5 must-know tricks for landing lunker walleye, brook trout, bass, perch & pike in fall

#1  JIGS FOR WEIGHTY WALLEYE AND PUDGY PERCH

We anglers can be a funny lot. Throughout the summer and especially during early autumn, we’ll make long casts with Jigging Rap-style baits and whale away on the walleye by snap jigging. And in the winter, we won’t step foot on the ice without having at least one rod rigged with the same lure for a straight up and down presentation. So, why don’t we use those baits in late autumn?

I suspect it is because snap jigging is so effective when the fall water temperature is between 50°F and 60°F, but tapers off when it gets colder. At the same time, others view the compact lure solely as a frozen-water presentation. But get this: If you amalgamate the two presentations around cisco-staging areas in the late fall, you won’t believe how incredible the walleye and jumbo perch action can be.

First, you want to use the same outfit you’d use for snap jigging: a seven-foot to 7′ 6″ medium- or medium-light-action spinning combo, spooled with 10-pound-test braid and fitted with a 14-inch, 10-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon leader (be sure to connect the leader using a small ball-bearing swivel to prevent line twist). Instead of snap jigging, however, present the lure vertically over the side of the boat, just as you would through a hole in the ice.

In early autumn, I cast the lure out and let it settle to the bottom, then pop it aggressively back to the boat. That makes the bait jump and swim erratically, and when a walleye pins it on the fall, you hook it automatically when you rip the lure again.

When the water is much colder, however, you need to slow down. If I cast the lure at all, in fact, it’s just a short flick in front of the boat. Most days, I simply unlock the bail and let the lure fall to the bottom. And when I impart hops, pops and snaps, I make them in slow motion to mimic a slow, subtle swimming action.

For jumbo perch (and bonus black crappies) I favour #2 to #5 Jigging Rap-style lures, while #7 models are my go-to for walleye. When the really big ’eyes show up, I bring out my #9s, as well as the new Jigging Shadow Raps. They look bigger and heavier than their cousins, but sink much more slowly, glide more widely and fish more subtly.

BONUS TIP: ADDED ATTRACTION

I snip off the small treblehook on Jigging Rap-style baits, then add one or two O-rings (or a Fastach clip) to the hook hanger instead, along with a one size larger red treblehook or VMC Bladed Hybrid Treble Short hook. When I opt for the red treble, I run the shank through the lips of a shiner head before attaching the hook to the lure. You would never do that earlier in the fall when you’re snap jigging because it would hurt the action, and the shiner head would simply rip off. But in the cold-water days of late autumn, it’s the coup de grâce. Subtly lift up the lure, let it fall and shake it. Gently pop it occasionally to call the walleye in, then pause to let them eat it when you spot a big arc on your sonar screen. Trust me, it’s the kiss of death for walleye, as well as jumbo perch.