Detroit River

Jigging -  Northland Jigs 1/4 oz -1/2oz Lower River  1/2oz - 1oz Upper River (Tip jigs with live minnows, half a crawler or better yet try the Berkley Gulp Minnows 3" and 4" models.  If you haven't tried the Gulp Alive yet take myt suggestion and do so.  You can soak all your Gulp minnows in the sealable container to give them some serious scent that drives walleye crazy.  Guys up river who like the Brown rubber worm use half a 6" Gulp Crawler on your jig head and hold on!  Don't be afraid to try bladebaits and jigging spoons.  Vib"E" bladebaits are an excellent choice in the river in all cold water situations.

Crankbaits - Handlining and Longlining: Original Rapala Size #7 - #11's ,  Daves Kaboom (NS) Nito Shiners can be awesome for both handliners and longliners day and night ( check out their Sparx series, ruby reds, and glow series)  Be sure to check out some of the custom colors done for the crankbaits from Dutch Fork Custom Lures.  They work!!!

 Lake Erie Bass Islands

Jigging - VIB"E" lures vertical and casting style blade baits are the go to bait out here in the late winter and early spring.  Walleye smash these things when they hit them.  Hair jigs w/ live minnows , half a crawler or Berkley Gulp.  Vertical jigging spoons are also working well like Northland Buck Shot Rattle Spoons , Hopkins Spoons, andd Swedish Pimples. If things are slow don't be afraid to peut down a jigging rapala or shad rap tipped with minnows. This is always a sure bet in tough conditions.

Trolling Crankbaits - Reef Runners, Daves Kaboom DNS Deep Nitro Shiners, Ripsticks, Rapala Tail Dancers and Deep Tail Dancers, Rapala Down Deep Husky Jerks, Smithwick Rattlin Rogues, Deep  Thundersticks, Rebel Spoonbills and Renosky's.  Once again be sure to check out some of the custom colors from Dutch Fork Custom Lures.  Killer patterns!!!

ISLANDS EAST TO CLEVELAND

Perch fishing is excellent.  34-47 ft water off Huron,Vermillion, Lorain, Sheffield, Avon Lake and Cleveland.  Perch spreaders and minnows are your best rigs right now.  Walleye fishing has been dynamite the last few weeks from Huron east to Avon Lake.  The big school of fish has been concentrated in the "Sandbar Region" in 36-47 ft. of water between Vermillion and Lorain.    Crankbaits, Harnesses and spoons have been the best trolling presentations.  There are plenty of fish being caught casting as well with "Weapon" type casting rigs.  The new JT Custom Tackle "The Shaft"Wire Shaft Harnesses with quick change clevises are on fire.  Wolverine Silver Streaks in the Mini's and Jr.s are pulling quite a few fish off Dipsey's and Jet Divers.  Also many of the JT Custom Tackle and Wolverine Tackle Custom painted blades have been hot on crawler harnesses.  Crankbaits have been doing very well also.  Reef Runners, Deep Tail Dancers, Renosky's and Live Image baits have been pulling some very nice fish.  Call Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters (440) 949-8934 for up to date reports on the Walleye and Perch action in this region. Erie Outfitters is also loaded with all of the tackle I have listed above and more.