Prespawn walleye lures

[Jersey John]

I want to try a res. in NJ this year for prespawn walleye. We were never allowed to fish for them till last year during April so I have no idea what to use. Do you guys and gals troll or jig for them. I am open to all suggestions as how to go about looking for and catching these fish. The res. is deep for the most part with steep sloping banks and has some trees out of the water on one end in about 3 to 20 ft. with a river bed running through it. There is 1 bridge with riprap on both sides in about 30 ft of water. What lures should I start with, herring is the most used bait as far as live bait goes. Where should I start my search at this time of year. Thanks to all who answer. JJ

[FROGMAN]

Whether you troll or jig entirely depends on your preferrence. You should be able to catch them either way. I just like to jig, and this is one time of the year when jigging really shines. The old river bed channel you mentioned would be a good place to start. Don't overlook the riprap area for trolling shallow cranks. or stay back a short ways and pitch jig's with minnows, or plastic.
Don't be afraid to look for the fish in very shallow water as well.
Hope this will get you started. Have fun, and tight lines!

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Jersey John]

Frogman,
Thanks for the start! As this is a catch and release fishery at that time of year I now am looking to extend my walleye fishing 1 extra month. Once again Thanks. JJ

[hammertime]

i would start out with a crawler harness rig behind a bottom bouncer so i could cover some water and locate them, then i would go over them a few times to get active fish out, then go back over the same area with jigs and then back to the bottom bouncer rig and find some more. mabee try running a shallow crank like a rapala or shallow running thunderstick jr behind the bottom bouncer also, always works for me. tight lines.

[Backwater Eddy]

Frogman has a good plan for sure and a betting man would stay with the jigs most days in pre-spawn situations.
My thoughts are use your eyes and your temp meter to find any changes near that hard bottom at the bridges. If the stump field sneaks up to the rocks this would be a hot bet at night tossing cranks up into the shallows in a quartering fashion. Supple changes in water temp as well as bottom configuration, gravel to mud, will concentrate pre-spawn piggys.

If the water is cool yet and the sun shines try tossing rattle traps or snag guarded rattle jigs up on the woody flats. The piggys may be up there trying to suck up some sun and piggy chow. Odds are they will be way more active then there deep cold buddies. Add some warm wind blowing into the flats and your onto a likely feeding shelf situation in bloom.

If you think you have spotted them hanging off deep ledges try a jigs or deep running cranks. Find the food you will find the pre-spawners close at hand until they go into spawn, then it's straggler city and l-o-n-g.....s-l-o-w trips.

Good hunting,

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[Jersey John]

Thanks guys, I could use the help. I have learned so much on this web site over the last 4 years. My search will start as soon as the ice is out. Thanks again! JJ

[Walteye]

Jersey John,
I am from Eastern PA and fish NJ quite often, but have only fished in NJ for walleye at Lake Hopatcong. E-mail me if you want to try your luck with a partner, your boat or mine.
shadownose@rcn.com
Walteye