Crank baits… trolling early season

[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.