To Tip or NOT to Tip... That is the question

[wakina]

I understand that I is not a cost issue... And I have no issues with "touching" worms or shiners... But if I don't need to worry about it and it makes no difference then I won't mess with them.

I don't need to worry about getting the aerator and fresh batteries, an extra trip to the bait store, the slight mess on the boat, or any of that if it has no bearing on the catch.

I am more just asking for informational purposes... I guess this week I'll just try both and post my results.

-Matt

I guess that what I was trying to say is that you will have some cash invested in your trip and it would be a shame not to at least have some shiners along even if you did not have to use them, just in case the eyes are not as aggressive when you are out there, it could or may save your trip. But that has to be a personal decision that would best be answered by your own personal experience after you have a few trips under your belt. Sounds like the spawn is happening rather fast this year with the number of spawned out females that are showing up. The closer to being over it is the less aggressive the males will become. The reason I say that is that walleye tend to be finicky fish and not all that predictable in what they would strike or bite. They may just want shiners when you don't have any along. That was my thought when I posted my first reply.

By the way walleyes are broadcast spawners and do not build a nest and they do not have the protective nature that a small mouth would. Highly unlikely they are guarding eggs as the eggs that are fertilized are free fallen eggs and are not concentrated like they would be if layed in a prepared nest and the male would not know where the eggs were located as they would be spread out all over.