Looking for some advice here. I will be going on July 10th for a week.
Heading into Lynx Lake and will be exploring / fishing the surrounding lakes such as Shell and Hustler.

Last year, while fishing Fourtown, I was quite successful at catching perfect eating size walleye with just a cheap bobber, hook, and leech. Honestly, it became quite easy, as we found a location where I would get a strike just about every cast (fishing about 4' deep only).

I also did some lure fishing for bass and pike, using a variety of lures including a Zara Spook topwater (which was extremely fun) and some mid floating Rapalas.

This year, I want to become a bit more skilled.
I have purchased some slip bobbers, braided line (green 10lb), and I am looking to buy some better quality hooks. I am leaning towards #4 Octopus hooks color Red by Gamakatsu. I will probably rig a Fluorocarbon leader to the end of the braided line for my bobber walleye setup.

I think I will use just braided 10lb with a steel leader for my lure setup. I plan to fish primarily for bass on this trip, but will try to catch some walleye for dinner.

I am curious to hear any suggestions for line setup including line size, type of line, line color, hook size for leeches, hook color, beads, etc.

Oh, one more question. Any thoughts on night fishing from camp using a lighted bobber?

quote rayljr1: "Looking for some advice here. I will be going on July 10th for a week.
Heading into Lynx Lake and will be exploring / fishing the surrounding lakes such as Shell and Hustler.

Last year, while fishing Fourtown, I was quite successful at catching perfect eating size walleye with just a cheap bobber, hook, and leech. Honestly, it became quite easy, as we found a location where I would get a strike just about every cast (fishing about 4' deep only).

I also did some lure fishing for bass and pike, using a variety of lures including a Zara Spook topwater (which was extremely fun) and some mid floating Rapalas.

This year, I want to become a bit more skilled.
I have purchased some slip bobbers, braided line (green 10lb), and I am looking to buy some better quality hooks. I am leaning towards #4 Octopus hooks color Red by Gamakatsu. I will probably rig a Fluorocarbon leader to the end of the braided line for my bobber walleye setup.

I think I will use just braided 10lb with a steel leader for my lure setup. I plan to fish primarily for bass on this trip, but will try to catch some walleye for dinner.

I am curious to hear any suggestions for line setup including line size, type of line, line color, hook size for leeches, hook color, beads, etc.

Oh, one more question. Any thoughts on night fishing from camp using a lighted bobber?"

Just one thought, unless you are really concerned about bite offs from pike, forget the wire leader. Your numbers without wire for bass and walleye will be far higher than with wire leaders.

If you fish for pike use a titanium (not steel) leader.

Titanium!

I have only used inexpensive leaders, but I just did some Google searching on titanium and it looks very nice. I will have to check into it. Hopefully I can find some pre-made ultra thin titanium leaders at a decent price.

quote murphylakejim: "If you fish for pike use a titanium (not steel) leader. "

Wow, those are not cheap--looks like at least $9 for a single leader!

Just my two cents worth.... for fishing for walleyes and bass with a bobber, I would go with 6 or 8 pound clear trilene XL. As far as hooks are concerned, plain or red will work just fine. Sometimes I will switch to a pink, chartreuse, or orange plain hook if the fish don't seem to like what I am using. Sometimes a certain color will outfish all the others. Another tip would be to use the smallest split shot that you need in certain situations. Also don't be afraid to use a 1/16 or 1/32 jig under the bobber.sometimes that's what they want. As far as a lighted bobber at night, it's great fun around camp and also out in the canoe!!

I've switched to 10lb fluro and love it.
Here is the knot I used:
FG Knot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzUb5QRKuk

quote OSLO: "

quote murphylakejim: "If you fish for pike use a titanium (not steel) leader. "

Wow, those are not cheap--looks like at least $9 for a single leader!"

They are easy to make for about $2 each using Knot2kinky wire. That's all I use now.

Lots of good advice.....I will toss my hat into the ring.

For the live bait fishing I like Wallee's advice. Keep it simple and nothing is more simple than straight mono. With your slip bobber understand that you must have enough weight on the line to draw or "pull" the line through the bobber. Split shots have their place and so does jig heads as per what Wallee suggests. I really like long rods for slip bobber fishing with 8 or 9 ft being about right. The high rod really helps keep the line out of the water and helps "feed" the line through the bobber. For that reason you can often fish with a bit lighter weights. Plus the long rod makes nice long but rather quiet casts.....you baits tend to land with a nice fish attracting sploosh. I like using a clip on ice fishing "depth finder" weight to help establish a starting point. I am also not especially fond of the pre-made knots which tend to slip around and prefer the little rubber bead type stops.....make sure you get the right size.

Go ahead and use your braid for lure fishing. There is no better connection IMO than what Sammy alluded to......the FG knot. I hope he posted the right utube video as there are several ways to tie this knot but only one "easy" way.

As per your steel leader........titanium will last you until you snag it but I only recommend it for pure pike fishing. For multi species the Knot2kinky that Wables suggests is far more discreet and will actually fool quite a few walleye in the lighter lb test like 12 or 16lb test. You must, however build your own leaders. Use the tiny spro barrel swivels and cross lock snaps. Be sure to test your handiwork.

Fluorocarbon can be fickle to work with and if not worked with correctly supremely frustrating. Be sure to practice knots at home. Fluorocarbon generates heat if pulled tight to quickly and damage will occur causing your knot to fail. Wetting helps but avoid putting the stuff in your mouth.....rather spit on it. I use a tie fast tool with fluorocarbon and they go together like pb&j. If you have problems getting things to stick with the tie fast vary the amount of loops.

Remember......there is no stretch with braid and therefore no shock absorbing cushioning such as you have with mono. Drag needs to be set just right.....tight enough to drive hooks home but loose enough not to bust a fish off.

How many rods do you plan on bringing with you?

If only one then you will need a mono/flouro leader attached to your braid for your slip bobber rig as stated above. I think managing that is too much of a hassle so I like to bring at least two rods. One 7' medium light with 6 lb clear mono for slip bobbering and a 6'6" medium with braid for casting lures would work well.

Lighted bobbers are awesome, I like the thill nite brite in the smaller size. Also I prefer size #6 gamakatsu octopus hooks instead of #4. Pick up the variety pack and try different colors to see what the flavor of the week is.

quote walllee: "Just my two cents worth.... for fishing for walleyes and bass with a bobber, I would go with 6 or 8 pound clear trilene XL. "

Used 6lb XT on walleye all this past week. Hauled in a 27in momma and a lot more!

quote OSLO: "

quote murphylakejim: "If you fish for pike use a titanium (not steel) leader. "

Wow, those are not cheap--looks like at least $9 for a single leader!"

Yes they are expensive but they work very good and they are come with a ball bearing swivel on one end and a nice clip on the other. I make my own but I don't save that much.
As far as line color I use the green Triline EL in 8lb for bass and walleye. For pike I use 17lb EL Triline.

quote OSLO: "

quote murphylakejim: "If you fish for pike use a titanium (not steel) leader. "

Wow, those are not cheap--looks like at least $9 for a single leader!"

Titanium leaders are worth it. They are thinner, stronger, and never kink. You could go through 100 steel leaders or more before you wore out a single titanium leader. I also agree, unless you are targeting pike, no reason to use a leader.

quote QueticoMike: "

quote OSLO: "

quote murphylakejim: "If you fish for pike use a titanium (not steel) leader. "

Wow, those are not cheap--looks like at least $9 for a single leader!"

Titanium leaders are worth it. They are thinner, stronger, and never kink. You could go through 100 steel leaders or more before you wore out a single titanium leader. I also agree, unless you are targeting pike, no reason to use a leader."

I couldn't agree more about titanium leaders. I am using some that I bought over 10 years ago and not a kink in them.

Everybody likes titanium leaders (myself included) but have you ever compared the typical titanium leader next to a 12 or 16lb Knot2kinky? I didn't pay much attention until I had 1/2 dozen show up in my mailbox tied up from a friend.

The difference is pretty significant In my book. If your going straight pike fishing then I'm all in with the titanium.......but if you want multi species, say your tossing or trolling crank baits and want protection the Knot2Kinky is superior in my book......very skinny stuff, very discreet.

When you are not using a leader, what is your take on swivels with a clip? I know a knot is probably better, but I can be indecisive when casting and the quick change out is great. I also swap out lures for depth because my buddy and I usually hit up a whole shoreline and he casts shallow while I cast deeper until we find the fish. Am I missing out on bites because of the swivel? Does it really make that much of a difference?

quote tarnkt: "
If only one then you will need a mono/flouro leader attached to your braid for your slip bobber rig as stated above. I think managing that is too much of a hassle so I like to bring at least two rods. "

Why is this ? Won't brain work with a slip bobber?

quote Cc26:


Why is this ? Won't brain work with a slip bobber?"

Sure braid tied directly to the hook can work on a slip bobber rig but it is not optimal due to the line visibility. There are probably times and conditions when it won't matter much but I haven't seen it.

I learned the hard way one time when I got skunked using braid while my buddy limited out using mono. Every time I have seen straight braid fished side by side against someone using mono while bobber fishing the mono outfishes braid at least 5-1.

interesting....good to know! thanks!

quote A1t2o: "When you are not using a leader, what is your take on swivels with a clip? I know a knot is probably better, but I can be indecisive when casting and the quick change out is great. I also swap out lures for depth because my buddy and I usually hit up a whole shoreline and he casts shallow while I cast deeper until we find the fish. Am I missing out on bites because of the swivel? Does it really make that much of a difference?"

I am curious as well. I typically use leaders for that reason. I seem to switch out a lot, depending on color/depth. Makes it easy to switch more frequently. I've thought about just using a swivel with a clip, but figured I'd just stick with a leader.

Another tip on leaders. Whenever I use a leader I will crimp the clip together with pliers. I seldom ever use a leader, but if I am it's because I am in a Lake that is known to hold large fish. Several years ago I lost a 20 + pounder when the clip opened up. I will not take any chances of that happening again. Again, I don't fish for Northerns often, maybe 2 or 3 hours on a week long trip.I have a half dozen leaders that are "permanently " attached to the lures.

Snap swivel? Thats your Dads fishin ;-)

My Dad always used a snap swivel.......those cheap brass ones with a snap that could open up if enough pressure was applied. Blah!

In my mind it is all about presentation. Small fish it doesn't matter so much......big fish that are really chewing? Again it probably doesn't matter to much. But get a big neutral fish that you are trying to persuade into eating I like everything just so.......and that means no snap swivel on lures which don't absolutely require it.

Now a straight snap or a clip is another story entirely mind you and often plays and important role.

As per changing your lure often..........I may refine my presentation several times within 15 minutes until I settle on something I like. Then it will stay with me usually for a couple of hours or maybe even all day. I don't mind retying and do it often anyway.........any pike over 30" inches gets a retie, any laker over 28" gets a retie. Knots do wear out and I check them often. Pull and "pop" is quite an education! I guess the point I am making is to not fear retying. Not so bad, not so time consuming in the big picture. Oh, and ditch the snap swivel unless your throwing a spinner and then make sure its a ball bearing sampo ;-)