Jig Fishing is one of the most popular and productive spring presentations for walleyes. Kicking off a spring day on the water with a solid walleye is never a bad omen. As Al and I settle into our mission, we’re dialed in on targeting post-spawn walleyes in Minnesota just days after the opener. It’s a time when fish are scattered across shallow flats and deeper breaks, and success hinges on reading the conditions, paying attention to fish mood, and adjusting your jig presentation accordingly.
Why Jigs Reign Supreme
The humble jig remains arguably the most effective fishing lure of all time, especially for targeting walleyes. In spring, when fish are transitioning from spawn to feeding patterns, jigs offer versatility and finesse. But walleyes aren’t the only ones biting. As we quickly found out, lakes with a healthy mix of smallmouth bass often yield exciting surprises.
Case in point: after a few walleyes, a hefty smallmouth smashed the jig—my first bronzeback of the season. It’s not uncommon when you’re jig fishing in these multi-species waters to catch both species back to back, adding to the excitement of each cast. 
Locating and Triggering Fish with Electronics
Modern electronics are changing the game, but they can also be misleading—especially when fish are belly to bottom and in a negative mood. At the start of our outing, we weren’t marking much on side or forward-facing sonar. That’s often a sign that fish are tight to the bottom, requiring more aggressive tactics to trigger strikes.
In these situations, snap jigging becomes our go-to approach. This method—a sharp, erratic retrieve—provokes reaction bites even when fish aren’t actively feeding. As the day evolves and fish begin to move, we’ll adapt with different presentations, including casting and steady retrieves.
The Power of Subtle Adjustments
Sometimes, a small tweak in retrieve style or jig composition can change everything. After a series of snap jigging strikes, I tied on a simple black hair jig and switched to a subtle swimming retrieve. That shift resulted in immediate bites. Hair jigs, particularly black ones, are especially effective during bug hatches—a common spring phenomenon when midge hatches bring fish up and feeding.
The classic hair jig, whether marabou or bucktail, remains one of the most overlooked but deadly springtime options, especially in calm conditions. These jigs mimic natural forage and match the hatch when insects start to emerge.
Changing Conditions, Changing Bite
Interestingly, while most anglers dread calm, flat, sunny days, we experienced the opposite. As the wind laid down and a midge hatch began, fish started to rise and respond more aggressively. With Megalive and side imaging now picking up fish higher in the water column, we adjusted again—returning to straight retrieves and subtle swimming motions with lighter jigs.
The takeaway? The “hot bait” from yesterday or even an hour ago might not be what works now. Fishing is dynamic, and staying tuned into your electronics, water conditions, and fish behavior is key.
The Role of Jig Selection and Rigging Strategy
Jig selection isn’t just about weight—it’s about shape, composition, and how it pairs with your sonar. We cycled through a variety of jigs: the classic black hair jig, the VMC Moontail jig for snap jigging, and the VMC Tungsten Mooneye jig for forward-facing sonar. Each had its role:
- Moontail Jig: A flatter profile ideal for erratic “hunting” motion in snap jigging.
- Tungsten Mooneye: Denser and offers better sonar return for pinpoint vertical presentations.
- Hair Jig: Perfect for subtle retrieves during bug hatches or calm conditions.
Tipped with a Big Bite Baits Sensation 4″ minnow, these jigs were deadly. From quarter-ounce heads to 3/16 oz tungsten, every setup was tailored to the retrieve style and depth.
Confidence Baits and Following the Bite
After watching fish after fish come in on the same presentation, I switched to the exact rig my partner was using—rubber dressing and all—and immediately connected. Sometimes it’s not about innovation, but imitation. When one angler is consistently getting bit, don’t hesitate to match their rig, especially when you’re chasing schooling fish like walleyes, which are notorious for grouping.
Rod and Reel Setup: Fine-Tuned for Snap Jigging
The rod setup we used was crucial for executing effective jig presentations. My go-to was a St. Croix 6’8″ medium power, extra-fast action rod—part of their new Avid Series. Designed specifically for snap jigging, it features an elongated foregrip that allows full hand-forward control for maximum jig response. St. Croix makes this rod action across several of their popular lines, including the Icon, Legend Tournament, and Avid Walleye.
This setup provided the perfect balance of sensitivity and backbone, making it ideal for quick hooksets and detecting those subtle springtime bites.
Fine-Tuning Your Gear for Optimal Jig Performance
As our spring jigging adventure continued, we explored more advanced rod and reel setups for delivering the perfect presentation. When snap jigging with 1/4 or 3/8 oz jigs, a medium power, extra-fast action rod is crucial. The 6’8” St. Croix Avid Series stood out for its control, response, and balance—enhanced by a full cork handle for comfort and grip.
Another standout rod was the St. Croix Physyx, a top-tier all-carbon model. But what truly makes it a versatile favorite is its 7′ medium power, fast action profile. This rod is a true all-purpose workhorse, ideal for both walleye and bass anglers. The setups were spooled with 10 lb Sufix 832 braided line in high-vis yellow, perfect for detecting slack-line strikes common during cold-water bites.
We paired these rods with Daiwa 2500-size Regal spinning reels—a budget-friendly, performance-driven option. With a collapsible handle, smooth drag, lightweight air drive system, and rock-solid reliability, these reels proved perfect for a full season of jigging action.
Reading the Water, Adjusting Tactics
It became clear that bigger walleyes were holding closer to shorelines, while smaller fish were more scattered. This pattern emerged as the day warmed up and conditions shifted. The takeaway? Constantly reevaluate your approach. Some of the best fish came when we adapted our techniques and adjusted to subtle clues from the environment.
From early morning snap jigging, to hair jigs during calm sunlit periods, and then back to mid-column swimming retrieves with tungsten jigs as a breeze picked up—each adjustment brought its own burst of success. Over the course of a single day, three entirely different jigging strategies were dominant at different times. It reinforced the notion that versatility and attentiveness are critical to consistent success.
The Universal Power of the Jig
In Minnesota—and across Ontario—there is arguably no lure more effective across all seasons for walleyes than the jig. Whether tipped with plastic, hair, or live bait, jigs dominate from opener to ice-up. On iconic waters like Vermilion, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs, tens of thousands of walleyes fall for jigs every year.
Jigs are beloved for their simplicity: a hunk of lead (or tungsten), a hook, and a trailer. But that simplicity masks incredible depth. Choosing the right head shape, weight, material, and pairing it with the right presentation can make or break your outing. That’s why so many pros and weekend anglers alike continue to rely on jigs year after year.
