jigging in shallow water

[anchor man]

When targeting walleyes in waters 5-10 ft deep and jigging using a quiet Minkota trolling motor, do you find walleyes to be spooked when you get above them? Do you long line while using jigs? Typically I prefer to keep my jig fairly vertical when in deeper (15-20+) depths, but was curious how others jig the shallows..

[Ole #1]

I don't know about others, but always like to get some line out when I jig.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Depneding on how shallow.. I perfer to cast than troll.. then you dont have to worry abou the boat spooking the fish.

[Fish Head]

I'm with Dietz. When I'm working the 2-8 ft shallows I like to keep the boat on the deeper end and cast shallow and slowly work it back.

However if you want to be moving, you're on the right track with using the electric. Never run the big motor in the shallows if you can use an electric, not even a 4 stroke. If there is some chop, I don't think the fish get spooked nearly as easily.

I'm leaving for Cass Lake in 18 hours!!!!

[ccarlson]

It all depends on water clarity and the amount of wind.

In turbid water or windy conditions, you can catch them jigging right under the boat in as little as 6' but try to get back from the boat at least a good casting distance in calm or clear water conditions.

ccarlson

[Wayne Ek]

Anything shallower than 12 feet, it's trolling motor only, and if I can use the wind to my advantage for a drift,that's even better. I will always be casting or pitching light jigs/minnows in this shallow of water. The target is usually old growth pencil reeds, new growth cabbage or coontail. Even if you wind drift, don't fool your self, those fish know something is there... it's just a matter of how aggressively they are feeding. It has been my experiance that shallow "eyes" during day-light hours this time of year, are there for only two reasons, (1) smaller males still looking for ripe females or (2) to eat.... Yes, earlier I mentioned pencil reeds, it's a under targetted pattern that has produced for me year in and year out.

[2dalake]

I pitch a jig when I'm fishing that shallow, but if it's windy I use a crankbait. It's tough to fish a light jig in shallow water in the wind.

[Skitterpop]

I have found the pencil reeds to be very efective in the early part of the season but I fish them with a slip bobber because of the shallowness in which I am flipping my bait. I don't like to spook them by cruising too close to them when there isn't much for cover for them and the water clarity is practically putting me right on top of them. I know of someone who only uses slip bobbers for the first 4 weeks of the season and catches a lot of walleye this way. It may not be an exciting way to fish but it is effective.

[outdoor ran]

A few years back walleye fishing in really muddy water I used the trolling motor to motor up to shore to get out and stretch. My buddy drops his jig straight down along the side of the boat to get a loop out of his line and bam a 7 1/2 pound walleye grabs it next to a log in about 18 inches of water. Talk about a surprise. So I'am not afraid to vertical jig really swallow in dirty water. It really works well, just becareful setting the hook with only a few feet of line out. Those jigs hurt when bounced of your forehead.

[deacon]

Pencils reeds to me too this early, especially with the weather we are having. It gives the fish some cover and that is where some of the bait fish are hanging out. Pencils reeds can be in as deep as 8ft of water where I fish. Usually move along edge with trolling motor and cast jig.

Otherwise, if less then eight ft I like to cast, deeper I feel comfortable trolling. Will start Saturday morning with a white mister twister, yellow head and small fathead. Usually a bite in the conditions we are facing will be like extra dead weight on the line.

I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[walleye_guy18]

depending on water clarity I usually dont get to worried about spooking fish in 6fow or more, one thing to keep in mind when in this shallow water is not so much your trolling motor(although important)but keeping quiet yourself. Make sure you are banging rods and nets off the bottom of the boat etc.

Walleye guy

[musky hunter]

Water clarity and stealth are key. If it's turbid, I've caught walleyes in 32" of water right next to the side of the boat. But the clearer the water the farther you need to pitch the jig. Current will also influence it, with current working toward the stealth advantage.

[rms]

Early season on Winni I've caught many eyes rip jigging. Just throw a light jig and shiner out 40+ feet put the boat in gear, tighten your line, and sweep your rod forward with a jerk, then let the lure fall back until your line is taught again. It's worked in depths less than 6' with the big motor running.