Why I Sucked at Pacific Northwest Walleye

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For a long time I struggled with Walleye fishing in the Pacific Northwest. I kept applying what I read online or saw on other KZbin channels but could never consistently catch fish, just one here or there but mostly none. Through trial and error I unlearned how to Walleye fish using Great Lakes and Canadian tactics and starting perfecting my own approach. Now I consistently catch good numbers of Walleye year round.
Tackle featured in this video:
- Mack's Smile Blades 1.5": amzn.to/3CB3ySW
- Stacked Fishing Beads: amzn.to/409NRfG
- Owner Size 4 Mosquito Hooks: amzn.to/3MaJZ7a
- 4 oz Bottom Walker Weights: amzn.to/3tOhCXk
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[@davidanderson8258]

You are the absolute best PNW fishing resource. Thank you sooooo much.

[@collinmc90]

This is a problem I have with a couple hobbies of mine. All the information out there is for different regions sometimes different countries haha. Hunting and fishing information specifically about Central Washington is lacking, that's why I really appreciate your channel! Now I just need some one to help me get more grouse! haha.

[@leslieanderson2074]

Being a fisherman from the south and never having fished for walleye, I was having the same problems. I loved all the other guys videos because I was trying to sponge all the information I could. Typical water I fish is 6 foot to about 14 foot and very heavy current from electric generation this morning to falling water this afternoon. I still watch their videos and yours just to pick up a small tidbit of useful info here and yonder. After about 4 years I've finally figured them out and love fishing for them. Thanks for your videos and keep up the good work. Tight Lines

[@tmtallman]

In our area of the PNW there are a lot of Walleye Tournaments, in order to cut down on time to learn water, I just go out when a tournament is going on and mark spots. Those tourney guys always find the nook and crannies in the Columbia that hold fish. Going out with a guide can also be a quick way to learn water.

[@danielsteele2471]

Thanks for another great video. I may never target walleye but I'll never get enough of your science based approach combined with a willingness to help others succeed.

[@sov19871987]

Went to Columbia two days ago, zero walleye 😂 for me, this makes me want to go back and finally figure it out.

[@spiltmilt]

Been there...keep at it.

[@ripptydevibes2581]

Its great to hear that you only wasted 2 years. Here in the north east, pennsylvania, my friend and I cannot catch them. We scoot up to NY and have no problem plucking them, but on our fast shallow rivers at home we just dont catch them. Then we snorkel in the river and see the walleye in the places we target them, its like theyre too picky in the fast current and wont fall for it. One night I caught two 25's back to back, flipping a swimbait 10ft in front of me while wading in the dark. I have confidence in the dark but about zero during daylight.

[@no_regerts5176]

I almost feel like there is a “missing middle” here. I catch fish in 5-15 feet, or 50+ feet. No in-between. And you’re right about the big fish. I caught several fish over 6# and one over 10#, fishing jerkbaits in 8 FOW during a bass tournament on Banks.

[@Follower_of_The_Word]

I grew up fishing walleye in Wisconsin, so I had alot to learn as well. My experience was in the Mid-Columbia, I was throwing #5 Mepps spinners at a shallow water point in winter on my way back to the launch. I was surprised at the large walleye I pulled off of that shallow point.. That was over 30 years ago, and that point is a year-round producer for me.

[@spiltmilt]

The big fish tend to hold shallow here in my experience.

[@shawnboisclair3696]

Nice video, being from New England the video might not shed light on my particular situation but it does tell me that things can be local and its important to experiment and ask locsl experts.

[@jessetharp6319]

I’m in western Washington and I have the same problem with Crappie. All the content is guys in the south. And I’ve been having a heckuva time figuring those little bastards out up here.

[@terryroberts623]

Thanks for the self-realization on depth here. I have the same problems adapting.

[@pannon79]

Would love to see some live classes on walleye similar to what you’ve done for Kokanee. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@spiltmilt]

Thank you for your support.

[@macsmith2092]

I've only been out a few times here in idaho, where i targeted walleye, but i have struggled to find them. Next time, I'll try your approach and head deeper. As always thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@theleo91386]

Cool to see, thanks. I'm working on figuring them out on the Snake.

[@verdeanpetersen8350]

Im fishing northern utah and completely agree with you. I have a box full of jigs and have tried all the tactics used in the upper Minnesota. For the most part its not the same. Our region is mostly resavors and bottom bouncers, and crank baits are the standard. Great video thanks.

[@brianshay6836]

Another great video, Tyler! Thanks for the content!

[@fishwhistle9666]

Got out to the Canadian side of the Columbia recently and had some success at night fishing super shallow on the bank. Just shows that so many techniques can work for ya. Thanks for all the info as usual and love learning new techniques.

[@spiltmilt]

I catch fish super shallow here at night too. They rise up from the depths I guess.

[@fishwhistle9666]

Fun watching the eyeballs cruising around at night. Trick is to not focus the light on them once you notice the buggers😊

[@chetmanning4908]

Thanks!

[@aleksanderbokov3574]

Thanks! Excellent video as always!

[@spiltmilt]

Thank you 🙏

[@HungryH1951]

Different lakes and rivers different techniques. I fished Moses Lake near the bridges in the evening (when walleyes go searching for baitfish to dine on), 15-20 feet of water tops, and slayed Walleyes on crankbaits such as Fat Rap, Strike King, Little N, Rebel and like lures. They seemed to hit about 10-12 feet below surface. I even caught one on an original floating Rapala, about 3 feet under surface (at night). Mostly from mid-summer to early fall was best. But waters like Banks Lake and the Columbia are so much deeper and colder, which seems to require somewhat different techniques, lures and approach. If you can find out their depth and put your lure right in front of them they will likely hit it sooner or later. They sure do smack crankbaits. No fooling around there. When they hit you know it.

[@rjduresky]

This video was so informative and helpful. I AM that midwest fisherman, I have been trying to work out a piece of water, and now I have a plan. Also: could you do a video about your underwater video graphing? I have a "GoFish Cam" and it isn't working for my applications.

[@joshuadavis8230]

I agree that PNW walleye have there own specific patterns and color preferences. In terms of physical behavior they are going to follow the same things as everywhere else.( water temp, current,season ect..) it's where they find what they are looking for and that's different for every body of water. For instance, the way you described the forage base difference in location on the columbia.

[@dci762striker]

Right. Midwest walleye probably would go to 80 feet if any of the lakes were actually that deep.

[@tmkayakfishing8236]

Great information, Thanks for sharing. Have you fished for walleye below Bonneville Dam?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes near Camas, on the Slough, and on the Willamette.

[@kevinanderson9285]

Great content!! Are there any "Walleye specific guides" on the Mid Columbia that you would recommend? Thanks.

[@joshuadavis8230]

There are several walleye guides on the mid columbia. Don't have a specific recommendation but stay away from "columbia river mafia"! I see their boats frequently on the water. They are some of the least professional people I encounter. (Both for walleye and salmon.)

[@daviddorman4625]

Any tips on pondera for this spring never caught a walleye what part of Lake should I start at thanks

[@florianleitner3246]

Interesting content, what kind of gear (rod, reel, line) did you use on this trip? regards

[@spiltmilt]

7 to 8’ medium rods, a Lews baitcaster and a Abu Garcia line counter, 10 to 12 lb braid or mono

[@davidmeyers3019]

Do you have any advice for catching walleye in the Lower Columbia near Longview? I have a paddle kayak and an 18 ft. Super Vee Lt. Wish I could sale the Super Vee and purchase a peddle kayak. Should I fish the main river or the sloughs?

[@spiltmilt]

The Multnomah Channel is a great place to start

[@Fishfuzzlove]

Like always great info! I wish we had Walleye on the Westside of the mountains. Is it a climate thing ? Or would they hurt the fish eco system here?

[@spiltmilt]

They are well established on the Willamette and lower Columbia down to Longview

[@Fishfuzzlove]

@@spiltmilt Gotcha that’s still on the other side of the state for the most part. Was just wondering why they aren’t in Western Wa lakes? Say Snohomish, skagit, king county.

[@bmac9565]

PNW walleye in the Columbia are way different than the mid west. Winter is deep jigging and spring fall summer trolling.

[@spiltmilt]

I catch them jigging deep year round. The notion that one technique only works in one season isn't true. I troll in the winter and catch a lot of fish on crankbaits in February.

[@1850Niko]

For someone that is completely new at walleye fishing in the PNW, would you recommend starting with trolling or jigging/blade baits? Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Depends where you are fishing

[@1850Niko]

@@spiltmilt Columbia river, Irrigon, Banks, Roosevelt areas

[@cwietecki]

Damn dude your wife is stone cold. wouldn’t even ask you how walleye fishing was 😂😂😂

[@daveengstrom9250]

Do you have down imaging?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@eddiefleischer1887]

What is your trolling speed? I heard between .08 and 1.2?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes that is correct

[@js-vr6rp]

Are you fishing below the thermocline at those depths?

[@spiltmilt]

No strong thermocline in this lake for most of the year.

[@js-vr6rp]

@@spiltmilt Thanks for your reply and willingness to help others. You mentioned Lake Pend Oreille, are you fishing deep there? Even though it's my home lake I find Walleye to by very elusive. I've caught five of them a few years ago all in shallow water in the spring and early summer, my biggest trolling the mouth of the Clark Fork with a Rapala in about 15 feet of water, measured 30 1/2 inches. Since then I can't catch one if my life depended on it. Thanks again, love your videos. God Bless!

[@MrJDMs3]

Do you ever find salmon fry in the stomach of walleye?

[@spiltmilt]

No but I’m usually fishing in areas without salmon

[@sov19871987]

Have you tried jogging there at night? Something that slightly glows maybe?

[@spiltmilt]

I’ve not at night. Glow isn’t necessary for walleye though they have excellent night vision

[@anonymouse7074]

You can have all the right gear, nice boat rods lures, ect. and not ever catch a walleye. That's me.

[@bmac9565]

A lot of the good walleye guys are pretty tight lipped around Washington.

[@spiltmilt]

Its because a pretty significant portion of the angling community here would rather see Walleye wiped out.

[@fishwhistle9666]

They don't know how they taste. Here in bc the limit is 16