Lure Colour a Big Issue in Walleye Fishing
by Tom Wood
My editor recently asked me to do an article on what lures or baits one should use to catch walleye on opening weekend.
First, let's talk colour. Regardless of what type of artificial you're using, I feel colour is an all important factor -- especially in walleye fishing. As a general rule, most anglers will choose a lure, and a colour, that will closely imitate natural fish foods. But why, then, do we see so many blaze orange, chartreuse and hot pink models out there? I mean, like, how many hot pink minnows have you seen lately?
But don't laugh yet because these highly visible oddball colours are often your best bet under certain situations. The determining factor is water clarity. Usually fish will feed by sight and ergo the clearer that water the better their eyesight will be. In situations like these, a lure with natural or subdued colours is usually your number one choice.
That's not the case though, when the water is dingy or stained. Here the brighter colours, especially the fluorescent, come into play. These colours tend to penetrate through the gloom much better, giving the fish a more defined target upon which to zero-in.
. . .why, then, do we see so many blaze orange, chartreuse and hot pink models out there? I mean, like, how many hot pink minnows have you seen lately?
Now let us turn to crankbaits which are probably the walleye angler's number one lure if he is going strictly artificial. But, here again, there are literally thousands of types from which you may choose. Well, to narrow it down, we'll start with the size and shape of the lure.
A short fat lure like the "Bomber Fat A" or "Cordell Spot" have a pronounced, erratic wiggle, and while they are favoured by bass anglers, they are somewhat less productive for walleye.
Walleye, pike, salmon and trout seem to love long slender crankbaits, such as the "Rebel Minnow" or the all time favourite "Rapala", either "jointed" or "stick" -- probably because they have that subtle, seductive wiggle.
At this point, I have to mention jigs. Probably there have been more Quinte "eyes" taken on a jig than on any other single lure. Now, be it a jigging spoon like a "Baker's Fish Stix", or a "Rocket" tipped with a minnow, or a lead head jig combined with a twister tail grub or artificial leach and sweetened with a nightcrawler, they all take fish.
Is colour important here? Well, I'm not sure, because while I favour a black jighead and black leach, my buddy Bob swears by an unpainted jig head and a chartreuse twist-tail grub.
However, what is important is the scent of the live bait, boat position and presentation.
Honourable mention must go out to the most inexpensive lure in your arsenal -- the worm harness. I will have to admit that, up until last summer, I was never much of a believer in the worm harness. Well, without going into detail, all I can say is now I believe.
There is no great mystery in presenting this lure; just use adequate weight to get it down to the fish's level and slow troll.
Personally, I prefer the single willow leaf blade over the tandem Colorado model, but that would be personal choice.
You will note that I have failed to mention in-line spinners, spinner baits and spoons. Now while all of the above will take walleye, they would not be in my starting line-up for early season walleye -- especially on the Bay of Quinte.
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