Spinner-live bait rigs have
ranked among the top walleye baits for decades, and they remain just as effective today.
Vibration and flash from the spinner blade attract a walleye's attention and live bait
increases the odds that the fish will bite. Spinner-live bait rigs work best in
low-clarity water, but will catch walleyes anywhere.
The amount of vibration a spinner produces depends on the style and size of
the blade. A Colorado blade turns at about a 50-degree angle to the shaft; an Indiana
blade, about 40 degrees; and a willow-leaf blade, about 25 degrees. The greater the angle
and larger the blade, the stronger the beat.
Blades that produce a strong beat work well in low-clarity
water or at night because walleyes can detect the vibration with their lateral-line sense
even if they cannot see the spinner. In this situation, a large Colorado blade would most
likely be the best choice. But in clearer water, walleyes seem to prefer a less intense
vibration, so a small willow-leaf blade may be more effective.
Colorado blades work well in spring, when walleyes prefer a
slow-moving bait. Because these blades have more water resistance than others, they
require less speed to make them spin. Willow-leaf blades are effective in summer and early
fall, when walleyes are more willing to chase fast-moving baits. These blades have the
least water resistance and require the most speed to make them turn. Indiana blades have
intermediate qualities, making them a good all-season choice.
Spinners can be used in combination with almost any type of
live bait, but minnows, night-crawlers and leeches are most popular.
Spinner-live bait rigs are usually fished by
trolling or drifting along a break-line but they also work well for fishing over
weed-tops.
The spinning blade functions as a weed-guard and provides enough lift to keep the rig
skimming over the vegetation.
Weight-forward spinners and spinner-baits have
lead bodies, so they work well for casting. They are effective for suspended walleyes
because you can count them down to a precise depth and can be retrieved through dense
vegetation. The wire arms deflect weeds, and keep them from fouling the hook.
Most spinners, except weight-forward types and
spinner-baits, require a
sinker to reach the desired depth. Many fishermen use a bead-chain or keel sinker to
prevent line twist, but some prefer a slip sinker so they can feed line when a fish bites.
When fishing over rocks, logs or brush... use some type of snag-resistant sinker.
Many spinner-live bait rigs come with a two or three hook harness. With
the trailing hook in the tail of the bait, you can set the hook immediately when you feel
a strike. You can also set immediately with a single hook, if you feel a hard strike. If
you only feel a gentle tug, drop your rod tip back, hesitate a few seconds to let the fish
take the bait, then set the hook. A long rod, from 6 1/2 to 7 feet enables you to drop the
tip back farther and gives you a longer sweep for setting the hook.
Mono-leader type spinners should be tied with the lightest line practical,
to avoid spooking the fish. Eight to ten pound line is usually adequate, but you may need
15 pound line in timber or brush.
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