The Ultimate Jig + Crawler Breakdown for TROPHY Walleye
The Ultimate Jig + Crawler Breakdown for TROPHY Walleye:
Jig and crawler fishing for walleye is one of the most effective techniques for catching big, pressured fish. In this video, I give a complete jig + nightcrawler fishing breakdown for walleye while putting the technique to work on the great lakes and catching multiple trophy walleye, including fish over 30 inches.
I break down everything I’ve learned about fishing a jig and crawler, including my exact setup, how I rig a full nightcrawler, jig weight selection, rod/reel/line setup, bite detection, hooksets, and the different cadences I use depending on how the walleye are reacting.
I cover:
* My preferred VMC Redline Tungsten jig setup
* Why 1/8 oz is my go-to weight
* How I rig a full jumbo nightcrawler
* Bottom jigging and subtle crawler cadences
* How and when I use a pendulum presentation
* Strolling suspended walleye
* When to use larger pops or faster retrieves
* When and why I upsize to 1/4, 3/8, or even 1/2 oz
* Rod, reel, braid, and fluorocarbon setup
* Bite detection and knowing when to set the hook
* Adjustments for wind, spooky fish, and changing fish behaviour
Most of these fish are extremely pressured Great Lakes walleye living in the ultra-clear water, where getting a fish to follow your bait is often much easier than getting it to actually bite. When artificials aren’t producing, a jig and nightcrawler has become one of my biggest confidence presentations.
Throughout the video, I show these techniques in real fishing situations and make adjustments based on how the fish react, resulting in multiple trophy class walleye, including a 31 inch giant and another fish over 30 inches.
If you want to learn how to fish a jig and nightcrawler for walleye, how to catch more finicky walleye, or how I target trophy Great Lakes walleye with LiveScope, this video covers my entire approach from start to finish.
Thanks for watching!