NationalProStaff.com - New Gear, Great Action, Rice Lake

Up on Rice lake for a few days for a relax and to try out some new gear. The conditions for the times I got out was partly cloudy with mild winds around 12 kmph, winds out of the north west and water temp at 74 degrees. In the Otanabee river I was fishing in the morning with mild currents.

I first wanted to try out a few new hard baits that I picked up this year. My best action was on the new Jackall Soul shad in in 5-7ft of water in the mornings. I would cast this bait out and slowly reel it back in with pauses and occasional jerks. I had walleye and smallies crush it in the early morning bite on rock weed transitions. I was fishing in the Otanabee river where current also played a huge factor on bait presentation and fish location to cover.

My new baits I used were the X zone Slim Slammer and Jackall Clone Gill on the Spro Shakey Head and the Strike King Tour Grade Football Shakey Head. I fished the X Zone slim slammer (smoke purple color) and Jackall Clone Gill (color Orange Belly Bluegill) on rock and sand transitions in 8 feet of water. I cast out into the wind and slowly dragged the bait over the rock and sand back to the boat. The sensitivity of the G Loomis NRX and Trilene 100% Floro was critical in feeling the soft pick ups and getting the hooks into some big smallies.

One other new product I used that was great was my new EGO Net. This by far is the best net I have ever used with ease of one hand extension and operation which is awesome when fishing by yourself, it floats if you drop it in the water and also has a great meshing that is safer for fish and also doesn't allow hooks to get tangled.

All in all was a great relaxing weekend and it was fun going out and using some new products on the water.