Erickson's... Shorty's ? Good Area?

[Dustyford]

I'm coming over to Rainy on July 19th and landing at the Rainy Visitor center with my wife and first grade daughter. I was there last year and it was beautiful. The reason I ask about the Erickson, Shorty area is because of island camping in the vicinity, as it will probably be where we will end up. My parents are going to be docking in the Ranier area on Sand bay. What's a better bet, walleyes in Sand Bay or walleyes out on the reef's. I really enjoy this forum and have been reading it so much I finally registered.

P.S. Trolling vs. casting the reefs and shorelines? What's the best trolling speed for Rainy ?

[fishmeister_86]

HI DUSTYFORD,

WELCOME TO THE RAINY LAKE FORUM & FISHING MINNESOTA!!! ALL ARE EXCELLENT, SHORTYS & ERICKSONS CAN BE HEAVILY FISHED BUT CAN BOTH BE GOOD FISHING. SAND BAY IS A VERY GENERAL STATEMENT, 1 END TO THE OTHER IS ABOUT 10 MILES. IF YOU FIND THE REEFS TOO CROWDED, TRY FISHING BREAKLINES INSTEAD. EVERYONE HEADS TO REEFS, AND OVERLOOK STUCTURE WITH SMALL CHANGES IN DEPTH., EITHERWAY BOTH CAN HOLD LOTS OF FISH. I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR WEATHER, THIS SUMMER WE HAVE HAD MAJOR AMOUNTS OF WIND & IT MAKES ITS TOUGH TO FISH. AS FAR AS SPEEDS, IF YOUR WORKING LINDY RIGS OR JIGS...AS SLOW AS YOUR MOTOR WILL GO...ONLY GOOD WAY TO FISH JIGS IS VERTICAL. IF YOUR TROLLING SPINNERS OR PULLING CRANKS, THATS DIFFERENT. AND UNLESS YOUR WIFE & DAUGHTER FISH ALOT, THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD BE FISHING IN MY BOAT, WOULD BE ANCHORED, FISHING WITH JIGS. GOOD LUCK, I'LL BE OUT AT MY CABIN AT THE SAME TIME YOUR COMING, AS MY OLDEST BROTHERS ARE COMING UP FOR WEEK TO JOIN UFFDA & I FOR A LITTLE FISHING MARATHON.

SINCERELY,

FISHMEISTER

[tearin' lips]

I agree with Fishmeister. When areas get alot of pressure you need to focus in on "the little things". Small humps, breaklines, etc. will all hold fish and can at times be better than the reef fishing. The area that you are looking at will be a good area as you have all of these major components(breaks, reefs, etc.) within a short boat ride away.

As for trolling, I assume you were inquiring about raps. I like to troll raps at about 2.0 mph. Sometimes a hair more or a hair less will turn the fish. I like using reef runners to get down to that 26-30' range that most of the walleyes like to inhabit during the summer months.

Take Care and Good Luck Fishing!

[Dustyford]

Thanx alot for the info guys...also what weight anchor will work best, I just have a 16 aluminum with a 25 hspr, on the back, I have a floor in it too, so that adds a little weight.