Q: Why do walleyes become more active again in the fall?
-Tom, White Bear Lake, Minn.
A: Tom, this is a great question. What happens in the fall that turns those big female walleyes on? It’s a number of things but first and foremost is the development of eggs. These fish must eat to maintain body weight to create healthy eggs for the long winter here in the north. By the time Thanksgiving hits these egg sacks have almost fully developed in the females. The other reason they seem easier to catch is the fact that they’ve returned from their summer haunts which were hard to reach. Those deep catches that we had this past summer will be void as the fish have returned to those “easier” to get to areas. Those areas usually will produce throughout the fall and winter. Hope this helps.
Q: Do you ever employ the “go against the grain” strategy during a tournament where everybody is doing one thing so you try and do something completely different? This worked on the bass side for Shin Fukae at Lake Okeechobee and it worked for walleye pro Wayne Butz on Green Bay.
-Ryan Walden, Eden Prairie, Minn.
A: Ryan, this is my number one goal going into any tournament. I try to find those out of the way spots away from the crowd but usually only after I’ve found some other winning patterns. Many times you hear of the winners fishing alone on their own patterns but many times you don’t. I take many things into consideration before rolling the dice on a spot that I have by myself. Take for instance 2003 when I won the Angler of the Year title. I came into the tournament in fifth place so I had nothing to lose by going for broke. I fished an area which didn’t see a boat during the tournament and everything worked out. On the other hand, had I needed just to catch fish to get points to qualify for the championship, I probably wouldn’t have gambled like that. So to answer your question, yes I do favor fishing away from the crowd by establishing a pattern and then trying to duplicate it on not-so-popular areas of the lake.
Q: If you were visiting a lake for the first time and were only allowed to bring one crankbait what would it be and why?
-Dan
A: Dan, let’s talk crankbaits. As with most fishermen, we have too many and usually keep using only a handful because we have confidence in them. My confidence bait has to be the No. 7 Shad Rap. This is the one I’d pick if I could only choose one. Reason being is the fact that I can cast this bait from 0 to 8 feet and troll this lure down to 14 feet with Fireline. I can also run it deeper with the help of leadcore line or snap weights. But the biggest reason I choose this bait is because of its running ability. It’s tuned right out of the box and can run speeds to 6 mph. Also, it has what I call a medium wobble. It’s not tight or wide so it falls into both categories which makes it a fish catcher. This one is my “money” bait.
Q: Why doesn’t Green Bay get the national reputation for its walleye fishing that Lake Erie gets? As far as I’m concerned Green Bay is the more consistent fishery and the big fish capability is nearly the same.
-George, Iron Mountain, Mich.
A: George, there’s no doubt that Green Bay has the potential of becoming world class if it hasn’t already. The biggest reason that Lake Erie stands out is the simple fact of its reputation. This body of water is much bigger and has been producing for three decades. I started fishing Green Bay about 10 years ago and back then the only boats you could find out there where either lost or heading to Bay de Noc waiting for the fall bite to begin. Tournaments have only started here since 1997 and there’s no doubt some secrets are coming out. It’s just a matter of time before this body of water becomes very popular but we need to be careful. The lake is fragile because of its size. It cannot withstand the pressure that Lake Erie receives so it’s our job to maintain the fishery. Let’s all enjoy it because the Green Bay fishing has never been better than it is now.
Jason Przekurat is fast becoming a household name in professional walleye angling with his recent title as 2003 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year. Przekurat also owns the title of 2000 MWC World Walleye Champion with friend and fellow pro Eric Olson. With career tournament winnings of more than $160,000 and six top-10 FLW Walleye Tour finishes, it looks like Przekurat is well on his way to a successful career in tournament fishing. Przekurat hails from Stevens Point, Wis., and is currently sponsored by Ranger Boats, Evinrude and Minn Kota.