Like it or not, weather conditions play a contributing role in the success or failure of popular walleye fishing methods. It seems that for many of the most popular techniques, a little wind is a good thing. For example, the best conditions for drifting flats with spinners is a steady breeze that's not too light and not too strong. A bit of a "walleye chop" is also important when pitching slip bobber rigs onto reefs. Points and other major bottom structures tend to produce best when a steady wind pushes waves and baitfish up onto the rocks.
Wouldn't it be nice to have that Goldielocks touch and enjoy the "just right" wind conditions every day on the water? Unfortunately cooperative weather is rarely a dependable commodity.
Thankfully not all walleye presentations play out best in windy conditions. Casting jigs is one fishing technique that's best practiced in dead calm weather. "Calm conditions are perfect for pitching jigs for several reasons," says Wisconsin native Daryl Christensen. A Pro Walleye Trail angler with over 20 years experience in the school of hard nocks, Christensen has carved out a well deserved reputation as a top stick when it comes to jig fishing. Christensen catches limits of walleye on jigs when others seemingly can't get a bite or abandon jigging for other methods. His secrets will make anyone a better walleye angler and the jig fishing skills he has mastered are also deadly on bass, pike and a wealth of other species.
CALM WEATHER JIGGING
"In calm conditions I can feel more bites and sometimes I can even see the strike occur," continues Christensen. "Fishing line does a surprisingly good job of telegraphing the subtle strike of a walleye picking up a jig. The bite most often feels like a quick tap in the line, not unlike the sensation of a perch or bluegill jabbing at a worm. That telltale tap doesn't occur every time a walleye bites. Instead sometimes the line simply twitches slightly at the point where it enters the water."
When the tap sensation is felt, the fish has grabbed the bait and turned its head, pulling sharply on the line in the process. If the line running to the jig was relatively taunt at this instant a defined tap will be noticed.
However, bites often occur when the line isn't taunt. When there is slack in the line and a fish bites the defined tap that telegraphs the strike will be missing. Often this occurs because the fish picks up the bait and swims or moves towards the angler, putting more slack in the line.
It's difficult to feel a strike that occurs on slack line, but often you can see it if you watch closely the point where the line enters the water. A twitch or if the line starts to move are subtle but definitive clues that a strike has occurred.
Tap or twitch, the reaction is the same. The hard and fast rule of jig pitching is to set the hook on anything that feels or looks different. Developing this quick and decisive hookset reaction is what sets apart the exceptional jig fisherman from those who struggle.
"Three quarters of jig fishing isn't how the jig is moved, the type of jig used, or even the quality of the fishing rod," explains Christensen. "What's important is how quickly the angler responds to strikes. Even the slightest hesitation will cost you fish."
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ROD?
Fishing rods play a major role in jig fishing success, but brands and claims of "sensitivity" aren't the critical issue here. Advertising claims that one rod is more sensitive or better able to telegraph bites than another could best be described as splitting hairs. All the major brands offer quality graphite rods sensitive enough for serious walleye fishing. In a blindfolded user test, it's not likely that anyone could tell the difference between brands of rods valued at $100.00 to $300.00 dollars. Lower value rods tend to be made from graphite and fiberglass composites that are somewhat heavy and less able to telegraph subtle strikes.
Brand loyalties aside, there are some options that significantly impact on jig fishing success. "For calm weather jigging I prefer a six foot rod," says Christensen. "A taller angler might feel more comfortable with a slightly longer rod, but for me the six foot length is perfect."
When the wind picks up Christensen reaches for a longer rod. "In windy weather longer rods are a huge advantage," says Christensen. "The extra length helps to control slack line and yield longer casts. I personally use a six foot/six inch rod in windy weather, but again a taller angler might find that a seven foot rod is ideal. A medium or medium light action is just right for the majority of jig pitching situations."
MONOFILAMENT OR BRAIDED LINE
At a time when high tech superbraid lines are becoming increasingly more popular, Christensen still favors garden variety monofilament line. "Monofilament line has all the properties I'm looking for in a jig fishing line. Monofilament is inexpensive, strong, has good not strength, low memory, comes in high visibility colors and offers just enough stretch to make it hard for a hooked fish to shake free."
Superbraid lines are very thin and common sense suggests that thinner lines would be easier to control in windy conditions. "My experience with braids is they actually catch the wind more than monofilament line," cautions Christensen. "These lines are thin, but they are also very light allowing even a light breeze to pick up the line and form a bow that makes it increasingly difficult to detect strikes."
Among monofilament lines, co-polymer products that are thinner and feature less memory are the best jig fishing lines. Christensen favors Stren's Magna-Thin in eight pound test. This line that has stood the test of time, features low diameter, good knot strength and plenty of tensile strength for walleye jigging.
LET'S TALK TECHNIQUE
"The most important thing when jig fishing in windy conditions is to cast with or quartering with the wind," says Christensen. "This helps to keep the line bow to a minimum and casting with the wind improves casting accuracy and also helps to eliminate the problem of snapping the bait off the hook."
In calm weather a nice long cast covers water and makes it easier to encounter more fish. When the wind starts to blow, forget about long casts. "In windy weather a long cast is impossible to control," says Christensen. "Too much slack gets into the system and controlling the jig becomes impossible. A short and accurate cast is the best approach."
"Once the cast is made, point the rod tip at the jig and lower it to about six inches above the water," recommends Christensen. "Keeping the rod tip low keeps the line in the water and really does a good job of eliminating line bow that robs the jig fisherman of feel. The low rod angle also works to keep the line taunt so that bites are more easily detected and when a fish bites simply lifting the rod completes the hookset."
JIGGING ACTION
The part of jigging that has to do with how the jig is actually moved in the water is often over dramatized. "Since walleye tend to hit most often when the jig is resting on the bottom, it's important to work the jig in such a way that it stays close to or in contact with the bottom," says Christensen. "It's also important that the jig remains visible to nearby fish. This is why lifting and dropping the jig usually works better than dragging the jig along bottom."
"I like to lift the jig by raising the rod tip slightly, then stopping the rod so the jig can fall back to bottom," Moved in this manner the jig swings toward the angler like a pendulum. Each time the jig is lifted it is moved closer to the boat or casting position. This creates slack line. A turn or two on the reel handle picks up the slack created and sets the stage for the jig to be lifted again."
It's important to work the jig all the way back to the boat. Walleye are notorious for following a bait they could easily catch, only to strike at the last second. Be ready and complete each cast.
THE ROLE OF JIG SIZE & DESIGN
Jig design and size play a major role in jigging success. The standard philosophy among walleye anglers is that a jig fisherman should use the lightest leadhead possible. Christensen takes a different approach. "A light jig is easy for walleye to slurp up, but most of the time it's tough to feel the jig and even tougher to maintain control of the jig in relationship to the bottom," cautions Christensen. "Personally, I feel it's better to use a jig that's a little too heavy than one that's too light for the situation."
In water where most anglers would choose a 1/8 ounce jig, Christensen favors a 1/4 ounce model. "Not only can I keep slack out of the line better with a larger jig, I can also stay in close contact with the bottom. The larger size of the jig is also a little more visible to fish."
Stand up style jigs have a lot to offer anglers who do a lot of pitching. Keeping the hook point up off the bottom helps to reduce snags but more importantly it puts the business end of the jig where it's most likely to end up in the fish's mouth.
Christensen favorite jig for casting is the Odd Ball produced by Bait Rigs Tackle. This stand-up style jig uses a rounded head that keeps the center of gravity low and the hook point riding upright. This jig also slips through cover amazingly well, sliding over and around debris while keeping the bait in clear view of the fish.
The Odd Ball was designed with live bait fishing in mind. Christensen favors using half a nightcrawler threaded onto the hook, but leeches and minnows are good options as well. "I like crawlers because they seem to work everywhere, they are readily available and easy to keep." adds Christensen. "Depending on how big the crawlers are, I'll usually use 1/2 a crawler or 1/3 if the crawlers are exceptionally large."
Plastic lures also have a place in walleye fishing, but Christensen feels plastic usually won't out produce live bait. Fishing in heavy weed cover is one time when plastic makes more sense than live bait.
EMBRACE THE WIND
"Fighting the wind is a loosing battle," says Christensen. "I try to work with the wind to improve my jigging success."
Fishing in areas protected from the wind is a good approach, but not if these areas aren't holding fish. "More often than not, I find myself fishing right in the teeth of the wind," says Christensen. "One of the ways I adapt to windy conditions is by anchoring the boat instead of using the electric motor for boat position. Anchoring takes up a lot of valuable fishing time, but when the boat is anchored you can concentrate completely on the task of catching fish."
Anchoring has many advantages. "For one thing it's easier to concentrate on detecting strikes when the boat is stationary," advises Christensen. "Secondly, from an anchored position spots can be fished more thoroughly. The once over approach doesn't work well when fishing in tough windy conditions. It often takes several casts into a spot to trigger a strike."
Landing fish is another area where fishing from an anchored boat is best. "Trying to land fish while the boat is blowing around makes the chore double tough," warns Christensen. "Not only is the drifting boat putting more pressure on the fish, the opportunity for the fish to get caught in the electric motor increases. Also if you drift away from the area you're fishing while trying to land a fish, chances are someone nearby is going to move in on your spot."
The same advantages enjoyed by anchoring a boat can also be taken advantage of by anglers wading along shore or casting from docks. Both are great ways to maximize fishing effort when jigging in windy weather.
SUMMING IT UP
It would be great if the weather always cooperated, but that's about as likely to happen as snow in July. The walleye angler who enjoys jig fishing has two choices. Either you can limit your opportunity by only fishing in calm conditions, or you can learn the combat tactics required to be successful jigging in the wind. Wind makes the whole jigging thing more difficult, but sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves and take the Giter Done approach.
most popular techniques, a little wind is a good thing. For example, the best conditions for drifting flats with spinners is a steady breeze that's not too light and not too strong. A bit of a "walleye chop" is also important when pitching slip bobber rigs onto reefs. Points and other major bottom structures tend to produce best when a steady wind pushes waves and baitfish up onto the rocks.
Fishing rods play a major role in jig fishing success, but brands and claims of "sensitivity" aren't the critical issue here. Advertising claims that one rod is more sensitive or better able to telegraph bites than another could best be described as splitting hairs. All the major brands offer quality graphite rods sensitive enough for serious walleye fishing. In a blindfolded user test, it's not likely that anyone could tell the difference between brands of rods valued at $100.00 to $300.00 dollars. Lower value rods tend to be made from graphite and fiberglass composites that are somewhat heavy and less able to telegraph subtle strikes.
leadhead possible. Christensen takes a different approach. "A light jig is easy for walleye to slurp up, but most of the time it's tough to feel the jig and even tougher to maintain control of the jig in relationship to the bottom," cautions Christensen. "Personally, I feel it's better to use a jig that's a little too heavy than one that's too light for the situation."
