Night time fishing question

[Jim K]

I'm new at trying to figure out the night time puzzle for early season post spawn eyes. It seems to me that early in the year the standard rule of thumb is to use a smaller size artifical bait but there's also a rule of thumb that says use a larger bait when fishing at night. So what should I do? I'm fishing Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.

[ezmarc]

I have never fished your area but Lake Erie Walleyes don't seem to know about the rule of thumbs. I suspect it is probably the same where you are. Good luck!!

[GullGuide]

Jim,
The two best lures that I have used at night early season would have to be a #5 shad rap and a #13 floating Rapala. I concentrate mainly on the shoreline structure anywhare fron 5-8 feet. If you can find some fresh, new cabbage weed, all the better. Zone in on shorlines that drop rapidly from shore, level out at 6-9 feet and then drop off again. Gravel and rubble are a plus too. Nailed them On Saturday night with the #5 shad rap in 8 feet right at sundown.
Good luck!
>"////=<

[GullGuide]

PS...I can't spell either...:)
>"////=<

[Hunter]

Walleye are alot more aggressive at night, you can give them a bigger lure than you would during the day change from #7 to a 9 or 11. The colors I think are more important than the size firetiger, perch and gold orange are my top 3 colors in that order. And jointed lures seem to catch more than a one peice.

[Jim K]

Thanks Gull Guide and Hunter. Ezmarc, I hear you. It seems like there's a lot of eyes out there that don't know what they're suppose to be doing. I don't think they're reading the same fishing articles I am.

Another thought occured to me since I made my original post. It seems to me you would want a lure that does it's thing at slower speeds because it's night and the water is cool. What are the good slow moving lures out there?

[Dodge1]

My 2 favorite lures for night fishing. Dark colors, if you please.

Isn't it darn right amazing the size of a fish that will simply inhale a #5 rap. Maybe they think it's a midnight snack :)

Got to love the #13 or #11 fished nice and slow. 4-8 feet of water, just enough speed on the trolling motor to put a little action on the floater. Give it a little fast pull every now and then and BOOM. Most eyes at night are anything but tentative.

[Uncle Walleye]

No doubt the Raps work great, but I thought I'd mention my favorite night time stick bait. The Smithwick Rattling Rogue for the shallow bite. I've had good success with casting very close to shore, sometimes onto shore and dragging it back in the water. You will need the quick drop off at shore like described before. The walleyes will push the bait into the shore causing disorientation of the bait and the eyes capitalize on it. Give this shallow bite a try. This has worked for me throughout the entire open water season.
Good Fishing!

[Cangl]

Your lakes large but it doesn't have alot of current so your primary forage is probably perch, maybe 4" to 5" inch stick baits would be my first choice though 2.5 to 3.5 would catch more fish, inland walleye arn't as gargarious as the big water rovers. Smaller minnow baits and spinner rigs, and cranks without rattles. Big fish do hit big baits, but primaryt forage is their bread. Inland walleye in my opinion spook easier also.