Originally Posted by
Madd Matt
What size and make of boat do you have? That will make a difference in a few of those answers.
Assuming that you have a Lake worthy boat that will handle 4-6' waves on Lake Erie if it had to, then you should be able to get on fish. The best thing to do is post this question again about a week before you are going to be there.
However, right now fish are still being caught between the Islands and West of South Bass (both walleye and perch). That could change tomorrow.
Typical setups for what you are asking:
Perch: Stop by Hi-Way Bait in Marblehead and get some Perch Rigs, just ask the guys in there what they recommend. I use rigs made of mono with 3 hooks and some beads when they are really close to the bottom... I use wire crappie rigs that are roughly 24" long with three hooks a lot too and they work great, especially for the kids. Tip them with shiners and drop them over the side of the boat... Again, ask this question and watch this site for fish locations closer to your date.
Walleye: I will assume that you are casting and drifting for walleye and not set up to troll. Right now they are being caught a lot in shallow areas around the islands in 10-16 FOW. They are also being caught around shallow reefs. A lot of people are using worm harnesses and casting them and drifting through those areas. You can catch them anywhere around the East side of South Bass Island. I would start close to the Monument and watch your sonar for fish... Then work your way up through and around Sugar and Ballast areas... BE CARFULL!! Have a depth chart handy and hopefully a chart plotter with good GPS and Lake Erie Contours. THere are 1-3' spots out there that will take your outdrive off if it doesn't sink your boat! Know your depth and your location. I have fished Lake Erie for over 30 years and I wouldn't go into some of those areas right now without a good chart plotter.
Small Mouth Bass: Same areas as the Walleye that I just mentioned. However, if you have 8-9 year old boys I would use live bait. Tubes are not getting much action right now even in the tournaments. Go to Rikards bait (right before Catawba across from McDonalds) and get about 3 dozen Soft Craws (Cray fish) per person. They will be about $5-6 / dz. but you will catch fish! put them on a leader with a weight about 12-18" below the hook and cast them out and let them drag slowly. You will catch sheephead too, but you will catch smallmouth bass right next to tournament boats throwing tubes that won't reel in a fish. If you want to teach your boys patience and casting skills, then go throw tubes. If you want you boys to catch Smallmouth Bass, use Soft Craws.
If you have a small enough boat, the best Largemouth bass areas are close to shore. East Harbor is almost a sure thing to go catch a ton of largemouth.
Post again and check this board in the few days leading up to your trip.