Finding walleyes on the Rainy

[Guest]

My buddys and I have been coming up to the river now for 4 years. We always have a good time, but don`t seem to bring in alot of fish. I was told that drifting with a jig and a minnow was the way to go, so that is what we usually do with no real luck. Don`t get me wrong, we fish 10 hours a day and do try other tactics like 3-ways and anchoring but we never seem to get them 50 fish days (or even 20 fish days). I have read **** near every acticle on the Rainy and can never seem to find very many fish. Again, I am not complaining we always have fun and always seem to land enough brew to go around, but I think it`s time for some pointers. I would really appriate any help at all.

[Guest]

The only thing that I can suggest is be mobile and keep trying different presentations until you lock into a pattern. I fished in the same boat with two others last year and one guy was out fishing us. The other guy switched to what the first was using and he started catching fish...of course I swithched and I to caught some. Try different sizes, colors, types of tipped bait..(minnows and tails) even the way your working the baits. If your flexible and mobile...you will catch more.

[Fish Tales]

I know what you mean . I caught one walleye my first day on the river.7 yrs. ago.redgut warrior is right on track. The only thing I want to add is kept it slow and 6 to 10 inches off bottom at all times. Let the jig hang right in front of there eyes they'll hammer it.

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[MWard4400]

Hi Fishcrazy,

Redgut and Fish tails are correct....There are many ways to catch and not catch Walleyes.
To start with if there are three guys in your boat each of you fish with something different until you get some form of pattern going...ONE fish caught is not a pattern...but it may be a start.
If you catch a fish in an area and then nothing for a while GO BACK to the area above where you caught the fish and drift through it again.

DO NOT RUN your outboard straight to the area then try to fish on the same path where you just ran your outboard....fish in shallow water WILL spook out to the side of the boat and you will be fishing in an area that is void of all fish.

BE Quiet in shallow water....I can't even begin to count the amount of times that I hear guys blasting on a stereo, dropping stuff in the bottom of the boat and has pivot seats that squeak like an old barn door, Just generally making more noise than a broken chain saw. Your boat acts just like a large transmitter of noise....and fish hear it.

IF you see others catching fish.....ASK them what color and about how deep...Most sports man will give away a few secerets....THEN MOVE off to your own area. If the fish are biting on 3/8 oz white jig with a minnow where they are.....a hundred yards away they will be biting on the same thing.

There are times that no matter what you throw and how much noise you make the fish will hit....thats called catching. Then all of the stuff Redgut, Fishtail and I said will be worthless.

Good Luck
Mark

[Guest]

Thanks guys, I will try it a little slower and try to be more diverse with my presentation. Aside from tactics, where are the better spots to fish on the river? In the past we usually go to Birchdale and head down alittle bit from there, fishing just the channel. I have heard that any kind of break in the depth is a good spot (like 12'-15')? I also heard that at the end of the island down from Birchdale is a very good spot at times?

Thanks again

[K2]

crazy, a good tactic to try is changing direction up and down the channel break with the trolling motor. try tipping the jig with more than one minnow. the gang i fish with have been going up for more than ten years an d have found areas that always seem to hold fish, only time and experience will produce those days of 50+ fish. solitude is a great thing on this river, fish during the week and avoid weekends like the plague if possible. short season this year so pick your days carefully! as always remember your ramp ediquette and help your neighbor!

K2

[Guest]

I have been comming up there for 7 years. The thing that always works for me is to stay away from the people. There are numerous places that always produce fish, and then again it seems that the whole river produces fish. I always get away from the crowd and catch fish untill everyone comes close to me, then try some where else untill you get crowded again. Then after a few moves start the cycle all over again. Keep everything simple. If you have a small boat and motor, bring it over your 19 foot Lund pro-v. I have a 17 foot fishing boat, but leave it at home for the april trip. I bring a 14 ft with a 15 horse motor. There is 1 graph and an anchor. no seats, or livewell. Everything that can break will break in the april. It is cold and things freeze and it is probally the first trip of the year. fish a jig head and minnow... Don't get overly technical. Fish close to the bottom and stay mobile and away from the pack and you will out fish 90% of the crowd we always do. Good luck

[Muskynut]

FishCrazy....Here's what has been working for me.We use jigs and stinger hooks almost exclusively, tipped with rainbows.Depending on current,try from 1/4 to 1/2 ounce, whatever keeps contact with the bottom.Chartreuse and Blue are my favorites.If the water is clear, drift and cover water until you and your partners score.Then duplicate that drift until the school moves on.Remember, the "sows" often run together, so don't waste time. If your drift becomes unproductive, run upstream and do it again.We like to drift, but sometimes the wind will blow harder(from the North & West) than the current pushes, so in effect you are "drifting" upstream.In this case, we use the trolling motor to drag ourselves downstream (the fish are facing into the current)for a better presentation. Vertical jigging can be good, but sometimes throwing across the river and bouncing back to the boat can be deadly.10# (4#dia.) Fireline is a must for me.There's no mistaking a bite! If the river's muddy, slow way down, or even anchor (front and back) when you locate fish. If nothing else, this works great for sturgeon. My favorite area is from the church to Frontier, although this may not be open until the week after next. Last year, my motor broke down, and we still did well within 1 mile downstream from Birchdale with only my trolling motor for power. Hope this helps. Good luck from muskynut.

[EXTREME]

I think the key to catching large numbers of fish on the Rainy all has to do with conditions. If the river is fast I like to anchor unless there is a west wind. An west wind helps you move a little slower because if counteracts the river current. If the river is slow; drifting often works the best. The key to think of is that these fish are sluggish. Unless the conditions are perfect, they will not chase down a lure that is going too fast. Another thing to remember; the guys that are catching 50 fish per day have a spot that they are working. If you find a one or two foot drop in structure(like muskynut does by the church at frontier)you will have success. Now, if we can get the darn weather to cooperate 'cause talking about fishing is driving me nuts!!!!

[K2]

lips

your grave digger is a beer can and down rigger ball don't lie to these guys. got any sick days to use up, old budget cut here will be burning his for sure!!!!!!!

K2

[Lip RIPPER!]

Nope, my wife used all of my days up for me on our trip. I do feel a bad cold coming on though about mid-week. Lots of those to use. Down riggers you say? That could start up a feud.

[Guest]

Thanks a ton guys, we are coming up next thursday-sunday. I hear we should be able to fish Birchdale and a little west of there. We are pumped as always and maybe some of your tips and some exploring should put more fish in the boat this year.

Thanks again!!!

[Lip RIPPER!]

Don't overlook the use of crankbaits. Trolling as well as casting them. When the water turns a little dirty I like to bulk up the jig with plastics. Grave diggers and Foxee jigs work extremely well and I prefer these over regular twistertails.