Picking the top 10 walleye lures of all time is like deciding which of your 10 kids you could do without. Fishing lures are the tools of a fisherman's trade. Every lure in my bag of tricks has a place and time in the walleye boat. However I'm the first to admit that some of my vast collection of hard and soft baits see more action than others.

Keep in mind that when it comes to fishing tackle, I'm one of those fishermen who figures if I probably won't need it, I'll take it along anyway just in case. Needless to say, narrowing down my arsenal of walleye fishing lures to 10 top choices is a job I've pondered over and over again. After much deliberation and consolation with my fishing cronies and colleges on the tournament circuit I came up with the list you see before you. Read it quick before I change my mind again...

1. Leadhead Jig Tipped with a Minnow, Crawler or Leech
Ranking the jig as the top walleye lure of all time is a no brainer. The leadhead jig tipped with a minnow, crawler or leech has undoubtedly been the undoing of more walleye than any other single fishing lure. That's a powerful statement, but the jig has the reputation to back it up. The 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 ounce sizes are the best for most walleye fishing applications.

2. Count Down Rapala CD7
When it comes to crankbaits there's hardly a tackle box in North American that doesn't have a selection of Rapala's classic sinking minnow. The CD7 can be trolled or casted with great results. A subtle action lure that works especially well in cool and cold water, the CD7 also comes armed with a couple of the sharpest treble hooks you'll encounter on a crankbait.

3. Crawler Harness (Spinner)
Known simply as a spinner among serious walleye anglers the garden variety nightcrawler harness is one of the most deadly walleye lures ever invented. Fished in connection with a snagless sinker like the Luhr Jensen Walleye Bottom Walker, spinners are among the best lures for drifting or trolling near bottom. The rotating blades of a spinner harness attract walleye from further distances than other live bait/lure combinations and this class walleye catcher works in natural lakes, rivers, impoundments or anywhere walleye are found.

4. Storm's 1/4 Ounce Hot 'N Tot
The king of high action crankbaits, Storm's Hot 'N Tot has been taking walleye in the Great Lakes and beyond for over a quarter century! Fished as a flatline or better yet behind a planer board the Hot 'N Tot has a tremendous amount of flash and vibration that turns walleye on. Available in over 100 color combinations the Hot 'N Tot produces best during the summer months when walleye are actively feeding.

5. Rapala No. 7 Shad Rap
A new comer compared to Rapala's Count Down minnow, the No. 7 Shad Rap hasn't wasted a second in becoming one of the favorite crankbaits of all time. This balsa bait can be casted or trolled with excellent results. All the lures in the Shad Rap series feature a subtle side-to-side roll that is duplicated by no other lures.

6. Lindy Rig/Roach Rig
The original Lindy Rig was the lure that catapulted walleye fishing into a sport of the masses. Easy to use and effective when baited with minnows, leeches or nightcrawlers, this improved version of a slip sinker rig continues to catch walleyes almost at will. The Northland Roach Rig introduced much later is a refined version of the slip sinker rig that has taken rigging into the 1990's in excellent shape.

7. Luhr Jensen Crippled Herring Spoon
Jigging spoons have been around for decades, but only recently have they gotten the credit they deserve. Invented by Pete Rosko the Crippled Herring spoon is currently owned and marketed by Luhr Jensen. A lead spoon in the shape of a baitfish the Crippled Herring is a study in simplicity and productivity. Effective fished vertically in a jigging motion or casted this classic spoon catches walleye spring, summer, fall and winter; a trait few lures can claim.

8. Rebel Fastrac FT30
When it comes to plastic minnow-like lures, the Rebel Fastrac shines the brightest. Available in a solid or jointed body the Fastrac series of crankbaits have excellent action at trolling speeds from 1 to 4 miles per hour. A durable bait, Fastracs are known for being a true running bait right out of the box and for retaining their action fish after fish. An ideal bait for trolling, the Fastrac series lures can also be casted in all but the most windy conditions.

9. Jig-N-Twister Tail
Jigs tipped with soft plastic grub bodies can't be separated from walleye fishing. A grub body adds color, action, texture and even taste to the classic lure of all time the leadhead jig. The ideal combination when walleye are shallow, located in weeds or timber that make fishing live bait difficult.

10. Slip Bobber Rig
Often thought of as kids toys, slip bobbers are the strike indicators walleye anglers need. Designed to allow various baits to be suspended at any depth, I normally bait this rig with a lively minnow or leech. The ideal bait/rig combination for introducing kids or novice anglers to walleye fishing, slip floats are among the best ways to tempt walleye from dense weeds, sunken brush, rock piles and other snag filled areas.