Crestliner2008

I fish a deep, clear reservoir a lot for both smallies and largemouths. In this particular body of water, the smallies are usually relating to the deeper, off-shore structures though. As was previously said, smallmouth are just about everywhere up here, in the northeast. With the exception of eutrophic type, shallow lakes that heavily weeded.

Not sure how many of you have followed this incredible bass fisherman, but I really like his attitude and persistence in everything he does. I was curious as to why I hadn't heard much about him lately, so I did a little searching. Here is a link to his site, wherein he outlines his 2011 strategy. I do hope we hear more from him.....and soon! http://www.skeetreeseinc.com/ThankYouFromSkeet.html

I downsized from a large 370 bag to a 360 - about half as big. Just tired of lugging a bunch of stuff that I rarely use in the course of a day on the water. Made me do some serious planning for each trip. Now I keep all my plano boxes stacked (and labeled) at home; and switch boxes per location and techniques I'm going to target. Makes switching baits much easier and efficient when on the water. And it has actually increased my fishing time.

Massachusetts = efficiencies = oxymoron.

As has been mentioned, just about any plastic worm will get you bit at one time or another. Here's a good site to get you started as far as hooks are concerned, as well as getting you set up properly from the git-go: http://www.richz.com/fishing/blog/?p=224 Some other things to try - which I find to be especially effective - 4" Roboworms, 3" Sluggos and Case Helgrammites. All nose hooked. Good Luck!

Start tossing some big swimbaits at night. Surface & wakebaits in dark colors will get you bit - IF there are any real hogs in there. Problem is, to some folks, a 2 lb. bass looks like a 5 lb. bass!

Strap your boots on folks, the Bay State has done it again! Starting next year (2012) ALL your license fees will be increased by $3.00. Why? Because the only way you will be able get any license, at all in this state, is by going online and doing the transaction there with a debit or credit card. And the wonderful State will charge you an EXTRA $3.00 for doing so! This also applies to stamps & permits as well. No longer will you be able to buy an archery stamp or bear permit, without going online to do so - and a fee for doing so will be applied. And we wonder why we are loosing population!

Nose hook a 3" Sluggo and hang on! When twitched, this small piece of plastic becomes incredibly life like! Pretty hard for a finicky smallie to turn away from. Also, the Case helgrammite is a high producer for me sometimes.

Try a drift sock. Maybe two, depending on what kind of presentation you want to use.

Unfortunately, in 2012, lead will be banned here in MA. Which means I have to figure out what to do with the many jigs I currently have in my arsenal.

Spray a little WD-40 on your hands and you'll be good to go. Charter captains use this a lot. I would never use Deet for skeeter repellent, unless I washed my hands afterwards.

I know this has been stressed before and will be time and time again. Since we are starting off a new season, maybe it's a good time to reemphasize some points in posting questions. "Why am I not catching fish" is not a valid question, in my opinion. How can anyone be expected to respond to a question like that, without knowing anything about the situation you are faced with? I think most of us here have some knowledge we'd be more than willing to share with everyone. But ambiguous, generalized questions don't give us much to work with. Ask any question you want, but if you really want a good, helpful answer, it's best to include what kind of body of water you are fishing (lake, reservoir or river), type of fish you are targeting and the conditions you are faced with. Also of help would be the presentation options you tried already and whether you fishing from a boat or along the shoreline. Water temperature would be a definite plus, but we can generalize on that, based on the time of year. My apologies if I am out of line in posting this, but it has been bugging me a bit. BTW....getting my sporting license today! Open water in about another week - I hope!

Lake or river?

Tons of them out there. Most aren't any better, or worse, than the original Sluggo. I also like the Strike King Caffeine Shad.

Silver Buddy, drop shot, lipless cranks....all are great this time of the year. Depends on their activity level and location. A slow rolled, soft plastic swimbait was effective last year for me. But we still have ice on our lakes, so it'll be another week or two before I can prove it out once again.

In our neck of the woods, one fine presentation is the Striper Magnet by Bill Hurley lures. Here's the site: http://www.codandstriperlures.com/products.php I've been quite successful fishing the Striper Magnet in our CT River, where the stripers run up to the Holyoke Dam in the spring. Some approaching 20 lbs. - although I've never caught one that large - yet! If you decide to try them, let me know and I'll take some pictures for you on how we rig them. Good Luck!

I'd try locating some active first with a lipless crank. Then slow down as the bite dictates. A little late to tell you this now though! How did you make out today?

Try Kalin's grubs with some Megastrike. Can't get much better than this. Colors? Why worry? Smoke with black flake will command most situations very consistently. Just think about approaching your area with depth & speed control in mind. You'll be mighty successful.

If you have no idea where to begin, try targeting points and drop offs off north-west shorelines that lead to the spawning flats. You can fan cast the area with lipless cranks for starters; or if you've located some fish, start tossing a suspending jerkbait to strain the area in more detail. When/if that approach cools down and you are sure the fish are still the area, you might try a drop shot. Good luck!

It's a pretty decent show and has some good information from time to time. Definitely worth a viewing.

I agree. However, I use 6# test fluoro leader to the Fireline. Works for me.

Do a search here on drop shotting. And here's an article that can get you on right path: http://www.richz.com/fishing/blog/?p=224 I'm assuming you have a good sonar and know how to use it. If not, there are many articles on this forum to help you with that too. Basically you have to find off-shore structure using your electronics. Then present them something they want. With the skills you already have, you're well on your way.

A fishing friend emailed me this site. I figured some of you might find some valuable information there. They offer articles, free courses and some which you have to pay for. Not so sure I'd care to actually "pay" for fishing knowledge (in this proposed venue), but I did find it interesting. There is so much freely available information floating around the internet already. And most fishermen I know are more than willing to share their local knowledge and techniques. I really don't think there are any "secrets" left to be discovered! But, I decided to post this site anyway. Some may find it beneficial. http://www.***/

So....THAT'S your problem! ;D ;D ;D

Husky Jerk.