J Francho

My XH flipping stick is moderate to slow action, maybe not parabolic, but close. It really helps with sling the fish up and out of cover on the hook set. I also know a few guys that use a parabolic MH spinning rod for fishing tubes deep, using heavy, open hook tube jigs. I tried it, and it worked well, but I don't use tubes enough to say 100%.

Most everyone will say rod, due to sensitivity. However, at about $150-$175 you are getting an awesome rod. it takes a little more than $200 to get an awesome reel. Reels are just more expensive. My advice, buy a brand new rod with a solid replacement plan, like Saint Croix, and look for an excellent condition used reel, and have it professionally serviced by DVT or similar.

On Conesus? Yes. On other lakes, it really depends. I've seen them as shallow as inches on Lake Ontario, and as deep as 12' or so.

Oh well, news to me. I was fishing all last week, while you guys were online looking at ugly reels, LOL.

You guys all assume that the Senko outfishes every other bait all of the time. Not true. And using just a Senko isn't going to make the OP a better tournament angler, especially if he's preparing to fish as a co-angler or non boater. His best bet to practice for this is to simply join a club, and start fishing club tournaments. While doing this, pay attention to the boater, and play monkey see monkey do, and learn what you can by asking questions. be prepared, some boaters won't talk or share, others are very helpful.

I use Gulp! leeches on a drop shot.

Yep, that's what I saw, too. I was just chatting with a couple of friends, and we're all under the consensus that we may see a solid 2nd wave on Lake Ontario. Those fish were literally blown off beds in a matter of days. There's always a small 2nd wave of spawners, but I think this year will be stronger. I don't think many females actually had a chance to spawn. I remember a similar situation in the early 90s, where we had an unusually cold April and May. There were actually bass on beds on opening day.

10 to 20# Cortland Toothy Critter tieable leader is what you want when you are in pike waters. The bass don't care, just ask my son...... All caught in shallow, clear water using the knotable leader.

That's a strange looking reel isn't it?

Carrot Stix = Tomato Stakes

Baitmonkey.....where are you?

I've been snook fishing, it's a blast.

I always get my milk from the back of the cooler.

There were a few fish on beds on Conesus yesterday, but for the most part, the sunnies and bullhead have moved in, signifying the end.

Spro Aruku's and Aruku Jr. is the solution.

For the most part, we "pass" this love of fishing on to our kids. That's why. It's not always corporate in nature.

Pics, or it didn't happen

Good question...only use the flukes, and bent or not, they work fine.

I grew up on Port Bay, Lake Ontario....I'd like that back in heartbeat.

Here's Big Al at around 5 years old. He's 12 now, and was just out with me Saturday.

Heat the metal corkscrew with a lighter.

You want the HIT version of the Mustang vest. It's a little more, but as Tom states, is more reliable.

Awesome.

I actually had the line tip wrapped once, so there's two flips of the bait - one to unwrap the tip, the other for the cast. All I feel like I'm doing is lobbing the bait (3/8 oz. tungsten and Rage Craw) once I feel I've loaded the rod. It's just a quick back cast that sends the bait in a twirl, and you release like a pitch cast. I wish I could describe it better.

0:05 shows the underhand flip: http://www.youtube.com/user/Tline150#p/u/3/GUkg2C3GEHA