Fishing Report 8-18-20
Trolling crank baits for walleyes can be one of the most effective ways to put fish in the boat. And I prefer to pull cranks at night. I’ve caught some of the biggest walleyes of my life after dark. I believe this is when the bigger fish are feeding, so if trophy caliber fish are your goal, this technique is something you might want to get familiar with. It’s not for everyone, however, here are a few tips to help if you want to give it a try.
Tip #1 – Get a good headlamp.
Obviously, the lack of light can be the biggest challenge to night fishing. Going out during a full moon (or close to a full moon) will provide some natural light. At some point though, you are going to need to see your lure, other gear and hopefully a fish. Having a quality headlamp with fresh batteries can make all the difference. I use a rechargeable one, so I don’t have to worry about the batteries running out and I can recharge it as I’m fishing. The head amp doesn’t need to be expensive, you should be able to get a good one for less than $40.
Tip #2 – Get organized
Again, for fairly obvious reasons, you won’t want to be fumbling around the boat looking for stuff in the dark. Make sure your net is free and at the ready. Make sure you know where you pliers are and have them at your side for getting a fish off of a lure. Clear your boat of clutter. There shouldn’t be anything on the bottom of your boat that isn’t needed. A clean work space is a safe work space and the same holds true in the boat.
Tip #3 – Safety First
Maybe this should be tip #1, but the first two tips go hand in hand with safety. Wear your life jacket. Fish lakes that you are familiar with. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Bring a fishing partner or two along, but don’t overcrowd the boat. If you do hook into a big fish, there will be some chaos because it’s dark, but if something goes wrong, you are going to want another set of hands, ears and eyes along.
Tip #4 – Keep it simple
All of my night trolling is done with a traditional spinning rod, I prefer a medium action because I’m planning on catching a big fish and I want the rod to handle the head shakes. I run 20-30 pound braid on my reel with at least a six foot fluorocarbon leader. I attach a fairly large clip to the end of the leader so I can quickly switch crank baits if I want to try a different color or style of lure. Speed can cary, but I usually start out at two mph and adjust accordingly. Maybe a few tenths of a mile per hour slower or faster, let the fish tell you what they prefer. All it takes is a big cast out of the back of the boat and then leave the bail open and count to 10 (or 7 or 9), close the bail and hang on. I prefer to hold onto the road so I can feel if the lure is hitting weeds or bottom. I also really like the feeling of a big walleye smashing the bait. If you do have rod holders, it’s ok to use them, just make sure to check to make sure your lure is running right, you should be able to feel a steady wobble. Trolling depth varies depending on the time of year. Right now I am focusing on weed structure in 13-18 feet of water. As the water temps cool this fall, I will migrate to as shallow as 6 or 7 feet of water.
Tip #5 – Relax
One reason I love trolling at night is because it feels like I have the whole lake to myself, and many times I do. Boat traffic is down, there aren’t any jet skis or folks out cruising. Usually it is just me, the stars, some bugs and hopefully a big walleye or two. Trolling crank baits can work any time of day. I have a day job, so if I’m going to fish during the week, I have to go out at night. Sure it cuts down on my sleep, but I’d rather have a chance at a big walleye than dream about one. Remember, it’s not about having time, it’s about making time.
