Summer Trolling For Walleye

Trolling is effective at catching walleye because it covers water, locates fish and triggers reaction strikes. When it comes to the best summer walleye trolling baits, spinner rigs and crankbaits are top picks. Here’s a quick refresher on using these reliable baits to catch more walleye during warm-water conditions.

When compared, a spinner rig and a crankbait have distinct actions, profiles, and vibration characteristics. In summer, walleye may prefer a spinner over a crankbait, or vice versa. This is why it’s crucial to have both presentations “rigged and ready” this time of year.

Cruising Speeds

Summertime spinner rig trolling speeds are typically between 1 to 1.5 mph. When walleye exhibit a preference for prey moving at this speed, a spinner rig becomes an effective fishing tool.

Definitely reach for a spinner rig anytime you’re dealing with inactive or neutral walleye in summer. This strategy is equally effective during bug hatches.

It’s worth noting that many fishing guides and walleye experts are not afraid to troll spinners at speeds exceeding 2 mph. This increased pace allows for faster water coverage, and can be an effective for triggering strikes from walleye and avoiding unwanted attention from panfish.

Live-Bait Advantage

In some respects, a spinner rig is simply a delivery system for live-bait. A dual hook harness is designed for holding a nightcrawler, while a single hook rig is suitable for a leech or a minnow.

Scented soft-baits are an effective alternative. Using artificials allows anglers to fish spinner rigs in areas with live-bait restrictions, and other times when using real meat simply isn’t in the cards.

Regardless of whether using live-bait or an artificial, the added scent, taste and action of these baits increase a spinner rig’s potency. This is often an asset in the dog-days of summer and other off-peak times.

Versatility

Trolling a spinner rig on a bottom bouncer is a reliable way to catch walleye relating to the lakebed. Another option is pulling a spinner rig behind an inline weight or snap weight when fish are suspending in deep basins in summer.

Trolling a spinner rig over canopy and along the edges of deep weeds is also effective. Thread a Tungsten Worm Weight on the mainline to keep the rig in the strike zone.

Unique Characteristics

Another spellbinding spinner rig characteristic is its “vertical swim”. This refers to the up and down movements happening simultaneously as a spinner harness travels forward in the water. Walleye can’t resist it some days.

Blade Shapes And Sizes

A spinner rig collection should include a variety of different blade shapes and sizes. The TechSet Spinner Colorado Harness and TechSet Spinner Indiana Floating Harness, for instance, each deliver slightly different spin characteristics (e.g., blade rotation angle, vibration pitch) and, subsequently, influence the rig’s movement while travelling through the water.

Faster Trollers

Summertime crankbait trolling speeds typically span 1.5 to 3.5 mph, which helps cover water fast. When walleye are aggressively feeding, a crankbait moving at the upper end of this speed range can appeal more.

Depth Precision

A quality diving crankbait is easy to troll at a precise depth. The Gold Miner 30, for instance, is designed to reach and stay at 30 feet, making it a great option for catching walleye relating to deep structure or suspending in a lake basin.

Shallow-running crankbaits are also summertime essentials. The Shallow Shad Rap and Original Floating just two reliable picks for night trolling along shorelines and over shallow weed beds for walleye.

Looking Like Walleye Food

A crankbait is an excellent lure when baitfish are on the menu. Crankbaits typically divide into two shape categories. There are those with a broad profile, like the Shad Rap and Deep Tail Dancer. Then there are lures with a thinner-minnow profile, like the Scatter Rap Jointed and X-Rap Deep. Anglers should own both varieties. 

Multi-Sensory Appeal

The distinct action of a crankbait can be irresistible to walleye in summer. Without question Rapala’s legendary wounded-minnow swim stimulates a walleye’s visual predatory instincts. Less obvious to an angler’s eye, but as important, are the vortexes and vibrations created as a crankbait moves through the water, which a walleye detects using its lateral line.

Given the influence of these characteristics, be sure to have a mix of lures, including ones with a wide-tail action and others with a tight swimming action.

Evasive Actions Trigger Predators

There are days in summer when walleye simply prefer what hard-baits offer. Case in point, Rapala’s innovative Scatter Lip design gives the Scatter Rap Tail Dancer, Scatter Rap Shad and other lures within the Scatter Series a “hunting” action. This evasive swim mimics a baitfish trying to escape and makes predators see red.

Outstanding sensitivity and moderate stretch make 10-pound Advance Monofilament a great fishing line for trolling spinner rigs and crankbaits. Available in high-vis Neon Lime, Clear and Low-Vis Green colours.

Knowing the amount of line out is important for trolling precision. Using a Digital Line Counter or a Lighted Fishing Line Counter makes it easy to transform a baitcast or spinning rod combo into a trolling-specific tool. For a more permanent solution, consider a Defiant Line Counter Trolling Reel.