bradc36

I just moved to the area and live 5 min from Presque Isle Bay, is there anyone that lives locally and fishes this part of the lake often? I am having a heck of a time figuring it out...it fishes much different than the area of the Lake I'm used to (Buffalo, NY).

If anyone is planning to get out in PIB or fishes the bay let me know. I have my boat down here (just moved to the area 10 min off the water) and would love to get a better handle on the fishing, I would have no problem bringing fellow BR members out as I don't know anyone in the area.

I can't believe I am just seeing this post, but I absolutely love that somebody said it, and reading all of the responses that it has generated. I look at the topic as someone who fishes competitively from the front and back (I am a boat owner but fish as a co-angler in big tournaments), charters a boat and has been on a chartered boat, and regularly fun fish from both my boat and others. All that I can say is that if I planned on going out fishing, whether it be for fun or for a tournament, and someone wanted to go along, I will NEVER ASK for help paying for gas, launch, etc.....A lot of the people I take out are just learning, do not get to make it out on the water much, or whatever, so to me as long as they are appreciative of getting the opportunity to go out, that is all that matters. I spend more money that what I think is reasonable on fishing every year, and in the grand scheme of things, the gas money I would be asking for is peanuts compared to all of the other expenses. I will however take $10-20 for gas/launch/lunch but only if someone offers and is adamant about helping pay for gas. There is nothing more frustrating to me than seeing how cheap some people can be about petty expenses such as this. If you are so invested into fishing, and you love to do it, you should 100% not be expecting someone else to help you cover the cost. I fished a big tournament recently and I knew that all we would do all day was fish docks. My boater had been there pre-fishing for 3 days, had a very expensive boat, and I'm sure the trip cost him a lot more than it did for me. I gave him $50 before I even backed his boat in the water, and when he finished in the top 5 he gave it right back, as he had a pretty nice pay day, and back boated me the entire day (not because he was a jerk, just the nature of the fishery). The point of my rant is, do not have any hard feelings if a co-angler, friend, or family member comes on your boat and doesn't give you money, but be twice as appreciative when they do without you asking. The beauty of this sport, and life, is sharing it with others. Fishing by yourself is boring anyway .......................and if you can't afford gas money you should find a different hobby or a better job!

I personally use 3 different dropshot rods, a 6'10 MLXF, 7' MF, and a 7'2 MXF. The extra fast tip is great in my opinion, and I tend to use a ML action rod most often because I use very light line in the great lake-clear water. I've also rigged a dropshot on a flipping stick with 30lb braid to fish around docks, so I guess it depends on what type of cover/water you are fishing.

It depends what type of water you're fishing also, I have a 7'4H Glass and a 7'6M Graphite that serve as my SB rods on open, clear water (Lake Erie/Ontario), and a 7'MH when I am largemouth fishing anywhere else.

Both on a cross tail shad on Lake Erie this weekend. Also did well with shad shape worms, and small tubes on a drop shot.

Favorite: Spinnerbaits/Jerkbaits/Squarebills/Tube Jigs (flipping or dragging) Least Favorite: Shakey Heads, man!

7'6 Rapsody Flipper. H-MF rod and I absolutely LOVE mine for flipping and pitching. I also have it in the 8' Maestro model (their higher end series). Good price on them at $100 because they sell factory direct.

Just have to throw it out there, I misread the title of your post originally and busted out laughing at work.....

Yes, I have a problem, and I need help. This is a list of purchases from the last two weeks, without including a trip to gander mountain for wacky hooks, flippin hooks, senkos, and some booyah frogs that were buy one get one. Go Pro Hero 3+ Rapsody Rods Casting 6'6 MHXF Hot Rod Casting 8'0 HMF Maestro Spinning 7'0 MF Hot Rod

Niagara River: Have hit it 3 times in the past 7 days. All of the good fish that were being caught in <10 FOW have basically moved out to deeper water. Lake Erie: Business as usual, lots of bites in the 4-5 lb range in the usual spots. It never gets old, still trying to find my first 6lber this year though.

If you can get a loan with a low enough interest rate, hold onto some cash for a rainy day and take out a bigger loan/make payments.I got my boat loan at 2.4%, which in the grand scheme of things, that interest that will build over the life of the loan is peanuts compared to what I have continued to put into my boat to upgrade/repair/operate it. You definitely won't be mad with a 2014 new Triton rig.....

just go to tackle warehouse->soft baits->grubs

Berkley gulp and PTL hog tonic, and a homemade scent that I think does well on a particular body of water.

Was literally thinking of posting this topic also today, as we've been getting pounded with rain in the NE for a few weeks now. In my case, price point doesn't matter so much, I'd like to get one heavier duty suit for the cold months and a light suit for summer.

I can perform any technique that I would use for smallmouth or largemouth with both spinning and casting setups. I don't believe one is superior to the other, it is just preference, and ability to perform a technique with a given setup. For example, after reading the part of the article that says spinning gear is better for getting under docks, I would much rather skips a weightless senko or a jig under the dock with my casting setup and 15lb test. Use what you like, they both work.

Where do you guys generally find the best prices on big spools of line? I'm realizing this tournament season that line is by far one of my biggest expenses, and I'm looking to see what my options are, or if anyone knows anywhere better than waiting for a 15% off TW sale..... I usually stick with berkley or seaguar line.

I'll be at Messina. All that I can say is my boater was an incredible fisherman, and I've never seen someone skip weightless senkos like he did on casting gear. I can't complain I was back boated, he was just a machine and never missed a target. That's why he wins consistently I'm sure.....lol

I know the feeling, I fished the tournament as well. What was even more deflating is that my boater came in 6th and did very well, but the way the fishing was, I didn't have a chance since we fished around docks (my boater skipped a weightless senko on casting gear incredibly well, and didn't give me a shot all day). I caught 1 fish, 3.33 lbs, and if I would've had one more bite I would've gotten paid as a non boater. I am beyond frustrated after this weekend. 6 keepers in 3 days.

New episode is out. Mark Daniels is one of my favorite anglers. What an awesome guy.

Fishing the NY Fed tournament at Chautauqua this weekend, anybody else going to be there? Heading down to fish Fri-Sun so should have some good reports. Hopefully we can find the big smallmouth!

Just got my order my big order in from Siebert Outdoors. I am VERY impressed with the quality of everything I received. Power Team Lures diesel craw on the back (ordered a couple pro packs of these).

Definitely can say it was great fishing out my way this weekend, had almost 30 fish Saturday from 10am-3pm, with doubles almost all day when we would get into them. Changed baits a few times throughout the day every time it seemed to slow down and it worked well for us.

Sometimes the best pairs aren't the biggest two fish, but when you get to double up on Lake Erie smallies with a great friend! The big one measured 20" on the money and 4.4lbs.

I'm headed to Silver this weekend Saturday I believe. Hopefully after all the good reports I'm hearing from you guys I can have some success. It's getting boring catching smallmouth non stop on Erie