BIG HUGE PIKE. If you can't undestand why there would be a lull? I'm fishing a huge beaver hut full of crappie and giant gills,maybe dinner for a pike ?I fished yesterday and it was cast and crank ( do you get the pic) then a huge pike close to 40 inches chases my gill the shore as I'm reeling it in,well there was a LULL after that. Later on after Mr. Pike had lunch the fishing picked up. Ended the day with 32 bulls 8.5- 9.75 inches and 8 crappie over 10.5. Also had one of the biggest bass in my 60 years chase two of my gills(while reeling in) to the high bank I was fishing.I really don't know how big she was but my PB large mouth is 6.5 lb and this gal looked to be 8-9 lb range.

Sounds like you got enough for a couple meals. Good job.
 

Using a new bait this season. Stubby Steves fish pellets. They're an alternative to crappie nibbles. They give off scent and stay on the hook a long time. I've caught bluegills, crappies, and smallies on them so far. They make a worm that i'm going to try for walleyes. Google Stubby Steve fish food for more info.
 

Give the roadrunner 1/16oz glow heads a try. My brother and i had a very good time using them on shenango.

Thanks Chauncy your info is greatly appreciated.  Now if I might ask, what did you buy to replace the Sonar/GPS unit you are selling?  
 
I'm looking at the Hummingbird Helix 7 DI/GPS but, just looking.

Do ya think the SI models are worth the extra money or even worth considering for the local lakes?  Also, might you have a opinion on the down imaging Hummingbird makes available on the Helix 7 DI/GPS?

Good info Fishinguy. I learned so much more about Shenango and other lakes when I started using side imaging. Never realized all the stuff I was going over all the time. Found so much more that I have close to 200 spots marked on Shenango alone.

I'm lookin for the one that goes on the biggest sale. Or dreaming anyway. Somehow I don't see my monochrome non gps depth finder getting replaced any time soon. $$$$

Don't be intimidated by any of the fish finders on the market today. Just get the one you like and can afford and take your time and learn how to use it. They all serve the same purpose. Some people just like to complicate stuff. The more you use it, the more you'll learn what it can do for you.

Get the biggest screen size you can afford. I'm going back to my hummingbird next spring.

Put 45 in the cooler yesterday. jig and nibble did the job.

Sure..........  cost is the leading factor followed by wanting to be able to get a better picture of the structure below the boat.  I favor jig fishing over any other type of bait presentation so I target structure then, the fish.  Certainly the SI would assist with locating structure, most likely speeding the search but I just can't justify, the extra cost. 
 
I got to see the Helix 7 DI Sonar/GPS in action last week and it's love at first sight.  I have been watching videos on the Hummingbirds with SI and I must say I would certainly enjoy using such a feature but, as I told the wife, with the size and clarity of the screen I'd probably boater moat around watching the Helix and by days end, I'd have a gazillion waypoints.
 
 

If I fished a lot of new lakes or, larger lakes I think I would bite the bullet and go the extra cost but, I pretty much fish the  area lakes and will be able to find enough structure, holding fish, to keep me busy.  
 
However, a certain person from the "Burgh" got me addicted to trolling lead core line and (if ya promise not to tell him) I must say I do enjoy doing so.  I jig fish because of the excitement with just lifting the rod tip, feel the weight or, seeing ripples around my line then, setting the hook.  Now, I know the feeling of hearing the clicker "sing" on a line counter reel when a fish takes the bait, just wonderful. (stupid lead core).  Anyway, I could see how SI would be of benefit when trolling and some day I may be sorry I didn't spend the extra cash.
 
Like you say, prices will drop in the future and, with electronics that could be just a month or two away.  Plus, so many bigger screens hitting the market, I would think, will cause the prices to drop on the smaller screens.
 
Good luck and hope things work out for ya real soon.
 
Merry Christmas

One question guys! How do you put this crappie bait on a hook?