When your electronics reveal that walleyes aren’t deep, look shallower. Lipless rattlebaits are ideal for fancasting to locate and trigger walleyes in the weeds.
Lipless rattlebaits are a great tool for targeting walleyes in the weeds. In this article, we will discuss two often overlooked opportunities for catching big walleyes: location and lure selection.
Location Matters
A couple of days ago, my fishing partner and I were out on a lake with a lot of structures, deep pumps, and extended points. We were specifically looking to do a jigging rap piece in deep water. However, after spending two hours scanning the lake with our Humminbird fish finder, we couldn’t find any promising marks. It was frustrating, to say the least.
We checked every single structure, ranging from 10 to 35-40 feet deep, but there was no sign of walleyes. We saw a little bit of bait high in the water column and some stuff on the bottom, but nothing that indicated the presence of walleyes. It seemed like a dead end.
The Power of Elimination
Feeling discouraged, we decided to take a different approach. We looked at the map and identified a shallow water high spot on a flat. The flat was only eight feet deep, but it had scattered weeds and rocks. It seemed like a long shot, but we were willing to give it a try.
To our surprise, on my first cast, I hooked a three-pound walleye. It was the start of a successful day of fishing, with all the walleyes we caught being in five to eight feet of water. It was clear that the majority of the fish in this lake, including pike, bass, and crappies, were concentrated in the weed line and shallower areas.
Sometimes, your electronics can tell you where the fish aren’t. In our case, the lack of marks in deeper water led us to the realization that the walleyes were not out there. By process of elimination, we knew they had to be somewhere else. It’s important to remember that your fish finder is not always telling you where the fish are, but rather where they are not.
Lure Selection
Now that we had found the walleyes, the next step was to choose the right lure to entice them. One of our go-to lures for targeting walleyes in the weeds is the lipless rattlebait. This type of lure is designed to imitate a wounded baitfish, making it irresistible to hungry walleyes.
The key to using a lipless rattlebait effectively is to vary your retrieve speed. Start by casting the lure out and letting it sink to the desired depth. Then, use a steady retrieve with occasional pauses and twitches to mimic the erratic movements of a wounded baitfish. This can trigger aggressive strikes from walleyes hiding in the weeds.
Another advantage of using a lipless rattlebait is its versatility. It can be fished at different depths by adjusting the retrieve speed and the length of the pauses. This allows you to effectively target walleyes at various depths within the weed line.
When it comes to lure color, it’s best to choose something that closely resembles the forage in the lake. In this particular lake, where the weed line is sparse, natural colors like silver, gold, and perch patterns work well. These colors mimic the small baitfish that walleyes feed on in this environment.
It’s also important to consider the size of the lure. In general, a smaller lure will be more effective in clear water or when the fish are being finicky. On the other hand, a larger lure can be more enticing in murky water or when the fish are actively feeding. Experiment with different sizes to see what the walleyes prefer on any given day.
Conclusion
When targeting big walleyes, it’s crucial to pay attention to both location and lure selection. Don’t overlook the potential of shallow water and weed lines, as these areas can hold a high population of walleyes. Use your fish finder to eliminate unproductive areas and focus on where the fish are likely to be.
Once you’ve found the walleyes, choose a lipless rattlebait in natural colors that closely resemble the forage in the lake. Vary your retrieve speed and experiment with different sizes to entice the walleyes into biting. With the right approach, you can turn overlooked opportunities into successful fishing trips.
So next time you’re out on the water, don’t forget to explore the shallow water and weed lines for big walleyes. You might just be surprised by the results.
