Fishing

The Great Debate: Walleye Fishing vs. Bass Fishing - And A Recipe Too.

There's a debate among anglers - is walleye fishing better or is bass fishing better? Here's our quick review.

Bert Martin

Sep 11, 2022 • 4 min read

Do You Like To Catch Walleye Or Catch Bass?

Are you a lover of the Walleye (the "Waldorf") or are you a lover of the Bass (the "Ditch Pickle")? It seems people are either one or the other.

There's no greater debate among fishermen than the age-old question of whether walleye fishing or bass fishing is better. Some argue that walleyes are the tastier fish, while others maintain that the fight a bass puts up makes for a more exciting experience. We've been with lots of anglers, and many will fixate on one species and not the other.

In this easy blog post, we'll take a look at both sides of the argument and try to settle the score once and for all.

The Case for Walleye Fishing

Let's start with the case for walleye fishing. Those who prefer walleyes will often cite the taste of the fish as their main reason for wanting to catch them. Walleyes are considered by many to be one of the tastiest freshwater fish out there, and their firm flesh makes them ideal for cooking in a variety of ways. Tacos anyone? (our recipe for the best delicious walleye tacos is below)

What's more, walleyes are relatively easy to catch, so even novice anglers can have success in landing one of these prized fish.

Catching Walleye

That being said, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of catching a walleye. First and foremost, it's important to choose the right bait. Live bait such as minnows or worms are always popular choices, but artificial lures can also be effective.

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Check out our review of the 7 Best Walleye Lures To Crush Walleye here.

Second, make sure you're fishing in the right spot. (duh!) Walleyes tend to congregate near drop-offs or around submerged logs or rocks. And finally, as with all fishing, you'll need to be patient! Walleyes are notoriously cautious fish, so it might take a while before you get a bite. But trust us, it'll be worth the wait when you finally reel one in.

The Case for Bass Fishing

Now let's take a look at the case for bass fishing. Unlike walleyes, bass are known for putting up quite a fight when they're on the line. For many fishermen, this is half the fun of going after bass - the challenge of trying to reel in these big mouthed fighters.

Additionally, bass can be caught in a variety of different ways, so anglers who get bored easily (know anyone like this?) can switch up their tactics and still have a good time. And like walleyes, bass can also be delicious - although some would argue that they don't hold a candle to walleyes in terms of taste, and most sport anglers who practice catch and release will not eat bass.

Catching Largemouth Bass

First, find a body of water that contains largemouth bass. This step is crucial - if there are no largemouth bass in the body of water, then you won't be able to catch one! This is a no-brainer, so make sure to do your research ahead of time and choose a good spot.

Second, once you've found a suitable body of water, grab a high percentage bait. Most will recommend using worms or minnows. Crankbaits, skirted jigs, and texas-rigged plastic worms are among the artificial baits that work well for largemouth bass.

Try to make your casts as close to the weed beds or lily pads as possible - that's where the fish like to hide.

Be patient. It might take a while, but eventually, if you're in the right place, you'll get a strike. Largemouth like to fight, so remember to set the drag properly so you don't break your line.

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Read our review on the Best Spinning Reels For Bass Fishing here.

The verdict?

It really depends on what you're looking for in a fishing trip. If you're mainly interested in catching a delicious meal, then head out on a walleye expedition. But if you're after an adrenaline-pumping battle, then go bass fishing instead.

Whatever you decide, you're sure to have a good time - after all, there's nothing like spending a beautiful day out on the water!

Our conclusion is - bass for fun, walleye for food!

The Best Walleye Tacos Recipe:

Ingredients:

-1 pound of walleye fillets
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-1/2 cup of pico de gallo
-1/2 a lime
-2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
-8 small soft tacos

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. In a small bowl, mix together the pico de gallo, olive oil, and lime juice.
3. Cut the walleye fillets into small strips or chunks, and then add them to the bowl of pico de gallo mixture.
4. Gently toss everything together until the fish is coated in the mixture.
5. Place the tacos onto a baking sheet, and then spoon the walleye mixture into each one.
6. Bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately. Enjoy!