Spinner fishing is one of the most effective techniques for targeting walleye, especially in big water like the Great Lakes. But what separates weekend anglers from tournament-winning pros? To find out, we tapped into the knowledge of three FLW Walleye Tour legends: Dean Arnoldussen, Tom Keenan, and John Gillman—anglers with over 60 years of combined spinner trolling experience and more than $1.5 million in tournament winnings.
Spinner fishing is one of the most effective techniques for targeting walleye, especially in big water like the Great Lakes. But what separates weekend anglers from tournament-winning pros? To find out, we tapped into the knowledge of three FLW Walleye Tour legends: Dean Arnoldussen, Tom Keenan, and John Gillman—anglers with over 60 years of combined spinner trolling experience and more than $1.5 million in tournament winnings.
What we learned is that becoming a better spinner fisherman isn’t about secret lures or magic blades—it’s about precision, awareness, and putting in the work.
The most common mistake beginner and even experienced anglers make? Not recognizing bites. As Keenan bluntly puts it, “I’ve seen more than a few good fisherman have more than forty pounds hanging on their boards and never know they were there.”
The solution? Use tattle flags. Adjustable tattle flags help detect subtle bites, especially from large walleye that may simply hang on or swim with the lure. Arnoldussen fine-tunes his flag tension to match different weight setups, while Gillman relies on years of experience to read board movement. Keenan doesn’t use tattle flags at all but emphasizes situational awareness from decades of experience.
Pro Tip: Adjust your tattle flag springs for different weights (split shot, inline weights, etc.) so you can immediately tell the difference between a bite, a snag, or a weed.
Improving Your Hookup Ratio
Hooking a fish isn’t just about setting the hook—it’s about timing and finesse. The trio all have different approaches, but each focuses on that critical first few seconds after a strike.
Keenan & Arnoldussen: Leave the rod in the holder, reel down fast, and get the hook buried. If the fish comes unbuttoned, free-spool immediately—it might strike again.
Gillman: Picks up the rod right away, takes in slack, and uses a soft sweep to judge tension. This allows for adaptability depending on the fish’s behavior.
Pro Tip: Avoid jerking or aggressively setting the hook right away. React with control and awareness to avoid pulling the bait out of a big walleye’s mouth.
Fine-Tuning Your Drag
This was a surprise: all three pros fish with tight drags. Not to horse fish in, but to maximize control. Loose drag risks giving fish too much freedom and leads to pulled hooks or long, tiring fights.
Gillman and Keenan even joked about needing channel locks to loosen each other's drag settings. But they balance it with finesse—Arnoldussen often free-spools on running fish, and Gillman uses the rod and his arms as shock absorbers.
Pro Tip: Tighten your drag, but let the rod and your technique cushion the fight. Practice adjusting based on how the fish reacts during the run.
The Right Rod Makes the Difference
All three anglers use 8'6" rods with a soft tip and strong backbone—ideal for trolling with planer boards. The length keeps line above waves and helps absorb surges without tearing the hook out.
Consistency comes from having a repeatable system. Each of the pros has developed their own process for line setup, lure spread, and how they respond to bites. Once you find what works, repeat and refine it.
They also don’t rest on their reputation—these guys hustle. Gillman is known for “crashing” into structure, intentionally running spinners into high-risk/high-reward areas where big fish live. During tournaments, he might reset lines 30+ times a day.
Pro Tip: Your effort level on the water often determines your success. Get lines out fast, keep them clean, and adapt constantly.
Keep Your Lines Clean
One of the most overlooked tips for spinner fishing? Check your lines. Weeds, small fish, or debris can ruin your presentation.
Keenan said it best: “The number one mistake made by spinner fishermen new and old alike is not checking lines enough.”
Pro Tip: Check lines every 15–20 minutes—especially in weedy or high-current areas—to ensure clean blades and fresh crawlers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortcut to success in spinner fishing. You can’t fake experience—but you can accelerate your learning by adopting the habits of pros:
Fine-tune your gear (flags, drag, rods)
React properly to strikes
Work relentlessly to keep lines in productive water
Build and follow a system you trust
As Gillman says, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
If you want to become a better spinner fisherman, focus on these fundamentals, put in the hours, and don’t be afraid to adjust. The next time your board twitches, you’ll be ready.
