Variants of the minnowbait become the optimum choice. These include suspending jerkbaits, like the Rapala Husky Jerk and Smithwick Suspending Rogue, that work down to 4 feet or so and suspend on the pause. These come in shallow and deep models. Shallow runners vary in depth, depending on size and manufacturer. The Yo-Zuri 3D Minnow 100, for instance, dives 3 feet. It's a good suspender, hanging for long periods of time. Being among the smaller jerkbaits, the 3D 100 is subtle. It takes little rod action to make this bait dance -- a very different rod action than what you want with larger baits. It's a good bait when walleyes corral minnows along cutbanks and riprap, 1 to 3 feet deep. In water that shallow, you want something that won't dive too steeply, something you can start manipulating as soon as it hits the water.
Most of the time, just cast a suspending bait, crank it down quickly, four or five turns of the reel handle, and pause. Play with the length of the pause as you go, but start at 5 to 10 seconds. Twitch the lure in place by pointing the rod tip at the water and use short, subtle snaps. Let it put out some vibration without actually moving it far. (Most jerkbaits have rattles.) Pause. Then trill the bait along by getting the line tight and pulling it slowly for about three feet, just fast enough for the bait to barely wobble.
Deeper-diving shad baits, like the Cordell CC Shad or the Rapala Shad Rap, come into play at night, too. In clear water on calm nights, walleyes can see well at 10 feet and deeper, and diving cranks sometimes excel. In spring, this often isn't the case, but it's always worth trying if walleyes can't be found shallow.
Making long casts can be key. Getting the lure well away from the boat translates into more hookups most nights. Using their lateral lines and sense of hearing, walleyes know the boat is there, and when it's within 20 feet of them, it becomes a significant spook factor. Use a 7-foot medium-power fast-action or moderately fast-action spinning rod. To keep lures from diving too deep, use 8- to 10-pound monofilament. Where weeds are less of a problem, you can cast farther with 10-pound braided lines like Berkley Whiplash. Use a monofilament leader to add stretch. You might need it. The big girls often come out to play at night, another reason why the night shift is the right shift this time of year.
