Gundog

I love the Shadalicious with a belly-weight hook when all I'm doing is casting and retrieving like I do mostly in the spring. I also use the keitech fat Impact with a ball head jig if I'm gonna let it drop to the bottom and jig it as well as a swimming retrieve.

I don't know why there is so much hate for carolina rigs. I've fished them for decades. Started out lure fishing with a creme worm and a couple of split shot sinkers. Basically same technique. Caught alot of fish on the c rig. My kryptonite is the swim jig. I know it produces fish but when I got a jig on the line its second nature to flip it to cover and let it sit.

Maybe Santa will give you a early spring but only if you're on the nice list. Till then just remember, any time you ain't fishin' you should be learnin'. Search this board for tips and tricks that will make your time on the water more productive.

I hope they will. I live about an hour north of a cabela's and it would be nice to not have to order online what I could pick up at the store but if you look at what cabela's is selling, its alot of their own brand. They are even selling their own rods and reels,which is something they didn't do years ago. So I don't think they want more competition than they already have. If anything, I think you'll see alot less variety in brands and more store brands (cabela's, Bass Pro Shop, Gander Mtn.).

I would use it rigged in the original picture only if I'm fishing open water. Otherwise, everyone is right...get a smaller hook and skin-hook it!

Ok since Christmas time is near and we all know Santa is a forum member, I think its time we put our Christmas lists online. I'll start. All I want for Chistmas is.... Ranger z520c bassboat Diawa zillion baitcaster Duckett 7'6" flippin stick Assortment of Dirty Jigs I think that will fit in my stocking.

I once saw a 16 inch bass try to swallow a 9 inch trout. The bass just swam away with the trout sticking out of its mouth.

I said the same thing years ago when I found out the guppy cops were stocking Francis Slocum Lake with 9 inch trout. lol

Leaser Lake use to be great for largemouths but then they drained it....again.

The Lehigh river is good for smallmouths. Start fishing when the water temperature gets to 50 degrees and don't be afraid to use largemouth lures like big spinnerbaits and swimbaits for big fish. When the river is high fish in the slack water where there is no current and fish around big rocks that create current breaks. Hope it helps ya.

Poachers are everywhere. I was shore fishing at a local lake and caught a small largemouth. Next thing I know, 2 boats pull up and stop right over where I was fishing and drop anchor and start fishing. I just shook my head and casting into one of the boats. When the guy said I don't understand my only response was Sorry didn't see you there a minute ago. Then I just laughed and walked away. Thats all you (legal) can do.

I've got a room full of lures so downsizing is tough. I've been collecting lures (some still in the original packaging) since I got my first paycheck some 30 yrs ago. I started 2 yrs ago putting my lures in tackle trays and have 28 large size tackle trays and still don't have all the lures in trays yet. I try to decide before I leave for the water what I'm gonna need so I take between 8 and 15 trays but it always seems like I end up only using lures from 1 or 2 trays. Bluebasser is right..you can make it as complicated as you want and boy have I done that.

The ring craw does not have a real thick body. Its light enough to float. The rings lighten it up alot. They do rip pretty easy.

Try a Reins Bubbling Shaker or Ring Craw. They are pretty hard to find at local tackle shops but if you can find them they work great for smallmouths on a micro-jig. The floating action gives them alittle something extra to attract the bass. I also like to use a devil spear in slightly stained water.

Hi everybody. Just found this forum and decided to join. I live in northeast PA, near Wilkes-Barre. I mostly fish the susquehanna river for smallmouth bass but occasionally get to local lakes for largemouth bass and trout.