If you have a sampling of these four types and don’t get bit, you might just have to look in the mirror.
April 30, 2024
By Ross Robertson
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Once the winter thaw starts and rivers flow full steam you can bet that walleye fishing will be at its peak. While this can be some of the best fishing of the year, anyone that has walleye fished more than a few times knows how picky they can be too. Selecting just the right lure can make all of the difference in the world. Here are four types to always have on hand this spring for walleye.
Stickbaits While bass anglers seem to use short and stocky lures a majority of the year, walleyes just seem to prefer longer slenderer minnow imitating styles a majority of the year. In the early season, against common sense, don’t be afraid to use larger lures. Baitfish that are left over from last year are larger and off-colored water from runoff and rivers often makes larger lures with a little more of a profile a better choice.
If I had to have one stickbait in the spring it would hands down be a Rapala Husky Jerk . The Husky Jerk is unique in that it perfectly suspends motionless in water less than fifty degrees. The Husky Jerk also features a wobble and roll just perfect for cool water walleyes. Available in a variety of sizes and both deep and shallow models, there is an option for just about any circumstance. The deep diving versions are perfect for trolling and the shallow models are great for casting into shallow water, particularly at night. When in doubt, fish the Husky Jerk slow, if that doesn’t work, go even slower.
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Baitfish that are left over from last year are larger and off-colored water from runoff and rivers often makes larger lures with a little more of a profile a better choice. Hair Jigs As successful as a hair jig is for most species of fish it still seems like they are the red-headed stepchild of jigs. The flaring and contraction of a hair jig can outfish other jig and trailer types handily when it comes to cold water. When the water temps are still in the thirties adding a live minnow can be a difference maker, but most of the time just fishing it plain is best. It seems to let the action from the hair work and makes it much quicker to get back in the water. Not having to worry if you have bait on or if the trailer is on just right is helpful, which allows you to fire casts out and fish more aggressively when needed.
One of my favorite hair jigs is a VMC Moontail . The quality VMC hook is important but believe it or not the large eye on the aspirin-style head is what seems to make it work better than other options. If fishing in deep water or heavy currents look at the VMC BKJ Bucktail jig , as it is available in sizes up to 1 oz.
The flaring and contraction of a hair jig can outfish other jig and trailer types handily when it comes to cold water. Blade Baits A blade bait is another one of those often forgotten lure categories that shines in cold water. Even on tough days a blade bait will often outproduce even live bait. The dying baitfish shimmy and vibration can be seemingly irresistible. If there is one mistake many anglers make when fishing a blade bait, it is that they work it too hard. When you move it so much that you feel the vibrating throttle from it, you likely have moved the bait at least three feet in the water column and likely out of the strike zone. Less can be more when fishing a blade bait.
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Even on tough days a blade bait will often outproduce even live bait. The Rapala Rippin Blade is unique in that it features a metal blank and plastic body. Part of that body is also made out of tungsten and likely why it can be so compact, yet still weigh 9/16 oz. While testing out the prototypes for smallmouth bass I quickly realized it would be a player for walleye. The first day I used it I caught over 20 walleyes while targeting bass. Make sure to use the provided snap to attach to your line or one rip and you’ll be looking for a new lure.
Tipped Jigs When it comes to walleye fishing the jig is a staple, but not all jigs are created equal. Features like head shape, hook size, and quality all make a big difference in how it can be used. I prefer a jig with a larger hook so that I can use the same jig head rather I am tipping it with live bait or fishing a plastic trailer. The minnows we use on the Great Lakes in the springtime are sizeable and a traditional walleye jig often doesn’t have enough gap to get a good hookup. The same can be said if you are going to rig it with a plastic.
The VMC Sleek jig has a large quality hook and eye, which all seem to be features that get and keep more bites. The wire keeper helps for whatever you are tipping it with, especially soft plastics. In the springtime, when possible, I prefer to ditch live bait due to cost, availability and the pain of keeping it alive and instead use plastic. The two styles most needed are a fork tail and boot tail minnow. When fishing cold water in the early season or anytime the water is extremely clear a plastic trailer like a Z-Man Jerk Shad is a go-to. In off-colored or dingy water, the boot tail design from a Z-man MinnowZ or Diezel MinnowZ seems to get more bites. The Zman plastics can be stretched for extreme durability, but as important, they float. This can provide a whole new presentation compared to traditional plastic options.
Sure, you should carry more than four different lure types when fishing for those picky spring walleyes, but if you have a sampling of these four types and don’t get bit, you might just have to look in the mirror.
Capt. Ross Robertson
Bigwater Fishing
