Advanced Fishing Technology For Coldwater Walleye Tactics
This day was unique not only in the focused approach but also in how new technology improved the whole fishing method. Modern devices such as side imaging, down imaging, and forward-facing sonar—like Humminbird’s MEGA Live—turned the search for scattered walleyes from a guessing game into a precise operation.
Basically “headhunting” walleyes,place waypoints on particular schools of fish, spot-lock with the trolling motor, and make accurate casts right to the fish by scanning broad swaths of water (65 feet to either side). Live sonar helped the anglers see where the fish were and let them see how they responded to each presentation, thereby modifying their strategies.
One of the key factors in successful walleye fishing is having access to advanced fishing technology. James Lindner’s boat is rigged with two Hummingbird units in the bow of the boat and a couple more on the dash. The technology he is utilizing is side imaging, which allows him to spot schools of fish and mark waypoints. This technology makes fishing and finding fish much easier and more efficient. 
Efficient Fishing with Side Imaging
With the help of side imaging, anglers are able to locate giant schools of walleye when searching massive flats. The side imaging technology allows them to identify schools of fish by sweeping back and forth with the trolling motor, isolating the small pods of fish. Once they locate a group of fish, they mark the schools with waypoints, then put the trolling motor on Spot-Lock and pitch their baits into the school. This method of “head hunting” the fish has proven to be highly effective in catching walleye.
The Efficiency of Forward-Looking Sonar
The forward-looking sonar, specifically the Mega Live, has been instrumental in their success. It allows them to see exactly where the fish are and how they are reacting to their baits. They can even watch their jigs drop into the schools of fish and observe the fish’s movements. This technology has revolutionized their fishing experience and greatly increased their catch rate.
Bait Options Coldwater Walleye Tactics
When it comes to bait options for walleye fishing on Leech Lake, James and Jeff have found success with a few different options. One of their go-to baits is a VMC Hardball 1/4-ounce jig with a rainbow minnow. This classic fall presentation has been producing good results all across the walleye belt. A moon tail jig, equipped with a quick strike stinger system, can also increase your hooking percentage when the fish seem to be biting light. Additionally, a swimbait like the Big Bite Baits Suicide Shad has been effective in triggering bites from walleye.
Adapting to the Mood of the Fish
The mood of the fish can vary from day to day, so it’s important to adapt your bait presentation accordingly. While faster reactionary baits like the Jigging Rap and Moontail Jig were effective on a previous outing, James and his crew found that a live bait and jig combo worked best on this particular day. The key is to pay attention to how the fish are reacting to your bait and adjust accordingly.
Importance of Sustainable Fishing Practices
While catching walleye is a thrilling experience, it’s important to practice sustainable fishing to ensure the long-term health of the fishery. Over-harvesting can have detrimental effects on the fishery, which is why state regulations are in place. These regulations help maintain a sustainable walleye population for future generations of anglers to enjoy.
Cleaning and Filleting Walleye
After a successful day of fishing, it’s time to clean and fillet the walleye (Watch the above video for cleaning tips). Simpson demonstrates his efficient cleaning technique using an electric knife. He emphasizes the importance of taking your time and getting perfect fillets. Bleeding the fish by cutting them near the gills improves the quality of the fillets. Removing the rib cages and skinning the fillets properly ensures that they are ready for transportation.
In this article, we explored the tactics and techniques used by James and his crew to catch walleye on Leech Lake. We learned about the importance of advanced fishing technology, such as side imaging and forward-looking sonar, in locating and catching fish.
Different bait options, including live bait and various jigs, were discussed, highlighting the need to adapt to the mood of the fish. Lastly, we emphasized the significance of sustainable fishing practices to preserve the walleye population for future generations. Remember, fishing is not just about the catch, but also about the experience and the lessons we can learn along the way.
Humminbird’s MEGA Live Imaging is a new sonar technology that delivers the clarity and detail of MEGA Imaging in live-action, allowing anglers to see fish and structure in real-time, even watching fish on-screen as they move in to bite an angler’s lure. Start seeing fish in real-time, in no time.
Upgrading to MEGA Live Imaging is simple. Connect the included Ethernet and power cable and attach the three-position MEGA Live transducer to your trolling motor and you’re ready to fish. Adjust between the three viewing modes with a twist of the transducer. Thanks to MEGA Imaging detail throughout the entire view, you’ll always have a clear view from edge to edge, no matter what view you select.
Utilizing Advanced Fishing Technology
One of the key factors in successful walleye fishing is having access to advanced fishing technology. In the case of James and his boat, he has equipped it with two Hummingbird fish finders in the front and two on the console. The technology he is utilizing is side imaging, which allows him to spot schools of fish and mark waypoints. This technology makes fishing and finding fish much easier and more efficient.
Efficient Fishing with Side Imaging
With the help of side imaging, James and his crew are able to locate giant schools of walleye tactics on Leech Lake’s coldwater. The side imaging technology allows them to identify schools of fish by sweeping back and forth with the trolling motor, isolating the small pods of fish. Once they locate a group of fish, they put the trolling motor on the spot lock and pitch their baits into the school. This method of “head hunting” the fish has proven to be highly effective in catching walleye.
The Efficiency of Forward-Looking Sonar
The forward-looking sonar, specifically the Mega Live, has been instrumental in their success. It allows them to see exactly where the fish are and how they are reacting to their baits. They can even watch their jigs drop into the schools of fish and observe the fish’s movements. This technology has revolutionized their fishing experience and greatly increased their catch rate.
Bait Options for Walleye Fishing
When it comes to bait options for walleye fishing on Leech Lake, James and his crew have found success with a few different options. One of their go-to baits is a VMC hardball quarter-ounce jig with a rainbow minnow. This classic fall presentation has been producing good results for them. They also had success with a moon tail jig, using a quick strike stinger system to increase their hook-up rate. Additionally, a swim bait like the Big Bite Suicide Shad has been effective in triggering bites from walleye.
Adapting to the Mood of the Fish
The mood of the fish can vary from day to day, so it’s important to adapt your bait presentation accordingly. While faster reactionary baits like the jigging rap and moon tail jig were effective on a previous outing, James and his crew found that a live bait and jig combo worked best on this particular day. The key is to pay attention to how the fish are reacting to your bait and adjust accordingly.
Importance of Sustainable Fishing Practices
While catching walleye is a thrilling experience, it’s important to practice sustainable fishing to ensure the long-term health of the fishery. Overharvesting can have detrimental effects on the fishery, which is why state regulations are in place. These regulations help maintain a sustainable walleye population for future generations of anglers to enjoy.
Cleaning and Filleting Walleye
After a successful day of fishing, it’s time to clean and fillet the walleye. James demonstrates his efficient cleaning technique using an electric knife. He emphasises the importance of taking your time and getting perfect fillets. Bleeding the fish by cutting them near the gills improves the quality of the fillets. Removing the rib cages and skinning the fillets properly ensures that they are ready for transportation.
Different bait options, including live bait and various jigs, were discussed, highlighting the need to adapt to the mood of the fish. Lastly, we emphasized the significance of sustainable fishing practices to preserve the walleye population for future generations. Remember, fishing is not just about the catch, but also about the experience and the lessons we can learn along the way.
T
