Ask the Walleye Pro: Nick Johnson
Q: What was your pattern at the championship? What pool were you fishing? What is the key to catching fish in the Mississippi?
-Steven, Davenport, Iowa
A: I actually had two patterns working at the championship, both were in Pool 16. I started on day one pulling three-way rigs and then switched about 11 a.m. and trolled with leadcore in an unsuccessful attempt to catch a few keepers. On day two I trolled leadcore all day knowing I could catch a few small fish with a chance at triggering one big bite to keep me in the game. But as tournament fishing sometimes goes, the big bite never came and I finished in 27th place.
What is the key to catching fish on the Mississippi? I really wish it was as easy as having just one key. Unfortunately on any given day throughout the four seasons there are probably hundreds of different keys. There are a couple pieces of advice that I can give anyone who wants to be a better river angler. One of the most important is learning how the fish feed by using the current as it relates to structure in the river. The second is to spend as much time as you can fishing the river and talking to other river anglers. It would not be practical to go into details but there are many good books and magazines available to help further your knowledge.
Q: What do you think of next year’s schedule? Are you ready to defend your AOY title? Do you think there will be full fields this year?
-Ryan Walden, Eden Prairie, Minn.
A: I am really looking forward to next year. All of the tour events and the championship are scheduled on world class walleye fisheries. Being awarded the AOY title is always a highlight in any professional angler’s career. I am very fortunate to have the outstanding sponsors that enabled me to win AOY and I am eagerly anticipating the chance to defend my title.
Since the conception of the RCL Walleye Tour, (now FLW) this organization has elevated professional walleye fishing payouts and television coverage to heights never before reached, and it continues to grow. That being said, I believe that most tournaments will have full fields for the coming year.
Q: I’ve read a little about hand-lining but have never tried it. When and how do you actually do it? Is the reel actually mounted on the boat? What kind of a reel is it? What is the advantage?
-Walleyerube, Menasha, Wis.
A: Hand-lining is almost exclusively a river technique. Developed on the Detroit River it enables an angler to consistently present multiple baits within inches of the bottom in swift current. The type of reel that I use is a Kachman automatic retrieval hand-line reel that is designed to be fastened to the rear rail on my 620 Ranger. When I was first learning how to hand-line, I discovered a Web site that gives detailed instructions on the proper technique and its advantages. Due to the limited space we have here I will provide you with the web address. www.dwfonline.com Click on articles and scroll down to select one of many on hand-lining techniques.
Nick Johnson earned walleye fame by becoming the first angler to win back-to-back FLW Walleye Tour events. In 2004, he claimed the FLW Walleye Tour Championship on the Mississippi River. Johnson followed that performance with a season-opening victory in 2005 on Bull Shoals reservoir. For his career, Johnson has finished in the top-10 five times. In addition to fishing professionally on the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, the Elmwood, Wis., native attends classes at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Menomonie. Johnson’s sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude and Minn Kota.