The Switch Up: Rethink Your Tactics, Reignite the Bite
Most anglers in Manitoba have their go-to tactics — the rigs and baits that have worked season after season. But sometimes, doing the same old thing can mean missing out on some of the most exciting action. This summer, challenge yourself to make the switch and try something new. Swap your tried-and-true setups for something different. Whether you're targeting walleyes, freshwater drum, catfish, or goldeyes, changing your approach can unlock aggressive strikes, bigger bites, and a whole new level of fun on the water. Let’s break down some species-specific “switch ups” and the exact gear you can grab from Cabela’s Canada to make it happen.
Walleye – From Passive to Aggressive
Old habit: Pickerel rigs, jigs with minnows, and dragging bait on bottom.
The Switch Up: Go active. Cast or troll with swimbaits, medium sized spoons or applying the now famous Lake Winnipeg winter tactic of either vertical jigging or casting lipless crankbaits.
Walleyes are predators. Especially in warm summer water, they’ll chase down a moving bait. Try working the mid-size baits over rock points and humps.
Try this from Cabela’s Canada:
Yo-Zuri Rattlin Vibe One Knock
Rapala Crush City - The Mayor
Acme Little Cleo Spoons
Pair it with a medium-power spinning rod, 10 pound braided line with an 8 to 10 pound fluoro leader.
Freshwater Drum – Active Feeders Deserve Active Tactics
Old habit: Worms or salted minnows, hung on a pickerel rig, sitting on bottom.
The Switch Up: Cast jerkbaits, rattlebaits, or swimbaits.
Drum are highly active feeders. They’ll often follow and hammer lures with massive aggression. Often they are targeted with a chunk of bait on a hook while still-fishing. The issue with this is that Drum like to eat fast! They’ll swallow the hook before you realize you’ve got something on the end of the line and risk harming the fish during the unhooking process.Casting for them actively is the best way to catch them and definitely the most fun, often offering one of the best bites of summer while some other species seem less plentiful. Look for them around rocky areas or where rock transitions to sand, on both Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba.
Top picks from Cabela’s Canada:
Rapala X-Rap
Z-Man Swimmerz swimbait
Use a medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting setup and keep your retrieve steady but close to the bottom. They will chase close to the surface, but staying close to the bottom , in shallow water, will also capitalize fish that are foraging. The strikes will surprise you.
Channel Catfish – Time to Trigger Lightning Strikes
Old habit: Cut bait, stinky manufactured bait, and waiting on bottom.
The Switch Up: Target them with large spoons, jerkbaits, or paddle-tail swimbaits.
Cats are opportunistic predators. In shallower water, especially closer to dusk, they’ll chase moving lures like crazy. Make long casts and keep a steady, faster retrieve. When a catfish bites, you’ll know, because it feels like a lightning strike! Keep that drag tight, rod bent and hold on. They’re often quite theatrical throughout the fight, taking long runs and slapping their tail on the surface.
Cabela’s Gear to Get:
Lucky Stike Half Waves spoon
Rapala Crush City HeavyHitter in 4” or 5.5”
Rapala Husky Jerk
Opt for a medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod with 30 lb braid for control and strength.
Goldeye – Light Tackle, Big Fun
Old habit: Worm under a float or small bait on a pickerel rig.
The Switch Up: Cast small spinners or micro spoons with a bit of speed.
Goldeyes are fast, flashy, and love to chase. Use light gear and twitchy retrieves. Think of them like mini-trout and fish current seams, eddies, and around higher in the water column. Play around with different weighted lures and retrieval speeds to dial in where they might be sitting. Once you figure them out, they bite consistently in the same zone.
Grab these at Cabela’s Canada:
Mepps Comet Inline Spinner
Bass Pro Shops Game Fish Spoon
Pair with an ultralight rod and 4–6 lb clear line for maximum fun.
Final Word: Change It Up, Catch More Fish
Sometimes, all it takes is switching the lure, the angle, or the retrieve to fire up a bite. The next time you're out, ditch the bait bucket and try something different — faster, more engaging, and just plain fun.
Make the switch this summer. New tactics, new fish, new excitement — and everything you need is waiting at Cabela’s Canada.
