The Influence of Wind on Walleye Fishing

Wind has an influence on underwater life. Walleye is no exception to this rule. There are many reasons why you should pay attention to wind when looking for walleye.

1. Wind creates ripples or waves, which reduce the amount of light that can penetrate the surface of the water. Because walleye can see best in low light conditions, a good breeze is always welcome when trying to catch walleyes, regardless of its direction.

2. Winds from the north are often related to cold fronts, and cold fronts are bad news for walleye fishing.

3. Wind sweeps the surface of the water and pushes insects off of rocks, trees, and takes them in a given direction. After a certain amount of time with a constant wqind direction, these insects will make their way to shore, where baitfish will gather and feed. You can be sure walleye are not far behind, even in very shallow water.

4. Strong winds will disorient minnows completely, they become easy prey.

As a rule of thumb, when a good chop is on, I will head in the same direction the wind blows and fish near shore, especially so if I'm not familiar with the waters I am fishing.

Walleye Fishing : Bay of Quinte Pictures

Of course you know about the infamous Bay of Quinte, home of the huge fall walleye. I found a set of pictures that will certainly make a believer out of any skeptics out there:

Click here to get em!

Make your Own Planer Boards

If you have ever shopped for planer board gear (mast, boards, etc) you know how expensive these things can be. Not surprisingly some have resorted to making their own, here are 2 sets of plans that you can possibly use to make your own, though I have not done so myself, I may have found a project for those long winter months.

make your own planer boards
another set of plans

And here is a way to make release clips out of simple shower curtain rings and clothespins

make your own release clips

Weather Problems

So this weather has kept me from going out for more than 3 weeks now, all we have been getting is cold front after cold front, windy days with tons of rain, it's not ending either, the outlook for the weekend is more rain again. hopefully things will change, this is depressing.