Trolling--Original Floaters vs. Husky jerk-baits?

[Stick in Mud]

Is there a trend that says which of these baits is better for trolling early in the year? I've always used the Original in the spring and the HJ in the fall, but I couldn't really tell you why.

Or does it just depend on the fish that day?

[Northlander]

I just use the slower rolling baits when water is cold and as the water warms up get more agressive. Last year opening week I was catching eyes trolling shad raps, hot n tots and reef runners so there is nothing set in stone.

[Jim Hudson]

For me, the places I see a real difference in the two baits are really clear water systems for trolling or super shallow areas.

The originals, usually F11 or F13, are dynamite in very clear water systems and when needing something to run super shallow. To me, clearer the water, no rattles in a bait gives me a lot more confidence for shallow stuff, so thats why I turn to a Original, or even a Salmo Minnow. I do the same for trolling musky on big clear water systems, just have seen a big difference in rattling baits to non rattlers at times. But, on occasion the rattling baits will take fish, so I have em on hand just in case (ie really windy and stirred up bottom content, etc).

Also, the dive curve on the floaters are minimal and they float, unlike the HJ, so placed behind a board you can scoot em easily in 2 FT of water if need be without being to worried about getting hung up. Something that could be beneficial for MN opener, for trolling at night. I would believe a lot of walleyes will be very shallow, especially males, on a lot of northern lakes in MN.

[scaup]

I will fish w f11's all year long. For the most part it is a dive curve issue for me. The main lake that I fish holds walleyes in less than 10 feet of water all year long. When I move deeper I will swith to HJ, Shad Raps and so on.

[Team Otter]

I like to think that the best applications for the floating-style stick baits are when you want to go ultra-shallow or "ride" over something (i.e. cover) and then to use the HJ's for more workhorse-style applications that require a little diggin' and noise.

[RiverBassGuy]

Most of the guys I fish with will stick to slowly trolling floaters early in the year and progressively turn to faster speeds with huskies in the fall. The rattlin and the added weight in a husky jerk-bait has a nice way of attracting hungry feeders in the late summer/fall.