As spring makes it’s slow but inevitable advance the ice slowly but surely melts then shrinks away. At about this time fishermen anxiously prepare to hit open water. Spring fishing can be the best time of year or the most frustrating if you are not prepared for it. In this article I am going to tell you some spring walleye fishing tips, for some more good tips in general read the walleye ice fishing tips by Jason Mitchell
Even the most experienced fishermen never leave their home unprepared and without some game plan in their heads. Assuming that you know how to gear up here are few proven walleye fishing tips to stack the odds in your favor and make your open water experience one to remember. The tips here come from the real-life experience of fishing veterans who have honed their skills walleye fishing over the years.
First use the smallest jig practical when you target shallow areas. A 1/16 oz. jig is usually the perfect size. Size is important because if you go with bigger hardware those fish in shallow water can easily be spooked by loud POPs ion the surface of the water.
The author Jason Mitchell with a beautiful walleye caught during the midday with a Northland Tackle Macho Minnow by drilling several holes across a location and fishing it through after the peak bite was over.
As far as tipping your jig, during the early season you should do that with a leech or minnow or plastic that imitates them.
Every time you cast out or retrieve your jig over sand, gravel or shallow bottoms you need to lift your rod. Then drop it and pull it all the way back to you. In addition, it is recommended you mix up your jigging technique from time to time and use various baits and plastics.
While fishing in May, you can easily pick up a walleye just by dragging your jig on the bottom. Therefore, you don’t always need to do a lift-drop. This might not be the finest of all walleye fishing tips but it can help you pick up extra fish.
Using live bait is seems to be preferred by most for spring walleye fishing. However, change-up and try using some scented plastic. According to many veteran fishermen scented plastic can be as attractive to fish if not more so than live bait is. This is one of the hardest walleye fishing tips to use you first time but has been tested extensively on by moat top anglers in a lot of angling situations. This can often be your ace in the hole.
Using slip-bobbers is recommended for walleye fishing when they are stacked in a school and somewhat neutral to negative at this time of year. If you are fishing over deeper water it’s recommended you use live bait rigs or vertical jig. In addition to that, you can consider using crank baits to get reaction bites.
When talking about walleye fishing tips no list would be complete with, out mentioning you need to always keep your lure or presentation at the proper depth and move them with the right speed that triggers those walleyes to bite.
Another excellent technique that can bring you results is using a split-shot in front of a live bait rig. This is done by tying your line on the hook and adding a split-shot above it. You may have heard it called a finesse rig. Similar to that you can grab a torpedo weight and pin it some four feet in front of the hook. This little trick gives you the ability to bounce over rocks without the risk of snagging.
Of all the walleye fishing tips think about baits and how to make the most of them. First of all let’s assume that you are using minnows. Even if you consider that 2-1/2” inch fathead an ideal size there is no harm in mixing up the size. Early spring is when fatheads spawn. During that period male fatheads have bumps on the head and turn black. However, we recommend you use female fatheads. They are much more productive than their male companions because of their positive scent factor. As far as leeches go, opt for medium-size more often than not. Also, look for the blackest leeches. Avoid brown leeches and less active ones.
Whatever type of bait used you want to always to use healthy baits. Dead or half-dead baits won’t take you to the promised land.