Traverse Bay in November

The air was crisp but the sun was shining, making this middle of November day feel comfortable as I headed the boat downriver. A 20 kilometre south wind seemed to be diminishing as I turned the corner on the Winnipeg River. In the distance you could see the rockpiles and boats that were already out on Traverse Bay, a good indication that we would not have to deal with any huge waves this day. As we entered the bay we headed out to a corner of the river channel that had producing excellent walleye fishing since early September. Sure enough one of my friends had reached the spot an hour previous. As we dropped anchor a short distance from him, Chris brought us up to date on the fishing action.

He and his partner had already released 21 walleye that morning with the largest in the four-kilogram range. To say anticipation was high in our boat was an understatement. While the volume of water coming out into the bay was still considerable, it had slowed considerably since earlier in the month. It only took a second for the anchor to hold and with the flow from southwest to northeast and the wind slightly southwest the boat positioned itself nicely along the main river channel, holding in four metres of water. Tying on a 3/8 ounce pink rattle jig tipped with a silver black bungee worm and a couple of small shiner minnows I had three fish on in the space of five minutes. While the first two got half way in before spitting the hook, the next one was not so fortunate. Soon, the first fish of the day was in the boat, a beautiful one kilogram greenback walleye. After that there was a lull in the action for a time, then back into some more fish. As the day got warmer and the wind subsided even more, we decided to explore mighty Traverse.

While we caught fish everywhere we decided to end the glorious day close to the spot we had started. This time we anchored in a little deeper water, a half metre more. From noon to two thirty that afternoon we had non-stop action. Towards the end of the day, my two fishing partners started casting their jigs out the back of the boat a short distance. After letting the jig settle to the bottom they would slowly drag, hop it back to the boat. This change from vertical to a swimming dragging action against the current produced some increased interest from the fish, though no large walleye were landed using this presentation. I had on the probably the biggest fish of the day, hooked vertically but unfortunately was unable to land it, keeping my string alive this fall of failing to get a trophy in the boat. On that particular fish, my rod had bent over under the weight with the drag working efficiently, the six pound test lime green fireline slowly releasing. About ten seconds after though the big walleye opened its mouth and the jig popped out. I mention this particular incident because it brings memories and theory back into play.

Experienced anglers believe when a big walleye clamps down on a jig, there is very little chance to get any kind of hook set, the jaws holding the jig immobile much like a muskie or a pike when they clamp down on a large lure. Some anglers will hold off on their hookset to compensate, hoping the walleye may turn away with the jig or try and take it a little further back in his mouth. I do know that when a big walleye inhales a bait rather than bites down it, your chances are way better of getting a decent hookset and thus landing the trophy. Food for thought as we get ready for first ice and some more great angling here in Manitoba!

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