BIG Walleyes!
This blog was contributed to us by Chad Maloy, a professional fisherman from Fargo, ND
Anglers looking for some early spring action have been having great luck finding trophy walleye along the Red River in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The past few years fishing from shore was difficult or nearly impossible because of high water and major flooding. This year things are different. Minimal snow, an early spring and little rain has kept the river flowing within its banks all spring for the first time in many years.
On a recent fishing adventure professional anglers Spencer Deutz and his father Ron Deutz decided to leave the boat at home and headed down to the banks of the Red River to fish from shore. The pair found that the walleyes were very cooperative using some basic tackle and basic techniques.
Spencer was using the tactic of pitching plastic. His largest walleye measured 28 1/4? and weighed in at 10.50 lbs. The walleye fell victim to a white Impulse swimming grub on a 3/8 oz pink Northland Tackle gum-ball jig. Spencer pitched the bait out into the river and slowly cranked it back to shore.
Ron chose the simple method of dead-sticking. The term “dead-sticking” means that you just cast the bait out and leave it sit on the bottom until a fish takes the bait. Ron’s giant walleye measured in at 29 3/4? and weighed 11.10lbs. He using a Northland roach rig with a 3/8oz slip sinker and a #2 hook. He tipped the hook with a lively fathead minnow and gently cast it into the river.
Other anglers have reported similar success along the banks of our back yard neighbor. If you want to have some fun, head on down to the Red, wet a line and you never know what may show up on the other end.
Here’s a great resource with a TON of information on fishing the Red River! Fishing opener is May 12th!
Here are the real reasons….
