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Fishing walleyes on structure might be the best way and the most fun way to catch them; at least as far as I'm concerned it is. But walleyes often make up their own rules, and one of those is when they head out to deep water and suspend throughout the water column from top to bottom. This used to be really frustrating to walleye anglers, especially during the summer months when plankton and baitfish suspend on basin lakes, and the walleyes move off of shoreline structure to feed.

The good news today, is that these fish not only can be caught, but they can often be easily caught, simply by trolling crankbaits at different depths through the suspended schools. Even better news is that the program isn't nearly as complicated as it sounds and can be accomplished with a minimum investment. Here's how I do it.

I'll rig four Quantum Energy or Tour Edition baitcasting rods in lengths of six and a half to seven feet. I spool 10 pound test Stren Super Tough on Quantum SS200 or MG1420 baitcasting reels. The Super Tough is marked every 10 feet so I know exactly how much line I'm letting out.

I then fasten Mann's Stretch 10's to the line with a snap and send one line out 120 feet. The second line I send out 30 feet. To these I attach Wille Sideliner planer boards and send them out each side of the boat about 40-50 yards. I then put both rods in their respective rodholders.

Next, I rig a Mann's Stretch 15, let out 120 feet of line and send it out about 20-30 yards from the boat. Finally, I set the last rod with a Stretch 20, letting out 120 yards on that line. I then send it out the opposite side of the boat on a Sideliner about 25 yards.

I now have four baits running at four different depths, covering the water column from eight feet to 26 feet. I troll these baits from one and a half to two and a half miles per hour, criss-crossing the areas where I mark suspended fish. If one depth is taking more fish than the others, I will set the other lines at that depth.

My favorite colors in clear water are blue/chrome, blue/chartreuse, chrome, and gold. In dirty or stained water, I like perch, crawdad, purple and chartreuse.

When a fish hits, the Sideliner kicks back in the water, indicating a hooked fish. With big walleyes, it will often put right behind the boat or even go under water! Since these fish hook themselves, it isn't necessary to set the hook. Simply crank in the line, release the board, then fight the fish.

I'll rig all my crankbaits with Mustad Triple Grip Hooks, since the hooks need to hold fast as the fish fights the board, moving boat and angler. I'll adjust the drag as the fish nears the boat, and although I'll slow the boat speed down, I keep the engine in gear so the other lines stay spread out. I usually troll with a Mariner 9.9 kicker, but will often troll with my 150. One sea anchor attached to the bow eye will slow me down enough, even on windy days.

Next time the shoreline walleyes don't bite, "Stretch" your versatility by trolling. You won't be disappointed with the results.