best baits for walleye

Top 3 Best Baits for Lake Erie Walleye

ByLake Erie Staff

To catch Lake Erie walleye, you’ll want to stock your tackle box with three proven bait types. Start with crankbaits like Storm Jr. Thundersticks and Rapala Deep Tail Dancers for versatile success in varying conditions. Live bait rigs with bottom-bouncers and spinners deliver consistent results, especially in stained water. Don’t forget blade baits and spinners like Captain Jay’s and Erie Arrowheads for year-round action. There’s much more to mastering these effective techniques.

Main Points

  • Crankbaits, especially Storm Jr. Thundersticks and Rapala Deep Tail Dancer 11, are top performers for Lake Erie walleye fishing.
  • Live bait with bottom-bouncers and spinners consistently produces results in scattered weeds and strong currents.
  • Blade baits like Captain Jay’s and Erie Arrowhead spinners are reliable year-round options for walleye.
  • Match crankbait colors to water conditions – natural patterns for clear water, bright colors for murky conditions.
  • Trolling with lead core line at 20-30 feet depths in spring produces excellent walleye catches.

Crankbaits: The Go-To Walleye Hunters

effective walleye fishing lures

When it comes to Lake Erie walleye fishing, crankbaits consistently prove themselves as the most versatile and effective lures in your arsenal. Consider stocking dozens of color variations to match any fishing condition. Adding Storm Jr. Thundersticks to your collection is essential for any serious Lake Erie walleye angler. A quality fishing rod will improve your sensitivity and control when working crankbaits through the water.

Top performers like the Rapala Deep Tail Dancer 11 and Berkley Flicker Minnow are must-haves in your tackle box. Setting your drag properly to slip during strikes will help prevent losing those trophy walleyes. You’ll want to match your crankbait colors to water conditions – natural baitfish patterns for clear water and bright colors when it’s murky. Using lures with high carbon hooks ensures better hook-ups and fewer lost fish. The new Dead Eye prototype baits have shown remarkable success with their chrome and blue combinations. The realistic 3D fins and gills significantly enhance the bait’s swimming action and attraction power. Select lines with strong knot strength to prevent breakoffs when fighting large walleye. Casting stickbaits from break walls after dark can be highly productive during spring shoreline action.

Your trolling techniques should adapt to seasonal patterns. In spring, focus on depths of 20-30 feet near shore using lead core line for precise depth control. Reef runners have proven especially effective when targeting suspended fish. As summer arrives, move offshore to 60-80 foot depths, using Dipsy Divers to reach deeper water. Maintain speeds between 1.5 to 2.5 mph, and don’t forget to employ planer boards to cover more water effectively.

Live Bait Tactics That Land Trophy Fish

Although artificial lures have their place, live bait remains the ultimate weapon for pursuing Lake Erie’s trophy walleye. When weeds are scattered and current is strong, utilizing bottom-bouncers and spinners produces consistent results. Understanding live bait advantages and fishing depth strategies will dramatically improve your success rate on the water. During spring conditions, targeting stained water areas often yields the best results. Following Western to Central Basin migration patterns ensures you’re always in prime fishing zones. Using stainless steel hooks prevents corrosion and extends the life of your terminal tackle in freshwater conditions.

Bait Type Best Presentation Prime Conditions
Minnows Jig & vertical jigging 50°F spring waters
Leeches Slip bobber rigs Suspended fish
Nightcrawlers Bottom bouncer/Lindy Rig Year-round
Combo Rigs 1-1.5 mph trolling Deep water
Live Bait Setup Fluoro leaders/braid main All conditions

You’ll want to match your tackle to specific conditions. Use fluorocarbon leaders with all live bait presentations, and don’t forget to frequently check your bait’s freshness. For precise depth control, adjust your slip bobber stopper to keep the bait in the strike zone where you’re marking fish.

Blade Baits and Spinners for Year-Round Success

versatile fishing techniques year round

Professional anglers consistently rely on blade baits and spinners for their proven effectiveness on Lake Erie walleye throughout the year.

You’ll find Captain Jay’s Blade Baits and Erie Arrowhead spinners among the top choices, with both styles delivering the ideal combination of flash, vibration, and action that triggers strikes.

For best blade selection tips, match your bait size and color to local forage fish. The hand painted finish ensures maximum attraction in various water conditions.

Utilizing a chartreuse and white color combination provides excellent all-round effectiveness in Lake Erie waters.

The emerald shiners are particularly effective in deeper waters during spring when trolling with blade baits.

The Erie Arrowhead spinner’s unique blade design makes it especially effective when rigged with crawler harnesses.

Proper weight distribution is crucial when rigging these baits for optimal performance.

You’ll want to use braided line with a barrel swivel and fluorocarbon leader for enhanced sensitivity.

When it comes to seasonal techniques, snap jig blade baits while drifting in summer’s deeper waters, or troll crawler harnesses with Colorado blades.

Using high carbon steel hooks ensures durability and strength when fighting larger walleye.

A carbon fiber drag system provides smooth pressure control when fighting aggressive walleye.

Don’t forget to experiment with different blade shapes as water conditions change.

These versatile lures work exceptionally well year-round, particularly during colder months near reefs and structures.

Regular maintenance with S45C carbon steel tools will extend the life of your blade baits and ensure optimal performance.

Selecting rods between 7 to 9 feet in length offers optimal versatility and control when trolling for walleye.

References

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