How To Catch Walleye With Rigs and Jigs - What's your preference?

Rigs vs. Jigs, what's your preference?

Josh Hagemeister posted on December 05, 2009 13:10 :: 5475 Views

Walleye Fishing - What do I like best? For me its a 50/50 answer--I like both jigs and rigs. I guess I prefer the "thunk" a jig gets when a walleye inhales the bait, but I also like the challange of dragging a live bait rig and anticipating the hook set--not as simple as with a jig. Kind of like the comparison of spinner bait fishing for bass vereses a Texas rigged worm and the anticipation of that hook set.

I am the first to admit that I am not a rig fisherman or a jig fisherman--I am whatever the fish tell me to be. I will however take the side that catching a fish on a jig is my favorite--especially on light tackle. The jig in my opinion is indeed a more versatile and precise methos of presenting your bait than a leadered live bait rig all day long. All you have to do to prove that is ask yourself if you can control where your bait is 100% of the time with a live bait rig with a 2-10 ft leader on it? No.

The only control you have over the "rig" is to where the slip sinker is-- but you will never know without a doubt where that feisty minnow on a long leash is swimming around. Is the minnow on the bottom, 12" off the bottom, off to the side 36"? See what I mean? Now picture your bait on a jig, the bait is exactly where you put the jig-- the bottom, suspended 12" off, again--see what I mean. Less tangles with the jig as well because the leader is not there. Jigs also have more "color and size control". Thats a whole seperate blog, for now I am going out on Saturday morning armed with a "rig" rod and a "jig" rod and hoping that I can find some fish to take the jig--because that's my personal favorite way of catching "Wally".

Good Luck, Capt. Josh

Your Guide - Josh Hagemeister Whether it's Minnesota's famous Walleye (my specialty), acrobatic Smallmouth or Largemouth Bass, Panfish, hard hitting Northern Pike or monster Muskies--it's all up to you. A classic Minnesota shore lunch is also available! I have been a professional Minnesota fishing guide for over 20 years. My extensive guiding time on the water takes me to some of the best fishing areas throughout the state. Some of my favorite areas include Mille Lacs Lake, Otter Tail Lake, Leech Lake, Gull Lake, Lake Koronis, Clearwater Lake, Alexandria area lakes, and the Richmond Chain of Lakes. As a licensed Coast Guard Captain, I can also arrange trips to boder waters such as Lake Of The Woods or Rainy Lake!

Throughout my guiding career I have also worked as an instructional fishing guide for In-Fisherman Magazine's "Camp Fish", co-hosted and produced the "Outdoors Minnesota" TV Series, provided an extensive seminar series to many community education groups, published a sportsman's outdoor newspaper, excelled in many fishing tournaments, and of course became an extremely versatile angler in the process.

Your guide, Captain Josh Hagemeister - 320-291-0708 or 218-732-9919 - http://www.minnesotaguideservice.com/