Downriggers for walleyes

Just wondering who runs downriggers for walleyes on inland lakes. I’ve been tempted to break out the salmon gear (riggers, dipsys, etc…) for walleyes on some of my local lakes. Whether its suspened eyes or walleyes roaming basins or flats, it would be interesting to use a rigger to get to ’em.

Any situations or circumstances where riggers or dipsys really shine? Any special rigging you use? Special releases or release rigging, etc?

Mainly cranks off of riggers or do you throw down some spinners, livebait, etc?? Length of stretch behind the ball? Leader material, etc??

Does the cannonball seem to bother eyes or might it be the opposite?

Sorry, I’m kind of asking some broad questions here. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Mike

on LOW yes, am going to do the mud on ML this summer.
on low its the go to for mid to late summer.
I use reefrunners and raps 25′ behind the ball and was doing well, keep in mind LOW is dark water. others were jigging in 23′ and i was DRing, it was like i was putting on a seminar so the ball or cable whine did not seem to affect them. i am also thinking about it on the deeper parts of pepin, hate longlining there is too much guess work even with “percision trilling”. nothing like being able to follow contours on a dime, turn sharp and you know exactly where u r at bc u can see the ball on the graph.
I am going to switch to the Walker plunger type release, my buddies love them, ive been using the pads and even hooking them ilght u still have to watch the rod tip cuz the cmaller ones dont always trip nor perch.

I know they use the riggers on LOW, I just never have summer fished it, so I’m not quite sure on the exact tactic. Would you say that it might outproduce core? Do you generally run your baits right close to bottom?

I’m contemplating using them on some of the deeper sections of the lakes in N WI, or maybe on some local ones when the ‘eyes stack on the flats. Wouldn’t mind getting to pepin, either, like you mentioned. Running core is ok, but can get a pain at times, especially when you are trying to run 3 or 4 core rods and long lines at the same time (usually don’t run boards, but probably should add those like when I salmon fish…) Snags, tangles, etc.. can really suck, especially if you are flying solo.

With a 25′ strech from the ball, how much dive do you get from the baits that you run? I would assume a shallow diving SR would reach a negligable depth beneath ball depth.. maybe a few feet?? Probably start at conservative depths until I start snagging up too much, although most of the areas I’m thinking of targeting are fairly clean (mud/muck bottom). I’ve got the bible at home, so I guess I’ll just consult the depth curves….

You know the coho on Michigan could care less more often than not how long of a strech you have, and a lot of musky guys run baits right in the prop wash. I wouldn’t think that rigger balls would make that big of a difference.. And if they do, then I can A) run a longer stretch or B) just use core or jets or something. I’m sure the fish will tell me if they don’t like something, I guess.

I think I know the type of release you are talking about.. I believe I run a similar kind.. I got away from pinch pads after they started roughing up my mono.

Mike

It’s soooo much easier to just use lead line!

I’ve heard of guys trying this on Mille Lacs with little success most likely due to super clear water. The balls/boat tend to push the active fish just out to the side of the boat.

Many of the lakes around here are pretty stained, so I’m not imagining the ball should be a huge issue, although I suppose I’ll have to try it to find out. There are a few lakes “up nort” a little ways that are ultra clear that I wouldn’t mind trying this on…

Either way, worth an outing or two, I suppose.

Instead of cranks, anyone ever run any livebait rigs off of a downrigger? Spinner harnesses or other rigs… Either tight to bottom or possibly run high for suspended walleyes (e.g. thermocline-oriented suspended ‘eyes during mid summer). Interesting thought, might be worth a run, anyway. You could run those waaay behind the ball if you needed to.

Mike

I’d like to try running some odd stuff out for walleyes. Like salmon spoons. Not sure dodgers or flashers would attract the eyes, but musky?? Big squids behind either could entice a hungry ski??

We used dipseys on Lake Erie with great success, pulling small thin profile spoons about 8 feet behind the dipsey. We would run 3 rods off each side, with different angles on the dipsey, and then 3 more rods on each side off a mast planer board with dipseys on those set to run straight back. When the eyes are on the feed, it is all you can do to handle 6 rods, so the planer board rods never went out.

Sounds good, I have often wanted to try the dipsys for ‘eyes… I have the standard large size dipsys for salmon fishing (size 1??) can’t remember exactly… I assume I could run some with or without the rings.. Especially if I only one one per side, I could see how that goes. I have some walleye spoons, and could certainly try cranks, etc. I’ve got a wire rig, but maybe I won’t mess around with that… I have a bunch of jet divers as well, but I’m not a big fan of the non-releasing diver. Will have to play around with all of that stuff, though and see what works.

What depths are you looking to target with what crankbait?

You may also want to consider Jet Divers. Here’s a depth chart: Luhr Jensen Jet Diver Depth Chart