Walleye tournament pro angler Alex Kesler shares some tips and tricks on trolling crankbaits for river walleyes.
Trolling Crankbaits for River Walleyes
Crankbaits trolled at the right speed cover water and trigger walleye strikes in river current.
Kicker outboards provide fine-tuned speed control to barely overcome current flow.
Introduction
When it comes to fishing for walleye in rivers, speed is a crucial factor for success. Whether you’re using bottom bouncers, crankbaits, or live bait rigs, maintaining the right speed is essential to effectively target the fish. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of using a Mercury 99 Pro kicker as a key piece of equipment for trolling crankbaits and how it helps dial in the perfect speed for catching walleye in river conditions.
The Importance of Speed
In river fishing, the current plays a significant role in determining the speed at which you need to troll your crankbaits. To effectively target walleye, it’s crucial to keep the crankbaits ticking the bottom while maintaining a forward progress. This allows you to cover a larger area and increase your chances of finding hungry, bigger fish.
The Mercury 99 Pro Kicker
The Mercury 99 Pro kicker is a powerful auxiliary motor that provides the necessary speed control for trolling crankbaits in river conditions. It allows anglers to fine-tune their speed to match the specific fishing conditions of the day. With the ability to adjust the speed to as low as 1 mile per hour, anglers can ensure that their crankbaits are ticking the bottom, enticing walleye to strike.
The Benefits of the Mercury 99 Pro Kicker
- Precise Speed Control: The Mercury 99 Pro kicker allows anglers to dial in the exact speed needed for successful trolling. This level of control is crucial when fishing in heavy current or against a bank, where maintaining a specific speed is essential for enticing walleye.
- Covering More Ground: By maintaining a speed of 1 mile per hour, anglers can cover a larger area in a shorter amount of time. This is especially important when searching for hungry, bigger fish. The ability to quickly move from one spot to another increases the chances of finding active walleye.
- Versatility: The Mercury 99 Pro kicker can be used in various fishing conditions, including both calm water and heavy current. Its power and performance make it a reliable tool for anglers who fish in different river environments.
Success on the Water
In the video, the angler demonstrates the effectiveness of using the Mercury 99 Pro kicker for trolling crankbaits in river conditions. By dialing in the speed to 1 mile per hour, they are able to tick the bottom with their crankbaits, enticing walleye to strike. The angler also mentions the importance of adjusting the speed based on the current, calm water, or other conditions to maximize success.
The angler’s success is evident when they hook into a bigger fish. The angler and their partner quickly realize the potential size of the fish and prepare to net it. The angler’s experience and skill in handling the fish are showcased as they efficiently remove the hook and release the fish back into the water. The angler also comments on the fatness of the fish, highlighting the healthy population of walleye in the river.
The Importance of Fishing in Strong Currents
The angler mentions that the strong currents in the river are one of the reasons why walleye thrive in these conditions. The constant flow of water provides oxygen and brings in food, creating an ideal habitat for walleye. Fishing in strong currents can be challenging, but with the right equipment and techniques, anglers can have great success.
