Crestliner2008

X2 on the Paca Craws. Great trailers.

Silver Buddy.

Basically it's a short drop shot rig.

Thanks guys!

This season actually started for us in February, as this winter has been very mild and temps have pretty much stayed above normal through April. Got the bass moving earlier than normal, that's for sure. Haven't been out in the boat yet; mainly fishing from shore. We have several small ponds and oxbows around this neck of the woods and most provide some decent bass fishing. Here's some of what I've been able to CPR so far: And this is a couple of shots of my single largest so far this season: They've all been caught on large plastics; creatures, 7" Senkos and 10" worms. Water temps here are still in the mid 50's, but after this week, the temps should start to get up there. This is the first year I haven't had an opportunity to target smallies - yet!

I'm looking for a new GPS for the car. Not sure what to look for, or what to buy. Just about every brand/model says they are the "best"! Prices are all over the place. What should I look for and which brands have you tried that you like. Thanks!

The only ones I'm familiar with are the 6" & 8" Tourney worms. I just rig them Texas style and have caught a LOT of bass on them over the years. Started using them...probably sometime in the late 70's. They've been around a LONG time. Very supple and soft with lots of action. I've only used them in dark purple though. I do not have any experience with other styles of their plastics. Just too many plastics out there to try everything!

Roadwarrior is spot on, but you can also use a 1 oz. spinnerbait. One of the very best striper baits (in CT & MA) is the Storm 5" Wildeyed Swim Shad. You will loose some though, as they have a large open hook. RW's suggestion is probably your best to deal with the snags. It's just hard to get heavy enough (1/2 - 3/4 oz.) swimbait hooks sometimes.

BEWARE of the werewolf! Carry some wolf bane with you at all times.

Northern Bass Supply carries them too. Great plastics!

This is great advice anytime you are on the water. When someone tells me that something like "Gulp!" is the only thing that works, getting on a hot bite can change their mind in a hurry. Especially with drop shotting. When I'm "hitting 'em" good, I'll switch off to different plastics and show my partner that anything can/will work at one time or another. You just have to be flexible enough to try something new.

A 5" fluke on the back of a Chatterbait is very productive.

Right now, with those water temps, I'd say the smallies are in full spawn, which could last as little as two weeks to as much as 2 months, depending on the lake conditions. If the water is clear, you can find the bedding areas quite easily. Then, just about anything you throw at them will get some results. (Especially a top water popper!) If you have a sonar on your boat, look for structure (drop offs, humps or channels) that have bait on it (bait balls on your graph). Smallies like to frequent those spots in summer. Then, a drop shot is king, but any presentation that gets your bait in front of them will/should work. Good Luck!

No question about it. But you have to read to learn what it is you need to do/look for when on the water. Get yourself a copy of the book, "Spoonplugging", by Elwood "Buck" Perry. This will teach you all you really need to know about structure, which is paramount to being successful. Then apply what you read here on this forum and your success rate will skyrocket. Good Luck!

The MH rod would be fine for heavier spoons and/or Senko type fishing. For jerkbaits, tubes and some of the lighter cranks, I'd opt for a 7' medium action spinning rod. This rod could do double duty as a DS rod, but I prefer a light to medium light action if you DS frequently. More fun!

I use 8# test Fireline Crystal with a 4' section of 10# test monofilament. The mono floats about as good as the braid. The heavier mono also keeps the hooks from tangling in the braid.

Without question! Especially early & late in the season. Pulling in a LM in early spring or late fall is like dragging in an old boot!

Big Black Musky Jitterbug!

Why would you assume that? I happen to hold the smallie in very high regard. Mainly for it's tenacity and never-say-die fighting ability. I also like fishing for LM's, pike, crappie and catfish.

I've been fishing grubs for over 40 years. They'll catch anything and everything. I've caught LM, SM, crappie, catfish, carp, white perch, yellow perch....etc.! I've caught two nice (10 & 13 lbs.) northern pike on 2" curly tails with a 1/16 oz. ball head jigs, while crappie fishing! I've caught tons of river smallies on 3" curly tails with 1/8 oz. balls heads. I use to buy my curly tails in bulk, sold by the pound! Now I pretty much stick with Kalins, as they have the thinest, widest tails, with the most action, even a very slow retrieves. The 5" Kalins do wonders on striped bass too. Very versatile bait that be fished in a wide variety of presentations. Never leave home without them!

X2 - this is not as much a knot as it is a wrap, if that makes any sense? With any regular knot you have line crossing over itself. There is no such cross over with the Alberto (essentially a double Albright), consequently, there is no cutting into itself. This is a very secure line joint that has surely proven itself over the years. Just ask any saltwater fisherman about it. The plus here is also that it is a slimmer joint (although longer) and seems to flow though the guides easier. The Uni/Uni "clicks" going through the guides, possibly creating wear on this knot joint. I know a lot of guys that use the Uni knot joint, so maybe it's a stretch saying that this perceived wear is a factor at all. I'm just not sure. For now, I'm very pleased with the Alberto. Finally, if I'm not topwater fishing, I'm adding some kind of leader to my braided rigs. And I make this leader at least 6' - 8' long. To me, this also reduces stress on the joint vs. using a shorter leader.

I'll tell you this much, if a smallie sees an 8" offering instead of it's normal 6" fare....he's going to take the 8"!

Roboworms.

Not sure what the Owner sleds look like, I just found these pictured above, in my tackle box that I stopped using, for the reason cited. Any weight forward, on hook weight doesn't balance well with hollow bellied swimbaits, in my opinion.

I love Chatterbaits, especially during the pre-spawn. I fish them the same way I'd "swim" a jig. Just slow roll it along the bottom. 4" fluke is a great trailer.