5.0(3 Reviews)Lake Erie Fishing Charter | 8 Hour Offshore
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
8-hour Lake Erie charter targeting walleye and yellow perchCaptain John Ware guides groups up to 6 guestsOhio fishing license required, not included with trip
When you're looking for serious walleye and perch action on Lake Erie, Captain John Ware and the H2oBoss Charters crew know exactly where to put you on the fish. These aren't your typical half-day trips – we're talking about full 7-8 hour adventures that give you the time to really dial in on the bite and fill the cooler. Lake Erie's got a reputation as one of the top walleye fisheries in North America, and after spending a day out here with Captain John, you'll understand why anglers make the pilgrimage from all over the country just to wet a line in these waters.
Your charter kicks off early, which is exactly how you want it when you're chasing walleye. Captain John runs a tight ship that accommodates up to 6 anglers, so you've got plenty of elbow room without feeling like you're fishing solo out there. The beauty of these longer trips is that you're not rushed – if the fish are finicky in one spot, there's time to move around and find where they're holding. Lake Erie changes personality throughout the day, and Captain John reads these waters like a book. Morning might have you working structure in 25 feet of water, while the afternoon bite could fire off over deeper humps or along temperature breaks. The first mate – whether it's Rick or Scott – stays busy keeping lines in the water, nets ready, and the deck organized. These guys know that time spent untangling lines or searching for tackle is time not spent catching fish.
Lake Erie walleye fishing is all about precision trolling, and Captain John's got the system down to a science. You'll be pulling a spread of planer boards, diving crankbaits, and bottom bouncers depending on what the fish are telling you. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels that can handle everything from finicky 14-inch eaters to those chunky 8-pound females that make your drag sing. Planer boards let you cover water efficiently – you might have six or eight lines working different depths and distances from the boat simultaneously. When the bite's hot, it's not uncommon to have multiple rods doubled over at once. The crew handles the technical stuff like boat speed, lure selection, and reading the electronics, but don't worry – they'll walk you through everything so you understand what's happening below. Bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses are the bread and butter setup, especially when fish are hugging the bottom in 30-50 feet of water. The key is matching your presentation to the mood of the fish, and that's where experience pays off.
"Captain John and his first mate Rick were both great! They were patient with us and our boys throughout the trip and were fun to fish with as well! They got us on the fish and worked hard to get us to our limits! We couldn't be more happy and will definitely go out with them on our next Erie trip!!!" - Josh
"Great day of fishing!! Captain Ware and First Mate Scott were great to fish with!" - David
"Wow! What a great trip. 2 day walleye fishing charter with Captain John and first mate Scott was perfect. First day was slow to start, the fish just weren't there. Caught a couple. We repositioned about 30 minutes to the east and BAM! Nonstop action. Limited out. Day number 2 we went back to same place. Caught fish all day long. Several big catfish also (Ky boys like em). Scott the first mate knew his stuff. We can't speak highly enough of this guy. Captain John and Scott are a great combination that in my opinion can't be topped. Trips like that are the ones that will never be forgotten. Thank you Justin, Tony, Brad, and Pops" - Tony
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie, and for good reason. These fish are pure gold – excellent table fare and fighters that know how to use the current to their advantage. Erie walleye run bigger than most inland lakes, with fish in the 3-6 pound range being common and occasional giants pushing 8-10 pounds. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer fishing can be fantastic when you find the thermocline. Walleye relate heavily to structure and temperature breaks, which is why Captain John's electronics and local knowledge are so crucial. They're sight feeders that become more active during low light periods, making early morning and evening some of the most productive times. What makes walleye so appealing to anglers is their willingness to bite when you put the right presentation in front of them – and their firm, white fillets that fry up perfectly.
American Yellow Perch might be smaller than walleye, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and aggressive attitudes. When you find a school of jumbo perch – we're talking 10-12 inchers – the action can be nonstop. These fish travel in large groups and compete with each other for food, which means once you locate them, you can often catch dozens in short order. Perch fishing peaks in late summer and early fall when they're feeding heavily before winter. They prefer slightly shallower water than walleye, often holding over rocky bottom or near weed edges in 15-35 feet. The best part about perch is they're not finicky – if they're in the area, they'll usually bite. Plus, perch fillets are sweet and delicate, perfect for a fish fry. Many anglers target them specifically because kids and novice fishermen can catch them consistently, making for memorable family trips.
Lake Erie fishing with H2oBoss Charters isn't just about catching fish – though you'll definitely do that. It's about experiencing one of the Great Lakes'
Our 27-foot Sportcraft is your ticket to Lake Erie's best walleye and perch action. This reliable 2001 walkaround sleeps up to 6 anglers comfortably with a roomy cabin perfect for those long fishing days. The 310HP Mercruiser gets you to the hotspots fast, cruising at 30 knots across Erie's waters. Captain John has this boat dialed in with everything you need - wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches, fish finder to mark schools, GPS to hit productive structure, and VHF radio for safety. The walkaround design gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. With onboard facilities and space to store your gear, you'll stay comfortable whether the perch are biting shallow or you're targeting walleye in deeper water. This boat handles Lake Erie's conditions well and gets you back to port with coolers full of fish.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are Lake Erie favorites that typically run 7-10 inches and travel in schools of 50-200 fish. Once you find one, you've likely found dozens more. They hang around structure like weed beds, drop-offs, and rocky areas in 15-30 feet of water. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they pack into tight schools. What makes them special? They're scrappy fighters for their size and absolutely fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Plus, they're perfect for families since kids can catch them easily. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your line in the same spot. The rest of the school is usually right there waiting.
Sander VitreusWalleye are Lake Erie's crown jewel, averaging 2-4 pounds with trophy fish pushing 8+ pounds. Those distinctive glassy eyes help them hunt in low light, making dawn and dusk prime time. They cruise rock piles, weed edges, and drop-offs in 15-35 feet, often suspending near baitfish schools. Spring and fall produce the hottest action when they move shallow to feed. Anglers love them because they fight smart - using their weight and making strong runs. But honestly, most folks are after that sweet, mild white meat that's considered the best eating in freshwater. My go-to trick? Slow-troll live minnows just off bottom along structure breaks. When walleye are feeding, nothing beats live bait.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain John and his first mate Rick were both great! They were patient with us and our boys throughout the trip and were fun to f...
Josh Brigham, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip. Josh and his...
Great day of fishing!! Captain Ware and First Mate Scott were great to fish with!
David Doerger, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Wow! What a great trip. 2 day walleye fishing charter with Captain John and first mate Scott was perfect. First day was slow t...
Tony Harris , Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Lake Erie