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Hi everybody, We have had October like weather all this week, however the Walleye fishing hasn't been very fall like. Major bug hatches, bad weather and high winds, have made fishing difficult to say the least. My most productive presentation has been pulling blades on bottom bouncers, out on the main lake mud flats. I have boated a few fish off of deep rock ledges out in Big bay, however it hasn't been a very consistent bite. I'm starting to get a few fish on leeches the last few days but crawlers have been my go to live bait for most situations. Depths of 18 to 28ft have been the most productive for me when pulling the blades. The rock bite has been primarily 28 to 35ft or just off the main break, right on the transition line from hard to soft bottom. The Smallmouth bass action continues to be the hottest action on the lake right now. Shoreline breaks, points, rock rubble and boulders are all great locations right now. Small shallow running crankbaits and topwaters have been hot for me all this week. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, soft plastics and jerkbaits, are also catching a few fish for me. This bite should continue for at least another week or so, maybe even longer with this cold weather pattern. The Muskie action has been hot and cold for me this week. I have been moving some fish, however it's been tough to convert the lookers into biters. Mainlake points, island shorelines and the outside weed edges have been my best locations this week. Rubber, minnow style crankbaits and bucktails with hair, have been moving most of my fish this week. Have a great week everybody and please remember to put some back. Ace <*)))>< P.O. Box 771 Tower, MN 55790 (218) 753-2612 aceguide@webtv.net http://www.AceGuideService.com |
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The mayfly hatch is on in full force on most of the lake and has had a huge affect on the walleye bite this week! Big Bay has yet to hatch but the swarms of bugs suspended in the upper water column are full of feeding fish of all kinds. My daily walleye catch has dropped from an average of 50 fish a day to around 10 fish per day! Many of these are small to boot! The only presentation that I have found effective the past couple of days is trolling gold or green spinners baited with 1/2 crawler in 12 feet to 20 feet of water. 1/8 oz. Jigs baited with a piece of crawler or a leech pitched into the rock piles and shorline rush beds are also getting a few fish. The smallmouth bass are hitting well in the shallows along most rocky shores and may be a wise choice if you want more action! Small floating lures that are perch colored have worked well for me and Senko worms are always a good choice also. Good Fishing! Cliff 9401 Saint Odilia Beach Road Tower, MN 55790 (218) 753-2005 cwagenbach@live.com http://www.cliffsguideservice-lakevermilion.com |
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Walleye fishing success has varied greatly depending on the day and the tactic. On some days, jigging the rocks has produced walleyes from 14 to 16 inches and many slot fish. On other days, running cranks in deep water has been the best tactic. As recently as yesterday, it took vertical jigging, Lindy rigging, crankbaiting, and pitch jigging to land a dozen walleyes. The annual arrival of the bugs (mayflies) is underway. As such, trying a potpourri of tactics may be necessary. Vertical jigging with a changeup from from a minnow or leech to a piece of crawler can be the ticket to success. In the last week, I've caught fish in water from 12 to 38 feet deep...on the same day. Orange and chartreuse color combinations have been the ticket and in addition to the walleyes, many jumbo perch have hit the box as well. Pulling a Lindy type rig tipped with a small piece of crawler is a good choice, and spinners have caught fish as well. 3 to 5 footers at .1 to 1.5 mph have worked the best. Gold and chartreuse spinner/bead combinations tipped with leeches, crawlers, and fatheads have induced some biters. Recent lake trout trips have produced a few highlights including a 7 trout day and 30 and 31 inchers on consecutive trips. I've been running spoons 20 to 50 feet down, and the trout have been aggressive in distinct windows. With surface temperatures topping 70 degrees for ten or more days, the muskies' metabolism is starting to crank up. Yesterday I saw 77 to 79 sun aided degrees on the surface. More importantly, the water continues to warm well into the column, and the big females are recovering from the spawn. The common belief is that at the first hint of warm weather the muskies will be "going". The common belief is that at the first hint of warm weather the muskies will be "going." Year in and year out it's the same two ingredients that get them stoked; an extended period of warming water and time. This spring was unusually cold and windy, so it's going to take a bit longer than people think before the good muskie bite gets under way. On my muskie trips this week, the fish have been in the backwater and shorelines of shallow bays, around reefs, and in the weeds. I've been throwing bucktails, spinnerbaits, cranks, and topwaters. There really isn't a "wrong" bait to use for muskies at any time. That being said, muskies do exhibit seasonal preferences, and in short order, traditional summer peak baits will top my list. Boating traffic will be on the upswing with the 4th right around the corner. Use your eyes for navigation and never rely on your gps. Remember to keep a few walleyes for the frying pan and let the rest go...Let all the muskies go! Have a fun and safe time on the water. Paul 218-348-3057 (cell) pauljpollock@yahoo.com http://www.pollockguideservice.com |