Effective Use of Fishing Time

[shadrapper]

Gentlemen,

I give you the following scenario:

area: sand flat (little vegetation)
depth: 12-15 ft
species: walleye, northern (I'm going for walleye)
time frame: June, late afternoon
Sonar: marking fish supending (5-7 ft.) but not concentrated in one area

My dilemma is knowing what sequence of techniques/presentations to use.In other words:

- if I'm using cranks should I fish with them exclusively (different types, different boyancy) then switch to other presentations (then fish elsewhere)
-or-
- fish, briefly using one technique, then switch to another, (then change locations)

Given that I have the equipmnent and some knowledge, I feel that I don't use my time to fish to my advantage.

Can you help me out?

Thanks,

Shadrapper

[Todd_NE]

Hmmm

I'd want to know more about the flat, surely there are breaklines, or heavier bottom vegetation, maybe hard/soft transition. Usually there is still some "feature" that might concentrate the fish.

Personally, June fish should be pretty hot and active. I'd whip out planer boards and cranks along with some meat.

Assuming good recent and present weather conditions I'd run:

1. Board out 70' or so with a high crank in the top 3-5' (target marks) Use a straight ripstick, rogue, rapala, thunderstick.
2. Board out 40' with a deeper crank like a wally diver or shad rap - confidence bait
3. Bottom Bouncer or 3-way Rig. Maybe a #3 colorado in Hammered Silver w/blue & chartreuse beads w/3/4 or 1/2 a crawler. Keep it on the bottom.
4. Another bait rig with a lighter weight to get it further back with maybe a #4 Fire Tiger blade with org/red beads & minnow or leech. Let it suspend. Could run it off a long line or board too.

This way you would have four different types of bait, a few different types of presentations, and different portions of the water column. The goal in this scenario is to contact fish then narrow the pattern. If I didn't pick anything up, I'd start to change the lures at 15-20 minute intervals but keep the same basic methods employed and depending on the spot, give it an hour or two at the most if not getting fish. I generally wait 2 or 3 fish in a row to start on a particular rig before narrowing down presentations.

Good luck

todd

[whitetips]

The scenario sounds great, 5 to 7 footers sound like panfish or rock bass getting ready to stage and move up on the flat. This happens late may into june. Try all live bait, the notherns will eat you up if they are predominant in the lake with the cranks, try cranks in July., Walleye, shiners and rainbows on a live bait, if you start catching a few switch baits say leeches, especially in early, early june. Watch the depths you are working because flats generally have sandgrass or some other veg that attracts scattered schools. They like to lay in between clumps of new emergent sg. Use an electric if at all possible, 4 to 6 foot snell , if they prefer the minnow, try jigging.

GLuck