I am going to include using spawn as a live bait presentation, rather than do something on its own. Just not going to write a whole about it since the whole prestation factor was included back when the discussion was on using roe for catching salmon. Just downsize the test of the line you are using. Most folks will use 6 lb for a leader to the spawn bag, while others who like to play the fish a little more will use 4 lb leaders. I prefer not to use the 4 lb, just because you lose fish, have break-offs and you needlessly waste so much of the fish’s energy.
Roe/spawn can be highly effective during the spawn runs. All members of the salmonoid family turn into scavengers during their runs up river. Although the females are not actively seeking dinner, its hard for them and the males to pass up a tasty meal as it floats past their nose. Browns on Michigan’s West Coast are notorious for snapping up these treats.
Crawlers and big fat earthworms are a seldomly used effective type of bait to use to catch steelies and other members of the trout species. Like many other lessons learned about fishing, this one came from my father. When you grow up listening to stories about a parent doing something as a young man, you just want to get out and do it yourself. This particular story is centered around the Au Sable where it runs through Mio. Dad and his buddies would tent near the bridge back then, and it didn’t matter what the weather was like. Often they would wake to fresh snow on the ground. Course dad would be all smiles telling tales of how they would go the local breakfast shop, and hear stories from the fly fisherman. Quite a few of them centered around a couple of kids slinging meat and catching all their fish. Its hard to argue with success, even harder when it comes from your dad.
Another proven method of catching steelies comes from anglers who fish the Huron throughout the winter. The bait itself is quite commonly found during the winter at a lot of shops. Both maggots/spikes and waxworms are a panfish favorite for winter ice fisherman, well they catch steelhead too. Go and pick up some small panfish tube jigheads in the following sizes; 1/32nds, 1/16th, 1/8th and 1/4 oz. The size you use that particular day is determined by the speed of the current in the river.
Rig them much the same way as a spawn rig. You can also fish the smaller sizes in faster currents effectively. Just run some splitshot about four foot up the line to help keep the smaller baits down. You get a little more movement that way.