strikefc34

jerkbait or a spook

I'm guessing Michigan lakes are similar to Wisconsin lakes. I look for thick weed with rock mixed in, if thats not available I look for more than one type of weed mixed in the same area. Another key would be baitfish in the area. Fishing a buzzbait or spook over the area if the vegetation will help you locate fish, frog if the matts on the surface. Heavy weights like 1 OZ tungsten weights are a must, maybe heavier if matts are real thick. Compact bait with smooth sides will slip through the weeds easiest like a tube, pitboss, etc.Straight shank Flipping hook with heat shrink keeper tied with a snell knot will increase your hook up. Buy some rubber stoppers or pegs for your sinker so it doesn't slide up the line. I like to drop the baits close to the weed stalk itself, not in the hole...shake it a couple times and lift the bait back out.

Throw a super spook over the top of them...or a suspending jerkbait through them.

you'll love that Tatula, I just bought 3 last week, and ordering 3 more next week. Great reel so far.

I think thats a good choice, maybe a but stiff for small poppers...but its tough to find one perfect rod for everything!!!

Love the Peppers, won a lot of money on them last year.

Depending on initial reaction to your bait hitting the water they can be caught. If I cast 20-30 feet in front of the fish and he takes off and doesn't turn around forget about it. If he scoots off 5-10 feet and turns back towards the bait theres a chance. I've found dead sticking a small tube or senko type bait most effective. If the fish shows interest you'll have to figure out if it wants it dragged, hopped or completely still. Sight fishing can be frustrating as heck!!! Light flourocarbon, light lures, natural colors, and patience will increase your odds.

dropshot or swimming a grub.

I think I would look at a 733

Muddy water...spinner bait, chatter bait or square bill. Stained water 1 foot of visibility or better clown, table rock shad, black back painted white sides. Clear water natural colors like black/chrome, blue/chrome, ito wagasaki....but I've also caught them really good in gin clear water om table rock shad!!!

This year bass and gills were in the shallows the same day the ice went out here in Wisconsin. If its sunny and shallow the water warms very fast, and the fish find it. It also cools very fast and the fish vanish!!

Dobyns 734 Fury and a 7:1:1 reel.

Jump on the Fury

With those temps fish should be shallow...buzzbait in the back of spawning pockets, squarebill or spinnerbait.

Swimming a grub or dropshot, too light in my opinion for tubes unless your swimming a finesse tube with a very light head.

Pepper Custom Baits for spinnerbaits. Cloudy day 3/4oz chart/white with double chart willow blades. The heavier weight will keep the bait from blowing out of the water. Double nickel blades for sunny days. 5" white grub for trailer.

I try not think about what I've lost!!! Back when Megabass 110's were hard to get, I lost 3 in a 3 hour jackpot tournament to toothy critters. Any time I lose less than 3 Megabass 110's I'm happy!!!

You can C-rig just about any plastic bait made. I really like two...the lizard and a zoom centipede. I see your from central Wisconsin, the times I fished the Wisconsin River in the Point area I did well rigging centipedes on gravel flats. In lakes I like the C-rig and lizard for covering water as long its not overly weedy. Never used more than a 1/2 oz weight, and never fished it much deeper than 20'.

As long as the lake isn't frozen you really cant rule them out !! As soon as you hear frogs, you can bet fish are eating them.

I see you are familiar with Dobyns, I'd look into a dx742sf. Also makes a nice rod for swimming grubs. I like the extra length over 7' rods when fishing light line with big fish.

Dobyns Fury 705cb for cranks, and a 703sf for all around spinning rod.

southeastern Wisconsin

Do I have to pick just one!!!! Spook, Horny Toad, whopper plopper to name a few!!!!

Maui Jim HCL Bronze lenses maybe the best lens out there. With that being said, I was never a fan of Maui's frames. I have several pairs of Costas, a pair of Wiley X's, and a pair Oakley Pitbulls with the shallow blue lense. Right now I like the Oakley frame the best. Your best bet is to find a place that carries several brands of sunglasses and try on a bunch. Cabela's, Bass Pro, Sunglass Hut or Gander.

I've never thrown the C-rig with mine, but I think the tip is soft enough to do it.