walleye questions

[mjk86]

The bottom bouncer is awesome and the info on here is golden i aim for 0.7-1.2mph.  I learned how to do it from the guys on here,  but if your comfortable pulling cranks and using jigs and crawlers. Either of those will work also...see bob Bennett's report.   Especially this time of year draggin cranks around faster than you'd think can produce.  Last week on table rock I didnt get bit trolling cranks 2-2.8mph....sped it up to 3-3.2 and started catching. 

[LoweSTX175]

The bottom bouncer is awesome and the info on here is golden i aim for 0.7-1.2mph.  I learned how to do it from the guys on here,  but if your comfortable pulling cranks and using jigs and crawlers. Either of those will work also...see bob Bennett's report.   Especially this time of year draggin cranks around faster than you'd think can produce.  Last week on table rock I didnt get bit trolling cranks 2-2.8mph....sped it up to 3-3.2 and started catching. 

I always troll cranks at 2 MPH.  I've never really considered going all the way up to 3 MPH.  This is interesting but I guess makes sense.  How did that impact the depth of the crank?  Or did it?  I'm going to give that a try next time when the fish are ignoring me.

[rps]

Good discussion going here. Thought I would throw in a couple of comments.

First, LoweSTS175, there really isn't a wrong way to tie a worm harness, slow death or regular. Some work a little better than others, but all catch fish. I tie them bead, mack's smile blade, bead, float, smallest swivel, slow death hook.

Second, I troll at an ever changing speed - 1.8 to 2.6. When I get hit, I narrow the range to something on both sides of the hit speed, but I still experiment. I remember one trip to Broken Bow in Oklahoma where people could have water skied at the speed the fish wanted.

Third, my experience tells me speed does not affect depth until the speed causes the bait to kick out and lose traction.

BTW, I posted an article on trolling for walleye on Phil's forum some years ago. You might want to take a peek. "Trolling for White River Walleye"

[LoweSTX175]

I'd say there is one way to tie a death rig wrong... and that's without a swivel.  I tried to run a naked death rig (no beads or spinner) straight onto the end of the line straight to a BB.  It made a wound up mess.  I do like to tie my own harnesses.  It sometimes occupies some dead time during the day.  I'm going to try to pick up the pace with my crank troll.  I've been giving my outboard motor a workout trying to go 2 MPH.  3 MPH would be easier for me.

[mjk86]

 

I always trollnks at 2 MPH.  I've never really considered going all the way up to 3 MPH.  This is interesting but I guess makes sense.  How did that impact the depth of the crank?  Or did it?  I'm going to give that a try next time when

[mjk86]

According to precision trolling the speed does not affect depth.  Its all about line out,  line diameter, and lure.   Ive found this to be true unless your bait is out of tune then it will spin up to the surface.  What I typically do is start about 2.2-2.6 (slowest my outboard will take me)  but I zig zag and pump the rods.  This tells me if the fish are showing a speed preference.  Ill speed up or skow down accordingly.   If I have to go much slower than ill switch to the electric motor.  If thats the case ill switch from a longlined crank to a bb.  

[nomolites]

Good discussion going here. Thought I would throw in a couple of comments.

First, LoweSTS175, there really isn't a wrong way to tie a worm harness, slow death or regular. Some work a little better than others, but all catch fish. I tie them bead, mack's smile blade, bead, float, smallest swivel, slow death hook.

Second, I troll at an ever changing speed - 1.8 to 2.6. When I get hit, I narrow the range to something on both sides of the hit speed, but I still experiment. I remember one trip to Broken Bow in Oklahoma where people could have water skied at the speed the fish wanted.

Third, my experience tells me speed does not affect depth until the speed causes the bait to kick out and lose traction.

BTW, I posted an article on trolling for walleye on Phil's forum some years ago. You might want to take a peek. "Trolling for White River Walleye"

RPS is a wise fisher man.....his writings have landed many fish in my skillet.

Mike

[lundone]

For those that troll with large outboards, using a small drift sock on each side near the bow of the boat will let the outboard increase rpm's w/o increasing boat speed.  It also gives better control in windy conditions.

 

[LoweSTX175]

For those that troll with large outboards, using a small drift sock on each side near the bow of the boat will let the outboard increase rpm's w/o increasing boat speed.  It also gives better control in windy conditions.

 

I've also heard of people using buckets as well.  I've got a drift sock and will probably get another one.  My motor goes at 2 MPH but it is right at that point where it will kick out of gear and grind to get the perfect speed.  I had the boat dropped off with Bill Cooper so I should be ready to start the fall troll here in a couple of weeks.

[lundone]

Fished for awhile this afternoon.  Actually had jacket and rain gear on part of the time.  Like August when it is in the 60's, rainy, and windy.  Had 7 walleyes with 2 16" keepers.  About 16 to 20' on slow death and crawlers off bouncers.  The little catfish are still active also.