Vertical Jigging Methods
Some people prefer to troll and prospect for walleye, others like to plan ahead and jig. I'm a jigging man myself, probably because it involves so much strategic planning, which is a big part of the thrill I get from fishing. I just decided to take a few minutes to address how to jig. I think there are 2 schools of thought when it comes to vertical jigging for walleye.
1) Take your jig to the bottom, then lift your rod about 6 inches to a foot off the bottom, stay for one or two seconds, then go back down to the bottom, repeat. This method works best when fishing with artificial bait like ice jigs, or even ball jigs with sot plastic bait. Since these baits do not move on their own, some movement must be provided by you, and the up and down movement is the best way to trigger those bottom hugging walleyes.
2) Take your jig to the bottom, then lift your rod about 6 inches to a foot off the bottom, and stay there for 30 seconds or more. Then go back to the bottom, and raise again. When using live bait such as minnows, worms or leeches, this method is usually the best approach. The bait will provide the movement you need to attract the walleye, it is best to stay put and pay close attention to be able to detect any subtle bite. Moving up and down excessively with live bait will take away from the "feel" which is in my opinion critical for success.
In both methods, it is crucial to maintain a vertical line, make sure you never have slack in your line, and the distance from the bottom may vary up to 3 feet, but 6 inches to a foot are the most frequently active feeding areas. Get used to watching your line, and set the hook at any lateral movement or twitch. Walleye rarely smack a vertical jig presentation, instead they will come up to your bait, and gently suck it into their mouths and stay there or swim away slowly. You need to pay attention when jigging, if you are the type who needs to talk, drink, eat, smoke, look at the scenery while you fish, you will probably have difficulty with vertical jigging, because this method requires attention like no other.
Sometimes, one method is much better than the other, depending on factors like how aggressive the fish is for example. Like in any fishing situations, when you try one method, and the sonar says the fish is right there, but it is not biting, change to something else. Only fools don't.
1) Take your jig to the bottom, then lift your rod about 6 inches to a foot off the bottom, stay for one or two seconds, then go back down to the bottom, repeat. This method works best when fishing with artificial bait like ice jigs, or even ball jigs with sot plastic bait. Since these baits do not move on their own, some movement must be provided by you, and the up and down movement is the best way to trigger those bottom hugging walleyes.
2) Take your jig to the bottom, then lift your rod about 6 inches to a foot off the bottom, and stay there for 30 seconds or more. Then go back to the bottom, and raise again. When using live bait such as minnows, worms or leeches, this method is usually the best approach. The bait will provide the movement you need to attract the walleye, it is best to stay put and pay close attention to be able to detect any subtle bite. Moving up and down excessively with live bait will take away from the "feel" which is in my opinion critical for success.
In both methods, it is crucial to maintain a vertical line, make sure you never have slack in your line, and the distance from the bottom may vary up to 3 feet, but 6 inches to a foot are the most frequently active feeding areas. Get used to watching your line, and set the hook at any lateral movement or twitch. Walleye rarely smack a vertical jig presentation, instead they will come up to your bait, and gently suck it into their mouths and stay there or swim away slowly. You need to pay attention when jigging, if you are the type who needs to talk, drink, eat, smoke, look at the scenery while you fish, you will probably have difficulty with vertical jigging, because this method requires attention like no other.
Sometimes, one method is much better than the other, depending on factors like how aggressive the fish is for example. Like in any fishing situations, when you try one method, and the sonar says the fish is right there, but it is not biting, change to something else. Only fools don't.
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5 Comments:
Hey Marc, I liked you post on jigging for Walleye, Im a jig freek myself. I find it boring to just burn around a lake/reservoir trolling. I would rather fish for my trophy. I fish the reservoirs here in Alberta as well as the world famous Bow River for the massive trout that live here. Stop by the Blog and check it out. Thanks again for you info. bowriverblog.com
Thanks for your post on jigging for walleye marc, I find it boring just trolling around a lake. I would rather fish for my trophy. Thanks again for your post. bowriverblog.com
Marc - another terrific jig presentation and technique is called snap jigging. It's a super aggressive method of catching big walleye and it really turns on pike too. You need a stiff spinning rod, braided line (best line choice), and a light but strong spinning reel with good drag. Best baits are 3/8 to 1/2 jigs (bucktails are my preference) and strong plastics like wild eye shads that are durable. You're basically trolling in 4-14 feet of water letting the bait drop to bottom and you are snapping it as it kisses the bottom and not letting it rest at all as the boat proceeds. It can turn on walleyes that may be negative. To me this is a lot more fun that feeding dinks the tails of my worms while spot camping in a boat.Best spots are slope edges where you run along them and allow the bait to just kiss the bottom. When the fish strike it's like having a hammer hit your rod!
That sounds like someting I should be trying, I'm off for 4 days at Cabonga reservoir in just a few days and I'll have plenty of time to try techniques like yours. I've used similar approaches in the past but never by following structures per se, it was more because my boat was getting shoved by strong winds and I couldn't keep a tight vertical.
Marc - Did you have a chance to use the snap jigging technique during your trip to Cabonga?
Also - I'm considering a trip to Lake Kempt (west of La Tuque) at some point but can't find really any info outside of the two FPO camps that are located upon it. Do you know anything about this body of water?
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