Walleye Fishing Tackle

There are three types of walleye lures that are critical to your success. All are used by anglers of every skill level and produce positive results for everyone. Whether you are looking to catch supper or something for your wall, you need to have these items in your tackle box.

Crankbaits, jigs and spinners consistently catch more fish than any other method. Are you well armed with these important items?

Crankbaits

To be successful catching walleye you need to present your lure as close to reality as possible. This means the movement and vibration your lure emanates is critical when it comes to catching fish. If your walleye tackle isn’t effectively mimicking a wounded baitfish, you simply aren’t going to catch many fish.

This is where the crankbait comes in.

The crankbait needs to be part of every angler’s arsenal. Nothing compares to the movement and underwater vibrations of a well designed crankbait. In fact when it comes to trophy walleye, many tournament fisherman have migrated to crankbait with great results over more traditional methods.

Selecting the right crankbait can be a bit of a challenge. Thankfully there are a few general rules of thumb. Picking a lure that is between three and five inches long is the place to start. Try to avoid the short and stout crankbaits as they typically work better for bass. The walleye typically feed on baitfish that are thinner and longer than what these “stubby” versions offer.

If you are fishing dirty water, a crankbait with a rattle can be of tremendous help. Not only will the vibration from the crankbait alert the fish, but the sound of the rattle can be like ringing the dinner bell. Rattling lures can be very effective and should be part of your walleye fishing tackle.

When it comes to color there are a number of choices for you to consider. Just remember, you want to try to match the bait to the natural feed in the lake. If the walleye tend to nourish themselves on perch, the look of your crankbait should match.

In clear water natural looking crankbaits tend to work best. If the water is murky, try using a brighter colored lure. It may come down to trial and error but remember, the mood of the fish can change from day to day which means you may need to change your tactics.

If you don’t have a variety of crankbaits in your tackle box, you had better get on it.

Jigs

The most popular choice for walleye fisherman remains the jig. It works in any season and can be easily mastered by anglers of any skill level. It provides a simple method for getting the bait to the bottom of the water column and often yields terrific results.

The most common form of the jig is the round headed version. It is easily armed with a variety of twister tails which will give it the movement of a wounded baitfish. Keeping twisters of different colors allow you to quickly change the dominant color of your lure should the conditions dictate.

However the best option for your walleye jig is to tip it with live minnows, worms or leeches. Walleye have a strong sense of smell and fishing with live bait is often the best way to induce a strike. Particularly on days when the walleye are hitting light, using a jig with worms or leeches is a great way to get them to hit.

The weight of walleye jigs vary and selecting the right one depends on the depth you are fishing. Although not an exact science, there are a few general guidelines for you to follow; for water under 10 feet, the use of a 1/8 ounce jig works well. Water between 10 and 25 feet usually calls for a jig head that weighs 1/4 ounce. Anything deeper than that, you will likely want to go with a 1/2 ounce jig head.

Remember if you are fishing a current or if the wind is causing you to drift, your fishing line will not go straight down. When fishing these types of conditions you will want to use a heavier jig than the guidelines call for. Remember, walleye are at the bottom and you need to get your fishing jig down there.

Spinners

When it comes to versatility and a proven track record, the spinner is a terrific lure for catching walleye. Spinners can be trolled, cast and even jigged. They produce a flash and vibration that walleye can’t resist and often work well on slow days.

The typical size of spinner for catching walleye is number 3. But if you are fishing deep or moving waters, a jump up to a number 4 can be favorable.

Some anglers will tip the hook of the spinner with a small night crawler or leech. Small bait shouldn’t affect the movement of the spinner and it will produce a scent trail that can attract trophy sized walleye.

Popular spinners for walleye include Blue Fox and Mepps. Chartreuse is a popular color while spinning for walleye, along with black and red. Remember the mood of walleye can change with the conditions so you will need a variety.

These three types of walleye lures are critical to your success this season. If you have these items in your tackle box, you will be on our way to a good day of fishing.

Thanks for reading.

Good fishing.

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