Thread: The Walleye Channel

Back trolling has its benefits in some areas. Heck, on a good day in the Detroit river, it is better to back troll as you get better boat control.

The 5 battery setup is usually 3 for the tm, 1 for starting, and a secondary for a kicker OR, to operate electronics. It is needed when running the Verado and a kicker attached to the main steering. Mainly because they run electronic steering.

4 bank is the max at one time. I have not checked on a 5 bank but, if you are only relying on the starting battery to start the boat and all electronics are running off rear bat 2, then the alternator would be sufficient for the battery not connected to the bank.

Too many guys rely on the alternator to charge their main but, don't realize that everything but the trolling motor is tied to it. Even had a boat dealer tell me you don't have to charge the main battery. After giving him this scenario, he changed his tune.

You run out 5 minutes with nav lights, you run your livewells, vhf, 3 fish finders, and stereo all day long. You head back in 5 minutes. Was it enough time to charge the battery? Do you trust it tomorrow when you do the same thing?

So Rich,

While I was on the Crappie Throne last night, I had an idea.

While on the bay would it be possible that instead of BB on the down rods, to run a Flicker with the line to match 10 foot down, then hook to a down rigger, and lower it to get the line out of the way?

Kind of like Flicker 30 foot of line = 10 foot down. Then hook to a rigger, then lower and add a foot for actual depth?

1 foot on the rigger would be 11 foot, 2=12, 3=13, etc?

Could get real TECHIE, and go with 13 foot of line, for 5 foot then add 1 for 6, 2 for 7, etc?

That way you could run a Flicker on a down rod, and not be as close to getting tangled up?

I knew you would eventually figure this stuff out! Look at you go Aaron (see, I didn't call you Erin). I'm proud of you!

Seriously, you are 150% correct. This setup would keep two rods close to the boat without the need for running planner boards to spread them out.

Most of the time, fishing less than 20 feet of water, guys don't bother with it. Especially if they are running over ground that is unevan and goes up or down. That said, in your scenario, you could lower the ball a certain depth and then run your setback to make up the rest. Heck, you can run riggers with spoons (obviously) and crawler harnesses.

With how much you like to salmon fish, I'm surprised you didn't get in to the spoon game over on Saginaw Bay. You can catch a ton of fish in short order while running 2.2 to 3.0 mph.

There are some guys that will run the rigger setup you mentioned but most of them run the traditional spoon program. That said, I think it would be a good idea, a quick way to get baits in the water, and keep them fishing. Another cool thing to do (I've done this) is use your cannon balls to dive baits that don't normally dive (say a floating rapala). They have a different action that can be deadly at times. Another tool would be that you could run much smaller baits without having to run 200 feet of line out to reach a depth. Another plus when fish want slow smaller offerings.

I have riggers and could run this setup but, I usually use mine when the depths get deeper. I do however feel that you would be successful over in the bay with this setup.

If it were me, I think I would set a limit of say 30 feet of setback as a max.

I am fishing over 20 feet of water. I want my baits to dive to 18 feet. I run a 15 foot setback on my flicker. That would get the bait to dive to 5 feet. I would clip it on the release and then lower the cannon ball 13 feet in to the water. 13 feet on the ball plus the 5 feet dive from the flicker equals 18 feet down.

My reason for keeping a shorter lead is just to avoid any potential tangles that could occure. Shorter setbacks are more managable in a turn and, heaven forbid, you get a catfish or something else on the line that likes to dive, it won't be able to tangle that shorter lead. You are on the mark though!

Another option if you don't want to use the rigger but still want to keep the bait next to the boat without running a planner board is to use a snap weight or an inline weight. A 2oz snap weight will get to 15 feet down with 32 feet of line out at speeds of 1.5mph!

I like the rigger idea but I think it would also greatly depend on the releases you use. I don't think I would be using the heavy releases that we used to use for salmon fishing (I prefered the adjustable tension Cannon claw release). I think instead, I would go with the Big Jon rubber band release. The reason I would do this is that the rubber band has streatch. My fear would be that a walleye would hit a bait with the normal release and you wouldn't see it whereas the rubber band release would allow you to see the bite better. Just a thought

You could also run your normal release but, instead of hooking the line in the release, half hitch a rubber band on the line and then clip the rubber band to the release. Same thing as the Big Jon concept. I hated having the rubber bands on board but in this instance, I think it would be a bit better of a setup.

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

I'm surprised you didn't get in to the spoon game over on Saginaw Bay.

To many miscellaneous expense's to drive far to fish this year. Started with employer changing to High Deductible Health Plan, and then BOAT LOADS of $$ for Vehicle repairs.
Put a damper on the WHOLE summer.

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

If it were me, I think I would set a limit of say 30 feet of setback as a max.

I like the rigger idea but I think it would also greatly depend on the releases you use.[/QUOTE]

5 foot down is 13 foot of line/setback. Tie to release, then add 10 on the rigger for 15, or more depending on water depth, that's pretty short, and low and away from anything above.

Originally Posted by wicklundrh

I like the rigger idea but I think it would also greatly depend on the releases you use.

My releases are Blacks, & adjustable, I could/can adjust for a Walleye, or better yet just enough on the release so that if I snatch a junk plastic bag on a hook it would release. Thus it would release for Walleye as well.

It's not that i was going to do it, but thought of it, and thought, why wouldn't it work. Just trying to double up as much Salmon gear as I can for Walleye, and reduce my Walleye gear cost's out of the gate.

This also keeps me from needing or thinking I need two more planer boards until I get a bigger boat. I have only had 3 people including myself on my boat three times this year. It gets crowded if they do not know what they are doing in one scenario, the other is that SpartanNation, & 2018 Fall Designated Internet Crappie King, can hardly function in the heat of day, and have BAD SALMON JUJU. Walleye JuJu in Detroit, that's OK, put them in the boat for Salmon, we need all the JuJu we can get.....

Although to get me to 9 rods for 3 people I would need 2 more regardless, SST & Tattle Tale type for Walleye, that gets me 8.

OE

Sterling State Park:

While I try to reduce as much cost as possible to save $, I was just looking into the Walleye future crystal ball.

This year April I stayed @ Sterling State Park for my Weekend Walleye trip as they were open, the prior year, they did not open until AFTER April 28th. Last year I'm guessing the got numerous G_rump calls about the opening date.

Next year year they are opening April 5th! YIPPE. Of course, I may need SpartanNation & Jeff, or Ready2Fish along to help set up the tent, but at $24.00 a night, it was great and cost effective.

Its also only about a 28 minute drive to Elizabeth Park Launch, or 24 Minutes to Lake Erie. Mid River Wyandotte is a 40 minute drive.

Harbor Town RV Resort is not far away either, but they have a pesky train that is louder then SpartainNation snoring, and almost as heavy as Becky rolling down the tracks, it gets difficult to sleep when your been shaken allot. They are also 2X the price @ $46.00 a night.

Any one that can rough that, in a tent, camper, etc, Starling State Park is the place. & they are not LOADED with people at that time frame. I was the only one NUTS enough to be there in a tent.

OE

There’s a decent hotel across the street, if the weather gets a bit sideways......lol


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Originally Posted by skillett007

There’s a decent hotel across the street, if the weather gets a bit sideways......lol


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Holiday Inn Express and I have a bazillion rewards points for there......only perk I got for working on the road away from home for 2 years.