PADDLE SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK

I admit it, I'm a hopeless fish fanatic. My shrink (I'M KIDDING) calls it obsessive compulsive something or other disorder. 

In canoe country most of my time is centered around walleye fishing, especially those of the larger variety. I can usually stumble up on a few good northerns while I'm at it although my last 2 trips have been sadly lacking in the big pike dept. For years I have always carried 2 rods. This handles 90% of my needs but there are many times when I want to throw a big lure.

I have started bringing a big stick in as well now to throw Super shad raps, strike pros buster jerk (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
and musky mayhems in line spinners which all require a beefy rod and a good baitcaster to cast for more than 15 minutes without wearing you out. With the right equipment throwing these oversized lures can be fun and productive. My last trip I only used my big outfit for about 3 hours but mostly because other styles of fishing were producing well for me.

One thing I have noticed in canoe country is that these fish are not the least bit hesitant about crashing a big lure. Most people would consider the super shad rap as a pike and musky lure but I have caught plenty of nice walleyes on it as well. I have also caught several 4lb smallys on topwater musky baits while trying for pike in canoe country. I personally believe there are many times when a big fish will eat nothing less than a big lure but that's just my opinion.

Now comes the hard part. I suggest you go quality equipment if you pursue this route. You'll be tossing big lures and the last thing you want is a heavy set-up. I use a Loomis musky rod and a shimano curado coupled with 20lb line. This is a light set-up with great balance and handles the big stuff with ease. If I can swing a trip the right time of year I can see using this set up for days instead of hours.

Well hopefully I have furrowed a few brows. Fishing is about having fun and tossing these big lures around can be a hoot with the right equipment. 

this method can prove to be effective, however i believe that its effectiveness is limited to the very active fish. the active fish will hit whatever and the larger baits provide a more stimulating target. i personally prefer using smaller rigs because i feel you get a higher strike rate. your 'average' size may be smaller than with large baits, but that is because of the higher quantity of fish. my largest fish have come on the smallest baits.

there really is no magic formula. it comes down to having a lure in the right place at the right time. sometimes this comes from using smaller baits worked slowly over a certain area and sometime it comes from burning lots of water with larger baits, its a lot about luck.

They discontinued Fat Raps? Say it ain't so! I said it before, lures are made to catch fishermen....

A good fisherman makes his own luck. Smaller lures are fine in Spring. Come August, big is good but boxes to hold the variations and the equipment to properly present seems like overkill when all you want is a meal. But ya if big is what you're after....

It really hurts to loose a $7 lure - especially when (poof) you know it was bit off. So you paddle the shorelines looking for it....

There was a study a while back on walleyes. The preferred size of minnows for 17 inch walleyes was 6-7 inches. What does a 30 inch walleye prefer? Now who uses a 6 inch long or longer lure for walleyes? Probably only the pros for the most part--I go bigger than most, but not that big 

Fish want to expend the least amount of energy to get the most amount of energy. Bigger lures allow that. Catching/chasing a bunch of little bait fish is too much effort for too little reward. BUT as a previous poster noted this probably holds true more for actively feeding fish. If you are trying to get those inactive fish--slow and small will work because you are just sitting it in front of them trying to entice them when they really aren't on the feed bag.

That's why I love fishing no set rules---when you think you know everything--then you get skunked


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