
By www.lake-erie-walleye-charters.com
One shortcut involves the type of jigs and lures that you use. Active Walleye enjoy heavy weed cover, especially during the summer months. The weeds are where the Walleye can hide from the bait fish, yet still be close enough to swoop in on their prey.
One type of jig that is very effective when fishing weed beds for Walleye is a swimming jig. Swimming walleye jigs Swimming jigs have a long, flat design, so that they glide through the weeds instead of getting snagged. These jigs may even slide over underwater obstructions, such as limbs and shelves. Vary the jigging speed you use around the edges of the weed beds.
Start out with a slow jigging motion, and if this does not get results slowly increase the tempo until you get some hits. Another method that you can use to catch Walleye that are hiding in the weeds is to go with the old standby, the crankbait.
Depth Charge Stalker Crankbaits are great for working weeds. This method works best early in the season, when the weeds are not extremely tall. Flick the crankbait out over the weed bed, and then rapidly reel it in. The rapid movement of the bait can tempt nearby Walleye into hitting. The clarity of the water and the light level will also be factors in determining which baits and techniques to use: If the water is dark or there is not much light, brighter colors will normally work better. The colors will stand out in the darker waters against the weeds, making it more attractive.
In clear waters and high light conditions, try to use darker baits that are more naturally colored. Look at the available food which the Walleye can get to, and use lures and bait that is close to these natural food sources.
One jig that has the confidence of many Walleye pros is the Slo-Poke WeedMaster jig. This jig offers a fiber weed guard which will prevent the jig from getting snagged in the weeds. Instead this jig glides smoothly through the weeds, taking the bait where you want it positioned.
The time of day will also have an influence on whether the weed beds will be productive, although these natural hiding spots for Walleye will usually hold a few fish regardless of what time of day or night you’re fishing.
During hot summer afternoons when the sun is out, weed beds will hold much larger numbers of fish because they are trying to get away from the bright light and higher water temperatures.