I have located where the walleyes are holding, my problem is I am fishing on a very fast flowing river, the fish are holding in a cut made from a slight turn in the river. I am using nightcrawlers with a small split shot about five to seven inches from hook. I can feel and see the bite, but I am having a hard time getting a hookset. I know it’s walleyes as I have caught five already. Do I give them line as some have suggested, or hang on to the pole and try to feel when to set the hook. HELP I AM SO CONFUSSED.

Although many different fishermen will give different suggestions, there are really several different ways of catching, snagging and reeling in those walleyes. When you are fishing on a river that is fast flowing, it can be difficult to determine when the walleye is actually biting at the bait. For this reason the best solution in many situations is to give the line a bit of slack. Let the walleye think it has the food and is getting away, and then when you feel the tug harder than as if it were a simple nibble at the lure or bait, this is the time to attempt to reel it in. The split being five to seven inches from the hook is pretty good. In addition, be sure that the lure you are using is visible for the walleye in the concept that it can get a good grab or bite at it. Then as stated before, give it a bit of slack in the line as if it were getting away with it. By using this method not only do the walleye think they are getting away, but in essence the walleye are grabbing harder at the bait or lure as well. This catches more walleye. In fact, by using night crawlers the walleye actually attempt to swallow the bait. This snags them rather quickly and also in a more secure fashion, allowing no opportunity for the walleye to free itself once the hook snags it. The best suggestion would be to give the line a little more slack and go from there. You should find that catching, snagging, and reeling in the walleye will be much easier to do.