When walleyes are fussy in calm, clear water or after an Arctic front, a crappie-style tube jig accented with live bait can be a magic "open sesame." The best sneaky snack I've found is a 1½-inch black tube with chartreuse tentacles threaded over a 1/16-ounce jighead and fished on 4-pound line with a wandlike, 7-foot spinning rod.

For bait, the streamlined shape of a leech or half a nightcrawler are my favorites, although a fathead minnow is a smart choice when the water is cold.

TIP: Sharpen the light-wire hook, and bend the point out slightly to get better hookups.