learned nothing new as both guides utilized jig and crawler and concentrated on main lake points. Trolled flats with crankbaits after the points didn't produce. Both methods and locations were things I already do. Disappointed to say the least.