Onthefly_25

When I'm up at school, I fish the Raquette river way upstate for Smallies and Pike. With river flows up after ice out, I find myself throwing soft plastics and swinging them with the current. I like 5-8 inch paddle tails designed to have a big wobble and shake (like the Optimum Boom Boom). Its opposite of what most people think but the cold water stiffens the plastic, dampening the action. Once the baits get cold, they put off a pretty moderate action. Swinging baits with the current has been proving pretty effective this year. Went out last weekend and smacked a couple of them. I toss glides in eddies and at current seams at the edge of eddies. Glides don't like swimming right in current for me. I fish them as you normally would in the summer but MUCH slower. Hudds and Savage Gear line throughs I fish everywhere. I've found the name of the game is to downsize and go slow until the water temp is in the upper-40's to lower 50's. Once those Smallies start moving up for pre-spawn, then toss the real big baits

The rest of the guys nailed it for the most part except This rod is actually pretty good. I got it for my buddy for his birthday and he Loves it. Heck! I love it. Biggest bait he's thrown on it is the 9in Osprey. The rod is all graphite in build. It works great with treble hooked baits as well as having the backbone to stick them with jig hooks. It's not a trash rod at all. If you want a dedicated swimbait rod that won't break the bank, Try 13 Fishing's defy black swimbait rod. $80 bucks. When the guys I fish with (they fish Dobyns) tried my 13, they really loved it.

As the title says, I'm looking for the Largies. I'm tired of catching Smallies in Upstate. I am in Potsdam, Ny at Clarkson University. I fish the Raquette heavily and am bored of it. Any suggestions for ponds or lakes near here for Large mouth?

I fish all the same bodies of water that I did back in the dark days of tossing conventional gear. I thought these spots were quantity and not quality spots. Tossing bigger baits changed that opinion. The bigger ones will show themselves. Plus you already know your own waters like the back of your hand, so you can weed out a ton of unfeasible water.

Coming from just a bit north of you, I'm glad you're worried about lead. I switched all my lead gear out a while back... even retired Grand Pa's lead gear he gave me. I use Steel wire wraps, copper wiring or a combination of both to get the weight needed. Personally, the days of lead need to go. Tungsten and like metals are the way to go, if we start going much higher in atomic number we are just F***ing the environment and the fish we love.

Little late on the comment but honestly, I say new rod and a used reel (from someone who takes care of it). In my opinion a used reel can always be figured out pretty easily. It's all in the thumb action during the cast. It'll take a day casting but you'll get it. I say new rod. You can always compensate for an iffy reel but you can't re-break a rod in. Everyone's cast mechanics are different... even your own from rod to rod. Personally, I get the most affordable rod I can and break it in to my casting style. Reels are just man powered machines, everything can b figured out; But, You will never figure out 100% how to cast another persons rod and that is your connection to the fish. Bottom line, for me, is to break my own rod in with my own human error and then figure out how hard to press on a cast.

Just checking in to see if there are any NH guys out there? If there are anyone want to fish sometime?

Berkeley Havoc Trick worms. Way cheaper than zoom. I get a 20 pack at Bass Pro for $3.

Thanks Guys

I'm fishing 25lb big game Mono for my setup. I'm debating whether or not to pre-stretch my mono or not? What is the general consensus?

I'd throw them all until the Bluegill spawn. Once that happens, stick to the gills as long as they are on the beds. Mimic the Loner weaker gills by running them just outside the main spawning grounds. That works for me usually

56

I find 17-25# mono fine if you horde it in.Coming from upstate New York. My bestpike was on a s-waver 168 with 17 flouro

I know I already entered for one with @Campobassmaster but I'd like to enter this one. The bass fishing club I'm in has a few guys that would like to toss some big baits aswell. I cannot supply them. PS. Your daughter is a fantastic custom painter. Honestly, would she paint 2 of my baits?

New Hampshire guy here. I got to school in upstate NY. would love to help out

In. =)

You just sold me

Congrats on the PB SB fish. I half agree here. Each time has a more optimal time for use. In the Spring and Fall when the water is still getting to temperature, I like to fish dusk for the warmer water and more actively feeding fish. In the Summer, after the water has warmed to a more constant temp, I like dawn. Either times big fish are cruising ambush points (ledges, shoreline,etc.) just waiting for a big meal before they head back to the depths

Something I have found when countersinking eyes, use an auger bit that matches the size of the eye. This bit leaves a flat surface where your eye can sit. It also gives a good surface for your epoxy/glue to settle

Kind of a side note but, from a mechanical and tinsil strength standpoint. I'd be careful with how many times you open and close the snap for quick changes. I get the concept and am guilty of it as well. Consider the snaps as mechanical springs. The more the spring is stressed,the more likely for a weak point will form in the loop, increasing the chance for breakage. Especially with the big baits you like to throw. Treat the snaps as though you would a split ring to maintain the integrity of the snap. Just some thoughts

When fishing from the bank I like to use the Basspro Lazer eye shad. It's wicked inexpensive, so there is no real risk in losing it. It's not a really high tech bait and each one swims differently. It would seem to match the forage where you are quit nicely. The new Livetarget Herring looks like another good inexpensive choice. I have the trout version of it and it swims great. Lazer eye shad: http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Lazer-Eye-Shad/product/10217815/ Livetarget Herring: http://www.basspro.com/LIVETARGET-Herring-Swimbait/product/179073/

I would like to be considered for your offer. I'll pay shipping for your generous offer. I just got into the scene over the winter as it is not popular out here in the Northeast. I want to get into chucking big baits, but do not have the cash flow to start diving in (paying for half my college tuition). After I get set with a cash flow again, I will follow your lead and help out the new kids that are in the same position we are/were. Happy 'Baiting

I have 2 of the older Arid rods, 6'6" MH and the 7'1" H. I put a beating on my rods fishing everyday of the summer and trekking through the woods for hike in ponds. Both rods have held up astoundingly well. Sadly after 5-6 years of beating, they are beginning to get tired. The medium heavy fishes more like a medium and the heavy action like a medium heavy. the reel seat comes loose/cross-threads from time to time but nothing major. these rods have a bit faster action than advertised. Still, I highly recommend these older rods if you can find them. I have also heard good things about the ONE3 Defy Black rods. I just got the swimbait version. It seems to be accurately rated and sensitive with a nice backbone. The reel seat and grip are of great quality and comfortable. In my opinion, it is a toss up between the two.

Thanks guys! This helped quite a bit