Skip to main content

Secret Walleye Weapon: The Spinner Head

Secret Walleye Weapon: The Spinner Head

Spinner heads. 'Tis the season for vertical jigging. Even up here in the frozen north, the lakes are still open. More importantly, the ramps are still open. Highly unusual in Minnesota to have ramps free of ice and snow at Thanksgiving. The muskie heads are overdosing.Steelheaders are happy. But the ice fishermen are peevish and irritable. And most walleye fishermen are in that crowd.

Are they nuts? Just because there's Sta-Bil in the gas and the outboard's been winterized? This would be first ice a lot of years and it's hot. The fishing is just as hot with no ice. The fall runs of walleyes up rivers started months ago. In lakes, it's lights out on main-lake transitions at the base of structure. In Southern reservoirs with walleyes and in a lot of places around the country, this time of year is the best. Best for numbers, best for size. The real hulks come out of the woodwork.

On rivers, a lot of people can be out this time of year. You may find yourself alone with hundreds of walleyes on a lot of lakes and reservoirs, and in no real need of a secret weapon, but here it is anyway. Spinnerheads rock in fall. Northland Tackle Thumper Jigs (shown above) are awesome up through 3/8 ounce. If you need a heavier jig, Cabela's makes them up to 3/4-ounce.  A number of companies have spinnerheads, including custom jig maker Tim McFadden of TC Tackle, who can pretty much make what you want in the size you want.


Anyway, walleyes are ready to eat right now. They're creating fat reserves for winter and putting on calories, just like I am (doh). If they can see it and find it, they'll eat it. That blade can be a big help, especially in cloudy water. Rivers right now are up and rockin' all over the country. Walleyes don't mind. They just tuck in a little farther behind wing dams and other current breaks. In lakes, the blade will bring them from quite a distance. The extra flash and thump they don't mind. You won't either. The difference can be stark, between a plain jig and one adorned with a blade this time of year in all kinds of water. Try it and see. Never hurts to experiment with flash in fall.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fish Storyline E1 | The Berkley CULLSHAD Story

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Understanding Seasonal Movements of Largemouth Bass

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Quick Trip Through Time

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Shallow Water Walleyes with Thomas Allen

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Trinity River GIANT Alligator Gar

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Gear

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Walleye Presentations that Worked Yesterday and Today

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Smallmouth Bass Tactics

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Gear

In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Sight-Fishing Shallow-Water Smallies with Bret Alexander

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:3 - Swimbait-Hook Rigging for Big Bass with Doug Stange

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:3 - Top Hooks, Rigging and Removal Techniques with Doug Stange

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:3 - Precise Anchoring Techniques and Huge Tarpon and Sturgeon Fishing

There are certain times of the year when big northern pike strike baits at will with pure savagery. In this segment, lon...
Learn

In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:2 - MEGA Northern Pike with Steve Quinn

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now