Lake Erie World Record Walleye

There have been numerous reports of large walleye being caught in Lake Erie this polar vortexed winter. Many are exaggerated beyond belief or just not true. The ranges are 37 to 41 inches in length and 17 to 19 lbs. No actual pics or certified weights have been produced. That's all changed now.

Grant McAllister of Toronto is a fishing nut. The kind like father Walleye or the Lindberg Flash, live to fish is an understatement. Grant a former guide is a walleye pro with experience on numerous tournament trails, including the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail, Tournament Trail and Quinte Fishing Series. This outing was with friends and while catching many large fish this was his PB, personal best. after posting on facebook he was told of the possible world record status.

The current Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame World Record, Division #4 - Ice Fishing, Catch and Release, Longest (only) Pole/Line, Walleye, is currently occupied by two 34-inchers in a tie. Grant's measured 35.3 inches long and weighed a whopping 14-pounds 10-ounces.

McAllister's approach to catching big fish is a one-two punch of calling them in and seducing them to bite with two vastly different jigging cadences.

"I'm a huge advocate of understanding jig cadence. After a lot of trial and error, my typical cadence involves two high lifts of the PK Spoon four or five feet, three short lifts of a foot, then three or four bangs on the bottom. Then repeat. Since I'm really ripping it, I go through a lot of minnows, something most guys don't do. But it's huge in drawing these big fish in. Then, once I have them on the flasher, it's like teasing a cat with a string."

The 'cat on a string' program is very much a finesse game, the goal being to get the walleye to slowly rise in the water column until it has no choice but to eat the bait.

Develope your own program and...

Get Outdoors Downriver.