Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Catching the river walleyes of autumn

Fall is here and water temps are dropping into the low 60s and high 50s in Minnesota. The St. Croix River is low, the shad are thick, and the shiners are running. It’s reaction-bait time. Trolling is working, but you’re on a pod of concentrated fish. Hang up the trolling rods and break out the jigging rods, because it’s glide bait time!

Acme Hyper Rattles (affiliate link) are my go-to glide bait. Cast, rip, and retrieve them back to the boat, ticking bottom at the first drop. Give it a minute rip-jigging it by the boat, as you might have gained an active follower.

If you’re live scoping, use it to keep your bait in the strike zone. Sometimes small twitches or a pause is enough to trigger a bite. Once you figure out the cadence that works, replicate and repeat. When the bait’s thick, let ’er rip!”

FISHING FEATURES FROM OUTDOOR NEWS:

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Fall is the perfect time to catch Lake Erie’s giant walleyes; here’s what to focus on

Ryan Bunnell

Years of guiding experience: 4

Favorite body of water: St. Croix River

Favorite fish to catch: Sturgeon, pike, walleye

With the help of Croix Boys Guided Adventures, you can enjoy guided fishing trips out of Stillwater, William O’Brien State Park, Bayport, and Lakeland, Minn. To book your next river adventure, visit www.croixboysguidedadventures.com.