Fall Walleye on Jigging Lures
Turning leaves, falling temps and college football are all signs that fall is here. Deer and duck hunters get restless waiting for opening day, and walleye fishermen start looking forward to the best fishing of the season. Captain Ken Clark of Fishmas Charters, is one of those anglers who can’t wait for fall to come.
“Fall is my favorite time to fish. Fish are concentrated, usually easy to catch and there is little boat traffic”, says Clark, who has spent over 30 years chasing walleye, and is one of the most respected guides in Michigan. “Add in the fact that fish are hungry and you have everything you need for great fishing.”
While most fall fishing is centered around trolling crankbaits, Clark takes a different approach. “I love fishing with a rod in my hand, feeling the bite. Trolling is fun and effective, but given the opportunity I would much rather fish with a jig, spoon or jigging lure”. Baits that keep bottom contact well, especially in deeper water are Clark’s favorite. His number one choice is a Northland Tackle Puppet Minnow in Glo. “Fall fish are near the bottom on structure, and jigging lures are the best way I have found to catch fish of all species.”
While jigging lures are effective all season, Clark relies on this technique in the fall more than any other time of year. Many factors lead to quality fishing in the fall, including colder water temps, fish feeding heavily for fall and fish being concentrated, but Clark points to one factor that he believes triggers great fall fishing, “Bait, or lack of it, is what drives great fall fishing, especially on deeper structure.” Fall turnover is the traditional trigger of good fall fishing and Clark keys on that in the lakes he fishes. “Turnover brings oxygen back to deeper water”, he said, “this allows fish to use deeper structure to hunt bait. I am using my Lowrance sonar looking for fish that are on, or moving down toward the bottom. Finding them before I fish is key.”
The search for fall walleye begins on the edges of deeper “basin” areas, sometimes as deep as 70 feet. Starting in the middle of the deepest areas in the lake, Clark will use his Lowrance sonar to search up the sides of the depression, looking for small pieces of fish holding structure like points, inside corners, humps and bottom composition changes. Taking the time to find good spots before fishing is a key to Clark’s success. “If fish aren’t there you can’t catch them! Be patient, the fish are somewhere.” While fish can be anywhere on the basin edge, there is a definite preference for steeper sloping drop offs as the water gets colder, so moving and looking shouldn’t be overlooked. “Inside corners and small points are fish magnets in the fall. They hold fish everywhere I have tried this technique and are the first things I look for.”
Most anglers think of the Great Lakes when it comes to great fall fishing, but Clark has other thoughts. “I have used this technique for guiding and tournament fishing all over, including the Great Lakes, but my favorite places in fall are the Northern Michigan natural lakes. Places like Burt and Mullet Lakes, White and Muskegon Lakes, Lakes Leelanau, Hubbard and Lake Margarethe. These lakes are loaded with nice walleye and are virtually never fished. Fall can bring rough weather and big waves, causing cancellations of Great Lakes trips. On these inland lakes I can usually hide from the wind and fish every day.”
Once Clark finds the fish, it’s time to get after them. Spinning gear is preferred by Clark for fishing jigging lures, especially with clients who may not have experience with baitcasting gear. Spinning rods around 7’ are favorites, with Clark’s go-to rod being the Okuma Dead Eye in 7’ medium action. “I really like stiffer, 1-piece rods for this fishing,” said Clark. “Just like jigging on the Detroit River, you need to feel the lure, and a stiff, 1-piece rod does that best.” Team a high quality 7’ rod with a spinning reel like the Okuma Ceymar 30 that Clark prefers, and you have a deadly combo for fishing jigging lures and spoons. Like all jigging presentations, a no stretch line is critical to success and Clark uses 6 lb. Glow Green Berkley Fireline. “I love the feel I get from the no stretch line, and the bright green color is critical to spotting strikes, especially if fish are hitting as the lure is falling back to the bottom. Tie direct to the lure with a good knot and let’s go fishing”.
Now that the fish have been found and the rods rigged, Clark is ready to teach his clients the proper way to fish jigging baits. “The technique is pretty simple” says Clark, “but paying attention to your line is crucial.” The presentation starts with a short cast, around 60-70 feet from the boat, for better feel and control. Keeping the bail of the reel open, Clark watches his Glow Green line for a strike (indicated by a slight movement in the line), or for the line to go slack, indicating the lure has hit the bottom. “Not watching the line on the initial fall is a mistake I see a lot of anglers make. Lots of times the first cast into an area is the best; watch your line and be ready!” If the lure makes it to the bottom without being hit, simply engage the reel and point your rod tip down and toward the lure. At this point Clark likes to start his “retrieve” with a very aggressive “SNAP” up with the rod to move the lure quickly off the bottom. “You are trying to imitate a dead or dying baitfish. Making the lure quickly dart off the bottom, then quickly fall back looks like an injured baitfish and in the fall walleye can’t turn down an easy meal.”
After the aggressive snap, be sure to follow the lure back to the bottom with the rod tip keeping a taut line. Remember, ALWAYS keep your eyes on the line looking for any indication that a fish has sucked in your lure. Repeat this process 3-4 times bringing the bait to the side of the boat. Before reeling the lure in be sure to finish the retrieve with a few quick vertical jigs close to the boat. When finished, reel the lure in and cast again.
While minnow style jigging lures like Clark’s favorite Northland Tackle Puppet Minnow, Rapala Jigging Rap, Moonshine Shiver Minnow, and K & E Sitka Yukon Shiner are great in the fall, Clark is sure to test multiple jigging lures and spoons every day to find what the fish want. “Remember, each jigging lure and spoon style moves off the bottom differently and falls to the bottom differently. I have my favorites, but they all have their place. Be sure to experiment each day to find the best presentation.” Along with Clark’s favorite jigging lures, he also fishes with Hopkins jigging spoons, the Luna Bait made by White River Tackle and other jigging spoons. Clark will try gold and silver finishes on smooth or hammered spoons to find the best option for the day. “Spoons can work great,” Clark said “but day in and day out in the fall give me a jigging lure, especially a 3-3.5” Northland Puppet Minnow and I can catch some fish.” Clark will fish several styles of jigging lures in the fall, but he wastes no words when it comes to his favorite color, “If it glows, it goes!”
Fall walleye are easy to catch most of the time, but like most fishermen fall anglers can get into a rut of just trolling crankbaits. This fall try something different. Look for fish close to the bottom and try jigging lures and jigging spoons. Walleye in all bodies of water, including rivers, can be caught on this technique and some days it is your best option. It doesn’t take a big tackle box to be ready, but it may take a big cooler to get your catch home!
You can contact Captain Ken through his website at www.fishmascharters.com.