Down riggers in Voyageurs

[Satchmo]

We run a lot of leadcore trolling rods w/ cranks to troll for mid summer walleyes out in the main lake basins. Way easier than down riggers, and you can slow down your main engine with a couple of 18" - 24" trolling bags from AmishOutfitters.com. Very simple to do and fairly inexpensive method to get in to.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

On 2/28/2018 at 3:07 PM, Fully Kraeusened said:

Hey guys. I’m new to this site. I’ll be visiting the park early June. While I have made several trips up there I’ll be bringing a friend who never has. He is a very experienced angler, but has yet to catch a walleye. A lot of his experience comes from using down riggers on Lake Michigan. He was asking about using them on a vacation this year and I had no answer for him. I can’t recall ever seeing anyone using that method in Voyageurs. Does anyone have a thought on this? I’d appreciate any advice. Want my buddy to have a great trip! 

Tight lines!

Fully Kraeusened

No need to down-rig that early in the season.  Late summer/fall it's well worth having riggers on board.  I was on Nam late Aug last summer and we spent the first part of the day jigging with no luck. Then we drifted over some deeper water and found some suspended fish. We plucked one or 2 out on jigs, but due to the wind picking up, was impossible to stay on top of them long enough to pick more off.  Out came the boards and raps and we proceeded to put on a clinic for a few hours. Lot's of keepers and plenty of big girls. Fish were holding around 20-25ft, over 30-45' so releasing them was a non-issue. No bloated swim bladders. Good luck! 

[BRULEDRIFTER]

52 minutes ago, BRULEDRIFTER said:

No need to down-rig that early in the season.  Late summer/fall it's well worth having riggers on board.  I was on Nam late Aug last summer and we spent the first part of the day jigging with no luck. Then we drifted over some deeper water and found some suspended fish. We plucked one or 2 out on jigs, but due to the wind picking up, was impossible to stay on top of them long enough to pick more off.  Out came the boards and raps and we proceeded to put on a clinic for a few hours. Lot's of keepers and plenty of big girls. Fish were holding around 20-25ft, over 30-45' so releasing them was a non-issue. No bloated swim bladders. Good luck! 

I meant 'Out came the riggers'.... just caught my error and too late to edit apparently. 

[Fully Kraeusened]

Thanks Bruledrifter. Since I’m coming early June it seems  the consensus is leave the riggers at home. Trip can’t get here soon enough. I only make it up these days every other year. 2016 the weather was miserable. Still enjoyed myself, but was my worst trip up there by far.