Davis

Love my hula poppers. Question: Does anyone ever add split rings to the trebles on these and the Heddon baits? I myself do not like the screw in system and eyelets that Heddon and Arbogast uses. Does this free up the hooks better? Sometimes they seem too stiff.

Curious to hear what he means as well. My best luck has been pitching or flippin it out and letting it fall on semi-slack line. Letting the bait do the job for me. Than once it hits the bottom (if it hits the bottom without getting struck first), I hop it off the floor a bit and let it fall again. Killed them this year with that technique. But you don't need me to tell you that RW. You know how productive they can be. If you guys are swimming them than your not getting the most out of the bait. Get those tenticles moving back and forth! Make sure your using a 4/0 EWG style hook. I really loved the Fat Ika on a 4/0 Owner Wide Gap rigged backwards. Hook sets are a piece of cake with those hooks. Almost like they melt through the skin. Those hooks don't tear the fish up and leave a big gap. Once there on.....chances are there staying on.

19.00 a year here in NY. Covers 10/01/07 - 09/30/08 Not sure why the dates are like that.

Wish my son would get into fishing more. He has gone out with me but he gets bored fast. Maybe as he gets older he will understand the importance of spending more than just 15 minutes with me.

All of my biggest smallies but one have come by using the 7" Berkley Power Worm. My best colors to use in my creek are: Black with a Chartruse tail Motor Oil Sometimes I rig them with a med sized split shot about 10" up and let the current take it. Going to fish tubes for smallies for the first time this spring. Before I came on this board I was fishing for smallies with what worked for me. Nobody taught me and I never watched fishing shows. Been using power worms and spinners my whole life. Can't wait to try the berkley tubes out.

Congrats Ronnie. Nice to see another brother in Christ on this board. I too work with the youth in my church and it is a very rewarding experience. Dedicating your life to Christ and following Him and His two greatest commands is what it's all about. Sounds like you are really living that life. God Bless.

Last question on the Sammy..... Getting some #4 Owner feathered trebles for a couple of baits. Do you guys think it would kill the action of the Sammy? Would it help throwing that on the back of a walk the dog bait?

Thanks men.

Agreed. Maybe thats the way this should have been worded. Permission sounds like asking your mother if you can go out and play lol. But like I said earlier.....I do clear it with my wife before I go out to the local fishing hole. Everytime. Called respect.

First year back in the sport since being a teen. - Organized my tackle about five different times - Play with my new crankbaits and watch my wife just shake her head in pity. - Bought about 400 dollars in new tackle (half with gift cards) - Bought new line and preparing what technique I want to use each of my spinning rods and reels for. - Watch Bass Pro Season One over and over. ;D

What is the best way to tie on a Sammy as far as action goes. 1) Tie right to the tie-on 2) Put on a split ring than tie on 3) Throw on a snap and tie on. Forgive the dumb question but I'm just trying to get as much info on my new lures as possible. Thanks. Davis

My new topwater lures that I just bought this winter offseason are as follows: Sammy 100 - Aurora Black Gunfish - Sunfish Cavitron - 1/4 ounce Gold Blade Chartruse/white Skirt Cavitron - 3/8 ounce Black Blade Black Skirt Can't wait to try them out in the spring. Going to add a Heddon Tiny Torpedo in Baby Bass at some point as well.

Wouldn't mind that at all. Don't have experience on the Lake while boating though. But have had some nice footballs coming out of the tributaries that flow into Erie. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera when I caught my PB this past year so I'm stuck with a smaller smallie in my avatar. Still they are fun to catch no matter the size.

Big LM would be nice...... But I'm looking for a 6 lb Smallie this year. Big goal for me but with the size of smallies that I have been rippin out of my local creek I'm confident that I can meet this goal. Better to put your goals higher IMO.

Out of respect for my wife I always ask her if I can go fishing at such and such time. It's not being whipped.....its called being a good husband. She never says no unless I forget about some big gathering that was planned. Like FourBizz I don't go to the bars and get drunk or do drugs. But I used to in my college years so she sees fishing as a great way to spend my time. Now buying tackle is another story lol but when it comes to my fishing, I'm always going to clear it with the family first. Sometimes she will even come along and just read in the raft while I fish. Marriage is a two way street. If you think you can do what you want, when you want....then chances are your marriage is going to suffer and collapse at some point.

Agreed. Only caught one this year on a spinnerbait. After that I bought six more ha ha ha. But seriously I use to catch loads when I was a kid with them. Now its like I'm thinking too much or something.

Thanks for clearing that up Muddy. Thats all I have is snap swivels so I'll have to do some hunting. Any recommendations?

I'm shore bound but I plan on hitting Erie down at Sunset Bay breakwall and Sturgeon Point this year. Didn't get a chance last year and I only live 20 minutes away from the Lake.

Ikas rock. Became my new favorite bait. If you fish ponds.....you just can't go wrong with them. Brought out some nice fish for me this fall and late summer.

Well for the spring I will try something new. Haven't thrown lizards in a long time so I will start off with that when the snow melts. Than definately go back to my child hood success with the Rattle Traps.

Thanks. I know the Method doesn't have a split ring so I will tie on a snap for that. I was just wondering because I've heard that snaps kill the action of some rapalas.

I have some. Picked up the Yozuri Rattlin Vibe and a rattlin rapala. But I can't wait to use the two Rattle Traps that I had when I fished as a kid (15 years ago). Changed out the hooks with Owners and I'm pumped to use them. Had monster success with them. For lipless do you guys tie the line right on or do you use snaps?

So my goal next year is to become successful with cranking. Didn't crank at all last year. So I have been stocking up on a ton of cranks that dive different depths. Lots of Bandits, Shad Raps, Rapala DTs, etc. Found some Method Cranks at half price. Bought the Red Natural Craw color. Things look pretty sweet and I was eyeing them earlier this year. But I wasn't going to pay 13 a pop. Anyone have any success with them? That crawfish color should rock on smallies in my creek. Any thoughts on this bait and how you all have worked it would be appreciated it. Sucking up as much knowledge about each crankbait that I own.

What setup should this be fished on? Medium heavy or Heavy?

Agreed. Every Berkley product that I have fished has produced some nice fish. Not into there GULP!, but there original formula stuff is top notch.