The big day is fast approaching. In preparation for the MN fishing opener next week I thought I would share some of my favorite items for early season walleyes. Depending on where you are in the state, the lake you are on and the forage, this list can vary a little. A few of the things are staple items. Hopefully these few keys baits and techniques will help you boat more fish this year on opener!
The first thing I always have tied on is a crankbait! For the metro area I like a bluegill or perch colored #5 or #7 shallow shad rap. This is a must-have for me when it comes to early season walleyes. I can throw it with a medium or medium light 7' 1" G.Loomis rod and get great distance. It can also be trolled if conditions allow. I typically like to throw it to specific shallow rocks and locations that I know fish will lurk to feed on small bait and minnows. This technique is best during low light when fishing water with a low amount of stain - sometimes referred to as "clean" water.
Next I will tie up a small jig (use your favorite brand with a good hook) that I usually tip with a fathead minnow or large leech. This is a very versatile rig as it can be tossed, dragged, hopped, or jigged vertically over the side on specific areas. The size of jig depends on depth, wind, and where I am trying to throw it. Make sure you are keeping contact with the bottom, but it isn't too big for the application. Find one that fits your situation. Remember - the smaller the better, if you can keep occasional contact with the bottom. For jig fishing I prefer a shorter rod, so I go with a G.Loomis 6'3" in a medium action.
The next thing I always have tied up for walleye is a lighted bobber for evening and night fishing. On the end of the line I like either a plain #4 Gamakatsu octopus hook or a small pink jig with a nice hook. The hook is important; if it is too light of a wire it will bend open on big fish, and they will get away. So make sure the gauge of the wire is strong enough if a "swine" gravel lizard is on the other end and wants to go the other direction. I always rig my bobbers with a slip knot so I can fish any depth from 3 feet to 20 feet plus, if need be. The same rod that I throw the crankbaits with, I bobber fish with.
The last rig I always have to have tied on for early season lizards is known as a "T. Rig." This is a rig that many of us have used for years but it took Travis Frank throwing it before we had all named it the T. Rig - and I know he is a big fan of the rig that is named after him. It is a simple rig known to most as a "split shot rig." It consists of a split shot about 12"-24" above the same #4 Gamakatsu hook that we use for bobber fishing. The size of split shot is determined by depth and wind. I typically throw the rig and "drag" it along the bottom back to the boat - which means I am throwing to specific targets. On the hook is either a leech or a minnow. This rig can be tossed in as shallow or as deep of water as you want. I would say it's a poor man's lindy rig. All of my G.Loomis rods have a Shimano 2500 Stradic CI4 on them, spooled with 8lb power pro. The last thing I always do is tie on a 6-10 foot piece of fluorocarbon leader material.
These few recommendations should help you put more fish in the boat. If you have any specific questions in regards to the rigs, tackle, or techniques please feel free to contact me. With the early spring I think we will all be scratching our heads when we hit the water for this years opener. In much of the state the fish will be getting ever close to where they "summer." I know this for a fact - no matter what phase the fish are in, I am ready to get after them!
Until next time, Fish On!
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 2:21PM 
Lake Waconia