Walleye fishing fans know the secret to success is picking the right lures. This guide covers the top best walleye lures for every season. By knowing when and how walleye act, anglers can pick the effective walleye lures to boost their walleye fishing tackle and catch more fish.
Key Takeaways
- Discover the top most productive walleye lures for all fishing seasons
- Learn how to match lure selection with seasonal walleye patterns and behaviors
- Enhance your walleye fishing tackle with proven and effective lure choices
- Improve your walleye catch rates by utilizing the right lures for the conditions
- Explore a comprehensive guide to the best walleye lures on the market
Understanding Seasonal Walleye Behavior and Lure Selection
As dedicated anglers, knowing walleye’s seasonal patterns is key to success. By matching our lures and techniques to their changing needs, we boost our chances of catching big ones.
Spring Walleye Patterns
In spring, walleye gather in shallow waters, hunting for food before they spawn. Anglers should use walleye lure techniques like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs. These productive walleye rigs work best near weed beds, submerged structures, and in fast currents.
Summer to Fall Transitions
As summer warms up, walleye move to deeper, cooler waters. Anglers need to switch to vertical presentations like jigs, drop-shot rigs, and live bait rigs. Using walleye lure techniques for these zones can lead to great catches.
Winter Fishing Adaptations
In winter, walleye find specific spots to save energy and find food. Anglers should use productive walleye rigs like jigging spoons, live bait rigs, and vertical presentations. Winter fishing requires patience and precision.
Understanding walleye’s seasonal patterns helps anglers choose the right walleye lure techniques and productive walleye rigs. This increases their success all year round.
Best Walleye Lures for Shallow Water Fishing
Choosing the right lures is key when fishing for walleye in shallow waters. Anglers fishing in shallow lakes, rivers, and flats need to pick the best top walleye baits and walleye lure colors. This helps attract walleye.
The inline spinner is a top choice for shallow water walleye. These lures are small, versatile, and can be used at different depths and speeds. Look for ones with bright, contrasting walleye lure colors to catch the eye of fish in clear water.
- Mepps Aglia Inline Spinners
- Worden’s Rooster Tail Spinners
- Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners
Jigs are also essential for shallow water walleye fishing. They can be used with various soft plastic trailers or live bait. Choose jigs that are small and can move well through underwater structures.
| Lure Type | Recommended Colors | Best Suited Conditions |
|---|
| Inline Spinners | Chartreuse, Fluorescent Orange, Firetiger | Clear Water, Shallow Vegetation |
| Jigs | Chartreuse, Pumpkinseed, Red/White | Stained Water, Cover and Structure |
By picking the right top walleye baits and walleye lure colors for the conditions, anglers can boost their chances of catching shallow water walleye.
Deep Water Walleye Tackle Essentials
Deep water walleye fishing needs special walleye fishing tackle and skills. You might use bottom bouncing rigs, vertical jigging, or troll deep structures. Knowing the best productive walleye rigs is crucial for success.
Bottom Bouncing Techniques
Bottom bouncing is great for walleye in deep water. It uses a sliding sinker rig with live bait or lures that tap the bottom. Keep in touch with the bottom while letting the bait swim to attract walleye.
Vertical Jigging Methods
- Choose a sensitive graphite rod and reel combo for feeling bites.
- Attach a vertical jigging spoon or soft plastic grub with minnow or live bait.
- Move the jig up and down, watching your electronics to find fish depth.
Trolling Deep Structures
Trolling is good for deep water walleye. Use planer boards, downriggers, or leadcore line to reach the right depth. Try crankbaits, spoons, and other productive walleye rigs to see what works best.
| Tackle Recommendation | Ideal Depth Range | Lure/Rig Types |
|---|
| Bottom Bouncing | 15-35 feet | Slip sinker rigs, live bait, jigs |
| Vertical Jigging | 20-50 feet | Vertical jigging spoons, soft plastics |
| Trolling Deep Structures | 30-80 feet | Crankbaits, spoons, diving plugs |
Trying different walleye fishing tackle and productive walleye rigs is essential. Mastering these techniques will help you catch big walleye consistently.
Essential Color Patterns and Size Selection
Choosing the right walleye lure colors and sizes is key for successful fishing. Anglers need to think about water clarity, light levels, and local forage. These factors help pick the best lure for catching walleye.
In clear, shallow waters, lures that look like baitfish work well. Yellow, gold, and white lures mimic baitfish, drawing walleye in. In deeper or murkier waters, brighter colors like chartreuse, pink, and orange are better.
The lure’s size is also crucial. Walleye prefer prey that matches their usual food size. Small lures, 3- to 4-inches, are best when young baitfish are around. As the season changes and walleye seek bigger food, larger lures, 5- to 7-inches, can lead to more bites.
- Translucent, natural colors work best in clear, shallow waters
- Bright, vibrant colors excel in deeper or stained waters
- Match lure size to the dominant forage in the area
By carefully choosing walleye lure colors and sizes, anglers can match their lures to the fishing conditions. This approach increases the chances of catching big walleye all season.
Live Bait vs Artificial Lures: Making the Right Choice
Anglers often debate between live bait and artificial lures for walleye fishing. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Knowing these can help you choose wisely for your next fishing trip.
Natural Bait Presentations
Live baits like minnows, crawfish, or nightcrawlers are great for walleye. They look like the real thing, which can lead to more bites. But, keeping live bait alive and using it right can be harder than artificial lures.
Artificial Lure Advantages
Artificial lures, like jigs and crankbaits, have their perks. They last longer, are simpler to use, and work in many depths. They also let you change your fishing style, which can get walleye to bite.
Hybrid Rigging Options
Many anglers mix live bait with artificial lures. This means using a live bait on a jig head or a soft plastic that looks like real prey. This mix offers the best of both worlds.
Choosing between live bait and artificial lures depends on what you like, the fishing conditions, and the walleye’s behavior. By knowing the good and bad of each, you can pick the best option and catch more fish.
“The right bait or lure can make all the difference when it comes to catching walleye. It’s important to experiment and find what works best in your local waters.”
Top Walleye Lure Brands and Their Signature Products
Choosing the right lure is key for walleye fishing. Top brands offer a wide range of lures, each with its own strengths. Let’s look at some top brands and their signature walleye lures that anglers trust.
Rapala: The Classic Crankbait
Rapala is well-known in fishing circles for their classic balsa wood crankbaits. The Rapala DT series is a favorite for walleye fishing. It mimics a real fish, making walleye strike. The DT-6 and DT-10 are great for fishing in shallow to medium-depth waters.
Berkley PowerBait: Irresistible Scent and Taste
Berkley’s PowerBait is a hit with walleye anglers. These lures have a strong scent and taste that walleye can’t ignore. The Gulp! Alive! Minnow and Crawler Grub are especially effective on a light jighead or dropshot rig.
Strike King: Versatile Spinnerbaits and Vibrating Jigs
Strike King offers lures that work well in different ways. The KVD Spinnerbait has a special blade that vibrates enticingly. The Pure Poison Vibrating Jig has a strong hook and action that walleye can’t resist.
| Lure Brand | Signature Product | Key Features |
|---|
| Rapala | DT (Depth Trap) Crankbait | Lifelike swimming action, balsa wood construction |
| Berkley | PowerBait Gulp! Alive! Minnow and Crawler Grub | Potent scent and flavor, soft plastic design |
| Strike King | KVD Spinnerbait and Pure Poison Vibrating Jig | Unique blade design, pulsating action |
These are just a few top walleye lures from leading brands. Knowing what each lure does best helps anglers choose the right one. This way, they can catch walleye more effectively, no matter the fishing conditions.
Conclusion
Choosing the right lures is crucial in walleye fishing. We’ve looked at the top lures for each season. We also covered how walleye behavior changes with the seasons and the tackle needed to catch them.
Anglers now know how to use bottom-bouncing and vertical jigging in deep water. They also understand the benefits of natural baits and artificial lures. This knowledge helps them catch more walleyes.
The main lesson is to be flexible and try different things. By using a variety of best walleye lures and effective walleye lures, anglers can adapt to changing conditions. This leads to more successful and enjoyable fishing trips.
FAQ
What are the best walleye lures for each fishing season? The best walleye lures include jigs, crankbaits, swimbaits, and live bait rigs. These lures work well all year. The choice depends on the season and how walleye behave.
How do I choose the right lure colors and sizes for walleye fishing? Choosing the right lure colors is key. It depends on the water’s clarity and the light. Bright colors are best in clear water, while natural colors work better in murky water.
What are the best techniques for deep water walleye fishing? For deep water, try bottom bouncing, vertical jigging, and trolling. Each method needs special tackle. They help target walleye near deep structures.
When should I use live bait versus artificial lures for walleye? Live bait and artificial lures both have their strengths. Live bait can trigger more bites. Lures, however, offer more action.
What are some of the top walleye lure brands and their signature products? Top brands include Rapala, Berkley, Strike King, and Northland Fishing Tackle. Their best lures are the Rapala Shad Rap, Berkley PowerBait Gulp! Alive! Minnow, Strike King Thunder Cricket, and Northland Buckshot Rattle Spoon.
