patbfishing123

biggest I've gotten outta there is around 5 lbs... But I've seen bigger. Had a friend get one two years ago that went just over 7, weighed on a scale.

It has its moments. I live ten minutes away. I fish there quite a bit, it is a deep clear lake with a lot of ledge fishing. No gas powered motors allowed. Great drop shot fishing for bass and there are some gigantic pike in there!

exactly what i was thinking

i would say 5 to 5.5 lbs

I would guess that the bottom of the lake is made up of mainly muck because it is so eutrophic (shallow and full of life). A lot things break down into muck but mainly seaweed and leaves that fall into the water and sink to the bottom. At a local fishing hole that I go to I have been able to find frenzying bass by looking for these bubbles. When the bass would find either crayfish or a pod of bullhead fry they would attack them. Because these food sources were on the bottom they would stir up the muck, releasing the methane gas and other gas by products produced during the decomposition process, Anytime i would see a large area of these bubbles coming from the bottom, I'd pitch a 1 oz jig and the bass would go crazy over it (probably reaction bite because the jig would be sinking so fast past them). I could usually get 2-4 bass each time this would happen. I'm not saying these fish were definitely bass because there are also carp where i fish and they do the same thing when they take off. Pretty crazy though.

I agree with Jason, Let it sit longer than you think you should! It will work, you just need some confidence in it. Once you catch a couple fish this way, you will keep catching them! good luck!

NIce Catch!!!

I was doing pretty well with a really slow twitch jerkbait technique on my local lake, unitl we got the ten day warm front. During this time, the water went from the low 40's to the low 50's and everything changed... the fish were very active (chasing bluegills in as shallow as 6 inches of water) and there was an algae bloom of some sort that was all over the place. In the last week the temps haven't been over 50 and its been snowing with night lows into the 20's. I have not been out in a week or so but I'm sure the water has cooled back down to the low to mid 40's. It seemed with all the warm weather we had that the fish we close to the spawning stage, with water temps creeping up to that magic 58 degrees. My question is do you guys think they have gone back to the staging area, suspended just outside the spawning flats or would they be doing something different now that the water has already warmed up and cooled back down. Thanks!

^^^ I Agree^^^

I use all quantum reels as well, had a problem with one right out of the box, but it was replaced within two weeks with a brand new one. I'd say quantums are great reel, although the finish is the not best and usually blistering and chips do occur, I have not had too many problems with the mechanical aspect of the reels. You get a lot of reel for your money, and a company that stands behind their product 100%!

When I go out for the first time, there are still some chunks of ice on the water as well. I usually start the year out with a lipless crankbait, a jerkbait, and a jig. I look for the warmest water and start there. A lot of times this ends up being on the wind blown shore of the lake or pond, because the warmer water from the surface is getting pushed by the wind and piling up on the shoreline.

Must be nice. Still covered pretty good out here in western NY. I've been checking the water just about everyday and monitoring the weather to see what next week will bring. So far it looks like we might be thawed pretty good by the middle of next week!! I can't wait to get my line wet!

Sounds like those fish are in the pre spawn stages. I would start out throwing a red craw colored lipless crankbait, with a rattle in it (excalibur knocker series) anywhere that looks like a staging area. These would be the areas that are 5-10 ft deep and are close to the bedding area. Maybe theres an area where they would usually spawn that drops off into a deeper area, this would be the pre-spawn staging area. Try the lipless crank a couple of different ways. I would start by just reeling it straight back at a medium speed, and throw a couple of flicks of the rod tip in there for a little action and noise. If that doesn't work try letting it sink and when it comes close to the bottom use your rod to "rip" the bait through the water, then let it free fall again, do this all the way back to the boat. A lot of times the fish will hit it on the fall just after "ripping" it. If the lipless crankbait isn't working out too good I've always had pretty good luck with a jig (darker colored in the dirtier water). I look for isolated structure in these staging areas and work the jig relatively slow and cover each peice of cover really well. Hope this helps some. Good luck!

Hi dave, Welcome to the forum. I am also from western NY and I do a lot of fishing in the finger lakes.

I shop at dick's the most only because it is much closer to my house. But I usually end up finding great deals there as well! Sometimes I make the 2 hour trek to bass pro, but only when they have big sales or I'll be out in the area anyway.

I guess I'm going to have to check out wal-mart. I've never been to fond of their selections. Maybe they'll change my mind!!

I agree! I tried it out on my dropshot set up and broke off at least three fish just on the hookset. I tried various knots, nothing really worked with it. I've since switched to trilene 100%, no problems yet, great line!

I would have to agree! These baits are great for trailers, such a life-like action.

I was able to get the quantum tour edition pt vi for 119 bucks! apparently they were clearing them out, I wanted to buy all they had but I got the last one . Plus with the coupons that dick's offers, i only spent $99 on a reel that usually retails around $270, and its a GREAT reel!!!

I would have to say that my all time favorite springtime bait is a lipless crankbait. In the spring, where i fish, the water is generally pretty murky, so i like to use a red craw pattern. I also like to have a real noisy bait so they can locate it, so i like to use the knocker baits by xcalibur. It can be a real exciting day in early to late april, catching fish of all sizes, but I usually get some of my biggest fish this time of the year!

That is a golden shiner for sure!!!!

Oh ok good deal. I fish that same quary, never have much luck though other than in the early spring and in the fall. I only fish there from the shore though. Would probably have more luck if I were fishing from a boat. I do a lot of my fishing at godfreys pond. Was just there this morning and even with that cold front that came in last night I got a four and a half and a three and a half. Decent fishing there if you ever wanna check it out.

I do a lot fishing around batavia. Where do you go?

That makes sense. Do smallmouth always spawn that shallow? I am primarily a largemouth fisherman and I always thought that smallmouth spawned deeper that largemouth.

ok thanks guys. yeah i was out on conesus yesterday too. I saw that there were a lot of sunfish and bullhead, but there was the occasional bass. But the bass that I saw and caught were all smallmouth. I'm guessing that the largemouth are already off the beds.