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Mid-Summer Crappies & Early/Late Ice Walleye
Mid-Summer Crappies
Lure: Rattl’N Vibe
Line: Yo-Zuri 20 lb test SuperBraid
Colors: Glow, Glow Perch, Wonderbread
Location: Lilypads or grass in 4′ of water or less adjacent to a sharp drop into 10′ of water or more.
Scenario:Crappie metabolism is at its peak in mid-summer and the fish feed on bigger prey. Using a 2 1/8″, 5/8 oz. Rattl’N Vibe in the new Glow, Glow Perch, and Wonderbread patterns from 30 minutes before sunset to 15 minutes after sunset close to the edge of lilypads and/or grass can be dynamite for big slabs. Letting the lure fall to halfway down in the water column and varying the cadence with up to 4 reel crank turns followed by a pause can elicit some dynamite strikes.
Early and Late Ice Season Walleyes
Lure: Rattl’N Vibe Mini
Line: Yor-Zuri 4 lb test Ice Hybrid or TopKnot fluorocarbon
Colors: Glow, Glow Perch, Wonderbread
Location: Sand/Rock Flats in 10′ of water or less
Scenario: Early and late season ice walleyes are voracious predators as they begin to pack on weight for the upcoming winter and then for the spawn respectively. The Rattl’N Vibe Mini is a great lure choice because it can be worked aggressively for active fish, but at 1 5/8″ and 3/16 oz., it is small enough that it can be effective for more finicky eaters as well. Using it with or without live bait works great for early and late season ice walleyes.