Lindy Slip Float Tips
There are many instances when the finicky walleye doesn't want to chase moving bait at all. So, when you can't Lindy Rig them or jig them, try slip float fishing. The float is the only method that allows live bait to stand still, only movement of the bait and the rippling of the water.
| Little Joe's Walleye Fishing Tips: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| More
Fishing Tips |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Float fishing allows you to concentrate on one small piece of water. When you know inactive walleyes are there, and they will not take Lindy Rigs, Jigs, or Red Devil Spinners, float fishing may be the way to go. It can be very effective because it can be used in any of a number of ways. The easiest method is to hold over the school of suspended fish and still-fish. A second method is to thoroughly fan cast the area around the school looking for active fish. Another way which can be very effective is to very slowly troll the area with oars or an electric motor. You should vary your methods according to the fish's preference on any given day.
The Lindy Slip Float Rig is probably the easiest of all the float rigs to use. The dacron ties are tied directly onto the shaft of the float so that all you need to do is slide a tie off the float, pull it tight around the line, at the depth you desire to fish, clip the ends, add your hook and sinker, and you're ready to fish. There are no beads, plastic sleeves or springs to work with or lose. The Lindy Slip Float Rig is available in walleye and panfish sizes, and comes packaged with split shot and hooks.
The basic feature of the slip float rig is that the float will slide freely on the line between the float stop and sinker. When casting, the float stop will go through the rod eyelets and your reel and the float will slide down to the sinker. After casting, the float will slide back up the line to the bobber stop as the sinker pulls the line through the float. It enables you to cast with the float in very deep water and greater distances from the boat or shore.
Fish the float rig with your favorite live bait: leeches, minnows or nightcrawlers. Hook leeches through the suction cup, minnows lightly under the dorsal fin, and crawlers through the collar so that they will have a natural swimming action.
For tackle, use an open-face spinning reel with six or eight pound mono, and a fairly stiff rod 6 to 6 1/2 feet in length. The rod should have a fairly stiff backbone to set the hook because of the angle of the line from rod tip to float, down to the live bait.
It's also important to take into consideration, this angle and the length of the line when setting the hook on a biting walleye. When your float goes under, slowly take up the slack in your line until you feel the fish. Do this very carefully so the fish does not feel your pressure. When you feel the fish, set the hook, and set it hard.
The intensity with which walleyes will take your bait will vary from day to day. It's a good rule that when they're playing with your bait and the float bobs along the surface or goes under very slowly, let them run with it a couple of seconds before taking up the slack and setting the hook. If they hit hard and run with it, set the hook immediately. Trial and error will give you the best feel for handling the fish on any particular day.
|
