Dwight Hottle

Beautiful bass. Congrats. Next time put her back in the net hanging over the edge of your canoe while you hold the handle & get your scale ready so you can get the weight.

I have got a few of those stories.

I almost always use braid with a leader. 10lb braid specifically because it gets me an extra 5 feet of depth using deep diver jerk baits like rapala husky jerks & smithwick DD rogues. But if you don’t need the depth & want to use your favorite mono go for it. I use a St Croix 7’ MHM Legend Tournament spinning rod now discontinued from their walleye line. It’s rated 3/8 to 1 ounce. One of my favorite baits is the LC pointer 128 weighing 1 oz. It’s got plenty of give because of the moderate action for compensating the no stretch braid. Since you want to use mono you can use a MHF or MHXF rod of your choice. The faster action rod will be compensated by the stretch of your mono. I always used Maxima for leaders. It is super strong & and has good abrasion wear throughout the line classes. I would use a 7’ or 7-6” rod but I work my baits to the side rather than downward slapping the water. The longer rod gives you better casting distance & more cushion on a big smallie when digging boat side. My way (tackle) was developed for me & my circumstances fishing big water mostly deeper than others. But you can develop your own way tackle choice that works for you & your circumstances. Good luck working it out.

Congrats on your new PB.

Is a bogger anything like a booger or just mis-spelled?

X2 I wind surf is another good one.

Welcome to BR. I’m envious of your big perch, Zander & pike.

I’m sworn to secrecy.

All the above explains it well. Just remember to lay your plastic next to each hook then choose which to use based on the distance between each hook point & the shank of the hook. One will be easier to skin hook than the other. I like the hook point to be parallel with the bait rather than point in towards the middle of the bait. The same comparison helps you to choose what size hook to use. Each step up gives you more hook gap. @scaleface I like your idea of using the bobber stop to keep the bait from balling up.

September 21st 2017 my last fall trip on Erie.

It has always been the change in seasons accompanied with the beautiful fall colors.

As Tom mentioned jerk baits fit the pattern. Try a lc pointer 128.

@ol'crickety just another 20lb bag.??

This is the correct answer.

I think what you are seeing are not smallies. Usually even when they are turned off you can get some bites or follows if your really trying. Try a fast moving bait.

@king fisher Your post reminded me of a five fish bag I had at Lake Baccarac my first time there back in 2013. I was down there with A-Jay & big fish Jeff Howell. I was fishing alone that day with just the guide. We tied up to a spot and never left until lunch time. My best five went 43+ lbs without breaking 10lb. Three over 9 & one over 8 & one over 7. The magic of Mexico.

May 2023 26lb+ brown bag made up of one over 6 & 4 over 5.

My experience on Lake Erie is that yes the fall migration back to shallower water mirrors the spring prespawn movement. Smallies winter in deep water somewhat near their traditional spawning sites. Then in spring they migrate shallower near the same spawning sites. Fall finds them moving from deep water back shallower until temps send them back to their winter spot. They don’t all move at once it’s more like waves or groups start shallow as the water temps drop. This usually starts in September up to November. Then late November & December they move to their winter site. You can also follow them by water temps. Change from 70’s degree water into the 60’s triggers some movement. They will replicate spring sites until temps drop back into lower 50’s or 40’s. The movement of bait shallower in the fall also coincides with the smallie movement.

As an after thought it also depends on what I'm fishing with regarding tackle & hook types. Light wire treble hooked baits especially jerk baits require more finesse when trying to land bigger fish. If your using light line it also requires special tactics. I do tend to play most single hook baits with more authority knowing I have gotten a good hook set.

I have caught my share of big bass especially smallies. Most of my smallie fishing has been open water with the only obstructions the actual bottom mostly rock & some zebra muscle shells. Using 8lb flouro would not be my choice. I use mostly 15lb mono leaders down to 10lb at the minimum. Those leaders do get frayed quickly when fishing rock especially when you are targeting baits near the bottom. You need to check your line frequently for fraying. I have been broken off before when a big smallie tries to rub the jerk bait loose in the rocks. It happens but most of the time I win the battle. Usually the only time I horse them is when they are coming up to jump. I keep a relatively light drag that only slips during a hard hookset with treble hook baits. I do let them fight freely when they get near the boat & are digging for the bottom. Most big smallies are lost at the boat when they start digging for the bottom. That is the time to slightly loosen your drag & wear them out before netting.

PSU could be the real sleeper in the big ten. Or all three could be 11-1 at the end of regular season.

I get leg & foot cramps at the age of 75 years but have had them 5-10 years previous. For me it is caused by lack of hydration I think. But when I take daily supplements of magnesium & potassium above the daily recommended amounts they pretty much go away.

@TnRiver46 that 20-21 inch smallie would be a 6lber on Lake Erie.

The most impressive aspect of Big-O is that he will take the time to answer questions & acknowledge you. Everyone he ever met is his equal until YOU prove him wrong.