Q: What should a local shore fisherman be using for a lake that has clear water this time of the year?
-B.J. DeBoer, Spencer, Iowa
A: Well, B.J., you know that’s the boat I’m in (or not) right now. My boat just sold and I want to go fishing, so shore is the only easy solution. What I really like about fishing this time of year is that the feed bag is on, they’re actively looking for warmer water where the bait are, and, boy, are they aggressive. Key locations that I look for will be rocky shorelines that allow the sun to heat the rocks and then in turn warm the water.
In working these areas, I would use two different presentations, the first being a Rapala No. 7 or No. 9 Shad Rap. Other crankbaits to consider would be a Storm Wiggle Wart or a Rapala DT10. Using cranks allows you to cover more water quickly for active fish. Once you’ve located them, I recommend slowing down and using a jig and plastic combo. When using cranks, bigger baits will give you several advantages. The primary advantage is it enables you to cast farther in all conditions and cover more of the break. Another advantage is that they dive deeper, letting you bump bottom. When these cranks bump bottom, they make noise and alert the walleyes that dinner is on the way. Make sure to cast out quartering to your right or left rather than casting straight out. By doing this, it lets the bait travel along the break much longer and really lets you pinpoint where the fish are along the break.
The second presentation I would recommend is a jig and either ring worm or ring grub. My favorite here is the Lindy Techni-Glo Max Gap jigs and a Munchies ring worm or grub. The Munchies have awesome action, and the ring portion of the bait slows the drop of the jig so you can work key areas more slowly with less snagging.
Since the lake is clear, don’t forget to look to hydrographic maps. One neat item that will really help with finding these areas is the Lowrance H2O handheld GPS. This unit allows you to see contour mapping of favorite lakes by inserting map chips. This really simplifies finding that key structure in a body of water.
I also think that fishing these areas just prior to first ice can increase not only the numbers of fish, but it will also give you a chance at a fish of a lifetime. Good luck.
Q: What will having the 2007 championship in a big city like Cleveland be like? Are anglers embracing this decision, or do they disagree with it?
-Walleyenut
A: If you’ve ever had the chance to see the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Championship on the bass side, you’d know my answer. I was able to attend the last two FLW Tour Championships with my Land O’Lakes sponsor team and meet thousands of fans of the sport. It truly was the most incredible event I have ever seen. The stadium-type venue at Cleveland will really showcase what walleye fishing is, not just to the television viewer but also to the thousands of fans from all over the walleye-dominated area of greater Cleveland. The other cool thing is that it should prove to be a real monsterfest, as large fish will be the order of the day. I’ll even venture a guess that this championship has the potential to have the largest top-10 weights and winning weight of any championship ever. Am I looking forward to it? Absolutely, but I’ve got to make that top 50 again to get there. Let’s get through winter and get the butter boat to Cleveland.
Q: I see you live in Red Wing, Minn. What is your favorite pool to fish on the Mississippi River and why? Do you ever venture below Lake Pepin?
-Tim, Kellogg, Minn.
A: That’s really a tough question since I like both pools for different reasons. Pool 3 has a great population of big fish, and they are generally less pressured than the fish in Pool 4. However, Pool 4 has more backwater areas that let you fish jigs and cranks and also less current-driven areas such as Pine Creek, Point No Point and Hoksila.
If I had to pick, I guess I’d say Pool 4 since I can fish any possible way I want, from planer boards on the Maiden Rock flats to bobbers for crappies by Young’s cabin. It’s also open all year long, so I can get that fishing itch scratched anytime I need to. As far as venturing below Lake Pepin if you mean still in Pool 4, I certainly do. The backwaters, wing dams and channel cuts in this body of water are excellent – although my local buddies would really put me to shame on those wing dams.
Q: What is your opinion of these new glow jigs? I saw them at the Ice Fishing Show last weekend, and they cost a fortune. Do they work? Do pros use them?
-Dan F., St. Paul, Minn.
A: I’ve been using the Lindy Techni-Glo Max Gap jigs for several years now, and I can tell you they do work. I have a whole storage box of just glow jigs. They can be used for a lot of different presentations as well. Lake Mille Lacs bobber fishing at night is an awesome way to use them. Just hit the jig with the little LED light to charge it up.
Stained water also lets the glow jig shine, as the water allows less light to penetrate and increases the visibility of the jig. Clear water calls for maybe a more subtle glow, like a blue or white and a smaller jig. Try an 1/8-ounce jig or less with light line like 4- or 6-pound Berkley Sensation. This line gives you great feel and yet minimal stretch for awesome hook-setting power.
Eric Olson has been fishing the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour as a professional for the past seven years. In 2003, the Red Wing, Minn., native placed in the top 10 two times, including a third-place finish on the Illinois River. In 2006, Olson finished sixth at the Red Wing qualifier held on his home waters of the Mississippi River. In his career, Olson has earned over $91,000 fishing FLW Outdoors tournaments. In addition, he 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 and Berkley.