5.0(3 Reviews)Private 6-Hour Lake Erie Trolling Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 6-hour trolling adventure on Lake Erie watersAvailable April through October with expert guide serviceIntimate 2-guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Captain Frank and the South of Heaven Guide Service crew know Lake Erie like the back of their hands, and they're ready to put you on some seriously good fish. This private 6-hour trolling charter runs from April through mid-October when the fishing is at its peak. You'll have the boat to yourself with just one other angler, which means personalized attention and the flexibility to fish your way. Whether you're after those chunky walleye or looking to fill the cooler with jumbo perch, this top-rated charter delivers the goods time and again.
You'll meet Captain Frank at the dock bright and early, ready to hit Lake Erie's most productive waters. This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing trip – Frank tailors each charter based on current conditions, seasonal patterns, and what's biting best. The boat is rigged with quality downriggers and planer boards, plus all the tackle you'll need to get into fish. With just two anglers max, you'll get hands-on instruction if you want it, or Frank will stay out of your way if you prefer to work the rods yourself. The 6-hour window gives you plenty of time to cover water and find active schools without feeling rushed. Frank's been guiding these waters for years and has built a solid reputation for putting clients on fish when other boats are struggling.
Trolling is the name of the game out here, and Frank runs a tight ship with top-notch equipment. You'll be pulling a spread of lures at various depths using downriggers to get your baits down to where the fish are holding. Depending on the season and conditions, that might mean working the deeper basins for suspended walleye or hitting the reef edges where perch stack up. The boat carries an arsenal of proven producers – everything from deep-diving crankbaits to spoons and crawler harnesses. Frank reads his electronics like a book and isn't afraid to make moves when the action slows down. You'll learn to watch for bait schools, temperature breaks, and structure that holds fish. The beauty of trolling is it covers water efficiently while keeping your lures in the strike zone consistently.
"Frank was very knowledgeable and patient, Hard worker. We would recommend South of Heaven to anyone wanting to fish in the area. Louie and Tom Rankin" - JL
"I have fished with many guides in many places but i have never fished with such a knowledgeable harder working guide. We fished two days when many other guides were struggling we were limited out in three hours!!!" - Thomas
"Great trip caught approximately 30 walleye most trophy size. My 12 year old son and I caught out personal best walleye. I also caught the biggest fish of my life. A 30 inch plus drum. Way to go Captain Frank!!!" - Nathan
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of Lake Erie fishing, and for good reason. These golden beauties school up in massive numbers, especially during the spring and fall runs. Perch in Erie average 10-12 inches, with plenty of jumbos pushing 13-14 inches that make for world-class table fare. They're most active in the cooler months of the season, often relating to rocky reefs and drop-offs in 25-45 feet of water. What makes perch fishing so addictive is the potential for non-stop action – when you find a good school, you can catch dozens in short order. They're also one of the best eating fish in the lake, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie and the fish most anglers dream about. These golden predators can reach impressive sizes here, with fish over 10 pounds caught regularly and trophy specimens pushing into the teens. Peak walleye action typically happens in spring during the spawn and again in fall when they fatten up for winter. Summer fishing can be productive too, especially early morning and evening. Walleye are structure-oriented fish that love rocky reefs, humps, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. They're notoriously finicky eaters, which makes landing a good one all the more satisfying. Plus, walleye are outstanding on the dinner table – many consider them the best freshwater eating fish around.
Lake Erie's fishing season waits for no one, and the best dates fill up fast with Captain Frank. This customer favorite charter combines Frank's local knowledge with top-notch equipment and a personalized approach that bigger operations simply can't match. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to boat some trophy walleye or newer to the sport and want to experience Erie's renowned perch fishing, this 6-hour private charter delivers the goods. The season runs April 1st through October 15th, so you've got plenty of opportunities to get out there. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing windows book up weeks in advance, especially during peak times.
Hit the productive waters of Lake Erie aboard our 30-foot Sportcraft cuddy cabin cruiser, a 2019 vessel built specifically for serious fishing. This well-equipped boat handles Lake Erie's conditions with confidence, powered by a 320HP Mercruiser that cruises smoothly at 30 knots to get you to the best fishing spots quickly. The cuddy cabin design provides shelter when needed, while our fish finder technology helps locate schools and structure below. You'll have GPS navigation and radar for safe travel, plus an onboard icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The boat comfortably fishes up to 4 anglers with plenty of deck space for trolling lines. A marine head adds convenience for longer trips on the water. Whether you're targeting walleye, steelhead, or perch, this modern sportfisher has everything needed for a productive day of Lake Erie trolling from April through October.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are Lake Erie's bread-and-butter fish, running 7-10 inches and schooling in massive groups. You'll find them around structure like reeds and docks, especially in spring when they move shallow to spawn. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes are active all season, but really turn on during cooler water periods. What makes them special? They're fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Plus, when you find one school, you've often found 200 fish. The trick here is using light tackle with small jigs or live minnows. Once you locate a school, work it thoroughly - they'll stick around and keep biting. Perfect species for getting kids hooked on fishing since they're aggressive and fun to catch.
Sander VitreusLake Erie walleye are the crown jewel of Great Lakes fishing, averaging 2-4 pounds with some reaching 8+ pounds. These golden predators cruise 15-40 foot depths along rock piles and break lines, moving shallow at dawn and dusk to feed. Spring through fall offers solid action, but late spring and early fall are prime time when they're most active. Anglers love them for two reasons - they fight smart and dirty, and the meat is absolutely top-tier eating. Those silver eyes aren't just for show - they give walleye incredible low-light vision. My go-to tip: troll crawler harnesses just off bottom along the thermocline. When you mark baitfish suspended, the walleye are usually right below them.
5.0 out of 5.0Frank was very knowledgeable and patient, Hard worker. We would recommend South of Heaven to anyone wanting to fish in the area. L...
I have fished with many guides in many places but i have never fished with such a knowledgeable harder working guide. We fished tw...
Great trip caught approximately 30 walleye most trophy size. My 12 year old son and I caught out personal best walleye. I also cau...
Lake Erie