MarkH024

That would be news to me. I have to disagree. I think it depends on the quality, how much its used. The thing you want to look for is line fray. My personal preference, I like Sufix braid in low vis green. It has a really dark coating on it that seems to be a little stiff, but after a trip or two to the water it will soften up really nice. I use a little KVD conditioner on it too when I spool it. Power Pro is another good choice. The line diameter is just as crucial to think about versus just the LB line you're using. 20lb braid (Sufix) is equal to 6lb mono diameter, .011 or something like that from what I can recall, but its so much stronger than mono. Way more sensitive too. I'd say try anything from 12 to 20 to start with. For trout...probably lighter I would think. I dont know much about trout fishing except they taste great. I went on a Rainbow Trout trip on the White River. Not my cup of tea, but worth it for the freezer.

x2.....cheap mono backing will save you some serious cash.

Thanks, that's what I'm looking for pretty much.

I was just curious if any of you throw a Jika Rig with soft plastics on a regular basis. If so, my question is it better for a vertical presentation so the bait really stands up, or can you get the same effect making long casts and working the bottom? I was thinking that if it is casted out and reeled in on an angle, the plastic won't sit up quite like it would if you were more vertical. I suppose it could just be hopped but I like the idea of having a small craw on it that looks like its in the defensive stance and just crawled on the bottom. Curious to hear some feedback, as it's one technique I haven't really tried out yet.

Yeah that's not right. And if that is the way tracker boats are made, then I would never consider buying one again. I almost got one brand new but I shopped around for used boats and settled on a 2001 Ranger R73. I have never had any of my compartments with water in them even with down pours to 3 foot waves crashing over the sides...no joke. Let us know how you resolve it. That must be a real pain in the arse. Good luck

Alton Jones had talked about that when he was fishing the classic this year I believe. From the "pro" perspective, he said it really only matters when you're sight fishing or fishing in really shallow areas and the water is very clear. He was wearing an olive green polo shirt. I think at the caliber those guys fish they can wear a clown suit and still catch 10x the amount of fish than us, lol. Wear whatever you're comfortable with. Yellows and Reds make for good fish pictures, as it makes your catch really pop out when you're holding them. I wear a lot of gray/ash colored shirts...I stay away from dark when its hot just because it absorbs so much more heat. I hate the heat...

What is the name of the lake? Try finding a topographic map of it. Google does wonders. If you can find one, then start marking out the map where it looks "ideal" for smallies to be and start hammering those areas. Find the breaks from shallow to deep, find the humps, etc...Try them multiple times a day if you can. 30 min at a spot and then change...if you're getting hit on a spot, stay until you catch one. Record how you were catching them. Write down as much info as you can about it and then try it at the next spot exactly how you did before. If you give me the name I'll try to track one down for you.

Welcome. Another IL bass man! nice

Welcome

Welcome

Sometimes even in the best "conditions" they wont bite on the surface. Did you have a cold front come through? In any event, whenever the bite is tough, slow down. Work a worm on the bottom or through the weeds. Slow and subtle is your ticket to a non-skunked day. I like to power fish about 95% of the time. Cranks, spinners, jerkbaits, flukes, etc...anything that creates reaction bites. If that stuff isn't doing it for them, then I will switch to a texas rig, wacky or shakey head. Something a little more subtle. Usually you'll find one hungry mama.

Awesome! That's a fish to remember!

I fish with 20 (8lb dia) and 30lb (10lb dia.)Sufix on a few of my bc's. Works fine for me. You'll have an occasional nest or over run...nothing you can't fix. Don't be afraid to try it...back your spool with 1/3 mono so you're not filling it with unused braid. Save bucks and your spool of unused line can be put to another reel or for when it's time to respool again. I only put on 75 to 100 yds per reel, the beginning of the reel I use a cheap mono.

Thought I'd share this story. Pretty neat. http://www.toledoblade.com/MattMarkey/2012/07/31/Toledoan-snags-rare-silver-pike-on-Canadian-trip.html

I just use a Rapala brand digital. Scales up to 50lbs I believe, and you can store a few entries. I keep it in my boat or bag and it doesn't really get beat up. If you're just weighing bass, I think something like I have should be good enough. There aren't too many 50lb LMB out there.......if you see anything over 10-12 thats amazing at that.

Frogs always produce quality fish. Granted I was fishing in some thick lilies and vegetation, you can catch them in open water if the circumstances are right. Just like BassinAssissin said, if they're active on the top, doesn't hurt to try it. It never hurts to have a frog or two in your arsenal. I have an entire box of just frogs, along with soft body plastic frogs too. It's an addicting way to fish!

If you like swimbaits, try the Strike King Shadalicous in the Sexy Shad color. It's a hollow body style swimbait so you will end up needing the proper hooks like a Gamakatsu swimbait hook, skin hook the tip when you bring it out the back and you have a perfect weedless bait. They will work anywhere in the country with any forage, I guarantee it. Always try to get close to the natural forage of the water you're fishing.

I like Yum Dingers and BPS. If I want a lighter sink, I use the Strik King Ocho. They're all great products.

I think PRJavelin may have not known that Rage Shad is a topwater/surface bait? Am I correct? I'm using a 5/0 with the Rage shad as well and sometimes I use a really really light weight superline hook without the screw in for the plastic. It just gives it a bit of weight so you can launch it a little further. I've got nothing on the Anaconda, never fished it but I'd use a 5 or 6/0 weightless T-Rigged to start, then experiment from there. EDIT--- HereThis is the kind of hook I like with my Rage Shad and Toad. 5/0 1/16th. Gives it just a little more oomf on the cast and its easier if there is any wind. Try it out.

I'm with Impacto, I'd start with a lipless or a square bill, craw colors. If that isn't working, I'd start working some tubes or texas rigged craws. Anything natural color with reds and orange mixed in. I fish a river here that has about a foot of water clarity and never used to catch anything until I started throwing craw colored cranks or imitation plastics.

Welcome MrPeanut, i'm fairly new here as well. Like you from the burbs of Chicago. Currently reside in Streamwood to be exact. Enjoy the site, it is hands down the best fishing community on the net.

I just had twins in May this year! Identical boys if you can imagine that. I can not WAIT for these moments. I love watching them grow just in the short months of having them but I want them to be at the "fishing" age already. I know, I know, "just wait and you'll be eating your words". I've heard it a 1000 times already.

Wow thats insane. I did hit a 90 or 91 spot in 2-3 foot of water but mostly in the 80's. Hopefully with the cooler temps coming it will chill things out so to speak.

I caught about a 3.5 lb LMB about 3 feet from shore on a lipless crank. Instead of tiring it out some, I wung it in shore and went for the lip. She gave me a shake and put two hooks of 1 treble into my pointer finger and middle finger while she was attached. I lost grip and she was shaking like a salt shaker yanking on my fingers. I had to pin the fish down on the ground to make it stop flip flopping. Was able to cut the hook from the crankbait and then had to remove the hooks. I iced my fingers and started pushing them through. What I learned that day was ALWAYS have a good pair of cutters with you. I had to use the cutters on my needle nose pliers and they were extremely difficult to cut through hooks. I never fish with out cutters and pliers at my side now.