When to use

[tony_1]

From reading past posts I think that I have it. When handlining in dirty water and at night pencil plugs are the ticket. When in clearer water its rapalas. I Do I have it right? What size rapalas do you use? I am just started out trying this method so any help would be much appreciated.

[Gone Fishing]

Tony, I'm not so sure its that simple. Early in the year (March/Apr/May) during the day, if the water is real clean, put the hand line away and use the jigs with minnows or plastics. If the water is off color or dirty, the handliners will probably out produce the jiggers. I usually use Rapalas early in the year. As summer heats up, spoons and worm harnesses do well during the day. Again, if the water is real clean, the night fishing should be better than the day fishing. I like the pencil plugs for night or larger Rapalas. I really don't use pencil plugs much during the day. Early in the year or at night you might try the larger size Rapalas (sizes 9, 11 & even 13). Try sizes 5 and 7 as the summer months kick in or the spoons and harnesses. I'm not sure if this helps, you are probably just more confused now that I threw in my 2 cents!! Anyway, good luck, you'll have a blast! I'll be the guy with my wife, drifting by with my engine up, untangling her line from the prop.

[tony_1]

Gone Fishing, thanks for the info, I am really green to this type of fishing. My dad is going to attempt to teach me what he can remember, he hasn't done this type of fishing since the 60's but from the stories I hear he and his buddies were very successful. I searched the site and that seemed to be the prevailing opinion, I did notice but forgot to mention the jigging info. This walleye fishing is really new to me, my experiences in targeting them were great but a totally different style of fishing. Mostly trolling w/ crawler harnesses in the spring along the shoreline from metro beach to just past the 400 club and alot of drifting in the mouth of the middle channel. Your knowledge is greatly apprieciated. I am supposed to pick-up the boat this weekend, and hopefully I be ready to hit the river in the middle of March. I am just getting started and want to get an idea of what tackle I should start myself off with, I know that is an endless endeavor but I am trying to find out what the "neccessaties" are and then expand from there.

[BEAGLEMAN]

tony_1,
Pencil plugs are great but should be just one weapon in your arsenal. Rapala's (I prefer J7's),
Thunderstick jr's,Flatfish are a few more you should have. Although Blue/white is one of my favorite lure colors Firetiger is a close second.
If your looking to start jigging the river don't use too light of a jig until you get the feel of it. I would recommend starting with 1/2-3/4 Oz, then go lighter as you learn. LOL!
Tom