Ask the Walleye Pro: Pat Byle
Q: Do you guys ever get nervous fishing competitively for so much money? Does it ever affect your strategy? Do people ever fish for points rather than fish for a victory?
-Dean Korngable, Oshkosh, Wis.
A: Great questions, Dean. Let’s take them one at a time. Nervousness is something that can affect even the most seasoned veteran. I can recall thinking about the monetary rewards 10 years ago, when payouts were only 10 percent of what they are today. However, the key to performing at the highest level is to remain focused on the task at hand. I could not tell you the payouts for the top spots on any given tournament, and it’s not something I think about prior to any tournament.
To your second question, most pros would tell you that they are competing to win, and rarely will you hear a pro comment that he or she changed their strategy just to cash a check.
Lastly, to your question on fishing for points, it is extremely rare for me to consider changing my game plan to fish for points. In all cases, I plan my approach for each day of the tournament, basing decisions on giving myself the best chance to win, and in most cases, this results in the points I need.
Q: When both the pro and the co-angler are trolling for walleyes, how do you decide who plays the fish when you get a bite?
-Steve Richards, Rockford, Ill.
A: Hi, Steve. Thanks for the question. Ask any two pros this question and you’re likely to get two different answers, but for me, this decision is an easy one. If you consider how many things can go wrong from the time a fish is hooked to the time it reaches the boat, it is clear that the angler with the most experience should be reeling in the fish.
In most cases, I will play the fish, making certain that my co-angler is clear on how and when to go for the fish with the net. This approach has served me well, and in 15 years of tournament fishing, I could probably count on two hands the number of fish I have lost or missed at the net.
Q: When I fish for walleyes, I like to use Lindy Rigs. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding if I am dragging through weeds or if I am getting a bite. One time, I swore I had a weed only to find out it was the biggest walleye of my life.
-Brent Schara, Huron, Ohio
A: Hi, Brent. It’s great to hear that someone out there is still going after walleyes with this classic method. Experience is most certainly the best teacher when it comes to differentiating between a weed and a bite, but here are a couple tips.
First, just like when fishing a jig, treat anything unusual as if it is a strike. Light-biting walleyes will often feel like nothing more than a little extra weight on the line. There may be no clear pop or tap that is so evident with actively feeding fish.
I recommend immediately dropping your rod tip and free-spooling line to allow the fish to move freely with the bait. Often times you will see the fish begin to take line as it moves away and swallows your bait.
You might also want to consider using a low-stretch line such as Berkley Fire Line. This will significantly increase sensitivity, but may cause trouble when landing fish due to the unforgiving nature of this line. To compensate, look to a softer rod with a slower taper. Use the superline from the reel to your swivel and then use a traditional monofilament for your leader to provide a cushion. Hope this is helpful, and best of luck on the water.
Pat Byle is a veteran of the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, having fished competitively in each year of its existence. Byle has also fished professionally on the Professional Walleye Trail and Master’s Walleye Circuit. The Hartford, Wis., native has earned over $75,000 on the FLW Walleye tour and has qualified for the season-ending championship in four consecutive seasons. Byle’s sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude and Minn Kota.