Hello! I am glad to be here, talking fishing. I fish for bass and walleye on Lake Milton, a small lake near Youngstown, OH.  I have a kayak setup for fishing, and I also fish with a few buddies one night each week, starting in  April.  We are anxiously waiting for the 20 inches of ice on the lake to melt so we can finally get the cure for this nasty case of cabin fever that is running rampant.  

 

I also have the good fortune of having a good friend who has a cabin in Canada, and I am blessed with the opportunity to go bass fishing on a beautiful, pristine lake in Ontario, two times each summer.

 

As far as equipment:

I am partial to Lew's reels.  This winter, I picked up a BB1 pro and love it.  I also have a three year old Speed Spool-SS1H.   I also have two Shimano light spinning reels with St Croix rods

 

Rods:

I just acquired a Duckett Micro Magic Pro (M) - I just came back inside from trying it out - early indications are that it is a winner! I also have a Skeet Reese cranking rod, which I am going to sell, and a StCroix  Mojo Bass  (MHF).

 

I have a thumb that is still learning.  I would not consider it an educated thumb just yet, but it is improving...I have struggled with learning to cast my baitcasters consistently.  I have watched every video I can find on casting.  I think I have turned the corner, but I intend to practice more this spring.  I can do this...I know I can.  I have to, because my buddies continue to laugh at me with my frequent overruns!  I especially am frustrated with the crankbait rod.  It is soft and fast and whenever I try to launch a crank, I trash the line.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

I am pleased to have found this treasure trove of information.  I look forward to participating in the community.

 

Patrick

 

 

Hello Patrick and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 

As for helping to "educate your thumb"  you already said it, practice is key.

 

And to really help start yourself off in the right direction, the set up of your reel is vital.

 

Knowing how do to it is not a step that can be skipped if your truly hope for success.

 

Mr. BassResource, (Glenn on the forums here) has some great bass fishing info and this is one of them on reel set up.

 

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

Thanks, A-Jay. I have watched his videos so much I feel like I should be rooting for Georgia instead of Ohio State!

His videos are quite helpful. He does an excellent job. Thanks  for the suggestion. I will watch it again and pay closer attention to the setup.

Welcome to the forums!

 

Jeff

Thanks, A-Jay. I have watched his videos so much I feel like I should be rooting for Georgia instead of Ohio State!

His videos are quite helpful. He does an excellent job. Thanks  for the suggestion. I will watch it again and pay closer attention to the setup.

Welcome to the forums, I am orignally from Youngstown area too. As for the thumb it will come to you, everybody starts as a beginner not knowing anything and you eventually work your way up. Have fun on militon with all those non fishing boats, must be fun in a kayak!

Thanks for the welcomes.

Kayaking on Lake Milton is an adventure, for sure.  Not too many fishing boats, but many pleasure craft. It gets a wee bit choppy!

Welcome!

Greetings Patrick and Welcome to the forums

Welcome Patrick. I learned to water ski on your lake when I was in high school. A buddy's family had a cottage there. 

Welcome Patrick. I learned to water ski on your lake when I was in high school. A buddy's family had a cottage there. 

 

Interesting - I never Knew.

 

So will I be yanking you around Lake Erie behind the StarCraft ? 

 

Right after Ice out of course.

 

 

A-Jay

Welcome aboard, Patrick.

Thanks so much for the warm welcomes.

 

Dwight - you wouldn't recognize the lake today since the State of Ohio took it over and made it a state park. They are continuing to upgrade the facilities.   And there have been many beautiful homes - million dollar homes - built where there were just bungalows and tiny cottages before.  

Thanks so much for the warm welcomes.

 

Dwight - you wouldn't recognize the lake today since the State of Ohio took it over and made it a state park. They are continuing to upgrade the facilities.   And there have been many beautiful homes - million dollar homes - built where there were just bungalows and tiny cottages before.

You should see the castle some guy has on Evans. It's quite ridiculous in size.

Is that the one that can be seen from Rte. 7 south of North Lima?

Is that the one that can be seen from Rte. 7 south of North Lima?

Negative, Evans is on 161 and N Lima road right off of 680. It's private but you might be able to get in. I have access because of my cousin he knows quite a bit of people, Because he runs a tourny on Berlin I believe it's Thursday nights.

Here is a picture.

Got it.  I heard that a fishing license is $500 per year for that lake.  I think it is owned by AQUA Ohio, who supplies water in the area.  I have a friend who fishes in the tournament they have in May for United Way. I have never had the opportunity to fish it.

Thanks so much for the warm welcomes.

 

Dwight - you wouldn't recognize the lake today since the State of Ohio took it over and made it a state park. They are continuing to upgrade the facilities.   And there have been many beautiful homes - million dollar homes - built where there were just bungalows and tiny cottages before.  

 

 

I was born & raised in Ohio. We used to live over by Lake Cable in Jackson Twp., North Canton mailing. That community used to be mostly cottages & bungalows but has converted to expensive housing with lake views. Sounds like Lake Milton has made a similar transformation.

Got it.  I heard that a fishing license is $500 per year for that lake.  I think it is owned by AQUA Ohio, who supplies water in the area.  I have a friend who fishes in the tournament they have in May for United Way. I have never had the opportunity to fish it.

I believe you're correct. 500$ is a bit of money but that lake is so awesome, constant 5-6 pounders and the best part the fish aren't shy at all. I have acces to a couple very nice small lakes and ponds in that area. What was your best bait this year ? And do you only fish militon ?

My best baits were the Rat-L-Trap in spring. - any color as long as it is chrome!  And a 5 inch Yamamoto senko wacky rigged.wacky style.

I introduced the wacky worm to my fishing buddies and they laughed at me. They could not believe how stupid it was to rig it  style.  We were fishing in Canada and they each had 1 fish the whole day, and I caught 15 lbs.   While not a great day, it was still a memorable day.

 

This year I am going to try some swim baits - both a hard style Shellcracker G2  and some Keitech  fat.  They are so soft, they "gotta work"  Ha!  How many times have I said that?!

 

I mostly fish Milton, a good friend lives on the lake and he has a pontoon that we fish from.

My best baits were the Rat-L-Trap in spring. - any color as long as it is chrome!  And a 5 inch Yamamoto senko wacky rigged.wacky style.

I introduced the wacky worm to my fishing buddies and they laughed at me. They could not believe how stupid it was to rig it  style.  We were fishing in Canada and they each had 1 fish the whole day, and I caught 15 lbs.   While not a great day, it was still a memorable day.

 

This year I am going to try some swim baits - both a hard style Shellcracker G2  and some Keitech  fat.  They are so soft, they "gotta work"  Ha!  How many times have I said that?!

 

I mostly fish Milton, a good friend lives on the lake and he has a pontoon that we fish from.

I killed on kietecs and rage craws. Especially the 4.8 in sexy shad rigged on a VMC 1/4OZ belly weighted hook. Slow rolling it about a foot or 2 from the surface.

That sounds great. I am impressed with the keitech baits. I am looking forward to getting out there and doing some fishing. I am glad to hear of your success.

That sounds great. I am impressed with the keitech baits. I am looking forward to getting out there and doing some fishing. I am glad to hear of your success.

I hope they produce as well for you as they did for me.

Welcome home!

Welcome!