bassnleo

Gonna throw this question out just to see the answers, it's on the same lines as this threads original question: Where will bass "stage" if the body of water has no ledges or distinct drop offs. I fish a lake just like that, there are NO ledges or drops, just very gradually rising areas (for example, it may take 1/4 to 1/2 mile to see an upchange in depth as you travel toward shore). This lake is shallow, the Northern end may max out at 14 feet in a few areas, the South has some 20 foot areas. In both max depth cases the deepest parts are where the channel lies. I have my theories, just wanna see if anyone else concurs.

baitball: G4 system? Never heard it called that, I'm thinking that G4 refers to the name of the tube BUT, yes that rig is in my aresnal. I mainly use it that way with the HP hook for skipping baits under docks and around wood cover. In a weed situation I much prefer to texas rig. IMHO, in the internal weight style, a weight of much more than 3/16 becomes too big inside the tube thus hindering the hooks ability to penetrate. Now, for small weights like 1/16 or 1/8 it's great. I use 3/0 and 4/0 HP hooks anytime I'm using an internal weight. MNGeorge, I have used the Lindy weights also, I just don't like the way they rig, that weight does not allow the hook to move at all and the weights are so long...It has been my experience that using the rattle weights lessens the distance between the hook point and weight and makes it hard to get a solid hook into a fish. I make my own internal tube weights out of drop shot weights . Like HPBB mentioned, weeds are not an issue with alot of smallie water here. For the most part it's all rock and sand.

X2. Gotta add bank fisherman to the list also. I will make a wide swing around bank guys as well.....

bug, welcome to Bass Resource. Lake Erie's central basin is large, post what area you plan to go out of (Ohio, Pennsylvania?) and I'm sure you will get many responses. I know that PA and NY have been nothing short of fantastic...

I too have been using it since I purchased it at the Classic Expo in Pittsburgh 2005. Great stuff....

Well, I don't know when I will make it up there, but Lake Erie is my #1 Fantasy Destination! If a fellow plans a trip, what is the best alternative if the lake isn't suitable? Is there an inland lake close that would work for Plan B? 8-) Presque Isle bay (Erie PA) is good but you would be fishing largemouth if your there in summer. It would be pretty likely that in a 3-4 day trip you would have at least 1 day where the main lake has rollers and you'd be confined to the bay. The suggestion on Chautauqua is a good one, that place also holds big smallmouth and is not too far from Erie PA. RW, if your serious about making a trip up just say the word. I'll take vacation and we'll have a ball.......

RW, yep it can be a bone jarring ride. This is gonna sound stupid...... I've been caught out a time or two when the waves were over 5'. I found it easier to run in those rather than the pesky 3 footers. At least the bigger waves you can go up one side and down the other. Then 3 footers seem to be spaced just perfectly apart that it makes you have to trim down and back off the throttle when hitting one. May I add that I don't venture out in large waves, just have been caught out in the lake a few times when they came up out of nowhere. I still love Lake Erie

If you want to run a bow mount TM from the back you are going to be limited in what you can install. Minn Kota make a Power Drive model TM that has a small pedal and long cord. I also think Motorguide makes a similar set up.

PI to Buffalo is a LONG run in 3-4's I have gone to Barcelona and Dunkirk from PI but that was on less than 2 footer days. Lately I have concentrated on finding more spots close to PI and I'm glad I did. Shorter runs equal more fishing time and MAN, there's alot of spots just waiting to be found!

I've heard it fishes like Pymatuning, I can only hope! I love that lake

I see so many of todays youths in my line of work, many many of them have no direction. When I deal with them I hear the same thing, "There's nothing to do".... I too am so glad to see Ryan do so well. I do not know him personally nor have I ever met him. It's really nice to see a young person that has his stuff together. He's a role model, alot of kids should lookk up to him

Looking for some info on Berlin Lake in Ohio. Will be there late May and early June. Any helpful tips will be appreciated. Feel free to PM if necessary.

Yep, write on mine frequently. I sometimes write the runing depth on the underside of the bill. I sometimes color the backs of lures with marker. I sometimes add dots or marks to sides of cranks. I have a chartruese Manns 1 minus, it had a blue back, I scuffed the blue up then colored it black with a sharpie. That bait is the best fish catching 1 minus I have. Never noticed the sharpie negatively affecting the baits.

Don't know where you are but the forecast for this area of PA is 50's one day then 30's and SNOW for the rest of the week Them robins aren't singin yet.....

None of them are weedless .

I always try to pre-fish. IMHO the key is finding the fish and then trying to adjust on tournament day if the conditions have changed from when you pre-fished. I've found that by doing this it has saved me from alot or running around trying to figure things out.

I'm gonna go outside the box here, I'll explain: I fish a shallow reservior here in PA also. When the ice first leaves the temp will be in the same range as you mentioned. This lake has lots of soft bottom shallow areas and coves that have quite a bit of wood cover, stumps, etc...The water is usually stained as well. I know the popular belief is that the fish will use staging areas ie...creek channels and ledges, near spawning areas. Due to the stained water I seem to be never able to locate fish in traditional "staging areas". In my experience the smallies will not suspend in stained water. What I have found.....Go as shallow as you can. Yep, I said shallow as you can. Why? My experience has been that the shallow coves on the Northern end of the lake can be as much as 10 degrees warmer than the main lake. I have had days where the main lake was in the low to mid 40's and I've found coves in the low 50's. The stained water coupled with a soft bottom warms more quickly than the main lake water. The warmer water draws the bass looking to feed. All of this also depends on the weather and temperture trend 1 or 2 weeks prior to your day. If you have had 1 or 2 weeks of warm weather the coves will be warmer than the main lake. If it's been cold and it's the first day you get out you may find temps fairly even throughout the lake. I will target any wood or rock cover in the coves or at the points leading to the coves. Cranks, spinnerbaits, jigs, tubes, are usually the workhorse baits for me. Presentation will depend on the how the fish react to my initial couple hours. I bump the wood with the cranks and spinnerbaits, if that is not producing fish I will switch to slower presentations with the tubes and jigs. One more little thing......another little opinion, yes, fish will be moving up to areas where they want to spawn, BUT, they want to feed first. Warmer water draws their feed. I've also often found fish REALLY early in areas that they cannot spawn, it just won't support the nest because the bottom in silt or mud. A cove that has alot of feed but is not suitable for spawning CLOSE to suitable spawning area can be a goldmine. Just my experience in chasing Northern cold blooded fish, hope it helps.

I've used all 3 on Erie. I make heads like #1 and mostly use that style. My secondary choice is #2 because the EWG hook works a little better on larger or thicker tubes (if I'm using that style of tube). Don't like #3. Not sure why, just haven't seen a difference or benefit to that style of head. All 3 will hang up about the same. As with all bottom dragging Erie presentations, ALWAYS check your line. Those Zebra's tear everything up. As far as hook ups, I really haven't noticed a difference between #1 and #2. Oh, and NO weedguard!

Too bad I'm so far off your route.....I have an 18 hp Tohatsu tiller that would suit your needs. I'm 60 miles South of Erie PA, in order for you to get it you would have to go way off your path. Wish I could help

I would love to see Gary Klein win one....

I laugh every time I see that video

I'd like to echo something already said: "you'd spend $100 on a reel but $20 on sunglasses?" FORGET about being able to see into the water for a minute. Good polarized glasses PROTECT your eyes from very harmful sunlight and IMHO that is the most important function of sunglasses. The cheap ones in no way compare to quality polarized sunglasses. A pair of good quality polarized sunglasses can be had for less than $100. As I see it, why spend the money on cheap ones that may work to help you see into the water but do not protect your eyes properly. Spend a little more on good sunglasses, your eyes will thank you.

I'm just curious...... How many members whom have responded to this post are actually sworn Law Enforcement personnel? Am I the only Mohican?

You're absolutly correct. I feel like a complete hypocrite, asking not to be generalized, and then doing it myself. Sometimes I get defensive and let my emotions take over. I apologize. And Avid you are correct. There are no time machines. Im outta here, and I thank all for being respectful. No apologies necessary. You have not had favorable experiences with law enforcement and in spite of that you still maintained your tact in expressing your opinion. I applaued you for that and hope that someday a police officer helps you in some way that offsets (if even so slightly) the negative experiences.

One possible suggestion, closely watch the weather / marine forecast, if the lake is flat and forecasted to stay flat for the day (less than 1 or 2 footers) put in at a close ramp and just fish within sight of the ramp (assuming that you have a boat that's at least 16 feet). Not sure where you are on the lake but here in PA there are a few places where you could just go out from the ramp into the proper depth (whatever the fish would be holding at for that time of year) and catch all kinds of smallies. If not, hire a guide, there are alot of bass guides around Lake Erie. They will be properly outfitted and give you a good day and education on what to expect should you have the opportunity to venture out on your own.