First walleye in a long time

[R.K.]

Was able to sneak away for the day. Left later than I wanted to wait for the bait shop to open- picked up worms and leeches for an astounding $14. Anyways- headed out, made it to the lake. And it was slow. Nobody catching fish aside from tiny perch. Not good. Lost some leeches to the bait thieves myself, and moved around.

With two hours to go, I put on my neoprene waders and headed for flooded a grass line. Started throwing a swim bait on a jighead, and got a hard hit right at my feet. It was a nice fish, and I was able to get it to the bank.

More casting, more moving- same deal- maybe in 3ft of water, another nice fish. Hmmm.

The wind has been picking up all day, blowing into the same shoreline and kicking up a bit of mud. Perfect. So I pick up and move over there. One hour to go.

Boots on, walk in, put out a leech on a slip bobber, then start casting.

Perch on the leech. Another perch. Snag a perch on the swim bait. Baby walleye on the leech. Move shallower. Cast into the mudline.

Walleye. Good walleye. 5 casts later- another walleye. Storm is blowing up, and I have to make it home for dinner. Took all day, but found a few.

I don’t think anybody else had anything worth talking about. Tried to be sneaky with my fish, but it’s a long walk back to the parking lot. Think I’m done buying leeches, too.



And you wouldn’t believe the amount of fat in these fish. It was almost like cleaning a catfish, the way it spilled out of them.

 

[Wild Bill]

Always fun catching them casting. Don’t wait so long next time!

 

[howl]

Very nice. No walleye here, but I have a guide booked for where a few are later this year.

I hear you on bait cost. I spent similar for crickets and wigglers, recently. They're not necessary for bedding bream, but tradition dictates.

 

[R.K.]

Always fun catching them casting. Don’t wait so long next time!

I was in Arkansas for two years. Back in Montana, so gotta catch what I can to get my fried fish. And that would be walleye.

And I’d always rather catch them casting if possible. Unless I can use set lines and drink a beer in the shade, that is.

 

[R.K.]

Very nice. No walleye here, but I have a guide booked for where a few are later this year.

I hear you on bait cost. I spent similar for crickets and wigglers, recently. They're not necessary for bedding bream, but tradition dictates.

Love chasing bluegill and redear on the beds. I use a fly rod, found some flies work better than bait. About 3:1 on bites when they’re bedded. Harder to fish when they move deeper or head out to brush.

 

[ChiefKlein]

Colorado has some nice walleye mostly use worms or leeches. Early stick baits along rocky dams