Max Wilson shares his trick to catching more walleye this spring.
When dealing with very cold water temperatures, such as 32, 33 degree water temps, Max prefers to use blade baits. This is a really good bait for triggering cold water fish. These are fish that are a little bit finicky and take a little extra convincing. What this lure does is simply trigger a reaction style bite.
When using blade baits the key is to make sure you have the right rod for the job. Max is using a 6’10” JT MLXF rod. This rod has a very stout backbone and enough of a parabolic curve to really withstand the entire shock of the fish. You want a rod that is not too stout, has enough play in the rod that won’t pull the hooks out, but hold the hooks in the fish’s mouth. A lot of times you won’t feel the bite on the fish, and will simply lift up into it, that’s why the right rod is key in keeping that fish pinned.
For line, he prefers high vis 10 lb braided line. When using blade baits, the fish are hitting on the fall, so he uses high vis line to see the jump in the line. From there he likes to use a 12 lb fluorocarbon leader. Going any lighter will absorb the action of the bait, allowing you to lose that action and resulting in many more tangles. He prefers his leader to be 3 to 4 feet long, allowing him to cut it down.
As for action, he prefers to cast directly into the wind or directly with the wind. Then he lets it hit bottom, followed by a little bit of a pull on a tight line then letting it fall again on slack line. Don’t rip it. Go from the 10 o’clock to the 12 o’clock position, just enough to feel the vibration and let it fall softly. A lot of times the fish will hit it on the fall and when you lift it up that fish will be there.
If you are looking to catch a lot of fish in the spring and even in the fall, check out a blade bait, and be ready to catch a lot more walleyes this season.
