Walleye Jigs: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

• Presenter: Caleb Wistad
• Purpose: Comprehensive guide on walleye jigs
• Goals:
  • Understand which jig to buy
  • Breakdown of jig components: hooks, line ties, weight, and color
  • Applications for each jig style
  • Highlight on an underrated jig

Jig Weight

• Weight Range: 1/32nd ounce to 1 ounce
• Selection Tips:
  • Heavier jigs for wind, current, deep waters
  • Lighter jigs for natural slower movements in clear, shallow water
• Trailer Impact: More bulk requires heavier jig head

Jig Composition

• Materials:
  • Lead: Cheap, moldable, toxic, soft (less sensitive)
  • Tungsten: Dense, hard, fast-falling, non-toxic, sensitive
• Choosing Material:
  • Lead for cost-effectiveness
  • Tungsten for sensitivity and fast fall

Jig Head Shape

• Ball Head Jig:
  • Most common, cheap, less straight tracking
• Pill Head Jig:
  • Tracks straighter, falls faster, good for current
• Deep V Jig:
  • Fast fall, good in current, not ideal for bottom
• Stand-Up Jig:
  • Sits upright, visible to fish, ideal for bottom feeding fish
• Pear-Shaped Jig:
  • Horizontal orientation, good under floats
• Minnow Head Jig:
  • Streamlined for swim baits, tracks straight
• Triangle Jig:
  • Snakes through weeds, good for heavy cover

Jig Hooks

• Key Aspects:
  • Wire Size: Light for easy hook, heavy for holding fish
  • Shank Length: Long for long baits, short for live bait
  • Hook Gap: Needs right size for bait bulk and fish size
  • Line Tie Position: Top for vertical, forward for horizontal

Jig Color

• Categories:
  • Silver/Gold: Clear water, sunny days
  • Natural: Clear water, finicky fish
  • Bright Colors: Dark, stained water
  • UV/Glow: Low light, night fishing
• Approach: Bigger changes in light/dark, UV over precise colors

Jig Accessories

• Stinger Hook: Hooks short-striking fish
• Weed Guard: Helps in heavy cover
• Spinner: Adds flash, good for low light
• Realistic Eyes/Rattles: Attracts fish in murky water

Jig Applications

• Ball Head: Versatile, cheap, good for basic fishing
• Pill Head: Better tracking in current
• Stand-Up: Bottom feeding scenarios
• Minnow Head: Great for swim baits
• Pear-Shaped: Best for slip float
• Deep V: Fast sinking, good for snap jigging

Underrated Jig

• Deep V Jig:
  • Fast fall rate, tracks well
  • Great for horizontal presentations

Conclusion

• Guide aims to enhance jig selection and usage
• Encouragement to try the Deep V jig for walleye fishing