OK... IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS !

Now that we've established a few basic lures for our tackle box we need to diversify and expand to include some of the real "go to" lures/rigs especially when fishing walleye, bass and pike.

Walleye

•  A selection of bottom bouncers (different weights from 1/2 oz to 2 oz) is a must. Another great option is a Lindy no snagg sinker. When fishing these rigs it's critically important to NOT let out too much line. You basically want your line to be at a 45 degree angle from your rod tip to the bottom bouncer. If you let out too much line the rig will fall over and be completely ineffective. It's also very important to troll slowly, usually between 1.0 and 1.5 mph is optimal.

 

•  A good selection of worm harnesses and live bait rigs is essential. You can use them in conjunction with your bottom bouncers or line weighted for suspending fish. Make sure your selection includes some floating harnesses for those times you want to get your presentation up over weed etc.  You can also run crankbaits on a bottom bouncer set up. A Rapala shallow running, original minnow is a good choice. Run it on at least eighteen inches of flourocarbon line behind the bouncer.

 

• The newest rage in walleye trolling is running a Mustad "slow death hook" baited with a worm off of a bottom bouncer. These funny looking hooks do a slow, mesmorizing rotation that is a walleye magnet.

 

Bass

• Certainly not new and probably the most consistently used bass "go to" is a tube jig. A selection of colors (dark greens are a killer) in a 3" tube with different weight tube jigheads from 1/8 oz up to 3/8 oz will cover most situations. Fish them different ways to provoke a strike. Sometimes simply dragging along bottom is the most effective method but also try hopping them and even swimming them slowly, close to bottom can work. Tube jigs can also be rigged weedless to get at those heavy cover fish.

 

•  Senko fishing is an absolute must in your Bass arsenal. Fished unweighted and texas rigged with a 2/0 or 3/0 wide gap hook is probably the most popular presentation. Also effective is using a belly weighted hook to cover water a little quicker. Wacky rigging is becoming increasingly popular. You simply hook the Senko in the middle or near middle (the hooks made for wacky rigging are very effective but you've probably got some in your box that will work) and cast out keeping the slack out while the worm drifts down through the water column. Once on bottom give it a few tugs letting it sit for several seconds after each one. If you find the fish are picking it up when it's inactive, dead stick for even longer periods between tugs. A 5" Senko is probably the most popular but I consistently use 4" for smallmouths.

 

•  Drop Shotting is a relatively new presentation but very widely utilized.  It's a finesse presentation that involves using a relatively small hook rigged with a palomar knot to stand out horizontally from your line. The tag end of the knot is then left intact to hang at the desired length below the hook. A weight is then fixed to the end of the line. Special drop shot weights are most effective but almost any weight can work. The baits vary but usually don't exceed 4". My favorites are 3" Gulp Leeches and Gulp Minnows and 4" drop shot worms. Flourocarbon line is definitely the recommended way to go.

 

• Shakey Wormin' is another finesse presentation. Finesse presentations are becoming increasingly popular because a subtle approach is most effective on pressured fish or during sub-optimal conditions when the bite is "off". Shakey wormin' simply involves using a stand up jighead (there are several good ones available) rigged with a 4" or 5" worm. As the name suggests, once on bottom you impart several subtle, jerks of the rod tip to make the worm shake while the jighead stays in place. Reel in several feet and do it again.

 
 

Pike

• While a lot of Bass anglers have great luck with a Spinnerbait, I'm not one of them but fish them for pike and they are awesome ! A simple cast and retrieve with an occasional pause will get the job done.

 

• Spoons are consistently effective for pike, Red Devils, Five of Diamonds and Johnson Minnows with a curly tail trailer are all good but my absolute favorite for pike is a Mepps Syclops.

 

•  Big in-line spinners are also very good and can be fished at various depths to give you some versatility.

 

• Big crankbaits with lots of  action can be the best choice in your box at certain times.

 

I'm sure I've left off some of your favorites so don't hesitate to send me an email with suggestions and I'll publish them in an upcoming blog.

Come on into the store and we'll be happy to answer any of your questions and show you first hand how these rigs work.

IS SETTING THE HOOK ON A BIG FISH ONE OF THE TOP THREE SENSATIONS YOU"LL EVER EXPERIENCE...I THINK SO !!!!!!!

Just starting out? Not sure what gear you need? Read my post on Getting started