Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Your favorite floating jig head
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lundojam |
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Wally13 |
I had not heard of any walleye tournament winners using a floating jig head either. Most will win trolling crankbaits with planer boards or pulling harnesses with bottom bouncers or using jigging raps or shiver minnows. But a quick Google search revealed that a gum drop floater did in fact help a team win a walleye tournament. LOL ... ( but the story was posted by Northland... the manufacturers of the gum drop floater). Gum Drop Floater helps team win Cabelas Master Walleye Season Opener But I have to say these small floating jigs work well for me in Quetico fishing from a canoe. Here are some pics of couple of 30+ inchers caught on gum drops up at Opasquia Provincial Park @ Big Hook Wilderness Camps on my annual boat fishing trip in August 2008 and 2017. |
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mastertangler |
I don't want to be a one trick pony with my crawlers so several floating jig heads need to tag along. I am looking for a premium hook. Also, what has been your favorite color in canoe country? |
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oth |
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walllee |
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Savage Voyageur |
quote mastertangler: "quote Savage Voyageur: I also have used a float on the line next to the hook area. It has a bead on each side of the float that does not move. Kind of acts as same as a floating jig head. " Yes it is exactly that. It is a small float with a hole in the middle. The line goes through the middle of the float than loops around and continues on to the hook. Or maybe it’s the bead that the line wraps around. This rig works great with a rocky bottom. Less hang ups. |
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mastertangler |
quote Savage Voyageur: I also have used a float on the line next to the hook area. It has a bead on each side of the float that does not move. Kind of acts as same as a floating jig head. " Yes I was reading about a rig like that. What sort of float is used? I am picturing something similar to a strike indicator like they use for fly fishing? |
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mastertangler |
I will likely take your advice Walleye13 and go with a bigger hook........I have always liked glo type colors as well but I will get a variety. Not a lot of "buzz" on the walleye forums concerning floaters but I did find out the Northland Gumdrop was formerly known as a Phelps and is the preferred floater. I am big about having a rod out while in camp if I have bait along. The bait runner will be sporting a Gumdrop jig head with an air injected crawler. Might as well have something out. |
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mastertangler |
Loten Walleye rig |
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Savage Voyageur |
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Wally13 |
When fishing Quetico, I go with the biggest floater and biggest hook size 1/0 ... I find that I need the bigger hook size to accommodate the artificial trailers needed in Quetico. I prefer Berkley Gulp Killer Crawlers for gum drop fishing. 3 inch Killer Crawlers are hollow and provide great action. 4 inch Gulp Crwalers work well especially watermelon color. If I were fishing BWCA or lakes that allow live nightcrawlers I might opt for the smaller #2 or #4 hook size. MT, I know you are bringing your "conditioned" big fat live night crawlers. Lunkers Love Night crawlers calls for smaller size #8 hooks so you might go with the smaller #4 hook. I have experimented with all 3 hooks sizes of gum drops (#4, #2, 1/0) and larger 1/0 has worked best for me. Like wallee you can pull this floating jig using a split shot 18 inches above the jig. When walleye are just off the bottom, I usually fish it with a 1/2 oz. Lindy Walking Slip sinker in 10-25 ft. of water in early to mid summer and use a heavier 3/4 oz. slip sinker when fishing 25-35 ft. in later summer and fall. The Lindy slip weight does a good job of keeping the floating gum drop just off the bottom. You can also use a Lindy No Snagg Slip Sinker . In stained lakes I go with a shorter snell from the Lindy weight ... 20 to 24 inches and on clear lakes I often lengthen my snell to 40 to 48 inches. Always use a swivel behind your walking sinker on your snell attached to your floating jig head. I like Lindy's swivel clip where you can quickly clip your pre tied floating jig head setup. I have also used 1.5 to 2 oz. bottom bouncers to slow troll for eyes with a gum drop. Using gumdrops is a great " search method" to cover lots of water especially when walleyes are a bit finicky when crankbaits aren't working. Once I find concentrations of eyes I often switch to vertically jigging. The TGO method ( Lunkers Love Night Crawlers) works great too. I have become a convert to this way to catch walleyes especially on lakes I can fish LIVE night crawlers. Northland Gum Drop Floater Berkley Gulp Killer Crawler Lindy No Snagg Slip Sinker Lindy walking sinker Lindy Swivel Clips |