papajoe222

The two lakes that I fish regularly are like apples and onions in comparison when it comes to just about everything. The average depth is the biggest difference and at this time of year that makes a major difference in how fast the lake cools down (just the opposite in the spring). The shallower lake will turn on earlier in both seasons and the deeper will be a few weeks behind it. The other big difference is fish location in the water column. The fish tend to be the most active in the upper water on the shallow lake once the temps drop into the 70's, but the fish in the deeper lake will hold in the mid to lower water until the lake turns over. Until you learn the lake you're targeting, you'll have to put in some time both on the water and off. This time of year the best research you can do is looking into the main forage base of the lake and use it's seasonal movements as a guide of where to begin. Try keeping a fishing log and make notes in it as to what you used that worked and what didn't. Next fall when you go back check that log because if your memory is only half as poor as mine, you may start out with the presentations that didn't work when you just might be able to get into fish early using what did work last year.

Sounds like the perfect scenario for a lipless crank. It's easier to cast into the wind and maintain contact with and having your presentation move in the same direction as the current is almost always a plus. Did you guys fish the edges (sides) of the weed bed. Often the inside edge will produce if the wind is blowing into it. Sounds like you did alright considering, but next time don't be afraid to make suggestions to the boater, especially if you're both struggling.

I assume there are times when rattling baits might spook a bass, but they are a factor when it comes to attracting, especially in dingy/off colored water situations. I carry both silent and rattle cranks and almost always start with the rattle versions. If they aren't producing and I'm confident there are fish in the area, I'll switch to the silent baits. I've also found that I can pick up a couple more fish with a silent bait after the bite dies off on the rattling one.

Adding a little oil based scent will help to cut down on that tail catching the weeds. As great as the action is on these, if you're going to get into the weeds with them rather that presenting them above or along a weed edge, you'll be loosing some tails. Don't fret though, just use the remaining worm for wacky or shakey head presentations.

I use them strictly as a T-rig presentation when targeting weeds and sandy/pea gravel transition areas. There are much better choices for a large profile bait when pitching and flipping. The Culprit is a ribbon tailed worm and really not suited for shakey heads as their action is geared toward moving the bait rather than shaking it in place.

I use it all the time on my soft plastics. I've tried it on spinnerbait skirts and it doesn't work as well as a Sharpie, but it does add scent. I go through a couple of bottles a season. I've also used the markers, but dipping gets the job of changing colors done a lot better, just more messy.

NAFC did something very similar a couple of years back. I don't know if their program is still around. I didn't care for their strong arm tactics ( once you keep one DVD, you were locked in to keeping them all and of course, they wouldn't say how many were in the library). I sent back the one from BASS without viewing it also for basically the same reason. I'd rather purchase a set of DVD's of my choice than have someone I don't know assume what I know and don't know or what I like and don't.

You don't list your age in your profile, or I'd suggest checking out a bass club at the college level. Either way, club tournaments can be valuable in teaching you both how to compete as well as different techniques. Your skill level will be on the fast track to getting better also. There are a couple of downsides. One being as a co-angler or non-boater you'll likely be fishing from the back seat and be limited to the boater's choice of spots and to a degree his approach. This can be a learning experience as well as you can judge what works and what doesn't under different conditions. The down side to most club circuits is they hold competition on mostly local waters and they can get expensive for the working Joe. If you have the opportunity, go for it. If you approach it as a learning experience and focus on that and not winning every time you go out, you'll be on the fast track to becoming a better angler, both recreational and in competition.

Mostly walleye and pike, but I plan on targeting stripers later in the fall and next season when the big fish bug hits me.

Although fall isn't officially here, as far as the fish are concerned, it's definately knocking on our door. I was wondering about other angler's strategies when it comes to the depth they darget during the fall months. The majority of the lakes I target in the fall are natural lakes, but like impoundments the fish still follow the bait. Up here, the bass target the bluegill and minnows and the walleye will target the perch. Two different forages and two different depth preferences when it comes to forage. What is the dominate depth factor in your fall fishing?

I sweep the rod to the side the same way I present a C-rig. The only time I use the reel to move a jig is when I'm swimming it, but doing so appears to be advantageous as your rod tip can be held at the optimum angle for sensitivity and hook sets. I'll have to try it next time I break out a heavy football jig. Can you maintain bottom contact on say a 3/8oz jig when reeling?

If the beavers recently moved in, the bass at your honey hole have likely picked up stakes and moved and not to get away from them. Beaver brush piles and dams are a form of cover that bass love, likely more so than whatever cover was in your spot. Find the nearest beaver house and you'll likely find your fish.

I have just the opposite problem, I forget to loosen the drag when fighting a big fish. I get so pumped after hooking a fish on a crank I often forget to back off during the fight. It's a catch 22 for me because if I set the drag loose enough to begin with, I won't get a good hook set on a long cast. I've had the bad luck of loosing a tourney winning fish this way. What I'm really saying is; If your buddy is like me, it may take more than once for him to learn the lesson.

Of the two, I'd say presentation is more important. The other thing I observed in your first post was the line size, if you have 10lb, or even 8lb. you might want to give them a try.

That's what keeps this site strong; guys sharing their insight and learning from others in the process. Just a side note: prior to the off season you'll want to get a good supply of Bait Monkey Repelent. I ran out last Feb. and had to resort to downloading monkey porn to my PC just to keep him preoccupied when I was online. That's great J.F. I take that as an invite once our lakes up here freeze over.

I was Just wondering how many, if any, of you fish Rogues, Long A's, Rapalas, etc. during the summer? My home lake has an abundance of weed flats where the weeds top out from 1-3ft. below the surface and this is a presentation I use when I'm trying to get my little guy into some fish. Similar to a Zara Spook in that they can draw fish up and out of cover, it's been a great way to keep him from getting hung up on cover. The flip side to this is I've found myself throwing jerkbaits more when I'm by myself and looking to relax. I can sit and fan cast without putting forth much effort into the thought process and unlike a lot of the 'power' presentations I rely on, I don't feel worn down when I get off the water. Now I almost always have a rod sitting on my deck or in my hand with one tied on. BTW, for all you smallmouth fanatics, I've found they work great on suspended fish in clear water.

Follow the baitfish. Fish fast moving baits, Concentrate on the upper water column (that's where the majority of active fish will be) If you don't have decent electronics, you're missing out on some great fishing opportunities.

X2 This was the only line I used on my spinning gear for more years than I care to admit. I got away from using spinning gear and when I picked it up again, I'd forgotten how much I liked this line.

I was just wondering if you guys hang on to gear for sentimental reasons? If so, would you care to share? I had a Mitchell 300 spinning reel that was around 40yrs. old when I misplaced it. I had hung on to it because it reminded me of walleye fishing trips I'd taken with my dad and was also the reel I landed my first smallie with. Although I don't have it anymore, whenever I see one, the memories come flodding back.

I've suffered from C.R.S. for as long as I can remember.................What was I saying? Although I haven't forgotten I owned a particular rod/reel, I have forgotten where I left a couple. The most heart breaking was leaving one of my favorite spinning outfits leaning against a tree when friends and I took off for home. I was only thirteen at the time and it had taken me most of the year to save up for that outfit. Can't say I learned my lesson though because I'm missing a muskie combo I know I didn't leave somewhere, but it isn't with the rest of my gear. When it comes to tackle, I'm constantly finding new, in the package stuff I totaly forgot I had. If I were more organized, I'd keep all my gear in one place. With my memory though, I'd likely forget where that was.

One of the lakes I fish in S.E. Wisc. gets so much boat traffic on week-ends in the summer, I wonder why folks even bother going out on the water. The only ones that can really enjoy it are the ones in pontoon boats and they have to deal with the jet skiers. Forget water skiing or attempting to sail. The great thing about this lake is it has a no wake law in effect from 8:00PM to 10:00AM and the constant boat traffic keeps the weeds from growing to the surface . I've caught some hawgs just after things calm down. In fact, 4th of July last year I caught a chunky 23in. LM that likely went well over 6lb. That lake is way too small for all the boat traffic it gets. Even the shallow flats that the power boats avoid get pounded by the waves, so there's no way I'm even attempting being out there when they are.

If it weren't for the 30ft. depths, I'd suggest the deep cranks, but you won't get them that deep. Besides, I've found that beginners to fishing them tend to give up after a short time and without a back up presentation they're dead in the water so to speak. That option not withstanding, I'd opt for either a football jig or a C-Rig either of which would be in th 3/4-1oz. range to get down and stay down. Another presentation you don't hear a lot about on this site is vertical jigging as most guys only think of it as a cold water presentation, but I'm here to tell you it's a great way to probe the depths and doesn't wear you out or require a lot of concentration. Hopefully you have some decent electronics and are able to locate either baitfish or fish, or both. Suspended fish are difficult to target as you need to be able to keep your presentation either at their depth or slightly above. One trick I can pass on to you to make that job a little easier is to note their distance in relation to the bottom, let your spoon fall to the bottom and raise it with your reel to the fish's level. Attempting to count down a lure to 25 or 28 ft. is a lot more difficult than raising it 2 or 5ft. off the bottom.

We have a lot of shore bound anglers on my favorite waters and with all the snags around the shoreline, it's inevitable. I take the prop off my TM before covering my boat and I can tell you that at least 50% of the time when I do, there is line around the shaft. When I do find it, I always check the prop shaft on the big motor even though my home lake is electric motors only. That prop spins as you're moving around and will pick up line and weeds even when it isn't running. This rarely occurs on the other lakes that I fish as shore fishing is very limited on them.

I started using my light action spinning outfit this year after about a six year layoff. I hated it at first. Considering that was the style equipment I learned on and used for almost 30 years, I was dumbfounded. Couldn't cast it accurately, the line would jump off the spool, line twist, etc. After forcing myself to use it for a couple of days, all of the headaches dissapeared and I started enjoying using it again. I'd never go out with only spinning gear, but now I'll never go out with at least one combo.

I T-rig a curly tailed grub onto the hook to help keep the weeds off the hook. A spot of super glue at the top of the grub and where the hook shaft exits it's head helps to keep it from sliding down the hook's shank.