Walleye Fishing Lures: Slip-Sinkers

Since walleyes are picky when it comes to eating as well as sensitive to any type of resistance that they might feel when deciding to feed on bait, it is important for anglers to do whatever they can in order to create the most foolproof walleye fishing lure rig possible. One method is to put a slip-sinker on your line. By doing so, your bait will remain close the lake’s bottom (this is beneficial since walleyes generally congregate deep in the water), but once you have a bite, the walleye can swim freely without being jerked by your line. This will allow the fish time to really sink into your bait, and gives you the chance to prepare to set the hook and reel in a big one.

There are several varieties of slip-sinkers you can use the next time you are walleye fishing. Eggs are commonly used in freshwater environments. Worm or bullet slip-sinkers are also popular in freshwater bodies of water, and can be used for largemouth bass fishing as well. An open eyelet slip-sinker is different than an egg or bullet because the weight hangs below the line as opposed to having the line run directly through the weight. An open eyelet slip-sinker is not as common as other types, but it still finds favor with anglers who like to troll for walleyes.

As previously mentioned, walleyes are most often found in deep waters. Because of this, it is important to make sure the weight of your slip-sinker causes your line to sink to the appropriate depth in the water. Generally, you should plan to have an eighth of an ounce per ten feet of depth you want to achieve. Some people add a leader to their setup; depth is also a factor when determining leader length. Short leaders will work best when you are fishing deep waters. However, if you are engaging in fall walleye fishing in which walleyes are more likely to be lurking closer to the water’s surface, be sure to attach a longer leader to your line.

As with any type of rig you are trying out for the first time, lots of practice and trial and error will help you determine how to set up your line in your favorite fishing holes.