Catching Big ‘eyes in the fall

 

Walleyes are a target for open-water anglers from ice out all the way through summer.  When the weather turns cooler, though, some anglers store their boat and get out the hunting gear.  Others, though, know fall can be a great time to reel in some trophy ‘eyes.  First, a word about safety: When fishing in late fall, anglers should be aware that less boat traffic means fewer options for help if one should get into trouble on the water. Be sure to have fully charged batteries, a full fuel tank and a charged cell phone in the boat. Also, dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Should you find yourself in the water, you will be glad you did. And, always wear your life jacket.

Big Baits, Big Fish? Maybe

Most anglers have heard “Big bait, big fish.” It is a commonly-used mantra. Many times, this is true.  But if the bite gets slow, some recommend downsizing the lure before heading to something bigger, and it makes sense. A walleye may look for bigger, easy meals, but they will eat 100 small minnows for every few 7- or 8-inch minnows it will eat.  Do not be afraid to downsize, knowing you can upsize again as conditions change.

Live bait or soft plastics?

Live bait has long been the standard for walleye anglers, but more and more soft plastics find their way into boats.  One reason is the ability to work a soft plastic bait faster than a live bait. If you rip a live bait through fallen timber, for instance, you will likely get only one cast from each minnow.  Artificial bait will hold up much better and will allow you to catch multiple fish on each bait. While live bait is better on a short-shank jig with a wide gap hook, soft plastics will need a jig with a longer shank. Do not be afraid to experiment with sizes. For bigger fish, jigging or casting a 4-inch grub or minnow may be more productive, but downsizing to a 3-inch may bring more bites. In shallow water, up to a 1/8 oz jig should be sufficient. In deeper water ¼ oz. or heavier is usually needed.

Use your electronics

When looking for walleyes in the fall, do not forget to use your electronics. As fall begins and vegetation dies off, bait fish will leave the vegetation for the first drop or piece of structure toward deep water.  Walleyes will follow their food source.  This can make them easier to see on your electronics. Learning to use your electronics, and trusting what you see on the screen, can help put more and bigger fish in the boat. Finding fish on weed edges can help you put more fish in the boat. Try a floating Rapala or bait that will run above the weeds. Fish positioned over weed beds or in cuts or pockets in weeds may not be actively feeding, but no fish will pass up an easy meal.

Late Fall

In early fall, fish will leave the dying weeds for deeper water where there is more oxygen.  But later in the fall, they will move shallow again, often right up until ice-on. As the water cools in the late fall, it becomes more oxygenated.  Again, the bait fish will move shallow and the walleyes will follow.  Finding even a small patch of green vegetation can be the key to finding fish ready to eat.

Late fall and dipping temperatures may require a slower presentation as well.  When trolling, a speed of 1.2 – 1.8 mph. is a good starting point.  Trolling speed should become slower as temperatures dip.  Walleyes are looking for an easy meal and may not be as willing to chase bait fish long distances. At the same time, though, if fish will take a faster presentation, give it to them.  It will allow you to cover more water and catch more fish.

Big Wind, Big Fish

Fishing in the wind can be difficult and creature comforts a minimum. But, fishing in the wind has its benefits. Wind will push phytoplankton, food for bait fish, toward windy points and into bays. The bait fish will follow their food, with the walleye following the bait fish.  Even though fishing in the wind is difficult, it will often produce the best results.

Rivers

Current, of course, is important for river fish. Look for places where a fish can get out of the current, but is close enough to dart out and snag a meal as it floats by. In late fall, river walleyes will start their progression upstream.  The later in the year, the further upstream you may want to start looking – they are a migratory fish and will move from one area in a matter of days.

Do not be afraid to experiment. If you try a slower presentation and it does not work, go faster. If you try a bigger bait and you are getting less bites, go smaller.  Let the fish tell you what they want, and you will have a successful day on the water.