crankbait2009

This lake is wide open in the center of it but it also has A LOT of "fingers" off the lake that lead back to shallower channels (which is where I would most likely be). The open waters are where all the speed boats play. Just like anywhere else, it does get windy in the area. (except in the channels)

oh, my mistake. Not sure how length would benefit anyone except for room to move around. So, I am thinking maybe 12-14' in length. As for the waters, It will primarily be used on East Fork Lake in Batavia, Ohio. It is a 2,160 acre lake, with unlimited horsepower limits. here is a link with more info if needed: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/eastfork/tabid/732/Default.aspx Thanks for the help....

Right now, I am in the process of looking for a used aluminum boat to fish from. I am taking my time as I have all winter to make a decision. I see a lot of flat bottom boats as well as V-Bottom boats. Are there more positives with one over the other? Which is best? I do like the flat bottom boats cause it has the flat deck on the bow of the boat. Which makes it great to fish off of. I don't beleive I have ever seen a V-Bottom boat with this feature. I have never owned a boat so this would definitley be a first for me. Not sure if one of the above boats would be more beneficial for a first time boat owner. Any advice??

I second this. I have the same bag but in the gray color trimmed with red. Here is a link to the bag that we are referring to: http://www.basspro.com/XPS-Stalker-Tackle-Bag/product/10221672/112339 I don't know what they were thinking when they changed to the blue and orange, but it is still the same bag. I couldn't be more happier!!

does anyone add any additional oil/scents to the packages while sitting on the shelf during the winter months?

Hey all When it comes to winter time, and you hanging your soft plastics up till next season.......How do you store them? I am trying to find a way to store mine so they are as flat as possible and remain "oiled" to prevent them drying out when not in use. My soft baits will not be used for a good 4-6 months from now. I normally keep them in these type of pouches during the season when in use. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Tackle-Binder-or-Replacement-Pages/product/37107/39754 Is there a better ideal storage unit to ensure freshness? Does anyone add oils or scents to them while in hibernation? Any advice would be appreciated

Has anyone ever referred to the fishing forecast on weather.com? Would anyone know if that forecast is based off of temperature that day and/or what phase the moon is in? If no one knows what I'm talking about, here's the link. http://www.weather.com/activities/recreation/outdoors/fishing/ if you click on it, it will bring you to a page with a dude standing in a canoe, fishing. enter in your zip code and it will tell you the fishing forecast for the present day. Just wondering what factors in to that chart

I just spoke with someone and they mentioned pouring (slowly) a can of mountain dew in to the fishes mouth. it will crystallize on the wound causing the bleeding to stop....................has anyone else ever done this?

Once the rains have stopped and the weather has gotten back to normal, I have been hitting up my normal wading spots as well as the local shores. I have been catching fish like always, with the exception of a few species that are not normal for me. Such as Saugeye and Crappie in the waters I fish in. I have been catching various sizes of largemouths at alarming rates ranging from dinks and all the way up to no more than a pound in weight. All fun and games till someone gets hurt!!!! Allow me to explain. The past few times out I have caught smallies, largemouths and rock bass off my normal crankbaits. But for some reason, more times than not, I am hooking the fish with the front hook through the lip and the back hook is getting hooked right through the gills. Now, in the past I would occasionally hook one through the gills but the hook actually grazes the gill plate and never actually through the gills. As you can imagine, as I pull them out to unhook, they look like a fountain of blood. I unhook them and return them to the water as fast as I can. I am also experiencing something new, the smallies, large mouths and rock bass are ALL throwing the hooks. They are all jumping out of the water and throwing the hook. Some stay on and others I can pull in and get before the hook comes out. In the past I have had a fish or two that would try and throw the hook but this year, MAN, its happening every time. I know that's all part of the game but I am also losing a lot of fish because of this. I learned on this forum that you want to keep the line as tight as possible NO MATTER WHAT. If that line goes slack, the more of a chance the fish will throw the hook. But its all fun trying to keep the line tight while they jump around. The DINKS are even doing it too. Now back to the gill hooking. Could the gills getting hooked be mainly because of the fish trying to throw the hook as much as they are? Does this happen a lot? HOW CAN YOU AVOID THE GILL HOOKING? I hope I did well by getting them back in the water as soon as possible but I don't know if these fish are dying shortly after. Now, If I had a boat/live well, I could throw some chemicals in there that would help the curing process. Is there anything I can do as a shore fisherman/wader? All in all it has been a very productive season thus far. I'm just running in to a stretch of scenarios that I have never had to deal with......(gill hooking and fish throwing the hook) Can anyone offer any advice?

Bass Pro Shops sells these for $4 each. I just ran across these at my local Wally World and they have them for $3.36 (normal price). It's not a lot of savings but at least its cheaper!!

I never thought of that. Not sure how much I would have got for it. I got $25 back from the auto part store.

OK, I ran in to an old friend today that just happened to have his own used car lot where he also has his own car garage. So I was explaining all my issues to him. He pulled up a wiring diagram which laid out the battery all the way back to the cluster in the dashboard. After looking at the engine and taking voltage measurements he was able to trace it back to the CLUSTER being the issue. So I at least figured out what the real problem was. I realize I spent wasted $135 but I was intending on having to spend a lot more money to have the truck diagnosed this week at the dealership. So at least we narrowed that down. Nothing to be highly concerned about at the moment. So all is well. Next thing. I explained the whole A/C issue. He started my truck up, and threw his freon/gauge on and started to fill the system from the same location I was. So the auto parts guy didn't lie about that part. So even though I released all this air out of the system (which could have been freon, and I didn't know it) he at first thought he was going to have to revac the system. he started filling the freon and the compressor was staying on longer and longer...............eventually my truck's A/C was running and blowing COLD air. I'm not sure what he did differently than I, but his freon worked. All is back to normal. I drove the truck home with the air on and all seemed well. So it sounded like I may have dodged a bullet.....for now....... Light is now off for whatever reason and the air is once again cold. What lesson have I learned? Start off by getting car looked at by a mechanic and not assume I can be a rent-a-cop. Can cost me more in the long run!!!!

what's a DRYER run in price?

thanks OHIO, I have a mechanic out in New Richmond tha tI always go to but was trying to bypass him and do the work myself. This is what I get for trying to be a RENT-A-MECHANIC!!!. Now, since I have drained my Vacuum unintentionally, will this harm the compressor or any other part of the engine? Or does it only effect the A/C system??

Hey all, I am having a couple problems with my 2002 Chevy S10 pickup. I have posted 2 threads on the following forum: http://www.diychatroom.com/f46/refilling-freon-chevy-s10-107191/ http://www.diychatroom.com/f46/battery-light-stays-when-car-off-107188/ They are both by Crankbait09 (that's me) If anyone Can help me I'd REALLY appreciate it!!! You can either respond to that thread or this one....................... I am out of ideas what else to check

I agree, they are fabulous cranks!!!! I have nothing but success with them. The only gripe I have is about the hooks. They are sharp enough for me but they are too close together. One of the hooks need to be downsized so that they dont get hooked on each other. Other than that, the crank is perfect. Although the $3.99 price is awesome for a crank, I just hoped that a sale on them would make it easier to stock up on. I have tried the 3/4oz egg but have had NO LUCK, jsut seems to bulky for me. The 3/8oz is perfecto!!

Has anyone ever seen this Crankbait on sale at Bass Pro Shops? I love this crank but would really love it more if it could go on sale!!!! That way I can stock up for half the price!!! http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Lazer-Eye-Nitro&153;-Extreme-The-Egg/product/51816/-1642528

actually, were going here.......http://www.littlemiamicanoe.com/new/littleinfo.htm we have canoed through this place before and enjoyed it. I have never fished while canoeing though.

J Francho - In the 4th picture down, what are those two yellow things hanging off the back of the Freedom Hawk kayak? They look like miniature kayaks.

There is a local Canoe/Kayak rental in my area and I was thinking about renting one or the other to do some river fishing. It looks like you have the option of a sit on top kayak as well as a sit down inside kayak. If you were to have the choice of a kayak or canoe, which one is easier for fishing? Were talking light tackle here....1-3lb Smallies, largemouths and things of that sort. Nothing to large that would pull me all over the river. Waters are roughly 3' average. Can anyone offer some advice on which is best?

"Not a bad deal but they are not Senkos. Wish people would stop refering all stick baits as Senkos." I totally agree with this......i got happy until i clicked on the link......

can't go wrong with a crankbait. I recommend the Bass Pro Shops "The Egg". it's $3.99 and easy on the wallet if you're a tight budget kinda guy..........they are also very shallow divers......0-1ft max. (chrome black always works for me) http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Lazer-Eye-Nitro&153;-Extreme-The-Egg/product/51816/-1005059

I am a shore fisherman as well and am limited to covering different areas except when i wade. but even when i wade or fish off the rocks i'll cast 15-20 times before i change out my lure.

but yet, 5+ day is running away with this poll..................thats not right!

AlexD - welcome to the forum by the way!!! I'm a hop a way from you!! although none would really pursuade me to buy a crank i think the "bobber" option would be pretty cool. most people use bobbers at one point. thats a slick way to go. me on the other hand would not need anymore items to add another case to the ones i have now.......easier to throw away the package the contents came in.