Walleyes

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Potomac River

I wanted to share one my best times on the river so far. Within 1 hour and 45 minute window, standing in one spot on shore, I managed to land six really nice walleye. Of the six, three of them were citation class!

I left the house with what I thought may be not-so-great conditions. There was a strong easterly wind, and the weather had been a little unstable, 1st quarter moon. I hit a traffic jam on the way and almost turned around to go home.

When i arrived at the river, the wind was blowing hard upstream, in my face, and made casting and working lures difficult. I started off with various soft plastics, and a small tight wobbling XPS minnow. After about 45 minutes w/o a bite during tough conditions my confidence was dropping.

I kept casting and started trying different lures and retreives. The first fish bit a bomber worked slow and steady and was 26 inches long, 6 and a half pounds. Next fish bit within minutes, felt big, but came undone. A few casts later a 3rd fish was on, this one measured 26.5 inches and 7.9 pounds!

Some time passed after these two without any action. I began trying different lures, and soon after trying a HJ10 another fish on! This one was 23 and a half inches long and 5.25 pounds. Minutes later a 4th fish was on- smaller, but still nice at 19.5 inches and 3.25 pounds.

Again time passed without a bite, and i began trying different options. Minutes after tying on a XR12 in a similar color as the other productive lures a nice fish was on the line. This one fought hard and made drag pulling runs 3 times as it neared shore and avoided the net! I was lucky to land the best of the night, also 26.5 inches but 8.1 pounds.

40 minutes passed without any more action, as i tried different lures. Eventualy a XPS minnow enticed the last fish of the night. a 22 and a half inch 4.75 pounder.

After such great action I fished another hour and a half up and down the bank at various spots, but found no more fish. When i left home i thought the conditions were not so great, but it goes to show, sometimes they'll surprise you! It's truly amazing to experience fishing like this, on shore, with light tackle, and lures.