Jar11591

No Pike, no Musky and no flathead cats (there might be a few small channel cats) in this particular lake. The confusing part to me is how there were about 6 of these bullheads, some at least a half a mile from the others, and 2 were across a road only connected to the main lake by a drainage pipe far down the shoreline. They couldn't swim much if at all, and more or less just floated around half-swimming occasionally. Does anyone know if it has anything to do with bullhead spawning? I know they spawn around this time but would this have anything to do with it?

My thoughts as well.

St. Croix Triumph 7' MHF

YCB Senkos and Hula Grubs, Zoom Baby Brush Hogs, Rage Tail Craws and baby Craws, Culprit Fat Max and Incredi-craws are some good choices.

I had a good laugh.

After a fish like that, I'd be hunting for a NYS record!

I've had problems with small fish biting the claws off, but I usually get 2 fish per craw. After one fish I turn the bait over and re-hook it.

The more life-like the soft plastic is in both action and texture, the less durable it's likely to be. For me Rage Tail baits aren't very durable but they catch so many fish that I couldnt care less about the durability.

I love the Trilene braid.

I know tungsten weights have sharper edges that can cut line. Some of them have plastic inserts to protect the line. Try some of the Siebert tungsten "Rocket" weights. I've never had an issue with them, and they're cheaper than in stores.

Saranac Lake itself is awesome smallmouth fishing. The ADKs are filled with smallmouth water. A little further south of you are Schroon Lake and Lake George, and they are also great for smallies.

I don't think there are any flathead cats in the waters around me (northern NY). There were a total of at least 6 bullhead, in two different locations on the same lake, a couple of the dead, and all of them just scarred and bleeding. It definitely seemed like something was going on. Also these bullhead were all 12"+, so it would have taken a huge fish to attack those, and there are no Pike in this lake. I had thought turtle, but it still doesn't explain why there are so many bullheads like this.

Never tried them un-fried. Do love fried catfish and bullhead though.

Only problem is that I saw multiple ones at two different locations a good distance apart on the same lake. They were all noticeably scarred, bleeding and dying. The lake seems fine though. Caught multiple bass and saw schools of baitfish, and sunfish spawning.

Went shore-fishing at a local lake recently, and while I was there I noticed several bullhead that were either dead or dying next to shore. They looked messed up, cuts and ripped fins, bleeding etc. Does anyone know the cause of this? I don't really care about bullhead, just wondering if this has to do with the health of the whole lake. And I know bullhead are about the hardiest fish that swims. Thanks for any help.

I love it. I use 30lb and I've had no issues. Casts great. I like it a lot better than the other 2 brands of braid I've tried.

I have fish bite the claws off all the time, but never on casting them. I can't imagine how hard I would have to cast to achieve that.

Have fun! If you like baseball, you'll love the whole town. 3 Braves are among the newest inductees! Glavine, Maddux, and Bobby Cox. And of course, the "Big Hurt" Frank Thomas. La Russa and Torre were also inducted. Kind of cool to see Cox, Torre and La Russa get inducted in the same year. The last of the generation of managers that I watched as a kid. 3 of the greatest as well.

I love mine. Same as everyone else said, good reel.

75$ might be a slight exaggeration. Still a very frustrating day. I lost so much stuff I can't even remember what i need to replace.

Please just give me another chance!

Thanks for the idea. I will be doing that.

I had the opposite happen. I learned casting with mono, then I switched to braid and it's so much more manageable and smooth off the reel. Only thing I'll use for baitcasters.

Soft plastics are different than hard baits. Hard baits you feel a big hit, and the can feel the lure stop moving. A hit on a soft plastic more often that not is just a "tap-tap" or a subtle "thump" in the handle of the rod. My guess is you are getting bit, but just not feeling the hit and by that time the bass has spit the plastic. If you're not getting bit on a senko, then something is askew...

That's a golden shiner.