Fish the Mitt

Absolutely. Let me talk to my other half and we will decide if Squam or Newfound is the lake we decide to hit when I'm NH. Since they both have rentals, it's more of a "which is more convenient to where we are and what we plan on doing". Thanks everyone for the help. Its awesome knowing I can pretty much plan a vacation anywhere and a BR junkie is sure to live close by!!

I hear you there. I will likely go out again today. Perhaps a little more serious since I've played with my new stuff so now I should be pretty comfortable with it all. BUt like you said, it feels good just to be out there. Plus, I'm in the Muskegon area for work Mon-Fri so I get a ton of water I've never fished before since I'm from 2.5hrs North of where I am.

@Brett's_daddy In my opinion, choosing a jig is solely dependent on the body of water you're fishing. Sure, they make a million types of jigs, but each does have it's place (ie: technique specific application). There are structure jigs, brush jigs, flippin jigs, finesse jigs, hair jigs, swimjigs, bladed jigs, etc.. and each of these have a purpose or an ideal application. However, like all things starting out, keep it simple. Don't get too caught up in the 1 million types of jigs and focus solely on just learning how to fish a jig (the jig you choose). Paying attention to not only how and where but also when. BUT, before you do that, it would be best to choose a starting jig based on the water in which you're fishing. -Dragging/jigging it across hard bottom? Football head style jig -Pitching into submerged brush/cover? Choose a jig meant for cover/deflection (generally a more narrow taper on the head) -Riddled with heavy/dense cover? Flipping jig or a punch/assault skirt -Swimming it through lots of grass? Perhaps a swimjig or bladed jig is more your style. - etc etc etc While I am extremely partial to Kustom Kicker Jigs and their selection/quality, I would imagine most any jig manufacturer has a lineup that can accompany an angler pretty much wherever he/she goes. So again, don't go out and buy 25 jigs if you're just starting out. Choose a handful and start from there. Don't over complicate things before even starting.

It's getting to be that time of year. I've already been out a few times - to play with new rods and reels more or less. Has anyone been out? Any luck? If so, what, where, and how are you fishing? Let's get this Michigan thread back in the swing of things!! BTW: Who has a recent water temp stat (within a day or two)? My guess is high 30's, low 40's? I sold my boat last fall with plans to get a new one...hasn't happened yet.

That depends. We would like to rent a boat; or at the very least kayaks, on whatever lake/body we decide! Any suggestions for lake/boat rentals close to Lincoln or anything enroute to Mirrimack? Squam is on the way and it's been mentioned a few times. Unsure if there are rentals for it. Newfound is a bit of a ways (35miles) but we are actually heading south for a day to go to Merrimack and it's on the way. Is there good shore fishing on Newfound in late April? Perhaps I'll look for nearby Kayak rentals.. I just looked and there are boat or Kayak rentals near Newfound Lake. I believe this may be where we go!!!

I see you were watching the Classic as well!!

Awesome! Thanks, @A-Jay! We are actually thinking about taking a day and heading South to Merrimack and I see Squam is on the way!! Is Squam considerably better than say, Conway Lake?

Hey everyone, I have a vacation planned starting the 21st of April in Lincoln, NH. I was wondering if there was any good or decent bass fishing in the area or if I will be in an area where I should look into trout fishing. Any help is appreciated!

I do not have a dedicated rod for cranking. I kind of throw my cranks on whatever is near me (within reason [ie: my MH-XF is not going to be used for crankbaits]). I usually throw them on my GX2 662-M spinning outfit. GX2's are a composite blank and I actually like the sensitivty of it when throwing crankbaits. However, it is a spinning rod and the action is a tad stiff. Perhaps I should just get a GX2 casting rod with a softer tip

Hello all! I hope you all enjoyed your winters. I know this is my first trip back to BR since fall and I'm itching to get fishin! With that said, I am in the market for a dedicated crankbait rod. I run mostly squarebills but will on occassion run something 15ft. Never below that due to the water I fish. My hangup is determining if graphite, composite/blend, or glass is the best choice. I have been looking at the following blanks: MHX-CCB865 MHX-CB843 Or perhaps I can just stick to a cheaper Veritas 2.0 Winch for the purposes I'm looking for? I don't know. So many choices and I'm not sure where to look to narrow down my choices. Any info is welcomed!!! Rick

I need to get up there this year. And to St. Clair! Everywhere! Lol

Awesome thread @Glenn My 2017 goals (in no particular order): 1. Get closer with my Scientific Angler fam and finally learn to fly fish. 2. Make the transition to competitive kayak fishing. 3. I'm in the process of replacing all of my GX2s with McCain Hi-Performance Rods so I'd really like to spend some time getting to know the ins and outs of all the gear I use. 4. Continue building on my jig/swimjig fishing. 5. Fish with my daughter more. 6. A new PB would be nice! 7. Finally fish Lake St. Clair.

It's that time of year for me - packing up and storing away most of my gear. The only thing I do in Winter is a little pike spearing. I can't wait for next spring!!!

Went out today and wasn't having any luck fishing the Kustom Kicker Jigs Freak parallel on some ledges (my go to lately). I tied on the new NX3 Swim Jigs by 2kJigs (not publicly released yet so was stoked) but nothing :(. Switched to some crankbaits, nothing. Tried some texas rigged soft platics, nada. Eventually, I tied on a Sebile jointed jerkbait (and then a Shadow Rap) and it was game on. A game of dinks but enjoyable regardless. I did however have my crankbait come untied and fly off. I spent 20mins casting at it with a jerkbait and finally got it!!

It's been warmer, that's for sure. Living in central Michigan, I've seen snow already and a handful of frosts. But every stretch we see favorible weather, we get a stretch of 70 degree weather. I shot a 10pt on opening day but after 2 days of searching, it was a no go (even brought the dogs out). Hit em a tad high and I think I stuck my arrow in the no go zone above the lungs. My first ever lost deer - pretty disheartening.

Obviously this is a fishing forum first and foremost. However, a passion for fishing generally includes a passion for the outdoors - to include, to an extent, hunting. Ie: this hunting category. So, where is everyone? How's everyones archery season been so far? Up here in MI, we are gearing up for the rut here in a couple weeks. Prerut activities have started as bucks have been chasing for a bout a week and a half. No longer hanging out in their bachelor groups. I look forward to hearing from some fellow hunter/fishing enthusiasts. Rick B

What I've heard from an inside source (someone who works higher up at Scientific Anglers - who make both Bass Pro and Cabelas brand fly line) is that there won't be any change to the Cabelas brand line for the forseeable future. Now, this is just fly line so perhaps other Cabela brand things might go. Or, like a lot of acqusitions, there might be a contractual agreement to keep Cabelas brand for X amount of time while they (Bass Pro) analyze and strategize a transition plan for product overlap.

Nah. I like her, she can stick around. Plus, she knows how much fishing means to me and often accompanies me.

Tell my girlfriend that - I'm sure she'd disagree!!

Perhaps this a dumb question, but are these the only two for 2017? I only ask because they're both located awfully south.

...when you and your significant other receive two BPS Gift Cards and you quickly use them before she buys something stupid. ...when you refuse to move your tackle-box(s) and rods/reels from your car because any trip to anywhere could turn into a fishing trip at a moments notice. ...when you make your significant other sit in the back of your car (SUV) because your tackle-boxes are in the front seat.

Week off work? Can't complain about that!! Enjoy!

I was going to mention this too. I rarely position myself in accordance to the sun. However, if I did, it'd be like above.

My thought...Imho Morning = Stick with the east as long as there is shade. Once the sun hits the water, there's chances they'll move off the edge into deeper water, so the east provides a longer fish window. Evening = West first, then east. The west will shade first so hit that evening bite there. Once done, dependant on time, go to the east and work the new shade there.

Love the chatterbait at night. My go to, 3/8 Chatterbait (Dark Green Pumpkin) w/ a Fishog Shadow (in Houdini)