Ask the Walleye Pro: Eric Olson
Q: I’ve been walleye fishing my whole life and I’ve never even heard of this bait called a willow cat? Is it just a minnow? Where do you get them and when should I be using them?
-Scott, Grand Forks
A: This was one of the main baits used by many of the top anglers at the 2005 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Championship and are used extensively by local river rats on the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River however, is about the only place they’re being used. This fish is a relative to the bullhead and catfish and is found in swampy areas across the state. Bait suppliers get them by seining them and are not easy to find and are therefore usually pricey, going for as much as $12 for a dozen depending on the time of year.
Using them is a matter of trial and error. The primary rig is a slip rig, which is similar to a Lindy Rig. Run 10-pound Trilene XT to a small sinker and tie on a swivel. Then tie an 18-inch snell to a red No. 4 or No. 6 size hook. This set-up allows you to feed the bait to the fish just like a lake presentation.
Baiting is another story. Be careful, being a relative of the bullhead it also has spiked dorsal and pectoral fins with the added bonus of a potent sting that may numb your hand or arm for a while. Not everyone is affected but still be careful! There are special minnow scoops that actually scoop and hold the cats for you, which is a handy little tool.
Locations are usually wing dams on the leading face or front of the wing dam. As current flows at the dam, water at the base will actually create a slow or dead current spot making it easy for the eyes to hang out and wait for incoming dinner. The key is that not all wing dams are good. Look for the ones that have some irregularity to them blowouts, bends and abrupt changes in make up, something to make it an ambush zone.
Once you’ve found a good wing dam, anchor above it and cast sideways or slightly towards the dam. This allows the current to move the bait towards the dam and will stop it once the vertical face is reached. Let the bait sit for a bit then slowly move it in as it moves along the face of the dam. Usually we’ll give each dam about 20 minutes before moving on to the next one.
The most important thing to remember about wing dam fishing is to keep moving and have a “milk run” of dams to fish. The walleyes will move up and down these dams looking for food, you just have to get there when the dinner bell is ringing.
Q: Are you happy the FLW Walleye Tour is returning to Red Wing? Do you like fishing on your home water or is there too much pressure to perform? What kinds of weights are you expecting for the tournament? What will the pros be using as bait?
-WalleyeChaser, Decorah, Iowa
A: Happy is not the word, maybe ecstatic would be better! I think primarily because I can prefish from home with my wife and friends and I can spend all available moments learning more about the water and its little idiosyncrasies. As far as pressure to perform, I think any time you’re fishing against the best anglers in the world there is pressure but over the years you learn to focus on the task at hand and block out the pressure and enjoy the fishing. If you really look at it, we do have one of the best jobs in the world, why not enjoy it?
Weights will probably be, depending on the water level, near 75 pounds for the winner over four days of fishing. To make the top-10 cutoff, around 35 pounds for three days of fishing will be needed. Keep in mind the water level and temperature will play a big role in this one. High water will be challenging for most, and rising water will be challenging for all.
The presentations will be about as diverse as you could possibly get. Anglers will be casting crankbaits, vertically jigging, hand-lining, pitching jigs, and using three-way rigs. If you’ve got it, you better bring it with you or you may be sorry. Hopefully you’ll be coming up to watch the event; it ought to be a blast!
Q: I’ve finally set aside enough money for an underwater camera. What camera do you recommend and why?
-Jeff H., Elk River, Minn.
A: I know the underwater camera is a tool I couldn’t live without. It has in fact helped me find walleyes on many occasions in areas that I thought were just carp and rough fish.
You made the first step, selecting one that suites your needs is the second step and is slightly more difficult. I think portability and ease of viewing are most important to me when it comes to cameras.
Black and white monitors with bigger screens offer far better visibility in most conditions. If sunlight viewing is a constant issue; use the LCD model, it usually will be a smaller screen but allows dramatically improved clarity and reduced washout eliminating the need for a separate sunshield.
Underwater cameras typically range from $200-$600. The models I recommend for first timers are in the $350-$400 area and are the same units that I use everyday. These factors considered, I use an Aqua-Vu Scout SRT. Cameras are a great tool, but be patient if you don’t see fish right away. They work and will make your future fishing trips more successful!
Q: I recently saw the Bull Shoals event on FSN and it was awesome. I saw you land that nice walleye as you and your co-angler went crazy. Your bright red boat and shirt out stood out like a sore thumb. My question is how did you get a great sponsorship like Land O’Lakes and what would recommend to an aspiring pro who is looking for a sponsor?
-Calvin L., Monroe, Mich.
A: If I had a penny for everyone that asked that question I’d be rich, or at least have a ton of pennies! I was very fortunate to be able to start a relationship with Land O’Lakes early on in the sponsor-boat era. This association has developed and grown and the Land O’Lakes people have become like family.
It all started back in 2000 when I fished the MWC with a good friend and fishing partner of mine Jason Przekurat. Having qualified for the championship we found out there was going to be significant coverage for the first time at that event. We thought about what could really set us apart form the competition on stage whether we caught fish or not and came up with our look.
We wore matching shirts embroidered with our sponsors, as well as khaki pants with a belt and decent shoes. Everything was clean and pressed and as it turned out, we won the championship and one of the people in charge of sponsoring anglers was in the audience and the rest is history. However, most sponsors won’t come to you; you must seek them out. Here are five things to keep in mind above all else in the sponsor search.
• Winning tournaments won’t get you a sponsorship. It may open a door or look good on a resume but it will not land a sponsor.
• You are a sales tool. If you obtain a sponsor, never forget that you are there to help them sell more products, making them successful and in turn making you successful.
• It won’t happen overnight. Don’t expect sponsors to lay down the world at your feet when you walk in the door.
• It’s what you can do for your sponsor, not what they can do for you.
• A sticker does not a sponsorship make. A sticker on a truck or vehicle alone is not worth much; it’s what you do with yourself that makes small short-term sponsorships bigger, long-term ones.
I think the best way to start is to put together a resume. Include jobs, fishing accomplishments as well as seminars, fishing events that you’ve helped at and boat dealers that you may have helped sell product for. Place it in a nice folder with all your information.
Next, think about all the things that you normally buy for fishing or use yourself on a regular basis. It’s much easier to sell something you like and use than something you’ve never tried before. List them in priority of what you’ll want to develop into a long-term relationship.
Finally, call your potential sponsors and ask for a small amount of time to discuss their business and some opportunities that you may have for them. Once you start landing sponsors keep a detailed log on where you go and what you do that would be pertinent to each sponsor. At the end of the year compile the information and submit it to your sponsors, highlighting areas that are important for each sponsor separately, this saves reading time and will let the sponsor know you are working for them.
From there watch how you conduct yourself both on and off the water. You never know who might be a potential sponsor or knows someone that might think you’re worth a look to run a bright yellow butter boat like mine!
Eric Olson has been fishing the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour for the past five years. In 2003, the Red Wing, Minn., native placed in the top-10 two times, including a third place finish at the Illinois River. In his career, Olson has earned over $56,000 fishing FLW Outdoors tournaments. Proving his consistency, Olson has qualified for the FLW Walleye Championship in each of his five seasons on tour and was the winner of the 2000 MWC World Walleye Championship. Olson’s sponsors include Land O’Lakes, Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Shimano, Lindy Fishing Tackle, Minn Kota, Berkley and X-Tools.