justfishin

I have spent a lot of money at BPS over the years and still like some of their equip. but, if you are listening BPS. I went to the one in Baltimore MD and everytime I do they are out of stock on everything I seem to want. Basics like terminal tackle, hooks,sinkers yada,yada. I went down to buy a new boat cover and the salesman was rude as heck. I just don't deal there any more. I would rather pay more at a local shop or order from Stamina, Barlows, Netcraft, etc. Its a shame because keeping things in stock for a company as large as BPS should be simple as well as training some of their staff to be more polite. This is not a personal beef either, I have heard the same thing from many of the guys in my area.

Dizzy hit it on the nose. For all of us that fish the Susquehanna River in PA., this is the best time of year,or at least one of them, to catch a trophy smallmouth. I have been guiding the Susky for a lot of years and have been fishing it since "83". Butch Ward--- I know this name will ring a bell with a lot of you---taught me a lot about winter fishing as well as me going by myself years ago and learning a lot by trial and error. I believe that they do get somewhat lethargic when the water gets around 38-40 but, find them in a small eddie and catching just one can be like stirring up a bees nest. They seem to come alive. Any current breaks,eddies,small islands etc. is the place to find these fish when it is cold. For me, tubes and hair jigs are the ticket. One rule I find to hold true is when the river is on the rise, fish the bank eddies. When falling fish the island eddies it seems. This river is awsome when it is cold, up, and muddy. You may only catch 20 or thirty or maybe less but the quality increases this time of year. Start at the tail of an eddie and work your way up and fish sloooooooow. Throw staight up into the slack provided and let your tube or jig come back to you. Don't be in a hurry to leave a spot either. The window is small and they won't chase your lure very far. I like the mini eddies this time of year the best, for example a log or some trash along the bank or maybe a large boulder creating a 2 or three foot eddie will hold some fish most of the time. Another good choice is bridge piers that block the current. Guys like Dizzy,me and all the rest can tell you, if you know someone with a Jet Boat that invites you fishing this time of year on the Susky,go,go,go. You won't be sorry. Good luck Dizzy and the rest of you fishing the Susky.

I think color is used more to hook fisherman by the dealers than fish. I always attempt to stay natural, especially if its gin clear or shallow. I pay attention to what color crawdads,shad,minnows are when they spit them up. Also, I noticed that the crawdads in the Susquehanna usually are the same color as their surroundings. Its sandy around the Harrisburg Airport and the mudbugs are usually a little lighter in color than around City Island where the bottom is more dark with mud. My opinion is that where ever you are fishing, what are the fish foraging on? Shad,perch,mudbugs? Match the forage. Thats why I use a lot of green pumpkin, watermelon,smokes,reds,whites and so on. Water clarity certainly can make a difference as well. I feel that bass 75% of the time use their lateral line more than we think. For reaction strikes on spinnerbaits. traps,buzzbaits I think a little louder the color does not hurt. For instance in the spring here, I sore arm a lot of 1/2 chartruese with chartruese blades spinnerbaits and the smallies just about pull the rod out your hand when they hit. Of course I am no different than anyone else. I am particular about colors as well. My green pumkin gitzits have red flake in them. Do the fish care? I doubt it, but I feel better using this color. For worm fishing I almost always use a Blue fleck, red shad, watermelon,smoke or green pumpkin ,almost exclusivly. Again, do the fish care? Probably not but, I feel more confident with this choice of colors because to be honest, they work for me. My rule is the clearer the water the more supple and natural the bait should be, if it is really dirty I go bigger in order displace more water so it can be picked up on the lateral line. I have a friend that ties on a different color ever 10 minutes and from what I can see, my bait is wet a lot more than his. You got to have it in the water in order for it to work, I tell him. Yes, he just laughs at me. I'm trying to find what color they are hittin, he always explains. Stick to the natural stuff, and fiqure out the forage and you will do well and the best part is you don't have to lug around 100 lb tackle bags. Good luck.

Don't put things away now. This is your best chance other than spring for a big fish. If you want to increase your chances just fish every sharp drop off ( like 45 degree ) you can. They suspend around these places. Also, points,point,points, especially if they are beside a creek channel. Look for those gentle drop offs where towards the end of a point it might go from , for example, from 16-18 and then have a sudden drop. Creek channels are also another option, especially if they have some grass or wood in them. Rockpiles and sunken islands are great too. You have a lot of options to keep you busy this time of year. Learn your lake. Use your depthfinder. Its a big puzzle,you just have to put it together. One thing to remember is to fish slooooowww, and slowwwwwer. Jigs are my first choice, also, 4" worms, trick worms, Tubes, Senkos and Ika's are good choices. Good luck and wear your life jacket at all times this time of year. Be safe.

I was fishing the Suskey yesterday and the water was 45. It was moving pretty good but, I found a few places where I could wacky some. The fish were in feed mode and it was a very easy day for quality as well as numbers.I have to say I never used a Senko in this cold of water. Chickapow !!!, they crushed it. Just for the heck of it the water will be in the 38-40 degree mode before long ( my favorite ) as it sticks them in the breaks and eddies and keeps them there, and I am going to experiment with a Senko. I will get back to this post in late Dec or Jan a tell you my experiance with cold water Senkos, at least for river smallies.

But seriously, how come when I approach a lady in the frozen food isle they run away screaming and call the cops? Skin mount, graphit mount,replica, do what you want. Its whatever makes you happy. Although I like to keep those big fish genes in the water I don't think that if you want a skin mount that the world is going to end because of it.

I am tired of being serious, but seriously, how come when I approach a girl in the frozen food section they run away screaming and the cops come?LOL

All my spinning reels are Shimano Stradics ( the older 2000's ) as well as a couple of 4000's. I love them. My fishing buddy has been buying the Shimano Sedonas and they are great as well, only cheaper. Shimano,Shimano,Shimano-thats all you need in a spinning reel. This is only my opinion.

Large mouth , bait casters---Stren Dura Tuff is what I use now,great in the trash for flippin,#20 Small mouth , spinning reels---Super Silver Thread except for winter ( 38-40 degrees), and don't laugh, BPS Excel because of the stretch on those ice in the eyes days. #6 and #8. I have never had a problem with either of these formulas. Ohh, Big Game is great stuff too, I use a lot of it in #14 for spinnerbaits and wormin.

Sorry, I just read your previous message. I thought you were Jet Boatin. I would not be afraid to fish the eddies along the bank at night. Might be fun and you might get into them. Good luck.

I have been fishing the Susky for over 25 years now. You are right, it has been high over Turkey day at 14'. The last few days we have been slaying them in Harrisburg Pa. It is running between 5'5" and 6' in which is the perfect level for this time of year. The water has been around 45-48 and things could not be better. I do fish her at night in the summer at Three Mile Island and City Island in Harrisburg and do very well but, for your own safety, at this time of year, stay off of the old girl at night. Five minutes in the water at those temps and -----Seeee Yaaaa!!!!---. I do not know what part you fish but, down here I would not do it this time of year. Plus, BrrrrrrrrrrrrrColllllllldddd. If you do get to Harrisburg throw Green Pumpkin/red flake or Dark Mellon/purple flake 3 1/2" gitzits between the Front ST. ramp, the Statue and up until the Campground in Duncannon. You will certainly have numbers. They have been numerous, fat and sassy !!!! Stay in the front of the small islands and fish every current break you see. Mostly the mini eddies. Hope this helps, good luck.

You betchya. Being comfortable with your equipment means everything. So what if it is a 30.00 rod. Does it feel right to you? I can give you some good advice. I have a few Pinnacle Tri Wings that are now called SPX3--I think. These rods are like around 50.00 and they are pretty sweet for that kind of money. I even got a couple on sale once at Dicks for like 30.00 and like both of them. I use one for smallies-6' MH Xtra fast, 1/8-1/2 lure wt ( I think ) and rated for 8-15 lb line that is great. The other one I bought was for casting, 10-20 lb line weight and 1/4 to 5/8 or 1/2 lure wt that is pretty sweet for the money. I think if you wanted to try this line of rods for the money you will be more than pleased. What if it is a Silstar. They work.

First of all, you only get what you pay for. Do you have to buy a $400.00 rod, no. I am a guide and couldn't afford to let my clients use a dozen G. Loomis . Neither will I put a Wal-Mart special in their hand. You have to find the rod that " You " are satisfied with and feel comfortable with. I have and probably always will be a Team All Star guy and a Gator Rod guy. You just can't beat them for 100-150 bucks, thats all. I never had either of these two rods that I didn't like. Just remember the application has to match what you are purchasing and you will be fine. Balls in your court. Contact Reel Mech whom had some advice in this post. I had recently asked him some questions about rod building and he put me on some good avenues and seems to know what he is talking about. Warranty and Customer Service are also two very good reasons to buy a decent rod.

Team All Star MH 6'6" to 7'6". It depends how you feel about the length when it is in your hands. I personally use a 7' because it has always done me just fine for flippin and pitchin plus it is great for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits as well.

I agree with Low_Budget , if I have clients I go for numbers or if I take some friends that want to experiance fishing. I can rememeber days on the Susquehanna where I couldn't buy a smallie over 15" but, we might have caught 80 or so and my clients were thrilled. I can remember a few times where I would apologize for not getting any fours or fives and they would look at me like I was nuts. When I am by myself I go after the big ones. I have more fun watching other people that do not go fishing like I do catch a ton of fish than if I were catching them myself. Having fun, isn't that the bottom line of what our habit is all about? Yes, I did say habit,lol.

Try a split shot rig or mojo rig off of points beside creek channels. If its pretty clear use #8 test. Rig your setup with a green pumpkin or watermelon Zoom Centipede. Back out a little in 12-20' of water. Also, feel for the grass spots in those areas and fish them well. Also, deadstick a Senko in green pumpkin or dark melon gold flake. It probably wouldn't hurt to throw a heavy spinnerbait as well, say a 1oz-1 1/2oz in a single blade. Its been 45-48 in my neck of the woods and we have been rockin them on big salty tubes with a 3/8oz jighead and 1/2oz black jigs with a flippin blue Zoom Chunk in the areas I discussed above. Of course you have a different situation going on but, these two other baits I would throw as well. Good luck.

Hmmmm, tank raised fish and wild fish? I would say there is a difference. I have read lots of articales on this subject, for example, " The fish in the tank chose the 2" crawdads first". You know what, baa, hummbug. I think that a bass in the wild does not care if the crawdad is in a defensive posture of not. If they are hungry and foraging for food I feel that it will be bye-bye crawbug. I have caught literally thousands of smallies from the rivers here and many times they have spit up crawbugs with claws. I say " Myth Busted ".

Take some good digital pictures, good measurments, make sure to get some real clear close ups. Put the fish back where you caught him. If for no other reason, at least to keep his genetics in the water. He didn't get to be ten by having poor genetics. Look for someone who is reputable and that you can take a look at some of his other work. Those assembly line places like BPS don't cut it. Its not going to be cheap but it will be well worth the money and trouble. Those grapite mounts will last your life time. Skin mounts are a thing of the past. Plastic reps look so fake. You only get what you pay for. Good luck.

Thanks Lightninrod. I appreciate your reply. I will purchase some of these swim baits. Not a bad price concidering how much some others are. I love experimenting and am looking forward to attempting this technique. It should be fun. I am pretty fired up about it. Thanks again.

Its Friday night and I feel like stirring things up. I am on my 4th cup of coffee so here goes,lol. I know how we all have our favorite techniques and how we all seem to have different views on how to use them. I as well as most have a lot of fun on Wacky Wormin a 5" Senko, for LB and SB as well. Here goes. I use a wide gap 2/0 Venom or Owner hook. I am sold on it. What do some of you other fisherman use and why?

I hear you, and thanks for the reply. I did not consider sinking, floating, etc. I was just thinking more along the lines of a 10-12" swim bait might give me an edge. I fully understand that I might have to throw this lure a gazillion times. I also agree with you in that whatever the size of the bait you have you still have to be at the right place. I was just putting another idea in the hat. I am always open to suggestions and opinions. Thank you.

I do not think that confidence comes overnight. We all have our confidence lures. Mine is a Gitzit, but, confidence is more than that one lure. I know lots of men who have a few good tourneys or days on the water and think they are " all that ". We all know them. Confidence for me is knowing that, from all the years of experiance on the water that I have had, all the tactics that I have learned from others by reading, watching others and learning from the old timers and my ability to adapt to just about every scenario that I can think of, keeps me confident. Its not the lure. I feel that time on the water and the willingness and ability to adapt and let fishing become a perpetual learning experiance has given me the confidence in knowing that when I get on either a river or lake , and no matter what the conditions or time of year, I am pretty sure that I can put a few in the boat. Its not a 100% guarantee but, I am confident enough in my abilitys after all these year that , at least in my head, I feel optimistic when I go on the water. You can never stop educating yourself in this sport. There are a lot of fisherman, but, not a whole lot of consistant fisherman whom don't rely on luck, but, attempt to make it happen.

Ok, I give up. I am sure all of us live near a lake where we can go for a few hours before we have to mow, fix the spouting, etc. I have a place like this in Western Maryland. A friend of mine is a Fisheries Biologist and he gave me the heads up that they had shocked some #11-#13 fish out of this gin clear, deep lake. I have caught quite a few #5's to #6's from this place. Also, a #7-2, #8-8 but, I cannot for the life of me catch at least a #10. My tactics have been, of course, Jigs, 1-1 1/2 spinnerbaits off of points and 12-15" worms but, I cannot get to that #10 or so. I have done a lot of night fishing there, as well, thinking that this would be the time for these big fish but, nada. Even during the spawn I have yet to break past #8-8. I thought about those big swim baits but, yada,yada. This place is regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout so my bet is, this is the ticket. Any ideas would be appreciated as I have very little knowlege of these types of baits. I was going to purchase maybe a Castaic Trout or something similar but, I figured that I would research this avenue first. Thanks, Jim.

Excel. answer RoLo. Makes all the sense in the world. Its refreshing to have someone actually explain the scientific criteria. But don't get too scientific, I only have one college degree and I am too old to go back,lol.

That was way too funny CATT. I never thought of it that way. Your formula sure is another way of looking at it. A rod and reel is no match for a 1100 Remington and a couple of pi**ed off duck hunters,lol. Thanks for the laugh.