How To Catch Walleye on Crankbaits 

I once observed some interesting walleye behavior while fishing from a bridge deck over the Wabasca River in northern Alberta; the water was absolutely clear and I could see a school of fish in about 6-8 feet of the flowing river. I was using a white Mister Twister jig which was wriggling like a worm in the water. When I lowered it down close to the bottom one or two of the larger fish cane up close and inspected it but would not bite., However, for some unknown reason, I let it i fall onto the gravel river bed where it stopped moving. Immediately, the largest fish in the school took it in its mouth and I was hooked on.,. Not knowing what kind of fish it was, I reeled it all the way up to the deck about 30 feet above the river surface and discovered it was a 4 pound walleye! I again lowered the jig into the current and kept it about 6-12 inches above the bottom but again there was no interest until I dropped it onto the gravel bottom and then the next largest walleye grabbed it. I noticed all the smaller fish in the school gathered around the fish that was hooked as it fought the rod and then hauled up another 3-4 pound walleye to the deck, but after that none of thee fish in the school would bite. They learned a quick lesson from their big brothers and there was a hierarchy in which fish got to feed first!

Looks like a really low/no wind day on the Columbia. Great video and great fishing!

Is this that lake that is on the moon? lol. Wait, I think I see a tree in the distance. All joking aside, I love the trolling talk. Very informative for a trolling novice like myself.

I understand how walleye appeal to the pallet and that it's a fishery that continues through the winter to get you out on the water or ice during the cold months. But they come in like a snagged branch even when they are relatively energetic. So, after I catch one or two for dinner, I'm going straight to smallmouth fishing!

Thanks for the advice, I am going crank bait fishing for Walleye soon.

The precision trolling app 50 plus 2 method works well to get down at the right depth. Thanks for the great video.

Love walleye fishing. They are best taste to eat

Great stuff Tyler as always. Really enjoy your channel. I’m just down stream from you on the Columbia so I’m really looking forward to apply these techniques right here in Central Wa!

I had no idea precision trolling had an app. Thanks for a great video as always

Sometimes the same thing happens when using a F7 flatfish in the river (this is a very small river and I'm on the bank) for coho. Most of the time they slam it but occasionally you can only tell that they have it when the action of the flatfish stops by watching the rod tip and by feeling it when the action stops.

Hey sneaky I like the way you failed to mention the smelly Jelly you added on your crankbaits. 😆 😆 Great Video! Thank for your techniques I've become a way better kokanne fisherman.

Great videos, btw and I hope to see you around Umatilla one of these trips!

Awesome info, as always. Thanks

Thanks good video, very clean details.

Great video.

Great video. Very informative. I noticed your upgraded hooks. Trokar? What determines when you change a lure’s hooks?

Great stuff! 👍

Tyler, thanks again for such a visual teaching video. Do you end up seeing other kinds of fish on your sonar? Or just walleyes? How do you differentiate between other than the target species?

What are your thoughts on those square-bend treble hooks? I use the singles for dropshot/splitshot and have noticed that the hookup is pretty secure compared to round-bend hooks made for the same purpose. Have you noticed a difference with the trebles?

What months are walleye up high like this (not down on the bottom) on a like such as Roosevelt?

Great video as always, Tyler. Question for you - there is what looks like it could be a jar of scent in the kayak. Do you use any scent with your crankbaits?

Looks like fun 🙂

Do you bonk off camera to avoid demonitization? Just curious. Loving the Walleye content!

Was this recently? Banks? Thanks for the tip! Was at banks a week ago. Definitely found the fish on the sonar but they were suspended.

Great vedio's...!

What guide did you go out with to learn all that?

What rod holder do you have on your kayak. Really nice

Quick question... what is that yellow rod you are using? Thanks!

Tyler, what type/weight rod do you use for this type of fishing?

Hey man. What kayak are you running with?

The snap weight link didn't work I would really like to get some could you give me some more details

Could the snaps for weights also work for kakonee fishing?

Love your Channel! What kayak do have? Looking to make a purchase of a kayak and I was wondering if you can give me some advice on any. Been looking at the Hobie Mirage pro angler 12. What are your thoughts? Thanks for another great video…

Heading over this week with my dad. We are fishing Chelan for a day or two but wanted to give the walleye a shot while we were over there. Would you suggest below wells or driving over to banks?

it seems like running your downrigger ball near the bottom is pretty risky in a kayak. What are the chances it gets hung up and flips you over?

What kayak is that?

Does the downrigger ball hang pretty straight under your kayak? It would have to since it shows up on the finder correct? Also, is that a helix 7 finder?

From my view it was very hard to see your walleye bites on the downrigger. They must be extremely subtle and you must be watching your rod like a hawk.