by Mike Frisch & the Fishing the Midwest Team
In the next couple of weeks, anglers across the Midwest will be going on their first open water walleye trip of the year. The first trip of the year is always greatly anticipated. Early season weather can often be unstable, so the bite can be hit or miss. Here are some ideas that will increase your odds for getting bit on your maiden walleye voyage of the year.
Several techniques can be effective early in the fishing season, but many of the most accomplished walleye chasers, if limited to one presentation, will select a jig. Selecting the proper jig and jig presentation can determine your success.
Much of the time when we think jigging, we think lots of rod motion. In the cold water of early season, a dragging retrieve will often be best. Fish in cold water often prefer a slower presentation, and a dragging presentation is about as slow as it gets.
The best jig for dragging is a stand-up style jig . A stand-up jig has a flat bottom, so when it is on the bottom sitting still, the bait on the jig “stands up” on the bottom, making it easy for the walleye to see and eat.
Early in the season, walleyes will often be in water less than ten feet deep. Cast your jig to where you suspect the walleyes to be and let it sink to the bottom. Drag it a foot or two, then let it just sit there a couple of seconds. Drag it a foot or two, then let it sit again. Eventually you’ll get bit. If the action is good, you can move the bait a little faster. Give’em what they want.
On that first trip we’ll usually have fatheads, shiners, leeches, and crawlers in the boat to tip our jigs with. We’ll often start with minnows. Let the walleyes show you if they want shiners or fatheads. They will often have a preference.
As the water warms, leeches and crawlers will be more productive. At times, the morning bite will be on minnows, the afternoon bite on leeches and crawlers.
When the walleyes are in emerging vegetation, you can’t beat a jig tipped with plastic. A Rage Swimmer on a jig is a winner. The walleyes like it, and it stays on the hook better than live bait when trying to fish in and around weeds.
When using plastic baits, go to a jig with a bigger hook, something like the new Tour Grade Rage Swimmin’ Head. Hooks with longer shanks are much better with soft bait because you want to thread the bait on.
A faster, snapping presentation will be best with soft bait. Let the jig sink to the bottom, give it a snap, let it sink back to the bottom, then give it another snap. Experiment with colors and tail actions.
Drag a jig when the walleyes are sluggish, snap a jig when they’re eating. If you do so, you’re increasing your odds for a successful first walleye trip of the year. As always, remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure.
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