Quantity or quality? The debate has been ongoing within the fishing community for years. Many anglers are resigned to the fact that catching many fish versus catching trophy fish depends on the situation.
Seasoned anglers will tell you that you’ll need to change your tactics and presentation depending on which you’re after – more or bigger.
Where walleye are concerned, there are a handful of lures that you’ll want to use if you’re seeking trophies. Here are four good options.
Photo credit: MuskyMania.com
Walleye lures
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Big Stickbaits
Stickbaits are long, slender hardbaits that are designed to mimic baitfish, and models like the Rapala Husky Jerk or Storm’s Thunderstick have long been favorites of walleye fishermen looking for big fish. Going with large stickbaits allows you to imitate the bigger perch, shiners and cisco that trophy walleye feed on.
Photo credit: BassPro.com
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Musky Baits
Sometimes, using a lure designed for one species can help you bag big trophies in another. I’ve spoken with dozens of musky anglers throughout the years who commonly catch large walleye in their pursuit of musky. As a result, many walleye anglers in search of big fish have taken to throwing big musky baits from Jake Baits, Crane Baits, Suick and Smity glide baits to land big fish. Bonus Tip: These big baits tend to work wonders at night.
Photo credit: MuskyMania.com
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Paddle Tail Swimbaits
Big walleye feed on big baitfish and there’s nothing better at imitating a baitfish than a paddle tail swimbait. Big swimbaits like Strike King’s Swim-N-Shiner, rigged on a ¼ to ¾ ounce jighead, will attract big fish when worked slowly along points, deep weeds and creek channels, where big walleye feed during low-light conditions.
Photo credit: Tacklewarehouse.com
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Crankbaits
As walleye grow in size, they also become more aggressive feeders. As this happens, anglers found that turning to bass style crankbaits, like the Rapala DT series or Strike King’s 6XD, to generate strikes from trophy spot tails. If you find that some of your other tactics aren’t working, work these crankbaits quickly on deep grasslines or around points to trigger strikes and see if your fortunes change.
Photo credit: Cabelas.com
