Fishing Summer Walleye in Weeds

In the heat of summer, walleye gather extensively amidst tall, lush, broadleaf weeds. This vegetation offers shelter for walleye and serves as a haven for their favorite prey; young of the year perch. Your attention should be focused on these areas, but navigating through dense weed beds to fish these summer walleye hotspots requires a strategic approach, as explained by Colt Anderson in this Virtual Angling exclusive video.
Anderson emphasizes the importance of first locating these weed beds. For anglers without sophisticated electronics, he suggests using polarized glasses on calm days to visually scan shallow waters. Alternatively, technology like Humminbird Side Imaging and Garmin LiveScope expedite the process, enabling anglers to pinpoint weed lines and identify fish within them. Anderson utilizes these electronics along with his bow-mounted MinnKota trolling motor to meticulously survey weed beds, focusing on areas with tall, healthy stalks. He notes that small corners, pockets, and transitions in substrate within the weed beds are prime spots to target.
The dense cover provided by these weeds creates optimal habitat for large summer walleye. Anderson mainly targets the edges and irregularities along these weed lines, which act as natural pathways for fish movement. These edges not only provide access to deep water but also offer shelter and ambush spots, making them attractive to predatory walleye during warm weather.
When fishing, Anderson also advises anglers to consider the wind direction, favoring the windblown side of the weed line-whether shallow or deep-as fish often congregate there to feed.
Anderson’s preferred method for targeting these walleye is using a slip bobber with a leech. This setup allows anglers to fish effectively within weed beds without snagging, as the bobber hangs parallel to the stalks and keeps the bait in the strike zone for extended periods, increasing the chances of getting bites.
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[@Indyjeeplover]

Back fifty years ago before electronics you’d find the weed edge then fish ten feet either side

[@VirtualAngling]

Solid approach!