Top 4 Walleye Jigging Techniques on Lake Erie

Walleye charter

Do you like to fish for walleye? Have you ever used a jig or swimbait to catch a walleye? This article will help you understand 4 different walleye jigging techniques that will help you catch more fish!

Among the various techniques for catching walleye, jigging has proven to be highly effective. Some walleye fishermen prefer to jig over any other fishing method. In this guide, we cover the techniques, tackle, and equipment utilized for walleye jigging on Lake Erie.

Walleye Jigging Techniques for Lake Erie

1. Vertical Jigging Walleye

Vertical jigging for walleye is a highly effective fishing technique where you position your boat or yourself directly over a targeted area and present a bait or lure vertically in the water column. The key idea is to use a jig of your choice to mimic a baitfish. Hair jigs work well with this jigging technique.

How Vertical Jigging Works

  • Find the Fish:
    • Use electronics like sonar or forward-facing sonar to locate schools of walleye or individual fish. Look for drop-offs, submerged structures, or other features where walleye are likely to hold.
  • Position Yourself:
    • Anchor or use a trolling motor to stay stationary above the area where walleye are detected. Boat control is crucial to maintain a vertical presentation.
  • Drop the Jig:
    • Lower your jig directly below you. Allow it to reach the desired depth, typically just above or within a few feet of where the walleye are suspended or holding near the bottom.
  • Jigging Motion:
    • Use your rod to create an up-and-down motion. This can be done by snapping the rod tip up slightly and letting the jig fall back down. The goal is to mimic the movement of an injured or vulnerable prey item.
  • Pay Attention to the Fall:
    • Many walleye bites happen as the jig falls, so keep an eye on your line. If it twitches, stops prematurely, or moves to the side, it might be a bite.
  • Set the Hook:
    • When you feel a bite or detect unusual line behavior, quickly lift the rod to set the hook.

Why Vertical Jigging is Effective for Walleye

  • Precision: It allows you to present the bait at the exact depth where walleye are located.
  • Natural Movement: The vertical action mimics natural prey behavior, especially in cold water or during sluggish periods.
  • Controlled Presentation: Anglers can adjust their jigging speed and intensity based on fish activity.

Tips for Success

  • Choose the Right Jig: Opt for a jig size that matches the water depth and current speed. Lighter jigs work well in calm conditions, while heavier ones are better for deep or fast-moving water.
  • Use the Right Line: Braided line with a fluorocarbon leader is common. Braided line offers sensitivity, and fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater.
  • Experiment with Baits: Pair your jig with live minnows, soft plastic grubs, or paddle tails. Changing baits can help you adapt to walleye preferences.
  • Match the Conditions: Walleye behavior varies by season. In cold water, slow down your jigging motion; in warmer water, more aggressive movements may work better.

2. Casting and Lifting a Jig

Lifting a jig refers to casting a jig away from the boat and jigging it back. This should be a fluid motion.

How Casting and Lifting a Jig Works

  • The Cast:
    • Choose your target area, such as a drop-off, rocky bottom, or submerged vegetation.
    • Cast the jig out and let it sink. Keep an eye on your line as it falls, as walleye often bite during this phase.
  • Let it Hit Bottom:
    • Allow the jig to sink to the bottom. You’ll know it has reached the bottom when your line goes slack.
  • The Lift:
    • Once the jig is on the bottom, use your wrist to lift the rod tip in a fluid motion and steady. This action causes the jig to rise in the water column, mimicking the darting motion of an escaping or injured baitfish.
  • The Fall:
    • Lower the rod tip slowly, allowing the jig to fall back to the bottom naturally. Most strikes occur as the jig descends, so keep your line semi-tight to feel for bites.
  • Repeat:
    • Continue the lift-and-fall motion as you retrieve the jig toward you. The pace and intensity can vary based on walleye activity and water temperature.

Why Casting and Lifting Works for Walleye

  • Natural Movement: The lift-and-fall action closely resembles the movements of prey, such as minnows or leeches, that walleye feed on.
  • Covering More Water: By casting and retrieving, you can search for active fish across a wider area.
  • Triggering Strikes: The jig’s sudden movement during the lift often triggers a reaction strike, especially from walleye lurking near the bottom.

3. Snap Jigging Walleye

Snap jigging is a high-energy and aggressive method of jigging for walleye that involves snapping the rod tip sharply to create erratic, darting movements of the jig. We have had the most success using straight-tailed plastics on a heavy jig head or a pre-built hair jig.

How Snap Jigging Works

  • The Cast:
    • Cast your jig toward a target area such as a weed edge, rock pile, or submerged structure.
    • Allow the jig to sink to the desired depth. This could be the bottom or a mid-water column if the fish are suspended.
  • Snap the Jig:
    • Once the jig reaches the right depth, sharply snap your rod tip upward or sideways. This motion causes the jig to dart quickly and erratically, imitating the sudden movements of a panicked prey fish.
  • Let the Jig Fall:
    • After snapping, immediately lower the rod tip to allow the jig to fall back down naturally. This free-fall action is when most strikes occur, as walleye are often triggered by the sudden stop and drop of the lure.
  • Maintain Line Control:
    • Keep the line semi-tight during the fall to feel for any bites. Strikes may feel like a “thud,” a slight tap, or even slack in the line.
  • Repeat:
    • Continue the snap-and-fall motion as you retrieve the jig toward you. Adjust the cadence based on the activity level of the walleye.

Why Snap Jigging is Effective for Walleye

  • Erratic Movement: The unpredictable darting of the jig mimics a baitfish trying to escape, which can entice walleye to strike even when they aren’t actively feeding.
  • Reaction Strikes: The aggressive action often triggers a reflex strike, especially from walleye holding in ambush positions.
  • Covers More Water: Snap jigging allows you to cover a larger area quickly, making it ideal for locating active fish.

Key Tips for Snap Jigging Success

  • Select the Right Jig and Bait:
    • Use a jig designed for darting, such as a minnow-style jig head or one paired with a soft plastic paddle tail or fluke. Some plastic jigs even come as a straight tail now. Those work great!
    • Match the weight of the jig to the depth and conditions; heavier jigs work better in deeper water or strong currents.
  • Use the Right Gear:
    • Opt for a medium to medium-light spinning rod with fast action. This provides the sensitivity to detect strikes and the flexibility to create sharp, snapping movements.
    • Use braided line with a fluorocarbon leader for maximum sensitivity and minimal visibility.
  • Focus on Cadence:
    • Start with quick, sharp snaps and adjust the speed and intensity based on the walleye’s response.
    • On colder days or when fish are less active, slower and less aggressive snaps may be more effective.
  • Target the Right Areas:
    • Snap jigging works well along:
      • Drop-offs
      • Weed edges
      • Gravel flats
      • Suspended schools of walleye in open water
  • Pay Attention to the Fall:
    • Walleye often strike as the jig falls. If you notice any unusual line movement, set the hook immediately by snapping the rod upward.

4. Swimming a Jig

Walleye jig

Swimming a jig is a finesse technique used for walleye fishing where you retrieve the jig steadily, imitating the natural swimming action of baitfish or other prey.

How Swimming a Jig Works

  • The Cast:
    • Begin by casting your jig to your target area, such as a weed edge, rocky structure, or along a drop-off.
  • Let the Jig Sink:
    • Allow the jig to sink to your desired depth. This could be near the bottom or mid-water column, depending on where the walleye are holding. Watch your line as it sinks—walleye might strike during the descent.
  • Steady Retrieve:
    • Start reeling at a consistent pace. The goal is to create a natural, gliding movement that mimics a baitfish swimming.
  • Add Subtle Movements:
    • While retrieving, you can occasionally twitch or lift the rod tip slightly to make the jig dart or flutter, adding lifelike variation to its movement.
  • Adjust the Speed:
    • Vary your retrieve speed to match the activity level of the walleye. In warmer water or during feeding periods, a faster retrieve might work best. In colder water or when fish are less active, a slower, more subtle retrieve is often more effective.

Why Swimming a Jig Works for Walleye

  • Natural Imitation: The consistent swimming motion closely resembles prey like minnows or shad, making it an irresistible target for walleye.
  • Effective in Open Water: This technique excels in areas where walleye are chasing baitfish or cruising along structures.
  • Covers Water Efficiently: Swimming a jig allows you to explore a wide area quickly, making it a great search tool.

Key Tips for Swimming a Jig Successfully

  • Choose the Right Jig and Bait:
    • Opt for a jig head that matches the depth and current you’re fishing in.
    • Pair it with a soft plastic swimbait, grub, or paddle tail to create lifelike swimming action.
  • Use the Right Gear:
    • A medium-light spinning rod with a fast tip is ideal for detecting subtle strikes while maintaining control over the jig.
    • Use braided line with a fluorocarbon leader for sensitivity and stealth.
  • Find the Right Speed:
    • Experiment with different retrieve speeds until you find what triggers strikes. Sometimes a steady slow retrieve works, while other times walleye respond better to a slightly quicker pace.
  • Target Productive Areas:
    • Swim your jig near:
      • Weed edges
      • Drop-offs
      • Submerged timber
      • Gravel flats
    • Keep the jig in the strike zone for as long as possible.
  • Stay Alert for Strikes:
    • Walleye often hit subtly when you’re swimming a jig. Watch your line and feel for slight resistance or a soft tap.

Where to Jig for Walleye on Lake Erie

The Southern Shore and Western Basin of Lake Erie are great places to jig for walleye in the spring and early summer. Walleye spawn on shallow rocks in the spring. The best area for Jigging walleye in the Spring is in the reef complex outside Port Clinton, OH. This area is also known as the firing range, due to the marker buoys set out by Camp Perry. There are a series of cans in this area that mark the outer boundaries of the firing range. There are quite a few reefs in this area that are great for jigging up walleye. Niagara Reef is among the most popular reefs for jigging walleye.