Dogmatic

I still have ice on my ponds and lakes, creeks and river are open, but a little muddy from the rain.

This was what I was thinking, pike, musky, pickerel...but, it's still really cold!

I prefer the old jig top hook to the new weedless, but I use them a lot, especially on umbrella rigs. A good fish producer, that can be thrown, by itself with regular cranking gear.

I think "10x" might be conservative. ; )

Dragged on the bottom as fast as you can, like a crank bait, is how I do it, except I use big baits, 16" eels, or 10" Fin-S. 8/0+ hooks, 1/2 oz. or heavier weight.

+1 *In "Pursuit" of Giant Bass- Murphy *Big Bass Zone-Simental *Sowbelly-Burke(a good read, but not technical) *Any of In-Fisherman series.

I don't typically fish for Smallies with frogs, but last season while I was trying to entice a Tiger trapped in a pool on a local creek, I had a nice 4 lb'er whack a the Case Plastics 4" buzzin frog I was using. Surprised me too.

I store four to six vertically(like Goose diagonally) at the stern(one is usually occupied with my net), and four more laid out in front of me using a metal spring loaded clip broom hanger mounted to the thwarts with two scotty type holders for rods in use. Like others have said, no matter how you store them, always be aware of them, especially in tight cover. I like your holders, and I am going to steal that idea for future use. Thanks

Sell the reel, and Okuma IS an "established brand" and make quality equipment.

I always like sight fishing for pike and musky early season when they move shallow along weed lines. Just look for the "logs" in the weeds. Nothing more intense then trying to place the perfect cast, whether with a fly or conventional bait, to incite that toothy critter to bite.

Great news! Now the ice just has to melt!

I use I use this technique with large gizzard and alewife(6"+) but I use a saltwater spinning setup and I don't "drop and forget", because it gets bit, and usually by some bigger fish.

Thank you.

What model do you recommend, the high leverage diagonal cutters, or the lever action mini bolt cutters? I've always just carried a stainless steel set from Cabela's that came with a diagonal cutter. Thx.

Looks shallow,and weed(tree) choked(Google Earth) but "difficult" to fish is always good. Proximity to the river definitely means there's fish in there. Proximity to the dam on the river means there's other options. I definitely toss a line in there. Thx.

Just in case you haven't seen it... http://www.wildernesssystems.com/atak

This is the "lake" right next to the river?

I'd just add flat sided cranks, and craw imitations.

3 Baitsmith Shads and an Umbrella rig, a Hudd or two, plus a a couple other $20+ baits.

Anyone try Aquateko "knot 2 kinky" titanium tie-able wire leaders? And I too have never lost a bait to a pickerel. One's around here just not big enough, and you never give 'em slack, just ski 'em back to the boat. Really just an annoyance.(Tigers though, different story!)You might be able to learn something from fly fisherman, always concerned with presentation, they developed some special techniques to deal with presentations to toothy critters. http://youtu.be/466P-Uyorm0

BooyahMan, can I ask who makes that trout swimbait(Almost Alive Lures)? Like Go Big says you'll have to open it up remove any lead, and add buoyancy, then create a rig for it. There are other cheaper options out there. One thing when fishing deadstick, you can't cast out and forget, you'll miss the strike every time.

I always carry a folding saw, goggles/snorkel, and 2 lure retrievers, on what I spend on some baits, I can't afford to lose them if they're retrievable. That being said, last season I started experimenting with umbrella rigs. Being primarily a swimbait fisherman, I'm aware of the "go big, or go home" philosophy, and saw some videos, which lead me to putting larger and larger swimbaits on my rigs. Starting with Spro bbz1's and tru tungsten 4", with moderate success, I continued to go bigger, Mattlures U2 and Ultimate gills, 6" Bull shads, 6" Hudds, even tried 8" Hudds(but I snapped that rig off a few times, recovered them though). With the forage in my home lake, I started working with Baitsmith Shads that I scored a deal on. Well, as mentioned many times in the other thread "I know I should, but often forget...", you really need to check your line, knots, and re-tie often, and always check your drag, but I dont, which led me to lose this rig on a nice Striper jumping at the side of my boat. Took the rig($15) and three Baitsmith Shads($25 ea.), problem is, those baits are nearly impossible to replace now, especially at that price. Live and learn.

Looks like a sweet ride, congrats.

I know I should, but I often forget to... hydrate, 8 hrs baking in the sun seriously dehydrates a person, and that 32 oz of coffee I had at 5 in the morning didn't help, and mistakes will happen.

Like some have said, as soon as there is open water I will start fishing essentially a winter pattern.