Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Update Vertical Jigging Mastery How to Take Advantage of this Well-used Walleye Technique in Water Over 7 Feet Vertical jigging for Walleye can work very well if the fish are hanging in a group in water that is at least seven or eight foot deep. Vertical jigging is a fairly simple process, you just lower the jig and present it right under the boat. The aim is to also present the jig right in front of the fish as well. It is advisable to use a round headed jig that has a long shank hook, and this will help to cover any setting changes when you pull the hook vertically. Vertical jigging for Walleye works well both in the deeper waters in lakes and in rivers. Start by putting your boat in position, which is directly over the area where you will be fishing. Slowly lower the jig into the water, making sure to stay either right at the depth the fish are holding, or where you believe they are holding thanks to your electronics, or slightly above this. Now lightly pump the rod tip up and down repeatedly. It is ideal to lower the tip of the rod fast enough so that the lure will freely drop, but make sure that you do not allow the line to have any slack. When you are pumping the rod tip, it should be anywhere from six inches to two feet for the pumping motion. When vertical jigging for Walleye you should be ready for a strike when you pump downward, so be prepared to reel one in. Experiment with different presentations while vertical jigging, and you might even find yourself surprised. One of the most important parts of fishing for Walleye is thinking outside the box, and not like the typical angler. Remember that eighty percent of the Walleye caught are caught by twenty percent of the anglers, so we can be sure that the ones catching all the fish are more than likely doing something different - sometimes wildly different - from everyone else. Using a jig with a long shank and light wire hook is important during vertical jigging. A shorter shank will not be able to keep hold of the Walleye and will get away, while a longer shank is much more effective. Using a light wire hook is also important. These will go through the mouth of the Walleye much faster and easier, and if there is a snag it can be straightened out much easier. The jig weight is also crucial for jigging vertically. Both the wind and the current will have an effect on whether the jig stays vertical. Using the right jig, with the proper weight for the conditions, will ensure that the jig stays vertical regardless of the wind and currents.