Walleye Bait Guidelines: Live Bait Walleye Tips Details Here!

Most fisherman assume that the majority of walleyes or pickerel as the Canadians call them,are caught on walleye jigs and artificial baits but this is a misconception.Actually two thirds of all walleyes taken from the water by fisherman are caught while fishing with the best live bait for walleye available.Knowing what walleye baits work best for different seasons and special fishing situations is key to having a successful fishing trip.I would like to provide you some simple guidelines to use when you plan on using walleye live baits for your next fishing trip.

Guideline #1 Live Baits To Use In the Spring

It is a proven fact that spring is a extremely productive time of year to catch walleye with live bait,but you need to understand what walleye baits work best this time of year. If you have tried ribbon leaches or night crawlers in the spring I suspect you have had limited success. Both of these live walleye baits are great to use in the summer but not in early spring. In the spring the best walleyes bait to use are minnows. Make sure you contact your local bait dealer because the type of minnow you choose to catch walleye is very important. This step should not be sidestepped. You can save yourself a lot of wasted time if you get this information. Your fishing time is valuable so don't waste it. Here's a list of Minnows that are good for catching walleye: (1) fathead minnow,or "mudminnow" or "tuffy", (2) horney head chub or redtail chub,(3) redbelly dace or "rainbow", (4) spottail shiner,and golden shinner.

Guideline #2 Live Baits To Use In the Summer

As the water temperatures rise and the seasons move from spring to summer your favorite walleye bait selection will need to change too.Normally spring time is the best time of year to use minnows, but in the summer time your walleye live bait selection could be ribbon leaches or night crawlers,or in some special fishing situations some other walleye baits. Don't skimp on your walleye baits! Make your baits for walleye look attractive as possible.The other live baits for walleye that work well in special fishing situations are: mudtom, or willow cat, larva tiger salamander, or waterdog, and the leopard frog.

Guideline #3 How To Keep Walleye Live Baits Fresh

Fresh and lively bait is a must when you are walleye fishing.These Fish love walleye baits that squirm and swim naturally.Regardless of the type of bait for walleye you use make sure you keep it cool. Heat will always be the main cause of your best bait for walleye dying prematurely. There is nothing worse then being out on the water and find you're live baits for walleye dying. Always use a flow through minnow bucket to store your walleye minnows overnight. You can place them in the water at your dock and they will be fresh for the next day. Also place your overflow bucket in your live well when you move from place to place if you have one. If you don't have a live well, try to limit the amount of time the bait is out of the water. If you plan on taking your walleye minnows home, or you don't plan on using a overflow bucket on your boat, and you are going to keep your minnows on the boat, make sure you have container that is large enough to place a battery powered circulating pump on the bottom surface. These come with suction cups that stick to the bottom of your container,and they attach to a 12-volt power source with small alligator clips. Pour your ribbon leaches into a Styrofoam bucket that is half filled with water. Make sure you fill the bucket with water from the bait store, or water that is from the waters you plan to fish. Do not use facet water because chlorine will kill them.The leaches will last several days if you do this. Night crawlers should be kept in commercial bedding with a damp cloth placed over the top of the container.