Plugs are a recent addition to
the arsenal of many walleye fishermen, but the idea of using plugs to catch walleyes is
not exactly new. In fact, past generations of walleye anglers relied almost exclusively on
trolling plugs. As live bait became more widely used,
plugs lost popularity. But with the introduction of many new plug types and the
improvement of existing types, plugs have regained favour with walleye anglers.
Walleyes normally prefer plugs from 3 to 6 inches long,
although big walleyes will take plugs as long as 8 inches. The plugs most commonly used in
walleye fishing are minnow plugs, crankbaits, vibrating plugs and trolling plugs.
Minnow Plugs
The long, slender shape of
these plugs has a special appeal to walleyes because it resembles the shape of perch,
ciscoes, shiners and other common walleye foods. And the tight wobble, even at a slow
retrieve speed, gives minnow plugs a remarkably lifelike appearance.
Minnow plugs come in the following styles for fishing under
various conditions:
* Short-lipped floating models run at depths of 5 feet or less. They
work best for casting or trollong over shallow shoals and weedbeds.
* Long-lipped floating models dive as deep as 12 feet, and are generally
used for trolling along deep structure or over deep weedbeds.
* Sinking models can be trolled in deep water, or counted down to a
specific depth and retrieved at that level.
* Neutrally buoyant models can be retrieved very slowly without floating
to the surface or sinking. When walleyes are inactive, a neutrally buoyant plug may work
better than a floating or sinking type because neutrally buoyant plugs can be retrieved so
slowly, they catch walleyes at water temperatures down to 40 degrees
fahrenheit. Other
types of minnow plugs become effective at about 45 degrees.
Walleyes seem to favour the action of short-lipped
floaters. When fishing in deep water, many anglers attach sinkers ahead of the
short-lipped floaters instead of using diving or sinking models.
Minnow plugs are light for their size, so they are
difficult to cast, but you can improve your casting distance by using light line, usually
6 pound test, and a 6 1/2 to 7 foot spinning rod with a light tip. The long rod provides
good casting leverage and the tip flexes enough to propel the light lure.
Crankbaits
These plugs have a stockier
shape and more pronounced wobble than minnow plugs. Most are relatively heavy and have an
aerodynamic shape, so they are much easier to cast. Crankbaits are designed to tip sharply
downwards at the nose when retrieved, so the lip protects the treble hooks from fouling.
Crankbaits come in the same four styles as
minnow plugs. Comparable styles of crankbaits and minnow plugs are fished under much the
same conditions. Crankbaits, however, generally require a faster retrieve to achieve their
intense wobble. As a result, they work best at higher water temperatures, usually above 55
degrees fahrenheit. Before attempting to fish with a
crankbait, test it to make sure it is properly tuned. If the plug is out of tune, it will
not track straight and cannot run at maximum depth. To tune a crankbait, simply bend the
attachment eye away from the direction in which the plug veers.
A 5 1/2 to 6 foot spinning outfit with 8 to 10 pound mono
is adequate for most crankbait fishing, but a stiff baitcasting rod works better for deep
divers that have a strong pull.
Vibrating Plugs
The rapid wiggle of these
plugs sets up vibrations that attract walleyes even in the murkiest water. Many have
internal shot or beads to produce sound.
Most vibrating plugs sink, so you can fish them at
virtually any depth. Like crankbaits, they must be retrieved rapidly to attain maximum
action, so they are most effective at temperatures above 55 degrees.
Vibrating plugs have little wind resistance, so they cast
easily. Models with internal shot will cast even farther and sink more quickly, so they
are a good choice for trolling or casting along deep structure.
Vibrating plugs are normally fished with rods, reels, and
line similar to those used with crankbaits.
Trolling Plugs
Most of these plugs have
broad foreheads which produce a wide wobbling action. But the broad forehead also adds
wind resistance, making them difficult to cast.
Without adding weight, trolling plugs run at depths ranging
from 5 to 20 feet. Some are designed for slow trolling, others for speed trolling. models
used for speed trolling, like the Hellbender, work best at temperatures of 70 degrees or
higher.
Medium-power spinning or bait-casting gear with 8 to 10
pound mono performs well with most trolling plugs, but for speed trolling, you will need a
stiff bait-casting rod with low-stretch mono of at least 12 pound test.
For best action, attach all plugs with a split-ring, a
round-nosed snap or a loop-knot. If you snub your knot directly to the attachment eye, you
will dampen the plugs action.
Popular plugs for walleyes include (1)short-lipped floating
minnow plug, (2)long-lipped floating minnow plug, (3)sinking minnow plug, (4)neutrally
buoyant minnow plug, (5)short-lipped crankbait, (6)long-lipped crankbait, (7)neutrally
buoyant crankbait, (8)vibrating plug, (9)trolling plug and (10)speed-trolling plug.
|
