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Fall Crank Baits on the Rocks


legendelite

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I am looking for some guidance on trolling with crankbaits in the fall.

I was fishing the rocks on the SW side during the September Full Moon in 1999 and had an awesome night. Limit by Midnight, released several more. I went out to this same location in during that same Full Moon period in 2000 and picked up two walleyes. Same conditions as in 1999, but fewer fish.

There was a group that fished out of Isle during that same Full Moon in 2000 and really hammered the eyes.

So my question is what is the difference between the east side rocks and the south west rocks?

Also, how late should one stay out night fishing before they turn on?

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It seems troublesome to compare two nights exactly one year apart when the only common factor is the moon and your fishing location and technique.

Weather in general plays a big role and I think one of the biggest factors when fishing shallow rocks on Mille Lacs is wind. Wind level and wind direction often determine if, when and where the shallow bite occurs.

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I had many a nights on the launch where we limited out on a spot and went back to the same spot only to get skunked. These are called patterns. You really cant justify that one area is better than others. As far as the night bite. Generally your bite should start at dusk its up to you to determine how long to stay out. If your getting fish and the elements are not bad stay out all night. I will say the true PIGS(9pounds +) generally come from 2am-4am....

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How do the launches fish in the fall?, floats and leeches? I would think a big shiner under a float would work great, anybody ever tried it or is it mostly trolling. I have never fished in the fall because I love to hunt and I do it while I can.

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Flick i will say i was like you, i was too tied up in fall hunting and never fished in the fall. you cant be in two places at once when you love both. But i can say that fall fishing is my favorite. From my launch days the best combo i found was a chrome hook and a rainbow minnow. we always fished the deepest edges of the mud. you cant bring a launch into 6 feet of water to troll raps. you can always find fish deep or shallow year round...

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D-Man-Is that chrome hook and a minnow under a bobber, or anything-just a chrome hook and rainbow? Also were you fishing at night and did you ever fish during the day? What kind of conditions do you need in the fall? What if you don't have a full moon, will a wind blowing into your shoreline equalize that? I read an article in In-Fisherman where they interviewed Ivan Burandt and he said that the best hours to troll were midnight-early morning. You ever experience this? Any info. you could provide would be great, Also would the full moon the first weekend in Sept. be good, although that's the opener for the early goose season!

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Flick- The chrome hook and rainbow was under bobbers on my launch. As far as conditions, i like to see it flat calm for bobber fishing the mud and a some wind blowing into the shoreline rocks for trolling raps. The more continuous days the wind blows into a shoreline the better. Night fishing is always best in the fall. The full moon is best the first 4 days before and the 4 days after. The sept full moon phase marks the beginning of the crank night bite. The best time for pig walleyes is between 2am and 4am.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

As far as fishing the rock at night in the fall, it is by no means a sure thing. Sometimes the fish are right on top and no where else. Sometimes off the edge. Sometimes way off the edge. Don't be afraid to check out these open water areas. Sometimes they are everywhere(I like that). Sometimes they will hit all night and other times won't start till 3 am. The east rock verses the SW. Really no big difference. Graveyard is deeper than most the structure on the SW side(but is really a great big fish spot), Twin Island can be very trecharous if you don't know it. Hennipen Island can be good. Three mile reef is very good and simmuliar to the SW structure. If you're not familiar with a piece of structure get there early so you can get a feel for it(and any hazards)before it gets dark. Sometimes the best fishing occurs even before it gets dark.

Good Luck!

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