caught a walleye today...

[bobber head]

Out trolling and thought I was snagged on a stump. She took the wheel and turned the boat around while I jumped up front to the optimum "yanking on hung up lure position". <br />Felt like an oil drum but indeed, it was a fish.<br /><br />"What kind of fish is that?!?!" She says.<br />"Beat's the heck out of me!" Said I.<br /><br />Net it, get it in the boat, and then we see all the teeth. <br /><br />"How do you get your lure out of it's mouth?" she asks.<br />"Hopefully without finding out how sharp these teeth are." I reply.<br /><br />A few moments later, the fish is back in the water, no one is bleeding, and I make a mental note to get a much bigger pair of needle nose pliers for the boat.<br /><br />Later, at the marina, I see a species cart and there it is...a walleye.<br /><br />Amazing, how do you spend great hunks of your life fishing and not know what a walleye is? <br />little over 2' maybe 2 pounds.<br />Bobber head

 

[roscoe]

Re: caught a walleye today...

Congrats there bobber head. 24"+ thats a nice fish. I hope she came to life a little after doing the snagged on log imitation. They can be great fighters. Probably closer to 4-5 pounds at that length. Thats what I go to Canada for every year. Gotta watch out for those little Ginsu's, for sure. <br /><br />Walleyes are generally a "schooling" species. So if you find one, there's a good chance there are more in the specific area.

 

[aspeck]

Re: caught a walleye today...

Way to go! First one I caught I was bottom fishing for carp and catfish - boy was I surprised! About the same size as yours. I have been hooked on them since! Great tasting fish, one of my favorites!

 

[mvaughn]

Re: caught a walleye today...

That's a nice eye! Would have beend great eating! We picked up 11 this weekend, they are most peoples favorite here in the north!

 

[bobber head]

Re: caught a walleye today...

Thanks.<br /><br />I don't know if I did the right thing: but I held her gently, and sharp eyed, behind the dorsal until she swam back down to those murky depths.<br /><br />It was a clean hook, one trebble between the lower lip and the teeth, actually it was quicker then "noraml" release time. I started working pretty fast after seeing the teeth: thus skipping the wieghing out step.<br /><br />I plunge both hands in the lake before handling a fish, but normally I only stick my thumb in their mouth to nurse a tired fish.<br /><br />So, how does one properly handle a freshwater Pirahna?<br /><br />Bobber

 

[aspeck]

Re: caught a walleye today...

Sounds like you did well bobber. When they have teeth, I always proceed with caution - have too many chewed up fingers to show for it. Wet hands in water, craddle fish gently, release gently holding by tail or craddling belly is what I have always done, not putting pressure on fish to remove slime. Don't know if it is correct, but what I have done.

 

[Walleye King]

Re: caught a walleye today...

Nice job, except putting it back in the water! Supposed to put it in the frying pan!

 

[roscoe]

Re: caught a walleye today...

Thats the size to throw back in the lake. They are the most productive breeders and in a few years she will be larger!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Walleyes usually flare their gills and suck their food in, then hold it in their teeth for a while. So they usually get hooked in the lip area.<br /><br />Feel a tug, let the line go slack so they take it in, wait....set the hook.