I'm in Memphis at my son's home right now, without the books. But at the slow speeds that we've been running, I believe, the HJs do not go nearly as deep as the dive curve shows. As speeds increase now up to the 2.0 mph that the book was based on, that will change. I think at 1.3 mph the 45 - 75 drop lengths would be in the 8 - 15' deep area. I honestly have not had my books on the lake this year, and have been able to find the best drop lengths by trial and error.
Jim,
What color of blades work the best for you this time of year ? I've read many times where you've said that we should be fishing in that top 10-15' of water in the spring. What bait fish in Lake Erie are up in that water ? Just trying to get a handle on what color blaids to bring with us when we come out.
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Fish as much as you can....We're not here forever.
Can you list general rules for each type of artificial bait?
I have selection of each, but don't know when each is best.
Seems early cold water is low movement crankbaits.
1. Worm harnesses after water up to 48-50 degrees. Early is slow with Colorado blades. What about later, Willow blades later at higher speeds?
2. Spoons? when to use flutter spoons like the Michigan Stingers? speeds?
3. Cranks. When to use Husky jerks, Deep Husky jerks, Bomber Long A, Reef Runner 800 vs RipStick, Hot-N-Tots, Rapala F18's
Looking for general rules, so if one thing is not working, I can try something else, but don't want to waste time with program totally out of season. When is each type of program at it peak of performance or most likely to outfish other programs?
Worm harnesses have actually started now, but will be better in a couple weeks, and yes Colorados 1st then willows.
Small spoons become effective when you start seeing pin minnows on the surface. Usually around early-mid June but this year .... who knows.
We used to go to larger spoons when the trash fish get to be unbearable. But now we go back to cranks (often w/ added wt) to nearly eliminate the trash problem.
Last one's easy ....water below 45, use Dp Huskys , Dp Rouges or Reefs. All other times use Reefs. Just tune em and catch fish.
I'm serious as a heart attack. And to an old fat guy ... heart attacks are dadgum serious.
Brian, Jets and Dipsy both add something fairly large (in the fishes world) ahead of a very small lure. This little thing following something bigger, is quite common, and natural to the walleyes. I think ofen they feel the bigger thing, fall in behind it to investigate, and as they approach it they run into our lure. And take advantage by eating what they precieve as a small fish following a larger fish.
I would also add that inlines and dipsys sink and jets float so on an inside turn or as the boards fall back after a surge they will fall where as a jet will begin to rise a little.
Jim Stedke's 2012 mid-winter online seminar
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