bugman

If you have fished with the AC62MXF please let me know what you think the best use for it. I have fished with a AC68MXF and likd it for senkos and other weighless plastics.

I use a product called "TangleFree" Cabels has it in their web site under fishing tool. It comes in a bottle with a flip top so you can drip it on the spool and not all over the reel like a spray bottled. I just bought a bottle of KVD and will compare.

bassinleo, The last time I was at PIB I did make a run along the shore just east of the chute. The bottom seemed to be sandy with a few areas with breakwater rocks sticking out of the water. Are the smallmouths attracted to structure or baitfish? most of the time the lake conditions won't let me get out to far but would appriciate any info on any structure or how far down the shore I can find smallies. Good to hear from you again! Gary

I would think the largemouth fishing should pick up by mid september but would like to know if any smallmouths come back into the bay as the water cooles down.

BPS just opened at I-80 (turnpike) & I-75 near Toledo

That's what I keep telling my wife. She thinks I have a problem, she may be right. It's nothing a new rod & reel won't solve!

I just picked up a LTB70MM (Small Cranker) for $149.99. It was on sale because the new models($220) have a split grip and this one has the full grip. I like to cast with two hands much of the time and like the feel of the full grip. I went to the tackle shop to buy a Avid but the LTB was $10 less. You can't go wrong with St. Croix rods. If you can I would get an Avid or LTB.

I have been fishing with Curados for the last 5 years but have never used a Chronarch. When I compare them it seems that they use the same drag, gears, breaks ect. If you have fished with both what do you feel is the difference between the two.

I have more plastics in different styles and colors than I want to admit. The funny thing is that I only use about four different baits in black, white, watermelon & smoke.

My tackle box is full of high priced lures but so far this season I have caught more bss on a 4" single tail grub on a 1/8 oz jig. Check out my post in the smallie forum under Presque Isle Bay, I caught most on the grub.

Went to PIB on the 25th and smallies are still on the flats. Landed 8 SM, 6LM & 5 Rockbass. Smallies averaged 3# and LM 2.5#. Also had 7 or 8 other fish on including a N-pike but they shook off. Not a bad day for late june. Tried fishing humps & ledges but no luck.

There are many motels on Rt. 20 and just before you enter the park. All are about the same. The tend to be older style one story buildings with exterior doors. most are clean but not fancy. They all have parking lots that will hold a boat. I can't remember the name but one just outside the park entrance advertised a fishermans special. There is a campground in the park but I'm not sure when th season starts. If you are looking for a holiday Inn Express type hotel you can find many near I-90/Peach street area.

Here are a few pics of some smallies my dad and I landed on PIB last week.

It looks like this past week was the peek of the spawn season. How much longer do you think it will last? Because May was so cold do you think it will keep the smallies in the bay longer than normal?

Because the wind was comming out of the SW at 15 mph we drifted with a wind sock from the middle red bouy from the main channel across the flat in front of the Perry monument. We started in about 15' and marked fish at about 5'. We caught most fish in areas that had a mix of sandy patches and weed clumps. Also caught some when we hit the 2 & 3 foot water near shore. The seam between different bottom colors held the most fish. I saw a few boats drifting the flat between marina bay and the Niagra launch. Good luck on your trip, and let us know how you did.

Fished PIB today with my dad. We hit the main bay about 7:30 am but had to quit by 11:00am because a strong thounder storm blew in. All in all we had a good day landing 11 smallies, 6 largemouths and 2 rock bass. We caught them on a mix of lures from jerkbaits, lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, dropshot gobys & 4" jig&grubs. I would like to say thanks to Bassinleo for all his help. Your information was right-on.

I have a 200-D 7:1 ratio and like it as much as my other three green Curado's. I have it on a St.Croix AC68MXF and it is my most used set up. That being said anytime a reel is discontinued so fast, it makes you wounder. I have not seen many negitive reviews on this reel so that leads me to believe that it's a price or marketing issue. All in all I think it's a great reel.

I have fished with the8# thru 12# in both Yo-Zuri lines and like the Ultra Soft for both spinning and bait casters. The 12# breaks at about 20# where as the regular Yo-Zuri is about 1# stronger. At the price you paid you got a deal. If you think it is too stiff for lite applications give it a try when using C-rigs, Jig & Pig, Frogs ect.

What rod, reel & #line do you use?

I have been reading articles about finesse fishing and see that more and more fishermen are using 4# test. I have only used that light of line for trout and pan fish on ultra lite rods. Most of my spinning rods are rated for 8# or higher. I have a 6" med Fenwick Iron Hawk that is rated for 4# but I'm not sure it is long enough to fight Bass in the 3-4 # range. Any info on what equipment is best would be appriciated.

I have fished all of the above trap type baits and have done well with all of them at different times. This winter in Florida the LV in american shad was the ticket. In the past the Rat-l-trap in Smokey Joe was the #1 lure. The LC did not dive as deep and worked the best in the 3' water.

Three hours from Columbus should get you anywhere in Ohio. Check out a Ohio fish & game mag it will rate most lakes in Ohio. I'm sure you will find many good lakes within 1 hour from Columbus.

I think the new "Hot Bait" will be a finesse bait like the Flickshake worm & jig from Jackall. The trend will be soft plastics with some built in action for drop shotting or small jigs on light line. JMHO

I have the Berkley 50# and is a good scale but if I was to buy another scale it would be the Berkley 15# it will get to within a 1/4 oz plus also will add up all fish for a combined weight. At under $30 its a great deal.

When using the Wacky jig do you work the bait as it drops or do you just let it sink? If you don't get a strike on the drop how do you work the jig back to the boat?