Trolling Weight
Trolling Weight
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 Rigged ProFish OffShore Trolling Tuna Fishing Lure 7in Bullet  US $.99
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 LITTLE BILLY THE BILLFISH COLLECTOR FISHING LURE RIGGED US $3.00
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 6 Giant Trolling Squid 12 Fishing Lures For Tuna Marlin US $9.99
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 PROFISH DoorNob Jet Nob 13in Fishing Lure Skipjack US $3.99
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 Albacore Marlin Dorado Jig 5 inch BulletSolid Purple US $15.95
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 Albacore Marlin Dorado Jig 5 inch AngleSolid Blue US $11.95
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 Albacore Marlin Dorado Jig 5 inch AngleSolidPearlBlue US $15.95
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 Marlin Plunger Lure 14 inches overallWhiteHdRedEye US $43.95
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 Albacore Marlin Dorado Jig 5 inch BulletSolid Black US $15.95
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 Saltwater Big Game Lure 9 inch NSAngleWhiteHeadRedEy US $27.95
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 Albacore Marlin Dorado Jig 5 inch BulletSolid Pearl Blue US $15.95
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 Salt Water Big Game Trolling Lure Opihi 7 J 3 SP US $52.00
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 SALTWATER TROLLING LURES ALBACORE TUNA CLONES NEW US $39.95
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 Rattling Surface Pike Bass Popper FireTiger 112mm 24g Fishing Lures US $4.73
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 Albacore Marlin Dorado Jig 5 inch AngleSolid Yellow US $15.95
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 BILLFISH CANDY THE BILLFISH COLLECTOR FISHING LURE RIGGED WITH 7 0 HOOK US $1.81
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 6 Big Game Riggedt 12 Trolling Lures w 3oz Lead Weght US $25.99
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 2 Riggedt High Speed Trolling Lures w 4oz Lead Heads US $9.99
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 6 Big Game Riggedt 12 Trolling Lures w 3oz Lead Weght on 150lb ss leader US $27.99
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 4 Riggedt High Speed Trolling Lures w 5oz Lead Heads US $25.99
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 5 Riggedt High Speed Trolling Lures w 4oz Lead Heads US $24.99
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 2 Big Game Riggedt 9 Trolling Lures with blades and 2 oz Lead Weght US $9.99
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 Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 inch Dolphin w 9 Chart Mackerel US $3.59
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 Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 Zuchinni w 9 Pink mackerel US $4.75
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 Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 inch black with 9 Pink Mackerel US $6.51
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 Squid Daisy Chain Offshore Trolling Lure Tuna 6 in rainbow pink mackerel stinger US $15.50
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 Saltwater Big Game Lure 7 RT Rooster Tail PrlBluBk US $21.95
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 Big Rattling Surface Pike Bass Popper 140mm 52g Trolling Casting Lure US $6.31
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 BULLET CUSTOM MADE REDEYE ZUCC W TEASERSTrolling TUNA Lure Mahi Marlin Wahoo US $18.00
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 MARLIN WAHOO TUNA LITTLE BILLY THE BILLFISH COLLECTOR FISHING LURE RIGGED US $3.04
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 Panther Martin Vivif Mackerel 12 High Performance Trolling Swimbait US $11.50
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 Salt Water Big Game Trolling Lure Opihi 7 S 3 US $49.00
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Opihi 9 J 1 US $49.00
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 Jr ILander ILand Lure Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Sailfish Wahoo US $17.99
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Kona Slant Black US $23.50
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 6 RED SILVR MYLAR CEDAR Saltwater Fishing Trolling Plug Lure Tuna Mahi Wahoo US $21.00
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Kona Scoop Black US $24.50
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Jet White US $26.00
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Plunger Red US $23.50
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Tuna Marlin Bullet BOM Green US $23.50
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Chugger White US $23.50
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Marlin Tuna Plunger Black US $23.50
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 Custom MAHI MYLAR CEDAR Plug plug Fishing Lure MAHI Tuna Longfin Wahoo Sailfish US $18.50
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 6 MEX FLG TUNA FISHING LURE CLONE LURE TUNA MAHI MARLIN WAHOO LONGFIN BIGEYE US $17.99
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 BULLET Custom Made Tested GRN RED CHAR Fishing Lure TUNA MAHI WAHOO MARLIN US $12.95
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 BULLET Custom Made Tested GRN LEM LIM ORG Fishing Lure TUNA MAHI WAHOO MARLIN US $12.95
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 Custom PURPLE BLACK CEDAR salt waterTrolling Lure Mahi Tuna Marlin sailfish Hoo US $18.50
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Tuna Marlin Bullet BOM Black US $23.50
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 6 Big Game Riggedt 12Trolling Lures w 3oz Lead Weght on 150lb ss leader US $27.99
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 2 Big Game Riggedt 12 Trolling Lures w 3oz Lead Weght US $9.99
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 Vintage Big Game Trolling Lure Fishing US $9.99
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 Bluesea 2 pc big game trolling lure minnow crankbait 1 2 oz red white blue tiger US $9.99
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 CUSTOM RIGGED CEDAR Zucchini Saltwater Trolling Lure Plug Mahi Tuna Marlin Wahoo US $17.00
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 New Australian Runner Style Lure Blue Mackerel Trolling Downrigger Lure 72 oz US $8.65
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 Rattling Surface Pike Bass Popper 110mm 30g Trolling or Casting Lures US $4.73
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 NEW 3 Glyder Spoons Brown Trout Salmon Pike Bass Lures US $6.31
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 Stickface Stalker III Game Fishing Teaser Marlin Tuna US $78.86
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 Rigged Trolling Jet Head Lure For Tuna Mahi Mahi Wahoo US $7.99
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 Big Rattling Surface Floating Pike Bass Popper Sea Game Lures 140mm 52g US $6.31
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 Salt Water Big Game Trolling Lure Opihi 7 J 3 US $56.00
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 Saltwater Big Game Trolling Lure Opihi 9 M 1 US $49.00
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 New Iland Tracker Style Bird Squid Daisy Chain only a couple left US $14.99
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 6 x DRAGGIN EYES Imported from the USA TUNA Killers US $34.47
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 11 New Rigged Metalhead Smoker Skirt Trolling Lure 8 US $65.00
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 Yo Zuri Bonita 260mm Trolling Lure Ball Bearing AHI US $45.00
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 Trolling Lures Offshore Fishing Lures Ballyhoo Rigs US $15.00
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 6 New Rigged Big Game Smoker Skirt Trolling Lure 13 US $58.00
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 Rapala X Rap Magnum XRMAG30 S Silver 160mm 6 1 4 Deep Diving Big Game Lure Bait US $18.35
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 6 BLUE WHITE CEDAR W TEASERS Saltwater Trolling Plug Lure Tuna Mahi Wahoo US $19.49
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 NEW 3 Glyder Spoons Red Fin Salmon Trout Pike Bass Pollock Mackerel Sea Lure US $6.31
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 BULLET CUSTOM MADE HOLO FLYER Saltwater Lure Trolling TUNA MAHI WAHOO Marlin US $11.95
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 Manns Heavy Duty Stretch 12 BIGFISH Trolling Lure in Color GOLD BLACK back US $11.99
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 Salmo Hornet Floating 4 Lure H4F HP Hot Perch 1 3 4 1 16 oz Mad Action Crank US $6.79
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 Yo Zuri R539 PC Crystal Minnow Deep Diver Perch 110mm 4 3 8 9 16 oz Lure US $10.39
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 Rapala X Rap Magnum XRMAG30 HH Hot Head 6 1 4 160 mm 30 Deep Diving Lure US $18.35
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 Rapala X Rap Saltwater SXR10 OG Olive Green Suspending Slashbait 100mm Lure US $8.60
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 OWNER 5134 1882 JOBU™ Big Game 8 0 Hooks Pack of 4 Cutting Point 4X Strong Tuna US $15.15
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 Salmo Warrior 15 Crank W15C RPH Real Perch Lure 5 3 4 2 oz Floating Dives 2 5 US $13.59
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 Manns Heavy Duty Stretch 12 BIGFISH Trolling Lure in Color BLACK Back MYLAR US $11.99
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 Soft Plastic Finger Mullet Lures 12 4 Rigged Hooked Mullet Natural Color US $19.95
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Fishing For Shallow Walleyes
There is no sure-fire way to fill your cooler with a limit of walleyes but keep this in mind when you are looking for fish- you will find them either deep or shallow and nothing in between.
This rule has guided me for more than 40 years of pursuing Lake Erie walleyes and helped me bring home fish a lion's share of the time.
Most anglers are in a hurry to get to deep water. This is because they've given up on the time-honored method of drift fishing to troll with dipsy divers and planer boards. Trolling is more suited for deep water because with multiple lines out the last thing troller wants is a snag to tangle all those lines.
Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for trolling. But ignoring opportunities that exist most days in shallow water is mystifying to this fisherman. Besides, it takes a lot of fuel to make those long runs off shore.
That is why I recommend checking out those shallow spots you know hold fish before making the off-shore commitment.
Some experienced boater/fishermen will set their trolling lines in the near shore waters but won't venture shallower than 25-30 feet. For those who don't have a lot of Lake Erie experience, shallow water usually translates into boulders, rock-strewn bottoms and sheer drop-offs. It can be a real pain if you are trolling.
However, it's this type of bottom structure that walleyes generally prefer and fishing it is best done by working lures along the bottom and up and over the rocks. Drift fishing is by far the method of choice here.
During the warmer months I try to get away from the dock a little before sunrise. This will give me ample time to get to the first fishing spot. Most days the decision on whether to fish near shore or off shore is made at the breakwall.
Several factors help in making the choice: condition of the water (clear or stained), sunny or cloudy, smooth or choppy, wind direction and finally history. Always take into consideration how the fishing's been for the past few days.
Let me break it down for you. If the water is stained the fish will see your lure better in shallow water…if the sun is shining. If it's a cloudy day and the water is dirty, less light will penetrate to slow the action. Might want to consider going deep where the water will be cleaner.
If the wind is heavy out of the northeast might as well stay close to home. The fishing always slows down with a northeaster (wind in the east, fish bite the least; wind in the west, fish bite the best), regardless of depth.
Mostly, it's those sunny or partly cloudy days, southerly 10 mph wind and clean water that will get you a cooler full of eyes. When presented with this kind of day I will go shallow first every time.
Walleyes are nocturnal, meaning they prefer to feed at night. They have excellent vision in low light conditions and will stay in shallow water until the sun moves high enough in the sky to send its rays to the lake bottom. On a bright day, the best bite is over by 10 a.m. Then it may be time to head offshore to finish the day.
Typically, I will go with a glow-type lure, with a gold blade first thing. I prefer a worm harness with orange or chartreuse beads. The Erie Dearie Lure Co. makes a nice harness called the "Weapon." For casting it's hard to beat. In shallow(15-25 feet) water there is no need for a heavy weight so a ½ ounce or so will work nicely. The Weapon usually comes with a weight for around $3 each.
Cast the lure well away from the boat to avoid distracting the fish. Let it sink to the bottom, then start a slow retrieve. You should be able to feel the weight bounce over the rocks. You'll find that most strikes will occur when the lure rises from the bottom.
As the morning wears on the walleyes are like to move into deeper water, say 35-45 feet. This makes it a great time to troll for your fish. But the experience of catching fish by casting for them is always memorable. And sometimes it gets so good a limit is boated before noon. In this case you're not far from smallmouth action to round out the day.
As part of my strategy, I always stay in contact with other captains, some of whom may be 10-15 miles out into the lake. If they are doing better then I will join them as some will be trolling and some casting. But it means they are on fish that will still be there in the afternoon.
While nothing about fishing is a deadbolt certainty, fishing shallow often pays dividends. But it requires an early start, a knowledge of the fishing areas and some expertise to keep your hook away from the rocks. And remember, the trollers don't like those rocks, which means fewer boats to disturb the fish.
About the Author
Capt. Tony Denslow has operated a sportfishing charter business on Lake Erie since 1983.