Bucktail Hair jigs have been largely overshadowed by the new school tactics such as plastics and jigging raps. Hair jigs have not decreased in effectiveness however. In fact, the effectiveness may have increased since walleyes have not seen them in quite some time. This article will provide information on how to fish a hair jig for walleye to increase your success.
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Bucktail jigs are very simple, yet effective lures for targeting walleye. Bucktail jigs are made from deer hair, and come in various weights and sizes. They are extremely versatile and can be fished in a wide range of depths and types of cover.
Tip Hair Jigs With Minnows Only When Necessary
Many walleye anglers tip bucktail hair jigs with a minnow which can be very effective at times. For me, this largely depends on the time of year I am fishing. In the early spring when water temperatures are cold, I am more inclined to put a minnow on the back of my hair jig. However, when water temperatures warm up it is best to leave the hair jig untipped. This is because you need to fish the hair jig much more aggressively in warmer water to trigger bites, and a minnow will not allow you to impart the action that you need.
Choosing Hair Jig Weight
When talking about how to fish a hair jig for walleye, we must touch on the different weights and sizes. The main two factors in determining the appropriate jig weight are location and time of year.
Cold Water:
Bucktail jigs are very popular among walleye anglers in the rivers in the early spring. Typically, the rivers are high and muddy, and the increased size and color that a bucktail jig provides helps fish key in on it much better than a plain jig. The size of weight for rivers depends on the current and depth that you are fishing. The water is usually very cold this time of year, so a slow fall is important. You’ll want a jig that is just heavy enough to maintain bottom contact, but nothing more. If there is a lot of current and depth, this may be ½ oz. For more in depth information on river fishing, check out this article.
In the early spring on natural lakes and flowages I would also recommend selecting the lightest hair jig that you can get away with. The bait fish is slow moving in this cold water, so a slow rise and fall from your hair jig helps to match the hatch.
Warm Water:
Once water temperatures warm (generally above 65 degrees), opt for a much larger bucktail jig weight. Walleyes get more aggressive and are much more willing to chase down a faster moving bait this time of year. Like mentioned earlier, do not tip the hair jig with any bait during warmer water temperatures, and fish aggressively to trigger the most bites.
Bucktail Hair Jigs Excel in The Shallows
In my experience, hair jigs excel when fishing walleye that are slightly shallower. In the spring, I like to fish bucktail jigs on shallow sand or gravel flats in close proximity to spawning areas. In the summer, I gravitate towards weed edges with much heavier hair jigs. Snapping hair jigs out of the weeds in the summer can be surprisingly effective for walleye.
Equipment You Will Need To Fish Hair Jigs
Rods:
Now that you know how to fish a hair jig for walleye, lets talk about the equipment that is best for this technique. In the spring, a traditional walleye jig rod will due the trick when fishing bucktail jigs. I recommend a medium-light power rod anywhere from 6’6” to 7’3” in length. If you are primarily fishing rivers, I have found a shorter rod to be much easier to handle.
For the more aggressive strategy that I have been talking about, a heavier rod is needed. I recommend a medium power rod between 6’6” and 7’ in length. The tips will generally be stiffer in shorter rods, allowing you to rip the bait out of weeds and fish aggressively.
Fenwick Eagle Spinning Rod (Budget Option)
Line:
As far as line goes, braid with a fluorocarbon leader is my preferred choice. The increased sensitivity and no stretch qualities of braid are what make it excel with bucktail hair jigs. Additionally, the fluorocarbon leader is used to prevent fish from seeing the braid in the water. If you are fishing water with very low visibility, you can more than likely get away with fishing straight braid. For the braid I like to run 10 lb test, and for the fluorocarbon I typically choose 8 lb.
Find my preferred braid here
Find my preferred fluorocarbon here
Specific Bucktail Jigs:
I enjoy tying my own bucktail jigs, but there are still plenty of good bucktail jigs on the market to choose from. For more information on how to tie a hair jig for walleye, check out this video.
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VMC Moontail Jig (Ideal for Warmer Water)
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Kalin’s Google Eye Hair Jig (Ideal for Cooler Water)
Summary
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If you want a more in depth walleye rod review, check out the Best Walleye Rods Under $100
If you want to learn more about hand tying hair jigs, check out this article