BaitMonkey1984

Yes. A lot of people up here in the NE get this wrong. I know a lot of people who change the lower gear unit yearly but they do it in the spring. Not a whole lot of room in the lower units, especially the small outboards. But if there is any water getting into the lower unit, you want to have it out for the winter months. Therefore, change the lower gear oil at the END of the season. Not the beginning. Plus, that way if repairs are needed it can get done in the off-season and you don't miss out on time on the water.

Never ate seafood on the boat. If I did, I would make sure to have some of those Dude Wipes by Gerald Swindle handy because that could get messy in a hurry.

This is now the second or third time auto correct got me. You would think that seafoam would be recognized by this site, can you help me out Glenn?

Nothing beats time on the water. However, there is so much information out there nowadays that you can learn a great deal. My local paper has a weekly outdoor column with a fishing report. These have greta helped me out key in on what the fish are doing. For example, if I get a nationally publicized BM that information may not be helpful. For example when they say use these baits and not these baits, what geograph are they referring to. Here in MA, I highly doubt that BM is considering my geograph. Most likely it is the south where the heart of the fishing is.

Spinnerbait, curly table grub, and senko are all part of my "emergency" box. Catch bass all year on those baits and all but impossible to fish them wrong.

Good reminder. I engage in routine and preventive maintenance on both my Ranger and my aluminum boat. A good maintenance plan isn't hard. Seafood and fuel cleaner need to be used regularly.

Looks tasty.

Lowrence Elite7s HDI

Yup, their are some fish that do this. I call them "resident" fish. In my experience these resident fish are quality fish on a great piece of structure/cover. For example, there has been a 3+lber sitting under my girlfriends pontoon boat all summer. It is a big fish for up here in NE, and the 20foot party boat and dock is a good piece of cover. That fish, even when spooked, comes right back. I have had the joy of catching her on my first cast many times.

If you are in a bind and need some to fill the tackle box while you slowly buy better spinnerbaits, the Walmart ones will do. When I first got into fishing I didn't understand why the Walmart spinnerbaits were $1 and the Terminator spinnerbaits were $12. They looked the same to me. Now, after many years of fishing I know. As mentioned above, the wires will bend, the skirts will fall apart, the hooks will need to be sharpened, the paint will chip, and bait will need to be tuned. However, they still will flat out catch fish. And, I personally like the lighter wire, some of the better spinnerbaits do have a lighter wire which gives the bait more vibration . Long story short, it will work, but its a lot of work. But it is absolutely do-able until you get some funds for some terminator spinnerbaits.

St.Croix

Gammys are the best I have come across for multiple technique. I have however started using VMC and although they are very good, not quite as sharp as games. However, for the price point I can't justify using gammys. Also, I usually break off before any hooks get dull.

I would start off with lipless crank and if that doesn't work get deeper and slower presentations until you get bit.

Looks very nice and offers a different presentation I am sure many fish have not seen. One of my go dos is a wacky rigged 5" GYCB senko. I have the o ring tool but am lazy so mostly skip that. How many bites per bait are you averaging with this technique?

I fish a small lake, not a pond but really not big body of water. It had issues with overpopulation of panfish (sunfish/white perch) a few years ago. I started harvesting those heavily for a year. That problem is now resolved. Not sure if it was because of my harvesting, or simply nature. But my efforts couldn't have hurt. I have noticed the fish getting smaller- all slot size fish. I don't keep a lot but I do keep some every year. And I get slack from everyone. They taste great if you know how to prepare them, and your improving the fishery. Stop with the emotional resistance associated with eating this fish, it is delicious.

Your welcome. I went overboard and bought a bunch of them last year and never really gave them a fair shot. They look good, but I gotta give them a fair shake next year.

I use shad color baits all the time. Not a shad within 500 miles of me.

Ned rig or shakey head may be light enough to stay on top of the muck and give a similar presentation as a jig.

This is the ONLY time I don't use a trailer hook. However, unless your going through some thick stuff a spinnerbait will come through without getting snagged, even with a trailer hook. Up in the NE, almost all the leaves are off the trees now and in the lakes. Impossible to fish a rattle trap in the shallows, but a spinner bait with a trailer hook comes through snag less each time.

Yup. Pretty much across the board consensus to use them. I didn't use them for a long time because I thought it was unnecessary. I didn't realize how many times I was probably getting swiped at but the fish were missing the bite. Also, I wanted to fish. I didn't like all the steps necessary. Re-tie the lure. Put on scent. Then put on a trailer hook and a piece of plastic tubing. Found the easy solution. VMC makes some great trailer hooks with the tubing already on it. Takes a whole second to apply. Difference is astounding.

Anyone ever do this with GYCB? I have found bulk packs ok senkos for sale online but never any luck with the flapping hawgs or creature baits.

Not bulk baits but Berkley Havocs line is a great deal and they have everything, for $3 a pack. And in the spring my DSG usually has buy one get one free or get one half off so i stock up for the year (and next year, and the year after that, and so on). Good baits for cheap.

I am not a fan of this either. First, like many of the above posted I don't like when a company in a field buys up all the other competitors. I do not want to be surrounded by 3 BPS which all carry the same gear. I have 2 BPS nearby and they are slightly different. However, the Cabelas that just opened up in Hudson, MA is drastically different and both suit different needs. BPS is my go to for bass fishing. However, Cabelas has some brands I can't find at BPS. But for hunting, camping, hiking etc I prefer Cabelas 10 to 1 over BPS. Variety is the spice of the life. Can't imagine that Dick Cabela would have ever thought his business would be sold to BPS.

Fishing with Charlie Moore would be one of life's guilty pleasures. I live outside MA and his show has been a staple for me for years. Good fisherman and great guy. May have more fun off the water with him then on the water, and I do not know if I could say that about anyone else. My dad loves him and I tried to book a full day guide with him in Winnipesauke earlier this year. His schedule was booked, they added me to the waitlist. I expected as much. I think I have a date held for next year. However, when they told me I was added to this years' waitlist they apologized and asked if I would like some free goodies. I received dads, books, multiple signed photographs, 3 mad fish hats, and all of the spices in his spice collection. Had to be $200 worth of gear because they felt bad that due to his show, family commitments, and other guide clients he was unable to take us out this year. An absolute class act and cannot wait to one day fish with him.

Not too long ago I saw something about this, someone crying that it was unfair that Ike was fishing these tournaments because he is a pro. The guy loves to fish. Th Elite Series is over, and I don't believe he hunts, so I see no issue with hit. From the headlines that I see on the results, he does have a history of pretty good finishes even if he doesn't always come in first. Anything is possible, but not probable.