Wow. Thanks for all the replys, and so quick! I updated my profile
with my location and contact information, if anybody wants to send
me a private message, have at it. Will try to post some pictures soon.
For those of you who asked about trolling cranks, first let me give a
brief rundown of some of my early misconceptions and things I have
learned so far. These are just my opinion, and may not apply to other
lakes, but here goes:
1- don't worry about how deep your baits are running in relation to the
bottom. I usually fish in 25-40 feet of water, but run baits from 8 to
21 or so feet. I was hung up on this at first, and it is a none-issue.
Just watch for fish and baitfish on the sonar, and stay a little above.
2- just pick some good looking areas and troll - cover water! Note where
you catch fish and try the same place next time - I also try to devote
at least 15 minutes to trying a new place every trip. After awhile you
will develop a "mail route" and start learning which are good in what
seasons - and the hot spots on each run. You really need a GPS!
When you locate a good spot and know from experience that you
can only let out say 60 feet of line without getting hung up, resist
the temptation to let out more if you don't connect on that day -
try another spot. Do get a good plug knocker though!
3- My speeds range from 1.3 to 2.0 MPH, again GPS. I started with
my electric motor, but in all but the shallowest I fish in Spring and Fall,
10-14 feet, now I troll with my Honda 50 with a trolling plate
I made. Want a bigger boat with a gas kicker, but thats another
story! Try S curves and shifting into neutral occasionally to trigger
strikes.
4- sturdy tackle - I use Daiwa Sealine line counter reels, 7' medium
action Ugly Sticks and 12 lb Transition Fluorocarbon line. My take
is that you are balancing between not hooking strikes and tearing
the hooks out. Tried pulling a couple times with a 6' med light
spinning rod, lots of strikes with no hook up - switched
to my regular rods and started sticking every strike. You need to
get on a rod quick and set the hook pretty firm, especially
at slower speeds. I switch to Gamakatsu EWG's. This level of
tackle is what it took for me to not lose so many baits to the
bass - pressure them till they jump, then slack line and they will
usually throw the hook.
5- On the subject of bass, my motto for most of the year is:
If you're catchin LM bass, you are to shallow and too fast.
White bass or Spots, too fast but right depth.
6- Start out with just 2 rods - sometimes now I use up to 6 with
four planer boards, by myself. But it is not for everyone!
I like to keep the rod holder set to keep 45 to 90 degree angle
between rod and line - keeps em on till you can reach the rod and
stick em good. The little clip on line counters are OK to start with,
but leave alot to be desired, tried them all, Shakespear is best,
but love my linecounter reels!
7- Baits. Forget the little stuff advertised for Crappie. If it don't tote
at least #6 trebles, its too little. And I use a lot of colors, but if
I had to have only one, it would be "Homer" chartreuse with green
back. Hot pink and pearl/blue back are some other favorites.
8- Embrace the wind! Some of my best days are in 3' rollers.
The hotter and brighter the better - concentrates em on the
thermocline. Cool cloudy days fish will rise and scatter.
I could go on in even more excruciating detail, but this should be
enough to get you on fish! Jeff