crankbait2009

When you find a topo map that was last surveyed in 2003; how likely is it that the depth numbers that are currently shown, will differ from how they actually are right now? (9 years later). Is it possible that it can become altered significantly to make a difference? also, on parts of the map, there is a dashed line that is being noted as an Old Road Bed. What does that mean? I am attaching the topo map of the lake that I fish that I am referring to. http://www.dnr.state...astForkLake.pdf

thanks for the advice.........I shall see what happens

scratch that, looks like water temps are 35-40 degrees, mid day

I did a search here on the forums about how you'd fish the rivers and lakes this time of year. I cam upon a thread dated 2007 which explained what to throw. It seemed that the answer was to throw buzzbaits. Followed by spinners, jerkbaits and plastics. Now, in my neck of the woods (Ohio), we have had an awesome winter. I think so far we have had maybe 3" of snow all year and the temps have been unusually warm for this time of year. The nights have been in the 30's but no snow in sight. this weekend it has been in the 60's and close to 70's tomorrow. I know the water is still cold as hell but I figured if I could handle the above water temps, I will try and see how the fishing is. I have tried to search my local lake for water temps but it shows the last time is was updated was November 2011. So I don;t know the current temps. Tomorrow will be my first day on the water in my "new to me" Jonboat. So excited!!! Would you all agree that buzzbaits, jerkbaits, spinners and plastics would work right now?

I have never owned one, let alone used one........ I'm looking at the HB P'Max 170 in the BPS catalog. How well does it show the structure below? Is it pretty accurate? I hear how the faster you go, the slower the depth reading is, Is that right? What speed are we talking about? 10mph or 50mph?

If this has been covered before, please guide me to that thread. If it has not............. I am seeing a number of fish finders in the $80-$100 price range. They are Garmin, Lowrance and Humminbird. When buying a fish finder in this price range, are you limited to quality or just bells and whitles? I am after nothing more than a depth finder as well as one that shows the structure below. I don't need all the color, imaging and things of that sort. Just a basic one for now. As long as it does the job. Can anyone offer any suggestions or advice on which one is better over the other int his price range? (If it matters, it will be mounted on a 14' aluminum jonboat)

You can't go wrong with a Bass Pro Shop Extreme Baitcaster. They are very good reels. The reel goes for I think $60 but you can buy an Extreme Combo for $100 on sale. Highly recommend

hm, I was under the impression that everyone fishes jigs on the bottom with great success and very rarely loses them. I figured there was a "trick" to avoiding it. Is it worth it? hmmmmmmmmmmmm, good question

So, I’m not understanding something here. When it comes to jigging or using any lure/bait that needs to be on the bottom, how does anyone use this method when you have rocks? I’m not talking gravel or anything small like that, but rocks big enough to get caught up in. In the small rivers that I wade in, they are full of rocks and everything I use has to remain in the middle to the top of the water column to avoid getting snagged. How do you use these jigs that should live on the bottom without getting snagged? I don’t understand how to avoid that. Until I can find a gravel or muddy bottom, bottom bouncing doesn’t seem straight forward to me.

I was watching Bill Dance on TV last night (DVR) and I almost fell out of my chair when he left his boat at home and did some wading in the local streams/rivers. Not sure where he was but it was good to see him discuss that type of fishing. Finally, he was pulling in smallies in the same size that I pull in.....Finally, I can relate I like Bill Dance, City Limits (Ike), and sometimes In-Fisherman. As for In-Fisherman, I can only take so much of the host that has that squeaky voice. He (can't remember the guys name) talks normal then out of the blue his voice squeaks like he's entering puberty

here's the direct link for the gas tank..... http://www.dunhamssports.com/products/seasense-6-gallon-gas-tank/

As many know, gas tanks for boats are ridiculously priced. I have seen 6 gallon tanks for $40+!! A friend of mine stops at sporting goods stores whenever he sees them to check out the fishing inventory they have. He came across a 6 gallon gas tank for $25!!!! You can find them RIGHT NOW at Dunham's Sports!!! If you go to there website, you can also get a 20% off coupon. I just got back with mine, and I ended up spending $21 (with coupon) out the door!! Thought about buying two since they are made to be stacked on one another but decided I just needed one for now. Here is the link to their site if you'd like to check it out http://www.dunhamssports.com/

So it's tray, Paris of plaster, pop on top of that, then creature bait pushed in? What purpose does the pop add in this procedure?

I'm in for #4, that is awesome looking

Yo-Zuri Hybrid x3 I use YZH line for all my needs. I use 12lb and 6lb

I mainly use Rapala, BPS, Bandit and Bomber. Out of those four, I can't say that Rapala's cranks are any better than the rest of them. Just like so many others have mentioned, I fish what I can afford. I think if I had to pick one, it would definitely be BOMBER. Love those cranks!! To me, those are affordable as well as dependable!!

But you could also fish these weightless, correct?? Do they have better action weighted? I read on a couple posts ago, that they float..........Assuming they would have to be weighted then. Is it best to have the weighted hooks or a weight that is independent?

Would that be because you LOVE Rage Tail products or would that be an honest assessment?

I just noticed NEW for 2012, Strike King introduced a Rage Tail GRUB that is on the market. Has anyone used these yet? How do they compare to the rest? Any reviews?

???

Has anyone ever used the Manns Jelly Worm? The ones that are scented with fruit? OK really, do the bass care if the long "watermelon" or "strawberry" is swimming by? Can they really smell the fruit? Or is that scent more for the angler than the fish? Do these worms produce?

so you're saying that a "bigger" fish will inhale the worm no matter the length and take the hook as well?

so you don't necessarily have to stay at the top of the worm with the hook??

Here's a question. I was looking at the 12" Manns jelly worm on BPS website and a thought came up. Most of the EWG hooks that I use for soft baits are only 2-3" in length. When you use a 10" worm, the hook will be way up towards the head with a lot of "tail" floating behind. In my mind, a fish will attack the backside where the hooks are not, because they will attack from behind, right? How do you rig it so that the fish comes in contact with the worm and hook all together? Am I making sense? Please help me understand! http://www.basspro.com/Manns-Jelly-Worm/product/10209641/88618

When it comes to jig fishing or any type of soft bait......................you have the option of weighing it down for a faster fall rate or taking weight away to have it fall slowly. How do you know when you should have the fall rate at a slow speed or fast? I can understand i you were in super shallow water that you'd want the jig/lure to drop slowly. Do you ever want a slow drop rate in deep water? How do you know?