In Between Walleye

[rps]

By this time, 99% of the walleye in Table Rock, Beaver, Bull Shoals and probably Stockton have spawned. For most anglers, they then disappear until mid May. The jerk bait and minnow tipped jig bite dwindles, but catching them with harnesses or trolling cranks do not produce as well as they do later. We know they are in the lake. We know they feed. Heck, we know they are ravenous after the spawn. Where are they?

The only answer I have found is to go bass fishing. Yes, I wrote bass fishing.

When the walleye finish spawning the water is still cool. 55 to 65 degrees on top. At depth, it is cooler. The daylight hours are still shorter than summer. Bait fish are shallow and waiting for the time to spawn. You have heard the expression "Follow the money." Follow the bait. Walleye will frequent ambush locations shallower than you expect. Creek edge points and rocky swings of channel, especially with trees or willows on flats when the water is high, all become walleye hangouts. Look for changes on changes (an old Fishing Facts term). A boulder on a creek edge. A creek that flows into a bank and makes an indentation.

Look for these kind of places and bass fish with Neds, paddle tails, small creature baits, small spinnerbaits and such. Try SLOW fishing light C-rigs with a Fish Doctor or a float plus crawler Lindy rig. Work the water from 3 feet to 15 feet. You will catch bass. And that is a good thing. Turn them loose and keep fishing. You will not find a big school of walleye; they will be scattered. However you will  pick up a keeper walleye or two.

I hope this helps you.

[Quillback]

Thanks - I fished the lower end of Beaver yesterday, no eyes but some smallies.  I do expect to start picking up some random walleye soon.