Crank baits… trolling early season

[island troller]

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.

[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.

[cycleguy]

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.

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.

[wakina]

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.

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.

[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.

[Polar Eyes]

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.

[fisherman 2]

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.

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.

[fisherman 2]

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.

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.

[ErieEye]

here 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.

[cycleguy]

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

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?