Monnow lures on Lake Arthur

I wouldn't doubt that most waters around are more than half baitfish, whether they are a shad, minnow, bluegill or small game fish.  I rarely use anything that isn't a baitfish immitation.  I didn't read the article, but would guess they are combining alewives and gizzard shad, in their shad counts.  Best bet would be to check out lure colors next time you are shopping, and look for alewife or gizzard shad patterns.  Other things definitely work.  Some fish, are just curious about something that looks different, or makes a sound that either sounds tasty, or ****es them off. 

We caught some fish on pratically every topwater stickbait they sell in the spring/early summer.  I think I bought more lures this year than my first twenty seven combined.  Best colors seemed to be firetiger and silver, silver/blue.  Some white and blue but I think it would be a far fourth for us. 

A few years back I tried ripping super fluke jrs along the surface at night for Wiper and all I caught that night was an 18.5 inch smallie.  Not a wiper and pretty small compared to the hogs we caught in PI bay the week before, but a nice surprise anyway.

Amen to the xraps!  Even caught a couple 25+ inch walleyes on them early in the year.  I know this is going to get a wise crack, but I'm used to it.  You definitely need a stiff rod when you fish them or you'll get major line tangles if you're fishing it right. 

Thanks for all the tips. I don't know if it will improve my fishing, but it will give me an excuse to make a run down to Cabella's. Those rows of lures can be confusing, but theres nothing sells me like advice from another fisherman.

NICE!

Thanks guys! I was really surprised that this patter does as well as it does up there, since Blue back/White belly is usually the key anywhere there are baitfish (and heck, for somebody else it might work well) but it does.