White Bass and Walleye
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Anyone seeing these guys moving up yet? I’ve got a couple spots I mean to get to in the next two weeks or so.
Zach
My brother has been after walleyes in the feeder rivers of our mtn lakes. He says they’re about a week away from moving shallow with a few locals catching them at night in the slow backwater/ river mouths…they haven’t quite pushed up the shoals yet.
About 3-4 weeks ago, there were some great walleyes being caught from the bank of the mid lake with the bite starting right at dusk. Despite the freezing temps, the prespawn fish we’re cruising the banks and aggressively feeding. About 4 of my patients confirmed this.
According to my brother…walleyes are thick in the rivers, and finally beginning to feed at dusk into the night until the bright moonrise slows the bite.
Here’s his catch from wading the other night. All measured around 20″.
That’s awesome Travis. I need to get out so bad but my weekend schedule keeps getting filled up…
Zach
Nice job Travis!
Anyone catching them on Lake Blue Ridge (Upper end / Toccoa)? Rocky point? Is evening / night fishing the best bet?
Any advice on what works best? I’ve read Topwater plugs and crankbaits work along rocky banks, as well as night crawlers.I’m thinking seriously about getting the boat wet today for the first time this year, hoping to take advantage of the low pressure front moving into the area tonight.
Any advice is appreciated!
Nice job Travis!
Anyone catching them on Lake Blue Ridge (Upper end / Toccoa)? Rocky point? Is evening / night fishing the best bet?<br>
Any advice on what works best? I’ve read Topwater plugs and crankbaits work along rocky banks, as well as night crawlers.I’m thinking seriously about getting the boat wet today for the first time this year, hoping to take advantage of the low pressure front moving into the area tonight.
Any advice is appreciated!
River mouths in the lakes, and the first couple shoals in the current will hold fish. The begin moving and feeding at dusk, and reach various activity moments where they’ll feed heavily or completely shut down all through the PM. If you’re curious, and don’t mind spooking a few, you can shine a bright LED on the riffle, and sometimes you’ll see dozens of reflective eyes in the water when the schools are thick.
I’ve seen some nice fish landed at first light.
A slow, cross current swing retrieve works well, followed by a very slow upstream “crawl” of your bait. The bites can sometimes be very subtle, and the sluggish first encounter May just feel like dead weight on the line. Once they start head shaking, they come unhooked frustratingly often. You usually land one fish for 3+ fish lost.Once the leaves and foliage start getting thick, the walleye become very active at night crashing the surface spawning alewives. The predatory schools will ambush and attack bait all night…slowly wobbled wake baits, and deeper suspending jerk baits work well. The top bite lasts mid April through early June.
Hope that helps
Thanks Travis! This is great info. It definitely inspired more reading and google searches.
I was able to take the boat out a few days ago as planned, but I didn’t have much luck as it was pretty darn windy and my trolling motor battery was barely charged so after it died I was left fighting the wind with the main motor which spooked at least one fish that I know of. However, it was nice to get the boat back out on the water.
Thanks again for the detailed response!
Mike –
Keep at them man. I know those fish are there. I’ve actually caught them in the tailwater below Blue Ridge Dam — I think they must have washed in as fry. Walleye are always worth working for.
Zach
Went fishing to bring back some groceries from the river. Jay’s been catching walleye pretty consistently, and has taken home some good stringers the past two weeks. I made my way to the river and Jay joined me about 1 AM. The bite was off, and the fishing stayed slow for most of the early hours. About 3AM the moon began to set, and we had several hookups. I’m pretty sure Jay hooked into a giant musky…got some goliath boils in the glare, and his rod stayed bent over solid for about 30 seconds of panic until it shook off…could have been a beaver..who knows?
I finally landed my largest walleye yet..24.5″ a fat 6lb fish. Couldn’t land another one, although several shook off as we nearly landed them. Snagged a few quillback suckers, and Jay landed a healthy white bass.
Crystal, Breelyn, and I enjoyed a great supper, (and even breakfast the next morning) from the walleye, and the whitebass is ready for tomorrow’s dinner.Hope to get back out there soon
Now, these guys are starting to show up, too. Had some nice fish lost yesterday in a 1 hour window…nearly busted off the jetfoot getting to them…a little welding repair, and I’ll be back out as the nice weather keeps rolling in.
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