OFF SHORE WALLEYE FISHING/ALTERNATIVES???

[FISHCRAZY]

Every year, this spring we're fishing here in Cleveland for walleyes in at night. We get the good nights when most people catch them, but then are the slow nights when getting a hit it's a miracle!!!. 99% of the guys are using the long stick baits, any size, shape, make, you name it, someone has it, yet consistancy is not there. Even on bad nights there are one or two who seam to manage fish, though there are others who use the same lure and presentation but to no use. Sometimes out of 30 people fishing, 29 don't even get a hit, yet there's the one guy (no one in particular, and not always the same person) who ends up with 4 in the bag and 2 or 3 getting off. If he uses a black/silver husky within 5 minutes you have 30 black/silver combing that water with any possible presentation you can imagine, yet he's the only one getting hits. while he's getting his fish in the bag and untangaling the lure his neighbors fish his spot with no results, yet when he gets back in, few more casts and he gets one again.

My question: besides casting long stick cranks, does anyone have other proven ways of fishing for walleys at night. I used to get them bottom fishing with night crawlers, but that hasn't worked in the last 10 years.

Thank you, in advance.

[Walleye Express]

Fishcrazy.
What your discribing has happened to every single one of us at one time or another. Look how many times one guy while ice fishing next to the other gets skunked, while his buddy can't keep the fish off his line. Even that don't mean the guy not catching fish has to be doing something wrong. Many times the fish under the ice get (zoned in) on that specific area where their buddies are feeding, and ignore anything even 2 feet away from where (Lucky Louie) has his line down.

This can happen in open water as well. Especially during this time of year when the main forage is smelt and other baitfish looking to come ashore and spawn. These baitfish travel in schools and search out specific spots to stage and spawn, making that certain spot on the lake or bank (the spot to be). Technique may also play a big part in why somebody is nailing them and the others are not. Often times even angles of approach makes the difference. Something as simple as how high the guy holds his rod when retrieving could make the difference. How fast he's reeling the crank on the retrieve. Is he stopping or stauling the crank? What pound test line is he using? How long is the rod he is using? All these little suttleties on certain nights can and will make the difference.

Night time walleyes are above all reaction biters. Once you have the color and size crank down, work on the other suttleties.

[FISHCRAZY]

I appreciate your ansewer very much and everything you said gave me alot to think about and it all makes sense. A couple of weeks ago I took a friend of mind to Lorain. He brought his stealheas\d rod, 9' with 6 lbs. test line, I use the 8 lbs test line. He used the RiffRunner I told him, which did so good for me the night before. I ahd one fish by the time he got there. He was fishing for about 10 minutes and I told him he was reling way to fast. He replied: "realy, but I have a fish on". That was his first time fishing for walleyes at night. Any way, by the end of the night he had four and lost a couple and I was still holding to the one. Last night I was here in Cleveland and after 10:00 pm this guy shows up with a 9' rod. I asked him: "Is this your stealhead rod?" he replyed: Yeah, and I hope 6 lbs. is strong enough". Within 3 cast he had a fish on. The night was all but dead by that time. I had one and lost on about 8:30pm and that was all the action out of about 20 guys there. I noticed he was realing quite fast, must be those stealhead rods! I speeded up myself , 10 more minutes he gets another, me nothing. Then, I wached his rod and, facing him, I angled my 6'6" rod as his, also had the tips of the rods even. A few more casts, he hooks another, not me. the I turned with my back to him, but still kept and eye on his rod and match mine to his, retriving was easy, just go fast. Second cast, BOOM!!! Got the hit, set the hook, there was my fish. On my thisr cast after that, had another one on. All this while 20 other guys were just watching us. Then, it figures, within 5 minutes the wind shifted N-Ne, 20 MPH and we had to leave.I do appreciate your respose because it confirms my deductions, when I see someone catch fish, besides looking a the crank and presentation, I also look at all the other details. to many to list, but this will make me much, much more aware!!!

Thank you again!!

[Walleye Express]

Crazy.
Your very welcome. I was very happy to confirm what you yourself figured out. That's what makes fishing challenging and so much fun. I believe you have the willingness and right attitude for being a very successful angler. I'll never be able to throw a 90 mph fast ball, but I sure as heck can duplicate a winning fish catching stategy when I see one, and so can anybody who takes the time to notice the little things and apply them.

[Bob J pool 12]

That's what seperates the Men from the Boys.Paying attention to the Details.

[FISHCRAZY]

Agian, last night I had a stealhead rod fisherman next to me. Sure enough he poped 3 and lost one within a couple of hours. I tried, but was not able to get a hit all night, neither did most guys around, some managed one fish. You know it, tonight i will use my 9' stealhead rod with 6 lbs. test line. I'm dying to see what will happen!

Good Luck!!

[WAeyes]

Another thing I wouldn't be afraid to try when the bite is slow on the cranks is casting a light jig and twister that works well at a slow retrieve speed.