snakedog

I like a slower action casting rod for spinnerbaits. Sensitivity's not an issue like it is for fishing worms or jigs. The give in a slower rod makes it harder for bass to throw the bait. The best colors are black w/ gold blade, white w/ silver or gold blade, and chartruese (sp?) w/ gold or silver blade. You can put 'trailers' on the hook to bulk them up too (pork rinds, grubs, etc.). The size really depends on where you're fishing. 1/8 to 1/4 ounce baits work fine on ponds. They work well around weeds. Go down South to big bass country and you'll want to upsize. Same rod/reel rig works great for buzzbaits too. Buzzbaits are more fun in my book, but more of a hot weather bait too. Dark colors for buzzbaits.

I fished Brookville Lake from the shore back in the 90's. I didn't have a boat so I was limited to shore fishing. THE hot time of the year is May, right up on the dam. It's 800 yards of riprap with a road across the top, parking on each end. Though the walleyes are stocked originally, the lake is deep enough (100'+ at the south end) with enough rock on the dam, the walleyes started naturally reproducing. So the DNR closes the dam during April to harvest eggs from walleyes for their hatcheries. Come May, fishermen can get back on the dam and the bite varies (like it does anywhere). My best catches (and I've had few nice ones there) come from throwing AC Shiners and shallow-running Shad Raps right down the bank along the shore. Dawn is the best time, far and away. But the walleye will bite anytime after dark that time of year. There's some good striper/wiper action on the lake, runs hot and cold, need a boat and the tools (check with local guides). I understand there's good smallie action off the points, but again, you gotta have a boat. It's a deep lake for these parts and rockier than most. The lake itself sees a lot of boating. Come daylight, jet skis and other boats will be buzzing the dam. So you need to hit it during the off-hours (nighttime). I'm hoping to get back out there this year. My New Year's resolution is to spend more time on the water. edit -- during May, it's not just walleye eyeing the shallows along the dam. I've had good-sized largemouth, smallies and walleye all the same morning.