Water temps have been dropping.  They are now hovering in the lower 70’s and for the most part, they should continue to stay the same or drop from here on out.   

 For walleye, offshore structure, humps, and saddles connecting them all have still been good, but my favorite area has been deeper weedlines lately.  In particular, finding pockets in those deeper weedlines has been money.  I’ve also been finding some fish up shallow on bars in under 10’, on the inside weedlines.  If it’s sunny and calmer, I’ve been going to the deeper stuff and if it’s windy and or overcast, then I’m targeting shallow inside weed edges.  A jig and crawler has still been solid.  Bobbers and crawlers have been good too.  I’ve mostly transitioned away from leeches at this point and it seems the fish have too.  Pitching plastics up in the weeds and working the weedline has been a decent alternative, especially if the panfish are ravenous.  For the fish out deep near the bottom, a drop shot with a crawler has also been working.  I’ve heard of a few rigging with minnows and having success, but haven’t personally tried it yet.  

For Bass, I’m still finding plenty in the usual spots, like weeds, weed edges, and right on top of the weeds.  I’ve caught a bunch of 2-3 pound largemouth lately in the deeper weed pockets hanging right in there with the walleyes too.   I’ve been using walleye techniques, such as a  jig and crawler or plastics and catching plenty.  On lakes with smallmouth, drop shot with a crawler has been excellent, especially on offshore humps and ridges.  If there’s rocks, that’s even better.  Tube jigs have also been effective.      

Pike.  I’ve been catching nicer ones in deeper weedlines and smaller hammer handles on the inside weedlines or right up in the shallow weeds.  Depending on their mood, they will hit about anything, but they sure like plastics worked with snaps and speed.    

Panfish.  Find weeds and they are everywhere.  They still seem to be hitting nearly anything they can fit in their mouth, but for sunnies you can’t go wrong with a piece of worm on a small jig or plain hook.  Smaller panfish leeches, plastics, or hair jigs can be a good option too.    

Marcus Lynch

Lucky Lynch’s Guide Service