TOPIC:

I think I already know the answer to this question. That being said I've never used Brads before and I hear nothing but good news except one for one bad thing ( SOLD OUT). I'm trying to locate the what seems to be rare Red with black stripes but on the site I don't see the option where to select it. It looks like I can choose a cart amount for any color except that one. Also, besides that rant, is there any other early season colors ya'll have luck with and is there a noticeable amount of fish activity between the Brads and the Storm?
Thanks Friends,
Jums

They are available on many sites: Fishusa.com, GLOUTDOORS.com, Anglerwest.com just to name a few. Lake Michigan Angler is another good place to buy.
The Storm version is near impossible to find. It took me several years to find the 2 I have. The red/squiggle one is a favorite. The Brad's gold/red is good and the bengal tiger is super sometimes. I have also taken fish on the "red hot tiger" pattern. The old timers have spoke of the Storm version being better catchers. The Storm versions come in 2 sizes, RT and ART, The RT is a 3/8 ounce lure while the ART is a 1/2 ounce lure which all the Brads Thin Fish are also.

I have a pair of the brads and I had one thinfin, that thinfin is m.i.a. and it don't bother me. Those brad cranks catch a lot of fish but I've also had days where the smaller hotntots get fish too. My go to color for those would have to be the green back with black spots and the blue/chrome fishbone but just about all of the colors get hit at one time or another. Heddon tadpollys (think lindy river runner) work work for me also but I don't see them anymore and the ones I have I inherited.
I hope that helps.

Slez carries them and every other color they make. If not let me know and I get some for you if you like. Depending on the the day silver, gold, and tiger work also. I had good success with a couple of different color x raps that work better then thinfins on certain days. The originals storms are speed sensitive and need slower speeds for best results. Mike

Thanks everyone! I don't know why I didn't think about checking Slez's I'll try and go there before checking the websites out! I usually use fire tiger thin fins, X-wrap, jointed, or black and gold/blue and silver mini hot n tots but def wanted to give these Thin fish a try after all the good reviews I've read though out the threads! Thanks for all the info where to find them ya'll are the best! Hopefully see you all on the water soon!

One more question? Early Coho season we always put in at Pastrick and trolled East along the wall until we hit a few schools is this still a good strategy or is Portage area good in the spring as well? I've never fished Portage early season.

It seems that out west is where the better numbers have been over the years. Garylight, hole in the wall the shoals are good places. The ditch and donut, a long the port wall all produce also. In spring fish are everywhere, just trying to find good numbers is the biggest problem. That's the difference from 2 to 3 or a 3 man limit running the same program in a different area. Mike

I'm starting my 3rd year on the lake and from my experience there is some silver around portage to be caught. I try to bounce back and forth from the ditch to the port on slower days.

IMO there is no magic bullet. You can find spring coho anywhere and catch them on anything. The keys to doing better are:
1) Find the bigger concentration of fish
2) Figure out what depth they want it at
3) Figure out what speed they want it at
4) Figure out what wobble they want - tight or erratic

If you do none of these you will catch fish. If you do all of these you will be in very early with a limit. Trial, Error, and Luck. Red and black Brad's have always been solid but some of my best days were using Bomber Fat Free Shad's in neutral colors. My initial spread always has a variety of crankbaits because I used to be a big time bass guy......so I have alot of crap to try.

Run a variety, key in, and adjust to what is working. Dont get stuck in thinking only a few select baits work best.

I will say all good comments so far. For my 2 cents Brad's have been good on days and nothing on the next day. Colors other than Red I use are Bengal Tiger, copper, and raindow. Bombers, storm, shad raps, x raps, etc will all work on different days if the right color, speed, depth, etc. Biggest factor is size of the bait compared to bait fish. Smaller bait fish in the spring use smaller baits. Last thing don't overload. I run 9 to 16 baits at anyone time, I will never run more than 2 of the same baits at a time. I have seen and am a strong believer in overloaded presentation can and will shut down fish.

As far as EC you may have troubles this launching there this spring with the reconstruction happening there it has been said it is closed until May.

I try to see what the fish want. So I might start with a few J-9's, F-11's, beside pre rapala thinfins. Had days when each of these were the hot bait for the day. As spring warms the water up I'll add in J-11's F-11&13's along with hot and tots with close to same color patterns, some days its action, some days its speed, and some days its all of the above.