As temperatures drop and lake turnover wraps up, walleyes slide deeper, following baitfish and seeking stable water conditions. Fall may bring fewer bites, but the fish you catch are often your biggest of the year.
Across the Midwest, TFO Ambassadors Travis Sorokie and Chris Meitzner agree: simplicity and subtle changes in presentation can make all the difference once the water cools.
“Simple is often best in the fall,” says Sorokie. “We look for any deeper structure—twenty to forty feet—with wind blowing onto it.”
Those areas—deep breaks, rock piles, and mid-lake humps—become magnets for feeding walleyes as the season progresses.
TFO Ambassador Travis Sorokie heads out for a fall walleye tournament, chasing deep-structure bites under cool Minnesota skies.
When Walleyes Move Deeper
As fall pushes forward, vegetation begins to die back, changing how fish relate to structure and cover.
“As the weeds start to die off in the fall,” Meitzner explains, “the fish will tend to push down deeper off the shallow flats into the basin area. Their metabolism kicks into gear as it starts to get colder and they strap on the feed bag.”
He adds that this is the time to upsize both bait and tackle. “We like to upscale some of our baits in the fall—bigger minnows on a slightly heavier rod like the 7’0” Medium TFO Marble Eye instead of a Medium-Light—for a better hookset when dragging those big minnows around.”
Proven Fall Techniques
1. Lindy Rigging for Big Fall Eyes
This timeless live-bait setup is built for feel and finesse. Rig a #2, #1, or #1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook to a 6-pound fluorocarbon leader (3–8 feet) with a 3/4- to 1-ounce tungsten bullet sinker.
Sorokie favors creek chubs and redtails for their size and liveliness, letting them swim naturally along bottom structure. The key is staying in contact without dragging too aggressively—feel the bite, give the fish a moment, then sweep into a controlled hookset.
The TFO MarbleEye offers the perfect blend of sensitivity and backbone for detecting light bites when rigging or jigging deep-water walleyes.
2. Working Glide Baits Aggressively
When fish are feeding heavy, glide baits like the #9 Rapala Jigging Rap or Moonshine Shiver Minnow can turn an ordinary day into something special.
Meitzner says, “#9 Jiggin’ Raps are my favorite in the fall. Paired up with the Medium-Light Resolve Bass rod is completely unmatched.”
For line setup, Sorokie runs #10 Berkley Fireline, an ant swivel, and a 20-inch #10 fluorocarbon leader with a quick snap for fast lure changes. These baits excel when snapped vertically over deep structure or fished along breaks where walleyes are feeding.
An assortment of glide baits—favorites like the Jigging Rap and Shiver Minnow—ready for aggressive fall walleye presentations.
Rod Recommendations from TFO
Both rods work well for both techniques. The 7’0″ M TFO Marble Eye gets a favorable nod from us once the walleye go for those larger minnows in deeper water (more backbone, better hook-sets).
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7’6” ML TFO Marble Eye – Perfect for detecting subtle Lindy Rig bites while maintaining power for solid hooksets.
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7’0” M TFO Marble Eye – Great for working glide baits where balance and quick tip response matter.
Both lengths offer exceptional feel and backbone—critical when fishing deep structure, where every tick or tap could be a walleye.
TFO MarbleEye spinning rods deliver exceptional sensitivity and balance—perfect for detecting subtle walleye bites in deep, cold water.
Key Takeaway
Fall is a season of transition and opportunity. As weeds die off and walleyes move deep, scaling up your bait and focusing on structure will consistently put more fish in the boat. Whether you’re dragging creek chubs on a Lindy Rig or snapping glide baits through the depths, the right rod and presentation will help you capitalize on the most rewarding bites of the year.
TFO Ambassador Travis Sorokie with a pair of trophy fall walleyes caught while targeting deep-structure fish with classic Minnesota tactics.
An angler holding a large golden walleye on a boat under clear blue skies during a crisp fall morning.
