Tips on Lake Erie Lures

Walleye lures for drift fishing have imitated bait fish and the weight forward spinner design has been a mainstay for consistent catches. Recent years have found a tremendous increase in the mayfly, or “bug” hatch due to improved water quality. With the introduction of this additional food source, the “weapon” was developed to imitate the mayfly after it hatches. Sometimes referred to as a “mayfly” rig, this lure provides another alternative to the weight forward spinner. Many Lake Erie drift fishermen complete their arsenal with bottom bouncers or draggers. When there is enough wind for a good drift, rods will be set with weights at varying depths from the bottom. These rigs resemble worm harnesses with different spinners in front depending on which color the fish seem to prefer. Bottom bouncer rigs are usually set by the captain and can become tangled if not presented properly.

If you bring your own rod and reel on a charter, you should keep in mind that Lake Erie requires a rod with enough backbone to set the hook on the fish. Medium to medium-heavy fast action rods seem to meet with the best success for consistent catches. The introduction of the “weapon” has seen the longer length rods - 6’6” to 7’ becoming more popular. A reel with a good drag system is important as most walleyes like to take a dive for the bottom when they see the boat. This is when a lot of fish are lost and it is when good rod and reel handling can make a big difference.

There are many ways to fish weight forward lures. The most popular weights are 1/2 to 5/8 ounces for most days on Lake Erie. Real calm days find 1/4 and 3/8 ounce lures more effective. As the wind and waves increase, it may be necessary to use 7/8 to 1 ounce lures. One of the best walleye producers is the tiger pattern with green tape on the spinner. A very consitent way of using the weight forward spinner is to cast across the wind and work a “swing” pattern as the boat drifts. Remember to use a count system for each cast until you find a depth at which the fish seem to prefer hitting the lure. Vary your counts until you find what works best to produce walleye. After casting, retrieve as much slack in your line as possible as sometimes the fish will hit the lure as it flutters in the water. Varying the way you retrieve your lure can also cause a strike. Sometimes a steady retrieve is productive. There are other times when “sweeping” the rod toward the boat and reeling back to the lure is productive. Changing speed and direction during the retrieve also can produce strikes. Always try to maintain “contact” with the lure as many fish hit when the lure changes directions or there is slack in the line. This is where a sensitive rod tip can make a difference. When you feel a weight or change in the “feel” of the retrieve, set the hook. This past year, “low and slow” seemed to be very productive. The lure was moved slowly just off the bottom and enticed walleyes to hit. Try to vary your retrieves until you come up with something that works.

“Weapon” fishing requires some different techniques to help produce walleye strikes. Remember that this lure is imitating a mayfly rising from the bottom to the surface. Therefore, it is often necessary to raise the rod tip high into the air and then let the “weapon” flutter down. This up and down motion can trigger a strike. The “weapon” is basically a spinner blade with some beads behind it with a single hook. A egg sinker is attached to the tied end of the lure to provide weight. It can vary in length from 6-12 inches, depending on how it is tied. Many captains tie their own and have different blades and beads which produce walleyes. 1/2 and 3/4 ounce egg sinkers are the most popular weights used with some lighter and heavier weights being used on occasion as conditions dictate. Some of the same techniques used with the weight forward lure can also be used with the “weapon” to catch walleyes. Again, try to find a spinner, color and retrieve pattern which works best to catch fish.

After the captain sets the bouncer rods, it is up to you to help catch fish on them. By keeping one eye on the tip, you may be able to set the hook on a tricky walleye. A bite on the bouncer may not be very pronounced or jerky. Rather, the rod tip may go down slowly as the walleye takes the lure. The hook needs to be set when this downward motion of the rod tip is underway as the lure is in the mouth. If the rod tip is returning to its upward position, it is too late. Bouncer fish can really help in supplementing the catch for the day and can be a lot of fun. Keep a close eye on them!

These are just a few tips to help you improve your catch and nothing is better than visiting Lake Erie often to keep your edge. Book a charter if you want to get the best results and then use these trips to increase your luck! See you on the lake!


		Some tips on Lake Erie “lures”
			by Capt. John “JW” Welch
	Walleye fishing on Lake Erie has been popular for decades and especially gained fame with Lake Erie becoming the Walleye Capital of the World in the 80’s. The lake continues to be the best walleye fishery in the world and methods for catching walleye have been refined over the years.
Walleye lures for drift fishing have imitated bait fish and the weight forward spinner design has been a mainstay for consistent catches. Recent years have found a tremendous increase in the mayfly, or “bug” hatch due to improved water quality. With the introduction of this additional food source, the “weapon” was developed to imitate the mayfly after it hatches. Sometimes referred to as a “mayfly” rig, this lure provides another alternative to the weight forward spinner. Many Lake Erie drift fishermen complete their arsenal with bottom bouncers or draggers. When there is enough wind for a good drift, rods will be set with weights at varying depths from the bottom. These rigs resemble worm harnesses with different spinners in front depending on which color the fish seem to prefer. Bottom bouncer rigs are usually set by the captain and can become tangled if not presented properly. If you bring your own rod and reel on a charter, you should keep in mind that Lake Erie requires a rod with enough backbone to set the hook on the fish. Medium to medium-heavy fast action rods seem to meet with the best success for consistent catches. The introduction of the “weapon” has seen the longer length rods - 6’6” to 7’ becoming more popular. A reel with a good drag system is important as most walleyes like to take a dive for the bottom when they see the boat. This is when a lot of fish are lost and it is when good rod and reel handling can make a big difference. There are many ways to fish weight forward lures. The most popular weights are 1/2 to 5/8 ounces for most days on Lake Erie. Real calm days find 1/4 and 3/8 ounce lures more effective. As the wind and waves increase, it may be necessary to use 7/8 to 1 ounce lures. One of the best walleye producers is the tiger pattern with green tape on the spinner. A very consitent way of using the weight forward spinner is to cast across the wind and work a “swing” pattern as the boat drifts. Remember to use a count system for each cast until you find a depth at which the fish seem to prefer hitting the lure. Vary your counts until you find what works best to produce walleye. After casting, retrieve as much slack in your line as possible as sometimes the fish will hit the lure as it flutters in the water. Varying the way you retrieve your lure can also cause a strike. Sometimes a steady retrieve is productive. There are other times when “sweeping” the rod toward the boat and reeling back to the lure is productive. Changing speed and direction during the retrieve also can produce strikes. Always try to maintain “contact” with the lure as many fish hit when the lure changes directions or there is slack in the line. This is where a sensitive rod tip can make a difference. When you feel a weight or change in the “feel” of the retrieve, set the hook. This past year, “low and slow” seemed to be very productive. The lure was moved slowly just off the bottom and enticed walleyes to hit. Try to vary your retrieves until you come up with something that works. “Weapon” fishing requires some different techniques to help produce walleye strikes. Remember that this lure is imitating a mayfly rising from the bottom to the surface. Therefore, it is often necessary to raise the rod tip high into the air and then let the “weapon” flutter down. This up and down motion can trigger a strike. The “weapon” is basically a spinner blade with some beads behind it with a single hook. A egg sinker is attached to the tied end of the lure to provide weight. It can vary in length from 6-12 inches, depending on how it is tied. Many captains tie their own and have different blades and beads which produce walleyes. 1/2 and 3/4 ounce egg sinkers are the most popular weights used with some lighter and heavier weights being used on occasion as conditions dictate. Some of the same techniques used with the weight forward lure can also be used with the “weapon” to catch walleyes. Again, try to find a spinner, color and retrieve pattern which works best to catch fish. After the captain sets the bouncer rods, it is up to you to help catch fish on them. By keeping one eye on the tip, you may be able to set the hook on a tricky walleye. A bite on the bouncer may not be very pronounced or jerky. Rather, the rod tip may go down slowly as the walleye takes the lure. The hook needs to be set when this downward motion of the rod tip is underway as the lure is in the mouth. If the rod tip is returning to its upward position, it is too late. Bouncer fish can really help in supplementing the catch for the day and can be a lot of fun. Keep a close eye on them! These are just a few tips to help you improve your catch and nothing is better than visiting Lake Erie often to keep your edge. Book a charter if you want to get the best results and then use these trips to increase your luck! See you on the lake!
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