Crank baits… trolling early season

I use a lot of shad style (Berkley Flicker Shads) baits here in WI on inland lakes. Stick baits, not as often. Before I get into shopping for Husky Jerks or such... anyone have advice on if these have potential? Brand new items I already have, from years ago. For use in early to mid April. I want to be prepared and love trolling, so this will be outside my time enjoying the jig side of it all.

If Reef Runners or Husky Jerks are really that much better… where do you start on sizes?

Storm lures, L to R:
Thunderstick Jr, like 3.5” long.
Thunderstick Jr Deep, 3.5”, plus 1” bill.
Thunderstick Deep, 4.5” plus bill.

Those are all Storm Thundersticks, not Husky Jerks.

I've always used Rapala DHJ12's and RR800's. The Reef Runners seem to be better in the warmer water. I read a lot about Smithwick Perfect 10's early so I've added a collection of those to the arsenal as well.

[QUOTE=WI Walleye;51730]Those are all Storm Thundersticks, not Husky Jerks.

I know… had Husky Jerks on my mind when typing it.… trying to get feedback on these as well as that size info, thanks for pointing it out so I could fix!

I had only used dhj10's and had no problem with them, but last year I added some of the 12's because of the custom colors available
over the standard colors in the 10's and I really did not do any better between the two as far as the catch. Maybe it was colors and maybe not. Hell, I been known to make bad choices on the bait a lot lately. I made a purchase of a few Matzuo Kinchou Minnows and
not a taker for sure. I added the Bandit Deep Walleye this year for maybe a better (bigger catch). Oh, by the way open your wallet
if the "CUSTOM" colors suite your needs.

Gene

For early season perfect 10s are tough to beat. Blue/silver and lemon lime crush were good last yr early and for the fall bite. They've come out with some good looking stock colors this yr. For fishing in Mar april on erie I'd definetly make sure and have a few P10s in the boat

I used to use only the thundersticks that you listed and still catch fish on them spring trolling. The walleyes did not change their lure taste but just a lot more lure choices. If you add some new lures I would bring your thundersticks too.

Dhj12s Perfect 10s Reef 800s Deep Bandit are the most popular ones. But being in the zone I think is more important than color or lure. Troll slow and up high fish on bottom aren't active we hardly ever fish deeper than 15ft in early spring.

Thanks all….

Regardless of brand then, it seems even in the Spring, the larger 4.5-5" body baits are preferred here? Like the DHJ12 has a 4.75" body. The help is appreciated, as I've never pulled cranks that large before.

Adjusting speed, depth, and color based on sunlight and such are the factors to work in at the appropriate time.

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Originally Posted by Greatwhitehunter

Dhj12s Perfect 10s Reef 800s Deep Bandit are the most popular ones. But being in the zone I think is more important than color or lure. Troll slow and up high fish on bottom aren't active we hardly ever fish deeper than 15ft in early spring.

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When you say this…. do you mean you are looking for water 15' or less, or running your baits say in the top 10-15' of water at whatever depth? That would explain some of the short leads I see posted. Again, thanks. Love the learning curve, even if I fail later. Applying the thought process will be great.

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Originally Posted by cycleguy

When you say this…. do you mean you are looking for water 15' or less, or running your baits say in the top 10-15' of water at whatever depth? That would explain some of the short leads I see posted. Again, thanks. Love the learning curve, even if I fail later. Applying the thought process will be great.

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Short leads for active fish up high off the reefs in deeper water usually along the Can line on the North end and East side of the firing range. As stated those bottom huggers are negative fish. DDHJ work better at slower speeds and the Reef 800's work better at slightly faster speeds as the water warms up some. I am not a crank bait guy but do know there is a sweet spot in speed that both the DDHJ and Reef 800's work simultaneously. Maybe some crank bait guy will chime in.

Attachment 3635here is a small sample of what you'll need. 800 series reef runners, deep husky jerks, skinny sticks, perfect 10s. Haven't gotten into the custom huskies yet. I'm sure I will in time though. Also with the perfect 10s you'll need snap weights. Typically the fish will be up high, top 12' of the water column. C can Niagara areas will hold fish in April. Also lots of good areas around the islands. Starve island reef area is always a "go to spot" in April and may. It is worth noting that typically you want to avoid fishing both super clear water and really stained brown water. Ideally I just want to be able to see the anticavitation plate on the engine so long as the water has that blue/green color to it. Your ideal trolling speed will be somewhere between 1 and 1.5 mph.

Don't ask me why the pick is upside down. I seam to have that problem a lot on this site.

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Originally Posted by ErieEye

Don't ask me why the pick is upside down. I seam to have that problem a lot on this site.

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I'll help you out!

Attachment 3636

What about hot n tots or wiggle warts?

Thanks Wakina. I think the problem is a smart phone in dumb hands.

Still use the H182 and H183 a lot off dipsys and downriggers and flat lines and will drag wiggle warts off bottom bouncer sinkers with much success. My favorite bottom lure is the hot tiger Rattle Tot. I run most of the stick baits mentioned in this thread but it is nice to go back to the old tried and true and see that they still work. Newer isn't always better so I keep an open mind....

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Originally Posted by ErieEye

here is a small sample of what you'll need.

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Not sure I can swing a collection like that! If I had all those, I just sit in the boat and admire 'em!

Perfect 10's are on the top left?

In my own personal experience, here are the top five factors for trolling success for Erie 'eyes

1.) speed
2.) speed
3.) speed
4.) speed
5.) everything else.

Again, my own personal experience and opinion is the wrong crank bait trolled through a pack of 'eyes will always out catch the "right" lure trolled at the wrong speed.

A small selection of DHJ's, P10s, and/or RRs coupled with mastering speed and depth will get you 80% there. Then after you've mastered speed/depth control fine tune the color, style, and wobble will get you the next 20%. I learned the hard (and expensive) way that if you are trolling and not catching anything it's probably speed more than lure.

Again, my personal opinion/experience.

In my experience in the dirty water in the spring RR 800 will out fish huskey jerks. I think they give off more vibrations so the fish can find them better. I also bump my speed up to 1.4-1.5 to get more action out of the lure. Seem to always limit out.

Depth is the number one factor. Especially in spring the fish will chase bait in the upper water column. Set backs can be as little as 10' at times. You put a crank under those fish and you'll never catch them. Last spring the fish were unusually deep and and I didn't encounter many high fish. You won't see these fish on your electronics either. You just have to fish for them and see if they're up there. Second you need to be able to control your speed effectively. Some of us big boats have to put out 4 bags or more early in the year. There are a lot of good colors but fire tiger, Barbie, eriedescent, green flash, purple perch are some of my go to's. Basically whites, purples, greens and firetiger usually work just fine. Last year I started with one side bandits and one side deep husky's. Within an hour I had all bandits on and never fished any other bait until I switched to jets in May.

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Originally Posted by cycleguy

Thanks all….

Regardless of brand then, it seems even in the Spring, the larger 4.5-5" body baits are preferred here? Like the DHJ12 has a 4.75" body. The help is appreciated, as I've never pulled cranks that large before.

Adjusting speed, depth, and color based on sunlight and such are the factors to work in at the appropriate time.

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lake erie is big water and the eyes are bigger than in smaller lakes so they want big baits even though in the summer one hot bait they hit is a 2 3/4 in stinger spoon...even though they feed on gizzard shad up to 10 in. they don't hit those shaped baits good...they like the longer slender baits that are mentioned in this thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cycleguy

Thanks all….

Regardless of brand then, it seems even in the Spring, the larger 4.5-5" body baits are preferred here? Like the DHJ12 has a 4.75" body. The help is appreciated, as I've never pulled cranks that large before.

Adjusting speed, depth, and color based on sunlight and such are the factors to work in at the appropriate time.

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lake erie is big water and the walleyes are bigger than most lakes, hence bigger baits work...even though in summer a hot bait is a 2 3/4 in. stinger spoon...another thing is the walleye feed on gizzard shad up to 10 in. but they don't hit those shad type baits very good...they like the slender baits that are mentioned in this thread.