River rats will rule in Red Wing

Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit

September 30, 2002 • Dave Landahl • Archives

Locals predicted to have advantage at RCL Championship

Twenty-five years ago, RCL pro John Hertensteiner of Victoria, Minn., left Red Wing, Minn., to pursue a career in the fast and furious computer industry. This week he is back pursuing the top title in professional walleye fishing, the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit Championship.

“I never knew how good this river system was until I started fishing the top pro walleye circuits and visiting the likes of Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake, Lake Winnebago, Lake to the Woods, Missouri River, Illinois River and many other trophy waters.” said Hertensteiner.

This week’s RCL Championship is happening along the Mississippi River from the northern boundary of Prescott, Wis., to the southern boundary of Winona, Minn. Hertensteiner said he feels that, between these boundaries, a variety of methods will produce walleyes.

River rats’ techniques revealed

The standard walleye-fishing techniques of jigging, rigging, long-line trolling and casting cranks will all play important roles this week. However, a few of the local “river rats'” secret techniques are fishing wing dams with willow cats and small bullheads, and leadline trolling shad-bodied crankbaits.

“The proper wing-dam fishing technique involves anchoring above one of the many wing damns on the river and either drift willow cats using three-way rigs from the back of the boat or casting willow cats with split shots allowing them to float in and about the rocks,” said Hertensteiner. “Hopefully the willow cats will lure out some of the big walleyes that exist in this stretch of the river.

“Leadline trolling shad-bodied crankbaits is a fishing technique that has been passed down in this area from generation to generation,” said Hertensteiner. “It can be very effective in this stretch o the river.”

To properly troll with leadline, you need to tie a five-foot Fireline leader and attach a shad-imitating crankbait like a Rapala Shad Rap or a Pradco Wally Diver. Troll upcurrent at speeds of 1.5 mph to 2.5 mph. This technique is especially productive in the fall of the year while fishing sand bars and river bends.

River rats’ hot spots

“There are many fishing spots from Winona to Prescott,” said Hertensteiner. “However, I believe the final six anglers will be found somewhere, sometime, fishing these local haunts: Point no Point, Funks Cut, The Ten Dollar Tree, Hole in the Wall, The Maiden Rock Flats, Catfish Slough or Eagles Nest.

“The fishing throughout the past week has been fair to very good,” said Hertensteiner. “Each day has been different due to the changing weather conditions and water clarity due to so much rain. I feel that 14 pounds of fish per day will put you in the final twelve and ultimately fishing with the final six pros on Saturday.”

Don’t discount handlining

“I feel that handlining might play an important role in the final outcome of this championship,” said Ranger pro Rick LaCourse of Port Clinton, Ohio. “A few years ago a major tournament was won here in the fall using the handlining technique. With the water getting so muddy and the current being fairly strong, this method might be very effective.”

Some of the hot lures for handlining the mighty Mississippi are size 7, 9 and 11 floating Rapalas. The best colors include firetiger, gold and black, silver and chartreuse, or gold and orange.

Flatline trolling produces

If handlining is not the answer, flatline trolling broken-back plugs might be.

“I have been doing pretty good during pre-fishing using broken-back, shad-bodied crankbaits,” said LaCourse. “I am working them along drop-offs in various depths, letting out about 80 feet of line.”

Pro predicts heavy weights

LaCourse feels that bigger weights may be needed to ensure an angler a spot in the final two rounds.

“I think that you might need to weigh in a limit of walleyes weighing in the upper teens for the first two days to make the cut,” said LaCourse. “Of course, with the frontal system moving in, you may not need that weight, but this system can produce 20- to 25-pound bags – so you never know.”

The first day’s takeoff will be at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Treasure Island Casino and Resort Marina, (800) 222-7077, located at 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road in Red Wing, Minn.