Whether spread across relatively featureless flats or tucked into some form of distinctive cover, shallow walleyes simply may be reluctant to move or to bite under calm, bright, sunny conditions. Your best attempts at flippin', dippin', pitchin', bobbin', and any other subtle in' may go largely unrewarded. If so, don't simply assume that the fish aren't present. You never know for sure unless you stay long enough to experience one transition period when fish, if present, should reveal themselves during the peak feeding opportunity at sunset. Sometimes, they're simply not there, and a continued nonbite confirms your suspicions. At other times, hocus pocus, it all comes into focus, like suddenly pulling a herd of rabbits out of an empty hat.
PRIMARY PATTERNS AT SUNSET
Play percentages at sunset; you're not out to tease fish into biting, because you've been trying that all day and it hasn't worked yet. Instead, focus on the potential to target fish that suddenly become active and are willing to bite.
Structural layout determines the best tactics. If flats or a lack of cover suggest that walleyes may be spread out across a wide area, use coverage tactics to detect if they're present; place your lure or bait in front of as many 'eyeballs as possible in a short amount of time, coinciding with the change in light levels at sundown. At the other extreme, if distinctive structures concentrate active fish in limited areas, consider a precision casting approach to specific spots that attract feeding walleyes. If you're not sure which system should work best, try a bit of both.
Longline trolling (widespread coverage) -- If conditions indicate that walleyes may be spread across wide areas, forward troll shallow-running minnow-imitators like Rapalas, Rebels, Rogues, ThunderSticks. Spool out 100 feet of line directly behind either corner of the transom and troll forward just fast enough to get baits wiggling. Weedcover shouldn't be much of a problem in early season, with last year's remnant growth seldom rising substantially above bottom. Run lures in the open space between the surface and weed tops, diving near but not snagging the growth. Pump the rod forward occasionally, then drop the rod tip back, to alternately surge and pause the lure to trigger following walleyes. Focus on the 5- to 10-foot levels in most environments.
Fancasting (coverage and precision) -- If modest-sized weedbeds, large reef tops, long shoreline points, flooded timber, or other forms of distinctive shallow cover or structure are present, try fancasting crankbaits across the tops, through lanes in cover, or along shorelines dropping directly to at least 3 to 5 feet of water. Such areas may not be large or deep enough to longline troll; frequently passing over fish in extremely shallow water may spook them. Casting, however, reaches out to the fish, alerting but not scaring them. Use subtle retrieves with occasional pauses. Floating-diving and neutrally buoyant minnow-imitators are good choices down to around 3 to 4 feet; select diving shad baits like Shad Raps to reach a bit deeper if necessary.
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So you tried deep weedlines, deep tips of points, and classic drop-offs during the day for postspawn walleyes -- and the patterns unexpectedly fizzled. Perhaps most fish haven't dropped deep yet and are relating to shallow flats or cover.
Probe shallower cover, the tops of flats, obvious reef tops or points. In spring, 5 to 10 feet may be deep enough to hold walleyes during the day. If, however, the weather's calm with bright skies, and the water's clear, the walleyes may not bite until sunset. Expect a short but intense flurry beginning about 45 minutes before sundown. Be ready with the right presentation.
Smaller spots -- creek inlets, small rock piles -- often are best covered with casting techniques. Slip bobbers excel for stealth in tiny precise spots, while crankbaits are better for fancasting moderate-sized flat areas or along the edges of shoreline cover.
On larger flats with adequate depth -- 5 to 10 feet -- longline troll minnow-imitators above weed tops, rocks, even relatively coverless areas. During low-light periods and at night, active fish likely will rise off bottom and cruise for food, so you don't have to saturate small spots; rather, cover water, occasionally circling back over areas where you hooked fish. If some specific feature seems to attract walleyes, consider switching to a casting technique to probe every nook and cranny. If fish appear randomly scattered, however, trolling remains the best bet.
