How To Set Up A Lake Erie Trolling Spread
You’ve logged the miles chasing Erie’s bite and you know spreads beat solos when the wind builds. Western Basin chop or calm, Central Basin depth or reef edges—you need gear you can trust. This roundup pulls from the real world: four trolling options that work on Lake Erie in fall and under tournament pressure—MDR High Lake Rudder Troll Swimbaits, 19 School-O-Minnows, Tuna Feather offshore lures, and Blue Fly spoons. You’ll find exact depth targets, season-specific tactics, and how to deploy them for walleye and perch from now through the tougher winter bite.
⚡ Quick Answer: Best Lake Erie Fishing
Best for Kokanee: Panther Martin MDR High Lake Rudder Troll Swimbaits & Rigs Fish Attractor Swimbaits & Rigs Catches kokanee.
$18.99 — Check price on Amazon →
Table of Contents
- Main Points
- Our Top Picks
- Panther Martin MDR High Lake Rudder Troll Swimbaits & Rigs Fish Attractor Swimbaits & Rigs Catches kokanee.
- 19 School-O-Minnows Lake Troll Nickel
- (3 Pack) Tuna Feather Offshore Fishing Lures 6" Long 150lb Leader Dolphin Yellow Fin Tuna Mahi Wahoo Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Stainless Hooks. Flash Resin Head for Unmatched Offshore trolling
- 5 Pcs/Bag Blue Fly Fish Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Tuna Mahi Wahoo Dora Saltwater Big Game Fishing Tackle
- Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Main Points
- You’ll cover the water column from Western Basin 20–40 feet to Central Basin 40–70+ feet with a layered spread, pairing MDR swimbaits on shallow cues with mid-depth Minnows and deep Tuna lures; keep runs around 1.8–2.4 mph and use planers or dipsy divers for reach.
- You’re leveraging each lure’s strength: MDR for front-edge wobble, School-O-Minnows for midwater flash, Tuna Feather for long, deep grabs, and Blue Fly spoons to pull in perch and small walleye; use 150-lb leaders on the big stuff and stainless hooks for cold water reliability.
- Fall patterns demand depth and timing. In the Western Basin, mornings ride shallower until the thermocline drops, while Central Basin fish go deeper later in the day; adjust color and pattern to water clarity and bite window.
- This gear is built for Erie: cold water durability, strong hardware, and reliable action that doesn’t quit when the wind shifts; you’ll get consistent bites from walleye and perch with minimal downtime.
- Deployment strategy matters: run a 4–6 line spread with boards on both sides, add dipsy divers for length, and tune spacing by wind and bite; be ready to swap lures or adjust depth quickly to stay in the fish.
Our Top Picks
| Best for Kokanee |  | Panther Martin MDR High Lake Rudder Troll Swimbaits & Rigs Fish Attractor Swimbaits & Rigs Catches kokanee. | Key Ingredient: High-Lake Rudder Troll mechanism | Scent Profile: None; action-driven attractor design | Best For: Kokanee in Western Basin | Check Price on Amazon | Read Our Analysis | |
| Best Value Troll Lure |  | 19 School-O-Minnows Lake Troll Nickel | Key Ingredient: Nickel-coated minnow silhouette enhances flash in Erie water. | Scent Profile: Unscented; rely on wobble and flash for bites. | Best For: Open-water trolling in Western Basin, fall patterns. | Check Price on Amazon | Read Our Analysis | |
| Big Game Offshore Trolling |  | (3 Pack) Tuna Feather Offshore Fishing Lures 6" Long 150lb Leader Dolphin Yellow Fin Tuna Mahi Wahoo Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Stainless Hooks. Flash Resin Head for Unmatched Offshore trolling | Key Ingredient: 150 lb leader | Scent Profile: No added scent; high visibility | Best For: Deep-water offshore trolling | Check Price on Amazon | Read Our Analysis | |
| Saltwater Big Game Lures |  | 5 Pcs/Bag Blue Fly Fish Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Tuna Mahi Wahoo Dora Saltwater Big Game Fishing Tackle | Key Ingredient: Blue Fly color with Dora-style action | Scent Profile: Unscented | Best For: Lake Erie trolling for walleye and perch | Check Price on Amazon | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Panther Martin MDR High Lake Rudder Troll Swimbaits & Rigs Fish Attractor Swimbaits & Rigs Catches kokanee.
🏆 Best For: Best for Kokanee
You earn the Best for Kokanee label with this Panther Martin MDR High Lake Rudder Troll setup because, on Lake Erie’s Western Basin, it consistently puts kokanee in the net when fall patterns tighten the bite. The rudder keeps the lure tracking true through troughs and wave face, letting you run a clean, depth-controlled spread at typical trolling speeds. In a tournament spread, that reliability means more bites and fewer line tangles as fish stack up near the thermocline.
Key features and real-world benefits come together in the action you feel when you’re rigging for Erie kokanee. The High Lake design rides stable in chop and maintains depth without drowning out, so you cover water efficiently. The Swimbaits & Rigs combination adds lifelike motion and extra attractor presence, increasing your hook exposure when visibility drops in the clear Western Basin water. Cold-water durability is real here—these lures hold their action hour after hour.
Who should buy this and when? If you’re chasing kokanee in the Western Basin during the fall run, this rig belongs in your arsenal. It also serves well as a reliable bycatch option on mixed trips where kokanee show up; you’ll find it pairs nicely with downriggers or long-line setups, especially when marks hug 40–70 feet. Use it during late summer into early fall when kokanee drop deeper and school tight to the thermocline, and you’ll see the difference in bite windows and bite quality.
Honest caveat: it’s highly kokanee-specific. Outside kokanee-focused spreads, its benefit drops. It also requires some tuning with line length, speed, and depth to dial in perfectly for your boat and season.
✅ Pros
- Proven kokanee catcher in Western Basin.
- Keeps steady run at deep trolling speeds.
- Versatile swimbait design plus rigs.
❌ Cons
- Limited use outside Kokanee spreads.
- Takes setup and tuning to dial in.
- Key Ingredient: High-Lake Rudder Troll mechanism
- Scent Profile: None; action-driven attractor design
- Best For: Kokanee in Western Basin
- Size / Volume: About 3-inch swimbait body
- Special Feature: Integrated Fish Attractor rigs
- Recommended Setup: Downriggers or long-line spreads
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19 School-O-Minnows Lake Troll Nickel
🏆 Best For: Best Value Troll Lure
This is why it earns the Best Value Troll Lure crown—bang for the buck that matters in Erie water. At $18.36, the 19 School-O-Minnows Lake Troll Nickel slips into your spread, tracks true behind planers and downriggers, and holds up in cold Western Basin mornings.
Its nickel finish flashes in clear water, and the 19 School-O-Minnows profile baits a natural mid-column wobble that walleye and perch key on. Real-world use shows it to be reliable behind boards and in steady pulls, with durable paint that survives rock and cold. Depth is controlled by your setup—20-40 feet deep with lead-core or copper on Western Basin patterns; deeper for Central Basin fish tied to fronts.
This lure is for the budget-minded angler who still hunts quality bites. If you’re running a 2- to 4-rod trolling spread in the Western Basin, especially during fall patterns and tournament weeks, this is a steady pick. It’s not an ice-fishing lure, but it shines in open water for walleye and perch and plays well with two to four rod spreads while the rest of the spread eyes higher-dollar baits.
Cons: color options are limited, only nickel. Not ideal for ice fishing, and finish may show wear under rocky structure.
✅ Pros
- Solid cold-water durability
- Tracks true behind boards
- Great value for open-water trolling
❌ Cons
- Limited color/size options
- Not for ice fishing
- Key Ingredient: Nickel-coated minnow silhouette enhances flash in Erie water.
- Scent Profile: Unscented; rely on wobble and flash for bites.
- Best For: Open-water trolling in Western Basin, fall patterns.
- Size / Volume: 19-body troll with mid-weight design for stable tracking.
- Special Feature: Durable nickel finish resists cold-water wear.
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(3 Pack) Tuna Feather Offshore Fishing Lures 6" Long 150lb Leader Dolphin Yellow Fin Tuna Mahi Wahoo Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Stainless Hooks. Flash Resin Head for Unmatched Offshore trolling
🏆 Best For: Big Game Offshore Trolling
These 3-pack Tuna Feather Offshore Lures earn the Big Game Offshore Trolling label because they deliver the offshore heft Erie anglers want when the bite tightens and the water turns cold. The 6" lures, paired with a 150-lb leader and a flash resin head, ride solidly behind downriggers or copper leads through Western Basin structure and fall turnover. In tournament settings, you need visibility, durability, and water-time efficiency, and these lures give you all three in one rig.
Key features translate to real-world Lake Erie performance. The 150-lb leader resists abrasion and teeth, while the stainless hooks stay sharp after big hits and long days. Dolphin Yellow provides high-visibility contrast in stained or choppier water, and the flash resin head flashes as you run depth, helping you locate bites in the strike zone. The 6" profile offers a substantial presentation without overloading your spread, and the 3-pack lets you mix colors or keep a spare ready without re-rigging mid-match. Run them behind downriggers or on a copper spread, targeting depths around 60-120 feet depending on the thermocline.
Who should buy this and when? If you’re running deep-water trolling in the Western Basin during fall patterns or early-season tournaments, this setup delivers against mature walleyes and offshore perch. In the Central Basin, when fish stack along the deeper edge of structure, these lures perform behind a spread of planers and copper at 1-3 colors, at roughly 2.0–2.5 mph. They’re not ideal for shallow weedlines or ice fishing, but they shine when you need a rugged, high-visibility trolling tool for late-season bites and water-column coverage.
✅ Pros
- 150 lb leader resists big bites
- Flash resin head draws strikes
- Stainless hooks stay sharp in cold
❌ Cons
- Limited value for shallow perch jigging
- Heavy leader requires sturdy gear
- Key Ingredient: 150 lb leader
- Scent Profile: No added scent; high visibility
- Best For: Deep-water offshore trolling
- Size / Volume: 6" length; 3-pack
- Special Feature: Flash resin head
- Materials: Stainless hooks
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5 Pcs/Bag Blue Fly Fish Saltwater Trolling Fishing Lures Tuna Mahi Wahoo Dora Saltwater Big Game Fishing Tackle
🏆 Best For: Saltwater Big Game Lures
What earns Saltwater Big Game Lures its Saltwater Big Game Lures designation is the way this blue fly trolling set performs deep, rugged trolling duty on Lake Erie. In both Western and Central Basin conditions, the five-lure bag holds up to cold-water abuse and still produces a clean, consistent track behind planers or downriggers. The Dora-inspired profile and bold blue silhouette cut through fall water clarity shifts when walleye stack along thermoclines and perch cruise mid-depths, giving you reliable bites during tournament windows and steady days on the water.
Key features and real-world benefits: Five lures per bag with saltwater-grade hardware that withstands Erie’s cooler, choppy days. The blue fly color pops in stained water and remains visible long enough to trigger reaction strikes. They run true at common trolling speeds behind boards or off downriggers, and the durable hooks hold up to solid walleye and perch hookups. Use them as part of a deep-water spread in fall, often alongside deep-diving spoons and other big-profile baits to cover multiple depths quickly.
Who should buy this and when: If you’re building a deep-water Erie spread for Western Basin fall bites or central basin drop-offs, these lures fill a niche for big, aggressive fish that respond to a bold silhouette. Pair with dipsy divers or planers and run 60–120 feet back to reach fish near the thermocline. Cruise speeds around 1.8–2.5 mph work well; they’re equally at home when you’re hunting ready-to-bite walleye or perch while the water cools and forage concentrates deeper.
✅ Pros
- Durable hardware for cold water
- Tracks true at common troll speeds
- Strong walleye/perch trigger
❌ Cons
- Size may overwhelm small perch
- Color/profile may not fit ultra-clear flats
- Key Ingredient: Blue Fly color with Dora-style action
- Scent Profile: Unscented
- Best For: Lake Erie trolling for walleye and perch
- Size / Volume: 5 pieces per bag
- Special Feature: Rugged saltwater build for big-game cycling
Factors to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear is essential for a Lake Erie trolling spread?
You need a mix of downriggers or dipsy divers, planers, enough rod space for 6–8 lines, and a couple of leadcore and copper rigs. Add spoons and crankbaits sized for walleye and perch, plus a robust battery setup and clean tie-off spots. In fall, depth and speed control are your biggest edges, so gear that lets you dial those in matters most.
Leadcore vs copper: which is better on Lake Erie?
Copper gives you deeper, steadier presentations with less drift in chop, ideal for Central Basin depths. Leadcore is affordable and simple for dialing in shallower bites, common on Western Basin weed edges. Use copper when you’re running 60+ feet; pull leadcore for 20–40 feet and quick depth changes.
How deep should I run spoons and crankbaits in Western vs Central Basin?
In the Western Basin, start around 25–40 feet and adjust to 15–50 depending on weed edge and water color. In the Central Basin, fish often hold deeper, so 60–90 feet is common; use dipsy or downriggers to hold those depths. Fall patterns shift quickly, so you’ll be fine-tuning depths as schools move shallower with cooler weather.
How many rods can I safely run on a typical Erie boat?
On an 18–21 foot boat, plan for 6–8 lines with 2–3 boards per side and 2 downriggers or a mix of dipsy divers. Keep the spread tight enough to prevent tangles in chop but wide enough to cover multiple depth bands. Add a couple of extra rods for a quick switch if a bite is on the move.
When should I use downriggers vs dipsy divers?
Downriggers excel when you need precise, repeatable depths and you’re targeting deeper structure. Dipsy divers are your friend when you want long leads and a bit of depth without dragging heavy gear; they work great on windy days and in shallower pockets. In fall, you’ll often run both to cover moving schools quickly.
What season is best for a trolling spread on Lake Erie?
Fall is prime as walleye and perch stage on weed edges and drop-offs before winter. Summer can be hot on the surface; deeper presentations win then. Winter is ice fishing territory, but a solid spring pre-spawn spread can set you up for the year.
What safety gear matters most when running a trolling spread?
Invest in well-fitting PFDs, a reliable kill switch, and non-slip deck hardware. Secure all lines and reels when not in use, and keep spare fuses, line, and a first-aid kit accessible. Plan for weather shifts; Erie can flip quick in Western Basin conditions.
