Lift Drop

Lift Drop

Jig fishing for walleyes can be a very effective technique that can be used in a variety of situations from shallow water to deep water, and from the winter season to summer time. Because it's up to the angler to put the desired action into the jig, this lure can be used for sluggish or aggressive fish. I would have to say that a jig is the most versatile walleye lure on the market today.

For the majority of situations, especially on rivers, you will be working the jig along the bottom, as that's where the walleyes will be. To select the weight of the jig head to use simply use whatever weight it takes to maintain feel of the bottom. In most cases you will want to use the lightest jig possible to maintain feel of the bottom.

Lift And Drop

When casting jigs the most common retrieve is the "lift and drop". After casting allow the jig to sink to the bottom, then reel in the slack line and lift the jig off the bottom with your rod. Once your rod reaches about the 11:00 position, allow the jig to sink back to the bottom. Because lifting the jig off the bottom is the attractor to the fish be sure to experiment with the distance and speed of this motion. Now lower your rod tip until you feel the jig hit bottom. It is very critical that you follow the jig back to the bottom with a tight line, as this is when most walleyes will strike the lure. If you don't reel in slack line while the jig drops you won't be able to feel a strike.

Vertical Jigging

Another method of fishing jigs from a boat is "vertical jigging". This technique is best suited when fishing from a boat in water depths of 9 to 40 feet deep. Although most walleye won't be found deeper than 20 feet, many sauger will be found 20 to 40 feet deep in the winter to early spring. Vertical jigging is also best for the sluggish fish found in the cooler waters of late fall, winter, and early spring.

To vertical jig for walleyes and sauger the anglers boat should be moving down stream at the same speed of the current. Next simply raise your jig off the bottom, and slowly drop your rod tip until you feel the jig touch the bottom, then repeat this motion. As with the "lift and drop" technique be sure to keep a tight line when dropping the jig back down so that you can feel a walleye strike your jig. Be sure to experiment how you're fishing the jig until you find what the fish want the most. In most cases the lightest jig possible will catch the most fish.

Dragging Jigs

Dragging jigs is simply as the name implies. Typically a 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jig will be used. Simple let out about 1 ½ times amount of line as the water depth and allow the jig to drag along the bottom. When fishing from a boat in a lake either drift with the wind or use your trolling motor. In a river simply drift downstream, or use your trolling motor to drag the jig upstream. This technique works the best for sluggish fish in colder water. When dragging a jig don't be afraid to use larger plastics, such as 5 inch ringworms, or 4-5 inch twister grubs.

Jig Fishing Tips:

1. While the weight of the jig selected is the first decision, the next decision will be the length of the plastic twister tail, or etc. use. This most depends upon the time of year and how aggressive the fish are. I would recommend a plastic bait in length of 3 to 5 inches.

2. The color of the plastic twister tail or ringworm will most often make a huge difference. Generally speaking, user more natural colors in clear water such as black, purple, and blue. When fishing dirty water use plastics with brighter colors such as orange, chartreuse, or yellow.

3. Hair jigs tipped with a 2 - 3 inch minnow can be really effective for both walleyes and sauger from winter to early spring time.

4. To catch a larger percentage of fish that are short striking your jig and minnow combination try using a stinger hook. A stinger hook is a small treble hook attached to the hook of your jig with a short piece of mono fishing line. When hooking the minnow towards the tail with the stinger hook be sure to leave slack in the line so the minnow can move and look natural.

5. Heavy or large diameter fishing line is a detriment to the angler, as it will reduce the action of a jig, and also requiring the angler to select a heavier jig to reach the bottom.

6. Don't be afraid to try fishing a plain jig tipped with a minnow, night crawler, or leech. On some days it can be just the ticket.

7. If your getting a lot of snags when fishing jigs you are most like using to heavy of jig, or not maintaining feel of the bottom when vertical jigging, meaning you are dragging. Although dragging can be an effective technique it is only practical on smooth bottoms.

Jeff Matura has been fishing during the open water season and through the ice for over twenty years. The majority of his time fishing has been spent in the Midwest on lakes and rivers including the Mississippi River for crappie, walleye, and bass.

Vistit his latest websites for the best deals on portable depth finders along with gas camping stoves.

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