Jason Mitchell shares the conservation-minded view for fishing live bait for walleyes.

Feeding vs. dragging
There was once a common thought with anglers that live-bait rigging meant keeping the bail of the reel open and feeding line to the fish when bit. Anglers would count to five or 10, close the bail and set the hook. But anglers have become more conservation-minded by not purposely letting a fish just swallow a hook.

When “feeding” fish the bait is necessary, simply drop the rod tip back toward the fish. This will usually give it enough time to get the bait. Later in the summer when the water warms up even more, do not drop the rod tip back or feed fish line, but simply drag the fish with the rod. Let the rod load from the fish and then keep your forward momentum. What I think happens at times is a walleye will grab on to the minnow or chub and it can feel the bait sliding out of its mouth. The fish simply chokes up on the bait faster and it often hooks itself.

It’s amazing that these two opposite responses can drastically affect fishing. When the dragging response is working, anglers feeding line will struggle, and vice versa. Most walleye anglers are familiar with feeding line or dropping the rod tip back, but get comfortable with dragging fish before the hook-set as well. MWO

 Do you fish for walleye?  Check out the July issue of MidWest Outdoors magazine, available the first full week of July at a newsstand near you. You may also subscribe to MidWest Outdoors online or by phoning 800-606-3474.