Trolling is one of the best ways to fish for walleye and there are many methods that can be employed that are effective in landing this fun to catch fish. Walleye are found in many lakes around the country and they are very prolific and have tasty meat that many people are seeking. There are a few tips that you can use when trolling for walleye that can help you to be a more effective walleye fisherman. It is hard to believe just how fiercely the walleye fight until you land a really big one. The following are five tips to try when trolling for walleye that are very effective:

1. Rod Holders – It is important to have your boat fitted out with dependable rod holders. Do not go with the cheap types that basically use Velcro to hold them in place. These can lead to a loss of rod and reel when a really large walleye takes your hook. Go with a rod holder that is permanently attached to your boat. It is also important to have them set up in a pattern that keeps the lines from tangling. Two of the holders should be placed at the front of the boat just behind the prow where the boat width is at its thickest. You also want to have to coming off the rear section of the boat from either side of the motor. This allows the front lines to be outside of the lines from the rear rods.

2. The Best Trolling Lures – Spinners are the best lures for trolling because they really attract the walleye. The spinning motion gives the fish something to concentrate on and to attack. You can add live baits to the spinners to make them even more effective. When it is warm out, you need to set your lines deeper to the depth that the fish are located. Add sinkers to your leader line until allow the lure to reach the depth that you are seeking. You can also use crankbaits that closely resemble the natural baitfish of the walleye such as shiners.
You definitely want to have a large arsenal of the crankbaits because walleye can be finicky and if one does not work, you have others to choose from.

3. Live Baits – Live baits that should be used when trolling are those that are naturally occurring in the area that you are fishing in. As a good rule of thumb, minnows that are the same as the walleye’s natural bait are the best option. You can also use worms or leeches as they are both effective when fishing for walleye. If you choose to use minnows, make sure they are hooked through the mouth. You need to get the hook far enough behind their “lips” so that the hook does not come out easily when trolling. This allows the fish to have the action of swimming when the boat is traveling around the lake.

4. Choosing a Trolling Motor – The most important piece of equipment when you are trolling for any fish is the actual trolling motor. If you have been using your boat’s outboard motor then you may not be having as much luck catching the walleye as those who are using a trolling motor. This is because the outboard and even inboard motors are too loud and scare off the fish. A good trolling motor also allows you more flexibility in the speed that you want to fish at.

5. Fishing Line for Trolling – Many people feel that any old line works when you are trolling for walleye. This is not true as the line is one of the most important aspects to trolling. If you use a line that is too thick, it can be too heavy to allow the bait or lure to reach the level in the water you need to be at to catch the walleye. If it is too thin then it snaps when you land one of these fiercely fighting fish. Choose a strong line that is thin such as the superlines that are out on the market at this time. It needs to have the equivalent of a ten to twelve pound test to stand up to the fight of the larger walleye.

Trolling for walleye is a great way to spend the day on the lake and it can be exciting when you land a really large fish. Unless you have the proper equipment and know how, you may not have the success that you want.

Buy a trolling motor for your boat and make sure that you install rod holders to keep your rods and reels safely in the boat when the walleye take your bait. Finally, make sure that you have the proper line on your reel so that you can reach the fish and so that your line does not snap when you hook a big one.