WU-203: Going High & Low for Saginaw Eyes - Part 1

by Nate Seiferlein & Jason Kaniszewski

Nate proving that trolling spinners high on Saginaw Bay produces big walleyes.

Saginaw Bay can be a very intimidating place to try and catch walleyes. With so many variables changing the patterns of where the fish will be, it is hard to stay on top of the fish, day in and day out. There have been two somewhat unusual approaches that have really started to pay off for us on a consistent basis. These two methods include dragging bottom bouncers right in the mud very slowly. The other is the more surprising method of catching fish in the top five feet of water over depths of up to seventy feet. The following are the methods, equipment and locations you will need to know to start using this practice on the Bay or anywhere you think that they might apply.

What to Use - Our preferred method for catching these walleyes are with spinners. Though crankbaits will and do catch fish, it is our opinion that a juicy nightcrawler hooked on a harness works better. With a spinner rig you have everything a walleye could want: color, flash, vibration and scent. Our harnesses typically are nothing too fancy. We tie all of our own harnesses.

Remember that blade and bead colors should match to ensure a higher percentage of strikes when trolling.

We usually tie our harnesses with one treble hook and one single hook on a seventeen pound line (Vanish). In the clearer water of the Outer Bay we stick with the typical silvers and gold blades and beads. However, in the often dirtier waters of the Inner Bay we like to use brighter more attractive colors, such as chartreuses, oranges and reds. It is also important to keep in mind the forage that walleyes are feeding on when picking out your bead and blade combination. In last year’s RCL event on the Bay, it became apparent that the walleyes were feeding on alewives, which have a goldish tint to them when they are in the water. As soon as the switch was made to all gold beads and blades, our catch-rate really started to go up.

Also keep in mind that the amount of vibration a spinner ( #2 less vibration, #4 more vibration) depends on the style and size of the blade. A blade that produces a strong vibration will work well in low-visibility water. Why? Because Old Marbleyes can detect vibration quite easily with their lateral-line sensitivity, even if the spinner blade isn’t visible to the walleye. Therefore, #3 or #4 Colorado blades work well in low-visibility waters. The smaller Willow-leaf blade or Indiana blade will be much more effective in clearer water. These last two blade-types will be more productive when fish are spooky in clearer water.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the preferred method of catching walleyes on Saginaw Bay? The preferred method is using spinner rigs.
2. What pound test weight should be used on Saginaw Bay when trying your harnesses? We usually tie our harnesses with one treble hook and one single hook on a 17 pound test line (Vanish).
3. In the clearer waters of the Outer Bay, what color of blades and beads should be used? Silver and gold blades and beads work the best
4. In the dirtier waters of the Inner Bay, what color of blades and beads should be used? Chartreuses, oranges and reds work the best.