So ya want to catch walleyes too huh!! Well what are you waiting for then. Here is just a "Little" tip to remember. Write This on your buddies Forehead" Rocks=Heat=Larvea=baitfish=predators=fisherman=shorelunch=guide trips=Solving world problems and CATCHING FISH!! Yep Catching is more fun than fishing! Quit the nonsense! Here is the concept! Rocks of course are brilliant natural heat retainers early in the year especially when you have an extended cold water period, or Winter 10 months out of the year. Rainy Rocks are less friendly to lower units than bug hatches. Case in point my lower unit donation last year. "THATS GONNA LEAVE A MARK!!!!!!!!!!"
Larvea hatches are triggered by increased water temps. as the water temps increase in close proximity to heat conducters this triggers some of the first larvea hatches of the season "YUMMY!". A larvea hatch brings in little predators "Baitfish" Yep baitfish eat too! Baitfish bring in the Target fish. Walleyes, Pike, Smallies, Crappies… Target fish bring in you and I!
BUT….. Yeah you still need to be able to catch them. A couple things are working well right now for me. Hair jigs and Paddletails. I like using hair jigs as they are imitating a larvea/bug. Snapped off rock edges are pretty effective. The paddle tails are a perfect imitation of the baitfish in which are feeding on the larvea…. Sometimes a slow methodical retrieve while other times a snapping/holding retrieve triggers these fish.
FYI I’m noticing a bit of MOSSY SLIME on the bottom in areas this year. Started noticing it a bit last year, so fine tune your jigging game. Stay home with heavy tackle coupled with mono! You’ll have better luck catchin one out of your bathtub. Go as light as possible keeping your presentation in the strike zone for as long as possible. Keep contact with your jig "HELLO JIG" A swimming/twitching action just off the bottom will out produce 10 to 1 the guy pounding off the bottom collecting loads of salad for shorelunch. SOOOO if you get bored catching slabs go chase some walleyes. Rumor has it they ARE SNAPPING! Qoute of the Week!! "Whatchya using ther son??"
You sir are having too much fun. And it is starting to drive me nutz stuck in this office chair. You’re one lucky stiff to be living on the shoreline of that beautiful lake.
Thanks for the report. Those paddletails have really come on as one of the more versatile and effective walleye baits this past season.
Living on Rainy Lake is pretty tough. The toughest thing is deciding what to fish for. Especially now when pike, crappies, walleyes, smallies… Are all coming on strong. Often times during guide trips we’ve been slamming the crappies, and then getting after the walleyes, and then getting into a few pike. Whoa! Now thats a full day!
Good Fishing Guys! Rainy is HOT!
Somehow I feel I’ve been reduced to being just another link in the food chain.
Works for me!
Great read!
great report and thanks
Sounds like a ball Chris.
You have to love the production from those paddletails
Has been my go to bait all spring here on the river.
Yeah it’s nice you boys share your river secrets for us Up North guys! The oyster color is my favorite thus far.