Fish Explorer Logo
Colorado
Colorado Fishing FishExplorer.com
Colorado Fishing  
Login Usr:Psd:
No account? Register now...
 
spacer spacer
spacer
Go back to Main FxR Forum listings
Lake: Chatfield Reservoir
Fish: Walleye

Chatty Shore Walleye Fall Update

Post By: Neyet Stalker      Posted: 10/20/2024 8:23:40 PM     Points: 12074    
The Fall season is upon us and the weather has cooled enough to drop water temperatures below 60. Thus, the walleye has returned to shoreline shallows. This is a great time to target eyes from shore, and since I’ve not fished since Spring, I had to get out! The conditions were good though water clarity was poor making for a tougher neyet bite. Interest in night fishing might have diminished for others because there was only one other angler and not a single boat in sight. Nice to have the lake free of all the activity! It took a bit for me to find something that triggered a strike. After trying several presentations that failed, I went with a tactic that produced time and again both Spring and Fall. The fish were/ are at times very close to rocky rip rap shorelines. The key is/was to toss shallow running floating minnow imitators parallel and very close to shore. Use a bait that runs less than a foot deep and retrieve the lure to tick/bang/ and bounce off the rocks. Often a slow steady retrieve will produce but tonight they only responded to an aggressive faster retrieve. There are several baits that excel at this, but I recommend the Yo-Zuri Duel Hardcore Minnow Flat 95F. The fish were feisty and struck aggressively, leaving no doubt FishOn! My wife and I are going to enjoy an overdue eye fry!
 Reply by: Troutbisquits      Posted: Oct. 20, 9:30:56 PM     Points: 3064
Nice post, I’m curious what you think of the original floating Rapala?
 Reply by: Neyet Stalker      Posted: Oct. 20, 9:48:39 PM     Points: 12074
All time classic the original floater, but they are too light/silent for my liking/castability/precision under certain conditions. The larger F18 is good but again I've had far more success with smaller baits for both numbers and big fish. The hardcore minnow is available in 3 sizes 70/95/110 in both floating and suspending. The size 95 and 110 are excellent for walleye with the 95 being most productive. The smaller size 70 would be a good option for trout.

Another great bait for "tight to shore" eyes is the Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red Fin. It runs very shallow and has excellent action at slow speeds with rattles. I remove the middle treble hook it eliminates hook fowling/tangling.
 Reply by: Neyet Stalker      Posted: Oct. 22, 8:57:55 AM     Points: 12074
To help eliminate snagging/losing your good lures, which happens from time to time. Tie on a beater/unbranded bait which runs the same depth as the lure you're going to use. Make several casts along the shoreline with the beater, to locate any snags/rock piles/obstructions. The target zone is 1-3 ft depths and 1-5 ft off shore parallelly. Strikes can happen immediately after the lure hits the water and is cranked a few times, or anywhere along the way right up to your position on the bank at your feet.
 Reply by: Kenny Rukspin      Posted: Oct. 22, 11:35:02 AM     Points: 8560
Thanks James for all of the great info. Good to see you were able to get out and hook in to some keepers.
 Reply by: JIGORNAUT      Posted: Oct. 22, 4:26:12 PM     Points: 328
What pattern on the yo ZURI lure?
 Reply by: JIGORNAUT      Posted: Oct. 22, 4:36:20 PM     Points: 328
Looking for the 95f not seeing a whole lot any suggestions as we’re to purchase?
 Reply by: Neyet Stalker      Posted: Oct. 22, 9:09:13 PM     Points: 12074
Yep, Kenny it was good to get out but not without a lot of pain. I refuse to give in to aging should probably stay home and chill.

Since walleye possess incredible vision in the darkest of depths, I have thought then that they must see everything in the shallows at night. Regarding color pattern choice my thoughts are. Mimicking the reflection of light from a baitfish. The available light that is present from outside sources being reflected in the upper portion of the water column. On bright nights with more available light (around full moon, if there are dock lights, whatever light source adjacent to the area) Chrome/Holographic finishes will reflect light the best under those brighter conditions. On darker nights with less available light (around new moon, areas with no other light source adjacent to) baits with painted finishes reflect light the best under those darker conditions. There are exceptions and other factors, water clarity, wind, etc. When the water is stained/murky/cloudy currently at Chatty and similarly at Cherry Creek an angler has to have Chartreuse in their box.

I do most of my buying on Ebay.
 Reply by: Trailerman      Posted: Oct. 23, 3:32:31 PM     Points: 75
Perch pattens have done well for me the last few years, as the perch population has increased in the lake. Neyets advice is as good as any you’re gonna get tho. I’ve learned a ton from his posts over the years and I am very appreciative.
 Reply by: JIGORNAUT      Posted: Oct. 25, 10:09:38 PM     Points: 328
Thanks for answering my question.

Operation Game Thief
Call to report illegal fishing/hunting:
1-877-265-6648
(1-877-COLO-OGT)
or:
Email CPW
 
×

Info