OK here's my 2 cents on Lindy rigging. First off, so we're all on the same page the traditional lindy rigging techniques use a slip sinker above a barrel swivel with varying lengths of mono and a hook. Drag it slow or troll it until you feel some tension. Open your bail, feed the fish and cross his his eyes. No Doubt very productive. Many people also consider the same methods above used with a spinner/blade rig also to be "Lindy rigging." I am referring to example A with Slip sinker, Barrel swivel and hook. Although Spinner rigs also apply to some extent.
I am a bit concerned about the hooking mortality of this set up. Been going on for a long long long time I know. I personally opt to fish waleyes with a jig set up when at all possible for a number of reasons. One being that it is very effective, and two being that very very seldom am I looking at my jig buried down into a big walleyes stomache. Yes it is super that some cut the line, and plenty will rip the hook out and kill the fish. A few days ago I caught 2 different big walleyes with hooks stuck deep inside them line sticking out. Maybe they will live and maybe not tough to say unless you are down there swimming with them. In my proffesional opinion I think a fish caught, fought and released being gut hooked will likely not have the same chance of survival as a fished caught with other methods.
So with that being said If you are going to employ the lindy rigging method where you feed the line out to the fish to ensure a good hook up please do not rip the guts out of the fish. If you do find that they are continually swallowing the hook they are definately hitting aggressive enough for other methods to be employed. As we are entering into an era of furthered pressure, and better fisherman we also need to be more conservation minded. Yes let the parameters of the law guide you with limits, and slots, but also kep in mind releasing fish at the boat to die doesn't do any good.
Take the time to do it right. If your pulling fish out of deep water take them up slow, so they don't blow there air bladder on the olympic trip the boat. when taking pics hurry the freak up. Maybe you should try hold your breath at the same time the fish enters the boat. This would be a good idea actually. When you turn blue, and can't hold your breath then the fish needs to be released into the water. When releasing the fish no need to see how far you can throw it. Nobody will be all that impressed with your arm, but rather gently place the big fish back into the water gently holding it upright by the tail. Let the fish swim out of your grasp.
I eat fish, and keep fish for customer daily. I have nothing against keeping fish. I just want to make sure that when catching fish to be released that we're keeping the future well being of the fish and fishery in mind.
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
I'm convinced walleyes dont chew thier food. I compare lindy rigging to jig/minnow fishing. When the fish bites, set the hook. I started using a closed bail two years ago when rigging and the catch rate is about the same with less gut hooks..
i also try to jig fish as much as i can but sometimes when i cant get a bite i like to try and see if a slower presentation is necessary. i will usually use a floating jighead rather than a plain hook and i have not had any gut hooked fish. i usually dont open my bail and feed out line either just set the hook right away.
I lindy rig fish 90% of the time, i have never opened my bail and let the fish eat the bait. When i feel the hit or tension in the line the hook gets set. While on Rainy last week, all we did was lindy rig fish, i did not have any one of the 300 walleyes that we boated swallow the hook. I guess i didn't realize that people actually opened there bail and let the fish inhale the bait
I'm confused. Chris are you saying you actually have to use a hook and line up on Rainy to catch Walleye? All this time I just assumed you drove the boat around and they hopped in.
Great read and a good point! Take care of those release fish guy's.
The old adage of "wait a minute and let 'em swallow it" really has to quit applying. We discussed this same issue as a con when they lowered the bluegill limit down to 10 fish on our local lake, in other words, many times bluegills swallow the hook with livebait. To combat this, when the bobber twitched, we set the hook-percentages of swallowed hooks went way down (female gills are the worst, as they seem to nibble more). Same with crawler fishing for trout, we set the hook on the first hard rap--missing a few fish is better than performing a low percentage surgery streamside. As a general rule, a brief millisecond pause with livebait may be alright, but not the ol'e "count to 10 then hit 'em" approach.
Very happy to hear the responses!!!! Class fisherman!!! Now I'm heading out to put the wood to them, and yes Brian sometimes they do just jump on in. I guess they figure their coming in anyhow, and this way they don't have the sharp hook in the mouth for a little photo shot! LOL
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
Quote: The old adage of "wait a minute and let 'em swallow it" really has to quit applying. We discussed this same issue as a con when they lowered the bluegill limit down to 10 fish on our local lake, in other words, many times bluegills swallow the hook with livebait. To combat this, when the bobber twitched, we set the hook-percentages of swallowed hooks went way down (female gills are the worst, as they seem to nibble more). Same with crawler fishing for trout, we set the hook on the first hard rap--missing a few fish is better than performing a low percentage surgery streamside. As a general rule, a brief millisecond pause with livebait may be alright, but not the ol'e "count to 10 then hit 'em" approach.
Well this evening I witnessed once again EXACTLY my concerns with Lindy Rigging. We had a boat pull up on us, and hook a nice 18-19 inch fish. hooked it using about a 6 foot lindy rig set up. As I watched they ripped the hook out of the walleyes guts repeatedly, and then tossed the fish overboard as it was in the protected slot. The fish immediately went belly up. Nobody in the boat made any effort to net the fish that lay belly up 2 feet from the boat. I couldn't help myself watching this, and voiced my opinion. I was frustrated with the whole deal. I watched 1 fish caught and 1 killed via Lindy Rig. This is not an exception to the rule. I have fished plenty of lindy rigs over the past 25 years. Nope they didn't keep it. Actually the fish was completely wasted!!! Very unfortunate!! So in 2 days of fishing I've caught 2 big fish with hooks in there guts, and witnessed firsthand a fish killed with Lindy rig fishing . We ended up landing 10 fish in the protected slot this evening with 8 going 21-25 inches. All on jigs, and all released to be the next 30 inch fish Trust me I've fished jigs all year long, and they are biting on jigs very very well.
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
The hooking mortality study done on Rainy in 06 & 07 revealed that walleyes caught in deep water along with excessive handling time were also key factors.
The walleyes that are weak or don't make it are easy meals for pike, eagles, pelicans, gulls, snapping turtles, etc. although I don't consider it beneficial because they were eating well before c & r.
I found using spinners while trolling that the fish were on the hook right away in the mouth and only a couple were deep hooked and both happened to have a date with the fillet house.
Although I agree 90 percent with ole RD I must admit my personal penchant for Lindy Rigging. It takes a lot of time and skill to get as "jiggy" as you and Lindy's make it easier for the average "joe" to get a meal of tasty Walleye. I have jigged, rigged, cranked, slow death, planer boarded the land of sky blue waters and have yet to loose a walleye to deep hook mortality. (yes I am crossing my fingers) but I do see your point and will be jigging like a mad man taking your lead next week. Keep up the good work we all appreciate your updates and photos.
Great name by the way!!! LOL! Just the fact that you are aware of POTENTIAL hooking mortality due to Lindy rigging means to me that if you begin to see signs of problems on days with killing fish or having numerous fish swallowing your presentations that you would change your tactics if need be. Kudos to you my friend!!! Jig-em up!! It's a 4 season deal here! Hey 90 percent isn't bad either! Usually I'm hoping for a strong 70%, but with 100% conviction!
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
As we move later into the season and the world famous Rainy Lake walleyes decide that 40 plus foot of water is a nice place to be how do you feel about "fizzing" bladders so they do not explode? Its all about letting the slot fish become 30 inch "photo of a lifetime fish". Or do we just crank em up REAL SLOW.
Very good question!!!! Here is my opinion on the matter. I make an effort during periods such as fall when fish are available in deep haunts to either be very very careful with the fish are leave them be. Let me say that I have a couple spots that produce that are deep, and not just in the fall. I may hit them for a big fish or two during guide trips. If customers can't reel the fish in slow we don't go, and trust me we discuss this before fishing these locations. Yes bring in the fish slow. Which can be said for fish in depths of 30 plus in my opinion. IF you have a fish that you do not intend to keep that has a air bladder in the mouth I have carefully pricked the bladder to allow the fish to return to the bottom with a pin or hook. I am not for certain the well being of the fish afterwards, and if I see this as a pattern would rather leave the school and find fish in shallower water. I do know that fish with an air bladder in their mouth left that way will die for certain. If Uffda is reading this thread I would be interested in his opinion on this matter, and if the DNR has a take on Hooking Mortality when it pertains to fish that have an air bladder in their mouth due to rapid pressure changes. If purged or pricked to release the air pressure will the fish live longterm after it swims back to the bottom??? VERY GOOD QUESTION UNCLE TOUCHY!! I am just passing on what I do in those cases, but don't honestly know the true impacts on the fish longterm.
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
Hope you enjoy my posts as much as I enjoy writing them!!
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
Unless my understanding of anatomy is incorrect that isn't the air bladder extending out into the fish's mouth. That would be the stomach inverted and pushed out the mouth by the air bladder that has expanded inside of the body cavity. When a guy thinks about it... how is the air bladder to get past the stomach? So it must be the stomach, right?
If indeed that is the stomach then putting a hole in the stomach would cause a pretty nasty ulcer if the fish was somehow able to re-invert its stomach. Those stomach acids have to go some place and my hunch tells me they would do a slow leak into the body cavity.
Is there a doctor in the house?
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
So the curiousity gets the best of me and off I went to find any info available on this. Most DNR sites, at least those that offer any info on how to care for fish taken from deep water, refer to the "air bladder" sticking out of the mouth of the fish.
Other sites, those offering more technical information, referenced the stomach as being the tissue sticking out of the throat.
"The fish swim bladder system is too complex to discuss in detail here. In general, it's comparable to a gas filled balloon with its opening tied off, and gasses diffuse in or out of the bladder from blood flowing around it. This method of gas exchange is where the problems arise because it's slow. When fish make large changes in depth, they must go through a decompression or recompression process that is time consuming.
When you catch fish in deep water, the depth change is too rapid for fish to compensate and the compressed air in their bladder expands - they float! This condition is worse in summer when fish also experience an increase in water temperature at the surface.
An over-inflated swim bladder is not the only problem that fish may experience when they make a quick ascent from deep water. Gas bubbles often form in blood vessels, gills, the brain and under the skin. There can be internal bleeding. At times, stomachs push up through the throat and out the mouth or tissues and organs burst."
My vote is stomach and Chris would seem to be offering the best advice going on how to care for these deep water fish. If you truely do care for their long-term survival... if the stomach is sticking out of the fish you are catching... it is time to go find some fish in shallow water.
-------------------- James Holst - In-Depth Outdoors TV Host IDA Guides Guide Service
Ph. 507-271-0362
Yes I would have to agree that its time to look for shallow fish. I only bring it up not because I "fizz" my walleye catches but I know plenty of PWT (RIP) and FlW pros that "fizz". When you are fishing for a check and a sponsor is it really any different than the fishing that we do here on IDO. I was really looking for more information from RD what the "local" practice is on Rainy Lake. Sak,Lake Francis Case, Erie, Bay de Noc, Columbia River all those places the guides probably won't encourage you to not fish deep if they are looking for a 400.00 a day check plus tip. I would certainly change my methods and target nasty, naughty pike on the reefs if I could only find the tasty walleye in 45 foot depths. Hell I will just hire RD to take me out on the Rainy River. I know that he can find shallow walleye and hefty sturgeon in the late fall.
I figured you might have a little insight on this matter. I think regardless of the body parts sticking out of the walleyes mouth you are correct. If it is happening change your routine, and leave those fish alone. It can't be good.
Hey UT!! I'm guiding at 4:00 pm. Taking a half-day... Life of leisure... Ahhh One more walleye cocktail hold the umbrella please! Not into that sissy stuff! LOL! Actually I'm guiding in a customers boat today, so I'm just filling my pockets with H20's. Surely should have s barb stuck in my leg by the time I jump in his boat. Ready to roll!!!! It has been spitting rain on and off all day which we desperately needed. I figured it would as I started watering the hayfield atop the mountain yesterday. Hasn't stopped raining since. LOL! Mark my word the animals will be pairing up soon.
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
LOL!!! I think I have you pegged now Uncle Touchy!!! I was racking my brain. Are you by chance fishing with good Ole RD on Oct. 18th?? And Yes I am a flat out BARGAIN!!! Just ask me! LOL!
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
Just offering another insight. I have a degree in Biology, but haven't practiced with it much other than personally since I received it. I did not read either of the above links, but when I generally see what ever piece of anatomy sticking out of the fishes mouth I think air bladder.
Here my logic, right or wrong... The mouth is connected to the esophagus is connected to the stomach. It would then seem that considering the opening leads directly back to the mouth that air could escape from the stomach... Now there could be some type of trap door at the end of the esophagus that could prevent that and allow the air bladder to push the stomach back out. The next time you clean fish take a good look a the tissue that makes up the air bladder and the stomach. Air distending that tissue could make the stomach tissue thin, but the air bladder tissue seems to have more white in it than the stomach which seems to be more brownish. Again like I said just a different logic.
The interesting thing is that until I fished guided on Lac Suel, I would never consider fishing over 30' for this very reason. Let me first say that this camp practices C&R for any 'eyes over the 18" slot period, replicas only. We consistently fished with our guides at that 30' depth down to maybe 40', but never any deeper!!! Now we could have had some mortality (delayed or otherwise), but after fishing those areas for a week and I am sure the guides and camp owner (who guided most every day) all season, that if he felt he was loosing fish stocks he would have made policy changes to fishing in that way.
In the two years we made it up there, I only remember loosing one fish right away at boat side and we caught that from 24' of water. I remember that the guide we were fishing with that day said the camp owner didn't like seeing that coming from his boats. Delayed mortality never was really seen and we fished literally the same spots most of the week.
Bottom line: if air bladder/stomach bloating is/are killing fish, I agree its time to find other shallower fish period!!!
It should be interesting as I have a client who is consistently catching fish on one of the local bodies of water and he is telling me that he is fishing in 50' of water. He has offered to take me fishing and I would like to go with to see if the technique can be applied to shallower water. But I am also struggling with this issue if I go. There is no slot limit, so I can consume the large fish if they were to die, but I rarely like to keep any female larger than 17" if I can get away with it.
My 2 Cents on Lindy Rigging
Chris are you saying you actually have to use a hook and line up on Rainy to catch Walleye? All this time I just assumed you drove the boat around and they hopped in. 
Re: My 2 Cents on Lindy Rigging
