“Deadly” Strategies - Maumee River Walleye Run

MAUMEE RIVER
Walleye Run
The Foremost Authority On Fishing The Maumee River Walleye Run
2016 Annual Edition
“Deadly” Strategies
PLUS
Exclusive Insight
River Level & Temperature
Numbers Don’t Lie
What Not To Do
Trophy Walleye
Straight Talk With Science
C ontents
2016 ANNUAL EDITION
INSIDER INFORMATION
AUDIENCE PATICIPATION
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From the Editor
27
5
Harvesting Female Eyes
3
Information Overload
WALLEYE RUN EXCLUSIVES
ADVICE FROM THE PRO’S
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21
By The Numbers
Casting Jigs
10 Seven Do’s and Don’ts
24 Taxidermy Insight
16 Clean Streams Efforts
25 Replica Walleye
26 Helping The River
28 ODNR Advice
Publisher & Editor
Brian Miller
Editor
Jennifer Miller
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World Class Fishing
Contributing Writers
Mark Romanack
Ava Slotnick
Jessica Batanian
Mike Mathis
Brian Miller
A special thanks to everyone who
contributed articles through our
social media sites. THANK YOU!
Contributing Photography
Exploring NorthWest Ohio
Partners for a Clean Stream
Greg Morlock
Edwin Fernandez
Brian Miller
WALLEYE RUN EXCLUSIVES
ONLY AVALABLE AT
www.maumeeriverwalleyerun.com
Fish on -- 7 Days A Week!
March & April
Tuesday: PODCAST
Wednesday: VIDEOCAST
Thursday: WEEKEND REPORT
Saturday: BIG FISH FRIDAY
Daily: REPORTS & PICS
Remember to pick up the book
“Fishing the Maumee River Walleye Run”
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Miller Insights
The opportunity to travel to wild places, experience outdoor adventures, fish new water, and catch different species is
always a blessed experience. Soon the Maumee, Sandusky and
Detroit River will be one of those destinations. This is a place
where many fishermen from across the country travel to in
hopes of landing a trophy-sized walleye. They are all seeking an
adventure.
The walleye run is something I have experienced from
the day I picked up a fishing pole as a child. It’s in my blood and
a way of life. It’s not a season or something I do on the weekend, it’s so much more. Breathing and living the walleye run
means volunteering to improve the river, communicating facts,
and teaching both newcomers and veteran walleye slayers. It is
something I work hard to preserve and immerse myself in the
moment.
All of this comes with the excitement of seeing new people get into the sport and sharing
knowledge so everyone can become successful. As we walk through this journey, I welcome
the opportunity to do more for the walleye run this year. New in 2016, we embrace those opportunities and give back to the network of walleye fishermen. Those opportunities started
with writing the book, “Fishing the Maumee River Walleye Run.” This year, this has expanded
into weekly podcasts to discuss in-depth walleye run techniques, weekly videocasts, daily and
weekly reports, and sharing knowledge with the network of walleye fishermen. Lastly, this has
expanded to this - a 2016 Annual Walleye Run Magazine. All of these communication methods
have helped spread walleye fishing knowledge and the excitement of walleye fishing adventures.
Inside the pages we have several local organizations sharing information about what they
do to support the walleye run. A special thanks to the Partners for a Clean Stream, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Exploring Northwest Ohio, along with many of the individuals
who contributed through pictures and content behind the scenes. These are all organizations
that deserve a spot in the magazine to help everyone understand what they do for the Maumee
River.
The compilation of techniques compiled inside the cover emphasizes early spring, helping you catch more walleyes. Subjects include vertical jigging, techniques that will improve
your success, situations to avoid, and biological information. If you have a passion for walleye
fishing then follow the content on the website www.maumeeriverwalleyerun.com throughout
the walleye run. We are feeding you the walleye frenzy throughout the walleye run!
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Female Walleye
One of the most controversial topics around the spring walleye season includes harvesting female walleye. With so many people fishing the banks of the Maumee and Sandusky rivers
everyone sees female walleye full of eggs being harvested. For some fishermen that is frustrating, however each fisherman has a very different opinion about keeping spring female walleye.
We’re going to discuss the public opinion, what is legal and where is the ethical line.
There are many misconceptions today that are not founded by scientific proof. We will discuss
each aspect and real facts around harvesting spring walleye.
THE PUBLIC VIEW
If you want to start an outright fight go onto any walleye social media site or online
walleye forum and ask, “Do you keep females in the spring or let them go, and why?” That is
the exact question I asked and in a few minutes I had dozens of different opinions. Here are a
few opinions from local Ohio fishermen, “Let them go or the limit will keep going down and
down and down.” “Catch it, clean it, and eat it!” “Let them go, if we all kept the females there
wouldn’t be a walleye run anymore.” “Yeah, I kept a couple.”
It is amazing to see how many people have a strong opinion about keeping female walleye. Even some of the businesses around the walleye run change their business model to promote the release of females. Fish cleaners are starting to charge more for females, fishing tournaments only accept males, and more. This has become an extremely hot among fishermen.
With the public opinion in mind what is the biological truth? THE SPRING WALLEYE HARVEST
When the spring walleye run occurs, thousands of fishermen pack into the rivers standing shoulder to shoulder. Since this is the largest walleye run east of the Mississippi River many
fishermen travel from far away to experience the outstanding fishing. This is also the only
chance many of the fishermen get to catch Lake Erie walleye. Although it seems like organized
chaos with fishermen lining the river, the reality is only 5-10% of the walleye harvest occurs
during the spring season. Annually there are 1.5 million walleye harvested and a very small
percentage occurs during the spring walleye season.
During the spring run, many male and female walleye often occupy different types of
river structure. In addition, male walleye are often more active and feeding. During the spring
walleye runs the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) have compiled years of data
which shows the typical harvest is 90% male and 10% female. Furthermore, when walleye
spawn, the sex ratios are 50/50. Even after harvesting walleye, the sex ratios do not sway in
Lake Erie across the different walleye ages and sexes. Even with a recent push of releasing more
females during the spring it has had no impact on the sex ratios.
STRAIGHT TALK WITH SCIENCE
Let’s get down to the real truth about keeping female walleye. During the spring, fishermen see females full of eggs and feel bad about keeping them. It appears as if we are neglecting
the resources by harvesting that walleye. Those make sense but let’s dig into the real truth with
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one of the most knowledgeable and hands on Ohio Fisheries biologist, Jeff Tyson. Tyson is the
Lake Erie Fish Management Program Administrator and his insight and knowledge is far beyond
anyone I have met.
I asked Tyson if keeping spring walleye females has a negative impact on the fishery. Tyson
said, “Based on all the harvest assessments we are finding the environmental conditions drive the
hatch. Keeping a female walleye in the spring has no impact on the upcoming walleye hatch.” The
three environmental factors that have the largest impact on the walleye hatch are; 1) good ice coverage 2) South and Westerly winds, and 3) wet springs. For the second year, we’ve had outstanding
ice coverage which will be beneficial for the hatch.
Because the spring harvest often occurs along the river shore line, it appears to others that
large amounts of walleye are impacted. However, Tyson indicated far more female walleye are taken in early summer (June.) During this time of the year “10 of thousands of fishermen are running
out of many locations,” across many different Lake Erie access points. The late summer timeframe
has the largest impact on the harvest. Tyson also reinforced that “whether they are taken on the
lake in June, during ice fishing in January, or during the spring run the walleye will not be reproducing.”
The ODNR biology continues to extensively research the walleye fishery. Tyson said, “If we
find harvesting female walleye has an impact on the hatch we’ll work to implement regulations to
protect the walleye. In addition, we have to have firm evidence before we take opportunity away
from fishermen.” However the success of the hatch largely relates to the weather.
DEBUNKING MYTHS
Now that we have waded through fact and fiction we need to debunk a few river myths.
Many fishermen will push out eggs and sperm in the river before taking the walleye. There are so
many factors that have to be in place for this to be successful. There needs to be the right mixture
of eggs and sperm, clay in the water, timing of the eggs, and more. Therefore Tyson said, “Pushing
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the eggs out does not work.”
In addition fishermen have mixed feelings about older walleye. The opinions range from
harvest them because they do not produce valuable eggs to protect them because they have so
many eggs. Both thoughts are a myth. Tyson indicates, “Both older and younger walleye produce
valuable eggs.” Even female walleye that are very old produce valuable eggs. Therefore the age of
a walleye has no bearing on the success of a hatch. Tyson indicated, “We know that a larger fish
produces more eggs than a smaller fish.“ Therefore the only difference is the quality of eggs.
Larger walleye have a stronger fishy flavor to the meat that smaller fish do not have. In addition, the meat around the belly area is difficult to filet on females. This is a truth, the meat on a
larger male and female walleye have a stronger flavor. Most often the perfect eating size walleye
is an 18-22 inch male. If you’re after a trophy then keeping a large female is perfect but if you are
looking for the best tasting fish a mid-sized walleye is perfect.
IN CONCLUSION
That is a lot of information that is contradictory to many of the conversations that occur
around harvesting spring walleye. This is why it is always important for me to get the real facts. It’s
a fishermen’s decision on whether they want to harvest a female walleye during the spring run. It
is completely legal and the ODNR biologist studies indicate that it has no impact on the success of
the harvest. It’s your decision, are you going to keep or release?
BRIAN MILLER
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WALLEYE RUN
BY THE NUMBERS
16 lbs 3.04 oz
In 1999 Tom Haberman set
the Ohio State record landing a giant 33 inch walleye.
This fish was taken on November 23rd in Lake Erie.
10 %
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In some of the recent
Ohio DNR Lake Erie
studies they have recorded walleye that were 26
years old. Female walleye tend to grow longer
than male walleye.
With Fishermen lining the
banks of the Maumee and
Sandusky River you would
think this would have a detrimental impact on the walleye
numbers. During the spring run,
walleye fishermen only harvest 5-10% of the total annual Lake Erie. This is in
the range of 30,00040,000 thousand
walleye.
Can you believe there are 4,000-6,000 fishermen annually fishing the walleye run? The ODNR does not
have an official count done but these estimates are
very accurate.
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6,000 FISHERMEN
Male walleye reach
maturity in
2-3 years
when they are
12-13 inches long.
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YEARS
When the water temperature increases to
40-52 degrees Fahrenheit
the walleye in Lake Erie
and it’s tributaries begin
spawning.
400,000 EGGS
A females walleye can lay
as many as 400,000 eggs and
those eggs hatch in two
weeks.
2001
Although fishermen have used
floating jigs for years it’s only been
in the last 10 to 15 years that they
have become the main lure. Beforehand lead jigs were the main lure
casted in the Maumee River.
40-52
Fahrenheit
28 INCHES
Walleye that stretch 28
inches are recognized
for a Fish Ohio award.
10 FISH LIMIT
Back in 1999 walleye fishermen had the opportunity to keep 10 fish during the Maumee River Walleye
Run. The limit was this high for a couple years before
changing to a more conservative number.
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10
DO’S
AND
DONT’S
BRIAN MILLER
It’s an amazing sight to watch the all the fishermen stand-
ing in a row during the walleye run. There along the shores everyone is waist deep in water, shoulder to shoulder down the riv-
er bank. Fishermen are all casting lures about, nets swooping, everyone
casting over each other, and reeling in massive walleye. What a chaotic mess!
It looks like a madhouse out there. Who in their right mind would want to deal
with that? What looks like chaos is actually a well-oiled machine when everyone is working together. Nearly six thousand fishermen visit the river each year in search of some tasty filets, a good time in the great outdoors, or a trophy walleye. The Maumee River is the largest walleye run east of the Mississippi River. People travel from a-far to partake in the event.
Although it appears like everyone is catching fish, it’s not always that easy. There are good
days and bad days on the river. Although it appears everyone is catching when you watch individuals there are some people catching far more than others. To ensure you are one of
those success fisherman and enjoy the river with everyone else follow a few of these “Do’s and
Don’ts”. You’ll have more success and every fisherman around you will appreciate the courtesy.
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DO’S: The Spot
Simply put; there are more unproductive
spots than productive spots on the river. I’m
not talking about those few days a year when
the walleye are stacked and anyone can catch
them. During the majority of the run you need
to work for a limit of walleye. Being in the exact
right location is the difference between success
and failure.
Successful river fishing is about finding
the exact location of the fish. It’s not just a place
to stand but the exact spot to cast paralleled
with correct lure presentation. Feel the bottom structure and find the correct weight that
bounces correctly. This weight determines the
speed and lure presentation. Combine these
and you’ll be in “The Spot”.
DONT’S: Line Jumping
Fishing the Maumee River Walleye Run
is a combination of fishing skill and etiquette.
Combine both of those skills and you’ll be in
for a great fishing trip. A big negative is the fishermen that walk out past the line of fishermen
already in the water. This is a recipe for getting
jigs stuck in your waders. The flow of the water will commonly drift your floating jig heads
close to the line of fishermen in the river. Anyone that is even a couple feet in front of them is
likely to have problems. The only solution is everyone upstream needs to step out farther into
the stream. Not a cool move!
Even more important, I see fishermen
walk through some good water because they
want to fish the deeper pools. In reality early in
the morning the fish stack up close so staying
close to the shore will help you be more successful. Then as mid-morning sets in, moving
out a bit further will keep you on the bite. Keep
it cool and avoid line jumping.
DO’S: Should I Stay or Go
Is there someplace else that is producing walleye? What is happening downstream?
Is this a momentary lull or has the spot gone
dead? That is the million dollar question, which
is worth some press.
When the fishing gets tough it’s time to
start paying attention to every fisherman within
sight. As far up stream, downstream, and across
the river as you can see. Watch the frequency of
fish that are being caught. Pay attention for the
next 60-90 minutes. That seems like a long time
but schools of fish move in and out of locations.
If fish are slowing coming in around you then
maybe it’s your lure presentation. If nothing is
coming in then pack it up get moving.
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Your small window of the river might not
give you enough of a view. So it’s a tough call.
However, a short move can put you back into
the fish. Keep moving and seeking until you get
back into a productive location. If I know the
spot is good, I’m often too stubborn to leave
and spend more time toughing it out until the
end of light or a limit.
DONT’S: Crisscross Short Caster
There is nothing better than the sound of
line spinning off your reel after making a long
cast. Then drifting jigs right into the deep hole
full of walleye. That’s right where you picked
up the first three fish. The morning is stacking
up to be killer! Then that guy moves in downstream and immediately starts getting tangled
with you on almost every cast. No matter what
you do, that limit of walleye seems to be getting
farther away.
So, why does he keep catching your line?
Let’s dissect this tangled mess. The main factor
is he’s not paying attention to the rhythm of the
fishermen around him.
Here are a couple causes that should be avoided.
* Short casting around long casters.
* Casting over someone’s line.
* Casting upstream making lines crisscross.
* Reeling in quickly over other lines
* Casting right after the guys upstream (crossing their line).
* Leaving your line hang straight downstream
in the slack water.
* Waiting too long before breaking off a lure after tangling with a rock
To avoid being Mr. Crisscross Short
Caster get in the rhythm with the rest of the
group. Watch when those around you cast so
you can time casting to avoid the tangled mess.
With so many fishermen, tangles happen. In
these situations, be courteous and teach them
how to avoid the tangled mess. They might not
understand the problem; it makes for an enjoyable trip for everyone.
DO’S: Read the Water Level
Checking the water level before fishing is
important for fishing success and safety. Safety first; Sidecut Metropark does not allow fisherman to cross to Blue Grass island when the
river rises to 582 feet above sea level. This also
gives you an indicator of river conditions before stepping into the water and getting caught
off guard. The higher the water raises the flow
(speed) of the water increases expediently. Understanding the flow provides insight in safety
and the type of lure weight. The faster the flows
downstream, the more lead weight that is needed to slow the lure enough to present the right
presentation.
Understanding how water affects fishing
is also important to fishing conditions. Rising
water often means fishing turns off. Rising water
can also cool the water temperature and muddy
the water. These are all factors that make fishing tougher in the Maumee River. Once the river crests the fish begin to settle back into their
normal locations. When the water falls, the fish
continue to move into normal locations and
the fishing continues to improve. Higher water
during the early and mid-season often brings
in another push of fish into the river. This can
mean that right after higher water the fishing
has a tendency to be exceptional.
Hourly Maumee River Levels and Temperatures are available at
www.maumeeriverwalleyerun.com.
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DONT’S: Line Cutting
Leaving a tangle of line in the water for
others to deal with is a big negative. There are
lots of ways to avoid the situation. Initially use
high quality fishing line. It doesn’t matter if you
prefer fluorocarbon, monofilament, or braided
line. Leader line needs to be a smaller pound
test to ensure you only break the leader instead
of the main line. While using braid as your
main line, use a smaller pound test mono or
floro leader line. Don’t tie floating jigs directly
to a braided line.
Inspect your line for kinks, nicks or imperfections. These cause a weak spot that will
break under pressure. If any are found, cut out
the problem areas and drop the damaged section into any of the recycle bins along the river.
Most important, NEVER cut your line
at the reel leaving a string on line in the water.
Everyone else fishing around for days will get
jigs hung up, loose fish, and it creates havoc. If
you get tangled into one of these line tangled
do what you can to pull in the mess, it makes
fishing better for everyone.
DO’S: Line Jumping
I can’t promise that if you believe in the
force that you’ll reel in walleye like a Jedi. However, having confidence in your fishing ability
is crucial to a successful trip. Have you ever
noticed that when things are going right good
things continue to happen? Those are perfect
days when walleye seem to hook themselves
and a limit comes quickly. You’re happy to be
fishing, casting in the right location, and it all
comes together.
I’m a firm believer that a positive mental state gives a person the ability to perform at
a higher level regardless of the task. Get your
head in the game and have fun. That is what
makes a fishing trip so much better.
Displaying the beauty of
NW Ohio through
photography on
Instagram and Facebook
@ExploringNWO
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You can catch more walleye now...
Gain more insight on fishing the
Maumee River Walleye Run
This is a go-to guide for new and experienced walleye fishermen. This explains techniques that only work on the Maumee River and timeframes to target trophy walleyes. Learn
to identify the key locations regardless of the weather or
river conditions. Understand walleye vision as it relates to
lure color; taste and smell as it relates to impregnated and
spray on scent; lateral line and hearing as it relates to lure
vibrations and boat noise. Learn to place jigs in structure
walleye can’t resist, revealing how water level and flow affects walleye, and identify which color combinations work
best.
Fishing The Maumee River Walleye Run
$19.95
Order both books directly from the author at
www.maumeeriverwalleyerun.com
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that will help you select the perfect gear for your terrain.
This guide provides information on how to select archery
gear that will withstand a decade of relentless use.
Learn to select the perfict broadhead for your specific hunting situation. Understand how different releases affect your
point of contact. Identify which piece of gear will add ten
yards to your effective shooting range. Choose which arrow and fletching will be most effective.
The Ultimate Bowhunter’s Gear Guide
$18.95
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G
et Involved
et Informed
AVA SLOTNICK
JESSICA BATANIAN
Every spring, hundreds of thousands of walleye swim upstream into the Maumee
River where thousands of eager anglers from around the country are waiting to snag
one. The walleye wouldn’t be drawn to the Maumee River for breeding if it weren’t for
the plentiful food sources, abundant hiding spots, and overall healthy habitat. Many
other animals are drawn to the river for it’s healthy banks and nutrient rich waters all
year round. We, humans, also rely on these waters for our recreation, drinking water,
economic benefits, aesthetics and so much of what provides the high quality of life that
we enjoy. The greater Toledo area is blessed with many extraordinary rivers, creeks, and
lakes that naturally provide the resources for a sustainable population of walleye and
other fish but rivers require care. The Maumee River watershed is the largest of the Great
Lakes watersheds, and drains approximately 6,500 square miles in Ohio, Indiana, and
Michigan. More importantly, the Maumee River watershed has historically been one of
the watersheds most influenced by human activity in the Great Lakes region.
The Maumee River’s ecology is vital to local and global economy and must be preserved. The Maumee River begins in Fort Wayne, Indiana and flows for 137 miles until
it reaches Lake Erie. On the way, it passes agricultural fields, livestock production, rural
towns and large cities. As a result of northwest Ohio being such a national and international agricultural hub especially, exporting grain, The Port of Toledo, at the mouth of
the Maumee River, plays a major role in our local and global economy. According to the
Port Authority, by way of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway system, the Port
of Toledo oversees 12 million tons of cargo and 700 vessels in a single year. In addition
to the huge economic advantages the Maumee River provides, it is home to many different fish and mussel species, and provides crucial habitat for dozens of migrating birds
species.
One of the fish species found in the Maumee River is the walleye. Each year, thousands of anglers come to Toledo to see if they can catch one of the many walleye that come
into the river to spawn. The walleye that are caught during the run represent a fraction
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of the total walleye population in
Lake Erie, at approximately six
million. When anglers come to
Toledo, the Walleye Capital of the
World, they bring a much-needed
economic boost to the area by using local hotels, restaurants, and
businesses, and especially, the
bait and tackle shops that rely on
their business.
Although the environmental importance and economic
benefits are immense, the Maumee River provides something
even more precious. As it flows for
137 miles to Lake Erie, it weaves
through our lives creating memories, shared experiences and providing infinite joy for thousands
of people. For generations, people have come to
our region to enjoy the scenic and recreational
opportunities the Maumee River offers. Northwest Ohio is truly blessed by our area’s many
waterways but those blessings require care. Pollution and trash can ruin trips and traditions,
along with the environment and the economy,
on which we all rely.
Luckily, Partners for Clean Streams is
an organization dedicated to keeping our local streams and rivers healthy. We are joined
by dedicated volunteers and professionals that
are restoring creek beds, cleaning river banks,
reducing flooding, and making our rivers and
streams clean, clear and safe year round. Partners for Clean Streams grew out of a local committee that began focusing on the struggling
rivers impaired with pollution in 1987. In 2007,
Partners for Clean Streams became a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging everyone
who works, lives and plays in the area to care
for their rivers. We now have a bigger vision of
protecting and enhancing local rivers, and empowering people to be active stewards of our
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waterways. We create general awareness by educating our community and children, provide
opportunities for citizens to take action and
improve habitats. Although we are dedicated
to protecting the Toledo area waterways, we
cannot do it alone.
Partners for Clean Streams provides
multiple ways for people to positively impact
waterways with various volunteer and educational programs. Each program is designed to
not only to promote clean, clear and healthy
streams, rivers and lakes but also encourage
public ownership of the resources through
community service and education. These fun
programs inspire students and families to actively protect their resources while targeting
specific needs of the community.
One of the largest environmental issues
worldwide from fishing is the abundance of
discarded fishing line and old gear including
hooks, lure, and nets. To help prevent wildlife
entanglement and improve aesthetics locally,
we have placed Fishing Line Recycling Bins in
several, easy to access fishing hot spots around
the greater Toledo area. In conjunction with
many partners, this program combines the efforts of anglers, property owners, and volunteers to reduce fishing line and old gear left in
our rivers. Look for these large PVC pipe bins
on your next fishing trip and put your discarded monofilament into the bin. While sponsors
help provide the bins, volunteers collect and
track the fishing line to be recycled with Berkley’s Conservation Institute. To learn more and
find a bin nearest you, check out our website.
Because we know that many snags cannot be prevented, nor easily removed while
fishing due to dangerous and high waters, our
Get the Lead Out program retrieves thousands
of potentially dangerous snagged hooks and
pieces of line left in the river after the water levels recede. The volunteer program runs from
June through mid-September when the water
levels are low and we can easily walk in the river. Since it began over ten years ago, volunteers
have removed over 300 pounds of lead sinkers
from the three-mile stretch covering Buttonwood, Sidecut Metropark and Orleans Park.
We would love for you to join one of our public
cleanups or sign up for your own cleanup and
help preserve the river for next spring’s fishing
runs.
It is not just fishing gear that pollutes our
local rivers. Our largest, and most well known,
program, Clean Your Streams Day, focuses on
removing all types of marine debris from local
rivers. This year, the 20th Annual Clean Your
Streams Day will be held on September 17, 2016
during which we anticipate one thousand volunteers to join forces and clean up thousands
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of pounds of trash from over 30 miles of river in the greater Toledo area. Volunteers of all
ages impact rivers and local communities but
also make a clear statement about marine debris prevention. This is a perfect half-day event
to give back to your community and to care for
the rivers that we so rely on. The local event is
part of the International Coastal Cleanup with
Ocean Conservancy and we invite you to sign
up in August to join us.
An extension of Clean Your Streams Day
is our newest program, Clean Your Streams
365. Volunteers can organize their own stream
cleanup, on their own time, year round. In addition to giving our volunteers an educational experience, Clean Your Streams 365 reduces trash
buildup in our watershed throughout the entire
year. Volunteers of all ages participate making
this a great program for Scouts or youth groups,
corporations or teams. PCS provides the necessary supplies like maps, trash bags, and gloves
to complete the cleanup. We also engage youth
in our community, through educational workshops and seminars. We are often at community events with educational activities for kids
and adults.
As our name suggests, Partners for Clean
Streams partners with other organizations including parks, government agencies, businesses
and other organizations to do long term restoration and habitat improvements. For example,
our largest restoration project was on a section
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of the Ottawa River at the Boy Scout Camp
Miakonda in Sylvania in which we improved 3
acres of wetlands and stabilized 600 feet of bank
on the Ottawa River. We work with Metroparks
of the Toledo Area to improve river access and
encourage citizens to enjoy their rivers with
paddling events and educational programs.
We are working with other groups, such as the
Rain Garden Initiative, to increase awareness
of green infrastructure, to improve floodwater storage, and to reduce erosion around the
greater Toledo area. Everything we do is meant
to improve water quality of our rivers, improve
river corridors and increase awareness of our
wonderful river resources. Clean water provides for our needs and for our recreation, including fishing!
With your vested interest and cooperation, we can keep our precious Maumee River,
and the streams that flow into it, clean, clear
and safe. Do your part by using the Fishing
Line Recycling Bins and throw away any trash
you might have in the proper location. Join us
by volunteering with our programs or donate
directly to help us improve the work we do. To
learn more about PCS, our programs and how
to get involved, check out our webpage at www.
PartnersforCleanStreams.org. Join Partners
for Clean Streams in celebrating our creeks,
streams and rivers that connect us all. Love
your rivers! Get informed. Take action.
www.partnersforcleanstreams.org
HOW
Casting Jigs Like A Pro
It’s hard to beat the subtle but distinctive
feeling of a walleye slurping up a jig danced near
bottom. Once an angler has mastered the art of
casting jigs and detecting those not so obvious
bites, most other fishing presentations pale by
comparison.
To say I’ve had a little experience casting
jigs for walleye would be an understatement.
About 40 years ago I caught my first walleye on
a jig and since that moment I’ve had a passion
for refining a presentation that is my personal
favorite way to catch fish. Casting jigs for walleye is appealing for a number of reasons, but
mostly what makes this presentation special is
it pits man against fish. The only way to win this
match up consistently is to master the subtle,
but critical skills associated with jig casting.
THE RIGHT MIND SET
When teaching others the finer points of
jig casting, I start by helping them get the right
mind set. Jig casting requires concentration
and considerable practice to master. This is not
a fishing presentation for those who are more
interested in relaxing and drowning minnows
than fishing!
I try to imagine where my jig is and what
it is doing from the instant I cast until that jig is
dangling a few inches from my rod tip ready for
the next cast. This visualization helps keep my
MARK ROMANACK
FISHING 411
reaction time sharp and helps to avoid those
surprise bites that ultimately end up in missed
fish.
The whole process of casting jigs is about
keeping the bait moving enticingly and near
bottom. The way I accomplish this is by making a long cast and letting the jig sink to bottom
on a slack line with the reel bail open. This simple start to the presentation insures that the jig
covers the maximum amount of real estate. If
the reel bail is closed when the jig hits the water, the jig will pendulum towards the boat as
it sinks, cutting off precious water from every
cast.
When the jig hits bottom, it’s easy to tell
because the line will simply collapse on the surface. At this point I point my rod tip directly at
the jig and with the rod at about the 10 o’clock
position, I slowly reel up the slack line until I
can feel the weight of the jig in the rod tip.
At this crucial instant, I raise the rod tip
using my wrist from the 10 o’clock position to
about the 11 o’clock position. In doing so the jig
is popped off bottom and then allowed to pendulum towards me, eventually making contact
with the bottom.
The second the jig hits bottom the line
once again collapses on the surface. I then lower the rod tip back to the 10 o’clock position
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reel up the slack line and repeat raising the rod
to the 11 o’clock position. This simple process
moves the jig a few feet each time and is repeated over and over again until the jig has been
completely retrieved back to the boat.
When I tell guests at seminars that this
is how I cast jigs for walleye, many are amazed
at how simple the process actually is. The mechanics of casting jigs is simple, what gets more
complicated is understanding what’s going on
while this whole process is being performed.
IT’S A SHALLOW GAME
Jig casting is a presentation that shines
best when walleye are found in shallow water,
usually 10 feet deep or less. This is precisely why
it is important to cast the jig rather than to try
and fish vertical below the boat or to drag jigs
over top of fish. Casting reaches out and makes
contact with fish before the fish can detect the
presence of the angler and get spooked.
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The jig casting game is almost always
played in shallow water and sometimes very
shallow water. In fisheries where there is some
color to the water, it’s not uncommon for walleye to be found feeding in two feet of water or
less. Stained water allows walleye to slip into
the shallows undetected and forage at will on a
variety of baitfish species.
IMPORTANT GEAR
Rods suitable for jig casting need to be
lightweight, highly sensitive and of suitable
length to pick up slack line. In recent years I’ve
been using a seven foot spinning, one piece
medium/light action rod for pitching jigs from
1/16 to 1/4 ounce in size.
I prefer to match this rod with a 25 or
30 series spinning reel. On the reel I load 10
pound test Maxima 8 Strand Braid that has a
two pound test diameter. To the braid I add a
three foot leader of 10 pound test Maxima fluorocarbon line that is tied directly to the jig.
I prefer not to tie the braid directly to
the jig for a couple of reasons. First off, braid
doesn’t hold common knots as well as fluorocarbon or monofilament.
Secondly, in order to thread braided line
into the eye tie of the jig, the line must be first
cut with a sharp scissors. It’s less time consuming to retie jigs on the fluorocarbon leader than
a main line of super braid.
THE JIG IS ALSO CRITICAL
The world of walleye fishing is flooded
with hundreds of different jigs touted as being
walleye jigs. Some of these jigs are best suited
for vertical jigging, others better for dragging
presentations and a few produce well for casting applications.
A jig ideally suited for casting applications must have some specific characteristics.
The most important of these is a stand-up style
head that keeps the hook point aligned upright
when the jig comes to a rest on the bottom.
Round head jigs and other jighead styles that
allow the jig to tip over when it hits bottom are
useless for casting applications.
About half of the bites when casting a jig
come seconds after the jig has hit the bottom
and stirred up a little puff of sediment. A walleye will rush in, flare it’s gills and literally suck
the jig right up off the bottom. A jig that has
fallen over will end up in the walleye’s mouth,
but the hook point may or may not be pointed in the right direction to deliver a good hook
set once the angler detects the bite and sets the
hook.
Stand-up style jigs are superior because
the hook point is always upright and in perfect
position for a hook set in the roof of the fish’s
mouth. Of the stand-up jig styles on the market, I favor a three models, all of which are produced by Bait Rigs Tackle.
My top choice for most jig casting applications is the Odd Ball. This modified round
head style jig stands up at about a 45 degree
angle when it hits the bottom every time. This
style of jig can be fished with live bait, soft plastics or a combination of both.
The second jig I favor is called the SloPoke. This tear drop shaped jig features an eye
tie that comes out the nose of the jig, allowing
it to slip through weeds, wood and other debris
with very few hang ups. Meanwhile the hook
point is always pointed upright and ready for
action. Like the Odd Ball, the Slo-Poke can be
fished with live bait or soft plastics.
The third jig I often use for casting applications is a new version of the Slo-Poke called
the Slo-Poke Long Shank. The semi stand-up
head helps keep the hook point properly positioned and the long shank hook is ideal for
fishing with larger soft plastics including action
tail grubs, shad bodies and other minnow imitators.
SUMMING IT UP
Jig casting is about understanding the
dynamics of the presentation and matching
that up with gear suitable for the job. It takes
concentration and focus to become a good jig
caster, but the most important variable is desire. Any angler with the desire to master this
presentation can do so assuming they are willing to put in some quality time on the water.
www.fishing411.net
Mark Romanack is an amazing jig fisherman.
Check out this ebook on more Jig Fishing Presentations. This is an in-depth look at jig fishing as it pertains to walleye. The author outlines
the different kinds of jigs and helps anglers
zero in the best jig types for key presentations
including vertical jigging, dragging jigs and jig
pitching. This publication also outlines the best
rods, reels and line types for jig fishing and explores both the use of live bait and soft plastics.
23
NOW
WHAT?
Preserve Your Trophy Walleye
Colossal, enormous, heavyweight, mammoth, bad boy, reel spinning,
hefty, whopper in the net. Fish Ohio. Texting buddies, walleye selfie,
man cave, taxidermy trip on the horizon. That’s right! Time to head to
the taxidermy to get that oversized beast mounted. Make sure that eye
makes it to the man cave in perfect condition.
Keep it Separate: In the river hanging walleye together on the same
stringer is common practice. However, if you catch a trophy, keep it separate from the rest so the fish do not beat each other up, damaging their
fins. Do your best to retain the fish as you caught it, don’t damage the
scales, and avoid bleeding this walleye.
Ice Cold:
The spring river water is cool enough to keep the color in
your fish. After fishing, get the walleye on the top of the ice. Place the side
of the fish you want displayed up in the cooler. Keep it on the top of the ice
and out of the water. Water flushes the color from the walleye.
The Sooner the Better: Ideally get the walleye into the taxidermy
right away. The sooner the better to retain the walleye colors.
Freezer Time: If you can’t get it in right away, wrap the walleye in a
white wet cloth then wrap it in plastic.
Face Up: Always face the walleye face up in the freezer. Make sure
nothing is set on top; this causes discoloration in the walleye.
Freezer Burn: It can stay in the freezer for 3-6 month. Not much lon-
ger. It’s important to ensure the fish doesn’t get freezer burn.
Artistic Touch Taxidermy -- 419-693-3845
24
REPLICA WALLEYE
Catch a big boy and the decisions pile on quickly. Keep or release;
mount or eat; skin or replica; commercial or custom. Decisions,
decisions… Casey Watterson from Lone Leaf Taxidermy is providing some great advice on creating a replica walleye. In 2011 he won
the best Professional Reproduction in the World; four time State
Champion Fish Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia; and dozens of
other taxidermy awards.
There are two types of replica, either a custom or commercial. Customs is a cast mold and rather expensive, however if you bring in
the fish, an exact copy is created. Ideal if you catch something really
unique. Most prefer a commercial replica which provide an outstanding quality and can be customized to look like your trophy
walleye. This also allows the fisherman to get some pictures and
release the fish to catch another day. If you’re interested in getting a
replica made there are only three simple requirements.
Great Pictures: Not only do you want a couple pictures to send
off to your buddies but this is important for a good replica. Watterson says, “The more pictures the better. You know all those fish
are different.” With good photographic evidence he can match your
fish tones and colors. Ideally higher resolution pictures, close-up,
and different angles. Try to take pictures that are not in direct sunlight, partly cloudy days are the best.
Length Measurements:
A good length measurement provides an accurate representation. Watterson tells his clients to keep
a soft flexible tape in the tackle box to get the best measurements.
Girth Measurement: Find the widest point on the fish and get
a good girth measurement. This is typically around the belly of the
walleye. No need to get multiple measurements because that can
become confusing.
Lone Leaf Taxidermy -- www.loneleaftaxidermy.com
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Programs
Clean Streams
Recycle Fishing Line: Broken fishing line that is
left in, or nearby, the river can have negative impacts on animals. If wildlife comes in direct contact with discarded fishing gear, it can result in entanglement, harmful wounds, or
consumption. Derelict fishing gear can also detract from the
beauty of the streams, rivers, and lakes. To prevent this ongoing problem, there are large, PVC Fishing Line Recycling Bins
at various locations near the river. By properly disposing of
line you will be contributing to the construction of fish habitat
structures through Berkley Fishing’s recycling program.
Clean Your
Streams
This year’s 20th Annual Clean Your
Streams event will occur on September
17, 2016. Approximately one thousand
volunteers armed with gloves and bags
remove tons of trash from dozens of local stream banks. All trash is reported as
part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. After a morning
of removing trash from stream banks,
roadsides, parking lots and parks, volunteers celebrate clean water with an Appreciation Picnic.
Partners for Clean Streams
www.PartnersforCleanStreams.org
419-874-0727
26
Get
The
Lead
Out
Throughout the summer, volunteers remove
potentially
harmful derelict fishing line, lead and lures
and trash that have
accumulated in and
along the Maumee
River after the spring
fish runs. Join one of
the many public and
private group outings
and enjoy flexible
scheduling.
HOW FAR WILL YOU TRAVEL FOR
WORLD CLASS FISHING?
On our Social Media site “Maumee River Walleye Run” we asked you how far you have travelled to
fish the Maumee River Walleye Run. Right here in the great Northeast Ohio we have visitors from
across the USA & several international fishermen!
Washington
Hawaii
Michigan
Australia
Texas
New Jersey
Illinois
South Dakota
West Virginia
North Carolina
Ohio
Washington D.C.
Maryland
Virginia
Missouri
Alabama
Kentucky
Connecticut
Iowa
Indiana
Minnesota
South Carolina
Oklahoma
Canada
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A
V
O
I
D
TROUBLE
When you think about
how big the walleye run is
there is no question the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources will be nearby to
protect the wildlife. This is a
major project and the ODNR takes it very serious. Paul Kurfis, law enforcement supervisor, helps us understand how the ODNR manages the law enforcement of the walleye run.
Each year officers make anywhere from 1,000-2,400 contacts with fishermen. In 2015, Kurfis specified there were 88 arrests during the spring run. Citations in 2015 were down from
many prior years. In 2015, citations included 35 with an over limit, 28 possessed a snagged
walleye, 12 fishing without a license, 5 littering, and 8 other miscellaneous citations.
When you consider that nearly 6,000 fishermen from over 25 different states fish the
Maumee River, that is a good track record. By the numbers, that means that 98% of the fishermen are following the rules. To help us along the way, here are three tips from the ODNR
Law Enforcement Officers to ensure you have a successful fishing trip.
AVOID DOUBLE TRIPS
Overbagging has become more of an issue in the past couple years. With limits being lower, it is
a big temptation to go back out a second time to catch more. During recent years, the ODNR has
stepped up the enforcement on the double trippers. Kurfis indicated, “The penalty is pretty hard.
Think of the resource, it is fantastic so we want to keep it around for many years.”
SNAGGED WALLEYE
Catching a walleye anywhere but the mouth is considered snagging. That is a big no-no! Kurfis
said, “Fish that are not caught inside the mouth are not legally hooked.” That means if the hook is
outside the mouth then let it go because it’s not legal.” If you mistakenly snag a walleye, immediately release it and you’re fine.
STREAM LITTER
If you pack it in, pack it out! Most offenders are people that are not packing out old fishing line
with them. If you are tossing fishing line in the water or dropping large pieces, that’s considered
littering. Kurfis indicated of course, “No-one is getting a ticket for a foot or two of line that breaks
off by mistake.” ODNR officers have seen fishermen leave whole reels of line. That makes a mess
for fishermen, strips the river of the natural beauty, and is littering.
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