Even though the fall walleye & sauger bite has been below par this year so far, a hard working angler can still manage to put some decent fish in the boat. You may have to go through three or four different techniques along with multiple color changes, but in the end, it can be worth the extra effort required to catch these fish.
To add insult to injury, Mother Nature has thrown some brutal winds and chilly air at us as well. Saturday morning was certainly no treat when it comes to fall fishing weather. I was glad to see that Brad & Joel Benson had dressed appropiately. When I see clients dressed like these guys, I know there serious about going fishing.
We considered ourselves fortunate to find a spot somewhat out of the wind where the fish would still cooperate with us a little bit.
The bait of choice for the fish we caught over the past couple of days has been all over the place. Some came on plain old jigs tipped with minnows. Others on crank baits trolled behind lead core and some preffered a blade bait. This week we even caught a few on jig & paddletail combo’s from B’Fish’N Tackle Co. A chart/green core paddletail on a 1/4oz green tiger jighead caught the nice walleye that Mark Mowbray is holding up. He also put a eaten size sauger in the boat with that same rig a little later on.
It’s a close call, but the blade bait was probably our best bait this past weekend.
Even though the fishing was tough, in some ways it seems a just little bit more satisfying when we do put some decent walleyes & saugers in the boat.
On a side note, after being laid off for pretty much all summer, I managed to land a new job at the UW College of Engineering as an Advanced Instrument Maker. (also known as a Machinist) Not a minute to soon either since my unemployment elegibility was set to expire soon.
This is an LTE position but I’m hoping that it will turn into a full time one. The possibility is there but it’s definitely not a given.
Considering my alternatives, I feel pretty lucky to land this job.
Nice stuff, guys!
A few more over 20″ fish from the past couple of fishing trips.
Maybe someday, Jared… maybe someday.
Seriously, though, ‘eyes are cool and all, but gimme a chance at a 15# channel cat or a 30# sturgeon any day. Convince me otherwise!
To each there own Jared!
Some people get bitten with the bass fishing bug, others can’t stop chasing muskies and some only want to catch catfish & sturgeon. I like walleyes & saugers first & foremost.
Great report Joel. By switching up you always seem to land some dandy fish, even when the bite is off.
Best of luck with your new position, hope it works out well for you!
I’m like you Joel, I’ll fish anything but the walleye has my heart! Slow start or not you’re whoopin on em now
Awesome fish Boog for a tough bite!
Congrats on the job re-assignment.
After domestics last weekend, I’m ready for some fall eyes. Every species has its season. I like walleyes in spring and fall, cats from April to Sept and a musky or two in fall. Panfish and pike in the winter. I like the figuring out of the bite for walleyes and they can be a pain to get going. Catfishing is gaining in popularity. I have yet to see a walleye break a rod and I’ve seen a dozen or so cats do it.
Joel:
Just found out that my brother Brad and his son fished with you this last weekend. If I had known earlier I would have warned you!!! I hope you enjoyed their company, I get it this weekend and am looking forward to it. He’s already asking where the ducks, grouse or fish are…Actually it may be the best excuse I have had to get in the boat in weeks!!! His payment for my guiding… I might have him help me get one load of wood, LOL!!!
Mark
Great Job Joel! Way to make it work when a tough bite is present.
Congrats on the job as well! I know up here at Stout, many of the LTE employees are hired on full time!
Nice catch and pics of saugs and eyes, Joel. Looks like you overcame the wind obstacle. That darn wind has been my worst enemy this year, getting blown out at Red Wing in the spring, then again in early Octobr, and two days at Green Bay in August, and a couple weeks back at Lake WI when we crossed paths on the water
. But whadya gonna do?…keep fishing! 
Congrats on the new job.
great report Joel.
Best wishes on the new job. 
Thanks guys!
I definitely did enjoy Brad & Joel’s company! It was really nice to see they knew how to properly dress for the weather. It was a pretty harsh day out there to say the least. We had a good time and the fish cooperated pretty good for us on this windy morning.
Joel:
Obviously everyone wants to catch more fish, but Brad said they were happy considering the circumstances!!! They were able to take some fish home for eating, caught some nice fish in the slot, got some ideas on how to fish the body of water for another trip, etc. They were happy knowing that there were baitfish in the area making them feel comfortable that their guide had them close to fish even though the fishing Gods are making it difficult for most fishing during the last month!!!
Mark