Smokinal

Merry XMas everyone!

I stop fishing when my trailer rides on top of the lake. We've broken through 100' of ice to get to open water before. We're a little nuts but we fish until the last cast can be made; dipping the rod every other cast. It's 12/4 and I plan on fishing until at least 12/18 up here in Maine this year. A far as spring goes, we've caught em casting to edges of ice on coves. If we can launch, we go.

I still whack em good in cold water on a gold HJ

Back atcha sir! I hope everyone has a safe, pleasant day today.

Ok...Koolaid I say Cool-aid A buddy of mine says Koo-laid

<1% crew

I do like the Structure Bug but I'm a big fan of the Space Monkey. Similar bait and such, I've just caught some good one over the years; numbers too. I also have some custom poured craws I'll put on a jighead/Nedhead lol...I'm a little slow on the uptake here but, yes, that's the correct answer.

10# any fluoro on sale tied to 10# Berkley Jordan Lee X9 in HiVis Flame Green

I'm excited! I spent some time on my deck and could see immediate improvement. I definitely got the feel down after just 10 minutes. I was slinging it like a frisbee before. Once I got the wrist down and the release point, it started coming together. No where near great at it, maybe not even proficient...but enough to be dangerous. Lookout docks, I'm coming Sunday

Thank you for all the great replies, tips and ideas! Sounds like I need to replace my line, step out on my deck steps and get to practicing! I will say I watched a bunch of videos and I do believe I was going about it all wrong. Technique seems to be the biggest key here, and that's what I need to work on. Thanks again

I should say pitch, to keep the terminology correct. I have a variety of 7'MH with a variety of reels from Tatula, Revo S, Lews...it's the same with them all. 20lb braid on all of them. I have the spool as loose as I can get it and the bait still just seems to pendulum out there, but no line peels off the reel, and the bait just pendulums back. I think I've narrowed it down to a couple of factors but wanted to run these by some better sticks to get your feedback. A. I probably need tons more practice B. Longer rod? 7-6 maybe? c. Better quality reel? Would a better reel be smoother and therefore release the line/spool better? IDK,,,guessing here I'd like to get a new setup with the proper rod/reel but need advice before I spend the money. So, what's the best rod under $100?? lol...just kidding. Although I was looking at this in the 7-6 Med: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Jordan_Lee_Casting_Rods/descpage-AJLC.html Our fish up here are most commonly 1-5 lbs so I'm not winching 7-9 lb'ers. And I think the reel is probably the most imortant part of a pitching setup so what would be a good reel for this rod/technique? Thanks folks I see these guys pitch so well they skip baits...I just shake my head in awe

Same thing with me this last Saturday. This is the transition between summer and fall///fall and winter...and can be very tough. Once the temp starts with a 4 it will get more predictable. Red trap, jerkbaits, jigs, cranks...oh, it will be on

Go magnet fishing?

I've found that preferred color can change day to day, under different conditions. So I would never pigeonhole myself into throwing only white baits. We don't have shad in Maine either but shad pattern baits still catch fish. And be careful with the whole "match the hatch" thing...I've never seen a bubblegum colored baitfish before....

I'd be worse than that ??????

I've had this happen to me and I'm kind of glad to hear about this happening again because when I tell this story to anyone else, they look at me and I can tell they don't believe me. Same situation; lightning storm all around us; still fishing; when I cast, my bait entered the water but my line (braid) literally was straight off my rod tip hovering about 3-4 ft off the surface of the water for about 40' before it went into the water. Hair standing, humm in the air...the whole thing. It was at that point when I smartened up and went to the ramp.

I've always had a weak hookset. That's one of the reasons I've used braid for the last 30 years.

I ain't kiddin'! If you find your way up here, contact me...I'll take you out.

Come on up to Maine. I'll take you to Sabattus Lake....pike for days

Welp...first off, you can drop shot in any water depth; it's just a type of presentation. Although most commonly used "offshore" and in deeper water, it can be used shallow too. Second, there are always offshore bass; as there are always shallow bass. And third, I commonly catch crappie when targeting bass offshore. But remember, where there are crappie, there will be bass close by. Sometimes I'll catch 7-8 crappie to 1 bass; you just have to weed through them to get to the targeted species. When drop shotting, bait selection and color can make the difference between catching and fishing. Color especially can be the game changer. So, bring a few different baits and a few different colors and try them all until you get some bites.

I love our state!!

I disagree.... It's always a lot sad

Of course it does! The state record of every single state is still swimming. The chances of someone catching, literally, the largest fish in the state, are astronomical.

Well that brings a couple of sayings to mind

Some beauties itt!