Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2017 - 42
Night Tactics
for TROPHY WALLEYES
by Ross Robertson
photos by the author
before a winter slow down. Getting out before dark and
looking for bait on your sonar can quickly clue you in to
key areas on the lake.
Presentations
As the leaves start to fall off the trees and the night comes
quicker, you know that one of the best Walleyes bites is
soon to follow. While this may not surprise most anglers,
fishing late at night may surprise some anglers. Skeptical,
daytime fall Walleyes turn into eating machines under the
cover of darkness. If you take the time to learn the where,
how and when, you can be on the best Walleye bites of the
year with little to no company.
For night fishing, keep things simple. Tasks such as
tying a knot or netting can become much more difficult in
cool temperatures and limited vision.
Location
Like any Walleye bite, fish tend to move a lot. Look
for shallow flats outside river mouths or piers that act as
current breaks and shore lights that attract baitfish.
When all else fails, remember Walleyes don't travel far
from food sources. This is the time Walleyes put on fat
42
As in most Walleye situations, trolling is a great way to
cover water and effectively fish at the same time. Trolling
with an electric engine keeps noise to a minimum. The
use of planer boards helps spread lines away from the
boat to prevent line tangles and put lures in water too
shallow for a boat. Adding a small light stick will help you
to see strikes and avoid a collision with other boats or
shoreline structure.
When Walleyes are located, it is often more productive
to stow the trolling gear in lieu of casting. Casting from
either an anchored position or with the use of an electric
trolling motor is the ultimate in stealth and allows you to
stay on small schools of active fish instead of driving over
fish several times.
Lures
Hardcore Walleye anglers will tell you that you can use any
lure you want for fall night fishing as long as it's a crankbait.
While other lure categories, such as a swimbait on a jig head
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