Fall Walleyes From Shore

As the cool fall evenings set in it's time to start casting.

by Lake-Link Staff

As the cool fall evenings set in it's time to start casting. During the brilliant-colored, cool months of fall, Michigan-based guide, David Rose, is a proponent of evening and night fishing from shore or in waders.

"As soon as the sun starts going down walleyes will start to transition up over the breaklines. And about an hour after dark those fish will have moved into 2 to 5 feet of water. This is when we start using 4- to 5-inch Rapala Husky Jerks or Smithwick Rogue jerkbaits," notes Rose.

Michigan-based guide, David Rose, is a proponent of evening and night fishing from shore or in waders in the fall.

Rose prefers a longer rod for shore and wade fishing to maximize his cast distances. "Jerkbaits bode well with the softer tip of St. Croix's 7'6" medium-light power, fast action Premier PS76MLF spinning rod as it keeps the bait from spinning on the cast and tangling up mid-air."

Rose advises making a long cast, reeling in about three feet to get the lure diving a little bit, then working a pause-as in keeping your line taut and just letting the bait sit there. The pause could range from 30 or 40 seconds - maybe even a minute-and then Rose slowly twitches the bait in about a foot at a time, periodically stopping it and letting it rest.

"All of sudden you'll feel that tick and if they're striking from the opposite direction it'll feel more like a bass hit," says Rose.

In terms of optimal locations to set up from shore, near weedline edges are always good and most any kind of point, especially if it's adjacent to deep water. Sandy or rocky bottom areas are often a good clue, too.

"Some days, one side of the point will be better than the other, which could be a function of wind direction, moon phase, etc. They'll either be on the right side or the left side of the point, but those points adjacent to deep water are probably the number one areas to fish."

Tom Neustrom works a similar program but is always looking for a little bit of current.

In Minnesota, veteran Minnesota fishing guide Tom Neustrom works a similar program but always keeps his head on a bead for the mouth of a creek, a river, or any place where there's a little bit of current or where wind was blowing in the day before.

"Those are areas where walleyes are going to be. Like deer, you have to find their travel routes. During the day it's easier to find the routes walleyes are using to go up and down in depth. Those are great places to fish with waders or just cast from shore if you have the drop-off close enough. Again, a jig and a minnow will work, as well as Shad Raps, Husky Jerks, or other shallow-diving stickbaits. It's a great way to catch fish in the evening and at night. Especially if you have some current, it can be really awesome," concludes Neustrom.