Using Forward-Facinig Sonar to Catch Walleye

How Forward-Facing Sonar is Changing the Game for Summer Walleye Fishing

When you hear a guy yell, “That’s a tank!” and the camera cuts to a massive walleye being hauled in, you know you’re in for a good day on the water. That’s exactly how things kicked off in this episode of Lund’s The Ultimate Fishing Experience, where Lund Pro Dylan Maki and his fishing buddy Forrest Leitch head out on a northern Minnesota lake in search of mid-summer walleyes.

The real star of the show? Forward-facing sonar.

Seeing the Fish, Changing the Game

This technology has taken the guesswork out of fishing. Instead of casting blindly and hoping, Dylan and Forrest can see how fish are behaving in real time—whether they’re curious, skittish, or downright ignoring the bait. That kind of instant feedback means they’re not wasting time. If nothing bites after a few presentations, they move. Simple as that.

When walleyes are in transition mode—moving from spring to summer habits—being able to quickly cover water and spot active fish makes a big difference. It’s not just about finding fish, but finding the right fish: ones that are ready to bite.

Starting the Day: Covering Ground and Trying It All

The guys start by scouting familiar spots—humps, weed edges, rocky tips. Mid-June means things are shifting, and fish might not be where they were last week. Some are suspended, others hugging the bottom. Pike are around too, just to keep things interesting.

The plan? Power fishing. That means working through fast-moving techniques like jerkbaits and plastics to find active pods. Once they find fish, they slow down and finesse them—maybe with a slip bobber or crawler on a light jighead.

They give each spot a fair shot but don’t linger if things aren’t clicking. You could see the patience and strategy. One fish, then another. Then a dry spell. Then another big bite.

Adjusting on the Fly

After trying slip bobbers for a while with little to show, they make a change—long-lining crawlers behind the boat using light eighth-ounce weights. That small tweak pays off quick. Forrest hooks into a chunky golden walleye that’s just sitting on a sand flat near some weeds.

Sometimes it’s not about how you want to catch them—it’s about how they want to be caught. And on that day, letting that crawler roll back slow was the ticket.

Reaction Bites and Jigging Raps®

Later, in high sun and calm conditions (not typically ideal for walleyes), the live bait stops working. The duo ties on jigging raps and starts snapping them off the bottom. That triggers a reaction bite—a nice-sized walleye crushes it after a few follows. It’s not always pretty, but it works.

Then it’s onto deep-running jerkbaits like the Shadow Rap. One fish after another, Forrest is pulling in healthy walleyes with attitude. Some even look like pike at first with their hard hits and deep runs.

Variety Wins

Throughout the day, they cycle through just about every presentation in the book: plastics, cranks, jigging raps, slip bobbers, live bait. Some work better than others, but the key is they keep adapting. That’s the beauty of mid-summer fishing—you’ve got options.

They use forward-facing sonar not just to find fish, but to understand how they behave. Are they suspended? Are they tight to the weeds? Are they following but not biting? That kind of detail lets you fine-tune your approach and waste less time.

The Boat That Makes It All Happen

They’re fishing out of a Lund 219 fiberglass boat, loaded with gear and powered by a 400hp Mercury Verado, plus a 15hp kicker. The big motor gets them to the spot fast, and the kicker gives them fine-tuned control for trolling or slow presentations. The full console is stacked with electronics—dual 10” screens and a 12” up front—plus enough storage to haul everything but the kitchen sink.

It’s a serious setup for serious fishing.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Moving, Keep It Simple

What stood out most wasn’t just the fish, or even the gear. It was the mindset.

If one technique didn’t work, they changed it. If fish weren’t biting, they moved. And if one spot dried up, they hit the next. Fishing in the summer isn’t about sitting in one place and hoping—it’s about adjusting to what the fish are doing.

Some days, it’s fast and easy. Other days, you’ve got to work for every bite. But if you’re willing to stay flexible, read your electronics, and mix it up, you’ll put fish in the boat.

It’s not magic. It’s just good fishing.