I Want Walleye

[Denny Sands]

I Want Walleye !!!

October is Walleye Time. It is the time that you need to go after the big brutes, the wallhangers, the trophy fish. Walleye spend the Summer suspended as individuals following schools of baitfish. In October, when the water temperature drops to 45-50 degrees, Walleye school up and form “Walleye Packs” for hunting forage and feeding up for the Winter.

Walleye is the most wanted fish we all seek. Every Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill or Muskie addict would love to catch a nice Walleye as a bonus. It can also be the most unattainable fish we seek. Many times we go out looking to catch Walleye, then end up Bass or Crappie fishing.

We want Walleye because they taste so good and put up a good fight. The sight of a flash, of a white tipped tail on a large Walleye, will really get your heart pumping. The thought of Walleye cooking on the stove suddenly makes me very hungry.

But, where can you go in October to get these Walleye? What should you use when you get there?

Undoubtably, the best Walleye Lake in our area of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin is Delavan Lake. It is located just North of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, in Walworth County, Wisconsin. Delavan Lake is a 2,072 acre lake, 56 foot maximum depth, 21 foot average depth, and it is full of lunker Walleye.

When the Lake was restocked in 1990 following a two year renovation, the Walleye repopulation was so successful, the WDNR actually had to remove 32% of the Walleye stocking to increase the size and age structure of the species

OK, now we know where to go, Delavan Lake. Now, what should we use?

As with any fishing trip, rule number 1 is check in with the local fishing guide. He wants you to catch fish, because he wants you to come back. So you both have compatible interests! Take advantage of it!

Delavan Lake has a top notch fishing guide, Brian Bishop. Brian also rents fishing boats. They are 14 foot Sylvan Northwood Deep V Aluminum and are powered by new 2007, 9.9 Johnson 4 Stroke, electric start engines, that are very user friendly. Rental rates are $150. Per Day, $85. For Four Hours and $50. For Two Hours. Hours of operation are 6 AM - 7 PM., 7 days a week. For more information or to reserve a boat, please call 877-740-1208.

OK, enough of the commercial, what are you going to use to catch these trophy Walleye and where on the Lake should you go. Let’s look at Brian’s top 8 presentations for Fall Walleye. Let’s go into Brian’s bag of sure fire lures and match them up to specific locations on Delavan Lake.

#1. Right at dusk and shortly thereafter use Husky Jerks and X raps off the points, such as Willow Point, Three Flags Point, Brown’s Channel, The Island, Village Point, Assembly Park and the Yacht Club Point. Make long casts working each side of the points as well as the tip of the point itself. If you see your lure suddenly go sideways, set the hook!

#2. Jig ‘N’ Rapala, and Swedish Pimples scented with cut bait. Position your boat out on “The Hump” in 20-30 feet of water. Take a large fat head minnow and break it in half. Use the head end and attach it to the Jig ‘N’ Rapala or Swedish Pimple. The crucial item to remember is these lures are designed to be used in a downward vertical jigging motion, not an upward retrieving jigging motion. The Walleye catches the lure on a downward motion, so the strike will be subtle, be ready!

#3. Cubby Darter is a 3" stocky built jigging lure that takes some finesse to master. The technique is to “pop upward, pop upward, quiver” You sink it down to the area the Walleye are holding according to your fish locator. Then you pop it upward about 10-12 inches, pause, pop is again, then quiver the lure, by gently quivering your rod tip. Hold on for a violent strike! Use in 20-30 feet of water. Try this technique in front of Brown’s Channel.

#4. Buckshot Northland Spoons, such as the “Nils Master Jigging Shad or the Hali” are heavy, stubby jigging spoons. Tip them with half a nightcrawler or a minnow head. By being heavier they sink faster, and are easier to use under windy conditions. Use them also in the 20-30 foot range. A windy point like the Yacht is a good spot.

#5. Large Suckers, 4-6 inches, hooked on 1/0 or 2/0 circle hooks, rigged Lindy style, will get you the big boys. Hook the sucker up thru the chin and thru the nose. Using a Lindy rig will also work. The secret is to drag the sucker along rather than cast it. Use the correct amount of weight based on wind conditions to get the sucker in the strike zone. The “Hump” is a sucker site for sure.

#6. Storm Wildeye 3" Jigging Soft Minnows will get the Walleye to strike on those days that call for soft plastic rather than hard jigs or spoons. The soft plastic bodies of the “Wildeye” allows the Walleye to hold on longer to the soft lure, than hard jigs or spoons. Out in front of the Old Belvidere Hotel is a great spot.

#7. We saved the best for last, “Storm Wildeye Live Crappie”. These realistic looking soft plastic jig is one of Brian’s secrets. The color scheme of these lures make you actually believe you are about to pick up live bait. What sets these lures apart from others is the wide paddle tail. The tail motion gives it a second dimension that triggers a violent strike. Try this one on all of the above spots.

#8. While you are vertically jigging one of the above presentations, also have a slip bobber rig working on a second pole. A slip bobber allows you to preset the depth to hold your bait in the strike zone. Hopefully, you will be lucky enough to get that “doubleheader”, a Walleye on both poles at the same time!!

For more information contact Brian Bishop at 877-740-1208. Whether it is current fishing information, bait, tackle, boat rental or fishing guide service, Brian is the man!!!