Spinner Rigging for walleye

Walleye fishing season is now at the door! One of the best kept secret for catching trophy walleye is the walleye rig. After the Orange Storm Thin Fin, this is my best walleye lure!

Bottom bouncer live bait rigging is one of my best tactic to use when walleyes are relating tight to deep structure and are neutral.

The weight of bouncer you choose will depend on the depth you're marking walleyes at, but my favorite ranges would be 1.5 to 2.5 ounces. A six-foot snell tipped with a crawler or leech (the best) will trigger bites. This is a slow, did I say"slow", and methodical technique for targeting trophy walleyes that are tight to specific structural elements (deep breaks, cups and points).

As you slowly work the fishing area, make sure you're keeping the bouncer as vertical as possible. This will give you much better control and help allow you to feel even light bites. Often, when using large minnows you'll be able to feel the bait get very active when a predator walleye is close. The bite may feel like nothing more than the rig getting heavy, or you may feel a "tug". At that point, drop the rod tip slowly toward the walleye, giving it time to take the bait and turn its head. When you feel the walleye has the bait and the line is tight, set the hook with an upward sweeping motion and fight the walleye in.

This is a finesse technique, demanding precise boat control and a sensitive touch.

It's a deadly technique for those situations where walleyes are tough to catch by most any other method. During the lon winter months, take some time to create your owns walleye rigs!