Casting for fall wingdam walleyes. ➡🪨
|
|
|
You river rats keep asking for more...so here we go! This Dan Johnson In-Fisherman write-up is loaded with great fall wingdam tricks. The full write-up is for sure worth a read if you’ll be playing in the current this fall yet, but a few excerpts below to get you started:
> Oct and Nov are magical months for diehard walleye anglers, especially on rivers. Flowing water concentrates hungry ’eyes in predictable places across the Walleye Belt. Yet these sweet spots remain largely overlooked and underfished by the masses....
> Rivers are great places to fish walleyes come October, and wing dams are one of the best spots of all.... Not all are created equal, however. ...the hottest dams are covered by about 4’ of water and brushed by at least moderate current.
> This fall, with low water and slack flows likely on many rivers, such prime lies could be tricky to find. But not impossible. If you’re fishing a series of wing dams...fish the first and second dams upstream, where current is apt to be strongest. On the flip side, in high water when the river’s really rocking, start at the other end of the string. Or look to areas off the main river, where walleyes can escape raging current.
> A variety of tactics take wing-dam walleyes, but [veteran walleye tournament competitor Randy] Carroll favors casting shad-style crankbaits to cover water in search of fish. “Even when you find a dam with all the right characteristics, it’s most likely not going to have walleyes on it all the time. A group of fish may move up to feed for 15 min and then leave, and you could sit there for hours without getting bit. When Don Olson and I approach a wing dam, we move in and fish it for 15 min and move on if we don’t catch anything.”
> In light to modest current, Carroll and Olson attack a wing dam from the tip first, positioning their boat slightly upstream over deeper water. “We cast semi-parallel to the wing dam, so the bait lands on the tip, then retrieve down the edge.” On succeeding casts, they work their way toward the bank, casting to the top of the wing dam and retrieving down the front face, picking it apart until their boat is about halfway to shore. “Then we turn the boat around and fish our way back out. Walleyes often like the bait presented at a certain angle to the structure. Fishing both directions covers a lot of angles.”
|
|
|
> The retrieve is straightforward. On splashdown, Carroll cranks the lure down to bottom, then ticks it along the structure, “grinding bottom the whole way.” It works best with a diving crankbait, and Carroll’s favorite is the 7/16-oz Strike King Pro Model 3XD, in shad or perchy patterns.
|
|
|
> Olson (who hails from Andover, MN) also sings the praises of wing dams, giving a nod to jigs as a deadly weapon as well. “Crankbaits are great but casting wing dams with a 1/8- to 3/8-oz leadhead like a Hutch’s Tackle Bucktail Jig tipped with a skull-hooked minnow is another top tactic.” He finds that in clear water, tequila-colored heads work well, while shades of black, brown, and chartreuse shine in stained conditions. Experiment with your jig strokes, because sometimes walleyes crush a slow-dragging cadence, while other times hopping and popping prevails.
> Along with wing dams, Olson adds that back channels can be dynamite for Oct walleyes. “As cooling water temperatures and dropping water levels flush baitfish and predators out of backwaters, the side channels and cuts connecting these areas to the main river can be goldmines. The key is forage. If there are baitfish, there will be walleyes.” While any side channel with a bit of current could hold fish, cover such as tangles of timber sweeten the pot. Don’t be afraid to cast or vertically jig ultra-shallow water in the wood, because hungry ’eyes slide into surprisingly skinny water in such conditions.
Keep reading here or by clicking the pic below for WAY more info:
|
|
Al Lindner’s biggest secret leaked.... 🤐
|
|
|
No one does it like Al! And now we finally know why....
|
|
|
Hope you got a chuckle out of it 😂 this throwback video made my day!
|
|
"If you find the groceries, you're gonna find the fish."
|
|
|
That big, Happy Gilmore check is so dang cool! I suppose $6K is nice too lol. But I’m also willing to bet that taking a bite of chili out of the trophy on stage – after just smacking fall walleyes all day with one of your best friends – was a moment these fellas will hold onto forever!
|
|
|
Andy was using a TUCR Apex Pro MXF with Sufix 832 braid and a 10-lb flouro leader pitching jigs/shiners at marks near the bottom.
He hasn’t spent much time on the Rainy River in the fall. And the few spots he had fished in the past were dead...so he had to do some searching:
> I went back to the area and found it desolate. It reminded me of a conversation with Terry Wickstrom, an outdoor enthusiast and writer. He gave me this advice: "If you find the groceries, you're gonna find the fish." That advice has stuck with me since.
> Just because you have all the spots on a river doesn't mean the fish will always be there. Now, with the technology available, we can find where the food is. When we talk about tactics and fishing areas, you get the typical ones like trolling upriver or pitching jigs and shiners, and they all worked in this tournament. But the key factor, with the realization that the big shiner run wasn't happening in my opinion [water temps were still 53°F], was to find where the food was in the river. It could have been under docks, under pilings, in log jams – all of it. You just have to be patient and fish them out of there, which can be really hard to do.
And they had another trick up their sleeves:
> Andy Walsh: ...I believe in the power of prayer and seeking guidance. I have a mini cowboy hat on my keychain, which represents a friend we lost during covid. I put it on my boat's steering wheel as a symbol of hope and a reminder of the friend we lost and thought, “Steve, I really hope you're with me today. I could really use you.”
> The day started off great. We quickly caught some fish and were leading by almost 6 lbs by noon. I got excited, but I knew I needed to stay focused and stick to our plan. After lunch, around 1:15, I made a small adjustment and went back to where I started in the morning. I noticed some bait and we ended up with a really good catch. We hadn't caught the big fish yet, but I spotted one on the sonar. I told my partner Greg that if we catch that fish, we've got a winner. I cast my line, and she bit softly. I reeled her in with all my strength, but I may have hooked her too hard. When we got her into the boat, I saw that she had popped the hook, but I didn't think much of it. After measuring her and recording a video, we released her, and I prepared to continue fishing. When I checked my hook, it was bent so far out that I couldn't believe it had held onto the 28-incher.... I'm telling you, I really feel like Steve was there today.
|
|
|
> We caught a few more fish around 2:30, and then we headed back in. It felt like everything was going our way that day, and I firmly believe that sometimes things align perfectly. I'm grateful for the experience I shared with Greg, and I hope we can stay on cloud nine for as long as possible. Even though it wasn't a huge tournament, I'll always cherish and be thankful for competing against some of the best walleye fishermen out there and having such a successful day.
Amazing fellas! 🙌
And no matter what order you put these pics in, the ‘Chili Bowl’ looks like a pretty fantastic way to spend 24 hours in the fall lol:
|
|
Did you know that tullibees spawn in the fall?
|
|
|
Believe the magic happens at about the 42°F mark, but by then pre-spawn tullibees will have already slid into the shallows “so they can eat minnows and ripen their eggs before spawning.” Just one more reason you get another movement of BIG walleyes pushing up shallow in the fall.
In-Fisherman’s Doug Stange put together this awesome write-up called “Paddletail Swimbaits for Late-Season Walleyes” that’s chock full of golden cisco-eater nuggets. Way too much info to fit it all in here, but it’s for sure worth a read, so click the pic below if it interests you:
|
|
Top 30 ice-fishing pet peeves! 🤬
|
|
|
Pet peeves: Those particularly annoying things that get under your skin no matter how hard you try and ignore ’em.
We polled Target Walleye fans to find out their biggest ice-fishing pet peeves and compiled ’em into one big-nasty list. How many are you doing?? 🤔🙋♂️
|
|
|
Check the full list by clicking here, few of our favorites below:
- Garbage left on the ice. If you bring it out, bring it back with you!
- Losing a fish after it gets wrapped up in the transducer.
- Snowmobiles are the jet skis of ice fishing.
- Sunflower seeds in my hole.
- When people set up right on top of you, even though there’s a whole lake.
- People complaining about you being set up too close (^ lol).
- Snake northerns. ‘Nuff said.
- Trying to re-tie with frozen fingers.
- People drilling holes during prime time.
Drop a comment on the full list here at TargetWalleye.com if you think something’s missing or people are overreacting.
|
|
|
Here’s a breakdown of their bags:
- Day 1: 26.50”, 27.00”, 27.75”, 26.75”
- Day 2: 30.50”, 29.50”, 28.75”, 26.75”
Sheesh!
3. WI: Fishing club stocks 9K walleye in area lakes
The We Really Kare (WRK) Fishing Club, who has been raising funds and stocking walleye in WI waters for nearly 40 years.
4. Pure Fishing completes refinancing transaction
> As part of this transaction, Pure Fishing entered into a new 5-yr, $750 mil first lien credit facility with a consortium of lenders including Monarch Alternative Capital LP and Silver Point Finance as co-lead lenders. The proceeds of the new debt financing are being used to repay the Company’s existing term and asset-backed loans in full. The transaction provides Pure Fishing with additional long-term capital as the Company continues its growth trajectory.
5. MN: SITKA expands into Minnie
> SITKA Gear, the leader in technical hunting and outdoor apparel, is bringing its retail experience to MN with the opening of two new stores. These will be the brand’s fourth and fifth brick-and-mortar locations, reflecting SITKA’s dedication to connecting with outdoor sportsmen and women by offering a hands-on shopping experience.
> SITKA’s newest store, located at 12499 Elm Creek Blvd N, Suite A1, in Maple Grove, will celebrate its grand opening on Sat, Oct 26, showcasing the brand’s commitment to a premium in-store retail experience. This 2,629-sq-ft space will feature a wider selection of SITKA’s industry-leading, purpose-built hunting apparel and key franchise products, along with exclusive items designed for the Minnesota location by local artist Cody Petts. The event will also feature a special guest appearance by former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes.
> The grand opening celebration will begin at 10 am with the first 150 attendees receiving exclusive gift buckets filled with exclusive SITKA merchandise and other exciting items. Attendees can enjoy a coffee tent in the morning, catered food and drinks in the afternoon, and games for the whole family. Raffles will take place throughout the day, with exclusive gift-with-purchase products available only on Oct 26. Grand opening attendees will also have the chance to win a SITKA Gear system valued at up to $1,000.
They also opened a Mall of America location earlier this month.
> Theresa Spangler, President of SITKA Gear: “MN is home to so many people who are passionate about the outdoors and embrace the SITKA lifestyle. As a MN native, it’s incredibly meaningful for me to return home and bring the SITKA Gear experience to the community that shaped my love for the outdoors. This grand opening is not only a chance to expand our retail presence, but also an opportunity to connect with local hunters and outdoorsmen in the Minneapolis area, sharing stories and experiences with a community that holds a special place in my heart.”
I actually worked with Theresa at the Cabela's in East Grand Forks (she’s a rockstar!) back in the day while I was attending college at UND – small world!
6. TN considering 28% increase in fishing license fees
7. AR: New lithium source could meet world demand 9x over
> A study completed by the USGS found that there are lithium reserves located under southwestern Arkansas that's estimated to between 5 and 19 million tons.
8. OH: Ross Robertson’s Lake Erie tactics
For those of you fishing the Fall Brawl and/or Walleye Slam:
|
|
 |
|
Btw Matthew West is currently leading the Fall Brawl with a 30-incher that weighed 10.06 lbs. Wonder if that’s the Matt West that works at FishUSA? Couldn’t find any pics of the fish posted on social yet.
9. SD: Dakota Angler Ice Institute happening Nov 8-10
At the Sioux Falls Arena & Convention Center. One of the biggest and baddest ice shows in the nation with over 100 vendors and they always have a great lineup of free ice-fishing seminars.
10. MN: Zeebz confirmed in Bass Lake (Wright County)
11. WI: Invasive quagga mussels found in Geneva Lake
Believe it was the first WI lake to have ‘em.
12. Garmin bought boating lights co Lumishore
13. Brunswick 20% down year over year for Q3
It sounds like Mercury is doing well, but:
> The Navico Group [Lowrance] segment reported a sales decrease of 14%, primarily driven by reduced sales to marine OEMs resulting from lower boat production levels....
> Brunswick's Boat segment reported a 19% decrease in sales resulting from softer wholesale orders, as its channel partners continued to order cautiously....
14. VA: Boat ramp will be moved at Lake Anna
Because they’re looking to expand the swimming area, which they say is already “a safety concern to have the beach so close to the boat ramp.”
15. ID: Salmon/steelhead economic impact 🤑
I made a little joke in Top Item #1 of the last Target Walleye email with a Chris Farley meme (angry bus driver from Billy Madison) saying something about ID’s “precious little salmon and steelhead fishery.” Had a TW reader send in some info that I thought I’d share because where else are you going to read it?!
It’s from University of Idaho's review on the economic impact of salmon and steelhead fishing in ID (20-page PDF). The info is over 20 years old, but still super interesting:
> “The level of recent (2001-2003) fishing effort identified in the report is 155,000 steelhead trips in the 2002/2003 season and 125,000 salmon trips in 2001. With angler expenditures of $326 per trip, 280,000 trips result in sales of $91 million to anglers, plus what the report’s approach generates as an additional $162 million from indirect ‘multiplier’ effects, for a total economic benefit of $253 million for recent [salmon and steelhead] fishing effort....”
Pretty amazing – would love to see what those numbers are today.
|
|
|
Tom Boley’s favorite fall pattern is on.
Catching post-turnover walleye in super shallow water. He’s hitting shallow sand on the inside weededege in just 5-9’...but sometimes as shallow as 3-4’. 👀 How fun does that sound right about now?!
|
|
|
The docks were already pulled at a lake I hit up the other day, but I’ll gladly pack a pair of rubber boots to get out while the gettin’ is good...especially when there isn’t another boat on the entire lake. 🙌 Sorry “John!”
|
|
|
Sign up another fish-head!
If you're forwarding Target Walleye to a friend who loves to walleye fish or want your fishing buddies to get these emails, just send us their email addresses and we'll take care of it! (We won't sell the addresses, use them for spam, etc.)
|
|
|
FRIENDS OF TARGET WALLEYE
|
|
|
Target Walleye – walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Kumar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
