The BEST Bait for BIG Walleyes | How to Fish a Jigging Rap + Tips and Tricks

My wife and I took a vacation to one of my favorite bodies of water for big fish - Rainy Lake. We had incredible accommodations at Sunset country outfitters and caught a ton of big fish. In this second video, I detail exactly how I use a Rapala Jigging Rap to target BIG walleyes. I give a ton of tips and tricks including the rod, reel, cadence, and some common mistakes that people make with the Jigging Rap. Thanks for watching!
Sunset Country Outfitters
- Website: bit.ly/3NWPs3U
- Facebook: bit.ly/3NS6nEJ
- Instagram: bit.ly/3rfBHEp
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Rain Gear - Norfin
- Rebel Pro Jacket - bit.ly/3qyChx0
- Rebel Pro Bibs - bit.ly/43Vut6R
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order===
Rod - Rosemore Outdoor Gear
- Double L - bit.ly/3vWG6er
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order!====
Reel - Piscifun
- Carbon XII - bit.ly/3qzVQVD
===Use Code TJE15 for 15% off your order!===
OTHER GEAR I USE AND TRUST
Summer Gear
Reels - Piscifun
Carbon X - bit.ly/3KWAV4S
Carbon XII - bit.ly/3qzVQVD
===Use Code TJE15 for 15% off your order!===
Rods - Rosemore Outdoor Gear
- Double L - bit.ly/3vWG6er
- Whiskey Flats - bit.ly/3OSHAis
- Chambers Island - bit.ly/374cGT0
- Manitou Rapids - bit.ly/3vUvXyN
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order!====
Rain Gear - Norfin
- Pro Dry III Jacket - bit.ly/3yctjY5
- Pro Dry III Bibs - bit.ly/38E0rgr
- Rebel Pro Jacket - bit.ly/3qyChx0
- Rebel Pro Bibs - bit.ly/43Vut6R
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order===
Arclab Shuttle and Extras:
- Shuttle - bit.ly/3HszYSs
- Quick Dock Plate - bit.ly/408qZM1
- Sport Track Mount - bit.ly/3GNMoTV
- Pole - bit.ly/3Po7uLA
- Pole Clamp - bit.ly/3MQfJRu
- LVS34 Trandsducer Mount - bit.ly/3hfRBK5
- Stow Clip - bit.ly/41zohQy
Larmac 360
- www.larmac360....
Underwater Camera
- Aqua Vu HD7i - bit.ly/35f0Cgr
- Aqua Vu 822HD - bit.ly/3oVN6bT
Winter Gear
Reels - Piscifun
- Carbon X - bit.ly/3KWAV4S
- ICX Frost Inline - bit.ly/3W2Ou7o
===Use Code TJE10 for 10% off your order!===
Ice Suit - Norfin
- Explorer Camo Bibs - bit.ly/3BpLlGZ
- Explorer Camo Jacket - bit.ly/3uHje25
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order!===
Boots - Norfin
- Yukon - bit.ly/3y5nFqm
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order!===
Wingman Shelf - Arclab
- bit.ly/3WMzIlg
Batteries - Amped Outdoors
- Livescope - 48ah - bit.ly/3Hlv08i
- Power Box - 32ah - bit.ly/3jfofwR
Tungsten Jigs
- Rosemore Outdoor Gear - bit.ly/3AXhuV0
===Use Code TJ10 for 10% off your order!===
Underwater Camera
HD7i (Aqua Vu) - bit.ly/35f0Cgr
Auger (Strikemaster) - bit.ly/33M4uW8
Flip Over Shack (Otter Lodge) - bit.ly/344T6Ep
Garmin (Livescope) - bit.ly/3g2RHkx

[@Moondog9322]

Jus t found your channel and I must say this is the type of video I enjoy watching the most! Educational, entertaining, and good quality. Very useful information. Your videos will certainly help me get through the doldrums of winter. I live fairly close to Lake Erie so this type of fishing is very comparable. Thanks for the tips and keep them coming! Fish on!

[@tjsguideservice]

Appreciate the comment! Glad you have enjoyed them! More on the way! 👊

[@jontabor7080]

Love the video and your channel! Keep em coming. I’m headed up to the Sha Sha next week! Any good tips and tricks or areas to catch a big ol eye?

[@ripper2087]

Awesome information. Great videos of the graph to go with the catches. Thanks for all you post to help us become more successful.

[@tjsguideservice]

Thank you very much! I always enjoy watching videos with the livescope on them, so I try to always include it. Appreciate the kind words! 👊

[@mattnogalski9317]

I definitely need to improve my reaction bait game, thanks for the tips!

[@tjsguideservice]

You bet!! They can be deadly! 👍

[@jgierczak3]

Great video! I have been going through many ripping instructional videos, and you actually go through technique and nuances step by step. Thank you!

[@tjsguideservice]

Glad you found it helpful, Jeff! It can be such a deadly technique! Always learning, but that’s what I’ve found so far

[@dbcustoms9707]

This is my all time favorite method for targeting and bagging walleye, followed by slip bobber .... nice video.

[@tjsguideservice]

100% such a fun way to fish. Love sharp shootin slip bobbers, too!!

[@RodsandReloads]

I needed to see this! My confidence with the jigging rap is bad, I'm excited to try this again! Sweet vid!

[@tjsguideservice]

Thanks man! It’s such a fun bite, but man it takes time to get confidence in it. Feels so weird!

[@Truth101inyourface]

Great pro tips, thank you very much. Those were nice size fish

[@tjsguideservice]

Thank you very much! Appreciate the kind words! 👊

[@Northwoods208]

I have a few of them, i might start trying them more. I always find myself looking through jigging raps and crankbaits and such, and then i tie on a drop shot or a lead head and go fishing 😂

[@tjsguideservice]

I highly recommend it! It is my confidence bait for sure!

[@0ly001]

❤❤😂😂😂 me when jigging rap season goes. I use mono because it doesn't tend to hook around the tip as often as braid. Keep up the good videos.

[@tjsguideservice]

That is 100% valid right there. That can drive a guy nuts if your fishing into the wind!

[@joshtrutwin9816]

Great video TJ, I’d love to see you using this tactic on Belle Taine 👍🏻

[@tjsguideservice]

Thanks Josh! I don’t fish Belle Taine a ton, but it can be effective out there! Not quite as many spots to fish with it thought!

[@DB-FISHING]

Awesome! Love using glide baits great explanation on your technique and tips 👍🏼

[@tjsguideservice]

They are so much fun! Appreciate the kind words! 👊

[@patrickethier6190]

Thanks good info on the jigging rap.

[@tjsguideservice]

Appreciate the kind words, Patrick!

[@troyhoernemann3775]

Thanks for the tips and techniques advice as always grate video

[@tjsguideservice]

You bet, Troy! Hope to see you on the water one of these days!

[@daveholte7658]

Well done and easy to understand your videos. Like the inside view of the Garmin. Does the sun shield help in bright sunny days? When you mention adding an extra “O” ring same as split ring? Think #1 most important message is Getting “confident” in jig rapping and its presentation . Well done. Thanks

[@tjsguideservice]

Appt wait web kind words, Dave! I have really liked the sunshield, especially for filming. Gets a lot of glare otherwise. Yes - split ring is exactly correct! I agree! Very tough bait to get confidence in, but once you do, it’s game on!!

[@fidiusjwhoopie]

Great info, thanks for sharing

[@tjsguideservice]

You bet! Appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it! 👊

[@marcgagnon1679]

Great video...!!

[@tjsguideservice]

Always appreciate the support, Marc!

[@troyhoernemann3775]

I like the blads on crank baits. I noticed the fish tend to key in onthat blade

[@tjsguideservice]

For sure!! There’s some days it’s a deal breaker!

[@robertwilliamson6958]

I wonder if a hook change in these would keep them pinned if they started putting sickle style bend hooks in them and an ewg treble on it instead of a round bend treble and round bend hooks. Might take a tad more for the fish to get it good, but once pinned on an ewg or on a sickle bend hook I don’t loose anything unless the line breaks. However, good luck convincing the companies to go that route!

[@tjsguideservice]

That could possible work! Have you seen the new jigging rap magnum they came out with? They made some sweet changes on it!

[@jasoncross8940]

What lights do you have on your boat there?

[@tjsguideservice]

They are the OPT7 brand. Overall, been very good! I have on light that’s off colored for some reason but the rest have been good!

[@dlo3607]

Hey, I do love fishing jigging rap style baits but for me the durability isn't great. Here they are like $10+, the tail and nose hooks break off which isn't that big of a deal but the plastic tails also break fairly easily. Have you tried / had any success this year on Berkleys new baits like the finisher or power switch? any thoughts on those lures?

[@tjsguideservice]

I would agree 100%. That’s my big knock is stuff breaking on them. And the fact that fish can come unpinned. I have tried them a little so far, but not much luck. Definitely going to be giving them more of a try this summer though! I’m also going to be trying the new jiggin rap magnum and the northland pitching puppet. Both of those have molded fins and no front hook, so should help alleviate those problem!

[@dlo3607]

@@tjsguideservice I shoulda asked this question later in the season lol, i guess we will get a real answer when they stack up on deeper structure and the real snap jigging stuff pops off. I really hope the finisher works well I also picked up Fishlab's Bio Minnow and clam tikka minnows which are jiggin rap style baits with metal tails to try out

[@tjsguideservice]

@@dlo3607 exactly! It’s a fun time of year that’s for sure! I’ve never heard of the Bio Minnow. I’ll have to check it out!

[@paulmiller676]

So how fo you fish without livestream and a cheep sonar

[@richardmontgomery6173]

When you change from a #7 to a heavier #9 do you change to a medium rod?

[@tjsguideservice]

Sometimes I will, but typically I move to a medium rod when I use mono instead of braid

[@bps9651]

Your clam net…is it the walleye or pike model? Nice looking rig

[@tjsguideservice]

Not sure to be honest. Are they just different sizes?

[@bps9651]

@@tjsguideservice ya the pike bet is like 30” wide ish and a bit deeper I believe.

[@tjsguideservice]

@@bps9651 then mine may be the pike net… I wanted one see enough to hand into the water over the edge of my boat to keep the fish in the water

[@pitpit8080]

Can you cast jigging raps from shore for walleye into spots u know have picky big walleye

[@tjsguideservice]

As long as there’s nothing to get snagged up on you should be able to!

[@catchonedrinktwo]

Jigging raps tangle easy when casting far. You can't get the proper action from the hard rip when at an angle on a cast either. That's what a jig and plastic are for. (In my opinion)

[@pitpit8080]

I figured I might as well give it a try since it’s not something typically used but looks effective. I’ve caught plenty on plastics but after a while they want something fresh

[@branthinchman8412]

Do these work in super deep water? 35-45 ft?

[@tjsguideservice]

For sure they do! They are super dense so they fall quickly. Great for deep bites

[@jeffjohnson7744]

What size pole 7 foot medium light

[@tjsguideservice]

Yep for braided line that’s what I use. For mono I use 7’ Medium

[@kylekoch5503]

I fish rainy every year. How the hell do you not lose a jig rap on every cast? Seems like every reef is solid ROCK.

[@tjsguideservice]

Better to be lucky than good I guess! 😂 I did get snagged a couple times but was able to get it out. I figure there’s gotta be enough jigging raps on those reefs to pay for my boat! 😉

[@michaelsurvilla8966]

Unless your in shallow water, try jigging straight up and down off the side of the boat or make your casts shorter, so your cast is not as flat and you can control your depth.

[@garycayko1820]

​ok

[@brettmortenson7756]

Honest question, can the average angler without livescope truly have success jig rapping? I usually live bait.

[@tjsguideservice]

Appreciate the honesty and it is a valid question! The answer is absolutely. Not nearly as efficiently, but I first started doing this by going over structure and just ran casting humps. Then I started used my 2D sonar and when I would see them, I would drop straight down and do the same. So, again, not as efficient, but still definitely doable!

[@Bullbluegill]

Is that down view you are using? I just have such a hard time seeing my bait in forward...so I suspect you are using down.....

[@tjsguideservice]

This is in forward mode. I almost always keep it in forward in the summer. Only use down in the winter typically. This is with the lvs34 transducer as well

[@Bullbluegill]

@@tjsguideservice makes sense, i have the 32 yet. thanks for the reply

[@AllanKunda-mp5xs]

My second Canada flyin trip 5 years ago I brought my jigging rap tackle box, about half through the week I finally decided to try one, it was lights out for the rest of the week. My wife actually asked for one and it was amazing how many fish we caught. The next two trips it was basically all I use when I go on our flyin trips. The upper reaches of Ontario the need for live bait is not needed. Jog and twister is all you need, but the jigging rap had changed that for me. Our camp is in Opasquai provincial park and catching walleye in rapids in 5 feet of water below the boat is unreal. The problem is losing against northern pike bite offs. I tried removing the front hook to prevent the snagging problem and did seem to help. But almost always vertical jigging, but will have try casting.

[@tjsguideservice]

@@AllanKunda-mp5xs that’s awesome! It definitely stings a little more when you get bit off or lose one in the rocks, but they are too good not to use!

[@kevindavis8607]

It’s never worth it to keep a snagged fish. I’ve seen guys busted at the launch. Wardens are looking for any reason to ruin your day.