Walleye

[Basfis]

Gave the stickbait walleye bite a try. No good. 

[lmt out]

Way to give it a shot.  It won't be long and it will start up.  I am ready.

[MOPanfisher]

I heard of some jerkbait fish not too long back, but I suspect it takes a few warm days to get it going.  But every day that goes by is one day closer to the magic time, and I hope to spend some time with the rest on the bank slinging my offering to them.

[livingtofish]

I agree it wont be long. Those walleye start moving pretty early up around turnback. I know a guy that says walleye will move much earlier than most think and that around valentines day is about right. With this year being colder than some it may be a little later but he would run up some of the creeks in a jetboat and catch them pretty good. I know why I don't catch them since I am still by the fire then.

[liphunter]

So just between you and I. Besides using a rod and reel, of course, I am assuming you will, what would be your approach to catching Walleye this early in the year. 

[MOPanfisher]

For me personally I don't like jerk baits, I will most certainly do it if necesaary, and try it every spring, but I have low confidence in using them, at least from the bank.  I will however be throwing jigs and or plastic swimbaits.  I like goofy bright colors, or a fairly natural color on occasion.  Fishing from the bank is a little different, you sort of hang your hat on that spot and work it and work it and work it.  If everything is right it can all happen in a 10 to 15 minute window. Or not at all.  The nice warm south wind days are not my friend, too many other people out there.  Give me a cold, cloudy, rainy, raw evening with a north wind.  JACK WEATHER, and sometimes I still don't catch squat, but sometimes I do, that's why it fun.

[MNtransplant]

On 2/4/2018 at 12:55 PM, MOPanfisher said:

I heard of some jerkbait fish not too long back, but I suspect it takes a few warm days to get it going.  But every day that goes by is one day closer to the magic time, and I hope to spend some time with the rest on the bank slinging my offering to them.

@MOPanfisher when is this magic time? Sounds fun!

[MOPanfisher]

Starting mid March through mid April seems to be the best.  By then I have abandoned them to crappie fish or throw crankbaits from the boat at wallys.  Water temp around 50 degrees is supposed to be the trigger bUT I have a tendency to just go when I can during that time.  Seems like early on its just walleye and the occasional bass, toward the end of it white bass seem to be more prevalent which is still a heck of a lot of fun, and makes a tasty supper too.

[waterpossum]

It can turn on in a hurry, esp. in the rivers if we can get some much needed rain. A nice 2" downpour should kick start the bite.

[MOPanfisher]

You are correct, I have hit the river a couple times when it was on, nice warm rain to make it flow and color up the water without a flood is perfect.  Whites and or wallys good way to spend an afternoon  or evening.