| Over the past years, crankbaits have become | | | | decrease, your walleye lure should run about one |
| very popular walleye lures for one reason: they | | | | foot deeper. By using a lead core or super line, |
| catch a lot of big fish. Sounds simple enough, | | | | you can get virtually any crankbait to dive to a |
| right? On one hand it is. On another, you'll be be | | | | specific depth. This method allows you to keep |
| much more successful if you know how to use | | | | shallower crankbaits on as you move into deeper |
| the fishing lure properly. Making crankbaits work | | | | water. This is a good option for lake or reservoir |
| means understanding a few things about how | | | | fishing where you'll be dealing with a variety of |
| they are hunted by hungry (but often finicky) | | | | depths. |
| walleye. | | | | When trolling, make sure you have at least 100 |
| There are two major categories of crankbaits | | | | feet of line out to ensure proper depth. A good |
| you should consider: | | | | speed in general is around 2 mph, though your |
| - A crankbait with the line-attaching eye in the | | | | rollers will be more effective a little faster. |
| nose is called a "roller." Rollers run shallower and | | | | If you are fishing on a larger lake or reservoir, |
| move in a side-to-side rolling motion that requires | | | | stickbaits are proven walleye lures. On rivers, try |
| a greater speed to be effective. | | | | a shad-style walleye bait first. Water conditions |
| - A "wobbler" has the line-attaching eye in the lip | | | | should help determine your fishing lure selection. In |
| instead of the nose. Wobblers are lures that run | | | | clearer water, use more natural colors. In murky |
| deeper and have a wider, zig-zag motion that can | | | | water or at night, experiment with brighter colors. |
| be achieved at slower speeds. A general rule of | | | | Walleye use most of their senses to hunt, but |
| thumb is the larger the lip, the deeper your | | | | their main method is by "feel" through their lateral |
| walleye lure will dive. | | | | line. Many of the newest fishing products on the |
| Depth is a critical factor when fishing if you are | | | | market focus on vibration and water displacement |
| planning on catching walleye. They will generally | | | | that trigger this natural instinct. Crankbaits with |
| attack their prey from behind and below, so if | | | | rattles are also a new innovation in the fishing |
| you're missing the "strike zone," you're chances | | | | industry. that has been proving very successful. |
| are instantly reduced to long-shot luck. If you can | | | | Rattles incorporate another sense, that of sound, |
| find the right depth, luck has nothing to do with it. | | | | which make them that much more |
| Aim to put your lure just above the walleye and | | | | effective-especially in situations with low visibility. |
| you'll catch more fish. | | | | Your fishing success is something of a simple |
| Fishing line diameter plays a role in depth as well. | | | | math equation. It shouldn't feel like a gamble. If |
| A thicker fishing line will run shallower, thinner will | | | | you can put the right walleye lure in the right |
| run deeper. This can be a consistent way to | | | | position, you will catch fish every time. The more |
| control how deep your walleye lure is diving. A | | | | fishing knowledge you carry with you the better. |
| common rule is that for every fishing line size | | | | And by better I only mean more fun. |