Top Water Walleye

Post by **14fishing** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:14 pm

I just returned from a week on White Lake and we had a few of firsts.
It took 3 years, but I finally caught a walleye there - on a Frenzy Popper. I have heard of walleye hitting top water, but until this week, I never experienced it. It was just over 19", just missing the slot size.
There were a few others caught this week, so it looks like the eyes are making a comeback.
When we actually fished for walleye, no luck, but my son, managed to get his first smallmouth ever on a floating jighead and crawler - a nice 3 pounder.
2 of us also managed to break into the 5 lb club. My neighbor caught a 5.4 lb LM and I had an unofficial entry - the fish was spent, so I left him go without a measurement. I just know it was the biggest bass I ever landed. The only picture is on my son's disposable camera, so I can't post the pic. Hopefully my neighbor will post his pics soon. Both fish were caught on Senkos.
In total, we caught and released several hundred fish this week - just keeping a few that were hooked bad for our annual fish fry.
My son is already counting the days until we return.

Post by **Eli** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:22 pm

I've never heard of walleye being caught on topwater plugs, but I know that their European counterpart - the zander - is often taken on topwaters.

Post by **TrollingThunder** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:56 pm

I got a walleye on a Pop-R once, I didn't believe it myself hahaha

Post by **McQ** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:17 pm

Walleye will hit topwaters especially at dusk as they move up into the shallows to feed.

I carry a supply of Bagley Top Guns, a 4" plastic crank with rattles that is an absolute topwater magnet for eyes, best color for me is Rainbow Trout.

Weed beds that edge sand or rock seem to produce best.

Post by **Salar** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:41 pm

Walleye will take dry flies if there's a mayfly hatch on. Particularly the hexagenia mayfly which are typically called shad flies in the valley. If there is a lot of surface feeding activity and the walleye aren't biting on your usual presentations then they're after mayflies on or just below the surface.

Post by **joco** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:51 pm

ONE time me and pepinno were fishing for musky..not to far frome hull on the ottawa river..i was casting a 8 inch top rider..a musky bait.
its was clear blue sky 12 30..lunch time..mabe 6 feet off water. castring thord the shore..oopopoopopop.........WAM...

..man he went pff off water and took my toprider..very agressive walleye.

so i caught that 29 inch walleye ona top water lure..a toprider 8 incher.

so yes walleye do hit topwater...

joco

Post by **slop** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:00 pm

I used to pound the Walleye off my buddies dock on Rice Lake years ago. Dusk was always the ticket when ole marble eyes would make their way in shallow. We would catch the usual suspects...smallies...largies as well.

I tamed a few eyes recently on Pike sized snacks while taking a break from camp.....bugs were bad but the fishin' rocked!!!

Joco, I had just lost a big Pike on a Topraider when my bud, Scotty lent me a Leo to tie on and...the eyes jumped all over it!!....lotsa fun!

Don't be fooled into thinking that only Bass feed on TOP!

Post by **Fish'n Technish'n** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:55 pm

I have caught quite a few on topwaters in the Kawarthas. Some in mid day, some at dusk ...all on the same lure-"Spittin' Image" shad colour that has been "doctored" a bit! Pretty cool to see the looks on peoples faces when the say "Whatcha get em on?" and you show them the topwater lure!

FT

Post by **bradford2** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:34 pm

I have no experience with topwater walleye but will add.....

A 5.4 lb fish is very nice out of White lake! Very nice! Good job.