Jigs: Gopher Wedge Head Northland Fire-Ball Jig, Lindy Jumbo Fuzz-E-Grub, Jack's River Jig.

Give me your three best bets for river walleyes. Well, those would have to be jigs, three-way rigs, and hedging out bets a bit, the heavy metal vertical jigging category, including both bladebaits and jigging spoons. So you get four for the price of three. All the better to fish with.

During cold-water conditions common to fall and winter, vertical jigging with 1/4-, 3/8-, or 1/2-ounce jigs is the universal solution for river walleyes holding in the tailwater areas below dams, in deep holes at river bends, or anywhere where current is sufficiently reduced to attract and hold fish. The key is to select the right jig weight to match the combination of depth and current, allowing you to barely lift-drop the lure a few inches off bottom, adding subtle action without dragging, which promotes snags. Tipped with a 2 1/2- to 3-inch minnow hooked through the jaw and out the top of the head, it's a tempting target.

Choose a jighead color that's sufficiently visible to the fish; fluorescent orange or yellow are great in dark or dingy water, ranging to subtler hues like white or brown if the water's relatively clear. Feather or hair dressing adds slight action and profile to a jig-minnow combo. Subtle, straight plastic bodies with a hint of feather or hair tail are great for increasing color and profile without adding much action, and can be used in conjunction with a minnow. Or if you prefer, try a more active and aggressive jigging stroke by substituting a 3- to 4-inch plastic tail, typically a shad-tail or curlytail for increased action. Best bet: Experiment, and do whatever it takes to catch fish.

Blades: Cordell Gay Blade, Reef Runner Circada, Blitz Blade, Heddon Sonar.

Speaking of increased action, let's leapfrog ahead to the aggressive heavy-metal jigging category. For increased flash, thump, vibration, and action, use a more aggressive 12- to 18-inch upward jigging stroke with spoons and blades, followed by a near free fall to let the lure achieve its best action and attraction. Jigging spoons scoot upward, then flutter downward; bladebaits have a thrumming vibration on the way up, followed by a clunk toward bottom, so they each offer a slightly different but nevertheless aggressive jigging option when jigs don't produce as expected, such as when you're fishing amidst a crowd of jiggers all doing the same subtle thing. Lures in the 3/4- to 1-ounce size usually are best.

Spoons: Lindy Rattle'r, Smoothie, Northland Buck-Shot Rattle.

And, speaking of subtle, if an aggressive approach isn't working, flip-flop in the opposite direction. Tie up a three-way rig with a short dropper and snell--maybe 12 to 15 inches each. Use a 1- to 2-ounce sinker to anchor the rig in place on bottom, and tip the plain hook or floating jighead on the snell with a lively lip-hooked minnow. Lower it to bottom and let it sit there, tempting a nearby fussy biter. Drift a little, holding the sinker slightly off bottom. Or cast it out from the bank into a likely spot, like into an eddy or to the edge of a visible current break. It's the perfect solution to holding a livebait in place on bottom. And heck, if you snag up, all you lose is a couple of inexpensive components and a little time spent rerigging.

Medium-power spinning gear with 6- or 8-pound mono is best for jigs, while medium casting tackle with about 10- to 12-pound mono is generally a better option for heavier three-way rigs. As for spoons and blades . . . take your pick. Personal preference dictates your choice.

There you have it: The big three--actually four--for river walleyes.