Crankbaits for Summer Walleye
Take advantage of these versatile lures to catch more fish when other tactics are ignored

Crankbaits are possibly the most underused and underrated walleye lures in your box. They looking pretty and deadly, but when it comes down to rigging up, a jig and minnow or a worm and spinner rig usually get wet. This is short-sighted, because crankbaits are often the most effective lure to use for summer walleye. If you ignore them, you miss out.

Crankbaits shine for summer walleye because they cover water and illicit hits from otherwise satiated fish. Summer walleye are literally surrounded by food. Think of a 9-year-old suburban trick-or-treater sitting on a pile of candy after Halloween, and you get the idea. Baitfish and invertebrates abound. A minnow, leech, or worm might be ignored by lazy walleye, while they will often leap on crankbaits.

Walleye will hit all type of crankbaits, but some are better than others. Look for elongated styles such as Wally Divers, Shad Raps, and the like. Leave fatter styles for bass. This said, rattling lipless cranks can be good in turbid water and around weedlines.

Carry patterns that mimic light-hued minnows like shiners, some that copy darker minnows like chub, and some bright hues like firetiger. Try 2- to 4-inch baits in summer, with the larger sizes getting the nod as the season progresses and baitfish grow larger.

In habitats that have irregular edges, casting crankbaits can be the most effective tactic. Weed edges, as well as rocky drop-offs, are great places to try. Cast as far as possible parallel to the cover and retrieve the crankbait. Vary speed. Often, summer walleye want a lure moving faster than you expect.

You will catch your share of walleye with straight retrieves, but adding a few pauses and twitches often triggers more hits. Just don’t get too aggressive, as walleye tend to like their prey a little more sedate than bass, pike, and muskie prefer.

Crankbaits are also effective when trolled. Pull them along shorelines and over flats and large reefs. Trolling is a great way to search for concentrations of fish in a new lake or to find scattered walleye.

When trolling, let out 100 feet or more of line. This allows time for walleye scattered by the boat to reorganize and calm down before the lure passes them. Making regular turns and changing trolling speed often brings even more hits.

While there are many subtle tricks and techniques you can use to catch more summer walleye on crankbaits, 90% of using them effectively is simply covering lots of productive water. Do this, and you will catch walleye when the bait soakers and jiggers are drawing blanks.

This article is exclusive to the Ontario OUT OF DOORS website.