Fishing Super-Deep Crankbaits
On Deep Mud Flats:
Many of the country's reservoirs contain large mud flats. Walleyes will inhabit these flats, especially when insect hatches are coming off the mud. When it's calm, the bigger like to hang on the deep portions of the flat, near the edge of the old river channel.
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Since these flats are often quite large, finding a concentration of fish is tricky. Crankbaits allow an angler to cover water quickly.
On Shallow Lakes:
Most shallow, soft-bottomed lakes seem to have concentrations of fish over the lake basin, relating to nothing in particular...except forage. Insect hatches attract baitfish which in turn pull in the walleyes.
Mille Lacs Lake and Lake Winnebago are good examples. Some of the biggest fish in those systems spend a good deal of time over the mud, relating to nothing in particular.
By fishing crankbaits under planer boards, anglers can cover water fast. Many of the heaviest catches recorded each year are fish taken on crankbaits out in the middle of the lake.
On Lakes With Suspended Fish:
Walleyes aren't always on the bottom. Fish follow their food, and when the walleye's forage suspends, walleyes will suspend.
An excellent example is Lake Erie's Central Basin, where smelt and alewives hold near the surface over 70 to 90 feet of water much of the year. Most of the walleyes are caught 25 to 35 feet under the surface, far off the bottom.
Since Erie is fairly clear, fish often flare from passing boats. Innovative charter captains rely on planer boards or skis to take their baits away from the boat, where spooking is not a problem. Getting down to the fish is the trick. Super-deep crankbaits are the answer.
On Deep Rivers:
Depth-control is critical here. Fish hug the bottom to escape the strong current. A lure fished several feet off the bottom produces nothing. The bait must be ticking the bottom as it is trolled upstream.
Click here to order your Lindy Shadling Crankbaits
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