DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – As soon as Devils Lake is mentioned, thoughts of unrivaled angling diversity and 100-walleye days immediately come to mind for many anglers. But of all the tactics frequently used on this continually rising reservoir, perhaps none are as effective as the slip-bobber.
Last year, many of the 10 pro finalists chose to employ a slip-bobber rig with live bait. Ultimately, the bobber bite died on day four when 35-mph winds threw a curveball to the field. Pro Dustin Kjelden took advantage of this opportunity and pitched crankbaits for an implausible come-from-behind victory.
Most anglers who fish with the slip-bobber start by simply tying a yellow knot about 5 feet from the end of their line. Next, they place a small red bead on their line followed by a medium-sized slip-bobber. At this point, most pros add on a pre-tied leader in case they break off in one of Devils Lake’s many thousands of underwater trees.
On Monday, FLW Walleye Tour veteran Julia Davis, the only female who fishes professionally on the tour, used this technique on a pod of shallow-water walleyes in thick trees and found modest success.
For Davis, the slip-bobber is a very enjoyable way to fish. The same can’t be said for her husband, pro Rick LaCourse, who doesn’t have the patience to use bobbers.
“I give it 15 minutes, and if I don’t get a bite, I’ll move to a different tree,” said Davis, who believes it will take 15 pounds per day to earn a check. “Usually if they’re there, they’re going to bite. The rule of thumb is that you don’t leave fish to find fish. But if you can’t upgrade, then you’ve got to move areas.”
Davis said the key to finding success is locating trees that give fish access to deep water. For her, the challenge isn’t necessarily finding keepers, it is finding kickers.
“I can put five in the boat, but we haven’t seen the big ones yet.”
Another effective method is casting crankbaits, especially when the wind blows. While this can be an arduous task, the rewards are fruitful. Pro Phillip Milliser chose this method while prefishing Tuesday. On this day, Milliser was casting an assortment of shallow-water crankbaits with his wife, Julie.
Milliser, who placed second on Devils Lake in 2004 with a four-day total of over 95 pounds, said one of the ingredients to successful crankbait fishing is finding wind-swept areas. Commonly known as the Pickleman, Milliser explained that the wind positions baitfish, which walleyes will follow and gorge. In addition, choppy waves cut down on light penetration, which typically results in active fish.
Much like Davis, Milliser hasn’t had any problems locating fish; he just isn’t satisfied with their size. However, he said things change daily on this prairie pond.
“One time you come into a spot and go nuts, the next time you’ll come to the same spot and there will be nothing,” said the Plymouth, Ind., pro.
Logisitics
As many as 150 pros and 150 co-anglers will take on Devils Lake for their share of a $503,300 purse, including as much as $100,000 for the winning pro and $18,000 for the winning co-angler.
Grahams Island State Park, located at 152 N. Duncan Road in Devils Lake, will host daily takeoffs each morning at 7 Central. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 210 Highway 2 W. in Devils Lake beginning at 4 p.m. The community is invited to attend daily takeoffs and weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public.
Pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day and fish for a combined boat weight. Pros compete against other pros, and co-anglers compete against other co-anglers. The full field competes during the three-day opening round for one of 10 final-round slots based on their three-day accumulated weight. Weights carry over to day four, with the winner determined by the heaviest four-day weight.
Every angler who receives weight credit in a tournament earns points, with 150 points awarded to the winner, 149 to second, 148 for third, and so on. These points determine angler standings. The top 50 pros and 50 co-anglers, based on year-end points standings, will advance to the 2006 FLW Walleye Tour Championship.
Wednesday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:37 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 59 degrees
Expected high temperature: 75 degrees
Water temperature: 60-66 degrees
Wind: NNE at 10 mph
Maximum humidity: 51 percent
Day’s outlook: mostly sunny