Pitching plastics for shallow late-fall walleyes

Still plenty of fish to be caught if you're willing to bundle up and sloooow down! No live bait needed 😏 targeting shallow rock transition areas where I'd expect to catch 'em first-ice.
Side note: I would NOT recommend using a mono leader if you’re fishing right in lots of rocks or zebra mussels. Doesn’t have nearly the abrasion resistance of fluorocarbon, and it WILL fray and explode under pressure. But if you’re fishing in a sandy, weedy, or softer-bottom area...mono can slow down that bait even more - almost hangs it in the water column - and get you a few more bites from lethargic fish.
Drop a comment below to let me know what you liked, hated (lol), or want to see next!
Gear used:
‣ 1/4-oz VMC Neon Moon Eye Jigs: fishusa.rv5k.net/PGWXj
‣ AuthentX Ribb-Finn: fishusa.rv5k.net/6axNQ
‣ 10-lb Sufix 832 mainline: fishusa.rv5k.net/PPna6
‣ 10-lb Sufix Advance Mono leader: fishusa.rv5k.net/W7moX
‣ Okuma Helios (HSX-30) spinning reel: fishusa.rv5k.net/5N4o2
‣ Elliott Rods ES73ML-F: www.elliottfishingrods.com/sh...
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/

[@waltmatanchannel3556]

Great video Brett. Good to see someone using the BFishN Tackle Ribb-Finn. I designed this bait specifically for cold water, negative mood walleye that aren't interested in the aggressive movements of a Pulse-R of Moxi!

[@TargetWalleye]

Awesome man! And thx much for watching!! Definitely not the first time the Ribb-Finn has saved a tough, cold-water bite for me.... 🤐💣🥶

[@billsutorius2753]

Really enjoyed that video you showed some great tips which I won't forget like the mono later and that particular plastic style that you were using, really great man!!! Thanks

[@garymolson4441]

Thanks for all the great info & tips! I took special notice of how you carefully thread your plastics over the keeper on the hook shank, & I can't wait to try the 'old bow & arrow trick' next time I get snagged on the rocks.

[@buckboy1234]

Great video. Tons of info. What's crazy is I'm up in Ontario Canada and heading out in the boat Sunday Nov 6 and it's gonna be 21°C or 70F. We've got some really nice weather right now. Gotta take advantage of it

[@TW14137]

So glad you got away from playing back ground music the whole time on your vids. Makes them so much more enjoyable . While still having awesome content, the ones with the background music can be brutal to get through.

[@Justin_Mooney11]

Look at that tackle box full of moon eyes 😂…. Mean stack up bud proud ah yah

[@kevinahrens8167]

Gooos fraaabaaa!! Love it, great video!

[@TargetWalleye]

😂😂😂 Appreciate it!

[@nathaniellarson8]

I went out on Saturday in that wind(with no drift sock and too light of an anchor that wouldn't hold) and all I could think was "spot lock would be GREAT". I'm picking up a bigger anchor and a drift sock so I can go out on Saturday for what I am assuming is the last time this year. I bought my first boat this year so I am just learning how to do all of this "boat fishing" stuff. Thanks for the videos!

[@TargetWalleye]

Heck yeah! Seems like no matter how many times you get out, you'll learn a little something to make things easier the next time. And the wind this time of year can make things a nightmare no matter how big of a boat lol. Good luck on Saturday and thx much for watching!

[@Moondog9322]

My favorite time of year to fish. No midges or flies. The cold air is so refreshing, too. Nice video.

[@TargetWalleye]

Absolutely! Is there anywhere in the world that has walleyes + fall weather year round? I'm down lol. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Deepdriller328]

We fish all winter here at Ute lake New Mexico. And I don't mean on any ice!!

[@sylvainlaurence1554]

The buffet down the water getting shorter and shorter..

[@jjmcg9688]

I appreciate you using plastics, tough to get good bait this time of year.

[@TargetWalleye]

Thanks! It definitely is! And equally as tough to be dipping in the cooler for bait when the air temp is in the 20s or 30s. Hope you're having an awesome fall. 👊

[@troylindner]

Great Video Brett! Moon Eyes!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thx man! They’re universal slayerzzzz 👊

[@michaelprevost1229]

Another quality video Brett..Bring on the ice

[@TargetWalleye]

So soon! 👊

[@adamstevenson8737]

You started singing reo speedwagon right after it played on my TV....🤣🤣🤣

[@TargetWalleye]

😂😂😂

[@adamstevenson8737]

@@TargetWalleye I was like what the hell is the chance of that? 🤣🤣🤣

[@TargetWalleye]

@@adamstevenson8737 almost zero because I don’t think I’ve ever sung that out loud in my life besides then hahaha

[@adamstevenson8737]

I meant Kansas... Jesus. What an idiot. 🤣🤣🤣

[@mikekramer8491]

Nice video Brett, I always enjoy your energy and humor! Do you miss your tiller boat?

[@TargetWalleye]

Thx Mike! Man, tiller's are nice to fish out of...but so far the only time I've really missed the boat control is for driving around and sharpshooting walleyes with a Jigging Rap on my electronics. Still trying to figure out the most efficient way to do that QUICKLY with a wheel boat. The bow-mount trolling motor down + remote in hand to press Spot-Lock + while idling around is pretty slick. But definitely slows me down on hopping to completely new areas. I'll get there eventually and do a vid on what works best for me once it's dialed.

[@walleyperch]

Great video Brett - been out in the cold many times myself but you don't notice it when you're catching them. We always use Powerbait minnows - they last all day and no handling cold live minnows....👍

[@TargetWalleye]

Spot on!

[@walleyperch]

@@TargetWalleye Looking forward to more videos....

[@TargetWalleye]

@@walleyperch awesome thx! We're going to be much more consistent with uploading videos from here on out....

[@Kayakingoutdoorsman]

this vid is awesome brother! do you ever wade the river for eyes in the fall or mainly lake fish from a boat? either way new sub my man, i will find out

[@alanjuselius]

Well done ☑️

[@TargetWalleye]

Thx!

[@luckycharms1254]

Save me a lot on musky lures too ✊💯

[@reelfunnyfishing651]

What kind of gloves are you rocking in this weather? I’m not new to the cold, but haven’t found a decent glove to fish with from late fall into winter up north.

[@loboyd691]

Good video man, coming to you from North Dakota. Watching as many late fall walleye videos as I can as the lake we fish has been really tough for walleyes this year because very high waters. On sunny late fall days, do walleyes tend to still stay shallower or do they tend to go deeper like in summer in your experience. Thanks!

[@TargetWalleye]

Waaaaaay shallower than people would think! was out the other day and actually sight fished some in just 5-6’ of water which is really rare around here. Took 3 hours of looking around deeper before I finally went up shallow enough. And on a different lake the day after we found them in just 2-4’ it was crazy. Good luck man! And thank you for watching.

[@RushVoorhisOutdoors]

YEEEE I wanna make a video like this!

[@TargetWalleye]

Too bad they're not Fort Peck big! 😂

[@RushVoorhisOutdoors]

@@TargetWalleye hahaha not many places in North America will have Fort peck BIG. anyday with a toothy is a great day #THUMP

[@steverichter5342]

I can see my place from where your fishing. Know that spot! Nice vid!

[@TargetWalleye]

🤫 lol thanks for watching!

[@brezovo59]

Your opinion. Wind direction and fish locations in the lakes, bay...???

[@avail657]

Hey Brett, what do you think about them Elliot rods? I've seen Tom Boley using them and now you. I've been a St. Croix guy for a while now, just curious about the quality in the price range compared to St. Croix.

[@TargetWalleye]

Hey man! They're not cheap but dang do they feel good! Been using 3 different ones all summer (ES7ML-F, ES73ML-F and the ES76M-F) and have been super impressed. I definitely want to get my hands on a couple of their XF-actions next year but they were sold-out most of this season. St. Croix makes great rods at all different price points so you can't really go wrong there, but you wouldn't regret adding an Elliott to your arsenal.

[@RF-ls2hg]

Hey! Great vid! What color moon eyes do you use? Thanks!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thx! Redtail chub, yellow perch, and purple albino are probably my top-3 favorites depending what color plastic I'm throwing. Hoping to find the new "blu gill" color in stock one of these days 'cuz it looks awesome. Appreciate you watching!

[@RF-ls2hg]

@@TargetWalleye no problem. And thanks! The bluegill color is in stock at cabelas so I’ll give it a go! Thanks

[@mikesaunoras300]

Which model Lund are you in? Love the layout

[@TargetWalleye]

2025 Impact XS! I've had the chance to fish and film in a lot of different boats the last 5-ish years and have been absolutely in love with the 2025 Impact since day 1. Finally pulled the trigger on one of my own this summer and couldn't be happier!

[@fishingwithphil7603]

57 degrees in ohio today. Gonna go get me some eyes! Thanks for the video

[@TargetWalleye]

Man, that sounds nice right about now! Go and get 'em, man!!

[@timhunter6873]

What size plano boxes do you have in the under console storage?

[@TargetWalleye]

5700s 👊

[@hobbyhoundsmt5525]

Is that a camera mount that sits in the light pole socket?

[@TargetWalleye]

Yeah, runs power to the GoPro all day so no swapping batteries. It's made by YoloTek 👍

[@hobbyhoundsmt5525]

@@TargetWalleye thanks for the info!

[@TargetWalleye]

@@hobbyhoundsmt5525 anytime 👊

[@alitaghizade4268]

I never understood why anglers use different test pound florocarbon leader from main line test pound, I think if fish will be heavier or more powerful 8Lb, and your leader be 8Lb line while your main line is 10Lb, So fish can broke leader line, So, why you use different size of line for leader rather than main line test pound? To Hanks for your video and time

[@jeffcummings5688]

Do you eat Walleye?

[@TargetWalleye]

Loooooove 'em! We just made some fish tacos the other night. Those 14-16" walleyes taste like candy lol. But more often than not I'm just catching and releasing for fun.

[@chrisholzman6477]

Lake Erie?

[@TargetWalleye]

On Mille Lacs in MN for this one.

[@Mrfishreed]

EXPLODES? Since when does mono-filament line explode?. Does it have a detonator, Gunpowder, TNT, C4??? ...next time use a better word choice than mono-filament fishing line that "EXPLODES" because this Baby Boomer is sick of the Millennial slang language!

[@TargetWalleye]

Whoa, relax.

[@Mrfishreed]

@@TargetWalleye You relax with better grammar and quit trying to be "awesome " trying to impress all your tattooed Millennial buddies!

[@jakepederson2875]

maybe you should chill, bro

[@Gonefishing701]

Do you even fish bro?

[@brentbusick2245]

Why don’t you school us on your KZbin channel. There always has to be at least one shit bag flapping their jaws under these videos!!!!