Ted Beach is a seasoned walleye fisherman whose methodical approach and deep understanding of fish behavior have made him a respected voice in the Pacific Northwest angling community. With years of experience representing Mack's Lure as a Pro Staff member, Ted has built a reputation for not only consistently finding and catching walleye but also for teaching others how to do the same.
Once the bouncer hits bottom, stop letting out the line. Boat speed depends on the current, but it’s generally between 0.8 and 1.0 mph. More importantly, keep your line at a 45-degree angle into the water so the wire tip of the bouncer lightly ticks the bottom. You may need to let out a little more line to maintain contact.
Now you’re fishing for walleye. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is setting the hook too soon. When you feel a bite, let out a little line, then take up the slack. As the slack comes out, lift the rod and reel simultaneously.
Now let’s move on to jigs. Boat control is critical, especially when jig fishing or using a Sonic Baitfish. You can fish these baits several ways, including vertical jigging or pitching and retrieving with a twitch or slight upward jerk before letting the bait fall.
Most bites come as the bait drops, and you may not feel them. If you feel weight or pressure as you lift the rod or reel in the slack, set the hook. This time, set it firmly, as you would for bass or other game fish.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ways of fishing these baits. I caught my biggest walleye in winter by dragging a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. By dragging, I mean casting the jig well behind the boat in 20 feet of water and trolling at about 0.05 to 0.07 mph.
If you don’t have a Mack’s Lure catalog, visit mackslure.com to order your walleye lures. All of Mack’s walleye lures have been tested and proven to catch walleye. Fish on, get the net.
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View full detailsDescription Details Tips The Wally Pop Crawler is a proven setup featuring a Smile Blade and Cha Cha Float inside fluorescent tubing, which...
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View full detailsEnter To Win – Mack’s Lure Photo Contest! Congratulations to Tony Fisher, our June 2026 Photo of the Month winner for the Mack’s Lure Photo Contest! About the Winning Photo This month’s winning image comes from the Columbia River and...
Ceviche is one of those dishes that feels almost effortless yet tastes like something you’d order at a coastal restaurant. When made with walleye, it takes on a slightly different personality mild, clean, flavor with a freshwater character that pairs...
Ted Beach is a seasoned walleye fisherman whose methodical approach and deep understanding of fish behavior have made him a respected voice in the Pacific Northwest angling community. With years of experience representing Mack's Lure as a Pro Staff member,...
