Back to Basics Walleye Fishing

We are in a rapidly changing time period in the walleye fishing world. It seems every time we walk through the fishing aisle at our favorite bait shop or scroll through an online store we see a new lure. On social media, we see “pro-staff” members sharing their review of the latest bait we have not yet heard of. Many of the articles we read and videos we watch highlight how these new baits are the next big thing in walleye fishing and teach us everything we need to know to rig and use them. In this rapidly changing time period, many anglers have really lost sight of where they came from and how they caught fish so many years before.

A History Lesson

What is the cause for this rapid change in the walleye fishing market? Are walleyes evolving to the point they are harder to catch? Have the skill levels of anglers increased over the years? Decreased? Let’s take a look at the history of walleye fishing and also the fish themselves.

Walleye are considered a “modern” fish. Fisheries biologists and researchers credit the Devonian period for the rise of these modern fish we see and catch today. This period in time was approximately 400 million years ago. It was not until roughly 20,000-40,000 years ago we began seeing fishing hooks appear in history. To sum it up; fish, in particular walleyes, have been around long before we started trying to catch them.

In the past century, the water bodies in which we target these fish have had drastic changes as well. In the mid-1930s, work began on one of the world’s largest earthen dams, Kingsley Dam, on what is now Lake McConaughy. Also around this time, work began on the Missouri River dams that would create one of the most popular walleye fisheries in the country. From the 1930s through the 1950s, the dams of the Missouri River were built. As these dams were completed, the legendary Missouri River walleye fisheries were born.

Along with these fisheries, it is only fitting the angler who would transform the sport of walleye fishing was born. Bob Propst Sr, who is widely considered to be the father of modern walleye fishing and one of the greatest walleye fisherman of all time, began building his fishing dynasty on Lake McConaughy in western Nebraska. By his side, was close friend and neighbor, Tom Osborne. Osborne, a Hall of Famer in his own field, was in the process of building his own dynasty. This dynasty would bring three National Championships to the University of Nebraska football program. Their friendship came from fishing during the exact time they were both excelling.

In the 1980s, Propst brought his skills to the Missouri River in South Dakota. In addition to being one of, if not the first, walleye fishing guides in the area he continued to revolutionize the walleye fishing industry. From bottom bouncers to lead core line, Propst was a pioneer in the tactics we use in modern walleye fishing today.

Bob Propst Sr was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 1993. His son, Bob Jr, also carries the Propst name proudly across the walleye belt. Using lessons learned from his father, Jr found himself atop the podium in both 2006 and 2007 in Professional Walleye Tour (PWT) events at none other than Lake Francis Case in South Dakota. To date, Jr has amassed an impressive tournament resume all across the country. He continues to guide and compete in local tournaments at both Lake McConaughy and the Missouri River in South Dakota. In 1995, the third generation of the Propst Dynasty, Mason, was born.

As the 2020 decade begins, Mason, now in his mid-20s, starts his legacy as a professional angler in a completely different world. Both the Missouri River and Lake McConaughy have booming fishing guide businesses. Anglers are equipped with technology that allows them to lock their boat in place with the click of a button, watch fish bite their lures on electronics and have more baits in their tackle box than ever before. In this new age of walleye fishing, is it the technology an angler has to work with or is it still their skill set that comes into play? Let’s take a look at what allows an angler to have consistent success.

Reasons for Success

With so many advancements in the fishing industry, one would think that the angler who has the most money invested into their gear is going to have the most success right? Let’s take a look at what made these legends into what they are today.

Bob Propst Sr did not have the success he did because he was the most advanced technological angler on the market. Yes, he had a brilliant mind when it came to fishing and led to the equipment we have today, but that was not what gave him such great success. Propst’s success was because he could find fish. Once he found the fish, he could figure out what they wanted. Whether it was a split shot and a nightcrawler or a small black jig, because he was on fish he let the fish tell him. The lessons he shared with his son and grandson were where to find fish and that is what has led them to the success they experience today.

I am a firm believer that 90% of fishing is being on fish. Of the final 10%, 9% is giving them what they want and 1% is executing and having fun catching fish. The logic to this simple. The best looking bait I can have will not catch fish if there are no fish to be caught. It might be exactly what they want to bite on, but if they are not there they will not have the opportunity to bite.

By contrast, if I am on fish but have no idea what they want that is not going to result in failure. If I am on the fish, I can let them tell me what they want. All I need to do is keep an open mind and be willing to experiment. If you spend enough time at the local bait shop, watching fishing shows and reading articles the number one rule you will hear is “never leave fish to find fish.” Once you have found them, the hard part is over. Bob Propst Sr found fish and that means he caught fish. It’s just that simple.

Simple Yet Effective

The next time you walk through the bait shop or consider what you should tie on, remember what got us to where we are today. We are still fishing for the same fish that Bob Propst Sr, Tom Osborne and Mike McClelland were all fishing for. The fish have not changed. We as anglers and the walleye fishing industry have changed. Anglers who spend their time making sure they have the perfect layout on their sonar display, the nicest custom rod on the market and the hottest new bait are more than likely going to struggle on the water. Why is this?

In this time period in walleye fishing history, this is what we have been taught to focus on. Can the most advanced sonar help us find fish? Absolutely, but this is directly related to the lessons from decades ago…finding fish is key. Can the nicest custom rod feel a bite that a $20 rod might not? Sure, but you still have to be on the fish to get that bite. Is the hot new bait going to coax so many more fish into biting? Maybe, but you still have to be on the fish to find out.

The fish have not changed. At the end of the day, an angler’s skills in both finding fish and letting the fish tell them what they want will still be what is the biggest factor in them finding consistent success. It may be a new age in walleye fishing for us anglers, but that does not mean you need the fancy equipment to catch fish. Tie a plain jig and minnow on to your Ugly Stik. Pull a split shot with a crawler behind your “retro” Lund boat. If there are fish below you and you listen to them, you are going to catch them.

As the next generation of walleye anglers take to the water, we begin writing the next chapter in walleye fishing. Will the new-age fisherman rigged with the latest advancements be who reign superior? Will it be anglers who still use the same methods they did in the 1980s and 1990s? If I had to guess, it will be the anglers who can appreciate both that will rise to the top. Anglers like Mason Propst who have learned lessons from their father and grandfather, but are willing to embrace the modern advancements to further enhance their abilities. It will be interesting to see, but one thing is true: it is an exciting time to be a walleye angler!

Learn More

Mason Propst joined The Midwest Angler Podcast to discuss growing up in a walleye fishing family, traveling with his dad on tour and also shares tips and tricks for the Missouri River and Lake McConaughy! Listen right here!