PDX Walleye (Another 'Plan B')

I really wanted to fish B10 today but the winds were forecast to be 10-15 knots increasing to 15-20 knots in the afternoon.  The current out there is bad enough by itself so I decided to take a pass.  Time for Plan B, staying local and chasing walleye all afternoon. 

Wind trolled upstream with a Colorado bladed worm harness thru the incomming tide.  Managed lots of short strikes, 5 perch, 1 really pretty catfish and a hundred year old pitchfork?!?!?



Just before turning around I changed out the blade on my worm harness for a Smiley blade.  2 minutes later, my rod loaded up.  No jerking or thumping but the change in the angle of my line told me there was a Walleye on the other end. 



I've come to learn that Walleye don't offer much of a fight.  They resist being brought to the surface and will give you a pretty good lap dance but that's it.  No drag peeling runs, no aerial acrobatics, not even much head shaking.  Seeing that flash of silver is still a thrill though.

10 min after landing the 1st fish I was into another smaller Walleye.  I'm sure glad I changed out that blade!  A few short strikes later, I was out of worms and switched to a green curly tail soft plastic on my harness.  Didn't catch any more fish but had lots of hits and some really powerfull drive-bys.  Next time I try one of those on a worm harness, I'm going to switch out the hooks to big bass hooks as I'm pretty sure the drive-bys were from good size smallmouth.

Another "Plan B" pays off.

   

Nice! I knew there were Walleye out there, but have never fished for them, nor have i even looked into doing so...

i hear they're good eats though!

Nice upgrade, they don't fight any better when they are 18 lbs.

Thanks Guys!  I can't believe how oily these fish are.  Nice dense white meat too.

One of these days I need to head East and try my hand at those Big League Fish!

Have to agree that the fight's pretty lack luster compared to other fish BUT they are sooooooo tasty! Great food fishing. Big kudos Spot, you know how to get your strategy down, search, stay confident and catch.

Z

Maybe EOBasser can get a group gathering arranged for us up near his neck of the woods.  Do a 2 or 3 day camp trip and target these critters.  I'd love to get into some Walleye. 

I can't believe how oily these fish are.  Nice dense white meat too.

Hmm, I don't remember them being oily.  Maybe your choice of fishing locations has something to do with that added feature.

Nice fish..

Brian

Hmm, I don't remember them being oily.  Maybe your choice of fishing locations has something to do with that added feature.

You're just jealous. 

Just shows that EVERYTHING is superior in the NW. 

If there is any interest in a walleye get together now is the time to do it.  The fishing is good day or night and you can catch them with a variety of tactics.  There is free camping just down the road from my house (no shade though) or the Boardman RV park is very nice.  One of my favorite places to fish is a nice beach so I launch the Kayak and fish while my wife and kids swim and play in the sand so that is a option too if anybody wants to bring the "whole crew"

I'm down with that.  Lemme look at my schedule and get back at ya.  We have a self contained truck camper, and plenty of artificial shade.  Is this free camping near near the water, or will we need to drive to it from the camp spot?

Free camping is right on the water but it's not where I usually fish this time of year.