BARON49_Northern NY

I have used 10 lb Fireline on my spinning reels for the past 3 or 4 years for all kinds of fishing including shakey head fishing with great results. I tried 14 lb but with the crystal clear waters here did not think I was getting the bites I should. Went to 10 lb and have seen no need to change anything since. I tie right to the jig and have done well with it.

After trying several brands of braid with less then stellar results I was told about Power Pro several years ago and have to say I am impressed. Have used it now for several years and it is without a doubt the best for durability and sensitivity. I use mainly 30 to 65 lb test and have not had a single break off due to the line. One word of warning, if fishing around Zebra mussells add a fluoro leader as the razor sharp zebra mussell shells will go thru ANY braid like a knife through butter.

I switched over to American Rodsmiths Kicker sticks for Jig fishing several years ago and have never found a lighter more sensitive rod. Their "Team" series rod for c-rigging that is very good as well. If you can go the money St. Croix Legend C-rig rods are very good as well and can be used for other applications like jig fishing as well.

You might want to look an Abu Garci Revo SX. I have several of them. They are smooth as silk, they cast smooth a mile, magnetic brakes that work, super drag, and come in two different retrieve speeds for around $159.

The top two hard baits in that price range I can think of are Sebiles and Strike King's King Shad. I use both and have had good luck. I have found the King Shad seems to catch bigger fish, but that might be just me.

I have tried several kinds of hooks and ended up going back to a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG. I tie this hook on and can switch between wacky and texas without having to retie.

Glad someone else noticed this as well. We have been using the "old" hooks for years here for Walleyes with a bottom bouncher, swivel and leader. Just another gimick to get you to spend more money.

When I first came to Northern NY in the mid 70's I had no boat and walked/waded several streams that emptied into Lake Ontario. Other then a few topwater baits and some small rapalas, Mepps in-line spinners were my #1 goto bait. Over the years got away from them, but they did catch a lot of smallies and a lot of big smallies.

Watched Zona doing a fishing show on the St. Lawrence River. Not a bad show for a change and gives an idea of how many smallies we have. They did not venture out on Lake Ontario for the really huge ones, but a decent show all the same.

;D this is way too much fun! ;D

;D you beat me to it! I live in the North Country but find it is way too cold to ice fish any more,.....give me some warm water and sunny skies and I am a happy camper.

Thanks for the information...for a while there I thought i might have to make a mold and pour my own....

I am using a St. Croix Avid 6'9'' ML Drop shot rod and it works great! ;D

Wow, Thought I was one of the only ones left using the Mann's Sting Ray grub. Smallmouths around here tear'em up. I bought 100 lot bags of them a while back and not sure if Manns still makes them or not. Please post what you find out.

I have been playing with these Storm lures for quite a while and have to say I have not been impressed with the results. I thought they might work well in deep water and have yet to catch many fish with them. I see guys on TV using them and can't seem to find the right time or conditions for these to produce for me.

Being what some refer to as an "older gentleman" I will give you a little more input on wood over plastic. I love to fish crankbaits and have caught a lot of bass on the original Bagley Balsa plugs. These did not have rattles and caught a lot of fish in both stained and clear water. Over the years many companies have come out with all kinds of plastic lures with rattles and yes these do work and work well. However there are times when a loud, noisy crankbait does not get the job done. In these situations I still carry several Bagley Balsa and Poe's Cedar crankbaits. These old gals still catch some really nice Bass. Give both a try and see what works for you.

After using War Eagle and the new Strike King spinnerbaits with the longer tails on the skirt I don't bother with trailers much. When I do my favorite is a 3 to 4 curly tail or a split tail. Caught a lot of fish on these over the years. One hint when using these is put a drop of super glue on them so they don't slide down the hook all the time.

Did well with Zoom and Robo finesse worms, tried some Berkley hand pousr and they did well too. One of the guys at Gander Mountain had me try some of the store brand finesse worms and I was surprised how well they worked. Best color was green pumpkin/chatruese for the clear waters I fish. The bonus with the Gander brand is they are cheaper.

Good question...one I rarely think about as I fish mainly in clear water. However, I have to agree with the others that a reaction strike no matter what the water conditions is just that....the fish reacting to a bait that is invading his space.

Being in Northern New York the fishing year starts for me around the 15th of Feb. Can't wait to get the boat loaded and that big Optimax fired up. The idea of running across the lake full bore and the feeling of a big ole lunker on the end of my line makes the wait for mid Feb a long one. Oh, did I mention I go to Florida each year around the middle of Feb? ;D

For me I use a 6'6'' MH spinning rod with 14 lb Fireline for jerk baits and x-raps. I normally prefer baitcasting tackle but find spinning easier for these baits.

Try it up here and see if the Northerns and Pickeral like it.... :

I like these baits as I can get down to deeper depths then I am able to with the King Shads. They are well made and look great in the water. I read the same article and am going to give this twitching more of a try. For me slow rolling is usually the best way to fish swimbaits, but last Summer I cranked these baits over the tops of weeds and they run true with no problems. Letting them sink to the depth you want to fish also works and they do hold to that depth if you don't crank them too fast.

Yes I have tried the Bullribbit and here in NY it will catch BIG Northerns, Muskies, Dogfish, etc, but no matter where I have tried the Bullribbit it has not produced very well for me, same with the Bigfoot. If I could have only one buzzfrog it would be the standard sized Ribbit and only one floating frog it would be the Snagproof Tournament floating frog. Have caught 100's of bass from NY to Florida in the 3 to 6 pound class with these two baits.

I did the same thing plus used lighter rods and switched back and forth between spinning and baitcasting during the day. Went on-line and found a lot of information about this condition and some other things you can do to help the healing along.