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Baiting your Erie Dearie
You can use your favorite live bait, but we like to use nightcrawlers. Take one half of a nightcrawler and thread the end of the worm on the hook until the worm looks like a "J." Do not leave any portion of the worm hanging past the hook. This method eliminates most of the (bait stealers and short hits.)
The system developed by Charter Skippers to take suspended fish. After a cast is made a slow count is used (one thousand-one, one thousand-two, a 5/8 ounce weight will fall about a foot a second) to permit the lure to sink to the desired level, then a slow retrieve is used. If after several casts there is no strike, the count is either increased or decreased until you find the strike zone. You may also time your lure with the second hand of a watch.
With the help of fish finders it is easy to use the count method just keep in mind, how much weight you are using. In addition, how fast you are counting, and the water conditions (wave actions 2-3 foot, 4-5 foot) you are fishing in will depend on how fast your lure will drop.
Hint: If you are walleye fishing, remember walleyes cannot see down, they can only see at there level and above. So, keep your lure at their level or slightly above.
When fishing the swing cast your lure at a right angle to the direction of the drift. Countdown your lure to the level of the fish and retrieve slowly permitting it to swing in a large arc before coming to the boat. Most strikes occur as the lure changes direction towards the boat.
Cast your lure and let settle to your desired depth. Start your retrieve and move your rod 2 to 3 feet to the side pulling up your lure. Keep your line tight as you retrieve line when returning rod to starting point. (Pay close attention to your line, as hits will occur during this motion.) Repeat rod movement.
Remember presentation is everything, the more your lure looks like injured bait, the more enticing it becomes to the fish.
Cast your lure and let settle to your desired depth, wind lure quickly for 5 or 6 turns, then slowly for 5 or 6 turns, then fast again 5 or 6 turns. No results let settle, and then repeat.
Many times when drift fishing for suspended walleye and a hit is missed, if the angler drops his rod tip toward the lure and stops his retrieve the fish will strike again. Keep in mind most fish are aggressive feeders, and if they think they injured their prey they will come back for the kill.