I could use some walleye advice

[kyleval19]

Last night me and a buddy took the kayaks to starvation to catch some walleye but we're skunked for the third time this year there. We fished from 6-10 pm using crawler harnesses, swimbaits, jigging raps, jerkbaits, and even squids, anywhere from 15-35 feet water. I makes a bunch of fish but most we're suspended around 20 feet in 30 feet so I assumed those weren't walleye. We called speeds changed color. If any of you veterans have advice on what we did wrong I'm open to any criticism.
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[kyleval19]

I also forgot to mention that we were in rabbit gulch on the south bank over by the cliffs
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[Freakyfisherman]

I got some last week in 24 ft of water on a jig head and worm. They were aggressive when they hit. Just a couple of jigging lifts and I would get a hit. VMC moon eye jig heads 1/8 ounce was what I was using. Only corn on the cob size but still cool to catch some walleyes.
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[Anglinarcher]

They say "the Devil is in the Details", and that is unfortunately what we don't have. Many times over the last 30+ years I have told someone how to catch fish and they swear they are doing it, but when I take them out they are leaving out key things because they don't either understand what I told them, or they think it doesn't matter that much. It does, especially with Walleye.

In your case, because we are not with you, it makes it hard to be sure what is going on, but you are in a good area, and the right depth, so the Walleye should be gracing your rod.

Some ideas? With walleye, if you are not on the bottom most of the time you will not get fish. I tell my friends that if you are not snagging once in a while, you are not fishing. With rare exceptions, you want to be within 2 feet of bottom.

The walleye are hungry right now, so fishing slow is not necessary, but offering them the right size offering is important. Forage right now is on the smaller size, or the much larger size, so keep that in mind. A 1/4 oz jig head with just a half of a nightcrawler threaded on it would be good, a 3" tube jig should be good, but a 4 or 5 inch lure, or bait, might not get a response.

Matching the forage is a good idea, but I find it is over rated. Consider color as a more important factor. Change up the colors you are using often.

So much to say, so little time and room to say it.

All I can say is that in 1981 it took me 3 trips to get my first walleye, but after I figured it out I seldom go home skunky. Stick with it, and soon, you will get it as well.

[kyleval19]

Would the storm cells that we're blowing around last night have negatively affected it?
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]There are some generalities you can develop about walleyes...and walleyes in Starvation. But there are no hard and fast rules. Unlike some species they are not territorial. They move around to find food or more comfortable conditions...or both. Where you found them yesterday may not be the same today...or even later on the same day.

They are skittish and moody at times. Must be mostly female. (Sorry honey. Ouch ouch.) But one thing we usually all experience is that when they are active they can be wide open hungry. Those are the times we live for but unfortunately are seldom lucky or good enough to find.

When walleyes are blessed with plenty of food they often only feed for a short time each day. A few quick chomps after dark in the middle of a snoozing school of perch and they are full for hours. Can't blame them for ignoring the silly stuff we fisherfolk run by them.

As with most fish, ya gotta find 'em before you can ketch 'em. But finding is no guarantee they will bite. Good sonar and a basic knowledge of the habitat and habits of the fish in the waters you are fishing is helpful. But the bad thing about sonar is it lets you know when there are fish...and you ain't scoring. Big ego buster. But once you find a few fish under similar conditions then you can change up your offerings and presentations to at least try to create a reaction bite...or you can come back later and hope they go active when you return.

Starvation is wierd for walleyes. Never fished them an any other water where they could be at any depth, as well as near the bottom. When baby perch move up in the water column to feed on zooplankton or other bitty bites, the walleyes will follow. I have caught them on trout lures less than 20 feet deep over 60 feet of water. And I know a couple of guys who routinely troll shallow over deeper water at night for them.

As a general rule, I move around...casting or bottom bouncing until I find a holding area with a few active fish. Then I go vertical...fishing a variety of jigs with worms or perch pieces. One thing that almost always words on Starvy is a jig head and a half crawler. But dressing your jig hook with a 3" Gulp Minnow gets a lot of votes too.

Walleyes are known as minnow munchers. But in Starvation they also like crustaceans in their diets. I have taken quite a few walleyes on green or brown jigs or cranks that imitate crawdads. And I know a few fly flingers that probably catch more walleyes on olive buggers fishing for trout that guys dragging crawler harnesses in the same areas.

The fish that were suspended were most likely trout. But about the first of September there is a Starvy phenomenon of large perch schools suspending at mid depth over deeper water. And there are sometimes some walleyes in with them.

Sorry that lovely pond treated you so shabbily. Spend more time learning it and keeping logs and your catch ratio will improve.
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[MSM1970]

STOP before the it becomes a problem that you cant control[]

but if you really want to learn.
the best info to get is from TubeDude, get in touch with him, he has written some really good articles on jig fishing, he will help a ton.

I was told you got to put your time in, it takes a lot fishing for walleye before you feel comfortable and about that time the fish will change the game, don't get discouraged, plane on a few skunks. the best thing I learned is to use a decent pole with fast action, nanofil line, and stay focused on where the line meets the water, pay close attention to anything that feels different when your reeling,
good luck
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[kyleval19]

This is all awesome advice I will try and convince the wife as soon as possible to let me go give it another shot. Thank you all for the help.
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[MSM1970]

[quote kyleval19] I will try and convince the wife as soon as possible to let me go give it another shot..[/quote]


I warned you, It looks like its to late[]
but you'll have fun figuring them out.
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[Dunn13]

I did a lot of research before I took my first trip targeting walleyes. Not sure if it was the research or luck but I caught over a dozen my first trip to Starvation out of my kayak. The Utah DWR clinics that are on Youtube were very helpful. Here are the links if you want to check them out. A lot of info on Starvation specifically, what the walleye are eating, where to fish, and how to fish for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydqBm3qykLQ - 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy9sEBd7kE4 - 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKenhVfeJYI - 2017
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[Anglinarcher]

[quote kyleval19]Would the storm cells that we're blowing around last night have negatively affected it?[/quote]

Storms are funny things.

I actually do quite well, sometimes the very best, as the storm starts brewing and even as it hits. It really can be the best fishing of all.

But, it is unpredictable. Sometimes it shuts things down cold, gives them lock jaw.

My best determination after 35+ years of logging trips is that if the storm moves in hard and fast, it shuts them down. If it moves in slow and steady, it turns them on. But, there are lots and lots of exceptions to the "rule" to make a "rule" out of it.

[fishin]
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