Waterford

I use either a 4 or 5 inch Senko. I put a rubber ring around it and use a circle hook. I cast it out and let it fall naturally. It is a great technique.

It is a spinning rod, price is no object for him. I asked him about fishing line and he is old school and still likes to use monofilament.

My brother just bought the St. Croix rod and is asking me for reel suggestions. He would be fishing clear water lakes for Smallmouth Bass. He usually only fishes with Texas rigged Senko. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

When fishing wacky style with the circle hook I usually let the fish swim with the bait a couple of extra seconds before lifting up my rod to set the hook.

Thanks for the replies.

I am just curious to know if it matters if a kayak is centered on a vehicle rooftop or not? I use to fish out of a narrow sot kayak and always placed it over the drivers side of the vehicle. I have now upgraded to a much more wider kayak and wonder if I should center it more on my vehicle.

No weight, in the past I used a bullet weight that would get hung up on the pads.

I Texas rig a Senko and will throw it into the pads all day and night. This is my go to set up to fish pads for largemouth bass.

I would encourage you to try the kayaks you're interested in. I bought a cheap 10' Emotion sot kayak. I have learned over repeated use what my limits are so I don't flip it. For right now it works for me. I can load it easily, I don't mind dragging it to a launch and if it were to get stolen for some reason I know I didn't spend alot on it.

I have been fishing a deep clear lake for the past four years. The only technique that works real well is fishing near the bottom. There are plenty of weeds and wood in the lake along the shore but the bigger bass stay deep. My wife only throws Senkos and she out fishes me just about everytime we go if I don't something that is near the bottom. I am going to start drop shotting this year and see how I do. If you have a chance to fish the lake prior to the tournament I would make every effort to do so. What works on my lake might not work on the lake your going to fish. Do an internet search on the tournament and see if you can find out what past winners won with. Good luck to you.

I have talked to a few more experienced fisherman than me about this. They said no comparison with a Senko when wacky worming. Nothing else has that flutter. But if your pulling the bait throught the weeds it doesn't matter anything will do.

Thanks for all of the info. That helps. I usually call it quits about this time of year but I figure what the heck. I am going to give it a go until the rivers are covered with ice.

I am a little farther north than you in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. I am being told by some people that the fish will stay completely out of the current. The example used to explain this to me is to imagine yourself all wet outside and your standing in the wind. The wind represents the current in a river. Your colder standing in the wind so you seek shelter. The two rivers I fish have some areas with a rocky bottom and some with mud and muck. So you think that the fish will stay in the rocky bottom areas for the winter?

I have a question about wintering Smallmouth. I know they move out of the current and such. Do they still like to winter where there is a rocky bottom or a muddy softer bottom?

Very nice fish.

Late spring into summer my wife womps I disagree when it comes to the number of fish we each catch. She only uses Senkos. She lives and dies by them. They are the only thing she wants for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas.

I have used the rainbow trout colored minnow. I have had more success when I retrieve it compared to jigging it. I will mix up my retrieve with some jerks and pauses.

I would bring things to throw that work off of the bottom, middle and top of the water. When you find a pattern, stick with until it no longer produces. If you see people there at night talk to them and try to find out what is working.

She fishes with anything black. Her favorite is black with blue flake and then what she calls the Christmas colors dark green with green and red flake. Then black and red flake and black with green flake. We just got in from fishing. She boated about 8 fish the biggest being 2.5 pounds. I only caught one on a Zoom Fluke. She wanted to stay out longer but we both have to work in the morning. I will say this about topwater right now. It has shut down. Water is 84 degrees and nothing will even take a swipe at it. I see plenty of fish jumping out of the water at night but nothing is biting anything I throw and I have thrown it all.

My wife and I fish a clear water lake. She catches double digit bass amounts everytime we fish. She only throws unweighted 5 inch Senkos. I throw everything else in the tackle box and I am lucky if I catch one. She mixes it up where she throws them she will start at the shoreline and if there is no bite she will toss it in 20fow.

I fish a sand quarry near my house. I have caught several bass this year. One guy already caught a 5lb and 8lb largemouth on crankbaits. Water temp is in the low to mid 50s. I don't know if your quarry has steep drop offs or not but the one I fish does so I fish parallel to the shore and have increased my catch.

I would take a look at www.lake-link.com and you might be able to find some information there under Illinois Fishing Reports.

Has anyone tried a blade bait for smallies in cold water?

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