What factors should I consider when deciding what size of jig I should use?
The first thing you need to consider when fishing for walleye with a jig is the time of year. If you are fishing during the spring after spawning when the walleye are ready to feed, you want to use a smaller jig. The walleye are feeding, but only small amounts of food at a time. Using a jig the size of up to one-eighth of an ounce with a small minnow will attract the walleye more so at this time than at a later time when they start to feed on larger amounts of food.
Once you move into the summer months when the walleye are heading for deeper waters, you want to increase the size of the jig to one-fourth or three-eighths. The one-eighths still works well, but you want something a little heavier to reach your depth. Your lead ball will also need to be different as well.
If you are really interested in catching that walleye, you might try the jigs that offer a little attracting noise. The jigs that clatter, click and thump to bring the walleye to you from a distance away are great additions to your tackle box. Not only do you need the different weights and sizes, but having a knack for jigging is also going to help hook the walleye.
Therefore, the season, depth of water and weather conditions determine what size jig you will use when walleye fishing. One thing to remember is that, the walleyes are short strikers and they inhale the bait. This is also a consideration when choosing the right size.
