Birdman2136

Finesse set up. Try a ALX McSmalls or Trickster with a Daiwa Legalis.

I was wondering if anyone would lay some insight down for me on their favorite crawler style lures. I've fished just about every style of top water lure other than a crawler and I'd like to give one a try.... I-Wing, Pompadour, Crazy Crawler? I'm open to any recommendations. TIA

Thanks for the input. You're vast knowledge is much appreciated.

Right on. The amount of crawdads I see.. I wonder why those fish would even bother hitting a top water lure.

Thanks for the info guys. Since I typically float the river in my kayak I'm definitely not putting enough focus on these areas as I sweep by them pretty quick. Sounds like I most likely just need to focus on different areas from what I do in spring and fall. Also I'll have to start getting out of my kayak more often...

Hey guys I’ve found myself fishing the river more and more each year. I generally do well with a top water and craw colored cranks. Anywho... my best days obviously come in spring and fall... so for the days in summer where I struggle to get bites I’m wondering what you guys typically focus on for finding fish. I always start around 430-5am to beat the heat come summer, but still some days can be slow.

Once summer hits I start my river fishing at 4-430 am. Typically early morning I start off with top water and move to crank baits as the sun rises, though truthfully I have many days where I never need to put down top water. My personal best smallmouth hit topwater on a high 80s day around 2pm.

Turns out I just needed to complain about the fish... ? Man I had a day yesterday. Best 5 went 20.25/19/18/17.75/17.75 I’ve never caught that many fish plus quality in one day... and two 30 class pike to boot.

So here in WI we’ve had a very up and down spring temperature wise with a bunch of rain... water levels are finally back to normal. I usually excel with cranks and top water on a shallow gravel bottom river. Though the few times I’ve made it out I’ve been struggling in my normal spots. Any tips given the limited info I’ve given. TIA

I prefer my flat sided cranks to be silent and balsa.

I've been using the large CPS screw locks on my soft swimbaits. It greatly increased the amount of use I get out of my plastics.

I swear to you the smallest Pike steal my lures 99% of the time.

@A-Jay Awesome. Being in WI I fish lakes that have no Shad presence at all. I was looking at ordering some in the Natural Shad and Gold Sexy Shad though so seems like I’m on the right track.

Thanks for the detailed post. The Aruku Shad had been on I list I’ll definitely try one out. @A-Jay what color in that box is your go to? Just curious.

Thanks for the detailed post. The Aruku Shad had been on I list I’ll definitely try one out.

I looked at those... Seems to be a bit of a copy of the Megabass Vibration X or whatever its called, which supposedly has a awesome action when paused.

The main thing I was looking for is the ability to fish a lipless crank like a jig. I'm interested in trying this technique and want a budget friendly option for trying it out. Anything under 10 dollar is much more budget friendly to me compared to the LV prices. So far it looks like I'll give the RES and Yo Zuri and try. Still open to more options.

I’ll always use my Rat L Trap for burning around. Swamp Craw and Mean Green are my jam!

Seems like a popular vote on the Red Eye Shad. Thanks guys

I’ve been using Rat L Traps. I’m currently looking for a lipless that has that shimmy on the fall I see and read people talking about. Certain YouTube channels recommend the LV500 and other high end lures. Anyone have any insight on more budget friendly options because the Rat L Trap really doesn’t do this. Thanks guys.

Zodias 7’0 ml vs ALX Trickster 7’0 Light+ I was wondering if by any chance any members have had a chance to use both of these rods and if so would anyone be able to share some insight? Thanks in advance.

Depends on what your price range is... The guy above mentioned the Berkley Lightning Rods. For a low priced rod those are tough to beat I really enjoyed mine when I first got into bass fishing plus they are durable and affordable if you happen to break one. Right now I have rods from ALX, St Croix, Kistler, and Dobyns. I enjoy all of them for certain reasons..

I'd take a look at the Kistler KLX Feel and Reel series.. Excellent for cranking.

In my opinion if you take a new angler out you should be giving them a 4" Kalin's Grub on a 1/8 ounce darter head or ball head jig. Slow roll it back and you'll get bit. Such an under utilized presentation. Also 4 or 5 inch grubs can be thrown on the back of a skirted swim jig for good success. Just use a versatile rod. 7'0 Med/Fast ALX Soul with a Daiwa Exceler 2500. 10lb braid with a 6lb flurocarbon leader. Edit: Need to make it weedless.. a little trick I use is a 1/8 ounce SC Dirty jigs Shakey head jig.

There are walleye.. I suppose they would bite there at this time of year. Scratch the itch is right my friend!