July 23-29, 2024

Week #11 of the open water season! July 23-29, 2024

Water temps: 72-76

Much better week on The Big V! The fishing is consistent and getting better each week! The big winds have made it difficult the past few days but we still caught plenty of fish and had a really good time doing it. I have had tons of awesome people in my boat this year and we are only to the half way point!

This is one of my favorite times of the year to catch walleyes. Our best bite this week was on two presentations, a jig and minnow or crawler and a lindy with a minnow or crawler. All four combinations produced a bunch of fish!

When I am using jigs, I am spot locking on pods or slowly trolling over the areas and fan casting and working them back to the boat. Both techniques have produced equally. Fan casting is a great way to cover more water and find some fish you might not be sitting right on top of. We are using a snap jig technique that seems to drive 15” walleye crazy this time of year! We are using jigs ranging in size from 1/8 oz up to 3/8 oz, it’s spot and wind depending. When I am pulling a lindy, I am slow trolling them at .4-.6 mph and dragging them through as many fish as possible!

Sand humps, points, and flats have all fish. Other areas I have found more isolated pods is on the rock/sand transitions off of structure. Using side image to stay off the structure and cast the edges has been a big help in catching fish, not rocks.

The best tip I can still give you is to get out on the water early and capitalize on those early morning hours. Once the sun comes up, especially this 85+ degrees and no clouds sun, these fish are much more difficult to catch. Another tip is to have a bunch of different baits tied on, don’t have all the same jig head or hook color tied on for your lindy rigs. Have options and see what they want on that given day. It’s changing all the time!

As always this time of year, smallies are everywhere. A slip bobber and a leech is a fantastic option, but soft plastics and top water baits can provide endless fun! This past week I had some of the best bass fishing of the whole year! Better late than never I suppose!

I have availability remaining for the rest of the summer! Give me a call or text @ (218) 404-9200 to book your trip today!! I have July 30,31 and August 1 open for a last minute trip! Lets go catch some fish!!

Tight Lines!

Z