Although many bodies of water in the Midwest are still covered with a layer of ice, the rivers across the region are starting to provide some walleye action. And much of that action is being provided by jigs.
When opening day for walleyes rolls around, many anglers will have a jig on the end of their line, and as the season progresses, that jig might just stay on the end of the line.
Jigs catch walleyes year 'round, but if we want to be more successful jiggers, we need to consider the type of jig we're tying onto our line.
Jigs come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. There are a lot of choices when selecting a jig, and selecting the proper jig can be a little confusing. Don't let it be so. Just keep a couple things in mind when selecting a jig and you'll do fine.
First of all, will you be tipping your jig with live bait or plastic?
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If live-bait is the choice, a short-shanked hook is the way to go. With the head of the jig and the bait being closer together, you get more hook-ups.
A Fire-Ball jig is a good example of a short-shanked hook: in fact, Fire-Balls have become a must-have item for walleye anglers. They come in a variety of forms. Some rattle, some have a stand-up head, some have a traditional round head. The stand-up heads are great for dragging, the rattlers produce in stained water, and the round heads are good in almost any situation.
In the past few years there has been a noticeable trend toward plastic baits and Gulp!
Simply put, these baits catch fish, and, in many situations, will out-produce live-bait. Power Bait is a good example of plastic, while Gulp! is organic and bio-degrades in the water. Gulp! emits an amazing amount of scent.
When using baits of this style, a jig with a longer hook shank will be better. It is best if the hook exits the bait farther back in the bait. This provides for better hooksets.
A head like a Mimic Minnow head is perfect. It is designed to swim through the water naturally, it looks like a minnow head, and it has a long hook with a plastic keeper. The keeper prevents the bait from sliding down the hook.
It works well to use contrasting colors when rigging plastic or Gulp! onto the jig. Use a head of one color with a body of another color. By doing so, you're giving the fish a color option.
Sometimes fish are color-conscious. If we give them a couple of choices, we're increasing the odds of getting bit.
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There are other important considerations. Like jig weight and line diameter. Much of the time an eighth or quarter ounce jig will be good, and six- or eight-pound test will usually be good choices as well.
Pay attention to details when choosing which jig you're going to tie on and you'll find yourself having more success with your walleye fishing.
For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest. com.
