What tackle is needed for a novice eye angler

[mrpike1973]

hi i have started eye fishing i dont have much. mostly a pan fisherman what would you say i need for basics i'm talking what to put in your tackle box i have a few lindy rigs and jigs do i need plastics or are they a waste and do you guys use cranks or should i skip those thanks for your help

[tacklejunkie]

Jigs and spinners.

Those two will give you about 90% of what you'll need. I use cranks but I use live bait way more often.

I get way more numbers with jigs and spinners than any other method

[CRAZYEYES]

You really dont need much. I catch at least 75% of my eyes on homeade lindy and spinner rigs and fireball jigs. Needless to say I own a lot of tackle that really doesnt get much use. More important is learn to control your boat when you find fish. Even when my I'm fishing in some of my buddies boats I still want to be in charge of the trolling motor.

[Jim Almquist]

More important is learn to control your boat when you find fish. Even when my I'm fishing in some of my buddies boats I still want to be in charge of the trolling motor.

Could not have said it better myself !

I make all of my rigs and I use both Lindy and egg type sinkers in 1/8,1/4,3/8 and 1/2oz. I like the salmon style hooks by Gamakatsu and Owner and I have just started using the circle hooks by Gamakatsu. As far as size I like #4,6,and 8.

When it comes to jigs I have so many but in your case you might want to pick up a few in a perch pattern in 1/8 and 1/4oz and in time you will want more colors like green,blue,yellow and pink.

You can catch fish on rigs almost all of the time but make sure it is a clean setup. Cut off the tag end of the line as close to the knot as possible along with a sharp hook and bait that is lively.

[mrpike1973]

hi guys thanks for the replies with the jigs do you tip them with live bait or plastics. thanks so much

[Jim Almquist]

My favorite is a jig and minnow but if you are just going out for a little while I would give plastics a try because it is a great way to save money.

[CRAZYEYES]

I usually fish jigs with minnows and by the time I'm switchng to rigs I'm using leeches or crawlers but I would try a little of everything and also watch what they spit up in the livewell. THis year with early ice out and mayfly hatches I've been using rigs all year. I too make all my own. You can make your own rigs much cheaper and usually get a higher quality one than a store bought as well as its easy to change hook color or the length.

[srfishin15]

yep exactly, jig an minnow or jig and crawler. or even a smaller jig and leech.

[tacklejunkie]

Jig and minnow.

[DarthBaiter]

Would that be a jig and minnow with or without a bobber or how do you control depth? Do you just let the jig hit the bottom otherwise and slowly crank it in?

[Seabass77]

I would say it depends on where you fish, what kind of boat you have, and how much money you want to spend.

I agree that Jigs and spinners catch lots of fish, but it you want to fish for walleyes year around you will want to also consider cranks baits, plastics if you fish rivers often, bottom bouncers to pull your spinners, and a variety of slip bobbers.

That being said, this will serve you for your typical May/June fishing needs.

1/8,1/4, 3/8 oz jigs in chartruese, orange, silver, gold - I like fireball jigs, deeper water, windy conditions, heavier jig.

1/4, 1/2 oz bell sinkers

swivels

Octopus hooks - variety of colors - I use Gamatgatsu (spelling)

slip bobbers and knots, beads

split shot

Right now, the crankbait bite is what is putting fish on the boat.

[tgruenke]

I just hooked on (no pun intended) the new lindy shadling. We did fairly well trolling them in 8-10 feet. Several nice eater walleyes, slab crappies and even a 30 inch musky. I definetly will use them more especially on the lake that I fish that has little structure.

[Jim Almquist]

Would that be a jig and minnow with or without a bobber or how do you control depth? Do you just let the jig hit the bottom otherwise and slowly crank it in?

I like to use mine without a float. If I am casting at some sort of structure I will let it hit bottom before I jig it back to the boat. Sometimes a slow retrieve will work but I find that if hop it back to the boat I will get more strikes. I will also troll with jigs and while I am trolling I will jerk it forward and slowly let it back to the bottom. You would be surprised how many bites will come when you jerk it.