BassinCNY

When I drop shot 5" flukes I usually spine thread them on a 3/0 offset round bend worm hook. I use the offset hook because I'll switch between the fluke and a weedless rigged trick worm and I prefer the offset for that. The 3/0 ewg hook should work just fine with the fluke. It would definitely work well with a trick worm too.

I've heard of it but never tried it. There's a guide in Arizona that I sometimes watch on Youtube and that's what he does. I mean the bobber stop technique.

Looks like he's a straight braid guy. No leader.

I'm glad to hear you're improving.

I hope everything goes well for you and you're back on here soon distributing your fishing wisdom.

I like this one.

I had to go spinning only. I can still cast with a spinning reel with my right hand but then I have to switch to my left holding the rod and then reel with my right. I think I was 58 too the year I had to make that change. That was 7 years ago and the pain is still manageable with spinning gear. I fish about 20 hours a week from May to October.

I think I can get around 80% with vibrating jigs, soft stick baits and finesse worms.

I don't recommend it but a trick worm on a 3/0 ewg works.

I think the Fenwick Eagle walleye rods may be what you're looking for. The Lamiglas Hammer walleye rods have a similar handle too. I have one of those and it is a great all around rod but the cork came off the handle after a lot of use.

This should have been saved for April 1st.

For the 3" chug bug I use 10 pound mono. I did a test comparing a loop knot to an improved clinch with the chug bug and I thought I got a better walk with the improved clinch which was not what I expected.

I fish chatterbaits a lot more than spinnerbaits and always with a trailer. The reason is because they often get hit right as they hit the water or on the fall. I wish I could say I always detect it but I know I don't because when I start my retrieve sometimes there's a fish on that I didn't detect. I think the soft trailer fools the fish into holding on longer.

I missed the start of your saga two years ago. I'm sorry to hear about what went down but very happy that things are going well. I used to enjoy your Silver lake reports. I've fished there a couple times recently and it's a great little lake.

I like this one.

A couple of weeks ago I decided that I was sick of the pickerel and pike messing up my pad crashers and decided to switch to a toad. I had an old bag of pearl humpin toads in my lures that didn't work too well bin and decided to give them a try. They've worked better than expected and won't be going back in the bin. Mostly for bass though. I've gotten a few pickerel but no big ones. I have had a couple bitten off though so they were probably bigger ones. I rig them on the standard wire 3/0 Gamakatsu ewgs. I'm not fishing very thick pads though.

I've thought about the reason why junebug doesn't seem to work as well for me as blacks, green pumpkins and watermelons and I think it's a match the hatch deal. Gobies are the biggest part of a bass's diet here so they just prefer those colors. At least that's my best guess. I still catch fish on junebug they just seem to be fewer and smaller.

Junebug

Happy birthday! I appreciate all the knowledge you have dropped here.

I started using a 10 pound mushroom this year. Previously I had a three pound grapple. I'm happy I made the change.

I need to fish Cayuga more often.

You could also drop shot them. Either nose hooked or thread them on a 1/0 straight shank or offset worm hook.

Lead is banned in New York so I use a slip shot rig with either a tungsten or steel weight. I've tried a rubber band threaded in the weight, peg its or a toothpick and a weight with a swivel. That last one isn't a slip though come to think of it. What I decided works best is a bobber stop then a weight then another bobber stop or two. The weight depends on depth and current. I want it bouncing on the bottom. My favorite bait is a tie between a 4" ringworm or 5" finesse worm. Colors are green pumpkin or black. Hooks are Gamakatsu 1/0 ewg or 2/0 offset round bend.

Yes I have fishing checklists. I think checklists are great tools and use them for everything that's important to me.

So you're saying I should temper my expectations about the new one I have still in the box and my local river smallmouth?