Fishin BIG water

[Silencer]

For year's I dreamed to be a professional fisherman, meaning getting paid for it.  Around these parts I can fish and/or out-fish the best of them.  That is until I grew up and fished on big water, ie: the finger lakes of NY. 
I was put to shame the first few times I fished up there.  Didnt really catch squat while the guy that brought me was reelin in smallmouth after smallmouth on tube baits.   I'm so accustomed to fishin the local river and lakes ( which are actually large ponds lol ) 

This is just a personal thing against myself for not being able to  fish big waters with tube baits down deep

Any tips or suggestions on fishing BIG water without trolling ?

[northern coyote]

I've never fished any of the finger lakes, even though they're only 45 mins south, but I do know that up here on the REALLY BIG water (ie: Lake Ontario) we usually go with mid-depth to deep cranks, like Rapala DT-10's, Down Deep Husky Jerks, Countdowns, (can you see i like Rapala's?  ) Smithwick rogues, ripsticks, or bucktail jigs tipped with worms or minnows, or just regular leadhead jig with a nightcrawler threaded on and just hung above the bottom

I could go on and on with this but those are just what has worked for me and dad over the years 

Good Luck on the BIG Water 

[alscalls]

Sounds like youre just not a jig fisherman, or ya need to slow down a bit and think them through everyone has a bad day man dont be hard on yourself just learn how to do it ,you will be fine.
Have you ever fished for those steelhead up there? They are an awsome winter pastime and you can learn a lot from doing it.
Those fish can be so picky they would want a jig tipped with one waxworm instead of two..that kind of thing. Look up
http://www.steelheadschool.com/ this guy is a treat to fish with and can show ya a hell of a good time. He has taken a local TV show down here fishing up there and my friends all highly recomend him!! Da Fishin fool they call him and he is reasonable.

[FinsnFur]

I've been to Canada fishing big lakes, and I used to live on Lake Michigan and fished that.
I hated it

I'd much rather have my bass and pike fishing, any day.

[alscalls]

I am more of a spinnerbait fisherman in those situations......... as a favorite I mean.

[Silencer]

Sounds like youre just not a jig fisherman, or ya need to slow down a bit and think them through

I think you're correct, I liked the fast paced fishing with spinners.

There's a guy that live in town and does about the same thing as Dfishinfool.

Check out his site, I'm sure you'll enjoy it if you like trout.
http://www.jerryhadden.com/flyfishing.html

[alscalls]

Have ya tried steelhead? I have caught some 10+ # fish up there and I tell ya ya aint far arom it.