Hi all, new to board..

Just found this place and it is like hitting pay dirt!! Looks like a good place for a greenhorn like me to get som spec learning done.:). a bit about me, I live in N. Lakeland and have a 14' jon boat powerd by trolling motor. I spend most of my time on saddle creek and a few trips to lake gibbson. I just got a fish finder for christmas. I know it takes time to learn a lake but after two years im not doing so hot:( My best catch was last spring and that was about 10 specks. I fish live bait but im iterested in jigs. I also started night fishing this year with no luck. Im not wanting anyones hot spots I lke finding them on my own but im looking for pointers and should i be look for different lakes to start fishing. Thanks for any help, I think i will be pretty busie reading all the old post.

Welcome Scraps,
I'm not familiar with the lakes you fish, but I think you have what you need to catch fish. I've been a live bait angler for many years, but this year I started trolling jigs and I can't believe the difference. My catch rate has probably improved 10 fold in regard to quantity and quality. When I take people fishing I usually give them all the fish because I have confidence that I can catch a mess whenever I want. I'll never understand why a gamefish would rather eat an unnatural peice of rubber than a live minnow, but that does indeed seem to be the case. I fish Talquin regularly and I'm still learning every time I go out. God has truly blessed me and I think many on this site feel the same. Keep at it, be patient, and troll deep.

Later

tennarock !

Thanks guys. When trolling do i want deep and weed free, do I troll just above the weeds or in front of the weed line.... Look for a drop off etc.. ? do you use a blade on you jig or not? can any one tell me what spider riging is and also tightlineing? do any of you use under water lights when night fishing? I am off for the next 4-5 days and not even going to pick up that honey-do list plan on spending it fishing!! I think I will try Lake gibson in the early am, just depends on the wind!! and try saddle creek in the pm.. Tenarock Im going to try friday. At Tenarock does anyone have a fav. lake? Been a crazy week can't wait to relaxe out on that water. Thanks again

Welcome. You have found the honey hole. I too was not catching many crappie until finding a group of fishermen here. What a wealth of information. You should try to come to the slabfest on the 17th. Look at the boats, etc. and learn. The guys will share with you info and someone will have a vacant seat for you.

Learn to use the search feature. Wealth of info.

Chuck