Walleye Wizardry

2016/7/18 14:07:50

Ontario has more and better walleye fishing opportunities than anywhere else on earth. Pick your favourite water from the Bay of Quinte and the Kawartha Lakes in southern Ontario, Lake Nipissing and the St. Mary's River in Northeastern Ontario, the myriad opportunities across the North Shore of Lake Superior, especially around Wawa and White River, clear over to Lac des Milles Lac, Eagle Lake, Lac Seul, Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods in the northwest.

If there was a Walleye Water Hall of Fame, every one of these lakes, rivers and reservoirs would be in it, along with Lake Erie, of course.

Erie may be the smallest of the Great Lakes, but when it comes to walleye fishing, the 9,940 square mile Mecca is king of the castle.

And no one knows this better than Greg Horoky, a veteran Lake Erie charterboat captain with more than 30 years of experience under his belt. Horoky was also the first Canadian ever to win a Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) Tournament.

But, it is what the walleye wizard has done recently that is turning so many heads. He has transforming his boat - and yours - into a classroom.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to catch walleye in Lake Erie," says Horoky, "yet I'm amazed, how many anglers, with well-equipped boats, pull into the docks having caught few or no fish.

"That's why, in addition to offering charters, I've added a new service, teaching anglers in their own boats. Either way, I want my customers to take home more than just fish. I want them to learn how to successfully fish for walleye, whether they're on one of my charters or we unravel the secrets in their vessel."

Having spent plenty of time over the years, researching magazine features with many of the top walleye and bass tournament professionals, I can tell you that Horoky's idea is brilliant. Simply because elite series anglers have spent so much time weeding out what works and what doesn't. So, you will typically learn more in one day fishing with one of them than you will in five or ten years struggling on your own.

Don't believe me? Listen to what Horoky says about some of the things he teaches his guests.

"One of the first is how to use and fine-tune planer boards to spread out your baits. I use Off Shore Tackle's OR-12 models, which come in left and right hand models for each side of the boat. And I surprise most folks when I tell them they don't have to spend a fortune on rods and reels? I use Diawa HLD-DR86M, eight-foot, six-inch trolling rods and AccuDepth Line Counter reels that cost less than $100.00. Don't misunderstand me, good equipment is important, but it is the knowledge between your ears that helps you catch fish."

Such as how to use the wind and waves to your advantage.

"I think most walleye anglers realize that a little wind can be a blessing," says Horoky, "but what they don't know is how to use it to their advantage.

"I always troll downwind, or down hill as I like to call it. It makes boat control so much easier at low speeds ... and I like "easy".

"Drift socks or trolling bags are also essential devices that most walleye anglers overlook. Not only do they help slow down the boat, but they also let you to run your kicker motor at a higher speed giving you better boat control and manoeuvrability. Remember, kicker motors are not designed to putt, putt, putt all day long at minimal speed."

Spending a day on the water with a professional walleye instructor such as Horoky is like skipping high school and going straight to college. That is why I wanted to get his take on running multiple rods and planer boards and understand how he switches them around when he hooks a fish. From everything I have heard, he and his first mate, Tyler Shepley, have got it down to a science.

"Unfortunately, the art of making everything look simple is a very difficult task," chuckles Horoky, who's on the big lake for eight months of the year.

"On Lake Erie, we're allowed two lines per angler, so when we're fishing with multiple boards off each side, we do nothing quickly. Everything is done slowly and deliberately, so we can clear the boards.

"For example, let's look at one side of the boat when we're using four rods and boards on that side with the number one rod being the inside one, closest to the boat.

"First of all, I find that you're going to hook a walleye as well as possible when the rod is the holder and you notice the strike, so there is nothing else you need to do. Now, let's say you get a fish on the furthest outside number four rod.

"Once I see the hit, I'll pass the rod to you and then free spool the reel on the number three rod, allowing the lure to fall back clear of the number four rod's line.

"I'll pass the number three rod over the number four rod and put it in the holder that originally held the number four rod. Then, in the same fashion, I'll place the number two rod into the third holder and the number one rod into the second holder. Everything falls into place allowing you to fight the fish directly behind the boat, where there's lots of room.

"If you've never done it before, try it with just two rods on each side first. Master it and then add a third rod. And so on. It becomes really easy when you get the hang of it. Just remember to take your time, nothing has to happen quickly as long as you keep your rod tip up and pressure on the fish."

Listening to Horoky explain how to catch walleye is like spending a day with Tiger Woods, perfecting your golf game. Or with Wayne Gretzky learning how to shoot a puck.

As friend and fellow outdoor writer, Bill Thompson, told me, "I've spent many days with Greg, working on feature stories, and his walleye knowledge amazes me. Now that he has added this new instructional dimension to his business, an angler can be fishing like a pro in no time. Better yet, you get to pick the classroom, or more correctly, your boat or his. Either way, just remember to bring your cooler."

For more information about Lake Erie walleye fishing, you can contact Horoky at 519-791-5390 or email [email protected]

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