Exploring a new lake with NO walleyes?! (crushed them)

Wowza.... Supposedly this lake has no walleyes. 🤷‍♂️ One of those shallow bowl type of waters that folks write-off as a "bass lake." Welp, they were wrong LOL. Put in the time scanning around with DI and SI before ever wetting a line, and you never know what kind of juicy spot you can find that's not on the map!
HEADS UP!
Obviously you don't need a $375 rod to catch fish! There’s a TON of great options out there at any price point. That’s one reason I make it a point to say the length, action and power of the rods I use for specific things…because then if folks are interested, they can get the right tool for the job at whatever dollar amount they want to spend.
One example is the new "Ceres Collection" which is a GREAT rod at $139 and fishes/feels like it should cost way more:
twobrothersinn...
Drop a comment below and let me know what you think. 👊 Thx so much for watching!
Brett McComas
GEAR USED:
Setup #1:
‣ Elliott Identity "Reaction Bait" (IDW-S72M-F):
twobrothersinn...
‣ #9 Rapala Jigging Shadow Rap:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 10-lb Sufix Advance Mono (main line):
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 12-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro (leader):
www.rapala.com...
‣ #0 VMC Crankbait Snap:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ #10 VMC Rolling Swivel:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
Setup #2:
‣ Elliott Identity "Drop Shot" (IDB-S610ML-XF):
twobrothersinn...
‣ #2 VMC Redline Series Finesse Neko hook ('crawlers):
www.rapala.com...
‣ #2 VMC Redline Series Drop Shot hook (leeches):
www.rapala.com...
‣ 3/8-oz VMC Tungsten Tear Drop Weight:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 6-lb Sufix Performance Braid:
www.rapala.com...
‣ 8-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro (leader):
www.rapala.com...
Setup #3:
‣ Elliott Identity "Rig & Jig" (IDW-S74ML-F):
twobrothersinn...
‣ 1/8-oz VMC Hard Ball Jig:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 8-lb Sufix 832 Advanced Superline (main line):
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 8-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro (leader):
www.rapala.com...
Setup #4:
‣ Elliott Performance Handle ESP71M-XF:
twobrothersinn...
Obviously I'm going to have to order one of those Elliott Identity "Ned/Jigworm" rods to try next lol! I'll keep you posted...
twobrothersinn...
‣ 3/16-oz VMC Ned Rig Jig:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 10-lb Sufix 832 Advanced Superline:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
‣ 8-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro (leader):
www.rapala.com...
‣ Z-Man Big TRD:
fishusa.rv5k.n...
My battery setup:
I upgraded to Amped Outdoors lithium batteries this year and am LOVING them!!!
ampedoutdoors....
I went with Amped Outdoors' 36V 100Ah trolling motor lithium battery system (which is two 36V 50Ah LiFePO4 batteries in parallel). I was able to shave off roughly 140 pounds 😳 by running those 2 lithiums vs 3 lead batteries, and of course get some amazing run times:
ampedoutdoors....
Which also freed up an extra battery slot in my boat, so I was able to plug in this 100Ah beast (only weighs 24 lbs 8 oz) to exclusively run all of my electronics - fer dayzzzz 🔋 - instead of running them off of my cranking battery:
ampedoutdoors....
Note: The FishUSA links above are affiliate links, meaning if you go through them to make a purchase we might earn a commission...at no cost to you. Thx much for supporting the channel!
We post TONS of fishing tips, videos and gear hacks (twice each week!) at Target Walleye. Get it FREE here:
targetwalleye.com/
Target Walleye’s Instagram:
/ targetwalleye

[@aaronotto7010]

Love that you figured this out. Welcome to the full journey. Linder’s your mentors and its showing. Great to watch this. Nice work my friend. Ao

[@jtn-minn8105]

That's what is called making memories.. A outing like that will be locked in your memory bank forever...

[@TargetWalleye]

Will never forget it! But kills me I haven't gone back there again yet hahahah. Going to go explore a different new lake this evening and hope for even 1/12 of these results. 😅

[@theyamaha700]

Watched 4 videos so far, love your attitude man. Thanks for your informational videos!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thanks so much! Pumped to hear that you're enjoying them. Hope you have a great fall on the water! 👊

[@whales302]

Such a great channel to follow, love your videos and your passion for fishing. Have learned lots from you!!

[@nchec326]

The deadly nedly strikes again!! Haha

[@TargetWalleye]

Unreal.

[@jkese10]

Nothin better than slamming eyes on a lake no one knows about... love it!!

[@rogerschrotenboer2166]

Always a pleasure brother, keep ‘em coming

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you!

[@danielfetchak1865]

I think a local probably just told you there were no walleyes there so he could have them for himself!

[@steveblake3234]

New to the channel and just a bit jealous 😂. I like your style. Keep it up!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thanks so much! Very glad to have you here. 👊

[@jonn6427]

Great video. The stars were definitely lined up for you.

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you! That's for sure - helps to offset some of those other rogue missions that were strikeouts hahah. 👊

[@brandonpigman2725]

I love the BUTTER. We built similar. I get it! Work hard play hard. Eat like kings!

[@TargetWalleye]

👊

[@jjmcg9688]

So what exactly is the benefit in those rods? Seems more like a status symbol rather than benefit. I don’t mind spending money if there is a benefit. Just set up mega live.

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Bro - crushed them you did..now as an angler who dropshots for bass & walleye ,saugs aLOT -is that Elliot that nice? you seem to be lovin that one..good stuff man

[@TargetWalleye]

Thanks for watching! My first impression = really liked it! And so far checked all the boxes in what I'm looking for in a dropshot rod. I've only fished it on 3 different trips so far. I like to wait until I've REALLY given it a workout to do a full-on review, but wanted to get my first impression out there for people that were curious. Definitely impressed so far and will dive deeper into it as I get more time under the handle. So far, I’ve spent the most time using the 7' 4" ML-F “Rig & Jig” out of the three I own and that one has blown me away. It has has a little more crossover for various (but similar) finesse-y presentations, so I have just naturally been able to fish it a lot more.

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

@@TargetWalleye - I know you serious walleye dudes think the ned rig is " dumb "; but in heavily pressured waters , theres something about the fall and a bouyant ned bait ;ESPECIALLY in current ..Ive caught many 5 plus LBers on a qtr oz ned head and half a senko with a neon colored tail section..all my 8 and above have come on either DT10 & DT 16;both in between 35-40 degree water. Good talkin with ya,man. #SummerWalleye #BestWalleyeChannel #SupportLittleChannelsInReturn

[@rogerschrotenboer2166]

I want to see come try that Ned rig business on Ft Peck

[@TargetWalleye]

Man I would love to! One day....

[@peimanmalekmarzban4633]

Awesome video as always❤❤😂😂

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you for watching!

[@karricklw]

Brett...great content...I liked the variety of approaches! I have started fishing the shadow rap and it definitely does have a unique glide path. What color scheme were you using on LS...I'm too lazy to go to the garage and look it up.

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you! Wasn't sure what to expect, so I brought it all hahaha. Yeah the Jigging Shadow Rap definitely has a unique fall rate and glide for that style of bait. Some days it's the deal! Others they want that faster drop. Fun to play around with and see what the fish have to say that day. It's really amazing how many fish catch it on the fall versus pinning it to bottom. Btw I believe that's the stock "amber" color they come on, looks a little different because I have my gain and color gain so high. I play around with different pallets from time to time and usually end up falling back to that one. Works!

[@fidiusjwhoopie]

very nice vid, thanks for sharing brother

[@TargetWalleye]

thx much! 👊

[@GrendelPrime79]

"This lake has no walleyes" is code for "There are lots of walleyes in the lake... but none for you." :)

[@TargetWalleye]

😂😂😂🎯

[@justinmcnish1641]

Probably the same guy heard rippin’ Hail Mary shots across the lake at the 5:55 mark haha

[@TW14137]

SWEET!!!

[@TargetWalleye]

It was a wild couple of hours! It re-lit my fire for wanting to explore new little lakes I haven't fished before! Strike out so many times, but it's absolutely magical when things all line up. Thanks for watching!

[@wadewinch4372]

Warning shots for local honey hole lol

[@TargetWalleye]

Sketchy 😅 from a distance, he probably thought I threw 5 or 6 of HIS bass in my livewell for dinner haha

[@d3l71]

I think that is a Clam Fortis net you're using I have been thinking of getting one. How do you like the net?

[@TargetWalleye]

Yessir that's the Clam Fortis 190 with the 110” Handle. Overall I really like it, but kind of want to get the new black version because I feel like people can see the shiny blue one from 100 miles away when netting a fish lol. Treble hook baits do get tangled up in it, but you're going to have that with any net besides the super heavy all rubber ones. I'd definitely still recommend it tho. And that longer handle is a dream come true when when trolling to be able to reach out and get 'em. If you don't troll, the 65.3” handle would probably be plenty and is a little easier to manage when scooping fish solo.

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@TargetWalleye]

Thanks Scott! Have an awesome weekend.

[@gordjohnson70]

"spendy" (USA) = "pricey" (Canada)

[@sylvainlaurence1554]

I wish I found a new lake like that 👑👑👑

[@TargetWalleye]

Right 😅 but what you didn't see is me striking out on the other zillion of new lakes first, before the stars finally aligned on this one lol.

[@seanyB223]

​@@TargetWalleyealmost like people don't take into consideration how many hours of filming and/or lake hopping it took to get the 20 mins of film catching them!! Lol

[@austins5318]

Might have missed it, but what were you running on the drop shot.

[@TargetWalleye]

It was 50/50 crawlers and leeches.

[@89shmike]

The boomer in the corner on the thumbnail 😂

[@TargetWalleye]

Lol I had to 😅 big mad

[@briantebben5171]

@5;59 Why are they shooting at you??

[@thedutchfisherman7078]

That he is cheating just for the sake of this video because there are NO walleyes in this lake!

[@jonathanklein383]

Too big to eat? Man that first one was perfect size! When they hot 8 lb or so then they are kinda fatty

[@johnlantz7278]

It’s not what it is but what it is not ,no brain no pain ,here is the new challenge is not using electronics intuitive hunting with just a map ,with the maps today it’s all we need ,to have to keep secret waters that get little if any pressure it’s what we call trout water

[@TargetWalleye]

Funny enough this lake wasn't mapped. I would have loved to have some contours as a starting point, but that's also probably why the lake was so good.

[@johnlantz7278]

Over fishing is a problem when limits are to generous positive promotions of only taking what we can use not freeze ,

[@TargetWalleye]

@@johnlantz7278 agreed. 👍

[@pennyraven1222]

Their shooting at you for catching their walleyes.

[@TargetWalleye]

Right lol.

[@patrickethier6190]

You must be in the combat zone I hear shooting😅

[@TargetWalleye]

Yeah I think that one old timer was trying to scare me off his lake lol. Figured I would fish until I heard a ricochet off the water then skedaddle ASAP hahaha. 😳

[@patrickethier6190]

@@TargetWalleye yeah1 ricocheted off the water might be a little bit better than 1 whistling by your ear 😜🤣

[@TargetWalleye]

@@patrickethier6190 touché!!!

[@Dbars19]

i feel like if im spending 400 dollars for a fishing rod, i need a rolex and a ranger 622 first. different class of ppl...

[@austinhall485]

Rolex just tells the time like a 10$ watch lol a 400$ rod works way better than a 100$ rod though

[@TargetWalleye]

Obviously you don't need a $375 rod to catch fish! There’s a TON of great options out there at any price point. That’s one reason I make it a point to say the length, action and power of the rods I use for specific things…because then if folks are interested, they can get the right tool for the job at whatever dollar amount they want to spend. One example is the new "Ceres Collection" which is a GREAT rod at $139 and fishes/feels like it should cost way more: twobrothersinnovations.com/2b-fishing/ceres-collection/

[@codybaxter9939]

The only difference between the two price points is the 400 dollar rod will last 10 years if taken care of a 30 dollar rod may only last 1 year due to quality but if the specs r the same it will work the same

[@Dbars19]

@@codybaxter9939 um no. I have an ugly stick rod that is close to 40 years old..

[@codybaxter9939]

@@Dbars19 well back when they made stuff nice a 30 Shakespeare only lasts a year

[@smokeandmirrors482]

Now try without electronics

[@TargetWalleye]

Okay. Then I'm slowly pulling spinners around until I catch one. Then turn around and chuck a jig all over that place until the bites stop. Then back to pulling spinners until I cross paths with the next pod.

[@pain_weaver]

​@@TargetWalleyeI love people who complain about stuff they don't have. You worked for your boat gear electronics ect. Ya know if they put all that energy into saving up they can have the same stuff.

[@robertreed868]

So true

[@tomodonnell9480]

Nobody catches walleyes that big in a lake that doesn't have walleyes. Not buying it.

[@TargetWalleye]

That's one of the things that makes "bass lakes" so special. Lower population of fish, but a big chunk of that small population are reeeeally quality fish. Also I may fish 10+ different lakes that are similar and strike-out, or maybe just catch 1 fish, before having a special trip like this one. Makes it all worth it when it happens! Btw here in MN, the DNR Lake Finder tool is your best friend for this kind of thing. Always look thru the past net/trap surveys to get an idea of the size structure of fish and how frequently they stock it. Walleyes mostly don't naturally reproduce in these lakes, but by looking at those two pieces of data you can get a good idea of the size structure and what year classes are the strongest. Thanks for watching!