Rigging for walleye

Hey all

new to the forum and a new resident on Nip from the vicinity of Sandy Island. Season has been good so far despite the intense heat (and high lake temps precluding me musky fishing some days).

the walleye haul has been steady but on the small side, roughly 25% fish being >18in. I've been mostly working cranks down 15ft in 25-30 fow around open water structure topping out at about 8ft along the south shore and in upper french.
Any tips to target bigger fish? I've thought of deploying my downriggers in the main channel of the french or to get my baits down to 20+ft mark elsewhere on the main basin and was curious if that's something other anglers are utilizing.

Thanks for any info. See you guys out there, I'm running a black Legend boat perhaps you've seen me out there already this year!

Cheers

Hey man! I love downrigging on Nip. So very consistent no matter the time of year. You rarely slay 'em but the fish are generally bigger.

But if you're getting 25% over 18 inches... don't change anything.

I've been using lead core and split black and silver rapalas and my number of keepers is about the same in the main basin.Havent been able to weather the heat to take much time to fish some areas around the mouth of the French that I typically do well around.Pretty good stats...like Sterling says,if it ain't broke don't fix it!

I’ve been living on Nipissing just over 5 years now and this has been my best year for keepers by far. But I still don’t think my ratio is > 25%. You are doing great by my standards!

First, must admit I’m not a great walleye fisherman, prefer Bass and Pike. Go to Lake Erie a lot but that is different. When on Nipissing I try a floating worm harness (make myself) with a worm, attach to a bottom bouncer and try to keep it just off the bottom. I then use a planner board to take the rig away from the boat and noise.

Like the deeper waters in Hay Narrows

If you're getting 25% of your fish in the keeper slot, don't change a thing. That's a very good ratio.

If you want to try down rigging, find a very deep shoal...say 28-35 surrounded by 45-50 feet of water. Down rig a worm harness over that shoal and you'll land bigger fish.

I wouldn't change a thing though IMO...

I like the looks of that rig, Antique Fisherman. Is that a spin and glow?