??about stained water and river walleye's?

[Captian Krup]

Why is it that the when the water is stained that jigging is not productive for walleye? I don't handline but I read that handlining is productive when the water is stained. I'd like to try handlining but $140 bucks for 1 reel doesn't sit well with the boss (wife).

[Beaver]

Out here when we fish the Mississippi, the fishing normally picks up when the water dirtys up. What kind of jigging are you talking about? If you`re doing the basic jig/minnow vertical presentation, the fish may have trouble picking up on your offering. When the water gets dirty , I usually make a few adjustments. I haven`t used live bait in ages, I use either plastics or hair. In dirty water I`ll use bulkier plastics that move more water and are easier for fish to key on. I`ll also move shallow because fish in the shallows are generally more active. In dirty water I like to use ring worms, Guidos Ringers, tubes and Zipper worms. All of these move plenty of water and get plenty attention from hungry eyes. Don`t give up on the jigging, just do something different someplace different. Beav

[ristorapper]

I feel that the fish seem to go off bite in really stained water too but it is just a fact that they can't find your offering. I have gone to jigs with rattles or the ones with propellers(whistler jigs) and have found that these will increase your odds in very stained water. The above post sounds like a very practical method too that i have not tried but will. And remember if you were in stained water, you will not be able to rely on your sight but use your other senses. Fish will do this, just put yourself in their situation and your imagination will come up with other possibilities too. I do think that fish will relate more so to the immediate bottom too as they are unable to travel by site so keep the jig in close contact to the bottom and don't be afraid to up size the jigs and "pound" it on the bottom to attract fish also.

Get some thump going to get their attention or anything else(scents) that will bring them to you. Good luck and give it a try until you can afford the hand line.

[GORD]

Fish are not very good sight feeders in dirty water. They rely more on their other senses. Smells, vibrations, sounds etc. A plain jig can go undiscovered for a long time.

[ebijack]

sounds like your taking about the detroit/st clair rivers. when they dirty from there average 6ft depth clearity to like now 2 inches of visibility, it turns the fish off for about 2 days till they get used to (and hungry) with the visibility. handlining has an advantage in the dirty water because you hold your #9,#11,#13 rapala's (most common) infront of the fish for as long as you want (speed up current). jigs go buy in an instant. you can actually hold your bait right infront of the fish as long as you want making the bait dance infront of the fish. depending on what water you fish and where you can use multiple baits/lines. handlining is a very relaxing way to fish and is THE way to troll in a heavy current. i prefer jigging, but there are alot of guys who love handlining like i do jigging. if your in the detroit area, join the downriver walleye federation or saginaw bay walleye club. you will be able to fish with guys who can teach you more in just a few trips than you can learn in years of practice. handlining can and does win tourney's.

[Backwater Eddy]

Don't forget the Rattle Traps too, in dark water they often out produce jigs.

Even if you are in a vertical jigging situation try them, rip-pause-rip-pause. Blade baits are also a great choice.

Backwater Eddy

[ristorapper]

And Backwater Eddy would know. He is on the mighty Red River in ND. good come back BE ya stayin high and dry??

[Dan(MI)]

I prefer to jig, but the last few days stick baits have been out producing jigs. Eyes react to a stick more so than a bouncing jig that often times bounces right over their heads.
If you don't have a handline rig, try using a 3-way system, or use a heavy 3-4 oz bottom bouncer, tie on a 5-7 ft leader and slowy troll upstream, use extremely colorful baits.
Go Fishin
Dan

[Rabble Rouser]

Captain if you decide to buy a handline reel get a A&S reel. They are made in Detroit and are the "Cadillac" of handline reels. You can get them from Lakeside Tackle in St. Clair Shores, Mi. I handline 90% of the time, day and night, and do quite well. Its not that hard to learn, alot easier than jigging. The cost of the reel isn't that much when you figure what a good rod and reel cost. The shanks and leaders we make up ourselves and pour our own sinkers,16 & 20 oz.

[Backwater Eddy]

The present high water conditions on the mighty Red would dictate jigging maraca's that glow like the sun, then they might hear it & see a faint glow?

Water is so full of silt yet that if you cup your hands and fill it with river water you can't see your fingers, even up on the slow flooded shelf areas.

We were jigging from a boat in 10' of water up in flooded trees were I often shore fished and camped in the summer. So much cover were do you start?

(FYI) Do you know what Wahpeton means in Sioux by the way, "dwells among the tree tops", go figure?

Very tough yet tell the river returns to it's banks then it will be a different story.

Backwater Eddy.......><,,>