Skunk Busters
I have a few tried and true tricks for never getting skunked while walleye fishing. I will reluctantly give a few here, my best will always remain a secret!
Don’t overly focus on one method of fishing that has worked well in the past. If it’s clearly working well on a given night, obviously don’t abandon it, but don’t exclusively use it if it isn’t working. My best example of that would have to be myself with long line trolling. I long line more than anyone else except Steve Korinek, but there are nights where I have to put away my beloved trolling rod and bust out the casting gear. Some nights in the past I refused to do that, and nearly got skunked if not for the classic “saving grace” 14 inch walleye at 2:30 am. They have a way of showing up when needed… but it is never a gurantee. Being skunked means that you failed to fish with the proper strategy, at the proper place, at the proper time. It is nothing to be ashamed of, but nobody likes sinking several hours late at night for no fish. My go to is to always troll first to find what type of structure the fish are relating to, then I spot lock and cast at those fish if they do not bite after an hour or two of trolling. Sometimes they want a jig with live bait, but often times pitching a jigging rap or Finisher or similar lure will incite a bite. Mix it up and put it in front of their nose…
My second skunk buster tip is to put in the hours. Sometimes, fish will not bite until 2 am. Sometimes they bite well at dusk and the night bite is dismal. The only way to avoid frustration and wasted money on minnows is to fish as long as possible. Many nights, I fish from 7pm to 3am. That generally ensures that I will cross paths with at least one hungry walleye. You can’t fish just at dusk, or for just an hour or two and expect fish every time. More time spent fishing = more fish caught, plain and simple.
As far as those fabled “perfect” lures, I have found a few. I won’t give colors or other tricks I have for tweaking lures, but I will get you a starter tacklebox so to speak.
1. Smithwick Perfect 10 - Perhaps the most incredible, versatile lure I have ever come across.
2. Berkley Finisher - Use this lure and you will understand the steep price tag
3. Jigging Raps - So much perfection in such a small package!
4. Kalin’s Rattlin’ Google Eye Jig - Pair this with a nice soft plastic fluke or live bait, and you will surely find walleye.
5. Flicker Shad 7 - A wonderful lure, just replace the weak hooks with sturdier hooks before using. The hooks they come with are garbage!
