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Fall is a short period in time that is custom made for the dedicated walleye angler.  Late summer can make for some tough angling conditions, and good catches become more of an exception rather than the rule, on most bodies of water, but not now.   Now things are changing, and changing for the better. 

The changes include an improved attitude in walleyes that have been previously been playing hard to get.  Now is no time to play to hard to get.  Now it the time to get busy and chow down as much food as possible, wherever it is, and put on some extra fat to help get through the tougher conditions of winter.  It’s also a time to start developing eggs, which requires plenty of nourishment.  What it all adds up to is a very favorable situation for anglers in the know. 

Some of the first changes occur early in the fall period and include a renewed interest in shallow areas like rocky bars and reefs as well as weedy flats.   The shallows play an important role in the food chain by providing a relatively safe environment for immature  baitfish, where they can live and grow until they reach an edible size.  Bait fish that have been hiding out in heavy weed growth can become exposed and vulnerable as some of the greenery starts to lay down and die.  By late summer weed flats typically begin to thin out, reducing the amount of available cover and creating a new feeding opportunity for hungry ‘eyes. 

The author Norb Wallock with a nice fall walleye

With all that bait reaching a desirable size, it won’t take long for ol’ marble eyes to show up.   Being the opportunists that walleyes are, they’ll take advantage of a good situation, and scads of fresh meat that is readily accessible is a very good situation.  It also creates a terrific opportunity for anglers who know the ins and outs of cashing in on a peak situation. How you approach a peak situation will depend on a number of factors including the  type of structure you happen to be looking for, and the attitude of the fish.

Rapala Shad Rap RS

For example; If you’re faced with a rocky bar or reef, using a crankbait like #7 or # 9 Shad Rap( either trolled or cast ), may be the ticket.

Minnkota 101

In that case you may opt for positioning the boat with a bow mount electric trolling motor like the Minn Kota Maxxum101, or dropping the hook and anchoring, while casting to the most productive spot.  In either case it’s important to get your bait running close to the bottom, and even occasionally banging into it.If you’re working the edge, or right into the middle of a weed flat, a jig or live bait rig may be the way to go.  However that doesn’t mean you can rule crankbaits out, in fact running a Shad Rap along the edge may be the hottest thing going.

Another key to tip watching is using a rod with the right action, like the seven foot one inch medium light Rapala Signature Series model SE80TR71ML1 bait casting rod. A longer rod with a light tip helps to accentuate a cranbait’s action, keeping you on top of what’s going on at the business end. 

Once you’ve found a few fish or two with the crankbait it may pay to go back over thearea and strain it with a jig or live bait rig, and really work it over.  Quite often active walleyes will bunch up in tight little areas and straining a spot will increase your odds of putting together a good catch by keeping your bait in a productive area longer. 

RAY CHART 520

To get back on a spot you can drop a marker if you have to, but markers do draw crowds.  A G.P.S. with W.A.S.S. capabilities like the Raychart 520, can get you back towithin three meters of a spot and negate the need to drop an “ I’m catching fish over here !” sign. Early in the fall good rigging options include using crawlers, leeches if you can find them, or minnows like fatheads and chubs.   A Redtail Chub is without a doubt your best bet for fall walleyes but they can be a little hard to find, and expensive.  On the other hand  they can be invaluable in the right situation, as walleyes have a hard time resisting their natural attractions.

Norb Wallock
 

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