What is the best rig to use when drift-fishing for Walleye?

When I’m drift-fishing for Walleye, I prefer to use a live bait rig and a slip-sinker.  It’s easy to set up, just tie a hook ( size 4-8) to a test leader (4-8 lbs) that is between 24 and 60 inches long.   Attach the leader to a barrel swivel.  On the main line, you’ll want to thread either an egg or a Lindy sinker.  Place a bead above and below it and attach it to the barrel swivel.  Bait your hook with a leech, crawfish, live minnow or night crawler.  

If you want to keep the bait off the bottom to keep it from hanging up, you can substitute a floating jighead for the bait instead of using a simple hook.  To keep your night crawler off the bottom you can also use a worm blower to inject a little air into it.  The size of the weight should be adjusted depending on the speed you’re drifting at and the water depth.  I’ve found 1/8 of an ounce to a full ounce is a good size.  Your goal is to keep the bottom close to or just above the bottom.  When you get a bite, continue to feed the line for a few seconds to set the hook.  This technique works best in the sharp river channel dropoffs, edges of the weedbeds points, reefs and bars.