Brainerd Walleye Fishing Guide Techniques

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Live Bait Rigging

The lindy rig is a favorite fishing technique used by local fishing guides in Brainerd, Minnesota. The rig was originally invented by several Nisswa fishing guides in the late 1960's. The rig consists of a 3/8oz sliding sinker, a swivel, and a hook. The length of the snell, or the section of line which connects the hook to the swivel, is important. Most Brainerd fishing guides prefer to use snell lengths of 30 to 40 inches. The purpose of the swivel is twofold. It keeps the line from being twisted and also keeps the sliding sinker from making contact with the hook. The sliding sinker is nothing more than a lead sinker with a hole. The swivel's size should be larger than the hole in the lead sinker. This acts as a stop which prevents the sinker from sliding all the way down to the hook. Brainerd fishing guides traditionally used clamp on, or crimp, sinkers with their live bait presentations. These types of sinkers would catch of the lake's bottom as walleyes ran with the bait, causing some fish to drop the presentation. The sliding sinker allows the line to pass through it easily without any resistant, making the walleye less apt to drop the bait. Brainerd fishing guides have used many types of sliding sinkers throughout the years. These include: walking, egg, spring, and pencil shaped modifications. Regardless of the sinkers shape, this Brainerd fishing technique is referred to as rigging.

Rigging Techniques

Rigging is not a search technique. Anglers waste countless hours fishing it this way. A walleye school should be located before rigging is used. This means using fishing electronics. The proper use of these tools is what separates the average fishing guides from the good fishing guides in Brainerd, Minnesota. Experienced fishing guides will comb the lake with their electronics. They will search out inside corners and points of underwater structures without even dropping a line. There is really no reason to stop where no walleyes are present. Some anglers will try to solve this problem by drifting along slowly, hoping to make contact with fish by accident. This works occasionally but wastes large chunks of time.

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