Western Basin Lake Erie Walleye Fishing with 131 Custom Lures KO Shallow Bandits
By Captain Jim Chamberlin of Fish With Jim Outfitters
The Western Basin of Lake Erie continues to produce excellent spring Walleye fishing, and recently Rob Cardinal, his son Robbie, and a friend put together a fantastic day on the water using the 131 Custom Lures KO Shallow Bandits.
The crew focused on shallow water areas in the Western Basin, targeting fish in 12–16 feet of water while surface temperatures ranged between 52–54 degrees. The setup was simple, effective, and a perfect example of how productive spring Walleye trolling can be on Lake Erie.
Their rods were rigged with 15 lb monofilament and the KO Shallow Bandits were deployed 60–80 feet behind inline planer boards. Trolling speeds around 2 mph proved to be the sweet spot for triggering aggressive strikes throughout the day.
The spread was straightforward but extremely productive:
- 131 Custom Lures KO Shallow Bandits
- 15 lb monofilament
- Inline planer boards
- 60–80 feet back
- 2.0 mph trolling speed
- 12–16 feet of water
One of the best parts of the trip was watching young Robbie battle Walleye on his Okuma 7’6” medium light action trolling rods paired with Daiwa 27 linecounter reels. The lighter action setup made every fish a blast to fight and created a fun experience for anglers of all ages.
Along with putting a great catch of Walleye in the boat, the crew also managed to catch a couple of really nice Northern Pike mixed in with the action, adding even more excitement to an already memorable day on the water.
Spring Walleye fishing on the Western Basin is all about covering water, dialing in trolling speed, and keeping baits running above active fish. The KO Shallow Bandits continue to prove themselves as an excellent option for targeting aggressive post-spawn Walleye in shallow water conditions.
As water temperatures continue to rise, the Lake Erie Walleye bite should only continue to improve. It’s a great time to get on the water, pull planer boards, and experience some of the best Walleye fishing the Midwest has to offer.