hewesfisher
11/7/2010 6:55:00 AMGreat report Lewis! I have had the same problem with bottom bouncers and still haven't mastered that technique. I think it's because we weren't dragging enough weight, but that runs counter to the way I like to fish, lighter tackle for more control. The water looks as smooth as it was when we met up in January! Our best to you both. :-D
Lundegard
11/7/2010 10:47:00 AMThanks for the great report! After many years of dragging for walleye in the Columbia (from Crow Butte/Umatilla, all the way up to Spokane Confluence) the best tip I could pass on would be to get your bouncers from Big Wally's. They are the single-leg type...without the arm sticking out that you connect your spinner leader to. Even though I have a good friend who orders the tackle at H.O.T., he still won't stock this type of bouncer. So, every time I'm in Big Wally's I stock up. This single-leg type gives you much more control...less profile = less drag, which allows your weight to be more efficient. Plus, they don't foul up as much, especially in the net with a thrashing walleye! Good luck!
mav186
11/7/2010 1:04:00 PMThat's awesome Lewis...it's not like they're 'on fire' right now anyway, so nicely done on your scouting trip! Gordon's the one who recommends to bend the lower wire back a bit. It sounds like you were in the right areas with the weeds around, now just try to find the edge of them, see what it looks like on your sonar, and drag along that edge (ambush points)!! Glad you guys had fun!!
blufin loui
11/7/2010 5:37:00 PMThanks hewesfisher, it's all about control. LOL I think my learning curve may be steep on the bottom bouncers, but we're going to give it a try, I sure like them walleye in the skillet. You and Deb stay well and safe
blufin loui
11/7/2010 5:43:00 PMHey Lundegard, Thanks for the "Tip". I'll have to pour me up some "One Legged" bouncers and give them a try. Sounds like an interesting technique. I look forward to your "walleye" reports at the wells dam area. Will have to give them a try sometime.
blufin loui
11/7/2010 5:49:00 PMHowdy mav, We'll have to be more attentive to the sonar next time out and try to find the edges. It was an enjoyable adventure to say the least. Man, it was good to see that white tip on their tail as the were coming up from the bottom. Thanks for your help and advice.
tcorrell
11/8/2010 4:35:00 AMHey blufin, I've been reading your reports for a couple of years now. We fish RW mainly for walleye and have done reasonably well even though I'm far from being an expert on walleye. We only fished it once this year. But in the 2 1/2 years we've been fishing it we've only caught one walleye under 16 inches and that was 15.5. So here's what little bit of knowledge I have on RW walleye. First i like to fish the lightest weight possible. I often use 1/2 oz. no more than 1 oz. what I do is use the trolling motor to slow the boat down, thus allowing the light weight bouncers to get to the bottom. Also lots of line out. I like a char or yellow color worm harness. i use this 90% of the time. The wife likes a pink/blue/white combo. She uses that about 75% of the time and we're about equal on the take. I like the speed slow, no more than 2 mph at most. 1.5 is better. Then there is location. I've fished where you were and caught a few. And I've heard down closer to chief Joe is good but haven't gotten there. We fish the douglas side up from seatons grove. And then both sides down at the pens. We'll often catch more trout doing this than walleye, especially above seatons grove. If I knew how to attach pictures after the report has already been added I would add them to my August report But I don't. Anyway hopefully that helps a little.
Anglinarcher
11/9/2010 8:10:00 AMGood report, and for the record, you are not alone on feeling bottom. You may have been going to fast, or you have have actually been dragging bottom instead of bumping it. Sensitive rods, sensitive lines, proper bottom bouncers, well this should and could actually be a great thread to study and learn from. If you are interested, this would be a great time of year to start a thread in the forum about this.
blufin loui
11/9/2010 10:10:00 AMHello tcorrell, great big "Thanks" for sharing tips that work for you and your wife. Even though we may not be "Avid" Eye fishermen, we deffinatly appreciate the info. It is amazing all the different techniques used by the various fishermen (and women) out there. That's one of the things I love about fishing, there are so many possibilities. Fishing for walleyes here is quite different from Southern MO, where we used to fish for them. Deep water there was 10-12 feet, as we fished the tributary rivers. It sure is nice having this (WALAKES) massavive data base to learn from. Thanks Again
blufin loui
11/9/2010 10:20:00 AMHey Anglinarcher, you be right on both accounts. After receiving information and tips from several members, I think our next trip will have better presentation. As far as catch success, well I expect to have to pay my dues to the fish gods, meaning I'll have to refine all the info into what I can catch fish with, and the only way to acheive that is to put our time in on the water. BUT, the great info you guys have shared will make that time shorter. LOL. And thanks for the thread Idea. May give it a try. Stay well, fish often, and catch plenty