JIGS FOR WALLEYES
By Bob Jensen

Walleye anglers know that in the spring, jigs are probably the best type of lure to use for their favorite fish. There are lots of different styles, colors, and body dressings for jigs, and it can be a little difficult trying to determine which jig is most appropriate for a particular fishing situation. Here are some ideas for selecting the jig that will be most effective in different situations.

Walleyes can be found in shallow water in the spring much of the time, especially in lakes. Many anglers will use an eighth ounce jig at this time of year with great success. However, many of the best anglers have been using sixteenth ounce Fire-Ball jigs in these shallows and have had excellent results. The Fire-Ball has a short-shanked hook that allows an angler to hook a minnow closer to the head of the jig, which makes the jig/minnow appear to be smaller, and a smaller appearing bait is often most productive in the spring. A hopping or crawling retrieve is usually most productive with a jig/minnow combination.

Another good head style for a crawling or hopping retrieve is a stand-up head, such as the stand-up Fire-Ball head. This head style keeps the minnow wiggling a little above the bottom, making it very visible to the walleyes.

Another favored presentation is a jig with a plastic tail. An eighth ounce round head jig with a two or three inch Power Grub tail is very popular. A round head jig is selected because a swimming presentation is preferred with the tail, and a round head jig is very good when a swimming retrieve is used. A swimming retrieve is when the angler slowly and steadily reels the lure in. 

Jig color is an important consideration. Sometimes, when the fish are really aggressive, color might not matter as much. However, when the walleyes are playing hard-to-get, color can make a big difference. Sometimes the fish want a particular color: If we don’t give them that color we might not have very good action. If you are using a jig with a plastic tail, make sure that the head and tail are different colors, say a pink head and white tail or an orange head and chartreuse tail. By doing so, you are showing the fish two colors, which increases the odds of showing them the color they want on that day.

Some anglers subscribe to the “Light Colors on a bright day, dark colors on a dark day” rule of thumb, and that works fine sometimes. Other anglers prefer to look into the water to choose a starting color. If the water is stained, a brighter, easy to see color is selected. In fact, the newer glow colors have been very good in stained water.

In clear water, something more subtle or natural appearing might be better. However, I have seen some situations where a glow color is best in clear water also. The only real rule is no rules. Keep experimenting with color combinations until a productive one is found.

Jigs are maybe the best way to catch walleyes right now. Tie one on using the above ideas and, if you put it in front of a walleye, chances are it will get bit.