Feeling the Bite

Stephanie Davenport is someone who knows how to catch lots of walleye. Between her busy schedule, family life, and other events she still finds time to fish an awfully lot! Each time she steps in the water there is a stringer of fish coming home. Let’s understand how she constantly pulls in lots of walleye.

Stephanie says, “It’s all in the feel of the bite.” That is so much harder than you think and river fishing is different than other types of fishing. That is an area that many fishermen have a difficult time understanding. Catching walleye is the river is a very different feeling. There it feels like the absence of the consistent ticking of river rocks. Late in the Walleye Run when jacks become aggressive you’ll start to feel a distinct bite (tug). It’s much easier to feel during this time of the year. Along with feeling the bite is all about “knowing” your rod. Know how it feels on your specific rod. This allows a fisherman discern between a rock and a walleye. It takes time on the water to get the feeling of a walleye but once this is determined, “it’s fish on!”

When Davenport is chasing down big walleye she says, “My secret in catching the big ones is location and I like smaller heads slower current.” The bigger female walleye hang in the slower current which is often overlooked. The fishing will be slower in these areas but the reward can be much greater. Her color combo is always changing depending on the river conditions, However if she had to pick one it would have to be white head with motor oil/orange tail. The best advice is to get the feeling of a bite and know your equipment. After that it’s “Fish On!”