FSH4EYZ
12-19-2009, 08:15 AM
Just how would you guys go about targeting and catching really big Walleye under ice ? No live minnows, early ice, mid winter, late ice.. I would like to get some new ideas, or better yet some education. I know some of you guys out there know the Omega Code. I just want to catch some big fish through the ice. I'm catching little ones alot. All males, are the big girls close or do they wait for latter more favorable conditions? I just need some education.... :huh:
Backwater Eddy
12-20-2009, 08:14 AM
First off ya can't catch them if they are not there, research the fishery, fish waters with respectable numbers of larger walleye and the odds go up very quickly. Second early and late ice will yield the largest fish on average, with late ice being the heaviest fish of the calendar year..hit that time as hard as you can.
Generally I say use larger presentations. Larger baits fished aggressively and cover more ice will put you in contact with more larger fish. A very good lure choice for this strategy is a #6 Salmo Chubby Darter in a pattern that best reflects the key forage base in the system your fishing. Another Hog Hanger is the Salmo Zipper, it Hog Calls fish in from a distance and you tend to catch the largest fish in the area.
I am a firm believer that large walleye prefer to feed up, and often ride much higher in the water column to prey on larger forage items. I also believe as they get older and larger there eyes factor into this and they see up more to feed due to the change in the radius of there eyesight, and just plain old age..they don't often see as well I suspect and larger is good for them as it is for us.
Good on ice electronics is key, use it, and trust what it is telling you. It is a critical part of efficient ice fishing and a Vexilar will most certainly find you more fish, and larger fish, if you use it well and cover some ice.
That is one mans opinion, but so far that strategy has done well for me. Give it a go.