Toddn76

Hey Ridge, I have been dropshotting for a couple of years now and I have caught quite a few fish with this technique. I do use my fish finder quite often to locate structure or deeper submergent vegitation. I also use dropshotting for a lot of other applications. From what I have learned it will produce in shallower water as well. You can fish it straight down and you can fish in at an angle. I usually like to find weedlines in 10-15 feet of water and do a control drift along the weedline. You are more than likely going to get a lot of small bait fish hitting your worm but that is a good thing. I have found that when the gills and other small fish are hitting it I usually will catch a bass very shortly after. But your best bet is to go out there and try it yourself and find out what works for you. The drop shot is a good technique to use when bass seem to be stubburn or suspended. Good luck! Todd

I am from Michigan and here we don't have to worry too much about snakes! I have heard that we do have water mocosins around here although I have never seen one. Has anyone from Mi. ever seen one?

In my experience with drop shotting you can tell when it is a fiesty bluegill popping at it. As you described the way it hit I would be really surprised if it was a bluegill. Probably a pike or a really big bass. Todd

you might want to try a drop shot rig with a sluggo or a soft jerk bait! This will keep the bait in the strike zone and the action sometimes bass can not refuse to bite. Good luck Todd

Yeah I agree as well! The only time I use live bait is when my kids are fishing with me!

I know drop shotting calls for lighter line but I do just as well using 8 or 10 pound test. And those standout hooks are awesome! You can get them at Cabelas.com. Good luck and don't give up on the dropshot, I have produced a lot of fish using this technique!

I would love to put some Michigan mojo on it!!!! Great Idea!

I know Triton made a center console bass boat...Looks awesome! ;D

Good point! Bill Dance has already proved himself as a great fisherman in the past. Besides he could go to other lakes and catch average bass like everyone else, but that would be no fun to watch...I like to watch him go out there and catch hog after hog. It motivates me to go out there and catch hogs!

I have always had good luck with a silver minow with a Uncle Josh's pork frog. You would want to use heavier equipment and just roll it over the pads with your rod in the 12 o'clock position. When you get a hit bring the rod tip down to 3 o'clock and then set the hook. I have caught numerous bass in the pads using this technique!

thank you for the info! I am looking at a 2000 Stratos with a 225 ficht and I thought I have heard some bad things about it but I was not sure. I really appreciate the input!

Has anyone here heard of problems with the 99-00 ficht motors? If not are they good motors?

That was a real nice fish! Time to start stock piling the blue gills!

Seeing that pic makes me want to jump in my truck and drive to Cali! Foul hooked or not that is a hugh fish!

I had a similar situation with a boat dealer here in Battle Creek, Mi. I had an old tri-hull boat that I fixed up years ago and would frequent his shop for parts. It seemed to me that everytime I went in there to pick up a part he would act like I was a bother to him. So one day I asked him; Why when I spend money in your shop do act like I am bothering you? His response was I am really busy... So I just shrugged it off! Well a year later I was in the market to buy a new boat and just as before he was rude. I told him that I would like to spend my money here in town but that I would not buy a boat from an old grumpy a%% hole and went to Kalamazoo and bought my new boat. He has since passed away and I went to school with his son who is a nice guy, so I get most of my service done there now!

Anytime is a good time to fish! You know what they say a bad day on the water is better then a good day at work! ;D

4Lb LM on a weightless senko wacky style.

I think you should just read more books and leave the bass to me! Just kidding, Like most of the guys on this thread I picked a couple of techniques and tried to master them. Although mastering them will take a life time...Not over loading my brain with 7 different techniques etc. Experience on the water is the best teacher anyone can have. Try to get on the water as much as you can, practice, practice, practice!

Welcome Jerry I am a newbie to this board as well but have been fishing a long time! Rain can diffenatley affect the bite as well as many other conditions related to weather or temperature. When the water table is up that just give those rescally critters more places to hide. Not to get too technicle, bass are going to hang out in areas that have a lot of cover and a lot of food. Try to concentrate on areas that have submergent vegitation or around lilly pads anywhere bait fish might hang out is where the bass are going to be...good luck and good fishing!

I don't think I can help you with the spinnerbaits but I myself have good luck using 2 types of crank baits. Old trusty is the Storm Wiggle Wort, it has a really good action and comes in many colors and sizes! My recent favorite is the Rapala X-Rap though. They are suspending and dive between 1-4 feet. They also have really good side to side action. Jerking them is the way I have had the best catch.

I have been fishing for years and have not used spinnerbaits that much! I am more of a soft plastics and crankbait guy...I do however want to start using them more and my questions is; What is the best way to work a spinnerbait? Steady retrieve? Start and Stop? Jigging? If you have any tips about what type of retrieve works better in different situations I would appreciate it