 |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow Bass Pike Walleye Salmon FLO ORANGE LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 27m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 YELLOW BIRD SIDE PLANER BOARDS PRE RAPALA STORM HOT N TOTS SALMON TROUT WALLEYE $38.00 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 35m |
 VINTAGE BROWNING 5 6 SILAFLEX 955 LT ACTION ROD 2 4 LB TROUT SALMON WALLEYE $11.50 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 26m |
 10 Titanium Spinners Bass Walleye Crappie Salmon Lures $19.99 Time Remaining: 26d 8h 3m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 10 VINTAGE RARE COLOR STORM PRE RAPALA HOT N TOT WALLEYE SALMON TROLLING LURE $30.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 15h 30m |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 11 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 CLEAN DAIWA SEALINE 47H LEVEL WIND TROLLING REEL W LURES WALLEYE SALMON TROUT $20.50 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 15h 45m |
 7 pc Quickfish Flatfish Wobble Lures 4 Walleye Salmon 2 $18.99 Time Remaining: 10d 8h 6m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
 CHURCH TACKLE WALLEYE PLANER BOARDS PRE RAPALA STORM HOT N TOTS SALMON TROUT $16.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 15h 46m |
 HUGE LOT LURES BAITS TACKLE FISHING FRESHWATER TROUT WALLEYE BASS PIKE SALMON $49.95 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 21m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
 CLEAN DAIWA SEALINE 47H LEVEL WIND TROLLING REEL W CLAMP WALLEYE SALMON TROUT $36.25 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 50m |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow in 454 for Bass Pike Walleye Salmon LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 16m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 CLEAN OKUMA CLASSIC PRO CL 452L LEVEL WIND REEL TROLL TROUT SALMON WALLEYE FISH $10.55 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 15h 26m |
 LOT SUPER GLOW 1 0 HOOKS GLOW BEADS PROPELLER WALLEYE STEELHEAD SALMON BASS $3.25 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 37m Buy It Now for only: $3.25 |
 CLEAN PENN 209 LINE COUNTER REEL TROLL SALMON TROUT WALLEYE DOWNRIGGER FISHING $26.00 (17 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 15h 26m |
 7 Quickfish Flatfish Trolling Lures Walleye Salmon3C $18.99 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 1m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
 CLEAN DAIWA ACCUDEPTH 47LC LEVEL WIND TROLLING REEL WALLEYE SALMON TROUT $35.05 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 15h 26m |
 Blue Fox Foxee Fishing Lures Walleye 1oz Trolling Salmon $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 9h 48m Buy It Now for only: $2.00 |
 OFF SHORE TACKLE PLANER BOARD PRE RAPALA STORM HOT N TOTS SALMON TROUT WALLEYE $39.50 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 26m |
 LOT NO SNAG SLINKY SINKERS WEIGHTS FISHING BASS WALLEYE PIKE SALMON STEELHEAD $4.95 Time Remaining: 28d 13h 14m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 |
 14 RARE COLOR STORM PRE RAPALA HOT N TOT THUNDERSTICK WALLEYE SALMON LURE TROLL $5.59 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 16h 1m |
 Tianma Troll Series Banana Minnow Lure in RAINBOW TROUT for Salmon Walleye JAQQ $2.99 Time Remaining: 26d 8h 24m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 STORM PRE RAPALA WIGGLE WARTS SALMON TROUT STEELHEAD WALLEYE TROLLING LURE $4.25 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 15h 56m |
 Hot Spot 4 1 2 Apex 82 Lure Salmon Trout Walleye New Old Stock $7.99 Time Remaining: 24d 11h 23m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 10 VINTAGE SCREWTAIL BOMBER RARE COLOR SALMON TROUT WALLEYE BASS TROLLING LURE $11.49 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 15h 45m |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 13 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 25m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 Lot of 18 Trolling Flutter Spoons Silver Streak NK salmon walleye fishing $29.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 15h 33m |
 6 TRL Lures Brass Salmon Walleye Trout Trolling Spoons $6.99 Time Remaining: 21h 25m |
 New Fish Stalker Fishing Lure Bodybait Crankbait FSC 208 Dr K WalleyeSalmon $5.99 Time Remaining: 16d 14h 29m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 VINTAGE MAG WIGGLE WART STORM PRE RAPALA HOT N TOT WALLEYE SALMON TROLLING LURE $9.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 45m |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow in 034 for Bass Pike Walleye Salmon LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 25m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 6 RR Fuzzy Bear casting Spoons salmon steelhead browntrout walleye pike $3.00 Time Remaining: 14h 36m |
 4 Cleo Style Spoons lures Salmon walleye striper 3 4C1 $12.95 Time Remaining: 13d 11h 22m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 VINTAGE EPPINGER DARDEVLE IMP SEADEVLE TROLL SPOON PIKE SALMON WALLEYE TROUT $6.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 15h 40m |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 12 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 24 Rigs Hook Slides to fit any bait size Walleye trout bass worm salmon $14.00 Time Remaining: 16h 14m |
 4 Cleo Style Spoons lures Salmon walleye striper 2 3C2 $10.95 Time Remaining: 13d 11h 21m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 8 RR Fuzzy Bear trolling spoons flutter salmon steelhead trout walleye pike $6.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 14h 37m |
 SILVER TROLLING SPOON SALMON TROUT STEELHEAD LURE JIG SPINNER DYMOND HEX WALLEYE $4.99 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 57m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 10 Titanium Spinners Bass Walleye Crappie Salmon Lures $18.99 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 2m |
 Z MAN THE ORIGINAL CHATTERBAIT STRIPER BASS WALLEYE KOKANEE SALMON STEELHEAD $4.95 Time Remaining: 14d 4h 29m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 |
 LITTLE CLEO WIGL NUDE TOPLESS DANCING GIRL SALMON TROUT BASS WALLEYE SPOON LURE $12.51 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 16m |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow in T19 for Bass Pike Walleye Salmon LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 24d 11h 59m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 6 Salmon Peach UV coated Marabou Jig Walleye Crappie trout steelhead Ice $4.00 Time Remaining: 15h 47m |
 Marabou Glider Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie D $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 VINTAGE MAG WIGGLE WART STORM PRE RAPALA WALLEYE SALMON TROUT TROLLING LURE $4.26 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15h 30m |
 Reef Runner Deep Little Ripper 600 in BLUE HAWAIIAN Walleye Trout Salmon HAOW $6.49 Time Remaining: 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 7 Salmon Trout Walleye Spoons $0.99 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 37m |
 50 EAGLE CLAW SIZE 1 SALMON STLHD WALLEYE RED HOOKS L195FS NIP $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 53m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Rego Tackle Company Walleye rig worm harness Salmon sliding hook 4 bait size $13.50 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 16m |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow in T20 for Bass Pike Walleye Salmon LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 8m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 6 TRL Lures Brass Salmon Walleye Trout Trolling Spoons $6.99 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 24m |
 R R Tackle Split Diamond Trolling Spoons 28 Lot of 12 Salmon Trout Walleye $16.99 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 43m |
 South Bend 6 piece Lunker Bass Pike Walleye Salmon Pickerel Spinner Kit LASR $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 23m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Old Man River Original RED CHERRY BOBBER Spinner SALMONTroutPikeWalleyeBass $5.25 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 18m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 Marabou Glider Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie A $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 Old Man River RED black CHERRY BOBBER Spinner Bait SALMONTROUTPIKEWalleye $5.25 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 18m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow in T16 for Bass Pike Walleye Salmon LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 3m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 Old Man River Fire Tiger CHERRY BOBBER Spinner Bait TroutPikeWalleyeSalmon $5.25 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 18m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 20 Trout Walleye Bass Pike Salmon Custom Made rigs with Spinners New $14.99 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 19m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 NEW Z MAN CHATTERBAIT LURES TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $9.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 46m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 Fish Stalker Lure FIRE TIGER FSP 123 for SalmonWalleyeMuskiePikeBass $5.99 Time Remaining: 6d 11h Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 3 RAPALA J 13 JOINTED LURES BASS WALLEYE SALMON PIKE NICE COLORS $21.99 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 30m Buy It Now for only: $24.20 |
 Challenger Deep 20 25Jointed Minnow in T10 for Bass Pike Walleye Salmon LAJQ $6.68 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 12m Buy It Now for only: $6.68 |
 6 TRL Lures Brass Salmon Walleye Trout Trolling Spoons $6.99 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 31m |
 5 salmon steelheadbass walleye jigs 1 8 oz 51 $2.55 Time Remaining: 22d 17h 52m Buy It Now for only: $2.55 |
 6 Titanium Spinners Bass Walleye Crappie Salmon Lures $12.99 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 32m |
 25 Bass Walleye Salmon Crappie Fishing Lures NIP $8.99 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 37m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 Old Man River GREEN w black CHERRY BOBBER Spinner SALMONTROUTWalleyePike BASS $5.25 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 58m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 Marabou Glider Jigs Steelhead Walleye Crappie Salmon G $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 NEW LAKE TROLL LURE FLASHER DODGER COW BELLS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $11.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 47m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 Marabou Glider Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie E $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 NEW LAKE TROLL LURE FLASHER DODGER COW BELLS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $11.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 47m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 9 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 NEW LAKE TROLL LURE FLASHER DODGER COW BELLS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $11.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 48m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 Reef Runner Deep Little Ripper 600 in Color LIGHTS OUT for Walleye Trout Salmon $6.49 Time Remaining: 25d 6h 20m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 NEW LAKE TROLL LURE FLASHER DODGER COW BELLS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $11.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 48m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 NEW LAKE TROLL LURE FLASHER DODGER COW BELLS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $11.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 48m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 8 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 NEW LAKE TROLL LURE FLASHER DODGER COW BELLS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD $11.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 48m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 6 Titanium Spinners Bass Walleye Crappie Salmon Lures $12.99 Time Remaining: 16d 18h 26m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 NEW WEDDING RING LURES FLASHERS TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD WALLEYE PIKE $9.95 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 46m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 Marabou Glider Jigs Steelhead Walleye Crappie Salmon J $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 21m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 R R Tackle Split Diamond MagnumTrolling Spoons Lot of 12 Salmon Trout Walleye $16.99 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 48m |
 4 Titanium Spinners Bass Walleye Crappie Salmon Lures $9.99 Time Remaining: 12d 13h 42m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Rego Tackle Company Walleye rig worm harness Salmon sliding hook 4 bait size $13.50 Time Remaining: 6d 18h 23m |
 7pc Foxee Fish Flatfish 4 Bass Pike Walleye Salmon 1 $18.99 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 49m Buy It Now for only: $18.99 |
 LOT FLOATS BOBBERS FOAM CUSTOM MADE TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD CRAPPIE PIKE $4.95 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 8 Assorted fishing Spoons Trout Walleye Salmon bass fresh or salt water jigs $13.99 Time Remaining: 11d 15h 42m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 LOT FLOATS BOBBERS FOAM CUSTOM MADE TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD CRAPPIE PIKE $6.95 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 7 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 LOT FLOATS BOBBERS FOAM CUSTOM MADE TROUT WALLEYE SALMON STEELHEAD CRAPPIE PIKE $4.95 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 LOT WEBER SPOON FISHING LURES CHROME TROUT BASS WALLEYE PIKE STEELHEAD SALMON $9.95 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 36m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 Old Man River Hot Pink black CHERRY BOBBER Spinner Bait SALMONTroutWalleye $5.25 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 18m Buy It Now for only: $7.95 |
 5 salmon steelheadbass walleye jigs 1 8 oz 46 glitter head $2.55 Time Remaining: 22d 17h 52m Buy It Now for only: $2.55 |
 LOT JIGS 1 2 OZ JIGS WITH SKIRT BASS TROUT WALLEYE STEELHEAD PIKE SALMON KOKANEE $9.95 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 45m |
 8 fishing Spoons Trout Walleye Salmon bass pike spoons fresh or salt water $14.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 10m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 LOT JIGS 1 4 OZ JIGS SQUID SKIRTS BASS TROUT WALLEYE STEELHEAD SALMON KOKANEE $9.95 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 47m |
 Marabou Wobble Jigs Steelhead Walleye Salmon Crappie 2 $7.50 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 LOT JIGS 1 3 OZ JIGS SQUID SKIRTS BASS TROUT WALLEYE STEELHEAD SALMON KOKANEE $9.95 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 49m |
Walleye Salmon
How to Choose a Fishing Charter - for Lake Erie or Anywhere Else
Is lining up a charted fishing trip as simple as picking the phone number of a captain listed in the ad section of a fishing magazine? Short answer - maybe.
Lake Erie, for example, has such a diverse selection of fish that many charter services focus only on one or two species. Book with a salmon guide when you want to troll for some walleye and you could short-circuit your trip even before launch. The majority of guides and captains are dedicated business people intent on providing their sports ('sport' is the term for fishermen who hire a service to take them fishing) the best time on the water they've ever had. But what it means to have a great time fishing can mean different things to different folks.
Help yourself and your Lake Erie charter captain by doing a bit of investigating:
What Type of Fish do You Want to Catch?
If you want big Lake Erie walleyes, say so; if you'd like king salmon, say so and do it more than once. Be sure to politely grill the guide or captain on what fish they spend the bulk of their time angling for. When business is slow a guide service may say, yes, they do fish for walleye, even though they focus on bass. Hey, most everyone on Lake Erie fishes for walleye at some point and the charter captain in question may be very good at catching walleye, but a conscientious guide will always be up front with you about their expertise.
What Fishing Method Do You Want to Use?
A fishermen who likes to drift deep baits for Lake Erie walleye could be miserable spending his day on the water listening to the drone of outboards trolling lures for walleye. Again, asking questions about how a charter service fishes is critical. Try to be as specific as possible when describing what kind of fishing you'd like to do. Both you and the charter captain could end up frustrated if you keep asking to shut down and drift when he's more confident covering more water by trolling. Same as everywhere else, the best Lake Erie guides and charters are flexible and try to adapt quickly to the desires of their clients.
But don't forget that catching lots of fish is most often the bottom line by whcih charter services are judged. If you tell your friends what a great guy Captain X was but that you didn't catch many fish, the captain knows most anglers hearing this story will look for someone else who puts fish in the boat. Word of mouth, after all, is the number one means of advertising and referrals for the vast majority of charters.
How Much Will it Cost?
Be sure to explain how many people will be going on the charter and how long you'd like to fish. Most captains and guides book half day or full day trips and price accordingly. Don't bite off more than you can chew - unless you fish many days a year and are used to being out in the elements in a rocking boat for hours on end, you should consider a half day charter, which usually last 3-5 hours. The trip may be over too soon but you leave feeling charged up and not worn out by a long day on the water.
Though charter trips often run more than $200/angler, sports should expect to tip your Lake Erie charter captain a minimum of $30 (mates a little less) to express your appreciation of how hard he or she worked to make your trip a success. Notice I didn't say you should tip because you caught lots of fish - the tip is for recognition of your guide's effort, attention to details, flexibility, and safe boatmanship. A bad guide may not deserve a tip and if that is how you feel, then politely explain why and be on your way. And if you can't afford a tip, that's just the way things are; but keep in mind a handshake and smile won't keep the captain's family warm in winter when the lake is iced over.
Other Important Factors to Consider
What kind of food and beverages, if any, will the charter service provide? Do you need to bring your own rain gear, sunscreen, or motion sickness pills? Be sure to bring your own camera to record the good times. Does the boat have a private head (bathroom)? What is the departure time exactly? Be ready to go, it's your own time and money you'll be wasting by arriving late.
While no Lake Erie charter captain likes people getting drunk onboard, some don't mind sports having a beer or two; some forbid alcohol of any kind, so ask in advance if you like cracking a cold one after landing a big walleye.
And be certain to find out in advance what the guide's cancellation policy is. There are only so many days of fishing season and each one is very important to charter services so don't leave them hanging by backing out at the last second because you don't feel like going anymore. It's bad manners and you might not get your money back. On the other hand, places like Lake Erie can get pretty nasty in foul weather and no guide or captain should demand their sports endure unpleasant conditions just to make a buck.
For most people, hiring a charter captain to lead you to a trophy walleye, salmon, bass, or steelhead is a rare treat. Following the steps outlined above will go a long way toward making your Lake Erie walleye charter, or any fishing charter, the trip of lifetime.
About the Author
Paul and Ken have a combined 60 plus years of fishing experience at many of the top spots around the US and the world. Goto Fishing Tips for more of our tips on how to catch more fish and have fun doing it.
Trophy Specialists Fishing Charters Slide Show of Great Lakes Walleye, Salmon and Trout Video