On this Northern Manitoba adventure, Jeremy Smith and Ty Sjodin cast artificial for walleyes using state-of-the-art technology in a wilderness setting. Here we discuss a specific technique and the equipment used to catch walleye in this region. We will also share a heartwarming story of a viewer reaching out for advice and prayers during a difficult time.
Exploring the Cranberry Chain: A Walleye Fisherman’s Dream in Northern Manitoba
“There’s fish all over up here,” says Smith. Those were some of the first words exchanged between Jeremy and Ty on a brisk morning in northern Manitoba, and it quickly proved to be true. Within moments of casting, the line tightened, a hefty walleye surfaced, and the tone was set for a remarkable angling adventure.
Perched at the heart of pristine wilderness, this journey began on the Cranberry Chain of Lakes, headquartered at Viking Lodge. The camp, a long-standing fishing destination since the 1950s, is situated at the headwaters of the Grass River System. With 52 miles of interconnected water teeming with northern pike, lake trout, and walleye, it’s an ideal destination for anglers seeking both quality and quantity. 
Manitoba’s Untamed North
Located north of the 53rd parallel, this remote region is defined by untouched boreal forests, granite outcroppings, and countless glacial lakes. Its most iconic fish, the walleye, is Manitoba’s official provincial fish and a central target for visiting anglers. The reputation is well-earned: these waters produce not only high numbers of fish but also strong, resilient specimens that put up a rewarding fight.
Dialing in the Presentation
The fishing kicked off with a variety of tactics. Anglers Ty and Jeremy employed a range of jigging techniques to entice aggressive walleyes. One angler favored a lighter jig head paired with a soft plastic swimbait—executing a steady swimming retrieve. The other chose a heavier jig, ideal for snap jigging along the rocky bottom. Both techniques proved effective, highlighting the importance of experimenting until the fish reveal their preference.
Among the most successful lures were the Big Bite Baits Slim Minnow paired with jig heads and Rapala’s lineup of glide baits. Glide baits such as the Jigging Rap, Flat Jig, and the newer Jigging Shadow Rap all brought fish to the boat. Each lure has unique characteristics—fall rate, body material, and hook configuration—that make it ideal for specific scenarios. The Jigging Shadow Rap, for instance, was praised for its slower fall rate and snag-resistant design, making it perfect for fishing over rocky points in 12–16 feet of water.
Glide Bait Know-How
Not all glide baits are created equal, and understanding their differences is key to success. While many anglers lump these baits into one category, discerning their subtleties—such as how they hang, fall, or glide—can dramatically affect your catch rate.
The Jigging Shadow Rap distinguishes itself with a flatter profile and a more pronounced hang time before dropping. It doesn’t have a front treble hook, reducing snags in shallow rocky areas. Its body composition, with a mix of plastic and metal, allows for a slower, more natural descent—ideal for suspended or skittish fish.
Tackle That Makes a Difference
To fish these baits effectively, specialized gear is essential. The anglers were using the St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Series Jigging Rod, a 7’1” medium-power, moderate-fast action rod specifically engineered for glide bait fishing. The extended rod length helps pick up slack quickly during vertical jigging, while the moderate action absorbs headshakes, minimizing the risk of pulling the small glide bait hooks from a walleye’s mouth. Ergonomic handle design also reduces fatigue, making it perfect for long sessions on the water.
Average Size, Exceptional Quality
What makes this fishery truly exceptional isn’t just the number of fish—it’s the consistently impressive average size. Over and over, fish in the 18- to 24-inch range came to the boat. As one angler commented, “It’s nicer than you think. You just get so many of them, it’s kind of like, oh—it’s another one, it’s another one…” This abundance of high-quality walleyes is what draws serious anglers to the northern edge of Manitoba.
Shadow Wrap Success and Changing Conditions
The action continued hot and heavy on the Cranberry Chain as the anglers leaned into what was quickly becoming the bait of the day—the Jigging Shadow Rap. Designed with a slower fall rate and a more horizontal glide, it performed exceptionally well in the 12 to 20-foot depths that were consistently holding fish. The anglers noted that although this water was typically considered lake trout habitat, the walleyes were stacked shallower, likely due to the clear water and August conditions.
From a technical perspective, the difference in presentation styles between the Jigging Rap and the Jigging Shadow Rap became apparent. One offered a more aggressive snap action, while the other succeeded with a lift-pause-glide method. The subtleties in drop speed and action made a measurable difference in effectiveness depending on time of day and fish mood.
Boat Control and Versatility
Effective boat control played a critical role in targeting these shallow-water walleyes. Holding position and being able to see structure or fish behavior—sometimes even watching fish react in real time—proved vital. Whether anchoring, spot-locking, or drifting, precision was the name of the game.
And while the fish were plentiful, the anglers didn’t rest on one presentation. The deck was loaded with options: jig and plastic combos, various glide baits, and multiple rod setups to ensure every cast counted. As fish preferences changed, so did the gear. Some days the Jigging Rap outproduced the Shadow Rap, and the next day the reverse was true.
Line and Reel Setup for Glide Bait Success
The team’s finesse didn’t stop at bait selection. Their line setup was equally dialed in. Most opted for 10-lb Sufix 832 braid with an 18″ to 24″ fluorocarbon leader—specifically 12-lb test for durability around rocks. A small rolling swivel between braid and fluorocarbon helped reduce line twist, especially important when working glide baits with erratic action.
On the reel front, high-speed spinning reels like the Daiwa Ballistic MQ XH shined. With higher gear ratios—uncommon in spinning reels until recently—these tools allowed anglers to quickly recover slack line and stay connected on subtle bites or fast-moving fish. That capability is essential when slackline presentations like the Jigging Rap or Shadow Rap require fast reactions to subtle visual cues like line jumps.
Tackle, Trout, and Toughness
Though walleyes were the main target, the system’s lake trout also made a few surprise appearances. Known for their toughness, they added a new layer of excitement. When targeting multiple species, having a rigged and ready multi-species setup pays off.
From drag performance to rod sensitivity, everything came together in a well-tuned boat setup. The anglers commented on how their gear—especially the drag systems in their Daiwa reels—helped absorb strong runs and minimize hook loss.
Using Electronics to See the Bite
Modern sonar technology played a key supporting role. With real-time forward-facing sonar, the team observed fish behavior beneath the boat. This allowed them to distinguish baitfish from predators and see fish reposition in response to the bait—sometimes rising up and crashing down to meet it. Such insights are invaluable when deciding how to adjust presentation mid-cast.
The Jigging Shadow Rap
One effective bait for walleye fishing in the shallower waters of Northern Manitoba is the Jigging Shadow Rap. Unlike other jigs, this bait has a unique design that allows it to hang on its side for a split second before falling. This action entices walleye to strike. The Jigging Shadow Rap is made of plastic and is not as dense as other jigs, which gives it a slower fall rate. This bait has proven to be a valuable addition to any angler’s collection of glide baits.
The Right Rod for Jigging Rap Fishing
To effectively fish with the Jigging Shadow Rap, it’s important to have the right rod. The St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Series Jig-N-Rap rod. This rod is specifically designed for jig and wrap fishing techniques. St. Croix offers a range of rods in their lineup, including the Icon Series and the Avid Walleye Series.
The Legend Tournament Walleye Series rod is ergonomically designed from the handle to the guides to the power of the blank. The handle is perfectly designed for jig and wrap fishing, allowing for good leverage and reducing fatigue in the wrist, arm, and elbow. The rod is seven feet one inch long, with a medium power and mildly fast action. The length of the rod is important for quickly picking up slack in the line when ripping the jigging wrap. The medium power provides a nice backbone for fighting the fish, and the bend in the rod goes further back in the blank, which is important for hooking and keeping the fish on.
The Benefits of the Jigging Shadow Rap
The Jigging Shadow Rap has proven to be a great bait for fishing in shallower waters. In this video, the angler catches multiple walleye using this bait. The slower drop speed of the Jigging Shadow Rap compared to other jigs, such as the Jigging Rap, gives it a different action that the walleye seem to be liking. The angler mentions that the slower drop speed and different action of the Jigging Shadow Rap make it a great bait for fishing in the 12 to 20-foot range.
The Importance of Multiple Bait Presentations
While one angler is using the Jigging Shadow Rap, the other should use another variation, liek the Jigging Rap. The mood of the fish can change from day to day and even throughout the day. Having multiple bait presentations allows anglers to adapt to the changing preferences of the fish. In some cases, the Jigging Shadow Rap was outperforming the Jigging Rap, but the opposite may be true on another day. It’s always a good idea to have a variety of baits and presentations to increase your chances of success.
Choosing the Right Reel for Slackline Presentations
When fishing with slackline presentations like the Jigging Shadow Rap, it’s important to choose the right reel. The angler is using a Daiwa Ballistic MQ spinning reel, which is equipped with big gears and a main frame, making it durable and reliable. What sets this reel apart is its high-speed gear ratio. Most spinning reels have a gear ratio of around 4.7, but the Daiwa Ballistic MQ offers a faster gear ratio. This is beneficial for slackline fishing because it allows anglers to quickly pick up slack and get tight on the fish. If you’re planning to fish with slackline presentations, look for reels with a high-speed gear ratio.
