Fall Walleye Crankbait Trolling Tips & Tricks

Trolling crankbaits is a consistent way to catch big walleye in the fall. From the Great Lakes to smaller, inland waters, pulling diving crankbaits, like the new Gold Miner 30, Deep Tail Dancer, Down Deep Husky Jerk, Original ThunderStick Deep and Shad Rap, to name just a few great picks, is tough to beat from September to ice-up.

Trolling keeps a crankbait submerged for an extended period. Even better is Rapala crankbaits deliver reliable running depths, allowing anglers to target the specific areas where walleye are feeding within the water column and, subsequently, catch more fish. To give just one example, the Gold Miner 30, the newest addition to Rapala’s walleye crankbait collection, has a large bill and precision-tuned design that allows it to dive quickly to 30 feet and maintain its depth at fast to slow speeds.

The Gold Miner 30 and Deep Tail Dancer exhibit a wide tail action that attracts aggressive fish. An exaggerated swimming action is also potent for triggering reaction strikes from less active walleye.

A collection of autumn trolling baits also needs to include the Down Deep Husky Jerk, Shad Rap, Shad Rap Elite and Original ThunderStick Deep. Featuring tighter, swimming actions, these crankbaits are potent for inactive walleye, pressured fish and clearwater scenarios.

When fishing in turbid water or in low-light conditions, a loud, rattling crankbait like the Gold Miner 30 is an effective choice. Rattling crankbaits also excel at attracting walleye from far distances. When walleye are choosy, and in certain clear-water situations, a non-rattling crankbait may be better. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to experiment with trolling rattling and non-rattling crankbaits to learn what works best for the conditions.

Having a decent mix of colours represented in your crankbait collection is a good strategy. Baitfish patterns, like perch, shad and emerald shiner, are essentials. Also good are baits with hot colour accents and custom-paint finishes, such as Helsinki Shad, Moldy Fruit and Black Light.

The degree a crankbait reflects light (i.e., flash) is another factor to consider. Examples from each end of the spectrum are seen in the Gold Miner 30’s Pure Chrome and Clear colours, as well as the Down Deep Husky Jerk’s Clown and Glass Minnow patterns.

In early fall, trolling a crankbait between 4 to 2.8 kilometres per hour (2.5 to 1.8 miles per hour) helps cover water and will catch tons of walleye. As water cools, slower speeds ranging from 2.8 to 1.5 kph (1.8 to 1.0 mph) become more reliable. Nothing’s written in stone, though, so don’t be shy to experiment.

Adding brief speed adjustments when trolling is a good idea. Making S-turns, temporary throttle adjustments, and putting the motor in neutral for a few seconds can give a crankbait a spontaneous and erratic action that can do wonders for triggering strikes.

Check a crankbait runs true before trolling with it. Do this by placing the lure in the water beside the boat and studying its action.

Most of the time, your Rapala crankbait will be in perfect condition. Every lure is tested to run true out of the box and build to last. But, it’s always a good idea to check just in case. If you notice that your lure is pulling to one side, just gently bend the eye in the opposite direction using pliers to fix it and get the lure running true again.

Investing in a trolling rod is a wise choice. 13 Fishing’s Defy Gold and Omen Gold Telescopic Trolling Rods are designed for targeting walleye using trolling tactics and have models perfect for long-lining cranks and pulling lures behind planer boards. Standout rod features include handles designed for rod holders, sensitive tips that transmit a crankbait’s swimming action, and powerful blanks providing the leverage and shock absorption needed for taming big walleye.

The Defiant Line Counter Trolling Reel’s line counter provides useful data and improves trolling precision. Alternatively, an angler can pair a Digital Line Counter or a Lighted Fishing Line Counter with a 13 Fishing baitcaster.

To make it easier to see line in low light conditions and when trolling at night, many Rapala Pros spool up trolling reels with high-vis line. Top picks include Neon Lime, available in Sufix Advance Monofilament and ProMix Braid line, and Neon Tangerine, available in Sufix Siege. For larger trolling spreads, running a different line colour on each rod off the port and starboard sides help manage lines and prevent tangles.

Attaching a Sufix Fluorocarbon Leader to monofilament or braid enhances bite rates when trolling for walleye in clear water. Fifteen-pound test is a good all round choice for trolling. Lengths can range from 4 to 40 feet, with longer being ideal for gin-clear water and challenging bites.

Using a VMC stainless steel Crankbait Snap is an easy way to maximize the fish-catching appeal of any crankbait. The genius of this small, unassuming piece of hardware is its wide teardrop shape design that optimizes a cranks action.

Rapala Tackle Trays are ideal for storing crankbaits. Made of heavy-duty, UV-proof plastic, they’re resistant to cold and heat. The smart design keeps lures protected and organized. The Quick Latch System lets you open and close the tray with a single hand, even with gloves. Re-writable labels and see-through plastic make finding the bait easy, helping you maximize the fish you catch when walleye are chewing.

Keep the above tips in mind for steady success this fall when trolling for walleye — and be sure to stock up on the new Gold Miner 30, along with fan favourites, like the Deep Tail Dancer, Down Deep Husky Jerk, Deep Thunderstick and Shad Rap.