ON THE MOVE
To consistently catch walleye on the troll, you need to know when to change your speed and show the fish something different
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Trolled at 2.5 to 3.5 mph, spoons resemble fluttering baitfishSPOONS
During the late summer and fall, you’ll often see anglers anchored or spot-locked over structure, vertically jigging spoons for walleye. But long before the development of bow-mounted trolling motors and vertical jigging, walleye anglers caught those same fish by trolling spoons instead. This tactic is often overlooked by modern walleye anglers, but it can still be highly effective.
Spoons trolled at speeds of 2.5 to 3.5 mph flash and flutter like baitfish, and fall walleye will gobble them up. To further help trigger strikes while trolling spoons, periodically pump your fishing rod forward, then drop it back. This makes the spoon speed up, then flutter back, much like the action of an injured baitfish. That’s when most strikes happen.
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As for spoon choices, my favourites are Mepps Syclops (pictured), Len Thomson spoons and PK Lures Flutter Fish. Here’s one final bit of advice if you’re fishing in an area with northern pike. Keeping in mind that pike will also inhale spoons, consider using a wire leader to avoid losing your precious tackle—and spend more time on the hunt for walleye.
SPEED NEEDS
Various trolling presentations require specific speeds to run effectively, as well as to accurately mimic the intended prey. Here’s a quick guide to get you on your way.
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| PRESENTATION | SPEED (MPH) |
| Jigs (cold water) | 0.3 to 0.6 |
| Jigs (warm water) | 1 to 1.5 |
| Live-bait rigs | 0.5 to 0.8 |
| Bottom bouncers | 1 to 1.5 |
| Bouncers with specialty spinners | 0.5 to 1.5 |
| Slow death (basic set-up) | 0.5 to 0.8 |
| Slow death (with a blade) | 0.8 to 1.2 |
| Crankbaits | 1.3 to 3 |
| Spoons | 2.5 to 3.5 |