Having a diverse repertoire of walleye rigs and presentations is one of the first things that separates avid anglers from weekend warriors. After all, the ability to discern between the appropriate setups for various conditions and situations can be the difference between having success and getting skunked. Whether you’re trolling weed lines, casting towards docks, or hucking from the riverbank, a specific rig will likely help you achieve victory. And even though the guides at Slippery Winds will show you the ways of their home waters, there’s never a wrong time to brush up on your fishing knowledge.
Determining the Best Walleye Rigs
Before we showcase some effective walleye rigs, you should understand that each one has its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re casting from shore or a dock, you’ll want something that relies on your retrieve since you’ll be stationary. If you’re fishing on a river, you’ll want to make sure your setup is heavy enough to maintain contact with the riverbed but agile enough to avoid snags. Finally, if you’re trolling, you’ll want your bait low in the water column while covering a significant area. Now let’s get to the fun part!
Bottom Bouncer
Bottom bouncers are extremely popular, especially for trolling. At first, they can be a bit awkward to use because they don’t look like a typical rig. The L-shaped wire with a built-in bullet sinker makes bottom bouncers less likely to get snagged on rocks or aquatic vegetation. You’ll be able to present your bait down low, which is critical during those hot summer days.
Lindy Rig
Think of the Lindy rig as a less complex version of the bottom bouncer. This walleye rig utilizes a sliding sinker and a swivel instead of an L-shaped wired weight. A bead above the swivel will keep the sinker from sliding down the leader to the hook. Lindy rigs will get even closer to the bottom than a bottom bouncer.
Nightcrawler Spinner Rig
As the name suggests, spinner rigs utilize a spinner lure with two hooks to harness to a nightcrawler. The two hooks spread the worm from end to end, and the spinner will flash, making it an attractive meal for a passing walleye. The nice part about spinner rigs is that you can buy them premade, saving you a lot of time. You can combine the spinner rig with a bottom bouncer or Lindy rig for a killer trolling presentation.
Slip Bobber
Slip bobber rigs combine the simplicity of bobber fishing with the precision of more advanced tactics. Unlike standard bobbers, you’ll need a swivel attached to a leader with your hook at the end. Large split-shot sinkers between your bobber and swivel are advantageous because they allow you to adjust and easily remove them if necessary. Above your bobber, you’ll want a bead and a rubber or cotton stopper. You can adapt your bobber stopper to the depth you wish to present your bait.
Ned Rig
Ned rigs are arguably the simplest walleye rig to set up. Commonly used for bass fishing, you may be surprised at how effective ned rigs are for attracting walleye when other setups don’t work. Using a 1/16 to 1/4 mushroom jig, thread the hook through a short, two-inch worm replica. Although ned rigs are similar to standard jigs, ned rigs use a thick, buoyant plastic that can sometimes look more realistic in the water.
A Remote Ontario Fishing Lodge Resort
Now that you better understand which walleye rigs work best in different situations, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Thanks to fly-in access to six distinct lakes, Slippery Winds is easily one of the best Ontario fishing experiences you can find. We go above and beyond to set ourselves apart from other lodges and resorts, starting with the location. Reach out online or call 204-982-9680 to learn how Slippery Winds can show you the Ontario fishing trip of a lifetime.