Bucktail Jigs for Walleye
By Justin Hoffman

Feed the fish some fur when working the water for walleye…

When walleye head to the shade of the salad, or cruise along the edge of a breakline, a bucktail jig may be your best tool in the tackle box for seducing a strategic strike. Regarded as one of the earliest jig creations to hit the fishing scene, bucktails have fallen by the wayside over the years, regrettably to make room for the ever-expanding designs brought on by the hi-tech plastics market. Those anglers in the know, however, realize the true value this old standby of fur can bring to the underwater world, and continue to reap the benefits season after season.

Working bucktails is a different game than that played with standard jigs, but the techniques speak for themselves in the big time rewards you’ll reap in the bottom of the landing net.

A Breakdown of a Bucktail
A standard bucktail jig is comprised of a lead (or lead alternative) head, with layers of bucktail tied and glued to the collar of the bait. The length of this fur can vary, but a standard bucktail body will average two to three-inches long. Jigs can be sparsely tied or plumped up, and are often interwoven with strands of tinsel – which adds an additional aspect in terms of visual attraction.

The effectiveness of a bucktail jig comes into play with the action it produces. When at rest, the hair of a bucktail jig fans out in the water. This gives an ever-changing appearance, with the natural movement being an important triggering factor for walleye. When jigged, the hair forms a streamlined shape, replicating the body style and “flight” characteristics of a fleeing baitfish. Toss in the fact that they are the perfect snack size for both a finicky or ravenous walleye, and you’ve got yourself a winning combination.

Rip Jigging with Fur
Rip jigging is a specialized technique that can often produce big results. The premise is quite simple: cast or pitch a bucktail jig thirty feet or so, allowing it to fall on a controlled line, and into any snarls or clumps of vegetation you may find. Once your bait comes into contact with the green stuff, a quick snap of the rod tip will free your jig from the snag, sending it up and away from the cover. Let it fall back into cover and repeat.

With each rip or jerk, reel up any slack line – this will allow you to maintain contact with the jig, giving you the control needed to work the next rip effectively and efficiently.

Due to the streamlined design of a bucktail jig, it is relatively weedless when being worked through vegetation, making it better suited for this style of fishing than any other jig.

Walleye are an opportunistic feeder. Content to conceal themselves in the thickest of cover, they will wait for any unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. The quick nature of the rip jigging technique forces a walleye to make a reaction-type strike, or ultimately, go hungry. Depending on the mood of the fish, they will either smack the fur as it breaks free from the salad, or rush forward to engulf it as it slowly and tantalizingly drops back down. Either way, be prepared to immediately set the hook, and keep the fish moving up and away from cover.

Depending on the mood of the fish, rips can be that of the aggressive type or much more subdued. As the water warms, elevating your jigging action will often bring about better results.

Rip jigging works best on expansive weed flats, especially those that sit in water between five and 15-feet deep. This is an excellent early season technique, as many walleye will head to the safety of these weed beds shortly after the spawn.

It is also a productive technique on shallow, fertile lakes, with the nod going to those that don’t provide much in the way of deep-water retreats.

I have also had tremendous success while rip jigging in the late fall. When the days run cold and with winter just around the corner, walleye will often stack up along shallow water weedlines; gorging before the storm so to speak. A simple rip of a bucktail is all that is needed to get these fish to go, and banner days are often the norm. If the wind is blowing and the skies are dark, the action can often be fast and furious.

Dunking the Junk
Although it may seem better suited for catching largemouth bass, dunking the weed pockets for walleye is a tried and true technique. And much like a bass angler deftly pitches his worm into every nook and cranny they come across, the same holds true for the short-lined walleye angler – although a bucktail jig will be your weapon of choice.

What you are in search of is heavily weeded bays – the type that are chock full of thick vegetation. A pounding mid-day sun, the season of summer, four to ten-foot depths, and clear water conditions are all necessary ingredients for this tactic to be at its best.

Work weed flats or clumps with the wind or the use of an electric motor, slowly drifting over the top of vegetation while lowering a heavy bucktail jig into each hole or edge you come across. Very rarely will I cast – this is all about mastering the art of the dunk.

Although similar in theory to rip jigging, dunking bucktail jigs really comes into play when vegetation is extremely thick, and a vertical approach is the only way to penetrate the flat. Walleye will congregate in these expansive weed areas, seeking shelter from the sun, while ready to pounce on any baits that fall into their lair. Visually, this is a fun and exciting tactic to employ, as most fish are actually observed sucking up your jig in the blink of an eye. They then charge back into cover. A lightening quick hook set and stout rod (I prefer a flipping stick, but a medium-heavy rod will also work well) is definitely recommended.

A bucktail jig in the ¾ oz. size often gets the nod for this style of fishing, as the heavier weight will get down quickly to the bottom, which is helpful for when your boat drift picks up speed. Walleye will be stationed at the base of the weeds, so getting down to bottom and keeping your jig there, is conducive to getting bit.

Tipping your jig with a worm or minnow is an excellent choice for this short-line tactic. The fish have more time to be convinced to strike, and scent can be a contributing factor for that. If live bait isn’t available, a healthy dose of a commercial fish attractant will certainly do the trick.

Swimming Them In
When walleye are scattered over weed flats, and the vegetation is low and uniform in height, swimming a bucktail jig back to the boat can be a hot ticket. This technique can also be utilized when faced with expansive rock shoals.

The tactic is fairly simple – cast out and reel your jig in, keeping the bucktail just above the structure you are fishing. Imparting a slight lift and drop throughout the retrieve can work as a triggering mechanism, and often turns followers into takers.

This approach allows you to cover large areas, ensuring as many fish see your presentation as possible. Most walleye that use these flats are actively hunting down prey, and the sight of a bucktail jig swimming seductively along, is often all it takes for them to strike.

I like to use flashy and vibrant bucktails when working this technique, as drawing fish from afar is the key to getting bit. Experiment with colours and profile size until you see which works best.

I enjoyed a banner day late last summer employing this exact technique. After catching a few small walleye on spinner rigs, and scratching our heads on what to do next, my partner and I opted to work a large sand and weed-covered flat. With an approaching storm on the way, we wondered whether the fish would move up to this spot and begin to feed heavily in preparation of the front. We were dead on. Swimming bucktail jigs approximately a foot off bottom, with the odd skip and a jump thrown into our retrieve, allowed us to boat a dozen or so fish that day, with two double headers thrown in. The fish were wired and actively feeding, and swimming bucktails allowed us to cover a large area of lake in the least amount of time. Definitely made me a believer that day.

Tackle Considerations
Bucktail jigging requires some specialized equipment. Most anglers prefer a six-and-a-half-foot spinning rod for this type of fishing, in a medium-heavy action. Ensure that it has ample backbone along the lower two thirds of the rod, as this will help control fish, especially when working thick vegetation. A slight bit of give in the tip is also recommended.

Reels should be smooth handling, and come equipped with a finely tuned drag. A high-gear ratio of at least 5.2:1 (but preferably 6.2:1), will ensure fast and effortless line pick up when rip jigging.

Line selection is fairly straightforward – choose braid. This gives you the greatest control and sensitivity, has non-stretch properties, and can cut through weeds quick and effortlessly. My personal choice is 30-pound test Berkley Fireline Tracer braid, which is the equivalent of 8lb test monofilament in thickness. As most of this fishing is of a reactive nature, I forego a leader and tie directly to my bait.

As I mentioned earlier, a flipping stick (or a medium-heavy stick between seven and seven-and-a-half-feet in length), will work best for dunking with bucktails. This additional length gives you greater control over your presentation, as well as the muscle to horse weed walleye out and away from cover.

Bucktail jigs are an old wrinkle in the walleye world that still produce astounding results. Adding these techniques and tools to your repertoire will open new doors when out on the water, with the best reward being more fish in the boat. Give a bucktail jig a try this season – and have fun feeding the fish some fur!

Buying a Bucktail
Choosing the perfect bucktail jig can be a tough chore, but here are some key points to consider when stocking the box:

1. Carry an assortment of sizes, ranging from 1/8 to 3/4oz. Lighter jigs are best suited for swimming tactics, while heavier sizes work better for ripping and dunking.
2. Choose jigs that are between two and four-inches in length.
3. Premium quality hooks are key – ensure that they are sturdy and laser sharp. Brand names get the nod, such as Gamakatsu, Owner, or Mustad.
4. Include colours such as black, white, chartreuse, perch, grey, orange, and red, in both solid and multi-coloured hues.
5. Flashy tinsel can work wonders, especially in stained water.
6. Ensure that the bucktail is tied and glued securely to the jig head.
7. Thin profile heads can be worked more easily through the weeds.
8. Thin and full-bodied jigs both have their place – the latter will produce a slower rate of fall, which works well for shallow water ripping.
9. Large, painted “eyes” can have a triggering effect on walleye.
10. Set-back eyelets will give a more natural and horizontal look to the jig.

Sidebar – Bucktail Refinements 101
Although most jigs appear perfect straight from the box, there are a few DIY jobs that can increase your bucktails effectiveness. Begin with the hook. Bend the gap out slightly with a pair of pliers. This will create a better angle for hook penetration, resulting in more landed fish. With a pair of scissors, trim the bucktail slightly to give it an uneven “skirt.” A modification such as this will give the illusion of added movement and texture, which can help in triggering additional bites.

Next, turn your attention to the thread that is used to affix the bucktail to the jighead. Use Super Glue to thoroughly cover this area in order to prevent unraveling.

Dyes can also be used to change the entire look of your jigs. This is your chance to be completely creative. One idea is to attempt to match the hatch of the prey found in your body of water – be it baitfish or craws. Not only is this part fun, but it can often lead to more fish.