Ask the Walleye Pro: Bill Leonard
Q: How do you change your tactics as the water cools down and turnover is only a few weeks away? What are your go-to baits for fall walleyes? Is it possible to catch walleyes after turnover?
-Tyler, Cable, Wis.
A: Tyler, I start to look for deeper fish as fall approaches. Now, deeper is relative to your lake; some lakes it may be 20 feet, and on some reservoirs it may be 50 feet. One of my favorite ways to fish late in the season is with creek chubs on a Lindy Rig. I also think turnover is overrated. The biggest problem you can run into is dirty water and baitfish repositioning on break lines. Don’t worry about turnover; just keep an eye on your electronics to keep track of the bait. I like to use leadcore with rattling baits like Berkley’s Frenzy.
Q: Is there really any difference between using a Lindy Rig and a bottom bouncer? It seems to me that both are designed to simply keep your live bait near the bottom. Are there times when one is more effective than the other?
-Hoghunter, Waverly, Iowa
A: Mr. Hoghunter: There is a major difference between the two. The Lindy Rig is a finesse rig; it lets the fish run with your bait with no resistance before making your hook set. The bottom bouncer is a rig designed to keep you on the bottom, but also to keep you from getting hung up in the rocks.
Q: Do you think it is possible for both muskies and walleyes to coexist in the same lake? I’ve heard that the muskies eat all the young walleyes. Some members of my lake association have teamed to keep as many muskies as legally possible in an effort to improve the walleye fishing. What is your opinion?
-Nick, Northern Wis.
A: Yes, they can share the same water. A muskie doesn’t pass up a baby sheephead to get a baby walleye. Yes, they will eat baby walleyes if they have the chance, but so will bass. My home lake is a great example: About 15 years ago, muskies were introduced, yet the walleye population has not changed. Plus, we can catch up to 50-inch muskies.
Q: What lakes recommendations do you have for walleye fishing without a boat? I like to fish from shore as much as possible, but I’ve never caught a walleye from shore. What’s my best bet?
-Stranded on shore
A: My advice is to fish areas where there is water movement, such as creeks or rivers coming into the lake. If you have waders and a tube, wading at night is an excellent method for stalking walleyes. I like to cast a shallow-water Frenzy or the new Berkley Blade Dancer. Two other options are live bait on a slip-bobber or a chub on the bottom.
Bill Leonard has been fishing as a professional walleye angler for the past 16 years. Leonard, an Estherville, Iowa, native, has fished the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour for the past five seasons and has finished in the top 10 five times. In 2004, Leonard finished in the 10th place in the FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year standings and has consistently placed near the top of the standings throughout his career. His favorite techniques for tricking the elusive marble-eye are jigging and trolling. His sponsors include Ranger Boats, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lindy Fishing Tackle, Off Shore Tackle, Soo Sports, Frenzy Crankbaits and Aqua Innovations.