Packing up for a 2 day trip to Black Lake today. The only place an ice fishing man can get a fix right now, and thought of another thread I can post to twist you board junkies mind with.

I know just about anybody who's caught any amount of walleyes, have had a few come in gill plate, dorsal fin, adipose fin or tail fin first. And when this is done when trolling, I know and you know it isn't usually because there are just so many walleyes in the system their being snagged. At least not usually.

I've watched underwater video on Salmon both fallowing and striking at a spoon from the back. Often they strike at it from the side or almost seem to slap at it with their bodies to stun or kill it first. I was wondering if anybody has seen any such video with walleye as the subject? And or maybe your thoughts on why this fenomina happens quit often? And finally if we can keep it civil, you thought's on if a man could/should keep this fish for table fare. I know nobody would condone keeping it in a tournament, or maybe they would. I know this last subject has gotten some hot debate before, but please lets not let this slip into a feeding frenzy.

I have never seen a video of a walleye slapping the bait but due to the fact I've caught some by other than the mouth I would assume so. I mean, I may be quick to set the hook when I feel something but.....In regards to the second half of the question, in NY it is illegal to keep any game fish NOT hooked in the mouth. Therefore, no, I wouldn't keep it.

another "guest user"
pete lewis wc charter member #216

Theres is no doubt that every state has the (No keep) rule for any snagged fish no matter what the situation. Splitting hairs for any fish taken in this fasion, no matter what the circumstances, would be unprudent and invite a fine. The spirit of this rule/law may be the one hardest to abide by though, by people who mentally know that they were not trying to do something wrong.

Now, as for as how and at what angle a walleye may strikes your crankbait. It may again come down to his feeding mood. As well as the immediate compitition from his brothers around him. The faster one eats, the more sloppy one is. Make sense?

I have not seen a walleye video of this. have heard of salmon video showing them swim up behind one bait and stay there and then attack the bait to the side of the one that they are swimming behind. As for the foul hooked fish - no he goes back ! he got lucky ! this was not always so. when i was younger i would have kept it as a meal of walleye was a very big deal at home and none of us were to good at catching them.

Capt. Dan I have never seen a walleye slap a bait with its tail but I have saw them come into the hole super slow and stop right next to my bait with its tail right next to my bait, gave the do-jigger a little twitch quick as lightning fish did a 180 and scarfed up the bait missed it of course got him next time though. I had read before that the white spot on the tail was to attract bait fish first time I had seen it in action though it was cool. I was in 6 fow out of boutell road. Was really getting a kick out of watching those fish come in.

Jim.
I've witnessed that myself several times with just about all species I've ever ice fished for. Perch, Pike, Panfish and walleyes. I'm not sure whats going on there. But they will come charging in, stop short and stare at it. And sometimes move their body (like you said) alongside of and near the bait, and just hover there. Maybe they are using their lateral line senses to test just how real or lively this un-fleeing, un-afraid baitfish is. The key is to not touch the fish with that first twitch, or he's gone.

Forgot to comment on the foul hooked part I guess if a guy knew in his heart that fish was taking a wack at his bait and maybe didn't have any fish in the freezer I couldn't blame him. Fatboy the truth shall set you free I applaud your honesty it sure isn't anything like those guys on the maumee doing the jerk and the law lets them get away with it but I will stop there on that note as I tend to get too nasty on that subject and there may be women and children reading this post.