Fall Redemption....GIANT Walleyes

Let's first start by saying that as bad as the weather and fishing was earlier this fall, the last two weeks have been equally as good.  Maybe we needed the Hurricane to clean out our system. The result has been near fifty fish or more days almost everyday for nearly two weeks.  Fish have ranged from a couple pounds to a whopping 13.3lbs, with a pile of double digit fish reaching the boat.

We have been using a variety of stickbaits, but Husky Jerks, Reef Runners, and Ripsticks have been the clear winners. Colors have seemed to change from day to day, but the one thing that has been constant is that they want a particular speed.  The range has been from 1.2 to 1.6, but almost everyday I have seen a particular speed make a huge difference in the catch rate.  I think a lot of this it is due to the weird currents we have been seeing. This also has made the direction you go really important.

Another thing that has really made a difference is not using a gas engine. Minus a few hours here and there I have been only using my Terrova I-pilot. Both the catch rate and bigger fish like it quiet.  Getting away from traffic also made a HUGE difference in order to get the really big girls.  I'm not sure why everyone always like to pile on top of each other, but I promise you it makes a difference.  During the week with few boats out we were able to get a lot more of those ridiculously large fatties.

Hopefully we will get another week of reasonable weather in before we grab for the ice shanties

PS--Almost all of the giants we caught were released to be caught another day. As good as our fishery is, the numbers are down and we need to show some conservation. I will never understand how everyone perceives it common place to let every bass go, yet knife each and every walleye they get, especially the giants.

Capt. Ross Robertson
www.bigwaterfishing.com