Early season walleye techniques 2010

[DDSBYDAY]

With our early spring  and late opener this year the walleye patterns may be a little different from past years.  The fish will be post spawn.  If they have recovered the fishing could be tremendous.  Finding them could present a problem however.  They may have spread out and started heading for their deeper hangouts.   I personally will be starting out with jig and minnow combination.   One thing not to overlook-sometimes agressive snap jigging will outfish a lindy rig or traditional vertical jigging presentation.   For snap jigging  I like to use a good stiff rod and I prefer using a snap swivel rather than tying directly to the hook to minimize line twist.  I also hook the minnow different.   Through the mouth-out the gill and imbed the hook in the minnows belly.  If you bend the minnow slightly you can get the hook back far enough so it's lips are up tight against the jig head and the minnow is straight.  That way you can give it a good rip and the minnow will stay on.  Since you are putting all the action on the jig you can use dead minnows for this.    Good luck and good fishing. :fishing2:

[The General]

My early season technique is pulling raps at 2 mph or faster.  People are all around me jigging and looking at me like  .  Except I'm catching fish and they are not doing as well.  The lake I'm fishing on is also 7 ft max.

[corny13]

shush......you are telling all the secets.... that's how I planned on using your jig ''formerly known as the Jawbreaker'' on opener to catch some big hog Leech lake post spawn females........

[DDSBYDAY]

Corny, what side are you going to be on.  I don't think I will make leech for the opener.  I like to get the boat out a couple of times first before I get it on the big lake.  I usually go out of Battle point on the east side.

[corny13]

Ill be in the hordes on Pine Pt, Grandview and  goose flats, ottertail, or further up in sucker bay..... it will be interesting to see where the fish are this spring with the early thaw.  Might try some rock reefs if I get fed up with the crowds.   I often just go crappie fishing opening weekend but guess that will be about done by then this year.  Should be able to find good eyes just about anywhere though....

[Mayfly]

Slip bobbers over rocks..... can't beat it!

[KTapper]

I will be pitching shorelines and pulling cranks.

[Dan R.]

If things go as planned I will be on Leech with a jig & minnow

[STP Fisherman]

I agree with the snap jigging technique. Don't overlook the swimbait technique. It is a great way to catch walleye after they have spread out especially in shallower waters.