bugman

I use the same set up that I use for spinnerbaits & Chatterbaits. 6" 6" or 7' MHF with a 6:1 baitcaster spooled with 12-15 # co-poly. You may want to try 100% florocarbon also.

Thanks bassinleo.... Your advice has always been right on. I think I will pick it up this week. Who knows it might be good for other applications like buzzbaits or hard swimbaits. Hope we get a chance to meet on Presque Isle Bay this spring.

I have the same rod and I think you will be more than happy using it for spinnerbaits. St Croix rods do tend to have more backbone compared many other brands. It's a good multi purpose rod. The more you use it the more you will like it.

When looking for a deep crankbait rod I came across a Gander Mnt. Advantage IM6/e-glass HM 7' crank rod. It seemed lite and had Fuji seat and guides. Anyone know about this rod? Retails for $29.99

I was at a Gander Mountain and they have a 7' MH Guide Series Advantage IM6/E-Glass CB rod for $25. It also has fugi components and good quality cork grip. The rod was very lite and has a true parabolic bend. To tell you the truth it looked like a very nice CB rod. If you know about or have fished with one please let me hear your opinion.

I asked about Dale Hollow because I was told that winter is one of the best times for smallies on that lake. Can the same be said for Pickwick? I don't mind traveling the extra miles but only if it's worth it.

Thanks RW, I sent Jim an e-mail today. Gary (Bugman)

Thanks for all the quick replys. What do you think about all glass rods compared to the Glass/Graphite mix rods. One of the reasons I was looking at rods other than St Croix was because they are all Graphite. Maybe all Graghite rods are OK but the truth is I have not fished deep cranks that much and want to buy a good quality rod and not make a mistake.

I have always been a St. Croix guy and have LTC70MM for smaller cranks but I see so many deep crankin rods from other companys on the market. I would like to hear what other fishermen opinions are.

I'm up in Ohio and all my favorite Smallie waters are frozen and I don't think I can wait till April to get my next Smallie fix. I'm thinking about taking a trip down to Dale Hollow because I hear that the winter months are some of the best for smallies. Would appriciate any info on Guides, Lodging and best dates to visit.

Repala original floating stickbait. My dad would troll the boat up and down a river and we would catch "hammerhandle" Northernpike one after another in the late 60's

I have a addiction when it comes to soft plastics. From what I see in this forum I'm not alone. LOL I like to keep mine in the 3 inch deep plano box with the o-ring seal. I have a box for smallmouths and one for largmouths. I have to agree with the other reply that I only use about 1/16 of what I carry. I'm beginning to think that having smaller bags with one type of plastic in different bags might be the way to go. I seem to waist alot of time searching for the right bait.

Your right about the TV shows and turnies seem to be from the NY side of the lake. Every show I have watched you can see the skyline or power plants in the background. My guess is that you don't have to go too far out on the lake. The guys that do go out far are following the bait fish. If the wind kicks up I would fish inside the breakwalls or the river unless your boat can handle the big water. Lake Erie can get really rough in a wink of an eye. Be safe and good luck.

Thanks for the replys. I fish for bass 90% of the time. Up here on Lake Erie I need to have control of the boat to stay on humps or over suspended fish when the wind and waves are pretty tough. I don't do much trolling but will work down a weedline or breakwall at a slow pace and fan cast. Not sure if autopilot would be good for that. I hear that autopilot is better for keeping on corse when trolling.

I'm using a tiller style trolling motor and want to switch to a foot pedal type. My question is what type of of foot pedal do you like wire or cable. I have been told that the new "wire" type have had problems with circuit boards not working. Any info on min kota or motor guide would be a big help. I'm looking for a 55# in the $500 range.

It's hard to pick just one but I have to say I caught more fish on Rat-L-Traps than any other bait. I have caught fish in all seasons and conditions with a Trap. I find myself using SK Red Eye's more than the Bill Lewis Traps these days though.

Would like to know if anyone has used the Buckeye Lure's Goby Sled. With the flat weight and screw lock it looks like it would be a great jig for draging the bottom.

fished the bay with my dad Monday. We landed 30 Smallies, 6 Largmouths & 7 rock bass. Most have moved off the beds and are in or very near deeper water. Lipless cranks was the bait of choise. Most were in the 2-3# range with one 4.5# smallie.

open water/ long casts = 7' M st croix premire Cover/short casts = 6' MH st croix Avid

Fished the bay with my brother-in-law sunday. Between the two of us we landed 21 smallies, 1 largemouth and 4 rockbass. Most caught on green jig & grub as we drifted the flat near the monument. picked up a few pitching soft plastics on beds at the goldmine flat. All smallies were males in the 2# range. Would have liked to landed a few larger females but no takers.

Thank you for the tip. I'll be fishing the bay this Sunday in a green 16 ' Lund. I'll start the day by drifting the flat off Perry's mounument. If you are going to be there Sunday feel free to pull up and introduce yourself. I always like to meet the fishermen from this forum. Good fishing

Great post! Did you get them in the bay or the outer shoreline? We have been getting some nice smallies just outside the bay entrance but not the numbers you are getting. Most of our fish hit jerk baits and spinners. Any info on how you are getting the big numbers would be appriciated. Thanks

reo, I live in Broadview Heights. Leo, Good to hear from you again! White spinners and Pointers in 5 to 10 feet is the pattern that we caught the bigger fish with.

The group of 6 guys that I fished with from Friday thru today caught about 10 fish each day per person. Most large mouth & small Mouths with a few pike, perch and rock bass. Of all the fish about 12 were 4# or over with two in the 5# range and 1 just over 6#. Your best bet to catch larger smallmouths was along the east shorline just outside the bay. Good Luck

Fished PIB Friday pm and sat am. Wind was about 15-25 mph out of the SW and made it hard to stay on structure. Mostly drifted the flats and misery bay. We ended up landing 30 bass, mix of SM & LM between the four of us.