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Ryan, thanks for the info. I will have to go back over it a second or third time, so far it makes a lot of sense, all the responses I have received have been very helpful. So from what I have pulled so far is that, the bait is not necessary, may or may not hurt, helps with the visual and the olfactory presentation.So it would help to add bait to open water fishing as well. Or the lures that are already fishy and buggy looking a little scent can help. It's all about the mood of the fish. Kind of like dealing with your wife, some days you can do no wrong and everything is right in the world, the other 364 watch out.
I found with the fish being slower that a sesitive rod helps feel them. A lot of the fish I caught last winter I'd just feel their weight on the rod when I lifted it, not really a actual bite
For light biters in winter, such as small lakers, some of us use a slip float.