What Cranks For Opener?

We’re not going to be scared away from Mille Lacs for opener by this bait ban. But I’m thinking I should be trying some new options. We’ve basically been bobber and jig fishermen for opener. If we’re going to troll, what should we be pulling? What cranks? What sizes? What colors? I’m totally a novice at pulling cranks for walleyes. Any help would be appreciated.

I’ve primarily used suspending stick baits and Shad Rap style lures. It’s been mostly a night time bite for me unless there is a pretty good wind blowing. I don’t care for rod holders, I want to feel the lure and the strike. Sometimes sweeping the rod triggers them, sometimes it doesn’t.

I would also recommend getting some swimbaits and try some rip jigging as you troll.

Yep, SR-5’s or Flickershads of the same size. #10-#12 husky jerks or Rogues of the same size.

Thanks, guys. What about colors?

My favorite baits for shallow water trolling are the following:

#7 bent lip Rapala shallow shad raps (SSR) in blue/silver, black/silver, and perch
#10 & #12 Husky Jerks in Tennessee Shad, Fire Tiger, Dark Blue/silver
Rattlin Rogues in clown color (not sure of their size but I like the small 2 hook floater for shallow water)

Here is a report I posted a few years ago explaining some of the thought that goes into putting a pattern together.
https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/fishing/reports/1343078/

Will

I’m not an expert what so ever on Mille Lacs or walleyes for that matter, but what about jigging raps for any jigging applications. Many videos on guys moving around structure hopping those things off the bottom I also had some good luck with a scatter rap trolling last year. They will only dive about 10 feet and have a good action. Had really good luck with that lure on Kabetogama in early June. Glad to see that some people aren’t giving up on Mille Lacs.

Will Roseberg wrote:

#10 & #12 Husky Jerks in Tennessee Shad, Fire Tiger, Dark Blue/silver

x2 I also like the purpledescent #10 HJ for trolling shallow.

Good advice on crankbait selection.

Don’t forget about jigs and plastics as well.

Does anyone have any advice for using plastics on Mille lacs?

Don’t troll lipless cranks, well more of an aggressive drift, but either way don’t, useless.

Nick Bucknell wrote:

Does anyone have any advice for using plastics on Mille lacs?

Paddletails, swimbaits, And Gulp minnows work. Pitch them on the edge of rock reefs and weedlines.

Dragging Light hair jigs has been productive for me on past openers.

2619 wrote:

Dragging Light hair jigs has been productive for me on past openers.

Light hair… like as in blond?

Light hair…..like in small weight?

Natural colors, white with red and silver accents are always a good clear water option.

I meant lightweight, 1/8 or 1/16 oz. Long lined or pitched, tip it with a gulp or trigger x minnow.

Worth a shot.