Walleye can be challenging, but you’ll reel in those trophy-sized walleye quickly with the right tools and techniques. Having the best walleye lures in your arsenal is key to your fishing success.
Whether you’re a seasoned walleye angler or just starting out, staying updated on the best walleye lures and techniques is always a good idea. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the world of walleye fishing.
From jigging to trolling, we’ve got you covered with our top picks for the best walleye lures and how to use them effectively.
Understanding the behavior and habits of walleye.
To successfully catch walleye, it’s crucial to understand their behavior and habits.
Don’t worry, we’ll get into the lures in just a moment, but it will all make sense when you understand walleye behavior first.
These elusive creatures are known for their preference for low light conditions, making them more active during dawn and dusk.
Depending on where you are and the time of year, this is anywhere between 5-6am and 7-8pm.
In fact, many walleye anglers refer to this time as the “golden hour” for walleye fishing.
Another important aspect of walleye behavior is their tendency to stay close to structures such as rock piles, weed beds, or submerged trees.
These structures offer them the cover they need to ambush their prey, making them prime spots to target when looking for walleye.
Understanding their preferred habitats can significantly increase your chances of finding them.
By taking the time to research and understand the behavior and habits of walleye, you can make informed decisions on where and how to fish for them.
Jigging techniques: the most effective way to catch walleye.
Jigging techniques are undoubtedly the most effective method in an angler’s arsenal.
This allows you to present your bait in a way that mimics natural movements, attracting walleye and enticing them to strike.
By using a combination of twitching, lifting, and dropping motions, you can create an irresistible presentation. The key is to vary your jigging speed and depth until you find the perfect rhythm that entices those walleye.
To maximize your success, choosing the right walleye jig is crucial.
Opt for jigs that feature a realistic profile and bright colors to grab the attention of these fish. The best walleye jigs often have a contrasting color on the belly to create a striking silhouette.
Experiment with different sizes and shapes to find what works best in different conditions.
Walleye are predators that rely heavily on their vision to locate prey. Therefore, paying attention to water clarity and adjusting your jigging technique is crucial.
In clearer water, utilize subtle movements and lighter jigs, while in murkier conditions, larger and more aggressive jigging can produce excellent results.
With the right technique and patience, you’ll reel in those walleye in no time.
The absolute best walleye lures.
This is what you’ve been waiting for. We’ve asked our expert anglers and compiled a list of the best walleye lures to ensure you get the most out of your fishing trips.
The versatility of crankbaits for walleye fishing.
Crankbaits are a versatile weapon in any angler’s tackle box. These artificial lures mimic the movements and appearance of a wounded baitfish, a favorite meal of hungry walleye.
The lifelike action and vibrant color patterns of crankbaits can entice even the wariest walleye to strike, making them a go-to lure for many anglers.
Remember, walleye are aggressive hunters hiding in the weed beds looking for prey.
The beauty of crankbaits lies in their ability to cover a vast range of water depths and speeds. Whether you’re fishing in shallow waters or deeper structures, you can adjust the diving depth of your crankbait to target the walleye at their desired depth.
Varying the retrieval speed can also provoke different reactions from walleye, allowing you to dial into their preferences on any given day.
Top crankbait for walleye: Reef Runner.
The Reef Runner Deep Diver 800 Crankbait is the go-to lure when targeting walleye because of its impressive depth reach and distinctive banana-shaped body. Its ability to troll as deep as 28′ on 10-lb mono makes it highly effective in reaching walleyes in deeper waters. The crankbait’s aggressive “kicking” action, coupled with its loud, fish-attracting rattle, has an uncanny ability to draw in hungry predators. As for color, we’ve found that darker shades, such as blue or black, tend to work best, especially in low-light conditions or murky waters. This is undoubtedly the best walleye lure we’ve used on Lake Erie.
Spinner rigs: A walleye favorite.
Spinner rigs are among the oldest and most reliable techniques for catching walleye.
The combination of a jig head and flashy spinner blades creates an enticing presentation that can be fished from shallow waters to deep depths, depending on the size of your spinner rig.
The key is to present the lure slowly and steadily in front of the fish to trigger their predatory instinct.
There are countless variations of spinner rigs, but the classic combination of a jig head and Colorado or Willow blades works well when fishing for walleye.
For waters with low visibility, brighter colors such as orange, chartreuse, or pink tend to be more successful in attracting hungry predators.
Top spinnerbait for walleye: Terminator Super Stainless Double Willow Spinnerbait.
The Terminator Super Stainless Double Willow Spinnerbait is a gem for catching walleye, especially in clear water. The exclusive beveled edge blades give it an incredibly realistic baitfish look and an exceptional flash in the water, making it irresistible to walleye.
We love this lure for its 47% more vibration than other spinnerbaits – it truly makes a difference in attracting those elusive fish. In terms of color, we’ve found that natural hues such as silver or pumpkinseed work best, matching the lifelike appeal of the bait.
Exploring the benefits of using soft plastic baits for walleye.
Many anglers swear by the effectiveness of using soft plastic baits in walleye fishing. These lures offer many benefits that greatly enhance your chances of catching walleye.
One of the key benefits of using soft plastic baits for walleye is their lifelike action and appearance in the water. These baits are designed to mimic the movement and texture of natural prey, attracting walleye’s attention and triggering their predatory instincts.
Our success with soft plastic baits is often attributed to their ability to deceive even the most cautious walleye.
These lures can be used in various fishing techniques, such as jigging, casting, or trolling. Whether you’re fishing in open water, along weed beds, or through ice, soft plastics can adapt to different situations.
Incorporating soft plastic baits into your walleye fishing arsenal can yield impressive results. The lifelike action, versatility, and ability to mimic natural prey make them a lure for many walleye anglers.
Top soft plastic bait for walleye: Impulse Paddle Minnow.
The Impulse Paddle Minnow is a versatile lure that we’ve found incredibly effective for catching walleye. Its ability to imitate shad and other baitfish makes it a perfect choice as a swimbait, jig, spinnerbait trailer, or even on an umbrella rig. The boot tail design enhances vibration, creating a realistic swimming action that walleye simply can’t resist. We’ve had great success with more natural shades like silver and green, which closely mimic the appearance of common baitfish.
The power of trolling with inline spinners for walleye fishing.
Trolling with inline spinners can shake things up regarding walleye fishing. Instead of sticking to one spot, this technique allows you to travel across the water and tempt those elusive walleye to strike.
One of the great things about trolling with inline spinners is its adaptability. You can adjust your speed and depth, finding that ideal zone where the walleye are most active. Try out different spinner colors and blade sizes to discover what gets the walleye in your fishing spot riled up. It all boils down to finding the right combination of flashy allure and tantalizing movement.
Don’t overlook the importance of attaching a lively minnow or leech to the hook of your inline spinner. Introducing live bait can bring about a game-changing effect, even enticing the most hesitant walleye to take the bait. The natural swimming action and the scent of the minnow, paired with the vibrations and flash of the spinner, create an irresistible temptation for the lurking walleye below.
Top inline spinner for walleye: Bass Pro Shops XPS Death Roll Walleye Spinner Rig.
This is easily one of the best walleye baits on the market. The Bass Pro Shops XPS Death Roll Walleye Spinner Rig is a fantastic lure for catching walleye. The combination of the high flash of a Colorado spinner blade and the crawler-twisting action of a premium Death Roll hook makes it incredibly enticing to walleye. We particularly love this lure for its 60″L premium monofilament leader and inline swivel, which effectively resists line twisting. We’ve found that variations of green and yellow tend to work best, likely because they mimic the colors of natural prey in many water conditions.
Enhancing your walleye success with jerkbaits.
Jerkbaits can be a game-changer for walleye. These artificial lures are designed to mimic injured baitfish, making them irresistible to walleye. Their erratic slashing and darting actions trigger predatory instincts, enticing walleye to strike.
Jerkbaits are incredibly versatile, allowing you to fish them in various conditions and depths. Whether fishing shallow flats or working along drop-offs and ledges, jerkbaits can be effectively worked through the water column to entice walleye. Experiment with different retrieve speeds and pauses to determine what triggers the most bites.
To maximize your success with jerkbaits, opt for natural and realistic color patterns that closely resemble walleye prey. Look for jerkbaits with internal rattles that create additional noise and vibration to attract nearby walleye. And don’t forget to vary your cadence and retrieve style to keep the walleye guessing.
With jerkbaits in your tackle arsenal, you can tap into a highly effective technique to catch walleye consistently. Their lifelike movements and enticing actions make them a go-to lure for many successful walleye anglers.
Top jerkbait for walleye: Rapala Husky Jerk Minnow.
The Rapala Husky Jerk Minnow is an outstanding lure for catching walleye. Its perfect balance and ability to track true at any speed make it a versatile choice for either casting or trolling. The lure’s rattle chamber sends out sound waves that walleye can’t ignore, while its horizontal suspension at rest proves irresistible to hungry predators. As for color, the “Glass” options with their transparent body and holographic “spine” provide an added flash that seems to work wonders in attracting walleye.
Fine-tuning your presentation with blade baits.
When it comes to catching walleye, fine-tuning your presentation is essential, and one highly-effective lure for doing so is the blade bait.
Blade baits are so effective for walleye because of their realistic action and flash. The vibrating motion they create mimics an injured baitfish, which triggers the predatory instincts of walleye.
As the blade moves through the water, it creates irresistible vibrations that attract walleye from a distance. Not only that, but the flash of the metal blade also adds an extra element of attraction, making it hard for walleye to resist.
When using a blade bait, it’s important to experiment with different retrieval speeds and depths to find what works best for the walleye in your area. By varying your presentation, you can trigger more strikes and increase your chances of a successful catch.
Don’t overlook the power of blade baits when fine-tuning your walleye presentation. Their realistic action, vibrations, and flash make them a go-to lure for many walleye anglers.
Top blade bait for walleye: Bad Boy Blade Baits.
The Bad Boy Blade Baits by i1 Baits is a game-changer for catching walleye. As a handcrafted lure made in the United States by walleye fishermen, it’s designed with an intimate understanding of what attracts these fish.
We love this lure for its custom patterns that utilize a holographic underlayment, making them change colors under varying lighting conditions like real baitfish.
It’s time to upgrade your fishing tackle.
We’ve covered the top six best walleye lures to elevate your fishing game and help you catch fish like you’ve never had before. From the classic jigs and crankbaits to spinner rigs and soft plastic lures, we’ve explored the different options to help you land your prized walleye.
When it comes to walleye fishing, it’s essential to understand their behavior and habits. Knowing when and where to target them is half the battle. But with the right lures in your tackle box, you can increase your chances of success.
About the Author
