fretfishman

that's great, matt, glad to hear it's a good bait. gonna try some soon. most all plastic swimbaits fail bigtime. looking at both of the pictures you posted of the baits it's easy to see one reason the berkley swims better - thinner body section going into the paddle tail. most bait makers fail to see the value in making that section thinner. YUM money minnows are bad about this also, which is the soft swimmer I had the most hope for since they look great and the yum attractant is good. more and more I'm finding myself with more berkley products and less of everything else.

I'm not in the northwest, but, having fished all types of structure for smallies, it's my opinion that rocky structures (dams, ledges, boulders, etc) tend to hold more and better smallies. Depends on many factors, of course, but tends to hold true in my experience. things like time of year, what other types of cover are in the lake and the fact that areas with sandy flats tend to get more fishing pressure - they all come into play. (at least in colorado) However, if you find a spot with both (such as a deep edge of a dam tied to a sandy flat cove - you'll generally do better than having fished either of the other areas. Something tells me this info will be irrelevant to you, as different states and climates make the world of difference - or have for me anyway. I don't know how much this will help, but g'luck!

hey all. I'm looking for a fishing bud in Colorado within a reasonable distance from Colorado Springs. I love traveling so that's not an issue if it's within 100-150 miles. I've got one friend that sometimes comes with me, as well...kind of teaching him how to fish. it would be nice to find a fishing buddy that has more experience, though, so I can relate better. I prefer bass fishing first, but also love muskie, walleye, trout and even panfish. hit me up and I'll give ya my number so we can hook up for a trip! so far I've fished (in the area) John Martin Res, Pueblo Res, lakes in Colorado Springs, Martin Res, Beckwith, Cherry Creek, Chatfield, Evergreen Lake, Elevenmile, Deweese, as well as plenty of trout lakes and the arkansas river. As I said, I prefer bass, but I have rigs for most things. (fly fishing, spinning, baitcasting, catfish. Hit me up and let's go own some fish!

my best producers have been the Rapala Shad Rap, Rapala Tail Dancer (basically the same type lure but with a wally diver shaped body and slightly different action), Excalibur Fat Free Shad (now made by Bomber Lures, I think) and a couple of older Spro cranks when they first started. (called prime crankbait, I think) Colors that have worked well all around for me are perch patterns, basic gizzard or threadfin shad, tennessee shad and craw colors.