I left the dock at 6:30AM to fish walleyes with the Bracken / Nevanen party. The forecast was iffy 70% chance of rain with possible thunder showers. We started fishing about 7:15, we were going to start by pitching 1/8oz jigs tipped with minnows into 3-6 ft of water.
We started on a point, no wind no fish. We moved over to another point and had a little wind and caught three walleyes. We could see some ominous clouds building with a few rumbles. I saw a silent horizontal lightning bolt and thought may be shore would be a good idea. Right at that time my monofilament line started to lift towards the sky. Time for shore. The lightning and thunder left as fast as it came. We moved on to another spot, rain was falling hard and first cast a walleye banged the jig, second cast the same.
I put my MinKota Terrova I Pilot trolling motor on anchor mode. We stayed on the same spot pitching the jigs along the easterly running spine that ran underneath the water. We would target the side that dropped towards shore and also a last years dead weed bed. Walleyes were thick all over it. We boated at least forty walleyes off this spot. Look at the photos of the area and the electronics picture and you can see what we were doing. During the time period the weather got very nice with a nice walleye breeze.
Lead on rock pile on left extended towards the camera.
Weeds on bottom were straight behind us toward center
rock pile. We would cast as far back as we could and hop
the jig and minnow back only reeling to pick up slack line.
Weeds are the little blue flecks below the D on
Hummingbird
Finding good spots are absolutely crucial for good fishing. Fish are a lot like humans they like a good restaurant to dine at. Pay attention to the bays, slow down and look at the surroundings. Choose structures that have inside turns, sunken boulders, weeds, points and number one a breeze blowing into the structure. I am sure Paul and Pat had one of the funnest mornings one could have. They not only caught fish, they became very comfortable using their rods like surgeons. By the end of the morning the rod, reel, and jig had become part of them. Once you enter the zone it awesome. It may feel awkward to begin but catch one and all awkwardness goes away.
The action was ridiculous. We had a good size snapping turtle start hanging around us, I told Pat and Paul be ready he is going to try and feed and sure enough the snapper grabbed one of Paul's walleye's.
Paul and Pat with great walleyes!
On our way home we were saw six of our houseboats heading out for a wonderful week of spring fishing. May and June provide spectacular spring and early summer fishing! Next year don't miss out this great opportunity.
