Live bait has long been a trusted weapon in the arsenal of walleye anglers. While artificial lures have their place, there’s something undeniably effective about presenting a natural food source. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, these live bait tactics can help you put more walleye on the hook.
Five Proven Techniques to Catch More Walleye:
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Lindy Rig: Versatile and suitable for drifting or trolling, the Lindy Rig presents live bait naturally. It features a sliding weight, swivel, and leader with a hook.
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Bottom Bouncers and Spinners: Ideal for deep water with strong currents, bottom bouncers keep your bait up off the bottom with a wire weight and spinner blades.
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Jig-and-Minnow: Perfect for cold water and precision casting, this method uses a jighead paired with a minnow. It excels when targeting fish located on sonar.
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Slip Floats: Effective for suspended fish or pinpoint presentations, slip floats allow live bait to drift at a desired depth.
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Erie’s Weight-Forward Spinners: Designed for casting to open-water walleyes, these spinners combine flash, vibration, and scent with live bait like nightcrawlers.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to put it into practice! Grab your favorite live bait, choose the right technique for the conditions, and head out to your local walleye hotspot. Tight lines and good luck!
Images/Source: RealTree
