Walley Fish'n

QUOTE(Live'n the dream @ Jul 27 2009, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>New to the sight within the last month and thanks for your help and feedback on where the perch were...Had good day sunday as posted early this morning...My ? is that I have only caught one walley in my life and that was 2 years ago(befor heading to IRAQ) when I was perch fishing on a perch rig using 1" plastic grub...LUCK I guess...LOL!!! I have been more of a perch, bass, crappie fisherman...What are some tips for walley fishing...Mind you I have a 20 ft open bow and 5.0L motor so trolling is out of the question...Help please I want to start learning to fish these beauties...

Trolling is not out of the question for you. There are many people who troll with the same kind of setup as you have and without a kicker. Obviously a kicker is way more fuel efficient and quiet but you can always get 2 small drift socks to drag off of each side to slow your troll down. If you end up drift fishing too then the same bags can be used on a drift. Casting is very popular on erie where you drift and work weight forward spinners on the swing. All methods take fish especially drifting with harnesses which is what many do, but trolling will allow you to cover much more water.

Since trolling is kind of out of the question for you, jigging (another popular way to target 'eyes) is gonna be tough as well without a trolling/electric motor to keep you straight and your jig vertical. However, I can offer you this:

I'm not too sure that LSC is that great a walleye fishery; yes, they are there, but I think the Detroit/St. Clair rivers would be better options. St. Clair is famousfor SM and Musky (though 'eyes are there). Lake Erie is often called the top walleye fishery in the world in terms of numbers. I've never had a problem in the DR when I had access to a boat.

Walleye don't like light; during the day, they'll be close to bottom in deeper water or in weed beds. Fishing the edges of channels, or structure-oriented bottoms are good spots, all year 'round, despite what some people may say. Try those areas first. At night and early morning, they come in shallower water to feed (I've caught a few this year in the DR from shore at night), so these are the best times to target them.

Twisters work well on 'eyes. Casting and retrieving a jig/twister combo is often regarded as one of the best ways to fish for them when casting, and is an option for you. Make sure you jig hits the bottom, and that you 'jig' it on your retrieve. Make sure your line stays tight, as a walleye bite is often quite subtle. Use the lightest jig you can while still hitting bottom. Very important to be on, or near, bottom. Tipping your jig/twister with a crawler/minnow won't hurt either.
Any more, or specific questions, feel free to ask and I, and others, will do their best! GOOD LUCK!

QUOTE(barnz @ Jul 27 2009, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Since trolling is kind of out of the question for you, jigging (another popular way to target 'eyes) is gonna be tough as well without a trolling/electric motor to keep you straight and your jig vertical. However, I can offer you this:

I'm not too sure that LSC is that great a walleye fishery; yes, they are there, but I think the Detroit/St. Clair rivers would be better options. St. Clair is famousfor SM and Musky (though 'eyes are there). Lake Erie is often called the top walleye fishery in the world in terms of numbers. I've never had a problem in the DR when I had access to a boat.

Walleye don't like light; during the day, they'll be close to bottom in deeper water or in weed beds. Fishing the edges of channels, or structure-oriented bottoms are good spots, all year 'round, despite what some people may say. Try those areas first. At night and early morning, they come in shallower water to feed (I've caught a few this year in the DR from shore at night), so these are the best times to target them.

Twisters work well on 'eyes. Casting and retrieving a jig/twister combo is often regarded as one of the best ways to fish for them when casting, and is an option for you. Make sure you jig hits the bottom, and that you 'jig' it on your retrieve. Make sure your line stays tight, as a walleye bite is often quite subtle. Use the lightest jig you can while still hitting bottom. Very important to be on, or near, bottom. Tipping your jig/twister with a crawler/minnow won't hurt either.
Any more, or specific questions, feel free to ask and I, and others, will do their best! GOOD LUCK!

Man, you all are great!!!! My new best friends...Thanks for all your knowledge and kindness...I cant wait to be able to get out and try all the tips and knowledge...Have a great day and I hope all of you luck out there...GOD BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS!!!!!

QUOTE(Trophy24 @ Jul 29 2009, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Wallysteve: I have a 24ft Trophy with a 350 Chev. V-8. I have a 30" drift sock on the middle cleat on each side. It does no harm to the engine and brings my speed down to 1.3 & 1.7 depending on wind direction. Bought them on e=bay for 16 bucks a peice plus shipping. Lot cheaper than buying a kicker. Tight lines.

true but you lose boat control dragging socks and a kicker eventually pays off with lower gas usage and hours on the main motor. last 2 items i want for my boat is a kicker and autopilot allready have 720 hours on my main motor and the boats a 05 wich most are trolling hours so if i had a kicker from new id probably be around 100 hours wich would help retain value. what would you rather buy a boat with 1000 hours or 200 plus a kicker is cheaper to rebuild/replace then your main motor least my opinion on that subject.