Josh Smith

For largemouth, it seems jigs and topwater work best for me. However, when it comes to river smallies, I have my best results with the baitball squarebill. I hate to admit that as I'm not sure the baitball isn't a gimmick, but it seems to work best in the rivers I fish at. Josh

Our reservoirs are still at winter pool, and I've not explored them during the winter. How slow were you fishing them? Josh

I ran 21ipt (4.7:1) only for the longest time. I still do, along with 26 and 31ipt. The 26ipt get the most use now, but I'm trying new techniques and those are evolving toward mid-ratio. Josh

What techniques are you guys using? Josh

Another Hoosier! Good to have you here. Josh

Where was that, Team 9? It's supposed to be warmer tomorrow... Josh

You know, I think I will stick to replacing close-tolerance components. I've seen too many finely machined parts fail after disassembly. YMMV. Josh

I am playing with a Black Max I, made in the USA. The side plates are plastic with a pressed-in or molded-in anti-reverse bearing. Not wanting to expose the plastic to anything harsh, I used warm water and Dawn. This worked well! Regards, Josh

You know, Walmart sounds about right. I was running my business on third shift there for a bit, and would come into Walmart then when I needed stuff. My Aunt-in-Law, Glenna, is a manager out there on third shift. I swear you had a twin at Northfield High, though, about a year older than me! I've not had any luck this year so far. Yesterday was the first time I saw any fish in the shallows, and most of the lake was still frozen. Just in late December, though, I was slaying largish (15") smallies and 20" or so walleye out of the Wabash. I don't ice fish. No offense at all to those who do; I just can't fish without casting to a wide variety of areas. Til I can fully repair the boat, I stick with shore fishing and public access, but my trick for that is to outfit and hike to places folks don't usually go, or can't go. Still, there are a few places that I need a boat for, and I'm thinking about a canoe if one happens along. Just better for my style than is the deep-v I grew up with. I know Salamonie is slightly longer drive for you, but you might try it. I'm hoping for lower water levels this year, and combined with last year's levels, the fishing should be really great! The Wabash is producing, too, and I'm looking forward to that. There's a public access to the Wabash River outside of Wabash City on the way to Peru on Old 24. I was fishing it when everything else was frozen, but despite plenty of dead and dying shad, nothing bit. It interests me as to why they're not more active there. Josh

Hello, I'm in Wabash, and am pretty close to Peru, Huntington, North Manchester, and Marion. Local reservoirs are the Salamonie and Mississinewa, with plenty of smallish rivers, lakes and ponds. Not sure how I didn't see this thread before..! Regards, Josh Tyler, you look familiar. You didn't by chance go to Northfield HS in Wabash County, did you? Regards, Josh

Hello, I went out today; there was still sheet ice on about half the lake. I had no luck, but had I had frogs with me, I'd have thrown one onto the ice and let it play dying minnow on top of the water. Regards, Josh

I like to support local manufacturers. One to loads his tubes down with salt and garlic and they seem pretty effective! Josh

I've heard of people eating pickerel. Are they any good? Josh

Hello, I use the entire handle, but replace the bushings with bearings. There are times I like straight handles, though, and so I swap paddles and handles until I get what I want. Josh

I generally just go for the "buy it now" stuff if I think it's worth it. If I place a bid, it means I can do without it! Josh

When I fish frogs, I want them to splash! They pick up some weeds, but I find it's because of the hooks being bent slightly out (like we do anyway) and not because of any design flaw or larger profile. Regards, Josh

None. Got a 4600c3 instead for a song, and it does exactly what I need it to do! Josh

Holy thread resurrection! ?

I like to palm Ambassadeurs. Their stock handles get replaced by those with wide rubber ribbed knobs as are found on Johnny Morris reels, among others. Josh

You will need to tear the reel down and flush it with fresh, clean water. Don't worry about getting a better rig. That one has its uses. I prefer a Berkely Cherrywood for certain techniques. Sure, I might get a better rod if I could find one with a similar feel, but I'd really only want better guides and maybe real cork on the grip. The hybrid blank works just fine, though maybe a better blank would be lighter. It's in rotation with other, more expensive rods, and the reels are all higher cost quality items. I decided a while back that there's not much substantive to rod snobbery. If the rod does what you need it to for $20, great! If it takes $200 or more for another purpose, by all means drop the coin for that one as well! Josh

So, what do they smell like? Folks talk about the smell... Josh

Awesome. The reason I asked was that I'm wanting to build a combo for squarbills and lipless cranks, and am going back and forth in my rod action/power decision between M/F and M/MF. Thanks, Josh

So, is it like a walleye, or different in configuration? Maybe I'll just invest in one of those lip-holdin' gadgets against the possibility of pike... Josh

How's that working out for you? Josh

I saw this question and started following the thread just to learn the answer. I have never caught a pike and am curious about them. Josh