teamtrout

Best = For me, California. I'm a big swimbait junkie, and although I fish them successfully here in MA, it's not nearly at good as CA. Worst = Hmmm... I have limited experience there, but after fishing all of the lower 48, RI is the state I just couldn't catch bass in. Surprisingly, while MA hasn't been nominated for best (not saying it should be, there are many places way better), it's not actually that bad. The state record here is 15 something, which is better than most NE states, and there are plenty of places to go for big smallies and largies.

Yeah, they are legal in MA, and can be transported as they are on the bait fish list.

For me in MA, it always seems to be the same week - April 22-28. Not sure why, thats just when they seem to pre-spawn in my local lakes, but we usually have similar conditions if you compare one year to another.

Sorry to bring this back, but I had a question regarding this - When you're watching a fishing YouTube video with 90,000 views, and at the beginning a few logos pop up, are the people sponsored or pro staff? If my explanation was a bit unclear, I'll try to clarify. Right after you start watching, some popular channels display a picture of their "sponsors" logo. I know that some channels that film more remote things and montages (this is more evident with fly fishing channels) say that they can't keep filming without these companies. So at this point, could they be considered sponsored, and beyond Pro. Staff?

I'll be sure to check out my local K-Mart. Thanks! The deal-matching idea is genius!!

If you are talking big trout swimbaits, this thread has some good stuff... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/148215-trout-swimbaits/

Okay, here is a thread I finally can add something to With the exception of last year, I have fished exclusively big swimbaits for the last 5 years. I don't catch nearly as many bass others, but I don't care, as long as I'm getting bigguns. Hudds are the favorites, but a lot of them work. I'm a big fan of these - they're cheaper, and work pretty darn well. 6 inch to 8 inch. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Swimbaits/Rigged-Plastic-Swimbaits%7C/pc/104793480/c/104775480/sc/103996980/Castaic-Boot-Tail-Rainbow-Trout-Swimbait/728093.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Frigged-plastic-swimbaits%2F_%2FN-1100351%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103996980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104775480&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104775480%3Bcat103996980 For rods and reels, some good tips have been given. I personally use a 8 foot medium heavy baitcaster with a big circular reel and 60 pound braid, to a 60 pound mono leader. I don't think the gear really matters, as long as it can handle a lure up to 3 or 4 ounces. More important is where you fish them. Almost all of my swimbait bass have come from deep reservoirs that I know hold big bass. Don't waste your time fishing them in a spot if you don't know if it holds bass 5+ pounds. Trout colors are good if it's stocked with trout, but it doesn't really matter. I do use swimbaits in smaller, weedier ponds, but then I usually opt for a shiner or shad color. And of course, be prepared to put the time in. It's not rare to go a week without a bite, but it's all worth it in the end. And you don't have to be in CA, FL, or TX. I'm in Massachusetts and have had great luck with them. A friend of mine went all last year only fishing 10+ inch swimbaits (must've been tough getting all those 0's), but he landed a total of 15 fish over 6 pounds, with 5 of those being over 8. Thats incredible for here in MA. Good luck, Hope some of this helped, ~Troy

So it seems like a longish rod (about 7 feet) is best... Thats sort of what I was thinking, my 6'2" wasn't really slinging them last season. Thanks for the advice!

Does anyone have a dedicated senko rod/reel? If so, what type (feet, pound line, reel)? I know some people don't approve of them, but I am not looking to start an infamous "senko debate", just looking for some recommendations.

Yeah, don't look past perch: they're great bait. In fact, 90% of the time when I am using minnows, I have a perch hooked with a big 'ol circle hook. I caught my biggest bass on a perch. Out here, we use them from 1-3 inches for trout and salmon (especially for ice fishing), and 4-8 inches for bass. Bigger is better, to an extent.

I've caught them while catfishing, anywhere from 8 inches to 3 feet. Most are bigger where I've caught them, and I can't see how a bass would eat them. But maybe some of the smaller ones or babies. They are usually black with a slightly lighter belly. This is just is where I fish in MA< I don't know about other places.

The A-Rig is the real deal. One of my favorite lure (while, lures) to throw. Doug Hannon Snakes?

Thats pretty cool! How would I fix the transducer with that though?

Alright, thanks guys. I have a jon boat, but just wondering, is it possible to transport these? Like I often rent boats at a large pond, where you can't use a personal boat. It would be a perfect spot to use a fish finder, but theres no way you can be drilling holes in their canoes. Id assume no...

Has anybody ever sold minnows or some sort of bait (provided you don't work in or own a bait shop)? I have a good stream where I can get hundreds of shiners from, and plenty of tanks to store them. I keep them for myself, but am considering selling them as ice fishing bait for a little extra cash. I know I need a permit, but that doesn't cost much. Has anyone ever tried this?

So basically my fish finder is mounted in my boat, with a long wire transducer going from it down over the edge into the water? And the transducer needs to be attached to the side of the bat somehow?

Thanks for the reply Just wondering, what do you mean by holding the transducer vertical and still? Is that the part that dangles in the water? And do they not come with batteries when you buy them? Sorry for the lame questions, I have no experience at all with fish finders

So I am looking to pick up a fishfinder- something cheap that I can use for ice fishing and open water fishing. I have been looking at the Humminbird Piranhamax models, but need some help. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Humminbirdreg-PiranhaMax-165-Sonar/1545175.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dfish%2Bfinder%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=fish+finder&WTz_l=Unknown This one is on sale and is dirt cheap. But I dont understand how they work. Does it just sit in my boat and display the bottom on my screen, or do I need to stick something into the water over the edge? Do you need something special for ice fishing, or can I just walk over the ice carrying it and look for schools of fish? And there are tons of cheap humminbird piranhamax's, but is there actually a difference between them? Any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance, Troy