Redtail

I caught 8 LMB last night with a green pumpkin fat ika. I got one 4.2 and 3.4 and the rest were in the 2 lb range. I use a 4/0 EWG Gammy with 6lb yozuri ultra soft as suggested by RW. I only use spinning gear with it though, because you can skip those baits very easily under docks, limbs etc. I would have no chance trying to skip it with my baitcaster (still new to baitcasters with too many po's. I got most of my fish in the grass and laydowns last night (very shallow water). The water temp was 69 and it is post spawn here. I have only gotten a few in deeper water, so I usually stay shallow with it. It really is a great bait - don't forget to rig it skirt end up! Caught em between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 P.M. I always have one tied on. Good Luck!

I got away from the Fat Ikas at the end of last year. An old friend was in my boat last week end and started killing them with a green pumkin Fat Ika. He had 3 fish that weighed 13 lbs - I know in many parts of the country that isn't a big deal - but in New England it is. I used a Fat Ika Friday afternoon and got a 3.6 and a 4.10 and many other smaller ones. Lesson Learned - when RW talks we should listen! IKAS RULE - Don't leave home without them. I'll never stray again.

I use to have the same problem until I started using skip gap hooks from Gamakatsu. They are excellent and the bait never slips.

I also have caught a lot with the Fat Ika and unfortunately missed a lot as well. I now use the Big Ika which is a bit longer and thinner. It combines the senko and Ika in the same bait.

MH Mike - The tournament was in Gardner at (this will be tough to spell) Wampanog.

Senile - I asked the same question. Yes they have to be 12 inches. I guess one was questionable, but when he squeezed the tail fin together it barely reached 12 inches. The other one was a bit over twelve but obviously skinny.

I just ran into one of my tournament fishing friends. He fished a tournament in central MA on Saturday. It was cold, windy and rainy, but there were still 25 boats there. 2 fish were caught the entire day, .78 lbs being the biggest and .72 the other. The .78 fish was lunker and took 1st place for $750. WOW!

Thanks for all the advice! I went to my favorite spot, but didn't go out in my boat. I walked the shoreline near the dam where we usually have the most success. I had a plan - don't use soft plastics - try other types of bait I usually don't have patience for. I'm a senko-holic. I managed to get 6 fish in about 3 hours. Took two on a trap (first two ever), one on a spinnerbait and 3 on a 1/4 ounce jig and twin tail grub trailer. Ooops, I think that would be considered soft plastics. But it was new to me as I've had little success with them. Nothing big, all under 3 lbs, but I actually caught some fish on something other than a senko or Ika. I think during the season, I will dedicate times not to use soft plastics and see what happens. If you can't learn something on this site - you'll never learn!

It was in the high 70's here most of last week (Central MA). This week it's been back down in the low sixties. Last night and tonight it could get to the high thirties. Do you think this cold front will give the fish lock jaw tomorrow? It's suppose to be 60 again. I'll probably try it anyway.

Anyone using or having any luck with the wiggle rig?

I was fishing Friday afternoon in my boat near a dam and there was a young man standing beside it. He started asking me every question you could think of about fishing. He seemed like a nice kid and was very interesed in fishing, he looked to be about 8 years old. I hooked into a good one and it jumped right in front of him - his eyes lit up and he started talking even faster. I asked him if he would like to reel it in. I let out some line and made my way over to him. I gave him my rod and he played the fish like a pro. It weighed just over 3 lbs. You would have thought I gave him a million bucks! I think I got just as much fun watching my little friend catch that fish. The fishing Gods rewarded me later with a 4.14 later in the day.

Thanks

I agree with RW, plus I like to skip soft plastics under docks and tree limbs. If I tried to skip with a baitcaster, there would be a new meaning to bird's nest. I'm still not good with a baitcaster yet, but does anyone skip with one. Seems impossible !

OK Thanks - Unfortunately I'm still relatively new with the baitcater and getting my share of "PO's".

I'm having trouble with the line breaking on my Shimano Cronarch using yo-zuri ultra soft 6 lb test. The line will break back in the spool somewhere, not at the lure. I will cast out and it's like someone just cut the line in mid flight. Happend 3 different times this week end. Has anyone ever experienced that? Thanks in Advance.

My buddy went out this past week end in Central MA and caught 12 LMB, 4 in the 3 lb range and one just over 6lbs and the rest smaller. He also caught some pickerel and crappie. He only caught one on a grub and decided to try a zara pooch. He uses ultra light gear on 4lb test. The water was only 56 degrees where he fished although the temps were in the 70's and 80's last week end. He caught most of these on a top water lure - I never would have even tried topwater under those conditions. Go Figure! He said he jerked as you would a pop-r rather than walk-the-dog with it. I gues I'll be trying some topwater stuff this week-end. This fishing thing is a constant learning process, but I love it!

Has this happened to anyone? I didn't think a rod could make that much difference in feel, sensitivity and performance. Wrongamungo! Since I bought a Shimano Cumara - I hate to pick up my old rods - now I have to buy more of them - I've been spoiled. Have I become a rod snob, lol.

Wow - that is a great deal - it's all i use. Do you know if that spool will fit on a line spooler? - I have the Berkley.

I have the vermillion and personally think they are too dark.

I will only throw a senko under two circumstances, if I'm alone or if I'm with someone!

2 Shimano Chronarchs - one of which you tried!

A lot of my friends fished in a tournament in Central MA on Saturday. The temp was in the low sixties and the water was around 53. I went to the weigh in (12 boats). Five boats got nothing, four boats got two, two boats got four and one boat had a limit. All the fish seemed to be the same size, just over a pound. Lunker was 1.82. That's what I call a tough day on the water! It seems that from my short experience that the fish don't seem to "wake up" until the water gets close to 60 degrees.

I just ordered some Mega strike original and crawfish. I'll be curious to see if it makes a difference. It can't hurt!

I think everyone misses Dan's posts! Great Fish Dan, but that's a Bad Hat. LOL!

I can't believe the sensitivity in the Shimano Cumara Baitcaster. It made my allstar feel like a broom stick. What a difference. I'm sure all the higher end rods give you great sensitivity as well, and I don't have anything to compare it to, but for $200 bucks I'm extremely happy with this rod. I also have the Cumara spinning rod I haven't tried yet.