Gofron also says a key ingredient for finding early-season walleyes is locating newly emergent weeds. Weedbeds are the dinner table for early-season walleyes because that's where one of their favorite foods -- shiners -- take up residence that time of year.

"I like to look for pockets in the weeds in 3 to 4 feet of water," he points out. "Walleyes are very aggressive when they're tucked in the weeds like this, so there's no need for live bait. I use Gulp! the majority of the time. I like to stick a leech, small worm or twistertail (pattern) on a jig and use a technique I call 'dipping' when the walleyes are tucked in the weeds."

Gofron says "dipping" is a lot like the flipping and pitching techniques bass anglers use. With about a rod's length of line pulled off the reel, he gently drops his jig into the weed openings as he quietly slips his boat along the weedlines with his trolling motor. A couple jiggles, a couple yo-yos, and he's on to the next pocket.

"If the fish are there, they'll be very aggressive and grab it. You don't have to spend much time in one spot," he says.

When the pockets in the weeds aren't producing, Gofron moves out to the outer edge of the weedbeds. Now, he's looking for cups or corners in the weedbeds where both baitfish and walleyes will gather. Water clarity is key.

"Polarized glasses are a great help for seeing these cups and points in the weeds," he suggests. "You really can't use your electronics to find them because you'll be on top of them before you know it, and walleyes positioned on the outside of the weeds are going to be much more spooky."

In fact, once Gofron spots a prime location using his glasses, he backs off and shuts off the trolling motor -- he even turns off his electronics -- before stealthily drifting into the spot. Usually he casts or pitches his bait from a distance. A Northland Gumball jig is among his favorite presentations.

"The Gumball jig has a bigger hook shank that leaves room for the bait and enough hook gap to ensure good hookups," he points out.

What if the lake you're fishing doesn't have many weeds?

"Look for river mouths," Gofron says. "There's always some weeds off the mouth of the rivers, and I guarantee you that walleyes will spend at least three hours a day in the weeds. The weeds may be in extremely shallow water though, so the fish may not move into them until late evening or after dark, but they'll be there."

TROLLING TIPS
Bill St. Peter of Bay City, Michigan, has qualified for the PWT championship every year since he began fishing professionally in 1998. He grew up trolling for walleyes on Saginaw Bay, but he uses trolling techniques to catch walleyes on everything from western reservoirs to large, natural Midwest lakes.

"If nothing else, trolling is a good locating tool," St. Peter says. "Find the fish trolling, and you can then go back and use other techniques to catch 'em. But lots of tournaments are won by trolling."

St. Peter says trolling is ideally suited to a variety of walleye-fishing situations, with the possible exception of working jigs and other lures along steep banks and structure. Many times, though, prime-time walleyes can be found roaming the wide-open spaces and flats that you just can't cover effectively in any other way.

"Trolling is a great way to cover water, and you can troll with multiple rods," he points out. "You can pull a crankbait at the same time you're using a crawler harness, and you can troll faster when the bite is hot. I think you can induce an instructive, or reaction, bite more easily. The faster you go, the more water you're going to be able to cover."

St. Peter says multiple rods set for trolling also help walleye anglers cover more water. Long rods and planer boards add to the versatility in trolling left and right of the boat's path. Add deep-diving crankbaits, shallow-running stick baits, and 'crawler harnesses to the mix, and you've got the water column covered, he says.

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Early-summer walleye fishing is a great time of year to give just about any fishing technique a try. Take time this month to put the pros' tips to work for you!