Tried-And-True, 1-2 Punch For Spring Walleye
Spring is an excellent time to get on the water for walleye. There are plenty of effective tactics for catching fish this time of year, but two of the best are jigging CrushCity plastics on VMC jigs and pulling Rapala shad-profile crankbaits. Here’s what you need to know about these potent springtime presentations.
EQUALLY EFFECTIVE FOR WALLEYE
Having soft-baits and jigs along with crankbaits ensures you’re well prepared for a variety of springtime walleye scenarios. Consider a 3/16-ounce Moon Eye Jig outfitted with a Mooch Minnow, for example. When retrieved with a lift-fall cadence along the bottom, it’s a potent package for bottom-oriented walleye holding along shorelines and on shallow flats.
In contrast, a Shad Rap Elite is a premium, floating balsa bait with a horizontal action. This lure’s great for catching suspending walleye eager to chase prey. Equally effective cast or trolled, the Shad Rap Elite delivers Rapala’s classic Rapala wounded-minnow swimming motion at speeds ranging from ultra-slow to super fast.
COMPLEMENTARY TACTICS
Active walleye are apt to strike jig-and-plastic combinations and shad crankbaits with equal enthusiasm. Less aggressive fish, however, may show preferences towards a particular presentation.
The good news is walleye less interested in chasing a crankbait can be tricked into biting a jigging presentation time and again. The opposite can also be true, which is why a Rapala shad crankbait triggers reaction strikes from fish being fussy towards jigging presentations.
An example of how this scenario might unfold in spring would be an angler initially using a Shad Rap to catch several walleye from a shallow flat with sparse vegetation during overcast conditions. Next, they return to productive sections, but this time snap-jig The Mayor or The Jerk to catch more fish.
TRY DIFFERENT MODELS
When it comes to walleye jigs, plastics, and shad-profiled crankbaits, there are many nuances to consider. Anglers who experiment with these differences are likely to experience more success.
CrushCity Plastics
The 3- and 4-inch Heavy Hitter and The Mayor boast bulky profiles, aggressive swimming actions, and substantial vibrations, all of which can drive walleye into a frenzy. For finesse swimbait situations requiring a less-is-more approach, The Suspect performs without fail. The Jerk, Mooch Minnow, and curly-tailed Creeper also have tantalizing profiles and actions perfect for fooling spring walleye.
VMC Jigs
The new Grip-R’s custom design keeper provides exceptional holding power, making it an essential for pairing with CrushCity minnow TPE plastics like the Heavy Hitter and The Jerk.
The Neon Moon Eye Jig, an upgraded version of the classic Aspirin-shaped head, is designed for added control. It’s an excellent choice for working weedlines, fishing bottom transitions, and jigging in current.
Also, be sure to stock up on the propellor-style Snitch Jig before walleye opener. The added flash and vibrations from the Snitch’s whirling blade stimulates more strikes during tough bites, dingy water, and low-light conditions.
Then there’s tungsten jigs, which deliver faster sink rates and greater sensitivity when fishing bottom. The Tungsten Moon Eye Jig and the RedLine Series Tungsten Swimbait Jig are two excellent picks to pair with soft plastics for walleye.
Rapala Crankbaits
The Shad Rap’s natural baitfish profile and wounded-minnow swimming action make it a treasured lure for countless walleye anglers. The Shad Rap Elite builds on this legacy, offering a slightly heavier version to accommodate longer casts, which is an asset when targeting fish in clear and shallow water in spring. The Elite version also features premium high-definition colour patterns with a metallic gilded face, and one-piece through-wire construction for enhanced durability.
In addition to the above floating balsa baits, anglers also need suspending crankbaits like the Shad Rap RS and X-Rap Shad. When paused, a neutrally buoyant lure hovers tantalizingly and will make onlooking walleye come unglued.
Both the Shad Rap RS and X-Rap Shad also have rattles, which attract more walleye from greater distances. Also a sure bet is the Harvest Shad, a floating, rattling crank.
Last but not least, the Scatter Rap Glass Shad and Scatter Shad feature a uniquely designed Scatter lip, which gives them an erratic action and appearance of a fleeing baitfish. Walleye can’t help themselves.
GEARING UP FOR CATCHING SPRING WALLEYE
You don’t need much fishing gear to get started catching walleye this spring. Here are some key items perfect for jigging plastics and fishing crankbaits.
13 Fishing Jinx or Myth medium-light spinning rod paired with an Aerios reel, or a Code CLX or SYNC X spinning combos.
Sufix 10-pound ProMix or 832 Advanced Superline with a 10- to 12-pound Advance Fluorocarbon Leader, or 8-pound Defcon fluorocarbon-coated copolymer fishing line.
Crankbait Snap for optimized lure action and easy lure changes.
Rapstack Tackle Trays for organizing and protecting crankbaits and jigs, and Rapid Packs for CrushCity soft-baits.
High-grade stainless steel, ergonomic fishing tools, like XD Super Line Scissors and Super Stainless Steel Pliers.
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Having a good selection of Rapala shad crankbaits, CrushCity soft-baits, and VMC jigs, along with 13 Fishing rods and reels spooled with Sufix fishing line will equip you for catching loads of walleye this spring. For more early season tips and tactics, check out these blogs: