No offense to walleye anglers, but trolling for walleye bores me to tears. Does anyone have any advice for targeting bass while drifting at 0.75 mph? We'll be in Northern Minnesota on a lake with Northern Pike, largies, and smallies.

 

*We'll be in between 12-20 ft of water, likely.

 

Thanks!

 

Juice

Given the time of year I'd say they have finished spawning by now, so that seems like a reasonable depth. 0.75 mph is too slow for cranks or spinners, must be live bait rigging? Problem is thats too fast to really fish a tube or something slow in that depth. Id be casting deep diving cranks and power fishing so you can keep up. Maybe heavier spinnerbaits or a 1/2 oz plus lipless crank would work too.

I'd toss cranks and spinnerbaits.  Or rip a jig off the bottom as you're strolling along.

Curly tail or paddle tail grub 

You don't need to troll for walleyes to catch them. I caught more walleyes in Canada bass fishing then my inlaws caught trolling minnow rigs. I used 1/8 oz ball head jigs with 3" single grubs in motor oil red flake catching lots smallmouth and walleyes using spinning tackle. Just cast forward along the weed breaks as the boat putts along.

The Ned rig would work!

Tom

Currently, in northern Minnesota, the SM will be the bass to target on most lakes. The LM may either be spawning, or in post spawn. A tube dragged along while drifting is a good bet. Use a heavier jig than when casting.  You don’t need to let out a lot of line either. Gentility raising and lowering your rod top will add some more action.  Don’t be surprised if you catch more walleye with it compared to the live bait rig.

2 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Currently, in northern Minnesota, the SM will be the bass to target on most lakes. The LM may either be spawning, or in post spawn. A tube dragged along while drifting is a good bet. Use a heavier jig than when casting.  You don’t need to let out a lot of line either. Gentility raising and lowering your rod top will add some more action.  Don’t be surprised if you catch more walleye with it compared to the live bait rig.

I advised against a tube because i was thinking casting, but youre right its probably one of the best options to drag it along instead.

I've caught a lot of bass snapping spoons while walleye fishing. A heavy head with a paddle tail swimbait will catch them and cover a lot of water too. A C rig with a heavy weight would be another good option.