Weight-Forward Spinner
A spinner with the weight molded ahead of the blade so it casts far and sinks fast to a counted depth - the classic Lake Erie walleye lure tipped with a nightcrawler.
The weight-forward spinner is the lure that defined open-water walleye fishing on the Great Lakes. Its weight sits in front of the spinner blade and hook, so it casts like a bullet and knifes down to any depth you count it to. Tipped with a nightcrawler, it's cast to schools of walleye suspended over open water, counted down to their level, and retrieved with a slow, steady swim. Few lures cover suspended fish as efficiently, and generations of Erie anglers swear by it.
What it is & how it works
A lure with a lead body molded ahead of a spinner blade and a single hook, designed to be tipped with live bait (usually a crawler). The forward weight makes it cast far and sink fast and vertically, while the blade spins on the retrieve for flash and vibration. Counting it down lets you present the crawler-tipped spinner at the exact depth suspended walleye are holding.
When & where it shines
Suspended open-water walleye on large lakes and reservoirs, especially the Great Lakes tradition of casting to fish located on electronics or surface activity. It shines when walleye scatter over open water off structure and you need to reach a specific depth quickly and cover water. It also takes white bass and other open-water fish feeding on bait.
How to fish it
Cast to located or suspended fish, then count the lure down (roughly a foot per second, adjusted for weight) to the target depth. Begin a slow, steady retrieve that turns the blade and swims the crawler naturally. Vary the count and speed to find the fish. Walleye often take on the fall or the first turns, so stay tight from the moment it hits the strike zone.
Tackle & rigging
Medium spinning tackle with monofilament or a fluoro leader, matched to the lure weight. Hook a lively nightcrawler once or twice so it trails straight and doesn't foul the blade. Match weight to the depth and wind - heavier to reach deep suspended fish, lighter for shallower work.
Colors & sizes
Chartreuse, orange, gold and silver blades are Erie staples, with the whole lure sized to the walleye and forage. Brighter blades in stained water or bright sun; more natural in clear. Heavier bodies for deep suspended fish, lighter for shallow schools.
Common mistakes
Not counting it down so it never reaches the fish's depth, retrieving too fast so the crawler washes out and the blade over-spins, threading the crawler so it fouls the hook and kills the action, and ignoring the fall, when many walleye actually take the lure.