Here are a few of the tips and tricks to make your Night Walleye Fishing Experience more productive and fun.
When the winds start to blow from the East and North hard it triggers what is know as Fall. All around the Great Lakes, fall means walleye time at night. A strange thing occurs on the Western Basin of Lake Erie including the Island area around Port Clinton to Vermillion OH bait migrates towards the shorelines and harbors to feed, guess whats right behind them! I have spent many an Autumn night flinging artificial lures into the darkness and coming up with many Huge Walleyes with not a sole insight just me and ole 'Walter'.
The best proven stickbait is by far a Reef Runner Ripstick. Its a shallow-diving crankbait reeled just fast enough to wobble right under the water surface. The biggest mistake that many beginners make is they reel too fast. The key is long casts and very slow retrieve-hooks are essential they must be razor sharp.
With the right equipment top choice combo's are 6 ½ – 7 foot spinning rods with spinning reels spooled with 6-8 pound test monofilament. I also use a very smooth reel such as a shimano stradic or similar. The reason is you will only feel a slight tick and you must set the hook immediatelly. Some nights all you will feel is your line going sideways than the fish is just there.
Walleyes tend to use vertical structure such as piers, seawalls and reefs to trap bait against than chow down. When possible, cast parallel to shore or to the pier and bring the lure right down the edge. If your are anchored up on one of your favorite reefs offshore, make sure you are anchored just in front of the structure you are targeting and cast and retrieve slowly back to the boat.
Walleyes can be very finicky some nights so it pays to change, switch sizes, colors, styles. The Erie Drifter Team uses a lot of Blue/Silver, Perch, Copperhead, Clown and Firetiger. Also try Shad Raps, Rattletraps and Husky Jerks. A single small snap lock on the end of the line makes it easy to change lures, instead of trying to retying on a cold, dark night.
Don't be afraid to wade. A good pair of neoprenes can get you away from crowded piers and into undisturbed waters. Felt soled waders to deal with the slippery rocks are also a big plus. Be very careful when trying to wade in unfamiliar areas in the dark and its always better to fish with a buddy.
Leave your lanterns at home, purchase a good hat light, I buy the Alaskan guide series Grizzly from Cabela's. We believe that bright lanterns spook the big walleyes away were as the hat light clips to your bill or head with no obstructions while casting in to the dark Lake Erie Waters. A long extendable dip net is also key, I can't tell you how many times I've seen huge night gators get off right at the net, don't let that happen to you!
Watch the wind. If you can get to a spot where you have a light north breeze against a south shore, chances are you'll be tossing into bait and walleyes lurking in the abis. Fishing the calm side of piers and islands can be a waste of time. One things is for sure, don't end the season too soon----Sometimes the best onshore action is right before ice up.
