Mack Attack Magazine

By Mack's Lure Pro Staff, Ted Beach

Choosing the Right Tackle

Last month, I explained how to find elusive walleye. This month, I’ll cover the tackle and equipment you need to catch them. Let’s get started.Most of what I’ll cover focuses on fishing from a boat. If you don’t have one, attend a local walleye club meeting and get to know the members. Many are looking for fishing partners or can connect you with someone who is.

Also, if you have a boat but are new to walleye fishing or having trouble catching them, consider booking a trip with a walleye guide. Learning where, what, why, and how to fish for walleye can save you money on tackle and fuel. First, let’s look at the rods I prefer. For bottom bouncing, I use a 7-foot medium-action rod paired with a Quantum Accurist 100 baitcasting reel with a flipping switch and 10-pound P-Line TCB braided line. I finish the setup by tying on a #2 or #3 Duo-Lock snap with a Palomar knot. Before attaching the Duo-Lock to the braid, slide on a weight clevis or a Pucci #3 sliding swivel, followed by a #5 bead. I prefer a chartreuse bead.

Next, tie a barrel swivel to the end of the leader for your worm harness or slow-death hook, then clip it to the Duo-Lock. Mack’s makes several effective walleye options, including my favorites, the Super Slow Deaths and the Wally Pop Crawler series. If you prefer to tie your own harnesses, Mack’s also sells the components.

Next is the bottom bouncer. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 ounce for every 10 feet of water. The two most common styles are L-shaped and straight.

For jigging or fishing blade baits such as Sonic Baitfish, I use a 6-foot, 6-inch medium-action spinning rod with a size 30 Pflueger reel. I spool it with a high-visibility braided line, like P-Line EndurX Zero Fade Electric Green, add a 4- to 6-foot fluorocarbon leader, and tie the jig on directly.

When I use Mack’s Sonic Baitfish, I attach it with a small Duo-Lock. Winter and late fall are excellent times to use these techniques.