BWCA 1/4oz or 1/8oz jig & depth questions Boundary Waters Fishing Forum
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Aguynamedjosh
senior member (61)senior membersenior member
  
05/03/2021 05:43PM  
For late May, I've seen a lot of articles about the Walleye being shallow (5-15ft).

Wanted to get a few opinions on what jig weight you would use late May (21-26) and if my depth idea is correct?

Better to troll along the bank or fish moving water?

Thanks for any feedback!
 
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05/03/2021 09:00PM  
You want the lightest jig you can get away with. May need the heavier one in wind/current etc, or how fast your canoe is moving.
Moving water is classic this time of year and really throughout the year
Don't forget natural pinch points between islands etc, that the wind and current work to act like "moving water" .
 
tarnkt
distinguished member (365)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/03/2021 10:03PM  
It would have to be very windy or substantial current for me to use a 1/4 oz jig in those depths. I like 1/16 oz in shallow calm water.

Moving water is usually good. Don’t overlook shallow bays that warm up fast (north side of the lake typically). They can stack up in those spots in the evening.
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
05/03/2021 10:25PM  
What are you putting on your jigs? Minnows? Gulp minnows? Chunks of nightcrawler? Twister tails?
 
05/04/2021 06:44AM  
Don't forget your slip bobber rig when you need to catch Spring walleyes!
 
05/04/2021 08:47AM  
I just don't understand using those really small jigs. 1/8oz or 1/16oz is too small for me. It's not the weight for me though, it's the hook size. I like to use a hook with a decent opening to make setting it more likely. A bigger hook is just easier to work with too. So I usually work with 1/4oz or 1/2oz. Those sizes work pretty well with leeches, gulp, and twister tails.
 
WIMike
distinguished member (247)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/04/2021 12:02PM  
Depends on whether I am casting or vertical jigging. I use a heavier jig when casting than I do when jigging. 1/16-1/8 for vertical jigging, 1/8-1/4 when casting. If there's current and/or wind I might go 3/8 when casting.
 
WIMike
distinguished member (247)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/04/2021 12:12PM  
A1t2o: "I just don't understand using those really small jigs. 1/8oz or 1/16oz is too small for me. It's not the weight for me though, it's the hook size. I like to use a hook with a decent opening to make setting it more likely. A bigger hook is just easier to work with too. So I usually work with 1/4oz or 1/2oz. Those sizes work pretty well with leeches, gulp, and twister tails."


Look into saltwater jigs like those from ZMan. You can get 1/8 and 1/4 oz jigs with pretty large hooks (3/0 and 4/0). I use them when casting soft plastics for inshore fish along the Gulf coast but they might fit your needs for walleyes too.
 
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