JollyJoe

RI Skinny Dipper is great and holds up pretty well for multiple fish. I tend not to use Keitech's on the Swim Jig due to them tearing so easily like you mentioned.

I skipped for 30 mins in my basement nearly every day last winter it helped a ton. Set coffee cans and shoe boxes as targets. Tips not mentioned so far.... 1. The harder you throw the bait the higher probability of error (not going where you want it, backlash, etc.) 2. Stand on a milk crate. Helps simulate being on boat and prevents ruining your rod tip. 3. Start with 30lb braid. Braid is much easier IMO than Flouro/Mono. Once you master braid move to flouro etc. I second youtube'ing Andy Montogomery Skipping Video on how to set the reel. Best of luck! -Joe

The light tx rig(i'd throw a speedworm) and drop shot ideas mentioned above are spot on. If you are looking to expand techniques take a look at a 1/4-3/8oz swim jig and the mojo rig. I would look for an area that contains rock,sand and grass(2 of the 3 at least) and is close to the channel if possible. Experiment with positioning the boat in the channel and casting up shallow and vice versa, Parallel cast the channel break which most likely has a fairly decent grass line in parts of it. Ton of options. Be patient stick with whatever new technique you try for more than a few casts and good luck!

Great Job Nolan!

Welcome!

Going to be headed out of Sandusky Harbor

J - Appreciate the insight. The area I'm looking at has many large reefs with high spots topping in 15-20 feet with deep water surrounding. Are these structures too shallow for this time of year in your opinion? I imagine some fish would use them, but in your experience is the quantity and quality relating to similar features just deeper? P.S. I'm looking at Erie. The shallowest of the GL if that alters what you said above

Hi, Looking to get some of your guy's insight on locating Great Lake summer Smallies. Imagine you are going to a new area of one of the GL's where are you starting your search for the first time. I am going to be doing some big water fishing for the first time as a boater in the coming weeks and looking to brush up. I'm well prepared on the safety front and will have experienced GL's boaters riding with me :). If I were to head out today i would be looking mainly around Main Lake Structure. High Spots and Humps on large reefs with sharp breaks. Somewhere they can slide up and down vertically with ease to feed. The main question I have is how do you go about breaking down such a vast structure? What factor does the wind play in positioning fish on these structures etc. Tight lines, Joe

MH Crankbait Rod of your choice with Braid (25lb-35lb). I use a reel down hookset similiar to sestting hook on a dropshot. Just reel into to them. i'd say im above 90% on strike to land ratio with this set-up and method. Also, helps not to look at the bait the whole time during the retrieve. Seeing the strike combined with the sensitivity of the braid causes a lot of people to steal the bait from the fish. Smallies on a plopper are some of the most fun fish to catch Good luck! -Joe

What's everyone's most common weight jig you are throwing in the grass when fishing as described here. I fish a 1/2oz Outkast Tackle RTX jig and have never ventured heavier than that. Seems i am missing out. Thinking i should make a purchase on some 3/4oz or an 1oz. Where do i start....

Hi All, Longtime reader and lurker on here, but finally thought it was time to join and start participating. Recently moved back home to Ohio after some time in Chicago. Currently based in Grove City, Ohio. Getting reacquainted with all the Ohio lakes this year and fishing in the Columbus Bassmasters Club. Favorite Lakes Erie/LSC and anywhere with grass! Glad to finally be part of the board! Tightlines, Joe