In Part One we looked at the types of live baits. Now let's turn to live bait delivery systems.

Leadhead jigs are by far the most popular and widespread artificial lures used in combination with live bait. Versatility is the major reason these lures have become so popular. A jig readily accepts all three of the major bait choices and is adaptable to more presentations than any other lure-live bait combination. Casting jigs, dragging them along bottom, vertical jigging, fishing in timber or weeds, and using a jig in place of a hook and split-shot on a slip bobber rig are just a few of the many presentations where leadheads tipped with live bait excel.

The jig-minnow combination has been the undoing of countless walleye. As basic as bread and water, this dynamic duo shines brightest when casting or vertical jigging. The minnow should be hooked lightly through both lips to hold it in place yet avoid killing the bait and destroying the natural action. Certain minnow species like fatheads are preferred by walleye anglers because they feature a tough mouth that holds up to repeated casting. Fatheads are also a hardy minnow that's easy to keep alive in most bait containers.

When fishing crawlers on a jig, break the crawler in half and thread the bait onto the hook like you're putting on a plastic grub body. Fishing half a crawler reduces short strikes and missed fish.

Leeches are hooked once through the sucker end. A durable bait, leeches are the logical choice when fishing in heavy weeds and cover.

A few jig fishing rules apply to all three live baits. When casting, a jig that features a short shank and large hook gap is best. Short-shank jigs position the bait close to the jig's head, making the total package compact and helping to reduce short strikes as the bait moves through the water. A wide hook gap also gives the jig a better bite during the hook set. This is especially important when casting since the hook set often occurs when the jig is a considerable distance from the boat.

When vertical jigging or dragging jigs along the bottom, a long-shank jig with a thin wire hook is best. Most fish taken using these methods are hooked directly beneath or close to the boat, forcing the angler to set the hook with a nearly straight-up movement of the rod. Using a long-shank hook helps to position the hook point farther into the walleye's mouth. Anglers enjoy a pronounced advantage with long-shank jigs when fishing vertical.

Also, thin-wire hooks tend to penetrate better than thicker tempered hooks. If the jig becomes snagged on bottom, the thin wire can be bent and the jig recovered, and thin-wire hooks don't damage delicate live baits.

Jigging spoons are also frequently used in combination with live bait. Ice fishermen routinely tip their spoons with a small minnow to add natural scent and action. The aggressive jigging action associated with these lures can make it tough to keep bait on the hook. The best minnow choices are those with a tough mouth including suckers, fathead, and spottail shiners.

A simple trick helps keep minnows on the hook when using jigging spoons. After the minnow is hooked through both lips, take a 1/4-inch piece from the tail of a plastic grub and push this plastic over the hook point and barb. The tiny piece of plastic acts like a washer between the minnow and the hook barb and works wonders at keeping bait on the hook.

Half a crawler can also be an effective way to sweeten an otherwise plain jigging spoon. Leeches may also be used, but these active critters are likely to quickly wrap themselves around the treble hook on the spoon.

Crawler harnesses, or what tournament walleye anglers refer to as spinners, are one of the most universal live bait-lure combinations. Popular wherever walleye are found, spinners combine the flash and vibration of an artificial lure with the taste, scent, and unbeatable action of a live nightcrawler.

The best spinners are those tied with premium 10- to 14-pound-test monofilament and a pair of No. 2 or 4 beak-style live bait hooks. The hooks should be spaced five to six inches apart so the back hook can reach into the mid-section of the crawler where it acts as a stinger hook.

For best results, the crawler should be hooked so it trails in the water smoothly behind the spinner blade. If the crawler is bunched on one or both of the hooks, the whole mess will roll in the water and lead to line twist.

For most spinner fishing situations size No. 1, 2, or 3 Colorado- or Indiana-style blades are best. The exception to this rule is on the Great Lakes where large walleye abound. Blades ranging in size from quarter-sized No. 4's to silver-dollar-sized No. 8's are often used to lure up trophy walleye on Lake Erie and other Great Lakes waters.

Each of these artificial lures are commonly tipped with live bait to tempt walleye. What few anglers have discovered is that even crankbaits can benefit from the addition of a little live bait.

A small chunk of nightcrawler hung off the back treble hook of a crankbait is an excellent way to add action and a natural scent trail to these lures. It's amazing how just a small piece of live bait can change the way fish react to these lures.

A few words of caution are in order for anglers who wish to add live bait to crankbaits. Crankbaits are delicate fish-catching tools that can be easily tossed out of tune by putting too large a piece of bait onto the hooks. Half or one-third of a nightcrawler is plenty when tipping crankbaits.

Also, when a crawler is added to a crankbait, the lure's natural diving ability may be changed. According to Precision Trolling, a small piece of crawler placed on the hooks of a crankbait can cause the lure to lose up to half its diving depth.

Deep diving and high-action crankbaits are the best choices for live bait tipping. Baits with a large bill like the Fred Arbogast Mud Bug, Storm Hot 'N Tot, and Luhr Jensen Rock Walker are strong divers that lend themselves well to adding a small piece of crawler on the back hook.

The road to walleye fishing success starts with a visit to your bait and tackle shop. Combining healthy live bait and your favorite artificial lures is a one-two punch that's tough to beat for finicky walleye.