BWCA trip

[ikeslayer]

just got asked to go on a BWCA trip a few weeks back. We are going Oct 2. I dont' know exact location but it will be in the area that you are allowed to use outboards. The guys i am going with are primarly walleye guys so we will spend most of our time chasing them. What i could really use help on is what type of lure will be affective as well as where i can expect the fish to be and in what seasonal movement if any they will be in. Just started packing and i a realized i am clueless. thanks for any help. ike

[pickinupafew]

I am going in also next week for some walleye fishing.

I can't really offer you advise as to what is working right now, but I can tell you what my plans are that have worked well in the past during this time of year in the BW...

For live bait I plan on using minnows, I have found in the fall the larger minnows usually out perform smaller ones.

Last fall I found active fish from 10 feet to 30 feet. I usually keep it simple, a minnow hooked through the lips on a color hook and a bead right above that. A split shot about 2 feet up the line. The whole thing dragged on the bottom when the structure allows.

If I go deeper or want to move a little faster I use a three way rig with a spinner and minnow for flash and movement.

If conditions allow and I find active fish, I usually switch to a slip bobber set up, (easier for my girlfriend to use), or jig and minnow.

Pulling crank baits will work well in the right conditions too.

I guess if I had to choose, my go to presentation would be a lively minnow on a hook slowly pulled across the bottom... love to feel that first tap, tap!!!

Hopefully this will give you a few ideas of what has worked for me.

Good luck!!

[Down Deep]

If your are going out of Ely you are likely headed to Basswood Lake. Walleyes will be on the reefs and main channel major points. There are maps that have the reefs marked. A 1/4 oz jig and minnow should be about all you need.

[Northlander]

Jigs in the 1/8th- 3/8th oz. range and some minnows and power shiners in smelt and shiner colors should do the trick. I have messed with the Gulp Alive Minnows and they have impressed me enough that I think I will carry these along on most trips. Especially when its cold and I dont want to dig in the minnow bucket.

[ikeslayer]

hey thanks bunches for all your help keep it coming

The guys i am goning with say they do a lot of trolling. What rodand reel (baitcast/spinning rod length and action/power) and line (mono,braid,flouro) combo would you say would be ideal for this. you have been a great help thanks. ike

[Northlander]

If your ytrolling sticks/cranks I would go with a baitcaster/linecounter if ya have one. If your just trolling spinner and lindy rigs use a spinning set up.

Baitcaster rig I would go with a 7' med power with a mod/fast action.

Spinning set up go at least 6'6" with a med-med/lt with a fast action. Good all around rod.

[JustinG]

For fishing out of a canoe, I would say go with a 6' Med-Fast action rod and a spinning reel. I like shorter rods in a canoe, personally, I think it is easier to get retied in cramped quarters with a shorter rod. Also, the longer the rod, the more chances it will get caught on a branch or something portaging through the bush and snap. It never hurts to have a spare rod up there either, so bring something else to experiment with. Maybe an ultra light or light action if you want to look for panfish or a levelwind setup if you are after pike or trolling cranks for walleyes.

Depending on what you are fishing with, match your line with what size lures you will be using. If you are using small jigs with minnows, use lighter line-like 6 l.b. test. Mono would be just fine to use. Maybe bring an extra spool if you have one for your reel and outfit it with heavier or lighter line depending on what you like.

Hope this helps,

Justin

[Northlander]

Sounded to me like you were going to be in motorized boats and trolling a bit? If not do like Justin says or pack your rods in PVC tubing and put your reel in a sleeping bag or some sort of hard sided reel case or whatever ya have that will fit the reel(s). Justins right shorter rods are easier in a canoe.