Pitch, Snap - Hookset!
Pitching Jigging Raps is one of the hottest tactics on the walleye scene right now. Here’s what you need to know to get started catching fish using this potent jigging technique.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BAITS FOR THE TECHNIQUE
Each lure within the Jigging Rap Series can be pitched and jigged. The size 7 Jigging Rap is a good place to start. This bait catches walleye from shallow to deep water, and works all season long. The larger, heavier size 9 is another fan favourite for times when a bulkier profile and faster sink rate is desired. Some anglers like the smaller size 5 Jigging Rap for early spring.
The Jigging Shadow Rap is another must-have. It has broad silhouette and a slower darting action than the original. Walleye crush it!
If you’re looking for even more variety, both Snap Rap sizes are worth having. The size 5 Jigging Shad Rap is a good choice when a compact shad profile and slower fall are needed.
All of these lures fish similar on a snap-jigging cadence, but with slight variations in action and sink rate. As such, the following sections will refer to a Jigging Rap in most instances, but readers should keep in mind the entire Jigging Rap Series may be used in the following scenarios.
WHY PITCH JIGGING RAPS FOR WALLEYE
A Jigging Rap produces erratic, darting movements when jigged along bottom. A rod snap sends the lure shooting off bottom and then veering to the side before gliding downward. The presentation’s speed, evasiveness and vulnerability has a knack of appealing to aggressive fish, but can also trigger reaction bites from less active walleye.
Another advantage of the technique is it covers water quickly. For instance, when fishing a 14 to 16 foot flat, a size 7 Jigging Rap weighing 5/8 ounces is going to help you work an area faster than doing the same with a soft-plastic or live minnow on a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce jig.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PITCH JIGGING RAPS FOR WALLEYE
Anglers will experience excellent results snap-jigging these baits when walleye are active. A good “walleye chop” is an ideal time to pitch a Jigging Rap. Overcast conditions also tend to be good.
Snap-jigging in sunny conditions puts walleye in the net, too, because of a Jigging Rap’s ability to trigger reaction strikes. It goes against the grain, but it works!
Another good scenario is using these lures in conjunction with sonar to target specific fish. This applies to pitching a lure to a deep structure where you’ve marked a fish on 2D sonar. Likewise for tossing a bait ahead of the boat to a walleye scanned using forward-facing sonar.
WHERE TO PITCH JIGGING RAPS
Sand bars and soft-bottom flats are ideal locations for the technique because snags are minimal. Plus, each time the lure hits bottom, it sends up a plume of debris curious walleye are going to key-in on and investigate.
Any kind of edge is also worth fishing. Working a lure down a soft-bottom, sloping drop-off will catch walleye. A Jigging Rap is also effective when fished along bottom transitions.
Snap-jigging one of these baits in the open-water adjacent to a deep weed line is guaranteed to get the attention of any walleye in the area. You might snag vegetation now and then if working parallel to an irregular weed edge, but you’ll also catch some big fish.
HOW TO PITCH AND RETRIEVE A JIGGING RAP TO CATCH WALLEYE
Pitching a Jigging Rap is pretty straightforward. Start by making a short to medium length cast, then let the lure sink to bottom. Reel down to get the rod to the 9 o’clock position, then quickly raise the rod up to the 11 o’clock position. Immediately drop the rod as the bait sinks.
There’s plenty of room for tweaking this jigging sequence, of course. Some days fish respond best to an aggressive snap. In other situations a moderate pull is better. You can also snap the bait two or three times before letting it sink to bottom.
HOW TO PITCH TO DEEP, OFFSHORE STRUCTURE
When walleye are offshore and relating to structure during summer and fall, pitching a Jigging Rap can payoff. Drive over a spot with the fishing rod in your hand while watching the fishfinder. When your electronics reveal a sizeable fish, immediately pitch the Jigging Rap behind the boat, then put the motor in reverse briefly to pull the boat back over top of the fish. Start snap-jigging the lure once it reaches the strike zone, adjusting the boat as needed to keep the line fairly vertical and stay over the fish.
WHAT’S THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR FISHING JIGGING RAPS FOR WALLEYE
Line preferences are influenced by one’s fishing style. Some prefer the direct contact provided by no-stretch braid and use 15-pound Sufix 832 with a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader. Other anglers swear by 10-pound monofilament, in which case Sufix Advance Monofilament is ideal. Last but not least, is the option of 10-pound Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, which offers a nice middle ground between braid and mono.
Tip: Snap jigging these gliding lures can cause line twist. Tie a small barrel swivel 24 inches above the lure to prevent problems.
Don’t get caught without Jigging Raps, Jigging Shadow Raps, Snap Raps and Jigging Shad Raps this season. Carry these baits in a few different sizes, and you’ll be ready to pitch and snap-jig plenty of walleye inTO the boat from spring to fall — with the added bonus of being able to continue catching fish on these same baits during the ice fishing season.
