Spring river walleyes in MUDDY water š«Ø
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Spring river fishing can get TOUGH when the water turns muddy and dirty. In Jason Mitchellās newest video, he breaks down exactly how to catch walleyes in low-visibility, stained water conditions on rivers.
> When fish canāt see well, you need to help them FIND your bait ā and that means focusing on vibration, profile, and presentation.
> This is a must-watch for anyone fishing spring walleyes in rivers like the Red River, Missouri River, or any system dealing with runoff and stained water.
> I explain one of my all-time favorite presentations for dirty water walleye on rivers in the spring and fall. Muddy or dirty water is always a challenge to fish. Something I feel is important is bulking up the size and vibration of the jig and adding a stinger hook because this added size also adds weight.
> Jigs with under spin blades can be very effective in muddy water. The Northland Tackle Deep V Spin is a favorite in current. We add more profile and vibration with a large thumping paddletail like the Scheels Pro Swimmer. Often important to add a stinger hook on to the back end of the plastic as these walleyes will often bite short in these types of conditions.
> Some rivers like the Yellowstone and Red River are always relatively muddy because of a soft bottom and high sediment load. Other rivers will muddy up after ice jams, rain or a quick thaw. When you have to catch walleye in muddy water, try this basic presentation to catch fish.
Itās a short 2:28 video, but in that time he covers:
- Best jig styles for dirty water river fishing
- Why bladed jigs can trigger more bites in muddy conditions
- When and how to use stinger hooks to hook short-striking fish
- The advantage of soft plastics for added bulk, vibration, and profile
- How walleyes position and feed in dirty spring water
Hereās the full vid:
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Dubuque Rig breakdown š
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From the fine folks at AnglingBuzz:
> ...a specialized 3-way rig designed for river fishing heavy flows and muddy waters that spring brings. The Dubuque rig, as it's called, is essentially a 3-way swivel with your bottom end going to a heavy jig presentation [this oneās a 3/4-oz VMC Neon Moon Eye] with a fly or lighter trailing jig on the third swivel connection. This gives the fish a one-two punch and allows you to deliver a finesse presentation like a fly in heavy current. Its roots started on the upper Mississippi, fishing the spring walleye run, hence its name.
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> First boat trip of the year and weāre kicking things off chasing early spring walleyes on the Mississippi River along the MN-WI border.
> With water temps already pushing into the mid-40s, these fish are on the move, and we break down exactly how weāre targeting them with a Dubuque rig and plastics and minnows. We cover:
- How to fish a Dubuque rig for river walleyes
- The importance of line angle and boat control
- Why weight selection (3/4 oz and up) matters more than you think
- Early spring walleye patterns in warming water
- Simple gear setups that flat-out work
> This isnāt about giant fish, itās about getting back on the water, dialing in a pattern, and putting together a solid early-season bite.
> If youāre looking for a reliable way to catch walleyes in the river this spring, this is a great place to start.
And now for you visual learners. š
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Coming from Lake McConaughy, NE guide @finfishinginnebraska ā she went 30" long and weighed 14.08 lbs! What a specimen!
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Where walleyes go when the river changes šÆ
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> These diagrams break down one of the most important concepts in river fishing...walleyes donāt just move randomly, they adjust to water levels. If you understand this, youāre already ahead of most anglers.
> At normal water levels, walleyes set up in predictable feeding zones. Think current breaks, inside bends, eddies, and just off structure like wing dams. They use slower water to rest and slide into current to feed. These are your classic ātextbookā spots that most anglers are familiar with.
> When the river drops to low water, everything tightens up. Fish concentrate in deeper holes, channels, and along inside bends where thereās still enough depth and flow. This is when spots become smaller but more defined. Find the depth, and youāll find the fish.
> High water flips everything. During rising or flooded conditions, walleyes spread out and push into slack water. Backwaters, flooded banks, and areas out of the main current become key. They are not fighting heavy flow, they are avoiding it. This is where a lot of anglers go wrong by sticking to main river spots.
> The big takeaway...itās not about one ābest spot.ā Itās about matching your location to the water level. Do that consistently, and youāll stay on fish no matter what the river is doing.
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Would you fish an Osakana Rig? š§
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Yeah...the "Osakana Rig"! Been catching on in the bassin' world, but dangit if that bait doesn't look like so many presentations we throw for walleyes! Exhibit A from In-Fisherman:
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So, this deal has been stirred up by a Japanese bait company, DStyle, and that bait is their Geelacanth. This "Osakana Rig" is just like a "free rig" (where a bait is rigged weightless on a hook and there is a sliding dropshot weight on the mainline) except for this one unique deal ā there's a hole in the chin of that bait because...
> "An offset hook is placed sideways [weedless/ TX rig style], and a nail weight is inserted under the jaw to keep the lure standing vertically on the bottom."
This DStyle bait in particular is elastomer (like Z-Man plastics material) so like it says in that DStyle post, that bait sits upright like a baitfish sitting there on the bottom (or suspended, depending on how heavy of a weight you use š).
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Since this thing fishes kinda like a hair jig ā pumping it/ reeling it off bottom and letting if fall, why not give it a shot and see if they pound that thing this spring! The bassin' guys have "borrowed" a lot of walleye techniques and claim 'em, maybe it's time we "borrow" one of theirs! š¤£
Btw, check out that Geelacanth here on the Spro website in 3", 4", 4.8" and 5.8" for $16.49/ pack. š¬
And don't think the big girls won't eat bait profiles or sizes like that ā remember this stuffed fish from a recent Target Walleye?
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5. DC: Most important fisheries $$$ law expires this year
This is the program where the feds collect excise taxes on fishing equipment and then send it to DNRs based on a formula. Hugely important and expires at the end of this year. Usually it is reauthorized no problemo, but...?
6. Okuma expands Canadian operations...
...with a new fulfillment center to better support dealers.
> As demand for Okuma products continues to grow in Canada, the new fulfillment center enables faster delivery times, improved inventory availability, and lower overall costs for Okuma Canadian partners. By positioning inventory closer to the market, Okuma is streamlining cross-border logistics and creating a more efficient supply chain to better serve its partners nationwide.
7. DC: MI rep hates cormorants š
Intro'd legislation to control 'em.
> "Great Lakes fisheries are essential to Michigan's economy, outdoor recreation, and cultural heritage," said Rep. Walberg. "Recreational fishing across the Great Lakes generates $5.1 billion in economic benefit only, supporting local jobs and tourism economies throughout the state. When doubleācrested cormorant populations grow beyond sustainable levels, they can significantly deplete fish stocks. This legislation ensures we have a responsible, scienceādriven framework to protect Michiganās fisheries."
8. Northwest Territories reg books all being reprinted
āCuz enough people complained seeing as they had a photo of a largemouth bass on the cover...and they don't have any native largies lol.
9. CO: Boulder hires divers to get rid of milfoil
But creating this type of hysteria is a little dramatic:
> Officials warn the plant's spread could threaten recreation and drinking water infrastructure. The plant displaces native species, can tangle swimmers and boat motors, and can clog water infrastructure. It may also affect the odor and taste of drinking water.
> While Boulder does not currently draw drinking water directly from the reservoir....
10. Scheels x Berkley Jack colors = š„
Alright, are these not some of the sickest lipless you've seen? š
Scheel's wasn't messing around when they put out their exclusive Berkley Jack colors!
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From L-R: 'Nordic tiger perch', 'hazard tiger', 'golden grape tiger', 'firetigernator', 'patriot tiger', with a Berkley original color honorable mention ā 'purple chrome'.
Yeah...itās about that time. š Guys are already starting to lean on this deal in open water ā same lane Tommy Kemos was talking about in this Target Walleye (Top Item #3) with the Jack bite getting going when youāve got a little stain or chop this spring.
And yeah...purple flat-out gets eaten. Always has. Not saying you gotta throw it all day...but itās one of those colors you better have tied on at least one rod.
11. Bubba parent co sues KastKing over filet knives
12. Suzuki allowing anyone to license its plastics removal device
> Suzuki Motor Corporation will allow royalty-free use of 34 patents related to its outboard motor micro-plastic collecting device, including pre-grant phase applications, as part of its commitment to promoting marine environmental conservation and contributing to the realisation of a sustainable society.
13. New anti-fouling wrap for hulls
> Unlike biocidal paints, which ultimately dissolve in the water, Finsulateās vertical fiber field disrupts the way larvae probe the surface. It reduces their ability to secrete adhesive, and it keeps any early biofilm from maturing.
Apparently the idea comes from shark skin and sea otters ā kinda cool.
14. 13 Fishing Oath Series rods get new models
15. Do-it Molds brought back their Weedless Walleye Jig
16. WI's āfishing openerā is May 2
17. WV has a new state-record tiger trout
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When to use mono vs straight braid on jigs š¤
Alright, the age old question ā to braid or not to braid.
Well thankfully ND walleye pro Jason Mitchell is one of the folks that will give that kind of top secret info out...kinda like he did in his recent YouTube video about chasing spring walleyes in rivers. Here's a bit from that vid with a Jason talking how he utilizes different kinds of line this time of year using jigs:
> "You've got jigs and minnows, or jigs and soft plastics.
> "I'm a big fan of using mono when I'm using jigs and minnows. I feel like with minnows, these fish can grab onto 'em and they can choke it in a little bit.
> "Whenever the fish are in a funk ā switch to jigs and minnows, and sometimes get bit better.
> "When that's the case, I like to go with mono. I feel like in that type of a bite, the fish can grab onto that minnow and not feel anything wrong until it's too late.
> "A lot of times I'm using just a 6-lb mono.If I'm pitching jigs up shallow, I like to use that high-vis so I can watch the line. A lot of times you'll just see the line jump or tick and set the hook."
Buuuut,
> "Fishing deeper water off the channel when you're either spot locking or slipping and fishing below the boat ā in that kind of a situation, I'll just use straight braid.
> "The thing about rivers ā you're often dealing with stained water. In that deeper [and dirtier] water, I'm just tying direct to braid with a Palomar knot right to the jig.
> "Don't worry about a fluorocarbon leader. I find that a lot of times when you're fishing that deeper, faster water below the boat, the bite is just a little tick and I can feel it better with braid.
> "When that jig is coming by those fish fairly fast, they can grab onto it and there's enough limpness in the line where you can feel the bite better.
> "It's not like invisibility of fluorocarbon is going to do you any good in that type of a situation ā I don't use fluorocarbon leaders unless I have to. It's just one more knot to deal with ā one more thing to do.ā
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āPost-spawn male walleyes behave like teenage boys who have been coerced into taking a buddyās fat sister to the high school prom: After the dance they can hardly wait to collect on the promised beer and pizza reward....ā
- Opening to Ted Peckās post-spawn walleye article. Gotta hand it to him for originality! Maybe something in Tedās past he needs to work on...lol.
Yes, weāve run this before but itās still funny as heck....
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Ari Thompson and the fam hit up Lake of the Woods for one final rip and were rewarded with a grown one ā that smile says it all! š„
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Hate to see ice go, but love to watch it leave. š
š„¶š
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FRIENDS OF TARGET WALLEYE
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Target Walleye ā walleye during open water and all species during hardwater ā is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Kumar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!
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Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He's in it now, but still can't answer that question.... Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a "fishing degree" at the time.... Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com
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