Ben_Daniels

I'd go with a suspending twitch bait(Husky Jerk/X-Rap) or a natural colored tube... fished slower than you think you should go. Using a reel with a low gear ratio helps me slow down a lot. I'd look at a map and find drop off's where fish can go from shallow to deep quickly. Here's a link that might help. http://ezinearticles.com/?Early-Spring-Smallmouth-Bass-Fishing---Locating-Pre-Spawn-Smallies!&id=3932074 -Ben

Awesome report Mike!!! I'm usually impressed with the fish porn rather than words in most people's reports....your fish were great and your words were even better! -Ben

People tell me Bigfoot exists too.... only difference is I think I migh have actually seen a bigfoot -Ben

Thats what I was going for!! seriously, gotta keep my identity secret! -Ben

Hey, So I got bored and made a youtube video about spring pike fishing with minnow baits...check it out if you're as bored as I was! P.S. I think I stole like 10 peoples Username's lol -Ben

That wasn't me lol.....if he visually spotted a brown that big I would do that same thing and toss a huge spinner/spoon because it was probably chasing around alewifes very aggresively...give it an imitation of a huge alewife for a huge brown...doesn't sound like that's what he was doing but hey great example of why our regs just don't work...we should streamline them in my opinion to more enforceable, reasonable rules. -Ben

There sure are a lot of Browns out there too... I've caught a couple on stick baits, spinners, and spoons, you know "Pike" lures, all around this time. Around this time of year alewife's come in shallow to spawn and their so thick you could almost walk on them in a couple places right near shore. Browns, Steelhead, and yes sometimes Pike usually aren't far behind. I've seen schools of 6-10 browns smashing alewife's in the Toronto Harbor in 2-5 feet of water, should I not fish for them because I'm using a "Pike" or "Bass" lures and fear being shunned? I think not. Targeting either Browns or Pike this time of year I'd probably work my lure about the same way... were they using leaders? lol. I posted one pic of a Brown that I caught in April I think, while Pike season was closed, a couple years ago and will never do it again because of the backlash and hateful pm's I got due to the lure I was using. Should there be no Brown fishing in April all together? I don't think so, its some of the most fun fishing for them. In fact I'm not a fan of closed season for any species so long as it's catch and immediate release, then it becomes personal judgment on where to fish and what fish to target. If a fish is locked into a bed I say you shouldn't be fishing for it, which is your decision, but a fish who hasn't spawned or has finished spawning should be fair game IMO, with immediate release, in case you did catch a fish on a deeper bed. Look at Lake Erie, some of the best smallmouth fishing is on the US side which is open year-round, has it affected their fishery? I don't think so. Why is Southern Ontario the exception to the rule when it comes to bass season? We're one of the only places in North America that has a closed bass season, are our fish that special and delicate? I know its nice to say your doing good things for the environment but come on what's really so special about our bass?..... Like a lot of our laws they come from good intentions that look right on paper but are unenforceable in real life....I don't fish for pike in April, I do follow the rules, these are is just my opinions. RANT OVER. -Ben

I use Powerpro in the heavier diameters 30-65 lb and have had no problems, never tried the lighter stuff...for lighter super lines and on spinning reels I used fireline on the advice of a friend, he says its way easier to cast, should I try 10 lb PP? ...never had problems with either lines I use...Fluro leaders on the other hand I've had lots of problems...XPS Fluro=good, Vanish=Crap! -Ben

I swear people on this board are blind.....Atlantic -Ben

Good Luck! -Ben

Welcome....try a search of the board, it will come up with a lot of stuff about fishing in Hamilton. -Ben

Most people will be pretty closed lipped about their trout spots....they'll always suggest Niagara though lol. Do some reading, get a stocking list and do some leg work tends to be the answer that comes up most often. good luck! -Ben

Wow nice fish! I wish my parenst had me out fishing that young! -Ben

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamprey nasty lil buggers. -Ben

Fried in fish crisp...anything taste's good fried in fish crisp. -Ben

Awesome looking boat....makes me jealous -Ben

Found On Road Dead Do yourself a favor and get a Chevy. -Ben

Not quite sure, but good luck! -Ben

Nice Fish -Ben

I'm sure he'll chime in on this post soon enough, GCD is the man! He razzes you but its in good fun, definitely a good balance for the board...then again I did spend a chunk of my life in the south -Ben

Jig rod = 7'6 H or MH rod Crankbait = 7'0 - 7'6 M or MH fiberglass or... M or ML E glass rod with a 5:1 reel Skipping rod = 6 - 6'6 M spinning rod...shorter rods easier to underhand skip with and easier for close up fishing in general. Thats what I'd want. -Ben

Pike or Musky? -Ben

So who noticed this in yesterday's episode? Pike or Musky? -Ben

Lakeport's probably closing that brewery because they have a crap product and more people are starting to realize it. It was a great way to reposition their product in 2002 when they started the 24 for 24, I think they went from 1% market share to 9 or 10.... now it seems to be in the decline from what I can see, I wouldn't be surprised if you stop seeing Lakeport all together in the next few years... for budget beer Mcclays, Old Mill, Brava are all a lot better tasting IMO. Me I only shake hands with Heineken I hate that beer is so expensive here. In Florida it's $8 for 12 tall cans of natural ice, if you like your budget beer. Or you can buy Labatt Blue there for cheaper than in Canada including the exchange rate... its all in our liquor taxes I think our liquor laws are way out of wack. -Ben