The Ultimate Late Fall Bay of Quinte Walleye Fishing Guide

SNAP WEIGHTS

Some of these plugs run simply fine on their own without adding weight, however, there are times when an angler needs to add some weight. Maybe the lure is too small to get to the desired depth, maybe the bill on the crankbait does not pull the bait quite deep enough. Us long-line trollers of Quinte use a sneaky method of getting that extra depth all while trying not to spook the fish. We use a system called snap weights (again Tom Gustar was doing this the “odd” time when required).

Older versions of snap weights were long and cylindrical, the latest models have “fish” shapes to look more natural to gamefish.

Let’s say the majority of fish on your finder are down 35-40 feet. Now let’s say the bait you are running is only hitting 22 feet deep max at 200 feet back and you know you need to be near 30+ feet. Adding weight is the easiest way to gain that depth. However, you may have to add 1 or 2 or maybe even 3 ounces. The question is won’t this much weight just up from the bait alter the action of the bait and possibly spook the fish?

Not with snap weights.

These ingenious devices are designed to snap onto the fishing line “well” ahead of the lure. So, if you are running that 200 feet back that I just mentioned, you snap the weight on your line after you have let 50 – 75 feet out. That puts the weight a way out in front of the bait.

Start with 1 ounce and then add if necessary.

INLINE PLANER BOARDS VS MAST

For most weekend Quinte Walleye trollers, inline boards are much easier to deal with than a full mast setup. Ultimately the mast idea may possibly equate to more efficiency in that once a fish hits, the line releases, and the angler is free to fight the fish. That’s a maybe though.

With inline planer boards, the board stays attached during the first part of the fight. Once the board is to the boat, it is removed and then the angler fights the fish until either they reach the snap weight or the fish. It sounds less efficient than the mast setup but once used to the system, it becomes smooth sailing.

I personally love inline planer boards. They are small, they are convenient, and they are fun to use.

I will warn you though, the price of these little suckers might make you gulp a bit. They go for around 50 bucks each. If you want to modify the clips, flags, etc, up goes the price. Normally you will need one per angler. On Quinte past the Glenora ferry (Lake Ontario side) you can run 2 lines per angler (see below in IS IT LEGAL TO RUN TWO LINES?). The price can add up BUT… it’s so worth it when you hit a 10-plus!

The left image is an inline planer board. The line from the rod attaches to the front clip (closest to the flag) and then to the rear clip which then goes back to the weight and lure. This board is reeled in with the fish.

The right image is a mast style planer board which is set out “one time” attached to a strong mast line which is attached to a mast (fixed post). Fishing lines are clipped on to the mast line and release when a fish bites, allowing for a resistance-free fight.

Both work well.

RODS AND REELS

I’ll start with the rod selection here as it is not as complicated. If you are running inline boards, then you need a beefy rod that can handle the weight of the board pounding in waves. Downrigger action rods are excellent here especially if you already own some for Downrigging. If you need to purchase a rod, there are specialty planer board rods available. Just make sure you get a long rod (8+ feet) and it has a soft “parabolic” action. Do not buy a stiff rod, especially from the tip to the mid-section.

If you run mast style boards, then a medium-heavy walleye rod will do simply fine. Most people that run these boards are already set up with their favourite rigs.

The reel selection here is much more precise than the rod selection. Line counter reels are a must if you want to consistently put fish in the boat. There is a huge difference in fishing 95 feet back vs 195 feet back from your boards. And even more important is the ability to replicate what is working. If you are getting fish at 195 feet back, then you need to stay that distance until the fish stop biting. Then and only then should you try something different.

TROLLING SPEEDS

This is something you are going to have to figure out for yourselves. I could give you specific numbers here, but I’d only be looking to BS you. It is all about trial and error. I will say though, a GPS is a must if you want the ultimate in speed control.

Avid trollers have a few tricks up their sleeves to help get that boat moving at the proper pace.

Drift socks (sea anchors) are the most convenient and economical way to slow down that big 250 horse beast. Running one on each side of the boat can do wonders in slowing the pace.

If your boat is equipped with Power-Pole shallow water anchors, then you can add an option called drift paddles. Since our Princecraft has Power Poles installed, we decided to try the paddles last year. They worked perfectly! What a treat to use. The deeper you send them, the slower you will go.

IS IT LEGAL TO RUN TWO LINES?

As I stated in the planer board section, anglers can take advantage of a long-time Great Lakes fishing rule in where they can run two lines per person so long as they are in the properly designated area. That area on The Bay of Quinte starts at the Glenora ferry line in the Adolphus Reach. So long as the angler’s lures are in the water, on the Lake Ontario side of the ferry line, 2 rods/lines are permitted per angler.

Continue to Page 4 for more of Pete’s Ultimate Fall Bay of Quinte Walleye Fishing Guide

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