detroit1

I'm like the M.Falcon - buying lures for 35 years, i GUESS that i don't need any new ones. After reading RW brag on those fat ikas - i'll try them this year. BPS had some palm trees so i picked up a pack. (should've got more). I got into repainting last winter, but i didn't fish with them much last year, so maybe i'll fish those more this year. I need to improve my jig fishing.

There's a lot of guys on this site that i would love to fish with. Unfortunate for me , i know more about fishing than the people i take out, so i don't get to be the pupil, just the teacher. My wife is a good fishing partner- she sunbathes and reads in the back of the boat and i can fish anywhere or anyhow i want. RW...those smallies look like fun and i could drive the 650 miles....

Thanks Munkin.

You are right Tokyo T., sorry fisherdave, i was in a funk yesterday. :-/

Which tacklebag/box? I hope you don't fish alone- you wouldn't have anyone to ask what lure to use. ;DSometimes i'm a smart-azz, but dang dude- that's something you can figure out on your own, i hope.

Stay home, or at least don't come up here Bucknut! Just kidding- it is a pretty good show up here in Novi. KVD is worth the admission price. I'll be going next thursday and can't wait-the bait monkey is outta his cage! Anyone else going?

One rod and 5 baits? That'll be impossible for any of us here! But, in the spirit of the question, mine would be as follows: 7' All Star med. spin, 3500 size reel, 8# clr/blue Trilene XL. Baits would be- custom 3/8 oz spinnerbait(white skirt/gold willows); Bandit shallow Flat Maxx (perch);Norman dd22(white/olive back);Culprit 7.25" ribbontail worm(grape) on a 1/4 oz. slider head; and a Dropshot with a 3"-3.5" fluke(alewife). Dang- that's hard to do. Happy holidays everyone and have a safe year.....

I also rig them mostly on a 1/8 oz ball jig, sometimes on a slider head if i Have to fish in the weeds. 3" to get a bite, 4" for a goodun'. Although, a 5" white Kalin's t-rigged is fun fished as a buzzbait.

I don't know if i have what you're talking about Muddy, but i bought 7 Storm cranks a few years back (2$ bin). They are thin, had great looking paint, some were about 3/8 oz both shallow & deep, and a few that look like about 7/8 oz deep divers.(maybe 14') I never caught anything on these although i didn't give em a fair chance. Stupid baitmonkey! I will never learn... :-/

I bought a 12' model ( don't know the id#), and liked it. It comes thru the water a little easier than a Norman or Bomber. I didn't like the color, but i will change that this winter..

Hey J. - the lakes i fish are clear and i've seen maybe 2 trees in the water (storm), in over 35 yrs. of fishing- and i love cranks. Weedlines, dropoffs, flats, anywhere you throw your other lures. You don't need trees to fish a crank.

Just wondering how many gallons of gas you've bought for your boat this year. I used about 25 gallons, for 41 trips . 8-) 16' deep v alum/50hp Evin. I know that some of you guys may use that it 1 day...

I agree with R.W., spin=lighter/finesse, b/c=heavier/power-fishing. Although i do have a 7' med./hvy spinning rod with 10# test line that i use for lures to 5/8 oz. on those windy days, and for jigs and worms when it's calm.

About 15 yrs. ago i caught a 15.5" and a 14" lm on a big-o. Last year i caught a 12" lm on a dropshot, and while bringing it in, a big (over 30") pike grabbed him sideways. My buddy was getting my camera ready while i delicately tried to get both up to the surface without pulling the pike off. I got it close to the surface, the picture was snapped and the pike let go. That poor bass was ripped from back to belly on one side, still breathing, and NOT bleeding. I slipped it back in the water, and it swam off...

Well, i'm now done for the year. Went out yesterday (11/4) and caught 3. A 12" sm on a wee-r, and 2 lm (a fat 15") on a dropshot. It sucks having to decide when your last trip of the year will be, but we got to do it. The water temp was 50 degrees, and no fall turnover yet. 41 trips this yr. without being shutout. First time that's happened for me.

Who hasn't beat the golden domers this year? ;D

I guess i'm gonna half to pick up a pak or two this winter for next season. I never would think of fishing those backwards! This i gotta see. Thanks rw for sharing. I love this site!!

I've never tried Cajun line before- do you use it on both spinning & baitcast reels? Is it a mono of a different color?

Geez i thought that i had it bad. Yes, you do need pro help. I could help a little by re-couping some of that cash. I will buy every hardbait that you won't or will not use again for 50 cents each. This will help you with your recovery...

I use clear/blue flourescent Trilene XL for all lures that require line-watching. You can see it well under most weather conditions, and i need all the help i can get.

Use sluggos when you think that Senko/Flash baits fall too fast for colder water temps. Same great random darting action, but only falling "lighter". Plus they look more like a minnow, and come in great colors, and easy on the $$.

Got to the lake saturday at 9am, 42' outside, water temp 48', only boat on the lake. Beautiful! Well, first a pike swam away with my dropshot,then a 13"lm on a spinnerbait, and a 19" pike on a craw wee - r . Now this wouldn't be bad for a2 hr. trip, but it took ME 6 hrs.. I'm hoping to get out at least 1 more time this year, i've been out 40 times this year with no - i don't even want to jinx it - never mind.

I too am out between nov. - apr. and it seems like forever. Last year i bought an air brush and played with that on about 35 old/ugly baits. That is a lot of fun. Fortunately i've been buying lures for 30 years so i have alot to choose from. Cleaning reels, tackle boxes, making spinnerbaits, and playing bass fishing2 on my Sega (with rod controller) satisfies most of my hunger. Well, that and staying warm....

Just wondering, do you outfish everyone you bring in your boat? I ask because the buddies i take fishing just aren't in to it as much as i am, so i (almost) outfish them every time. They don't have a boat, but they do have rods/tackle (limited) and I let them borrow anything not tied on a rod. I would love to fish with someone with the same or (preferred) better to force me to become a better angler. I don't want to join a bass club or fish tourneys, but i know that is probabally the best way to learn. Anyways, are any of you lucky enough to have a talented partner fish with you most of the time?

I go 35 - 50 times a year, half of those are after work, 4-5 hrs., the other half on the weekends. My favorite 4 lakes i can get my 16' deep v Grumman on the water in less than 45 minutes (from home or work).All lakes are natural and under 400 acres in size, with houses ON EVERY SQUARE FOOT OF SHORELINE! Well, not that bad but when i see some of the pictures i've seen of the waters some of you get to fish i get a little jealous. And, i have to quit fishing in NOVEMBER, and can't get back out until APRIL! That, my fishing friends, is what i hate about fishing - not being able to go....