bassnleo

The number one you'll catch a fish bait is shiners, either emerald's or regular small shiners. Poor Richards sells the small regular shiners, BAC sells emeralds. I prefer Poor Richards, they seem to be a little heartier than emeralds. Low and clear conditions are tough all around. In those conditons go to a deeper pool, use light line or a light leader, no weight under the float. In faster conditions where the water has some color you can upsize line to 6-8 lb test, a little more weight. The key is to adjust your weight, length between your float and bait, till you get the drift to match the current. Shiners are good in just about any condition. I also use egg sacks if the water has alot of color. Single waxworms are good to as are mini-foo jigs tipped with a maggot or two. The basic colors or white and black will always catch fish. If you want to go sometime let me know. I'd be glad to show you the ropes up there. It can be frustrating to see everyone catching fish and you just can't seem to hook-up. I can show you a few simple things that will get you bit, I guarantee it!

I've had that happen with both largemouth and smallmouth. My response........switch to a topwater bait ;D

Andrew, check out this thread, it should have all the info you need: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1167358924/0

I will also arrive Sunday afternoon, 12 hour drive also. Just thought I'd mention the Easter thing.

All those old or broken rods that sit in the corner. The mental image of a fish jumping off the line, the fish that would have put you over the the top and in the money or first place. The smell of the Spring air the first time on the water. Those old containers of scent, you never use them, but for some reason you keep those crusty things around "just in case".

+5 Simmons has always been GREAT to deal with.

Just say when

HEY? Just out of curiousity, did anyone notice that the first day of our roadtrip is on Easter Sunday? I just realized that, it does not affect me but thought I'd mention it.

Duel Pro or Guest chargers are good. I do have an XPS I-5-5-5 charger, had it for about 6 months now. I haven't had any issues with it, has worked good for me so far, although I will admit that I received it as a gift and read the reviews after getting it. I made sure to register it so in the event of problems it would be repaired / replaced under warranty.

I know one thing........It's now less than 3 months away! I can't wait The friend that is traveling down with me is not a member here and a fairly new to bassin. I would love to see him stick a big one! No wait..... Just got selfish, the heck with him. I WANNA STICK A BIGUN

I'm a die hard Pens fan and played ice hockey all my life. That game and concept was great, I really enjoyed watching it. Going to the Erie Otters game this Saturday! They are a local AHL team.

Really?.........YES........ It has been a fantastic year on the tribs. Each day out I average about 10-15 landed and many more hook-ups. The 50 day was one of those days where they were eating good and we just had the drift right. You'll see, it's all about the drift.......

Glenn and moderators, thanks for such a great, informative, and friendly site. All the hard work you guys do shows and is appreciated! Can't wait to get to Guntersville and meet everyone in person!

I agree that the baits you are using may be a little too big for the fish. What size trout are you catching just out of curiousity? Here, we fish for steelhead this time of year. Steelhead are nothing more than a rainbow that runs into streams then back to the lake when spawning season is done. Most steelhead we catch are in the 4-10 lb range, some may go over 10. Our gear is 8-9 foot noodle spinning rods, 4-8 lb test, really small hooks, usually like a size 12-14 depending on water clarity. My favorite technique is to drift an emerald shiner under a Drennan float. With that presentation we are setting the hook pretty hard for 2 reasons. One, the fish have hard mouths and two, current tends to throw a little slack in your line and a long hard hookset will get out the slack and allow enough power to put the hook home. Here's a pic of a typical steelhead. Best of luck!

I've been out but it's been on the Erie tribs chasing steelhead. It's a great way to pass the time till Spring rolls around. Steelheading has been AWESOME this year. Last day out me and a friend landed over 50 between the two of us.

Glenn, isn't your Ranger green? If so, I'd like to see a pic of it, my wifey says a new boat may be in the works next year. She is dead set on me getting a Ranger that is has a color similar to forest green!

I carry: tools (a kit that has all necessities and electrical stuff) first aid kit distilled water for batteries extra oil extra PFD's obvious safety equipment like flares fuses drift sock extra livewell pump spare drain plug raingear gloves and hat for cold weather runs sunscreen bug repellant anchor rope Of course all the tackle and rods! I'm sure there is stuff I'm forgetting but I like to be prepared! Best of luck with the Z-19 Ben, I'm planning on trading my ProCraft next year for one!

I don't think the motor had anything special done to it but it was not my boat and don't have all the details on that. I rode in the Z20 in Pittsburgh this past October. The speed was GPS.

Yup, even in the inlets of Champlain you can get 4-5 footers and the main lake can be 7-8 footers. Erie is the same way. If you are running in a boat that isn't glass or under 18 feet, I would advise to stay away from these lakes because it can be calm as glass in the morning and a few hours later you cannot get back. Any wind on Champlain straight from the north or south is deadly. I must respectfully disagree.......some. As I mentioned, the Erie PA area has the best of both worlds. Conditons permitting, an angler in an 16-18 foot boat can run just outside Presque Isle, less than 2-3 miles, and have all the smallie action they want. If the wind blows, stay in the bay and catch largemouth and possibly smallmouth depending on time of year. Other Erie area launches can put someone with 1 mile of great action. I would have to disagree that the smallmouth population is "decimated" East of Cleveland. The Erie area is alive and quite well, Barcelona, Dunkirk, Buffalo areas are also doing well, just look and the results from the BASS Elite series event held there this year. I will agree that a v series boat may make it better on rougher days but I run an 18 foot ProCraft and do just fine in waves up to 4 feet. Ya just have to keep an eye on the lake condtions and forecast, if it's starts to get bad it's time to go.

I've ridden in a Z20 with an Evinrude 225, it also ran low to mid 70's so I'd say that 73 is pretty close. I also rode in a Z19 with a 225, holy cow, that thing rocked. It was actually a little too fast for my liking.

I attended the expo in Pittsburgh 2005. It was ok, something to do till weigh-in. I didn't really see any great deals on tackle or gear....not to say that there might be this year. I would go again if presented with the opportunity.

Me to! Can I get a BOOYAH?

I got one thing to say about spoons and slop, specifically Johnson's Siver Minnow...... Ssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, it's a GREAT slop bait. I personally like to use a pork trailer in white, black, or green. The action is soo cool on them! Cast em out and reel em back over the junk. When you hit a hole in the junk you can either pause it or swim it through. Definately wait a second till you feel the fish before you set the hook. Fish it loaded for bear meaning heavy rod and heavy line. Johnsons have a thick hook and the heavy gear and a hearty hook set helps put the hook home. My favorite area to fish it is through pads. You can walk it right across the pads and swim it through the openings. One thing I dislike about the Johnsons is the wire guard. It has a tendency to become week and break off after it gets bent a few times. Best of luck!

Your not far off! I worked at a Dicks store for over 2 years, they do seem to be a little higher on alot of things but when they mark it down they really go rock bottom just to get rid of it. I used to be able to tell what they paid for the item just by looking at the tag on it. They used a code that corresdonded to price. They have since changed that >

Do you mean the weedless style tube heads? If so, start the hook point in the tube where you want your hook eye to end up. You just rig it backwards with the weedless head.