Is It Me?

[gar-tracker]

Or are these Walleye tournament guys a weird bunch.

[Nitrofreak]

Or are these Walleye tournament guys a weird bunch.

LOL I know some of the folk that catch or try to fish for Walleye at my favorite lake are a little...Well shall we say off just a little but fun to be around.

Why do you ask?

[gar-tracker]

I was watching that FLW on TV and got a kick out of those dudes. A whole different breed.

[South FLA]

I was watching that FLW on TV and got a kick out of those dudes. A whole different breed.

Walleye fishing is about as exciting as deep dropping for snapper with electric reels, the art is in the pinpointing structure and pulling the bounty out of the hiding places.

[Dwight Hottle]

Walleye fishing is about as exciting as deep dropping for snapper with electric reels, the art is in the pinpointing structure and pulling the bounty out of the hiding places.

Well then who is this mr walleye man!

[FD.]

I could only watch for a few minutes...I had to go outside and watch the grass grow for some excitement

[South FLA]

Well then who is this mr walleye man!

Never said they weren't good to EAT!!! Now a smallmouth is a totally different story, hate when walleye get in the way

[SirSnookalot]

I love to bass fish and have been at it for 60 years, why? Cause it's so darn easy and I seldom get skunked. Bass are abundant, aggressive can be caught on any kind of equipment and are not too big. When is the last time you heard of a person catching 20-40 or 100 or more muskie in an outing, it just doesn't happen. Just recently we had a thread about "most amount bass caught in day", the numbers are staggering, and some of the same people try to say bass fishing is a challenge, doesn't make sense to me.

In addition to my bass fishing I target other species as well, fish for cuda and tarpon most days. Since the start of the year I have caught around 10 of each, that's 1 tarpon and cuda every 3 weeks( anyone in the world can catch them on live bait), I don't even consider that a challenge, it's just the nature of the beast. Snook are like bass, easy to catch, I've probably caught a couple hundred this year, not that I count.

Just didn't see the need to pick on walleye fisherman.

I"m not about to give up bass fishing because I really do enjoy it, but I gotta call it the way I see it, I don't think it's all that hard. BTW that trout Francho keeps showing is one fine fish, that's what i call fishing.

Catching a larger fish of any species is a challenge, no question about. Some guys catch a lot of 2-3# bass, I get lot 6-10# snook, it really isn't a big deal, but lots of fun.

If I get banned for my opinion, so be it I'll leave quietly.

[Helluva_Engineer]

I love to bass fish and have been at it for 60 years, why? Cause it's so darn easy and I seldom get skunked. Bass are abundant, aggressive can be caught on any kind of equipment and are not too big. When is the last time you heard of a person catching 20-40 or 100 or more muskie in an outing, it just doesn't happen. Just recently we had a thread about "most amount bass caught in day", the numbers are staggering, and some of the same people try to say bass fishing is a challenge, doesn't make sense to me.

In addition to my bass fishing I target other species as well, fish for cuda and tarpon most days. Since the start of the year I have caught around 10 of each, that's 1 tarpon and cuda every 3 weeks( anyone in the world can catch them on live bait), I don't even consider that a challenge, it's just the nature of the beast. Snook are like bass, easy to catch, I've probably caught a couple hundred this year, not that I count.

Just didn't see the need to pick on walleye fisherman.

I"m not about to give up bass fishing because I really do enjoy it, but I gotta call it the way I see it, I don't think it's all that hard. BTW that trout Francho keeps showing is one fine fish, that's what i call fishing.

Catching a larger fish of any species is a challenge, no question about. Some guys catch a lot of 2-3# bass, I get lot 6-10# snook, it really isn't a big deal, but lots of fun.

If I get banned for my opinion, so be it I'll leave quietly.

How would you approach catching snook wading in the St. Lucie area? I've seen a few in the surf and I'm sure they're on the riverside. Seem to get skunked everytime I try inshore and at least get something from the surf though I usually lose confidence pretty quickly fishing right at the shore and go deeper and find the bluefish cruising along.

[evrgladesbasser]

I love to bass fish and have been at it for 60 years, why? Cause it's so darn easy and I seldom get skunked. Bass are abundant, aggressive can be caught on any kind of equipment and are not too big. When is the last time you heard of a person catching 20-40 or 100 or more muskie in an outing, it just doesn't happen. Just recently we had a thread about "most amount bass caught in day", the numbers are staggering, and some of the same people try to say bass fishing is a challenge, doesn't make sense to me.

In addition to my bass fishing I target other species as well, fish for cuda and tarpon most days. Since the start of the year I have caught around 10 of each, that's 1 tarpon and cuda every 3 weeks( anyone in the world can catch them on live bait), I don't even consider that a challenge, it's just the nature of the beast. Snook are like bass, easy to catch, I've probably caught a couple hundred this year, not that I count.

Just didn't see the need to pick on walleye fisherman.

I"m not about to give up bass fishing because I really do enjoy it, but I gotta call it the way I see it, I don't think it's all that hard. BTW that trout Francho keeps showing is one fine fish, that's what i call fishing.

Catching a larger fish of any species is a challenge, no question about. Some guys catch a lot of 2-3# bass, I get lot 6-10# snook, it really isn't a big deal, but lots of fun.

If I get banned for my opinion, so be it I'll leave quietly.

I'm pretty sure they are just messing around..

If you think bass fishing is so easy I wish you would have been out today to show me how it's done. Yes there are days when you can catch 100 fish but those are far and few. Right now fishing is tough you may be surprised when you can't catch a limit.

[gar-tracker]

I love to bass fish and have been at it for 60 years, why? Cause it's so darn easy and I seldom get skunked. Bass are abundant, aggressive can be caught on any kind of equipment and are not too big. When is the last time you heard of a person catching 20-40 or 100 or more muskie in an outing, it just doesn't happen. Just recently we had a thread about "most amount bass caught in day", the numbers are staggering, and some of the same people try to say bass fishing is a challenge, doesn't make sense to me.

In addition to my bass fishing I target other species as well, fish for cuda and tarpon most days. Since the start of the year I have caught around 10 of each, that's 1 tarpon and cuda every 3 weeks( anyone in the world can catch them on live bait), I don't even consider that a challenge, it's just the nature of the beast. Snook are like bass, easy to catch, I've probably caught a couple hundred this year, not that I count.

Just didn't see the need to pick on walleye fisherman.

I"m not about to give up bass fishing because I really do enjoy it, but I gotta call it the way I see it, I don't think it's all that hard. BTW that trout Francho keeps showing is one fine fish, that's what i call fishing.

Catching a larger fish of any species is a challenge, no question about. Some guys catch a lot of 2-3# bass, I get lot 6-10# snook, it really isn't a big deal, but lots of fun.

If I get banned for my opinion, so be it I'll leave quietly.

I also fish for everything you mentioned there SSAL, and all fish are challenging in their own way.

I was just posting this a little joke, take it easy there champ.

[RoLo]

Heck, I've even heard of guys that actually target crappies

Seriously, I have nothing but admiration for walleye aficionados like Gary Roach, Gary Parsons & Dwight Hottle.

When walleyes are the target they're the only fish that matters, a time when bass just get in the way.

Whenever we vacation at a Canadian lodge for pike, we’re always outnumbered by walleye fisherman (we're the oddballs).

Walleyes aren’t nearly as aggressive as bass nor as easy to locate.

In my opinion, targeting walleyes is a great way to sharpen both your structure-reading skills and presentation.

Roger

[piscicidal]

I've mentioned before...I've only targeted Bass for about two years. On the other hand, I've targeted Walleyes for about 35 years. My brother and I have fished several pro Walleye tournaments and we've cashed a few checks. I've probably spent 50x more time Walleye fishing than Bass fishing in my lifetime. Despite these disparities, I still find Walleye fishing more challenging. As Rolo mentioned, Bass are much more aggressive and once found are not particularly difficult to catch (IMO). Walleye can be downright frustrating.

BTW...I just returned from a one week vacation in Minnesota. I only got to go walleye fishing one day, but I made the most of it. Here is a fine 29" (9lb) specimen I got fishing with my brother.

[RoLo]

I've mentioned before...I've only targeted Bass for about two years. On the other hand, I've targeted Walleyes for about 35 years. My brother and I have fished several pro Walleye tournaments and we've cashed a few checks. I've probably spent 50x more time Walleye fishing than Bass fishing in my lifetime. Despite these disparities, I still find Walleye fishing more challenging. As Rolo mentioned, Bass are much more aggressive and once found are not particularly difficult to catch (IMO). Walleye can be downright frustrating.

BTW...I just returned from a one week vacation in Minnesota. I only got to go walleye fishing one day, but I made the most of it. Here is a fine 29" (9lb) specimen I got fishing with my brother.

HOLY COW!

Now THAT'S a Gorilla!

Roger

[rboat]

Walleyes are a good species to fish for. I have caught many in my time. It is a different kind of fishing and not even related to bass fishing. If you catch walleyes on something totally artificial you are a true stud. They are wiley and more cautious in their feeding behavior. It usually requires a worm, minnow, leach or some other critter attached to a spinner or bottom bouncing jig that is trolled or drifted over underwater humps to catch any numbers. Bass fishing to me is just more fun and can be accomplished in countless presentations, even fly fishing. Many will disagree, but I believe bass fight better when hooked. The walleye I have caught feel like a dead weight until they see the boat, then they dive. A bass will shake his head, roll, dive, wrap into cover, and even take to the air to fight for his freedom. I feel it is just a different type of angling and any fishin is good fishin.

[SirSnookalot]

How would you approach catching snook wading in the St. Lucie area? I've seen a few in the surf and I'm sure they're on the riverside. Seem to get skunked everytime I try inshore and at least get something from the surf though I usually lose confidence pretty quickly fishing right at the shore and go deeper and find the bluefish cruising along.

Without being there it's difficult to say why you haven't done well. Just a guess, you have heard the expression 90% of water has no fish, this is especially true fishing from the beach. I wouldn't be surprised if you just there at the wrong time & wrong conditions. Fishing for snook is not the same in the different types of enviroment they inhabit, I'll address the beach only. Snook are most actively feeding apx 45 min before and 30 min after sunrise, giving a small window of opportunity, true can be caught from the beach through out the day but best during their feeding time. Tide is very important, especially the relationship to sunrise ( or sunset) an early out going tide is primo, ( early meaning a tide change coming back in just after sunrise), each ensuing day the bite weakens a bit as you get into a later tide. Another important factor is surf, snook like a trough, also called a swash, that's the area between the waves closest to the shore, flat water is not conducive for snook fishing. All this being said my hunch was there were just no fish around, some may chime in and say they have caught them in those poor conditions, I have too, but the odds are greatly reduced.

Now this is how to catch them, cast along the shoreline, not out in the ocean for distance. just about any LMB bait will work fine, I've probably caught more on spoons than anything. Bucktails, soft flukes on jig heads, any hard jerk bait all work good, the key is the retrieve. Do not burn a bait it, overworking a lure does not work well, slow retrieve with lots of pauses, they like to hit on the drop, let the motion of the surf do the work. Don't stay in one spot, you have to find the snook, certain areas of the beach will be better, drop offs, the way the surf hits the shore, and it's constantly changing with the tide, I often walk a good mile when I'm hunting them. A beach with a pier can be exceptionally good, snook like to hang in the pilings, cast along them.

Once you catch your first the rest come easy. ............SLOW RETRIEVE AND WITH PAUSES, FISH THE TROUGH.

[Dwight Hottle]

Heck, I've even heard of guys that actually target crappies

Seriously, I have nothing but admiration for walleye aficionados like Gary Roach, Gary Parsons & Dwight Hottle.

When walleyes are the target they're the only fish that matters, a time when bass just get in the way.

Whenever we vacation at a Canadian lodge for pike, we’re always outnumbered by walleye fisherman (we're the oddballs).

Walleyes aren’t nearly as aggressive as bass nor as easy to locate.

In my opinion, targeting walleyes is a great way to sharpen both your structure-reading skills and presentation.

Roger

Roger

Gary & Gary are both saying Dwight who! Thanks for the compliment.

[Dwight Hottle]

I've mentioned before...I've only targeted Bass for about two years. On the other hand, I've targeted Walleyes for about 35 years. My brother and I have fished several pro Walleye tournaments and we've cashed a few checks. I've probably spent 50x more time Walleye fishing than Bass fishing in my lifetime. Despite these disparities, I still find Walleye fishing more challenging. As Rolo mentioned, Bass are much more aggressive and once found are not particularly difficult to catch (IMO). Walleye can be downright frustrating.

BTW...I just returned from a one week vacation in Minnesota. I only got to go walleye fishing one day, but I made the most of it. Here is a fine 29" (9lb) specimen I got fishing with my brother.

That's a real nice summer walleye.

[piscicidal]

Thanks guys.

I had a fun day that day. Brought some of my bass gear with me from Florida. I tossed around a Gambler Big-Ez for awhile trying to raise a Musky. About a half hour into it I had about a 40" Musky take it. He chased it four times before I finally got him to take. I had him on for a little bit, but didn't get a good hook into him. The rod I was using was a little flimsy to setup a 6/0 swimbait hook into that bony mouth. It was fun anyway. I was happy just to see a Musky, much less set hooks into one.

My brother's friend caught a 55" Musky from Mille Lacs with my brother in the boat, when I was up there.

[Helluva_Engineer]

Without being there it's difficult to say why you haven't done well. Just a guess, you have heard the expression 90% of water has no fish, this is especially true fishing from the beach. I wouldn't be surprised if you just there at the wrong time & wrong conditions. Fishing for snook is not the same in the different types of enviroment they inhabit, I'll address the beach only. Snook are most actively feeding apx 45 min before and 30 min after sunrise, giving a small window of opportunity, true can be caught from the beach through out the day but best during their feeding time. Tide is very important, especially the relationship to sunrise ( or sunset) an early out going tide is primo, ( early meaning a tide change coming back in just after sunrise), each ensuing day the bite weakens a bit as you get into a later tide. Another important factor is surf, snook like a trough, also called a swash, that's the area between the waves closest to the shore, flat water is not conducive for snook fishing. All this being said my hunch was there were just no fish around, some may chime in and say they have caught them in those poor conditions, I have too, but the odds are greatly reduced.

Now this is how to catch them, cast along the shoreline, not out in the ocean for distance. just about any LMB bait will work fine, I've probably caught more on spoons than anything. Bucktails, soft flukes on jig heads, any hard jerk bait all work good, the key is the retrieve. Do not burn a bait it, overworking a lure does not work well, slow retrieve with lots of pauses, they like to hit on the drop, let the motion of the surf do the work. Don't stay in one spot, you have to find the snook, certain areas of the beach will be better, drop offs, the way the surf hits the shore, and it's constantly changing with the tide, I often walk a good mile when I'm hunting them. A beach with a pier can be exceptionally good, snook like to hang in the pilings, cast along them.

Once you catch your first the rest come easy. ............SLOW RETRIEVE AND WITH PAUSES, FISH THE TROUGH.

Thanks for the tips, I'll give these tips a try. Hope to be posting a pic here soon.

[SirSnookalot]

@ Helluva.............beach fishing has been the poorest I've seen it in years, I'm not doing well myself, most of my snook are from the ICW as of late. ICW fishing for snook resembles LMB fishing very closely, as with all species knowing their characteristics is a big help.

I see you are up in Jensen, I see reports of more fish being caught up there than down in my area, I plan my trips on the tide, wind and surf conditions, have yet to have those components conducive to my schedule to make the trek up there.