Casting/Drifting this time of year???

[West Basin]

No matter how you are fishing, the main idea is to keep the bait in the 'fish zone' (where the fish are in the water column). Fishing jigs you are going to be on or near the bottom. No wind or light wind means slow drift, so ligher weight jig. The faster you drift, the heavier the jig needed to stay in contact with / near the bottom. Have an assortment of weights, 1/4 up to 1 ounce. You can tell on any given day by being able to feel the jig hit the bottom. In various colors, but don't go crazy with dozens of colors. A few colors that cover the color spectrum are fine. Walleye don't "look" for a lot of different colors, they resond to the basics and more to the pattern. Whatever general color and pattern is easier for them to see in various water clairities. The most important thing is to keep that jig near the bottom and giving it the action they are most responsive to that day. Same with drifting with "mayfly rigs" and weight forward spinners (Erie Dearies, etc.). Keep those lures in the fish zone. The longer, the better. Faster the drift, the more weight needed to keep the lure in the fish zone. Or, let out more line. Generally you want the lightest lure you can get away with. Once you are able to keep the lure in the fish zone, then you can work on the action and color. Change up action and color if you aren't catching.

Early season, which is now through a good portion of April. you can also anchor on medium wind days when it's a bit too fast a drift to fish jigs well, and even on calmer days. Cast and reteive, or you can even use vertical jigging, especially when the water is still real cold, in the 30's. You can also use your sonar better to see fish in the vicinity of your lure, and can even watch the walleye react to your lure.

And, a "stinger hook" is nearly a must. Very often early season the walleye are lethargic "biters" and you have a very minimum time to set the hook. Most of the early season walleye you will catch on jigs will be with the stinger hook.