There are times during the year when walleyes can be found shallow…real shallow. Normally, you expect it during the spawn. That’s a given in the spring. But outside of that, there are times where the big girls like to stay there too. And when walleyes are shallow, they’re often real spooky. So that’s the time to stay away and cast in. And this is where casting crankbaits really shines.
When are Walleyes Shallow?
Before we talk crankbaits, you have to know when to cast them. If the walleyes aren’t shallow, what’s the point right? I like to troll for walleyes a lot, and you could cover the spooky, shallow fish with planer boards. But if you have 2 or 3 guys in the boat it’s just more efficient and effective to cast, in my opinion.
There are 3 times where I expect to find big walleyes up shallow.
- Spring Time – As stated, the spawn is a given but in many bodies of water, they stay shallow for quite a while. Take one of my favorite springtime lakes, Devils Lake, North Dakota. The walleyes like the hang in the weeds in the warmer water, and they will hang there into summer. With close proximity to deeper water, they can slide in and out to feed. This is when walleye fishing becomes like bass fishing.
- High Water – When the water rises, it covers emerging vegetation. This causes baitfish to move up and the walleyes follow suit. I’ve caught some really nice walleyes into August in single digit depths. As soon as the water comes down though, they’re typically gone.
- Low Light – Early in the morning and late evening can be killer for fishing shallow for walleyes. They will slide up from the depths to feed, and there are not many places where this doesn’t happen (which can vary depending on conditions). But shallow is the first place to look when the sun is low, especially for BIG walleyes.
What Crankbaits Should I Use?
The first thing you should be asking yourself, is what is the bottom structure of the area you plan to fish? Is it weedy or rocky? How tall are the weeds and how thick? Are there logs and snags? Etc.
Fishing Rocks
If you’re casting a shallow drop-off that’s full of rocks, you’ll probably want to be able to hit bottom with ease. With that being said, you’ll typically want to use a deep diving crankbait that dives a little deeper than the depth you’re fishing. That allows you to be able to reel slow, and at the same time, you won’t have a workout on the reel trying to keep it on the bottom. Usually, when I’m casting crankbaits I’m fishing in around 8 feet or less. This will require a deep-diving bill on the crankbait, no matter the brand you use. If you’re fishing in 10 feet, find a crankbait that dives to 12 feet and so on.
Fishing Weeds
If you’re fishing walleyes in the weeds, you have to decide if you’re “going in” or going over the top of the weeds. If you’re going in, don’t do it with a crankbait. You’re going to be snagged the moment you start reeling. When fishing crankbaits, you’ll want to keep the bait just over the top of the weeds. If I plan on “going in”, I will use a jig and plastic combination instead.
What Are My Go-To Casting Crankbaits for Walleyes?
I’m not endorsed, but it just so happens that my top 3 crankbaits I use most right now are made by Rapala. If you don’t know Rapala, you don’t know fishing. Enough said, their crankbaits are solid and tank tested. As I stated earlier, I usually cast crankbaits shallow so these are the 3 I use most for those conditions.
Rapala X-Rap Model 10 Crankbait
I don’t have a lot of luck with the smaller X-Raps for walleyes. I prefer a bigger bait to not only trigger fish, but to also cast further. The Model 10 X-Rap by Rapala is 4 inches in length, a perfect size. It can be fished so many ways and that is why this is my TOP CHOICE casting crankbait for walleyes. Its buoyancy allows you to control the lure’s depth with ease, keeping it just out of the reach of weeds. You can do a straight retrieve, stop it, jerk and twitch it, and changeup speeds to trigger fish. With the right rod/reel/line combo, you can cast these things a country mile.
Rapala Scatter Rap Size 7
I’ve trolled with the Scatter Raps a bit since they came out, but only in recent years have I started using the Scatter Raps more for casting. Like the X-Rap, the Scatter Rap’s erratic action is what turns on walleyes and causes them to strike. The Scatter Raps retrieve isn’t consistent, as it cuts back and forth, almost like a musky bait. The action of the lure pretty much does all the work.
Rapala RipStop Casting Crankbait
The RipStop by Rapala is one of their newest lures they’re come out within recent years. What makes this lure different is not only the front of the lure design but the back as well. It has a lip in the back that gives it motion with a twitch that’s hard to replicate with other lures. It’s a great stop-and-go fishing lure, as it does a “shimmy” as it comes to a stop. And on the retrieve, it darts forward. Also, like the X-Rap, the RipStop takes some practice to master. But once you do, it’s a fish catching machine. I tend to use these when it’s just a bit deeper, as they sink.
What Rod & Reel Combo Do I Use for Casting?
I have a setup I really like for casting crankbaits, and I have all the confidence in the world in the ability to not only cast far but with control.
Casting Fishing Rod
While you can probably get away with a wide variety of fishing rods for casting, I LOVE my Alpha Angler DSR rod for casting. It’s 6’ 10” in length, with a medium fast action. The first thing you’ll notice is the weight of the road. It’s very, very light. I also love the small guides. While it retails near $300, it may price a lot of guys out. I get it. But if you want a rod that just flat outcasts a TON, you can’t go wrong with the DSR by Alpha Angler.
Casting Reel
Okay, I’m going to show how old school I am. Most guys will go with a baitcaster for throwing cranks, but I like to use a spinning reel (and the Alpha Angler DSR is made for a spinning reel). I use the Pflueger President, and it’s a great reel for the money. It’s smooth, lightweight, and reliable. We reviewed the Pflueger President last year based on quite a few years of use and it scored high. What more do you really need in a reel?
Casting Fishing Line
So there you have it, some information and fishing lures I use to help you get started. Casting crankbaits for walleyes is a great way to not only catch fish, but the action is tough to beat for a walleye. It’s also one of my kid’s favorite ways to fish. It keeps them engaged and active, not like bottom bouncer fishing or trolling cranks where it can get slow.
If there are some great lures you recommend for casting, please post up in the comments below!
Tight Lines
