Fishing Michigan

Here is one more solution using lead to catching walleye up in the water column during the mayfly hatch.  Sometimes they are commonly referred to as bass casting weights or if you buy the Water Gremlin brand, they are called “Dipsey” weights and another style called Snap-Loks.

             this is a Snap Lok

Ok, besides these weights, you will need three more things for sure, maybe four.  It all depends on what style of weight you use.  Either the closed loop or the snap lok style.

You will definitely need a 3-way swivel

One snap ‘n’ swivel for the section of 3-way that will go to your harness.  It helps to prevent line twist.

To connect the snap ‘n’ swivel to the 3-way swivel, you will need a split ring.  Get a size to match up with the size of the snap rig. #2 should be about right.

Now you are done, if you use a snap-lok style weight.  You just hook that to the bottom link of the 3-way swivel.  If you have the closed loop variety, there is one more step.  You will need a #3 snap.  You can go down to size #1, at 30 lbs they are plenty strong enough, but the #3 gives you a bigger object to open and close.

Hit the store if you don’t have the weights, but getting a selection of 1/8th,  and 1/4 oz weights will cover your bases.

Since I brought up the mayfly hatch on Sunday, here is a old trick or tool that can be applied in a whole new concept for a lot of folks.  Apply it to trolling, or drifting….doesn’t matter.  It will help you land more walleye during the June hatch.

What I am talking about is the split shot.  Still used effectively  through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario. But  its been replaced by so many fancy divers and weights here in Michigan and on the Great Lakes.  So what can something that comes in a pack of 10 or so for a buck in the store give you that a 6 dollar diver cannot?  Some versatility, some stealth and a better way to land walleye during the hatch.

When the walleyes are riding high,  one or two 1/8th oz split shot goes a long way, both in getting your harness out and away from the boat, but also keeping it in the strike zone where the walleye are feeding.  That zone can be 10 ft or higher in the water column.  These small weights get the job done.

If you have a bunch of divers, and you just cannot bring yourself to put them totally away.  Not a problem, I will share a better known way to use those too, later that is.  Before that,  I have another weight solution to the concept to come.