Bladebaits are available in colors similar to spoons. Half-ounce 3-inch versions in metallic colors from dull to chrome, often with prism tape, are popular. Most bladebaits have multiple line attachments (holes) along the back that require the use of a small snap, rather than tying directly to the metal body. Changing the attachment point varies wobbling action.
Seldom used for walleyes as a casting lure, bladebaits nevertheless have applications for swimming or lift-dropping retrieves to cover large areas. Mann’s Mann Dancer, a unique bladebait with the flat lure body turned horizontally rather than vertically, makes a great swimming as well as vertical jigging lure. Heddon Sonars are available with added rattles.
Tailspinners—Tailspinners like Mann’s Little George are an ignored walleye option deserving more attention. Their heavy lead bodies range from 1/4 to 1 ounce, with a belly-mounted treble hook teamed with a blade that spins on a clevis at the tail. The combo creates an aggressive, vibrating, flashing lure for casting and vertical jigging.
For vertical jigging, work them as you would spoons and bladebaits. Tailspinners vibrate hardest on the upward surge, though the blade flutters and flashes on the drop. For casting, let the lure drop to the bottom on a taut line, while holding the rod tip at about 10 o’clock. Once it touches bottom, sweep it toward you by raising the rod and retrieving line. Hold your rod tip high to skip the bait over bottom, to minimize frequent snags that are characteristic to this style of lure.
Weight-Forward Spinners and Variations—Weight-forward spinners are versatile lures good for long-distance casting, fishing over shallow weeds or rocks, or using a countdown method to strain the depths from subsurface to perhaps 40 feet. They incorporate a weight, leader, spinner, and large single hook onto which an entire nightcrawler is threaded. They originated on Lake Erie for casting. Count down to the desired depth, then retrieve for suspended fish. Strain different depths on consecutive casts without having to change lures. Once you find the approximate depth of active fish, it’s easy to zero in with the right combination of sinking time and lure size (from 1/4- to 11⁄2-ounce).
Storm’s Hot’N Tot Pygmy, the Erie Dearie, Fofrich’s Walleye Lure, and numerous generics abound around Lake Erie, though they’re often difficult to obtain in other areas. Silvers, chartreuses, and greens predominate, matching the colors of light-colored suspended baitfish.
Lindy-Little Joe’s Flippin’ Harness is a weight-far-forward spinner designed by Lake Erie charter skipper Jim Fofrich Sr. for use on spooky fish in clearer water following the filtering effect of zebra mussels. It looks like a trolling or drifting rig for use on bottom and could, of course, be fished that way. But its primary function is as a casting rig, much like a weight-forward spinner, except that the weight is separated from the spinner harness by about 20 inches of mono. The result often is a better reaction from fussy walleyes suspended high in the clear water column. They apparently strike the rig more aggressively or are able to inhale the harness easier without having to engulf the lead weight.
The Pa’s Lure is a lipped, heavy lead spinner rig somewhat similar to a weight-forward spinner, but commonly used as a trolling option for presenting crawlers to big suspended ‘eyes on Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.
