Which one's are your favorite and why? Do you use a steel leader? swivel or direct tie?
I tend to have the best luck with a Rapala J-11 in gold or silver but that's probably only because I use it the most when I reach for a crankbait.
I typically don't use a leader unless I'm going for a lunker (like I can predict that... haha) and I typically direct tie.
Nate
When I am walleye fishing I take the advice of T-Bone, Jig, Jig, Jig, and when you get tired of jiging Jig some more.
John
I generally troll with worm harnesses but If I do go to a crank bait,it's a Reef Runner.
Rhybak,
Were some of those big eyes you have pictured caught on worm harnesses? Any special kind?
I tie my own.
Each one is different but eye appealing to the fisherman..
Most of the big eyes were caught on a slip bobber/leech combination.
That particular walleye that is mounted on the wall was caught on one of my worm harnesses.
My favorite goto lure is the ripplin redfin. Chrome with a blue or black back and a white shad colour. i've had good luck with shad raps regular and the deep divers. None whatsoever on banana baits. Lots of pike and 'eyes on both. some sporatic luck on some large musky baits. I prefer to troll. (just lazy I guess) I have taught myself to jig with worms and had some amazing 30-40 fish days. This year I need to figure out lakers and whitefish. Never really fished for them before. Lures are always on a snap swivel. I never liked using leaders, I always figured they were too visible to fish. I rarely use plastics on jigs tho I'll give them a shot too. I have a ton of 'em I never use. jigs are tied directly. Good luck this summer guys :)
My best catching luck has been with a jointed Storm Thundersticks, I also use a few of my homemade whittled lures; do they catch better you ask? That answer has to be a truthful no: wh;, I whittled them on chilly wintertime evenings, now I'm going to use them.
hot and tot and reef runners if worm harness slows down , most of the larger fish hit the live bait.
our biggest fish have come from cranks. Hot-n-tots and thin fins are our go to but have done well with mino types
My personal favorite crankbaits are jointed Rapala Shad Rap smaller sizes ,perch ,yellow perch, brown or red crawdad or firetiger. Bass ,pike ,walleye , lake trout ,perch .......doesnt matter
When trolling for walleyes or pike or smallmouth bass ; it would be a ripplin redfin in blueback chrome;; also a perch colored shad rap for bass;; and casting a frog colored flatfish in back bays for bass. For lake trout with weight in front of the lure;it would be a ripplin redfin again in blue/chrome finish. For fun ; it would be to just troll a worm harness with a little weight to keep it down 10 feet over 15 to 20 feet of water over flats or just off shore.
I prefer Hot 'n Tots when fishing with a crankbait. I prefer the action and I think they dive a bit deeper. The best luck in Canada has been with the pure white color (which they discontinued so I now spraypaint my own) and silver. Generally, I use a snap swivel for convenience unless I am purposely fishing for Pike...then I use a steel leader.