Transition Areas in Natural Lakes

When fish are spread out on a transition line, Al backtrolls the same type of minnow on a Lindy Rig with a 3/4- to 1-ounce sinker. He uses a 6-foot leader and tail-hooks (reverses) the minnow on a #4 to a #2 hook. “Tail-hooking results in lots more strikes,” Al advises.

Night Bites—This is In-Fisherman Editor In Chief Doug Stange’s favorite time of year for his favorite nocturnal activities: longline trolling and shorecasting for King-Kong walleyes. “Fingerlings and small fish on a lake’s biggest weed bars have hidden all summer in the weedy jungle,” Stange says. “With weeds dying back in fall, forage is much more available, and walleyes press their night-vision advantage to the fullest.”

Stange looks for bars with relatively hard bottom—in the main lake or in larger, adjacent bays. Sparse weeds with thick clumps here and there are best. Another pattern he searches for involves rock bars. “Where rock bars intercept the main part of the lake, walleyes gather to intercept open water baitfish at night,” he says.

These two patterns can be covered the same way—by longline trolling. Long weed or rock bars may have fish scattered all along the side, out on the deep end, and in pockets or corners near shore. Key depths vary, but the bite is typically much shallower than during the day. “Zigzag at first from 6 to 15 feet,” Stange advises, “but in most lakes, concentrate on areas 8 to 12 feet deep.”

For most situations, use fast-action spinning rods 61⁄2 to 7 feet long, coupled with 8-pound test. Around large boulders and rock slides, try 10-pound. The best baits are floating-diving minnow lures like Rapalas, Bang-O-Lures, ThunderSticks, Hellcats, and Smithwick Rattlin’ Rogues. Another hot bait night anglers should try is the Ripplin’ Red Fin. Troll them 80 to 120 feet back.

“Occasionally, fish are pinpointed on a rock finger or other structure connected to the bar. Then anchor up and cast crankbaits or jigs, or go to livebait below a lighted float,” Stange advises. “But fish most often are spread out, so longline trolling often works better. It’s the most efficient technique, timewise.

“Shorecasting is another efficient technique. “The best areas are near inlets or in necks between basins where current draws baitfish and walleyes shallow at night,” Stange explains. “The prime tactic is throwing weighted minnow lures, like Red Fins injected with a bit of water or #13 Husky Rapalas with lead shot inserted by drill. Storm’s Suspendot system weights baits.” In weeds, Stange also likes standup jigs coupled with shad-type plastics.

Southern Reservoirs—Walleye In-Sider Editor Dave Csanda sees more reservoirs in his travels than clowns see carney towns. Fishing ventures and the Professional Walleye Trail have led Csanda over the past 20 years to some of the hottest reservoir bites in the country.

“Most reservoir walleyes move to deep water in fall, with a portion moving to current in systems where significant rivers feed in,” Csanda said. “Sometimes, in years with heavy rainfall, however, it’s necessary to watch for temporary draws, when smaller creeks pull in numbers of fish for a few days.”

The deepest water is in the lower third of most reservoirs. But in really deep, clear reservoirs (as in hill or canyon lands), the central third of the main reservoir usually draws the most fish in fall.

“Anglers on southern reservoirs buckle up and hide when air temperatures drop below 45°F,” Csanda says. “They go hunting, but few of them fish at this time of year. You have a real good chance of popping a fish in the teens down there.”