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| Hi – I just hopped over here from one of the sister sites to see if I could pick up a pointer or two about walleye fishing as I am a relative novice when it comes to chasing ‘eyes. My question is, is this just a tournament board or are general fishing topics discussed? Is this a place for a novice, like myself, or is it geared more towards professional fishermen on one of the tournament trails?
I’ll even through out a topic of conversation or two:
1. When trolling cranks, what is the difference in wobble between a stick style crank vs a shad-rap style crank and how does each attract fish? I’ve heard that people have luck trolling between #9-#14 stick style baits this time of year. I tried stick style cranks last weekend and to be honest, I didn’t like the feel of the stick style at all. The fish didn’t seem to like it either. Why are those baits more effective than a shad-rap style bait?
2. At what point in the year do you stop rigging and start jigging? Is it as simple as letting the fish tell you? If the fish are “off” how can you tell?
3. Do most people use bottom bouncers or go with a lindy? How long of a snell for both? Do you feel that bottom bouncers scare fish?
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Location: Rhinelander | WalleyeFIRST is definitely not just a tournament site, you just found us in the middle of our Championship coverage. We do specialize in news and information of the day, but questions and answers are welcome anytime! There's a great userbase of very good sticks here, so you'll have no problem getting some questions answered. Anyone want to start this one? | |
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Member
Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Ah, trolling cranks. My favorite!!! When it comes to trolling cranks, there are multiple choices to make, based on conditions, time of year, weather, water temp. and forage. Stick baits, which tend to be my favorite, generally are most effective early and late, as it applies to the Great Lakes, where do most of my fishing. Stick baits have what is called a roll wobble, as the bait moves forward, it flashes from side to side. Shad baits, like the Shad Rap, have a tighter and faster wobble, and their movement is slightly more erratic than a stick bait and they do not flash quite the same as a stick bait. Then there are lures I call hunters or seekers, which have an erratic action and the path the travel is wide like a hunting action. Lures like Hot n Tots, Producers, and KABOOM Deep Nitro Shiners fall into this category.
All of thse cranks have their time and place. Stick baits are great early season producers and mimic forage like shiners and smelt. I like to use them in cold water conditions and troll them slowly, sometimes as slow as 0.8-1.2 mph. Shad baits are great shad, perch, and cisco imitators, and I like to use them in early summer/late fall. Hunters/seekers are best used at higher speeds and I prefer them in the warmest conditions. An added tip for all cranks: Add a piece of crawler on the rear hook from time to time for increased scent attraction. Hope this helps. | |
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Member
Posts: 1188
Location: Chicago IL. | WOW a whole load of questions. I would love to help out but as steve said, we are all in the middle of tourneys and championships. Welcome aboard to the best walleye site out there. | |
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Member
Posts: 874
Location: Neenah, WI | Welcome to the site. Jerry gave you some great insight. We all just trade info here and it's a great place to learn. Before long you'll be offering answers too. | |
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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Jerry, I just want to say thanks on the behalf of us amateurs. The information you and others provide is of great value. I truly believe that any pro that will devulge info about techniques as detailed as you do is a great sportsman in my book. Again, Thank You. | |
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| Instead of a "crawler bit" on the back hook of the crankbait I have begun using a 1/2 of a "Gulp Maggot". They last about two hours and most of the time it does not affect the action if put on the front treble for "fat baits" and the rear hook for "stick baits"... but do check by pulling the bait at the surface at the speed you are going to be running with and without the gulp and try front or rear hooks.... | |
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Just Tournament Talk?