Lake Erie has seen a lot of changes in the past few years. Anglers who frankly had it "easy" for years are now faced with problems including gin clear water, spooky fish, schools of baitfish that roam from top to bottom, and a fishing season that sees angling pressure year around.
Fishing conditions on Lake Erie's many basins has lead to a host of changes in fishing techniques, including a new twist on a locally favorite fishing style. Drift fishing with weight-forward spinners has for years been the staple technique for taking walleye and smallmouth bass. Still popular, the weight-forward spinner continues to catch fish, but new and more refined drifting techniques that allow the bait more depth control and freedom of movement are starting to chip away at the weight-forward spinner market.
Trolling sinkers known as snap weights is fast finding a niche on drift boats. A lead weight attached to a heavy-tension pinch-pad-style line release, snap weights enable drifters to place weight on the line 10, 20, 50 or more feet ahead of a crawler harness or stickbait. The snap weight attaches to the line by squeezing open the release and placing the line between the rubber pads. The tension on the release holds the weight firmly on the line until the angler reels in the weight and quickly removes it with a pinch from a thumb and forefinger.
By experimenting with different size lead weights, drifters can fish with ease from a couple feet below the surface to bottom. Snap weights are available in kits that contain an assortment of 1/2-, 3/4-, one-, two-, and three-ounce weights and four model OR16 releases, packaged in a tackle box. Extra weights and releases are also available separately. The most commonly used weights for drifting are the 3/4- and one-ounce sizes.
Daiwa SG27LC line counter reels are handy when drift fishing with snap weights. The amount of line let out after attaching the weight also influences lure running depth. Experiment with weight sizes and lead lengths until a productive pattern emerges, then use the line counter reels to duplicate a pattern with other lines.
Walleye are frequently found suspended and a crawler harness equipped with a No. 3 or 4 blade is tough to beat on most days. When the wind blows and the boat drifts at a slow trolling speed, stickbaits including the Mann's Loud Mouth, Storm ThunderStick, and Smithwick Rattlin' Rogue are good choices.
In a stiff wind, in-line boards like the Off Shore Tackle Side-Planer are handy for spreading out lines. Simply set out a snap weight rig as usual then add a Side-Planer to the line and let out an additional 30-50 feet of line. When walleye are suspended near the surface, controlled drifting with Off Shore Tackle Side-Planers is the hot program.
Walleye aren't the only fish taken by drifters. Smallmouth bass are also easy pickings when drifting with snap weights. Watch for schools of smallies suspended a few feet off the bottom. Rig up by threading a colorful bead onto the line then attaching a No. 1 Aberdeen-style hook. Select a lively emerald shiner minnow (locally known as bass minnows) and hook it upwards through both jaws. Next, let out a 20-30 foot leader and attach a snap weight to the line. Let out line slowly until the sinker can be felt hitting bottom, then reel up a couple turns of line so the snap weight and trailing bait run a few feet off bottom.
Small crankbaits like the, Fred Arbogast 832 Series Snooker, Luhr Jensen Speed Trap, Storm Baby ThunderStick, and Mann's 1-Minus can be substituted for live bait when fishing suspended smallies.
A couple conveniently placed rod holders make drifting more enjoyable. Fish-On rod holders are among the most durable, functional and cost-effective rod holders on the market.
Controlled drifting can also be combined with an angler or two tossing traditional weight-forward spinners. Weight-forwards are an excellent lure when searching for active fish at different depth ranges.
Lake Erie is in a constant state of change. Unfortunately, anglers have been forced to play by a new set of rules. For some, especially those unwilling to modify their angling style, fishing over the last couple years has been tough. But those anglers who have made the adjustment in their fishing style are reporting record catches. Give this new controlled drifting technique a try and judge for yourself.
Copyright (c) 1996 Mark Romanack. All rights reserved.
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