Perch/Walleye Combo Trips - Weekends
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
10-hour weekend trips targeting walleye and perch speciesCaptain Eric provides professional guidance and complete fishing equipmentAccommodates up to 6 guests on inshore fishing adventures
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting two of the tastiest fish swimming? Captain Eric's weekend combo trips put you right where the walleye and perch are biting. This 10-hour charter gives you serious time to dial in both species, learning techniques that'll make you a better angler long after you head home. With room for up to 6 anglers, it's perfect for groups wanting to share the experience of pulling in dinner while picking up real skills from a pro who knows these waters inside and out.
Captain Eric brings years of local knowledge and all the gear you'll need – rods, reels, tackle, and everything in between. The 10-hour format isn't just about maximizing fish time; it's about adapting to what's working as conditions change throughout the day. Morning might have us targeting walleye in deeper structure, then shifting to perch beds when the afternoon bite picks up. You'll learn to read electronics, understand how these fish relate to bottom structure, and pick up presentation techniques that work in different scenarios. Fair warning – if you're prone to seasickness, grab some Dramamine before we head out. The motion can get to anyone, and you don't want to spend the day feeding fish instead of catching them. Pack snacks and drinks since we're not providing meals, and make sure you've got your fishing license sorted before we leave the dock.
This combo trip means switching between different approaches as we target each species. For walleye, we'll work with everything from jigging spoons and blade baits in deeper water to pulling crawler harnesses and crankbaits along structure edges. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want – sometimes they're aggressive and chase moving baits, other times you need to slow down and work bottom with a subtle jig-and-minnow setup. Perch fishing shifts the game plan entirely. We'll often anchor up on productive spots and work lighter tackle with small jigs, spoons, or live bait rigs. Captain Eric will show you how to feel the difference between a perch pickup and bottom contact – it's subtle but crucial for consistent success. Electronics play a huge role in both fisheries, and you'll learn how to spot fish on the graph and understand how they relate to bottom contours and structure.
American Yellow Perch are pure fun on light tackle and absolutely fantastic eating. These schooling fish typically run 8-12 inches, though bigger ones pushing 14 inches show up regularly. Perch are most active during cooler months, making them perfect targets for late fall and early spring trips. When you find one perch, there's usually a whole school nearby, so the action can get hot fast. They're aggressive feeders that hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait with authority. What makes perch special is their willingness to bite – even kids can catch them consistently once you're on fish. The firm, white meat is some of the best you'll find, making every perch in the cooler a win.
Walleye are the ultimate combination of challenge and reward. These fish average 15-20 inches but bigger ones in the 24-28 inch range make regular appearances. They're notorious for their light bite and finicky moods, which makes landing them feel like a real accomplishment. Walleye feed most actively during low-light periods – dawn, dusk, and overcast days – but they can be caught throughout the day with the right approach. They relate heavily to structure like drop-offs, rock piles, and weed edges, making them perfect for learning how fish use habitat. The meat is incredibly versatile – mild flavor that works fried, baked, or in fish tacos. Catching a limit of eating-size walleye is something every angler should experience.
This weekend combo trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want – quality time on productive water with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. You'll head home with a cooler full of great eating fish and techniques that work long after this trip ends. Captain Eric's approach focuses on teaching while fishing, so you're not just along for the ride – you're learning skills that make you more successful every time you hit the water. The 6-person capacity keeps groups manageable, ensuring everyone gets hands-on attention and plenty of opportunities to work different techniques. Whether you're new to these species or looking to refine your approach, this trip delivers the kind of fishing experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Captain Eric's fishing boat is set up perfectly for those weekend perch and walleye combos that keep anglers coming back. This motorboat handles inshore waters with confidence, equipped with radar to keep you on the fish even when visibility drops. The fully-equipped kitchen lets you prep fresh catches or heat up those snacks you brought along, while the onboard ice box keeps your beer cold and your fish fresh. Between bites, kick back with the multimedia entertainment system or catch the game on TV. The boat's got a proper head with shower facilities, so you can clean up after handling bait and fish all day. With room for six anglers plus wheelchair accessibility, everyone gets a shot at landing dinner. Captain Eric provides all the tackle you'll need for this 10-hour fishing adventure, so just grab your fishing license, pack some motion sickness meds if you're prone to getting queasy, and get ready to learn the tricks for pulling walleyes and perch from their favorite hiding spots.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are scrappy little fighters that average 7-8 inches and make up about 85% of what we catch in these waters. They school up in groups of 200 or more around weed beds, docks, and rocky structure, usually in 10-20 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime times, but they bite year-round. What makes them special? They're one of the best eating fish you'll find - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. Plus, when you find one perch, you've found the whole school. My tip: use small jigs tipped with minnows or worms, and once you hook into one, work that spot hard. The rest of the school will be right there waiting.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the crown jewel of freshwater fishing - sleek predators that average 14-18 inches with those distinctive glowing eyes. They hang around rocky points, weed edges, and drop-offs in 15-30 feet during the day, then move shallow at dusk to hunt. Evening and early morning are money times, especially in spring and fall when they're most active. What makes them worth targeting? They put up a solid fight and are hands down the best eating fish in freshwater - mild, flaky, and buttery. Here's my go-to trick: troll slowly with live minnows on a bottom bouncer rig along structure transitions. Those sharp teeth mean they hit hard, so keep your drag loose and be ready.
Marblehead, OH