Ask the Walleye Pro: Bill Leonard
Q: Last year, I started entering walleye tournaments. I fished one tournament last year and one this year. Last year I came in second place and this year I came in first place out of 123 teams. Next year I’m planning to hit the NOTWT circuit and I’m lacking jigging skills for shallow walleyes. Do you have any tips that would help me to be more consistent in other lakes? (like line size and type, jig size and type and what type of retrieving is best all around) I only use bouncers and have been very successful at it but for shallow lakes I think I might have a little more difficulty.
-Denis Perrier, Timmins, Ontatrio
A: Congratulations. A first and a second in two tournaments is awesome. For shallow jigging I prefer the new Crystal Fireline, in 6 or 8-pound test. In water that is 10 feet or less I like to use a 1/8-ounce jig. For water 10 to 20-feet deep, I prefer a 1/4-ounce jig. I like jigs with bigger hooks, like 2/0 or 3/0 because I prefer to fish 4-inch Berkley Power Baits. The best advice I can give you is to watch your line very carefully and if there is any kind of movement set the hook. You will never reach your full potential as a jig fisherman until you become a line watcher. Cast your jig out and let it hit bottom. After the jig hits bottom make a couple of cranks on your reel and wait for the jig to hit bottom again and repeat.
Q: What do you consider ideal walleye conditions? I’m talking water temperature, cloud cover, wind strength and direction, air temperature etc. Every now and then we just go out there and whack them, but we can’t figure out why.
-Jon, Roseville, Minn.
A: Jon, a lot of what you are asking is the same we as pros ask everyday. In the early spring we want as warm of water as we can find. Usually that means mud bottoms, shallow rocks, and the north side of lake. In summer we are looking for cooler water, however there are still many fish in shallow weeds. In fall we usually look towards deeper water. I like some wind, especially when fishing shallow. As an example a perfect day for me in the spring if fishing shallow on the north side would be 55-60 degrees, a little overcast, and a south wind at 5-10 mph. Hope this helps.
Q: Do you file down your hooks in order to make them sharper or is that unnecessary?
-Kenny, Wisc.
A: Kenny, keep those hooks as sharp as possible. Yes we file them on a regular basis. However if you are not good with a file you can do more damage then good, so I suggest you have replacement hooks. My preference for hooks is Triple Grip, some crankbaits like the new Frenzy Flicker Shad come with them, and the others I replace with Triple Grip.
Q: Why are walleyes attracted to riprap? It seems odd that such a picky fish would naturally position itself against slabs of concrete. Is fishing riprap just an early-season technique or do people do it all year long?
-Highway 61, Hastings, Minn.
A: Walleyes are attracted to riprap for several reasons. Bait can get in the cracks and hide from the predators and eat all the little goodies that collect in the riprap. In the spring, riprap is a natural for laying eggs. Riprap is also a perfect area for walleyes to hide and ambush baitfish. This is not just a spring thing either; it can be an excellent place to fish all year. Be sure to buy lots of extra jigs if you are going to fish riprap. I prefer Lindy Timb’r Rock jigs for less snags.
Bill Leonard has been competing as a professional walleye angler for the past 17 years. An Estherville, Iowa native, Leonard has fished the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour for the past seven seasons and has finished in the top-10 five times. In 2004, Leonard finished 10th in the FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year race 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, Minn Kota, and Abu Garcia.