Kicking the season off at Spring Valley

Three days on the water with my good friend, Mark Michael for the 2024 Masters Walleye Circuit on the Illinois River. Tougher fishing than I was hoping for but we still had a great time. Pretty much committed to stacker rigs and vertical jigging which I try to go over with you throughout the video. Hope you pick a few things up and thanks for watching!
Trolling rods used (9-6 & 8' JT Ascendant) - bit.ly/JTascendant
Vertical Jigging (6-3 JT Black Reign) - bit.ly/blackreign
Blackfish Zenith Softshell: bit.ly/zenith-softshell
Blackfish waterproof Beanie: bit.ly/Arid-Waterproof-Beanie
Blackfish waterproof gloves: bit.ly/blackfish-waterproof-g...
Blackfish stormskin bibs: bit.ly/StormSkin_Bibs
EGO S2 Slider w/22" hoop & rubber bag - bit.ly/22in-S2-Slider

[@WideOpenWater]

Great video Joe, looking forward to following along this tournament season!

[@joeokada]

Thank you!

[@johnaeschlimann2612]

Great video Joe, I’ve been fishing Walleye for years and it seems like I always learn a little something new from each of your videos. I fish the Mississippi River pool 9 and South Central Wisconsin lakes and rivers. Good luck to you this year, and win the next one.😊

[@joeokada]

Thank you very much, John!

[@mattheiderscheit1717]

Hope to see your Guttenburg tournament

[@joshlampe3458]

Awesome video and great fishing, Joe! Hope you have a wonderful Easter, and God bless!

[@joeokada]

Thanks Josh, Happy Easter!

[@pb-ki3nx]

Awesome videos

[@joeokada]

Thanks!

[@coreykitzmann8575]

How much weight does it usually take to pull the 3 way double rapala rigs on the river? Also is there a reason you prefer the mono over braid while pulling them? Great video! Thanks!

[@joeokada]

Thanks! I was running 5oz in front, 3oz in back. Decent flow, 12-20 feet of water staying under 1mph. You can lighten that lead up if you find yourself shallower or in less flow, or go heavier if you’re getting carried too far back.

[@pb-ki3nx]

Would u recommend the 6'3" black reign for vertical jiggin l.o.w. or is it more of a stiffer river jig rod?

[@joeokada]

I think it would be awesome up there. Not too stiff at all👍

[@pb-ki3nx]

@@joeokada Thanks. SOLD

[@justinanderson2675]

what was that bait cooler you had?

[@joeokada]

It’s the EGO bait cooler: bit.ly/ego-bait-cooler

[@justinanderson2675]

@@joeokada thank you

[@glenndaugherity6187]

The guy makes awesome steps but he can’t catch fish 😅😅😅

[@joeokada]

I’ll tell him you said that. It’ll light a fire under his butt for next year😂

[@glenndaugherity6187]

@@joeokada Mark's an awesome guy !! Great video !!