If you fish around Brunswick, OH, you’re in a great spot: small local lakes for shore and light-boat trolling, plus easy drives to bigger water like Lake Erie when you want true open-water trolling for walleye. Below is a practical guide to the trolling equipment that works well here, where to buy/ask for help nearby, and a few local tips so you spend more time catching fish and less time guessing gear. However, to buy directly, you can search trolling equipment near brunswick ohio online on the go.
Quick snapshot — what “trolling equipment” means
Trolling gear covers the systems you use to fish while your boat is moving slowly (or to present lures/bait at controlled depths from a stationary boat). Core categories:
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Trolling motor / mount (pushes and steers the boat at trolling speeds)
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Downriggers & line release systems (set and maintain precise depth)
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Rods & conventional reels built for trolling (longer rods, roller guides for heavy lines)
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Lines & leaders (braid/monofilament/leadcore/flatline depending on depth)
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Lures, planer boards, weights, and snaps/releases for presentation and coverage
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Electronics — fishfinder/sonar and GPS/spot-lock systems for holding and finding fish
Where to buy help & gear near Brunswick
If you want hands-on advice or same-day gear, try these nearby shops — they stock trolling basics and can point you to local tactics:
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Fin Feather Fur Outfitters — Middleburg Heights: large regional outfitter carrying rods, reels, and marine accessories; good for talking through motor and tackle choices.
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Harbor Bait & Tackle (Northeast Ohio / Fairport Harbor area): family-run shop that stocks live bait, tackle and local Lake Erie know-how — great if you’re heading to the lake for walleye.
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Frank’s Tackle (Cleveland area): a classic local tackle shop where you can get conventional trolling reels, terminal tackle and experienced tips.
If you want big-name motors and downriggers, marine specialists and online retailers will have the full lineups (see brands below). For small repairs, stops at the local tackle shops above will often save you a trip.
Recommended gear (what I’d pack / buy for trolling around Brunswick)
1) Trolling motor — the workhorse
For any boat you troll from (aluminum, jon, or small bass boat), a dependable bow or transom mount electric trolling motor with GPS/spot-lock features makes a huge difference. Minn Kota is the category leader — their buying guides and motor families are where many anglers start when picking thrust and features. If you plan to fish Lake Erie or larger reservoirs, choose higher thrust and GPS features.
Buy tip: measure your shaft length and boat weight first, and ask the shop about battery capacity (amp-hours) so you don’t run out mid-troll.
2) Downriggers & line release systems
If you chase deep walleye on Lake Erie or deep reservoirs, a downrigger lets you present bait at a precise depth. Cannon is one of the most common and reliable downrigger brands (manual and electric models). Pair a downrigger with quality quick-release clips and corrosion-resistant cable.
Buy tip: if you’re new to downriggers, start with a simple manual model and learn how to clip and release before spending on multiple electric units.
3) Rods & reels
Use medium-heavy trolling rods with roller or ball-bearing tip guides paired with a conventional trolling reel (sufficient line capacity for your chosen depth and leader). Brands vary — local shops can match rods to the line and lure you plan to run.
4) Lines, leaders & terminal tackle
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Main line: braid for sensitivity and strength (easier to handle on electric reels), or monofilament/flatline depending on setup.
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Leadcore or flatline if you must get lures down without a downrigger.
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Planer boards, snaps, swivel leaders, and appropriate swivels/weights — local shops stock the specific sizes used on Lake Erie for walleye trolling.
5) Electronics
A fishfinder with side-scan and clear depth readout plus GPS/waypoint capability is essential for both local ponds (structure) and Lake Erie (reefs, shoals). If you use Minn Kota i-Pilot/Quest systems, GPS features integrate with motor control—very handy for maintaining lines.
Local water and seasonal tips (Brunswick area)
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Brunswick Lake & local ponds are good practice waters for learning rigs and shallow trolling; Brunswick Lake Park is a neighborhood spot to test line setups. (City fishing rules may apply — check park regs before heading out).
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Lake Erie (driving distance) is the big draw for trolling walleye — spring and fall are especially productive for walleye and are prime times to use downriggers, planer boards, and deeper presentations. For up-to-date season notes, the Ohio DNR and local charter reports are great resources.
Practical shopping and setup checklist
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Decide whether you’re fishing small local lakes (lighter, simpler trolling setups) or Lake Erie (downriggers, heavy-duty motors).
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Visit a local shop (Fin Feather Fur, Harbor Bait, Frank’s) with your boat measurements and budget — ask them to help size a trolling motor and batteries.
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Buy a fishfinder + GPS if you don’t have one.
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Start with one good downrigger or a set of planer boards rather than a full multi-station rig — learn one system well.
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Practice clipping and releasing lines in calm water before a tougher Lake Erie trip.
Final tips & next steps
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If you want brand recommendations and a shopping list tailored to your boat length and fishing targets (shore/pond, reservoir, or Lake Erie walleye), tell me your boat type, how many anglers, and your budget — I’ll make a compact gear shopping list and a few model suggestions.
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Want local repair/installation help? I can list phone numbers and driving distances for the shops above and flag whether they offer install services.
Tight lines — and if you want, I’ll build a printable checklist for a Lake Erie trolling trip (rigs, lures, spare parts) based on the gear level you choose.
