In the shallows, tactics like pitching and flipping jigs or crankbaits, dipping livebait on a jig, or suspending livebait below a float are consistent producers. The often overlooked key to success, however, is combining the best method of boat control with the best tactic for the shallow situation.

In spring, places where water warms the quickest attract baitfish and walleyes. Prespawn walleyes are drawn to shallow spots—rock or weed points, gravel or rocky shorelines, shallow midlake humps and islands. Riprap washed by wave action or rock-rubble swept by waves or current are good spots. Walleyes are drawn to current areas, like feeder creeks, often swimming upstream, seeking shallow bays and gravel washout bottoms or mussel beds mixed with gravel, which make ideal spawning habitat.

Taking every precaution to prevent spooking is one of the most important considerations when fishing the shallows. Walleyes, in particular, spook easily, especially when they’re shallow. Any clue that a predator is near (via sight, sound, or vibration) triggers a survival instinct, which may switch a walleye’s focus from finding food to finding a safer place.

Walleyes have excellent vision, especially in clear water and at night. They easily can spot a boat passing nearby or overhead, whether it’s a 12-footer or a 20-footer. Several boats trying to fish the same shallow location may spook walleyes until the pressure subsides. Too much commotion, like repeatedly turning your electric trolling motor on and off or multiple anglers casting from the same location may be enough to send a signal to the walleyes that something is awry.

Shore or wading anglers often outfish boat anglers when walleyes are shallow. The lower profile from shore or in waders makes it more difficult for walleyes to spot any sign of danger. Keeping commotion to a minimum is easier from shore or in waders, too. Some anglers drive their boats to limited access spots (like an island), anchor, and then fish from waders.

But you don’t have to jump out of your boat every time you want to target shallow walleyes. The key to fishing shallows from your boat is stealthy boat control. Simply keep your boat far enough away to prevent spooking the fish, yet close enough to make your presentation.

Pitchin’

Pitching jigs is a top presentation for slowly moving along key spots—like shorelines or points—with an electric trolling motor, trying to contact walleyes that have moved shallow. Rock and gravel points are good spots for pitching. Flooded wood and roots absorb heat from the sun, which attracts baitfish and walleyes.

In many western reservoirs, wind sends waves crashing into shorelines, points, and bays, which mixes sediment into the water, creating a cloud of murky water (mudline) in the shallows. Stained water absorbs heat from the sun, which can warm shallow water several degrees, attracting walleyes in spring. Stained water also creates a shaded area that attracts both baitfish and walleyes, and the colored water decreases the distance walleyes can see, which prevents them from spotting you.

A 6- to 61⁄2-foot medium-light spinning rod spooled with 4- to 6-pound mono is ideal for most shallow-water situations. The combo allows you to make good casts, has good sensitivity, yet the rod is limp enough for a good hookset when walleyes strike close, which happens often in many shallow pitching situations.

Jig size can make the difference between catching and not catching walleyes. Lighter jigs are easier for walleyes to inhale—increasing your odds of getting a good hookset. Heavier jigs are easier for you to feel, but due to their increased weight, they’re harder for fish to inhale, and they tend to snag easier.