Jig Fishing for Walleye
A weighted head and hook in one, dressed with a skirt or soft plastic, worked along the bottom. Applied to walleye, that means 6–14 lb main line and a medium-light, extra-fast action rod as your baseline.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
Rod, reel, line and hooks
- Rod
- Medium-Light, extra-fast action, 6.5–7.5 ft
- Reel
- 2500–3000 spinning
- Main line
- 6–14 lb
- Hooks
- Size 4–1/0 jig hooks; size 2–6 live-bait hooks
- Method — Rod
- 6'10"–7'3" Medium to Medium-Heavy, fast action
- Method — Line
- 12–17 lb fluorocarbon (bass) or 10–15 lb braid + leader
- Method — Jig head
- 1/8–3/4 oz depending on depth and current
Where the species baseline and the method spec differ, the method spec is the more specific advice — the species row tells you the strength you need, the method row tells you the behaviour you need.
Check prices for this setupWhy this works on this fish
How the rig works
The head keeps the hook point up and in contact with the bottom. Hops and drags imitate a crayfish or fleeing baitfish; most takes come on the fall, felt as a tick or as line moving sideways.
Walleye behaviour
Low-light predator with excellent night vision. Feeds on perch, shad and minnows.
Large lakes and rivers; relates to bottom structure, breaklines and wind-blown points.
When to fish it
Dawn, dusk and night; choppy 'walleye chop' conditions on windy points.
Walleye tips
- Extra-fast tips telegraph the light 'weight' bite typical of walleye.
- Work depth breaks rather than flat bottom.
- Fish shallower than you expect at night.
Other methods for walleye
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Common questions
What line do I need for jig fishing for walleye?
Use 6–14 lb main line, adjusting for cover and water clarity.
What hook size for jig fishing for walleye?
Size 4–1/0 jig hooks; size 2–6 live-bait hooks.
What rod and reel suit jig fishing for walleye?
A medium-Light, extra-fast action rod around 6.5–7.5 ft with 2500–3000 spinning.
Is jig fishing hard to learn?
Difficulty is 3/5 (moderate). Keep a semi-slack line on the fall — a tight line pulls the jig toward you and kills the natural drop.
When does jig fishing work best for walleye?
Dawn, dusk and night; choppy 'walleye chop' conditions on windy points.