Thread: The Walleye Channel

Weather

One of the biggest considerations that many walleye fisherman have to face is weather. It isn’t so much about the rain, snow, sleet, or wind, but rather the state of the water, the waves, and how you can effectively and safely fish it with the equipment that you have.

With every boat comes limitations. As boat owners and captains, we must know and understand the weather, the wind, and how it effects our equipment. Having information at our disposal helps paint a clear picture of what is happening on the water, what will happen on the water, and what is forecasted for the near future.

All of the mentioned links and apps within this article are located on my cellphone. I have the ability with this device to get up to the second data and information. These links, apps, and tools are considered the best sources for me when making a determination to go fishing, or tuck tail and run when I am on the water.

Over the course of 14 days, my dad, Brian, and I tested over two dozen weather application on our phones. In the end, the following two apps (both free) were found to have the most accurate and reliable information based on what we do. These are both android applications however I would assume you can get them for an I-phone as well.
NOAA Weather FREE
RadaNow!

Another application that I have been testing for the last two years is called: “Live Weather”. This application allows me to select different weather stations based on maps. A few examples of the locations I have stored are: Toledo Light No. 2, OH. Saginaw Bay Light, MI, Alpena, MI, and Gravelly Shoals Light, MI. Having this stored locations gives me the ability to check local ON THE WATER weather as it is happening. This allows me to see the trends and current wind speed. While on the water it allows me to look to a different area and forecast if I am in the path of any major storms or weather incidents.

Inside of google I store several bookmarks that are all weather, wind and wave related.

Great Lakes Forecasts by Zone - Detroit/Pontiac, MI
This shows me a map of Saginaw bay, Lake Huron, Lake St. Claire, the Detroit River, and Michigan waters of Lake Erie. I can select any location and get instant weather in that area.

Monroe Michigan Weather
Access Denied

Great Lakes Zone Forecasting
This is probably the tool I have used the longest. It gives me the ability to see what the weather has been over the course of the last week (including, wind, waves, and current). It also allows me to animate it so that I can see how the lake is moving. Additionally, it gives me the ability to shift ahead to what is forecasted. I use this to track trends, see how the currents are working in relation to the wind and waves, and make my speed assessments that we will cover in a future article.
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov//res/glcfs/

Inner Saginaw Bay weather:
Access Denied

Alpena weather:

Access Denied


Thunder Bay weather buoy
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/recon/station-apn.html

Saginaw Bay weather buoy
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/recon/station-sbb.html


I utilize weather buoys a great deal to determine wind speed at water level, current both on the top and bottom of the water, current speed and direction, and water temperature. This helps me paint a better overall picture before I get on the water. We will cover speed and current in a future article.

OE
First congrats on getting some Walleye.

I know you mean this in fun, and if you want to keep score against you and Walter Walleye.....go ahead.
I’m not going to be in a competition with anyone for fishing.
I compete everyday in business and fishing is for my fun and enjoyment.....no need to keep score against me cause I’m not in it for that.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Great topic, I'm going to follow this closely

With my Gun lake Saturday and Sunday fish report I caught a big ZERO

I did get to play around with my TM and see how will it was in Saturday's wind, spot lock worked great, Sunday with no wind it would dance around couple feet , I have the ipiolit link and the touch screen remote is junk,keep bumping the screen and changing things

OE

I'll keep score with you.. But only if we're bluegill fishing. I seem to know how to catch those.

Every Dog finds a bone now and then.

I was that Dog on that particular day.

Jimmy,

If you could (As well as Kevin) please come up with a post in regards to what you see as the differences between the Xi5 and the MinnKota. What you like about each and what you do not like. This is quality information coming from guys that have experience with both platforms.

Also, if you get a chance, maybe come up with something about the differnces (as you see it) between Lowrance and Hummingbird. Many guys (myself included) get caught with one particular module and don't want to change. Having someone that was willing to change is valuable information that we need to tap in to.

For me, I have been a Lowrance fan for awhile. There were some things I did not like about the Hummingbird. The problem is that I am also a MinnKota fan (outside of spot lock). So, I'm in a catch 22 as I am sure you were last year and this year. Obviously, you were a Lowrance guy so maybe you purchased the Xi5 because of their ability to link up (last years boat). If so, was there things you like or dislike about the motor? About how it interfaces with the Lowrance?

There must have been a reason why you went back to MinnKota this year? If so, did that sway you to go to a hummingbird because you liked the idea of being able to use the Link features? What do you like about it? What do you not like about it.

I'm curious as it is not often we get someone that has experience in two different trolling motor platforms linked with two different sonar platforms!

Worthy information in my book.

I would like to suggest that this thread also include information for guys like me who can't, or choose not to, fish the big water. I, personally, don't feel comfortable going on Erie or Saginaw in my 16' Sylvan, don't have the gear for pulling cranks or cash to buy all the latest electronics but still like catching walleye. I'm stuck with jigging the Detroit and Saginaw if I want to catch numbers of walleye. Input on where and how to target them on inland lakes would be helpful. I have chased them through the ice, but not on open water much so any information would be great.

Originally Posted by spartannation

I would like to suggest that this thread also include information for guys like me who can't, or choose not to, fish the big water. I, personally, don't feel comfortable going on Erie or Saginaw in my 16' Sylvan, don't have the gear for pulling cranks or cash to buy all the latest electronics but still like catching walleye. I'm stuck with jigging the Detroit and Saginaw if I want to catch numbers of walleye. Input on where and how to target them on inland lakes would be helpful. I have chased them through the ice, but not on open water much so any information would be great.

I been on Saginaw Bay and lake Erie many many times and never had any issues with my old 16 ' Sea Nymph, you just need to watch the weather really close, i use most of the weather apps Rich posted , On Saginaw any wind up towards 10 mph i was off the water, sure wish i had a smooth move seat back then.

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

Jimmy,

If you could (As well as Kevin) please come up with a post in regards to what you see as the differences between the Xi5 and the MinnKota. What you like about each and what you do not like. This is quality information coming from guys that have experience with both platforms.

Also, if you get a chance, maybe come up with something about the differnces (as you see it) between Lowrance and Hummingbird. Many guys (myself included) get caught with one particular module and don't want to change. Having someone that was willing to change is valuable information that we need to tap in to.

For me, I have been a Lowrance fan for awhile. There were some things I did not like about the Hummingbird. The problem is that I am also a MinnKota fan (outside of spot lock). So, I'm in a catch 22 as I am sure you were last year and this year. Obviously, you were a Lowrance guy so maybe you purchased the Xi5 because of their ability to link up (last years boat). If so, was there things you like or dislike about the motor? About how it interfaces with the Lowrance?

There must have been a reason why you went back to MinnKota this year? If so, did that sway you to go to a hummingbird because you liked the idea of being able to use the Link features? What do you like about it? What do you not like about it.

I'm curious as it is not often we get someone that has experience in two different trolling motor platforms linked with two different sonar platforms!

Worthy information in my book.

I plan on doing that only after i get some more time behind the wheel

I will comment on why i went to MK, I only did this as it was part of my boat package, i could of went to MG but there was a upcharge and with everyone was saying how well the spot lock worked and with the lift assist and better remote it was worth a try . I did consider if i did really like this TM i would go to Hummingbird so i could network my electronics together, dont think thats the case anymore i also am a life long Lowrance user.

I will comment one decision i wish i didn't go with is the Ipilot Link, the remote that comes with this TM is a touch remote and my 1st thought this well work nice as i like my touch FF, well im finding out im always bumping the screen when im grabbing it and change settings, i feel the buttons should be on the bottom .I tried buying the standard remote and it will not work if you have a link TM, the only other remote that i could use is the micro remote but you would give up to many button selections

The new bluetooth TM has two trolling modes, Advance and legacy, from my understanding the advance feature is sort of how MG worked it lays out a GPS track and it follows it no matter what weather conditions are like, Kevin mentioned how his MG would give him issues and i believe this is how the MK Advance operates, don't have enough time to really comment yet but im finding the Legacy mode is better, this is the original circled N function MK always had just renamed

Picture of my remote, i can set the screen to rotate 180 degrees however the soft buttons are upside down and when turning right, well you know what happens

Thanks Jimmy. I look forward to hearing and learning more. The two features of the remote are exactly the same as the old system (just renamed).

The old system had GPS mode (N with the Circle) and compass mode (N without the circle). I ALWAYS use compass mode. The GPS mode isn't a gid fit when trolling into and against the wind as it points you at a fixed point. As the wind moves the boat from left to right, the bow continues to point at that fixed location. Compass mode allows you to point at a compass heading. If the wind moves you left and right, the boat is still pointed at that compass heading.

Jerry,
As we get more into this, I can give a ton of different ideas relating to finding walleye in inland lakes, rivers, and streams. Heck, with your experience, you might be able to give all of us a few good tips, tricks, and tactics!