There are new anglers entering the picture all the time who maybe are looking for new ideas. And us older anglers sometimes need to be reminded of tactics that we may have forgotten about. Following are some new old ideas to keep in mind.

At one time it was thought that walleyes were a bottom-dwelling fish. And, at certain times of the year in many lakes, they are. But not always.

A lot of years ago, three of us were fishing for walleyes with a friend who lived near a good walleye lake. He said that we’d be trolling for walleyes with something new, Off Shore planer boards.

He explained that the walleyes had been suspending 15 feet down over 30 feet of water. When the boat went overhead, the walleyes scattered. The planer boards got the baits away from the boat and in front of fish that were more willing to bite. We put crankbaits on two lines behind the boat and crankbaits on a line behind a planer board on each side of the boat.

When we quit counting, the score was planer boards nine walleyes, flat lines two walleyes. We’ve learned that walleyes suspend more than we ever imagined.

We’ve known for a long time that plastic baits catch bass, both largemouth and smallmouth. What some of us have been learning recently is that plastics are also walleye and panfish catchers.

In some situations, plastic will put more walleyes in the boat than live bait. When the walleyes are in vegetation or timber, and they are there more than we used to think, plastic bait stays on the hook better than live bait.

When the walleyes are on the bite, plastic will enable you to catch more fish per bait. Less time spent putting bait on the hook, more time spent catching. If you’re just looking to get bit, it’s hard to beat a Rage Grub.

If you’re one of those anglers that likes to move fast in search of biting fish, try anchoring on a spot and really working it over. Experiment with a variety of baits and retrieves.

If you’re one of those anglers that likes to drop anchor and sit on a spot, try covering an area quickly by trolling. Experiment with a variety of baits and trolling speeds.

New species of fish can create new ways to enjoy your fishing. Some fishing people decide that they’re a “walleye fisherman.” Others say they’re a “bass fisherman.”

While it’s true that when you go fishing it works best to target a particular species of fish, it’s also true that the anglers who chase only one type of fish miss out on a lot of fishing action. When the walleyes are being fussy, the panfish, bass or pike might be on the bite.

Catching fish, any fish, is fun. Go after what’s biting and you’re fishing will be even more fun.

The oldest news about fishing is, “You won’t get bit if you don’t go.”

We can’t wait for the perfect fishing day. If you get the chance to go, go. Even if you don’t catch a fish, you might learn something about fishing.

And if you don’t, fishing is more fun than mowing the lawn, painting the deck, vacuuming the living room or just about anything.