Jim McDonnell
06-30-2003, 11:08 AM
PLAY THE WIND
Big Spirit Lake has many small walleyes using the weeds. When they are really active, it’s possible to catch 50 fish in a few hours, but only one or two will make legal size, but then that is fishing, although it does make the future look bright. It’s a wise fisherman that takes great care when removing deeply bedded hooks in these small fish. In our Iowa Great Lakes area, it takes about five years to grow a 14-inch walleye.
Presentations range from running Rainbow Spinners over or just off the weeds, to drifting Roach Rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in the deeper water. Some fisherman have been running deep diving Crankbaits with leadcore line or off shore snap weights. Leadcore will usually work best on suspended walleye while snap weights keep the lure closer to the bottom.
Some nice northern pike, perch, crappie and smallmouth bass will keep things interesting near the weedline. Trolling will let you cover a lot of water but casting to weed pockets is also an option. A Power Grub on a pointed head jig, like a Northland Weed Weasel, will work it’s way through sparse weeds very well, and any predator fish will grab it as it slides through and off the weed stalks.
West Okoboji’s daytime bite for walleyes has been a slow developer. You can catch fish but you will need to choose the right day. For me, that means some wind or cloud cover. I really don’t care as long as the lake is not flat calm, especially if we are targeting walleyes.
There is some good smallmouth activity on the rocks. Try Power Tubes or slip bobbers with live leeches or small crawfish. The deep edge of the weeds worked with a jig and leech, minnow or power worm is a good choice as are spinners and Bottom Bouncers.
East Okoboji is doing fair on walleyes, work deeper rock piles with a Fireball Jig and leech while trolling Crankbaits, such as the Frenzy Diver will still work in the basin area. You might try small Crankbaits on leadcore line.
Silver Lake at Lake Park is still producing catches of walleyes, casting to the shoreline with a Power Grub or trolling shallow Crankbaits in the deepest water you can find.
Five Island Lake at Emmetsburg has a good walleye bite north of the Railroad Bridge. Trolling or casting Crankbaits seems to be the best presentation right now.
When you live in our area of northwest Iowa, where the daytime winds usually average about 15 mph, fisherman have had to learn to cope with breezy fishing days or stay home. Many years ago, I learned it is easier to use the wind to your advantage rather than trying to fight it. With heavy winds, it might not be possible to run all over the lake, but it is possible to find an area to launch the boat and fish.
In our Iowa Great Lakes area the toughest wind to launch a boat is in a strong southeast wind. It seems that most of our ramps catch a southeast wind perfectly. Once on the water, one can usually slip around and find a quiet spot. I have had to make some adjustments in the way I fish as each of my guide boats increase in size each year. The 195 Alumacraft Trophy that I am running this year is a 20-footer. It is a great fishing rig but like any big fishing boat with a full windshield, it will catch more wind.
In my next article we will address some equipment that will let us fish some strong winds with confidence.
Keep a tight line and may your aim be straight. Jim McDonnell is a professional fishing guide, avid hunter, trapper and outdoor writer in the Iowa Great Lakes. He writes from his home in Royal.
Big Spirit Lake has many small walleyes using the weeds. When they are really active, it’s possible to catch 50 fish in a few hours, but only one or two will make legal size, but then that is fishing, although it does make the future look bright. It’s a wise fisherman that takes great care when removing deeply bedded hooks in these small fish. In our Iowa Great Lakes area, it takes about five years to grow a 14-inch walleye.
Presentations range from running Rainbow Spinners over or just off the weeds, to drifting Roach Rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in the deeper water. Some fisherman have been running deep diving Crankbaits with leadcore line or off shore snap weights. Leadcore will usually work best on suspended walleye while snap weights keep the lure closer to the bottom.
Some nice northern pike, perch, crappie and smallmouth bass will keep things interesting near the weedline. Trolling will let you cover a lot of water but casting to weed pockets is also an option. A Power Grub on a pointed head jig, like a Northland Weed Weasel, will work it’s way through sparse weeds very well, and any predator fish will grab it as it slides through and off the weed stalks.
West Okoboji’s daytime bite for walleyes has been a slow developer. You can catch fish but you will need to choose the right day. For me, that means some wind or cloud cover. I really don’t care as long as the lake is not flat calm, especially if we are targeting walleyes.
There is some good smallmouth activity on the rocks. Try Power Tubes or slip bobbers with live leeches or small crawfish. The deep edge of the weeds worked with a jig and leech, minnow or power worm is a good choice as are spinners and Bottom Bouncers.
East Okoboji is doing fair on walleyes, work deeper rock piles with a Fireball Jig and leech while trolling Crankbaits, such as the Frenzy Diver will still work in the basin area. You might try small Crankbaits on leadcore line.
Silver Lake at Lake Park is still producing catches of walleyes, casting to the shoreline with a Power Grub or trolling shallow Crankbaits in the deepest water you can find.
Five Island Lake at Emmetsburg has a good walleye bite north of the Railroad Bridge. Trolling or casting Crankbaits seems to be the best presentation right now.
When you live in our area of northwest Iowa, where the daytime winds usually average about 15 mph, fisherman have had to learn to cope with breezy fishing days or stay home. Many years ago, I learned it is easier to use the wind to your advantage rather than trying to fight it. With heavy winds, it might not be possible to run all over the lake, but it is possible to find an area to launch the boat and fish.
In our Iowa Great Lakes area the toughest wind to launch a boat is in a strong southeast wind. It seems that most of our ramps catch a southeast wind perfectly. Once on the water, one can usually slip around and find a quiet spot. I have had to make some adjustments in the way I fish as each of my guide boats increase in size each year. The 195 Alumacraft Trophy that I am running this year is a 20-footer. It is a great fishing rig but like any big fishing boat with a full windshield, it will catch more wind.
In my next article we will address some equipment that will let us fish some strong winds with confidence.
Keep a tight line and may your aim be straight. Jim McDonnell is a professional fishing guide, avid hunter, trapper and outdoor writer in the Iowa Great Lakes. He writes from his home in Royal.