If you don’t wish to dedicate trolling outfits to lead-core line, another good option is to use snap weights on standard trolling rigs spooled with monofilament or braided line. With a 2-ounce snap weight, Hot-n-Tots get down to the 18-foot depth when I’m using 30-pound-test braided line. The snap weight is placed 50 feet from the lure, and then an additional 30 to 35 feet of line is put behind the boat.

For those unfamiliar with them, snap weights employ a lead weight (one-half ounce, up to several ounces) and a pinch-pad release. The weight is “snapped” on the line about midway between the rod and the bait.

Though both lead-core line and snap weights provide a precise way of presenting trolled lures, lures with snap weights react a bit differently. Lead-core line is the more stable system, because it runs the length of the line. Lures run off lead core don’t react as quickly when the boat speeds or slows. Since snap weights are affixed at one distinct point, a pendulum action occurs. This can be a good thing in warm water, as the bait will run up and down as the boat surges in waves. This creates a more vertically active bait, which can trigger a strike when the fish are active.

It’s not a good thing, though, if you are trying to hold the lure just off the bottom, or over the tops of deep stumps. There, lead core works better.

During past summers, I’ve found that Pymatuning’s walleyes hit well early in the day, often before other anglers even show up. The crankbait bite often dies around mid- to late morning. I can then usually pick up a few more fish by working the same areas with bottom-bouncing crawler harnesses.

I’ve found the best areas to be the deeper basins off long, gently sloping flats that connect the shoreline with the basin. The deep edges of large offshore humps can also be good.

Baitfish will be present on the screen along with larger fish. If I don’t see bait, I keep fishing until I do. I prefer the southern end of the lake, between Snodgrass and the dam, though I also hear good reports from the northern end during the summer.

One other tactic to keep in mind, especially on days when little bait is showing up on the sonar, is to target suspended fish. (And this applies to other inland walleye lakes in the state.) When the weather is stable, plankton rises to the surface. Baitfish follow, and walleyes follow the bait.

Some anglers think it’s necessary to go deeper when summer heats up, but often the opposite is true. Walleyes can be caught 10 feet or so from the surface over 18 to 20 feet of water.

A 10-horsepower motor limit remains in effect on Pymatuning, and there is a 15-inch minimum-length limit. The daily creel limit is six fish.

Several good access areas surround Pymatuning Lake. From the Andover side of the causeway, a good ramp may be found along North Lake Road, which places anglers on the north end of the lake near Harris Island.

Don’t think you have to wait until next spring to enjoy good walleye action. There are plenty of fish to catch right now, with very little competition.

Three good ramps are to be found to the south off South Lake Road. In Pennsylvania, the best access areas are at Linesville (on the north end), and Snodgrass and Jamestown in the southern basin.

Fishermen are somewhat scarce this time of year, but expect to share the water with plenty of pontoons and sailboats.