Phish

I just started using a Dobyns Champion 704CB this year. Ratings: 7′ 8-14lb, 1/4-3/4oz, Medium Mod/Fast. Its listed specialties are: Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Poppers, Sammys, Gunfish, Staycee 90. I took a long time to decide on a perfect jerkbait dedicated rod, and I got advice direct from the company - this was recommended as the ideal jerk bait rod. I only have a few trips with it but the action does seem ideal. Also double up with this rod on shallow cranks. I've been on a Dobyns kick lately so it's hard for me to suggest anything else, but I'm sure there are similar action rods out there.

This was explained earlier in the film. To paraphrase, they said they'd leave a trail that nobody but Silva would be able to follow. I don't remember if they provided any examples to the audience.

Awesome movie, one of my favorite Bond films. It really stands alone for a Bond film. More like a Dark Knight feel as far as story line.

What the?! That's a fantastic movie, from one of the greatest directors and a great screenwriter. Burton plus August = gold.A few I've seen recently that were just awful: Love Guru (and I'm a huge hockey fan) Bucky LarsonGrown Ups (in my top 10 worst ever)

Another option available now, the Decoy HD Worm Hook. Eliminates the second knot tie, maybe a little less hardware too: Looks exactly like the Gamakatsu, which was supposed to come out a year ago: Haven't tried them yet, I prefer Gamies over anything so I'll wait.

Dobyns Champion 734C 7’3″ 10-20lb, 1/4-1oz - Heavy, Fast. Shimano Chronarch 101D7 10-12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid Clear Just bought the rod for a dedicated SB combo we'll see how it goes. I fish mostly open water and heavy grass, should be great for casting and covering a lot of water, and pulling through grass, plus deep running heavier SBs on ledges, etc.

Everyone thinks their thread deserves a sticky eh?! Just kidding. I don't know that I have 10 to list as there's a lot of cross over. But I'll entertain you. Drop shot finesse worms and minnows. Roboworms, RI Flirt, Netbait or Zoom straight tail finesse worms, Jackall Cross Tails, cheap knockoff lighter soft jerk baits (senko types) like Yum Dinker (I like lighter slow floaters on d-shot. Nose rigged or sometimes wacky. Gamakatsu hooks - Finesse Wide Gap or the split shot / d-shot hook sized 1 up to 2/O. I acutally prefer bigger wide gaps for d-shot. But I often fish d-shot in place of t-rig around some cover and structure. Bubba shot I guess. Tubes. RI Innocations Boom Boom Tubes, BPS flipping tubes and a few other brands. T-Rig w/ screw in weight or unpegged in open water. Jighead for deep open water bottom fishing. Gamakatsu Offset EWG 7" Ribbon tail worms and curl tails. Must be 20 different brands in my tackle storage I really don't have a favorite. Zoom? Culprit? Doesn't matter much to me. T-rig pegged/screwin weight. Gamakatsu Offset EWG. Rarely I'll C-rig, been a while. Soft jerk/stick baits: Best Bass Baits 5-7" Sinking Sticks (senko style) extra salt, extra fat and twice as productive as the original. Running low on those so I go to http://www.mglures.c...s/pachinko.html MG Lures Pachinko or http://www.bassmagnetlures.com/?p=1923 Bass Magnet Lures 5-6" Quiver Stick and Q Daddy. Good prices, and you can buy in bulk. Or if I have old Senkos left those are almost as good as the 3 previosuly mentioned - but don't last more than a nibble. T-rig and wacky rig, sometimes with o-rings. Gamakatsu Offset EWG. THIS IS TAKING TOO LONG! Any mix of Creatures, Craws and RI sweet beavers, or the 100 sweet beaver and creature duplicates like Strike King and Berkley make, Berkley Chigger Craw, Yamamoto Kreatures, Hula tail grubs. I really have no preference most of the time. Kinky Beaver might eventually be my go to creature (when tubes don't get it done). T-Rig or jig or weightless for Yamamoto. Gamakatsu Offset EWG. Superline hook if I'm pitching heavy junk with 50# braid. Wacky jig finesse worms and Shakeyhead worms. Jackall Flickshake. Big Bite Baits... Squirrel Tail worm I think it is. Some d-shot finesse worms will double here, especially Reaction Innovations Flirts. Single tail grubs. Pick a brand. Kalins, I dunno, no major preference. Jig head or spot remover type jig. Lizards, t-rig. Gamakatsu EWG, rare C-rig. Sometimes d-shot / bubba shot with Gamaktsu EWG or G-Lock Worm hooks. Paddle tail type small swimbaits - RI Skinny Dipper. Keitech Swing Impact (although I d-shot them). Weighted swimbait hooks from Gamakatsu. OK I must be missing a ton. ZOLTAN!

I'll be hitting Erie for a few days next week, PA waters near Presque Isle Bay. Just wondering if anyone has any fishing reports from the last few weeks? Wondering if smallies are being caught a bit shallower now or if it's still 30' + of water that's holding most. I'll hopefully be spending time at the Cribs and maybe W's if conditions allow us to run that far, and near shore around PIB. How have the cribs been if anyone's hit them recently? Any results for large mouth in the Bay? Thanks!

I've been meaning to try them. Have you used the Compact Series Triple Wil? It's the only one currently in stock at Tackle Warehouse so I'll probably snag a few with the next order.

Good point, I didn't know those were commonly stocked species. Figured they were all wild and naturally reproduced in Erie. Never targeted steelhead but that is one thing I could get into just to be able to fish more in the colder months. Yes. In California.

Spinnerbaits are also very customizable. It won't let me post a link here, but check Tackle Warehouse under their SB section for blades and skirts. You can fairly easliy swap out all 3 blade types in all sizes and colors, and the same for skirts. Sometimes you'll run into issues though where they don't quite run true or fit will on some models. But when I'm low on a particular pattern, I like being able to swap a skirt or one blade in a pinch. Never underestimate the ability of darker colored SBs in any condition. Where I fish, everyone's throwing white or white/chartreuse. I'll often switch to a perch or blue gill pattern, or dark watermellon and just crush em. Personally, I throw a 1/2oz. double willow 80-90% of the time.I like smaller blades size 3, 3.5 or 4 usually. I dig Gamakatsu hooks on my SBs - check Pepper Custom Jigs spinnerbaits. My current favorites. Just bought a Dobyns 734C which will be used only for SBs - I'm totally hooked. The success and confidence I gained in them the last few years made it a "need" for me.

I understand your frustration. I never realized I needed a trout stamp in PA to fish combined species waters if I was just targeting bass. For years I just bought the Lake Erie stamp, and nobody has questioned me. This year my buddy convinced me to add the trout stamp "just in case." Anyway, I hate contributing to the "free meat fee" that is the trout stamp - only benefiting those who fish for man-raised "fish" on opening day. Helping some bumpkins who only fish one day a year, take home some shocked, disoriented little fish - it will never make sense to me. But in some ways, maybe it's a good thing. Keep them the heck away from the bass lakes man. We've got enough poachers and litterers. It's just a shame that no matter how cash strapped the PFBC is and how little they can do to repair infrastructure of thousands of dams and impoundments around the state - they will ALWAYS find money for the raising and stocking of the meekest little fish to swim our waters. (Sorry done ranting touchy topic sorry if I offended any trouters.)

Dag couple toads in there! Nice. I haven't found smallies that big since early June - not easy to do in this heat, congrats!

Haha. Mad Fisherman - sorry man thought you wanted honest opinions, like I said I did not intend to offend. You're free to call it however you want, but since you asked for opionions and I thought it was an interesting thread, I responded, and decided to be honest. Still, seeing a bass that big while fishing is exciting regardless. You accomplished perhaps the toughest part, locating the trophy fish, then drawing a strike. I've lost many more big ones than I've landed, and all it does it motivate me to get back out there and get them in the next time.

Definitely wouldn't even consider counting it. Just my personal preference, but I doubt any self-respecting bass fisherman would! No offense of course. In the boat, and in my hands, then it's caught. And even then for me, a fish that size better get pictured and weighed - if it doesn't it means it somehow knocked me out cold and escaped. Your fish was (foul) hooked... for a bit. Good motivation to go find it again though right? As far as weight, that girth sounds pretty slim for a huge 25" bass. In fact, if it was accurate according to fish calculators, that would be about a 5 and 3/4 pound 25" bass? It would have to mean it's emaciated. Must have had a much larger girth, 15" you'd think and that's on the low end for a fish that length. Calculator here: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&appID=85&cmid=OLFISHCALC

I think I've caught more fish on the tube than any other bait. I used to swear by the simple, cheap, Bass Pro Shops Magnum Flippin Tubes and Tender Tubes. Used to be able to buy them in bulk, it was a no-brainer. Not sure when they quit selling them bulk online, but it's a shame. Fortunately I've had enough to last years. A few years ago I decided to try Reaction Innovations Boom Boom Tubes based on success with their other plastics. Now I'm an addict. Something about them just seems different; texture, colors, how well they rig on t-rig w/ screw-in weight or unpegged. Flipping heavy cover or open water they're my go to tube. Just getting killed by SM & LM. I think I might be a sucker for the color combos maybe, they're great especially for Great Lakes - gobies. Regardless I've found plenty I like and will use, but the Boom Boom gets rigged first.

I understand that. I grew up catching smallies in local rivers and on Lake Erie; the smallie became king in my eyes from day one and that hasn't changed. I'm mostly catch and release on all bass, so I'm biased to begin with. But when we do decide to keep a few, I can't let anyone kill the smallies. I'll leave my smallie spots to target large mouth before a single smallie gets iced.

I've read a bit on this topic in the past that smallies are known to recover or "activate" quicker. On average two days for SM, 3 for LM. Seemed more like speculation to me with no solid evidence. I couldn't say much from experience, I struggle on both after a cold front. I seem to only pick up a few scavengers or single cruising fish the first few days after a front, as opposed to getting into a school or developing anything consistent.

I completely agree. Most folks put so much seasoning and frying into fish that they probably have no idea what certain fish really taste like. I learned from a chef - let the meat speak for itself. If you bread and fry the bejesus out of the meat, then its greasy fried breading you like, not so much the fish itself. That said when I have a low quality fillet like bass, I concede and bread/fry it to oblivion, most of my friends/family enjoy it that way. Hot sauce or sriracha too, another method to compensate for lack of quality meat. It's all good, I like a fish fry and I like the spicy stuff, but it's nothing compared to properly broiled or baked mackeral, snapper, mahi mahi, grouper etc. Never had walleye cooked this way, that's what I'll try next. My secret ingrediate right there. When I'm stuck with a low end fillet like bass, I smother it with the Prudhomme's, among other things. When it's higher quality - then I just need a pinch to enhance the taste. Seafood Magic is also great.

Very low on the list for me. Very little taste in general, but the smaller bass can taste decent especially from cool clear waters with really flow - if you're not able to catch the following first: Any edible salt water sport fish, shellfish Any common SW fish from a quality fish market / grocer Farm raised catfish, tilapia, salmon - organically raised, from grocer walleye / perch crappie blue gill and all related pan fish (would be higher if fillets were bigger) catfish rock bass 12-13" smallies (I can't kill them though), 12-14" LM. General size limit for me. Over 15-16" usually = mushy watery taste and texture Trout (only had a few so maybe there are better types) Pike (what a waste, chewy and awkward, couldn't believe my buddy killed it) Muskie? Who would ever kill such a rare fish Never had carp, sheephead, white bass, striper, hybrids, or a number of other freshwater fish. Not sure what type of catfish I had either.

Comparing a disposable bait to a potentially life-long tool like a reel or rod is comical at best, not worth picking that argument apart. But in general, is the really that hard to understand? It's a simple concept. Some people don't believe the one brand is better than another for a particular bait - or at least not enough to warrant a huge disparity in price. Brand loyalty is a tough shell to crack. For those that aren't loyal to a brand - when all other things are equal, cost becomes the number one deciding factor. How long a bait can last can certainly impact expenses. Some feel all things are equal with these two baits, why not save money. Same with all the Senko vs. other stick bait discussions.

I've found a number of "knockoffs" that definitely outperform the Senko. You'll never know until you try them. Just need to experiement. My favorites were custom handpours that are thicker and heavier, yet last longer. And, as a bonus, just over half the price. The cost of the original is just absurd anymore, especially consider how long they last when t-rigged. Wacky rigged / O-ring can help - if the little guys don't grab it below the hook. You set the hook and it rips right out of the o-ring. A number of times I've lost the Senko and the o-ring is all that's left on the hook. Then the solution is to be more patient and wait till they have a chance to take the entire bait. That's when you get a big fish and it gets gut hooked. Anyway, the 4" Yums are decent on a drop shot but too light IMO for typical senko fishing.

I'm sure as hell not going to pretend bass make great table fare. I've had plenty and I have to bread and fry the bejesus out of it, and douse it in seasoning or hot sauce just so you can taste "something." I tried broiled and baked, and that will prove to you they're just dull and soft, one of the worst I've had. Maybe this steaming technique brings out the natural flavor better? Regarding the video - looks like some wasted meat in the tail end and near the head. Never had steamed fish so maybe it's necessary to "fillet" them your way. I'd like to try it though because frying can't be healthy at all. Don't mean to preach and ramble on but to be clear I prefer catch and release. However, a few times a year bass get kept. Gut hooked / dying fish never get wasted if I think they're definitely not going to make it. IMHO once bass get to about 1.5#s the meat starts getting mushy and tasteless. Definitely not the great firm, flaky white meat like on perch and walleye. All pan fish are much better too, including rock bass. Pike are chewy and just awkward IMO.

The Western Basin doesn't come close to Presque Isle. Did you mean East or Central basins? Or maybe it's a different bay in the West you're thinking off? I only fished in the West once around the Bass Islands, and I was cluessly shore fishing. No good for me mid-summer. Anyway, I was just up at PIB yesterday and it was SLOW. In a small boat with limited time, no depth finder so I couldn't make a decent run towards NE, or fish any deeper water. If you have decent electronics for imaging you can find schools of bait fish and schools of smallies in deeper water. I don't know the Western basin at all, just know PIB and East towards North East PA. I was stuck fishing near shore and we only got a handful of little smallies and a couple decent large mouth. Biggest LM was close to 3# but we found them all on the main lake in grass, 6-10ft. Definitely not ideal. You get out on that lake and should have 50 fish days if you have the right equipment to run. Spinner bait was not working. All on small plastics, finesse fishing. Didn't have much time to experiement either. If I could get to NE for a few days in an Erie worthy boat with decent electronics, I would hammer the ledges and rock structure around NE in PA waters. Probably don't need to run more than a mile or two from shore and there's tons of structure to cover. And by structure I'm saying mostly breaks in the depths - ledges, humps, some small rock and boulders. Mostly searching for big school, and sometimes that just mean suspended open water. I've read 15-35 ft. held big schools a few weeks ago, I don't see why that won't be the case all summer, any summer around NE. Dshot for sure, but you should also have search baits. I've never fished a day on Erie w/o a tube and SB tied on. Depending on the season, a jerk bait too.

If I were going now and fishing a tourney, I'd head to North East. You named some common spots that I've heard can be very productive, should add that the Ws and Cribs are very well known. If it's a pretty big touney, there will be plenty of traffic on those areas, but Ws offer a lot to cover. I've heard a few reports about the cribs recently, but best I've heard is NE in the last few weeks. Unfortunately I know PIB and just East of the PIB best, I rarely get to run far from PIB. And depending on weather, it's probably not worth spending any time in the bay based on my last few trips in June. Just curious what club?