Walleye Fishing Tips - How to Fish For Walleye in the Weeds

The first step to consider when walleye fishing is simply finding the fish. Wherever they are, chances are good that they are there to find food. Though walleye can often be found in various locations, one spot that will always be worth fishing is the weedline. Vegetation such as coontail and cabbage provide attractive habitats for minnows and small baitfish. Where they are, you will find walleye.

Weeds are a good bet in nearly any walleye fishing situation. In early spring, walleye will be in the shallower water which warms first. In summertime walleye will hide down in the weeds to cool. In the fall, they will be gorging for the upcoming winter. If hungry walleye are what you seek, head for the weedline and bring a tackle box with some options.

The most surefire bet in the weeds is a jig tipped with live bait or plastic. This walleye lure presentation has proven successful in a wide range of conditions and at various times during the season. A jig can be very useful when it comes to enticing walleye out of the weeds because of its finesse-work it very slowly across the weed edge, incorporating subtle erratic movements as you lift and drop it along the bottom. Using a plastic like Gulp!, with a much more powerful scent than a real minnow, will also help pull the walleye out from hiding.

Another good option is using a spinner over the top of the weeds. Walleye tend to attack their prey from below, and a spinner tipped with bait or plastic makes for a tempting treat. The spinner blades use vibration and flash to attract walleye, displacing water which can be felt from a distance. Using a bottom bouncer with your spinner can also work really well.

Crankbaits can also work great over the top of vegetation. This is a good idea if you're exploring a larger area as well. Cranks can be trolled a bit faster than spinners and can be just as effective. Many walleye in the weeds will be somewhat aggressive, and often willing to chase down a moving fishing lure. Being patient and thorough will lend greatly to your success walleye fishing. Cover a lot of water until you find the fish. When you do, mix up your fishing lure presentations-there will always be something unexpected and surprising for you to discover.

Finding the weedline will be essential here. A quality electronic setup can be of great help. A general rule is usually the clearer the water you're fishing, the deeper the weeds will be. Once you've located them, boat control becomes very important-stay in the strike zone as long as possible and you're chances get better quickly.

Because of the great variety of life found in and around the vegetation underwater, large predators such as walleye will always be hanging around looking for an easy meal. This you know, and your advantage grows.