Catching winter walleye with flash

Baits that put off flash are good choices when it comes to catching walleye. Whether from the shine of a lure or the sheen of a live minnow's scales, flashes are visual cues that appeal to walleye. Here are a few reasons I'm a fan of flashy presentations beneath the ice. Flashy baits get noticed Much of an ice angler's success hinges on their ability to attract walleye from afar. And, when it comes to piquing walleye interest, flash is your friend. A flickering lure replicates the panicky shimmer given off by an injured baitfish, or one trying to avoid being eaten. Walleye are hard-wired to spot an easy meal and flash gets their attention. When a walleye is staring down either a real minnow or an artificial bait, a sudden flicker of light can trigger a strike. This is why light jiggles and small hops are reliable when jigging flashy baits. Cold and clear Most lakes in winter are prime for using a flashy lure because water is generally clearer than during open water season. Ice cover eliminates wind and waves, which means less turbulence and fewer particles floating around. Flashy baits perform best in these clear-water conditions. Magnificent metallic finishes Gold and silver are two must-haves of the flash-bait game. You want a decent selection of spoons, jigging minnows, lipless crankbaits, darters, and other lures in these two metallic finishes. Copper is also popular. Admittedly, I wasn't always prepared with gold and silver baits. Many moons ago I was fishing with a friend who was putting an absolute smackdown on walleye using a gold slab-style spoon. And, you guessed it; I didn't have anything close to a flaxen hue in my jog box. What I did have was a giant bag of trail mix loaded with M&Ms —  the perfect bartering material. I was able to swap gorp for gold, so to speak, and began icing walleye soon after the trade. I learned my lesson, and stocked up on flashy baits the following week. Get hammered There’s a case to be made for not just owning smooth-sided gold and silver spoons, but also owning lures with a hammered finish. These dimple-stamped metal baits reflect light from multiple angles and mimic the scales of baitfish. Sparkles added to paint also boost a bait’s reflective properties. Ditto for fleck and other reflective materials embedded in soft plastics. Multi-coloured baits Trying