grimsbylander Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 I'm looking for some pointers for enticing shallow water smallies on Erie. Last Friday my son and I managed about six fish including a 4+ but honestly had 50-70 more close to the boat staring at our baits. Fishing plastics, I finally had better luck dropping down to 1 1/4 pumpkinseed grubs...small and subtle. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Scent and light fluorocarbon line... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 I do a lot of sight fishing. Some days I can get on top of a school and pick which fish I want to catch. On other days I cant catch one of them if my life depended on it. There's really no secret here. If they're on you'll catch. If not, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leecher Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Drop a pickerel rig with live leeches.... works for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 spinners, different mepps size 2 or 3 have worked well for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live2fish85 Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 (edited) Try tube jigs as for colour try different ones and don't just limit yourself to jigging them, drag them if the bottom isn't covered in algae and if it is slow retreive above the algae. Edited August 9, 2011 by Live2fish85 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highdrifter Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Did you try throwing a 5" yakamoto on a wacky rig?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chance Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Downsize is the key.As mentioned switch to light line,4lb test is a blast when fishing for smallies.Small grubs with no weight so they fall really slow.Then hang on and have fun ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Drop the plastics. Rip a hardbait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uglyfish Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Let the fish tell u. As suggested a wacky rig senko if ur in fairly shallow water. Dropshot a bait is deadly and my preferred technique. A spinnerbait or jerkbait if they want somethin aggressive or a tube, which can be worked fast or slow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucG Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 (edited) Ive had excellent results with Wacky Rigged 4" Senkos. I use a 1/0 Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Wacky hook. Get'em everytime Edited August 9, 2011 by LucG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimsbylander Posted August 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 All great advice guys, thanks. We were using jerk baits and spinnerbaits which they didn't want to hit(one fish off a hardbait) but would run it down to the boat. Usually this works well if you quickly follow up with a tube or dropshot. Must have been an off day...short of live bait and a wacky rig, I tried most everything I had. But, still some good advice to try...wacky rigs, lighter line setup and weightless or near weightless presentations. I'll just have to go again until I get it right! Thanks guys...off to find wacky rigs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fishburn Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 While your at it grab a tiny Rapala minnow. The model escapes me at the moment but it is about only 2 inches long and comes in most standard colours. Use it with no more than 6 lb test and on a ultra lite rod. I have run into your situation many times and this tiny lure makes em commit. I just twitch and pause and keep your movement in the boat to a minimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrison Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Here is a something to try. Use a heavier drop shot weight and shake/twitch whatever bait it is like crazy. I mean, as fast as you can. Not up and down, just vibrate the bait as much and as fast as you can. Just give it a shot. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daryl0815 Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 I read an article from In-Fisherman recently that was written by one of the top tournament anglers on Erie. He said that on Erie in the summer up to 100% of the smallies diet is gobies. I would try a drop shot with a dark green goby imitating soft plastic like a slammer or something similar. You mentioned you got a few on pumpkinseed coloured grubs, which supports this theory! Good luck! Daryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alumacraft Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 PM sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrilla Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 Drop the plastics. Rip a hardbait! X2........ X-raps work great for me sight fishing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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