Daylight Walleye

[reason162]

Thanks guys!

I'll stick to relatively deep bottom structure to start. Packing jig heads + plastics, lipless, blade baits...hoping for a weather window to launch the yak next week.

[thmyorke1]

Great advice in this thread thanks!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by reason162

Thanks guys!

I'll stick to relatively deep bottom structure to start. Packing jig heads + plastics, lipless, blade baits...hoping for a weather window to launch the yak next week.

Any place to get a dozen minnows?.. they are sure fire on a jig head when the water gets real cold... Gulp is good too.. 3 inch shiner looking ones.
btw, big Walleyes WILL hit small jigs,, the trick is using the least amount of weight to stay near bottom, without hanging in the rocks constantly.. The heavier the jig, the more it will hang.. Bring a LOT of jig heads.. You will lose plenty if you are fishing right.. I typically bring at least 2 rigged rods, often 3,,
i can't comment on NJ walleyes , but up here, they often have a real short bite window..They hit left and right at say 6.30 AM, and totally shut off by 7 AM.. Seen it a thousand times... bob

[reason162]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

the trick is using the least amount of weight to stay near bottom, without hanging in the rocks constantly..

Thanks Bob!

I don't do live bait...but getting light jigs down deep is something I'm pretty familiar with. I'll have 3 setups with me, will probably spend a lot of my time graphing...if I connect with anything it'd be a bonus. You guy gave me some solid background to start, much appreciated!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by reason162

Thanks Bob!

I don't do live bait...but getting light jigs down deep is something I'm pretty familiar with. I'll have 3 setups with me, will probably spend a lot of my time graphing...if I connect with anything it'd be a bonus. You guy gave me some solid background to start, much appreciated!

I have caught big walleyes on 1/8 oz jigs.. bring some real small stuff along.. One more thing..
My uncanny success , NEVER fails, outfishes everything else always, year after year, classified Top shelf double secret probation lure of all times is>
Plain old Mr Twister in Chartreuse.. The same type you find in those $.8.99 kids Rod/Rell/Tackle Box Lure combo kits..
They have out caught everything else for me in the past 29 years of walleyes fishing by probably 10-1 or close to it.. 2 - 3 - 4 nch doesn't matter..

Also have had very good luck with silver/black FinS or Sluggos in 3- 4 inch, when I can find them.. caught a LOT of walleyes on both those lures over the decades with 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig heads.. let us know how you make out..

btw, the only better eating fish i have had from fresh water is yellow perch.. Walleyes are really good eating, and very easy to fillet, if you are a fish eater... bob

[reason162]

First trip success!

Marked fish and bait on deep boulders but no takers. Ended up blind jigging a deep, featureless flat (50+ft) and for w/e reason those guys were chewing.

Had 5 bites, landed 3, nothing of size but the biggest one (19/20") spat out its swim bladder...and she came home with me. Easily the tastiest freshwater fish I've had, maybe tied with yellow perch?

Anyway, thanks for the tips guys, they were definitely tight to bottom!

[thmyorke1]

that dish looks heavenly

[FASTEDDIE29]

Search and succeed! Way to make it happen man! You found something that worked and caught 3. That’s pretty good by NJ standards! Any video footage of your successful trip? Congrats!!!

[akoop]

Originally Posted by reason162

First trip success!

Marked fish and bait on deep boulders but no takers. Ended up blind jigging a deep, featureless flat (50+ft) and for w/e reason those guys were chewing.

Had 5 bites, landed 3, nothing of size but the biggest one (19/20") spat out its swim bladder...and she came home with me. Easily the tastiest freshwater fish I've had, maybe tied with yellow perch?

Anyway, thanks for the tips guys, they were definitely tight to bottom!

Crap, now I'm hungry!!!

Nice work on the eyes.

[ScowardNJ]

Nice work! That dish looks delicious!!!