Line Rigs for Walleye (Hot Debate)

 Never used a steel leader for walleye in any season...

Pike, yes.

 I agree. Do you ever use a barrel swivel to keep down on spin on the hard water?

iluvswnd Said:
 Never used a steel leader for walleye in any season...

Pike, yes.

I find that I catch more of everything when I don't use a leader, I don't even use a leader for northern because if they are side swipers, a leader isn't necessary, and if they come in from behind and inhale it.....I have lost lures to northern that inhale the whole rig.

No leaders.  I keep a heavy action ice rod with a thin wire leader and a jig on standby for when a pike moves in and I see him on the camera. 

I put the biggest minner I can find on and send it down to get pike up and out of the hole asap.  Then I walk about 30 to 50 yards away to release them.  A nosey northern keeps the perch and walleyes away, and after you release em they just sit on bottom for an hour or two & regain their strength, meanwhile you sit there waiting for him to leave so the perch & walleyes will come back.

I've lost too many cranks to pike.  If there's pike in the water, I'll have a leader ahead of it. Period.  Jigs and live bait rigs--no leader.  I'll sacrifice a hook or jighead.  When using cranks, I clip off the stock snap and replace it with an aftermarket job (Laker Quick Snap) to slim the profile.  No change in percentages IME.  BTW, good luck finding the above snaps.  I think I have the last two bags in the world. 

only time i ever use a steel leader is if im casting for pike just for the fun of it never used for walleyes but with some rigs do use snaps

Never used steel for walleyes for any reason, now that I think about it I have never seen a walleye caught by anyone using a steel leader. I try and separate my pike rigs from walleye rigs fishing for walleyes and saugers deep and putting big smelt with leaders shallow usually works but have caught many pike in 30+ feet of water the last two years and its the first time I have remembered that happening. I like both walleyes and pike but I really hate pike when I'm unprepared for them.

killin-em-softly Said:
 I agree. Do you ever use a barrel swivel to keep down on spin on the hard water?

And yes barrel swivels big must, I got lazy one time and didnt wanna go to the garage when rigging some tip-ups once and didnt use them, very stupid idea. Was bringing a fish up and every time I laid the line down it started twisting up like black twizzlers on the ice. Wont do that again.

I promise, a wally doesn't know the difference between a black leader and a treble hook.

 Remember --- fish bite on anything ---- even the allusive overated walleye ----i recd my alabama rig  --- that thing is full of wire ---i show er up this summer

No leader. Ever.

If I'm fishing for walleye in waters where pike are a problem I won't think twice about useing a leader on my cranks. Even in clear water. I personally never use leaders on jigs.

Short,
Not sure where you plan on using "Bama Rigs" but I would be checking the regs. I'm pretty sure they are illegal in ND and MN.

18" Invisa-leader work pretty slick have used over a jig and caught walleye in pike invested waters. I also use them when chubby dartering thru the ice if alot of pike are in the area. Only leader I will use great for pitching cranks as well. They are a little more flexible and thin than your average leader.

Murphys Law Said:
18" Invisa-leader work pretty slick have used over a jig and caught walleye in pike invested waters. I also use them when chubby dartering thru the ice if alot of pike are in the area. Only leader I will use great for pitching cranks as well. They are a little more flexible and thin than your average leader.

12" not 18"

If pike are in the area, I will tie a barrel swivel with a 2 foot chunk of 15 lb Flourocarbon.  That stuff is almost impossible for a pike to bite through as long as you fix the nicks after a few pike.  Also, it is clear and doesn't affect the action of lures much at all.