It's one of “those” kind of days on the water; hot and muggy, and your attitude isn't real good. You're out in the open water, trolling over loads of fish that you know are walleyes because that's what you caught here last year. But this time around you check every once in awhile to see if your electronic fish finder is in the "simulation" mode, because not one of the hundreds of hooks moving across the screen is making any kind of attempt at hitting your crankbaits.

The situation doesn't make sense. The water is warm, so the fish's metabolism must be high (meaning they should be “active”). The weather is perfect -- just sunny and hot for the last few days. But your “high action crankbait” which simply slayed them last year is being ignored. The problem could very well be something you can't see. This year there may have been an outstanding hatch of mayflies or baitfish and those walleyes suspending beneath the boat are tight as melons after feasting for the past weeks. They're full and not in the mood to dash after your crank. You've got to give them a little dessert. And spinners trailing a juicy nightcrawler can make a splendid final course for an over-stuffed walleye.