lmbfisherman

Dude, that is highway robbery. I wish I could find a deal like that. For what you are doing with it, should be fine.

Although I had a successful weekend at the cottage last week. There were moments when these things happened. 1. Biggest pike ever swam for my Spinnerbait literally 8-10ft out from me and when it gulped my SB I didn't set the hook. As my brain decided to just go HOLY COW THAT IS A HUGE PIKE! THAT HEAD COULD EAT FIT MY FOOT. Mr Pike takes SB under my kayak and tried to set hook, my SB came flying up out of the water. 2. Again fishing my SB and I go hey, I got a hit....lets not set the hook or anything and it spits it. 3. Very next cast, fish on...set the hook YES! I get him near me, nice smallie..I go hrm, should I get my net? Nah I'll just grab my line he's done I think, he races out one last time...and SNAP goes my line! 4. Fish a super fluke white ice color, just before I casted I said, well crap I didn't check to see if the bait was on properly like I do every cast. Bite!..set the hook, about half way lost it. When I reeled up my bait the hook wasn't exposed enough (guess somehow was buried deeper than skin hook), so probably didn't have a hook on the fish. Those are some of the highlights, there were other little things that I forgot to do and missed fish. If my game was on it should've been a 10-15 fish day, instead it was 5. The next day I redeemed myself though and my game was sharp.

To add...wait I can't think of anything. Seriously what I would add, for river fishing inline spinners are awesome, #4 Mepps. I would also get a white/cht double willow 3/8 oz spinnerbait.

To add to the White and White/CHT colors. Normally this lake is gin clear, but this year for the first time it was tea color (I think it has to do with the rain we are getting..getting a lot more than normal). Anyway, I was worried about the White skirt on my SB. So I checked how it looked underwater, to me anyway it looked like the white was actually a bit yellow (cht) instead of white. I was like if this is what I see, I wonder what the fish sees. I was worried for nothing, I used white ice super flukes too and caught fish.

I guess I'm the opposite, I find the Uni to Uni knot easier than the Alberto Knot. I tried a few times and find it difficult for me. To add I am however noticing that certain floro don't work as well with Uni to Uni. For instance Trilene 100% I seem to get more slippage and breaks at the knot, I never had a break at the knot with Seaguar Red Label. So now all I use is Red Label or AbrazX.

I'd go Curado I for the reels, they get rave reviews. Yes I'd go high speed on the jig and worms, in general I like to use high speed for plastics. As for rods - A lot of good rods can be had at that price range. I can only give you my experience...I've settled for Fenwick (Aetos/ET Smallmouth, Shimano (Cumara, Cumulus), G Loomis (GLX)) With your price range I'd take a look at the Cumara or Aetos for what you want. If you want to save a little money the Aetos is almost comparable to a Cumara in sensitivity. Of course everyone has different preferences and feel though. I just like the way those three brands fish..specifically the tip.

This sums it up.

Ditto! Did this last weekend. Not just for Smallies..pike and Largies too.

Awesome congrats. The other thing I would try is a weightless super fluke. Something most people don't do, think something different. Also, I would use a finesse jig and pitch it in those pockets. To change it up, use a blue or dark coloured tube (a lot of people don't try this on a jig). I fish heavy pressured ponds near me and I always do things people don't do. Everyone throws crankbaits, hard body jerkbaits...so I use spinnerbaits/flukes/jigs...and usually catch fish most of the time.

This.

I like split grips, not sure why I don't like full grips. It just feel natural to me, but it is all preference. I think it would be wise to hold split grip rods and full grips no matter the brand and figure out which feels right for you.

I use Rod Gloves and the BPS ones..I need more though, definitely worth it.

You can get a BPS PQ Combo with a Carbonlite rod...both get rave reviews. I own two PQs, solid reels. when on sale it's a steal! I personally feel you need to go Curado level and up to get the next best level.

I tried a MHM fast rod and felt like I wasn't getting the hooksets proper. This even with braid, when I went back to my trusty MH/F rod for SB..it was back on. I was getting the hook sets I wanted and was landing fish. Who knows maybe it was all confidence in my MH/F rod..anyway, here's a thought..maybe add a trailer hook?

Maybe the Mojo line is gone soon? Still I will not be buying a Triumph ever...and if I were to buy a St. Croix again, will not go below an Extreme or Elite.

Sorry to be nitpicky, but that is PFD and I agree.

This is totally not tue...I was just fishing a lake where there 6" and spots that go up to 100+ feet. I caught largemouth bass in 6" to a foot of water, it was a lily pad field mixed with other weeds and laydowns everywhere. Caught 4 pike too. I would bring a white pearl or white ice super fluke, which is what I caught a bulk of my fish on that day. My 2nd killer was a havoc bottom hopper, smoke color.

Spoon, even though I don't use either a lot.

I have no confidence yet with a squarebill, BUT I've forced myself to fish them more this year. I'm starting to get the hang of it, I just think you need time and experience to understand how to fish them. The one thing that does suck is that you lose a few when you are starting out. Possibly a way to learn how a squarebill works, maybe remove the trebles and get the feel for them? So you don't get hung up. The biggest tip someone gave me on this board (private messaged me) was when you hit something, stop reeling..wait until it comes up and over what it is so you don't get snagged...and don't set the hook when it happens...BUT be prepared to get a fish on, cause that is when they like to strike.

The cottage lake I fish up in here Ontario, Spinnerbait in White or White/Chartreuse - kills. Smallmouth, Pike and largie. Spinnerbait is my go to search bait, I use often. My favorite confidence SB is 3/8oz White/Cht Double Willow. I've lost twice now what could've been my personal best pike on a white/cht SB too. One I lost 10ft out it looks to be close to 40" long and just last Saturday at the same cottage lake, I don't know what I was thinking...it was about an arms length out to the right of me, my jaw dropped in awe when I saw the size of it's head...i stopped reeling, he took the SB right under my kayak...I tried to set the hook and he spit it. It took to me a split second too long to react. Not a bass, but SBs always are tied on for me.

x2 on the clearance Crucial, you can find one at your price range. Also a Veritas is a decent rod, you can find the older version for 80 bucks and under.

I owned both at one point, I sold off my St. Croix's. An Aetos to me beats Croix hands down against a LTB and below. I haven't fished an Extreme or Elite so I can't comment. My two go to spinning rods, 7' Aetos M/F and Fenwick ET Smallmouth 6'9" M/XF.

Handle is awesome, performance I'd say ok...I wouldn't buy another one, but I use it in my rotation....I usually have a swim jig or spinnerbait tied on.

My favorite rods to fish all the time are these: Fenwick ET Smallmouth Casting - paired with 50 MG 6'10" M/F Fenwick ET Smallmouth Spinning - paired with Symetre 2500 FI 6'9 M/XF Fenwick Aetos Spinning - paired with Stradic 2500 FJ, 7' M/F Even though I own GLXs, Cumaras, Cumulus..etc....I find these rods just kick ass. Not that I don't like my more expensive rods, but I noticed I use these three a lot more than my other rods.

I'd definitely try the fluke idea, if that doesn't work a split shot rig with a worm in natural color or drop shot.