Alexei Volkov
Walleye is considered one of the best-tasting freshwater fish, but it is also one of the most difficult to catch. Anglers have a few tricks up their sleeves to improve their chances of success, including the use of plastic lures. While live bait is typically used to catch walleye, during the summer, as the water warms up, fish metabolism increases, making soft plastics just as effective as live bait. Plastic lures are also more durable, allowing anglers to spend more time fishing and less time rebaiting. There are several popular rigs for walleye fishing, including spinner rigs, worm harnesses, slip bobber rigs, and jig rigs. Spinner rigs, for example, can be fished from the bottom to the surface, fast or slow, providing a good mix of power and finesse. Anglers can also experiment with different colours and scents to attract walleye.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to use plastic rigs | Mid-summer, when fish metabolism increases |
| Benefits of plastic rigs | More durable, can experiment with different scents and colours |
| Types of plastic rigs | Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot Rig, Wacky Rigging |
| How to Texas rig a plastic bait | Insert hook into nose of worm, circle down and out of "belly", slide worm up shank of hook, push point into "belly" angling towards nose, ensure hook is hidden |
| Spinner rig hook selection | Large single hook for leech or minnow, two or three octopus-style hooks for nightcrawlers |
| Spinner rig speed | Effective at slow or fast speeds |
| Spinner rig colours | Purple, chartreuse, orange, metallic, gaudy colours for stained water, natural hues for clear water |
| Spinner rig body | Sinking or floating |
| Spinner rig line | Fluorocarbon fishing line |
| Bottom bouncer weight | 1-2 oz |
| Jigging with soft plastic | Long shank with a lead barb |
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What You'll Learn
Spinner and bottom bouncer setup
The bottom bouncer itself is a trolling sinker designed to fish slowly and in contact with the bottom. It consists of a length of wire bent into the shape of an upside-down "L". On the long arm, a lead weight is moulded into place, and on the short arm, a snap swivel is added to attach the spinner rig. The mainline is tied to the elbow between the two arms, and the spinner rig is then attached to the snap swivel. Spinner rigs typically range from 36 to 60 inches in length and are usually tied on a fluorocarbon line.
When fishing with a bottom bouncer and spinner rig, it is important to control the amount of line that is let out. If too much line is played out, the rig will lay on its side and drag on the bottom instead of standing up. The ideal depth for the rig is just off the bottom, where the blade rotates and attracts nearby walleye.
For the rod and reel setup, a medium-action baitcasting rod between seven and nine feet in length is recommended. This can be paired with a baitcasting reel loaded with a 10- to 12-pound test monofilament line. Alternatively, spinning gear can also be used, with a medium-action rod and reel combination capable of handling bouncers up to about 2 ounces.
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Soft plastics vs live bait
Soft plastics are becoming increasingly popular for walleye fishing, and for good reason. Firstly, soft plastics are much more durable than live bait, meaning you spend less time re-baiting and more time fishing. This is especially true when running spinners in the summer, as you can pull them through the weeds without worrying about them falling apart.
Another advantage of soft plastics is that they allow for experimentation with different scents and colours. Scented plastics, in particular, have changed the game when it comes to walleye fishing. These plastics are chemically engineered to appeal to a walleye's sense of smell and are designed to look and feel good to fish. Some of the plastics available today are almost indistinguishable from real minnows or worms.
When it comes to rigging soft plastics for walleye, there are a few popular techniques. The Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, and Wacky Rigging are commonly used setups. For example, with the Texas Rig, you insert the hook point into the nose of the worm, push it in about half an inch, and then circle it down and out of the belly of the bait. You then slide the worm up the shank of the hook and ensure that the hook is hidden within the bait.
Additionally, using a spinner and bottom bouncer setup is an effective way to catch walleye. While these are typically tipped with live bait, such as night crawlers, minnows, or leeches, soft plastics can be just as effective, if not more so, during the summer months when fish metabolism is higher.
That being said, live bait still has its place in walleye fishing. Some anglers prefer to use live bait in tough weather conditions or when fishing with inexperienced anglers. Live bait can also be effective when fishing in deep water, as it tends to produce smaller fish.
Ultimately, the decision between using soft plastics or live bait depends on various factors, including the time of year, water conditions, and personal preference. Both options can be effective for catching walleye, and it's important to be adaptable and let the fish tell you what they want.
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Texas rig
The Texas rig is a versatile bottom fishing setup that can be used in almost any water depth, from inches of water to 70 feet of water. It is simple to set up and can be used for fishing in thick cover without getting snagged.
To Texas rig a worm or soft plastic lure, you will need an offset worm hook or an EWG (extra wide gap) hook, a bullet weight or sinker, and a rod with some backbone. The hook you choose will depend on the size of your worm or lure. If you are using a thin worm, an offset worm hook is best. If you are using a larger soft plastic lure, an EWG hook is more suitable.
The bullet weight or sinker is threaded onto the line in front of the hook. The weight you choose will depend on the fishing conditions and the mood of the fish. If the cover is sparse and the water is clear, a lighter weight is preferable as it will allow the lure to act more naturally. Tungsten weights are a good option as they are denser than lead or brass, resulting in a more compact rig.
When it comes to the rod, a 7-foot medium-heavy rod with a fast taper is recommended. This will give you casting control and the power needed to drive the hook through the plastic and into the fish. A longer rod will also help you take up slack quickly when setting the hook.
To set up the Texas rig, thread the plastic bait onto the hook correctly to make the hook weedless. This is the most complex part of the rigging process. After casting your rig, work the bait with your rod and use the reel to pick up slack. Keep in constant contact with the presentation to feel for the fish. Pop it occasionally and crawl it along the bottom, mimicking the movement of the forage your plastic matches.
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Jig rigs
Jigging can be an extremely successful way to fish for walleye and is one of the most popular techniques. When jigging live bait, it is crucial to use a Fireball-style jig. These have a specialised jig head for walleye that don't have a lead barb, and the hook shank is short with a wide gap. These factors help with presenting the live bait underwater. Recommended jig sizes are 1/8 oz. and 1/4 oz., as you will rarely need anything larger and anything smaller is going to be ineffective in the typical walleye depth range of 15-30 ft.
When jigging with soft plastics, it is essential to have a long shank with a lead barb. Common 1/4 oz. jigs are typically sized for 4-6" soft plastics, and 1/8 oz. are sized for 2-3". This is just a rule of thumb, and there are many specialty jigs with different weight-to-shank ratios. Your plastic should be fully secured, covering the barb, and the shank should be long enough to exit the plastic with a gap that is long enough to get a good hook set. Chartreuse is a popular colour for live bait jigging, but some anglers also like to have glow colours for late evening and night bites. When using white jig heads, some anglers prefer to match the baitfish as closely as possible.
When jigging plastics, try bouncing, dragging, and swimming them back along the bottom. Alternate cadences and pauses, and try a bunch of different actions but keep your lure in the strike zone a foot or two off the bottom.
The Ned Rig is a popular choice for jigging for walleye. This rig has a mushroom-shaped jig head with a buoyant plastic tail that points upwards during retrieval. This gives it a very characteristic action underwater, enticing fish to bite when other lures don't work. The Z-Man Finesse TRD and Big TRD are popular options, as they are very durable and can be used all day.
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Spinner rig colours
Spinner rigs are a popular choice for walleye fishing. They are versatile and can be fished at various depths, from the bottom to the surface, and at different speeds, depending on the conditions. When choosing spinner rig colours, there are a few things to consider.
Firstly, the size of the body of water and the size of the fish you are targeting matter. On smaller bodies of water or where the fish and bait are smaller, opt for smaller blade sizes such as #2, #3, or #4. Conversely, on larger bodies of water or in places like the Great Lakes, go for larger blade sizes such as #4, #5, or #6.
Secondly, the colour choice depends on the water clarity. In stained or off-coloured water, brighter and more gaudy colours like purple, chartreuse, orange, and metallic are recommended to attract the attention of the walleye. On the other hand, in clear water, it is better to use more natural and subtle hues to mimic the appearance of the walleye's natural prey.
Additionally, personal preference plays a role in spinner rig colour selection. Some anglers prefer to match the colour of the spinner rig body to the blades, creating a cohesive look, while others opt for contrast to create a unique and eye-catching presentation.
Experimentation is key when it comes to spinner rig colours. Don't be afraid to try out different colours and combinations to find out what works best for the specific fishing conditions and the behaviour of the walleye in that particular body of water.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic baits are more durable than live bait, meaning you spend more time fishing and less time rebaiting. They also allow you to experiment with different scents and colours.
Popular plastic rigs for walleye include the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot Rig, Wacky Rigging, and Spinner Rig.
Spinner rigs can be bought pre-tied or made yourself. Blades, clevises, bodies, leader material, and hooks can be purchased in bulk online or at a local tackle shop.
Hook selection is important when fishing for walleye due to their light bite and boney mouth. Most anglers use a large single hook when fishing a leech or minnow, and a nightcrawler with two or three octopus-style hooks.
Insert the hook point into the nose of the worm and push it in about half an inch. Circle it down and out of the belly of the bait. Slide the worm up the shank of the hook and hold it against the tip to determine the exit point. Push the point into the belly, angling toward the nose, ensuring the hook is hidden within the bait. Finally, ensure the bait sits perfectly straight when held up.
