New to the Walleye World

[Jim Fitzgerald]

I am relatively new to the walleye fishing world and entered a couple of walleye tournments for the 2003 season. I had a great time fishing and talking with fellow fishermen. I did not realize that there was so much to learn when tring to catch walleye. I would very much like to talk to someone about how to catch walleye in any condition. My teammate and I really struggled this season and would really like to do better. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

[Walleye Express]

>I am relatively new to the walleye fishing world and entered
>a couple of walleye tournments for the 2003 season. I had a
>great time fishing and talking with fellow fishermen. I did
>not realize that there was so much to learn when tring to
>catch walleye. I would very much like to talk to someone about
>how to catch walleye in any condition. My teammate and I
>really struggled this season and would really like to do
>better. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You
>

[b] Jim.

I got good news and bad news. The good news is, that the more you do anything, the better at it you get. Luckily walleye fishing falls into this category.

The bad news is I've been fishing walleyes since I was 10 years old. That would be 41 years. And even though I fell a lot more confident when leaving the dock, that don't mean my game plans for the day are going to produce even one walleye. A man cannot both simply and continually successfully put to use every known technique and strategy, for a fish that is (for the most part) in constant motion and interacting with the many climactic variables from one day to the next. Yet on certain days you can swear that catching walleyes is the easiest thing in the world. So answering your questions would be a never ending process. But keep with it and at least the ground rules will become more evident as you progress.

[scott22]

One of the most important things is to be versatile. Don't just be a jig fisherman or a puller. Learn as many techniques as you can and in the long run it will pay off for you.

[eyedoktr]

Jim, welcome to the frustrating world of walleye fishing. You made one of the most important learning steps by coming here to Walleye Central. These people know their stuff and will gladly share the info with anyone who asks.

[Jayman]

Jim,

I thought I was a good walleye fisherman until I fished some tourneys....then I discovered I didn't know much. I think I've learned more about walleyes in the last couple of years fishing tourneys and talking to people at weigh-ins than all my previous fishing knowledge. I also give credit to my partners that I have fished with in the past.

I've also learned that tourney fishing can be extremely humbling.

I think the #1 rule is to have fun and always keep that in mind. Good Luck.

[Badger 05]

I am certainly no expert but the main thing I have noticed tournament fishing is that it is the smallest of details that really count. The guys who consistnetly do well on our circuit are the guys that feel as though they intimately know every little detail of the bite that they are on. As an earlier post indicated always remember that you are now fishing for an animal that is in a constant state of flux. There are many variables in the world of walleyes and I believe that they are more affected by those variables than many other fish species.

I have also noticed that every tournament that my partner and I have done well in (not very many) we were both physically and mentally drained at the end of the tournament because we both maintained a high level of focus throughout pre-fishing and during the tourney. There is no seceret formula to help one catch fish consistently, there is no seceret lure, and it doesn't matter which manufacutrer made your boat/rods/reels etc. I think what really matters is disciplining oneself to maintain a high level of focus and knowing when to make the right decisions. It doesn't sound very fun when I put it that way, but I really enjoy it.

It also doesn't hurt to have a little luck mixed in. I would rather be lucky than good any day.

Fishing is: One jerk waiting for another jerk at the end of his line

[ebijack]

WC will definatley help your learning curve..stop into the chatroom and ask alot of questions. ask specific questions here on the board. if you can, pre-fish some major tourney's with "pros"..this is where you'll really learn alot. fish some tourney's as a co-angler, again you should really up your learning curve here.
learn the waters you fish first, then try to learn waters/techniques for other waters...nothing like learning on the water.

[Spanky]

I think also it would be a good idea & find a walleye club to visit & talk shop.
In Detroit area there are several.