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Live baiting Lake Erie smallies

Erie anglers go on a live bait trip using 'soft craws' to lure big smallmouth bass.

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<p>Capt. Bob Troxel has guided on Lake Erie since the 1990s. It's a profession he took up after a successful career as a tournament fisherman. Here, he poses with the preferred way to catch big numbers of fall smallies on the big lake, a soft craw.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Capt. Bob Troxel has guided on Lake Erie since the 1990s. It's a profession he took up after a successful career as a tournament fisherman. Here, he poses with the preferred way to catch big numbers of fall smallies on the big lake, a soft craw.
<p>Troxel's boat is a pristine 1977 Chris Craft, which is ideal for big parties and big waves. A pair of small-block Chevys provide motivation for the big rig.</p>
Troxel's boat is a pristine 1977 Chris Craft, which is ideal for big parties and big waves. A pair of small-block Chevys provide motivation for the big rig.
<p>A spacious cabin is ideal for relaxing in and nursing your bass thumb midday.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - A spacious cabin is ideal for relaxing in and nursing your bass thumb midday.
<p>Troxel's net is never far from hand. He prefers Berkley rods and reels.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Troxel's net is never far from hand. He prefers Berkley rods and reels.
<p>Here are the stars of the show, soft craws, sometimes called crabs in these parts. The craws are kept in water with a special chemical that makes them molt, making them soft. They're most often fished on drop shot rigs around rockpiles and other main lake structure.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Here are the stars of the show, soft craws, sometimes called crabs in these parts. The craws are kept in water with a special chemical that makes them molt, making them soft. They're most often fished on drop shot rigs around rockpiles and other main lake structure.
<p>Soft craws can be had by the dozen or 10 dozen as seen here. Get lots!</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Soft craws can be had by the dozen or 10 dozen as seen here. Get lots!
<p>The action starts quickly when using soft craws.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - The action starts quickly when using soft craws.
<p>Everyone handles the big water differently.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Everyone handles the big water differently.
<p>When you get a bite with a soft craw, often an entire school of smallies will move into the area, so it's important to keep lots of lines in the water to keep the action going.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - When you get a bite with a soft craw, often an entire school of smallies will move into the area, so it's important to keep lots of lines in the water to keep the action going.
<p>Live bait; it ain't cheating!</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Live bait; it ain't cheating!
<p>Don't be surprised if you break off a time or two, zebra mussels are everywhere in Erie. They're razor-sharp.</p>
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Don't be surprised if you break off a time or two, zebra mussels are everywhere in Erie. They're razor-sharp.
<p>Capt. Bob Troxel also guides for walleye and yellow perch, if you're looking to catch some table fare. He is well-respected among the lake's guides and has limited bookings, so it's best to reserve your trip well ahead of time. Website: <a href=
Photo: David Hunter Jones - Capt. Bob Troxel also guides for walleye and yellow perch, if you're looking to catch some table fare. He is well-respected among the lake's guides and has limited bookings, so it's best to reserve your trip well ahead of time. Website: www.lakeeriesmallmouth.com; email: reality1001@yahoo.com; phone: 740-707-2235.

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