Jigging below the boat is a common tactic for targeting midsummer walleye. Below we discuss how to choose the best jig size and line to make the most of your time on the water.
Recommended Jig Size & Line When Using Soft Plastics
If you’re jigging with soft plastics, don’t be afraid to use braided line and upsize your jig weight. For example, if you are using a 1/4 oz jig to get a shiner down, go with 3/8 oz or even a 1/2 oz when using soft plastics. This is because soft plastics are more buoyant and need a bit more weight to create the action in the plastic tail.
Braided line also has no stretch and gives you tremendous sensitivity. This makes it great for hook sets when fishing in deeper water (over 20-25 feet). It’s durability and lack of stretch also allows for ideal strokes with both jigging raps and plastics.
Recommended Line & Jig Size When Using Live Bait
When using live bait for walleye, mono can be key. It’s a lot more subtle and the fish can grab your bait without feeling the line tension as quickly. However, when jigging with mono, make sure to put a small barrel swivel above your jig. This will eliminate the line twist often associated with this line.
When to Choose Mono or Braid on Tough Bite Days
Mono also gives a more fluid, subtle gliding presentation in the water. On a tough or off-bite day especially, you can catch a lot more fish on mono because the fish have more time to choke on that minnow. If you are moving, or missing fish, then switch over to braid. More often than not, one type of line will work better than the other depending on the bite.
