Trolling Cranks

[JonnyD]

I'm a rookie to the big pond. I just moved to the area this year and have only fished it 3 times so far. My Dads coming up this weekend and would like to get him on a couple nice eyes. I'm only familiar with the 7 mile/busters flat area and surrounding. I also have the lake masters gps chip, so I can find most of the polular areas. It sounds like right now the best chance to catch some eyes is to pull #11 Taildancers. Is this still the best bet in this area or can I go back to rigging?

My question is, how do I know where to start trolling out in this area? Do I troll on top of the flats, on the edge of them, or off them a few 100 yards and troll in no mans land. It sounds like a lot of guys go in no mans land and fish for suspended walleyes. My question is where? Is any one willing to point me in the right direction. I'm not looking for your gps cordinate, but maybe a general area where you've caught a few before trolling. When fishing in no mans land, do you just put the boards and start trolling, or do you actually drive around and look for suspended fish or bait fish.

Or am I better putting some spinners on and just fishing around the flats?

Any help would be great.

[18 inch Crappie]

Use your electronics to locate fish in the areas your talking about, If your not marking fish chances are your not going to catch any.

[JonnyD]

Come on guys, I'm not looking for your gps spots. Just wondering where to start looking for suspended fish. Any one want to share where the've had luck in the past..Any direction at all would be great. IE looking around 3 mile, 7 mile, 8 miles, Busters, Shermans, where should be a good starting point to start looking for suspended fish, or where have people had luck in the past?

[walleyewacker32]

those are all good places I like 8 mile , and after dark I like outer twin.

[rodmaker]

You could always try trolling after dark (shallow on the rocks). Agate Reef or maybe in front of Fischer's. Use Shallow running shad raps size 5, 7, or 9, depending on the depth. Colors clown , firetiger, crawfish, gold, chart.

Maybe too early though, but who knows. Water temps are still around 70 according to some other posts a few days ago.

Or try throwing out lighted bobbers on the reefs with small glow jigs and leeches.

[SkitterPopper]

If you are a rookie on Mille Lacs I would be very careful trolling the reefs at night. If you have a GPS unit I would go out in the day and chart a course and save it. I am not sure about Agate but most of the milk run reefs on the south end don't have enough water to float a boat. These shallow reefs are going to eat more than one lower unit this fall. Just have to be very careful and think ahead.

[troyslund]

i was on three mile yesterday morining. tried crankbaits for short while with no luck... we then anchored with good old slip bobbers and leeches.. caught 11 walleys largest being 23"

[rodmaker]

It's nasty for sure on the South End. I would get out to any reef you are going to fish a couple hours early, and map it out.(GPS ). Hopefully this will avoid the "hungry rock" bite!!

I've been fishing Mille Lacs for 20 years, but it's a whole new game when your'e dealing with shallow conditions, and when fishing after dark.

Is the water level at a record low with the lack of rain over the last two seasons???

[taw]

JonnyD,

Crankbaiting on Mille Lacs fall in three categories: 1-Leadcore and smaller 2-4 inch cranks which cannot reach the 23-30 foot level on there own. I usually use 18 lb leadcore (usually 3-6 colors)and start working areas where I observe bait pods and fish arches. Leadcore is an experience thing which is very speed dependant(1.8-2.7 mph). Common areas are seven mile to nine mile, the entire length of 8 mile ect. Do not be afraid to venture way off the flats as the Big fish often do. Work 23-32 feet zones of water where you see bait and fish. 2- Longlining No-Stretch lines like Fireline. This works with larger deeper diving cranks such as the aforementioned Deep tail Dancer, Reef Runners, Hot and Tots ect. Speed is a factor here as well but does not affect depth like leadcore. This time of year 2.0-3.5 mph is common. Purchase the dive curve book (Precision Trolling) and go to town. 3- Longlining shad raps and minnow baits over structure such as rock reefs, flats, and weedbeds. This works great on Mille Lacs, expecially at night. Daytime trolling on the reef edges 8-12 feet can be good also.

[Deadwood]

I have also had success using clip on weights 1 oz. - 2 1/2 oz. sizes to get my crank baits in the strike zone of deeper water. Let out 35-50 feet of line, clip on a weight and let out another 75-100 feet line. Just like with everything else there are variables to take into consideration - so trial and error.