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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Weighting a line
 
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plander
03/13/2022 09:16AM
  
May-Aug. 6ft+ med-light rod. 6 lb test. Shad Rap, medium or deep diver. Direct tie line to lure. Maybe a snap swivel. Troll shelf or fish base of falls/moving water. Sometime we slay the walleye, sometime catch only a few.
 
lundojam
03/17/2022 06:26AM
  
If you are jigging or bobber fishing, you'll want to lose the 12 pound and the leader and the ugly stik. 6 pound is better than 8 pound, but 8 totally works and is a little more durable. For shad raps and the like, switch to 10 pound, lose the leader, the rod should still work fine. 10 pound is kind of the standard for pulling shad raps. Heavy enough to withstand the stress of trolling all day, thin enough to allow your bait to get down where it needs to be.
Generally, when somebody is catching bass and pike but not walleyes, I tell them to slow down, mellow out, and fish edges. Edge of the drop off, edge of current, weed edge, edge of sundown, any edge you can think of. If you are in a lake that holds walleyes, combine as many edges as possible, and you'll find fish. For example, weed edge on the edge of a drop-off at dusk soaking a fat leech.
 
Savage Voyageur
03/12/2022 04:56PM
  
Here’s what you want to use if you want to catch walleye. Get a 7’ rod and put 8# Triline XL line. Then put a slip bobber, enough split shot to float the bobber and a plain hook with a leech or night crawler on.
 
outsidethebox
03/16/2022 05:42AM
  
bobbernumber3: "thegildedgopher: "...I don't think he was being witty, just brutally honest.




Thanks for bailing me out on this one. Brutal honesty is my character fault. It comes across badly in written form on the internet."


This is me too-hence I thought your response was clear and to the point.

I generally catch a lot of fish. I use as little weight as possible/practical when seeking trout and walleye. My 6 1/2 foot, fairly lightweight rod must be 50 years old...I do have a pretty new spare.

Fishing success involves many factors-most of them are best learned by fishing with someone who has already learned.
 
bobbernumber3
03/12/2022 02:49PM
  
Deeznuts: "Let me clarify that the past two trips I was just trying to catch fish, not specifically walleye. Which is why I'm here asking for advice instead of a witty retort. "


Try a longer rod (it will be more sensitive), use 6 lb. test line and no leader. Tie your jig direct to the line. Don't worry about getting bit-off by a northern... if you do, retie a new jig. Tip the jig with minnow or leech and work back to the boat on the bottom with a slight pumping action. Let the jig sit briefly between "jigs" to give the fish a chance to bite.


Alternatively, hook up a slip bobber with light sinker and hook. Float a leech near the bottom along a drop-off. This is a classic Minnesota fishing set-up.


There are lots of tips, details, and options available on the bulletin board. Some searching would be worthwhile. And you can avoid those jerks that just give witty retorts! Good Luck!
 
Deeznuts
03/13/2022 08:08AM
  
I appreciate the info on nightcrawlers! I catch them here on nightcrawlers but I never took live bait out as I was worried about keeping it cool. Definitely going to give the slip bobber and crawler a try!
 
Hammertime
03/13/2022 12:20AM
  
Your experience using the gear you have described is pretty standard. Your walleye success will increase exponentially using leeches fished on a jig or under a slip bobber.


Use the search function on this board for hours of tips and tricks regarding not only gear but locations to target.


Good luck!!
 
cyclones30
03/13/2022 08:52AM
  
Leeches are easier to keep and store actually. But yes, if walleye are what you're after....slow down and use live bait.


Ditch the big line and heavy leader, tie 6lb mono direct to your plain hook or jig.
 
bobbernumber3
03/14/2022 05:31PM
  
thegildedgopher: "...I don't think he was being witty, just brutally honest.



Thanks for bailing me out on this one. Brutal honesty is my character fault. It comes across badly in written form on the internet.
 
Deeznuts
03/12/2022 09:24AM
  
Im new to MN fishing and I feel like I must be doing it all wrong. Jigging I typically use a 1/4 OZ jig head and I have tried a bunch of different color grubs. Trolling and shore fishing, I cannot seem to catch any walleye. I also use top water rapalas and shad raps, joe flies, mepps, etc... I was out for 8 days last June going through numerous lakes containing walleye and only managed to catch 1 legal walleye. I had much better luck with bass and pike.
I am from PA and I was wondering if there was a secret to getting MN walleye to bite?

My typical set up is my 5ft ugly stick with 12lb mono and a steal leader. I know there are other rigs I could try and Im looking for a more effective one as I know the steel leader has hindered my ability to catch fish.

Our plan is to do a loop in June '23 through EP 14. I know what lakes Im planning to target, I just really want to figure out my rod and gear before I head out there again.

As always, any advice is appreciated!
 
bobbernumber3
03/12/2022 11:47AM
  
Deeznuts: My typical set up is my 5ft ugly stick with 12lb mono and a steal leader."


You've identified your problem clearly if you're fishing for walleyes.
 
Deeznuts
03/12/2022 02:12PM
  
Let me clarify that the past two trips I was just trying to catch fish, not specifically walleye. Which is why I'm here asking for advice instead of a witty retort.
 
bobbernumber3
03/13/2022 10:40AM
  
Deeznuts: "Definitely going to give the slip bobber and crawler a try!"


Use crawlers on the Ely side, leeches on the Gunflint side, IMO.
 
HayRiverDrifter
03/17/2022 11:49AM
  
Take two rods. The one you have, and another one setup for walleye. I actually take three rods. One rigged with a leader, one rigged with a jig, and one rigged with a slip bobber. I also have grandkids one one trip so I need multiple rods to change them up so they are not bored.
 
thegildedgopher
03/14/2022 11:30AM
  
Deeznuts: "Let me clarify that the past two trips I was just trying to catch fish, not specifically walleye. Which is why I'm here asking for advice instead of a witty retort. "


I don't think he was being witty, just brutally honest.


I'd say your biggest problem is the steel leader, followed by the line diameter, and then the rod. Walleye are notoriously line-shy, especially in clear water like you'll often find in the BWCA. If you're fishing a slip bobber, the rod won't matter as much for detecting the bite but you'll appreciate a longer rod when it comes time to set the hook. If you're jigging, a longer more sensitive rod will really help.