Walleye Fishing Lures: Spinners

Like some children, walleyes are picky eaters. It is crucial, then, to select the best walleye fishing lures possible for your angling situation. Spinners are a type of lure that have been around for a very long time, but using them is a tried and true walleye fishing technique.

One of the most important considerations when fishing with spinners is to weigh down your line. For the most part, walleyes are found deep in the water due to their eyes, which are sensitive to sunlight. Adding weight to your rig will cause your line to sink far into the water. A bottom bouncer or three-way swivel sinker will allow you to fish the bottom of the lake or river without having your rig drag on the bottom. Similar to a bottom bouncer is a bottom troller, which, as its name suggests, works well when you are trolling. A good way to set up a bottom trolling sinker is to attach a leader to your trolling line via a swivel. The sinker is attached where the trolling line and swivel meet, and the bait is attached to the leader. The sinker will rest on the bottom of the lake or river, while the bait will float several inches above the bottom (use a small sized float to achieve this method). A good guideline when determining how much weight to apply to your line is to add ½ ounce for the first 10 feet of depth, and ½ ounce more per additional five feet.

The type of hook you use for your spinner rig is dependent upon the type of bait you are using. It is best to use a double or triple hook for nightcrawlers. A single hook can be used for leeches or minnows. As far as spinner color goes, that depends on the opaqueness of the water. Silver and gold will work well in clear water, but if the water is dirty, use a bright color like chartreuse.