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It's late summer, it's hot and the local walleye bite has become as tough as 
a sun-baked leech.It's time to take a break from those small, limited bodies of water and think big. That's big as in lakes the size of states and that's big as in walleyes the size of paddles.
Not coincidentally, the two go together like spinners and crawlers. From Lake 
Erie and Saginaw Bay to Green Bay and the Bays de Noc, there are dozens of 
destinations where the fishing can be exceptional and the fish of a lifetime 
more than a remote possibility. And best of all, it can be done from the relatively small boats many of use on our local lakes and rivers. You don't need a boat the size of the Queen Mary to safely navigate big water. Nor do you need major modifications or equipment upgrades to fool the fish that live there. Hundreds of anglers in boats ranging from 16 to 20 feet catch hundreds of walleyes and other species from lakes  where they often can't see shore.
That's not to say anyone should ever play "chicken" with big water. Respect 
is healthy, and safety should always come first. There is no risk worth taking. 
A safe outing on big water begins at the boat landing or with a visit to the 
local Coast Guard station for a free safety inspection. Most of us already 
have what is required -- PFDs, fire extinguishers, a horn or whistle, bow and 
stern navigational lights and visual distress signals such as flares and flags.
Some additional safety equipment isn't required by law, but is strongly 
recommended. Foremost is a marine radio, which can save lives in the event of an emergency while also providing up-to-the-minute weather information.
For navigational purposes, it's wise to carry a compass and a global 
positioning unit. If the GPS fails, the compass can help you find your way back to shore in the event of reduced visibility.
Other items that can prove invaluable include a medical kit, blanket, bottled 
water, snacks, extra motor oil, a tool kit and an anchor with at least 100 
feet of rope. Now you are ready to consider whether or not to venture out, and how far you can go. First, choose the landing that is closest to the area you intend to fish. Sometimes, a 30-mile drive is rewarded with a fishing spot that's out of the wind. Second, check the local marine weather forecast, which is available on your marine radio 24 hours a day. If thunderstorms are imminent, stay on shore and wait until they pass. If they are forecast for later in the day, choose a fishing spot from which you can quickly return to the boat ramp or a safe harbor.
Sometimes, storms appear with little warning. Don't dally. One advantage of 
big water is that you can usually see them coming from a considerable distance 
and outrun them to shore. When possible, fish with at least one other boat or in a group of boats in case you need assistance or the weather takes an unexpected turn. Fishing on big water nearly always involves navigating in waves to some degree.
Light winds tend to produce rolling waves that aren't much of a problem when 
going with them at moderate speeds.  As the waves grow larger, the trick is to increase the boat's speed while ascending the crest of the wave, then back off the throttle while descending the other side. Trim the motor up a little to keep the bow high enough to avoid spearing a wave on the downside.
Going against the waves is more dangerous. It requires the same speed 
adjustments, and it helps to take them at an angle so the driver can see what's 
coming. If you must turn, be sure to do so on the way down a wave rather than the way up.
If the waves keep getting larger or more violent, parallel them even more and 
criss-cross your way back. It will take more time, but it will be far safer. 
And if you don't think you can make it back to your point of origin, it never 
hurts to consider finding a safe harbor somewhere else until the weather blows 
over.In all cases, avoid shallow water. Waves are always more violent in shallow water than deep water. Remember that six-foot waves over a six-foot reef mean there won't be any water left at the bottom of the wave. That's when boats get beached and swamped and lives are put in danger. Even when returning to harbor, slowing down suddenly can result in waves coming over the back of the boat.
Safety should be part of your fishing game plan, too. When it's bumpy on the 
water, it's a good idea to designate a fish-fighting seat rather than having 
multiple people moving around the boat trying to maintain their balance.
A long-handled net is a wise investment. The less time the net person spends 
hanging over the back or side of the boat in waves, the better. Get the fish 
in the boat as quickly as possible. 
With a little luck, your primary concerns on the water will be how to go 
about catching a few trophy walleyes.
Shallow-water bites can be found when the wind blows and the water stains, 
but walleyes are more likely to gang up around deep-water reefs and humps that come up to 20 or 30 feet and extended shoals that attract baitfish. 
When structure isn't an option, temperature breaks in the water column can 
attract baitfish and, in turn, walleyes to certain areas that are basically in 
the middle of nowhere. 

Lowrance’s new X-15

Quality electronics, like the Lowrance X-19 unit, show not only baitfish and the predators around them, but will actually show temperature changes because of the density variations they cause in the water. The presence of other boats can be your best locator. Schools of late-summer walleyes can be huge, and local anglers and charter captains tend to know where they are.

A quiet kicker motor like my Mercury 9.9 h.p.  four-stroke is one of several advantages an angler can employ.Two primary presentations come into play -- stickbaits and spinner rigs tipped with crawlers. Both work well at times and both can be fished at virtually  any depth. Since these walleyes are usually feeding on forage above them in the water column, make sure your baits pass over and not under them.I like to use a pair of manual downriggers to help locate the most active  fish. After experimenting with shorter leads, I've settled on  long leaders of 150 feet or so behind them. It does make a difference.

Mercury 9.9 h.p

When I get fish a fish on, I reel the Dipsey up close to the rod tip, then hand-line the fish the rest of the way.Other options include snap weights, keel sinkers or segmented lead-core line  when the fish aren't too deep and weights of more than four or five ounces aren't required. Line-counter reels help the angler duplicate effective combinations. These presentations are used in conjuction with Off-Shore planer boards which are another way to get lures out away from the boat.

E-mail John Kolinski

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