Crestliner2008

In order to be successful this time of the year (or any time actually), you have to do your homework. You must know where the points are, drop offs, deep holes, current flow, water clarity, water temp, etc., etc.. Shorebound angling can be productive if you know the answers. If you are asking about just heading on down to the shore, where there is no ice and fishing, I'd say your chances are pretty slim. If you know where a deep hole is located and you're sure there are bass there, then your odds increase dramatically in your favor. Try Senkos or Ikas for plastics; hard jerkbaits (maybe), fished ultra slow with lots of pause time (this pres. will work better once the ice is off the lakes). Better yet, blade baits, barely twitched off the bottom should stir some interest - just make sure you have a good lure retriever. Good Luck!

Use a backing line; re-tie to it insead of removing the entire spool of line. I usually pull off old line until it's about a cast & a half off, then tie on the fresh line to the old and reel up. Saves a lot of $$ and even with a "filler" spool, you can get two or more refreshes.

Hook N' Look

Shaky worm.

One more thing. Get a thermometer so you can see what the water temperature actually is. This will teach you alot and can point you in the right direction.

I agree with Tokyo_Tony and Roadwarrier; I'd use either the hard jerks or reversed BIG Ika to entice cold water smallies.

#221311 Gamakatsu RED 1/0 Octopus inline circle hooks - period. And I crimp down the barb besides! Pure hooking/holding power; allowing quick and easy catch, photograph and release. I use this hook exclusively when fishing Senkos in more open water situations for smallmouth bass; have been doing so for 3 seasons now. Can't remember the last time I lost a big smallie or caused one damage. Great hooks.

More & more state DNR's are restricting lead from various reservoirs; obviously due to wet land birds scrounging along the bottom and ingesting this terrible metal (which, intern, may be ingested by us!). Personally, I use steel. Paying a buck a piece for a sinker is not in my realm of reality.

Too bad it's not made in a 10" model! ;D

I usually manage to put some time in on both the shad and stripers every spring.

Some of you may know that I'm an advocate of using a tiny swivel between your main line and your drop shot leader. Agree or not; I don't mind, but if you'd like the advantage of a twist free presentaion, I'd recommend you check out this product. I am using size 10 (35# test!!!) which is about the size of a tiny ant! They spin with your breath; at less than 1/2 the cost of ball bearing types with a lot less bulk and weight. And you cannot convince me, anyway, that they have a detrimental affect on your presentaion. F.Y.I.

I just keep praying for Spring!

Nice to meet you! Western MA here as well.

If fishing were easy, everyone would be doing it! (I heard that somewhere before? ) Anyway, you didn't say how "large" this creek was? But assuming some sections have some depth (>10') I'd find the deepest holes and try a 1/4 oz. blade blade bait barely lifting it off the bottom - until you just begin to feel the vibes - with 15 - 30 sec. pauses inbetween. You can also bottom drift a 3" - 4" Senko into these holes. If there are fish there, one or both presentations will get you bit.

Vanish Transition Gold (Don't get the red!). This line sinks well, has good abrasion resistance, easy to see above the water and has low memory. Works for me.

Yes, this is the second time I've seen the show. The first time I was a bit skeptical, thinking it was 1/2 a fishing show and 1/2 an info-mercial. But now I'm re-thinking it. This show was really well done! Can't wait for the next one! Anyone know when the next one will air?

OK....here's my "monster" from last year! ;D

I've used 4#, 6#, 10#, 10# crystal and 20# Fireline. Casting and spinning reels. No problems; no worries. JMO.

I agree with roadwarrior; for a crappie, it would have to go a solid 3 and it would be released! I'd just take a few measurements and photos and have a replica made. My son had a replica of a 29" salmon he caught with me while shad fishing on the CT River back in the late 80's. All we had was about 6 photos. The guy did a marvelous job. Much better than a skin mount. A "win-win" situation!

I've been fishing the drop shot for 4 seasons now. I know some of you frown on using a swivel between your main line and the DS leader. However, I'm a believer, in that the swivel does help line twist a bit; and in my experience, has had no ill effects on my productivity. All that said, I've found a new product which some of you may/may not be aware of. It's called the Spro "Power Swivel". This tiny little bugger is incredible. I am now using the smallest size (size #10) between my main line and my fluoro leader. This swivel is about the size of an ant! And, it's rated for 35# test! Incredible. But it gets better. Grab one eye with a pair of needle nose pliers and blow on the other end. It spins! More than equal to the more expensive ball bearing swivels - IMO. So, for you folks not apalled by using a swivel in this presentation, I think you should take a serious look at these bad boys! ;D

A few days ago, a member of MaAnglers took some pics of the Quabbin Reservoir. Wide open! * DoooooL * ;D

Depending on how serious you are about crappie fishing, I'd recommend you go with a longer rod. A good quality 7' - 8' UL from B n' M or even one of the lesser expensive "Micro-Lite" BPS rods will serve you very well. Match it up with a quality 4# test mono and you're good to go! As far as baits go, I prefer fishing with artificials. Get yourself a bunch of 1/16 oz. plain jig heads and 1/2 doz. different colors of 2" curly tail grubs for starters. Hook the grub on the jig so that the tail follows the curve of the hook - not opposite the hook. Cast out. Let your jig hit bottom. Start a slow (SLOW) retrieve. You'll get bit. You may also want to get a few colors (make sure chartreuse and white are 2 of them) of 1/32 oz. marabou crappie jigs to suspend under a slip bobber. Get a 1/2 doz. "Road Runners" in the 1/16 oz. size (again, with the marabou tail) to complete your arsenal. This will cover most crappie moods at various times of the year.

To me it's the "hunt". I love catching too, but if all you did all day long was catch, you'd get bored after awhile. As in hunting, it's the prelude up to the kill that's the real kick.

OK, what's the difference (if there is one?) between a white perch and a white bass? Or, does anyone know where I can go to get the answer? Thanks folks

The Shaky Head is something I plan on trying a lot this season coming. I'm a bit skeptical though; in that our bigger bodies of water contain a lot of grass on the bottom. Which is probably why I've done so well with the drop shot. Not sure if all the bottom junk will interfere with it? But I love learning new presentations so this is going to be one of my main focuses.