Every trip starts with the decision of where to drill, and each species will have its own sweet spots. Walleye hunt near rock reefs and if you are in the wrong spot they will never see your lure. Pike hunt weed edges forcing you to put your baits within a few feet of that edge for success. Lake trout move to hunt but can school up in specific spots on a ridge or hump. Drilling the right patterns for each species will lead to greater success.
Drill for Walleye
Walleye on a ridge, point, or rock reef require basically the same approach. The most active walleye swim right up to the edge of the dropoff and even hunt along the top surface (especially if there are rocks and boulders). A walleye only feeds on a handful of minnows a day so drilling and fishing the top often produces flurries of action, but also periods of slow fishing. Another set of walleye push baitfish against the side of the dropoff. Pods of walleyes (often the larger ones) will filter through the apron where the mud-to-rock transition harbors a few insects or worms.
These situations occur 10 to 50 feet apart. A cast in the summer could cover all three, but this option doesn’t quite exist in the winter. However, a perfectly drilled hole on the edge of the reef can pull fish from the top and the bottom of the dropoff.
Occasional forays to another hole on the apron can up your numbers, as well. If allowed, a second line can be used on an Arctic Warrior Dead Stick to probe for fish, or, the second rod can be employed on a slip bobber next to a more active presentation.
A set of holes drilled in a line across the dropoff with an extra hole at the very edge allows an angler to fish to each part of the reef with a wide range of presentations. I find my GPS point indicating the dropoff and drill my first hole at that spot. I quickly check that depth with my Vexilar. I take four steps shallower or deeper as required to find the exact edge of the drop and drill a second hole. If done correctly I now have the exact dropoff pinpointed and I can decide where to put the two holes that anchor my spot. From here, I put a hole right up in the middle of the reef or ridge and then walk 10 to 15 steps out into the basin to pull fish from the depths. If the reef is large or I have multiple friends fishing with me I repeat this pattern around the area. With these four or five holes I can adjust my presentation for the spot as necessary, spread my lines out, pull them together, or hole-hop until I find a pattern. If I drill these holes before fishing then I can put my auger away and not disturb the ice for the rest of the session. Continue Reading….
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