Erie Smallies

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Bdugg
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2012/07/18 10:02:10 (permalink)

Erie Smallies

I understand that the drop shot is the technique of choice in erie for smallies. I was just wondering if any other methods have payed off? On a boat outside of the bay...
#1

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    cbeagler
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/18 10:17:09 (permalink)
    Bdugg

    I understand that the drop shot is the technique of choice in erie for smallies. I was just wondering if any other methods have payed off? On a boat outside of the bay...

     
    Can you see the storm coming?
    #2
    Bdugg
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/18 14:10:15 (permalink)
    No but i saw it on saturday when the rain hit and we could only see about 50 yards at a time.
    #3
    cbeagler
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/19 10:15:41 (permalink)
    Wow.
    Sorry for the lack of answers on the smallies.  I have always just jigged for them. There are a lot of guys on here with more experience than I have with them.
    #4
    freshwaterdrumR
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/19 11:20:05 (permalink)
    I have always used crankbaits on the open water and done fine.
    #5
    smokey4sure
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/19 12:41:56 (permalink)
    My 7 year old son caught a beauty on 7/9/12 in 50 FOW bottom bouncing for Walleye using Willow Leafs and Crawlers?  I was shocked.  Tried posting the fish with no luck (sorry, just can't figure it out!).  4.46 lbs and 19.5 inches.  Released to be caught again.
    #6
    pafisher
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/19 15:59:03 (permalink)
    Congrats to your son on that fine Smallie,and a thumb up for you on releasing that fine fish
    #7
    Bigpikeguy
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/20 13:22:51 (permalink)
    I use chicken liver.
    #8
    justinl8688
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/23 08:02:37 (permalink)
    Drag tubes, spider grubs, football jigs near rock. Also Carolina rig a worm or tube. Jerkbaits work well when shallower, Crank when they get a bit deeper. Fished over the past two weekends. Caught around 20 a day but just couldn't find a pattern for big fish (4# was biggest Sunday). They seemed scattered. Caught most from 20-30 fow

    2005 Triton TR21X
    225 Mercury Optimax
     
     
    #9
    Bigpikeguy
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/07/23 08:41:47 (permalink)
    Ya cant go wrong with a tube on the bottom.  I also do good dragging a smaller swim bait on the bottom, looks like a goby.
    #10
    KatchinFish
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/08/21 09:46:44 (permalink)
    I have been hitting them really good Drop shotting a new minnow bait I found.
    I guess it won at ICAST this year. Called" The Bento ". Been getting huge perch on it aswell.  From a company called Lunkerhunt. They have also been hittin on tubes dragged on sandy bottoms.
    #11
    Trout About
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/08/21 16:08:40 (permalink)
    Bento Minnow, nice looking bait..........looks a lot like the old Basstrix baits, but at $8 for a 5 pack, I'll stick to my Cross Tail Shad, Shad Shape Worms, Roboworms and Gulp minnows!
    #12
    MisterZ
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/08/21 21:03:58 (permalink)
    Just had one of my worst days ever one Erie. Seem to be besting my worst days far too often. We didn't catch jack. 1 smallie landed, 1 lost. Fished all over from PIB to Shades Beach.

    Has anyone noticed this lake has turned brown, and is 1-2' low? Dead sea out there today for bass and today it actually looked the part. Anyone know what's going on? Big Eastern front in the last few days?

    Granted were renting and had no electronics to help. But all the usual summer spots were a ghost town man. Very discouraging. Boat rental said waters been down and it's making things tough. Anyone agree?

    How long does it take for the murky water to return to normal?

    Thanks. First time ever I raised the white flag and decided to skip a second day on Erie, just staying in the hotel for no reason and going home tomorrow. Not worth the boat rentals cost.



    #13
    Mr.Slickfish
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/08/21 23:14:21 (permalink)
    That news thingy is callin it a drought....I'm suspicious.
     
     
    post edited by Mr.Slickfish - 2012/08/21 23:16:25

    I don't always snag fish, but when I do...
    I choose Little Cleos

    I'm the best looking smartest snagging poacher alive...
    #14
    slabdaddy
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/08/22 09:15:39 (permalink)
    Slick, you izz alwayz gud fer a laff! lol! I gots to get out witchoo sumtyme.
    #15
    MisterZ
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    Re:Erie Smallies 2012/08/22 20:24:51 (permalink)
    Mr.Slickfish That news thingy is callin it a drought....I'm suspicious.

    I'm sure it is. The question is, is that what causes the tannin stained coloring in the Bay? Or the murky green condition on the main lake? 2-3ft visibility in most areas main lake we fished, worse in the bay. And more importantly, how long does it usually take for it to clear?
     
    That information would be helpful and I'd appreciate anyone who could share - planning a one week vacation purely for bass fishing either mid-September or early October so maybe I the later the better. I guess I Just need to start a new thread every time I have one little stupid (novice) question eh Mr. Slickfish? I had read that a day of storms from the East could cause that kind of color stain but no idea how long it lasts.
     
    For what it's worth we shore fished for about 4 hours this morning and did slightly better on large mouth in the lagoons, and a few random fish off North Pier- no smallies. Spinner baits were helpful in the shallows, almost too weedy for em though. Senkos too.
    #16
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